The Heretic of Cleric Academy-Chapter 26

If someone were to ask Oh Byeong-hun about his middle school days, he would answer without a moment’s hesitation:

"It was just ordinary."

Or:

"I just played around all the time. I was immature."

However, his middle school life was never ordinary.

He was beaten for no reason and had his money stolen. There was even a time when he was forced to smoke cigarettes by bullies and fainted.

He was also forced to drink alcohol mixed with all sorts of foreign substances and vomited for three straight days. These substances included the bullies’ spit, cigarette butts, cigarette ash, and leftover food.

Until graduation, the perpetrators received no punishment whatsoever. Oh Byeong-hun couldn’t get any revenge on them and fled to Florence Academy as if escaping.

That had always been his regret.

"Hey, I heard there’s a school violence perpetrator at our school?"

"Charity class student Do something? Do Seon-woo, right? It’s an obvious attack."

"Huh? That kid from our class? He doesn’t look like the type."

According to the exposé post, Do Seon-woo was a school violence perpetrator in middle school. Do Seon-woo denied the facts without proper explanation.

Perpetrators don’t remember what they did. It’s the victims who remember. Victims carry those memories in their hearts and suffer through hell every night, unable to sleep.

Oh Byeong-hun knew this fact better than anyone because he had experienced it firsthand.

So Do Seon-woo must likewise not remember what he had done. That’s why Oh Byeong-hun hated Do Seon-woo even more. He felt disgusted by Do Seon-woo’s shameless attitude of walking around with his head held high despite being a perpetrator.

And now was the perfect opportunity to make Do Seon-woo suffer.

"Do Seon-woo. Resume the demonstration."

Kim Bok-dong urged. Do Seon-woo couldn’t do this or that, and just looked at Oh Byeong-hun with a bewildered face. Do Seon-woo struggled to apply techniques to take down Oh Byeong-hun, but Oh Byeong-hun had no intention of falling gracefully.

Instead, he gritted his teeth and resisted Do Seon-woo’s techniques.

’I’ve become strong.’

He had worked desperately hard since coming to Florence.

He exercised every day and practiced divine power. He even learned martial arts in his spare time.

’Now, I’m not afraid of you anymore.’

Oh Byeong-hun wanted to prove it. That his weak self who was bullied in middle school had entered Florence and become strong enough not to cower before bullies.

It was the biggest and most ambitious challenge of Oh Byeong-hun’s 17 years of life.

He would never fall to Do Seon-woo. He would stand firm and endure, proving his strong self.

That was his determination.

Crash!

Oh Byeong-hun’s body was slammed into the floor. The back of his head ached numbly and his lower back throbbed.

What just happened? Why am I lying down?

He couldn’t understand the situation. Oh Byeong-hun’s vision was filled only with the pale gymnasium ceiling.

"Ah. That was too hard."

When Do Seon-woo spoke as if it was nothing, Oh Byeong-hun finally understood the situation.

I lost again.

Do Seon-woo’s strength was beyond imagination. No matter how much strength he put into his legs to resist, it was useless before Do Seon-woo’s monstrous power.

He had resolved never to lose, but despite his firm determination, Oh Byeong-hun had fallen.

At the same time, Oh Byeong-hun’s heart also crumbled to pieces.

"Ah."

Oh Byeong-hun, sprawled spread-eagle on the mat, let out a sigh.

Sticky tears flowed down his cheeks.

* * *

[He must have been hurt enough to cry. Well, you did throw him too hard.]

I had used Bosu’s power to slam Oh Byeong-hun into the floor. The fallen Oh Byeong-hun lay spread-eagle on the mat, tears streaming down his face. The children looked at him with pitying eyes.

Kim Bok-dong rushed over urgently to check Oh Byeong-hun’s condition.

"Oh Byeong-hun, Oh Byeong-hun! Are you okay? Did you hurt your back?"

"..."

Oh Byeong-hun didn’t answer and just shed tears.

[Be careful using powers against students. They could get seriously hurt if you’re not careful.]

Legba was right. No matter how weakened the state was without the altar, Bosu’s monstrous strength was too strong to use against students.

If it had been bare ground instead of a mat, Oh Byeong-hun’s back would have been broken. I need to be more careful from now on.

"His condition is fine. But just in case, go to the infirmary first. Group 35’s demonstration is over!"

Kim Bok-dong called a student to help support Oh Byeong-hun. With help, Oh Byeong-hun barely stood up, wiped away his tears, and left the gymnasium.

With his buzz cut and slanted eyes, I thought he’d have a rough personality, but he seemed to have a more tender heart than expected. I felt unnecessarily sorry.

[He started the trouble first.]

Legba said that, but I still didn’t feel comfortable about it.

After that, demonstrations continued. Groups 36 through 50 all completed their demonstrations without incident. Kim Bok-dong, who had been sitting and scribbling something on the scoring sheet, stood up.

"Everyone showed excellent demonstrations. Since this training was suddenly organized today, I plan to give full marks to everyone except a few groups that were very inadequate. Good work everyone. You may now go up to the classroom."

Students poured out of the gymnasium. The few groups that were very inadequate... he was probably referring to our group. I swallowed my bitter feelings and walked outside.

"Wait. Do Seon-woo, you stay."

Then Kim Bok-dong called me to stay. Jeong In-ah and Gu Jun-hyeok, who were beside me, looked at me questioningly.

"Go ahead."

I smiled briefly and sent them away. After confirming that Jeong In-ah and Gu Jun-hyeok had left the gymnasium, I went to Kim Bok-dong.

Kim Bok-dong was looking at me expressionlessly.

"Do Seon-woo." 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

His tone was cold. My spine felt chilly.

"Yes."

"I know that Oh Byeong-hun wasn’t cooperating during the demonstration."

"Yes?"

However, contrary to expectations, what Kim Bok-dong said wasn’t scolding or reproach.

"I also think Oh Byeong-hun getting hurt was unavoidable. It would be right to call it his own doing. I wonder if it’s okay for me as a teacher to say such things."

"Ah."

"Anyway, I’m saying I understand your feelings."

Kim Bok-dong smiled slightly. This was the first time I had seen Kim Bok-dong, who always showed only stern, serious, and grave faces, smile. At least as far as I knew.

"However, that doesn’t mean I can praise your actions."

But the smile soon disappeared.

"Do Seon-woo. You have talent that far exceeds others. That’s why you must endure and be patient more than others. No matter how angry you get, you shouldn’t slam a friend into the floor like you just did."

"Ah, yes. I understand."

"I hope you’ll use that talent in worthwhile places."

Kim Bok-dong stood up abruptly. He looked even bigger up close.

"I hope you become a Holy Knight."

"What?"

"I’m telling you to enter the Holy Knight Department. I understand you haven’t decided on your preferred department yet, is that right?"

"Yes, that’s right, but."

I felt reluctant. Words didn’t come out well.

It was true that I hadn’t decided on a preferred department, but I had no intention of entering the Holy Knight Department. Holy Knights were famous for their low pay and poor treatment.

There were even rumors that they had to buy equipment with their own money because the Vatican didn’t provide support.

"Of course, Holy Knights have low salaries. The treatment is also poor. The Holy Knight Order is corrupt, and Holy Knights are neglectful of their duties. It’s a place too good for a talent like you to waste on."

Kim Bok-dong smiled bitterly. Despite carrying out official duties in God’s name, the Holy Knight Order had a strong public perception of being a corrupt organization. This was because Holy Knights didn’t work and just played around all the time.

It was one of the reasons I didn’t want to enter the Holy Knight Department.

"That’s why I want you to become a Holy Knight. With your talent, you would become a model for all Holy Knights. You would be a stimulant for lazy Holy Knights and holy water to purify the corrupt Holy Knight Order."

"I don’t think I’m that exceptional..."

"It might sound a bit burdensome, but it’s true."

It wasn’t just a bit burdensome, it was very burdensome. I don’t have talent in the first place. I only appear talented because I use Bosu’s power.

"It’s not a demand. It’s a suggestion. Think about it slowly. Now go up."

"I understand."

I bowed deeply and left the gymnasium. I still felt reluctant. I had no intention whatsoever of becoming a Holy Knight, but after hearing Kim Bok-dong’s words, I found myself strangely troubled. Various distracting thoughts made my steps heavy.

When I left the gymnasium, Jeong In-ah and Gu Jun-hyeok were waiting for me.

"What did he say?"

Jeong In-ah asked with a worried expression.

"Obviously he must have gotten chewed out. Look at his face. He looks like he aged 10 years. He already looked old for his age though."

"You really!"

When Gu Jun-hyeok spoke teasingly, Jeong In-ah scolded him.

"Nothing much. Just be careful from now on, that kind of thing?"

I spoke with a smile as if it was nothing. I didn’t bother mentioning that I received an offer to join the Holy Knight Department. It seemed unnecessary.

"That’s a relief. It was because of Oh Byeong-hun, right?"

"Yeah."

"You did throw him too hard though. It must have hurt. Not that I’m saying you were wrong."

"It was my fault. I’ll be more careful from now on."

If Jeong In-ah was saying this, I must have been too harsh.

From now on, it would be better not to use Bosu’s power during practicals or training. At least until I become skilled at controlling my strength.

"Still, it was somewhat satisfying. Oh Byeong-hun, that bastard was resisting and trying not to fall."

"What? You knew?"

"I can see everything. Call me ’God’s Eye Gu Jun-hyeok’... will you?"

Gu Jun-hyeok pointed to his eyes and talked nonsense. I understood he had good eyesight, but somehow I didn’t want to acknowledge it.

"Crazy bastard."

"Is that a compliment?"

"No."

When I spoke firmly, Gu Jun-hyeok giggled and laughed. During the self-defense training earlier, Gu Jun-hyeok had satisfyingly taken down Bae Seong-hyeon. Maybe that’s why he seemed particularly happy today.

"Oh Byeong-hun was resisting and trying not to fall? So that’s what it was... Sorry."

Jeong In-ah, who had been listening to our conversation, apologized. Her face was dark. She seemed to have become depressed on her own after hearing our story.

"Hey, there’s nothing to be sorry about."

"Still. I spoke without knowing anything."

"It’s not like that."

No matter how much I waved my hands and said it wasn’t so, Jeong In-ah’s mood wouldn’t improve. Jeong In-ah would quickly become dejected even over trivial slips of the tongue.

Honestly, it wasn’t even a slip of the tongue. It was true that I had hurt Oh Byeong-hun because I couldn’t control my strength.

"Hey, Jeong In-ah. Apologize to me too. Because of you, my shin hurts so much I can’t sleep at night-"

"Hey. Did you see Do Seon-woo earlier?"

Then, voices heard from somewhere interrupted Gu Jun-hyeok’s words. We all held our breath as if planned.

The voices seemed to be coming from the walking path behind the gymnasium.

"I saw him. Byeong-hun looked pitiful."

"He just threw him down. Doesn’t he control his strength even during demonstrations?"

"Where does the habit of beating kids in middle school go? When he gets a bit pissed, that habit comes right out."

"I really hate it. Why does a kid like that attend Florence? He should just go out and extort money like he used to."

It was malicious gossip about me.

"Those bastards. They’ve been going on since morning...!"

"Let’s just go."

I stopped Jeong In-ah who was about to rush out.

"Kids like that talk more if you stay quiet. They spread rumors without knowing anything. You have to go directly and tell them."

"It’s okay."

"You always say it’s okay! Aren’t you even angry?"

Jeong In-ah asked as if frustrated. Her face was flushed red. Her tone was sharp, but it was all said out of concern for me.

"Of course I’m angry."

I answered calmly.

"Then go and say something. Or at least curse at them."

"The rumors will just get bigger."

"Then what? Are you going to let them talk as they please?"

"I have to."

"...Why?"

She looked at me with a face that said she absolutely couldn’t understand.

’Staying quiet is the best strategy.’ It was something my father often said when he was alive.

Even while public opinion about Voodoo was being manipulated by the Vatican, my father made no explanations. I still vividly remember my father being optimistic, saying everything would pass if we just waited quietly.

"If I wait quietly, it’ll die down."

"You, what? Ha."

Jeong In-ah let out a hollow laugh as if incredulous. Her face showed she was dying of frustration.

"It’s okay. It’ll die down soon."

If we wait, if we wait. My father, who waited quietly like that, died in the Holy War.

That’s why ’staying quiet is the best strategy’ is the phrase I hate most.

I never stay quiet. I just wait. For the optimal time to quell the rumors.

If I make explanations at a half-hearted time like now, it will only fuel more rumors. Saying I’m shameless, that there’s no evidence, and so on.

"Wow, Do Seon-woo. You’re really amazing. Vouch for me sometime later."

While I was swallowing my inner anger and pulling myself together, Gu Jun-hyeok spoke carelessly. He seemed to want to tease me even in this situation.

His consistent attitude made me chuckle.

* * *

"Hey, what did you say? You son of a bitch. Say it again. Say it again!"

Thud, thud, thud!

After school. Dull striking sounds echoed through a dark, dirty alley.

"Van Gogh. Van Gogh!"

"This piece of shit...! You’re still opening your mouth? Still?"

Bae Seong-hyeon was kicking a child crouched on the ground. The crouched child still didn’t lose heart and stubbornly kept speaking.

Bae Seong-hyeon had injured his left ear in the magical beast incident. It had mostly healed, but scars still remained.

The crouched child had mocked Bae Seong-hyeon by calling him ’Van Gogh.’ The tragic painter famous for his self-portrait with a bandaged ear, who couldn’t overcome madness and cut off one of his ears with a razor.

"This won’t do. Just don’t walk from today. I’ll make you crawl around, okay? Like a dog."

Bae Seong-hyeon used an intermediate strength enhancement blessing. The light of blessing wrapped around his legs. He also used the blessing of monstrous strength. Then he test-kicked the alley wall.

Bang!

With a loud sound, the wall was dented. Cracks appeared everywhere.

With this strength, Bae Seong-hyeon was going to stomp on the child’s knee. It was enough force to easily break even concrete walls. A person’s knee joint would shatter like ice.

If that happened, the crouched child might never be able to walk again for the rest of his life.

Even with a child trembling in terror before his eyes, Bae Seong-hyeon didn’t stop. His reason was paralyzed by anger.

"St-stop!"

Just before stomping on the child’s knee, a voice from somewhere rang through the alley.

Bae Seong-hyeon turned his head with a severely distorted face.

"What’s with that bastard again?"

Buzz cut hair, slanted eyes, and protruding front teeth.

It was Oh Byeong-hun.

He was in the same Charity class, and most importantly, his appearance was distinctive, so Bae Seong-hyeon remembered his name.

"What the fuck, is this some stop campaign? Going around saying stop."

"Huh? Oh Byeong-shin? Isn’t this Oh Byeong-shin?"

While Bae Seong-hyeon was cursing to himself, one of his gang members suddenly showed a pleased expression. In contrast, Oh Byeong-hun’s expression slowly distorted and soured. His pupils even shook back and forth.

"Oh Byeong-shin? What are you talking about?"

"That bastard’s name is Oh Byeong-hun. So Oh Byeong-shin."

When Bae Seong-hyeon asked, one gang member answered excitedly. Bae Seong-hyeon’s reason, paralyzed by anger, gradually returned to normal. After completing a series of calculations, Bae Seong-hyeon smiled coldly.

"Really? Then bring that one too."

"Our Oh Byeong-shin. Come here."

At Bae Seong-hyeon’s instruction, a gang member gestured. Oh Byeong-hun entered the alley. His legs were trembling and his steps were unsteady. His jaw shook uncontrollably, making his teeth chatter. It was fear learned over three years of middle school.

Bae Seong-hyeon stood in front of Oh Byeong-hun, who had lowered his head in terror. Bae Seong-hyeon roughly stroked Oh Byeong-hun’s short hair. Oh Byeong-hun flinched and trembled.

"Wow, your hair feels nice."

"Oh Byeong-shin got a buzz cut after entering Florence? To study?"

Smack.

A gang member hit Oh Byeong-hun’s head. Oh Byeong-hun’s body swayed greatly. His legs had given out from fear, leaving him without strength to support his body.

Bae Seong-hyeon kept smiling while looking at Oh Byeong-hun. It was scarier than when he was expressionless.

"Byeong-hun."

Oh Byeong-hun kept his head down to the ground and his mouth shut.

"You should answer. Byeong-hun."

"Uh-huh."

"Uh-huh is informal speech. Byeong-hun."

"..."

When there was no answer, Bae Seong-hyeon placed his hand on Oh Byeong-hun’s shoulder. Oh Byeong-hun shrank his body tightly.

Smack!

Finally, Bae Seong-hyeon’s palm struck Oh Byeong-hun’s cheek. Oh Byeong-hun’s body tilted. Bae Seong-hyeon continued slapping his cheeks. Oh Byeong-hun’s cheeks swelled up.

"Gu Jun-hyeok, this bastard too. Why are there so many bastards annoying me today-"

"St-stop..."

"Oh."

Oh Byeong-hun spoke. His pronunciation was slurred because his lips were split. Bae Seong-hyeon let out a short exclamation and stopped.

A distant silence flowed as if time had stopped.

"I thought of something fun. Now, Byeong-hun. Stop!"

Bae Seong-hyeon spoke with a grinning smile. Oh Byeong-hun stayed still.

"Now, sit down."

Oh Byeong-hun stayed still. Bae Seong-hyeon’s expression distorted.

"I said sit down."

Smack.

Bae Seong-hyeon slapped his cheek. Blood droplets scattered from Oh Byeong-hun’s split lips.

"Sit."

Oh Byeong-hun trembled and sat down on the spot.

"I said stop, didn’t I?"

Smack.

He slapped his cheek. Blood droplets scattered.

"Sit. Stop. Huh? This bastard keeps not understanding."

If he sat, he got hit. The reason was that he didn’t stop. If he stopped, he got hit. The reason was that he didn’t sit.

Whatever he did, Bae Seong-hyeon slapped Oh Byeong-hun’s cheek. Oh Byeong-hun got hit either way. Fear was imprinted. Just Bae Seong-hyeon opening his mouth made Oh Byeong-hun tremble.

"Sit."

Oh Byeong-hun sat. Bae Seong-hyeon smiled.

"Right. Now you’re finally listening."

Oh Byeong-hun was puzzled. Bae Seong-hyeon, who had been hitting him either way, suddenly showed mercy.

Relief came before humiliation and shame. There wasn’t even time to feel anger. He was just grateful that he didn’t have to get slapped.

That’s how Oh Byeong-hun became a dog. Bae Seong-hyeon had a track record of turning five people into dogs using the same method.

"Now, again. Stand up!"

Satisfied, Bae Seong-hyeon gave another command.

"Just sit there and rest. Don’t listen to him."

Someone sat Oh Byeong-hun back down just as he was about to

stand up.

"Ah, really shit-"

Bae Seong-hyeon, who was cursing and turning his head, stopped speaking.

Grind.

Bae Seong-hyeon’s face distorted as he gritted his teeth. His eyes were even bloodshot. The face of the uninvited intruder was all too familiar.

That bastard who had been most annoying lately. The one who had dug up and dragged out the inferiority complex buried deep in Bae Seong-hyeon’s heart.

"You don’t know moderation."

The face saying this had no expression.