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The car rolled to stop in front of huge gate. Kim Hajun reached for the handle, twisting it, and was about to step out when a warm hand on his arm halted him.
He turned to face his father, confusion flickering in his green eyes. His father sat beside him with small and gentle smile.
Leaned forward, he cupped his son's face and caressed his cheeks gently. "See you later, son."
Hajun's lips curved into a smile as he stepped out of the car. ""Goodbye, Dad."
His father returned the wave, and Hajun stood watching until the car rolled away and disappeared from his range of sight.
The moment it did, his smile faded. A sudden gloominess appeared as he turned. His gaze settled in front as the students walked in.
He glared at the crest of a white dragon breathing the blue fire encircled with grey linings. EMS. The Elite Magic School.
One of the prestigious schools in the kingdom where about magic is taught. Only the children of elite came here. Admission required talent, proven through tough and gruesome magical aptitude tests.
Hajun had passed none of those.
His entry had been secured the other way—through academic evaluation. It was considered an embarrassment, and anyone admitted this way was always the target of bullying.
He had never wanted to be here. This place, with its obsession with strength and magic prowess, forging mages of battle. Hajun was complete opposite. He deeply despised involving himself anything related to violence.
Hajun was small and delicate boy who loved to read books. He would rather hide himself behind huge shelfs in library and read about the history of magic, than practice it.
But, his father, the Commander of the Royal Army of Mages, one of the most powerful mages of the world ranking fifth, wanted his son to be like him.
So, of course, he had to agree for his father's sake. He was, in every way complete opposite of what this world, his father took pride on. And in a place like EMS… Hajun was famous for all the wrong reasons.
The front gate opened, and the crowd of students burst out, running to their parents.
Kim Hajun stood quietly at the front, his bag slung over his shoulders. He was waiting for his father. Excitement ran through his body by just imagining the rest of the day with his father.
He kicked a rock while waiting. Suddenly, someone bumped into his shoulder. "Ah-"
He winced, clutching his shoulder. His face twitched with pain, rubbing his shoulder to ease the pain. The student just ran away without apologizing, to his parents.
No… don't make a scene. Dad will worry if he sees.
Hajun was getting anxious now. His father was late. The excitement that once made his body shake was reducing to disappointment. He's late…
Suddenly, a black sedan halted in front of the gate. A huge man wearing a black suit stepped out from the passenger seat. He scanned the crowd like searching for someone. The man had a scar on his left eye, skin tanned. He looked like a typical thug.
Whispers and startled glances took over as every parent started to hide their children. Some quickly left not wanting to get in any trouble.
When the man's eye landed on Hajun, he smirked before walking to him. Hajun flinched when his met the man's. He looked around nervously.
Hajun took a step back when the man stopped in front of him. His shadow hovered over the small body of Hajun.
"Are you Kim Hajun?" The man inquired in his deep voice sending a shiver down Hajun's spine.
"Y-yes…why?" Hajun swallowed dryly and his stomach tightened. He didn't like how the man looked at him. Hajun felt like prey in front of a predator.
"Your father sent me. Said he's busy and can't make it."
"What? But… Dad told me he took a half-day off."
There's something wrong. Hajun could feel it. The way this man stared at him like he's tearing him apart just with his single eye.
Hajun clenched his hand into a fist, biting on his lower lip.
The man's lips curled faintly. "Emergency came up. He had to go."
"I… I see." Hajun's heart sank. He was really looking forward to spending his day.
"Now," the man said, straightening, "shall I drop you off, young master?"
Hajun knew that it's not a good idea. His instincts screamed at him not to go with a man. Something will happen but he had no idea what it was.
He forced a small nod. "O-okay."
The man's smile didn't reach his eyes. He turned toward the car. Hajun hesitated for a moment before following, anxiety eating him up from inside.
When the man opened the back door, Hajun froze.
Someone was already inside. A man in a dark coat, smiling in a way that made Hajun's skin crawl.
"What—"
The scarred man shoved him inside. Hajun stumbled and fell against the seat. The door slammed shut behind him.
"W-wait…" Hajun was about to scream when a hand shot out, slammed over his mouth, shutting him down. His eyes went wide.
"N-no! Let me go—" Hajun's voice came out as maffled. He thrashed, his eyes stinging with tears.
The man leaned close, a glint of a metal shined as he slowly took it close to Hajun's cheek cutting the skin slightly. The blood oozed out.
"Kiddo, if you want to live longer," the man whispered, menacingly. "… I advised you to settle down. Otherwise, it won't be good for you."
The man slowly took off his hand over Hajun's mouth. Hajun didn't do anything. He silently sobbed.
"Sorry, kid." The knife pressed lightly against his side. "That's just your fate." The sedan pulled away from the gate.
Hajun never thought he would had gotten in such situation. Why… why life have to be like this? Am I going to die?
But, I never proved myself. I never made him proud. And, now…
I'm going to die like this. This isn't fair. This isn't to fair to Dad.
Even in my death, I will be the reason he will embarrassed. I'm seriously was just nothing but a embarrassment.
They were right. I shouldn't have born. It was my punishment to suffer this humiliation, so be it.
Hajun sobbed as he tried to prevent them. Dad… I'm sorry. His green eyes were holding emotions of regret, embarrassment and most of all… hatred.
He despised himself for not meeting his father's expectations.