NOVEL WEB Chapter 28
“Can you believe they’re just using all that magic stone to run a washing machine? I guess it’s really Heros Academy after all… They don’t even charge tuition, yet provide facilities like this. What on earth…?”
The kids watching their gym clothes magically refresh like new were starting to look horrified.
With that kind of splurging, it’s no wonder.
“We’re eventually going to become heroes or hunters to fill Heros Company’s pockets, so isn’t it reasonable for them to invest like this?”
As I honestly voiced my thoughts, Yeonhwa chuckled in a somewhat troubled manner, slightly beating around the bush.
“Well… I can’t deny that, but isn’t it just that Heros Company is really serious about education?”
“So this is how you use a washing machine…”
While we exchanged various opinions, Lapiz was poking at the washing machine in wonder.
Seems like she’s never used one by herself before.
“I really wanna go somewhere fun again! But there’s just no energy for that… So let’s call it a day here. Take care, guys!”
Even though washing made me feel a bit better, it didn’t actually restore any stamina, so the girls’ meetup ended here.
At some point, I naturally started hanging out with Ageha, and we joined Jinhyeon, who was waiting nearby, heading home together.
Glancing at the white-haired guy walking next to Yeonhwa, it suddenly hit me that he was the only boy in this group.
“Hey, we only have Jinhyeon as the guy.”
Since I just realized that, the others looked surprised and said it was true.
“Oh, really?”
“That’s true.”
“Well, I guess that doesn’t really matter, does it?”
“Yeah, I suppose so. Jinhyeon isn’t exactly a rake either, is he?”
“Jinhyeon… uh, yeah. That’s right! He’s not a rake!”
Still, I couldn’t shake off the uneasy feeling.
This is starting to look like some weird harem.
Of course, Yeonhwa is the center of the group and they see me as the focal point, but still… it just looked that way and it made me feel really off. Plus, the two original heroines are here too, which made me feel even worse.
That guy’s only allowed to have Yeonhwa.
And even that is one-sided from Yeonhwa’s end, which is why I’m letting it be.
That was my reason for not touching Yeonhwa.
If it’s what Jinhyeon wanted, I would have interfered, but since Yeonhwa wanted to connect with Jinhyeon, I let it slide.
“More importantly, Jinhyeon! Do you have a temporary hero name in mind?”
“Nah, not really…”
“You too? Just like Blanca! How about you both brainstorm together?”
“That’s a no-go for me. I just wanna rest today since I’m tired.”
Seeing him gently refuse my suggestion with sincerity made Yeonhwa smile with a mix of regret and relief.
“Yeah, get some good rest! Just thinking about that creepy training gives me chills… Ugh!”
As we chatted about trivial matters on our way to the monorail station, it was starting to feel routine.
I suddenly thought about how they’d react if I actually betrayed them.
Lapiz and Ageha would definitely be shocked, and Jinhyeon would be too, but… I couldn’t let them give up on their dreams of being heroes.
For a moment, I thought about really being friends instead of just playing the role, but that didn’t seem right at all.
Above all, betraying the Boss would be crossing a line.
No matter what, I couldn’t do that.
“I need to transfer to line 4, so I’m getting off here. Take care, everyone!”
“See you, Ageha! And Blanca too! Catch you tomorrow!”
“I, I’ll wait for you…”
“No, Lapiz. You must be tired too, it’s okay to go.”
After sending off everyone, I made my way home.
I glared at those humans who always look at my chest, pondering how I could change this harem-like party setup.
…Hmm. Should I call a scoundrel or something to shake things up?
That guy might actually work. If only I could call Minho, but…
Minho would be busy in his own way.
It’s like I can’t eat sweet persimmons, so I’m stuck picking up the bitter ones, but what can I do?
I didn’t want to interfere with the protagonist, nor did I want to raise any suspicion.
After checking if I had any tailing me, I confirmed there was no one and headed back to my monthly rental.
The tailing I thought I had early on after enrolling turned out to be nothing at all.
It was probably some idiot trying to show off and realizing his place, then running away with his tail between his legs.
Seeing as there hasn’t been any tailing since then, I suppose I was a bit too on edge.
That’s that, but what about a hero name?
I hadn’t ever thought of one.
The suit design was easy since I had all the requirements figured out, but the hero name was something I struggled with.
Since one day I would betray them, I couldn’t just ignore what name I would be called in the meantime.
As I pondered over a hero name, before I knew it, it was already evening.
I had no idea how so much time had passed, but I guess it wasn’t that important.
What was concerning was the fact that I hadn’t thought of a decent name yet.
I did have one idea… but the way Ageha had reacted to my joke, calling it garbage, was kind of weighing on my mind. Was it okay to name myself like this? I was truly struggling.
It wasn’t much, but it felt like a significant dilemma for me.
This was sort of like proving the value of the wordplay I had done before.
Back at the Boss’s mansion, I would often joke around like this. They all enjoyed it every time.
But if what Ageha said was true, it meant they had been forcing themselves to laugh to save my feelings.
If that were the case, I might have been in for a tough time.
Thus, I tried to chug some glucose to squeeze out some clever wordplay.
Suddenly, my phone that I had left next to my pillow buzzed.
Who on earth is calling me at this hour? I felt annoyed, but the moment I looked at the screen, my annoyance melted away into a grin.
It was the Boss.
Ah, the Boss is probably in a time zone where it’s still daytime.
Aha, makes sense.
“Boss!!!”
As soon as I picked up the call, I called out to the Boss full of joy.
– Hahaha. You’re still calling me that, Blanca. You can just call me Raphael, you know.
“But to me, you’re always the Boss! It’s been a while since you called; have you finally found some free time?”
– No, not really. My fortune told me to call you today. I’m still feeling like I’m barely holding together with four bodies.
“And yet you still call me…!”
– So… How have you been, Blanca? Justitia sends me your news from time to time, but she doesn’t share everything.
“Yeah! The plans are going smoothly, and I’ve finished connections with the key personnel!”
I couldn’t contain my excitement as I spoke, standing tall like a proud child hoping for praise.
– Good, good. That’s our Blanca. But… make sure you make some friends and enjoy school life a bit. You won’t get another chance like this once you’re older.
The Boss praised my efforts but also worried for me.
“I’m fine with that. I’ll be okay as long as I have you, Boss.”
Honestly, everything else didn’t matter to me.
– If you say so, I can’t force you. But hey… I heard you got attacked by villains. Are you okay?”
“Of course! Do you think I would let some trash get a scratch on me?”
– True. Jokes aside, with you around, I don’t have to worry about that. Seeing you so perky means it wasn’t an issue. I’m relieved.
“Hehe…”
– I thought you were going to be troubled by that. But you look alright. Guess I misinterpreted today’s fortune.
“Ah… well, actually, there is something I’m worrying about…”
– Really? Spill it. I might be able to help.
It was a bit embarrassing to tell the Boss, and I thought it was trivial, but since he asked, I shared my concerns.
– Hmm… Naming, huh? That’s tough. Sorry. I’m not great at that myself. But why not muster up some courage? Blanca, your wordplay always brings us laughter.
“Really…? You weren’t just laughing out of politeness…?”
The Boss unintentionally prodded my actual worry.
So, without thinking, I spilled my feelings.
– There’s no way I’d do that! You’re genuinely funny; I’m not just saying that. So, have a little more courage. The brave seize the world.
“…Okay! Thank you, Boss!”
Alright, with my worries cleared and my confidence charged, I didn’t need to hesitate anymore. My hero name… that’s it.
I made my decision.
– I’m glad it worked out. Now I’ll hang up; just got another task incoming.
“Got it, take care!”
With those parting words, the Boss cut the call.
Hearing the Boss’s voice after so long made me feel even happier.
Tonight, I should be able to sleep peacefully.
*****
“Looks like there wasn’t an insider betraying us, Mr. Park.”
“O-of course! These are my loyal subordinates, carefully chosen! There’s no way they’d dare to go against you!”
The elderly man called Mr. Park answered with a cringing demeanor as he wiped the brain fragments from the glasses he wore, looking up at the muscular man.
The muscular man looked down at the old man with a mix of amusement and disdain, slowly sizing him up as if pursuing a slow-moving snail.
“For that to be the case, it seems our… Captain has some significant grievances against me.”
“That’s… well, it’s because I want to catch your eye as soon as possible! I’m so capable; why wouldn’t the Master notice me?”
“So you doubt my judgment?”
“N-no, I didn’t mean that…”
The old man broke into a cold sweat, trying to find a way out.
However, the muscular man let out a hearty laugh and reassured the old man.
“You’ve improved greatly, Mr. Park. To have developed ambition and independent thinking that didn’t exist in the previous generation… it’s quite impressive.”
“Th-thank you…!”
“Speaking of which, Mr. Park, do you have any idea who attacked our hangar?”
The old man felt the realization that today was his day to die and closed his eyes before responding.
“I don’t know. I don’t know who it is, what group they belong to, what they want. They covered their tracks so meticulously. Besides, information hasn’t leaked, so how on earth could the hangar…?”
“Hmm. If Mr. Park doesn’t know, then it truly must be a mystery. Good job, Mr. Park. Perhaps you might want to…eat some herbal medicine or something tonight?”
“Oh, you mean herbal medicine? Understood!!”
The old man hastily left the room, relieved he wasn’t dead yet.