The Partners Forced by Fate

That day, Tristan didn't stop his childish pranks every time there was a strange current between the two of them.

He'd complain about the food for no reason, elbow a perfectly good drink cup to knock it over. It was something he would never have done normally, but it didn't matter.

Just like approaching a hockey game, he'd do anything to win. And in this case, even if he committed a foul, there was no referee to eject him.

Tristan closed his eyes and recalled Cora — her sharp eyes, her cute lips sparkling with glossy lip gloss, and that slender neck that seemed like it would fit perfectly in his hand.

Her neat and tidy appearance was like a ballerina. The aura she emitted was like a final weapon honed by brutal training.

Her voice, which was about an octave lower than other girls, was also a reversal of attractiveness.

'A rare species.'

And above all, that damn scent.

The scent mixed with floral perfume drove people crazy. It made them want to stick their nose to a person's nape and take deep breaths like a pervert.

In short, this was all because of Cora Han.

When he recalled that scent, Tristan let out a low sigh, blood surging to his lower body.

Her body was so delicate; he worried that if he touched her without controlling his strength, he might break her bones. He didn't know if such a body could handle him.

Well, anyway, he'd find out when he tried.

He didn't know how long this interest would last, but it wouldn't last long.

Once he got it in his hands, interest would fade quickly. A shiny toy or...

'Like a puck.'

But the more he enjoyed it, the more he should enjoy it.

'It wouldn't be a bad deal for you either. You'll enjoy it for a while. Because my interest is expensive.'

At that moment, Jenkins, who had cleaned up the commotion, shouted.

"Alright, then Cora Han is named the captain's draft pick, so let's promise not to cross each other's territory? Once that's settled, let's move on to the next thing!"

Draft pick.

Tristan's eyes narrowed as he quietly heard that word.

It wasn't entirely wrong.

To him right now, she was just an interesting experiment subject and a partner for mischief, nothing more.

But why did that word feel so irritating?

As September came to an end, the campus atmosphere, which had been chaotic at the beginning of the semester, had calmed down quite a bit. Thanks to the major events like the freshman welcome ceremony and the graduation ceremony being wrapped up.

The air at the end of the nose was cool, but the sunlight touching the skin was still warm on some afternoon.

Cora was listening to the lecture in a hoodie with the university logo printed on it.

This class was a general education subject: Understanding Theatre and Film: The Evolution of Narrative. It was a class known for being easy to get credits because the assignment difficulty wasn't high.

As the class was about to end, Professor Stevenson adjusted her cat-eye glasses and announced.

"This semester's assignment will be done in pairs of two. After watching at least three movies and plays together, you'll write a comparative critique report. Remember that."

"How should we pair up the groups?"

A student's question, Professor Stevenson brought up an Excel spreadsheet on the screen.

"Partners have already been assigned considering your majors, so check this table. I've also uploaded it to the class management app, so please refer to it."

Students who confirmed their partners called out to each other, making the lecture hall lively.

'Where's my name? Ah, there it is.'

As Cora scrolled down the screen, when she saw the partner's personal information next to her name, she almost let out a cry.

Tristan Lockwood — Founders Scholar Program, Sophomore.

Cora blinked twice, thinking she might be hallucinating. But the more she did, the clearer Tristan's name became.

"What the hell is the probability of getting hit by lightning...?"

Moreover, she had just learned that Tristan's major was the 'Founders Scholar Program'.

'That's a spot where only fifteen students from the college are selected. It's for the top 1% geniuses...'

The Scholars Program was a complex interdisciplinary major that students who received the highest grades in their first year could choose only after passing a professor interview.

They could combine subjects in their desired major and even exempt from basic credit requirements. It was a privilege only the elite among the elite could enjoy.

Cora also knew this well because she had experienced being rejected harshly after an interview.

Tristan might have had some advantage because he was a descendant of the university's founder, but unless his head was average, passing the test wouldn't be easy...

'Yeah, he said his IQ was high. Well, he really has everything. Ah... unlucky.'

But thinking about it, it was strange that someone majoring in the Founders Scholar Program was taking such trivial general education.

She turned her head and scanned the lecture hall, but his figure wasn't there.

'Thinking about it, I don't remember seeing Tristan even once in this class. Did he drop it?'

She thought she might end up doing the group project alone if she messed up. Cora hurriedly packed her things and headed to the professor standing near the lectern.

"Um, Professor Stevenson."

Just as Professor Stevenson, who was about to leave the lecture hall with a large tumbler and textbooks, turned her head.

"What's the matter?"

"Actually, I was wondering if we could change partners."

"Name?"

"Cora Han. My partner is Tristan Lockwood. I haven't seen that friend in class, so I was wondering if he might have dropped it."

When Tristan's name was mentioned, Stevenson hesitated. She adjusted her glasses as if she knew something but was hiding it, and said in a soft voice.

"Ah, Tristan, huh? Don't worry about that. He's decided to participate in class diligently from next week."

"...But."

As Cora hesitated, Professor Stevenson looked puzzled.

After letting out a small sigh, the professor continued.

"I don't know what's the problem. This group was deliberately matched with students from different majors. That's so you can share opinions from different disciplinary perspectives and analyze the narrative. If I make an exception for you, I have to apply the same to other students, which is a problem."

"..."

"Moreover, Tristan is an excellent student pursuing the Founders Scholar Program degree, so working on the assignment together would be a lot of help to you. Isn't it a good opportunity?"

Cora had no choice but to back down from the professor's firm attitude.

She no longer had any reason to refuse Tristan as a partner. She couldn't nag in front of the professor that being with that guy was uncomfortable.

"If you're that worried, I can give you Tristan's email. Or you can send a message through the class management app."

The professor handed Cora a Post-it note with Tristan's school email written on it.

"Alright?"

"...Yes, thank you."

After receiving the memo, Cora bowed politely to the professor and left the lecture hall.

Then, unable to shake off the uneasy feeling, she headed to the central library.

Cora entered the old-fashioned library and took a seat in the corner.

She turned on the green bankers lamp on the desk, took out her major books and a used tablet PC from her bag.

The schedule for economics majors was very packed.

From intermediate micro and macroeconomics to rigorous quantitative economics, which was as difficult as math tutoring.

Even though there was a lot to learn, the Ivy League's discussion-style classes and group projects sucked up her energy.

And that wasn't all?

Preparing for exams, studying Excel modeling, and hunting for a soul-crushing summer internship. Her body was at the point where ten bodies weren't enough.

On top of that, meeting the strict requirements of the professor who was a candidate for the next Nobel Prize made it feel like carrying beer mugs in a pub was a rest.

Cora majored in economics because it was advantageous for employment.

Her goal was to join an investment bank (IB) on Wall Street in New York after early graduation.

There, survive for at least two years to raise her value, then be scouted to a hedge fund and make a lot of money as the ultimate goal.

In fact, she didn't have a brilliant mathematical mind, so surviving long on Wall Street wouldn't be easy.

But she had one weapon that no one could match. It was 'perseverance'.