Eirin's After-School Consultation
Finally, after finishing lunch and struggling to cram the mind-numbingly boring theory lecture into my head, it was all for nothing. All because of the text from Eirin that arrived right at lunchtime.
-No schedule.
-Stay in the classroom after the last lecture today.
Why had Eirin called me specifically? There was that old joke back in Korea about professors secretly summoning students meaning big trouble, but honestly, I doubted that was the reason. What beauty would make her summon a guy who just bubbled in answers straight down the answer sheet and left the exam room? Or was it the opposite—calling me aside to warn me about my low grades? Or could it be... had she figured out I'm a magical girl? Just imagining it made my legs go weak.
Anyway, it was decided, so shaking off the distractions and focusing on class was the right move, but one anxiety bred another, and the unease kept building. In the end, I couldn't concentrate on the lecture at all, and the end of the school day arrived.
"Jeonghyeon, why aren't you packing your bag?"
"Professor Eirin asked to see me after class. No idea why."
"For real!? That's weird. You don't mess around in class or anything. Hmm... ah, no way!"
Shaolin, tapping her chin with her finger, suddenly lit up as if she'd thought of something brilliant. Did she have some plausible guess?
"Maybe the professor's fallen for you? I mean, you're handsome, and even though she's a professor, the age gap isn't that big between us."
"...Forget it. I was the idiot for expecting anything from you."
"Hey, what's with that reaction!"
Just the usual nonsense from Shaolin.
"It might not be a big deal. Maybe she just wants to ask simple stuff like how school life's going lately."
"Ume's guess makes way more sense. Anyway, I can't head back right away today."
"Got it~ I'll head out first then."
"Hmph! Hope you get an earful!"
Ume waved goodbye with a smile, while Shaolin pouted, making a show of being miffed as she left the classroom. Fine by me. She'd be over it by tomorrow anyway.
Time flew by like that, and soon I was the only one left in the class. The tension faded quickly, replaced by boredom. Idle delusions started filling my head.
"..."
In novels, whenever the protagonist was left alone like this, a gang of guys who harbored grudges against him would swarm in. Then the hero would step up, beat them down with a flurry of blows, and nod sagely: Hmm, novels are novels after all. Just as I was doing exactly that—
-Creak!
The front door of the classroom slid open. What the—had they actually come?! I jolted up from my seat in shock, but—
"...What are you doing?"
Eirin's question carried layers of implication. Oh, it was Eirin. Her mysterious platinum blonde hair was especially striking today.
"Ah, well, you see. I've been sleeping poorly lately, so I was dozing off a bit, and the door sound startled me, so..."
My face burned as I spouted some random excuse. How could I admit I'd been imagining enemies out to get me and jumped up thinking it was real? Way too embarrassing—I'd never say it.
"Training late into the night can be harmful. Adequate rest is essential too."
Luckily, Eirin seemed to think I was a diligent student who'd stayed up late training. Whew, weird. Why did black history moments only seem to sprout up around her?
"I'll come over there."
"No. Stay seated."
She made me sit back down, then walked over with her heels clicking. Without hesitation, she took the seat right next to me—Ume's spot.
"..."
This close up, it was the first time since that brief chat in the training grounds. I'd always thought it, but Eirin was truly beautiful. In my previous life as an A-rank hunter, I'd stood shoulder-to-shoulder with countless people, sometimes clashing swords, but I'd never met anyone who outshone her in looks. And she had untouchable talent on top of it. No wonder the kids revered her.
"So... what's this about? Did I do something wrong?"
"No."
Then why'd she call me? Tilting my head, Eirin gave a small shrug and continued.
"I call students in for consultations at the start of every semester. To understand them deeply and suggest the best paths for growth."
"Ah."
Impressive. I didn't recall the homeroom teacher for Karen's Class D doing anything like this. Assuming 30 minutes per student, with nearly 40 in Class A, that's over 20 hours by simple math. And from no one less than Eirin herself. She knew better than anyone how precious those 20 hours were. She was amazing in so many ways.
"You must be working hard."
"I see it as nurturing juniors. If my help makes you grow now, later when I'm overwhelmed, I'll have reliable comrades to watch my back."
She answered neatly, then started questioning me right away.
"Chosen your major yet?"
The same question Shaolin had tossed at me earlier.
"No. I don't even know what I'm talented in yet."
"..."
Eirin closed her eyes briefly, pondering in silence. Probably recalling my aptitude test results.
"Your results were a bit unusual, but no need to worry much. History's full of powerhouses who lacked clear aptitudes. Or maybe, rarely, the tester glitched. Don't stress."
As she slowly opened her eyes, her long lashes trembled.
"And you have an innate ability. Use it as your compass, hone it, and someday you might stand on the same battlefield as me."
"Think that day will come?"
"Very possible. You are..."
She trailed off, swallowing her words, and hurried to the next question. What was she about to say? It piqued my curiosity a bit.
"Nothing. Next—do you have any goals you want to achieve?"
"Hmm... not really any grand ambitions. If I had to say, maybe becoming an outstanding purifier like you, Professor?"
"...I see."
She let out a deep breath, sounding relieved somehow.
"If you come up with something later, let me know. I'll help as far as I can reach."
"I'll hold you to that. No take-backs, right?"
"Sure."
She took my joke in stride without batting an eye. After that, the talk didn't delve into anything particularly helpful for my growth. For example:
"How's school life treating you? Any inconveniences?"
"Couldn't be better. Facilities are great, and I can focus on growing without worries."
Questions about school life.
"Good. Making friends okay?"
"I'm kinda shy, so not a ton, but I've got some that click with me."
Questions about friends.
"No one bullying or isolating you? Because you're human, I mean."
"Hmm... a few give me dirty looks, but nothing worth caring about. No one's come at me to mess with me."
Questions about bullying. Was this really a growth consultation? It felt less like a deep professor-student talk and more like chatting with a cool older sister about recent happenings. Not that I minded, but I worried her precious time was being wasted on trivialities.
"Humans have infinite potential, just like any other race. The one who saved m— sorry, misspoke."
She cleared her throat lightly and continued.
"Anyway, if any student or professor treats you unfairly, tell me. I'll handle it."
"Thanks for looking out."
"No need. It's my duty."
The small talk continued, and about 40 minutes after it started—
"...That's it for today's consultation. Thanks for your time. I'd love to buy you dinner, but I've got plans after."
She rose slowly. I stood too.
"No, you've worked harder, Professor. Dinner... buy it for me next time I do something impressive."
"Deal. See you later."
She gave a small wave and left the classroom first. Watching her retreating figure, I smiled faintly. The meeting with Eirin, which had felt suffocating at first, had gone surprisingly pleasantly. Shame it only happened once at the semester's start.
"Well, there'll be more chances."
Stretching my stiff body, I shook my head. Checking the time—5:30 already. Swing by the training grounds quick, then home—
One week has passed since you began living at Providence.
The Limit Break function has been unlocked.
Limit... Break?
"...Finally."
Plans changed. No detours—straight home. No distractions.