Ch.133Episode 28. MT (4)

We had army stew for lunch and then gathered at the large pension. The reason was to do recreational activities with our assigned teams.

After the recreation, student sparring matches were scheduled, followed by a pork belly barbecue party.

Looking at this, I thought it wasn’t much different from a typical university MT trip.

However, that thought was shattered as soon as the recreation began.

“Who’s using their abilities to play charades?”

I pointed at the dragon manifested through dark energy. Well, well, it’s even breathing fire.

Damn. I was stupid to think there would be no difference.

Students from other classes stared at Gu Yeonhwa in disbelief. I covered my face. We shouldn’t have sent her out first.

“Gu Yeonhwa!”

“Yes!”

Such an energetic response. Does she not know why she’s being called out?

“No cheating.”

“Isn’t this still charades? I’m just utilizing abilities that come from my body. Calling it cheating is just an excuse made by losers—”

“Just come back here. You.”

Next, I sent out Bin Yooni.

He tried his best to act out the words with his body, but his explanations were difficult for even me to guess. He eventually asked to pass.

But the special class students weren’t going to let this situation slide.

“He’s so uncoordinated…”

“He’s terrible at explaining…”

“Ugh! Seniors are so blunt…!”

“Who expresses ‘Australopithecus’ like that? It clearly looked like a hunched-over old person!”

“That’s just the limit of your imagination!”

“What?! Are you saying my imagination is poor?”

Gu Yeonhwa’s nitpicking led to Bin Yooni arguing back, and they started bickering. Do you guys realize time is passing? Are we not continuing?

In the end, we concluded that the person who chose “Australopithecus” as the word was at fault.

Next was Yu Ari.

Even though I saw the sketchbook with the word pass to her, she didn’t do anything. After about a minute, I spoke to Yu Ari.

“…What are you doing?”

“…Too embarrassing…!”

…Oh, is that so?

It was getting deflating at this point. I knew she was uncomfortable standing in front of others, but I didn’t realize it was this bad.

If we were to look at her MBTI, Yu Ari would probably be an extreme I.

“You can come back too.”

I was about to call Yeon Muhui next, but she spoke to me first.

“Is this fun?”

Sitting with her knees hugged to her chest, she tilted her head expressionlessly.

“We’ve been living together for a while, but honestly, we’re not close. So wouldn’t it be good to get closer since we’re on an MT?”

“I don’t think there’s much point in getting close. We’ll have to take the certification exam in a few months anyway.”

“You’re always so negative, that’s why you get ostracized.”

“…I’m not ostracized. I’m the one pushing people away.”

Yeon Muhui replied curtly.

“Ah, yes. Is that so?”

Typical rationalization of a loner. It was utterly pathetic.

“Then how many people besides me do you properly talk to?”

“…I only need Yujin. Do I need anyone else?”

“Really? Want to marry me then?”

“M-Marriage…?!”

That’s right, that’s the reaction.

These virgin-like reactions are what make teasing fun.

“T-There’s a proper order to these things…”

I think I heard that line in “Destruction Witch” that Gu Yeonhwa showed me…

More importantly, she’s not saying no?

Being this honest just makes me want to tease her more.

“Alright, go out there and play charades.”

I held back my urge to joke and said.

“…I don’t like that. It’s embarrassing.”

“Just go.”

Eventually, unable to resist my pressure, Yeon Muhui picked up her sword and stood in front of everyone. After standing blankly for a moment, she suddenly drew her sword. The instructors tensed up at the sudden weapon display.

However, Yeon Muhui began to perform a smooth sword dance. I didn’t expect her to express the word by drawing it with the tip of her sword.

In a way, this could still be considered charades, so I couldn’t really stop her.

But isn’t it still embarrassing even with a weapon?

I suspect in her mind, she’s brainwashing herself into thinking this is training rather than a game.

It was impressive in a way.

“She’s pretty good. I won’t go easy either!”

Jung Iyeon was textbook.

I thought she seemed like the type who would enjoy herself anywhere, and she enthusiastically participated in the game without being self-conscious about others’ gazes. She seemed to be genuinely enjoying herself.

However, thanks to the trolls before her, our team came in last place in this game.

We then played a word association game, but thanks to those girls who couldn’t get on the same page, we came in last again.

After coming in last in every game, we were assigned to clean up after dinner as punishment.

I had somewhat expected this, so I just let out a light sigh to release my frustration.

“Instructor Yujin.”

As the recreation ended and during the break before the physical sparring time, Ha Yuri approached me quietly and spoke.

“…Why are you calling me?”

“During the next sparring session… want to have a match?”

“Are you sure? It would be quite embarrassing to get beaten.”

She briefly looked dumbfounded at my warning. Then, bursting into laughter, she raised her lips in satisfaction.

“…Pfft! Instructor Yujin. I’m starting to like you even more.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. You’re handsome, skilled, and you have leadership that doesn’t just suppress the special class full of problem children but actually leads them. Why haven’t I noticed someone like you until now…”

That’s because… Yujin was supposed to become a villain.

Unable to say that, I just smiled in a way that could be interpreted however she wanted.

“A man with too many secrets isn’t good.”

Ha Yuri said, patting my shoulder. I shrugged, as if brushing off her hand.

“Is that so. I’ll keep that advice in mind.”

“…Come to think of it, Instructor Yujin, you’re currently ranked 2nd unofficially, right? Even though you’ve only recently become a hero, your official rank is 5th.”

Unofficial rank 2.

Many might think that way since I shattered the Flame Dragon in front of everyone.

“I’ve heard you’re particularly fixated on Akcheon. The reason for that—”

“I don’t think now is the time for such talk.”

“…”

At my words, she looked around. The students were watching our conversation intently.

This is a place where students who want to become heroes gather.

It’s only natural they’d be interested in her, who’s called the pinnacle of the industry, and me, who’s been rising rapidly lately.

“You’re right. This doesn’t seem like the place for this conversation. Then, is it okay if we talk during the sparring match later?”

“I don’t think you’ll have that luxury.”

“Your core skill is nullification, right?”

“…”

She seems full of fighting spirit already.

Why do they all love fighting so much…

“Don’t be like that. You might find me taking the unofficial top rank.”

I said this, but it’s not simple.

To prevent the opponent from using their abilities, I need to make physical contact, but with Ha Yuri, even making contact is difficult.

She has excellent reflexes and speed.

Plus, most of her skills have wide area effects.

She might be the trickiest opponent I’ve faced so far.

But just because it’s not simple doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

“Now that’s an exciting statement.”

I watched her eye-smile for a moment before snorting dismissively.

* * *

“Instructor Yujin.”

“Yes?”

While watching the students’ group sparring, Kang Chan sat down beside me.

“About that accommodation.”

“Yes.”

“If you’re uncomfortable, wouldn’t it be better to speak to the head instructor even now?”

“Ah, it’s fine. It’s my own fault for being too casual with the students, leading to misunderstandings. I’ve decided to accept it.”

It is a misunderstanding, but I don’t particularly want to make an effort to clear it up.

Neither I nor they are the type to be conscious of others’ gazes, and we’re not actually in that kind of relationship.

If I had to describe it, maybe like male and female friends in a quasi-romantic relationship?

…That would probably infuriate the pure romance advocates, wouldn’t it?

“Is that so? Well, if you’re fine with it…”

“How’s the atmosphere in Class A recently?”

“Thanks to the Chancellor’s efforts, it’s stabilized a lot. Of course… after that incident, some students have applied to drop out. They seem unable to overcome the shock of their classmate’s death.”

I understand.

They’re still young. They probably have many things they want to do and achieve. Without a strong sense of duty, it’s not easy to engage in life-threatening battles.

Having a fragile mentality is understandable.

And it might happen among the special class students too. It’s not uncommon for heroes to give up after facing villain threats even after debuting.

When that time comes, I’ll comfort them and help them adapt, but I hope they won’t rely on me to defeat villains after they debut.

If they keep depending on me, I won’t be able to find my own happiness after seeing the future I want to see.

“I see. That’s unfortunate.”

“It’s all because of my inadequacy. I didn’t notice until you pointed it out, Instructor Yujin.”

That’s because I knew about this world. Though I didn’t expect it to appear at that point.

“I’ve been training hard, sacrificing sleep, to prevent such incidents in the future… but I can’t tell if I’m improving.”

At first, I thought it was just a complaint, but it was actually a question directed at me. Is there a way for him to become as strong as I am?

As I’m not a telekinetic, I can’t guide him in that direction. But since he has the will to move forward, I didn’t want to leave him hanging.

“Then would you like to ask Heelak for guidance?”

“What? H-Heelak?”

The ultimate master of telekinesis is Heelak, Lee Bangsil.

Though she has tsundere qualities, no one knows telekinesis better than her. Her teaching might be a bit harsh, though.

“I’ll talk to her later. If Heelak contacts you first, consider it as her accepting to teach you.”

“Ah, yes. But… what kind of relationship do you have with Heelak, Instructor Yujin?”

The kind where she slapped my butt and I slapped her back?

Comrades who completed a mission together?

The kind where I bought her ten tubs of mint chocolate ice cream?

It’s hard to define as just male and female friends…

Unable to specify our relationship, I vaguely evaded the question.

“…We’re just on casual terms.”

“I see, you connected because you’re both S-rank.”

“Well, something like that. Anyway, are you willing to learn from Heelak?”

“O-Of course…!”

He bowed his head to me.

“Thank you so much!”

“Not at all. We’re just helping each other.”

The more heroes become stronger, the better we can respond even if Akcheon utilizes the eX potion in the future.

Of course, the best scenario would be to find them before the eX potion is developed.