Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Your Hero Academy
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S-Rank Hero Holy Knight's death.
Not from an accident or illness, but murdered by a villain.
This topic alone was enough to shake Hero Academy to its core.
Even three days after the incident, the buzz hadn't died down.
"Does this make any sense? An S-Rank Hero going down this easily?"
"He was the top-class hero the Union Korea Branch always bragged about. This is gonna blow up big time."
"I heard the heroes are rushing to announce they'll catch the Smiling Man. How do you even catch a monster like that?"
If only he'd died in a flashy battle in the city center.
At least then, it would have left a heroic final impression.
Inspiring valor in civilians and fighting spirit in the next generation.
But the truth was, he'd been ambushed while drinking and relaxing in a hotel room.
Rumors even swirled that he'd been found stripped naked—though that was just hearsay.
This was more than enough proof that villains were far stronger than heroes.
It could shatter people's faith and disrupt the world's order.
"...".
Watching the news, Kang Yuna bit her lip.
The Smiling Man. The worst murderer who killed S-Rank Hero Holy Knight.
All the cadets around her were whispering about it, cursing him.
They vented that the Special Task Force needed to step up and catch him fast.
Kang Yuna hated villains too. She burned with anger at those who harmed people.
She wanted to become a hero soon and protect the world from them.
'But... that Smiling Man back then...'
He'd taken out all the villains instead of her, an aspiring hero.
Even though he could have killed her, he hadn't harmed her at all.
She'd unleashed her sharp aura, but when she collapsed, he'd caught her gently.
She'd choked him, yet there wasn't even a mark left behind.
The Smiling Man was a villain. That was an undeniable fact.
So why had that villain helped her that day?
Why had he advised her not to throw her life away?
"Hey, hey. Instructor's coming."
"Shh. Everyone, watch your mouths."
The first-year cadets warned their peers.
And rightly so—the instructor arriving was none other than Hero Valkyrie.
An S-Rank just like Holy Knight, who'd fallen to a villain three days ago.
They might not know for sure, but they were probably close.
Chattering about a friend's death in front of her would be foolish.
Considering the power instructors wielded at Hero Academy, caution was mandatory.
Bang!
"Alright! Nice to see you all!"
But contrary to expectations, Valkyrie showed no sign of distress in her expression or voice.
"As you all know, this beauty standing before you is Hero Valkyrie! I'll be in charge of you first-years from now on! Let's get along great for the next year!"
For someone who'd lost a fellow S-Rank hero... she seemed awfully lighthearted.
She didn't even show a hint of sadness.
A few cadets were puzzled but kept it to themselves.
People don't always wear their emotions on their sleeves.
Maybe she was forcing cheerfulness for the cadets' sake.
"All you first-years here passed various tests before entering the academy."
"Yes! That's right!"
"Those were tough, huh? But those tests were just the basics. From now on, you'll learn in detail about your Abilities—how they work and how to use them properly, step by step."
At that moment, one cadet shot up a hand. A question.
"Mm. You there, cadet. Something to say?"
"I heard that all Hero Academy cadets, regardless of year, are provisionally rated as heroes and can act as sidekicks assisting regular heroes when needed!"
"You know your stuff. Good job."
"Thank you! So when can us first-years step up as sidekicks?!"
A classic question from every new batch of freshmen.
We all dream of being heroes—when do we get our shot?
We want to fight villains and hunt monsters like you.
We want to be heroes. Protect the world. Shine bright!
Led by that cadet, the first-years' eyes burned with such fervor.
'Was I like that back then too?'
Valkyrie couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.
Good. That's the spirit. Aspiring heroes need that fire.
Some cadets had already been scared off by Holy Knight's death.
An S-Rank hero taken down so pathetically by a Highest Danger Class villain.
What about even worse Catastrophe-Class ones?
'Those kids will never make it as heroes.'
Not everyone who enters Hero Academy becomes a hero.
Many drop out along the way—bodies broken, spirits crushed.
Maybe they hit their limits.
Or heard a close cadet suddenly died.
Or fear of villains and doubt in their own courage broke them.
That's why Valkyrie liked cadets with a bit of cockiness and spirit.
An unbreakable heart could conquer anything.
"You can apply for sidekick duty anytime you want."
"Whoa!"
"Then right now—"
"But remember one thing."
For those unbreakable hearts, Valkyrie left them one trial.
"Problems inside the academy are the academy's and government's responsibility. You're protected here as cadets. But the moment you sign the sidekick paperwork and walk out that door, that protection pauses. Know what that means?"
This time, a female cadet raised her hand. A familiar face.
Jin Seo-ah. Granddaughter of the Sword Saint, once Korea's top hero.
She'd met her once at the Sword Saint's sixtieth birthday banquet.
Back then, she'd been a total wild child.
Now she looked so composed—it was surprising.
...Or maybe she was just pretending.
"Good. Our class rep Jin Seo-ah. Care to explain?"
"When the Union Korea Branch requests sidekick support and we accept, we get treated as provisional heroes from that moment. Shortest is a few hours, longest three days. We can build achievements and recognition during that time."
"Exactly."
"But we bear the risks ourselves. The government or Union won't ignore us completely... but we could lose our lives."
Popularity. Glamour. Fame. Glory. The hero dream everyone chases.
Surely some cadets came here chasing that. Probably a lot.
But they needed to know: Heroes are champions who fight in place of civilians.
And defeat in that fight means death.
"So, scary now?"
"...".
The cadets' reactions varied.
Some froze solid. Others faced reality and felt a bit defeated.
Scared but worth the gamble. Or vowing to become heroes no matter what.
"Engrave that fear in your hearts. It'll be useful someday, somehow."
The first to die on the battlefield aren't cowards.
It's those who've lost fear and gone berserk—they're priority targets.
Fear isn't shameful. Running away is.
"Alright! Now that the excitement's settled, today's first lesson with me is mastering your own Ability—knowing it inside out. You think you know yours well, but surveys show nearly 30% of heroes mishandle theirs early on."
Hero—no, Instructor Valkyrie explained with passion.
"Abilities are divided so finely—even same-attribute ones manifest and deploy completely differently. If you mimic an opponent's Ability just because it's similar, without knowing the differences, you won't even hit half power."
"For example. You two, come up front? Great, thanks. Here we have two cadets. Say both wield fire Abilities. One needs to trigger explosions; the other spreads like embers. Explosions split into focused firepower or wide area; embers into external ignition or internal burns."
Listening to Valkyrie, the cadets—and Kang Yuna—nodded.
Got it. Abilities may look similar but can be totally different.
Can't think simply. This ties directly to our lives.
And beyond that, it's our hope to save the civilians counting on us.
"You must know your Ability cold—not just know, master it! Look at me! This ultra-beauty S-Rank Hero Valkyrie wields radiance not as projectiles but fixed forms optimized for 'blocking'! That's my Ability!"
Shaaa!
Light gathered, forming a shield in Valkyrie's hand.
Pure light itself, yet held together—amazing.
"One by one, show me properly. Who first? Right! Cadet Jin Seo-ah! You!"
At Valkyrie's words, Jin Seo-ah nodded and gripped her sword.
Fitting for the Sword Saint's granddaughter—sword mastery as her Ability?
Peeeng!
"...Jin Seo-ah? Seo-ah! Hey, wait a sec!"
True to the Sword Saint's blood. Grab a sword, and all reason flies out.
They know no moderation with blades.
The silver trail from the drawn sword blade shot straight ahead.
Right toward the temp cleaner who'd just entered the academy.