Ring Around the Rosie
The video we spread had become a massive social issue.
It was only natural. The target wasn't some ordinary villain—it was Plague, the rumored villain who'd once toppled an entire nation. And this was the first time he'd ever directly named a target like this, after only vaguely preaching his ideology before. On top of that, rumors swirled that the video's source was none other than the massive mafia syndicate, the Calione family.
It was bound to blow up.
"Is that why?"
"Boss! You watched YouTube yesterday, right?"
The moment I stepped into the classroom, Jinwoo Bivalt looked at me with a beaming grin.
"...You're talking about the Plague video?"
"Yeah! That one! Guess who uploaded it to the internet?"
The guy was twitching his lips like he could barely contain himself. He seemed proud that the Calione family had orchestrated it.
"I saw that on the news today too, so cut the hype and sit down."
"Huh? It was on the news?"
I brushed past Jinwoo, who looked genuinely baffled like he'd never heard, and took my seat.
"Hm? Youngje's not here."
Normally, he'd be the first one at school, nose buried in a book, but Kim Young-je was nowhere in sight.
As if answering for him, Sea-a, sitting up front, turned around to face me.
"Youngje? He left way before you got here, Eugene, and hasn't come back. Maybe Instructor Ji called him?"
"Instructor Ji Suhyun?"
"Yeah. Otherwise, where else would he go?"
True enough. That's when another plausible guess came up.
"Isn't he in the bathroom?"
The bathroom made sense too... Should I text him?
"Almost everyone here's now?"
Just then, Youngje entered through the front door with a complicated expression and stood at the podium.
"First, the instructor's message. Dungeon Studies and Monster Studies this morning are self-study because of a meeting with academy instructors and staff. Monster Studies will have a pop quiz next class, so don't slack off."
The kids perked up at "self-study," but groans erupted at "pop quiz."
"From the vibe in the staff room, the Villain Union thing's got them pretty serious. And with the freshman welcome coming up soon."
One kid up front shot their hand up at Youngje's words.
"Wait, does that mean no freshman welcome?"
The freshman welcome was a prime networking opportunity. The thought of missing it made the others look anxious too.
"Dunno. But maybe that's what the meeting's about? Could be they're figuring out how to still hold it."
The event drew alumni too, who donated big. Skipping it wouldn't sit well with the academy, so the meeting was likely aimed at making it happen. That's how it always went in the game, anyway.
"That's all for announcements. Do your self-study, play on your phone, whatever—just don't bug the kids actually studying around you."
I was confident in Monster Studies anyway, so I scanned news and world updates via my smart lens. Before I knew it, lunch was almost here.
No sign of the instructors, who were supposedly in meetings.
What happens to afternoon classes like this?
I was pondering that when—
"Ugh, I'm losing my mind... Everyone studying hard?"
Ji Suhyun burst in, ruffling her bangs wildly, and slumped over the podium.
"You know about the all-morning meeting from the class rep, right? Now I'll explain the academy guidelines from the results, so listen up."
She laid out three main points.
1. Classes proceed as normal, but no practicals like spars or dungeon raids. Afternoon classes heavy on those are canceled. Instructors are out on villain hunts at the Association and government's request. Students head home after lunch.
2. Freshman welcome goes ahead. Top-tier security with alumni and Association help. Student safety first.
3. Students urged to avoid outside activities for now.
The class buzzed with unease. The academy holding a full meeting meant they saw the terror threat as real. The crisis felt way too close.
"Questions?"
Jinwoo shot his hand up amid the tension.
"...Jinwoo Bivalt. What?"
"So we eat lunch and go home?!"
Hah, this lunatic...
Ji Suhyun facepalmed at Jinwoo's thrilled shout.
"...Yeah. Eat and get lost."
"Woo-hoo~!!"
The guy let out a weird whoop at getting off early. I averted my gaze—it was embarrassing just watching—and raised my hand.
"So no club activities today? It's sudden, so we'll need time to prep."
Ji Suhyun nodded at my question.
"Yeah, ask smart questions like that. Not dogshit ones like 'can we go home?'"
"Huh?"
"Shut it, Jinwoo Bivalt."
"Yes, ma'am!"
She silenced him with one line, then turned back to me.
"Sucks, but clubs are suspended too starting today. What can ya do? A global villain declared war."
She checked her wristwatch.
"Lunch in 10, so chill till then, eat, and go home. Oh, and Kim Sea-a."
"Yes?"
"Government and Association are requesting spatial mages. You in?"
"Huh? A, a request? But I—"
"You'll be an assistant. Just back me up. Pay's about 200,000 credits a day?"
200k credits a day. Sea-a's jaw dropped.
"Two... two hundred thousand? I'm in! Totally!"
Ji Suhyun smirked at her ecstatic yell.
"Good. Eat and meet me in the staff room."
"Yes!"
Sea-a plopped down grinning ear-to-ear, thrilled at the high-paying gig.
"A week nets 1.4 mil! Hehe...!"
Jinwoo, eyeing her intently, suddenly raised his hand.
"Instructor! No more patrol spots?"
The 200k must've tempted him. But she shook her head firmly.
"Nope."
Jinwoo slumped. Sea-a giggled and patted his shoulder.
"Don't be sad. I'll treat the club to a feast with my earnings."
"For real? You?"
"Academy gate tteokbokki?"
"...Cheapskate."
"Mixed fry combo."
"—Knew it! You're an angel after all?! Deal!"
From cheapskate to angel over some fries. Ji Suhyun shook her head at the absurdity and headed for the door.
"Anyway, no detours, everyone. Head home after you're done."
The class chorused "Yes~" as she left.
"Whoa, tons of free time today. PC bang it is."
Despite the terror warnings, Jinwoo's PC bang obsession screamed typical Korean high schooler—almost peaceful.
"Hello? Ugh? Dad? Come home? Now? But academy... You know it ended early? How'd you... Fine. Heading home now."
But Jinwoo was Calione and Bivalt family heir. No slacking during a family-wide emergency.
...Sorry. Kinda my fault. A tiny bit?
* * *
Days passed like that.
The academy looked chaotic on the way in—preps for tomorrow's freshman welcome, apparently.
"Kim! Carry this over here!"
"Ow! Careful with that!"
Workers had been setting up stages and sculptures on one side for days. Other kids watched excitedly, hyped for the event.
Despite the alert, nothing happened. Kids slacked on instructions more each day. Some instructors reverted to normal too.
Jinwoo straight-up loved the short days. Everyone felt a bit relaxed now.
Plus, the welcome was the academy's first festival—impossible not to buzz for it.
I passed the lively hall and entered class. Jinwoo whipped around, grinning welcomingly.
He'd been chattering with others but jumped up and rushed me.
"Boss! What do you think?!"
"About what?"
"You know. That text."
...Text?
"The one saying afternoon classes resume after the welcome?"
"Yeah! C'mon, Boss. Resuming after just a week? Overkill, right?"
That's what the fuss was? He'd benefited most from the short week, family duties or not. Too carefree by nature.
"Eh, we're paying top tuition. Half-days aren't right. Right, Youngje?"
"...Better than getting dragged to mentor sessions every afternoon sans classes. I agree with the academy."
...Can't say I don't get it. I'd rushed home post-classes to help the organization—no breather.
"See? Kids are weird. Prefer longer academy days? Your take, Boss?"
"Well, I..."
Then Ji Suhyun trudged in, her usual tired face, and flopped over the podium.
"Ah... Everyone here? Saw the text? Afternoon off was sweet... Guess the honey's gone."
"Instructor thinks so too?!"
Another Jinwoo type.
"Huh? What's that idiot babbling? Sit down."
"...Hng."
Slightly different vibe, though.
"All seated? Quick announcements. Text as is: afternoons resume post-welcome tomorrow. No slacking! It's government policy—they haven't said the guy's backed off. Got it? Next up—"
(Ring around the rosie.)
(A pocket full of posies.)
(Ashes! Ashes!)
(We all fall down!)
A cheerful, upbeat melody utterly out of place here blasted across the entire academy.
A song anyone in this class—no, most Koreans—would recognize from the news.
"...Huh?"
Someone muttered as it clicked—
───────!!
A massive boom hit, and my vision went black.