I Became the Must-Have Character of the Academy City - Chapter 120



119 – Busy at Lunch?

The sweet holiday that had unexpectedly arisen for the first-year cadets of Orion Academy came to an end.

A small event marked the return to daily life.

Today, both first and second years would gather in the grand auditorium for an assembly.

Several high-ranking constables occupied seats in the auditorium, greeting the instructors first.

Then, the assembly began.

Jooyeon, taking the microphone in a corner seat, tapped it lightly with her finger, silencing the cadets’ chatter as they turned their attention forward.

─ Let us commence the morning assembly.

Each trivial procedure is enacted, one by one.

After Rohan sings a song he’d never heard before, supposedly the Orion Academy anthem,

each salutes, thinking of their respective homelands.

And then, the moment anticipated.

─ Next, the awards ceremony. Cadet Rohan Lee, first year, please come forward.

Upon hearing his name, Rohan shoots to his feet from his seat and strides forward.

Moving as forewarned.

He ascends the mere six steps, standing before the wooden podium with its microphone.

Upon the podium is a middle-aged Commissioner, adorned with extravagant insignia.

Holding stiff parchment, the Commissioner began reading the words in a resonant voice.

“Award. This cadet has severely punished criminals who disturbed the peace, single-handedly dismantled an organization, and contributed greatly to the rescue of innocent hostages…”

The Public Security Bureau had closed the investigation.

Only now had the reward money for the Yellow Toad Syndicate, which he handled with Clara, been deposited.

The sum was not insignificant; he’d planned to use it as a deposit for Clara’s home.

But now that Sion had secured a mansion, it was simply money to be divided in half.

“…therefore, this award is bestowed. Read on behalf of the Elysium Public Security Director.”

─ Let us congratulate him with a round of applause.

As Jooyeon retook the microphone, the cadets’ applause echoed from behind.

“You’ve done fine work. If there were more cadets like you, I could retire soon myself.”

The Commissioner switched off the microphone and added a personal remark with a smile.

Rohan expressed his thanks and politely accepted the presented award, tucking it under his arm.

Then, a thick hand extended.

Rohan did not refuse, and shook it.

‘…Look at this guy.’

The calluses and energy emanating from the thick hand were unusual.

He didn’t even need to emanate magic to tell.

This middle-aged Commissioner.

While not as strong as Jooyeon, he was stronger than the average instructor.

─ This concludes the awards ceremony.

Recalling what he had learned, Rohan turned, saluted, and descended the stairs.

He returned to his seat and calmed Gilbert, who looked ready to unleash a primal scream.

“So…intense.”

Seated, Rohan felt the weight of various gazes upon him.

Just as Juyeon had said.

The Academy held many cadets who carried their family name upon their shoulders, prioritizing honor above all.

Thus, awarding the certificate in front of everyone would be a strong motivating factor, or so they believed.

Though, mental conditioning would be necessary to prevent reckless actions born of unfounded confidence.

It was becoming clear that the claim about boosting cadet motivation was not wrong.

─ ···.

Juyeon lowered the microphone and engaged in conversation with the instructors who approached.

Receiving information, she brought the microphone close to her lips once more.

─ A word of guidance from the Dean will now follow. Cadets, please rise.

The cadets rose as one.

The Academy Dean emerged from behind the curtains.

An old man with a long, flowing white beard.

Over his sturdy frame, a stark contrast to his wrinkled face, hung the loose, elegant garments in the Eastern style of the Samhwa nation.

The Dean, radiating a palpable presence, stood upon the platform.

He faced the vibrant, burgeoning cadets head-on.

The atmosphere shifted in an instant as he offered a gentle smile.

“Let us all be seated and listen comfortably.”

─ Be seated.

Juyeon’s words were followed by an echo, and the cadets sat down in unison.

“The word ‘guidance’ often carries the connotation of tedium, a platform for the old to display their pedantry.”

Everyone listened in silence.

It was not a statement that demanded a response.

“That isn’t entirely wrong. From this moment, I shall remind you, who will lead the future, of the current situation, based on experiences of the past.”

A passage which hinted at what subject he would broach.

“All of you are surely aware that dimensional rifts have recently occurred, not only in the Academy City, but also in numerous nations.”

The Dean continued, his smile now gone.

“Throughout history, the world has known many cataclysms. Unspeakable calamities have perpetually menaced humankind.”

Rohan’s eyes met Juyeon’s, who stood beside the podium.

He figured the Academy Headmaster’s “unspeakable calamities” included the destruction of the South.

“Therefore, it is time to renew our resolve. We must now truly understand the preciousness of normalcy and peace.”

The Headmaster and instructors never intended to directly mention the value of peace.

They believed the cadets should enjoy academy life, enhance their skills, and feel and realize it for themselves.

But the rapidly changing situation granted no such leisure.

“A sweeping restructuring of the academy’s curriculum is planned. I hope you will all dedicate yourselves to further advancement and cultivating your abilities.”

And then,

The Headmaster stepped from the podium and bowed deeply before everyone.

His beard touched the floor.

“And I offer my apologies for the shameful incident inflicted upon this year’s freshmen. I am sorry.”

His voice echoed through the vast hall.

Rohan watched, his emotions tangled. It was something that could not have been prevented, no matter the preparation.

Taking responsibility – the sight of it alone left a bitter taste.

“However, the rights of growing cadets must not be infringed upon by such depraved individuals. We have no intention of beginning classes passively, cowering in fear. We will further strengthen our defenses and increase our budget.”

In his previous life’s schools, such a statement would have sent students and parents into an uproar.

But this was right for Orion Academy. No one objected; they accepted it.

Each for their own purpose.

After all, this was a place largely populated by those who had determined to make combat their profession.

*

“I will now distribute the midterm exam results.”

Class 1 returned after the assembly.

Juyeon pulled out a stack of papers.

“Noah Frozenheart.”

“Hukk…”

Noah perked up, his tail standing straight, and approached with a tense expression.

Juyeon handed him the report card and stroked his head.

“Well done. You kept your promise.”

“!”

Theory: Ichinose Yui, top. Noah Frozenheart, bottom.

Noah’s grade average hovered in the 40s, but Jooyeon didn’t hold back praise.

Managing to solve problems himself, instead of just guessing like before, was a remarkable first step.

“Rohan.”

“Yes, sir…”

“Excellent. You’re astonishing the instructors.”

“Thank you, sir!”

Rohan’s average was in the 70s.

It seemed a decent score, but this was the Academy where everyone was intensely focused on their studies, so in terms of rank, he was slightly below average.

He failed to properly navigate the subjective questions that separated the top students, and the hidden traps lying like dust.

If he had practiced more problem types, aiming for the middle ranks wouldn’t have been out of the question.

However, attempting to raise unfamiliar subjects from zero to some level in a short period, that was the time’s limit.

He couldn’t neglect physical training entirely and just hold a pen.

Strictly speaking, there was a hierarchy of importance.

‘Numbers and I just can’t seem to be friends.’

Rohan stared at the report card, a hint of regret lingering.

Looking at the scores, it was clear there were subjects dragging down his average.

“Do not let your guard down, as the rankings will be decided including the practical exam scores.”

A faint smile gracing his lips, Jooyeon placed a fresh stack of papers on the desk.

“The practical exam, first place is…”

All eyes were drawn to Jooyeon’s lips. A tense anticipation, wondering whose name would be called.

Jooyeon intentionally paused, drawing out the moment.

Then, he announced the names.

“Rohan and Ichinose Yui.”

““!!!””

Rohan’s head snapped up, and Ichinose looked over as well.

Their eyes met, and they smiled at each other. Exchanging thumbs-up gestures.

“Not only did they consistently apply the stickers, but during the acquisition of supplies, they cleanly subdued another student’s attempt to interfere, which factored most heavily.”

Someone had been watching Ok Myungjin and him duke it out.

He hadn’t sensed any observation at all, which was astonishing.

“When your name is called, come forward to receive your practical exam report. All bonus and penalty factors will be noted. I will accept objections for one week.”

··

··

Before the first class began.

Lohan, having already taken out his textbook, was absorbed in admiring his practical exam report, soothing the regrets of his theoretical performance.

In that lull.

A fluffball approached and gently poked Lohan’s cheek.

It was Noah’s tail, a pristine white canvas striped with black.

“Hey! Hey!”

“What? You want me to hold your tail?”

As Lohan reached out, his hand moving to grasp the plump tail.

Noah tucked his tail behind him, and got to the point.

“Are you busy for lunch today?”

“Lunch? Nothing really planned.”

He’d only considered returning to Sion’s mansion to eat together, the three of them.

Nothing definitively decided.

“Then let’s eat, the three of us, with Nose. I have something to give you.”

“Ah, that’s right.”

There was a promise like this last time too.

Though he’d regrettably declined then.

Lohan’s gaze naturally drifted towards Ichinose’s seat.

“Eep…!”

From noble mtl dot com

He saw Nose-who-cries startled, jolting around from watching him.