Chapter 211 – My Little Classroom (3)
sO3Y4I’m actually going through an existential crisis.Ex7Yu
HE6stNtSupporting Leon van Reinhardt’s growth—the Hero candidate—it sounds nice to say “support,” but it’s really just babysitting.HqEVh
EXciAt first, I dreamed that the Hero would save the world while I enjoyed a peaceful life in the shadows. But at this point, things have changed.yAIb
GYqThey’ve changed too much.QLH
ASCBack then, I had nothing in this grand narrative. All I had was a whole body with arms and legs, a Blessing that nullified pain, and another that tore my body apart whenever I activated it. That was it.MvISPW
vGXBut now I’ve inherited the title of Sword Master—the strongest human. In other words, I’m implicitly already considered the strongest.78ZuaZq
JLbfYeah. I fought two Corps Commanders and took down two S-class demons. From the outside, I must look like an unstoppable monster. Even if it was outside Demon Territory and they were weakened, it’s still an absurd achievement.9Ij
Y3wt‘That’s why no one complains about a seventeen-year-old getting a Seven Stars title.’6iYbnhG
IThXgBut what if they knew I’m only the strongest for one minute? Would they still idolize me?k1xZA
cJ7islVHighly doubtful.I0F
1b6People trust steady power more than fleeting bursts. A sprinter might seem impressive, but they’re useless in a marathon. In a drawn-out war, endurance is everything.ApNh
CDl3‘Not the best analogy, but let’s say Leon—the Hero candidate—is the endurance horse.’7l0Uz7
BtwAnyway. No matter how much I try, I doubt I’ll ever surpass my time limit. The Pain Immunity Blessing barely improves, and I confirmed that after watching my master fight Lycan.xyt6
TJQCWThe old man was powerful even without the Blessing of the Sword God. And even he had to sacrifice his left arm to use it. It’s a power that breaks limits momentarily—but it can’t be sustained. That’s the fatal weakness of that Blessing.D11437N
gaIThat’s why Leon’s role is so important. I was born a supporting character, but Leon carries the fate of the protagonist. He has a Blessing that embodies the very purpose of this world the Blessing of the Miracle.dsPpmJI
7EOUEaBut that alone isn’t enough. He needs support, context, and secondary elements. Like my Transfer Blessing, which I got from the buffalo dungeon.mmz2Jke
0Jp1‘That was all originally meant for Leon. I took a lot from him without even realizing it.’N6fv0dN
nm6iIaf…Come to think of it, I really did take a lot. The exhaustion I felt about having to support him now turned into guilt.d0WkfW
rAFq‘Since I’m doing it, I might as well do it right.’ldv
mbesStill, I don’t intend to help blindly. A hothouse flower won’t survive a storm.qKpf
muOaLnRI need to create an environment where Leon can grow on his own. That’s the main goal of my special class.clIKV
5YGIHThough that’s not the only objective. I also want it to be a space to enjoy student life.THLZZVb
t6jb“Well, that’s it for today. You all know the assignment’s due tomorrow, right? Hand it in to the assistant. And…”7uWRuN
kT8GACoLost in thought, I didn’t notice how much time had passed. I packed my materials into my bag and stood up. Ryozo, who sat next to me, looked up with wide eyes.wpPjoPY
Y6oe3“Huh? Do you have a date or something? What’s the rush?”aWNZCf4
hpNn8“I need to stop by the forge. I had a weapon made.”eAE2G
oRTLP9WI left out the fact that I’d be visiting Choi Seol-ah’s house afterward. Saying I was visiting an adult instructor’s home just didn’t sound right.48mGH
87z6Plus, explaining our relationship would take too many words. Someday I’ll explain it—but not now.xVABc
XfhF9i“Hmm.”dthj4rq
TxTERyozo narrowed her eyes. She looked at me suspiciously, then nodded like she understood—though she didn’t seem convinced. She rested her chin on the desk and pouted slightly.yjfag4n
0NE“Well, you’d better get moving. They’ll probably mob you again. Go on, shoo.”7sSI
tae“Thanks. Oh, and hey—could you gather the club tomorrow? There’s something I want to talk about. I’ll explain it then.”gN7B
H9LhRK5“Sure. If the Heavenly Sword commands it, so it shall be~!”xCwt2G
appRyozo shrugged jokingly. She waved me off and added.2cfgpf4
14yrxv“Hey, are you going to do the homework the teacher assigned? It’s a big part of the final grade. Though come to think of it, maybe you don’t need it. I mean, we study to become heroes, and you’re already a Seven Stars.”RSH5q
I6e4YAFClassic Ryozo. She caught the same irony I felt a few hours ago.P9mH
mZdwClQIt’s understandable why people don’t get why a Seven Stars member should do homework.CMY0
clyEven the teacher probably wouldn’t say anything if I didn’t turn it in. He might not even expect it from me.iBhxkT
hiNl‘Imagine having to grade it. The pressure.’2HQaBmu
HA3XBut I chose to stay at Joaquin Academy. And that includes fulfilling my duties as a student. So I answered.atuyAt
Da93zi1“Whether I’m one of the Seven Stars or not, I’m still a student. So yeah—I’ll do it.”TM8P37r
lGjjRyozo’s slightly grumpy face softened.d3XT
NHR“…You really are consistent. That’s why I li—”kx6F0I
McbhcFs“—You what?”5kHU
jjRRyozo flinched and swallowed the rest of her words. She waved her hands frantically.xQw
rOrQeP“S-something like that! Go, before the place fills up again!”hmN
iYxf3cAnd like that, I was kicked out of the classroom. I could already hear the avalanche of footsteps in the hallway. I slipped out quickly and pulled out my phone.vxPL
7Hy57ph“Hey, Vixbig.”oK7
Xzz8f[…]Fy8H5
vkqi4Z“Can you help me find some info for the assignment? I’ll write it up myself.”EKRg0
BGp[And what was that speech to Ryozo about? That students have to do their own homework, blah blah.]1uV
fZigU“This counts as doing it. You know I barely have time to breathe. I’m just asking you to prep the materials.”wfTJkXm
uRhIG[And what about AI labor rights? I want rest too! I demand labor laws be respected!]rXh
Txxtu“If you want to rest, just say so.”wE2dhbK
gEgcFShing.r5cGb8
tE5VzOt[W-wait! A Seven Stars member shouldn’t solve everything with violence! Set an example, be the role model of a true hero! This isn’t proper behavior!]bCGu
KioTksf“I know.”ivnf
TRxI tucked the phone into my pocket. It tangled with the sashimi knife. Vixbig shrieked from inside.lfrNanV
498y“Still, at least I plan to turn it in. Isn’t that better than nothing?”qo0nwy3
aRYFJl[…]vgQmWew
1lR7xIt sighed from my pocket. Then replied.clXznV
5yXYGH5[You’ll have it by 8:00 PM. It’ll be delivered as soon as my shift ends…]Q5Rs5iG
at4ulJ***AJtoht
VUK7At that hour, in the principal’s office.wJoA
Ndm1EPJThe tip of Media’s pen danced briskly. With her other hand, she reached for the towering pile of documents stacked on the desk.LFKl8
TvzSSign, slide away. Sign, slide away… The hardened calluses between her index and middle fingers were proof of her administrative prowess.QX2Z
W3RCmCreak.xqQB4rX
28wThe office door opened gently. Without looking up from her papers, Media spoke.E8Zzrvw
xMPEG“Old man, could you knock before coming in?”U91TTcc
JuxU8“You seemed focused, so I didn’t want to interrupt. If I did, I’ll come back later.”o9Ws
cLTThe Sword Master reached for the doorknob again. Media sighed and set her pen down, tucking her hair behind her ear.L060s2
7FFsxa“Forget it. When do I ever have free time? Sit down. I’m almost done, and I’ve got something to tell you.”xffza
WmW4TThe Sword Master nodded and sat on a sofa. Media stretched with a yawn and dropped onto the couch across from him, crossing her legs.uqY
fvI“So, how’s the portal to Gehenna? I heard from the Hero Association’s director that there was a rupture. But since you went in person, what did you see?”Ywm8jZ
u4X42Nf“Something definitely happened. I saw a crack that wasn’t there forty years ago. It wasn’t big, but it clearly left a trace.”kUnyhnk
duXRwv“Was that wound in the portal from ‘our side’ or the ‘other side’?”pwJe
HrdYTZc“Our side” referred to the human world. “The other side,” the Demon Realm of Gehenna.M7w6fn
36DfThe Sword Master’s expression hardened as he replied.R21Q
2zNP“It wasn’t from here. I’d bet they did something from Gehenna’s side.”b7E6aan
tIMMedia pressed her eyelids with her fingers.xst
50QQE0u“Haah… what a damn nightmare. Not even when the Sixth Corps Commander wreaked havoc did the portal flinch, and now it does?”fNZoEb6
Ydj0huQ“I can’t say for certain, but if the portal started glitching right after Basmon crossed without issue, there’s only one conclusion.”ljRJKq7
MyAcGyThe Sword Master moved his lips and explained.UOYyjv
GXQ“The Fourth Corps Commander, Fermush, or the Second, Kuarne. One of them is trying to cross personally. That’s how I see it.”4RKxe
8OXX“You do realize what that means, right?”9AXUB5s
HeqoM“I know.”6JWIo
LbiXWar.jgt1oK
teDYMedia’s mind clouded. The dizziness she’d felt earlier from paperwork returned, heavier this time. She cursed—a rare thing for her.fbxO
Oql8“What fucked-up timing. Just when Geom-Ma becomes one of the Seven Stars, this happens.”7RJqi
eFK“I had a hunch something would follow the announcement of the elimination of the Fifth and Third Corps Commanders…”0Pl
60Zw“The problem is how fast it happened. Like they’d planned it from the start.”EYiTxMW
NzCz“I’ll keep monitoring the site myself. If anything happens, I’ll report it immediately.”IurXM
yRM9SE“Don’t report to me—report to that gorilla, Changseong! Technically, this is the Hero Association’s responsibility. Yes, it’s a matter of humanity’s survival, but I’ve got my own job to do.”Fg6
aI8VjMedia snapped. The Sword Master awkwardly averted his eyes to avoid her sharp glare.6ED
bJ5JO“Media, you know things between Mura and me… aren’t easy.”LKhr
g9lMedia shouted like she was pinning him to the wall.h3Hds
SIltFT“Isn’t it about time you patched things up with that gorilla? You’re in your seventies already! How much longer are you two going to grumble like kids? And you’re the one always avoiding him!”vDf
z7BAQM“……”L3i
m7k2iE“Grow up, will you? Do I have to give relationship counseling to two old men with white hair?”fuaED
QIWgXx“I got it.”96I
u8hDOnly after getting a response did Media relax her gaze. The Sword Master took the opportunity to bring up another topic.XXPs
Uk0ezJd“Oh, by the way, how’s the ‘special class’ thing going? Did Geom-Ma accept?”1Zx
TCsstC“Yes. He liked the idea more than I expected.”MXJ4W
vNa“That’s a relief.”Mqd
dswDXB“I heard he plans to build the group around that Leon kid… Yeah. Says that having the Hero candidate close by will motivate him.”5Vu2k5
ZK2bCH“Hooh… So even as one of the Seven Stars, Geom-Ma still has a competitive spirit. That’s good. Growth should never stop.”iFrmC6Y
fAB2The Sword Master smiled in satisfaction and spoke again.2SSEbul
sNpyJs3“Leon van Reinhardt. It was the previous principal, Meain Poison, who found and brought him in, right?”Y72
qCEgPda“Yes. He arrived shortly after the semester started. That day he handed me a letter without saying a word. Turned out it was from my sister. It only said one thing, ‘I’ve found the Hero candidate.’ I almost laughed.”DKQ6Gh
3byMedia chuckled in disbelief. The Sword Master nodded silently.HYPs6U
FMcWv“Very typical of Meain.”2bTA
67TOQD2“Totally. Always so impulsive. I wonder where she is now. I haven’t seen her in over a decade.”OS7nF
u8lRy“If it’s her, she’ll be fine. Isn’t she known as the strongest of all the past principals? If she shows up again, it’ll mean something big’s coming.”Ydxyp
ir2gdj“Exactly. Let’s hope she stays quiet. Not even when the Sixth Corps Commander appeared did she show her face. I remember we even argued about it, ugh.”ZUN
V7Iu97“……”fuZiBu
K8vyHOrThe Sword Master shivered, recalling a past scene.RzkVf
NbDwboWhen the Poison sisters fought, it was said several islands vanished from the map.4d9KVTR
S2IvF***CZs3R
5N9GY8“…Eo-ja Hadeumi Saekoya?”I8X1
fmpdQHorn’s eyes narrowed, round and alert. Her speech was distorted—she had a chunk of premium hanwoo beef in her mouth. Choi Seol-ah, wearing an apron, immediately scolded her.7lF3jbt
dT7Qa“Hey, long-ears! Didn’t I tell you to speak after you swallow? You’re gonna act like this in front of the Lord?”OKK
mBhHorn glanced sideways at Choi Seol-ah. She chewed energetically and swallowed the meat with a soft gulp.mPt0
22DYE“Excuse me, Lady Boradori. This isn’t hanwoo grade 2++, is it? Could it be 1+? The meat’s a bit tough today.”ZiveZ3
lTYWFK“You’ve got a picky mouth for a long-ears! That piece alone cost over fifty thousand won!”7j0Wpb
Dxtdjg“Seems like you’re forgetting something. You and I have a ‘contractual’ relationship. Don’t you think I’m entitled to demand proper 2++ grade beef?”GeE1
sToFFyv“Y-you little…!”qa9o2re
wOikEnraged, Choi Seol-ah ran over to me with tears in her eyes.4OrU
WykqQVB“My Lord! Please do something about this long-ears! She’s a hanwoo vacuum! Just this month, she’s eaten enough beef to fill several trucks. She’s a true cattle exterminator!”iJjucwp
MMAOV“……”03s7CF
vBpcI ignored her plea. After all, it was a contract between them. No point in interfering.ReVm7E
x5vNkpXI calmly turned Seol-ah’s pleading face away and looked at Horn. I spoke directly.2GR3AH
7uW“There’s going to be a special class opening at the academy due to an unexpected opportunity. I’m free to choose the members, and I thought you might join.”kWtT
SYkHorn was speechless. Her lips trembled.8gt
2IS“B-but… I’m not even a student at the academy.”B586C
Ntbx“I can talk to the principal and get you admitted as a special student, like I was. I’m sure she’ll approve. I can even write the recommendation.”Wk7qGTj
cCu“That’s great, but… I’m a demon, not a human…”bSmprne
0fsE“I doubt anyone at the academy will notice. Only other demons can sense their own, right?”Au4
ospFq36“Ah, yes, yes. We usually sense it through magical resonance.”dpBz9xi
U2hAD“Perfect, then. Oh, wait—I haven’t asked you this yet. Horn, do you want to join the special class?”dhRo0
bHdjWShe hesitated for a moment, then nodded shyly.2zPu2
g8qD4“…Yes. Honestly, being cooped up here is boring. And I’m curious about how human education works.”OZDe
qAvVwE6Her eyes sparkled with excitement. She looked directly at me.ewSgMTE
D1z“I-if I get the chance, I’d love to attend!”3ePasL
sNKTBnI smiled calmly.o7zu
L1W0OJ“Then it’s settled. All that’s left is your appearance.”xRieb
g7ircBMy gaze went straight to her ears, and Horn responded immediately.rBEHba
g8NR“If it’s that, I can use polymorph magic to hide them! I can’t fully transform my body while in the human world, but I can change my ears.”K2lVv
L0X1“Can you show me right now?”c4Q
jDBwewu“Yes!”JlU20
KOqzHHorn activated her magic immediately. A silver mist enveloped her ears, and their pointy shape gradually receded.hgc7H
9pVIn a matter of seconds, Horn looked like a perfect human girl. Pretty enough to turn heads. She shrugged proudly.eojLU
l35iKWv“How’s that? Perfect, right?”V8VPs
r53kkI gave her a thumbs-up.q1w
x1SEyn4“Approved.”BvCL
gZI t2LbC6r
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Haimiya_cutie.
MahayanaControl your self ryozo.
Haimiya_cutie.
MahayanaApproved 👍
Haimiya_cutie.
Mahayana👍
Haimiya_cutie.
MahayanaAi taking shifts wow this is the first time seeing that AI taking shifts.
Haimiya_cutie.
MahayanaShe is treating him like a dog 🤣
Haimiya_cutie.
MahayanaDragons always loves food.