Chapter 70: Hero Academy Amusements
Once Han So-young's brief greeting at the grand auditorium wrapped up, she stepped down from the stage, mentioning she'd take a look around the Hero Academy after so long away.
At her words, the crowd scattered in a hurry to their rooms or around the academy, hoping for a chance to meet her one-on-one.
But the ones who actually ended up face-to-face with her were Siu and Hye-yeon.
"H-Hello! I'm Baek Hye-yeon!"
"Nice to meet you. I'm happy to meet you too."
Even without any explanation, So-young quickly grasped the situation and responded to Hye-yeon's greeting with a bright smile.
And so began the swordsmanship sparring session at Siu's request.
The outcome was all too predictable.
"Hah, hah... haaah...!"
"You're from Earth, right? Impressive. To build up this level of skill on your own."
"Th-thank you... hah...!"
"No need to thank me. It's all thanks to your talent and hard work."
So-young lightly tossed the practice iron sword, slotting it perfectly into the weapon rack, then let out a soft hmph as she looked down at Hye-yeon sprawled on the floor, gasping for breath.
She's truly remarkable.
It might sound harsh, but Hye-yeon was lucky to have been summoned here—this world suited her far better than Earth. Her talent was the kind that could never be satisfied with swordsmanship as a structured sport.
But with wars raging on and the mystical power of mana existing here, her gifts would bloom fully. Even mana awakening, the biggest hurdle, was already behind her—no issues there.
She's intriguing...
Glancing at Siu, she saw him mouthing words clearly enough to read from afar.
She'd been pondering the same thing, so her hesitation vanished.
"Hye-yeon."
"Hah... Y-yes?!"
Having caught her breath somewhat, she propped herself up with the iron sword she'd clung to until the end.
"If you could train under me... what would you say?"
"Huh?! Train... me in swordsmanship...?"
Hye-yeon's eyes widened in shock.
Yet So-young could see the corner of her mouth twitching as she fought back a grin of joy.
"Yes. What do you think? If you want it, I'll teach you after graduation. Of course, we'll both be busy, so it won't be frequent... but surely better than training alone?"
Better? It would be a massive boost to restoring her swordsmanship.
"Y-Yes! I mean, absolutely!"
"Great. See you after graduation, then."
"Yes! ...Um, but... aren't you based in the Glazer Empire, Hero So-young? I... uh..."
She trailed off, shooting a glance at Siu.
"...plan to naturalize in the Palania Kingdom..."
A smile crept across Siu's lips at her words.
Classic Hye-yeon. Convincing her had been tough, but since he'd kept his promise, she'd honor hers no matter what. That's the kind of woman she was. It had taken time and wasn't entirely her own power, but it was enough.
"That's fine."
"Huh?"
"I'm a hero of the Glazer Empire, but I expect to spend quite a bit of time in Palania."
So-young smiled at Siu.
That was the solution she and Siu had come up with. She'd never said she wouldn't stay in Palania—just that she wouldn't naturalize.
The empire bound its heroes tightly, but the contracts had plenty of loopholes. Without them, heroes would flock elsewhere despite Glazer's generous support.
Glazer required heroes to spend at least two-thirds of their non-mission time within the empire annually. But it was a toothless rule—exceptions abounded for friends, family, travel, and such.
So-young planned to flip it: most of her year in Palania, more precisely, by Siu's side.
"...In that case, I'm relieved."
Thinking it was just because of her friendship with Siu, Hye-yeon nodded in relief.
"I need to talk to Siu alone... mind giving us the room?"
"Of course. I should head back to my party members anyway."
"Perfect. Catch you later."
"Yes!"
Once Hye-yeon left, Siu and So-young, now alone, slipped into a secluded corner.
Confirming no one was around, they threw their arms around each other.
"Siu♡"
"Mama!"
Her eyes brimmed with affection.
Her smile lifted his spirits instantly.
"What brings you here?"
Siu asked in a voice still laced with surprise.
He hadn't heard a thing, yet here she was at the academy. Their next meeting was supposed to be at graduation or later in Palania's royal palace—both were swamped, especially her with return prep.
"I missed you, obviously! Hehe."
"Wasn't your return prep supposed to be hush-hush?"
"It was, but leaks were starting. So I figured, why not go public myself? Plus, I won't make it to graduation. Good excuse all around."
"Ah, makes sense. An SS-grade hero's movements—one of only four on the continent—draw attention. And depending on things, it could shake up the hero landscape."
They hadn't announced Siu as her adopted son yet.
Still, adding an active SS-grade to the continent's strongest nation, Glazer, was huge. The Holy Bishura Empire and Cheonan Empire each had one, and the southern demons wouldn't stay calm.
"Seeing you like this... it's nice."
"Hehe, same here♡"
So-young gazed at Siu with loving eyes.
She thought of him countless times a day.
She didn't crave the main wife spot and was fine with him taking lovers, but it didn't soothe her heart entirely. Imagining him frolicking with pretty girls while she prepped her return left a jealous pang.
"Haa... seeing you is so nice..."
Releasing the hug, she pulled him back in, murmuring.
Mysteriously, his scent and warmth calmed her.
Whether it was something innate or psychological, she couldn't say.
"By the way, son."
"Yes?"
"How long ago was your engagement set, and you're already bringing another girlfriend?"
Siu chuckled at her playful tone.
His betrothal to Helena, Glazer's 3rd Princess, came via imperial negotiations, but it was postponed post-graduation under the pretext of A-grade hero status being better than candidate.
"Girlfriend? Nah, not yet."
"Not yet? So you're aiming for it?"
"Well... depending on the situation, maybe."
He was honest, but discussing it with So-young felt awkward, drawing an embarrassed smile. He called her Mama and treated her like one, but she was his woman first.
"Mama approves."
"Oh yeah?"
"She looks sweet and innocent at a glance. Tons of talent too... Why not build a massive harem cartel for my son!"
"......???"
Siu blinked in confusion at her enthusiasm, surpassing even his own.
She might click with Elaine. Normally, jealousy would spike, but she hid it well—no signs. Which made him want to cherish her more.
"Mama."
"Yes, sweetie?"
"When do you leave the academy?"
"Probably after dinner, late tonight... Does my son want Mama gone quick?"
She teased lightly.
Siu hugged her tight without a word, pressing close. The monster between his legs throbbed, nudging her lower belly. Her face flushed at its sudden massive erection.
"Oh my... my son's in heat?"
"Meeting Mama after so long... my body's reacting on its own."
"Hehe, can't be helped then. Mama has to take care of her boy♥"
They vanished into an even more secluded spot.
For two hours, So-young stifled moans from the dizzying pleasure surging from her belly.
The library.
Visitor numbers had grown over time, but the corner table remained Ash's fixed seat. Right next to it was Siu's spot—but he wasn't there now.
"......"
After So-young left the auditorium stage and candidates scattered, Ash drifted here out of habit, like always.
And sank into thought.
She couldn't focus on the book before her at all.
Siu's so popular...
Ash usually holed up in the library instead of hanging with Siu when time allowed.
She understood intellectually but hadn't truly felt it.
Until their first date recently—she knew for sure then.
Countless women eyed him, and many were already his.
The day she'd finally mustered courage for a date. Even showing up over an hour late, he'd waited as promised. How touched she'd been.
In truth, he'd anticipated her tardiness and arrived thirty minutes late himself—but Ash had no clue. He'd even preemptively set out several coffee cups.
And today too...
The throng around Siu: heroes like her, his party members. Even a steel-skinned Goldkin warrior caught her eye, but Ash only saw four standout beauties brimming with talent.
She'd wanted him as her prince alone, but he was too grand for one woman.
Still, Ash wasn't discouraged.
At least one good thing...
Siu was ruthlessly cold to women he ignored. Men too.
So he wasn't just kindly nice to her. Whether lust, romantic interest, or simple liking—what he saw in her, she didn't know.
But it doesn't matter.
He might have endless women.
But she had only him.
With this, Siu will... like me even more♥
"Hehehehe..."
Ash grinned slyly, pulling a book from the stack beside her.
A thick tome with a black cover etched in ancient script.