Ch.9Episode 2. Watching in Silence (3)

“Haaah…”

Just as I was contemplating how to prepare for what was to come, Yeon Mu-hee, who had been moving without a moment’s rest, finally stopped.

“Are you finished?”

Honestly, I was a bit surprised.

Despite moving non-stop, her breathing remained steady. That sigh just now was the only sign of any wavering.

Yeon Mu-hee turned to look at me. I checked the time on my phone.

“…It’s already 3 o’clock.”

Had she been swinging her sword for nearly three hours, including lunch time?

That was truly remarkable dedication. No wonder she became so strong with that kind of effort.

However, that dedication was a double-edged sword.

While it had elevated her to S-rank status, her constant craving for power would eventually numb even her reason.

And in the original story, she failed to control this obsession.

More precisely, there was no one to put the brakes on her dedication. Knowing she was destroying herself but unable to stop, she ultimately met the worst possible end.

Of course, that wouldn’t happen now.

“It’s time to go home.”

I should probably head back to the classroom for the closing homeroom…

Originally, homeroom duties and announcements were the teacher’s responsibility, but since the Special Class had no assigned teacher, I had to handle everything.

“What do you want to do? Will you attend the closing homeroom?”

“…No.”

“Suit yourself.”

I can only influence her during the morning hours. I had no intention of provoking her outside of that time.

Better to maintain appropriate boundaries while subtly looking after her.

“By the way, training with your abilities is good, but have you considered using holograms for more practical combat training?”

“Playing the instructor, are you?”

Just like everyone else in the Special Class, her manner of speaking is so impudent. I’ll definitely fix that attitude soon enough.

“I am your supervisor, after all.”

“…I cleared all the hologram training in my first semester of freshman year. Even the highest difficulty. It was boring.”

The highest difficulty would be S-rank level.

She cleared that last year? Impressive.

Even though programmed holograms have predictable combat patterns, the highest difficulty movements are comparable to S-rank, making them completely inaccessible to anyone below A-rank.

I should try it sometime. Sounds fun, like a game.

“Instructor, do you have that much free time? You’re really idle.”

She retrieves the towel she had thrown aside during practice and wipes her face while taking a jab at me.

She keeps trying to get under my skin, doesn’t she?

“I’m not a teacher. I only need to look after you five. I just need to be here until dismissal time. The same goes for you.”

“Why bother? It’s inefficient. Just leave me alone.”

“I’d like to do that.”

“Then—”

“But you look too concerning to leave alone.”

Surprisingly, she said nothing in response. She just stared at my expression, as if trying to figure out my intentions.

“I’m going. Keep training.”

For hero candidates at the Academy, the real work begins after school hours.

That’s when they use the Academy’s facilities and receive advice from their instructors to enhance their abilities.

“Oh, and training is good, but make sure you eat nutritious meals. Your muscles need proper fuel to recover quickly after all that exertion.”

Naturally, there was no response. I wasn’t expecting one anyway.

Light advice is appropriate for now.

If I started bringing her food this early, it would make her uncomfortable. She might misinterpret it as me making a move on her. Better to build rapport points after we become closer.

The more rapport points I build, the more likely she’ll come to me first when something happens.

* * *

3:05 PM.

As expected, only Jung I-yeon remained in the classroom. Of course. Shit.

Seeing Jung I-yeon alone in the classroom cleaning the blackboard, I thought she was quite admirable.

“…Where is everyone?”

“Oh, you’re here?”

“Why are you alone?”

“Ah~ They all left as soon as class ended.”

I’m definitely going to give these troublemakers a proper lesson on discipline.

“…You should have left too.”

“No way! How could I? I’m an honest and diligent person. My philosophy is to never do anything that goes against proper conduct.”

Seeing her bright smile with her gums showing, I felt my irritation melting away.

Right, at least you’re here.

The author who corrupted such a good kid really deserves to die.

“Honestly, I wanted to chat more, but everyone left saying they had things to do. I feel a bit lonely.”

“Is that so?”

“Comfort me a little.”

“How?”

I asked with a slight smile.

“Hmm~ I think a hug is the only solution.”

“…Why a hug?”

“Well, hugging something makes you feel comfortable, right? Before coming to the Academy dormitory, whenever I felt down, I used to hug my dog at home. It was super comforting. Highly recommended!”

“That works because it’s an animal.”

“Given how close we are, don’t you think that level of skinship would be okay between us?”

This was news to me.

We’ve only known each other for a day, and she says we’re already close? Is this what they call social prowess?

“I’m your instructor and you’re a student. Let’s refrain from that kind of physical contact.”

“Oh! That sounds like a line from a forbidden romance!”

Forbidden romance…?

“I see! Teacher-student skinship… That’s… that’s…! It’s a bit risqué!”

“…”

She’s a good kid, but definitely not normal.

“Haha! I’m just kidding. Don’t freeze up like that.”

She covers her mouth and laughs mischievously.

After putting down the board eraser, she dusts off her hands a few times and goes to her seat to pick up her bag.

“Still, it’s nice that you’re not as rigid as I thought. I heard instructors are so strict that they make you do drills if you joke around.”

“I’m not that inflexible.”

“That’s true. You even let it slide when Gu Yeon-hwa used her ability today, right?”

“…Right.”

I responded glumly to her observation.

In truth, the use of abilities was an issue that should be strictly regulated. It could potentially lead to casualties—a serious matter.

She should have been reprimanded for using her ability in the classroom without any reason, rather than in a training arena for practice.

From her perspective, questioning why I didn’t stop it was a natural progression.

“That’s because… you were confident you could handle it even if Gu Yeon-hwa used her ability, right?”

Jung I-yeon points at me and declares boldly.

“…Huh?”

“Hehe, that expression! I’ve been suspicious since yesterday when you blocked Senior Yeon Mu-hee’s punch. Being strong yet not showing your power. This means…”

She swallows and pauses dramatically. What is she trying to say?

“You’re a power-hiding loner!”

“Power-hiding loner?”

“Someone who hides their strength and is a loner.”

It’s true that I try not to show my abilities, but I’m not a loner, am I? Do I really come across that way?

“You shouldn’t call your instructor a loner.”

“It’s just a figure of speech! You’re handsome, okay? I guarantee it! Of course, that doesn’t mean you should go around seducing students!”

“That won’t happen. My goal is to ensure the Special Class students graduate safely and become heroes.”

“Hmm~ Then that includes me too, right?”

“Of course.”

“Oh… Well then! I’m planning to go to the training arena now. Would you like to come along?”

“No, I’ll pass.”

I declined with a casual wave of my hand.

“It says that after school, students can receive guidance from their assigned instructors. Isn’t this neglect of duty?”

“Formal instruction from instructors begins one week after enrollment. This week is for adapting to the Academy.”

“You know your stuff! That’s fine. No need to rush!”

As Jung I-yeon accepted my explanation coolly, I opened the attendance book I had placed on the teacher’s desk.

“By the way, did everyone attend afternoon classes properly?”

“I wouldn’t say they attended classes, but they kept their seats warm.”

Seems they stayed in their seats even without me around.

How commendable.

…Wait, no.

That’s just what students are supposed to do, not something praiseworthy.

Have I become so accustomed to the gap between Special Class and regular students that I can’t see normal behavior as normal anymore?

“They didn’t cause any trouble?”

“None at all.”

“Good. That’s a relief.”

I marked in the attendance book that they had all attended until the afternoon.

Normally, the subject teacher would check attendance, but the Special Class was an exception.

I agreed to check everything myself. On the Association President’s orders.

He said, “It’s obvious they won’t attend anyway, so just make the attendance look decent.” That Association President is really too casual about everything.

“So I’ll be able to spar with you next week, right?”

“Spar?”

“There’s nothing more certain than learning through physical confrontation, right? I’m super excited! I’ll be going now! See you tomorrow!”

She rattled off her words and scurried out of the classroom.

Waving goodbye with a smile, she looked every bit the high school student she was. Well, she was a high school student just a few months ago.

Left alone, I looked around the classroom before taking the attendance book and leaving. I didn’t forget to lock the door.

* * *

“You came again today?”

She spoke to me as soon as I entered the training arena. I nodded while leaning against the wall like before.

“Yes.”

“…Stay quiet.”

“Okay.”

That was the extent of our conversation. We didn’t speak further.

She seemed unbothered by my presence now, swinging her sword with full force without paying me any mind. And I simply watched Yeon Mu-hee from behind.

A week passed like that, and it was time to distribute student handbooks.

“Instructor! It’s been a week. As promised, let’s have a match after school today!”

During homeroom, Jung I-yeon raised her voice enthusiastically.

At that, the two guys who had been sprawled out sleeping since morning got up, and both Gu Yeon-hwa and Yeon Mu-hee’s eyes gleamed with interest.

“Sigh.”

I sighed as I looked at Jung I-yeon, who was staring at me passionately with clenched fists.

How did her one-sided declaration become a promise…?