Chapter 8

He shrugged.

"It's nothing much, but I also have some interest in your goal. I'm talking about those New World League guys."

New World League.

The largest dark organization in the original work, and the protagonist's nemesis who wiped out the Kurosawa family.

A fanatical group that believes the end of the world is imminent salvation, manipulating all villains, criminal organizations, and terrorists in this world, both directly and indirectly.

To deal with those guys, the protagonist is absolutely necessary.

"That's why I think our goals align. I want to get along with you."

"How do you plan to prove that you're not one of them?"

The protagonist's eyes sparkled.

Anyway, his acting is terrible.

"Didn't you know that those guys don't approach so carelessly?"

"That's... "

"Besides, if I were really one of their lackeys, would a proud French knight princess like Olivia have recognized me as the owner of Durendal?"

He chuckled and pointed to Durendal at his waist.

The protagonist was speechless.

Well, anyway, there's only one answer the protagonist can give.

"......You're right."

Recognizing him.

After a brief silence, his answer made me whistle.

Actually, my words are terribly flimsy.

Just because Olivia recognized me doesn't prove I'm not a lackey.

But this is an overly kind light novel world.

The naive, or rather, gullible protagonist can't help but believe my words and Olivia's authority.

"I'm sorry for doubting you."

He bowed his head, looking genuinely apologetic as he extended his hand to me.

Just a bit of smooth talk, and I got an apology. Indeed, it's a kind world.

"No, it's understandable. It's fine. Don't worry about it."

Here, I have to pretend to be magnanimous.

That way, I can exploit the protagonist to the bone.

I shook hands with him.

"Thanks."

He smiled.

"You're a better guy than I thought?"

The cringe-worthy line was a bonus.

Why is he like this?

Ugh, my stomach churns. I almost threw up.

"Ah, not really."

I brushed it off and pulled my hand away.

Anyway, who would have thought he wouldn't be a pushover?

If a web novel protagonist acted like this, the comments would be flooded with shipping remarks from the first chapter.

Enough skinship with the guy is enough.

"Anyway, I look forward to working with you. Kurosawa."

"I look forward to it too, Kim."

Yuji smiled like a shounen manga protagonist.

The Japanese culture of calling by surname instead of name still doesn't sit well with me.

As the conversation with the protagonist was wrapping up.

Vroom.

My phone in my pocket vibrated.

I reached into my pocket and pulled it out.

There was a text message.

"Mr. Kim. This is your homeroom teacher, Mayuzumi Mayu. Please come to the faculty office."

Mayuzumi Mayu, the homeroom teacher of the protagonist's class, had called me.

*

Shuou Hero Academy main building.

The four-story building where the faculty office is located looked exactly like it did in the anime.

2nd floor, 1st-year faculty office.

Squeak.

I opened the sliding door and entered.

"Ms. Mayuzumi?"

I called out the homeroom teacher's name.

Peek.

Pink hair poked out above the partition.

Then a white hand appeared.

"Mr. Kim? Over here!"

A voice like an anime voice actress rang in my ears.

I never get used to it.

I went to where the hand was waving.

There was Mayuzumi Mayu.

A slender beauty with a naive expression, wearing a neat gray two-piece suit and pink hair that resembled cherry blossoms, was sitting in a swivel chair, smiling at me.

'This is... I don't know where to look.'

Her impressive bust, visible above her white shirt, was overwhelming.

She has the presence of a character whose popularity skyrocketed due to the bust morphing in the anime.

Mayuzumi Mayu, affectionately known as Mayu-sensei by fans.

Originally just a supporting character, she became a sub-heroine in the protagonist's harem after the anime's popularity exploded, and the author added her.

Before becoming a teacher, she was a Japanese S-rank hero known as the 'Destruction Magical Girl,' a hero who cleared many high-rank gates and was a hero of the turnaround.

'Considering her S-rank hero status and her role in the original work, Ms. Mayuzumi's value is sufficient.'

I looked at Mayuzumi, recalling the original work's setting.

"What are you thinking about in front of me?"

Mayuzumi's voice rang in my ears.

"Why did you call me?"

I said as I sat in the seat prepared in front of her.

"You're my homeroom student, and you missed my class because of the duel with Bonaparte, right? I wanted to see what kind of student you are, so I called you."

"That's all?"

So you made me come here just for that?

"You're a cynical student... I'm sad..."

Mayuzumi made a sad face.

I rubbed my forehead.

A disadvantage of the light novel world is that everyone acts like they're in a Japanese manga.

Damn it.

"Mr. Kim missed two days of class, right? You didn't even get the textbook. So I, specially for you, prepared a textbook and a summary of the two days' lessons!"

Mayuzumi grunted as she placed a thick textbook and printouts on the desk.

"Here you go!"

"Ah, yes. Thank you."

I took the textbook and printouts she had gathered and opened them.

Magic theory, superweapon introduction, history after the Great Catastrophe, ecology of otherworldly beings...

The content made my head spin even after a brief look.

Even though I know all the settings of this world, seeing them in the form of academic subjects makes me feel dizzy.

'What the hell.'

Cursing came naturally.

To continue my current peaceful life, I at least need to pass the midterms.

That way, I can meet the expectations and national pride being poured on me from Korea.

But am I supposed to study this ridiculous stuff now?

I, who had no talent for studying even in my school days?

'I'm going to lose it.'

I'm going to lose it.

In web novels, studying is just a matter of using a status window.

Why don't I have a status window? Is it because this is a light novel, not a web novel?

No.

Maybe I need to say 'status window' for it to appear.

I've never said it out loud before.

It's worth a try.

"Status window."

I said in Korean.

Nothing appeared in front of me.

"Status window!"

I tried shouting a bit louder.

It didn't appear.

Hmm, does it not work in Korean?

Since this is a light novel, not a web novel, do I need to say it in a light novel cliché way?

"Status."

It didn't work.

"Status open."

It didn't appear.

What the hell.

How can you do this to me?

Sending me to a light novel world and not giving me a status window?

Do I really have to study this damn textbook myself?

I should have just ended it with a 5700-character note.

"Mr. Kim...?"

I heard Mayu-sensei's voice.

She was looking at me with a sympathetic expression.

"Are you feeling unwell? Is it a lingering effect from the duel with Bonaparte?"

Her worried tone and voice.

I shook my head and put on a serious face.

"No."

"But if that's the case, it's a relief..."

"Is that all you wanted to say?"

"No, no!"

Mayu-sensei shook her head.

"I want you to think about your self-introduction for tomorrow's homeroom! It's the first assignment I'm giving you!"

Self-introduction.

A staple in Japanese school stories.

I was wondering why it didn't come up.

"Yes, yes."

I nodded half-heartedly, stuffed the textbook and printouts into the bag I brought, and stood up.

"Then I'll be going now."

"Mr. Kim! Don't forget to think about your self-introduction!"

I left the faculty office, waving goodbye to Mayuzumi-sensei.

But what about the studying?

Suddenly, I felt the heat under my feet.

To catch up with the classes I missed for two days, I need to study the previous lessons.

The problem is, this isn't the level of study I can understand on my own by self-studying.

Who can I ask for help?

The protagonist?

He's useless at theoretical studies and would only be a nuisance.

Then, of course...

"Only Olivia."

There's only the French princess, who is officially described as both literary and martial.

What a ridiculous and shit-realistic problem to face.

I sighed and turned on my phone.

I'll have to collect the Black Stone a bit later.

Well, it's not like it's going to run away, and at this point, I'm the only one who knows the true nature of the Black Stone, so it's fine.

I called Olivia from my contact list.

It's a big catch.

Shuou Hero Academy library. Special study room.

Originally, as a mere C-rank, I wouldn't be allowed into the special study room reserved for top students.

"I knew you would ask for my help! As expected, nothing can be done without me!"

But with the help of the French princess, things are different.

Right after leaving the faculty office, Olivia, who received my call, said she needed an hour and I generously waited for her.

The result is this.

"Hehehe."

Olivia, covering her mouth, made a so-called 'lady's laugh' with a proud expression.

I'm getting used to these anime-like reactions.

I shouldn't get used to this.

What a crazy world.

"The facilities are quite good."

I looked around.

A room surrounded by soundproof walls, with a table and chairs in the center.

A computer was installed on the table, and a coffee machine, drink dispenser, and biscuit packets were placed on the wall.

"Right? Right? Do you like it?"

Olivia's eyes sparkled.

I rubbed my forehead.

"So, did you make me wait for an hour just to rent a study room?"

There was almost no competition for renting a study room since it wasn't the start of a new semester or exam period.

Why did she need an hour?

I need to review quickly.

"Of course not. Hehehehe..."

Olivia covered her mouth and laughed again.

She placed a paper bag she was holding on the table.

"I prepared this for you."

"What is it?"

"Ta-da! It's spicy chicken!"

Rustle.

She took out a chicken box from the paper bag and opened it.

The familiar scent of spicy chicken filled the study room.

My hands trembled.

My heart raced.

Without realizing it, Korean words came out first.

"No, what is this...?"

It's the first time.

The first time I've been genuinely surprised since being reborn in this damn world.

I didn't expect her to remember my muttering and actually buy it.

A French princess bringing Korean spicy chicken from Japan.

Unbelievable.

Did she really buy it just because I said to?

"Hehe. You can be even happier! I went all the way to Shin-Okubo and ordered 'spicy chicken,' and it's even 'boneless'!"

Olivia shrugged, as if asking for praise.

Shin-Okubo.

The Korean town in Tokyo.

I vaguely remember hearing it was the center of Korean wave in Japan when I was in the original world.

It seems Shin-Okubo is still the center of Korean wave in this world.

"Alright, thanks."

I thanked her in Japanese.

It's worthy of praise that Olivia managed to get the hard-to-find spicy chicken.

I'm a person who clearly rewards and punishes.

This is worth waiting an hour for.

"It's not like I bought it just to get your thanks! But I'll accept it gratefully."

She's proud.

Seeing her tsundere act after receiving the spicy chicken made it look cutely pointless.

I tore open the wooden chopsticks and put a piece of spicy chicken in my mouth.

The long-missed sweet and spicy flavor and the boneless texture filled my mouth.

"It's delicious."

"It's supposed to be delicious. I carefully chose this chicken."

Olivia, who said this, picked up a plastic fork.

"I'll try the traditional Korean food once."

I decided not to correct her misconception that spicy chicken is traditional Korean food.