Chapter 27

Chapter 026

Monday.

Since the library is closed, I have the day off and could relax at home, reading the borrowed books.

However, I deliberately put on a suit and came to the main building of the Academy.

Not to tour the Academy, but to confirm the "target."

Murmurs.

Many people, dressed in similar uniforms, are heading towards the auditorium.

The auditorium, which can accommodate over 2,000 people, is where the Academy holds major events, and today, the "Opening Ceremony" will take place.

Under normal circumstances, it would just be an ordinary opening ceremony, but this year, it will be quite different.

"Will that person also be introduced today?"

"Ah. Lady Snow White... I can't believe she's coming as a lecturer this year. I'm so happy."

"To be able to attend a lecture by an S-rank, the strongest in the Ice Control category. Wow, I'm glad I delayed my graduation by a year...!"

Both those participating in the opening ceremony and those who came to watch are showing great interest in one woman.

Baek Seul-hee.

Snow White.

Wowwwww!

Just by taking her seat in a suit among other faculty members, she is met with cheers from many people.

'She must feel awkward.'

Baek Seul-hee nodded lightly in response to the people and then sat down, adjusting her posture.

While receiving cheers as a hero is familiar, being cheered as a teacher seems quite awkward for her.

'Oh.'

A familiar face ascends the podium.

"Ah. Before we begin the opening ceremony...."

Yoon Eun-seon, the student council president, took the microphone and started speaking.

Usually, a faculty member would host the opening ceremony, but given the student council president's exceptional abilities, she was likely entrusted with the responsibility of hosting such formal events.

"The order of the opening ceremony is...."

While Yoon Eun-seon was explaining the order of the ceremony, a text message arrived on my smartphone.

[Hey.]

[Mr. Ji-hwan.]

[Can you help me?]

"......?"

It's Baek Seul-hee.

No one else but Baek Seul-hee is asking me for help.

"Ah, can I call you?"

I immediately called Baek Seul-hee, but the call was quickly rejected.

"What?"

A text message: "I can't answer the call right now."

Thinking she might have sent the message secretly, I immediately replied.

[Are you sending this secretly?]

[Yes, I'm sending this without others knowing, so please text me.]

"Ah."

The messages crossed.

The moment I sent it, the message was received, and the same would likely be true for Baek Seul-hee.

[What's the matter?]

[They're asking me to give a speech.]

[A speech?]

I lifted my head.

"The order of the opening ceremony is as follows...."

In the order Yoon Eun-seon was explaining, there was no part for Baek Seul-hee's speech.

However, the fact that she is being asked to give a speech now suggests that someone might have casually suggested, "Why don't Snow White give a speech?" on the spot.

'This is putting her in a difficult position.'

Even for a class president election, one would at least prepare for a few minutes before stepping up, but being asked to give a speech at a large-scale event like an opening ceremony, especially one being live-streamed by journalists, is absurd.

However, [Snow White] has to do it.

[The president just asked me to do it suddenly. 😢]

[Wasn't it planned?]

[Not at all.]

"Hmm...."

For Baek Seul-hee, this must be more than just awkward; it could drive her crazy.

Baek Seul-hee, despite being a hero, doesn't often engage in external activities—except for being invited as a figurehead to government events—and isn't good at speaking in front of people.

Thus, improvising a speech on the spot is practically impossible.

While she possesses an S-rank ability, in other areas, she relies on effort to develop her skills.

In other words, giving a speech or a toast is not easy for her.

[Do you know any good phrases for a speech? Even a simple one would be fine.]

"Really."

I find myself giving advice for Baek Seul-hee's speech.

'What should I do?'

I could ignore it, pretend I don't know, or say I'll try to find something and buy some time.

If Baek Seul-hee messes up her speech, people will surely mock and insult her, and this will naturally increase her disillusionment with others.

I could take advantage of this and corrupt her into becoming a member of the organization.

But.

'Empathy values are really something in situations like this.'

I can't stand to see Baek Seul-hee fail miserably in her speech.

When watching movies or dramas, I can't just sit by and watch the protagonist or characters in embarrassing situations.

If Baek Seul-hee messes up her speech and is mocked by people, it's like me being exposed as naked and being ridiculed.

Since Baek Seul-hee has asked for my help, and I can help her, I can't just let it go.

"If you're grateful, you can buy me a meal later."

Or, when my true identity is revealed, she might think, "Doji-hwan helped me with my speech."

Such kindness could accumulate, and when I'm caught by Snow White, it might help me survive or save my life.

So.

[I'll send you a simple summary via text.]

I gripped my smartphone and started typing quickly.

* * *

A little later.

As the opening ceremony was nearing its end.

"...I would like to conclude the opening ceremony, but."

The president subtly pointed behind him.

"Representing the new faculty members this year, one person cannot help but say a few words to the new students. Snow White, would you come up and say a few words?"

Students and observers, who had been hoping for the end of the president's tedious speech, turned their attention to Snow White, who was sitting on the podium.

"...Sure."

As Baek Seul-hee stood up, the camera shutters started clicking rapidly.

As if at a press conference, everyone began to closely watch Baek Seul-hee.

"New students."

Baek Seul-hee glanced at her Taeguk watch and began speaking in a low voice.

"What do you think heroes fight against?"

The new students tilted their heads in confusion at the welcoming speech that started with a question.

"Abusers of superpowers? Those who lose control of their abilities? Evil organizations hiding around the world? Or, as some people claim, extraterrestrial or interdimensional beings that will one day come to Earth? Your thoughts will vary. I want to say this."

Silence fell over the entire auditorium.

"Heroes fight against 'unreasonableness.'"

Unreasonableness.

The unfamiliar word, different from what was expected and previously mentioned, made everyone tilt their heads in confusion.

"You will face many choices and trials as a superpowered individual. There will be times when pursuing justice makes you sick, and times when you make impulsive judgments driven by momentary desires. In such moments, the world will offer you various forms of unreasonable experiences."

For example.

Running towards a goal in a Super M**o game and hitting your head on a transparent block, falling into a hole, and dying.

Expressed as an unreasonable situation, but in two words—

'Heroes face a lot of BS.'

BS.

Those who aspire to be heroes endure significant mental suffering, and the world doesn't just give them ordinary trials.

Sometimes, these trials appear in directions that are incomprehensible to heroes and ordinary people.

Such as hate comments, incitement, or manipulation.

All kinds of malice are directed at heroes, and heroes must stand against it.

"You will face many walls of unreasonableness. Will you break through them, avoid them, or move them aside and put them back in place? That's up to you. Based on what you learn and develop here at Sejong Academy, you will make your choices. Will you conform to unreasonableness, compromise with it, or fight against it?"

Sejong Island is the place where superpowered individuals can most easily increase their magical power.

Sejong Academy is the place where superpowered individuals learn what kind of existence they should be in society with their abilities.

"In the age of superpowers, Sejong Academy will provide you with all the knowledge you need to live in this era. Of course, this includes superpowers, magical power, and abilities."

I told her.

"Whatever kind of person you become after graduating from here."

Baek Seul-hee took a deep breath and smiled faintly.

"Whatever unreasonableness stands in your way, I believe you will overcome it. Based on what you have learned here at Sejong Academy, I hope you will shape your world and your future with your own strength."

Baek Seul-hee's words made me smile.

'It's a bit plagiarized.'

The words I said while having dinner after watching a movie came out of Baek Seul-hee's mouth, slightly altered.

'Not bad.'

The future.

Yes, the future.

At least, to prevent the world from being destroyed by a meteor or something.

Using all the power I have, I will fight against all the unreasonableness that seeks to destroy this world.

"Thank you."

Wowwwwwww!

The opening ceremony ended.

A new year at the Academy began.