Chapter 944
Chapter 944
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 944
Chapter Title: Academy's Savior
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After finishing dinner, we stopped by a pet cafe nearby. Specifically, a dog cafe.
Kang Ji-young was the type who liked dogs—a fact I’d tucked away from my knowledge of the original game. She didn't wear her heart on her sleeve, but she didn't object when I suggested it, either. She went through the disinfection process with a level of seriousness usually reserved for dungeon raids, carefully reading through every cafe rule.
"I didn't expect you to suggest a place like this. Do you actually like dogs?"
"I like them well enough," I replied, lying through my teeth without blinking.
Truthfully? I’m indifferent. Pets are a hassle—barking, shedding, constant attention. Unless it’s a beautiful woman on a leash, I’m not interested. We sat at a corner table, and almost immediately, a small terrier came bounding over to Ji-young. She let out a rare, genuine smile and petted its head. It was like they could sense her affinity; soon, she was the center of a canine huddle.
Meanwhile, I was a ghost to them. One medium-sized pup eventually wandered over, shedding fur like it was his job. I caught his eye. Male. From an angle Ji-young couldn't see, I gave him a firm nudge with the tip of my shoe. The mutt actually had the gall to glare at me before retreating to the safety of the 'S-rank' lap.
"Looks like the dogs don't like you much," she noted.
"Yeah, seems that way," I muttered, slurping my orangeade.
We stayed for a while before heading back out into the night. It was 9:32 PM. We had less than thirty minutes left on our 'contractual' date. Ji-young walked slightly ahead of me, her posture rigid and her eyes fixed on the path ahead. That unshakable confidence was her trademark.
"Can I hold your hand?"
"Is that really necessary?"
"We're on a date, Ji-young. It’s part of the package."
"......"
Her eye twitched, but she let out a resigned sigh and held out her hand. I took it. Her skin was soft but her grip was firm.
"Takes me back, doesn't it?"
"Yeah... You were always grabbing my hand when you were a kid," she reminisced. Back then, I’d used any excuse to be near her, laying the groundwork for exactly this moment. She hadn't changed much—she was still the same stunning woman, just with more 'weight' to her name.
"I'm planning to start a club soon..."
"Don't look at me for favors. Follow the procedures: one advisor, five members. As long as it isn't something degenerate, it’ll be approved."
As we talked, the atmosphere shifted.
Drip. Drip. Drop.
The sky opened up. What started as a light drizzle became a localized monsoon in under ten seconds. It was absurdly sudden. Pedestrians began scattering, diving into shop entryways to stay dry. Ji-young and I just stood there in the middle of the sidewalk.
"Not going to run?" I asked.
"Running from rain is beneath me. Besides, we’re already soaked. It’s a bit late for caution."
She was right. Her blouse was plastered to her skin, highlighting her curves in a way that made my throat dry despite the downpour. I took off my jacket and draped it over her head. She looked at me with genuine confusion.
"Does this actually accomplish anything?"
"It’s better than nothing."
"I have S-rank endurance, Yu-jin. I don't catch colds."
"Normal boyfriends do this anyway. Just accept the gesture."
"You watch way too many dramas."
"Blame Mom. She watches them when she’s bored."
I stepped into her personal space. She sighed, but she didn't back away. "We're not that kind of couple," she whispered.
"Not yet. It's been 57 minutes of the final hour. Three more to go."
I could see the hesitation in her eyes. Normally, she was a fortress, but the mood, the rain, and the proximity were wearing her down. I tugged the jacket slightly so it shielded her face from any prying eyes.
"I don't get it," she murmured. "There are so many girls your age... why me?"
"Right now, you're the only one I see, Ji-young."
I locked eyes with her. She stared back, searching for a lie she wouldn't find. Finally, she broke.
"...Exactly three minutes." She closed her eyes.
I smirked. Mission accomplished. This whole day had been a build-up for this spark. I leaned in.
Our wet lips met. Squish. They were soft, springy, and tasted of the rain. She remained still, letting me take the lead. I rubbed my lips against hers slowly, coaxing them open. She complied in sync.
Twitch.
Her body shuddered as I slipped my tongue inside. I didn't rush. Usually, I’d use every technique in my arsenal to blow a girl's mind, but with Ji-young, that would be too aggressive. I kept it slow, our tongues mingling. Every time I brushed against her, I felt a jolt of mana pass between us.
She started to heat up. Her hands moved to my shoulders, trembling at first before gripping tight. When we finally broke apart, sticky strands of silver connected us for a heartbeat. Rain and saliva trailed down her chin.
"Three minutes are up. The date is over."
Her voice was more clipped than usual. She turned and walked away into the rain without looking back, my jacket still draped over her head. I chuckled to myself. I’d seen her face right before she turned—she was flushed a deep crimson.
The seed was planted. Now it just needed a little 'sunlight' to sprout.
I pulled out my phone. It was 11:02 PM. We’d been kissing for five minutes, not three. I activated Heavenly Eye and watched her retreating figure. She walked with her usual pride for a block, then suddenly stopped, clenched her fist, and bonked herself on the head in frustration.
"Kuh, heh." I burst out laughing. She was actually embarrassed.
Affection hit 61. Perfect. I headed home to a likely anxious Sung Ha-ri.
---
???
The next day, I pushed open the door to the guidance office, my face twisted like I’d just bitten into a lemon. I wasn't there by choice. I’d been summoned. My mountain of tardies had finally collapsed on me, and it was time to pay the piper.
'Cleaning toilets at my age... I should just summon Moka or Maki. A single spirit orb would have them scrubbing floors in seconds.'
I scanned the room. It was half-empty since most second-years were out on fieldwork.
"Sung Yu-jin? Head into the chief's office."
I nodded to the third-year senior and stepped inside. The Guidance Chief, Namgung Hwa-yeon, was buried in paperwork.
"Give me a second... almost done."
I sat down and glanced at her desk. It was the daily log. My name was highlighted in red—penalty points for tardiness.
"Sunbae, aren't you supposed to be on fieldwork?"
"I'm the Chief. My schedule is different. My guidance duties count toward my field credits." She finished a paragraph—something about a spirit building inspection.
"So, where’s my mop? I’d prefer a clean bathroom if possible."
"Bathroom? No. Your punishment is inspecting and cleaning the old Spirit Department building with me."
"The spirit building? The haunted one?"
"That’s the rumor."
Every academy has its ghosts. Maruhan’s were all clustered in that abandoned building. In the original game, there was an entire event dedicated to exploring it, though the timing was off now.
"Why now? It’s been abandoned for thirteen years."
"Because the new Spirit Studies teacher just arrived. Her name is Kalles. The Vice Principal ordered a full sweep of the facilities before she moves in."
"And they’re making the Guidance Committee do it?"
"The faculty is short-staffed due to the fieldwork. We’re essentially the academy’s glorified errand runners. No complaints, though—it gets us out of classes." She stood up and buckled her sword.
"Just the two of us? For an entire building?"
"You'll see. Besides, you aren't in a position to negotiate."
'Alone with Namgung Hwa-yeon in a haunted building? Maybe these penalty points aren't so bad after all.'
---
???
When we arrived at the abandoned building, I realized what Hwa-yeon meant by "You'll see." We weren't alone.
Standing by the rusted gates was a woman with short gray hair and taut, chocolate-brown skin. Her grayish eyes were sharp, and her lips were full. It was Kalles, the dark elf teacher. She was wearing a long black skirt with a dangerously high side-slit, revealing firm thighs and slim calves.
"You finally made it?"
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Teacher," Hwa-yeon said apologetically.
"It’s fine. I just got here myself. Hmng..." Kalles turned her attention to me, her eyes traveling up and down my frame.
"You're Sung Yu-jin, aren't you?"
"...You know me?"
"Of course. You're the only other spiritist in this entire academy. I was supposed to be teaching security, but a certain influential parent pulled some strings to move me to Spirit Studies. In a way, you're the reason I'm here."
"My fault? Sorry about that."
Kalles stepped into my space, her hand traveling from my shoulder to my cheek. Her nails were long, her touch cool against my skin. She smelled of the deep forest—earthy and intoxicating. I knew exactly who the 'influential parent' was. Sung Ha-ri was finally putting her status to use.
"No need to apologize. I prefer it this way. Focusing on one talented student is better than dealing with a classroom full of mediocrity. And... you smell wonderful. Your spirit affinity is off the charts. Spirits must adore you. Hmng... and elves do, too."
Her breath tickled my ear. I immediately opened her status window to see if she was just being 'teacherly' or if she was serious.
Affection 50 right off the bat.
'Guess I’m exactly her type. This "punishment" just got a lot more interesting.'