Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: Aftermath of First Place
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The aftermath of getting first place in the formation evaluation subsided surprisingly easily.
“This theory evaluation first place is no big deal... That bastard had insanely good luck with the individual sparring draw too.”
It was because Kang Cheol-min and Seol Yun-gi’s gang, their faces twisted in fury, were stomping around everywhere yelling at the top of their lungs.
It seemed like it was for Seol Yun-gi, who’d been pushed down to third place, to recover his honor or something...
But Seol Yun-gi himself was quietly glaring at his phone, then suddenly fixed his gaze on me.
“......”
It was probably the first time since falling into this world. The first time we’d properly faced each other.
Our brief eye contact ended when Seol Yun-gi looked away again.
Still, it was a pretty meaningful reaction.
It was rare for him to show interest in anyone besides the protagonist.
Meanwhile, the puzzled students began nodding one by one.
“Well, that makes sense then.”
“He does seem smart, though. He passed the last practical training evaluation all by himself.”
Of course, the ones with prior history of getting tangled up with me in various incidents.
“What’s with that retard Kang Cheol-min...”
“Ignore him.”
Like Cheon Seo-yoon and Joo Ah-rin, for example.
“Why’s Park Ha-yul just sitting there? Isn’t he stronger than that guy?”
“He’s not the type to step up usually.”
Lee Dae-ho and Baek Sa-young, who’d fought together with me at the auction house, had different reactions.
“Ha-yul-kun. Is this the leisure of the strong?”
Chul-su, who knew the full story of the Roberto incident, also wore a meaningful smile.
I just let it be.
Arguing with childish idiots would only make me more childish.
It was annoying to wrestle with a 21-year-old when I was 28.
“Everyone checked?”
The supervising professor, who’d tolerated the commotion, clapped her hands.
“From today, we’re moving into video analysis. You’ll watch recordings of battles by great figures left in the records, write weekly reports, and submit them...”
The students let out sighs at the word “reports,” but shut their mouths under the professor’s sharply glinting gaze.
“Anyone with complaints, raise your hand. I’ll pull you out and train you personally.”
That female professor. Small stature, but tough as nails.
No one raised their hand, so the professor began the lesson she’d put off.
“The first video is a recording of a spar between former Exorcist Unit 9 Captain Jin Cheol-yong and Vice-Captain Kang Man-sik. As a matchup between the mage faction and the superhuman faction...”
A large screen unfurled in the front, and the battle footage soon played.
I habitually pulled out my Heavenly Silken Thread.
Oh ho.
It was pretty informative and interesting, so before I knew it, I was glued to the screen.
...Wonder if I can learn combat patterns just by watching.
* * *
Back in my orphanage days, I was a tough kid when it came to religion.
Full Gospel, Truth Society, Grace Church, Jogye Order, Cheontae Order, Taego Order, Presbyterian... what else was there.
Lots of places came looking for me, and I still remember how varied the denominations and sects were.
I called a monk “Pastor,” and a pastor “Nun,” which soured the atmosphere more than once.
So I hated it?
Nah.
They brought hefty gifts, and it was a feast day with foods we couldn’t normally eat. Why would I say no?
I even remember dancing with Yoo So-young one Christmas.
The prizes were pretty flashy.
...Anyway.
The reason I dredged up those old memories was the changed atmosphere on the day of the Vatican visit.
Vatican and Taehak. A historic East-meets-West encounter for the ages.
Vatican consulting Taehak on education.
Streets were lined with placards commemorating the meeting of these two giant institutions—what exactly they were consulting on was anyone’s guess—and the main building, where vehicles would enter and the welcome ceremony would take place, had been under lockdown since early morning.
Thanks to that, there was a silver lining.
Classes were shortened, using the hectic atmosphere as an excuse.
“Ha-yul-kun. You really not going? It’s not too late even now.”
“No need.”
I left the classroom more leisurely than usual and shook off Chul-su, who was following behind.
...But what’s this now.
I suddenly spotted the headband on Chul-su’s head and stopped in my tracks.
It had “Leina” written boldly in Korean letters, like some idol merch...
Chubby Chul-su wearing it was hideous beyond ignoring.
“You have to wear that?”
“Of course. It’s a limited-edition good I barely got.”
“Limited edition?”
“It’s a pretty pricey item. They say it sparkles when holy power activates nearby.”
They’ve got all kinds of stuff. Really...
“Don’t act like you know me for a while.”
“I figured you’d say that, so I got one for you too, Ha-yul-kun.”
“What?”
Chul-su grinned widely as he approached, and I scowled.
Beyond embarrassing, having that woman’s name plastered on my head...
What if I got accused of blasphemy?
Just imagining it made my skin crawl.
“I’m good.”
“Really? It’s an enchanted item with detection magic.”
...Enchanted?
“If you don’t want it, no helping...”
“Hand it over.”
I snatched the headband quick.
I wanted a finished teaching aid for better spirit transplantation with superior spells.
If I analyzed the magic circle on the headband and understood the principle of encapsulation, it’d be much easier.
“As expected, Ha-yul-kun’s a guy too.”
“...Gotta go, busy.”
After parting with Chul-su, I stopped by the student cafeteria.
Early lunch, plus the Vatican event aftermath, so seats were plenty.
I loaded up on high-protein food, stepped out, and the noise of mics and cheers swirled in my ears.
The event had started.
“The comprehensive training ground should be empty.”
Best to train while others play.
I strolled the now-quiet Taehak streets toward the comprehensive training ground.
...But then.
That’s when the odd man and woman caught my eye.
A robed foreign woman and two Taehak students surrounding her.
Faces that seemed familiar somehow, and I knew the name of the pretty-boy thug among them.
Lee Dong-wook, probably.
From a mid-tier noble family, infamous even among Seol Yun-gi’s gang for being the worst.
“No, you said you were sightseeing Taehak. We’ll help you out?”
“Heh heh, just trust and follow us. We’re not bad guys.”
Their voices carried despite me not wanting to hear, so I quickly grasped the situation.
No idea how she’d slipped away during the event, but the woman seemed Vatican-affiliated, and those two were hitting on her like it was a done deal.
“Tch, thugs gonna thug.”
No intention of meddling, so I pretended not to notice and kept walking.
......
But why.
A sudden ominous, dangerous sensation crawled up my spine...
Caught by the inexplicable unease, I stopped.
I cautiously turned my head toward the source.
Staring hard at the priestess with her fairly common face, aside from being foreign.
“Uh...”
Then I froze like a statue.
Someone who shouldn’t be here right now... was here.
Thanks to perspective, I could see it with my eyes.
A bluish film enveloping her entire head, and beyond it, golden pupils framed by silver hair.
It was definitely her.
Officially a saintess, but actually from the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Successor to the infamous Inquisition from ages past...
Vatican’s “holy” weapon that shows not a shred of mercy if she deems the opponent evil or a blasphemer.
Leina von Bien Hildebrandt.
But why’s she here? What about the ongoing event?
[‘Greed’ shudders, calling it a creepy woman.]
[It screams to hide for a bit and not get found.]
I stroked my numb right hand and gazed into the air.
No intervention from 4885, at least.
The sky was unusually clear, no blocking messages.
“Hey. Why’re you quiet? You think we’re pushovers?”
Meanwhile, idiot Lee Dong-wook poked the sleeping lion’s whiskers.
“Damn pricey act. You came to learn at Taehak anyway, right?”
The blond next to him went all-in on dying, spewing blasphemy without hesitation.
...If a clash happens now?
Vatican-Taehak agreement down the drain.
The main plotline derails. Sweat beaded just as—
“No, doesn’t your god teach manners...”
“Hey. Shut that mouth?”
The moment Lee Dong-wook poked the god, my body moved first.
Lee Dong-wook flinched, recognized me, and smirked.
“What? You interested too?”
“Interested my ass. Scram, moron.”
“M-moron? What the hell did this punk eat wrong. Do you know who I...”
Ignoring the extra’s bluster, I approached Leina, who was staring at me with impassive eyes.
Confidently grabbing her robe, I boldly declared.
“Priestess. Come with me.”
“......”
“......No, please come with me.”
Then switched to polite, and dragged her any which way.
“You nuts?”
“......”
“Fucking unbelievable. I’m telling you, man. I ate with Yun-gi the other day, man. Even hit the sauna together, man.”
Lee Dong-wook’s yells echoed behind, but I ignored.
Saving that punk would just lead to more crap anyway.
More importantly, now what?
I’d pulled her out fearing trouble...
My head was a mess from the plot deviation. Then—
“Where are you taking me?”
Leina stopped, clutching my jacket.
Her distinctive flat speech and chilling voice brushed my ear, reminding me there was something to do before blindly walking.
“As a fellow Taehak student, I apologize first for those rude idiots.”
I bowed politely on behalf of the morons.
Not because I was scared of her or anything.
...Really.
Fortunately, Leina just nodded without retort. I paused, then cautiously opened my mouth.
“I’ll escort you to student affairs. Tell me the situation, and I’ll guide you to the event hall...”
“No.”
“......Pardon?”
What’s this now.
Bewildered stare, and Leina continued.
“I haven’t properly toured Taehak yet. So you guide me.”
“......Me?”
Red flags blared in my head right then.
Taehak tour and escort request wasn’t in the original.
Feeling an ominous entanglement, I subtly tugged my jacket to pull away.
Retreat first, then figure out why this happened.
“......Nngh.”
But contrary to intent, my jacket wouldn’t budge.
Like a bear pinning with its paw, immovable. So I tried soothing.
“Priestess? Let go of that first at least...”
“No.”
“Hey, no need for force. I’m kinda busy...”
“I’m busy too.”
“Then just go. Honestly, nothing to see.”
“Please.”
Leina refused the refusal.
She yanked my jacket— and strode ahead.
“Okay. I’ll guide, so let go of the hand.”
No choice, dragged along, I resolved.
Since it came to this, I’d uncover why this anomaly happened myself...