Entrance Ceremony Day # 5
Entrance Ceremony Day # 5
I'm so fucking wronged I could die, seriously. Did she seriously pick on me from day one? It doesn't make sense. How could this happen?
"Kim Geun-cheol. Stand up."
Instructor Lee So-ra called my name with a tone brimming with charisma. Just what kind of grave sin is screaming a little that she has to be this heavy about it... I was so embarrassed right now I was going insane.
"Y-yes, yeah... That's me. Kim Geun-cheol."
I trudged out of my seat, heat crawling up my spine and setting my face on fire.
I couldn't meet her eyes.
"Kim Geun-cheol. You screamed the loudest. Louder than everyone else. And faster than everyone else. If you'd just done the exact opposite, you'd have been an honor student."
Standing in the instructor's overwhelming gaze, I couldn't say a word. Honestly, she's right. If I'd attacked faster and stronger than everyone else, I'd definitely be an honor student.
But was that even possible?
"Yes... you're right. If only I'd done the exact opposite. I was just so startled I ended up screaming. I'm sorry for making a racket."
"So you do know it. But didn't you also yell 'Oh shit' at the entrance ceremony?"
Why the hell is she bringing that up!
This is teabagging!
—Murmur, murmur.
"Is he the one?"
"Pfft...! Wh-what, some kind of Fuck Man?"
"No, but if only he hadn't screamed, I would've..."
Students were already starting to gossip.
I'm so screwed.
"Th-that was."
"Using profanity is not good. Image matters to heroes, after all. If you go around swearing like a thug, you'll lose your dignity. Understood?"
"I'm really sorry. I won't do it again. I was just startled, you see. I have this bad habit where I kind of curse when I get surprised..."
"A very bad habit. Sit down."
"Yes, ma'am."
—Scrape.
I sat down right away, but as expected, I couldn't lift my head.
Please, just kill me.
I want to go home.
"Well, it was a bit dramatic, but it's perfectly understandable. If a C-rank monster suddenly appeared, of course you'd be surprised. You aren't battle-hardened veterans, so there's nothing strange about reacting like an ordinary person."
She wasn't just talking about me, but everyone who'd freaked out.
Despite how she looks, Instructor Lee So-ra seems to be the meticulous type, saying this in a gentle tone.
"However, from now on, that is unacceptable."
Then, her voice shifted drastically.
"You are cadets aiming to become heroes. At the start of your first year, your first semester, before you've received any hero training, such a reaction might be acceptable. But no more. You were just fledglings, so it was allowed. Be careful from now on."
Instructor Lee So-ra spoke with such force that people flinched.
She really is overflowing with charisma.
"In a real fight, everyone who panicked would have died. Understood?"
"Yes. Understood."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Understood."
Answers came from all around.
"Kim Geun-cheol. Respond."
"Y-yes! Understood!"
How did she catch me staying quiet and single me out! I was so shocked I ended up answering loudly. She's definitely singled me out. This is by no means a good thing.
"You will now receive instruction from us instructors and be reborn as heroes. We will do our utmost to help you cadets build your strength and courage. That is all!"
—Clap, clap, clap!
—Clap, clap, clap!
—Clap, clap, clap!
Applause broke out, so I went with the flow and clapped too. Glancing around, most of the faces looked a bit moved.
"Then I'll offer individual feedback. Before we start, let me explain. That just now was the Illusion Magic of Magic Instructor Kawar. It is a special lesson conducted every year on the day of the entrance ceremony to see how new students handle it."
That's what Miss Leona said earlier.
But seriously, isn't this far too harsh? No matter what, subjecting students to this shocking experience... This was a major incident so traumatic that even Ji-sung Park with his two hearts would have undoubtedly complained of a double cardiac arrest.
To brush past such a serious human rights violation so casually... I'm really thinking this place is intense. Will I be able to do well here? I followed the quest's guidance to get here, but should I just bail right now?
Just as I was thinking that, the instructor started her feedback.
"Alright, then. Attendance number 1."
"Ah, yes. Yesss..."
"You positioned yourself at the very rear and readied an attack. Though you didn't actually fire. Were you afraid of friendly fire?"
"Y-yes... I thought if I missed, I'd hit the people in front of me..."
"It seems you lack confidence in your accuracy. Of course, that will improve with training from us instructors. Work on it."
"Understood."
A timid-looking girl answered with a nod.
"..."
Even that small-statured girl had instantly readied an attack the moment the monster appeared. Unlike me, who'd just cried and screamed my head off.
God, this is so fucking embarrassing.
Well, Instructor Lee So-ra kept calling on students one by one like that and giving feedback. Every time she spoke, she flipped through a binder, so she must have compiled everything in the faculty office.
Is she the type to pay attention to each and every student? She looked fierce, but her personality seemed meticulous.
"Leona."
"Yes, Instructor."
Miss Leona, who'd asked me if I was okay earlier, answered.
"There's hardly any need for me to say anything. Skillful and seasoned judgment and execution."
"Heh, it's only natural for me."
"As expected of someone from the Kainus Family."
The Kainus Family?
Is that some kind of prestigious family? It's well-known? I felt curious and immediately pulled out my phone.
"Kim Geun-cheol. Put your phone away."
The instructor instantly called me out!
"Gasp...! Yes, ma'am!"
Everyone's attention zeroed in on me!
How can she see absolutely everything! Stop only looking at me...! I hate women who bother me! So please, stop looking at me!
"Alright."
The instructor then spoke to every other single student one by one, and with that, the feedback time ended.
"The absentees still aren't here. Well, it doesn't matter. That's it for today's class. It's the Chairwoman's policy to keep it simple and end early on the first day."
Oh, it's over!
"Wow. It's over already."
"This is so sweet, so sweet."
"Wanna hit up that cafe right outside after this?"
The students all sounded happy talking about stuff like that. They're kids from a different world with superhuman powers, but the fundamentals are exactly the same.
"Dismissed. From tomorrow, it's regular classes. Ah, but we'll be electing a class president tomorrow... I have nothing else to say. Don't forget today's experience and try to think on your own about what you could have done better. Dismissed. For real."
—Rumble!
The students all got up and started packing their bags. At the same time, a few of them threw glances my way.
"..."
Our eyes met.
"Pfft!"
A girl burst out laughing.
Son of a bitch.
* * *
So I came outside.
"Kim Geun-cheol."
A grim voice came from behind!
"Yes?! Gah!"
"You almost cursed again, didn't you?"
"Wait, isn't this Instructor Lee So-ra? Did you have something to say to me?"
I was terrified. I thought some kind of apex predator was waiting for me.
"It's nothing much. I just wanted to give you a piece of advice."
"Advice? D-don't tell me... 'Quit this school right now if you don't want to die.' Something like that?"
"Wh-what?"
When I said what I'd been expecting, the instructor looked flustered.
"What in the world... How could I suggest a cadet with superhuman powers drop out? What do you take me for? Kim Geun-cheol is a valuable human resource. I would never recommend dropping out."
"Ah, so that's it? Hehehe, my apologies. I jumped the gun there."
So it wasn't that.
"Whoever they are, if they are a cadet, I will guide them properly so they can become a hero. Even if it's the 'Oh-dear-shit Kim Geun-cheol.'"
Just how long does she plan on milking that...
"Anyway. This is advice. Go to the Chairwoman's office right now."
"Pardon?"
Why would I go there?
"I go there? Me? Isn't it a bit scary? Isn't that like, Lord Black Yaksha?"
"That is exactly why you must go. Are you worried about getting a beating? A grown man, and so much fear."
"If she hits me, I'll die! Didn't you see that voice bursting out!"
"Die? From what? Whatever else, the Chairwoman won't beat a cadet."
"No, I obviously know that. That's not the gist of what I meant. You know, it's just..."
"Enough talk. Go. The Chairwoman is someone who cares a great deal about such things. Even if she says she forgives you with words, she's a petty person who will keep it bottled up if you don't apologize in person."
Ah.
Could it be that I have to go apologize because of that 'Oh shit' incident at the entrance ceremony?
"Simply put, she absolutely loathes insolence or some brat half her age swearing in front of her, his elder, so much so that she never forgets it. And from what I see, the Kim Geun-cheol in front of me fits that description perfectly."
"Right you are. I'll go see her right away. Thank you."
I can't afford to get on the bad side of someone like that from day one. It's a bit nerve-wracking, but I really do need to go and properly apologize.
"Well then."
Finishing what she had to say, Instructor Lee So-ra spun around quite naturally and walked off. A cool attitude, her piece said, so she's leaving.
—Click, clack.
The back view in that suit is killer.
"Haah."
But where is the Chairwoman's office?
Finding it is a job in itself.
* * *
Here I was, a 24-year-old lost child.
"And a superhuman lost child, at that. Fucking hell."
A superhuman getting lost... I was so goddamn dumbfounded. It was all because this place is disgustingly huge. I'd asked around, marked a rally point, and come looking, but I still got lost.
"I'm pretty sure they said it was here."
As I was searching for the Chairwoman's office like that.
—Click.
"Hmm?"
Someone stopped in front of me.
"You are?"
A beautiful voice and gorgeous silver hair.
Looking straight ahead, it was Miss Leona of some-such family, who'd spectacularly shown off in the earlier class and even sliced up the spider, and she was staring at me.
"Ah."
What should I call her? Is it okay to call a classmate just Leona? As I was agonizing over it, she tilted her head slightly and spoke while looking straight at me.
"Can I just call you Mr. Oh-dear-shit?"
"What? No. What does that even mean? Who's 'Oh-dear-shit'... Fuck, a person can do that when they're startled."
Oh god, she's pointing that out again, so fucking embarrassing.
"Even so, you're the first person I've seen get surprised like that. My goodness, what sort of disgrace is that. You even cried a whole bucket of tears."
"Hey, I just teared up a little because I was so shocked. Don't go saying I bawled my eyes out. Are you trying to twist the facts? That's defamation, defamation."
"You're good at grumbling, I see."
Does this girl have a hobby of teasing people?
Well, if she's pretty, it's allowed.
"Anyway. So what brings you to a place like this?"
Leona asked, looking interested.
"Nothing much. It's because of the cursing at the entrance ceremony."
"Ah... when you yelled 'Oh shit'."
"Is that the only thing you remember about me?"
"Is there something else?"
No, there isn't.
But still, at least make some effort to recognize me.
"Let's just skip past that. Just thinking about it destroys my soul. Anyway, Instructor Lee So-ra told me. She said it'd be good to apologize to the Chairwoman. Said if I don't, I'll get in even bigger trouble later."
So I'm on my way.
"An apology to the Chairwoman... if it's that, it's over there."
Leona kindly pointed me in the direction.
"Well, I'll be off then," she said.
"Alright, thanks. I was looking for it. Take care."
After saying my goodbyes to Leona like that, I continued on my way.
"Here it is."
So this is the Chairwoman's office. A Chairwoman in a school. I'd never seen that before, not even in a military-style reform school.
—Knock, knock.
Anyway, I steadied my heart and knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Nervous at the powerful voice, I slowly opened the door and walked in.
"Hmm?"
The Chairwoman looked at me.
"You are Kim Geun-cheol!!!!!!!!!!"
She let out a Lion's Roar!!!!!
"AHHHHHHHH!!!!!"
I was so startled!!!!