episode_0215

In front of the teachers’ office, students were already lined up bustlingly.

Most of them are first-year students who want to hear the details. Perhaps it’s because they heard the news first after receiving the sparring evaluation.

“What are you doing instead of going in?”

“I think the professors are in a meeting… ”

Some of them are already crying with frightened faces, which is a sight to behold.

-Well! I said the Board of Education must issue an order!

“Hic… ”

Some students who had their ears pressed against the door of the teachers’ office flinched intermittently, as if they heard shouting from inside.

After thinking about it for a while, I secretly wrote a magic formula and slightly enhanced my hearing. Using magic without permission on campus is a disciplinary action, but… the situation is what it is.

Then, the faint noise coming from the teachers’ office soon transforms into a muffled voice.

-Will the lecture proceed properly in this situation? It’s already a mess… Why is there even news like this…

-That doesn’t mean we can just decide to take a leave of absence on our own! There is a procedure to everything.

-The contact center is completely paralyzed. It’s covered with a flock of crows sent by parents… Anyway, we need to make a decision quickly…

It seems that even the professors don’t have accurate information yet. Judging from the way they argue among themselves like that.

Well, who can know exactly what happened at that southern end?

“What should I do… Is Haewolhwa really…?”

“That’s nonsense. What kind of person is he… ”

Although anxiety is gradually increasing among students, it seems that there are more people who still have difficulty believing the principal’s news.

I would have thought the same thing until recently. How could someone considered the greatest magician of all time be defeated by a mere rebel?

but…

“What is this? Why are we all gathered like this?”

“Come out! ”

Meanwhile.

A familiar voice shouts from the back of the crowd of students.

The three first-year students walking towards the teachers’ office are Choi Woo-jin, Ryu Seung-heon, and Jin Ye-seo.

“Oh my, it’s bustling… Huh? Hyuna!”

Seung-heon, who was sighing, recognized me and waved his hand. Jin-ye-seo, who was behind him, also smiled and tried to wave, but then awkwardly lowered her arm again.

There was a hint of regret in his expression. Well, there are still dozens of pairs of eyes watching here. It’s not like we can greet each other as intimately as in a training room where there are only two people.

“Did you hear the news too?”

“Uh. You?”

“I was on my way back from a field investigation. The two met up here.”

He was drenched in sweat, showing that he had exerted considerable strength despite the heat.

Now that I think about it, I guess I’m the only one among the top first-year students who was left out of the investigation team… It’s embarrassing for no reason.

“How was it?”

But Seungheon shook his head.

“I don’t think it’s a field problem. There’s nothing wrong with the flow there.”

“The investigation team’s tentative conclusion is that it is more likely to be an internal problem.”

Choi Woo-jin, who was standing next to him, answered.

“The guess is that somewhere, particle energy exceeding the circulation amount is being released. That is also the cause of this heat.”

“But that is a confidential facility, so it is not under our jurisdiction. That is why I came here to report to the professors… ”

As Seungheon continues his explanation, the door to the teachers’ office, which had been tightly shut, suddenly opens.

The students who had been waiting screamed and fell to the floor in an instant. The one who appeared was Professor Kwon Chan-yeol with a bushy beard.

“What is this…?”

In an instant, students swarmed around him like a cloud, looking bewildered.

“Professor! Is it true that the principal has gone missing?”

“Now then… !”

“Stop, stop!”

Professor Kwon Chan-yeol, who had belatedly come to grips with the situation, waved his hand and pushed the students away.

“What kind of frivolous behavior is this! Everyone, go back to your dorms! A general notice will be given soon!”

“But… ”

“Oh my! Students of a prestigious academy are being swayed by unconfirmed news! What kind of principal would do something like that! Go back, quickly!”

The crowd that had gathered at his shouting reluctantly dispersed.

The three people who had joined the investigation team went against the flow and approached Professor Kwon, who was putting his hand on his forehead as if he was in pain.

“Professor. I’m back after exploring. There’s nothing wrong with the field.”

“Tsk, that’s not what I thought. If that’s true, then the core is really… ”

He nodded while muttering something.

“Okay. We’ll take care of that now. You guys go to the dorms and wait.”

“Okay.”

“Wait a minute.”

As they were about to turn around after saying goodbye, Professor Kwon Chan-yeol stopped them again.

“Hey, have you seen Professor Shin Jae-yu today?”

Then we exchanged glances for a moment, with bewildered expressions.

But soon he shook his head sheepishly.

“… None.”

“Me too.”

“Same thing.”

I answered at the end.

“Today’s training evaluation was conducted by teaching assistants.”

After hearing the answer, Professor Kwon Chan-yeol scratched his head and frowned.

“Damn, where did this guy go? He said he’d just check and come back… and he didn’t even show up at the meeting… ”

“Excuse me, Professor Shin Jae-yu, is there something…?”

“Nothing. What’s the matter? He must be holed up somewhere and having a blast.”

The professor waved his hand in response to Seungheon’s cautious question.

“Thanks for letting me know. I’m really going to go now. I have something to take care of… ”

Then, he leaves in a hurry before even hearing an answer.

Before we knew it, there were only the four of us standing around.

The one who spoke in the silence was Sehwa’s younger brother, Seungheon.

“Professor Shin Jae-yu… Did something happen?”

“That wasn’t an ordinary reaction. He’s not the type of person to be a slacker, like you say.”

Soon, Choi Woo-jin heard his words.

“Oh my, what the heck is going on… It’s getting more and more chaotic… ”

Jin Ye-seo grumbled, flapping her collar as if she was feeling hot. Then she quickly turned around.

“… I’m going now that I’ve finished watching. You guys hurry up and… ”

“Wait a minute.”

But Choi Woo-jin soon catches her. Jin Ye-seo turns around and snaps at him as if she doesn’t like it.

“What is it?”

“Jin Ye-seo. Are you really going to quietly go back and wait? In this situation?”

“What nonsense are you talking about? Then what are you trying to do?”

Then, Jin Ye-seo’s gaze becomes even more venomous.

“We’ve confirmed that there’s nothing wrong with the field. What else can we do here? Let’s sneak into a secret facility? I refuse prison. If you’re going, you should go alone… ”

“Calm down, it seems like it’s impossible for you.”

Choi Woo-jin shrugged his shoulders.

“I thought it might be a good idea to look into it with Professor Shin Jae-yu. Professor Kwon Chan-yeol, didn’t you look quite anxious earlier? Anyone can see that it’s abnormal… ”

“The professor told me to wait. He said there would be an announcement soon. How long has it been since I heard that? Did even my brain freeze into muscles? ”

“Tsk, that’s a normal situation. Do you think this is the situation? Haewolhwa is missing, and the cause is unknown, and it’s hot… ”

“Or what? You said that Haewolhwa’s disappearance could be a false report. I think that’s more likely. Isn’t it just that the engineers just need to find the point where the heat energy is over-exploding and seal it?”

Jin Ye-seo raised her finger and poked Choi Woo-jin with it.

“And what if you keep messing around like that and nothing happens?”

“Then you’ll just get punished and that’ll be the end of it. Your ranking score will also drop a bit.”

“What? I knew you were talking nonsense. Someone is having a hard time raising their ranking score right now… ”

“In the midst of all this, there’s the talk of scores… So who lost to Moon Yeo-ul in the ranking match? You lost because you were bad, so you’re taking it out on someone else.”

“Hey, this kid is really trying to do it… ”

“Guys… Stop… ”

Before we know it, the fight is getting more intense. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen something like this.

While Seung-heon intervened to stop them, I was lost in thought about their arguments.

The correct argument is, of course, Jin Ye-seo’s argument. However, for some reason, I am more drawn to Choi Woo-jin’s proposal.

When I thought it was just a simple investigation, I thought it wasn’t under my jurisdiction and just let it go… But now that it’s in the middle of something like this, I feel quite nervous about just letting it go.

This series of events is definitely suspicious. It almost feels like it’s the precursor to something big.

Of course, it could be an overreaction due to hearing about the existence of a monster, but for now, wouldn’t it be more comforting to relieve that anxiety than to have your ranking points lowered?

Besides, didn’t the captain say anything?

They said they sent me to the cradle to develop an independent way of thinking.

Now that I have neither myself nor my sisters, all judgments and decisions are my responsibility.

His concerns are understandable.

Since that day, I’ve just been living my life without any proper plans or goals.

So, what choice should we make in this situation?

“… ”

Finally, after much thought, I opened my mouth.

“… Let’s do as Choi Woojin says.”

“What?”

“Wow… ”

Then, the two who had been swearing loudly looked at me with conflicting expressions.

Choi Woo-jin feels bad for showing his teeth so happily. On the other hand, Jin Ye-seo’s eyes seem to have a hint of regret.

Did he really think that I was taking Choi Woo-jin’s side instead of his own? That’s not really the case…

“I was also a little concerned about the professor’s expression earlier. Let me just look it up for a moment. If nothing happened, that’s fortunate… ”

“Hehehe, I think I finally found someone I can talk to.”

Choi Woo-jin, who was nodding, turned his head to Seung-heon, who was between them.

“That’s how it is, Seungheon. What are you going to do? It’s 2:1 right now.”

“I… ”

After thinking about it for a moment, he finally sighed and said as if he had accepted the offer.

“… Professor Shin, let’s look it up.”