Academy's Silver Gatekeeper-Chapter 113

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"Examiner Baek Seojin. The headmaster is calling for you."

I was planning to visit the headmaster's office after finishing work anyway. But somehow our headmaster noticed and called me first. Even calling me 40 minutes before quitting time!

Wow, this is why they say he's the greatest ability user South Korea has produced. Not only is his skill good and his achievements great, but most importantly, his character is proper!

Anyone who knows would understand, but calling someone to talk 40 minutes before quitting time? It's the holy intention of legally allowing 40 minutes of salary theft!

'If it were that fucking boss, he would have called 5 minutes before quitting time and talked for 30 minutes.'

Then as a bonus, he'd complain that his own departure was delayed because of me. Even though he's the bastard who called, and the one whose departure was delayed was none other than me. Every time that happened, I really wanted to stab the center of his forehead with a ballpoint pen.

Knock knock—

"Headmaster. This is Examiner Baek Seojin."

"Come in."

My past boss is now gone. Not here, and not at my original workplace either. Even if he comes back later and somehow clings to his rice bowl, he'll eventually be unable to overcome the disciplinary action and fall off on his own.

Right. This is how it should be. Why are people who work carelessly in civil service positions? If you can't do it, either work harder or learn more. Why are you occupying young people's positions while looking for 'back in my day' stories?

"I specifically called you 40 minutes early. We'll probably finish talking right at quitting time."

"I'm very grateful for the headmaster's consideration."

At my answer, Ma Hakjun bursts into laughter and offers me a seat.

"I heard about yesterday. You encountered an Elder again."

"Just as you heard."

"Are you injured anywhere? I heard it wasn't you who fought but Irina, but still, injuries could occur."

He's speaking indirectly, but what Ma Hakjun is basically saying is this: Wondering if I took any splash damage from Irina going crazy.

"I'm fine, Headmaster."

"That's fortunate. It's Hyeon Sujin again. She's as problematic as Kwak Hyeok. No, perhaps even more problematic than Kwak Hyeok."

According to what I heard from Hyeon Sujin, she was branded a traitor through manipulation.

I don't know what would have happened if she had stepped forward to deny it herself. Whether it was because of revenge, she didn't make any particular denial. As a result, everyone who was close to Hyeon Sujin knows her as a traitor.

'Should I subtly leak facts about Hyeon Sujin?'

I also considered that. Plus the truth about this body as well, killing two birds with one stone.

But if, as Hyeon Sujin said, all evidence has really already disappeared, if they're properly prepared to bury whatever words come out from above, moving carelessly might put me in a very difficult situation instead.

'Later. Not now.'

To make waves, it's best to hide in the waves.

What I'm aiming for now is to use the period of chaos that will come. Then those above will also be distracted by all sorts of issues and let their guard down. Using that moment to approach those above, you never know.

Originally, bad guys don't erase all evidence because they themselves are anxious.

To others, it might look like they erased everything very thoroughly. But from their perspective, having evidence in their hands is sometimes more advantageous. Even knowing it could be a weakness, they tend to hide one or two things tightly in their possession.

"Examiner Baek Seojin?"

"...Ah, yes. I'm sorry. I was thinking about yesterday."

"You must have been very surprised. Well, I understand. Hyeon Sujin, that girl. No one can match her in stealth. It was particularly difficult because she's a magic type who unusually handles shadows."

The subsequent conversation was similar to what I had with Irina.

Why did Hyeon Sujin appear? What did she talk about when she came? She made a proposal to join them. I refused it. It became a question-and-answer situation like that.

"...I see. That girl still hasn't given up her subversion plans."

"Her resentment seems deep."

"Her fiancé suddenly died from excessive missions, so that's understandable."

"You seem to understand, headmaster. Everyone else called her a traitor."

Even the good-natured Han Jiyoon cursed Hyeon Sujin as a traitor bitch. Since their relationship was close, she seemed to feel an even greater sense of betrayal. I heard she even took three days of vacation to chase Hyeon Sujin's traces?

"Of course I was disappointed in that girl. I had to be. But it's true that excessive attention and unreasonable schedules were concentrated on that girl and her fiancé."

At that time, villains formed a large-scale alliance and stirred up South Korea.

Suppressing all of them while simultaneously dealing with monsters and gates. It would have been a schedule that even someone with iron will couldn't help but get tired from.

Ma Hakjun continued with a bitter smile.

"And. Originally, isn't love like that?"

"What do you mean..."

"Someone perfectly normal going crazy, and conversely, someone crazy suddenly becoming normal. If you just apply the reason 'love' to all of that, it makes sense."

Is this what they mean by experience? Ma Hakjun's words truly touched my heart. There's the Hyeon Sujin matter, but the biggest reason is still because of Irina and Suhyeon.

They're two people who are unparalleled as crazy women. The crazy yellow woman and the Red Witch. Those two women are strangely normal around me. I don't know if this is good or bad, but anyway, that's how it is.

"Let's stop here. I didn't intend to create such a heavy atmosphere. Anyway, I'm glad you're fine. You still need to keep diligently holding students in Bronze."

"Ah... I heard the news. That there are the most Bronze students since the Academy's establishment."

"Interestingly, that's the case."

A feeling of guilt suddenly raises its head. Even though it was a necessary choice for the students and for me, from Ma Hakjun's perspective, who's in charge of the Academy, it's not a welcome situation.

"Don't think strange thoughts."

"Yes?"

"Rather, now is very good. Those who aren't satisfied with the present. Those are the ones who hold the possibility of becoming stronger fastest and most effectively. The current students are exactly like that."

So just work hard at what you're doing. Don't forget why you were placed directly in the Academy. Encouraged by Ma Hakjun's support, I resolved once again to do my best in the role of gatekeeper.

"Actually, headmaster. I also have something to ask you."

"What is it?"

"Magic Tower Clan has been continuously contacting me. They seem to want to bring me into their clan, but I'm currently affiliated with the Academy."

"Oh my. You didn't know that professors also have their respective affiliated clans?"

Ah, what? Professors also have affiliated clans? I didn't know that.

"Being affiliated with the Academy doesn't restrict clan activities."

"I see."

"Was that what you were worried about? You could have just asked the professors first."

I'm embarrassed. Why didn't I think of that? I was so busy dealing with higher-ups that I didn't look that far.

"More than that, Magic Tower Clan. Even though you're not a magic type, if they contacted you to that extent, they must want you badly."

"It seems so."

"They're probably even forming a support team, trying to be perfect in every way."

After saying that, Ma Hakjun suddenly adds something strange. Content about not knowing if it's a good thing or a bad thing.

I wanted to ask what he meant by that. But Ma Hakjun just slightly turned his head to look at the clock.

"Hmm."

Following him and turning my gaze, there's still a bit over 10 minutes left until quitting time. Since there's time left, I was about to ask about what he said earlier again.

"Go ahead."

"headmaster?"

"I'll specially overlook about 10 minutes. Go home, Examiner."

Wouldn't it be okay to bury my bones under such a boss? As expected, the Academy was my best workplace!

"Examiner!"

After clocking out and leaving the main gate, Kang Hana is waving her hand. She said we could just go to the meeting place together.

"Father also just arrived. You'll leave right away, right?"

"Yes. Ah, before that..."

I wonder if Suhyeon is watching from somewhere around here. It would be good to explain the situation before having unnecessary thoughts...

"You don't need to worry about Suhyeon. I explained everything."

"Oh... Student Kang Hana did?"

"Yes. And Lee Hyunwoo hoobae just started sparring, so it'll probably last about an hour. You don't need to worry about Suhyeon."

Kang Hana gets into the car first and offers the seat next to her. As soon as I'm seated, the guards close the door and start the car.

"I didn't expect you to explain to Suhyeon."

"I'm not lacking in awareness. How much Suhyeon cares about Examiner."

I'm worried it might become obsession beyond just caring. ...No. Maybe she's already started being obsessive.

"It might be a bit burdensome, but please understand. As you know, Examiner, Suhyeon lost her mother early. After that, she didn't easily let anyone get close. She was scared. Afraid of losing someone again. So she kept her distance, but you were different, Examiner."

She says that because Suhyeon kept her distance that much, she can react very sensitively to losing someone again. So if you just watch over her a little more, she'll definitely get better. Please take good care of Suhyeon, Kang Hana said with a bright smile.

'Good older sister.'

"Ah! What did the headmaster say?"

"He said it's possible."

"As expected. Professors also have affiliated clans, so I thought it was strange."

"It would have been good if Student Kang Hana had told me."

At my words, Kang Hana makes an awkward smile. She said she only thought of me when I was still a civil servant, so she thought it wasn't allowed. But later when she thought about it, professors came to mind.

Kang Inbeom, who arrived at the meeting place, Sky Lounge, cleared his throat. He seems nervous, even holding water in his mouth and pondering.

The Clan Master of 'Magic Tower' clan, one of South Korea's top clans. There was a good reason why such a man was so nervous.

"You want to recruit Examiner Baek Seojin. Hmm... if it's you, it might be fine."

Somehow he got wind of it, and a call came from Kang Minseong. A short call that wasn't very long and didn't ask for more details. But that short call still remained vivid for Kang Inbeom.

Whether he recruits or not doesn't particularly matter. But this is someone they owe several debts to. So the underlying message was to treat him well whether things work out or not.

'I can't help but be nervous.'

Baek Seojin is officially a B-rank ability user. For someone of that rank, the HR team should interview and test them for recruitment. He's absolutely not someone the Clan Master should move for like this.

Of course, his actual skills and the people around him were definitely not those of a B-rank ability user.

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