Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Peach Tree (2)
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As soon as I entered the academy, I could feel the restless atmosphere.
"Isn't that the guy? From the raid last time…"
The cadets whispering among themselves. Some broken facilities.
The previous raid had been so severe that even the facilities hadn't been fully repaired yet.
Come to think of it, an instructor had died too. With Lee Seong-han's technique that pierced my shoulder, it wasn't impossible.
As I walked toward the class, Azalea mentioned something from beside me.
"Did you hear? Classes are being replaced with experiential sessions for a week."
"Experiential sessions?"
"Yeah. External instructors from the Hunter Association or foundations will act as mentors in a campaign."
I'd heard about this from Lee Se-young.
They were planning to assign mentors based on each cadet's tendencies for 1:1 or 1:2 sessions.
I thought it was a pretty good approach. Especially now, with the damage from the last incident still unresolved.
'At least it'll get fixed quickly.'
Construction equipment was bustling around nearby. They were using funds from Jinmok Group, apparently. That made sense.
Wait a minute, then what happens to Jinmok Group?
"Just occurred to me—what about your company?"
"Oh, that? My aunt's taking care of it for now. Once I graduate, I'll take over."
Perfectly orthodox.
"But isn't that a secret? You sure it's okay telling me?"
Azalea tilted her head at my question, then flashed a bright smile.
"Because you're my friend."
Friend. She'd been emphasizing that word since morning. She approached me as if her personal code of conduct was all about treating friends right. I didn't hate it, but it was scary sometimes.
-Rattle.
Arriving at the classroom, I opened the door, and all eyes turned to me.
Cadets staring intently at my mask.
Some looked like they wanted to talk to me, others had eyes full of curiosity. Seeing their changed attitudes, I chuckled inwardly.
Of course, such attention didn't always work in a positive way.
-Tsk.
A tongue-clicking sound. Clear envy and contempt laced within it.
There are always people who can't stand seeing others succeed.
Especially if the rising star is someone they used to look down on, or someone more pathetic than expected.
In those cases, they usually try to crush or trample them before they grow too big.
Even if they lack the ability to do so.
"Look at that guy flexing his shoulders. Show-off exploded."
-Heh heh heh.
From behind, voices pitched just loud enough to be heard on purpose, subtly grating on my nerves.
Azalea's face whipped around beside me.
It was the extreme anger face I'd seen when I bombarded her with chocolates last time.
"What did you just say?"
"...Pardon?"
"Show-off? Are you kidding me?"
Unexpectedly seeing Azalea step up like this left the male cadet, me, and a few others in the room stunned.
What the hell was up with this girl all of a sudden?
"Apologize to my friend."
Thanks. It felt refreshing, sure.
Were you always like this?
"Azalea, what's going on?"
"Huh? Nothing much."
Jeong Si-woo asked as he rushed over at the commotion, but Azalea just gave the guy a cold glare.
The cadet, seeing our class's top performer Si-woo, reluctantly glanced at me.
"Sorry."
He muttered curtly.
Of course, I had no intention of letting it slide that easily.
-Deal with it if it bothers you.
I whispered something along those lines and sat down. The male cadet's face crumpled.
Once the commotion died down, Azalea returned to her seat with Si-woo.
My neighbor was Puppy Tree·Bead.
"Si-ha."
"Seu-ha."
"Puhihi. You're taking it well now."
We exchanged light chit-chat while waiting, and then Lee Se-young entered. Spotting me, she winked and stroked the choker around her neck.
Probably to hide the kiss marks.
"Attention, everyone."
Standing at the podium, Se-young woke us up with her usual mix of silly jokes, then announced the experiential session schedule.
"I figure you all know the most about the mentor sessions. Think of it as just a week-long field trip disguised as class. The mentor assignments came out this morning."
She called out groups one by one.
From as few as 1 to as many as 3 per group. Mine was H Group, and we'd learn the mentor's name in today's class. Wondering if I had any fellow mentees, I listened closely.
"San Su-yu. H Group."
That name popped out.
I turned to look at her. San Su-yu met my eyes with her usual expressionless face.
"...?"
I made a V-sign with my fingers. San Su-yu blinked twice, tilting her head.
Soon, she mimicked me, holding out both hands in double Vs.
Double peace. Cute.
With San Su-yu—who hid layers of unexpected cuteness—I might actually enjoy the mentor session.
What kind of San Su-yu would I see today?
I spent the time lost in such thoughts.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The first meeting with our mentor arrived soon after. Many cadets were chatting amiably with theirs. But the sign for H Group had no mentor—or even a trace of anyone.
What the hell was going on?
Looking around, an instructor who'd glanced at us spoke with a half-bemused expression.
"H Group?"
"Yes."
"You guys... are gonna have to take a plane."
"Pardon?"
Take a plane just to meet one mentor? I was shocked by the unexpected scale.
"Tickets are covered, and it looks like you're heading to the Hunter Association side. Have a good trip. Flight's in 3 hours."
"You're telling us now...?"
"We just got the info suddenly too. Couldn't be helped. Sorry. They said they'll handle food, lodging, everything—just bring your bodies."
The man grinned as he said that.
"Still, it won't be a problem for building your skills."
"Is that so."
"Yeah."
I glanced at the name on his chest: Man Se-jeok. A name I'd heard somewhere before.
Man Se-jeok smiled satisfactorily and waved.
For some reason, it wasn't unpleasant, so I waved back.
San Su-yu stared blankly at me doing that, then stepped toward the main gate and asked.
"Si-eon."
"It's Si-heon."
"...Si-heon. A car would be faster. Should I call my secretary?"
I waved down a passing taxi and said.
"No need. Let's take a cab. This is cultural enrichment too."
"Cultural enrichment? Got it."
With that, we hopped in a taxi and headed to the central airport in the education city.
As we chatted about what she'd done yesterday and everyday stuff, my phone buzzed.
Azalea: I'm heading to Spirit Mountain with my mentor. How's yours?
Me: In a cab to the airport.
Azalea: Si-heon too?
Azalea: (Emoji of sparkling pink petals)
I replied casually, and another message buzzed.
Lee Se-young: How's this?
Lee Se-young: (Photo of her in slightly torn stockings.)
I flinched.
I angled my phone so San Su-yu couldn't see and replied.
Me: Hey, you crazy lady, get back to work.
Me: Body looks pretty, though.
Lee Se-young: ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
Lee Se-young: Side dish for you while I'm gone?
San Su-yu noticed my expression change and stared at me with her inorganic eyes. I spoke first, like an excuse.
"The homeroom teacher messaged asking if we left okay."
"Yeah?"
Today too, in her own world, San Su-yu gave a short reply and rested her head against the window, gazing outside.
Meanwhile, I quickly texted Lee Se-young back.
Me: (Nodding emoji)
Lee Se-young: (Nodding emoji)
Beautiful Emperor Oak. I still hadn't processed all the acorns from last time, but Lee Se-young was the best.
Alternating between messages and chit-chat with San Su-yu, we arrived at the airport quickly.
50 minutes left until the flight.
After telling San Su-yu, I wandered around. Grass sprouted everywhere—no matter where you went—which was so different from my old world; it always felt novel.
Stretching under the weekday midday sun. Crack crack. Bones popped from my back.
Should nap on the plane.
"Hey, got a lighter?"
Suddenly, a woman approached me.
Without looking at her face, I pulled a lighter from my belt and handed it over. As she lit her cigarette, my eyes met those of the white-haired woman.
[H Group Mentor Baek Do]
The nameplate pinned to her chest.
Mine on my chest would read the same.
[H Group Mentee Lee Si-heon]
"Uh."
We both spotted each other's nameplates and stiffened.
The woman called Baek Do cleared her throat awkwardly, took the lighter, and lit her cigarette.
"Ahem. You smoke?"
"Yeah, sometimes, but not much."
"Have one."
Baek Do silently offered a cigarette. I took it, put it in my mouth, and inhaled deeply. A subtle peach scent wafted.
"Didn't expect to see you here. I'm from the Association. They told me to teach you."
"Yeah, they mentioned providing the best teacher. Are you it?"
Baek Do shook her head at my question.
"Not yet. I don't take just anyone as a disciple."
"But you're teaching?"
"Teaching doesn't require them to be a disciple. I've searched the whole world and only have one direct disciple so far."
Got it.
But to run into her like this on first meeting.
Life has its surprises, I thought, exhaling smoke deeply. Then she spoke.
"No bad guys among smokers. I'll give you 1 point."
"1 point?"
"Fill up to 10, and I'll take you as a direct disciple."
Thanks a lot.
We smoked while staring into the distance for a while. The burning paper turned to ash and scattered.
I glanced sideways at Baek Do.
Snow-white skin and hair so pale it was almost translucent. Blue eyes accentuated her mystique.
Her outfit wasn't ordinary either—black latex covering the front, with some auxiliary gear.
It revealed every curve of her body. Her ample breasts protruding—
"Like gawking at women?"
I flinched at her words.
"Not a bad thing."
"Sorry."
"Why apologize? Being interested in women's bodies is natural."
Baek Do lit up five cigarettes in a row right there.
Ashes piled up endlessly,
and our silence stretched on.
The airport flowers beginning to bloom swayed in the silk breeze.
Finally, she spoke in a heavy voice.
"A question."
"Suddenly?"
"Yes. This question is very important. It might decide if you can be my disciple or not. Ready to answer?"
Baek Do eyed me sharply, sizing me up.
I swallowed hard under her serious gaze.
She was dead serious. Sudden as it was, if she meant business, I needed to as well.
-Whooo~
The wind blew, and I waited for the question.
Finally, a single phrase fell from Baek Do's lips.
"...Do you like hard peaches? Or soft peaches?"
"Pardon?"
"Answer quickly. One, two, three..."
"S-soft peaches?"
Baek Do's face crumpled at my bewildered answer. Her expression looked like it belonged on a yokai from a night parade of a hundred demons.
"Wrong. Minus 5 points."
"...What?"
Shocking news.
Baek Do fumed, warning me in a low voice.
"Peaches are hard peaches."