Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Transfer Ceremony (1)
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Academy City Agora.
This place, commonly known as Academy City, was the continent's foremost educational institution.
Established as a planned city by the Great Hero—the inaugural Hero and protagonist of Failure Hero 1—it had long been called the cradle of heroes.
With every function of the city dedicated solely to nurturing heroes, all its inhabitants poured their efforts into producing the finest heroes possible.
As the one place on the continent truly committed to hero training, it naturally drew intense scrutiny from the demonkin. Consequently, whenever the Demon King revived, it was always the first target of their raids.
Even as a proper educational institution, the constant demonkin assaults had instilled a ruthless meritocracy among both teachers and students alike.
Students wielded significant authority, and the student council's power surpassed even the faculty, capable of swaying the entire academy.
If a single academy operated this way, it was no exaggeration to say that the overarching student council—representing all students across the city—held sway over Academy City itself.
Among them, the student council president's influence extended even to the central board of directors that ran the city, leaving most academy principals unable to meet their gaze.
Academy City had also amassed considerable external clout.
Year after year, it graduated capable heroes, naturally building a powerful network of alumni.
S-rank heroes from Academy City were figures even mighty empires like the Imperial Empire couldn't trifle with lightly. It was only natural, then, that the city faced no external pressures with their backing.
Beyond them, top-tier alumni heroes frequently returned to mentor the next generation, making any mischief here utterly unthinkable.
Probe too aggressively, and you'd only end up hurting yourself.
For such reasons, Academy City—and the Kingdom of Medius it belonged to—existed as the continent's tacit neutral power.
This semi-extraterritorial status posed the greatest headaches for nobles.
Accustomed to lording over others back home, they now had to prove themselves purely on merit here.
Nobles and even royals from every nation demanded respect for their status, but such pleas fell on deaf ears.
Academy City simply ignored their nonsense.
Of course, there was backlash, but what could they do?
This was Academy City.
Power that couldn't reach was no different from a silent uproar.
Besides, those foolish nobles who couldn't hack the grueling early academy life typically dropped out quickly, so they weren't much of a problem.
In any case.
Academy City hosted countless schools, academies, and training institutes.
Given the escalating levels of education, new enrollees poured in annually. With academies numbering in the thousands, the city held massive transfer ceremonies at set intervals.
Unlike the March entrance ceremonies, these took place earlier in January, serving as a filter for those worthy of entering Academy City.
True to its reputation for attracting talent, entry required a baseline of ability, and the transfer ceremony was the exam to sift out the promising ones.
Pass the January transfer ceremony to qualify for the city, then apply to your desired school during the March entrance ceremony.
With so many applicants, scouts from numerous academies observed the tests to spot hidden gems. Even dropouts could gain direct admission if they caught a scout's eye—something students were keenly aware of.
The protagonist of Failure Hero 2 had scraped by in just such a way, after all.
The ceremony merely proved eligibility for enrollment; academies had no right to block students accepted by scouts.
Of course, whether those students actually graduated hinged entirely on their skills.
Be that as it may.
The transfer ceremony was a major event for both prospective students and academies alike.
Though in-house students weren't involved, schools hungry for talent treated it like a full-scale war for recruits.
The city administration—overseen by the overarching student council—was no exception.
It was only natural they'd be swamped.
───
Transfer ceremony day.
Yeon Je-seong rose early and prayed fervently to the gods.
'Please! This time for sure! We can't survive without the protagonist! You know that too, Goddess of Light!'
After seven years of waiting that had nearly broken his mind, he had sunk to bargaining with the divine.
'Let's keep it simple, yeah? I'll pave the protagonist's path nice and smooth. I've rolled out a mithril carpet, not just silk. Come on, just show up and enroll—body's all I need.'
Having passed through denial, anger, and fear, he had reached the bargaining stage. Eyes shut tight, he earnestly pleaded his case.
How many years had he spent preparing for the protagonist!
He had honed himself to be useful while devising countless ways to bolster the hero's strength.
He knew nothing about the guy—not even his name or weapon—since he had zero interest in male characters. Still, he had simulated every scenario imaginable, waiting all the while.
All for the protagonist!
'But he won't come!'
Eyes closed, he prayed without cease.
Seven years had already passed.
He had become student council president, and seven years had flown by.
'I'm 23 now! He has to show up for real this time!'
In the Failure Hero series, his role was that of a significant villain—a stepping stone for the protagonist.
He needed sufficient charisma, but not at the cost of looking too old.
A student council president over 30? Absurd!
'I'm already on thin ice...'
Lately, current students avoided even looking at him, let alone matching his gaze.
His blatantly out-of-place presence naturally stirred anxiety within him.
'The kids are starting to see me as a fossil. Now even young students make me shrink!'
Recalling the looks from students back then, Yeon Je-seong shuddered.
'Senior? Aren't you... graduating?'
'Shh! Quiet! Senior has his reasons!'
'...Yeah, probably?'
'Of course! It's been over three years since graduation—he won't hold the presidency forever.'
"Urk!"
A sudden pang of mental anguish drew a deep groan from Yeon Je-seong.
The damage was severe.
The student hadn't said it outright, but that look surely meant as much.
The innocent junior's gaze had stung deeply.
He hastily shoved the memory down deep and refocused.
Dwelling on past dark history like this...
Yeon Je-seong realized his mentality had crumbled considerably.
Finishing his prayers, he regulated his breathing and began his aura cultivation in earnest.
Unlike his usual routine, this focused session restored his mental equilibrium, letting him exhale in relief.
Knock knock—
It was then.
As he cultivated, the sound of knocking reached his ears.
"Come in."
Noting how much stiffer his tone had become, he turned his gaze.
The door opened slowly, and a girl approached with light steps.
"Young Master."
"Yes."
He looked up at her.
The girl, unchanged from before, gazed back just the same.
"Today's the transfer ceremony. You should start getting ready."
"Right, I should."
Yu Seon-hwa, now his secretary in the overarching student council, said this in her uniform.
Unlike the old days, the affection in her eyes felt gratifying.
'Maybe my efforts to close the gap are paying off.'
Thanks to gradually building their relationship, her expressions had softened considerably.
The icy demeanor was mostly gone, replaced by a gentle warmth.
She even teased him occasionally now—mission accomplished, really.
As he began dressing slowly, Seon-hwa stepped beside him to assist.
Lifting his jacket for him, she then tied his necktie while looking up.
"Thanks, Seon-hwa."
"...Yes."
She beamed bashfully, a hint of reluctance in her expression as she stepped back, then turned to open the door.
"What time does the ceremony start today?"
"It's scheduled for 9 a.m."
"Who's handling security?"
"The guidance committee under the student council, with all departments mobilized."
Switching to work mode as they left the residence, Seon-hwa replied coolly once more.
Guidance committee, huh.
"Is Rudo participating?"
"As guidance chief, she's probably patrolling the city interior. Her team called her, so she'll arrive on time."
"Got it. The vice chief must have their hands full."
Rudo was still young, after all.
The vice chief's support role would be crucial.
Putting the brief thought aside, he asked next.
"Do I head straight to the venue?"
"No, the chairwoman summoned you first."
"...The chairwoman?"
What could that lady want...?
"Hm. Guess I'll swing by the central district first."
The central board and overarching student council were there; he could head to the venue after.
"I hope this transfer class brings some good ones."
"Me too. It'd be nice if we spot some talent worth recruiting."
I really hope so.
Especially the protagonist.