Chapter 727 – 727. Savior Of The Academy
727. Savior of the Academy
“It seems the rumors about the Son of Thunder enrolling this year are true. If he’s Sung Hari’s son, I wonder how amazing he’ll be… I’m already looking forward to it. Jonghoon, do you know anything about the Son of Thunder?”
Rumors about Sung Hari having a son had been circulating for a long time. However, the Hero Association didn’t disclose any information related to Sung Hari, and the clans were wary of getting involved with her, so they kept their distance. Consequently, even Yang Eunah didn’t know anything about Sung Hari’s son.
“I don’t know. I’ve only heard rumors. As a fellow scout, let me give you some advice. Sung Hari is a bomb. If you touch her carelessly, you’ll never be able to turn back.”
“That’s what makes Sung Hari so charming. A hero with such unique power that even the giant clans can’t easily touch her… As a woman… no, as a hero, I can’t help but admire Sung Hari.”
Yang Eunah’s eyes sparkled.
Sung Hari had many fans, whether she knew it or not. They were drawn to her overwhelming power. Yang Eunah was one of her fans, captivated by Sung Hari’s strength. In her heart, Yang Eunah wanted to fly to Sung Hari right now and ask for an autograph.
“Hah. You don’t know how scary that woman is.”
“Scary? She’s just beautiful.”
Sung Hari looked young for her age. She had the beauty of someone in their early twenties. It was as if time, which should be equal to everyone, favored only her.
But it wasn’t that strange. The higher the hero’s rank and the stronger their power, the slower they aged. Some, depending on their traits or skills, didn’t age at all.
“Jonghoon, you’ve worked with Sung Hari before, right?”
“That was when I had just started as a hero. It’s an old story.”
“I’m jealous that you worked with Sung Hari.”
“There’s nothing to be jealous of. It was just a brief stint. The difference in skill was so vast that it was hard to keep up. And I still remember it. The sight of her wiping out the Gaonnuri Clan, one of the giant clans at the time.”
“Ah. I know about that too. The Association tries to hide it, but everyone who knows, knows.”
“Don’t go around talking about it. The Association won’t let it slide.”
“I know the difference between what I should and shouldn’t say. More importantly, Sung Hari’s son. Do you know who he is? If he’s Sung Hari’s son, he’d be in the top 30 at least.”
Yang Eunah picked up the list and scanned it. It was the ranking of the 37th incoming class of Maruhan Academy. The names of all the students, from Ryu Hana in first place to the last, were listed.
“Out of the students in the top 30, the identities of about 20 of their parents are known. Since he’s a son, excluding the female students… that leaves 7…”
“Just because Sung Hari is a monster doesn’t mean her son is a monster too. Preconceptions aren’t good.”
“Well, my gut tells me I’m right. Ah, could it be Kim Chunwoo, the second-place student, who is Sung Hari’s son?”
“Kim Chunwoo is an orphan.”
“Actually, Kim Chunwoo’s parents were Sung Hari.”
“That’s the least funny joke I’ve heard all year.”
Yang Eunah gave a wry smile. She knew that Kim Chunwoo wasn’t Sung Hari’s son.
“Let’s be serious. The most likely candidate is Sung Yujin.”
“Because of the surname Sung?”
“Yes. Sung Hari’s family is the Jinryeong Sung family. It wouldn’t be strange for her to give her son her surname.”
“Well, we’ll find out if we investigate.”
Yang Eunah kept her eyes on Sung Hari. Sung Hari was sitting quietly in the parents’ seats, watching the TV screen. She didn’t seem to care about the commotion around her. Those who knew about Sung Hari were quickly gathering around her. The reporters were also watching Sung Hari. The reason they couldn’t approach her recklessly was probably because of the overwhelming aura she exuded.
“Jonghoon, aren’t you going down?”
“…I have to. Even if I don’t want to meet her, it’s my job.”
Bi Jonghoon walked down with heavy steps. Yang Eunah followed behind him.
***
Sitting in the parents’ seats, Sung Hari stared blankly at the screen.
Old memories surfaced. Memories of when she had enrolled in the academy. Back then, the entrance ceremony had been held in the sports field, not this auditorium. The headmaster on stage wasn’t Kang Jiyoung either.
‘That old man went on and on about history and whatnot, but Jiyoung is so short.’
The student representative came up on stage. She was a beauty with lavender hair. Soon, the student representative’s clear voice was heard through the speakers.
‘She’s the successor of the North Diamond Clan. Hmm.’
Sung Hari crossed her arms. She thought of her son, Sung Yujin. Sung Yujin was in 5th place. It was a great achievement, but the regret that Sung Yujin could have been the top student if he had tried a little harder didn’t disappear.
‘If Yujin had just studied, he would have been the top student.’
Sung Hari believed in Sung Yujin.
‘Our Yujin is smart, even if he doesn’t study. If he had studied, getting a perfect score on the written exam would have been easy.’
The entrance ceremony ended with Kang Jiyoung’s final remarks. The students returned to their respective classes according to the teachers’ instructions.
‘I should check Yujin’s dormitory… take a commemorative photo, and then go home.’
It was the moment Sung Hari was about to get up. Someone approached her. It was a woman dressed so elegantly and lavishly that she could rival a Cheongdam-dong daughter-in-law.
“Sung Hari. Long time no see. I never thought I’d meet you here. It’s a sight to see. Don’t you think?”
She was a beauty. She had a sophisticated black bob, red lips, and calm eyes. Her figure was curvy in all the right places. A black mink coat suited her perfectly.
Sung Hari immediately recognized who she was.
“Choi Junghwa. What are you doing here?”
The head of the Golden Tree Clan and the daughter of the Geumhwa Group chairman. A second-generation chaebol. An A-class hero. She was Sung Hari’s classmate at Maruhan Academy, along with Kang Jiyoung. However, they weren’t close enough to be called friends. It had been years since they had last met like this.
“Oh my. There’s only one reason I’m here. The same reason as you. My daughter enrolled in the academy. By the way, my daughter is ranked 4th in the entrance rankings. What about your son?”
Her classmate, whom she had met after a long time, was so childish that it made her laugh. She must know who her son was and what his ranking was, yet she was asking. It was a childish act. However, Sung Hari felt a strange bubbling sensation inside.
“…5th.”
“Oh, really. Right below my daughter. Your son has quite the talent, doesn’t he? Hehehe.”
Choi Junghwa covered her mouth with her hand and laughed. Sung Hari unknowingly clenched her fist. She wanted to punch her. But she soon released her fist. She was too old to grab someone by the hair and fight like she used to.
“You know that the entrance ranking doesn’t mean much, so why are you saying that?”
The incoming students of Maruhan Academy were unpolished gems. The academy’s curriculum would hone the students’ talents and make them shine brilliantly. Even if someone was last in the entrance ranking, they could graduate as the top student. Such things had actually happened before.
“Hmph. Such things don’t happen easily. Unless there’s an upset, the entrance ranking will be the graduation ranking. You wouldn’t know since you didn’t graduate from the academy.”
Choi Junghwa turned her back.
“There are too many eyes on us to talk here. Let’s meet later, Sung Hari. If we ever have the chance.”
“Wait a minute.”
Sung Hari grabbed Choi Junghwa’s shoulder and stopped her.
“What is it? Take your hand off me?”
“Don’t react so sharply. I don’t want to fight with you. I have a proposal for you.”
“…A proposal? I’ll hear it. Tell me.”
“I’m planning to create a parents’ association at Maruhan Academy this time. Let’s do it together.”
“……”
Choi Junghwa was about to scoff in disbelief, but she soon became thoughtful with a serious expression. The recent incident at an American academy that she had seen flashed through her mind. A horrific incident where an academy teacher killed 12 students and ran away.
Due to its nature, the academy couldn’t be interfered with from the outside. But if a parents’ association was created, things would be different.
“A parents’ association. That’s a good idea. But… do you think a parents’ association can be created?”
“There are parents’ associations in universities. It’s not a strange thing. And the academy is ultimately a school. There’s no reason why a parents’ association can’t be created. Especially if it’s you and me.”
Sung Hari, an S-class hero and once called the strongest hero.
Choi Junghwa, the head of the Golden Tree Clan and the daughter of the Geumhwa Group chairman.
It was hard to ignore even one of them, but now two of them had joined forces. The Association, as well as the academy, wouldn’t be able to easily ignore their demands.
“How far along is the plan? You’re not starting from scratch, are you?”
“I’m going to meet Jiyoung now. I’m going to have a showdown with her.”
“Ha, starting from scratch. I don’t like it, but it’s for Dayeon….”
They headed towards the door side by side. However, the people who had been watching them rushed in as if it was an opportunity, blocking their path.
“I’m Oh Guseong, a reporter from Shinju Daily! Ms. Sung Hari, would you mind doing an interview? It’ll only take a moment! Who is your son who enrolled this time?!”
“I’m Kim Yerin, a reporter from the hero magazine, The Savior! Ms. Sung Hari, it’s been a while since you’ve shown yourself. What have you been doing? What is your relationship with Choi Junghwa of the Golden Tree Clan?”
“Ms. Sung Hari. Hello. I’m Park Gisu, a scout from the Wolf Run Clan. I’d like to talk to you about your son. Our clan can promise the best support!”
“I’m Hwang Heecheol from the Sky Whale Clan! Please accept my business card! I’d like to have a calm conversation with you later!”
Sung Hari ignored them all, not even pretending to listen, and moved forward. The people, overwhelmed by Sung Hari’s aura, didn’t dare to block her path.
“You’re very popular.”
Choi Junghwa sneered. The reporters also swarmed around her. Of course, she ignored all the reporters.
Sung Hari stopped walking. It was because a familiar person had appeared.
“…Ms. Sung Hari. Do you remember me?”
“Bi Jonghoon. Aren’t you that coward from back then?”
“Haha… I’m honored that you remember me. I’m working as a scout for the Black Snow Clan. Ms. Sung Hari, you haven’t changed from back then.”
Bi Jonghoon scratched his cheek and said.
“Which clan my son joins is up to him. I have no intention of interfering. And it’s just the entrance ceremony. It’s too early to decide on a clan.”
“Yes, yes. I know that too. But from the clan’s perspective, it can’t be helped. In this industry, if you’re late, you get nothing. I won’t say much. Would you at least accept this business card?”
“…If it’s just a business card.”
Sung Hari accepted the black business card he handed her and put it in her pocket. At that moment, a young woman with a ponytail next to Bi Jonghoon popped out.
“Hello! Ms. Sung Hari! I’m a huge fan! I’m Yang Eunah, a scout from the Glass Lantern Clan! Ah, this is my business card. Please accept it!”
Before Sung Hari could even open her mouth, Yang Eunah quickly placed her business card on Sung Hari’s hand. After a moment of hesitation, Sung Hari accepted the business card. She liked Yang Eunah’s friendly first impression, and the Glass Lantern Clan was one of the leading clans in Korea. It was possible that Sung Yujin might be interested.
Sung Hari went outside and walked down the hallway. The cool March wind blew through the open windows. The reporters followed from behind, but they were immediately subdued by the academy staff.
“It must be nice to be so popular.”
Choi Junghwa said.
“Unlike you, it’s just annoying.”
“Hmm. About your son. You said he was 5th, right? He’s qualified to join our clan.”
Sung Hari’s eyes narrowed. She glared at Choi Junghwa and said,
“Don’t try to flirt with my son.”
“F-flirt? Are you going to talk like that?!
“Do you think I don’t know your methods? You’re going to approach Yujin and sweet-talk him, that’s your way. Don’t do it. And don’t make your daughter do it either.”
“……Are you crazy? Are you really trying to start something?! Do you not know that your body isn’t what it used to be?!”
“Go ahead and try. Even if I’m weaker than before, I can still beat the Golden Tree Clan.”
Sung Hari raised her right hand. Choi Junghwa’s face turned slightly pale at the sight of that slender hand. Old memories resurfaced. Her hair had been grabbed by that right hand.
“……I-I won’t waste my time. My one second is more valuable than your one second. I’m enduring it because I don’t want to lose.”
“Hmph.”
Sung Hari lowered her right hand. Choi Junghwa, who had unknowingly felt relieved, gritted her teeth.
