Chapter 675

〈 Chapter 675 〉 Part 2, Chapter 4, Episode 02

Hero Academy.

It refers to a university-style academy established as a higher education field rather than a regular university, designed for those who have completed the standard curriculum and possess the talent of an ability user, enabling them to contribute to society more quickly.

“Nuri, what’s the biggest advantage of Hero Academy?”

“Is it the scholarship of 300 per month? Or that famous professors from Seoul universities give lectures? Or is it that you can become a national civil servant or a new employee of a large guild just by graduating?”

That’s correct. Hero Academy might as well be seen as ‘New Seoul University’s Special Ability Department,’ with much of Korea’s infrastructure concentrated in the academy.

“Registration is complete. You may leave now.”

“Thank you, could I possibly get your number if it’s not too much trouble?”

“Why, are you going to dress me up as a magical girl? I’ll pass.”

The staff handling registration looked at me with disdain, as if I were some repulsive thing. Admittedly, writing “<Magical Girl Magical KyuKyu>” on the application form was probably a bit much.

“Awww, Nuri, let’s go.”

“Yeah… The boss needs to learn about shame.”

“Why should I feel ashamed? Everyone’s watching me anyway.”

There are too many eyes on me here to feel any shame. Therefore, I must instead step forward even more boldly.

“Nuri, look at that. It’s the academy uniform. Don’t you want to wear it?”

“Our homeroom teacher did brag about it being proof of success.”

The academy uniform is the expressway to success. It’s widely known that starting from the first year, students begin racing down the road to life’s success.

“Let’s continue from the previous question. What’s the background behind the creation of Hero Academy?”

“To cultivate future special ability talents adaptable to the rapidly changing modern society?”

“Wrong. It’s because of the draft dodging by the children of high-ranking officials.”

“…What.”

Before the academy was established, when heroes still had to join the military, one child of a high-ranking official awakened as a hero and came up with a plan.

“Instead of skipping out on two years of dedication to the country in the army, let’s create a military academy where we can focus on studies and develop our special abilities while still dedicating ourselves to the nation. Although similar policies existed before, the academy essentially became a privileged facility for special ability users.”

“But boss, if they didn’t do this, everyone would just flee overseas. If you reach C Rank, you’d make over 5 billion annually. How could anyone willingly give that up to carry a gun for two years? I’d feel wronged even if I were a guy.”

“That’s right. The facility was created to catch unmarried male heroes in their 20s, and unexpectedly gained great support. A politician whose son almost ruined his political career by fleeing abroad ended up creating South Korea’s hero training system, producing nearly 100 elite heroes every year.”

“It’s twisted educational fervor, isn’t it?”

Thus, the academy can be considered the forefront of special ability cultivation, encapsulating all of Korea’s educational systems. And those who graduate with a certificate from the academy are no different from elite soldiers.

“Hunter Guilds aggressively recruit graduates and promote themselves, don’t they? Our guild has academy graduates! Both the Hero Association and Hunter Guilds have extremely high demand for academy students. Why is that?”

“Because it saves money as the academy trains them into veteran ability users?”

“Yes. Graduates are all made to excel in something. That’s what the academy does. From the first year, students are deployed in battles against monsters. Heh.”

Though none participated in the Seoul Recovery Operation, academy students regularly gain field experience under the guise of monster extermination drills centered around New Seoul. Based on combat experience accumulated during their two years at the academy, graduates immediately become deployable elite soldiers.

“The guilds benefit by not having to train ability users from scratch, and students benefit by getting noticed by the guilds they want to join early. That’s the main event for students, [Practical Training].”

Gaining firsthand experience fighting monsters in life-or-death situations.

Critics say it looks like playing house under the guise of education, but there’s a clear difference in survival rates between students who’ve undergone practical training and those who haven’t.

“And guilds submit applications each time to take in trainees—our recruitment forms.”

“Yeah, got it. But boss, isn’t this weird?”

Nuri pointed at the text written across the entire application. Similar to our job application, it was filled with overt and biased conditions—malicious phrases.

[Magical Girl Magical KyuKyu]

[Contract with us and become a magical girl!]

“Do you really think this will work on the students?”

“Eh, Nuri, it’s just formalities. Anyway, even if they write down their preferences and ranking, eventually the academy randomly assigns them.”

While it would be awkward if someone gets randomly assigned to our guild, ultimately only one person is destined to come to us.

“I’m only picking one magical girl.”

Among countless students, the most talented fire-attribute magician. A rare immigrant in Korea, a blonde-tanned big-breasted magician whose red color fits her best—an evil magician.

“<Fire Demon> Su Ri Jung.”

A Grade A fire attribute ability user, already receiving love calls from various guilds for numerous reasons.

“If we don’t recruit her this time, we might lose her forever?”

In the case the protagonist doesn’t recruit her, she’ll participate in training with another guild. On April 4th, she tragically meets her end after being gang-raped by guild members driven mad by monstrous desires.

“So Nuri, this is saving a life.”

“Saving lives and also making rice cakes?”

“Of course.”

I got kicked in the shin.

* * *

“I definitely want to go!”

“…I’ll consider it.”

Yuan Daxue, the first dean of the academy, almost had a headache from the fiery passion and determination shown by the second-year academy students visiting his office.

“Hmph. No one’s fallen passionately in love or anything.”

Regardless of gender, everyone expressed strong interest in participating in the ‘practical training’ prematurely, leaving Yuan Daxue thoroughly confused. While each class had its own assigned professor, when it came to practical training, Dean Yuan himself had to personally handle it.

The fairest person to assign students to guild practical training. That was Yuan Daxue’s most crucial role at the academy.

“All of them trying to lobby…”

The box of vitamin drinks under the table is brand new. In the storage room next to the dean’s office, gifts from countless visitors to the academy gather dust.

Student A wants to be placed in Guild B because their father is a high-ranking official there.

Guild A wants Student B because hiring them would provide a successor for their long-distance dealer contract.

Amidst the collision of various interests, Yuan Daxue managed to keep the academy’s operation steady amidst the waves of lobbying.

Since his son, a graduate of the academy’s first batch, plays a significant role in the Hero Association, Yuan Daxue appears to assign trainees “fairly.”

“Next student… Damn.”

Dean Yuan cursed upon seeing the profile. Though excellent talents are assets to the nation, this ace was so outstanding that everyone wanted to snatch her up.

“Hello, Dean.”

Second-year student Su Ri Jung entered wearing the academy uniform and sat opposite the dean. Every movement radiated self-confidence. Dean Yuan slowly read through Su Ri’s profile from top to bottom.

“Su Ri Jung. Age 22. Female. Height 175cm. Possesses the special ability of a fire mage, earning the title <Fire Demon>. …The academy’s sole active A-class special ability user.”

“That’s correct.”

She doesn’t feign modesty. She’s such a remarkable talent that even if she dropped out, every guild would scramble to hire her immediately.

Although she only underwent mock training during her first year due to the curriculum and lacks real field combat experience, her skills and guidance from veterans would easily compensate for that. Dean Yuan scanned Su Ri’s body profile with his eyes and then turned his gaze back to her.

“Where would you like to go?”

“Anywhere is fine.”

“You’re wanted everywhere. Do you have any preferences?”

“Not particularly. I’ll follow the academy’s guidelines.”

If only she gave a hint. Looking into Su Ri’s pure and upright eyes, Dean Yuan felt a pang of guilt.

Should he take the 1 billion bribe and assign her to a guild under Sung Yu?

Or should he fulfill his son’s request and assign her to a Hero Association-affiliated guild?

Or perhaps comply with his wife’s family’s request and assign her to Guild D?

“She’s quite attractive.”

Receiving love calls from everywhere, he envied her situation. If only she were older and had a clearer background, he’d consider her as a daughter-in-law.

“Do you have a favorite sport?”

“I like baseball.”

“Oh, baseball. Good. Do you have a favorite team?”

“I like the MLB’s Las Vegas Phoenix.”

“…Ah, how about Korean baseball?”

“I don’t particularly like it since Yu-Sung Stars always win.”

“…That’s fair.”

Damn. His attempt to use “prefers companies based in their favorite baseball team’s location” as an excuse failed. Dean Yuan sighed at this straight yet picky treasure.

“…Understood. So, you don’t have a preferred guild?”

“…, Dean.”

For the first time, Su Ri hesitantly spoke.

“If I withdraw, can I never return?”

“Hmm? Why? Surely not because of love calls-”

“No, it’s not that. It’s my friend…”

“Ahh, Yuinah.”

Dean shook his head at the name that annoyed him just hearing it.

“Come on. Who would’ve guessed her special ability would stay so low, or that she’d remain at E rank? Who would’ve thought she’d drop out?”

“Dean, don’t you know about the incident in Seoul…?”

“Hmm? Incident in Seoul? Oh, escaping Seoul using equipment power, right? That was embarrassing. Joining a guild so obviously shady and wearing flashy outfits doing nothing but…”

Su Ri abruptly stood up.

“As the runner-up of the first year, I believe I have the right to choose my guild. I’ll visit again later.”

“Su Ri student?!”

Su Ri stormed out, slamming the door. Unaware of his slip of tongue, Dean slapped his palm to his mouth and pulled his hair in frustration.

“Damn… Was she trying to take care of her roommate? This is maddening.”

Dean checked the list of people who applied through magical gear to be the target guild for practical training.

Of course, he knew everything about Yuinah.

Due to constantly clinging to a blonde Western man, rumors like “<Dropped out for love?!>” caused him endless headaches.

“Still, she plans to join such a place?”

Dean shook his head. Shockingly, the guild Yuinah belonged to brazenly submitted an application, with the condition “<Must wear magical girl outfit while working>” attached.

“No, surely not.”

Dean couldn’t shake off an inexplicable sticky unease.

* * *

<Soon after, at the New Seoul Sung Battle Suit Store>

“Do you know what Koreans call making clothes for someone you haven’t recruited yet?”

“Wearing kimchi soup without thinking about making rice cakes?”

“You speak Korean well, customer. Deliberately twisting proverbs.”

“Caught me.”

I secretly visited the battle suit store. As usual, Yuha greeted me in Xroid form and introduced the products.

“So, this is the end of the custom battle suit order, right? Is there anything else needed for the magical girl concept?”

“Yeah. I’m planning to farm cores for performance, so I want to try making a new set of clothes.”

“…”

“For when Su Ri Jung moves with our team.”

Yuha’s expression soured.

“I want to make it similar to the academy uniform to avoid putting pressure on her. Did you know? The academy uniform is almost identical to marine style.”

I pointed to the academy uniform, which lies somewhere between high school uniforms and business suits, worn by newly adult individuals.

“But there’s a huge problem. A very big problem.”

“That’s expected.”

“Should I go with short pants in hot pants style or a mini skirt?”

We’re heading to the sea.

Therefore, it naturally had to be short.