Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: What?
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A child not showing up to school is a serious matter.
Whether it's a disappearance or something else, the mere fact that it happens can ruin the school's academic atmosphere.
Sometimes, parents even file complaints like, "What? How is a delinquent kid enrolled in the same school as my child?!"
Hard to believe, but it's true.
"What kind of mess is this right at the start of the semester?"
The principal let out a sigh.
If word got out in the news that something had gone wrong with that student, it would be a total disaster.
Getting chewed out by the superintendent was a given, and in the worst case, his entire career could be ruined.
Still too young to retire, the principal opted to call the police, even if it caused a bit of a stir.
At least this way, he could claim he'd taken action, making it easier to put out any fires later.
Calling the police in just the first week of school.
It was remarkably swift action.
And so... that Saturday afternoon.
The principal got a call from the police.
Work on the weekend.
His pleasant golf game was instantly ruined.
But unexpectedly good news arrived.
The student hadn't just skipped school without permission—it was a legitimate absence.
"Pardon? The Academy? Yes. Yes. Understood. Thank you for the investigation."
In the principal's mind, the delinquent who'd skipped school from the first week of term had transformed into an elite student who attended diligently and studied hard.
Shouldn't skipping school without permission for Academy transfer prep be unauthorized?
What nonsense.
That student had permission.
The moment he heard, the principal handled any potential issues.
Golf club in hand, he stood there making calls.
"Hello? Yes, Teacher Oh. Sorry to call on the weekend, but could you do me a favor? There's that one kid in your class who's been skipping without permission, right? Process it as an excused absence. Experiential learning or whatever—just make sure there's no penalty from the absences."
Apparently, the kid had some attendance issues.
"No, no. What I mean is, make sure it doesn't cause any issues on the record even if the kid transfers. It's not hard, right? Yeah. See you Monday."
And just like that, the principal turned a potential problem into a non-issue.
Attendance is one of the most scrutinized factors in school records.
Because it makes it easy to judge "diligence."
It's ridiculous to judge diligence based on attendance, but what can you do?
Society's like that.
Elementary school attendance records usually don't matter much, but this kid's heading to the Academy.
No point risking any nitpicking there, so he pulled some strings.
If he didn't, rumors could spread later.
Like, "This school won't process excused absences for kids prepping for Academy admission."
That could scare off elite students aiming for transfers.
The principal showed remarkable foresight.
A sense honed from decades in the working world.
"Oh, right. And reach out to the student's family. I'm putting up a banner for them."
He also didn't miss the chance to boost the school's reputation.
Calculations whirred in the principal's head.
Banners were best put up quickly.
Since the semester had just started, he could still claim an Academy admission.
"Hey, Banner Guy. It's me. Need a rush job on a banner—how long? Two days? No way, that's too slow. Can you do it by this afternoon? I'll pay extra."
Usually, these things are done for graduated students.
But this kid had only attended for a day.
Talking about "contributions" normally wouldn't fly.
But what if he limited personal info and just hung the banner?
How would parents know if it was a graduate or a new kid?
No.
Even if they knew, it didn't matter.
"They'll keep quiet if they don't want apartment prices to drop."
The number of Academy admits determines an elementary school's prestige and the local school district's reputation. In short, property values rise and perceptions improve.
Parents stay silent even knowing, and the principal can package it as an achievement for the education office.
Who'd spit on a win-win?
That afternoon, the principal called a service and hung the banner.
Once again, remarkably swift action.
All except one thing.
He forgot to get permission from the homeroom teacher.
I got a call from Teacher Oh Eun-ye.
Right as I was blankly staring at the banner.
[Hello?]
"Yes, Teacher. What's up?"
[Uh... Oh! You picked up! Normally I'd call the parents, but no contact info was listed, so I called you. Could I get their number?]
"Tell me what it is, and I'll pass it on."
I had a rough guess but asked to confirm.
Her voice sounded flustered at my firm tone.
[W-Well... okay? Then could you tell them the school made a banner to celebrate your Academy admission? And we'd appreciate a visit tomorrow for transfer procedures.]
The background noise on the phone was chaotic.
Something going on.
The vibe was rushed, like she wanted to wrap up quick.
Seems Teacher Oh Eun-ye was completely in the dark.
"Teacher."
[Yeah?]
"The banner's already up right in front of me."
[What do you mean— Kyaaak! Nezuya! Don't touch that—!]
Click.
The call dropped.
Not by me.
A few KakaoTalks came after, but I ignored them cleanly.
I'd pieced together the situation.
The saving grace was that the banner didn't name the student.
'Hung it so fast I thought someone else got in before me.'
Such crafty scheming.
If the guy from the imperial court saw this, he'd wail, "Merchants' scams plague even here."
The next day.
I went to the empty weekend school and met the principal right away.
He looked puzzled that I came alone but soon flashed a businesslike smile.
"Hello."
"You're here. Nice to meet you. Have a seat. Want some tea?"
"No."
Courtesies exchanged.
"By the way, about the school ban—"
Before I could nitpick the banner.
The principal bowed his head first.
"Sorry about that. An administrative oversight—we put up the banner without approval."
...Remarkably swift apology.
As quick as hanging the banner.
The principal's action-oriented, no doubt.
Seeing the half-bald man before me bow left me speechless.
"......"
Turns out, banners need approval only if they include personal student info.
The school's just said, "Congratulations on Academy Admission!"
No real hook to grab.
Yet he still bowed.
Probably to avoid friction with a future Academy kid.
Maybe other reasons, but who knows.
Anyway, clear intent and frank apology—bowing to a child isn't for everyone.
...He'd have done even better as a merchant than principal.
'Or maybe that's why he is the principal?'
Indeed.
Principals aren't just anyone.
The banner would come down in four days.
Transfer procedures wrapped smoothly.
The principal took the papers and sorted them neatly.
"That covers all the paperwork. Starting next week, head straight to the Academy—no mix-ups."
It felt so rushed, like people everywhere cut corners the same way.
I thought it'd take longer, but it ended quick.
Checked the time.
'11 a.m.'
Plenty of time before Yura's tournament finals.
Pondering what to do, I bought a wedge potato nearby, ate it, and headed home.
This potato's pretty good.
Grab an extra next time.
Thinking that, I killed time by heading home and firing up the internet as usual.
Ding!
An alarm rang.
Familiar tone.
"Stream alert? Who?"
Yura starting early?
Nope.
It was Cruise, the streamer I'd watched for the first time yesterday.
Right.
Couldn't give advice yesterday.
Maybe drop some later, I thought, bored anyway.
Tuned in.
Late join, so the stream was in full swing.
Curious about today's content, I saw Tower Climb with game tips.
[Target the Achilles' heel on orcs for easier times later. See?]
Monster攻略 tips and such.
Mostly solid, but some lacked punch.
My advice notepad was filling up.
[The door to the next floor opens.]
As Cruise's character ascended.
A viewer messaged.
-Ha-lep donated 1,000 won!-
【Bro, recommend an early level-up sword job. Paladin, Knight, or Swordsman?】
Swordsman.
Answer popped up instantly.
From experience.
Knight or Paladin get armor, so strong strength but low agility.
Swordsman zips around, shanking knights—head rolls easy.
Like when I took Diamond Guardian's head.
Definitely Swordsman.
Not 'cause I'm biased.
Then.
Cruise spoke.
[I'd recommend the Paladin tree over Knight or Swordsman. Paladin job buffs are stronger in low levels.]
?
What?