School Life is Fucking Spectacular # 14
School Life is Fucking Spectacular # 14
"Hallo-hallo! A-Class cadets, good morning! Now, now! Everyone shove your desks back, come out, and line up!"
"Hallo-hallo! Good morning, Class A cadets! Now, everyone push your desks back, come out, and line up!"
Instructor Kawar came in grinning just like last time and launched into a speedy class. Good. Today I wasn't going to make a fool of myself like yesterday. Scream Man? Screw that noise. I was confident nothing would surprise me anymore. I swear.
Getting startled twice by the same trick doesn't make you a person—it makes you a coward.
And I don't consider cowards people... point being, I'm that brave and cool of a man. A battlefield has no use for cowards! Only fearless warriors shall follow me!
"Now, today's lesson! Last time was illusions, so today we'll be learning about Warp Gates!"
Warp Gates, huh.
"Warp Gates! Would our Kim Geun-cheol like to answer what they are?"
"Huh? Uh! No! Why are you suddenly calling on me! Caught me completely off guard!"
What the hell!
That scared the shit out of me!
"Pfft...!"
"Hrk!"
"Hahaha!"
The students were already cracking up.
They just love laughing at everything I do!
"A hero must never let his guard down! So, Kim Geun-cheol? Let's hear your answer?"
"Uh... a Warp Gate is that thing, right? The warping thing? It's when monsters or monsterkin rip through dimensions and come over. I know that much. It's the most basic of common sense—no way I wouldn't know."
I did know that much. So I answered as calmly as possible.
"Ding-dong-deng! Something everyone knows! Well answered!"
Then why did you ask?
"However, these Warp Gates have some unusual properties. I'll explain those in a bit, but first, ordinary monsters do cross over to Earth through these Warp Gates!"
Everyone knows that.
"Well, of course, there are also monsters that went wild and settled. You know about the War Zone in what used to be Gangwon-do, right? The monsters that have taken over that land have gone completely feral and even breed on their own."
Former Gangwon-do?
War Zone?
I'll have to look into that separately.
"Those kinds of monsters break through the defense lines or come in underground, but! What we're studying today are ordinary monsters! We're going to learn about the ones that cross over using Warp Gates!"
"Ooh!"
Full-concentration mode on.
Go ahead. Teach me all you want.
I'll stuff it all into my brain.
This Kim Geun-cheol is definitely going to become an honors student.
"Awakened individuals can usually sense the subtle and peculiar mana wavelength that occurs when a gate opens nearby! Well, some people have a harder time feeling it, but... either way, if you want to avoid surprise attacks from assault-type monsters, you have to train this sense hard! Otherwise, you die!"
Assault-type monsters were the ones that suddenly open a gate and burst out, right?
I glanced at the other students to confirm.
—...
Every single other student had their arms crossed, displaying extreme concentration as they listened intently to Instructor Kawar. Guess I was right.
"To put it simply, think of that Warp Spider we saw on orientation day! Those creatures freely warp and attack! If you aren't on edge, you'll get done in! Just like our Kim Geun-cheol back then!"
—Slash!
Instructor Kawar pointed at me with the most delighted smile!
"Why are you bringing up my name again...!"
"Naturally, because Kim Geun-cheol here is about to be the very first to experience today's lesson!"
"Again! Me again! Again! Why is it always me! I mean! Instructor Kawar! Why me again! Why! How come I'm always the first one you call up!"
As soon as I protested, laughter started spilling out from behind me again!
"The way he talks is seriously so funny...!"
"I think he's a pretty weird kid."
"Keuheuheu! I know, right!"
This is so goddamn unfair!
"Kim Geun-cheol is a bit behind, you see. And when you're behind, you have to stand at the vanguard. Because otherwise, you can never become a hero! Now, come on up front! Kim Geun-cheol!"
"This is...!"
Looking around, the students were watching me with expectant eyes again. That bastard Ken was mouthing "Scream Man" and being a dick. Leona's gaze was also sharp and prickly.
Help me out, Si-hoo!
Wait, that bastard Si-hoo still isn't here?
"Ha, fine. I'm here."
What can you do.
Gotta go up.
"Instructor Kawar. Still, let me just say this in advance—please don't get any strange expectations."
"Hm? Strange expectations, like what?"
"This time will be different. You can toss aside the image of me being scared. I'll show you a completely changed version of myself. So please, try to hold back a little on constantly calling my name."
I'm no underachiever. When I said that, Instructor Kawar covered her mouth as if she was genuinely moved.
"My goodness...! You've become a warrior so quickly! Kim Geun-cheol says he'll show us a brave side! I am so excited!"
Having shouted that with exaggerated emotion, she immediately raised her staff.
"Anyway, what we're doing is simple. Right now, I'm going to summon something like a Warp Gate behind Kim Geun-cheol! Very, very quietly! But since you're an Awakened, you'll feel a peculiar sensation. That's today's entire lesson! Experiencing that sensation!"
A straightforward lesson.
Experiencing what an Awakened like me feels when a Warp Gate opens nearby. An absolutely essential lesson for anyone aiming to become a hero who fights warp-using monsters.
Nothing to be scared of here.
"Still, stay on alert, okay? You never know what might happen. My lessons always demand caution."
"No worries on that front. I'm already there."
Getting fooled once by the same trick is one thing, but twice?
If it happens again, I'm not even human.
"From this moment on, I am Iron-Blooded Kim Geun-cheol. A cadet of steel who fears nothing."
"I-Iron-Blooded Kim Geun-cheol... khh! Anyway! Everyone else watch closely as well! The lesson began! Summon Warp Gate!"
—Fwoosh!
The moment Instructor Kawar shouted.
—Bzzt...!
"Hm?"
Huh?
—Tingle. Tingle.
"Something's!"
Something started tingling at the back of my head! A weird, prickling sensation...! A feeling like something was just barely grazing my head, maddeningly ticklish, kept surging through me!
"Something! I feel something! A strange prickling energy!"
There was no sound, but I could feel it big time!
It's like my hair's standing on end!
"I feel it! I feel it! A weird and peculiar energy at the back of my head!"
Something's behind me! There's something behind me! This is a weird sensation you can't know unless you've experienced it!
"Right? That's the sensation you feel when a gate appears nearby. And feeling it means a monster has appeared close to you."
"Yes! I think I'll be able to notice it right away at this level! I need to go on alert immediately! Combat-ready start! You monster bastard, come out right now!"
"Wow! Our Kim Geun-cheol! Excellent briefing! That's exactly it, exactly! You're following the lesson well!"
"I've always been pretty much a model student..."
"By the way."
"Yes?"
"Kim Geun-cheol? What's that on your shoulder?"
"Huh?"
On my shoulder?
—Sliiide.
The moment I glanced at my shoulder.
"Meow."
"A spider bigger than my haaaaaaaaand!!!!!"
This son of a bitch suddenly jumped right at my faaaace!!!
—Fwoosh!
"Kyaaaaaaaah!!!!"
Startled out of my goddamn mind, I had no choice but to kick off the ground, sprint one step forward, slap my own cheek, and violently shake my shoulder! What kind of fucking spider gets this obscenely big—but then!
"Uh, uhh?"
—Whoosh!
An incomprehensible floating sensation hit me. At the same time, a tingling mana traced down my thighs and calves and seemed to burst out from the soles of my feet.
What I felt in that moment was.
Absolute clarity.
"Ah."
So that's it.
Am I using mana to do a High Jump right now? Ah, I see. I knew it. Look at that. I really do have talent. To succeed instantly like this. I really am amazing. Put on new shoes and take a leap—hop. That song popped into my head for no reason.
—Crash!
"Guhak!!!"
A huge impact slammed into my back!
Seems I jumped all the way to the ceiling!
—Ding!
A sound I hadn't heard in a while.
Is this my life flashing before my eyes?
[Stat increased by 1]
Good.
Good enough.
"Th-that! That Scream Man!"
So Leona catching me with a princess carry as I fell—well, yeah.
I can accept it. Gladly, even.
That's pure bullshit and I'm fucking mortified!!!
* * *
"Ahahahahahaha!"
A frivolous laugh.
"Kim Geun-cheol! What on earth was that again! How can you get that startled after I specifically warned you! If this had been real, it would've been dangerous...! Kk! Ahahahahahaha!"
"No... Instructor. Isn't this a bit too much? Scaring a student like that..."
"Which is exactly why I told you not to relax. In real combat, things a hundred times more startling happen constantly—and if something this small gets to you, frankly, you're the one making things hard for me!"
Ha.
And because she's actually right, I can't say a damn thing.
"Kim Geun-cheol...! You and I are going to talk later! During the lunch break!"
Leona was glaring at me with blazing crimson eyes and making that threat. I'm so screwed. During lunch, I am definitely fleeing to the snack bar. No question.
"But honestly, isn't this more of a good thing? Kim Geun-cheol pulled off a High Jump! That's proof he can handle mana now! Well done! Clap-clap-clap-clap!"
"Well, that's..."
Ah. Still, this.
"Hehehe."
Feels pretty good, huh?
Recalling the sensation from just now, I felt like I could pull off a High Jump again anytime. Whoa, I seriously acquired a skill in a completely unexpected way.
More importantly, it said my stat went up by 1.
I should check my status window right now.
Embarrassment be damned, honestly right now I am just purely, genuinely in a fucking great mood.
"Feels great, right? Kim Geun-cheol, you're feeling amazing too, right? It's all thanks to me."
"Hoo. I'll admit it, Instructor Kawar. That was a very helpful lesson."
Let's give credit where it's due.
"Hohoho."
When I expressed my thanks, Instructor Kawar smiled.
"Anyway. Did everyone watch and feel that clearly? The instant you sense an omen of a gate, it's completely normal for a monster to attack. There is a very high probability you'll come under assault. Cadets. If you feel a similar sensation, go into combat posture immediately. If you let your guard down like Kim Geun-cheol, you'll be in serious trouble!"
—Yes!
—Yes!
—Yes!
The students answered Instructor Kawar with forceful voices.
I'm nothing but a teaching prop to them.
"Now, line up! Kim Geun-cheol, you go line up too!"
"Yes... but Instructor Kawar. I have to say this."
"What?"
"Just now, I was very, very slightly startled and let out a tiny yell—not that I was genuinely terrified or anything. Please recognize that, at least."
If I don't at least say this, my pride as a man won't allow it.
"Hmm, is that so?"
"Yes."
"Then shall we do one more Horror Express run?"
"Why are you doing this to me! I'll run right out of this classroom! Please take that back before I collapse on the floor and bawl my eyes out, please!"
"Ahahahahahahaha! Bawl your eyes out, he says!"
The moment that frivolous laughter burst out.
"Kuhahahahahaha!"
"Hahahaha!"
"He said he'd collapse...! Hrk!"
My classmates burst out laughing too.
I want to go home.
* * *
And so, the moment the morning class ended, I bolted out of the classroom.
"Kim Geun-cheol, you stop right there!"
Because Leona had shouted with the fury of a wildfire. Still, she must not have been all that serious about chasing me, because she followed just a short way and then stopped. Leona is human too. The buffet is definitely more important to her than I am. A rich girl like her passing up a buffet? No way.
"Hoo."
But wait, should I have expected that?
Fucking spider.
If I had known it was there, I wouldn't have screamed... God, this is so humiliating. For real.
Anyway, screaming must have made me hungry.
Time to hit the snack bar.
"Si-hoo, man."
But I tried calling Si-hoo to eat together, and he's still not picking up. What's up with him? Not replying to texts, either? Did he seriously crash out and sleep way in? Like the ultra-cool bastard he is.
"Lululu."
Nothing to be done.
Got no choice but to eat alone.
—Step. Step.
I walked through the school grounds, feeling the warm air unique to the lunch hour. I'm kind of thirsty. Want to grab a drink from a vending machine before going to the snack bar.
Nice.
There's a vending machine right over there. Ah, crap, but I owe that bastard Ken a drink. He might as well try getting blood from a stone, that jerk.
Anyway, it was right when I approached the vending machine.
—Clunk.
I just got a Zero Cola, but.
"Huh?"
I heard someone's voice from right next to me. I instinctively thought the sound was directed at me, and the moment I turned my head.
"You..."
A familiar face was standing there.
"Ryu Cheon-hwi?"
"You! Just the man I wanted to see!"
—Grin!
Grinning, Ryu Cheon-hwi started striding toward me as he pulled his hand out of his pocket, and... oh, shit!
Running into him in a place like this!
—Ding!
―――――――――――――――――
「Quest Triggered」
「Defeat the hostile cadet」
「Reward: 300 Coin」
―――――――――――――――――
Why does it feel like a quest pops up every goddamn time I see this bastard!
Fine! Let's defeat him this time too!
"How dare you insult my father. Today, I won't simply let it slide like last time."
Sounds like words won't cut it this time?
In that case, yes!
—Slash.
"You are."
"What?"
"Born to be loved."
I immediately placed a hand on my heart, extended the other arm forward, and sang beautifully.
"A per-sooooon."
Yes. A song. It's a song. With a beautiful song, I shall shatter this ice-cold bastard's heart.
"..."
"This bastard dares to mock me again!!!"
But fuck, like there was any way that would work!
This son of a bitch came charging in screaming!
"I'll kill you!!!"
Screwed!!!
"Si-hooooooo!!!!! Heeelp meeeeeee!!!!!"
There's nowhere to fight in a wide-open space like this in the first place!!!
Running is my only answer!!!