Chapter 71

“Ah, right. Just a moment. I feel like I’m going to fall.”

Student Song Do-yoon continued to cling awkwardly to Professor Han’s back, causing Han to sweat profusely.

The students at the Academy are essentially children who possess the potential to become Heroes.

They are on a completely different level compared to regular high school students in terms of physical strength and other aspects.

Moreover, although Song Do-yoon did lose to Professor Han in the Human Combat Ability Evaluation, the student’s fundamentals are actually quite superior.

Holding on so stubbornly like that, Professor Han was unable to pry Song Do-yoon off.

“Student Do-yoon. Let go. If you continue clinging like this, there will be a reaction between our auras.”

Only after my direct instruction through the loudspeaker did Song Do-yoon finally let go of Professor Han.

Professor Han awkwardly straightened out the wrinkled suit, while Yu Hye-won alternated her gaze back and forth between Han and Do-yoon.

After apologizing once more to Professor Han, Song Do-yoon returned to the correct course and flew away.

***

After the training session concluded, we moved to the debriefing.

I pointed out that Song Do-yoon had repeatedly strayed from the designated path during training.

“Student Song Do-yoon. During actual combat, if this had happened, all three of you would have most likely perished.”

I wasn’t exaggerating.

While cooperative combat can be highly powerful when executed well, a mistake like today’s would provide the enemy with a fatal opportunity to counterattack. To make such repeated errors is akin to committing suicide.

Even though this was our first group training, it was necessary to drive this lesson home now. It is incredibly dangerous for the movement patterns to get disrupted.

“Furthermore, today’s tactical formations were rather fundamental. These were things that could have been handled with just a bit more attentiveness. Yet, Student Do-yoon made mistakes. Sure, anyone can make mistakes, but doing so on such basic maneuvers can only mean that my instructions were not properly followed.”

I spoke in a rather stern tone. While the subject remained silent, Student Han Min-ha nearby tensed, nervously glancing around.

“Explain it, Student Song Do-yoon. What went wrong?”

“I’m sorry, Professor.”

“An apology doesn’t resolve the issue. Based on the skills I’ve assessed in Student Song Do-yoon, this was not a mistake you should have made. There must’ve been another reason.”

In response to my statement, Song Do-yoon remained silent, only slightly lowering their head.

“I’m sorry.”

“Hey! The professor is asking you a question! Why won’t you answer properly?!”

Yu Hye-won snapped irritably, but Song Do-yoon didn’t budge.

Seeing this posture, I began to guess why Song Do-yoon had made such absurd mistakes repeatedly.

It’s because of Han Min-ha.

If there was any other reason, there’d be no justification for remaining silent and not answering my question.

Moreover, it’s unlikely that Song Do-yoon would have pretended to falter just to stay close to Han Min-ha.

So, it looks like you’ve switched targets from Yu Hye-won to Han Min-ha, Student Do-yoon.

The precise reason behind this shift remains unknown, but there is a definite problem.

This issue isn’t about a homosexual attachment to one of my Guidance Students.

The problem is that, in cooperative combat, teamwork should function as machinery, with all members moving with precision. Personal feelings should never interfere.

Certainly, couples like Seo Ji-a and Han Tae-woo can operate together effectively because they maintain a professional demeanor during combat.

However, Song Do-yoon seems unable to do so.

Previously, Do-yoon targeted Han Min-ha, ostracizing and tormenting them because they were close with Yu Hye-won.

Even today, with me, the professor, clearly supervising, Song Do-yoon still deliberately made errors just to cling to Han Min-ha.

If this continues, the possibility that Song Do-yoon would abandon the formation to save Han Min-ha in a real combat situation is high— placing everyone at risk.

And an even more serious issue lies ahead.

If Song Do-yoon’s feelings for Han Min-ha change shortly after we’ve just aligned into a cohesive unit, it would cause chaos.

This situation could indeed become troublesome.

Hence, I had to address this issue clearly this time.

“Student Song Do-yoon, if similar mistakes are made in the next training session, it will be difficult for me to continue guiding you.”

“Understood. Sorry, Professor. I’ll focus properly.”

Yu Hye-won was about to chime in again, but I raised my hand to stop her.

Student Han Min-ha, as though being reprimanded themselves, was breaking out in cold sweat, unsure what to do. Their large eyes trembled anxiously.

“Alright. Everyone, good job today. Let’s work harder starting tomorrow.”

Together, we left the training grounds.

Song Do-yoon walked briskly ahead with a cold expression, causing Yu Hye-won to glare at them in obvious dissatisfaction.

Han Min-ha, on the other hand, hung far back.

“Student Min-ha.”

Calling Han Min-ha, who was walking alone and distant.

“Yes, Professor?”

“Come over here.”

“Ah, yes!”

Approaching in quick strides, Min-ha greeted me.

“What did you do over the weekend?”

“Hi-i-ek?! What… over the weekend?!”

“Why are you startled? It’s about Student Song Do-yoon.”

“Ah, over the weekend… I just slept most of the time.”

“Is that so? You didn’t do anything with Student Song Do-yoon?”

Han Min-ha’s eyes darted around before answering.

“Song Do-yoon? They stayed in their room too, right? Why do you ask?”

“Have you grown closer to Song Do-yoon?”

“Um… No… They’re rather quiet, and I haven’t had much chance to talk properly. And as you know, Professor, the situation with Hye-won is also complicated, so I didn’t know what to say.”

“I see. Student Min-ha, I have a favor to ask.”

“What is it? I’d be more than happy to do anything for the professor!”

Min-ha looked up at me with bright eyes.

“If you find it difficult to handle Student Song Do-yoon, don’t keep it to yourself. Please let me know.”

“Huh? Is that the favor? What do you mean? Why should Song Do-yoon be difficult to handle?”

“I anticipate that such incidents may arise in the future. It’s hard to explain in detail now, but you will feel it eventually. When that happens, let me know immediately. Understood? Don’t quietly suffer like you did last time.”

I was referring to the previous incident where Song Do-yoon persistently harassed Han Min-ha, even sending birds to their dormitory window. Han Min-ha bore it alone back then, only revealing the truth under my probing questions.

Undoubtedly, Song Do-yoon will likely torment Han Min-ha again, this time driven by desire instead of malice.

“Can you promise me?”

“Promise…? Ah, yes! I promise!”

And with that, Han Min-ha raised their pinky finger.

“A promise requires a pinky swear, Professor.”

Connecting our pinkies, I made the oath.

“Seal it with a handshake too.”

Han Min-ha pressed their thumbs against mine and insisted on signing it.

“Signing…?”

Han Min-ha lightly tickled my hand with their index finger, forcing me to follow their playful ritual.

“Let’s copy the contract too!”

“What’s that?”

“Rubbing the palms against each other.”

As instructed, we slid our palms across each other.

Afterward, Han Min-ha suddenly gripped my palm and the back of my hand firmly.

“What’s this about?”

“It’s called ‘coating.’ This way, it won’t wear off even in the rain.”

“Haha. Yes. You’ll never fall for scams your whole life, Student Min-ha.”

Han Min-ha’s bright smile was truly adorable.

***

“Hey, Song Do-yoon.”

Yu Hye-won called out to Song Do-yoon walking ahead.

Song Do-yoon silently glanced over their shoulder at Hye-won without turning around fully.

“Not going to answer?”

“Why.”

“Who are you?”

“What’s that supposed to mean.”

“What did you do earlier?”

Song Do-yoon briefly glanced at Yu Hye-won before turning back and continuing to walk.

Yu Hye-won quickly stepped forward and roughly grabbed Song Do-yoon’s shoulder.

“What do you want to know?”

“Why did you make those mistakes?”

“Can’t people make mistakes?”

“Huh, look at yourself.”

Yu Hye-won smirked as if amused.

“Why did you join my team?”

“Han Min-ha didn’t tell you?”

“Not that. The real reason.”

“There’s no real reason.”

Song Do-yoon shrugged off Yu Hye-won’s grip.

“Sorry, but this isn’t the upperclassmen’s grade, so stop treating me like a subordinate.”

“Hmm.”

Yu Hye-won watched Song Do-yoon walk away and spoke.

“This time, is it about Han Min-ha?”

Song Do-yoon pretended not to hear.

“Is it because you couldn’t succeed with me and moved onto Han Min-ha? Thinking you could easily devour them?”

Song Do-yoon stopped moving.

“Snap out of it, insane stalker.”

“Stalker?”

“They call people like you that—someone who blindly attacks every woman they come across. Am I wrong?”

For a moment, a navy blue aura flared up in Song Do-yoon’s eyes. Yu Hye-won snorted derisively.

“Even if you’re angry, what are you going to do to me?”

No matter how high Song Do-yoon ranked as an upperclassman’s ace, they were no match for Yu Hye-won in direct combat.

So, Song Do-yoon could only glare at Yu Hye-won with blazing eyes filled with aura.

“I don’t care if you’re a confused lesbian. Whether you like turnovers or Johnsonville sausages, that’s none of my business. But I can’t tolerate your personal preferences messing up our team.”

Yu Hye-won gave a wicked grin and stared directly at Song Do-yoon.

“If you can’t control your urges, why don’t you get a snail or something to keep as a pet?”