Chapter 74

“Ah, yes, Mr. Gos Hawk. How are you?”

[Told me you called.]

“Yes. One of the students I’m in charge of is going out for a field training, and that’s why I called you. But I heard you were out on assignment.”

[Things have been busy lately. A few offices were destroyed, so we’ve been swamped with jobs.]

This was a way of expressing how villains have lately been organizing themselves, causing heroes to suffer many losses.

[By the way, you mentioned a trainee, right?]

“Yes, this is a student named Song Do-yoon, who, if I’m not mistaken, you personally requested. The student also wished to intern under you.”

[Ah, I remember selecting someone like that. Yes, you’re right. You must mean that kid who was taken out in one hit, am I correct?]

Though his words were irksome, showing it would be foolish.

Gos Hawk would be overseeing Do-yoon’s field training, and it’d be wise on my part to not make things difficult.

[So what’s this about?]

“Ah, yes. I kindly ask you to take good care of our student Song Do-yoon. Although he might seem a bit shy at first, I have thoroughly advised him not to cause any trouble and to do his very best….”

[I’ll be sure to handle that.]

Gos Hawk cut me off.

[There’s no need for you to follow up like this. I can handle things smoothly. I’m also a Graford graduate, so I’ll guide the junior with love.]

“I am very grateful. I will visit you in the field sometime soon to formally greet you.”

[We’ll see then. Take care.]

After hanging up the phone, I stood still for a moment, staring at the darkened screen.

Is Gos Hawk… a Graford graduate…?

Looking out the window towards the administrative building, I noticed the administrative director’s office on the first floor still had its lights on.

Fortunately, they’re still working late tonight.

After picking up the phone, Chae answered with a cheerful voice.

[Yes, Professor!]

“Director, I apologize for disturbing you at this late hour. I just had something I wanted to clarify.”

[Please speak.]

“Do you know a hero by the name of Gos Hawk?”

[That unruly hero? Sure, I know him.]

An unruly hero. That’s quite fitting.

“By any chance, is he a graduate of our Academy?”

[No, not our Academy as far as I know.]

Chae gave an immediate response, her tone suggesting there was no need to even check.

[When I first started here, I looked through the records of the heroes I knew. Gos Hawk wasn’t among them. He’s probably from the Third Training Center.]

“The Third Training Center?”

[I asked the director there a few times during calls. It was so unusual that I still remember.]

“Ah, I see. Thank you.”

[But why are you suddenly asking about Gos Hawk’s background?]

“It’s nothing, Director. Thank you, and please take care.”

The Third Training Center? What a truly unique background.

The Third Training Center is closer to a correctional facility than an academy.

Not quite a prison, but established due to the nature of the individuals sent there.

It’s where those who fail to meet Academy entry requirements or manifest abilities that fall short but are still superior to that of ordinary people are sent.

While they’re not cut out to become official heroes through the Academy, they’re also too talented to be ordinary civilians.

The reason such a place exists is to prevent “villainization.”

Manifesters with uncertain abilities run a high risk of going astray without proper management and control.

Thus, the management agency gathered these individuals, trained them, and deployed them in public sectors according to their capabilities. Facilities like this were built all over the world, and the one in our country is the “Third Training Center.”

So Gos Hawk is a graduate from there?

Judging by his current performance, it’s not surprising, but still… it’s peculiar.

Surely, those from there aren’t at the level to enter the Academy. So how did he reach A-rank?

Was there some kind of mix-up or did he have a late development of additional aura powers?

I suppose that’s plausible.

But why would Gos Hawk lie to me and claim he’s a Graford graduate?

If he’s embarrassed about his origins, he could have just stayed silent.

It’s baffling why he would choose to lie, knowing it would be immediately uncovered upon investigation.

Truly, I feel uneasy just a day before the internship starts.

* * * * *

“Listen carefully, Song Do-yoon. If the office assigns you tasks that are unreasonable, don’t hesitate to decline. Remember, you’re an intern, not a sidekick.”

In front of the Academy bus heading to the Graford terminal, I held on to Song Do-yoon and spoke.

“I understand, Professor.”

“If anything becomes too difficult, please call me. You should never endure such situations. In the worst case, it might risk your life. Remember, the office isn’t like the Academy; it’s a real-world field….”

“Professor! What are you doing?! Someone might think she’s going on her own internship!”

Unable to stand by, Yu Hye-won yelled.

“Just let her go, Hye-won. Do-yoon is going to a somewhat special place, isn’t that right?”

At Han’s words, Yu Hye-won glared with narrow eyes.

“What’s so special about it? What’s so special about Gos Hawk, huh?”

“Ah, well, not exactly… Gos Hawk is exceedingly dangerous and….”

“Shut up!”

I know why Yu Hye-won is so upset.

She’s envious to see me holding onto Song Do-yoon and ignoring her.

Nonetheless, I feel apologetic towards Yu Hye-won, but there’s nothing I can do.

I have a strong feeling that if I don’t properly educate Do-yoon now, something might go wrong.

Even though he’s late to join and has some negative aspects, since he came under my supervision, it’s my responsibility to guide him accordingly.

“Understood?”

“Yes, Professor.”

Once Do-yoon answered, I finally turned to Hye-won and Han.

“Hye-won, at an S-Ranked Hero’s office, be very mindful of your words and actions. Even sidekicks there are at least B-rank. It’s a place where people qualified to be Academy professors gather….”

“Ah, yes sir!”

Yu Hye-won, already upset, casually responded, ignoring my words.

“Don’t be disrespectful to the heroes.”

“Whaaaat? Why only me? That girl’s the most arrogant one!”

“At least Song Do-yoon hasn’t been so blunt about her true feelings, unlike you.”

“Ugh, that’s so frustrating!”

“In that manner.”

“Hmph….”

Yu Hye-won let out a hollow laugh as if annoyed beyond words.

“Min-ha, Legalmight is my old colleague. He’s a righteous hero who loves justice. You can learn a great deal from him.”

“Yes, understood! I already looked into Legalmight last night. I’ll study hard!”

Han Min-ha confidently exclaimed but then suddenly frowned.

“Professor….”

She then dashed over and embraced my waist.

“Thank you so much for everything and please stay healthy while we’re apart….”

“Oi! What’s this, leaving like you’re making a last testament?!”

Startled by her actions, Yu Hye-won approached and slapped Min-ha’s back.

“Come here, Hye-won. Since it’s goodbye, let’s hug once….”

Han Min-ha pulled Yu Hye-won toward me for a hug.

Before I knew it, both my guide students were in my arms, and Hye-won stuttered nervously.

“Th, This… are you not going to let go?”

“Don’t be mad. It’s just that I already miss you.”

I then opened my arms and embraced them both.

“Yes, let’s have this farewell hug as we’ll be apart for a week.”

Just moments before complaining, Yu Hye-won suddenly shut her mouth and hunched her shoulders.

Han Min-ha mumbled while grinding her large chest against my torso.

“Professor….”

“Oi, Tank! Stop deliberately pressing your chest against me….”

“How do I stop it when it’s so big that it naturally presses against you?!”

“Geez, those without one are just sorrowful enough to die.”

Meanwhile, Song Do-yoon stood at a distance, watching us.

I couldn’t tell what he was thinking just by looking at his expression.

Although he might feel a bit left out, knowing his personality, even if invited, he wouldn’t come over.

So, I just smiled at him.

“Alright, now everyone has to board the bus.”

When I released my arms, Yu Hye-won stepped back, but Han Min-ha was still clinging to my waist.

Yu Hye-won grabbed her from the neck.

“Send a text once you arrive at the field. I’ll visit you soon, so work hard until then.”

“Yes, Professor!” “Yes.” “…….”

Yu Hye-won blushed furiously and looked away. Han Min-ha was making a fist, pumped up. Song Do-yoon remained expressionless.

What an odd group they make. But they are all my guide students.

Together with the other professors, we waved goodbye as buses carrying the interns rolled out of the main gate.

“Professor, it seemed like you have quite a strong connection with your students?”

Professor Jin cheerfully commented.

“Since the beginning of the semester, I’ve been with this group.”

“I envy you. I have so many guide students, and they keep rotating, so I rarely bond with them.”

As he said that, Jin casually looped his arm with mine.

“So, since you have no lectures and no students for a few days, what do you plan to do?”

“I have to visit the internship sites for field guidance.”

“True….”

Jin murmured, appearing downcast.

True, I only have three students, but Jin would need to run around continuously for the entire week to visit all his numerous guide students.

“Oi, Professor, but wasn’t Han Min-ha acting awfully flirtatious with you earlier?”

Professor Yu lightly tapped my shoulder and said.

“She seems innocent but possesses quite a mischievous side.”

“Haha. You’re right. Even I found it quite surprising.”

“Be careful, buddy. Don’t let her charm you into handcuffs.”

“That won’t happen.”

No matter how attractive and well-figured Min-ha might be, the scenario Professor Yu feared would never occur.

Han Min-ha is the daughter of my only friend, Han Tae-woo, and his wife, Seo Ji-a, and my mental barrier keeps my focus firmly intact.