Return of the Genius Photographer

Yale University’s scholarship foundation perfectly reflected the institution’s commitment to elitism.

Every year, they maintained strict criteria, awarding scholarships only to elite students who met their exacting standards.

It was less about supporting or sponsoring students and more about making strategic investments.

Though the standards might have seemed harsh to students,

The simple logic of awarding scholarships only to the very best had remained an unwavering principle throughout the foundation’s long history.

But now,

One person was threatening to shake that principle to its core.

“Are you saying they might have to leave school?”

“To think someone could be so brazen…”

In the scholarship foundation’s meeting room,

The board members’ voices grew increasingly heated.

“No matter how exceptional their abilities, this could tarnish the school’s reputation.”

“You’re talking about Lin Xiangtao, aren’t you?”

“This reminds me of what happened five years ago.”

“Indeed. Back then, we selected them as a scholar based on merit without hesitation, but didn’t it end up damaging our standing? I think this situation is similar.”

The other board members nodded in agreement with these words.

Their meaning was clear – they found it difficult to select Kai, or rather, Woojin, as a scholarship recipient.

While his abilities were undeniably exceptional,

The board members felt he lacked genuine commitment to the school, much like the case from five years ago.

“Perhaps we should select Malcolm as the scholarship recipient instead.”

“I was about to suggest the same thing. Malcolm has an impressive background as well.”

The board members reviewed the scholarship candidate list that had been submitted beforehand.

Well, there were only two candidates anyway – Kai and Malcolm…

“Professor Ryan, how could you recommend such a student?”

One board member questioned Professor Ryan.

Though smiling, their tone carried a subtle hint of reproach.

“I simply chose someone with talent.”

But Professor Ryan responded matter-of-factly.

‘These useless pigs…’

Professor Ryan, listening quietly to the board members’ conversation, felt like shouting at them.

How pathetic that they sat in their high positions worrying about appearances while dealing with such an important matter for students…

What nonsense.

“Professor Ryan, selecting Nam Woojin as a scholar would be rather burdensome…”

Just as the board was about to express their rejection,

“This is a waste of time.”

“Pardon?”

“Let’s stop with the theoretical discussion.”

Professor Ryan spoke with an icy gaze.

A chilling aura emanated from him, reminiscent of the predator he was named after.

“Why are appearances so important to you all?”

“We have circumstances to consider…”

“Since when did the foundation start selecting students based on circumstances?”

“But… Professor Ryan…”

The board members were flustered.

Professor Ryan was someone who had risen from Yale graduate to professor.

Having been with the school for quite some time, his influence couldn’t be ignored.

“Wasn’t this system meant for elites who would demonstrate exceptional abilities in the future?”

“W-well, that’s true.”

Moreover, Professor Ryan had the moral high ground.

While it was the foundation’s role to select scholars from among professor-recommended candidates,

Even to those unfamiliar with photography, the gap between Woojin and Malcolm was enormous.

In fact, it was the board members who were being unreasonable.

“Then there’s no one more deserving than Nam Woojin. His talent is genuine.”

Professor Ryan spoke with absolute conviction.

“It’s the kind of talent you might see once in ten years… no, even rarer than that.”

Come to think of it, it was rather unusual.

Had he ever advocated so strongly for a student before?

“If anything, not selecting him as a scholar would bring shame to the school. And to your reputations as well.”

Silence filled the meeting room after Ryan’s words.

“If you won’t select him, I’ll find help through other channels.”

“Are you suggesting going through external foundations rather than the university?”

“Yes, I have my own sponsorships, so it wouldn’t be impossible.”

The atmosphere had already shifted in Professor Ryan’s favor.

“Very well…”

The board members reluctantly nodded with uncomfortable expressions.

“Still… it’s difficult to invest everything in someone whose graduation prospects are unclear.”

“How about dividing this year’s scholarship between two recipients?”

“Since we have two candidates anyway, that doesn’t sound like a bad idea… What do you think, Professor Ryan?”

The board members looked to Professor Ryan cautiously.

Still unwilling to completely surrender their pride,

They tried to incorporate his opinion while maintaining some ground.

“That’s sufficient.”

Professor Ryan nodded in agreement.

Though not a perfect solution, he decided to be satisfied with this compromise.

He could have pressured them further if he wanted, but antagonizing board members he had to face every year wouldn’t have been easy for him either.

“Then we’ll set this year’s scholarship recipients at two.”

“Very well. I’ll take my leave.”

“Thank you for your time, Professor Ryan.”

And so the meeting concluded successfully.

Professor Ryan achieved what he wanted.

The foundation board members saved face.

And Woojin, who didn’t even know it yet, received a scholarship…

It was a successful outcome for everyone involved.

***

Woojin was participating in Yale’s freshman orientation event.

“Yale University, established in 1701, is America’s third-oldest educational institution, after Harvard and William & Mary.”

“We were also the first university to award doctoral degrees, and four U.S. presidents are among our distinguished alumni, demonstrating the caliber of our graduates…”

At a steady pace, neither too fast nor too slow,
The guide expertly described the school as their bus traversed Yale’s grounds.

“Yale particularly stands out among other Ivy League institutions for its excellence in culture and arts.”

“Not only have we produced numerous accomplished artists, but we also maintain high-quality galleries and creative facilities…”

While my ears absorbed the explanation, my eyes captured the passing university landscape.

The Gothic-style buildings visible through the window seemed to validate the claims of over 300 years of history.

The serene scenery blended perfectly with the city, and the campus was so vast it was hard to distinguish where the city ended and campus began.

Just like during my interview visit, these historic elements were breathtakingly beautiful.

‘Taking in the sights from the bus has its own charm.’

I’d thought this mandatory freshman event would be tedious, but I welcomed this kind of tour.

“This event will last three days and two nights. The dormitory you’ll be assigned today will be your home for the year, so please keep it clean.”

Excited cheers erupted from the freshmen when the guide mentioned the schedule.

“This concludes today’s tour. You’re free to use the remaining time as you wish, but don’t forget to check into your dormitory by 8 PM.”

With the guide’s final reminder, the bus stopped near the dormitories.

I followed the excited freshmen off the bus.

Maybe it was because everyone around me was so thrilled.

Or perhaps it was the realization that I was now officially enrolled.

Unlike my previous solo visit, my heart was pounding with anticipation.

‘Finally, college life begins…’

I’d felt nothing special until now.

Why was it suddenly hitting me?

I stood still, wrapped in these peculiar feelings.

Actually, in my previous life, I never went to college.

Or rather, I couldn’t go.

Not only were my grades terrible back then,

But my family’s financial situation suddenly deteriorated around high school graduation, so I enlisted in the military before considering college.

After discharge, I bounced between factory work and construction jobs.

Life in America had been even more miserable…

College was out of the question when just surviving was difficult.

‘I used to envy college students back then…’

Looking back, maybe my choice to pursue university education now was rooted in those unfulfilled desires from my previous life.

‘My parents from my past life felt so sorry that I couldn’t attend college…’

Come to think of it, despite promising to keep in touch often, we’ve only exchanged texts without any proper phone calls.

They probably don’t even know about my admission yet – I should call my parents soon.

While I’m at it, I should also call Jung woong and Kangsan…

As I was thinking this while pulling my suitcase,

Thump―!

A foreigner passing by deliberately bumped his shoulder into mine.

It was clearly intentional.

“Hey! Asian!”

“Why don’t you watch where you’re going?”

“Maybe his eyes are too small to see? Hehehe.”

Two foreigners mockingly picked a fight with me.

I sighed as I looked at them.

‘What a dramatic welcome ceremony.’

This was somewhat familiar.

Immature college students’ racial discrimination.

It had been a while since I’d encountered something this blatant, but…

Prejudice against Asians had always been harsh…

I’d experienced this plenty in my previous life.

And in these situations, you can’t just stay quiet.

Come to think of it, didn’t Kangsan say to hit them with a spoon in situations like this?

I don’t have one now though – what should I hit them with?

While I was smiling to myself and pondering this,

“Hey! You bastards! Get lost!”

Someone suddenly shouted from behind me.

“You pieces of trash, don’t you know this is racial discrimination? You’ll get suspended immediately if I report this!”

When I turned toward the voice, I saw a pretty boy with sparkling golden curly hair.

The blonde Caucasian, visibly angry about something, was yelling on my behalf.

The foreigners who had been harassing me backed off, intimidated by his intensity.

“I’ve memorized your faces! Let’s see what happens if you try this again!”

The blonde man continued shouting at their retreating backs.

“Geez, those idiots. You find people like that everywhere.”

That’s what I was going to say.

How satisfying.

But who is he?

Puzzled by this sudden situation and the unexpected appearance of this white student, I tilted my head and asked.

“Who…?”

“You’re a freshman this year, right?”

Probably guessing from my suitcase, he extended his hand as he spoke.

“I’m a freshman too. Name’s Draco Malcolm.”

“Ah, I’m Nam Woojin.”

I shook his hand and asked.

“Thanks for the help, but why did you step in?”

While the harassment was familiar enough not to faze me,

Getting immediate help like this was a first, which surprised me.

Why did he help me? Especially as a stranger…

When I asked out of curiosity, the man who introduced himself as Malcolm showed a friendly smile.

He was already handsome, but his smile made him look like a celebrity.

After keeping his smile for a while, he quietly answered.

“Well… no big reason. Just that my favorite photographer is Asian.”

“Huh?”

“Never mind that. We’re both freshmen, so let’s be friends. See you around.”

“Yeah, see you…”

Then Malcolm hurried off somewhere just as suddenly as he’d appeared.

‘A photographer… Could he be a photography major?’

He left so quickly I couldn’t ask anything else.

But well, we’ll probably meet again.

All freshmen are in the same building anyway…

What an interesting guy.

That was my first impression of Malcolm.