Chapter 227 – Professor (3)
BdAynAs soon as the door opened, the first thing I saw were blue eyes.waQoBA
Sao6“…Ryozo, what are you doing here at this hour?”rbBSm
SUU9No, more like, what’s with that expression on her face? It showed no emotion.62QA8c1
5KAUTQg‘This is different from Chloe.’NHA34
pgTwZHChloe has a blank face, but in Ryozo’s case, the word that best fit was “empty.”P4Ddr0h
tsCZHuLRyozo approached with firm steps that echoed on the floor.iu1
paZgUShe didn’t even glance at me. Or rather, it seemed like she didn’t even register me in her field of vision.c51Ztj
aDmjHer gaze was fixed directly on Senior Ha-na, not moving her pupils in the slightest.G9lxyFo
heUzB4I turned my head toward senior as well. She had already dried her tears and had an euphoric smile on her lips.7qpe88
Fwaq“Hi, Saki?”ZWdMy8b
7c4UPMSenior greeted her, waving her hand gently. Ryozo, completely ignoring the greeting, stopped right in front of her.Gy1Kdm
T5vShe stared at her without blinking. Senior crossed her arms and met her gaze. The atmosphere instantly turned tense.D61V
dvG0WIt seemed I needed to explain the situation, and just as I was standing up, Ryozo bowed first to senior. Respectfully and following protocol, she greeted her courteously.VP5b
Aw9RF2“Pleasure to meet you, Meain Poison of the Strength of Ten Thousand.”1StV60
OJtUJu“Oh~! As expected of Saki, you recognized me instantly. If I had someone like you back when I was director, maybe I would’ve lasted longer in the role.”uwVZINw
nDvyLOq“I don’t know what to say.”zbYbyiy
5PJe“To be honest, Saki, I thought you already suspected something. With all the circumstances and what you overheard from the hallway, what’s strange is that you didn’t confirm it sooner. Although, well, barging in so noisily was a very teenager-like reaction of someone who still hasn’t mastered her emotions.”A2MuFGJ
2Ivv“……”pzED
z9M6Ryozo didn’t respond. Just then, Speedweapon came panting into the library.HjpPG
UIA2hHr“Saki, Saki! What are you…? Huh? What’s all this?”dBJi
1VPsKGSpeedweapon looked between me and Saki repeatedly until his eyes locked onto senior. His eyes, which had been unfocused at first, widened like saucers.vJ4RJI
ylXZF“Se-senior…? Is it really you?”sHOxae
rErtThe way he spoke was ridiculous. Even senior covered her mouth and let out a giggle.DfCI
Drh“I didn’t know not wearing glasses would cause such a stir~ If I’d known your reaction would be this funny, I would’ve kept them hidden even longer. What a shame.”ydIQGZ
YfK0YTSpeedweapon began mumbling incoherently.usqgD
NGKBFJKI could understand his reaction. If he had seen her as a beauty from the beginning, he would’ve simply thought “she’s pretty” and that’d be it.ARdIw
Y0xzCBut when someone you’ve been casually dealing with turns out to be a beauty… that’s a classic twist straight out of a drama. A textbook cliché.vahvNw
ZqCWNAnd clichés exist for a reason—because they work. In relationships between men and women, they’re practically a trap card.LhrsTD
MbyGgBP“I-I… how…?”78laiC
CmiCIt seemed the impact hit Speedweapon harder. His legs gave out and he fell to the floor.sKZ3Y3p
NVHIRyozo looked at him with a pathetic expression, then turned back to senior and spoke in a formal tone.BCXjG
3qp36B6“I ask your understanding, Lady Meain. He often behaves this way.”vi4uQg
7xBl“Saki! Since when do you speak so formally? Talk to me like always, casually, this feels weird.”K3by2k
9wz“Sorry, but I can’t.”FMTKR
T95kQsVRyozo’s expression didn’t change one bit as she nodded with a firm and emotionless voice.Edmx
ZWR2“Former Director Meain Poison, heroine whose strength rivals and even surpasses that of the Sword Master. I couldn’t possibly show such disrespect.”cD7IQGY
7MCSenior scolded her playfully with a smile.kPt
lfv“You’re being polite, but it sounds like mockery.”unCF
dN9kS7“That’s not my intention.”hoEfki
DXippP“That sounds like it too!”CKhx
IAMqW“Excuse me, but between you and me there’s nearly half a century of difference. It’s impossible for me to treat you familiarly.”ucksgz
BLf“Even if I say I don’t mind? And you know well how the Poison family is, right?”fwNih
4kaxSv9Ryozo shook her head firmly.yDEMB5
47vVLY“Precisely because I do, I must treat you with respect. Not just you, Meain, but also the current Director Media, and Mr. Victor Poison, pillar of the Hero Association. I cannot tarnish the honor of the Poison lineage.”QIqa
fgxoACMeain, the difference between you and me is enormous. That’s why I can’t treat you casually like before. That was the official excuse. The truth was, I simply didn’t want to.KyP
Ctx5“Oh, please! If you’re mad, just say it. Talk like a teenager at least! Why do you have to beat around the bush so much?”sgLJ95S
pnR“You just said recently that ‘teenagers haven’t mastered their emotions,’ didn’t you?”e2yoH
RaC“I’m not letting a single word slide!”pZMg8am
s1LGSenior pounded her chest in frustration, but she didn’t seem angry at all. On the contrary, her lips curved into a pleasant smile.MaD1M
XasafARyozo turned senior’s face toward me and looked at me coldly.widk
x3jznR“Can you explain what’s going on?”lRcv0g
g56A cold rage. I felt my skin crawl. That gaze was familiar. I had seen it before in the eyes of the man Ryozo hated most in this world—her father, Saki Kojima.uYo
s63ZEspecially that intense, desire-filled gaze.JQJVw
iueGy‘……’lBe
YMq7WyI got lost in my thoughts for a moment and then sighed.mgnz
yGh“She’s not just a senior… Meain Poison, former director, has decided to take on the role of professor in charge of the Heavenly Class.”RPQ
BxhRyozo’s brow furrowed. Clearly, she didn’t like the idea.S1b
tgdSuppressing her emotions, she asked again.3K6nFe
DpA9“Why?”yMNlW
7cVtEu“Oh, that’s because.”Rmex
60XVc“I was the one who proposed it.”vvQ
4o3IFmZSenior jumped into the conversation, answering for me.0QRoxn0
JQkfl“Saki, you know Kang Geom-Ma is neck-deep in responsibilities, right? I thought if I took on the role of professor, I could help lighten his load a bit.”cG0i
I1SkyXY“If anything, I think his burden will only grow.”B3kYvt
pUhXXRyozo countered. She stared into Meain’s eyes.wpKe
Xy95x“It would be an honor for you to take the position, Lady Meain. But consider this—the media will talk about it for days. And not just the media, but all the attention from the academy, the association, and the nobility will focus on the Heavenly Class.”DDT7
rBn5eSenior listened calmly. Ryozo looked at me briefly, then returned her gaze to Meain.yOt
7vXZX“If all that attention were directed solely at you, I’d have no objections. But that attention will inevitably affect Kang Geom-Ma as well.”lisjJK
eSp0“So you’re saying that even if I lighten his load, the cost will be higher?”4it
rhZ“Yes.”kAaH
K8xcKI6A firm response. Senior smiled softly, like a teacher hearing a good question from a student.rMCu7xc
dp1ku“That’s why I’m telling you, Saki—you’re the one I most want to support.”ISSw
NgGlII“……!”vCKbTa8
lBT9YzRyozo flinched slightly.PCy72
siFZ1PsOnly then did Senior Ha-na uncross her arms. Then, walking lightly, she moved to stand right next to her.NcOKv
66uU“I’ve been observing you for almost a year, and Saki, your worries always revolve around protecting Kang Geom-Ma.”XA5jYGb
ZWP“…….”BWSX2
jqo“I know very well what’s troubling you. Even so, I was a director. Not as good as the current one, sure, but at least I’m not the kind to cause trouble for students, so stop worrying so much.”ViVN8Kn
3E8BFMeain patted Saki on the shoulder and then walked toward the door.9M1mOp
A6OCbQOnly then did Speedweapon seem to come to his senses, scooting out of the way as he crawled on the floor.V5pOws
lySOnce in front of the door, Senior Ha-na turned halfway and spoke in a low voice.M2llNU
uDTJ“The class launches in three days, right? See you then.”n4T
RlF6ltoAnd with just that, she exited the library. The room, which had been tense just moments before, fell silent once more.q18HbsS
uLpA moment later, Ryozo and Speedweapon suddenly turned toward me. Their eyes were full of questions. Looks like I won’t be sleeping tonight either.I5DYn
gHVLJ***YPpDk
Yff0After leaving Kang Geom-Ma’s library, Meain wandered through the academy campus.YLgn
Tg2It was a cold night, between late autumn and early winter. Maybe that’s why the place was completely deserted.9RIneO
PRATThus, Meain reached a small hill.fJRGVY9
6dEYjZThe Joaquin Academy is larger than many cities. In just three years, it’s impossible to uncover all its secrets. The same applies to professors and instructors.c0G
mDLNSd2There are countless hidden secrets within the academy. This simple hill was also one of those places.FDJU
yF5Qa7Deep within this back mountain lies a well that suppresses the “Blessing Awakening.” Its origin dates back to ancient history.lWFM
nzCHEQThe seven disciples of Balor Joaquin, known as the Seven Braves, all awakened at different times.S24k2f
0sX5‘Yes… “awakened” isn’t the right word. They were forced to awaken.’4MJ
bwm2aThe awakening happens regardless of the subject’s will. Even if one resists, they end up mentally consumed and are forced to release their power.Nfx
3Z3VSure, thanks to those seven, humanity survived. Those who witnessed their divinity recorded it like this.9vV5
FEQM『The awakened are blessed heroes, chosen by the gods.』PQsS
RK8zLBut this record contains a contradiction. Why, if they were chosen by the gods, did they all die young?rYM
3jpaWith each awakening, their health deteriorated, and their lives were shortened. Was that really a blessing?rsCRSw
XfbFqgNo, it wasn’t. The blessed were the ones who didn’t awaken. Because they were the ones who were sacrificed in their place.MCTj3L
Q5n91The awakened were destined to offer their lives to that so-called deity. Balor Joaquin, master of the seven, felt great indignation at that injustice and sought a solution.YAGSs
g53oHe thought “If the chosen ones die young, what happens if I do the opposite?” And so, he went to the Demon Realm. He brought all sorts of objects and built special facilities, many hidden within the academy.quEO
Vu5The “Well of Corruption” Meain was heading toward was one of those places.qcnRj5
iMbst“The awakened are the ones who must fight to be hated by the gods.”ul8
GoEFVqqAs she stepped onto the slope, Meain let out a bitter laugh and muttered.BRHi78
DIh17Pz“Is it okay for a country’s Prime Minister to disappear this often?”EzbI5m7
RiZZgfcStep, step.Br4rJA
v0MrFrom the bushes, a man appeared.7Djkhr
vUgHe wore the formal uniform with impeccable order, Saki Kojima.fip4
wuKHe bowed respectfully to Meain.geQo9S
Y8ae“I’m glad to see you, Master.”cri7
eU6vFu“You don’t seem glad at all, but you speak nicely.”ao9J
ziwMeain’s sharp gaze pierced Kojima. Then she spoke.mFwm
oA9“I didn’t want to see you. So get to the point.”iJm
Li4qLS“You knew I was here from the moment I arrived, didn’t you?”OUIeb
XwzC2iZ“Hah… I told you decades ago. Awakening isn’t a good thing. And you know it well.”r7egvan
EVqy“I know. But it also gives power. Power with which I can contribute to humanity.”M2TNgWw
VLpp“You’ve always been good with words. Well, if you want to die early, that’s your business. But it’s already too late. You’re old, you can’t awaken.”BYrA
iVAUgZ“Not me, my daughter.”zrs0kh
DxGAt those words, Meain’s expression hardened.bSPDpa
6RIJ72dA suffocating pressure crushed the surroundings. Even so, Kojima raised his head with eyes wide open.1Xw
1B6a“My daughter is still young.”0eLaa
oT4SMeain let out a dry laugh.iMXP
wS6m“Kojima.”vOcg
WbME“Yes.”e3SIL
QXfMWl“You need a beating.”Ll3DRM
AiS0C7“I’m willing to be knocked unconscious if needed.”wGk
URj9“Yes, I can see that. But you got it wrong. You’re not going to be unconscious.”NkShy6L
iq2bSyBOOOM…!MzE136
GolWA tremor shook the entire earth. No, the sky trembled.Mzrbwo
H8TyA“You’ll probably die.”kA2
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Haimiya_cutie.
MahayanaI can feel the aura
Haimiya_cutie.
MahayanaJust kill him he doesn’t need beating.
Haimiya_cutie.
MahayanaValid point.
BlackLotus
Qi RefinementHe definitely needs a beating
nothingjkps
MortalYo I understand losing ur wife made u go crazy but thats going too far bro