The Academy’s Time Stop Player

TL/Editor: looloo

Schedule: 5/Week Wed-Sun

Illustrations: Here

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Hajoon sizzled the meat, then promptly bit into it, savoring each chew.

Isn’t it obvious that I should cook the meat since I’m hosting the meal?

Surprisingly, Jooah didn’t show any enthusiasm for the meat.

Her expression was downcast, and she seemed deep in thought. Her gaze was directed downward, absorbed in her private musings.

Seeing Jooah in such a state, Hajoon diligently grilled and ate the meat.

After all, a proper conversation requires a full stomach, right?

Then he said, "Feel free to talk."

"Um... there’s something."

"Hmm?"

"I spoke with Lady Riella yesterday."

"She wants you as her apprentice?"

"H-how did you guess?"

"...So, that’s how it is."

To be honest, the moment she appeared here, I strongly suspected it had something to do with Riella, so I could somewhat predict this.

There would be no reason for a fledgling water magician like her to come here otherwise.

’This whole situation is my fault, not anyone else’s.’

As far as I could tell, my blunder was too significant to blame the system for this specific event.

The other penalties seemed more like enforced consequences from the system, but this was entirely my fault.

But that’s not the main concern.

"Shouldn’t you discuss such matters with your family first?"

"Uh... I wanted your opinion too..."

What’s with that pleading look?

Frankly, I couldn’t understand the problem.

Sure, Riella’s appearance led to a penalty, but the outcome wasn’t bad.

Instead, it could significantly aid her growth.

"Become her disciple."

"A, a disciple? Can, can I really do that?"

Hajoon sighed at the sight of Lee Jooah, then took a swig of his soda.

Her reaction indicated she didn’t understand how remarkable her achievement was.

Hajoon bluntly explained the reason.

"Have you heard the rumor that spirit contractors have short lives?"

"Ye, yes... I heard it’s the price for making a contract with a spirit..."

"That’s nonsense. The contractor just can’t control the spirit’s power. They fail to tame it."

"Eh? That’s the first time I’ve heard that."

"Spirits tend to dominate their owners, even though they can’t use their power without a contractor."

Lee Jooah nodded at Hajoon’s words.

She was intently listening to what Hajoon was saying.

"Spirits aren’t just ordinary monsters. They originate from the same essence, but they’re completely different. Don’t expect them to obey you unconditionally just because you’ve contracted them. Understand?"

"Ye, yes, I understand. So, what should I do?"

Hajoon paused for a moment, recalling how Riella had managed spirits.

What had she said in the game then?

The protagonist who had asked that question at the time was Anna.

When she sought Riella’s advice on summoning spirits and it somehow segued into spirit contracts, Riella’s words were fresh in his memory.

-Spirit? Well, I doubt you’ll be contracting with one, but they are somewhat unique. However...

What she’d said next had even taken Hajoon, the seasoned player, by surprise.

Well, it came from a spirit master, so it had to be accurate.

Hajoon relayed the method to Lee Jooah.

"First, learn slowly from that person... You need to build some confidence."

"Eh? Confidence?"

"Yes, why would someone who’s contracted with a spirit lack confidence? If you’re like that, you’ll be devoured."

Devoured?

The somewhat exaggerated remark had Lee Jooah’s pupils darting in surprise.

Would the spirits truly consume the contractor?

Without providing an answer, Hajoon munched on another piece of meat.

"And the most important thing, don’t think of them as partners."

"What do you mean?"

"Don’t think of them as aides, comrades, or friends."

At his words, Lee Jooah’s face twisted into a puzzled expression.

Hajoon continued.

"Fenrir, due to its nature, behaves much like a dog and is known for that. How do you handle such a creature?"

"Uh... empathy?"

"Ts- Ts-"

At her reply, Hajoon clucked his tongue like a grumpy old man.

He was genuinely a bit concerned.

Did he wrongly suggest to such an innocent child to try summoning?

"You have to clearly establish a master-servant relationship."

"Master-servant relationship?"

"Huh... how do you know about that?"

Suddenly, Hajoon and Lee Jooah turned their heads to the source of the new voice.

The moment they saw the speaker, Lee Jooah looked startled while Hajoon gave her a furrowed look.

"May I join you? I’ll cover the meal."

"Oh, yes. Please, have a seat."

"Hehe, thank you."

"............"

While Lee Jooah graciously made room, Hajoon was somewhat taken aback.

Why is she here?

Has she been following us all this while?

Looking at Riella with a stunned expression, Riella began speaking, her face adorned with a warm smile.

"This child is right. You shouldn’t consider divine beasts as friends. If they perceive you as an easy target, they will literally devour you. To be honest, I think the term ’demon’ fits them better than ’divine beast’."

Demon.

Yes, that’s what Riella had referred to the divine beasts as in the game.

Despite their majestic and divine aura manifesting in their physical forms, their attitudes towards the contractors were no different from those of demons.

All these beings ever desired was magical power.

Based on the summoner’s magical prowess, they materialize into reality and offer their power, hence all they desired was magical power.

They see the summoner they’ve made a pact with as a tool, usually.

Unless you’ve taken the reins from the beginning.

"It’s not all of them, but a lot of divine beasts think like this. Humans are weak. It’s an honor for them that we borrow their power.

And the divine beast Fenrir you’re connected with is the most potent and wicked one I’ve seen."

Even Riella couldn’t form a pact with it. Maybe she had given up. That creature was Fenrir.

A beast of immense power, but due to its savage nature, it had no summoner.

So, a legendary divine beast suddenly formed a pact with a girl.

Riella glanced at Hajoon.

"You did well spotting this kid’s talent, but you were too hasty."

"Huh?"

"What would have happened if I wasn’t here......"

".....I just followed the usual steps?"

"The usual steps? Is that what you mean?"

"Yes."

Riella eyed Hajoon with a narrowed, suspicious gaze.

Hajoon met Riella’s stare with an uninterested look.

Suddenly, Riella approached Hajoon.

She walked up to him and started to touch him, feeling him.

At her actions, Hajoon’s eyebrows started to knot.

"Riella, that’s sexual harassment."

Riella didn’t heed Hajoon’s words and kept touching him.

Soon, Riella, nodding her head, spoke while looking at Hajoon.

"As I thought...... I wasn’t wrong."

"What?"

"You’re not awakened. No, even if you were, your physical skills are the weakest among the half-kids. But......"

Riella’s eyes squinted.

Riella, glaring at Hajoon, began to speak.

"How do you do it by the book?"

Instead of responding, Hajoon just took a piece of meat and ate it.

Kim Hajoon bit into the meat cooking on the hot plate, took a swig of cider, and said,

"Don’t I have my own methods?"

"Oh, can you show me then? I’m curious about your way."

At that, Hajoon showed clear annoyance. Soon, he sighed, stuffed all the grilled meat from the hot plate into his mouth, and said,

"With Lady Riella here, I don’t think I need to use my methods, right?"

"Hmm..."

At his words, Riella kept watching Hajoon with a bland look.

Of course, Hajoon wasn’t bothered by her gaze and kept eating his meat.

"You should come and see too. Since you’ve told the kid about his talent, you should be responsible, shouldn’t you?"

"So, I just need to go and watch?"

"Yes, that’s enough."

Somehow, Hajoon had a bad feeling, but he nodded his head anyway.

"Okay. Let’s finish eating, then go."

"Yes, yes, eat a lot here."

"Waiter, can we have three more servings of sirloin steak, please?"

"..."

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Raei Translations

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In the meantime.

In the office of the Chairman of the Korean Hero Association.

"Yes, yes. I understand. Is Minji with you?"

-Yes, father. Don’t push yourself too hard though.

"Alright. Don’t worry about me and stay safe. I said I’ll be back tomorrow, so we’ll meet then. I’m busy, so I have to go now."

-Yes. Take care, Father.

Beep-

In the Chairman’s office.

A middle-aged man was sitting at the desk, his face wearing an affectionate smile as he spoke on the phone.

This was Kim Jeongyong, the Chairman of the Korean Hero Association.

After ending the call with a smile, he hung up the phone and let out a deep sigh.

"Ah, I wish I could join them...but I have so much work..."

"Something good happened?"

Choi Mari, the Chairman’s secretary, asked.

At her words, the Chairman simply sighed and lowered his head.

"There was something good, but it’s gone now. There have been too many incidents and accidents lately."

He had planned to go on an outing with his son and granddaughter after a long time, but the plan had to be postponed due to numerous incidents and accidents.

The incident at the Nephertem Hotel was among the biggest.

Karthon, a supervillain with the power of a nation.

As long as he was in Korea, hoping for peace was challenging.

"We can’t track Karthon’s location... where was it again? Near Dongdaemun Station? I heard the magical concentration there is abnormal..."

"Specifically, the magic is concentrating in one place."

"And this started around 8 pm last night, right? What about our agents?"

"They are already deployed at the site."

"Could someone cause terror by manifesting magic?"

"No such individuals were found upon investigating the area."

There were no significant anomalies.

Only the concentration of magic at the scene was unusually higher than other areas.

Of course, the phenomenon of localized magical concentration intensifying was commonplace.

However, for some unknown reason, the Chairman’s mood was uneasily down.

Perhaps it was because his son and granddaughter were on an outing near the area?

"Hmm..."

He stood up and leaned back, standing in front of a large window where the cityscape was visible.

With a worried expression, he observed the busy people moving around and spoke in a low voice.

"I have a bad feeling about this..."

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