Ch.22Episode 6. The First Turning Point (2)

*Knock knock knock!*

“…?”

Someone is knocking on my door on this fresh weekend morning.

I let go of the pull-up bar. I also unfastened the belt with the 50kg weight plate attached. I carefully set it down on the floor without making a sound.

I wiped the sweat from my face with the back of my hand and looked toward the door.

“Yes? Who is it?”

No answer. Is someone playing a prank?

I debated whether to put on the t-shirt hanging on the equipment, then decided to just walk to the door.

It’s the male faculty dormitory anyway, so it should only be men here.

I unlocked the door and opened it.

“Who is it? Pull pranks this early in the morning and I’ll flip you over.”

There was no one directly in front of me.

When I lowered my gaze slightly, I saw Gu Yeonhwa standing there with her arms crossed, looking triumphant.

For reference, she was wearing the black frilly dress that had previously been banned due to demerits.

As soon as our eyes met, Gu Yeonhwa pointed at me with a trembling hand. Her gaze was directed not at my face but at my body.

“What are you doing here so early in the morning? More importantly, this is the male faculty dormitory—”

“HYAAAAAAH!”

“W-what?!”

I flinched in surprise at her sudden scream.

“What’s wrong?! Are you hurt? No, you’ve always been a bit off.”

“What do you mean I’ve always been off?! Isn’t that assessment a bit harsh?!”

She flared up and took issue with my comment.

Judging by how she was getting sidetracked and missing the main point, it was clearly something trivial.

“So what is it?”

“W-why! Why aren’t you wearing clothes?!”

“Well… I was working out in my room.”

“Why are you working out in your room?! Why not go to the gym?!”

“On days like weekends when I don’t feel like going out, I do it at home.”

“How lazy of you!”

This brat, did she come all the way here on a weekend just to pick a fight?

Should I give her a knock on the head?

“I’m not slacking off, you know.”

Since I should avoid showing my abilities as much as possible, I preferred to build my strength in private spaces rather than at the gym, maintaining my lightning release at all times.

“Anyway, why are you here? This is the men’s dormitory.”

“Never mind that, just put some clothes on quickly!”

“You should take off that outfit. How can you wear something like that even on weekends?”

Seriously, doesn’t she ever get tired of wearing that dress?

“Huh! How dare you say such things to a student…! As expected, Instructor, you’re a perverted demon! I shall purify you with my darkness! Prepare yourself!”

*Clap.*

I pressed my palm against the palm she held out.

“I wasn’t holding out my hand for a high-five!”

“I didn’t press my palm against yours for a high-five either.”

It’s just that it would be troublesome if I actually used my ability.

“Stop talking nonsense and tell me why you’re here—”

“What’s all this commotion?”

While I was talking with Gu Yeonhwa, other doors suddenly opened and instructors came out.

“…Ah, it’s nothing.”

I explained apologetically to the other instructors. They were watching our quarrel with puzzled expressions.

“You, come inside for now.”

Thinking that I couldn’t cause any more disturbance, I grabbed her arm and pulled her in.

“Hmph! So you don’t leave your guests standing outside like some ruffian! I’ll give you credit for that!”

“Why are you so cheeky? Want a knock on the head?”

“No, I don’t!”

“No, you’re getting one anyway.”

“Ngggh…!”

As soon as I let her into the room, I pinched her cheek and then let go. I chuckled as I watched her hold her cheek and exaggerate her pain.

*Click.*

After closing the door, a worst-case scenario suddenly occurred to me.

A male instructor brought a female student into his faculty dormitory room.

If this goes wrong, won’t rumors spread that I’m sleeping with my assigned student?

…Am I screwed?

“It’s bigger than I expected. It seems about twice the size of my room.”

She casually came in, took off her shoes, and looked around.

I really wish I could live as carefree as this kid.

I put on the t-shirt that was hanging on the equipment.

It felt a bit uncomfortable because of the sweat, but I had no choice. I couldn’t stay shirtless in front of a female student forever.

“I let you in today because I had no choice, but don’t come looking for me like this in the future. It’s not good for a female student to enter the male faculty dormitory.”

“Really? The security guard said it was fine as long as I showed my student ID and signed the register.”

As the security guard said, there was no school rule completely prohibiting entry to dormitories of the opposite sex. Entry was freely permitted during the day.

This was a measure to minimize students going outside when they wanted to relax with friends of the opposite sex in a private space.

Moreover, since the Academy encouraged marriage between ability users, it was more flexible compared to other universities.

However, from evening hours, entry to dormitories of the opposite sex was generally discouraged.

The reason being that it could interfere with studies the next day.

“It could cause misunderstandings.”

“Misunderstandings?”

“Rumors might spread that you and I have a personal relationship.”

“Hmm? Were you the type to care about such things, Instructor?”

“As an instructor, I have to care.”

At the very least, I shouldn’t be known as an instructor who has an improper relationship with a student.

“So why did you come here?”

“Heheheh!”

In response to my question, she flipped her blonde hair.

The way she looked at me was quite lewd.

“Hahaha! Now that I’m free from my restraining outfit, I am invincible! I’ve come to defeat you today! My condition is at its peak! Can you see it! The spark of thrill transmitted from my fingertips! My hellfire is screaming to burn you to ashes right now!”

Watching her grab her own arms and go “Kuuuh!” from the beginning of this peaceful weekend morning was stressing me out.

“I understand you’re happy to cosplay after a long time, but arson is a crime, you know?”

“Ack! That’s not what I meant!”

“I know. In short, you want to fight me, right?”

When I got serious and sparked some electricity, Gu Yeonhwa flinched and took half a step back.

“W-when you say ‘fight,’ it sounds a bit strange! But the context is the same!”

All training grounds tend to be crowded on weekends…

Considering what was about to happen, it would be better not to use my ability as much as possible.

If an Akcheon organization member disguised as a student were to witness my ability, those Akcheon bastards would realize that I am the Brain God.

“Hmph, I can create sparks too, you know?!”

Her right eye turned golden.

This was the reaction that occurred when Gu Yeonhwa used Realization.

Heterochromia…

In a way, when using Realization, she truly becomes a chuunibyou.

Things she frequently imagines, like “darkness,” can be used reflexively without conscious thought, but it takes time to manifest something she’s never tried before.

*Crackle!*

Sparks start flying over her skin, just like mine.

“Now I’m an electricity ability user too!”

This was the frightening aspect of “Realization.”

She can match the logic through imagination.

Since she doesn’t understand the principle, it’s not exactly the same effect as my lightning release, but at least it looks the same.

In other words, if I were to explain the characteristics of lightning release to her, Gu Yeonhwa could also use lightning release.

While she couldn’t manifest something like a massive meteor capable of destroying Earth, if she improved her ability’s stamina and imagination, she would inevitably become a much more threatening existence than she is now.

“…Don’t use your ability in a place like this.”

“But you used yours!”

“I have a hero license, so it’s fine for me. If you’re envious, you can get your hero license when you become a third-year. Until then, using abilities elsewhere is prohibited.”

“Tch…”

She clicks her tongue and deactivates her ability.

She’s become quite obedient compared to when I first met her a month ago.

“I’ve sweated a lot, so I’ll take a quick shower and come out. Go to the training ground first. I’ll follow shortly.”

“Okay. Do you have to come right away? If you run away, you lose to me! You haven’t forgotten our promise that the loser becomes the winner’s dog, right?”

“We never made such a promise.”

Does this kid want to make me her lackey?

“Then let’s make it now! I’ll defeat you and proudly claim the number one position in the special class.”

“If you’re really serious about that, I’ll have to thoroughly crush you.”

“Saying you’ll ‘crush’ a student sounds strange somehow! You’re planning to kill a growing sprout!!”

Gu Yeonhwa, already intimidated, protested, but I simply ignored her. I’ll make her regret digging her own grave.

*Knock knock knock.*

“Huh?”

I looked at the door as another knock sounded. Is there someone else visiting this morning?

Could rumors about me bringing in a student have spread already?

I sighed while looking at Gu Yeonhwa and opened the door. If a scandal spreads, it’s all her fault.

“Who is—”

“Instructor, want to spar?”

“Instructor Yujin! Could I ask for some weekend training?!”

“Instructor, could you give me some advice on how to adjust this ratio?!”

Three students called out almost simultaneously as soon as I appeared.

I was relieved that it was students rather than security or other instructors, but I couldn’t help but laugh wryly at the thought that the rumors might double.

“…You know today is the weekend, right?”

“Because it’s the weekend, we should train even harder! I want to become as strong as Instructor Yujin as soon as possible!”

Jeong Iyeon answered enthusiastically.

Her ambition to become stronger was commendable.

However, I had no desire to hang out with them on the weekend unless there was something special.

Of course, having accepted Gu Yeonhwa’s proposal, I couldn’t back out now.

“I was planning to go to the training ground anyway. Go with this troublemaker here. I’ll take a quick shower and join you.”

“Troublemaker?”

I opened the door wide. The three saw Gu Yeonhwa inside, striking poses and muttering to herself.

“I-Instructor, why… why is Gu Yeonhwa here?”

Jeong Iyeon pointed at Gu Yeonhwa with her mouth open in bewilderment.

Don’t ask me. I’m troubled by it too.