Chapter 138 – Beginning of the Second Semester (2)

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Translated by Jinmu

Read only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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The Night Before Classes Begin

Media, the academy director, sent me several messages the night before classes resumed.

A message from Media read, “Our dear Geom-ma, did you enjoy your vacation? I tried contacting you several times during the break, but then I remembered that the old fossil’s house was outside the coverage area. Anyway, you know what? That old geezer never managed to install a network in Nibelung territory because he doesn’t know how to use the internet. (……)”

“……”

Her next message read, “I’m writing to you because there are some things I want to tell you. I’ve identified all the bastards who wanted to harm you and the members of your club. Turns out there were more rats than I expected… Looks like they’ve been taking root since the previous director’s tenure. (……)”

“……”

She continued, “Ah, but well, in the end, it’s my fault. I’m the current director, so I can’t blame anyone else… That’s exactly why I decided to clean everything up once and for all and do it in collaboration with the Hero Association. Honestly, I don’t like an external organization meddling in the academy, but I have to admit they do their job well. And when it comes to student safety, I think it’s best to put political issues aside. (……)”

“……”

Another message followed, “I’m rambling. In short, what I want to say is that neither you nor the members of your club need to worry about this anymore. From now on, this is an issue for adults to handle. I know it’s not appropriate for me to vent to you, a student, but I still felt you should know. (……)”

“……”

Her final message read, “So tomorrow, just focus on enjoying a normal school life. Oh, by the way, when classes start, stop by the director’s office whenever you want~. It’s been a month, and I feel like I’m going to forget your face, seriously! I’ll prepare that cold green tea you like so much. Okay? ^^”

“……”

Tap, tap.

I sent a brief reply, “I’ll think about it.”

***

The next day, the classroom of Wolf Class was buzzing with energy.

Students were catching up—or rather, bragging—about how they had spent their vacations.

“Oh, wow! Why are you so tanned?”

“Haha, I was surfing in Hawaii at my dad’s summer house. What about you? What did you do during the break?”

“I went with my uncle to an agency workshop in the U.S.~”

“No way! That’s amazing! Did you get any contact with the agency?”

“Ah, well… They said first-years don’t qualify yet. B-but it wasn’t because I lacked talent or my grades were low, that’s what they told me!”

“Still, I’m so jealous. It’s about time we start focusing on our grades, don’t you think? We need to start studying seriously so some agency in the U.S. will consider us…”

“Obviously. If we graduate from Hoakin Academy, we can’t settle for working at the Hero Association. Ugh, just thinking about it… My cousin works for the Association and says the pay is terrible, and the overtime hours are endless.”

“In our second year, we have to make it to Dragon Class, no matter what. That’s the only way agencies will scout us in our third year…”

As the conversation continued, their expressions became more serious. It was nice to reunite with friends after so long, but they couldn’t forget the real reason they were at Hoakin Academy.

Most of the students were from noble families. To uphold their families’ prestige, they had to take their studies seriously starting this semester.

After graduation, they needed to enter a prestigious agency—at the very least. Only then could they preserve their family’s honor.

It wasn’t a choice. It was an obligation.

……

Amidst that tense atmosphere, the classroom door slid open with a creak. Someone walked in.

It was Kang Geom-ma.

His mere presence instantly silenced the room. All eyes turned to him. A dead silence took over Wolf Class.

“……”

Feeling all those gazes on him, Kang Geom-ma sighed, his brow slightly furrowed.

No matter how much time passed, he could never get used to moments like these.

On the other hand, the students watching him had complicated expressions.

‘Why does his appearance keep changing?’

‘It’s true… But not in a bad way, rather…’

‘You don’t even have to say it. I get it. It’s not that he’s gotten more handsome, but his presence has become… intense, right?’

‘Yes, exactly. Before, his eyes were lifeless, like a dead fish, but now he has this… decadent aura!’

His physical features were the same, yet his atmosphere, his aura, his lethality—everything had become deeper and more profound.

His dark eyes now carried an even more pronounced languidness.

At the start of the semester, they saw him as a lucky commoner who got into the academy by sheer chance.

But among the hundreds of students in the classroom, was there anyone more imposing than Kang Geom-ma?

When he defeated Knox Auditore, they chalked it up to the opponent’s weakness.

When the Sword Emperor took a special interest in him, they dismissed it as the whim of an eccentric old man.

However, Kang Geom-ma kept moving forward, without stopping.

During the festival, he defeated Mao Lang, Relentless Iron—a legend—with a single strike.

As these achievements stacked up, the perception of Wolf Class students began to shift.

At first, they looked down on him. But over time, they started to feel a strange sense of pride in him.

Wolf Class had never been well-regarded within the academy. They were barely considered a step above Common Class.

They were always looked down upon by the upper classes.

In human history, the hierarchy had always been the same—the strong oppressed the weak.

Wolf Class students, who already carried an inferiority complex, had taken out their frustrations on those in Common Class.

Contempt only breeds more contempt. They were too young to understand that.

And besides, they had been raised on the ideology of noble superiority since birth.

However, the reality was they had been idiots, too. Their past mistakes could never be erased.

But in Wolf Class, that attitude was starting to disappear.

Every time someone showed signs of arrogance, the others looked at them with tension and disapproval.

The reason was simple. Their classmate, Kang Geom-ma, didn’t discriminate when it came to destroying his opponents.

If you pissed him off, he’d draw Permafrost without hesitation.

Whether it was students from Dragon Class, Star Class, upperclassmen, or even renowned heroes.

Everyone was just fresh fish, waiting to be filleted.

For students in the lower classes, watching him was electrifying.

Moreover, his presence had helped them overcome their own complexes.

Despite his overwhelming strength, Kang Geom-ma never bragged. He avoided getting involved in other people’s business and was always straightforward and blunt.

Although he sometimes lost control, he always had a valid reason.

That contrast—his cold gaze paired with his indifferent demeanor—gave him a unique charm.

The male students saw him as a symbol of freedom. Meanwhile, the female students felt a strange attraction.

Ahem—

Kang Geom-ma cleared his throat, uncomfortable with the attention.

His deep, emotionless voice echoed through the silent classroom.

“…What was that tone?”

A female student murmured absentmindedly. Even a simple throat-clear in his monotone voice sounded melodic.

Kang Geom-ma slightly shifted his gaze in her direction.

“Hik!”

“……?”

He tilted his head, puzzled.

All the girls glared disapprovingly at the student who had spoken.

Something about a fox…

Step. Step.

As always, Kang Geom-ma walked to the back row and sat in his usual seat.

No one bothered him.

That was his zone.

The students no longer saw him as a lucky commoner.

To them, Kang Geom-ma was their pride.

And in October, the student council elections were approaching.

***

At exactly 9 o’clock, Ryozo appeared in class just in time. It seemed that her sleep schedule had gotten out of control during the vacation, as her eyes were noticeably sunken.

Ryozo staggered to her usual seat and, as always, plopped down heavily to my .

“Ugh… so exhausting.”

She leaned forward, resting her forehead on the desk, murmuring in a muffled voice.

“Now that I think about it… why do we have to come to class in the morning? The human brain barely functions at this hour, but at night, it’s at its best.”

Her sluggish monologue continued, though it seemed more like she was talking to herself rather than expecting a response.

After a while, she slowly lifted her head from the desk and sleepily looked around before tilting her head.

“Where’s Chloe?”

“Ah, now that you mention it,” I said.

Chloe, who always sat to my right, was nowhere to be . But I didn’t give it much thought.

The night the elders of the Cladi family were eliminated, several members of the Auditore died.

That had only happened a month ago. It was logical that her family was still dealing with the aftermath.

‘Funerals, additional investigations… a month isn’t enough to close a case like that.’

Chloe had fled from the Auditore, but that didn’t mean she was insensitive enough not to react to her family’s deaths.

‘Though, judging by how she reacted on the day of the closing ceremony…’

While exchanging a few words with Ryozo, Instructor Lee Won-Bin entered the room.

Whatever he had done over the vacation, the swirl of his hair shone like porcelain.

From the podium, he scanned the classroom.

After glancing over the students’ faces, he flashed a wide smile.

“Looks like everyone gained a little weight after lazing around at home for a month, haha! But don’t worry! I’ll make sure to burn off all that fat in the blink of an eye!”

“Booo~”

The students playfully booed him.

Lee Won-Bin banged the attendance list against the podium. Bang! Bang!

“Hey, hey, that’s enough. First, let’s do roll call. Let’s see… Bernard is here… Joto Mateo too… Kim Chaeyeon, number 3, present… number 4, also here…”

He went through the names, checking each student in their place.

Then, his gaze landed on me and Ryozo.

He slightly averted his eyes and casually mentioned his next point.

“Oh, in case anyone was wondering, Chloe will return to the academy in about two weeks due to family matters.”

Just as I expected. Ryozo nodded with a simple “I see.”

After finishing the roll call, Lee Won-Bin began briefly explaining the second-semester curriculum.

“As you know, the first three months were a period of adjustment. You only got a surface-level understanding of the Hoakin Academy system and structure.”

“But starting this semester, the professors will begin evaluating you as real heroes.”

The atmosphere grew solemn.

In the past, Lee Won-Bin would have joked to lighten the mood, but this time, he maintained a serious expression.

“The training, lessons, and tests will be much more demanding. In fact, during the first training session of the second semester, there are always several injuries. So I advise you to be mentally prepared.”

“……”

Gulp.

Someone swallowed nervously.

“I’ll write down the most important points on the board, so if you want, you can take notes.”

From her seat, with her chin resting on her hand, Ryozo muttered lazily.

“Hmmm… seems like the same as always. Awakening blessings, paired duels, some magical beast hunting missions… The only difference is that now the magical beasts are higher level… Why does this academy only focus on teaching how to fight? Isn’t it supposed to be an educational institution?”

“You’re right.”

I nodded, completely agreeing with her.

“Besides, this doesn’t even affect you or me. It doesn’t matter if it’s a duel or a magical beast hunt. Even if we included the entire Star Class, we wouldn’t be in any danger. If anyone gets hurt, it’ll be the others.”

“……”

Ryozo shrugged.

“I’ve always been an individualist. I’m not considerate enough to worry about people I don’t care about.”

“Does that mean I’m within the people you care about?”

“N-no! That’s not what I meant! Don’t get the wrong idea!”

Ryozo stammered, looking uncomfortable.

“You’re the vice-leader of my club, that’s why I care.”

Right at that moment…

Bzzzt—

My phone vibrated in my pocket.

I glanced at the screen under the desk.

A message from Media popped up, “Geom-ma, sorry to bother you during class. Could you come to the director’s office during lunch?”

“……”

Bzzzt—