Home/The Beloved Young Divine Child of the Twelve Zodiacs/ch 88

Chapter 88

What is she? What makes her so confident?

Clenching her fist, her knuckles turned white. Not wanting to lose to Arin, Sosso spoke up.

"I entered the Twelve Spirit School. Unlike you, who can't transform, my abilities were recognized."

It was clearly meant to wound. Woo-hyun immediately scowled.

"What's she talking about?"

Choryeong also pursed her lips in displeasure.

Sosso raised her voice triumphantly. "I got a good grade today, so I was allowed out. You know, it's not easy to leave the school—you need excellent grades. Even Ahyeon only got out a few times."

She kept rattling on, clearly enjoying herself, as if desperate to hurt Arin. Finally, she drove the point home by mentioning Hong Ijin.

"Father was especially proud. Unlike a real daughter who couldn't transform and was cast out, I was chosen by the Fire Serpent."

She knew Arin was sensitive about her birth family. Choryeong tried to intervene, but Arin stopped her and spoke.

"I'm glad you're doing well there."

Her flat, emotionless tone made Sosso's triumphant smile freeze.

"...What?"

"Congratulations. Getting into the school must have taken a lot of hard work."

Having her efforts acknowledged, Sosso was at a loss—this wasn't the reaction she'd wanted.

Watching her freeze, Arin continued, "If you have nothing else to say, can I go? As you can see, I have a lot of people to meet today."

"..."

"Choryeong will guide you to the banquet hall since you're lost."

Arin nodded, and Choryeong obediently took the cue.

"Yes, miss. Leave it to me."

"Then goodbye."

Arin turned and walked away as naturally as flowing water. Sosso stared after her—she wasn't pretending to be composed. Her face showed no sign of being hurt.

In the past, just mentioning the transformation would make Arin tremble. Now even that was useless, and she had plenty of people to defend her.

In contrast, Sosso had no one close to her. Since entering the school, she had drifted from Ahyeon.

"Shall we go?"

Choryeong stepped forward, blocking her view of Arin—and Sosso felt utterly pathetic.

---

"Hey, are you spineless? How could you let her go after all that?"

Woo-hyun grumbled, following Arin. He should have kept his distance, but the situation had riled him up. Yet Arin, who had been insulted, looked perfectly fine.

"Should I have attacked a daughter of the Red Serpent House?"

"Yes! She clearly came to provoke you."

"She's not worth it to me—especially on a day like this."

"You're ridiculously kind! Ugh!"

He pounded his chest in frustration. Seeing him angry on her behalf made Arin laugh.

"Woo-hyun, I'm really fine. It doesn't bother me at all."

"Honestly?"

"Honestly."

Seeing Sosso wasn't pleasant, but ignoring her was enough. It had been over ten years. Still, learning Sosso had entered the school was surprising. Her brother and Muje must have kept it from her.

Everyone is so overprotective.

It wasn't the old Red Serpent House anymore. That they still worried she might be hurt—family and friends alike—grateful her, it actually cheered her up.

Turning to meet his eyes, she said, "More importantly, don't you have something to say to me?"

"Like what?"

"Never mind."

She turned away, and Woo-hyun spun her back.

"Ugh, wait. If you'd just be half as patient with me as you were with her, it'd be fine. Why are you so impatient?"

He cleared his throat and said, "Happy birthday, Geum Arin."

"I'd bow in thanks, but I'll let it slide."

"Ugh, I was going to! I left your gift at the dormitory!"

"Oh? You prepared a gift?"

At her sparkle, he flicked his ear awkwardly.

"Would I come empty-handed? I have some decency."

"Wonders never cease."

She giggled and leaned against a pillar.

"Should I wait here?"

"You said you have lots of people to meet. Busy day, right?"

"There's always time for a friend. I just said that to get rid of her."

"Thanks, I'm touched. Wait here—I'll be right back."

He ran off, grumbling.

"Don't run, idiot!"

"I'm not clumsy like you!"

He shouted over his shoulder and disappeared. A gentle breeze blew. While humming and waiting in the garden, she saw Geumgeum running toward her, pale-faced.

---

Before Arin's birthday banquet, Yeoryeong was examining a branch taken from the tree found in the forest.

"Did this tree really attack you?"

"Yes. It's strange—why can't I sense anything?"

Contrary to reports of a sinister aura, the ginkgo branch held a clear energy. Even Arin found it puzzling—as if the tree had purified itself.

"Strange."

She had sealed the tree just in case and collected branches, but nothing had happened. Feeling nothing unusual from the branch, she was about to dispose of it when—

Suddenly, the branch blackened and rotted, darkening her hand.

"Ugh."

She dropped it in pain, and the branch vanished into the ground without a trace. Only her blackened hand remained.

· Divine Maiden? What happened—ah!

Hearing her groan, Geumgeum rushed in to find her collapsed.

---

Hearing Yeoryeong had collapsed, Arin hurried to the shrine.

"Oh."

Contrary to Geumgeum's panic, Yeoryeong was walking out, looking fine. Arin's eyes widened.

"Divine Maiden? Are you alright?"

"Mm? Arin, what brings you here?"

"I heard you collapsed..."

"Me?"

Yeoryeong looked at Geumgeum, puzzled.

· You collapsed on the bench earlier.

"I must have dozed off."

· No, I heard you groan. You wouldn't wake up no matter how much I shook you.

Geumgeum looked troubled, glancing between them. But Yeoryeong seemed perfectly fine.

She smiled faintly. "It seems Geumgeum made a mistake and troubled you."

· Did I? Hmm... maybe.

"I'm relieved nothing's wrong."

"With so many twelfth-years out today, bringing them here would be a bother."

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