Academy Adjustment Period (4)
One week had already passed since I arrived at the academy.
A lot had happened in that time. I'd formally signed my contract and opened a bank account. I'd wandered around the academy's interior, memorizing the locations and layouts of the facilities. I'd met with the faculty to get acquainted, and I'd even scouted the terrain outside the academy in advance.
Now, I was fairly accustomed to the academy's structure. I could navigate it without a map, no problem.
'Opening day is almost here.'
About a week remained until classes started. Even during break, the academy was never quiet for a single day as everyone prepared for the new semester. It wasn't exactly peaceful to begin with, but the bustle had intensified.
Since all students lived in the dorms at Noble Academy, some arrived early to settle in. That's why I'd occasionally spot students in their academy uniforms while walking around. They usually spent time in the physical training rooms or the library.
Even before the semester began, the students were diligently honing their abilities and studying.
'Some of them will probably end up in my class.'
Well, I'd find out on the first day.
Whoosh.
The wind felt different up here in the highlands—nothing like on the ground. It was like a thin sheet of metal grazing my face. More stinging than refreshing.
I was lying on the well-manicured lawn in an open area near the academy's annex building, staring up at the sky.
Compared to the faculty and students, I looked excessively relaxed. The reason was simple: I actually was.
From the start, when I signed on as a special instructor, I'd made it clear I wouldn't handle boring administrative duties. Besides, what did I even know about that stuff? The school had already set up my courses and assigned the classrooms. All I had to do was figure out how to teach the students.
And I'd even wrapped most of that up in just a few days.
So after my personal training sessions, I had nothing to do. Lounging around like this had become my daily routine.
Of course, that routine would end in a week.
I stared at the sunset sky for a long while before getting to my feet. Spotting a vending machine nearby, I headed over.
Rummaging in my pocket produced a single bill. It was from the bag of 10 million credits I'd won in that arm-wrestling match.
The instructor card doubled as payment, but I needed some cash as emergency funds, so I hadn't deposited that 10 million.
I fed the bill into the slot and scanned the drink options.
'Let's see.'
Brown rice shake? Nah. Charlotte milk tea? ...Charlotte in milk tea? Mint mala chocolate... What the hell is this? Why do these even exist?
I skipped past the abominations too vile to even name and looked at the bottom row.
Red bean cola. That one's the least insane.
I pressed the button under the red bean cola.
Clunk-thud!
A can with a bizarre red-and-brown design tumbled down with a racket. I snatched it up right away.
Sssht.
'The hiss is normal, at least.' Classic carbonation.
I took a sip straight from the can.
"......Hmm."
The taste was as weird as the design.
...How to describe it? Like bingsu red bean soup concentrated five times over, but carbonated? That's all I got.
It sucked.
"Wasted money."
Still, it felt wrong to toss it—too pricey for that. I chugged the rest in one go. Suddenly, my mouth filled with grains that hadn't been there before—must've been at the bottom.
Crunch crunch.
'...Kinda addictive, maybe?'
Chewing the grains made it grow on me a bit. By the time I'd drained the can,
Rustle.
Footsteps on the grass came from behind. I didn't turn around, just focused my hearing.
Rustle, rustle.
Deliberately muffled, slow, light steps. Clearly trying to sneak up on me.
What could it be? Given the academy grounds, probably not an attack. There were small CCTVs dotted around, even if not super obvious. No idiot would strike here.
No hostility or killing intent, either.
'But if they're not hostile, why sneak up?'
Someone with business would've approached openly. A stranger wouldn't bother muffling their steps.
'Not hostile, but has reason to approach me secretly, and I shouldn't notice... Hmm.'
Easy to solve by turning around, but I wanted to pinpoint them with my enhanced Super Senses alone.
I pondered. Who could it be? No one came to mind. Plenty wanted to stab me in the back, but no one to sneak up and chat.
'Wait, no. There is one.'
Someone not hostile with reason to approach secretly. Exactly one fit.
The footsteps matched, too—highest probability.
'But why sneak?'
No idea.
Thud, thud.
The steps grew louder, shifting from grass to pavement. Getting closer. Right behind me now.
And then—
Poke.
A finger jabbed my back lightly. I turned to look.
"Found you."
The first thing I saw was glossy black hair, blue eyes, and a mischievous smile. Lien Crossfield, daughter of S-rank hero Aiden Crossfield and lady of the Crossfield family.
She'd expected me to jump, her eyes wide as she stared.
That was her reason for sneaking? No way I'd give her the satisfaction.
My lukewarm reaction made her pout in disappointment.
"......What? You didn't even flinch?"
She grumbled, clearly let down.
"I heard everything. Your footsteps were too loud."
"Tch, Kyle's hearing is just freakish."
Lien sidled up beside me naturally. The academy uniform suited her refined look perfectly.
'Now she really looks like a rich girl.'
"But seriously, Kyle, you really work here? I was skeptical when you messaged about the academy."
"Why would I lie? Anyway, why are you here already? Semester hasn't started."
She flinched briefly, then averted her eyes.
"...Nothing much to do at home. The dorms are way comfier. Better training facilities, too."
"...Right."
Her gaze flicked to the can in my hand, eyes narrowing instantly.
"......No way you just used this machine?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"Whoa, your tastes are... unique. Nobody touches this vending machine. It's the freak food dispenser."
"Then why's it even here if no one drinks that crap?"
"It's one of the academy's seven mysteries. Rumor says the director loves it, so they keep it stocked."
"......"
'That crazy old man.'
Figures. No wonder the drinks were all abnormal. I tossed the empty red bean cola can in the trash. It was the most normal thing in there.
As I did, Lien clasped her hands behind her back and stepped closer.
"So, Kyle... what's this special position? You're teaching a class, right?"
She leaned in slightly, eyes sparkling.
'Come to think of it, she doesn't know my real name.'
I'd only used Kyle around her, so that was natural.
"Yeah. I'm an instructor here now. Taking one course. By the way, my real name's Han Seongjin. Kyle was an alias."
"...Oh, an alias... What's the course name?"
Response to Real Combat Situations and Crisis Breakthrough. Wanna take it?"
"Ah. Can first-years even enroll?"
"Nah, it's open."
According to the staff, it was a required course before first field training. Timing didn't matter, but it had to be done before senior year. Meaning anyone from first-year to third-year could take it before their practicum.
"Grade level doesn't matter—as long as it's before fourth year. It's required anyway, so you'll end up taking it eventually."
"For real? So you're not just here for one semester? You'll stay, right?"
"Yeah, at least three years minimum."
She fidgeted with her fingers, voice dropping lower.
"...So, we'll keep seeing each other? Right?"
"Pretty much."
"...Heehee."
She beamed, lips curling up brightly.
...Was she always this bubbly? First time I met her, she seemed more reserved. Now she looked genuinely happy—totally different from that slum rooftop encounter.
"Then I'll enroll this semester. Just sign up, yeah?"
"Yep."
I checked my phone. 2 p.m. Time for afternoon training.
"Gotta head out. See you at opening day, Student Lien."
"Yes! Professor Han Seongjin!"
I walked off, leaving her waving energetically behind.
Tsk.
The aftertaste of that drink lingered. I swallowed some spit. The more I savored it, the weirder it got. Not bad, but kept wanting more.
And honestly, the red bean cola's finish wasn't half bad.
'Gonna grab another later.'
Alice Hayes, a first-year in Noble Academy's Heroics Department, was utterly confused right now.
"Heehee."
Her roommate had been giggling into a pillow on the bed for an hour straight. She'd spent hours asking staff about a tall black-haired guy—had she finally lost it?
Alice stared at Lien in disbelief.
"What's with you all of a sudden? You've been grinning like an idiot."
"Oh, it's nothing. Really nothing. Hehehe..."
Yeah, right. Nothing. An hour of this?
'What the hell happened over break?'
Having roomed with Lien all last semester, Alice found the change bewildering. The girl who rarely smiled and always looked stiff—now all giggles? She'd even asked about makeup recently.
Anyone who'd seen Lien Crossfield last semester couldn't imagine this. That cold, rigid expression, combined with her family prestige, had kept most cadets from even approaching her.
'Gonna get a ton of confessions now.'
The ice queen had melted, inviting every predator to line up. Not thrilled from experience, but...
'...Eh, good's good. She looks nicer smiling.'
Alice nodded at her roommate's dramatic shift. Way better than before.
"So, what's the new elective? That required one?"
"Heehee... Oh, that? Response to Real Combat Situations and Crisis Breakthrough."
"Before fourth year, right?"
"Yeah."
"Response to Real Combat Situations and Crisis Breakthrough..."
Alice searched the enrollment page for Response to Real Combat Situations and Crisis Breakthrough.
One result popped up.
'Professor Han Seongjin... New face?'
She knew every faculty name by heart. Unknown meant new hire or outsider.
Alice made a mental note to look him up later—personality, preferences, etc. Know thy prof for better impressions and grades.
She valued efficiency. That was one reason for this course.
Required for all cadets anyway. Best knock it out in the relatively easy first year.
'Says it's hands-on. Kinda worrying, but...'
As a first-year, maybe the intensity would be low? With that thought, Alice hit the enrollment button for Response to Real Combat Situations and Crisis Breakthrough.
Blissfully unaware of what awaited in a week.