Chapter 5: Entrance Ceremony (5)

I’m so frustrated, I could die. Am I seriously getting singled out on the first day? That’s absurd. How could something like this happen?

“Kim Geun-chul. Get up.”

Instructor Lee Sora called me with her charismatic tone. Was it such a big offense to let out a scream… The situation was so embarrassing it was driving me insane.

“Ye-yes… present, Kim Geun-chul.”

Staggering to my feet, a wave of heat rushed up my spine, and my face flushed with embarrassment.

I couldn’t even make eye contact.

“Kim Geun-chul. You screamed the loudest. Louder than anyone else. And quicker than anyone else too. If only you’d done the opposite, you might have been an exemplary student.”

Facing her overwhelming gaze, I was left speechless. Frankly, she was right. If I had attacked quicker and stronger than anyone else, I would have shown my potential to be top of the class.

But how could I possibly do that?

“Ye-yes… You’re right. It would have been better if I had done just the opposite. I was just so startled that I ended up screaming. I apologize for causing such a disturbance.”

“I see you understand. But didn’t you clearly curse during the entrance ceremony?”

Why on earth did she have to bring that up?

This is bullying!

Whispers filled the room.

“Is that him?”

“Ugh…! What curses?”

“Well, I would have also…”

Already, the students began to whisper among themselves.

I could die of embarrassment.

“Well, that…”

“Cursing is not good. Even heroes must maintain a decent image. If you spew vulgarities like a delinquent, it detracts from your dignity. Understand?”

“I’m truly sorry. I won’t do it again. It was because I was startled. When I get surprised, I tend to curse…”

“That’s a bad habit. Sit down.”

“Yes.”

Thump.

I immediately sat down, but I still couldn’t lift my head.

Please save me.

I want to go home.

“Well, it might have been a bit dramatic, but it’s understandable. If a C-rank monster suddenly appeared, anyone would be surprised. It’s not strange to react as a civilian would when you’re not a battle-hardened veteran.”

Not only was she addressing me, but also everyone else who had been startled.

Instructor Lee Sora, contrary to her appearance, spoke in a soft, considerate tone.

“However, from now on, you can’t behave this way.”

And then her tone abruptly changed.

“You all are cadets who aim to become heroes. It’s the start of the first year, so you, who have not yet received hero training, might behave this way. But that won’t be acceptable in the future. This might be fine for the first few days, but be careful from now on.”

Instructor Lee Sora spoke firmly enough to make her listeners flinch.

She really was brimming with charisma.

“If it had been real, those who panicked would all have been killed. Understand?”

“Yes. We understand.”

“Yes.”

“Sure.”

Responses came from all around.

“Kim Geun-chul, answer.”

“Yes, sir! Understood!”

How did she manage to spot me when I was being quiet? Caught off guard, I ended up responding loudly. I feel like I’ve been singled out. This is definitely not good.

“You all will receive training from our instructors and emerge as heroes. We will do our utmost to foster your strength and courage, cadets. Dismissed!”

—Applause!

When applause broke out, I also clapped, going with the flow. Looking around, nearly everyone seemed moved.

“Now, we will provide individual feedback. To explain before we begin, what just happened was a welcome magic by Instructor Kawar. It’s a special class conducted every year on the freshman orientation day to see how newcomers react.”

But isn’t this too outrageous? Even though it was a surprising experience for the students. It was such a shocking event that even if it was Park Ji-sung with his two hearts, he would have undoubtedly complained of a double heart attack.

They just gloss over such serious human rights violations. I guess it really is a tough place. Can I survive here? I did follow the guidance of the quest to come here, but should I make a run for it now?

As I was pondering, the instructor started giving feedback.

“All right, number 1.”

“Ah, yes. Y-Yes…”

“You positioned yourself at the back and prepared to attack. You didn’t actually fire though. Were you afraid of hitting your allies?”

“Yes… I was worried I might hit someone in front of me…”

“You lack confidence in your accuracy, it seems. Of course, that will improve with our training. Work hard.”

“Understood.”

A timid-looking female student nodded and answered.

“…”

Even a petite female student like her was ready to attack as soon as the monster appeared. Unlike me who was wailing and screaming.

I feel so embarrassed.

Well, Instructor Lee Sora called on students one by one to give feedback. Every time she spoke, she flipped through the documents. It seems she organized everything in the faculty room.

She seems to care about each student. She looks fierce but seems meticulous.

“Leona.”

“Yes, Instructor.”

At her words, Leona who had asked if I was okay earlier responded.

“I don’t even need to say it. You displayed adept and experienced judgement and execution.”

“Hehe, that’s a given for me.”

“Truly befitting of a member of the Canus family.”

Canus family?

Is it a prestigious family? Well-known? Curiosity piqued, I immediately pulled out my phone to look it up.

“Kim Geun-chul. Put your phone away.”

The instructor immediately reprimands me!

“Gulp…! Yes, ma’am!”

All eyes immediately focused on me!

If she’s going to see everything, what am I supposed to do! Don’t just look at me…! I loathe girls who bother me! So please stop looking!

With that, the instructor finished giving individual feedback to every student, marking the end of the feedback session.

“The absentees didn’t show up till the end. Well, no matter. That’s all for today’s class. It’s the principal’s policy to keep things light on the first day of admission.”

It’s finally over!

“Wow. It’s already over.”

“It’s so easy, too easy.”

“Should we hit up the café out front after this?”

The students chatted happily. They might be from a different world, gifted with superhuman powers, but fundamentally, they were all the same.

“Dismissed. Starting tomorrow, we’re back to regular attendance. Ah, by the way, we’ll elect a class representative tomorrow… Nothing more to say. Don’t forget today’s experience and think about how you can do better. Really dismissed now.”

ㅡWoosh!

At that, the students got up from their seats and gathered their bags. At the same time, a few students cast glances in my direction.

“…”

As our eyes met.

“Pfft!”

A female student burst into laughter.

Such a damn shame.

So, when I stepped outside.

“Kim Geun-chul.”

A chilly voice called out from behind!

“Ye-Yes?! Ah!”

“Aren’t you Instructor Lee Sora? Do you have something to tell me?”

I was taken aback. I thought I was being awaited by some beast.

“No big deal. I just wanted to give you a piece of advice.”

“Advice? You’re not going to tell me, ‘If you don’t want to die, drop out of this school right away,’ are you?”

“Huh, what?”

The instructor looked perplexed when I said exactly what I had expected.

“What do you mean… Suggesting that a student with superhuman powers drop out? What do you think of me? Kim Geun-chul is an important human resource. I wouldn’t suggest anything like dropping out.”

“Ah, so that’s what it is? Hehehe, sorry. I jumped to conclusions.”

So it wasn’t that.

“Regardless of who they are, if they’re a student, I will guide them properly to become a hero. Even if they’re the ‘oh my gosh, son of a b*tch’ Kim Geun-chul.”

When will you stop using that…

“Anyway. This is advice. Go to the principal’s office right away.”

“Excuse me?”

Why on earth would I go there?

“You’re asking me to go there? Me? It’s a bit scary, isn’t it?

“That’s why I’m telling you to go. Are you worried about getting a good beating? You’re quite a scaredy-cat for a boy.”

“If I get hit, I’ll die! Didn’t you see how her voice was booming?!”

“She won’t kill you. No matter what, the principal won’t hit a student.”

“I know, I know. But that’s not what I meant. It’s just that…”

“Stop dilly-dallying and go. The principal is the kind of person who holds onto these things a lot. Even if she forgave you verbally, she’s the petty type who will keep it in her heart if you don’t apologize in person.”

Ah.

Could it be that I have to apologize for that ‘oh sh*t’ incident on the entrance ceremony day?

“In simple words, she’s the kind of person who takes offense at unrefined behavior or a youngster using profanity in front of an adult like her, and holds onto it for a long time. From my perspective, the Kim Geun-chul standing in front of me fits this image perfectly.”

“You’re right. I’ll definitely go see her. Thank you.”

I can’t be in the bad books of such a person from day one. I was a bit nervous, but I felt I needed to go and apologize properly.

“Alright then.”

Upon finishing her words, Instructor Lee Sora naturally turned and left. A cool attitude declaring,

‘I’m done talking, I’m leaving.’

Clack-clack.

Even her back in the fitted suit looked killer.

“Sigh.”

But where is this director’s office?

Finding it will be quite the task.

A 24-year-old lost child was here.

“Even a superhuman can get lost, damn it.”

It’s ridiculous that a superhuman could get lost. It was all because this place was freaking huge. I asked around, set my rally point, and still ended up getting lost.

“It seemed like it was around here.”

Just as I was trying to find the director’s office.

Clack.

“Hmm?”

Someone stopped in front of me.

“Who are you?”

A refined voice and beautiful silver hair.

Looking at her, it was the same Leona who had not only done well in the previous class, but also slaughtered the spider.

“Ah.”

What should I call her? Since we’re classmates, can I just call her Leona? As I was pondering that, she, who had been staring at me, tilted her head slightly and said,

“Should I call you Mr. F*ck?”

“What? No. What the hell are you talking about? Who said to call me Mr. F*ck… People can curse when they’re surprised.”

Why the hell would you point that out again, it’s so embarrassing.

“I’ve never seen someone get so startled before. What a spectacle, crying buckets of tears.”

“Hey, I just shed a few tears because I was startled, what do you mean I bawled my eyes out. You’re changing the situation? That’s defamation, defamation I tell you.”

“You’re good at grumbling.”

Does she have a hobby of teasing people?

But if she’s pretty, it’s okay.

“Anyway. What are you doing here?”

Leona seemed to have developed an interest.

“It’s nothing big. Because of the swearing on the entrance ceremony day.”

“Ah… that, when you said ‘F*ck’.”

“Do you have no other memories of me but that?”

“Is there anything else?”

No, there isn’t.

But at least make an effort to recall.

“Let’s forget about that. It’s heartbreaking even to think about. Anyway, Instructor Lee Sora said it would be good to apologize to the director. If I don’t, I’ll get in more trouble later.”

So I’m on my way.

“Apologize to the director… In that case, it’s over there.”

Leona kindly pointed me in the right direction.

“Then, I’ll be on my way.”

“Alright, thanks. I was looking for it. Take care.”

After saying goodbye to Leona, I continued on my way.

“Here it is.”

So this is the director’s office. A director in a school, it’s not like this is Jungle High, I’ve never seen such a thing before.

Knock-knock.

Anyway, I gathered my nerves and knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

At the powerful voice that resounded, I slowly opened the door with a nervous feeling and entered.

“Hmm?”

Upon seeing me, the director.

“You’re Kim Geun-chul!!!!!!!!!!”

She roared like a lion!!!!!

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!”

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