Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Your Hero Academy
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Valkyrie's first class had come to an end.
The cadets scattered in all directions to enjoy their break time.
Amid her peers, Kang Yuna recalled the situation from just moments ago.
'That was really dangerous.'
Jin Seo-ah. The first-year representative cadet. Granddaughter of the Sword Saint. The top prospect.
She had finally come face-to-face with someone she'd only heard about in rumors and stories.
And she clearly realized those weren't lies at all.
If anything, they might have understated the truth.
The moment the sword was drawn from its scabbard and lightning burst from its tip.
Kang Yuna had instinctively thought of the word "fear."
The world... She could already unleash that kind of power.
She had to compete as classmates with someone like that.
Could she really do well? Or would she just become a mediocre hero, forever compared and falling short?
'That's why... I was late.'
Thanks to being at the far edge, she had been able to save the janitor.
But that fear had frozen her body and mind, preventing her from moving right away.
If Valkyrie hadn't stepped in, he would have been seriously hurt.
She had come here dreaming of becoming a hero. She couldn't falter like this already.
She couldn't be weak. Heroes had to always be ready to sacrifice!
"...Kang Yuna."
Who was that? When she turned, a familiar face approached.
Seo Ha-eun, was it? She remembered her vividly.
Every time villains came up in conversation, there had been a thick aura of killing intent.
It had even made Kang Yuna, who hated villains herself, flinch and tremble.
"Ah. Ha-eun. Hi? I didn't see you once during the lecture. Thought you skipped."
"I was just in the back."
She seemed even more frozen than when they first met.
Like wandering naked through the middle of a winter snowfield.
It looked so pitiful that she couldn't help but ask the reason.
"Hey, is something wrong? Your expression..."
"Yuna. You. Said you ran into the Smiling Man."
Smiling Man? Why bring him up out of nowhere?
She was curious about the reason. But Seo Ha-eun's expression looked so urgent.
So she just nodded instead of asking.
"Did the Smiling Man really try to kill you? He choked you, right? The article said heroes witnessed it all. Is that true?"
"Well, that was..."
She was about to say absolutely not! But Kang Yuna closed her mouth for a moment.
During the investigation, someone from the Union Korea Branch had said this.
"The Smiling Man killed the villains. And he helped Kang Yuna."
"Yes. That's definitely what happened."
"Kang Yuna. Listen well. Sometimes a lie is more useful to the world than the truth."
"What do you..."
"Only villains. Only heroes. There must be nothing in between. The moment that boundary collapses, the world falls into chaos."
So the investigation results. And the articles would frame it as her heroic deed.
The Smiling Man had tried to harm her, but retreated when the heroes arrived.
It would benefit her too, so everyone should keep quiet. That was the conclusion.
After that, all the articles and news started saying the exact same thing.
There was nothing Kang Yuna could do about it.
If she contradicted it, she was already the brave hero aspirant.
Even if she spoke the truth now, no one would believe her.
If rumors spread that she was siding with the Smiling Man, it would be a disaster.
She wanted to become a hero. She wanted to be the hero who protected people.
That would be a massive obstacle on the path to her dream.
She had tried hard to pretend she didn't know. But now someone was asking her directly.
Did the Smiling Man really do that? Did he really try to kill you?
'I have to be honest. Kang Yuna. I should have strongly denied it from the start!'
'Idiot. What if they label you a villain sympathizer? Your hero dream is done for!'
Identical voices whispered conflicting things on either side of Kang Yuna.
A hero who protected people? Or a person who acted on what they believed was right?
Lifelong dream? Or the righteous belief that supported that dream?
"No. Forget it."
"What...?"
"Obvious question. Why would a villain save someone? Right? That wouldn't be a villain."
"Ha-eun. That's exactly..."
"Villains harm people, hurt them. Make others sad. That's what they are. They have to be."
What on earth had happened to her? If they were close, she might have asked. But as mere recent acquaintances, Kang Yuna couldn't press further.
All she could offer now was a tiny bit of concern.
"Ha-eun. Wanna grab something to drink? Your hands are cold. Let's get something warm."
"No. I'm..."
"We have time till the next class anyway. Come on."
With a bewildered "Huh?", Seo Ha-eun was dragged away by Kang Yuna.
Could she have shaken her off? Easily. But she didn't.
If possible, she wanted to hear a little more about the Smiling Man.
Korea Hero Academy!
Proudly ranked #1 among the top hero training institutions in every nation, as selected by the Union!
What's national pride? This is Korea's power! Woohoo!!
"...These mass-produced shorts are racking up crazy views these days."
Star Angel Academy Branch #1. Beside a caramel macchiato piled high with whipped cream.
Valkyrie let out repeated chuckles of disbelief.
Similar view counts to the video of her own cool exploits from last time.
It was a raw stream without editing, but this was too much.
It was killing her S-Rank hero pride. Should she hire an editor now?
"They're mass-produced, but they have stimulating elements. And no false info."
Jin Seo-ah, quietly sipping her iced chocolate across the table, spoke up.
It was true that the Korea Hero Academy was a world-renowned training institution.
That was why prominent British families sent their kids to study abroad there.
"Seo-ah."
Of course, Valkyrie had never once sat here to hear Jin Seo-ah's opinions.
This gathering was arranged by S-Rank Hero Valkyrie, not Instructor Valkyrie.
"I knew you'd screw up. But you went all out from the start."
"Well, Gramps said a true swordsman draws their blade with the resolve to split the heavens, even for a single pull."
"What the hell did that damn old man teach you?!"
It was sound advice! Slicing monsters and villains clean was a given!
But was there any need to go chopping up innocent civilians too?!
"But you stopped it, Sis!"
"Not 'Sis.' Call me Instructor."
"Ah. Yes. Anyway, Instructor stopped it, so it's fine, right?"
"Pax."
As her fist clenched, Jin Seo-ah let out a squeak and clutched her head.
Yes. That was the real Jin Seo-ah. Valkyrie smirked.
The solemn and dignified year representative from the entrance ceremony?
All an act. Jin Seo-ah was a wild brat from birth who lost her mind the moment she gripped a sword.
"By the way, Instructor. Is it okay for you to be hanging out here?"
"Not even allowed coffee?"
"No no no! I mean the Hero Holy Knight incident."
"Ah. That."
"Isn't it blowing up right now? Gramps said the Korea Branch atmosphere is worse than a funeral home."
"Probably."
Jin Seo-ah, about to chatter on, sensed the odd mood and shut her mouth.
An S-Rank hero was dead. Murdered by a villain.
Countless heroes and civilians were furious, seething with hatred for villains.
Yet fellow S-Rank Hero Valkyrie's reaction was lukewarm.
"Instructor? Is there a problem?"
"Yeah. A big one."
Because of the vacant S-Rank hero seat at a critical time?
Or pressure from the suddenly rising villain, the Smiling Man?
What reason could make Valkyrie wear that expression?
"Huh. You girls."
At that moment, two female students entered the cafe and made eye contact with Valkyrie.
Recognizing one, Valkyrie greeted her, and the girl let out an exclamation in response.
"Instructor Valkyrie? Hello!"
"Cadet Kang Yuna, right?"
Kang Yuna answered brightly and politely.
For her, whose lifelong dream was to be a hero, Valkyrie was one of her life's goals.
Here for coffee? Your friend too?
"Seo Ha-eun."
"Yeah, yeah. I remember your face from class earlier."
She had a vague idea who she was.
She wouldn't pretend to know just to dredge up painful memories, though.
"Sit down. Instructor's treating you to coffee as a special occasion."
"Instructor? Earlier you asked me to buy yours...?"
"Be quiet. This is payback for covering for you."
"You're too much."
A cadet with skill, but more importantly the right mindset.
A cadet who understood, but whose path of vengeance worried her.
Valkyrie sat the two down, intending to have a somewhat serious conversation.
"What do you want to drink?"
"We're fine! Instructor, we'll pay."
"Don't refuse. When else will an S-Rank hero's salary buy coffee..."
Flash!-
Her body hair stood on end. Valkyrie whipped her head around.
It felt just like a dagger grazing past her nape.
Would an Apocalypse-Class monster strolling through the city feel like this?
Or the disaster-class villain 'Dragon Breaker,' who had vanished without a trace?
"Seo-ah. Watch those two for a bit."
"Instructor? You're not ditching the bill like this, right?!"
Barely hearing Jin Seo-ah's words.
Valkyrie burst out of the cafe and began chasing after a man.
He was none other than the janitor, dressed in his uniform.