Chapter 16 : School is a fucking spectacle #11 - No Kidding, I’m an Extra

"Hehehe." On the way to the cafeteria with Si Hoo. His anticipation is bursting at the seams. A buffet? A school lunch that's a buffet? It feels unimaginably delightful. As if a gentle, warm breeze is enveloping his heart, he wonders if it's even alright to feel such absurd happiness. It's like being cradled by a cloud. While nestled in the clouds, he danced a waltz with the sunlight. He feels like singing. If he doesn't sing about this joy, when else should a human sing? But is this for real? The school lunch is a buffet style, really? "Being a hero is the best, after all. These are superhumans who will protect the country, of course they should be served buffet meals." "Haha, Geun Cheol. You're so hilarious for being excessively happy about this." "Is this excessive? Do you not understand a person's heart?" "Mmph...! To think even someone's heart is...!" Si Hoo tried to stifle his laughter as his voice trailed off. His laughter is truly contagious. "When it’s a buffet, obviously anyone would be thrilled. Yay! Long live Ares Academy! I love you, Chairman! No wonder the Chairman was unusually beautiful." "...Eh? What about the Chairman?" "It must be because of her kind heart. You know, they say beauty comes from within. From what I’ve seen, our Chairman is the perfect example." She truly is a pretty older sister. "..." Anyway. He was utterly ecstatic until— "Despair struck." As soon as he arrived at the cafeteria, despair took hold. "Despair at the fact that I have to pay for my meal!" His heart! "Is the entry fee really 30,000 won!" His heart felt like it would shatter! "What kind of meal ticket costs 30,000 won!" To his astonishment, the cafeteria entry fee was 30,000 won! An astoundingly honest sum! He didn’t have enough in his bank account to afford such a luxury! How is it possible that he has to pay to enter the cafeteria! "Geun Cheol?" "Ugh!" He couldn’t afford to eat. His current bank situation was dire at best. With no parents or siblings to rely on, his only financial support was a government subsidy. That subsidy barely covered 500,000 won a month. With 500,000 won for a month's expenses, a 30,000-won meal? How could he possibly? Don’t underestimate people! If he ate that, he would have to go hungry for days! Swallowing back his tears, he spoke to Si Hoo. "Sorry, Si Hoo. You'll have to eat without me. It's too expensive for me to go in." "Is it really that expensive? What'll you do then, Geun Cheol?" "What else? Head to the store." Icarus foolishly dared to reach for the sky. And found despair. Just like he did now. But Icarus' father collected his reckless son's remains and looked to the future... Reflecting on that, he’s heading to buy something cheaper to eat. Damn these circumstances. He thought he could reach the clouds, but he never had the right. A waltz with the sunshine was not for him. So then, where should he find a song to sing? "You're going to the store?" "Yeah." "Then let's go together!" "What? Really? You're actually willing to give up that 'cafeteria buffet'?" Is he human? Can he really resist that? Is he human? "I don't mind." Well. In a normal household, especially with superhuman children, parents would give plenty of allowance. He could eat as much as he wanted. Look even now. ㅡA stream of students. Students are queuing up to enter the cafeteria. That's normal behavior. "Is that so? Then let's go together." "Sure!" With a grin plastered on his face, Si Hoo followed alongside him. And so, they headed to the store together. "Hey, about Ryu Cheon Hwi... I'm planning on reporting him to the administration, you know?" "Hmm... Really? Wouldn't it be better to just get along as friends?" "Not a friend, idiot. You're my friend, not him." "Oh, uh, right? I'm your friend... Hehe." "Yeah, damn it, you're my friend. So of course, a report—Ah, wait a sec. Si Hoo, can we stop by the bathroom first?" "Hm? The bathroom?" Take a pit stop before the store. So he entered the nearby first-floor building’s restroom with Si Hoo. "So as I was saying, it’s the perfect time to file a report... Huh?" What was this? "Si Hoo?" Looking around, he noticed Si Hoo was waiting outside, standing there patiently. He didn’t follow in. "Not coming in?" "No, no! I'm fine out here!" "Really?" Is this something to be sensitive about? He used the bathroom, washed his hands, and came back out. Maybe he doesn’t like going to the bathroom together with other guys. "Let's go to the store." "Okay." He'd already memorized the route to the store. Confidently leading Si Hoo straight there. Thankfully, it was pretty empty. Well, with such a buffet at their disposal, why would they bother with the store? Lucky, rich kids have it nice. "Ah, so this is where the store is." Si Hoo entered with an excited expression, scanning his surroundings. "Why do you look so happy? First time at a store?" "Yeah. It's my first time." "Really?" "Coming with a friend to a store is a first for me. It feels nice. Oh, Geun Cheol. Do you get everything from the vending machine? That's fascinating." Was he the type to not have friends? Now that he noticed, Si Hoo did have an androgynous look, and he was on the shorter side. He seemed delicate, the kind of person who wasn't very active. But then again, he courageously stepped in during that fight with Ryu Cheon Hwi, didn't he? A personality that can't stand injustice... Maybe he should have gotten to know him better. "Yeah. You have to get it all from there." "What tastes good? Since it's my first time, can you pick for me, Geun Cheol?" "Damn it, let me choose for you. First, get the 'Dongap Naegi' and 'Bulgogi Burger'. Then a whole pizza and 'Pizza Holic'. They’re all perfect choices. Pick any you like. And then..." — Clunk. "If you get a 'Picnic' as well, you'll be all set. Go ahead, Si Hoo!" "Okay!" Si Hoo, appearing expectant, took out his wallet and started selecting the food. Seeing him so excited, he really seemed like an interesting kid. After fetching the 'Dongap Naegi' and heating it in the microwave, they sat down to eat together. "Yum." "Is it good?" "Yeah. Oh, this is delicious. You said it's called 'Dongap Naegi'?" "Yeah. It's my favorite. It's truly insanely delicious." The juice exploding from the first bite is simply phenomenal. Sure, if he can’t eat the cafeteria food, this will have to do. He feels content. "It's really delicious, truly heavenly." "Haha, Geun Cheol, your expressions are so vivid." "That's because I'm a kind person." Do all kind people talk like this? "Hey, Si Hoo." "Yeah?" "Isn't Leona just an angel? How can she be so full of leadership and kindness? I was really touched." "Hmm... Really? She did seem kind." "Hehe, right? Being beautiful and kind? That's the complete package, isn't it?" "That’s right. So, Geun Cheol, is a girl like Leona your type?" "What guy doesn't like a pretty and kind girl?" "…" Extreme admiration indeed. "Wow, she gave me a massage right when I thought I was a goner. She's practically a Nightingale. You know Nightingale, right?" "Who doesn’t? Everyone knows that much." "Right. Everyone knows. Everyone should know about Leona’s beautiful heart as well—" "Oh, right. Geun Cheol, about the training after school. Where will we do it?" "Shall we head to the training grounds?" "Let's do that. I'll show you how it's done." "Sounds good!" And so, they spent their time at the store together. "Once we're done, it's time to devour some ice cream too." He should be mindful of his balance, but he just can’t stop. Is this the gluttony of a high schooler? Anyway, these youngsters’ stomachs are never to be underestimated. It might be necessary to teach them a lesson someday. Stomach, you obnoxious thing, overstep and you’ll get it from me. * * * "Students, you all know that North Korea, China, and Russia have fallen, right? But not all the people who lived there have disappeared. For example—" — Squeak. Mykes, the instructor in charge of theory, started writing on the board. "China. China is currently completely fragmented. High-level Awakeners who call themselves 'Great Generals' are forming their own warlord factions and controlling specific areas, while the gaps are filled by monsters and villains." What? Great Generals? "Wars never stop here. Great Generals, monsters, villains—all these factions are battling daily to claim territory." Hmm. "The people under these Great Generals live akin to slaves... Actually, those ruled by monsters or villains are no different. Monsters in the regions of China mostly raise people like livestock. It's actually deemed better to be under a Great General's rule." In summary: China is screwed. But with such a huge landmass, not all the people are dead. High-level Awakeners calling themselves 'Great Generals' are forming warlord factions and controlling specific areas, and monsters have filled the vacant spaces in the decimated lands. These monsters are intelligent beings from other dimensions. Many have nested in the Chinese territories. Anyway, they are fiercely clashing with the Great Generals' forces. Most Chinese people have become slaves, living arduous lives. "When the Qing Dynasty fell, similar warlord chaos occurred. Anyway, among the Chinese Great Generals, the one wielding the most power is an S-class Awakener known as 'Guan Yu'." Guan Yu, what the hell. "The most powerful monster faction is 'Qubalite.' As for villains, there's no specific leader, but the Russian 'Oligarchs' have the largest presence." While listening to Instructor Mykes’ lecture, he kept taking notes. In his view, this wasn't mere backstory; it was essential knowledge. Heroes must understand the relationships between factions. It's practical knowledge for real situations. A special forces unit deployed overseas or a National Intelligence Service officer can’t afford ignorance of international relationships or the adversaries’ military strength. Study thoroughly. "And regarding Japan, there are the Neodaimyos, right? Research shows the power levels differ from the Chinese Great Generals—" — Ding-Dong-Dang. "Oh, class is over. Cadets? Focusing only on combat lessons isn’t enough? Theoretical lessons are essential too in becoming great heroes. See you next time." Instructor Mykes left with a farewell. Break time. "Wow, there's just so much to memorize. Si Hoo, can you handle memorizing all that?" "Usually? If not, extra studying is the key." "Everywhere demands studying. It's tough, really tough." Even with body and magic training keeping them busy, theory needs attention too. "Even just honing body and magic skills is demanding. This school is relentless, relentless. There’s not enough time." "Are you talking about screaming? Screaming guy." Suddenly Ken's voice echoed. "Ken, you jerk?" "Hahaha! This morning was hilarious! I thought I'd die from laughter watching you, Screaming Guy!" "Hey. Seriously, cut the crap. Do you think you wouldn't act the same?" "I didn’t act like that, actually." "Just wait until it happens to you, and see what kind of noise you make." "Well, even if it did happen, I doubt I'd scream like you, Screaming Guy." Ken said this with a thoroughly amused laugh, adjusting his glasses as he did so. "Don't lie. You'd be screaming too." Predicting Ken's future, just like that. "Geun Cheol? Just because you screamed doesn’t mean everyone else will, you know?" "You are the Angel Leona!" And now, Leona made her entrance! "Cut the 'Angel' part!" Cut out ‘Angel’? How does one even do that? "How do you take it away? Your halo is practically shining right from the back of your head." "Halo?" "Yeah, halo. And you’ve got wings on your back, too? You're just radiating angel vibes like crazy, so what am I supposed to think if you say you're not?" "You... you're really spouting nonsense like a machine gun, aren't you?" Leona reacted incredulously to his words. "What kind of mouth runs like this... Anyway, stop screaming. What angel nonsense is this? Angel my foot. Unbelievable." —Click-clack. Whatever she found displeasing, Leona finished her remarks, made a huffy sound, and with dignity, turned on her heels and walked away with a click-clack. "Screaming Guy? Seems like Ms. Kynes has marked you." "Marked? I got help from her. It's the instructors that have marked me. Seriously, give me a break. From now on, it feels like they'll point me out every time." It’s enough to drive someone nuts with anxiety. "Hehe, hahaha! Seems likely!" Si Hoo, who was seated, nodded in agreement. See? This is the real deal. From now on, it’s going to be just me... "Right?" "Then Geun Cheol might scream again, huh?" "What do you think I am?" "Anyway. The only option you have, Geun Cheol, is to work hard so you don’t get in trouble." "Guess so." What else could he do? So, the break time ended, and instead of an instructor, a professor came in. Professors seem to conduct general classes. Surprisingly, these general classes comprised subjects like language, math, English, and science. Wait, aren't heroes exempt from taking those? It’s utterly absurd. Why should superhumans tackle subjects like language, math, English, and science?