Ch.149Episode 31. Because I’m Not a Fan (2)

“Why do you read my messages but don’t reply?”

After homeroom ended, Jung Iyeon followed me as I was heading to the main building where the faculty office was located.

“…Huh?”

“I asked you out on a date this weekend.”

“Ah…”

I completely forgot.

“I called you, but your phone was off.”

I remembered that I hadn’t turned on my phone until I left for work after having an intense session with Yu Ari. Honestly, I didn’t expect we’d go three rounds in a row.

Because of that, I still felt some fatigue in my body. Ironically, Yu Ari seemed refreshed.

“I had some circumstances.”

“I’m sure you did… ejaculate.”

“W-what are you saying?”

I stared at Jung Iyeon in shock at her explicit sexual joke.

If I had been drinking something, I would have spat it out dramatically. She snorted with a pouty face and continued.

“Anyway, it seems like things are getting complicated because of Yu Ari sunbae. I’m just saying we should play fair…”

“…Anyway, you want to go on a date this weekend? Are you skipping training?”

“No. I’ll still do the training. You said you’d grant me a wish if I win. I can’t skip even a single day.”

I hope she won’t say something like “marry me” as her wish.

No matter what, she can’t be so tactless as to say something like that.

“So let’s hang out in the evening.”

If we start in the evening, won’t time be tight?

It would overlap with my quitting time if we went somewhere, and we couldn’t play for long. But if we stayed out until dawn, it could affect the next day.

“Where do you want to go?”

“This time, we’ll stay at the dormitory.”

“Will Yu Ari be there too?”

“Ah, I was thinking of hanging out in my room, not your room. Watching movies and eating chicken.”

“…Is that enough?”

It was a simpler date than I expected.

“It’s not about where we go or what we eat or watch, but who’s beside me that matters. And I like indoor dates too.”

“Alright. Then which is better, Saturday or Sunday?”

“Saturday, of course. And I’ll ‘prepare’ everything, so just bring yourself. Just yourself.”

By preparation, she means chicken and movies, right?

But since she mentioned creating the right mood at the park last time, she might even prepare condoms.

“Got it.”

“Hehe. I’m looking forward to it. I wish Saturday would come quickly.”

“But you know midterms are next week, right?”

“…Haha. Well, I’m always a diligent student who’s thoroughly prepared!”

What was that momentary silence?

Jung Iyeon entered as the top student, so she’ll surely manage well. She’s not a troublemaker like the special class students.

“Then I’ll see you at the training ground later.”

“Sure. Pay attention in your morning lectures.”

“Of course!”

I watched Jung Iyeon leave, swinging her arms, then turned around.

Thinking about what assignment to give my students for the midterm exam.

* * *

Thwack!

I dodged the flames by moving my body back.

“Tch!”

The flames formed into a hand shape, trying to grab my body. It was Gu Yeonhwa’s “Grasp of Fearful Flames,” implementing telekinesis through her black fire.

Gu Yeonhwa’s flames were no longer simply used to attack opponents. Even the slightest touch of her flames could make me lose control of my body’s center with just a gesture from her.

Though weaker than Lee Bangsil’s telekinesis, using flames this way was frustrating for me.

Moreover, when I moved to avoid the flames, Yu Ari activated her “Foresight” skill to follow my movements.

Using the shadow cast by the flames as a foothold, she instantly closed the distance and thrust her blade toward my neck.

When I tried to counterattack quickly, she escaped into the shadows and used her “Dismemberment – Heaven’s Net” skill to spew weapons from within the shadows.

I clicked my tongue and flicked a spark.

Yu Ari’s fighting style was the most annoying. It was incredibly troublesome to land a fatal blow on her.

“Hup!”

I neutralized the shower of weapons and flames with “Lightning Discharge” and caught my breath. Just as I was preparing for the next attack, a Japanese sword pierced toward my solar plexus.

“Lotus Style – Lotus Flash Strike.”

Lotus Flash Strike.

An adaptation of Jung Iyeon’s Flash Strike, it was a technique for launching a preemptive attack while instantly closing the distance to connect with other Lotus Style techniques.

Clang!

I immediately reacted by knocking away the Japanese sword with my fist. However, I couldn’t prevent my hand from being cut by the blade energy imbued with the power to slice through space itself, like the Lotus Dragon.

The impact sent Yeon Muhui flying, but she spun in midair and launched a consecutive attack.

“Lotus Style – Rotating Wheel.”

She spun while swinging her sword. Despite being beyond the sword’s reach, the blade energy emanated and flew toward my neck.

“Kuh!”

I bent backward to avoid the blade energy.

While I was evading, Yeon Muhui, who had regrouped, charged at me.

“Lotus Style – Red Flower Mist Dance.”

As the Lotus Style techniques mixed, Red Flower Mist Dance began to emit blade energy like Red Lotus Flash Strike. The Red Lotus Flash Strike had changed to emit blade energy when mixed with Lotus Style.

I clenched my fist. The only way to block her blade energy was to counter it with an equal force. Or use Nullification.

“I’m confident in slugfests too, you know.”

But even if I blocked, I would inevitably suffer minor injuries from Yeon Muhui’s attacks, which carried the power to cut through space.

I could use “Nullification” to block without getting injured, but that wouldn’t help with training, so I had to endure.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The more I blocked her sword, the more my lightning screamed in protest. Simultaneously, droplets of blood flew from my fists and fell onto the training ground floor.

“Ugh!”

As blood droplets flew from my hand, Yeon Muhui bit her lower lip and furrowed her brow.

“Do you have the luxury to worry about me?”

CLANG—!

I activated “Lightning Discharge” and perfectly deflected her sword. Approaching her as she lost her weapon, I clenched my fist.

“I told you to fight with your life on the line, didn’t I?”

Just as I was about to throw my punch, Jung Iyeon intervened between us.

“Yeon Muhui sunbae!!”

CLANG—!

Jung Iyeon blocked my punch with her shield, but she was sent flying along with Yeon Muhui. Gu Yeonhwa caught them both with her flames, allowing them to land safely.

“Whew…!”

As Jung Iyeon caught her breath, the sacred artifact she held began to glow. I recognized that signal well.

“Heh. Isn’t it overkill to use full charging after taking just one hit?”

“God’s Protection.”

It was a skill that enhanced abilities as impacts accumulated on the shield. The sacred artifact transformed into a sword that appeared to be several meters long.

“Reduced Divine Giant’s Sword.”

Though it had shrunk to a size Jung Iyeon could use, when she activated her area-of-effect skill “Judgment,” it could transform into a sword capable of obliterating part of Seoul.

“Here I come!!”

She stomped the ground and instantly closed the gap between us. I clenched my fist.

Clang!

I blocked the swinging sword with my fist.

It was heavy. After just one exchange, my fist was tingling. I needed to increase the ratio of lightning release.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

Her movements were fierce and her attacks were heavy. If I didn’t concentrate, she occasionally disappeared from my sight.

…Wait. My reactions can’t keep up?

I questioned her suddenly increased speed, but soon found the answer.

Is this kid mixing Holy Light Flash Strike into her movements?

I was slightly impressed that she was adapting skills I hadn’t even taught her.

“This is fun…!”

So the protagonist really is the protagonist, huh? I’m genuinely excited.

If she continues to grow like this, she might even be able to defeat Ha Yuri.

Though not me, of course.

“Nullification.”

The Divine Giant’s Sword heading for my neck crumbled. As the noble light emanating from the sacred artifact died, Jung Iyeon made a dumbfounded sound.

“Huh?”

She faltered and lost her balance, collapsing to the ground. After looking at the fallen Jung Iyeon, I turned to the others who were regrouping.

“What are you doing?! Are you going to let Iyeon die? Get in here quickly!”

At my shout, they belatedly rushed in.

Countless weapons flew at me to take my life, and fierce flames poured in from all directions.

I quietly clenched my fist as I watched them.

“Lightning Discharge.”

* * *

“No joke.”

I wiped the sweat from my chin while holding my thigh. Their endurance had improved significantly, making them formidable opponents.

By the way, can everyone get this strong in less than a year?

Their growth rate is much faster than in the original work I know.

I know they’ve been working hard since I’ve been teaching them directly. I expected them to grow quickly, but I didn’t think they’d develop this rapidly.

They truly had insane talent.

As I was catching my breath while drinking water, Jung Iyeon sluggishly approached.

“Instructor… water for me too…!”

“You have your own.”

Seeing Jung Iyeon ignore my words and open her mouth, I sighed.

I poured water into her open mouth. After gulping it down, she gave me a thumbs up.

“Thank you.”

“Sure.”

“Instructor! Instructor! Lend me your ear.”

“Just say it. I can’t hear you anyway.”

I spoke while watching the students taking a break.

The gazes directed at us were peculiar, but they showed no signs of approaching.

“Aw. I wanted to whisper in your ear.”

“So what is it?”

“When we get back to the dormitory, please come to my room after you shower. Don’t fall asleep, okay?”

“Got it.”

I answered while contemplating how to persuade Yu Ari.

I didn’t want my actions to damage the relationship between Jung Iyeon and Yu Ari.

* * *

[You’re having dinner with Jung Iyeon today?]

When I called Yu Ari to tell her I’d be having dinner with Jung Iyeon tonight, she asked glumly. I felt awkward but answered with a straight face.

“Yes.”

[…I understand for now.]

“Huh? Really?”

I was surprised by how easily she gave permission. Given her obsessive nature, I thought she might tell me not to go.

[…Did you think I wouldn’t allow it?]

“Yeah.”

[I don’t want to. But you wouldn’t stay just because I told you not to, would you?]

I had nothing to say to that.

[So I’ll let you go this time. Because I don’t want to fight with you.]

Doesn’t that mean she’s willing to fight with everyone else except me?

Yu Ari ended the call after wishing me a good meal.

I felt uneasy after finishing the call with Yu Ari.

What did she mean by “I understand for now”?

Despite my many questions, I decided to meet Jung Iyeon since she had given permission.

I went to the women’s dormitory, signed the visitor log, and headed up to Jung Iyeon’s floor. Fortunately, I didn’t encounter any students on the way up.

Standing in front of Jung Iyeon’s room, I knocked on the door. It opened shortly after.

“Hehe. Welcome, Instructor.”

She was wearing a white t-shirt and dolphin pants. The volume visible above her t-shirt and her white, sturdy thighs were a proper stimulation to male desire.

It was too casual an outfit for receiving a man. This was practically asking to be pounced on.

“Yeah.”

“The chicken just arrived, so we can eat right away!”

Jung Iyeon immediately let me into the room. After confirming the door was closed, I spoke.

“Iyeon.”

“Yes?”

“I had to come to the dormitory this time, but please don’t invite me here in the future. It could cause unnecessary misunderstandings.”

“Misunderstandings?”

Since I signed the visitor log, the dormitory supervisor would know I spent time here.

It was obvious they would think something was going on between me and a student.

“People might misunderstand that there’s something between us.”

“Really?”

She put her index finger on her chin and tilted her head, then suddenly raised the corners of her mouth meaningfully.

“But is that really a misunderstanding?”

“What?”

“Because tonight, oppa is going to spend the night here.”