Infinite System Inheritor Return From The Abyss

They sat on the stone benches at the edge of the training field, the warm sunlight brushing across their tired faces as they caught their breath. Minseok was lying down with his arms spread out like a starfish, still catching his breath after his short mana training. Nayoung, always full of energy even when exhausted, scooted closer to Yoora with wide, curious eyes.

"Hey, Yoora," she started, her tone light and bubbly, "where did you guys go yesterday? You weren't in the academy at all. Was it some kind of secret dungeon training? Huh? Tell me, tell me!"

Yoora, still sitting upright with her elbows resting on her knees, looked down at her hands for a moment. Her thoughts drifted to that place—the Ethereal Grounds—and her body still remembered the weight in the air, the way it pressed on her chest, and the strange, thick gravity that made every step feel heavier.

She thought for a second if she should tell Nayoung, then glanced at her. 'She's a student in the class too,' Yoora thought. 'She'll probably know about it soon anyway.'

After a pause, Yoora spoke, her voice quieter than usual. "I don't know exactly what that place is… but it didn't feel like Earth. The air was heavy… the gravity was strong… It didn't belong here."

Minseok, now sitting up while drinking water and wiping sweat from his neck with a towel, raised an eyebrow and joined in. "Then it's not on Earth?"

Just as Yoora was about to reply, a familiar calm voice interrupted from nearby.

"You'll be able to enter it," Seojun said as he walked toward them from the clinic side, his tone as casual as if they were just talking about the weather.

Nayoung blinked in surprise and leaned forward. "Where is it, Professor?"

Seojun didn't stop walking. "Not now," he said with a small smirk. "But soon."

Then, before they could ask more, he turned slightly and spoke louder, "Since you all seem to have rested well... start again."

"What?!" Yoora stood halfway, her eyes wide. "It's not even five minutes yet!"

"If you have time to talk," Seojun said calmly, turning his back to them, "then you've rested. Now back to training."

"Professor!" Nayoung whined loudly, clearly not ready to continue.

But Seojun ignored her as he walked toward the middle of the field, his hands behind his back like usual.

Minseok groaned, slowly getting up to his feet. "This guy's a demon," he muttered, cracking his neck.

Yoora clicked her tongue in annoyance but stood as well. "He didn't even give us cold water," she said under her breath, brushing dust off her pants.

Nayoung let out a dramatic sigh as she stood, "And I thought today would be light training…"

With no choice, the three of them walked back into the center of the field, once again releasing their mana as the next round of training began.

The loud bell echoed across the field, signaling the end of the training session before lunch break. The sun was higher now, and the heat made their sweat stick uncomfortably to their uniforms. Minseok stretched his arms with a loud yawn, rubbing the back of his neck while the other two beside him—Yoora and Nayoung—looked just as tired.

"Finally! Food!" Nayoung said with joy, clasping her hands together as she skipped slightly ahead.

Yoora just shook her head, wiping the sweat from her forehead. "You get excited way too fast."

The three of them walked side by side through the academy's open paths toward the cafeteria. The cool breeze brushing past helped a little with their sore muscles, and the idea of food made the walk feel shorter. But then, as they were just a few steps away from the cafeteria's front doors, Minseok suddenly stopped.

His eyes narrowed as he stared across the path. "Huh?" he muttered.

Nayoung turned to him. "What's wrong?"

He didn't answer. Instead, he kept watching something—or rather, someone. His eyes were locked onto Jinhyu, who was standing near one of the side buildings, half-hiding behind a pillar with his head poked out awkwardly. His body looked stiff, and he was clearly staring at someone.

Minseok followed Jinhyu's line of sight and spotted Hannah walking alone through the corridor, her expression unreadable, her steps slow. She didn't seem to notice anything around her.

Minseok frowned and muttered, "Is he… spying?"

He looked back at Yoora and Nayoung. "I got something to check. I'll catch up later."

Before they could even ask what was going on, Minseok was already jogging across the path, heading toward Jinhyu. Nayoung blinked. "Wait, huh? Minseok! You—ugh, seriously, he never listens!"

Meanwhile, Minseok approached quietly behind Jinhyu and without warning grabbed both of his shoulders firmly. "You look like a pervert standing here like that, Jinhyu."

Jinhyu's whole body jumped. He quickly reached back, covering Minseok's mouth with one hand and pulling him down behind the pillar.

"Shhh! Quiet!" Jinhyu whispered urgently.

Minseok stared at him with confusion as both of them crouched behind the pillar. Jinhyu slowly peeked out, checking if Hannah had noticed anything. She was still walking, eyes forward, completely unaware.

Jinhyu exhaled in relief and let go of Minseok's mouth. "Good… she didn't see."

"What the hell are you doing?" Minseok asked, brushing off his shirt. "You're actually following her like a stalker. Explain, man."

Jinhyu looked a little guilty but also serious. "It's not like that. I'm just… watching her."

Minseok raised an eyebrow. "Still sounds like a stalker."

Jinhyu leaned his back against the wall and looked at the sky for a moment before answering. "Ever since Hannah came back from being sick, something's off. She's… different."

Minseok tilted his head. "Different how?"

"She used to smile all the time, right?" Jinhyu said. "But now she barely talks to anyone. She avoids people. Even during training, she doesn't show her full power anymore. It's like she's scared to lose control."

Minseok's face became more serious. "Did something happen while she was sick?"

"I don't know," Jinhyu replied quietly. "But I want to find out."

They both stayed quiet for a moment, the sound of footsteps and distant chatter of students heading to the cafeteria filling the air. Minseok looked back in the direction Hannah had gone and sighed.

"Then let's not spy on her like creeps. Just talk to her, you know?"

Jinhyu didn't answer right away, but the thoughtful look in his eyes showed he was seriously considering it.