Ch.189Misunderstanding, Just a Misunderstanding – 1

“I thought you’d be here soon. Why did it take so long?”

“I had some business to attend to. Did you wait long?”

Hyunwoo Lee waves his hand dismissively, saying it didn’t take that long.

Though briefly interrupted, it’s still clearly lunchtime.

So they sit back down and resume the meal they had paused.

“There were quite a few visitors. And they were guests of the Dean.”

“I see. But weren’t you just supposed to guide them and come back?”

That’s right. I thought I’d be back quickly after showing them to the Dean’s office.

While continuing to eat, I explained what had just happened in response to Hyunwoo’s question.

The advance visit of the British students, and their supervisor Emily Shaw.

Who her father was, and finally, the sparring match I had with her.

“…A sparring match? With an A-rank ability user from Britain?”

As expected, Hyunwoo reacted most strongly to the sparring part.

This guy really shows his obsession with sparring—in another sense, he’s quite mad.

“And you’re saying this ability user is the daughter of Bernard Shaw, Britain’s former S-rank?”

“Yes. Perhaps because of that, her foundation is very solid. Enough that she could become Britain’s S-rank someday.”

There are often cases where children tarnish their heroic parents’ names.

Like when parents die honorably in past battles, but their children only cause trouble.

Or some who rely on their parents’ reputation to do terrible things.

But Emily was a person worthy of the title “Bernard Shaw’s daughter.”

Although right now she’s caught between revenge and duty.

Because of that, she’s standing before a wall, unable to move forward.

I subtly showed her the way, and she’ll eventually realize it herself.

‘And the moment she becomes free from that, she’ll take another step forward.’

Having more S-ranks is a good thing. It means having more comrades to share the burden.

It’s already tiring enough being dispatched to different regions, but what if that location becomes another country?

I might once again desperately wish I could quit being an S-rank.

“Arbiter.”

As we finish lunch and clear the table, Hyunwoo casually speaks up.

I think I know why he’s calling me. So I preemptively asked:

“You’re not going to ask if you can spar with Emily, are you?”

“Uh… no, how did you know that?”

How would I know? Your expression changed as soon as I mentioned sparring earlier.

When someone as straightforward as Hyunwoo is deep in thought about something?

One hundred percent—no, one thousand percent—it must be about sparring.

“You mentioned she’s not returning to Britain right away, didn’t you?”

“That’s right. Actually, she’ll be staying in Korea from today until the Joint Academy is completed. Until they officially accept students. Something about local adaptation, or whatever.”

It seems strange when we have portal technology, but considering the astronomical cost of using a portal once, it makes sense.

From Britain’s perspective, these students are like unscratched lottery tickets.

They hope for good results, and they’ve sent their best selections.

But that’s the same for other countries, and human affairs are unpredictable.

“So Emily Shaw will continue to stay in Korea.”

I nod, and Hyunwoo’s expression becomes excited.

“Since you said she’s a skilled fighter, I’m even more curious. Besides, unlike you who’s too overwhelming, we might be able to give our best against each other.”

“Aren’t you being too confident? Emily’s skills are far from ordinary.”

Excluding S-ranks like me, even for an A-rank.

Facing Hyunwoo’s sword head-on is an extremely burdensome task.

Even Minseong Kang once asked if he would consider becoming his disciple.

But Hyunwoo surprised Minseong with this response:

“Except for being evaluated by you, Arbiter, I want to accomplish everything on my own!”

As someone in the Weaponry Class, he should know the reputation of Minseong Kang’s sword.

Yet his refusal indicates confidence in his own abilities.

From my perspective, Hyunwoo had sufficient reason for that.

However, becoming complacent because of that is absolutely forbidden.

Faith in oneself can conversely become a wall that blocks one’s progress.

So I gave him a slight warning, and Hyunwoo waved his hands in denial.

“That’s absolutely not the case. Overconfidence? I just want to experience the intensity of two opponents giving their all in battle.”

The intensity of an opponent. Well, Hyunwoo hasn’t experienced much of that.

When sparring with me, there’s no possibility of seeing such a thing.

Soohyun Kim is about his level, but she alone doesn’t seem to satisfy him.

“…Alright. I don’t know if it will work out, but I’ll try to arrange it.”

“Oh! Thank you, Arbiter! This is really exciting!”

My reason for accepting his proposal wasn’t solely for Hyunwoo’s benefit.

Perhaps this sparring match could help Emily as well.

She swallowed her pride and approached first, so I should do this much for her.

“…A sparring match?”

The next day. I visited Emily, who had found lodging nearby.

At first, she welcomed me warmly, but when I mentioned the purpose of my visit, she looked troubled.

“Is there a problem?”

“Ah, well… Actually, I received a warning yesterday.”

“A warning?”

“Yes. The reason was that I engaged in sparring with a foreign S-rank without permission. There’s the issue of exposing our capabilities, and conversely, it could appear as if my country was trying to scout Korea’s military strength. Small misunderstandings between nations can often lead to broken trust, can’t they?”

That’s true, but why are the higher-ups making a fuss when the parties involved agreed?

If the Korean side had complained, I could have gone and argued with them.

Unfortunately, since it’s the other country’s issue, we can’t say anything about it.

“Then go report to your superiors now. Tell them that I’m the one proposing it this time. And the opponent is not an S-rank but an A-rank like you. If you frame it as a kind of ability exchange, they should accept it.”

There’s a world of difference between an A-rank making a request and an S-rank doing so.

Moreover, previously it felt like Emily, as a visitor, had committed a discourtesy.

But this time, I’m the one making the request, so there’s nothing strange about it.

Emily seemed to have similar thoughts.

She rubbed her chin in contemplation before finally speaking.

“Indeed… if we put it that way, the higher-ups would likely accept it. Alright. Since I’ve received something from you, it’s only right that I grant your request. Who did you say the opponent was?”

“A first-year student at the Superpower Academy in Korea, Hyunwoo Lee.”

“And he’s already an A-rank?”

Emily’s expression clearly said, “That’s incredible.”

She must have worked incredibly hard to reach A-rank and continue advancing.

And now some first-year male student is already an A-rank.

But from what I know, didn’t she also reach A-rank at a similar age to Hyunwoo?

I don’t see why she should be so shocked or amazed.

“Since he’s asking me for a sparring match, he’s probably not just some novice A-rank with peach fuzz.”

“That’s likely the case. He’s someone I’ve been mentoring continuously.”

“Is that so? I’m envious. Having an S-rank consistently mentor you.”

“Thanks to that, I’m extremely tired. You have no idea how clingy he is.”

“That’s also surprising. An A-rank who doesn’t collapse from exhaustion after sparring with an S-rank.”

As I was chatting with her, grateful for her cool acceptance of my request,

The phone in my pocket began to vibrate violently.

Checking the screen, I saw “Rina Lee” displayed prominently.

Sigh— After letting out a breath, I excused myself from Emily to take the call.

It’s vacation season anyway, and the Joint Academy isn’t completed yet.

Starting tomorrow, she’ll come to the Academy to spar with Hyunwoo.

Thanks to that, Hyunwoo’s attention will shift from me to her for a while.

I can focus solely on the friends who show no signs of escaping Bronze rank.

Buzz!— Buzz!—

Ah, come on. I’m answering.

“Yeah, what?”

[Who was that woman you were just meeting?]

…Huh? Wait a minute. What did you just say? No, no. More importantly?!

“Soohyun?”

I didn’t mishear. It was definitely Soohyun’s voice.

Wondering if I was mistaken, I quickly checked my phone screen.

– Rina Lee –

…What’s going on? The number calling is definitely Rina’s phone.

“Soohyun. Are you with Rina right now?”

[Answer me, you seemed very close with that Arbiter. …Hey, give it to me. No! It’s my phone so I’ll talk! Ah! Hello!? Seojin oppa. Be honest with me. Are we not enough for you?]

What do you mean not enough? You’re already more than I can handle.

Besides, judging from what they’re saying, it seems they’ve made a big misunderstanding.

I’m not someone who’s completely oblivious to social cues.

I could guess why Soohyun and Rina suddenly called with these accusations.

But one thing I was curious about was how they knew in the first place.

“It’s absolutely not like that. Stop your wild imagination. More importantly, where are you two right now?”

[Turn your head to the left. No, not that left, from my perspective. Yes, like that. And look up a little.]

Following Rina’s instructions, I saw Soohyun and Rina standing there.

The angle was too perfect for them to have just happened to pass by.

Wait, did these two actually follow me?

[Don’t misunderstand. At least I’m not that petty of a woman. I just happened to feel your energy while passing by. So I followed to surprise you, but then I saw you talking with some strange woman.]

So you did follow me to surprise me.

[Anyway… Ah. Hey! Stop! I’m on the phone… ugh— …Arbiter. What you said to Rina is true, right? You’re not trying to add another woman besides me and her, are you?]

I can feel it. The aura of The Crimson Witch rising from somewhere.

Before receiving any more misunderstandings, I decided to quickly clear this up.

“Rina.”

[Ah, come on! It’s my phone! …Yes, oppa.]

“Bring Soohyun over to me right now.”

They say it’s best to clear up misunderstandings and debts immediately.