Chapter 73

The Field Training Assignment Review has begun.

A procedure in which the designated field training locations and students’ preferences are considered, along with the maximum number of trainees allowed, and overall adjustments are made by the faculty.

This is an incredibly important review process involving all the professors and the Administrative Office.

After all, is there anything at the Academy that isn’t important?

Most cases passed smoothly, and when Yu Hye-won was assigned to the office of an S-Ranked Hero, a few professors even let out quiet exclamations of admiration.

It’s that difficult to get into an S-Ranked office as a trainee, and it’s already quite unusual for them to accept trainees at all.

Han Min-ha was assigned to the office of Legalmight.

Ah, An Jun-hyuk. He didn’t mention anything about Han Min-ha after the Human Combat Ability Evaluation, but it seems he must have liked her inside.

“I don’t know what criteria Legalmight used to make this nomination.”

Professor Jin tilted her head.

“Why was Hye-won left out?”

Simple.

An Jun-hyuk intensely dislikes Hye-won’s father, who is the Chairman of the Advisory Board.

That’s why he refused the unethical tasks assigned by the Chairman and left Sikrito.

Both Hye-won and Han Min-ha’s assignments were complete, and now it was Song Do-yoon’s turn.

“Gos Hawk? You’re really going to Gos Hawk?”

The professors started murmuring and looked at each other.

“This is strange.”

Professor Yu tapped the assignment list.

“Trainees are supposed to be directly guided by the Main Hero of the corresponding office. So by nominating Do-yoon, Gos Hawk has personally agreed to teach her, right?”

“That’s true. What could have made Gos Hawk decide this about Do-yoon?”

Professor Jin also expressed his doubts.

The professors turned their eyes to me and threw in a few words.

“Professor, are you okay with this? Do-yoon’s mentor hopes to work with Gos Hawk.”

“The student strongly requested it. You know, Gos Hawk is A-Ranked, and his skills are undeniable.”

“But, still, Gos Hawk…”

“Therefore, I submit my opposing opinion. I’ll submit the homeroom teacher’s preferred proposal, and we’ll handle it as fairly as possible.”

The assignment review isn’t a word game like ‘let’s just do this’ or ‘just let them go where they want.’

Each evaluation is precisely measured by specific standards, so even if I submitted an opposing opinion, it would be difficult to change.

The office’s nomination and the student’s preference carry the most weight in these assignments.

Ultimately, Song Do-yoon was assigned to Gos Hawk’s office for field training.

After the review ended, I returned to my research room and spent some time lost in thought.

Gos Hawk, huh.

Although it’s difficult to change a decision already firmly established according to established regulations due to the student’s strong will,

and although Gos Hawk has a somewhat controversial nature, he is indeed a Hero under the Management Organization.

Rejecting him solely on the basis of a personal opinion like, “He may have a bad influence,” would not be fair.

If we follow that logic, if someone argued, “Legalmight thinks too rigidly according to principles, so it’s inappropriate to send trainees,” I’d have nothing to say to that.

I sat quietly in my chair for a while, then picked up the landline phone and dialed.

A bright female voice answered after the signal tone.

[Gos Hawk’s office. How may I assist you?]

“Hello. I’m Professor Hyun from Graford Academy. Is it possible to speak with the Main Hero?”

[What is this about?]

“I thought I should greet you since one of my guidance students has been assigned to your office for field training this time.”

[Ah, is that so? As it happens, the Main Hero is out on a job right now. I’ll let him know once he returns. You’re Professor Hyun from Graford Academy, correct?]

“Yes, that’s me. Thank you.”

I hung up, and shortly after, the students came to the research room.

I had called them to inform them of the results and scheduling of this field assignment.

As the students sat around the round table, I served them each a cup of coffee and began talking.

“First of all, your field training sites have all been assigned as you had hoped. I’ll give a heads-up to the related offices, so there’s no need to worry too much.”

At this point, Song Do-yoon looked at me in question.

She must be curious to know if she’s going to Gos Hawk’s office.

“Student Song Do-yoon is assigned to Gos Hawk.”

“Thank you.”

“There’s nothing to thank me for. I clearly submitted my objection, and this was decided according to the review regulations.”

Yu Hye-won looked at Song Do-yoon like she really didn’t get it.

“Why on earth do you want to go there? Oh, I get it. You’re protesting, right?”

When Yu Hye-won smiled, Song Do-yoon looked back at her emotionlessly.

“You’re just needlessly pushing yourself into trouble. That’s like protesting against the professor and me, isn’t it?”

“For what purpose?”

“How should I know? But usually, when someone behaves stubbornly like this, there’s usually a reason.”

“No, there’s no such thing. Gos Hawk is the highest-ranked office that chose me.”

“Bullshit. How many Heroes are there who don’t get promoted and stay at B-Rank despite being A-Ranked or higher? That’s a lousy excuse.”

“Then you tell me. Who are the B-Ranked Heroes with A-Ranked abilities? And why didn’t you give me advice before I submitted my application?”

“Alright, that’s enough.”

I could see a potential argument brewing, so I cut it short.

“Since it’s already determined, there’s no sense in changing it. Let’s focus on achieving good results wherever we end up.”

Thankfully, Yu Hye-won and Song Do-yoon both turned their gazes away from each other, diffusing the current situation.

Han Min-ha, who had been sweating nervously, let out a sigh of relief.

I explained the details of this field training to the students.

The training will last a total of one week. Accommodation and meals will be provided by the respective training sites.

The content of the training will vary depending on the field training supervisor, but there is a broad framework. Besides, each trainee must keep a training diary every day, and the final training report must be signed by the field training supervisor. It’s also mandatory to create a report and get opinions from the training supervisor.

Homeroom teachers will periodically visit the training sites to report on the field and provide guidance, but the basic posture and will of the trainees are crucial. Making a good impression here can even lead to employment in the same office after graduation, so everyone should give it their best.

The trainee is, after all, just a trainee. If the office tries to assign overly strenuous solo missions or sends you out with only a sidekick, you should refuse. It’s dangerous to go without a hero.

I especially emphasized this to Song Do-yoon, who nodded with a somewhat incomprehensible face while receiving my direct gaze.

—

Later that day, after physical training had wrapped up.

Yu Hye-won and Han Min-ha had dinner at the campus cafeteria and returned to the dormitory together.

Song Do-yoon, perhaps due to the argument with Yu Hye-won earlier, had skipped dinner and returned directly after the physical training.

“Insane! Why does she come here and disrupt the mood?”

Yu Hye-won spat, her irritation still palpable.

“She should have just stayed quiet and blended in with the well-functioning team, right?”

“Eh? Oh, yeah.”

Han Min-ha looked uneasy, but Yu Hye-won suddenly grabbed her arm and turned her around.

“Why are you doing this?”

“You? I’m already behaving properly.”

“Geez, frustrating! Do you really think you’re safe from accidents by driving defensively?”

“Are you talking about Do-yoon?”

“Yeah.”

Yu Hye-won tightly grasped Han Min-ha’s shoulders.

“You know, right? That mental lunatic has switched targets to you this time.”

“Eh? What do you mean by switched?”

“You really don’t know?”

Yu Hye-won gave Han Min-ha a look of disbelief.

“I’m not sure… Maybe Do-yoon really has a reason for wanting to join here…”

“To mess with you and X things!”

“HIIIEK?!”

Han Min-ha panicked and frantically looked around.

Students passing by looked surprised by Yu Hye-won’s exclamation and were now staring at them.

“Listen, Tank. Song Do-yoon is definitely going to try to approach you. She’s making up all kinds of reasons and situations. She did it to me, too.”

“So… then what?”

“If things don’t go her way, it’s likely she’ll do it forcefully.”

“Forcefully?”

“X things, obviously!”

“AAH!”

Han Min-ha hurriedly clamped her hand over Yu Hye-won’s mouth.

“For heaven’s sake, Hye-won… stop yelling! I’m so embarrassed…”

“Anyway, you better be careful, seriously.”

Han Min-ha let go of her hand as Yu Hye-won continued.

“I might have been able to handle her stuff since I couldn’t, but you could probably be overwhelmed. It’s not like I can just stay over in your room, right?”

“Hey… would you?”

“Do I have worms in my ears? I said I can’t, didn’t I?”

“Ah, you did.”

“Anyways, be careful. I warned you. If anything happens, don’t think I’ll let either of you off easy.”

“Why me, too…?”

Han Min-ha meekly tried to protest but stopped at Hye-won’s sharp stare.

—

At the end of the corridor of this floor, in the territory of Golden Viper and Gray Fungi.

Yu Hye-won simply disappeared into her room without waiting for an invitation.

As always, Han Min-ha watched her enter before she attempted to go into her own room but suddenly heard quick footsteps from the side.

It was Song Do-yoon.

She had quietly waited with the door slightly open and came out into the corridor the moment Yu Hye-won entered her room.

“Ugh…”

But Song Do-yoon couldn’t approach Han Min-ha.

She had run into the defensive barrier Han Min-ha had inadvertently set.

“Huh! Are you okay, Do-yoon?”

Song Do-yoon, holding her nose and pinching it shut as blood trickled down, mumbled in a nasally voice.

“Cold… why… sing… hoo… moon… ga…?”

“Hmm? What did you say?”

“Ah! My nose hurts too!”

She turned around and went back to her own room.

Han Min-ha stood there for a moment feeling unsure, fidgeting with her hands, but eventually returned to her own room.

Is it really like what Hye-won said? Is she trying to X things with me?

This is so scary…

But then something else comes to mind. If I’m already thinking about it, maybe I should just do it myself.

Han Min-ha leaned against the wall as soon as she closed the door, starting her end-of-day routine.

Even though I’ve done it all weekend, I still haven’t gotten tired of it.

“Hiee, professor…”

—

I had just finished up for the day, showered, and was exiting my living room when the phone rang.

It was a call coming from my research room, which had a call-forwarding system set up.

“Yes, this is Professor Hyun.”

[Hello, professor.]

On the other end of the phone, there was a playful yet somewhat chilling voice.

“Who is this?”

[Gos Hawk.]

—