Chapter 7: The Stormy Transfer Student, Baek Tae-yang (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 7: The Stormy Transfer Student, Baek Tae-yang (3)
He said it with such a serious face that I put it on, but the design was... sketchy, to say the least.
I was worried about the size, but it adjusted itself perfectly to my wrist.
"Huh?"
Strangely, a surge of vitality rushed through my body. A sense of exhilaration, far more intense than a caffeine high, began to wrap around me.
It wasn't just a feeling, either. I gave a light hop in place and nearly slammed my head into the ceiling.
"Instructor Jang? My body suddenly feels incredibly light."
Du-cheol pondered my words for a moment before speaking.
"That bracelet suppresses the power of Always-Active skills by 95%."
"Seeing as your physical abilities actually improved, it seems your Main Skill was affecting you as well."
Wait, so I’ve been using Coercion on myself this whole time?
This was the terrifying thing about Always-Active abilities.
Since there are no signs or warnings, you don't even know when they're active. If you aren't skilled at controlling them, they only lead to the worst possible outcomes.
Was it because the target wasn't limited to 'only the intended person'?
The skill description definitely said 'intended target.'
It meant that while I could arbitrarily set a target, the ability itself was always in an active state.
"You can adjust the skill's output by looking at the bracelet, but since your control is still lacking, don't touch it."
He added that if I took it off without permission, my location would be tracked and Hunters would come looking for me, among other features.
It looks like a condom, but it sure has a lot of functions.
One by one, it was starting to sink in just how different this place was from where I used to live.
Status windows, quests, skills, and now even things that could be called items.
I really had ended up inside a novel.
Would I ever be able to go back?
"I've given you everything I needed to, so let's head to class."
I shook off my thoughts at Du-cheol's words.
I'm going back, no matter what.
There was no doubt about that.
+++++++++
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[Name] Jang Du-cheol
[Physical] Height: 195cm / Weight: 132kg
[Description] The strongest instructor at Victory Academy. Many modifiers describe him, such as 'Giant' and 'Iron Man.'
His steel-like will, steadfast convictions, and righteous conduct are the very image of an ideal Hunter.
He has an unrequited crush on Instructor Ryu Hye-mi. (Duration: 2 years)
Other information unavailable.
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Why is it even showing me stuff like this?
The range of basic information was bizarre.
I had activated my newly acquired skill just to test it while following behind Du-cheol, and I ended up feeling like I’d accidentally peeked into a bachelor’s private romance.
Since it took some time to walk back the way we came, Du-cheol filled me in on a few things.
First, including myself, there were six Always-Active ability users at Victory Academy.
Though we were in different grades, we were supposed to meet once a month to check our skill proficiency.
Other than that, we followed the same curriculum as the other cadets.
It was simple, which I liked.
"For your information, our class is ranked first among the freshmen."
Even looking at the academy as a whole, they didn't fall behind in the rankings. Pride overflowed from Du-cheol's face as he spoke.
But why is he bragging all of a sudden...
I understood the nuance—something like 'I hope you become a cadet worthy of such a class'—but I wasn't so sure.
I never studied hard back when I was in school; there was no way I was going to start just because I was here.
Besides, my purpose for being here wasn't exactly to hit the books...
"Still, it's fortunate that the timing of your transfer is good."
I agreed with that.
It was currently April. Considering Victory Academy's semester started in March, I wouldn't be too far behind in my classes.
"We're here."
I saw a plaque that read [1-A].
Glancing through the window, I could hear a lot of noise coming from inside.
The moment Du-cheol opened the door, the room went silent instantly. I guess 'silence mode' whenever the teacher appears is the same everywhere.
"As I mentioned yesterday, we have a transfer student. Baek Tae-yang, come in."
The moment I stepped into the classroom, all eyes were on me. I met each of those overwhelming stares one by one as I stood before the podium.
"Now, give a brief self-introduction."
White hair, tanned skin, and a perfect physique that was obvious even through the school uniform.
An impression that made it seem like I’d steal a guy's girlfriend even if he didn't have one!
I decided to live up to my looks.
"I'm Baek Tae-yang. Nice to meet you."
Even a simple sentence can carry a completely different vibe depending on who says it.
If a guy with neat hair and a tidy uniform had said it, he might have left a decent, polite impression.
But what if it's a guy who just came from getting laid in the disciplinary room, reeking of raw masculinity?
I'm going strong from the first impression.
I decided to stick with the 'delinquent' image from here on out.
Told to take a seat, I naturally walked to the very back and sat down.
Maintaining a lot of friendships is a pain, anyway.
The back seat by the window—the seat of the strong!
Actually, despite my grand thoughts, there weren't many students. I recalled what Du-cheol had told me earlier.
Classes were divided according to the potential and power of the cadets' abilities.
Being the top class of the grade meant the cutoff line was that much higher.
Usually, if a class is short on people, they pull students up from below, but Victory Academy was strictly merit-based.
As soon as the brief homeroom ended and Du-cheol left, another instructor entered.
The lecture began, presumably a theory class.
[The grades of Main Skills are all displayed as ???. I believe this contains the meaning that human potential should not be limited.]
[In academic circles, it is said that as long as it is a Main Skill, no matter how trivial the ability may seem, its true potential remains unknown.]
"Therefore, all cadets must strive to refine their abilities and..."
My vision began to blur. I shouldn't be doing this from the very first period on my first day, but my eyelids felt so heavy.
The chalk tapping against the blackboard was like sweet ASMR, and the tedious theoretical explanation was a lullaby.
I should at least show some sincerity by listening...
I slumped over.
It was the first class of my first day as a transfer student. It had only been three minutes.
+++
"...yang-ah."
I heard a voice. It was a dainty voice. It felt like a round, rolling sound with a hint of sugar added.
"Tae-yang-ah!"
When I lifted my head, the first thing I saw was red hair. It sparkled like a ruby and was as brilliant as a peony.
Her cat-like face was full of mischief, giving her a tomboyish look. She seemed easygoing...
"Who..."
Maybe because I wasn't fully awake yet, I hadn't quite grasped the situation.
As I woke up, a pretty girl was sitting in front of me, making eye contact.
Standing next to her was a boy whose face clearly telegraphed how uncomfortable he was.
"I'm the Class President, So Yu-min. Nice to meet you!"
"Vice President, Kim Min-su. Nice to meet you."
I snapped wide awake. So Yu-min? Kim Min-su?
I'd heard those names somewhere.
The protagonists of this novel!
These two were the main characters of Academy Pure Love Diary?
Just then, a quest window popped up.
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[Main Quest]
So Yu-min and Kim Min-su are a fresh couple who have just started dating.
And 'Baek Tae-yang' is a character designed to be a threat to that fresh relationship.
It’s already pretty clear what you need to do!
Clear Condition :: You know, right? (0/1)
Deadline :: D-30
Reward :: ??? / Penalty :: Death
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This was the quest that could be considered the reason and purpose for Baek Tae-yang's existence—the alpha and the omega, his everything.
I just got the biggest piece of information.
The thing I had been most curious about since entering the novel was exactly what chapter I was in.
There had been no way to find out, but here was the answer.
If they just started dating, then this is exactly the point of the latest update. It won't be much different.
In the original work, the latest chapter had ended with Min-su confessing to Yu-min while holding her hand.
"I heard you just awakened the day before yesterday? If there's anything you don't know, feel free to ask. I'll help you."
"Thanks. In that case..."
I put on a friendly smile and activated my skill.
[Licking Eyes activated! As a penalty, your gaze becomes greasy. Be careful not to cause any severe misunderstandings!]
Min-su seemed to feel that gaze, as he frowned slightly while looking at me, but Yu-min was just beaming with a smile.
An oblivious girl, a guy who's always anxious about her, and the Virgin Bomber who has to wedge himself between them.
Isn't the outcome already decided?
"...Would it be okay if I asked you to show me around the academy after school today?"
"Sure! Then don't go anywhere after school today and just wait here quietly, okay?"
"I—I'll do it. Wouldn't it be more comfortable for you to go around with another guy?"
Min-su cut in before Yu-min could even finish.
He had an anxious expression on his face; I could feel just how much he loved her.
I understood his desire to avoid a situation where she'd be alone with another man.
That's just how first loves are.
Then again, considering they only started dating around chapter 172, they must have spent at least 100 chapters in the 'will-they-won't-they' phase. It makes sense that he's devoted.
But so what?
It wasn't my problem.
"I just thought the Class President would be better at explaining things... Sorry."
Yu-min didn't notice the look Min-su was sending her at all.
"Th-then, how about the three of us go together?"
"The three of us is too many just for a school tour. I'll show him around properly."
Hearing Yu-min's follow-up, Min-su bit his lower lip slightly.
The look he gave me was full of resentment, which felt a bit unfair.
I hadn't even done anything yet, so why was I being treated like this already?
Your girlfriend is the one who told you not to come...
I couldn't understand why he was taking his frustration out on the wrong person.
I haven't even started yet...
Of course, I planned to do everything—the licking, the sucking, and all the things I shouldn't do.
I should finish this quest within today.
How to devour a virgin-boy's girl as easily as a piece of cake.
It was time to begin.