4
Chapter 4
Unfortunately, it seems many students fell asleep thanks to the Chancellor's finishing move.
I'm feeling pretty sleepy myself.
To put it simply, the gist was this:
1. Welcome, freshmen. I look forward to working with you.
2. Even though you're in the Spirit Department, you'll be trained in weaponry regardless of whether you've signed a contract. If you're more gifted in magic than weapons, you can focus on that instead.
3. Though he admitted that most of us already have a set path.
Not me, though.
4. After a short adjustment period, you'll be thrown into the field just like the active-duty members.
5. You'll often collaborate with other departments, but don't let them intimidate you.
6. Good luck to everyone.
It was actually quite detailed, just far too long and filled with useless filler.
"It was a long video, but thank you for staying focused."
As the video ended, the professor spoke.
"The important points have already been covered, and you can find more details on the Academy website, so I won't drag this out. Some of you may already know this, but the reason the Spirit Department is so large is that it's where students who didn't qualify for other departments are placed."
Shattering our illusions on the very first day, I see.
I looked around at the other students; a few seemed to expect this, but most looked clueless.
"Very few of you will likely achieve the success you're imagining. However, I want you all to remember one thing: just because the odds are low and the path is difficult doesn't mean it's impossible. Most people fail, but the only thing that matters is that you aren't one of them."
There was a certain power in her voice.
I had always felt that way, but her words seemed to solidify the goals I had set for myself.
"So, I hope you all reach the destination you desire. As your professor, I will do my best to help you get there. With that, the orientation is concluded."
Inspired by her words, most of the students' eyes sparkled with renewed determination.
For some reason, something felt off about this whole situation.
I couldn't quite put my finger on why.
"Also, Lee Seo-ha, I'd like to have a word with you. Do you have a moment?"
Her voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Yes. I have plenty of time."
The other students naturally stood up and left the classroom, and once they were gone, I followed the professor.
We ended up in the hallway.
Other classes should have finished by now, yet the hallway was eerily empty.
"So, Lee Seo-ha. It seems you've taken quite an interest in the Academy. It's rare for a student to know my name."
Those few people in the world known as 'Heroes'.
"Of course."
"How curious. I'm not a publicly recognized 'Hero,' so I wonder how you know me. My name... or my face."
I was momentarily speechless.
I hadn't thought it through.
In the original story, by the time Estella met her, she had already been named as the youngest Hero candidate. Being from a prominent family, she had wide connections and was known as a Hero from their very first meeting.
"I just... happened to find out."
I'm not very good at making things up.
Anyone else could have come up with a much better excuse, but I'm just not used to handling these kinds of situations.
It probably wasn't the best possible answer.
"I just happened to see. Well, that wasn't the main point. It seemed you already knew, but I was actually watching all along. It was just a meaningless question; I was curious about what the freshmen were like. What do you think of them?"
It was a question I hadn't expected.
"I'm not sure. I wouldn't know."
Since the key figures weren't here, I hadn't paid them much attention.
"I like them quite a bit. They all have ambition in their eyes. They seem to have a strong desire to succeed. Ambition and desire are the perfect spices for growth."
She smiled as she spoke.
She looked genuinely satisfied.
"Especially your gaze, Seo-ha. You have eyes that look toward a distant place. Looking at your records, you've had a difficult life, yet you're still looking toward the future. No contracted spirit, parents divorced when you were young, and you left home as soon as you became an adult. You came here without the sponsorship of any corporation. Most people can't see that far ahead in those circumstances. They're too busy surviving to even dream. But..."
"Wait. How do you know all that?"
I cut her off, feeling flustered.
"Ah, I can see how that might be misunderstood. I didn't dig into your background. I'm simply very interested in my students, so I read through all the provided materials. Every nation is keenly interested in the movements of those with Stigmas, as they might carry trauma from their past."
How is my past recorded here? Then, could those bastards...
Thump, thump, thump.
My heartbeat grew violent, echoing in my ears.
"I apologize if I made you uncomfortable. Still, I hope that people who can dream even in such environments find success. Here is my contact information. You've walked a grueling path until now, but I hope the road ahead is smooth. Please reach out if you ever need help."
She gave me a thin smile and handed me her phone.
Whenever someone smiles at me, I can't help but wonder if they have some ulterior motive. But the fact that I have nothing left makes me realize that this smile is born of pure goodwill.
I don't know her that well, but I saw no reason to refuse.
I took the phone and saved her contact.
"I look forward to being in your class, Professor."
"Likewise. I look forward to it."
I had only come here on a whim because I had nothing better to do, but I'd managed to gain an unexpected advantage.
That was the end of my brief encounter with the professor.
She likely had nothing more to say to me,
and I had nothing more to say to her.
Well, if I had spoken up.
I could have asked if she could help me find those people, but I don't really care anymore.
Maybe it would have been different four or five years ago.
So, it was only natural that the conversation ended there.
But as I wondered why so many students in the original story fell into villainy despite having a professor who cared for them so much...
Maybe the deja vu I felt earlier was...
"Hey hey hey hey hey!"
A noisy voice erupted from behind me.
It was my first time hearing it today, but it was a voice I had heard before.
"Did ya enjoy the orientation?"
"Why did your way of speaking suddenly change?"
"Just because."
"And did you listen well?"
"Of course I did. Who am I? I'm Estella, the biggest superstar of this generation."
"And why is such a superstar still here instead of going to the after-party?"
"Because superstars are too busy to afford an after-party. Beep boop."
"Then, for the sake of such a busy superstar, I'll get out of your way."
"I'll allow you to walk with me as far as our paths overlap."
"Haha, I'm so grateful."
"Then, feel free to live the rest of your life with that gratitude."
"Enough already."
"Hmph."
Ugh. She's draining my energy.
"Anyway, what is it? You must have a reason for talking to me."
"I just heard a rumor that a fight already broke out in the Spirit Department on the first day of orientation. Apparently, some kid already got on the professor's bad side. But you weren't among them."
"Were you worried? About someone you just met today?"
"Nope. I was just wondering if you'd actually tried to square off with the professor if you had been targeted."
"Do I look like someone who could actually fight a professor? Well, I guess I did stand out."
"Really? How's your professor? Strong? Mine is seriously powerful. My arm was numb after just three exchanges. I fought her while she had a penalty, but it's the first time since my father that I felt like winning was impossible."
This is part of the story after admission, but this has changed too. In the beginning, she was depicted as quite the battle maniac.
"I have a good eye for these things. My professor would beat you in three seconds."
Estella is still weak at this point... no, wait, even with a penalty, the fact that she can exchange blows with a professor means her specs are too high to be called 'weak'.
"Hmm~?"
"You crazy bitch, we haven't even had the entrance ceremony yet, and you're already plotting how to beat a professor?"
Hearing my words, she looked even more intrigued.
"By the way, how far are you planning to follow me?"
I asked reproachfully, seeing her still walking the same path as me.
"Why do you think I'm following you? Our paths might just happen to overlap."
I couldn't exactly reply that I knew where her house was from the original novel, so I remained silent.
"So, are you really hiding something? How did someone with your skill catch a professor's eye?"
"I don't know."
I really don't know anything about Kim Hye-ra because she barely appeared in the original story.
Maybe what she said back then was just an excuse, and she saw some potential in me that I'm unaware of.
Am I some kind of powerhouse? Like, is there a Spirit King dwelling within my Stigma or something?
"You brat, hand over your secrets!"
What is wrong with this crazy girl again.
***
"Want to have an after-party just between us?"
Estella spoke to me.
"Why on earth are you so interested in me?"
Honestly, I couldn't think of a single reason why she'd be this curious about me.
"Hmm... maybe because it's quiet when I'm with you?"
What in the world is she talking about?
"Quiet? My foot, you're anything but..."
Ah.
Something from the original story flashed through my mind.
A setting the author constantly teased but never actually explained: her unique ability.
Since there was practically no explanation provided, I could only speculate.
She can hear something from people.
Desires, intentions behind actions, cravings, and so on.
While readers debated exactly what it was, no one denied that it was similar to reading someone's inner thoughts.
In the original, enemies eventually found ways or gear to block her, but I have no such things.
So why can't she hear anything from me?
If that's why she's interested in me, it makes sense.
The story described her as being quite stressed because of that ability.
"Anyway, how about that after-party?"
"No thanks. I have to feed my cat."
I had already packed some lunch for her this morning, of course.
But you never know.
She might have gotten hungry after breakfast and eaten that too.
"Hmm~ sounds like a lie to me."
"I really do have a cat."
Thanks, Luna!
"Then how about this? There's a month left until admission, so I'll help you practice with weapons for the next month."
"Didn't you say I have no talent for the sword?"
"The sword isn't the only weapon there is, you know?"
She truly lived up to the title of a genius; she was proficient in every weapon imaginable.
"I've used a wide variety of weapons and sparred with people who use all sorts of them."
"Where to, boss?"
Sorry, Luna!
Daddy needs to get stronger so he can protect you.
"Let's head to the holographic Training Ground. The holograms in The Ark are high quality, so there's barely any difference from the real thing. No need to use actual weapons."
I thought I heard a ghostly 'meow' in the distance, but I decided to interpret it as a message of support for my father working hard outside.
"I will gladly follow your lead."
"Hehe. I'm in a good mood, so I'll cover the costs!"
Today really is my lucky day.