Became a Traitor in an Academy

Unwanted Goodwill

While going to school, I recalled what the doctor had said.

According to the test results, my ability’s developmental level was stagnated at infancy, meaning if used incorrectly, I could be seriously injured, and there could also be problems with the ability’s growth.

“Still, it’s fortunate. I used my ability to the point of magical exhaustion, but there weren’t any particular problems.”

Yeon-hwa and her friend Maria were saying it was fortunate.

“Yes, I think so too. Cases where someone survives magical exhaustion are rare. Moreover, if the developmental level is at an infantile stage, there’s still room for growth, right?”

It was fortunate.

Because a lifelong bookworm had suddenly sprinted 1km.

It was fortunate just to have avoided disaster.

And Maria was right. This ability grows. Though late, if I put in effort, it would improve from its current state.

But I didn’t want to think about it so casually.

While others were polishing their skills, I had been lounging with my hands in my pockets.

If I had properly confronted my fears long ago, Yeon-hwa wouldn’t have been shocked, and we wouldn’t have gotten involved in the dungeon.

Because I was lazy and a coward. Precious people around me had to suffer.

I didn’t want this to continue. This wasn’t justice.

“That’s right. Thank you for saying it kindly.”

To catch up with others, to become a hero who can protect people… the path seemed impossibly distant.

While others are running, I’ve only just stood at the starting line.

So, I’ll have to work desperately from now on.

Yeon-hwa narrowed her eyes, looked somewhere, and then ran off saying good morning.

It was Blanca.

If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have been able to properly face myself even now.

So I was grateful.

This didn’t mean Yeon-hwa or her family weren’t grateful.

I felt I had received more than enough from them.

But she taught me that a person can’t improve just by being taken care of.

Carrying that gratitude, I also smiled towards her and said good morning.

Her expression was—like looking at something truly awkward.

Searching through news sections, there were still no articles about the grotesque sulfuric acid murder case.

Probably, there never will be.

Not only did I leave no trace at the scene…

The Evil Society wouldn’t want their actions to be known either.

Still, I was slightly disappointed.

I thought one concentrated sulfuric acid container would be enough to erase about two-thirds, but the tank was larger than expected, and I could only kill about half.

Of course, that would be enough to turn the villains upside down.

Perhaps they’re thoroughly interrogating internal traitors right now.

In other words, last night’s work could be considered a great success.

But I didn’t feel comfortable at all.

The reason was, of course, Jin-hyeon.

I did that act while already being anxious about going to Lapis’s house.

Good morning? When just seeing his smile makes my stomach churn?

It felt like looking at an old man claiming food while shoving a rotten fish head into it.

My head was throbbing because the guy who shouldn’t be split was already split.

So I could barely tell if I was eating lunch or not.

It wasn’t because the food was tasteless.

Korea had swallowed the entire Eurasian continent whole, so food culture was incredibly developed.

Though when I say Korea, essentially Heros Corporation had devoured Eurasia.

But Heros Corporation had set the new world standard as Korea, not the US.

That’s why students with names from all nationalities came to the academy but naturally spoke Korean.

The food culture was fusion cuisine where K-food was appropriately merged with Western cuisine.

Overall, it was delicious.

It was just that I had no appetite today because of Jin-hyeon.

“You don’t look like you’re enjoying your meal. Are you okay?”

That face that seems to have no idea why I’ve lost my appetite was increasingly infuriating.

“…Just today, just today. Somehow I don’t have much of an appetite.”

“I… think it’s delicious.”

Lapis, true to her nature, spoke without reading the room and said it was delicious, then soon realized her mistake and shrunk apologetically.

“Sometimes days like this happen. Keep going, Blanca! And if you’re okay… I’d like to hear a bit about your story. Is that alright?”

Yeon-hwa appropriately lightened the mood and subtly brought up wanting to hear my story.

“My story? What… Oh. The one from the dungeon? It’ll probably be quite uninteresting.”

I suddenly remembered. Right. I had talked about that in the dungeon.

That I lived in the outskirts.

Honestly, I was at a loss because I had no real story to tell.

“I lived in the outskirts, killed lots of monsters. Then a hero on patrol noticed me and I came to the city.” End of story.

With them looking so eager to hear, I couldn’t just tell something so boring.

Moreover, having a backstory would help me get closer to Yeon-hwa and Jin-hyeon.

“…Not here. I’ll tell you when I go to Lapis’s house on Saturday.”

I’d need to think of some story material by then.

Yeon-hwa, seeming to understand it might be painful memories, thanked me for being willing to share.

As I was eating halfheartedly and pushing my spoon around, a notification sound came from my phone.

The same happened to Jin-hyeon.

“…Talaria? A message for me now… Oh, it’s a club thing.”

Talaria was a chat app created by Heros Corporation. It was just the basic messaging program.

Such aggressive marketing.

“A message at this time?”

Yeon-hwa looked at Jin-hyeon’s phone, surprised that a senior from the club would chat at this hour.

“Yeah. The club president and only senior is a bit of a weirdo.”

I explained on his behalf.

Yeon-hwa agreed, saying someone who created such a club might not be bound by common sense.

The message said the members’ interpretation was nearly complete, so they should gather in the club room right after classes end today.

On a Tuesday.

Well, in the original work, he was someone who would call members whenever he felt like it. So it wasn’t particularly surprising.

“Sorry. You’ll have to go home alone today, Yeon-hwa.”

“No, I can wait that long. That… it was near the research building, right? The library is nearby, so I’ll just read some books!”

Perhaps she’s a bit scared to go home alone?

Having been attacked, she might have some trauma.

I could only hope she overcomes it well.

Anyway… club activities.

Since it wasn’t described in detail in the original work, I was somewhat looking forward to how it would unfold. After all, it’s the protagonist’s club.

It was hard not to have expectations.

It would definitely be interesting.

…And that expectation was shattered the moment I entered the club room.

Now I understood why club activities weren’t detailed much in the original work.

Even as a fan of the original work, this would be hard to cover up.

It was literally just an ability discussion meeting.

“…That’s my opinion. I’m not sure if you’re misunderstanding or intentionally suppressing it—but I think your real ability might be light and darkness. Oh, was this perhaps a sensitive topic?”

“…Yes.”

“Ah, um. I’m sorry…”

Of course, that didn’t mean the content was entirely useless.

Meirin’s skills were genuine.

After all, Lucia had indeed handled light.

Lucia was set up similarly to Jin-hyeon, having sealed light due to bad memories from childhood.

The way she was analyzing this just through questionnaires and simple tests showed Meirin’s analytical skills were beyond the academy level.

In other words, it was so academic that there was absolutely no fun to be found.

I was bored.

If there was even a ball of yarn, I’d play with that, but there was nothing, so it was tedious.

“Next, special categories! You guys… Hehehe. I’ll be honest. I have no comparison points at all! I guess we’ll have to get more information through field tests!”

One fortunate thing was that we passed over it quite simply, as none of us could have imagined what would be said.

Due to lack of information.

Since Min-ho also lacked information to judge through questionnaires alone, like us, they decided to obtain more information through field tests on Thursday.

“So… is this all?”

“Yes. Since the analysis is complete, I wanted to inform you in advance! More importantly, it would take too long to discuss during club time.”

Along with greetings to prepare well for the upcoming rescue training, Meirin said we could now leave.

I wasn’t particularly upset since there was nothing to do, but I felt it would be tiring going forward.

Oh, right. Rescue training is coming up soon. I wonder how the teams will be formed.

“Even after going to the dungeon, you really look okay, Blanca.”

At that moment, Min-ho called me when I was thinking about nothing in particular.

“Huh? Oh, yes! Of course!”

A bit flustered but happy that he was paying attention, I flexed my arm as if lifting a dumbbell, and he brought up an even more surprising topic.

“Then, you must have obtained an artifact?”

“W-well, yes?”

I somewhat knew what he was trying to say, but I couldn’t refuse.

Because I felt sorry for him.

Because yesterday, I had crushed his opportunity to grow with my own hands.

…Hmm.

So, wouldn’t giving him an artifact balance things out a bit…?

“Can I take a look?”

“Well, it’s still being appraised, and once it’s done-“

Just as I was about to say I’d show him, Jin-hyeon suddenly interjected.

“The artifact was obtained by Blanca and our combined strength. Don’t even think about taking it.”