Ch.134Episode 28. MT Trip (5)

I watched the group matches taking place on the pension’s field, focusing especially on the special class.

The level of combat was completely different from when they had joint matches with Class A students at the beginning of the first semester.

It was truly overwhelming.

Not a single person could even come close to matching the special class students.

Well, considering that now even I would be in danger if four of them attacked me together, perhaps this was to be expected.

“It seems the special class has become incomparably stronger now. Though their attitude remains the same.”

Kang Chan said as he watched the matches being refereed by Ha Yuri.

“I heard they were talented, but I didn’t know they could change this much in just a few months.”

“Well… I pushed them in ways unbefitting hero candidates.”

They were already talented kids, but I trained them until they could barely move every day.

If they hadn’t gotten stronger after that kind of training, that would have been the strange thing.

Additionally, students from other classes who attend my lectures are gradually building up their stamina while learning to control their skills and increase their power.

By the time my lectures end, I think they’ll be at least two levels stronger than they are now, though not quite as strong as the special class students.

“Now they should be sparring with instructors rather than other students.”

“But that’s not easy.”

He seemed to understand what I meant and nodded his head heavily.

“Yes. If active instructors lose to hero candidates, it would diminish their authority. There was even an instructor who tried to control the special class but ended up resigning after being defeated.”

“…”

I couldn’t criticize him for being intimidated by students.

While it’s certainly wrong for an instructor to fear students, if I had been incarnated as someone other than Yujin, I wouldn’t have been able to guide them like this, nor might I have prevented them from becoming villains.

It was all possible because I had this power, this ability.

Saying something like that to him would be deceptive.

“…Well, that’s why I’m here. I’m the only one who can discipline those kids when they get out of line. They’ve been attending classes regularly lately, haven’t they? That’s all thanks to my training.”

“It sounds like bragging… but you’re right. Only an S-rank instructor like you could do this. I’ve heard that the special class students have been showing up consistently lately, even if they don’t pay attention in lectures.”

They don’t pay attention? These kids need to be taught a lesson.

Maybe not with a cane… but perhaps some flicks to the forehead?

“They still have a long way to go. I’m going to make those kids S-rank level before I graduate from the academy.”

“S-rank…? You think they have that much talent?”

“Yes. I believe they have enough. Ah, except for Bin Yoon.”

I nodded.

I’m especially curious about how far Jeong Iyeon will grow.

As the protagonist of this world, I wonder if she’ll be able to surpass Yujin.

“Th-that’s an exciting prospect—”

“Instructor!”

While I was talking with Kang Chan, Bin Yoon suddenly approached and crouched beside me.

“Yes?”

“Why won’t you make me S-rank too?!”

“Your ability isn’t combat-oriented.”

“Then make me an S-rank alchemist!”

Unfortunately, support abilities like alchemy or medical skills that aren’t combat-oriented don’t have S-ranks. A-rank is the highest they go.

“…Why?”

“What do you mean why?! I’ve grown this much thanks to your advice!”

Even though my advice was key, I never thought my contribution was that significant. She would have developed the status ailment recovery potion somehow even without my advice.

“…Does Instructor Yujin have expertise in alchemy as well?”

“No. She just blindly believed in something I said without thinking and made potions on her own.”

“What nonsense is that?! I may be talented, but I couldn’t have done it without your help!”

She doesn’t forget to praise herself even in the midst of this?

I’m not sure if I should call this arrogance or confidence anymore.

At least she’s brightened up, so that’s good. A bit cheeky, though.

“If Bin Yoon grew by listening to something Instructor Yujin said without thinking, isn’t that impressive in its own way?”

Why is this guy so good at flattery? My pride is swelling. Ahem.

“That’s right. I am pretty amazing.”

“Not you, I meant me.”

“Then we’re both amazing!”

Seeing her fold her arms and nod, I suddenly felt the urge to flick her forehead.

Instead, I satisfied the urge by patting her head and turned toward the field to watch the match between the special class and the other classes.

However, someone blocked my view.

“Huh?”

When I looked up, Yoo Ari was standing right in front of me, looking down at me. I hadn’t noticed her presence until I saw her directly.

Yoo Ari, it seems like you’ve gotten quite skilled at concealing your presence…

“…Yoo Ari? Why are you here?”

“…You looked close.”

“We looked close?”

Yoo Ari glanced at Bin Yoon. Bin Yoon tilted her head in confusion after seeing Yoo Ari’s face.

Understanding what she meant immediately, I could only give a bitter smile. She seems to be getting more jealous lately. Or am I imagining it?

“Is the match over?”

“Yes. We, we handled it cleanly.”

“Good. Well done.”

“…What were you talking about?”

“Just that you all… are amazing.”

“…R-really…?”

Yoo Ari’s lips trembled. She was trying to suppress her smile from spreading too wide at my praise.

“Are you happy?”

“O-of course I am…!”

The muscles that had been tense from trying to keep her lips from curling up relaxed as she spoke. Unable to hide her smile any longer, she began to laugh freely.

What an honest child.

“That’s all for the matches! Everyone rest until dinner time!”

While I was joking around with Yoo Ari, Ha Yuri called an end to the matches.

As the students began to take a break, the rest of the special class students approached us. Plus Ha Yuri.

“Excuse me for a moment. I have something to discuss with Instructor Yujin.”

“…”

I stood up. As the special class students made way for me to pass, I patted each of their heads and said:

“Good job.”

Then I immediately followed Ha Yuri.

She stopped at the field where the students had been sparring moments ago.

“…So you’re really going to do it?”

“Of course. I want to see Instructor Yujin’s skills firsthand.”

She doesn’t seem to think there’s even a one percent chance she might lose. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have such confidence.

Well, if I had the title of Korea’s number one hero, I’d probably feel proud too.

But she’s picked the wrong opponent.

Ha Yuri cannot defeat Yujin.

Even if she is the ‘first hero’ who defied Yujin and survived.

“Ah, of course. I don’t intend to fight to the finish. That would be better for both of us.”

She’s right.

Once recognized as S-rank, there’s no shortage of requests, so there’s no practical merit in this.

When S-ranks fight each other, the winner only gains a sense of superiority over their opponent. The loser just feels embarrassed and has their pride wounded.

Of course, I can’t say there aren’t people who live off that sense of superiority.

“Then I’ll take it lightly.”

“Take it lightly against me?”

She showed a genuinely surprised expression. After staring at me as if she’d received a fresh shock, Ha Yuri slowly curled up the corners of her mouth.

“You say interesting things, don’t you?”

“Do I? Anyway, winning or losing isn’t important. Since we’re at this retreat, it’s just a show for the students, like an event.”

“You’re the first person to show such composure against me. Even the executives of Akcheon were quick to run away when they saw me.”

“That’s because those idiots were weak.”

“Idiots! Heh…! Maybe so. But even among heroes, no one was like this. Not Geomhwa, not Hirak.”

I know this.

I know she has experience challenging other S-ranks to duels.

There were stories that the Ice Empress and Hirak, being only a year apart in age, often clashed at the academy.

“…I see. Well… no need to drag this out any longer. Let’s have a clean match. Without fighting to the finish.”

I shrugged my shoulders and turned to look toward where the special class was gathered. More specifically, at Kang Chan among them.

“Instructor Kang Chan!”

“Yes?”

“Would you mind being our referee?”

Kang Chan looked around and then pointed at his own face.

“Me?”

“Who else would be Instructor Kang Chan besides you?”

“Referee… Don’t tell me…!”

“Yes. I’m going to have a brief match with the Ice Empress.”

At my call, the resting students and the instructors who had been keeping watch around us began to pay attention.

Kang Chan cautiously looked back and forth between us as he stepped onto the field.

“The stage is set.”

“You really are an interesting person. You are.”

Crackle—!

Cold air leaked from near her feet, forming ice crystals. I narrowed my eyes as I quietly observed her hostile appearance.

“I hope your strength is as interesting as your words.”

“Well, I hope your interest continues even after our match.”

She lost her smile for a moment. It seems my prodding bothered her quite a bit.

“Whoa! S-rank heroes are going to duel!!”

“This is insane. I can’t believe we get to see this with our own eyes!”

Hearing the excited voices of the students around us, I stood at an appropriate distance from Ha Yuri.

The students watching us from around the field murmured and focused on us standing on the field.

Is this what it feels like to watch professional sports in person in the other world?

“Shall I let you attack first?”

This wasn’t Ha Yuri’s consideration but her absolute confidence that she was stronger than me.

I wasn’t sure whether to understand this or take issue with it, so I just shrugged.

“If I hold back, I’ll lose. Give it your all. Pretend I’m a villain.”

Since I’m fighting Ha Yuri anyway, let’s confirm if Yujin’s power is truly the strongest in this world.

“Both sides are prohibited from inflicting fatal injuries!”

Kang Chan extended his arm with a tense expression.

“Begin!”

The moment his arm went up, a very thin icicle rushed toward my eye.

“Move aside.”

“!”

When I casually knocked the icicle away with the back of my hand, it shattered beyond recognition.

“…Seeing your ability with my own eyes makes it feel real.”

“I feel the same.”

“About what?”

“That you have a nasty personality.”

You aimed for my eye from the start?

If I hadn’t blocked or dodged it, it would have caused a fatal injury. If she provokes me this directly, even I can’t hold back.

“Hmm~?”

“You must hear a lot about your nasty personality, Ha Yuri.”

“…I wonder~?”

I couldn’t help but burst into laughter at her nonchalant attitude.

“Puhah!”

“Let’s see you show your true skills.”

The field gradually becomes covered in ice from the cold air she’s emitting.

“Very well. I’ll take this seriously. But don’t blame me if you end up embarrassed.”

«Lightning Release».