Entering through the main gate and passing through the square until I reached the dormitory, I felt something different in the air. The atmosphere at the Academy had changed. The male students, who usually picked fights or teased me, now just politely greeted me and walked by. The female students, who would normally approach me with snacks and endless chatter, also just greeted me and quickly left. Honestly, this suits me better and is more comfortable, but… it feels a bit awkward suddenly.

While I was puzzled, I ran into Lee Chae-song and Lee Chae-rin in front of the dormitory. “Hey, how have you been?” Even though it hadn’t been a month, seeing people I used to see every day after a long time felt really nice.

“Gyeoul! Are you feeling better? Sorry, I wanted to visit you every day, but I thought it might be more of a bother…” “It’s fine! Visiting once or twice is enough. It’s not like I was seriously injured.” Seriously, why are they making such a big deal out of it? If I were really that hurt, I’d be having a funeral in the hospital.

“You look bright, that’s a relief. I was worried.” “Thanks. But… did something happen while I was gone?” “Huh? What do you mean?” “The students feel a bit off. It’s like they’re avoiding me or something.” “Ah… is that why?” “Yeah, that must be it.”

Fortunately, Chae-song and Chae-rin seemed to know the reason. “What is it?” “It’s about when you were in the hospital… eek!” Chae-rin suddenly stopped mid-sentence and looked somewhere, startled. Following her gaze, I saw Hayan standing there with a bright smile.

“Ah, Hayan! How have you been?” “Gyeoul! I’m so glad you’re back!” “Yeah, let’s catch up later. Chae-rin, please continue.” “…It’s nothing! I don’t really know either.” “…Huh?”

Just a moment ago, they seemed to know everything, but now they suddenly don’t? Looking at Chae-song, she shook her head. Why are they acting like this? Is the whole Academy secretly filming me or something?

“Hayan, do you know why the students are acting like this?” “Huh? Why? Did something happen?” She just blinked her deer-like eyes. It seems Hayan doesn’t know either, or maybe she’s also being affected.

Anyway… it seems they don’t want to talk about it, so it’s awkward to press further. I finished my morning class with Teacher Choi Ye-na as usual. She was no different from usual. So, it seems the whole Academy isn’t acting strange.

Well… since I don’t know, let’s just eat first. “Wow… sweet and sour pork!” Dip or dunk? I don’t know why people argue about that. I just eat it. Whether you dip or dunk, it’s delicious either way. The Academy food was better than I remembered. But since I just got out of the hospital, I only ate seven servings and put down my tray.

In the afternoon, there was Instructor Yoo Soo-gap’s Villain Capture Techniques class, but since I’m not fully recovered, I was told to rest for the day. Actually, I’m fully recovered and perfectly fine, but… since they’re so worried, it’s only right as a student to rest.

Following Instructor Yoo Soo-gap’s advice, I rested in my room. I just played games in the Gourmet Club’s club room, but I was resting in my room, right? Anyway, because of that, my tier dropped one level. It seems this season is a bust.

After feeling the harshness of the Rift, I headed to the Student Council Room. Senior Hong Yeom also told me to rest, but I decided to patrol to relieve the stress from the hospital and figure out the strange atmosphere at the Academy.

But… not a single incident occurred during the entire patrol. ‘What’s going on?’ What happened at the Academy while I was gone? When I asked Senior Hong Yeom, he acted like he didn’t know anything. The other Student Council members also seemed reluctant to talk.

I could probably beat someone up to get information, but there were no troublemakers to catch. For now… it seemed fastest to investigate Chae-song and Chae-rin.

I headed to the training room to complete today’s daily assignment. Despite the somber atmosphere, the trainees were doing well. The future of the hero scene is bright with such diligent aspirants.

Just as I was having such a boomer thought while crossing the training room threshold… “Ah, I forgot my phone.” I just saw you put it in your pocket. “…I think I’m a bit tired today.” You were smiling brightly just a moment ago. “Ah, I forgot I have a class early tomorrow morning.” You’re in the same class as me, you jerk.

Anyway. It was like I had reserved the entire training room. Everyone suddenly left, leaving me alone. Well, not really alone. “Gyeoul, I heard you’re learning swordsmanship lately? How is it? Is it doable?” “Yeah, it’s manageable. It’s good for physical training too. Hayan, do you want to try?” “How do you do it?”

Hayan started showing interest. I thought it would be more fun and passionate to do it with Hayan rather than alone. Asking the Master would be the first priority, but I could always ask tomorrow.

I continued, leaving out the swordsmanship part and suggesting we do basic training together. “First, swing the sword 30,000 times…” “I think magic suits me better.” “Huh? Try it first, it’s not as hard as you think…” “Ah, what magic should I try today? Just thinking about it makes me so excited! Magic is the most fun!”

Hayan suddenly started singing a strange song and moved to a corner while dancing. ‘…Guess I’ll train alone.’ Around the time I completed 5,000 downward slashes, I felt someone’s gaze. Looking up, I saw the Master standing there.

Even though he just became the President and must be busy, he still came here to watch over his disciple. I don’t know why his mouth is open, though. The more I see him, the more I realize he’s a true Master.

The Master quietly watched me train and then left without a word. Since he left without saying anything, I must be doing well. Feeling proud, I finished the remaining slashing training with more enthusiasm.

After that, I started telekinesis training. Today, I increased the weight plates as much as possible, adding more load. I’ve tried other training methods, but this still seems the best. Even though I’m into swordsmanship now, my essence is telekinesis from the Super Ability Category.

I’ve adapted to swordsmanship training, but I can’t let go of telekinesis. ‘Swordsmanship is just a side thing.’ I was so focused on my training that I glanced to the side and noticed Hayan had improved a lot. Her magic manifestation speed was faster, and her control was more precise.

Hayan just naturally excels at everything. Leaving her to her own devices, I finished my telekinesis training. Since I’m not yet adapted enough to continue with weights, I just finished the telekinesis training and returned to the dormitory with Hayan.

The next day, I spent the morning and afternoon the same way. Of course, the lunch menu and afternoon class content were different. Hoping this patrol would be different from yesterday’s, I started patrolling again.

“…I haven’t really done anything since joining the Student Council.” “Yeah, it feels like just taking a walk and ending it.” Were all the things Senior Hong Yeom and other Student Council seniors said just lies? Was it all just a ploy to recruit us?

‘Joining the Student Council was pointless…’ After finishing the patrol, the Student Council seniors also acted like nothing happened. They were all organizing equipment in the Student Council Room.

“…Is it always this quiet?” “Thanks to you, I’m so happy lately!” “It’s all thanks to you guys, please stay in the Student Council.” It feels weird since we haven’t really done anything, but they’re reacting like this.

“Is it because my connections are scary?” “No, it’s not that, it’s Hayan… eek!” The senior who was about to say something was desperately stopped by Senior Hong Yeom. At the same time, the Student Council Room felt a bit colder…

The other seniors also widened their eyes and suddenly started acting clueless. At this point, unless I’m an idiot, I can’t not know. Lee Ha-yoon must have done something.

I glanced at Hayan, who was organizing equipment next to me… She was staring at the senior who had spoken with cold eyes. The Student Council Room getting colder wasn’t just my imagination.

“Hayan?” “Huh?” When I called her name and faced her directly, the expression she had while looking at the senior was gone. It changed so quickly, like a Chinese face-changing act.

She looked at me with warm, soft, and sparkling eyes. …Where did it all go wrong? How did Hayan suddenly become like this? The only recent incident was the Apostle of Jealousy attack.

The Apostle only faced Hayan for a short time, so it’s unlikely they did something to her in that time… Could the Satan Church have done something to Hayan? This isn’t something to brush off as puberty or nature.

A dark Hayan… That’s as scary as a corrupted Jeong Ha-yul.