# Chapter Two:
The sun had completely set when Jin-ho arrived at the grand hall in the western wing of the Academy. The building was imposing, with a classical façade and massive marble columns supporting a domed ceiling adorned with engravings depicting the history of the five great families.
"Impressive, isn't it?" asked Song-min who was walking beside him, "It was built exactly one hundred years ago, when the peace treaty between the five families was signed."
"Peace treaty?" asked Jin-ho, feigning ignorance, "What was there before?"
"A bloody civil war that lasted ten years," Song-min whispered with a historian's enthusiasm, "The Kim family was on the verge of victory, but an alliance of the other four families forced them to accept peace and share power."
*And after one century, they decided to eliminate us completely*, thought Jin-ho, but he merely nodded with fabricated interest.
At the entrance to the hall, there was a line of new students waiting their turn to enter. Each student presented their admission badge to a guard standing at the door, then received a glass of glowing blue liquid.
"What's that?" asked Jin-ho, pointing to the glasses.
"The traditional welcome drink," answered Song-min, "A ceremonial beverage offered to new students. It's said to strengthen the bonds between students and the Academy."
Jin-ho watched carefully as he saw students drinking. They showed no strange signs, but he was cautious by nature. When his turn came, he presented his badge to the guard and received his glass. He sniffed the drink carefully – a sweet scent with a hint of strange herbs. He took a small sip, tasting cautiously. He felt a pleasant warmth spreading through his body, but nothing indicating mind-manipulation magic or poison.
"Don't worry," Song-min laughed, noticing his caution, "It's just tradition. No one will try to poison you on your first day."
*Not yet*, thought Jin-ho, but he smiled and finished the glass.
They entered the hall together, finding themselves in a vast space lit by hundreds of candles suspended in the air by magic. The walls were decorated with the flags of the five great families, and in the center, the Academy's flag – the sacred Hanyeol tree surrounded by five stars.
The place was bustling with students of various ages and backgrounds. Senior students wore formal attire bearing the colors of their departments – red for Practical Magic, blue for Theoretical Magic, green for Martial Arts, purple for Strategy and Politics, and yellow for Science and Medicine.
"There's So-yeon," Song-min pointed to the far side of the hall.
So-yeon was standing with a group of students, wearing an elegant purple dress that highlighted her quiet beauty. When she saw them, she smiled and gestured for them to approach.
"Jin-ho, Song-min, welcome!" she greeted them warmly, "Let me introduce you to some of our colleagues in the Strategy and Politics department."
She introduced three students – a girl with short black hair and elegant glasses, a tall young man with sharp features, and another girl with tanned skin and curly brown hair.
"This is Choi Min-ah, the best student in our class," So-yeon pointed to the girl with glasses, "and this is Cho Won-sik, the assistant student council president, and this is Jung Hae-jin, who joined us last semester."
Jin-ho exchanged greetings with them, carefully observing their reactions. Min-ah was looking at him with analytical curiosity, as if trying to decode a puzzle. Won-sik was reserved, assessing him with a skeptical look. As for Hae-jin, she smiled at him with a natural warmth rare in this place full of appearances and masks.
"I heard you answered the question about the five elements correctly," Min-ah said directly, bypassing traditional pleasantries, "Have you studied the ancient history of magic?"
"I've read some books," Jin-ho answered with calculated simplicity, "I find the history of magic fascinating."
"Most people don't even know about the existence of the fifth element," continued Min-ah, her eyes examining him carefully, "let alone that it's shadow."
"Min-ah!" So-yeon intervened, "Don't interrogate new students on their first day."
Min-ah laughed, "Sorry, professional habit. I study ancient magic history as a minor."
"It's fine," Jin-ho smiled, "I don't mind questions."
"So," Won-sik interjected, "which family are you from exactly, Kim Jin-ho?"
The question was direct and deliberate. Jin-ho felt that Won-sik was trying to provoke or test him.
"A small branch from the south," he answered calmly, repeating the answer he had prepared, "We're not very well-known."
"Strange," said Won-sik, "I know most branches of the Kim family, even the small ones. My father is an advisor to the Lee family."
"Perhaps you haven't heard of us because we don't get involved much in politics," Jin-ho replied with a calm smile, "We prefer a simple life."
"And yet, you decided to join the Strategy and Politics department," Won-sik noted with a skeptical tone.
"Circumstances change," Jin-ho answered simply, "and so do people."
The atmosphere tensed slightly, but Hae-jin intervened gently, "I'm from the south too! Which province are you from?"
"Seongju Province," answered Jin-ho, using the name of a remote province he had studied well as part of his fake identity.
"Really?" Hae-jin smiled enthusiastically, "I'm from neighboring Gyeongju Province! How's life in Seongju these days?"
This was an unintentional test. Fortunately, Jin-ho had studied the area well.
"Quiet as always," he smiled, "Green fields, mountains in the background, and the annual harvest festival that brings everyone together. Not much changes there."
Hae-jin seemed convinced and smiled happily, "True! Sometimes I miss that simplicity. The capital is too noisy."
Before Won-sik could ask more questions, a bell rang in the hall, announcing the start of the official ceremony. Everyone headed toward the main stage, where an elderly woman of obvious dignity stood, wearing an ornate formal robe.
"That's President Kang Mi-sook," So-yeon whispered to Jin-ho, "She's been the Academy's president for fifteen years."
"Dear students of Hanyeol Academy," President Kang began in a strong voice despite her advanced age, "I welcome you all to a new academic year. And I especially welcome our new students who have joined our family today."
Jin-ho watched the president attentively. She spoke with confidence and authority, but her eyes moved among the audience, as if searching for something or someone.
"At Hanyeol Academy, we believe that knowledge is the most powerful form of magic," she continued, "and that power without wisdom is the path to destruction. Our goal is not just to teach you how to use magic, but how to use it responsibly."
Her words seemed noble, but Jin-ho noticed the exchanged glances between some professors standing behind her. There was a subtle tension, something most students couldn't see.
"This year, we will focus on enhancing cooperation between different departments," the president announced, "There will be joint projects and competitions combining diverse skills. We want you to learn from each other, and to realize that the Academy's strength lies in its diversity."
Jin-ho noticed Professor Yang standing in the back, watching the students with piercing eyes. For a moment, their gazes met, and Jin-ho felt that strange prickle again, as if the professor was trying to penetrate his thoughts.
"Now," continued the president, "I would like to introduce you to the heads of the five departments, who will be your guides during your educational journey."
She introduced each department head in turn – Professor Yang for Strategy and Politics, Professor Kim for Theoretical Magic, Professor Park for Practical Magic, Professor Lee for Martial Arts, and Professor Choi for Science and Medicine.
After the formal speeches, the president announced the start of the celebration, and music began to play in the hall again. Students started gathering in small groups, enjoying the drinks and food served by the attendants.
"Would you like to meet more of our colleagues?" So-yeon asked Jin-ho.
"Certainly," he nodded, realizing this was a perfect opportunity to expand his network.
So-yeon led him through the hall, introducing him to several students and professors. Jin-ho memorized every name and face, analyzing every relationship and alliance, building a complex map of powers within the Academy in his mind.
In one corner of the hall, Jin-ho noticed a group of wealthy students gathering around a handsome young man wearing luxurious attire. He was speaking with excessive confidence, and the others were listening to him with obvious admiration.
"Who is that?" asked Jin-ho, pointing to the young man.
"That's Lee Jun-ho, my cousin whom you met earlier," answered So-yeon with a reserved tone, "He's... popular among a certain group of students."
"He seems to have considerable influence," observed Jin-ho.
"He's my father's nephew," explained So-yeon, "and he exploits this relationship to build alliances. Most of his followers are children of wealthy families seeking to get closer to the Lee family."
There was a slight bitterness in her voice, which Jin-ho noticed and decided to exploit.
"And you? Don't you benefit from being the daughter of the Lee family head?" he asked with calculated curiosity.
So-yeon sighed, "I prefer people to respect me for my abilities, not for my family name. But that's difficult in a society obsessed with social status."
"I understand that," Jin-ho nodded, "Living in the shadow of a big name can be a heavy burden."
So-yeon looked at him curiously, "You speak as if you understand this feeling well."
Jin-ho smiled a mysterious smile, "Each of us has our own burdens."
Before she could inquire further, they were interrupted by a familiar voice.
"So-yeon! There you are!" Park Ji-won was approaching them, carrying two glasses of drink.
"Ji-won," So-yeon smiled politely, "Do you remember Kim Jin-ho? You met this morning."
"Of course," Ji-won nodded, "The philosophical new student. I heard you joined the Strategy and Politics department."
"That's right," answered Jin-ho.
"Strange," commented Ji-won, "I expected you to join the Theoretical Magic department, with all those books you read."
There was a slight sarcasm in his voice, but Jin-ho also noticed genuine curiosity.
"I prefer studying how to apply knowledge in the real world," Jin-ho replied, "Theoretical knowledge alone changes nothing."
Ji-won raised his eyebrows, surprised by the answer, "Good point. Perhaps you're more interesting than I thought."
Ji-won offered a glass to So-yeon, who accepted it with a polite smile, "Thank you."
"I didn't bring one for you, sorry," Ji-won said to Jin-ho with a tone carrying no real apology.
"It's fine," Jin-ho smiled, "I don't drink much anyway."
"Wise," commented Ji-won, "Some drinks here are deceptively strong. Especially for those not accustomed to them."
There was an implied warning in his words, which Jin-ho noticed and stored for later.
"Ji-won is one of the best duelists in the Martial Arts department," said So-yeon, trying to ease the tension, "He won second place in last year's championship."
"Impressive," Jin-ho commented sincerely, "Who won first place?"
Ji-won's expression changed slightly, "So-yeon's cousin, Lee Jun-ho."
"It was a very close match," So-yeon quickly added, "Everyone thought Ji-won would win."
"Until the last moment," Ji-won said bitterly, "when something... unexpected happened."
There was a hint of something bigger in his words, something that piqued Jin-ho's curiosity.
"What exactly happened?" he asked.
Before Ji-won could answer, they were interrupted by a resonant voice.
"Ah, the interesting new student!"
The three turned to find a beautiful girl approaching them. She was wearing an elegant pink dress, and her long black hair flowed smoothly around her beautiful face. She was smiling a charming smile, but her eyes were cold and calculating.
"Han Su-min," So-yeon introduced her with formal politeness, "This is Kim Jin-ho, a new student in our department."
"I've heard about you," said Su-min, extending her hand elegantly, "The student who correctly answered the question about the five elements. You're the talk of the Academy today."
Jin-ho shook her hand politely, noting how her eyes gleamed with greedy curiosity, "Just something I read in an old book."
"Modest too," Su-min laughed, "That's rare in this Academy."
Han Su-min was the daughter of a wealthy merchant, not from the five great families, but from a rising family seeking to build its influence. Jin-ho had read about her in the student files he had obtained before his arrival. She was known for her social intelligence and ability to build an extensive network of relationships.
"Are you planning to participate in the speech competition this year, Su-min?" asked So-yeon, trying to change the subject.
"Of course," Su-min answered confidently, "I intend to win this time. What about you, Jin-ho? Will you participate in any of the upcoming competitions?"
"I haven't decided yet," answered Jin-ho, "I prefer to get to know the Academy first."
"Wise," Su-min nodded, "But don't wait too long. Competitions are the best way to build your reputation here."
She was right, and Jin-ho knew it. Competitions and matches were a quick way to earn respect and influence within the Academy. But he preferred to observe the situation first, to understand the rules before playing the game.
"I'll keep that in mind," he smiled.
"If you need any help adjusting to the Academy, I'm always available," Su-min offered with an attractive smile, "I know everything about this place and its people."
"Thank you," Jin-ho nodded, realizing this offer might be useful in the future.
At that moment, Jin-ho noticed someone watching him from the other side of the hall. It was a man in his sixties, wearing a simple but elegant uniform. There was something familiar about his features, something that stirred old memories in Jin-ho's mind.
"Who is that man?" he asked, pointing cautiously.
So-yeon looked in the direction he indicated, "Ah, that's Mr. Ko. He's the supervisor of the old library. An eccentric person, but he knows a lot about the Academy's history."
*Ko*. The name triggered something in Jin-ho's memory. There was a servant in the Kim family palace named Ko, who was loyal to his father. Could it be the same person? Could he have survived the massacre too?
Before he could think more, the lights suddenly went out, and darkness enveloped the hall for a moment. Then the candles lit up again, but with a strange blue color this time.
"Time for the traditional show," So-yeon whispered excitedly.
In the center of the hall, three-dimensional images formed from light and shadow appeared, telling the story of the Academy's founding. The images moved smoothly, showing scenes from the ancient war, then the signing of the peace treaty, and finally the building of the Academy as a symbol of unity and cooperation between the five families.
Jin-ho watched the show attentively, noting how the Kim family was portrayed in the story – as strong warriors but thirsty for power, who were "persuaded" to peace by the other "wise" families. It was a clearly biased narrative, justifying the dominance of the current four families.
When the show ended, the lights returned to normal, and everyone applauded enthusiastically. Jin-ho noticed that Mr. Ko had disappeared from his spot.
"Amazing show, isn't it?" asked So-yeon enthusiastically.
"Certainly interesting," Jin-ho answered cautiously, "but I wonder how much historical truth is in it."
"What do you mean?" So-yeon asked curiously.
"History is always written by the victors," Jin-ho said simply, "and stories change over time to suit those who tell them."
So-yeon looked at him thoughtfully, "You have a... different perspective."
"Just an observation," Jin-ho smiled, "It doesn't mean anything."
But it meant a lot. It was a reminder of why he was here – to uncover the truth behind the lies, and to achieve justice for his family.
The celebration continued for hours, and Jin-ho moved between different groups, building a clearer picture of the power dynamics within the Academy. He met more students and professors, and began to identify who would be useful to him and who might pose a threat.
Late at night, students began to leave gradually. So-yeon approached Jin-ho, who was standing alone watching the scene.
"How did you find the welcome ceremony?" she asked him.
"Very useful," he answered honestly, "I met many interesting people."
"Tomorrow is the first day of actual study," said So-yeon, "Your class schedule is in your room. Do you know where it is?"
"Yes, the supervisor gave me the key and instructions after the test," Jin-ho nodded.
"Great. We'll meet tomorrow then," So-yeon smiled, "We have a joint lecture on the history of magical politics."
"Looking forward to it," Jin-ho smiled.
After So-yeon left, Jin-ho stayed for a while, watching the remaining students. He noticed a small group talking in whispers in one of the corners – among them were Lee Jun-ho and some of his followers, as well as Cho Won-sik. They exchanged glances toward him from time to time, confirming his suspicions that they were talking about him.
*Let them talk*, thought Jin-ho, *they'll know who I really am at the right time*.
He finally left the hall, heading to the student residence building. The night was quiet, and the moon cast a silvery light on the Academy buildings, giving them a beautiful ghostly appearance.
On his way, he noticed movement in the shadows between the trees. He stopped, staring into the darkness. For a moment, he thought he saw Mr. Ko's figure disappearing among the trees, but he wasn't sure.
He reached his room in the student residence building – a small but comfortable room, with a window overlooking the gardens. He closed the door behind him, made sure it was securely locked, then checked the room for any espionage devices or surveillance spells. He found nothing, but he was cautious by nature.
He sat on the edge of the bed and took out the silver ring from his secret pocket. He contemplated it in the moonlight filtering through the window, remembering the day his father gave it to him.
"*This is not just a ring, my son,*" his father had said, "*It's a symbol of your responsibility to our family and our people. One day, you will understand what it truly means.*"
Jin-ho didn't understand the meaning of those words then. He was a small child, interested only in playing and having fun. But now, after twenty years of suffering, training, and planning, he began to understand.
He returned the ring to its hiding place, then took out a small notebook and began to record his notes about the day – the people he had met, the information he had gathered, the questions that remained unanswered.
The most important question on his mind was: Was Mr. Ko really the loyal servant who had saved him from the massacre? And if so, what had he been doing at the Academy all these years?
He decided that visiting the old library would be his first priority tomorrow. But now, he needed rest. Tomorrow would be the beginning of his real journey inside Hanyeol Academy.
He turned off the lamp and lay on the bed, listening to the quiet sounds of the night. His plan had started well, but these were just the first steps on a long and dangerous path.
"*Wait for me,*" he whispered in the darkness, "*I will make you pay for every drop of blood you spilled. This is a promise.*"
And with this promise, he closed his eyes, letting himself slip into sleep, ready to face the challenges that would come tomorrow.