NOVEL WEB Chapter 77
“Even on internship day, they’re not letting us slack off!”
The Heros Academy trudged through the morning classes as if determined to keep the students busy.
No matter how talented the students were, they were still just kids, and the classroom atmosphere shattered like glass.
If it were the old Im Changwon, he would have lectured the kids about focusing and not slacking off.
But seeing him not say anything the whole class made it clear even he thought this was a bit much.
The president, who should be the discipline enforcer, was silent, and the vice-president was out cold in the sun, so of course, the class couldn’t run smoothly.
Even the ever-optimistic Yeonhwa was giving off negative vibes.
“Ugh, what’s the Academy thinking…”
“Maybe they’re trying to make us remember our duties as students, no matter how happy or tough things get?”
“If that’s the case, they could just say it! Honestly, this is not cool…”
Thus, the morning class turned into a self-study session and a time for quiet gossip.
“W-what about Blanca…?”
Did I catch her attention while I was dozing off? Lapiz snagged my tail with her tiny hand and asked.
Wriggling free from her grip, I whipped my tail against her hand.
“If you wanna touch it, ask first! Don’t just grab it.”
“Ah, uh… sorry…”
“No need to dig a hole into the ground over it.”
After soothing Lapiz, who was starting to shrink into herself, I answered her question.
“Just because you’re a Hero doesn’t mean you can be dumb, but I guess being a bit dumb is okay compared to being a scientist. Why’s the Academy making us learn so much?”
In truth, I just hated these morning hours. Repeating stuff I already knew was not my idea of fun.
Yeonhwa was glowing with agreement, then quieted down as the teacher’s attention shifted back to us.
“Ugh. If I have kids one day, I’m sending them somewhere but Heros Academy. Somewhere they can be free.”
She sighed softly, muttering something that would make the higher-ups at the Academy sneer.
I could guess what Yeonhwa wanted, but such a place didn’t exist.
In fact, they’d probably want their kids to come to Heros Academy. There weren’t many places with such a lax academic atmosphere.
It’s a world where the thirst for knowledge is only more intense than the original world, so if Yeonhwa wanted her way, she’d really have to consider homeschooling.
But I decided not to say that. The harsh reality could wait until later.
Right now, it was a good time for some more amusing conversation.
“Kids? You’re already planning on having children? How responsible, Yeonhwa! So, who’s the lucky guy?”
“Who… with… um. Ah, no! Just, uh… What’s the term…?! Oh right, idiomatic expression! It’s an idiomatic expression, yeah!”
Poking Yeonhwa, I was ready for a reaction, and she didn’t disappoint; her response was more entertaining than I expected.
“For someone talking like that, you seem way too shy. Are we to believe someone’s already settled for you?”
“No way!!!”
“Hey, we’re still in class, so keep it down a bit.”
“Ah, sorry…!”
Yeonhwa looked at me with a bit of resentment, but I just smiled.
Maybe because I was already in the know, teasing her was a blast.
Yeonhwa’s reactions were just right. With Lapiz, if I tapped even lightly, she looked like she’d pass out, and with Jinhyeon, even a heartfelt jab would leave him unfazed.
Yeonhwa’s level of responsiveness was the best for teasing.
The Boss could just brush everything off or toss it back at me like a martial arts master.
So far, I hadn’t felt free to tease anyone.
At least, I had been channeling my urge to poke fun at enemies or desperate people, but lately, I didn’t even need to do that.
“I don’t know who it is, but I’ll be cheering you on. Oh, and even though I can’t give you a gift, please understand.”
Yeonhwa fumbled her words, asking what exactly she was being cheered for, but she looked embarrassed. Or maybe she wasn’t genuinely mad; either way, she didn’t seem intimidating.
Was I like that when I got mad in a suit?
…No wonder the kids weren’t scared at all.
If there’s no sincerity, who would be afraid? If something like this happens again, I should just pretend like it’s nothing, no matter how embarrassing it gets.
And with an unexpected mirror treatment, I also got a solution.
After lunchtime ended, instead of starting our self-training, we sat quietly in the classroom.
On our desks, our suitcases were laid out.
Unlike the morning, everyone was full of life, with faces brimming with excitement.
When Justitia strolled in, Changwon hushed everyone.
“Thank you, Student Changwon. Before diving into the fun talk, there’s something we need to address. You were all droopy like wet clothes in the morning, but now you’re all perked up.”
Some kids looked apprehensive, glancing at Justitia. Quite a few of them.
But I stood tall. I usually just sprawled out during class anyway. Not a care in the world.
Justitia looked like she was about to give some hard truths, her expression serious for a moment, before she quickly lightened up, realizing she was just joking.
“I understand completely. It’s Monday, and your internship starts today, after all.”
“Phew…”
“That being said, please refrain from openly showing your lack of interest in participating in class. The teachers have feelings too.”
Justitia swiftly shifted gears, mentioning how she’d been rambling.
“Now, it’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for, the internship time. Just so you know, contracts are already signed, so don’t even think about jumping ship midway.”
“Yes!”
“Then there’s no need to wait any longer. Class is dismissed. I expect you all to gather valuable experiences over this week. You’re free to go.”
Justitia coolly signaled us to scatter and called out me, Katyann, and Minho separately.
“Wait at the parking lot exit by 1:10 PM. I have a few things to take care of.”
“Oh, okay.”
Katyann nodded in answer.
A bit over 20 minutes of free time, huh.
“Blanca, I’m off then! If anything fun happens at Invictus Office, I’ll let you know, so don’t be too lonely!”
“Forget about me and just come back in one piece.”
After sending Jinhyeon and Yeonhwa off, I wasted time helping Lapiz move her suitcase, even though she was trying to turn me down.
Still, with 10 minutes left, I was planning to head to the parking lot early when Minho called me.
…I was starting to feel anxious about chatting with him. When did this unease start?
Oh right, it began that day in the café. But refusing him would be more suspicious, so I went along with his suggestion and headed into the corridor.
“Blanca, I was a bit rude last time—”
“What were you gonna say?”
Minho seemed caught off guard, staring at me in surprise.
“Straight to the point.”
“If it’s not that, then I’m sorry. But if it is… I have nothing more to say. Not a single thing.”
This was my chance to draw a clear line. Don’t dig any deeper. Even if it messes up our relationship, I’m not spilling anything.
“You’re not hiding anymore?”
“After you’ve pried this much, what’s left to hide? I’m only talking like this because it’s you. I have a tight lid on my mouth.”
I needed to hammer it home. If this person’s plans were ruined because of me, I might as well just embrace death.
“I see. You’ve made up your mind. This isn’t about your identity. I’m just… curious about what you’re after.”
“Isn’t it the same thing?”
What was he trying to pull now? I frowned as Minho presented examples.
“Like, for the benefit of Heros Company, perhaps? Or wanting to one-up Heros Company? Just… things like that.”
…
Right, he’s testing my identity. If I say the former, he’ll think I’m with Heros Company; if I say the latter, he’ll suspect something else.
Maybe he’s suspicious of the Liberators.
But I didn’t want to answer either way. More than that, I found it odd that he specifically mentioned “one-upping”.
Does he know something? About my past?
…I knew he couldn’t, but once I started doubting, I felt uneasy and shut my mouth tightly.
“You really don’t want to answer, huh? Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry.”
“Saying you’re not trying to pry while calling me out here doesn’t really add up.”
“Hey, I can’t talk about this in front of others.”
Fair point, dammit.
“…I’m going to be late. Let’s go.”
“Oh, wow, time flew by.”
Watching Minho act like nothing happened, I couldn’t help but think, “Yeah, he’s definitely the protagonist.”
Still, I wished he’d ease up on the suspicions.
Getting doubted all the time was exhausting and draining.
Complaining inwardly, I took my suitcase and headed for the parking lot.