Chapter 92

The team capability evaluation period has arrived.

Previously, we were supposed to conduct end-of-semester evaluations, but this semester, with the full revision of the team-based education system, this evaluation has been put in place as a replacement.

Simply put, the evaluation assesses the team’s capabilities.

At the Comprehensive Training Ground, arbitrary scenarios are given, and the teams utilize cooperative combat tactics learned over the semester to subdue the targets.

The professors observe and grade the performances, and the teams are ranked comprehensively based on their overall results.

In this evaluation, individual scores are determined by the team’s overall performance.

No matter how well one performs individually, if the team’s overall score is poor, it’s impossible to receive a good grade.

Conversely, if someone performs exceedingly poorly, they drag down the entire team.

Therefore, students cannot focus solely on their own performance nor can they fall behind while others forge ahead.

All members must move in seamless coordination, leveraging each other’s strengths to achieve peak efficiency.

This is the foundation of cooperative combat.

They say a drop of sweat shed during training is equivalent to a drop of blood in real combat.

During my time serving as Sikrito, there were numerous cases where a single team member’s careless mistake led to the annihilation of the entire team.

Perhaps our team would become one of those cautionary tales shared among other heroes.

The supporter who failed to adequately perform their role, leading to the deaths of their teammates.

“Huh? Professor, is everything all right?”

Professor Jin placed a hand on my shoulder, his gaze laced with worry.

“No, I’m fine.”

I loosened the tension in my jaw, clenched tightly until now, and forced a faint smile.

Currently, all the professors are gathered to review the final version of the evaluation checklists.

Since this is the first evaluation after the educational system reform, many high-ranking officials are expected to attend.

Not only the Dean, but representatives from the Education Department and the Organization will be present, including even the Vice Director and the Chairman of the Advisory Board.

The arrival of the Chairman alone would send ripples through the Academy, but with the Vice Director, who ranks second in hierarchy, also attending—it’s practically a crisis situation for the Academy.

Hence, our department has been working overtime for several days in a row to prepare for the evaluation.

“Are you really okay? You look tired. Why don’t you step outside and get some fresh air?”

I felt awkward repeatedly assuring Professor Jin I was fine, so I stood up with a smile.

“Understood. I’ll be back shortly.”

I headed outside to the flower beds near the building, inhaling the cold early winter air.

Breathing it in deeply, I felt my nose sting, but it brought a sense of clarity with each exhalation.

Repeating it a few times, my mind felt slightly calmer.

But even this couldn’t completely erase the thoughts swirling in my mind.

Vivid images of past events replayed in my head like a movie.

The cheerful radio communication suddenly interrupted by the arrival of a green cloud, followed by violent coughs as if spitting blood.

Even though I had cast a defensive barrier on my senior colleagues, I was the first to fall to the toxic cloud, dispersing the barrier and ultimately leading to their deaths.

What an idiot.

When rescuing someone, the rescuer must prioritize wearing survival equipment.

If you hastily hand over your equipment to the one being rescued, both can die.

Back then, I should have first protected myself with a defensive barrier, then supported them.

What? Thinking that a C-class member of Sikrito is equivalent to an A-class outsider?

Caught up in that absurd sense of superiority, I, a rookie sidekick, made a mistake no novice should, costing my teammates their lives.

It’s my fault that Han Min-ha lost her parents.

Because of my arrogance, that poor child lost both her parents at such a young age and has subsequently suffered emotionally, unable to fully bloom or find peace.

How can I maintain my current position as a professor at this Academy, excusing myself behind a mental barrier and feeling no guilt?

This incapable fool, this brainless wretch.

“Professor!”

Professor Jin rushed over and grabbed my wrist mid-slap.

“Professor! Why are you doing this!?”

“Professor Jin.”

“Professor, what’s wrong? Why are you doing this?”

“Why did you come here?”

“I followed you because I was worried, but you were slapping yourself!”

“So that’s why.”

“So that’s why?! Professor, really, what’s wrong?”

Professor Jin clutched my wrist tightly, her expression teary, on the verge of crying.

Flight and Guidance Professor Jin Se-young.

A top-tier modern hero renowned for her advanced acrobatic flight skills, quickly rising to B-class status and becoming a popular star.

Like her characteristics, Professor Jin radiates brightness like the sun and coolness like the wind.

Ever since I first entered the Academy, she has always treated me with her unique kindness, and I have always held her in good regard.

I also know that she likes me.

How could I not notice her obvious hints unless I were dumber than a dolphin or a chimpanzee?

But back then, I saw myself as a lunatic possessed by a deadly illness, and all I wanted was to escape this world, so I kept my distance from her.

Had it not been for that, perhaps I could have married such a refreshing person and enjoyed a happy life together.

It’s not too late.

Now that I understand that all the barriers were created to protect myself from external shocks, it’s not too late to reciprocate Professor Jin’s feelings.

But I can’t do that.

I have responsibilities remaining.

My students.

I have the duty to ensure their safe graduation, to keep them alive through it all, and to help them achieve S-class status.

And equally important: eliminating the villain who unleashed the green cloud.

I can’t guarantee that I’ll return alive after confronting him.

But I can’t give up.

Choosing fleeting happiness over confronting him would amount to killing the senior couple twice over and plunging myself into a pit of perpetual torment.

Developing a relationship with Professor Jin now would only end up neglecting her due to my other priorities.

I don’t want to put either of us in that position.

I don’t know how the situation will develop later, but not now.

“It’s nothing. Just some pesky autumn mosquitoes kept landing on my face.”

“Autumn mosquitoes…? Why would you slap your cheek like that to catch a mosquito? Oh, there really is one?”

Right on cue, a stubborn mosquito flitted around between Professor Jin and me, despite the cold weather.

“Die! You nasty mosquito! How dare you!”

With speed invisible to the naked eye, Professor Jin snatched the mosquito out of the air.

A brown aura shot out like flames from her clenched fists, and when she opened them, nothing remained.

“Let’s head back inside, Professor. It’s getting cold.”

“That’s right.”

As I turned around, Professor Jin playfully nudged me in the back with both hands.

I really don’t dislike such antics of hers.

But my students remain my top priority right now.

* * * * *

One day before the team capability evaluation.

The faculty, administrative office, and facility management team gathered at the Comprehensive Training Ground.

This was to conduct the final inspection of the evaluation preparations.

Unlike last semester’s paired combat evaluations, this time the focus is on team cooperative combat with formations of three to five members.

Given the high risk of accidents, a much more rigorous inspection than usual was necessary.

“Professor, install a defensive barrier from here to here.”

The Head of the Faculty Department pointed with a slender instruction rod toward the boundary of the spectator seating.

“The range is wide, but the students’ auras aren’t very strong, so it should be manageable.”

“Yes, it’s possible. I’ll set it up early tomorrow morning.”

I took pictures of the areas indicated by the Head of Faculty with my cell phone.

Glancing briefly, it looks like the medium-grade physical defense barriers could function like soundproof walls in front of the viewing stands.

After the two-hour final inspection, I revisited the defense barrier zones, confirming all necessary areas had been photographed.

Swiping through the photos, it seems everything was correctly captured.

Tomorrow morning, I just need to cross-reference these photos and form a dense defensive barrier accordingly… Huh?!

Startled, I hurriedly shoved my phone into my pocket.

But perhaps because I was so rushed.

Thinking I had placed it inside my pocket, I let go, only to watch it drop vertically to the ground.

Before I could feel any frustration, I quickly picked up the phone and scanned the area.

Fortunately, everyone was preoccupied with their tasks and had moved away from me.

I looked down at my phone with a cracked corner on the screen, lost in thought.

What on earth just happened? Did I see something wrong?

Certainly, it must’ve been a mistake. There’s no way something like that could be on my phone.

No, I should check again…

But I’m afraid to confirm.

What if I actually saw what I thought I did?

But I need to check.

If it’s true, I need to take action.

Strengthening my mental barrier and steadying my startled mind, I cautiously turned on the screen.

Oh dear…

I wasn’t mistaken.

But still…

Why is such a picture saved on my phone?