Ah, This is a Catfight.
Yujin had been feeling great lately. And why not? It looked like Cheolsu's mood was finally improving! He'd even accepted Yujin's sparring request. Based on his experience from the first day, sparring in this world was basically a sport. That had to mean Cheolsu's anger was cooling off.
-What the fuck? What kind of bullshit is this from the start? The slime inside his soul muttered. She had no idea what this lunatic was thinking anymore. Anger cooling off? A sport? Has your damn conscience turned your brain into a perpetual motion machine of happiness or what?
"Sigh. No wonder they call you a monster—you're clueless." The lunatic shook his head side to side.
-What'd you say, you punk?
"Think about it. You don't play with people you're not friends with, right?"
-I don't play, period.
"But Cheolsu agreed to play with me."
-So?
"Therefore, Cheolsu and I are friends. QED!"
Should she tell this idiot that sparring wasn't a game? The slime pondered for a moment, then decided against it. Talking to Yujin just tired her out. You couldn't reason with a thick-headed moron like him. Better to mind her own business and stay sane.
-Hey, dummy.
"I'm not a dummy."
-Whatever. So, what about raising your mana? How's that going?
"Oh, that? I haven't run into any monsters lately. Heh heh heh."
Ever since the ogre incident, the academy had banned all practical training. They couldn't risk another accident. And for a total outcast like Yujin, his routine was school or home—nothing else. Even that was covered by Park Secretary driving him everywhere in the car. No chance of bumping into monsters.
-Hey, you idiot! Then what am I supposed to do?!
"Hmm... How about you just keep living in my soul like this?"
-Don't talk bullshit, you psycho! Watching you gives me high blood pressure—even without veins! 99
-That's how frustrating you are! Don't you get metaphors? Metaphors!
Yujin handled the shouting slime the usual way: by ignoring her. Man, I let her live rent-free, and she still complains. In this world, if you offer no deposit or monthly rent, people suspect you're a scammer! It hurt that his kindness was being thrown back in his face.
That was when Yujin was packing his bag.
"Ahem! Ahem! Yujin, got a sec... uh, I mean, are you free?"
His homeroom teacher suddenly approached. She was a tiny woman—her small stature was her defining feature. So adorable you wanted to scoop her up in a hug, dangerously so. Her petite frame made her look like an elementary schooler. Standing next to Yujin only emphasized it more. And yet she wore an adult business suit, which made the whole look oddly unbalanced.
"......Me?"
Yujin blinked in surprise. Teachers rarely talked to him. They trembled and avoided him even when answering questions. He listened attentively in class without dozing off, so it felt unfair.
Such a kind teacher, approaching an outcast like me first! !. !.. .... Homeroom teachers really are different.
"Y-y-yes, of course! If you're busy, no worries. It's not that important anyway..."
She looked like a scared squirrel while talking. Still, it was rare for a teacher to approach him. Model student Yujin inside, outcast exterior be damned, nodded.
"I'm free."
"R-really? Then, um... not here, though..."
Homeroom teacher glanced around. It was after school, but a few students lingered. Hard to talk openly here.
"Wanna come to the staff room with me? I mean, w-will you?"
No need to make such a big deal out of asking a student. Academy teachers were way too timid.
"Sure."
"Phew, okay! Let's go!"
Homeroom teacher looked like she'd conquered a mountain.
Yujin followed her to the staff room. The moment they entered, all eyes turned their way.
Ugh! My stomach hurts.
Come to think of it, this was his first time here. Even teachers staring was lethal for an outcast. Yujin took 10,000 damage.
"H-here, sit."
She sat first and offered him a chair. Yujin sat silently. So, what was this about? Career advice? Too early in the year. No exams yet, so not grades. Probably interpersonal relationships counseling.
If it's that, I'm confident now!
No more tearing up at "Write the name of your best friend." Cheolsu, Younghee, Suhyun! He had three names already. Outcast, sure—but not friendless!
"I called you here today because I want to recommend you as a disciple to a hero."
But what she said was totally unexpected.
What? A hero's disciple? What's that? Something you eat?
"A hero...?"
"N-not just any hero! S-rank hero Kim Taejin—you know her, right? I specially asked her."
I don't. Of course, he knew S-rank heroes were amazing. Fewer than ten in Korea, power to shatter buildings and summon tsunamis. So she was sending him to one? Did he do something wrong? "We don't want to see your face anymore—get out!" Was that it? If so, it'd be pretty sad.
"Why me...?"
"I-it'll be good motivation for you! One of Korea's top heroes. Her teachings could change your life."
A 99
"Ahem! You know she rarely takes disciples? This is a huge opportunity. So, trust your teacher just this once and meet her?"
Homeroom teacher was desperate in her own way. She was the only teacher who truly believed Yujin could become a hero.
Yujin's been attentive in class lately, studying hard. Even as Heukcheon's heir with his immense power, guidance from a top hero might change him.
She believed a teacher's duty was to mold young students into great heroes—including Yujin. With his Heukcheon heritage and strength, if he joined the side of justice, he'd be a massive asset.
Korea might even gain a new S-rank hero.
Betting on that slim chance, she'd arranged the meeting despite the odds. A Heukcheon heir becoming another hero's disciple? Unthinkable. But she clung to that faint hope.
Meanwhile, the man in question, Yujin, thought:
Scary. No thanks.
Honestly, he hated the idea. Learning from a monster like that? Hell no. He knew his own power to some extent, but that didn't mean he liked fighting. Yujin had zero interest in becoming a hero. Monsters terrified him, no matter how strong he got!
And meeting a stranger alone to learn something? Just thinking about it hurts my stomach...
Outcasts drained energy just being alone with someone. No way he could learn like that. Plus, from what she said, this hero had no other disciples. Probably had personality issues! The type to gaslight you: "You're not worthy!"
But I can't just flat-out reject her kind effort...
Homeroom teacher went to such lengths for him. Could he really say no?
"I-it won't be long! Just a week! One week of training!"
As Yujin pondered unusually seriously,
"Oh my〜 Long time no see, and you're already spinning nonsense?"
Someone butted in. Beyond her white coat, her ample breasts swelled noticeably, and her legs wrapped in black pantyhose caught the eye—the school nurse. She smirked at Yujin and homeroom teacher. Lips smiling, eyes icy cold. She made no secret of her displeasure. Of course she hated this. Everyone at the academy knew she was Heukcheon's spy.
Who'd be happy about some outsider injecting ideals into the organization's heir?
"Suggesting the young master learn from that so-called hero? You've got the wrong target."
"S-so-called?! Hero Kim Taejin is the strongest, respected by all!"
"No matter the power, it's nothing before Heukcheon's name. Don't worry—Young Master will get proper Heukcheon training."
"Hmph! Forgot how your precious Heukcheon S-rank got embarrassingly crushed before?"
"Wh-what?!"
Yujin's homeroom teacher and the school nurse had always been at odds. Academy hero-worshippers vs. a researcher from the dark organization Heukcheon. Their values clashed too hard to get along. Rare was the day they didn't fight over a glance.
...What's going on here?
Poor Yujin, stuck in the middle, could only sweat nervously. Haha, ladies, no fighting. Yujin's everyone's, after all.
The nurse swept a cold gaze over homeroom teacher and sneered.
"Well, a puny kid like her couldn't think straight anyway. Guys might mistake her tiny body for a girl's?"
Homeroom teacher fired back.
"Hmph! Better than covering saggy old wrinkles with makeup. How much did that face cost? Ever hear of 'plastic monster'?"
"Wh-what?! You done talking shit?!"
"Yeah, why?!"
Their glares clashed sharply. Then, almost simultaneously, they turned to Yujin.
"Yujin will train under Hero Kim Taejin, right?"
"No need to listen to trash like her, Young Master! You have Heukcheon's finest mentors!"
.......Why are you dragging me into this?
Suddenly targeted by both female teachers, Yujin broke out in cold sweat down his back. I have no interest in getting stronger...