Chapter 14 : School is a fucking spectacle #9 - No Kidding, I’m an Extra

"The guy who calls himself Ken. I spoke to him for the first time today. He just showed up and got stuck with the nickname 'Screaming Man.'" "Screaming Man... Poof!" Are you laughing? "Snort, hahaha!" Sihoo was doubled up in laughter at the nickname "Screaming Man". "Hey, are you laughing? Don't laugh at someone's nickname...! Don't you know that a frog can get hit and die by a stone thrown unintentionally?" "Oh! Sorry, sorry! I didn't mean to laugh! It's just the sudden 'Screaming Man' thing! Haha!" —Whip, whip! Sihoo waved his hands sincerely, as if he genuinely intended to apologize, his face turning red. I didn't expect such a sincere apology or anything, but he seemed to be a bit over-dramatic. "Anyway, what, Ken? This is Sihoo. You know him, right?" "Of course, I know. He's the monster who fought on equal footing with top student Ryu Cheon hwi." "Monster, huh." The word 'monster' wiped the smile off Sihoo’s face for a moment, but he returned to a laughing expression. Ken needs to be careful with the nicknames he gives or it could end up badly. "Nice to meet you, Sihoo. I’m Ken. I caught your duel with Ryu Cheon hwi. You were very strong." "Haha... Strong, huh. That's not quite it. I only managed to fight evenly because Cheon hwi took it easy on me. It's not that I'm particularly strong." "Hmm, you're humble. But Ryu Cheon hwi doesn't strike me as the type to take it easy." Saying that, Ken crossed his arms and closed his eyes as if in thought. "Hey. Haven't you known him for just a short time? How do you know his personality?" "How do I know? I did some research beforehand. The classmates here are our peers, with whom we'll live and train to become heroes. It's beneficial for the future to know them well early on. Isn’t research fundamental?" "Whoa... Is that so?" This guy seems more prepared than I thought. He's already setting plans for the future. It's a maturity not typically seen in a high school freshman. I was taken aback when he called me 'Screaming Man,' but he seems like a decent guy. "So, just saying, be careful. It's not good to be on Ryu Cheon hwi's bad side. He's notorious for having a foul temper." "Heh heh heh, don't worry. I'm not scared." Worst-case scenario, I can always complain to the chairman. "You're quite confident. Well, then." With those words, Ken returned to his seat. It's almost the time when students start coming in. But Ryu Cheon hwi hasn’t arrived yet. "So, with the name Ken, is he from Japan?" "Probably? It's definitely a Japanese-style name. But for someone from Japan to come to Korea, it must have been tough." Tough? "What's tough about it?" "Huh?" "What. Why?" Sihoo’s expression seemed as if he was being questioned on something everyone should know. Is it tough to come to Korea from Japan nowadays? "You don't know?" "Hey. Don't just react like that. Explain, man. I'm curious. What is it?" "Oh, no. I wasn't trying to keep it a secret. I thought it was common knowledge. Japan is governed by the Neodaimyo, right? And they strictly prevent the outflow of people with awakened abilities." "Neo, what?" Did he just say Neodaimyo? "What is a Neodaimyo?" I've never heard of this term before. Daimyo? Isn't that a medieval Japanese ruling class? A large landowner with samurais, that was a Daimyo, wasn't it? "Ah, that is." Just as Sihoo tried to explain. —Creak. The door opened, and Instructor Lee Sora walked in. "Good morning. Everyone, take your seats." "Oh, Geuncheol. We'll talk later." "Alright. Go to your seat." I can look it up on my phone later. —Swoosh. As I took out my phone to search. "Kim Geun-cheol. Is your phone out already as soon as the instructor arrived? Homeroom is starting. Put it away." "Oh, instructor. It's not that. I just got curious about something, so I was going to look it up." "Do it later." "Understood." She's like a ghost. Am I the only one she sees? "Now, let's start the morning roll call. Hmm... There's one person absent." The seat behind me was empty. Ryu Cheon hwi was the only one not present. Is he avoiding coming because he thinks I'll report him? But absenteeism has nothing to do with reporting. Anyway, I'm going to protest. I won't tolerate violence in the classroom. "There are no other announcements, and since the first period is my class, we will start the lesson now." What on earth is this!!! "Whoa!" "Aah, Instructor." "Ah." Students sighed, but this stern instructor was about to start the lesson unfazed. "Silence. We're doing an outdoor lesson, so you'll need to move." Outdoor lesson? I can’t hold back my curiosity. Let's ask right away. "An outdoor lesson? Instructor, what kind of lesson is it today?" "Today, we'll be doing a lesson on strengthening the body using mana. It's the most basic training for awakening individuals into superhumans." "Woohoo!" I have to be part of this! A lesson on enhancing the body directly with mana! Can I become a superhuman just by following this class properly? "You look eager. Then everyone, let's move." "Everyone, please stand up and follow me in an orderly fashion." Leona-ssi voluntarily got up from her seat and tried to lead the students. But then, she just stuck close to the instructor? What’s the point of leading, then? Anyway, as I got up from my seat. "Geuncheol. Let's walk together." "Sure." Sihoo joined me. "Hey, about that Sihoo. What is a Neodaimyo?" "Were you just about to search for it before?" "The instructor stopped me. It's a tyranny that violates my right to know." "Right to know and tyranny... Snort! Hahaha!" Why does he laugh so easily? "Seriously, Sihoo, why do you laugh so much? Do you plan on growing up to become one of those studio audience members who laugh on TV shows?" "Snrk, laugh audience you say. Geun-cheol, your way of speaking is just too funny." "What's so funny about it? If I were truly funny, I would've been a comedian. Anyway, enlighten me on my right to know. Seriously, what is Neodaimyo?" "Neodaimyo are the high-ranking awakened ones who rule Japan." "Hooh?" The Seven Neodaimyo. They were once first-generation awakened individuals and war heroes who saved Japan during the Dimension War. However, some incident led to their falling out, and now, they rule Japan, each governing a separate part of it. It's said to be a more oppressive medieval feudal society compared to Korea, which is governed by the absolute ruler, the Commanding Lord. And apparently, the incident was a dispute over who would become the Emperor. It was so bizarre and outlandish, I couldn't wrap my head around it. So, the Seven Neodaimyo fought over who would become Emperor and ended up partitioning Japan into seven parts. "It's almost like a bunch of yakuza took over, isn't it?" "That's pretty much their culture." Seems like Ken's been through a lot. * * * "Utilizing mana is the most basic of basics. Without the ability to use the mana you possess as an awakened individual, you’re no different from any ordinary person. To become a superhuman hero, you must be able to freely manipulate mana." Very serious. I focused intently on Instructor Lee Sora’s words with determination. This lesson! I'll transform everything into a part of my bones and flesh! Since it's certain I possess mana, if I can learn, I too can become a superhuman. It’s no exaggeration; if becoming a superhuman is the goal, who wouldn't focus? —Sparkle, sparkle! As I practically had my eyes glowing while watching the instructor. "..." Our eyes met for a moment. Of course, the instructor simply made a humming sound and shifted her gaze. Then she resumed her explanation. Did you feel it? My passion? This is exactly the kind of student I am. "Anyway. Today, what you'll learn is how to enhance your body with mana to exert superhuman strength. I’ll demonstrate. Like this. Focus mana in your feet, and with one step." —Leap! Suddenly, the instructor's body soared into the air! "Wow!" With just a single step, she effortlessly jumped nearly ten meters high! And she managed to do so with her hands casually in her pockets! "Wowww!" "As expected of the instructor!" "To think she can jump so lightly!" Cheers erupted. Then, are students impressed like this? It must mean that such a high jump is indeed exceptional even among superhuman trainees. —Thud. The way the instructor gently landed seemed to almost defy gravity; it was that smooth. "Using mana, you can achieve superhuman feats like this. Whether it's jumping high, moving at great speed, or enhancing the grip of a sword-wielding hand. Anything is possible. Similarly, you can also increase your body's defensive capabilities." The more I listened, the more excited I got about the class. I couldn't contain myself...! I wanted to imitate it right away! "Now, let's... begin the lesson. Today, I'll teach you how to dash." Dash, you say? "The technique is similar to what I just showed. Assume a lunging stance, infuse mana into your foot, and propel off the ground." —Zoom! "Woooaaaaah?!" In a single step. She covered a distance of ten meters in the blink of an eye...! It was literally a dash! Moving like that would even be hard for monsters to react to! —Zoom! The instructor performed the dash again to return to her position. "Swiftly and agilely maneuvering is fundamental for a superhuman. The dash is an essential skill, so be sure to master it." I will absolutely master it. "Wow..." "I’m looking forward to this." "Movement like that..." The other students chatted among themselves with anticipation. "Today, I plan to check each individual's posture, but before that." Is there something we need to do? "Kim Geun-cheol? Step forward." The instructor nonchalantly called out my name! "What? Why me all of a sudden?" What kind of curveball is this! "Kim Geun-cheol, come forward. Everyone, watch closely and contemplate as your friend demonstrates." "Why not have one of the skilled ones do it instead of me..." Am I the guinea pig? "Wouldn’t it be more educational if someone less skilled demonstrates?" "I never imagined I'd become a human teaching aid, honestly." I'm just the neighborhood scapegoat, truly. As I walked toward the instructor, laughter echoed from the back. Damn it. Screaming Man. What are they calling me now? I feel like I've suddenly become a comedic character, but I’m far from being a comedian. I'm a serious and cool man, Kim Geun-cheol. "You're chattering away. Come over and assume the stance." "Yes. The lunging stance, right?" —Swoosh. I immediately stepped my left foot forward, slightly bending my knee into a lunging stance. Having learned Taekwondo, I could take this stance perfectly. "Instructor? I'm in position. This highly advanced lunging stance, no less." "Why speak as if you're highlighting something special? Stop with the comments and try to channel mana to your left foot." "But instructor, I don’t know how to use mana yet." "You’ll all be able to use it once trained. Did everyone hear that? No one initially knows how to properly use mana, not even Kim Geun-cheol here. But with training, it will become possible for all. So work hard." —Yes! Replied the students. "Still, instructor, if I don’t know now, how can I..." "Wait." —Swoosh. At that moment. The instructor placed her hand on my firm thigh. "Gah...!" "What?" "I-it tickles! Stop it!" I just can't stand it when someone touches my thigh—it tickles like crazy! "What a kid... Try to hold back the tickles." "Yes...!" "Whew. You're quite the needy cadet. Anyway, I can feel the mana inside Kim Geun-cheol’s body. It's small and stagnant. This is a typical beginner's state." "But my mind is anything but stagnant!" "Quiet!" "Yes!" My thigh tickling is making it hard to focus! "Continuing on, initially, many struggle to move mana just like Kim Geun-cheol. Often, they aren’t even aware of the sensation. I’ll help a bit by injecting some mana. Brace yourself." "Beg your pardon?" —Zap! Suddenly, something zapped, though it wasn’t unpleasant. It was a sensation that lightly pricked inside my thigh. "Oh? This sensation?" "That's the sensation of mana passing through. Now, recall that feeling and try to slowly move the mana in your body toward your thigh." The sensation just now. "The sensation just noooooow!!!" —Sigh! With a focused shout, I felt a clear energy glide down toward my leg! "Wow! I feel something! Something is coming! I can feel it! My thigh! The strength in my leg!!!" An eruption of excitement! Something tingles with mana— "My leg is crampi-i-i-i-i-i-i-iiiiiing!!!!" I overdid it all of a sudden, and it completely locked up a-a-a-aah!!!