Chapter 5 : Admissions Day #5 - No Kidding, I’m an Extra

I can’t believe this, really. Am I already on her bad side from day one? How is this happening? "Kim Geun Cheol. Stand up." Instructor Lee Sora called out to him in a commanding tone. Really? Just for screaming a bit? What a fuss over nothing... He felt utterly embarrassed. "Y-Yes... That’s me. Kim Geun Cheol." As he stood up awkwardly, heat traveled up his spine, and his face flushed with warmth. He couldn’t meet anyone's eyes. "Kim Geun Cheol. You were the loudest to scream. Louder than anyone else. Faster than anyone else. If you had done the exact opposite, you might have been a model student." Her overwhelming gaze rendered him speechless. Honestly, she was right. If he had attacked quickly and strongly, he would have indeed been a star student. But could someone actually do that? "Yes... That's right. It would have been better if I did the opposite. I was so startled that I just screamed. I sincerely apologize for the noise." "So you realize. But didn’t you also curse at the entrance ceremony?" Why is she bringing that up! This is harassment! —Murmur murmur. "Is he that guy?" "Ha...! What do you mean, that guy?" "But if he hadn't panicked, maybe I wouldn't have..." Students around him began to murmur. I'm about to lose it. "Uh, well." "It's not good to use profanity. Even heroes are judged by their image, after all. If you curse like a delinquent, it lowers your dignity. Understood?" "I'm really sorry. I won’t do it again. I just have this habit of cursing when I’m shocked..." "That’s a bad habit. Sit down." "Yes." —Scrape. He sat down immediately but still couldn’t lift his head. Please, save me. I want to go home. "Well, while it was a bit theatrical, it's understandable. Anyone would be surprised if a C-rank monster suddenly appeared. You aren't a veteran used to combat, so it's not odd for you to react like any civilian would," she said, her tone unexpectedly gentle despite her severe appearance. "However, from now on, that won’t do." Her voice suddenly shifted. "You are cadets aspiring to become heroes. At the beginning of this first-year semester, while you haven't received hero training yet, this won't suffice going forward. It's forgivable as greenhorns, but you must start being mindful now." Instructor Lee Sora spoke with such power that everyone listening flinched. She’s overflowing with charisma. "If this were real combat, those of you who panicked would have all died. Understood?" "Yes, understood." "Yes." "Yes." Responses echoed from various corners. "Kim Geun Cheol, respond." "Y-Yes! Understood!" How did she catch that? I tried to stay quiet, but I blurted out a response, startled. It seems I've been marked. This is not a good sign. "You will receive education from our instructors and transform into heroes. We will do our best to help you build strength and courage. That is all!" —Clap clap clap! —Clap clap clap! —Clap clap clap! Applause erupted, so he too followed the mood and clapped. A quick glance around revealed most faces seemed genuinely moved. "Now, let’s proceed with individual feedback. To explain before we begin, what just happened was an illusion magic conjured by Instructor Kawar. Every year during the entrance ceremony, this special session is conducted to observe how freshmen react." That’s what Ona earlier said. Isn't this outrageous though? Shocking students like that! Even someone with the heart of Park Ji-sung would have suffered a dual heart attack from the shock. To dismiss such a grave violation of rights casually... This place is definitely tough. Can I manage here? I followed the quest to get here, but maybe I should run while I can? While pondering this, the feedback session began. "Now then, attendance number one." "Ah, yes. Yes..." "You positioned yourself at the rearmost and prepared to attack, though you didn’t actually shoot. Were you hesitant because of friendly fire concerns?" "Yes... I was afraid I might hit the ones in front..." "You seem to lack confidence in your accuracy. With instructor training, it will improve. Strive for it." "Understood." A timid-looking student nodded in response. "..." Even a petite student like her prepared to attack the moment the monster appeared, unlike him, who was just screaming his head off. This is utterly humiliating. Well, Instructor Lee Sora continued calling students one by one, offering feedback. She flipped through documents each time, seemingly having organized them in the office beforehand. She seems to pay attention to each student. Though she looks fierce, her personality seems meticulous. "Leona." "Yes, Instructor." It was Ona, who checked on him earlier, who responded. "No need to say much. You displayed skilled and poised judgment and execution." "Hehe, it's only natural for me." "Truly befitting someone of the Kynes family." The Kynes family? Is it a distinguished family? Famous? Out of curiosity, he took out his phone to check. "Kim Geun Cheol. Put your phone away." The instructor pinpointed him immediately! "Gasp...! Yes!" All eyes turned to him instantly! How can she catch everything? Stop staring...! I have zero tolerance for annoying girls! So please, stop this already! "Good." The instructor addressed each student individually, concluding the feedback session. "The absentees didn't show up until the end. No matter; we’ll wrap up here. It's the director's policy to keep the first day of classes brief." Oh, it’s over! "Wow. It's already done." "This is awesome!" "Want to check out the café nearby after this?" The students chatted happily. Although they lived in a different world and possessed superhuman abilities, at their core, they were just like any other young people. "Dismissed. From tomorrow, you'll have regular attendance. Ah, also, we’ll elect a class president tomorrow... I don't have much else to say. Remember today’s experience and think about how you can do better in the future. You're dismissed." —Rush! With those words, the students stood up and gathered their bags. Several glanced in his direction. "..." Their eyes met. "Pfft!" A female student burst out laughing. This is embarrassing. --- Once outside... "Kim Geun Cheol." A chilly voice came from behind him! "Yes?! Oh gosh!" "Almost used profanity again, didn't you?" "Oh, it’s Instructor Lee Sora! Do you have something to say to me?" He almost jumped out of his skin; with her lurking like a predator. "It’s nothing major. I just want to give you a piece of advice." "Advice? Surely not, 'If you don't want to get hurt, drop out of this academy immediately,' is it?" "What, what?" His straightforward comment seemed to fluster the instructor. "What are you implying... Suggesting withdrawal to a cadet with superhuman abilities? What do you take me for? Kim Geun Cheol, you are an important resource. I wouldn’t advise you to quit." "Oh, was that what you meant? Haha, my apologies for jumping to conclusions." Turns out, it wasn't that after all. "Whoever it is, if they're a cadet, I'll guide them to become a hero. Even if they are the infamous 'Oh my God, Damn it Kim Geun Cheol.'" How long is she going to milk that incident... "Anyway. This is just advice. Head to the director's office at once." "What, huh?" Why there, of all places? "Why would I go there? It feels intimidating. Isn't that where the Black Night Ogre resides?" "Precisely, which is why you should go. Are you worried about getting hit? You're nervous for someone who claims they’d die if hurt." "I'm serious! Didn’t you see the intensity of that voice?" "You think you'd die? No matter what, the director doesn’t hit cadets." "Well, I didn’t really mean that literally. What I meant was, it's a bit..." "Enough with the words. Just go. The director is very particular about such matters. Even if they say they’d forgive with words, they'll hold a grudge unless you apologize personally." Ah. Is this really about having to apologize for saying 'oh sh*t' during the entrance ceremony? "So basically, they don't just dislike disrespect, but really can't stand it from youngsters—especially when it involves cursing in front of an elder. And it seems Kim Geun Cheol, standing here, fits that description perfectly." "You're right. I’ll make sure to go. Thank you." Getting on the bad side of someone like that on the first day is not an option. Despite being a little anxious, it seems a sincere apology is necessary. "Then." Having said her piece, Instructor Lee Sora turned and left with a cool demeanor. —Click clack. Even her retreating figure in a sharp suit is striking. "Sigh." But... where is the director's office? Finding it isn’t going to be simple. --- Here stood a lost 24-year-old. "A lost superhuman, no less. Dammit." The fact that a superhuman could get lost! What a place this was. Despite half-remembering directions to where he needed to go, he still managed to lose his way. "I thought it was around here." While searching for the director’s office... —Click. "Hmm?" Someone stopped in front of him. "You are?" A melodious voice and beautiful silver hair. Looking ahead, he saw Leona, who had performed brilliantly earlier—even cutting down a spider during class—staring at him. "Oh." What should he call her? Since they’re classmates, should he just call her Leona? As he pondered, she tilted her head slightly and spoke. "Should I refer to you as 'Oh my God, Damn it'?" "What? No, what do you mean? People can shout something like that when they’re startled." Why is she picking on me when it's already so embarrassing? "I've never seen anyone react so dramatically before. What an embarrassing display. You cried a bucket load." "Hey, I just teared up a bit from shock. Why are you exaggerating about me bawling? That’s slander, you know." "You’re quite good at grumbling, it seems." Does she enjoy teasing people? Yet, she can because she’s pretty. "Anyway, what brings you to a place like this?" Leona asked, seemingly curious. "Oh, it’s nothing major. Just due to the swearing incident at the entrance ceremony." "Ah... the 'oh sh*t' bit." "Can't you think of anything else about me?" "Is there anything else?" Nope. Though, she could at least try to find out more. "Let’s skip that talk. Even thinking about it makes my heart feel like it’s breaking. Anyway, Instructor Lee Sora advised me to apologize to the director. She said it would be worse later if I didn’t." So that's where he was headed. "An apology to the director... if that's the case, it’s this way." Leona, kindly enough, pointed him in the right direction. "Well then, I’ll be off." "Great, thanks. I was looking for it. Take care." After saying goodbye to Leona, he continued on his way. "There it is." So this was the director's office. A director in a school—he had never seen such a thing outside of the TV show 'Jungle High.' —Knock, knock. With his heart steadied, he knocked on the door. "Come in." A commanding voice called out, prompting him to carefully open the door and step inside. "Hmm?" Upon seeing him, the director exclaimed, "You must be Kim Geun Cheol!!!!!!!!!!" The director roared like a lion!!!!! "Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!" He was startled out of his wits!!!!