Chapter 27. South Continent. Week 7, Day 5.
Andre the instructor greeted the unchanging dawn as always. After washing up and donning his uniform, he noisily roused Team 5.
"Kniiiight! Kniiiiight—!"
Team 5 had mostly shed their fledgling skins by now, nearly ready to join the continent's ranks. They could probably leave the academy right then and not starve to death.
With morning training prep complete, Andre, the swordsmanship instructor, gathered the trainees with real sword talent for intensive sessions. He had a hawk-like eye for unearthing hidden potential. Thanks to that, quite a few of his disciples had joined top guilds and climbed the ranks.
But not one had surpassed his former student, Kang Ji-hyuk.
Whenever rumors of Ji-hyuk reached him, Andre would reminisce about those days. He'd always been certain the kid would make it big. But he never imagined this big.
The unprecedented hero who'd aced his first mission with a perfect score—!
Andre never missed a chance to brag about Hero Ji-hyuk to his team. It was as much boasting his own sharp eye for talent.
In the midst of a heated training session, a summons came from head manager Ralop. Andre regretted the interruption but couldn't ignore a direct call from the man in charge.
"No slacking while I'm gone—! If I come back and see one dry face, I'll drill you till you're crying snot and tears—!"
With a final growl of warning, Instructor Andre headed for the manager's office.
The secretary at the door knocked the moment she spotted him.
"Manager, Instructor Andre's here."
"Send him in."
She gestured for him to enter. Andre straightened his uniform at the threshold and stepped inside.
"You called, Manager—"
Instructor Andre's eyes went wide at the figure seated at the head of the table. The man smiled at him and set down his teacup.
"Long time no see, Instructor."
Andre barely suppressed a beaming grin, striding forward to bow deeply at the fine table.
"It's been too long, Hero Excellency."
Ji-hyuk rose and approached with arms outstretched. Only then did the instructor break into a full smile, pulling the hero into a bear hug and clapping his back heartily. He was over the moon at reuniting with his disciple after years apart.
"You haven't changed a bit, Instructor. …Just came straight from training? You reek of sweat…."
"Hey, watch it with your instructor. …Sorry, just kidding."
Hahaha.
The two burst into loud laughter, drawing a faint chuckle from Ralop, the orc manager and overall head.
"Talk freely. I'll give you the room."
"Appreciate it."
"Not at all."
Ralop bowed so deeply his balding pate peeked out, then exited.
Ji-hyuk and the instructor settled into the plush chairs.
"Heard the rumors. You have no idea how shocked I was."
"That much?"
"Knew you'd rise high, of course. But this fast? Beyond imagination…."
"Gotta live up to that eye of yours, right?"
The instructor grinned with pride, his eyes those of a parent gazing at a child who'd turned out perfectly.
They chatted at length about health and daily life. A lull fell, filled by the lukewarm tea.
"So, what brings you here? Not just to see my face from this far off…. A mission?"
"Something like that."
"…Almost touched if you'd said it was for me. Kinda disappointing now."
"Never been one for empty flattery."
Heh heh.
They shared a light chuckle. Ji-hyuk set his cup down with a clink and shifted to a grave tone.
"Scouting for hero material. Talent, good character."
"…Well…."
Instructor Andre stroked his rough, callused chin, lost in thought.
"Had a promising one two months back…."
"Usually one's per class, yeah?"
Suuuuck—.
He pondered deeply, then let out a soft ah as realization struck.
"…Yeah, there is one."
"Character? I put heavy weight on that…."
"Gets along with everyone. Wouldn't recommend otherwise. Hate rude punks myself."
"Good. …Think you could arrange a meet?"
"Sure, why not. …Kinda abusing position, though."
"Oh, right—."
Ji-hyuk pulled a leather pouch from his breast pocket. Andre waved it off with an eh.
"No need for that. Really, I mean it."
"Thanks for looking out back then. Buy your buddies drinks next time. Come on, take it."
"Seriously, no. This could get me in trouble."
"From the heart. Take it, yeah?"
Haa.
The instructor reluctantly accepted the pouch and swiftly tucked it away. Ji-hyuk flashed a grin.
"No pressure. Just a gift. Can't show up empty-handed after all this success."
"…Understood. I'll put it to good use, Excellency."
"Hilarious."
"Khuhuhu, not laughing 'cause I'm happy. Don't get ideas."
Instructor Andre couldn't hold back; his lips twitched upward in delight.
"Anyway…."
Ji-hyuk slapped his knee.
"Can we meet now? Not much time to spare."
"Now? …I'll ask my friend. Might not be immediate—not my team."
"No rush. I can wait."
"Got it. Back soon."
Instructor Andre shot up, gave a light bow, and left.
In the interim, the secretary slipped in to refill the teapot and departed.
Ji-hyuk savored another cup, deep in contemplation for quite a while. He'd emptied one and half-finished a refill when Andre returned—with company.
A woman with black bobbed hair and delicately pretty, compact features. Earth-wise, fresh-faced college freshman vibe. Clearly not the physical type.
Ji-hyuk felt a vague spark of recognition at the sight.
"Trouble bringing her."
"Nah. You two talk."
Instructor Andre bowed deeply and withdrew.
Left alone, she looked tense. Small wonder—the instructor trainees feared was bowing like a servant.
"Come, sit."
"Ah… yes."
She approached Ji-hyuk cautiously. He extended a hand; she clasped it respectfully.
"Kang Ji-hyuk, hero."
Hero—!
A lofty figure beyond reach. She'd met guild members, but this was her first hero.
"I'm Celly."
"Celly?"
"Yes."
"Have a seat."
Ji-hyuk rummaged through his memories patiently. No hero named Celly among them.
…Time for twenty questions.
His gaze scanned her thoroughly as she sat gingerly: pale skin, faint fragrance, neat attire, soft hands free of calluses, slender legs.
"No weapon? Support role?"
"Ah, yes. Back home, we called 'em ability users. …Here, it's telekinesis mage."
Telekinesis mage—.
That clicked the puzzle piece into place. Telekinesis Mage Celly—!
…Member of Red Hawk Guild, if memory served. Talented enough for an S-rank hero team offer, which she'd loyally refused to stay.
An S-rank offer meant at least A-rank caliber. No question of skill.
Ability users were reliably mid-tier at worst. Even as a companion, she'd pull her weight.
Drawbacks: hyper-specialized, mana efficiency lagged behind pure magic. But pros outweighed, making them popular.
"Got offers before?"
"…Yes."
"From the guild?"
"Yes."
"I see."
The hero nodded casually. Tempting, honestly. Scout her, train if hero potential.
But no forcing the unwilling. He didn't want that either.
Better a passionate lesser talent than raw ability without heart. Talent bloomed brightest with effort as fertilizer.
No beating around the bush. Yes or no.
Plenty of fish in the continent's sea.
"Straight talk: I want to recruit you."
"…Pardon?!"
"Rare opportunity for you. Not pressuring."
"Ah…."
Celly hesitated. Ji-hyuk expected as much. Sudden hero pitch from a stranger? Tough sell.
He'd give think-time anyway. Not dragging her off today.
"Take time to learn about me. Week 7 now—one week left. Heading out tomorrow on mission, so I'll send a Cheonma Guild rep exactly one week from now. Decide then. If yes, they'll look after you till I return."
"…Understood."
"Celly, right?"
"Yes, Hero sir."
Ji-hyuk smiled warmly.
"Bit of a brag, but I'm pretty great. Can make you great too. Got the chops."
He paused, then continued.
"I'm the continent's hero. Not in it for profit. Fighting for peace and safety. …If money's your goal, look elsewhere."
The hero's smile deepened.
"Ultimate aim: slay the Demon Kings, go home. I'm an otherworlder too—miss it bad. If you feel the same, we'll get along fine."
Celly swallowed hard.
Ji-hyuk offered his hand again.
"That's my piece. Sorry for holding you with my greed. …Wishing you endless glory, meet again or not, Celly."
Her hand trembled faintly as she clasped his slowly.
"Thank you, Hero sir. …It was an honor."
"Take care."
They rose together. Ji-hyuk grinned, patted her arm, and strolled out.
She bowed to his retreating back. The door shut; a shaky sigh escaped in fragments.
…Celly felt the hero's weight crystal clear.