Ch.119119. Regret

It’s coming after me.

Yu Deokmin was running through an endless darkness. He forgot why he was running and stopped in his tracks.

“Huff… hah…”

He gasped for breath and wiped away sweat, but couldn’t feel anything.

Yu Deokmin looked back at where he had been running.

Still darkness.

“What is this? Why am I…”

But the darkness was moving. And Yu Deokmin realized.

He thought he was being chased by something, but that wasn’t it.

He was running to escape the darkness itself.

The darkness had already swallowed him.

At that moment, Yu Deokmin saw another version of himself. His body, wrapped in magical power, was being devoured by the darkness.

“Argh!”

Yu Deokmin woke up in terror. An unfamiliar ceiling.

But soon he regained his memory as he noticed the distinctive smell of medicine and the hospital bed.

‘What… happened to me?’

He slowly recollected his memories.

He clearly remembered doing a 1:1 solo record test with Do Jonghyun, but after that, nothing.

‘No. Something was definitely mocking me.’

During the recording with Do Jonghyun, something appeared. He couldn’t be certain if only he saw it, but it had mocked him.

Recalling that, Yu Deokmin found his entire body trembling.

‘What was that thing? What was it? Someone tell me.’

It had definitely mocked him.

His mind was in chaos. Yu Deokmin turned on the news to assess the situation, but the news he heard was even more shocking.

[Disciplinary action related to military discipline at Jaeger Academy.]

“Military discipline?”

Before his eyes was the astonishing news that 60 percent of the students had been expelled.

‘That’s impossible. All the second-year seniors? What happened?’

It made his already complicated thoughts even more chaotic.

But one thing was certain—the senior disciplinarians who had helped him were gone.

In other words, the days of bossing around the lower class were over.

No, more importantly, he had been pushed aside again by Do Jonghyun.

That was what mattered. He had lost Do Jonghyun’s position again, the position he had wanted.

‘No, come to think of it, even if I had taken that bastard’s place, nothing would have changed.’

Neither Aerial nor Seol Yuhwa would look at him. They still only cared about Do Jonghyun.

‘Is it because of his looks? Or money?’

He felt wronged. He had seized the position through great effort, but for Do Jonghyun, it wasn’t even a position that mattered.

‘It’s unfair. This is so unfair!’

His whole body was exuding inferiority.

Do Jonghyun had become involved with them by fighting together, living together, and becoming close.

Not by looking up to them, but by treating them just like any other friend.

Incidents and accidents had naturally brought them closer.

But Yu Deokmin had none of that.

He had been too greedy and ambitious. He had colluded with second-years and engaged in frowned-upon behaviors, failing to showcase his strengths.

Even if it hadn’t been for Do Jonghyun, he would likely have failed.

He had hidden his strengths and revealed his flaws, covered by desire and greed.

But Yu Deokmin didn’t realize this.

‘Medicine… I need medicine. I just need to get stronger. I need to draw out my potential. A little strain won’t hurt.’

He was still dependent on the red powder. He believed he needed to further explode his potential.

Yu Deokmin later received examinations from doctors and nurses, and barely acknowledged his parents who clung to him in tears.

All he could think about was getting discharged quickly and pushing his potential to the limit with the red powder again.

But suddenly, he realized something shocking.

‘My magical power isn’t coming out?’

His body was unable to emit magical power.

*

The mass expulsion of students was like divine punishment, and public perception was not good.

But it didn’t mean their employment prospects were blocked.

[Seongsung Guild approaches Jaeger Academy dropouts, drawing criticism…]

[Small and medium guilds engage in recruitment war, ignoring business ethics for talent?]

[Dokgo Jun responds to the situation: “We expelled them for causing trouble within Jaeger Academy. Beyond that, it’s not my authority. But since they might become criminals, I think it’s better to let them be active like this.”]

[Park Taesang of Cheonji Guild promised to strengthen guild supervision to prevent such incidents in the future, but also criticized Dokgo Jun’s decision. “How many of them will actually get jobs? Most are mediocre Jaegers who might become criminals! We should establish a rehabilitation program instead! That Dokgo Jun is handling this too crudely.”]

[The council is busy preparing follow-up measures for this unprecedented situation. Additional education for expelled students is emerging as an alternative.]

This week has been a storm since Monday. The school, with more than half of its students literally gone, was extremely quiet.

Of course, the remaining seniors were relatively moderate people, so there were no major issues, but the awkward atmosphere was unavoidable.

Unfortunately, the principal resigned to take responsibility.

Honestly, given the number of people involved and the position of responsibility, it couldn’t be helped.

So the academy is in disarray.

The selection of a new principal has begun, and final exams need to be prepared.

Additionally, third-year students are returning to take their final exams, making things complicated both inside and out.

Moreover, reporters were camped at the school gates, trying to interview students.

“Stop it! Interviews with students are prohibited! Unauthorized filming is forbidden!”

“What? We’re from a broadcasting station, and an instructor is stopping us? Are you blocking our reporting?”

“If you violate the academy’s security policy, you will never be allowed entry!”

The instructors and reporters were fighting, and it was like this for a while.

“Those reporters have guts, being so persistent when security is such a sensitive issue.”

I sat down.

The atmosphere in the lower class? There’s laughter and chatter everywhere.

You can see it’s much better than before.

Except for a few people.

There are more than 10 students who were deeply involved with Yu Deokmin.

These kids are in limbo.

Of course, they need closure too. They’ll continue together for more than two years without being expelled.

If we’re going to resolve this, we should do it quickly. Continuing this cold war is annoying.

“Min Gangsu.”

I called out to Min Gangsu, who had a gloomy expression.

“Don’t you have something to say to us?”

“…”

Min Gangsu avoided my gaze. Yeah, he doesn’t know what to do.

I walked to the front of the classroom.

“Well, now that things have turned out this way, you won’t continue siding with the second-years and causing trouble, right? There won’t be any more special classes anyway. Everyone understands, right? Let’s be clear. Don’t try to gloss over this. I won’t tolerate half-measures.”

We need a definitive conclusion.

Becoming friends over time without an apology? After making your classmates suffer, you need to take responsibility.

In response to my words, students began to stand up one by one.

“I’m sorry, everyone. I acted like an idiot.”

They stood up one by one, as if confessing their sins. Cheon Gi was among them.

Though they apologized, I didn’t look at them. Honestly, their betrayal stung particularly badly, so I didn’t want to pay attention to them.

Of course, Cheon Gi seems to understand this and doesn’t approach me.

And on this day, Eun Serin called me again during lunch.

“Instructor, what’s the matter this time?”

“It’s about Yu Deokmin. We checked while he was unconscious in the hospital.”

“!”

There wasn’t a trace of playfulness in Eun Serin’s expression.

“Instructor, what were the results?”

“I don’t know how you feel about him as a classmate, but the result is positive.”

“!”

So Yu Deokmin’s sudden growth was due to the red powder.

His rapid rise makes sense now.

“Then that seizure…”

“It was because of the powder. It’s fortunate, if you can call it that, that it didn’t drain his life force. Though I’m not sure if it matters.”

“What? Why? Isn’t he safe?”

Eun Serin smiled meaningfully.

“I told you before. About overheating. If you burn everything inside your body, what’s left to burn?”

“…Then you mean, Yu Deokmin…”

“Yes. He probably won’t be able to use magical power anymore. He’s in a similar situation to you, but he’ll likely be expelled for illegal drug use.”

Everything is truly over. From unexpected problems to everything else.

It’s unfortunate for Yu Deokmin, but honestly, I’m glad because my feelings toward him aren’t positive.

Now I can look forward to school life without most of the sources of anxiety.

“So will Yu Deokmin be expelled immediately?”

“As you heard before, this drug case is under joint investigation. Yu Deokmin won’t return to school and will be investigated. We’ve been instructed to keep quiet about it to prevent affecting other students. Though rumors can’t be avoided…”

“I understand. I’ll definitely keep my mouth shut.”

“Good. That’s all I need.”

Eun Serin finally smiled in front of me.

“However, there’s one more suspect.”

“What? Another one? Ah…!”

Suddenly, Min Gangsu came to mind. Didn’t he suddenly become stronger along with Yu Deokmin?

Plus, they were always together. It makes sense.

“Now that Yu Deokmin has been confirmed, we’re also investigating Min Gangsu, but we need evidence.”

“So I need to step in again.”

“You know well. It’s your job. Since you’re already involved, let’s handle it properly.”

Eun Serin stroked my head.

Wait, but with one person already confirmed, couldn’t they just bring him in and check?

“We absolutely must not provoke him. This isn’t about provocation. We can’t make him too desperate. They believe it’s their potential ability, so they’ll receive an unimaginably large psychological blow. That’s dangerous.”

“Why?”

“I’ll tell you later. It’s dangerous if you become too conscious of it.”

That concluded my meeting with Eun Serin.

How should I get Min Gangsu to the monster measurement device? Unlike Yu Deokmin, Min Gangsu doesn’t have feelings for Aerial.

What would be an effective approach?

The afternoon practice with the awkward second-years was better than yesterday.

After the direct hit on Monday, normal classes resumed on Tuesday, but of course, things couldn’t go smoothly right away.

After silently going through the motions, it was only on the second day, today, that conversation started, led by Hochang hyung.

“This is too stifling. Don’t you all agree?”

Everyone agreed with Hochang hyung’s statement.

“Since things have turned out this way, let’s try to get along well. Let’s not dwell on past events.”

Fortunately, that hyung knows how to lead people.

I just wish Juara noona would do better here. She’s still struggling. If she could just improve her skills, she’d be a good leader with her sociable style.

But only two days have passed.

It will get better than before.

The school issues have come to an end this way. No major problems.

But of course, incidents couldn’t be avoided.

On this day, as I entered the dormitory after school, I heard news.

Yu Deokmin had appeared near the girls’ dormitory.

*

Aerial was walking back to the dormitory with Yu Jia as usual. Both being in the upper class, they were heading to their dormitory.

“I wonder when our Aerial will get a boyfriend. It breaks my heart.”

“…Hmph. There’s no man I like.”

“So you’re saying you’re open to dating?”

As Yu Jia poked her cheek, Aerial turned her head away.

“Well, if there’s a man who’s interesting and cool enough to my liking, it might be possible. But how common are such men?”

“What about Do Jonghyun?”

“Do Jong… no, Du Jonghyun… Why bring him up here?”

Yu Jia’s eyes filled with laughter at Aerial’s reaction.

“Your reaction is quite unique. Well, after being involved this much, isn’t it about time you started dating?”

“What’s between him and me? We’re not on the same level!”

“Well, I guess. Actually, I don’t really like Do Jonghyun. He doesn’t appeal to me. He’s a bit too slick.”

Aerial’s expression changed slightly.

“Jia, didn’t you say he was okay before?”

“Even if his face is decent, he’s in the lower class, his abilities are mediocre, and his attitude is slick, a bit greasy and annoying. I want to tell him to read the room and stop trying to fit in with the upper class.”

“That’s not true.”

“It’s not?”

Yu Jia smiled with a mischievous grin.

“Even if Du Jonghyun is a bit foolish and not on my level, he works so hard, gives good directions when needed, and has good situational judgment. Even better than us! Plus, he has good sense and dresses well…”

Aerial was earnestly defending Do Jonghyun when she realized it was a trap.

“Just a little provocation and you immediately defend him. So that’s what our Aerial thinks. Why not just run to him and ask him out? That would end it.”

“No way! Why would I? He should get on his knees and beg me to date him. I’m not interested, but I should play with that desperate face of his.”

“…Seems like you’re not completely disinterested.”

“I am!”

“Such a liar. How cute.”

Yu Jia hugged Aerial, who was maintaining her pride, and laughed happily.

But soon, Yu Deokmin appeared before them.