The Heretic of Cleric Academy-Chapter 30

Drrrrrk!

"I have arrived."

Gu Jun-hyeok, who had been absent yesterday using sickness as an excuse, came to school today looking perfectly fine.

Actually, he wasn’t that perfectly fine. His face was covered with bandages and tape. Wounds and bruises that the bandages couldn’t cover were also visible here and there.

"Did you get beaten up?"

"What kind of nonsense are you suddenly talking? Oh, because of this?"

Gu Jun-hyeok casually touched the wound on his cheek as if it was nothing. It didn’t seem to hurt.

"I got hit a bit during sparring. I go to a gym."

"A gym?"

"I’m aspiring for the Holy Warrior Department."

Students aspiring for the Holy Warrior Department attend gyms to learn martial arts. Boxing, judo, jiu-jitsu, mixed martial arts, etc. This is because the Holy Warrior Department application requirements include "possessing at least one martial arts certification."

"Maybe I should just quit and become a priest instead."

"Anyone can’t just become a priest."

"True. But I don’t want to become a Holy Knight either."

Gu Jun-hyeok spoke bitterly. He was checking his face condition in various angles using the mirror hanging in the corner of the classroom. There wasn’t a single uninjured spot on his face. It was completely battered everywhere.

Gu Jun-hyeok hung his head low and let out a sigh.

"Ah, reality is hitting me hard. My handsome face is all ruined."

"Handsome? Who? You?"

Drrrrk!

While Gu Jun-hyeok was talking nonsense, Jeong In-ah burst through the classroom door.

"Oh, you’re here."

Gu Jun-hyeok greeted her curtly without any emotion. Jeong In-ah looked at Gu Jun-hyeok’s face for a while, then opened her eyes wide in surprise.

"What’s wrong with your face, Gu Jun-hyeok?"

"Got hit during sparring. My handsome face is all ruined..."

"Wow. It looks much better covered up. Why don’t you always go around like that?"

Jeong In-ah said with a playful laugh. Gu Jun-hyeok’s face hardened unpleasantly.

"...Are you kidding me?"

Gu Jun-hyeok let out a hollow laugh while glaring at Jeong In-ah. Jeong In-ah snorted dismissively and ignored his gaze.

After that, the two exchanged a few words of banter. I used their conversation as background music while studying. Naturally, I couldn’t concentrate. My head was full of distracting thoughts.

Bae Seong-hyeon was expelled, and Oh Byeong-hun dropped out. Bae Seong-hyeon’s gang members were disciplined for participating in school violence. All of these things happened in just three days.

Yet the school remained the same as always.

Jeong In-ah and Gu Jun-hyeok bickered as usual. Students either studied or chatted with friends, and Ha Ye-jin conducted morning assembly as always, mentioning kidnapping incidents. Teachers proceeded with classes as usual.

Bae Seong-hyeon, Oh Byeong-hun.

I repeated their names to myself. They felt strange and distant, as if they had never existed in the first place.

"Aren’t you eating lunch?"

Eventually lunchtime arrived, and Gu Jun-hyeok called me. Only then did I emerge from the swamp of distracting thoughts.

Somehow my head felt dazed. I didn’t even have the energy to answer.

Gu Jun-hyeok stared at me intently and then opened his mouth.

"You’ve been spacing out all morning. Oh right, the Sacred Mechanics teacher wants you to come down to the faculty office. Says you didn’t attend class."

"Huh? Really?"

"No? I’m lying."

Gu Jun-hyeok lied without batting an eye.

"Are you really crazy?"

"Come on, let’s go quickly. I’m hungry."

"Ah, fine. Let’s go."

Unable to resist Gu Jun-hyeok’s urging, I got up from my seat. For some reason, Jeong In-ah wasn’t beside Gu Jun-hyeok.

She was lying face down at her desk, sleeping soundly. There was no sign of her waking up.

"What kind of day is this? You’re both out of it."

I went toward Jeong In-ah with Gu Jun-hyeok. Even though we approached right up to her, she didn’t wake up. Along with soft breathing sounds, Jeong In-ah’s shoulders rose and fell.

"Should we wake her up?"

"We have to. Are we going to leave her behind?"

"She seems tired."

Tap tap.

I lightly tapped her shoulder, but Jeong In-ah didn’t wake up. She seemed very tired, just sleeping like she was dead.

It seemed better not to wake her unnecessarily and just let her sleep.

Gu Jun-hyeok seemed to have the same thought, as he didn’t try to wake Jeong In-ah either. Instead, he started building a tower by placing various things on top of her head as she lay face down.

The main materials were erasers, paper cups, crushed cans, and such.

"Oh."

Eventually, a tower so elaborate that even I had to admire it was completed.

The tower roughly built with writing materials and trash was surprisingly artistic and symbolic. It was like a kind of installation art.

With just a proper name attached, it could be displayed in a museum right away.

"Not bad?"

When I gave my assessment, Gu Jun-hyeok smiled with satisfaction.

"It seems I was born not only with a handsome face but also with artistic talent. This beautiful and brilliant tower..."

Crash.

The sound of the tower collapsing cut off Gu Jun-hyeok’s words.

Jeong In-ah had woken up and was blinking her eyes while raising her head.

"Ugh... Ugh. What’s this?"

Jeong In-ah wiped the drool from her mouth and looked around.

Gu Jun-hyeok looked at the collapsed tower with a devastated face and slumped down on the spot.

"My masterpiece!"

"Why is he acting like that... What. Is it already lunchtime?"

Jeong In-ah asked while fixing her messy hair. Her eyes were dazedly unfocused.

"Yeah. Lunchtime."

"Ugh. Ah ugh. How long did I sleep..."

Jeong In-ah made groaning sounds and got up from her seat.

"You slept all morning. You must have been tired."

"I don’t know. I just kept getting sleepy. Yawn..."

Jeong In-ah yawned for a while and stretched. Only then did Jeong In-ah, who had come to her senses, look at Gu Jun-hyeok sitting on the floor with puzzled eyes.

"What’s that?"

It was a dry and stiff expression, as if referring to an object rather than a person.

"Who knows. I don’t know."

"Get up. Let’s go eat..."

Jeong In-ah, who was about to help Gu Jun-hyeok up, suddenly stopped speaking.

She was looking at the trash scattered all around her seat...the "things that had been a tower."

Eventually, Jeong In-ah’s face crumpled up.

"Hey."

"..."

At the cold voice, Gu Jun-hyeok didn’t answer and just hung his head.

"Clean it up."

Jeong In-ah glared sharply at Gu Jun-hyeok. He hastily picked up the trash.

* * *

After finishing our meal, we left the cafeteria. Then we walked along the walking path with Jeong In-ah and Gu Jun-hyeok.

We always took a walk after finishing our meals. There was no particular reason. It just happened that way.

"But if Bae Seong-hyeon is expelled, what happens to the Holy Name of Charity?"

While we were chatting about meaningless topics, Gu Jun-hyeok suddenly asked.

"It was revoked, so it’s vacant."

Jeong In-ah answered curtly. She didn’t seem to like talking about Bae Seong-hyeon.

I quietly listened to the conversation. I didn’t know anything about it.

"So they just leave it vacant? For three years?"

Gu Jun-hyeok tilted his head as if puzzled.

The seven freshman representatives selected before enrollment, i.e., student council officers, don’t change easily unless something significant happens. This is because Florence selected only qualified students.

However, there are exceptions. When an officer voluntarily declares resignation, or when their qualifications are revoked due to some reason like Bae Seong-hyeon.

"They’ll probably select someone new. I heard there’s talk of a re-election exam."

As Jeong In-ah just said, in such cases, they select additional students worthy of the name ’Charity’ through an exam.

"Oh."

Gu Jun-hyeok let out an admiring sound with his lips rounded.

Seeing him like that, Jeong In-ah opened her mouth with a surprised expression.

"Wow. That expression is really ugly."

"Yeah, so what. You’re uglier."

Gu Jun-hyeok childishly retorted.

A childish conversation about "who’s uglier" continued for quite a while.

They’re having fun playing.

"...Let’s stop. I’m tired."

"Okay. Truce."

Jeong In-ah proposed a truce, and Gu Jun-hyeok accepted it. The two glared at each other silently for a while, then eventually started chatting again as usual. They fought often and made up just as quickly.

"Anyway, let’s say they hold a re-election exam. Will you guys take the exam?"

Starting with Gu Jun-hyeok’s question, the topic moved back to the Holy Name of Charity re-election exam.

"Me, um. I probably won’t take it."

Jeong In-ah tilted her head and spoke. Gu Jun-hyeok looked at Jeong In-ah with puzzlement.

"Why?"

"Just studying is overwhelming. If I do student council activities too, I think even two hours of sleep a day wouldn’t be enough."

"Hey, but since we’re here anyway, we should try everything we can. I’m definitely going to apply."

Gu Jun-hyeok turned his head sharply to look at me.

"What about you?"

"Well. I need to think about it."

I postponed my answer and pondered.

If selected as the Holy Name of Charity, I could become a high-ranking cleric. As long as I don’t get my qualifications revoked midway like Bae Seong-hyeon.

Then naturally, I should apply for the re-election exam. If I become a high-ranking cleric, the possibility of meeting my mother would also increase.

However, Jeong In-ah’s words also made sense. If you become the Holy Name of Charity, you have a lot to do.

Studying is basic. Student council activities of course, and the Holy Name of Charity also has to donate to Florence. As the leader of the Voodoo sect, I also have to do religious activities.

Even if a day had 48 hours, it probably wouldn’t be enough. My insomnia would get worse. I might die from overwork before becoming a high-ranking cleric.

[What’s there to think about? You obviously have to apply.]

While I was pondering, Legba offered advice.

[You like being busy. You perverted guy.]

"..."

I nodded slightly without answering. Legba knew me better than I knew myself.

Imagining myself becoming the Holy Name of Charity and living busier and more intensely than anyone else made my heart race already.

To be honest, I liked being busy. It might seem perverted, but I couldn’t help it. What am I supposed to do when my body gets restless if I’m idle?

"So. Are you doing it or not?"

Gu Jun-hyeok asked.

"I’ll do it."

I answered confidently. Thanks to Legba’s advice, I had made up my mind.

"Really? Then we’re rivals. Nice to meet you. I’ll crush you."

Gu Jun-hyeok offered a handshake. I stared blankly at his extended hand.

"Why are we rivals?"

"I’m also going to apply for the exam, right? Then we’re rivals."

"You don’t even qualify as a rival."

"What? This bastard? Are you already trying to keep me in check?"

"Keeping in check is something rivals do. Don’t have a rivalry complex with me."

I spoke with a playful smile. Gu Jun-hyeok let out a hollow laugh. Even though he knew it was a joke, he seemed to get heated for no reason.

"Good. If you’re my rival, you should be at least that level..."

"Why do you keep trying to have a rivalry complex?"

"...Aaaah! I’ll see you at the exam. I’m really going to crush you properly."

Gu Jun-hyeok shouted and fumed. Jeong In-ah, who had been listening to the conversation, burst into laughter.

"Ahaha! That’s right. Gu Jun-hyeok, what kind of rival are you? You’re just a stepping stone. The foundation laid at the bottom."

"Wow, these guys have been ganging up on me since earlier. I really can’t live with this sadness."

Gu Jun-hyeok grumbled as if incredulous.

"Phew. I’m being patient because I’m nice, really."

"What are you being patient about? What would you do if you couldn’t be patient?"

"Hey. If I hadn’t been patient, you guys would have long ago..."

Gu Jun-hyeok, who was about to show off with his shoulders raised, suddenly shut his mouth. His face had turned pale. His pupils trembled anxiously here and there.

I turned my gaze in the direction Gu Jun-hyeok was looking.

In the distance, someone was running toward us at tremendous speed. Her running form was light and elegant. Like a cat, I suppose. No, judging by the speed, a cheetah would be more accurate.

She quickly closed the distance and stood in front of me. Despite having run that far distance in one breath, she showed no sign of being tired.

"Eat."

With a clear voice, Kim Jin-seo suddenly handed me jelly. It was the same jelly I had received as a token of gratitude when I reattached her finger.

"Are you giving this to me? Suddenly?"

"I had extra."

"Ah."

I nodded. Like last time, it seemed she was just giving it to me because she had extra.

She could give it to a friend, but I don’t know why she specifically gives it to me. I don’t really like jelly.

"...Ah, In-ah. Hello."

"Uh... Hello."

Kim Jin-seo belatedly noticed Jeong In-ah’s presence beside me and greeted her.

She was smiling, but it wasn’t a smile of joy. It was a formal smile. Jeong In-ah received the greeting with an awkward, sour face.

They seemed to know each other, but they didn’t seem to be close friends.

Kim Jin-seo gave me the jelly, then glanced sharply at Gu Jun-hyeok before suddenly running off in the direction she had come from.

We just watched Kim Jin-seo’s retreating figure as she ran away at tremendous speed without saying anything.

"Phew."

When she had completely disappeared from view, Gu Jun-hyeok let out a big sigh of relief.

He seemed to be afraid of Kim Jin-seo for some reason.

"Are you on bad terms with Kim Jin-seo? Why are you so scared?"

I placed my hand lightly on Gu Jun-hyeok’s trembling shoulder and asked. Gu Jun-hyeok shook his head.

"My sparring partner yesterday was her..."

"...That was Kim Jin-seo?"

I asked back in surprise.

Gu Jun-hyeok’s face was truly battered. Bruises and wounds everywhere, with his eyelids swollen. Meanwhile, Kim Jin-seo’s face was clean without a single scratch.

Even so, this difference was too extreme.

"Kim Jin-seo is a monster. I just got beaten for all three rounds... I shouldn’t have provoked her..."

"What did you say to get beaten up this badly?"

Kim Jin-seo is kind. At least that’s what I know. She’s not the type to beat someone up this badly for no reason.

Either Kim Jin-seo was in a bad mood that day, or Gu Jun-hyeok crossed the line. It was probably one of the two.

"I talked about you a bit. I shouldn’t have done that... I didn’t know I’d get beaten up this badly."

"...What are you talking about. About me?"

"If you’re curious, ask Kim Jin-seo directly. Wow, but thinking about it again, it’s scary. When I talked about you, her eyes completely changed."

Gu Jun-hyeok smiled meaningfully. I couldn’t understand the situation.

Gu Jun-hyeok talked to Kim Jin-seo about me. Kim Jin-seo, who heard that, beat up Gu Jun-hyeok on a rainy day until dust came out. What on earth did he say?

"Hey, why are you only talking about things you guys know?"

Jeong In-ah, who had been listening to our conversation from the side, grumbled.

Although she spoke playfully, she seemed inwardly hurt as her lips were pouting out.

"Hey, don’t pout your lips. It’s gross."

Instead of comforting Jeong In-ah, Gu Jun-hyeok only made her angrier. Jeong In-ah glared at Gu Jun-hyeok with sharp eyes and tried to kick his shin.

Whoosh.

But it was a failure. Gu Jun-hyeok lifted one leg to avoid her attack.

"Haha! That was my afterimage. I’ve already seen through your technique..."

Thud.

Jeong In-ah kicked Gu Jun-hyeok’s opposite shin. Gu Jun-hyeok hopped around clutching his shin. Only then did Jeong In-ah laugh as if relieved.

Her gaze turned to the jelly bag in my hand.

"You must be pretty close. She even gives you jelly."

"We’re not that close. This also seems like she just gave it to me because she had extra."

"...Do people usually have extra jelly? When I have it at home, I end up eating it all."

Jeong In-ah looked at the jelly bag with puzzlement. Gu Jun-hyeok, who had been hopping around for a while, limped over to us.

"But you always just receive it and don’t eat it. If you’re going to do that, just give it to me. I’ll eat it."

While saying that, he suddenly tried to snatch the jelly away. I quickly put the jelly in my pocket.

"I won’t give it to you. Get lost."

"Didn’t you hate jelly? I thought so because you pile it up and don’t eat it."

That’s right. I hate jelly. To the extent that I wouldn’t eat it even if

someone put it in my mouth. But I had no intention of giving this to Gu Jun-hyeok. The reason was simple.

"It’s a matter of courtesy toward the person who gave it."

Upon hearing my answer, Gu Jun-hyeok clicked his tongue.

"Ah~ Yes sir. Now I understand why Kim Jin-seo was so pissed yesterday. It’s because of this."

Gu Jun-hyeok nodded and walked ahead of me and Jeong In-ah. Perhaps inwardly hurt, his steps were excessively fast.