Ch.196Why the Academy Again? – 2

After meeting Rina, I naturally went to see the Association President and Jiyoon Han.

“Is that true? Hmm… Rina Lee never mentioned anything about this.”

“What? Rina didn’t even mention such important information?! Unbelievable!”

Well, I feel a bit sorry for Rina, but what can I do?

Sujin Hyun prefers being treated as dead, so it feels wrong to announce her survival.

Besides, Rina already got something she wanted using this as leverage, didn’t she?

“I’ll keep this confidential until we detect something definite.”

“Sigh. Our S-rank agents are already working to the bone, and now they have to patrol the United Academy too?”

Poking around everywhere prematurely could make things worse.

So both of them suggested we pretend not to know and observe the situation for now.

For me, it’s actually welcome news since I’m hoping for Elders to enter my flytrap.

Later, I met with Sujin Hyun again, who had provided the information.

When she asked how I handled it, I told her we decided to pretend not to know and observe.

She laughed and said, “You’re quite the madman yourself.”

While others try to avoid the Elders out of fear,

I’m clearly eager for them to come quickly.

She said she finally understands why Hyuk Kwak kept losing to me.

With those words, Sujin Hyun disappeared, saying we should meet again when the opportunity arises.

To be honest, I was secretly hoping she would fight alongside me.

But she vanished before I could even make the suggestion, so I couldn’t ask.

‘One to two months until the United Academy is completed.’

That massive educational institution is nearing completion in just a few months.

I suppose it’s natural, given humanity’s advanced recovery capabilities.

Even after the previous Academy attack, repairs were completed in less than a month.

I should accelerate the selection process for personnel to send to the United Academy.

“Um, Arbiter?”

I turned my head slightly to see Hana Kang looking at me.

“Yes, student Hana Kang. What is it?”

“Why are you telling us this…?”

“What else? It’s a good experience, so you should all get involved.”

The Elders wouldn’t be crazy enough to come alone, would they? Absolutely not.

They’ll bring plenty of underlings to divide attention and forces.

Their ranks will range from A-grade to C-grade, quite a variety.

While our team members can’t face Elders yet, they can handle those below them.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Fighting monsters is good, but battling villains is also valuable.

Humanoid monsters exist but aren’t common.

That experience might be lacking, but fighting villains fills that gap.

Life-or-death battles against fellow ability users offer valuable lessons.

“Um… won’t it be dangerous?”

“Don’t worry. Rina and I will keep the Elders firmly occupied.”

Rina absolutely hates having her share taken away, so there’s no concern there.

And I’ve been thinking about one possibility lately.

– Why does this damn hook mark show no signs of disappearing? –

At first, I thought it was simply due to insufficient gatekeeping targets.

So I worked harder, continuously conducting Silver rank evaluations without rest.

I didn’t avoid sparring matches either, which had similar evaluation effects.

But even after months of this, the hook mark stubbornly remained.

I was steadily accumulating numbers, but there was no actual change.

There were instances where the trait strengthened, but that was it.

The next possibility that came to mind was “quality over quantity.”

Thinking back, trait changes were most pronounced when facing Elders.

Like when I lost my fear and charged at Hyuk Kwak, or during my friction with Sujin Hyun.

Each time, the trait leaped up several steps at once.

It was much harder than acting as gatekeeper to Academy students.

But facing such difficult opponents resulted in noticeable changes.

Blocking difficult opponents rather than easy ones.

Perhaps that’s the only way to remove this cursed hook mark.

‘The location being the United Academy is perfect. Activating the trait inside an academy rather than outside will yield much higher growth.’

With that thought, I concluded that I should face multiple Elders at once.

The chance of victory against multiple opponents is low, practically rock bottom.

But what I’m aiming for isn’t victory but gatekeeping—blocking them.

If I hold out, reinforcements will naturally arrive, so there’s no problem.

Besides, Rina will be nearby, so what do I have to worry about?

“So, student Hana Kang, you and your teammates just need to gain experience.”

“Even though the villains’ power has diminished, they still won’t be easy to handle.”

“You must overcome them. That’s how you’ll grow to the next level.”

Hana Kang slowly nodded at my answer, as if agreeing.

“Have you told Dasom and the junior? What about Soohyun?”

“I need to do that now. Well, Hyunwoo Lee will definitely agree, and Dasom Yoo, being in the Support Class, won’t want to be left out if her teammates are going. And Soohyun…”

“Hmm, Soohyun will do whatever you ask, Arbiter. Even if it might be dangerous.”

True, it is dangerous. If it weren’t dangerous, it wouldn’t make sense.

But for Soohyun, battling villains is the best growth opportunity.

It’s far better than fighting monsters or handling dungeons and gates.

Considering The Crimson Witch trait, which grows stronger at the sight of blood,

Soohyun is specialized for combat against ability users rather than monsters.

Not to mention the massacre she was originally meant to carry out, and her current battles with Rina.

“Everything we’ve done so far has been dangerous. But Soohyun, Hyunwoo Lee, and Dasom Yoo—our entire team—have struggled but ultimately pushed through, haven’t they?”

“That’s true.”

Has she cleared away all the anxiety in her heart?

Hana Kang’s magic, which had been fluctuating uneasily, now calms down.

“Oh, right! Speaking of the team, Arbiter.”

“Yes?”

“Have you heard the news? Dasom actually…”

“That she confessed her feelings to Hyunwoo Lee first?”

“Eh? You knew about that too, Arbiter?”

“I happened to find out somehow.”

More precisely, that damn Hyunwoo provoked me, so I learned about it properly.

I still remember. He said since there were two women, I could give better advice.

For a moment, the words “What nonsense, you crazy bastard!” itched in my mouth.

I still wonder how I managed to hold that back. Damn that guy.

“I was so surprised. Who would have thought Dasom liked the junior?”

“It happens quite often, doesn’t it? When you spend time together, suddenly seeing someone differently. That’s the moment they appear as a potential partner, and from there, you either get closer or drift apart.”

This is essentially what you’d call office romance.

If you reject a confession or break up after dating, the aftermath can be serious.

That’s why some workplaces even prohibit workplace romance.

“You’re close friends with Dasom Yoo, right? What do you think?”

“Why does my opinion matter? If they’re happy with each other, that’s what counts.”

“Still, since you’re very close to Dasom Yoo, I thought you might have some thoughts.”

“Hmm…”

After pondering briefly, Hana Kang shrugged her shoulders and spoke.

“I think it’s fine. Looking at the junior, he doesn’t seem like someone who would look elsewhere.”

“…Why are you subtly looking at me while saying that?”

“Don’t you know that better than anyone, Arbiter?”

Just to clarify, this two-timing situation was forced upon me.

It’s not like I wanted this… well, honestly, I did want it a little, but not entirely.

Anyway, this happened partly due to others’ influence. Don’t make me feel so wronged.

“…Lastly, first-years Hyunwoo Lee and Soohyun Kim. That completes the list. These 32 students have been selected as entrants to the United Academy.”

After thorough investigation, judgment, and meetings with relevant parties, this was the final roster.

At first glance, the number might seem very small compared to the Academy’s total student body.

But it’s actually quite substantial—the American side has around thirty, and the Chinese side doesn’t exceed fifty, showing how exceptional the Korean representatives are.

As expected of a Korea-centric worldview. It ended with Rina being in Korea anyway.

“I made it into the admission list, Arbiter! Aren’t I great?!”

“Yes. But will you be okay? With the United Academy and training with the students here, you’ll be extremely busy.”

Both Soohyun and Hyunwoo decided to attend the United Academy while continuing training with the Bronze students here.

Their reason was that the atmosphere they’d worked hard to establish would fall apart if they left.

“That’s fine. Being busy is good, right? You said so yourself, Arbiter!”

Um, Soohyun, that comment about busyness being good wasn’t meant in a positive way.

It was more like self-hypnosis I used on myself while being swamped with work every day.

“Isn’t that right, comrade? …Comrade? Hyunwoo? Hey!”

“Huh? Oh. What? Did you call me, Soohyun?”

“What’s wrong with you? Why are you suddenly spacing out?”

I know the reason, Soohyun. I know it all too well.

“Today’s the day, isn’t it, Hyunwoo Lee? Right?”

“Ugh…”

Hyunwoo nods while groaning.

When Soohyun asks “What is it?”, I explain what’s happening.

“Today is when Hyunwoo Lee responds to Dasom Yoo’s confession.”

“What?”

“He asked her to wait until the United Academy personnel were decided, and now that day has come. Come to think of it, Hyunwoo Lee, you’re really something. You postponed your answer for over a month when you should have responded immediately?”

Hyunwoo covered his face and replied.

He said he wanted to avoid giving an immediate answer somehow.

No, as if that would help you avoid it. You’re so reckless in battle but such a coward in these matters.