Chapter 77

Yu Hye-won continued to follow Half Wonder around.

Originally, they had only agreed to accompany each other for a few days or a few hours, but due to Yu Hye-won’s protest, the schedule had been changed.

However, Yu Hye-won was not at all satisfied.

Currently, Yu Hye-won was wearing a neat uniform bought by Half Wonder and attending a seminar hosted by some association.

Though called a seminar, the presence of a buffet and orchestra made it look more like some kind of social gathering dinner. Here, Yu Hye-won could do nothing but trail behind Half Wonder.

“This is the new trainee who recently joined the office. She’s the only daughter of the Chairman of the Advisory Board, I hear.”

Half Wonder, decked out magnificently, introduced Yu Hye-won to the seminar attendees.

She looked like one of the aristocrats from the French Absolute Monarchy era.

“This is an exceptionally talented individual who has come top in all evaluations. Moreover, isn’t she rather cute?”

Half Wonder casually placed an arm around Yu Hye-won’s shoulder as if they had known each other for years.

“An impressive student indeed. But didn’t you, Hero, choose not to take on trainees?”

In response to another’s question, Half Wonder covered her mouth with a fan encrusted with cubes and giggled softly.

“That’s true, but how she desperately wished to intern at our office. So, I couldn’t very well refuse, could I? For the Chairman’s standing as well, ho ho.”

Yu Hye-won was so exasperated she couldn’t even muster a laugh.

If anyone knew anything about the academy’s field training program, they would immediately recognize this as an absurd lie.

Unless an office specifically designated a student, the academy would never send a trainee.

Yu Hye-won being here meant Half Wonder’s office had directly designated her.

However, the other attendees, unaware of this, were busy praising Half Wonder in admiration.

What the hell is going on here? Seriously.

With a face full of grievances, Half Wonder pulled Yu Hye-won to another side.

She seemed to be showing off, like a fine breed of dog or a costly accessory.

After the seminar ended, on the way back to the office, Yu Hye-won asked.

“Hey, Half Wonder.”

“Could you call me ‘half-senpai’?”

“When exactly will the training start?”

“It’s happening right now, isn’t it?”

Annoyed, Yu Hye-won replied to Half Wonder’s answer.

“Roaming around to parties is called training?”

“That’s harsh, calling it a party. You, a Hero, think that fighting villains is all you do every day? That’s a mistake. If you reach my position, external activities like these are more important. Moreover, you’re experiencing an opportunity you couldn’t even dream of at any ordinary office.”

“Who doesn’t know that? However, I don’t plan on flaunting like this right after graduation by wearing those chest-exposing dresses. How about showing me the fieldwork?”

“Isn’t this fieldwork? Do you only think fighting is fieldwork?”

“Hey. Come on, just spill it. Why did you take a trainee? Should I guess?”

Half Wonder closed her mouth, inviting her to speak.

“With the way you’ve decorated the office and judging from what I’ve seen close by, you seem like someone with strong narcissistic tendencies. Perhaps you took a trainee just to show off to others? ‘Look, I’m such an amazing person that I get excellent trainees like her,’ something like that?”

“Is loving beauty a sin?”

Half Wonder gently consoled.

“Loving beauty isn’t a sin. It’s innate. That’s why I love myself and also things that make me stand out. And you’re a very appropriate child to satisfy that desire. You’re excellent in every way, so it makes sense for you to intern at my office…”

“Ha, really ridiculous.”

Half Wonder’s words were interrupted by Yu Hye-won, who promptly took out her cell phone and made a call.

“Professor. I’m not going to do this training. I’ll be heading back to the academy by packing up today, so take note.”

Yu Hye-won was observed with interest by Half Wonder.

“What? No? I’m quitting. I’ll withdraw. Anyways, the evaluation scores can be filled in at the semester’s end, right? Yes? You’re coming here now? Oh, ugh.”

After Hye-won ended the call, Half Wonder asked,

“What did your professor say?”

“They’re almost here to the office. Anyway, I’m done with this internship. Later, rumors will spread. The Half Wonder’s office couldn’t even properly manage a trainee, it seems.”

At these words, Half Wonder’s face hardened slightly, but only for a moment.

“Well then. It will be you who feels regret, not me.”

Half Wonder smiled.

…

While wandering around the splendid interior of Half Wonder’s office, I waited for Yu Hye-won.

A sudden call stating her intention to quit had me rather worried about what had happened.

Possibly some clash with Half Wonder due to Yu Hye-won’s personality.

Even the staff mentioned that Half Wonder had taken Yu Hye-won to some association seminar where things went south.

Although Yu Hye-won’s character could be difficult, she wasn’t lazy or fond of idling.

Clearly, the clash must have arisen from wanting practical training.

“Excuse me.”

As I was deep in thought, an employee at the reception desk hesitantly approached.

“Um, can I ask something?”

“What is it?”

Here, the staff member handed a Post-it note with neatly written phone number.

“What’s this?”

“My number… in case you…”

I understood the intent but had to decline.

No sense in accepting if there’s no interest, it would only create false hopes.

“I’m sorry, I’m married.”

“Ahh, Oh! I’m sorry!”

The female staff fled, startled.

Just then the office door opened and Half Wonder and Yu Hye-won walked in.

Half Wonder looked like royalty in her flowing attire while Yu Hye-won was dressed in an unfamiliar but neat uniform.

From that alone, I grasped the situation.

Half Wonder used Yu Hye-won merely as a piece of jewelry to embellish herself.

Of course, with Hye-won’s arrogance, this must have been unpleasant for her.

“Professor!”

Upon seeing me, Yu Hye-won rushed over.

“Student Hye-won.”

“Take me with you when you leave. I can’t possibly do any training here.”

“Let’s have a calm discussion first. I just arrived.”

I calmed Yu Hye-won and greeted Half Wonder as I stood up.

“Hello, I’m Professor Hyun from Graford Academy, specializing in Basic Defense.”

“Uh…”

For some reason, Half Wonder looked somewhat dazed, not responding immediately.

“Ah, yes… Nice to meet you, Professor. I’m Half Wonder.”

After pausing momentarily, she recovered and extended her hand with grace.

“I’ve heard a lot about you. You’re quite remarkable…”

“When did I ever tell you stories about my professor?”

As Yu Hye-won jumped in, I raised a hand to silence her.

“Be quiet, Student Hye-won. I’m exchanging greetings with the Hero.”

“But why would I tell stories about Professor to someone like her? I barely know myself, it’s embarrassing!”

“Even so, quiet down. Don’t make things harder for me.”

Finally silencing Yu Hye-won, I turned to Half Wonder with a smile.

“I apologize, Hero.”

“No issue. It’s natural for young people to see adults as ridiculous at their age.”

“Kyah!”

Yu Hye-won unleashed golden aura from her eyes but Half Wonder ignored this entirely.

“I’ve heard that only former and current heroes take up the position of Academy professor, yet I’ve never seen your face.”

“Ah, yes. I was relatively unknown until I got lucky and became a professor.”

“That’s quite remarkable. By the way, may I inquire if you’re unmarried?”

Half Wonder eyed my fingers briefly, asking.

Before I could respond, Yu Hye-won, unable to hold back, snapped.

“What if my professor is married or not? Why should it concern you?”

“Student Hye-won. Don’t get involved.”

Despite my warning, she confronted Half Wonder.

“Isn’t it because you love beauty so much, you’re trying something with my professor now? Hey? Professor, let’s go!”

Yu Hye-won grasped my wrist to pull me away. But I couldn’t just leave with her right away.

“Student Hye-won. Calm down. Let’s continue the discussion once I’m done speaking with the Hero. Wait outside for a moment.”

“No, no.”

Suddenly, Half Wonder interjected graciously.

“Let me apologize, Student Hye-won. I’m sorry. Frankly, you’re so amazing, I wanted to brag about you to others. Like you said.”

The abrupt confession quieted Yu Hye-won’s tantrums.

“Anyone who’s taken in a trainee like Student Hye-won would have done the same, I’m sure. The office chosen by Graford’s top student—how could one not boast? Right?”

“What are you saying, it’s so frustrating.”

“That’s why it was. So, please forgive me. I’ll guide you properly to the field now. Professor, I’m sorry. My vanity has distressed Student Hye-won.”

“Ah, yes.”

With the string of apologies, Half Wonder and Yu Hye-won stood mute, uncertain of what to say.

Thus, Half Wonder smiled and said,

“I’ll ensure Student Hye-won gets the proper training. Can you come visit again in the middle of this? I’d prepare a proper setting for us to dine together…”

“That was your plan! Trying to make a move on my professor!!”

Yu Hye-won finally lost her composure, releasing her aura.

…

“Student Hye-won.”

Sitting cross-armed in the front seat, Yu Hye-won didn’t respond.

I had managed to pull her away from attacking Half Wonder, deciding to terminate the internship.

At this point, there wasn’t much point in continuing.

“Student Hye-won.”

“What.”

“How dare you release aura in front of an S-ranked hero.”

“She was trying something funny with the professor.”

“That’s my responsibility. This world is small. There’s no good outcome from confronting an S-ranked hero.”

“Do you think I’m scared of that? Just focus on driving.”

Yeah, she wouldn’t be scared. Frankly speaking, with things as they stand, Yu Hye-won won’t suffer any losses from ruining her relationship with Half Wonder.

And regarding the failed internship, I’ll only get some scolding from the department head, and that’ll be that.

Wait. Did she just speak casually? Did I hear wrong?

“Alright. Now that it’s come to this, there’s nothing we can do. We’re heading to Student Han Min-ha’s training site next. Please behave properly there.”

“Uh huh.”

“Stop speaking casually. And take your foot off the dashboard.”

Yu Hye-won playfully wiggled her stockinged toes on the dashboard.

“Good grief…”