Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: It's Okay Because I'm a Genius Even If I'm Terminal
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Taegak's commendations come in all varieties.
Among them, we earned a martial commendation for showcasing exceptional prowess.
With everything so chaotic, there was no formal ceremony—just Professor Lee Taek-jin handing them out in the president's stead, or so I'd heard.
That matched the original story, where a slightly amped-up Lee Taek-jin served as a key highlight.
A student's achievements reflect directly on their supervising professor, after all, and his reputation score had shot up as a result.
“Hahaha, this professor sure has a knack for lucky disciples.”
But this time, something felt off.
The surprise visitor who followed was an elderly professor with a shock of white hair: Cha Myeong-hwan.
“……Thank you for joining us.”
“What’s an old backroom codger like me got but time?”
He didn't look like he was just dropping by for a visit—more like he had business.
I had no clue what had changed.
Lee Taek-jin, usually brimming with confidence, just looked downright uncomfortable today.
It made sense, though.
Even as a hotshot rising professor, his tenure couldn't hold a candle to Cha Myeong-hwan's.
Cha Myeong-hwan was practically Taegak's most senior faculty—it wouldn't be an exaggeration.
He was three or four classes ahead of the current president, and I recalled him already being a professor back when Lee Taek-jin was still a student here.
……Anyway.
“Professor Cha will conduct the commendation ceremony.”
“Very well.”
Cha Myeong-hwan approached at Kim Mi-young's guidance.
Cheon Seo-yun and I straightened up, quick on the uptake.
Cha Myeong-hwan adjusted his glasses and took the commendation certificate from Kim Mi-young.
“First recipient, Student Cheon Seo-yun, step forward…….”
“Hold on, Assistant Kim.”
He cut her off midsentence.
“……Pardon?”
“No, the order seems wrong. Alphabetical makes more sense, no?”
“There are no fixed rules for…….”
“Student Park Ha-yul first.”
He addressed me in a tone soft as a spring breeze.
……What’s with this old geezer?
His eyes were weird too—like a grandpa gazing at his favorite grandson.
“…Ah, yes, sir.”
The unearned goodwill felt heavy, but I stepped forward anyway.
Only then did Cha Myeong-hwan read the inscription on the certificate in a firm, satisfied voice.
“This student has consistently honed their skills…….”
I bowed deeply to receive it. He patted my shoulder with a pleased smile.
“I must be getting senile. Overlooking a gem like you. I've got something important to discuss—meet me separately later.”
Cha Myeong-hwan shifted aside and handed over the certificate with a suddenly impassive expression.
“As fellow alumni.”
That was that.
“……That’s it?”
“What else?”
“But why did I get…….”
Cheon Seo-yun pouted, looking hard done by, but the reply was curt.
“What’s the big deal about a sword specialist getting a sword commendation?”
“Even so, she saved a student in peril…….”
“Tsk tsk. That’s just basic.”
A winter gale swept through.
Cheon Seo-yun muttered something about using a sword too, but got neatly ignored.
“Regardless, well done, both of you. You—come see me.”
Cha Myeong-hwan cleared his throat, then dragged me to a quiet corner and broached the subject carefully.
“It's about an opportunity that might help you…….”
Here's the gist.
Taegak hosts a major event called “seminar season” toward semester's end.
Professors from theory courses invite field experts for talks and such—a chance to flex influence at a pretty prestigious gathering……
Cha Myeong-hwan wanted to introduce me as his direct disciple.
He'd even give me a slot for a short presentation—get ready, he said……
Why history? The answer came quick.
“Your exam answer sheet. Try as I might, nothing tops it.”
……The formative evaluation.
The one I'd filled out with a little “perusal” boost must've impressed him enough to recruit me to his camp.
“Professor. Sorry to interrupt, but making decisions like this without consulting me—her supervising professor…….”
“Ah, hadn't mentioned it to you? Haha, my apologies.”
But the vibe was turning strange.
He'd been dying to devour me just the other day……
The arriving Lee Taek-jin wore his displeasure openly.
“A place of learning—affiliations hardly matter.”
“Fair point, but time's short. Student Park Ha-yul's attending the Demonic Beast Studies forum I'm hosting.”
“Demonic Beast Studies?”
Me?
Why that?
I stared blankly, while Cha Myeong-hwan smirked and pressed on.
“A rootless practical course—what’s so vital about it?”
“Practical doesn't mean worthless. It's the sole theory subject on the Night Raid Team selection exam.”
Lee Taek-jin's retort hung tension in the air.
“Tsk tsk. Why not ask the student directly?”
In the end, the fire landed on me.
……Shit.
Both professors fixed their gazes here. I swallowed hard.
Seemed trivial, but it wasn't.
One was my vindictive psycho supervising prof. The other? Taegak's infamous stubborn old fox.
Honestly, Demonic Beast Studies or History—neither thrilled me. But I couldn't say it.
Had to pick one. Either way, I'd catch flak.
On a faint hope, I glanced around.
Kim Mi-young had already bugged out. Cheon Seo-yun……
……Never mind.
She was glaring daggers, face twisted like she'd eaten shit, cursing me under her breath.
Had to handle this solo.
Somehow satisfy them both.
I hesitated, then spoke.
“Uh…….”
* * *
Guardian Hospital in Gangnam.
VIP room so swanky, sans medical gear, you'd swear it was a hotel.
Ju A-rin—fit as a fiddle yet confined three straight days—got a welcome guest.
“Body holding up?”
“Sister!”
Jeong Ae-ri, right on cue with two coffees.
“Club situation sorted?”
“So-so. Few victims—blessed luck.”
She handed over a cup and took the seat opposite.
First meet since the incident wrapped, so the talk turned serious.
She'd been the one to rope in Roberto for the special lecture, after all.
Jeong Ae-ri couldn't hide her guilt the whole chat; Ju A-rin just kept insisting it was fine.
Their hard-earned bond didn't crumble easy. The mood thawed fast.
That's when Jeong Ae-ri cut to the chase.
“The two who saved you—one's Park Ha-yul, right?”
“Huh?”
The out-of-nowhere question flustered Ju A-rin.
Government had asked her to keep incident details hush.
She faltered. Jeong Ae-ri's lips curved knowingly.
“Hmm, sounds like deep feelings. Noticed you vanished right off~”
Park Ha-yul likes Ju A-rin—that's why he saved her. Pure assumption.
The hasty misunderstanding chafed. Ju A-rin had no choice but to explain.
“Truth is, he got the message too. That's why he came…….”
“Aha. Still, he charged in no hesitation? Park Ha-yul wouldn't bother if he didn't care.”
“…….”
“No thank-you yet?”
Bullseye. Ju A-rin nodded mutely.
No breathing room then, and it'd felt awkward anyway—truth was, she'd put it off.
“Do it quick. Drags on, gets weirder.”
“Got it, sister.”
Mentioned it, so Ju A-rin pulled out her phone.
…But what to send?
Noisy voices erupted outside the room right then.
“Man, bet I'll never snag another commendation like that.”
“So what'd Park Ha-yul say?”
“That sly fox. Come hear for yourself—I'm speechless.”
“Wait that long? Spill it.”
Not just the usual bickering duo, Cheon Seo-yun and Lee Dae-ho—
“I'm dying to know—tell me?”
Even Baek Sa-young's voice, who'd been holing up at the comprehensive training grounds lately for that “rich belly” goal.
“Exact meaning's fuzzy. Weird idiom about natural order or whatever—Lee Taek-jin nodded, Cha Myeong-hwan roared laughing? Anyway, top secret—keep it zipped.”
Yelling like that a secret?
Ears perked, Jeong Ae-ri rose.
“Next guests incoming—I'll head out.”
“Already?”
Ju A-rin trailed to the door, regret plain.
Jeong Ae-ri—hand on the knob—flashed a loaded smile.
“But A-rin? That guy's solid.”
“Ah, sister, seriously.”
“Pfft—you've never even dated. Mull it over.”
Before Ju A-rin could retort, Jeong Ae-ri bolted out.
* * *
Office thick with tension.
I broke the silence, relaying to Cha Myeong-hwan thus:
克己復禮
克己復禮 (Overcome self, restore rites).
Shed private greed, uphold propriety—couldn't defy my supervising professor……
But nuance matters—even same words vary by a hair's breadth.
In framing “shed private greed,” I hinted at greater interest in history, sparing Cha Myeong-hwan's face. Yet ultimately chose Demonic Beast Studies—Lee Taek-jin had no grounds to gripe.
“Tsk tsk, young buck's righteous to boot. Understood. I'll yield this round. Swing by the lab after class, though. Tea at least.”
Unexpected addition to my schedule.
Class done, I stopped by Cha Myeong-hwan's lab.
Worth cultivating the connection—big help down the line, history ties aside.
Deep dive chat, roughly an hour.
Debated history's worth and future path, then headed out of Taegak for Ju A-rin's bedside visit.
Nothing pressing for the moment.
A special event in a week, sure—but no main episode heft. Plenty time to make an appearance.
Portal to Gangnam Station, ten-minute walk: there loomed the ritzy hospital.
Guardian Hospital.
Top-tier in Korea, courtesy of its conglomerate backers.
Glanced over, then entered. Phone buzzed right then.
[Thank you. Late, but had to say it. Let's be good 'colleagues' going forward.]
Sender: Ju A-rin.
Good colleagues? The phrasing felt off.
“Author?”
Unfamiliar title rang out.
Turned: Jeong Ae-ri stood there, like she'd been waiting.
Gave a warm greeting.
“Hello, sunbae.”
“Even nicer bumping into you out here. Bedside visit?”
“Yeah. You just came from?”
“Guilt trip—had to stamp presence first. Perfect timing. Got something for you.”
Beaming, she approached and handed over a document envelope.
“Portrait of a Girl rental contract. Sign it, and we'll exhibit starting today.”
“Ah, right.”
Busy, I'd spaced it.
“One sec. Got you.”
Struck while iron hot: pulled out the contract, scribbled signatures where needed.
Passed her a copy. Then she asked,
“No curiosity on the rental fee?”
Rental fee?
Numbers finally registered.
Whoa.
Eyes popped, then played it cool.
One year: 600 million won.
“Think of it as bare-minimum sincerity.”
“Ahem. If you insist.”
Fought the grin, nodded.
“Head on up.”
Satisfied smile as she pocketed the papers.
Nodded back, farewell exchanged. About to resume walking.
“Author—one bit of advice?”
Advice?
What'd I miss? Stared; she leaned in, whispering.
“Don't give up—see it through~ Might get that happy ending.”
“Huh?”
Give up what?
“I'm rooting for you. Later.”
Humming cheerfully, Jeong Ae-ri exited the hospital.
I shrugged it off and headed to the room.