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Finally, I’m back in Korea.

The broken bones healed completely in less than two months.

Though not as fast as those in the Physical Category, all Awakened Ones recover faster than ordinary people.

Whether it’s a seal or something else, since I’m also an Awakened One, I seem to be benefiting greatly from it.

‘Finally… I’m finally free.’

The two months in the hospital… were a hell I never want to experience again.

Eating, going to the bathroom, even showering—I had to rely entirely on Jeong Ha-yul.

Even Eun-chae, who saw this, started joining in, saying she’d shower with us, so from then on, it was always the three of us together.

Even after my arm started moving again, I was still treated like a patient and lived like a doll for two months.

‘Honestly… it wasn’t so bad.’

At first, I didn’t know where to look, so I just closed my eyes.

But after getting used to it… I was too busy admiring the view.

Not in a perverted way, but like appreciating a work of art.

I felt like I was losing my identity as a man.

Will I never feel excited by women again?

But I don’t want to even think about getting involved with a man either.

It’s too early to give up.

‘Maybe it’s because I’m in a child’s body, so I don’t feel those emotions.’

Let’s wait and see.

Anyway, after living like an emperor with two beauties taking care of me 24/7.

With all my bones healed, I safely returned to Korea under the escort of the Clock Tower.

Jeong Ha-yul, who had been resting, started catching up on her Hero duties and broadcasts, and she…

Dragged me along to all her schedules.

It’s fun going around together… seeing celebrities… meeting other Heroes… it’s nice, but…

‘I’m exhausted. Please stop dragging me around!’

Meeting actresses and girl groups as an equal adult is one thing.

But getting babied by someone who looks like a high school student feels weird…

But no matter how much I beg, the Demon King’s family won’t leave me alone at home.

Do they still not trust me?

‘Should I just grab something and fly away when I get the chance?’

Today, for the first time in a while, I have a perfect day off with no schedules.

While everyone was sitting on the sofa drinking real coffee, I was sipping decaf alone.

“Shouldn’t Gyeoul start looking into schools soon?”

“…School?”

Kang-woo’s words hit like a thunderbolt.

That guy, who’s absolutely no help!

“After winter comes spring, and Gyeoul will be a year older. So, he’ll be 8, right?”

“Hmm, he’s old enough for school.”

“Lucky Gyeoul~”

…I have to hang out with 8-year-olds?

This is the worst.

Spending all day with elementary school kids? I’d rather go back to being Jeong Ha-yul and Eun-chae’s doll.

Breaking my own bones would hurt more than this, right…?

I tried every trick to avoid going to school.

Solving middle and high school-level problems.

Asking to be sent to the Hero Academy.

Even suggesting homeschooling.

“At that age, there are things you can only learn by being with kids your own age. My biggest regret is debuting as a Hero at 15.”

No matter what, Jeong Ha-yul wouldn’t budge on the school issue.

….

And now, here we are.

On a warm spring day.

The kids gathered in the auditorium, looking at the principal.

The kids who seemed to have graduated from kindergarten were chatting among themselves, forming some bonds.

The kids who seemed to have entered elementary school directly still looked awkward and unfamiliar.

The kids who had just become elementary school students, though their bodies might be wriggling, seemed to think they were a bit more mature and were patiently listening to the boring speech.

“Yaaawn~”

Of course, I was standing a bit apart from the group.

‘Damn it, at this age, I’m back to being an elementary school student.’

In the end, I was dragged to the place I absolutely wanted to avoid.

‘Should I be grateful I’m not going to the military?’

Thanks to the Demon King’s family, I’m used to being treated like a kid.

But having to hang out with actual kids?

A sense of loss similar to when I lost my manhood washes over me.

“Hahaha, that grandpa has no hair!”

“Idiot, he’s just bald. If he had no head, he’d be dead.”

Those… those brats.

Where do they get off messing around while an adult is speaking?

Back in my day, whether you were in elementary school or not, if you messed around during the principal’s speech, you’d get smacked by the head teacher first.

‘But… did elementary schools even have head teachers back then?’

Honestly, it’s been so long since I graduated elementary school, I don’t remember.

Feeling awkward, I sniffled and turned my gaze back to the bald principal.

“Hey! He picked his nose! Eww, gross!”

…That voice reached my ears.

It was definitely directed at me.

But I can’t fight an elementary school kid. As an adult, I’ll endure.

I’ve always disliked little kids.

They’re always causing a commotion, thinking crying solves everything, and believing they’re the center of the universe.

Some people argue they’re cute…

But if they’re not cute at that age, are they even kids?

It’s just that their cuteness is outweighed by their brattiness.

At school, I’ll block the kids’ approach with my charisma and train my telekinesis.

After school… or should I say after dismissal?

After dismissal, I’ll go straight home without getting involved with those kids.

No matter how much the Demon King’s family treats me like a kid, they’re still better than actual kids.

Following Jeong Ha-yul around the broadcasting station a few times is much better.

[With that… I hope everyone has a fun school life.]

With that. That’s it. Finally. I don’t even remember how many times he said it.

One more time, last, final, ultimate.

The boring speech by the bald principal reminded me of the time the Grand Mage bald guy knocked me out while training my telekinesis.

The students headed to their classrooms under the guidance of their homeroom teachers.

The conversations flowing as we moved from the auditorium to the classroom were overwhelming.

I could already picture what my life would be like.

‘…I want to run away.’

Parents were standing in the hallway.

Among them, Eun-chae and Kang-woo called out to me.

Ha-yul, wrapped up tightly, was also there.

We had agreed that only Eun-chae and Kang-woo would come because if Ha-yul came, the whole school would go crazy.

Because of that, Jeong Ha-yul got upset.

She agreed not to come to the entrance ceremony and stayed wrapped up, making no sound, so we could barely calm her down.

“Now Gyeoul is really an elementary school student, huh? Hahaha.”

“Don’t tease me, or I’ll really cause a scene…”

“…Puberty hit you way too early.”

I’d rather have this meaningless conversation with them, but the homeroom teacher’s催促 came.

“…You’re not going to take me and run away now, are you?”

“No. I want to, but I’d really get scolded by Ha-yul.”

“….”

You’re no help until the very end.

Out of the corner of my eye, I could feel the heat through Jeong Ha-yul’s sunglasses.

Is she shooting laser beams with her eyes?

I had to say goodbye to everyone and head to the classroom.

“Everyone, please sit in the seats with your names on them.”

The homeroom teacher of Class 5, Choi Ye-na, was a young woman who seemed a bit naive.

She tried to act calm, but her hands were slightly trembling, probably nervous.

‘Is this her first time teaching…?’

Everyone has a first time, right?

Though there will be tough and exhausting times ahead with these colts.

Let’s get through it wisely together, teacher.

Maybe it’s the psychological burden of having to hang out with elementary school kids.

I feel more like a grumpy old man than usual.

Or maybe this is normal, and I’ve just been acting like a kid because of the Demon King’s family.

“Now, let’s do self-introductions. Number 1, please stand up and give it a try.”

At Choi Ye-na’s words, the whole class buzzed.

Self-introductions are a staple of the first class.

But these kids, who just stepped into this little society, wouldn’t know that.

The student with number 1 looked like they were about to cry.

If that kid starts crying, others will follow.

Then it’ll be chaos.

I don’t think this teacher, who seems like it’s her first time handling students, will manage it well.

Even if it’s bothersome, for the sake of the future, I’ll step up.

“Teacher, if it’s okay, I’ll go first.”

“Oh, sure? So… number 19, Jeong Gyeoul? Gyeoul, would you like to introduce yourself?”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Jeong Gyeoul, turning eight… I mean, eight years old this year. I won’t say where I live. I hate it when people assume I live close and ask for carpooling. My goal is to live quietly, like a dead mouse, unnoticed for a year. Please cooperate.”

“….”

Choi Ye-na was speechless.

What? Why?

“Um… Gyeoul, you did great, but do you have anything you like or dislike, or how you want to get along with your friends?”

Was my explanation lacking?

Choi Ye-na asked a follow-up question.

“Hmm… I like listening to classical music, drinking coffee, and reading books. I dislike kids. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t approach me. That’s all.”

“….”

Choi Ye-na looked like she was about to cry.

Why?

Where else would you find a more perfect elementary school self-introduction?

In the end, Choi Ye-na gave up on me and turned back to the first student.

“Do you think you can do it now?”

“Uh… yeah… I’m 8-year-old Lee Ha-yoon… I like playing house at the playground. I dislike studying. I hope we can have fun playing together. That’s all.”

At the first student’s introduction, Choi Ye-na’s expression twisted even more.

Probably…

Thinking, ‘This life is ruined,’ right?

That kid also followed my format and did a clean job, so why is she like that?

Number 1, Lee Ha-yoon. A kid who enrolled to play.

Up to number 20, Choi Jeong-min. A kid who dreams of being a Hero.

A perfect start and a perfect finish.

‘How about it? Aren’t you grateful to me?’

I puffed out my chest and looked at Choi Ye-na…

When our eyes met, a tear rolled down her cheek.

Yeah, she’s not normal either.

I’m starting to worry about the future.

 

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