Chapter 1409

<Chapter 1409> 1409: The Academy’s Savior

The Korea-Japan Academy Exchange Tournament is divided into three rounds over a two-month period.

On the third day after arriving at Japan’s Arashi Academy, the first exchange match takes place.


One month later, the second round.


And one week before leaving Arashi Academy, the third and final round.

In short, it’s a best-of-three format. Of course, since this is officially an “exchange” tournament, winning holds no formal significance. But unofficially? It’s treated as a battle—a competition—between Korea and Japan. Especially given the complicated history between the two nations.

Yoon Hee-jung asked us the day before the first exchange match:

“Who wants to participate in the first exchange match?”

The first exchange match included both team battles and individual matches, requiring a total of twelve participants—not all twenty students needed to join.

Most students eagerly raised their hands to volunteer. Not me, though. My purpose here wasn’t to take part in the exchange matches anyway.

“Yoojin, aren’t you interested in the first exchange match?”

“Teacher, I plan to participate in the third exchange match.”

“Are you sure you won’t reconsider? You could learn a lot from the exchange match.”

Yoon Hee-jung looked at me with pleading eyes. In Korea, there’s an unspoken rule that any Korea-Japan competition must be won, no matter what. If we lose, Yoon Hee-jung, as our supervisor, might face some trouble. From her perspective, she probably hoped that I, ranked first in the grade, would step up and secure a win for sure.

But I firmly shook my head.

“I haven’t been feeling well lately. I haven’t been sleeping properly either.”

At my words, two women flinched—Seong Ha-ri and Choi Da-yeon. They were the ones I’d spent time with last night.

“Teacher, if Yoojin isn’t in good condition, let her rest. Even without Yoojin, Maruhan Academy students are strong.”

Seong Ha-ri spoke up on my behalf.

“Teacher, we acknowledge that Seong Yoojin is powerful, but we’re not weak either. We can win the exchange match even without Seong Yoojin.”

Choi Da-yeon added her support.

The other students agreed too—all top-tier students within the top ten of our year. Their confidence was naturally high.

‘Confidence doesn’t always match reality. They’ll find it harder to win than they think.’

Maruhan Academy from Korea and Arashi Academy from Japan were roughly equal in skill level. Globally speaking, the average standard of academies tends to be similar…

‘Of course, that excludes me.’

After an hour-long meeting, the participants for the first exchange match were decided.

During the exchange period, Maruhan Academy students follow Arashi Academy’s teaching methods.

The teaching styles were similar, the classroom atmosphere familiar. However, the students of Arashi Academy seemed oddly excited, though it wasn’t due to the exchange match.

‘Hmm, just like in the original story.’

Japanese schools have their own unique cultural events.

The Cultural Festival.

Korea has its own version too…


Ah, the legendary Ash Academy Culture Festival—a month-long extravaganza so grand it airs on national television. Truly a spectacle that elevates school festivals to an entirely new dimension. Even now, with over a month left until the big day, the halls buzzed with feverish anticipation.

As I strolled down the hallway alongside Choi Da-yeon, she maintained her usual air of aristocratic indifference, walking beside me with regal composure.

In a whisper so soft only Choi Da-yeon could hear, I muttered, “Ah… I want to have sex.”

“Wha—what are you saying all of a sudden?!” she sputtered, scandalized.

Her reaction was priceless. My body quaked with barely suppressed laughter as I struggled to keep a straight face despite the absurdity of my own joke.

『Choi Da-yeon’s Thoughts: This isn’t even funny… why am I laughing?! Must… resist…』

“Sex,” I repeated.

“Gyaaah!”

“Se-x-sex.”

“Puuhh…”

Choi Da-yeon clamped her hands over her mouth, her eyes wide and shimmering with unspoken turmoil.

Deciding further teasing would be cruel (and we had reached our destination), I ceased my antics.

Class 1-4.

During our stay at Ash Academy, Choi Da-yeon and I were assigned to this very classroom for lessons and activities.

Upon entering through the front door, we found the homeroom teacher and students gathered inside during HR time.

“Finally, you’ve arrived!”

Our homeroom teacher appeared to be no older than thirteen. With bright chestnut hair cropped short, round doe-like eyes, and cheeks soft as marshmallows, she looked far too young to command authority. Yet there she stood in an ill-fitting suit, attempting to exude professionalism.

“You must be Mr. Seong and Miss Choi! I’m Uratami Nene, your homeroom teacher for Class 1-4!”

“A elementary school kid as our teacher? Don’t underestimate us. Even hidden cameras need better execution than this. Who’d fall for something so ridiculous?”

I delivered my line flawlessly in fluent Japanese, though I possessed a translation artifact capable of interpreting any language—it remained unused, collecting dust back in my room. My Japanese skills were already native-level.

“Puuuufff!”

“Khyuugh!”

“Hahaha!”

The students erupted into uncontrollable fits of laughter.

“It’s not a hidden camera prank! I *am* your homeroom teacher!”

Uratami Nene shouted emphatically, pointing dramatically at herself. Alas, her flat chest betrayed her youthful appearance.

‘This is what passes for a 30-something-year-old’s bosom? Truly heartrending.’

A lanyard hung around her neck bearing her official teaching credentials. After pretending to double-take in mock astonishment, I played along.

“Y-you’re really the teacher?!”

“Yes! I told you that already! Why would anyone bother pulling such a boring prank?”

“Ash Academy lets kids become teachers? What kind of culture shock is this…”

“I’m NOT A KID! I may LOOK young, but I’m well into my thirties! Your senior, got it? And it’s not ‘culture shock,’ it’s CULTURE SHOCK!”

Hmm… Culture Shock does sound more appropriate. But Culture Culture just rolls off the tongue better.

“My English is fine.”

Uratami Nene eyed me skeptically before shaking her head and sighing. “You seem like quite the unusual student. Well, regardless… let’s start with introductions. Please come forward and introduce yourselves.”

And so…


I stood at the front of the podium following Uratami Nene’s gesture. Everyone’s eyes were on me. Eyes filled with interest, hostility, and caution—various reactions indeed. I quietly looked back at them. I saw some familiar faces that I already knew from the original story.

“This is Sung Yoojin. She’s here for an exchange program from Korea’s Maruhan Academy. She ranked first in her year there. For your reference, my mom is Ha Ri. Nice to meet you all.”

“…”

Ha Ri.

At the mention of that name, every student turned their gaze toward me with renewed interest. Ha Ri, once hailed as the strongest Hero, was also well-known among the students of Japan Academy.

“I’m Choi Da Yeon. Ranked fourth in my year, and our family runs the Gold Coin Group.”

“…”

Once again, the students fell silent.

Gold Coin Group. It was too internationally renowned a corporation to pretend ignorance or dismiss outright.

“Well, well, it wouldn’t do to leave our exchange students hanging without any reaction. Let’s give them a warm welcome with applause!”

Clap clap clap!

Uratami Nene started clapping first, and the other students followed suit. There was evident goodwill toward Nene; she seemed quite popular among the students.

“Sung! Choi! See that empty seat over there? Sung, take the one in the back. Choi, the seat on the left will be yours.”

Choi Da Yeon and I made our way to our seats. Choi strode confidently, her long black hair flowing behind her. Her aloof demeanor created an aura that discouraged anyone from approaching her.

“Miss…”

“Gold Coin Group, right? The ones who make smartphones?”

“The vibe she’s giving off is intense… better not get too close.”

Choi Da Yeon didn’t seem interested in making friends at all. Thanks to her striking appearance and intimidating presence, most of the attention was drawn away from me. Not entirely, but significantly reduced.

“Son of Guan Tian’s genius brain….”

“How strong could someone who ranks first in Maruhan Academy possibly be?”

“He must be at least on par with the Four Heavenly Kings, right?”

“Doesn’t exactly look powerful though.”

As I moved toward my seat, tension built up. If anyone were to provoke me openly here… I had no intention of holding back. However, no one dared to challenge me, and I managed to sit down uneventfully.

The guy sitting next to me greeted me. He had plain black hair and an ordinary-looking face—nothing particularly remarkable about him.

He exuded that typical Japanese protagonist vibe.

“Hi, Mr. Sung. My name is Yuuki Hideki. Nice to meet you.”

He initiated the greeting. Upon hearing his name, I hesitated slightly.

Yuuki Hideki.

In the original story, he plays a major role specifically during the Japanese exchange episode. Although the content leans heavily into light novel tropes, he doesn’t have many fans.

‘Never would’ve guessed he’d end up sitting right next to me. His plain appearance made it hard to recognize him immediately.’

I smiled at him as we faced each other.

“Got it. Nice to meet you too. How about the year rankings?”

“Oh, uh… Arashi Academy hasn’t finalized the year rankings yet since we haven’t taken the final exams. I ranked 300th in the entrance exam, which makes me dead last. Kinda embarrassing.”

He said this without any trace of embarrassment. In light novels, there are often protagonists who start off weak, and Yuuki Hideki fits that mold. He accidentally showed up late for the entrance exam and messed up the written test. With help from the academy principal, Tenrai Nagisa, he barely managed to enroll, ranking 300th overall.

‘Yuuki Hideki’s true strength easily places him within the top 10 of the year.’

This situation was turning out to be more complicated than expected.

“For the next two months… please take care of me.”