Chapter 75

The trainees disembarked at the integrated terminal of Graford City and headed individually to their respective training locations.

At the waiting hall, Professor Han once again tried to embrace Yu Hye-won, who irritably pushed him away.

“It’s suffocating! Plus, you’re sweating! That’s gross!”

“But I don’t smell.”

Professor Han pouted and turned toward Song Do-yoon, hesitating for a moment.

Yu Hye-won’s warning came back to mind, along with Do-yoon’s unsettling behavior yesterday.

“Alright, come back safe. Do-yoon.”

Song Do-yoon, who had slightly spread her arms in anticipation of a hug, awkwardly lowered them and nodded.

“Okay.”

Thus, the Golden Viper and the Gray Fungus students dispersed to their respective training locations.

***

Yu Hye-won’s training site was the office of S-Ranked Hero, Half Wonder.

Half Wonder was a rare hero capable of manipulating ice and fire at will and was immensely popular due to her stunning performances and beauty.

Her office was located in the prime real estate of the capital, surrounded by the Organization and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

True to the rank of an S-Ranked Hero, the entire building served as her office, and the building was reportedly purchased under her name.

She was accompanied by over a dozen sidekicks and employed over a hundred staff members for administrative work.

Half Wonder’s office could be seen as the ultimate dream for all heroes and trainees alike.

“Welcome, let me help you with registration.”

The charming receptionist stood up and greeted Yu Hye-won.

The reception area was dazzling, resembling a hotel lobby, with murals of Half Wonder’s heroic deeds adorning the walls.

“I’ve come for my training.”

“Ah, you must be Yu Hye-won, right? We were expecting you. Please come this way.”

The receptionist led her to the elevator.

Half Wonder’s office was on the top floor, and from the corridor to the office entrance, it was opulently decorated, making Yu Hye-won momentarily think she had stepped into the Palace of Versailles.

Overly self-aware, she thought.

“The representative hero has arrived for her trainee.”

“Come in.”

Yu Hye-won entered and couldn’t help but snicker at the sight.

Is this really called an office?

A luxurious red carpet on the floor, marble sculptures of herself decorating the fireplace.

The circular ceiling was painted with frescoes depicting her battles with villains, and the walls were filled with similar framed images.

What must the revolutionaries have felt when storming the Winter Palace during the October Revolution?

This was absurd.

In the midst of this grand office, Half Wonder emerged from her large desk, smiling as she stood up.

She was as beautiful as she appeared on media.

“Welcome, Hye-won.”

“Hello. Quite an extravagant office you’ve got.”

“I’ve decorated it simply according to my taste. Do you like it?”

“Hmm, I don’t know about liking it, but it seems farmers could storm in and take you away without much resistance.”

Half Wonder burst out laughing.

“Many have visited my office, but I’ve never heard it put like that.”

“Maybe they were too scared of you to speak honestly.”

“Or Hye-won is fearless.”

Despite Hye-won’s sarcasm, Half Wonder handled it with the grace expected of an S-Ranked Hero.

“Sit down. Let’s talk about the training plan over tea.”

As they drank tea, Half Wonder carefully reviewed the documents Hye-won had brought, consisting of her personal profile and the training plan from the Academy.

“Ah, you’re the daughter of the Chairman of the Advisory Board?”

“Didn’t you know? I thought you did.”

“No, I genuinely didn’t know.”

Half Wonder smiled as she turned the page of the report.

“Top of the basic evaluation, top in all subjects, top in semester evaluations – you’re surely the Chairman’s daughter.”

“It’s just that I’ve worked hard, that’s all.”

“Alright. We’ll go with that.”

Half Wonder explained her rough plan as she reviewed the training plan.

“Joining me in the field, following the sidekicks, and regular administrative tasks are what I’ll teach.”

“Why? According to regulations, aren’t S-Ranked Heroes required to accompany interns for a full week?”

“The rules say that, but it’s hard to do in practice. S-Ranked Heroes have many other duties besides fighting villains. I can’t bring an intern to meetings with the Organization, right?”

“Hmm. Is that so?”

“Moreover, the sidekicks in this office, even if of lower rank, are at least B-Ranked, so there are plenty of things to learn. Also, if Hye-won will eventually open a private office after graduation, it would be good to learn about relevant administrative work.”

But Hye-won crossed her arms with a mischievous smile, as if unsatisfied.

“If that’s the case, why did you even request me?”

“Because I saw that you’re a good fit for our office.”

“But then you’re just passing me off to the underlings. Is this to impress my father?”

“Am I someone who would do that?”

“Hmm, but our professor said that if treated unfairly, I should refuse and call him.”

At this, Half Wonder smiled with amusement.

“Calling it unfair makes it sound like that. But who is this professor?”

“Professor Hyun, the one who teaches Basic Defense.”

“Hmm. Professor Hyun… Haven’t heard of him.”

As Half Wonder recalled, she continued with a gentle expression.

“In any case, I understand Hye-won’s point. I’ll adjust the schedule so that I can accompany you as much as possible. However, be aware that I can’t take you to sensitive meetings. This isn’t unique to me; all hero offices are the same.”

“Alright. If that’s the case.”

Despite being warned moments before leaving the academy about not being rude to the hero, Hye-won had already forgotten.

***

“Hello!”

As soon as Han Min-ha entered the office of Legalmight, he greeted loudly, bowing deeply.

Due to this, his chest jiggled a bit, and the office staff stared in astonishment.

“Uh, who might you be?”

“The trainee from Graford Academy, Han Min-ha. I’ve come for the field training.”

“Oh, you’re the trainee. Please come in!”

The employees greeted him warmly, and Min-ha bowed deeply to each of them.

“Thank you very much! Thank you very much!”

“You’ve come such a long way. Sit down and catch your breath. Our representative hero hasn’t arrived yet, but please wait a moment.”

“Yes!”

Sitting on the couch in the corner, Min-ha leisurely observed the office.

For a thriving A-Ranked Hero’s office, it was surprisingly modest.

There were no standout interior decorations, and it seemed like everything was just as it had been since the office was first built.

No tall bookshelves, everything was utilitarian, much like the Academy’s administrative office.

But unlike the drab administrative office, this place felt, somehow, warmer.

Maybe it was the large amount of natural light streaming through the expansive windows or the friendly expressions of the employees that gave this impression.

On one wall, there was a large calligraphy scroll with words Min-ha recognized.

“Justice and common sense are always in place.”

A motto that perfectly suited Legalmight’s character.

“The boss is here.”

The office door opened, and the employees stood up to greet the giant man dressed in a suit – it was Legalmight.

“Ah, a trainee?”

“Yes, hello! I’m Han Min-ha from Graford Academy!”

“Ah yes, today was the day. Sorry for the wait. I had a sudden request and, with all my sidekicks out on missions, I couldn’t avoid leaving the office.”

“No! It’s fine!”

“Ha ha. No need to shout like that.”

“Y-yes.”

“Come in. Excuse the inconvenience, but could someone bring us drinks?”

Legalmight and Min-ha entered the office.

Even Legalmight’s office was simple and neat.

Min-ha felt it was very similar to his professor’s research room.

“Is barley tea fine? It’s my preference.”

“Yes! It’s fine.”

They sat facing each other, and Legalmight reviewed Min-ha’s profile, then asked:

“Professor Hyun? Is Professor Hyun your academic advisor?”

“Yes. I heard the professor used to partner with you.”

“Yes, long ago. Is Professor Hyun doing well?”

“Very caring and warm!”

“What?”

“Uh…?”

Min-ha hesitated, wondering if he had said something wrong.

“Good grief, it’s almost as if the world has flipped upside down.”

Legalmight muttered to himself.

“I… I’m not sure what it means, but I apologize.”

“No need. It’s nothing like that.”

Legalmight recalled working with the young trainees back when he was a rookie, with Professor Hyun by his side.

***

From the collapsed makeshift building, Professor Hyun slowly emerged, blood-smeared.

In each of his hands was a corpse – one missing its lower half, the other just a head.

He carelessly tossed them to the ground and looked at Legalmight.

“Things turned out this way by accident.”