Ch.30Episode 7. Joint Class Sparring (3)

“Let’s go. To the main building’s training arena.”

After finishing school without any special announcements, I led the children.

“Instructor, would it be alright if I come along too?”

Bin Yoon approached me while yawning. She then stretched her body, extending her limbs.

“I thought you wanted to use that time for research.”

“Ah~ about that. I have a few things I’d like to test.”

She reached into her white coat and pulled out a polystyrene tube containing a blue liquid.

“I accidentally discovered a formula recently and made this new style. It’s a potion that greatly amplifies abilities.”

With her alchemist’s eyes, she could tell what effects a potion would have when combined, and if these eyes fully developed, she would even be able to see the side effects of potions.

In the original story, Bin Yoon, after joining Akcheon, fully developed her abilities and created humanity’s worst poison.

Akcheon then spread it among civilians, causing the collapse of several regions.

That’s why I absolutely could not allow her to join Akcheon.

“Here you go!”

She casually offered it to me. She seemed to want me to drink it.

I took it and carefully examined the liquid.

As far as I knew, potions that amplify abilities are purple. The blue color indicated that the synthesis wasn’t properly completed yet.

I could probably give her advice if I saw the ratio chart and ingredients used, but I wondered if advising her was the right thing to do.

My advice would essentially be the answer, which wouldn’t really help her growth.

Unless she gained insight and created it herself, she would never truly become independent.

Besides, my knowledge was limited. I couldn’t keep giving her advice forever.

“Don’t try to feed me potions that haven’t undergone proper clinical trials.”

“Then how about this? It’s a hardening potion that greatly increases defense…”

This time she pulled out a brown liquid.

What’s a hardening potion?

I’ve never seen this even in the novel. What kind of potion research is she doing locked up in that lab to come up with something like this?

“In my opinion, rather than making these miscellaneous potions, you should focus on creating recovery potions and acceleration potions.”

It’s better to advance steadily, fighting one defensive battle at a time.

Once she fights the copyright battle and her potion-making abilities gain recognition, even the Academy won’t be able to pressure her recklessly.

As her reputation builds, she’ll become too influential for even the Hero Association to touch.

“Ah! Speaking of which, did you drink the acceleration potion?”

“Yes, I used it well.”

“How was it? Was your speed several times faster than normal? How did it taste? Any side effects? Did you experience any aftereffects?”

Curiosity gleamed in Bin Yoon’s eyes as she fired off questions.

For a researcher, curiosity is pleasure.

As someone who knows the joy of discovering new things, this was something she absolutely couldn’t miss.

“The acceleration felt less than twice as fast, subjectively. The taste… was somewhat bitter. I didn’t notice any particular side effects.”

There were no side effects in the novel either, so I didn’t think there would be any problems even years later.

“Did it taste like semen?”

“…What?”

For a moment, I doubted my ears.

Judging by the bewildered expressions of Jeong I-yeon, Gu Yeon-hwa, and Yu A-ri nearby, I hadn’t misheard.

“You said the potion is white, has viscosity, and tastes bitter, right?”

She remained completely nonchalant, as if she were simply asking research-related questions.

“Why would you express it like that…”

I suddenly felt like throwing up.

Just imagining it made my lunch want to come back up.

“Taste is a very important factor. People who drink potions should feel minimal aversion for the sales value to increase.”

Seeing her attitude that showed such dedication to research, I couldn’t bring myself to criticize her.

Still, couldn’t she consider my feelings a bit when speaking?

“So, did it feel thick or anything like that?”

“…It did. But not to the point where it was undrinkable.”

“I see. So Instructor can even eat semen.”

Fuck. She’s messing with me, isn’t she?

“Do you want to die?”

“I’m just kidding!”

Bin Yoon said mischievously while giggling.

“Anyway, focus on developing recovery and acceleration potions first, then work on other potions.”

“Yes sir!”

“But are you really coming to the training arena?”

“I am. I heard there are many arrogant elites in A-Class. I need to see our special class push their noses down! And then I’ll offer potions to those elites in despair, telling them drinking this will help them beat the special class! That way I can clear clinical trials too! Ha! Aren’t I a genius?!”

Looking at her snapping her fingers and giving a thumbs up, I felt like giving her a knock on the head.

“You’re quite the trash, aren’t you.”

* * *

“Let me make this clear. You absolutely must not kill anyone.”

“Don’t worry. It’s not like we’re meeting as heroes versus villains, it’s just training, right? I won’t kill anyone.”

The nuance in her smiling words was quite rough.

Anyone could immediately notice the displeasure mixed in Jeong I-yeon’s eyes.

“This! Is! Amazing! I can legally burn them with fire!”

…Except for Gu Yeon-hwa.

“I don’t, don’t really like fighting…”

“If you don’t want to, you can stop now. I’m not forcing you.”

“But then I won’t, won’t get praised… And… a he-hero shouldn’t be afraid of, of fighting.”

That was absolutely correct.

But Yu A-ri was still entangled in trauma. Even though she had found me as a source of support, overcoming it all at once was impossible.

So I planned to make one suggestion to her before the training began.

“Before we start training, let’s change your kunai and daggers.”

“What?”

“As long as no one dies, it’s fine. If you find it hard to control, choose weapons that can’t kill from the start.”

“Weapons that can’t kill…”

There was no need to doubt Yu A-ri’s skills.

People often mistakenly think she’s docile because she speaks less than Yeon-mu-hui, but not many instructors can control Yu A-ri.

Moreover, if the opponents were students, there was no need to risk trouble by selecting threatening weapons.

I opened the door to the main building’s training arena and entered.

Inside, students were already warming up here and there. But judging by the small number, it seemed A-Class had reserved the entire arena for today.

“Ah, you’ve arrived, Instructor Yujin.”

“Yes, Instructor Gangchan.”

I accepted the handshake offered by a man with a side-swept hairstyle that completely exposed one side of his forehead. Not only was his appearance striking, but the suit he wore also suited him very well.

He must be popular among students.

Instructor Gangchan’s ability was “telekinesis.”

As the instructor in charge of A-Class, he was quite skilled among the instructors.

In the hero industry, I believe he’s an A-rank close to S-rank.

He was one of the people whose skills I wanted to see during the last instructor training, but it couldn’t be helped due to Yu A-ri’s issue.

“Your performance in the last training was truly remarkable. Taking down Instructor Kim Jinsu, who’s considered high-level even among instructors, in one blow.”

“Not at all.”

As we entered, the atmosphere became noisy, and one by one, A-Class students turned to look at us.

Though they maintained expressionless faces, their gazes didn’t seem particularly welcoming.

Some were sneering, and others started whispering as soon as they spotted us.

“Hmm? It seems one person is missing.”

Gangchan glanced at the students following behind me.

“Yeon-mu-hui refused to participate in the training.”

“I see. There were students here who wanted to face that child. What a shame.”

“How will the training proceed? The numbers don’t match.”

At this point, Gangchan’s suggestion was “tournament.”

“How about a tournament format?”

This part was also as I knew it.

Even though Jeong I-yeon acted as a variable, the flow hadn’t changed. I could feel somewhat relieved.

“If we’re not careful, A-Class’s pride might be hurt.”

“Pardon?”

“If the three special class members participating in this training demolish all thirty A-Class students, it might be a bit awkward, don’t you think?”

“You’re quite confident.”

Gangchan seemed somewhat taken aback by my words.

“Yes. My kids are strong.”

Glancing back, none of the four showed any signs of intimidation.

Good. Whether we win or lose, we’ll be criticized anyway, so let’s crush A-Class students’ pride and show off a bit.

“Well, we’ll see about that. Let’s proceed with a light warm-up before the training. I assume everyone brought workout clothes to change into?”

“Of course.”

* * *

“Hey, you… Why are you wearing that kind of outfit for training?”

“I told you wearing restraint clothes makes me weak! This is my optimal state! And it’s after school now! You can’t interfere with me, Instructor!”

“Even so…”

She came wearing a frilly dress that’s even uncomfortable to move in.

As I was about to put my hand on my forehead and lament, I heard A-Class students chattering behind us.

“Pfft! Was it true?”

“Wow, that’s crazy. Why does she dress like that?”

“Ah~ but I think she’s doable?”

Hearing their snickering, Gu Yeon-hwa clenched her fist.

“Those jerks! I’ll burn them all!”

“Calm down. Technically, you’re the one at fault for wearing something like that to this occasion.”

“Whose side are you on, Instructor?!”

“I’m not on anyone’s side.”

Could you not drag me into this? I don’t want to be seen as a weirdo too.

“But well… isn’t this an opportunity to beat up those who are mocking you?”

I patted Gu Yeon-hwa’s shoulder. She looked up at me and grinned.

“Hehehe, finally you say something I agree with! Alright! I’ll sentence those guys to a special 100-year term in hell.”

Let’s not do that, okay? This is just training.

“Then we need to decide the first order… I think you should go first.”

I said, looking at Jeong I-yeon who was stretching flexibly behind us.

“Yes, Instructor Yujin.”

She straightened her body, burning with determination.