Chapter 2333 – 2333. Savior Of The Academy
I felt puzzled by Kang Ji-young’s summons.
She’s busy. She’s the academy’s headmaster and also a Class S hero in Korea. She hasn’t officially retired and is not solely focused on academy matters, so she’s constantly being called here and there. She’s often away from the academy due to work.
‘Kang Ji-young’s outward appearance is that of a woman in her twenties, like Sung Ha-ri. But unlike Sung Ha-ri, she’s not reckless, so if she were to retire, the government or the Hero Association would step in to stop her.’
I didn’t know Kang Ji-young was currently at the academy. She’s so busy that she’s here one moment and gone the next. Well, it could be seen as an effect of the original story. The fact that she, a Class S hero, has to leave her post is why events often occur within the academy.
She tries not to interfere too much with the students, being considerate of them. She wants the students to enjoy their youth at the academy. What she seeks is a safe haven, not controlling the students like a military camp.
Anyway, since Kang Ji-young called, I had to go.
‘Is this the first time she’s called me since the second semester started?’
Even though she’s my mom’s friend, an aunt figure, she’s not someone I can meet whenever I want without a reason.
‘I’ve been busy too.’
I had to target and bed the girls in my year.
Of course, targeting Kang Ji-young is one of my goals. I want to target her if possible. But given Kang Ji-young’s personality, meeting her too often without a reason would be counterproductive.
She’s a workaholic, so she doesn’t like wasting time by meeting too often without a purpose.
‘The summons must be because she found out about the thieves. How did she find out?’
Knock, knock.
“Come in.”
I entered the headmaster’s office. It was a neat office, reflecting the owner’s personality.
She was sitting at her desk, reviewing documents, and stood up. Her usual white coat was hanging on the coat rack, and she was now wearing a black suit.
Her long, dark brown hair swayed slightly with each movement. Unfortunately, her chest, similar in size to Sung Ha-ri’s, didn’t move, as if it was firmly secured by her clothes.
Click, click.
Kang Ji-young was expressionless, and her eyes were sharp. She exuded an aura that naturally pressured her surroundings, like a solid rock.
Of course, I knew she didn’t intend to pressure me.
‘She doesn’t seem angry.’
She opened the door next to her office. It was a pantry with a refrigerator and snacks.
“Sit on the sofa. What would you like to drink? Cola? Cider?”
“Cola.”
I subtly checked her status window.
『Name: Kang Ji-young
Strength: S+ Stamina: SS Agility: A+ Durability: S+ Mana: A+
Traits: Eye of Horus (SS), Earth Wolf (S)
Skills: Greatsword (S), Magic (A), Sixth Sense (S), Super Strength (A), Natural Recovery (S)
Affection: 52』
Her stats were as I knew them. Nothing had changed. It wasn’t strange since her current stats were her peak.
‘Her affection level has dropped, as expected. But the drop is smaller than I thought.’
An affection level of 50 or more is considered a level where romance is possible. But this standard isn’t absolute and varies from character to character. Kang Ji-young, in particular, has no interest in romance itself.
She brought coffee and cola from the pantry. The coffee was an iced Americano, as expected of an “Iced drinks even in winter” person. I took the cola and asked.
“Why did you call me?”
I made sure not to call Kang Ji-young “Auntie.” I call her that jokingly, but I had to refrain now. I had to appear as a man, not a nephew, if I wanted to romance her.
“Yesterday, a small hole appeared in the academy’s barrier. It was a hole the size of a dog door. It was the work of a skilled barrier mage, so we noticed it late.”
“Oh. So?”
“After confirming that first-year student Dan So-yu and two staff members had disappeared, we conducted an investigation. They were kidnapped and held captive in a mansion not far from here. We found them without much difficulty, and they’re currently undergoing medical checkups.”
“That was fast. Did you use that eye?”
Eye of Horus (SS). An eye that sees far, or sees the essence. It probably allows for X-ray vision. It can also see a bit of the future or the past. However, for the past, there must be a strong trace, and for the future, what can be seen is very limited.
Also, for people with low mental strength, it can read their thoughts and memories. It’s an incredible trait, befitting its SS rank.
“It was related to a student. I used everything I could. I know you’re involved. I’d like to resolve this within my capacity, so I’d appreciate your cooperation.”
Kang Ji-young doesn’t want things to escalate. I felt the same way, so I explained the situation. I left out the part about treating Shim Eun-ji like a prostitute and sleeping with Namgung Hwa-yeon.
“I’ve explained everything. If you’ve rescued the kidnapped Dan So-yu… it’s all over. There’s no need for the headmaster to get involved.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? Did you not trust me? Even if that were the case, Sung Ha-ri is at the academy.”
“It was something I could handle. And I did handle it cleanly. I returned the stolen spirit sword to Namgung Hwa-yeon.”
“…How did you see through their identities?”
“You know my eyes are a bit special. It’s thanks to that.”
Kang Ji-young nodded at that.
“I understand what happened. But there’s a contradiction in your words. Handle it cleanly? There are traces left everywhere. It seems you didn’t even think about the cleanup?”
“If it weren’t for the headmaster, you wouldn’t have been able to find out the details with those traces, right?”
“Ha… Stop doing things that seem dangerous. You’re still an academy student. A first-year, at that.”
“Most Class A heroes are no match for me. Don’t treat me like a kid. To be honest, I’m confident I could win even if I fought the headmaster.”
“Me? You?”
“Four top-tier spirits. Wouldn’t that be enough to overturn a country?”
“Can you summon all four at once and maintain them for more than five minutes?”
“……”
I can’t. I probably couldn’t even manage one minute.
But while summoning all four top-tier spirits, I could overwhelm Kang Ji-young. Probably. I couldn’t be sure.
I decided to change the subject.
“By the way, there was something interesting in the magic department and the old school building’s basement. Is it okay to leave that alone?”
“You mean the distorted magic circle. The magic department teachers have been researching that since before I became headmaster. Even if I ordered them to remove it, they would object. It’s closer to a phenomenon that occurred by chance, so they’re currently focusing on research. That area will be more thoroughly managed from now on. Do you want it removed?”
“No. I was just curious. I’m not trying to argue. Do as you see fit.”
It was like a secret of the academy that didn’t appear in the original story, so I was just a bit curious.
I had no intention of making a fuss about compensation from the academy for such a minor issue. If I had reported it when I first found out about the thieves, maybe, but since I decided to handle it myself without reporting, I couldn’t just blame the academy.
More than anything, if I started arguing about right and wrong, there was one problem that would come up.
“Shim Eun-ji, was it? You’re taking her in and using her? I’m against it. Villains have a different way of thinking than us. She might be following you now… but she’ll betray you someday.”
“Even so, I’ve decided to take her in and use her. Please cooperate.”
“……There’s a condition. She will work as an academy staff member within the academy, where I can keep an eye on her.”
“Ah. It seems the headmaster is also interested in Shim Eun-ji’s abilities.”
“I won’t deny it. She’s a skilled person who made a hole in the academy’s barrier. She’s a talent the academy needs right now. If we can use her, it’s right to do so.”
Kang Ji-young is surprisingly flexible and not rigid, which is good.
I had several other conversations with Kang Ji-young and agreed on a few things. The results were as follows:
Shim Eun-ji would work as an academy staff member under the supervision of me and Kang Ji-young. For me, it was easier to manage Shim Eun-ji if she was nearby. Shim Eun-ji’s opinion? The loser doesn’t have a choice.
Kang Ji-young would handle the cleanup of this incident. Neither of us wanted things to escalate.
And just in case, Kang Ji-young would examine Shim Eun-ji with the Eye of Horus.
“Do you really need my permission?”
“People feel great discomfort and fear when they’re seen by the Eye of Horus. So, I usually ask for consent before using it.”
“Ah. Since I’m Shim Eun-ji’s current guardian. You’re asking for my consent. What’s the reason for looking at Shim Eun-ji with the Eye of Horus?”
“To prepare for any possible situation. She might have been planning other crimes.”
“Hmm. I just had a bad feeling.”
“You and Shim Eun-ji related, right? It will probably show. But don’t worry. I already know you’re promiscuous.”
“……You already know?”
My expression instantly hardened as I looked at Kang Ji-young. Was she just testing me? No. Her expression and atmosphere hadn’t changed since before.
“When you sit in this position, various information comes in. And I often observe the students. I’m not blaming you. I know that young people these days are open-minded. You seem to be a bit more promiscuous than most… but since you’re not forcing anyone, I have no intention of interfering. You. You all should enjoy your youth. This time will never come again.”
『Kang Ji-young’s Affection: 52』
Kang Ji-young’s affection level hadn’t changed. At this point, I had to admit it. I had been misunderstanding Kang Ji-young all along. Surprisingly, Kang Ji-young wasn’t conservative.
“Headmaster. Do you have time? Would you like to go on a date from morning till night this weekend?”
“I’m busy.”
『Kang Ji-young’s Affection: 51』
Damn it. Is she endlessly conservative with herself? Even the rigid Namgung Hwa-yeon smiles when her affection level is around 50….
While I was racking my brain, she said.
“You’re doing well.”
“…What?”
Sex?
“The academy’s structure encourages competition. From the time of admission, rankings are based on grades. The relationship between upperclassmen and underclassmen has always been good. They’re not competitors. But among classmates, various incidents and accidents constantly occur. Even the second-years are quite troublesome due to internal politics.”
“The competition is fierce even in the first year. Especially now, with the midterm exams just around the corner, everyone is on edge.”
“But there haven’t been any incidents or accidents. Is there any internal political maneuvering among your first-years that’s causing chaos?”
“I haven’t noticed any… but isn’t it hidden? Where there are people, there are bound to be those who engage in politics.”
“There haven’t been any incidents or accidents. You’re the center of the first year. Since you’re keeping the center well, things are going smoothly. Honestly, I was quite worried before you enrolled.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re Sung Ha-ri’s son. Sung Ha-ri was the center of attention from the time she enrolled and was the target of jealousy and wariness. That led to political maneuvering. How do you think Sung Ha-ri responded?”
I thought of Sung Ha-ri. She acts foolish when it comes to me, and her temper has calmed down over the years, but…
“She probably brought a storm of blood.”
“That’s right. In those days, Sung Ha-ri fought with her classmates almost every day. Those classmates would ask for help from the upperclassmen… it was a series of battles. Eventually, she beat down all the way up to the third-years in just one semester and became untouchable.”
“Didn’t the teachers do anything back then?”
“She beat up the teachers too. Some teachers avoided her. Since it was certain she would become a Class S, they didn’t want to get on her bad side.”
The power and influence of a Class S hero are greater than that of most congressmen. I understood the teachers’ position. Sung Ha-ri became a Class SS hero, so it could be said that the teachers’ foresight was exceptional.
I glanced at Kang Ji-young’s expression. Her atmosphere had softened slightly from the moment Sung Ha-ri’s story came up. For her, the time she spent at the academy with Sung Ha-ri was a memory.
『Kang Ji-young’s Affection: 52』
Her affection level increased by 1 as I listened to her story.
I sent a message to Shim Eun-ji on my smartphone and called her to the headmaster’s office. Since I had recovered Shim Eun-ji, who had fainted in the early morning, she was currently resting in my room, healing her internal injuries.
Sung Yu-jin: To the headmaster’s office.
Shim Eun-ji: Did you snitch to the headmaster?
Sung Yu-jin: The headmaster found out. And come when I tell you to. Did you have a choice?
Fifteen minutes later, Shim Eun-ji entered the headmaster’s office.
Facing Kang Ji-young, Shim Eun-ji broke out in a cold sweat and trembled. She was like a mouse in front of a wolf.
“W-what’s the matter? Is there something you want to ask me?”
Shim Eun-ji gestured to me with her eyes, asking for help. I grinned and decided to watch.
“Don’t resist, just accept it. You’re injured internally, so resisting will harm you.”
Kang Ji-young used the Eye of Horus. Her dark brown eyes glowed blue.
“H-huh!”
Shim Eun-ji gasped and froze like a statue.
“S-stop…!”
At first, it was fear.
But it gradually turned into discomfort.
“Stop looking, you bitch! Don’t look at me with those eyes! Who are you to look at me with those eyes?! Haa… P-please. Stop looking. Don’t look…”
Then, Shim Eun-ji even knelt and begged. Kang Ji-young’s eyes returned to normal.
“Greed for money… You believe poverty made you this way. Your family fell apart because of money, and you were ignored in school because of money. The reason you’re obsessed with luxury goods is to not look poor. Luxury goods are the fastest and best way to show off money.”
“Agh! What do you know?!”
“When you sold yourself to a younger man. You were secretly pleased. Do you like money that much? And also… hmm. I’ll skip this.”
Kang Ji-young approached Shim Eun-ji. Shim Eun-ji, who had been screaming, trembled again in fear.
“But the abilities you have are real. If you had controlled your obsession and greed for money, you would have made a name for yourself as a barrier mage. Work at the academy for the time being. You have a lot of work to do.”
“W-why me…?!”
“I found the hideout where your children and luxury goods are. They’re all confiscated. I’ll return them one by one each time you do a good job.”
“C-can’t you give me two at a time…?”
Shim Eun-ji surrendered.
