Ch.24Episode 6. The First Turning Point (4)

* @ *

‘The Blade told me to keep an eye on Instructor Eugene, but…’

A man watching the brief match between Eugene and Koo Yeonhwa from the stands frowned. The wrinkles between his eyebrows trembled.

He was one of the students planted by the Blade under orders.

He was passionately carrying out his assigned mission, as the success of this operation would allow him to become an official member of Akcheon.

But.

‘What the hell was that?’

While Yeonhwa’s flame attack was threatening enough to the man, he couldn’t hide his shock at seeing Eugene instantly appear behind Yeonhwa.

‘Even my observation-enhanced peripheral vision couldn’t follow that movement…’

His speed was the best among the countless ability users he had encountered.

‘And what was that spark? I should report this first.’

While Eugene looked around as if searching for someone and prepared for the next match, the man silently took out his phone and began recording.

For material to report back to the Blade.

‘So I’m supposed to record this and threaten Yoo Ari on April 4th? Alright… let’s do this. I’ll definitely get into Akcheon with this opportunity.’

* @ *

“I see…”

After hearing the Blade’s report and watching the video, Moonlight, who still carried two swords on his back, remained silent for a while. He just stared at the paused image.

“You may go for today. Take all of ‘Red Moon’ with you and do whatever you want. No one is allowed to enter here until I give orders.”

“Understood.”

The Blade rose from his seat. He bowed his head respectfully before leaving the room.

With only Moonlight remaining in the room, a heavy silence settled. His stiff lips began to twitch.

“—Pfft.”

Unable to hold back, laughter burst out.

“Puhah! Hahahahaha!!”

Like water rushing through an opened dam, once the laughter started, it poured out endlessly.

After laughing at the top of his lungs like a madman for quite some time, he spoke as he erased all the silence in the room.

“So that’s what it was! Interesting! So interesting!!”

BANG!

Moonlight struck the table and laughed maniacally. The table split in half under his fist and collapsed.

Clicking his tongue briefly at the rising dust, he continued to chuckle.

“That’s right! That’s how you raise your price. Don’t give satisfaction too easily! These days, kids are easily bought with money, so it’s no fun! But this guy is interesting!”

He grabbed a paper and waved Eugene’s profile.

“Eugene! Eugene! Eugene…! So this guy was the Lightning God?”

Moonlight snickered as he paused at the scene where blue sparks flew from Eugene’s body.

He knew that sparks appeared when the Lightning God used his unique skill. Sparks were symbolic to the Lightning God.

‘The guy who single-handedly took down our core members and even executives, sending them to the Association or police stations… is a Hero Academy instructor!’

“Holy shit! This is truly shocking and terrifying.”

Moonlight slapped his forehead and giggled.

“No wonder our recruitment attempts keep failing.”

He wanted to immediately capture and bring in Eugene, who had taken the 1 billion won bait, but he knew that mindlessly sending organization members would only result in them being defeated.

That’s why he chose recruitment as a method, but he was rejected and lost members instead.

“Let’s find out this time. Why the Lightning God, who could crush everything with power, took on the role of a special class instructor.”

The recruitment was already a lost cause.

Knowing that a direct confrontation with the Lightning God wouldn’t work, he decided to use tricks as planned.

“Let’s test how much you value your students, Instructor Eugene. Let’s see how you respond.”

* * *

April 4th.

The day of the first turning point.

I wanted to keep an eye on Yoo Ari as much as possible, but…!

“Joint instructor training?”

I almost spat out the coffee in my paper cup at the student dean’s words. As I stared at him in bewilderment, he smiled gently and answered.

“Yes.”

“This is the first I’m hearing of this…”

Joint instructor training wasn’t even mentioned in the original story.

It was something I couldn’t predict.

“No need to look so serious. Even though it’s called joint training, it’s not that difficult.”

That’s not what I’m worried about.

The problem was that something unplanned had come up today of all days.

“Even though it’s called joint training, it’s just learning how to handle emergency situations, control students, and respond to villains in theory, followed by sparring matches between instructors to test each other’s skills. It’s an opportunity to verify each other’s abilities, give advice, and become better instructors.”

I don’t have the slightest intention of becoming a better instructor.

“When does it start?”

“After the morning assembly, from morning classes until afternoon classes. Today, all classes are scheduled for theoretical lectures, so it’s the perfect timing, isn’t it?”

“Is there no lunch break?”

“No.”

This is driving me crazy.

Ever since I possessed Eugene, it feels like causality is being adjusted to make the story proceed according to the original plot.

Is this what they call being rigged?

“Is it possible to skip it? I have something important to do.”

“What important matter?”

I need to prevent my lovely student from turning to the dark side in the worst-case scenario.

…But I can’t say that.

When I hesitated to give a reason, the dean said:

“I’m sorry, but even though you were recommended by the Association Chairman, there are no exceptions.”

Did you have to bring that up…

I rolled my eyes to gauge the reactions around me.

No matter how friendly I tried to be with everyone, I was clearly a parachute appointment who got in because of the Association Chairman’s backing.

I couldn’t help but be a thorn in the side of instructors who had entered after grueling training and passing exams.

Moreover, as the instructor in charge of the special class full of troublemakers, my image was probably even worse.

As evidence:

“Using the Association Chairman’s backing to avoid training is a bit much.”

“That’s a real salary thief. Smart move.”

I gained nothing by speaking up.

As much as I want to correct the facts right now, whatever I say, they won’t take it kindly.

I have no choice but to at least give the kids a heads-up during the morning assembly.

I know where Yoo Ari always goes during lunch break, but it would take at least a few seconds to get there.

The situation might be over by then.

Even if the situation ends, I could somehow prevent her from turning to the dark side with proper care, but the best thing would be for the situation not to happen at all.

It’s easy to break things, but so difficult to restore them.

I wonder if restoration is even possible in the first place.

“If anyone is sick, please report to me separately, and let’s do our best today as well.”

That’s right. I need to do my best.

To prevent those kids from becoming villains.

* * *

“This is my phone number. Everyone save it in your phones.”

I tapped the board and spoke.

According to the original story, Yoo Ari was the target this time, but I decided to tell everyone in case they might target other students as well.

“I-Instructor Eugene’s phone number!”

Jung Iyeon excitedly began pressing her screen rapidly. She brightened her eyes looking at her phone, saying something like “Finally got it!”

This one is always high-tension.

Just like an energetic protagonist. I hope she doesn’t cause trouble with all that energy.

“Instructor!”

Jung Iyeon raised her hand high.

“What?”

“Can I contact you anytime?”

“Sure. But not without a reason.”

“Then is it okay even at dawn?!”

Her voice grew increasingly excited.

The surrounding students who witnessed this behavior looked at Jung Iyeon strangely.

“Don’t you sleep?”

It was quite annoying that she was trying to disturb sleep, my only pleasure.

“Isn’t this the best opportunity to get personal advice from Instructor Eugene! Who cares about sleep!”

“Ah… I see…”

I didn’t notice when reading the novel, but this protagonist is more tiring than I thought.

“I always keep my phone on vibrate so I can answer even when sleeping. But if you call without a reason, expect a knock on the head the next day.”

“Yes, sir!”

Her cheerful response made me uneasy.

I bet she’ll contact me for all sorts of useless reasons even when there’s nothing important.

“Anyway… I got sidetracked. The reason I’m giving you my phone number is to prevent problems that might arise for you in the future.”

“Problems? Prevention?”

I glanced at Yoo Ari.

Though her eyes were partially hidden by her hair, she was definitely looking at me.

Fortunately, it seems she’s not taking my words lightly.

“For example, if someone threatens you, don’t try to respond—immediately escape while calling me.”

“Problems… But there are few students stronger than the special class in the academy, right? Would anyone pick a fight with us first?”

I pointed at Bin Yooni in response to her objection.

“That’s exactly why.”

“…?”

They tilted their heads in confusion.

“You are much stronger than other students. That’s why if problems arise and you use your abilities recklessly to harm others, the issue could escalate significantly.”

With a hero license, one would be relatively free from legal constraints, making it easier to claim self-defense.

However, incidents caused by hero candidates deemed immature could affect their future path to becoming heroes.

“So call me. Just let me know your location, and I’ll get to you within a minute.”

After finishing, I looked at Yoo Ari. When our eyes met, she flinched and quickly turned her head away.

I’ve instilled caution twice now, so it should work out somehow.

* * *

After the morning assembly, I headed straight to the main building’s arena, the gathering place for instructors.

Many instructors were already seated in folding chairs, watching a video on the stage. I quietly sat down at the edge and looked at the video as well.

It introduced the basics that instructors needed to know, such as how to handle situations if the academy was attacked by Akcheon, evacuation routes, and how to lead students.

After the theoretical part ended, matches began under the direction of the student dean.

“The first match will be Instructor Eugene versus Instructor Kim Jinsoo.”

The main building’s arena was similar to the annex arena but on a larger scale. It seemed at least twice as big.

I stepped into the match space and observed my opponent.

Looking at him as he carefully observed me from a distance, I glanced at the clock in the arena.

It was already past twelve.

The situation might unfold soon, and here I am calmly participating in a match?

“Then let’s begin the match.”

The student dean standing between me and Kim Jinsoo extended his hand and looked at both of us alternately.

“Ready!”

Just as the match was about to begin, I felt a vibration on my thigh. I took out my phone from my pocket. An unknown number appeared on the screen.

“Begin!”

As the student dean’s arm lowered, Kim Jinsoo rushed toward me.

My heart began to beat violently with rising anxiety.

I clenched my fist to suppress my emotions.

“I’m a bit busy right now.”

I muttered as I watched him approach with his spear.

“What?”

“I might not be able to control my strength, so if you want to do this, give it your all in one go.”

Crack!

Sparks began to wrap around my forearm.

In this world where I exist, I won’t let those kids become villains.