No Lies, Just Extra

Entrance Ceremony Day #5

It’s so unfair; I think I’m going to die of frustration. Don’t tell me I’ve made a bad impression on the very first day? That’s just ridiculous. How could this even happen?

“Kim Geun-chul, get up.”

Instructor Lee Sora called me with a voice brimming with charisma. Is it such a big mistake to have let out a scream that she’s making it feel this serious…? I feel so embarrassed I could go insane.

“Yes, y-yes… I’m Kim Geun-chul.”

Struggling to my feet, I felt a wave of heat shoot up my spine and my face burning up.

I can’t even look her in the eye.

“Kim Geun-chul. You screamed the loudest. Louder than anyone else. And faster than anyone else. If you had just done the opposite, you could have been an honors student.”

Facing the overbearing gaze of the instructor, I was unable to say a word. To be honest, she’s right. If I had attacked faster and stronger than anyone, I would have been an honors student.

But would that have been possible?

“Yes… you’re right. It would have been better if I had done the opposite. I’m sorry for screaming out loud and causing a disturbance.”

“So you’re aware. But didn’t you also say “Argh Shit” during the entrance ceremony?”

Why bring that up now!

This is just like a replay!

ㅡWhispers all around.

“Is that him?”

“Ah…! the Argh Shit guy?”

“I mean, if he hadn’t been surprised like that, I would have…”

Students have already started to whisper among themselves.

This is mortifying.

“Th, that was.”

“Using profanity is not good. Being a hero is also about maintaining an image. If you act like a thug and spew insults, it diminishes your dignity. Understand?”

“I’m truly sorry. It won’t happen again. I was just so startled that I ended up swearing.”

“A bad habit indeed. Sit down.”

“Yes.”

ㅡThud.

I took my seat immediately but still couldn’t raise my head.

Please, have mercy.

I want to go home.

“Well, it may have been a bit dramatic, but it’s understandable. If such a C-ranked monster suddenly appeared, anyone would be startled. It’s not strange for a non-veteran like you to show the reaction of an ordinary person.”

Not just me but to everyone who had been flabbergasted by the incident, she said that.

Despite her appearance, Instructor Lee Sora is the considerate type, speaking in a gentle tone.

“But from now on, this won’t do.”

Then, her voice took a sharp turn.

“You all are cadets aiming to be heroes. At the beginning of your first-year semester. It’s understandable for you, who have not yet received hero education. But not after. It’s fine to be a fledgling but be mindful from now on.”

Instructor Lee Sora spoke with such firmness that it made the listeners flinch.

She’s really overflowing with charisma.

“Had it been a real battle, those who panicked would be dead. Understand?”

“Yes. I understand.”

“Yes.”

“Yes.”

Voices of agreement came from all around.

“Kim Geun-chul, your response.”

“Ye-yes! I understand!”

How does she catch every quiet moment and target me like a hawk! Startled, I responded loudly. I definitely feel like I’m being singled out. This is definitely not a good thing.

“You all will undergo our instructor’s training and be reborn as heroes. We will make every effort to ensure you cadets grow strong and courageous. That is all!”

ㅡClapping!

ㅡClapping!

ㅡClapping!

Applause broke out, and I joined in the mood. Looking around, almost everyone seemed moved.

“Now, let’s get to some individual feedback. Before I begin, let me explain—what just happened was an illusion magic by Magic Combat Instructor Kawar. It’s a special class conducted every year on Entrance Ceremony day to see how freshmen react.”

That’s what the girl mentioned earlier.

But isn’t this too unfair? It’s one thing to give students such an astonishing experience. This was a disaster shocking enough that not even Park Ji-sung with his double hearts could’ve avoided a heart attack.

Casually bypassing this severe invasion of human rights. Indeed, it’s a tough place. Can I even survive here? I followed the quest’s lead for now, but maybe I should run away right this moment?

As I was thinking, the instructor began giving feedback.

“Alright, then. Number 1.”

“Ah, yes. Here…”

“Positioned at the very back to prepare for an attack, but did not shoot. Were you afraid of friendly fire?”

“Yes… I was worried I might hit the cadets in front…”

“Lacking confidence in your accuracy, I see. Of course, with the instructors’ training, this can be improved. Endeavor to do so.”

“Understood.”

The timid-looking female cadet nodded and responded.

“…”

Even that small-framed female student was ready to attack at the first sight of the monster. Unlike me, who was whining and crying out.

I’m truly embarrassed.

Well, this is how Instructor Lee Sora went on giving feedback to each student. She was flipping through papers as she talked—it looked like everything was well-organized from the teachers’ office.

It seems she’s the type to pay attention to each and every student. She might look fierce, but her personality is meticulous.

“Leona.”

“Yes, Instructor.”

At that, Leona, who had asked if I was alright earlier, responded.

“It’s needless to say. Skillful judgment and execution.”

“Hehe, it’s only natural for me.”

“Truly suited for the Kainaros family.”

Kainaros family?

Some reputed lineage? Curious, I pulled out my phone to check immediately.

“Kim Geun-chul, put your phone away.”

The instructor pointed out right away!

“Ugh…! Yes!”

All eyes turned to me at once!

Now, don’t look at me… I despise women who hassle me! So, please, don’t stare!

“Very well.”

After giving feedback to every student, the feedback session came to an end.

“The absentees didn’t show up at all. Well, it doesn’t matter. Today’s lesson ends here. It’s the principle of the academy’s director to keep things brief on the first day of enrollment.”

Ah, it’s over!

“Wow. Finished already.”

“Lucky us, so lucky.”

“Shall we go to the café out front after this?”

Students were gleefully sharing such conversations. Despite being different in their supernatural abilities, at heart, they’re the same.

“Dismissed. Normal classes begin tomorrow. Ah, but tomorrow, we will elect a class president… there’s nothing more to say. Don’t forget today’s experience, and reflect on how you can do better. Dismissed for real now.”

ㅡRustle!

With that, students got up from their seats and packed their bags. Simultaneously, several students cast glances at me.

“…”

They make eye contact.

“Pfft!”

A female student bursts out laughing.

Damn it.

*

*

*

So when I stepped outside.

“Kim Geun-chul.”

A chilly voice came from behind!

“Yes?! Oh!”

“About to swear again, were you?”

“No, isn’t this Instructor Lee Sora? Do you have something to tell me?”

I freaked out. I thought a wild beast was waiting for me.

“Nothing much. I just wanted to give you some advice.”

“Advice, you say? Are you going to tell me to drop out immediately if I don’t want to die?”

“What? What?”

When I voiced what I expected, the instructor looked taken aback.

“What are you… To suggest withdrawal to an Awakened student? What do you think of me? Kim Geun-chul is a vital human resource. I wouldn’t suggest something like withdrawal.”

“Oh, is that so? Hehehe, sorry. I made assumptions.”

Not what I thought then.

“No matter who it is, if they’re a cadet, I will properly guide them to become heroes. Even if it’s the Argh Shit Kim Geun-chul.”

Are you planning to use that forever…

“Anyway. This is advice. Go to the director’s office right away.”

“What?”

Why there?

“Do I have to go there? To be honest, I’m scared. It’s Director Heukyacha, isn’t it?”

“That’s why you should go. Worried you’ll get beat up? You sure are a timid young man.”

“If I’m beaten, I’ll die, you know! Didn’t you hear her booming voice!”

“Who’s going to die? Even the Director wouldn’t hit a student.”

“Well, of course, I know that. That’s not my point. I mean, that’s a little…”

“Stop yapping and go. The Director is very touchy about such things. Even if she verbally forgives, she holds a grudge if there’s not a proper apology.”

Oh.

Does that mean I have to apologize for the whole “Argh Shit” incident during the Entrance Ceremony?

“To put it simply, it’s a person who gets pissed off when someone behaves rudely, especially when a freshly young cadet swears in front of an adult like herself, someone who will harbor that resentment forever, and by the looks of it, you, Kim Geun-chul, seem to fit that description.”

“You’re right. I’ll definitely go. Thank you.”

I can’t afford to get on the bad side of such a person on my first day. I felt a bit anxious, but it looked like I’d need to go and apologize properly.

“Then.”

Finishing her words, Instructor Lee Sora casually turned and left. So cool—how she wrapped up the conversation and walked away.

ㅡClip-clop.

Even her back in that fitted suit is killer.

“Ah.”

But where is the director’s office?

It’s going to be a task just to find it.

*

*

*

At 24 years old, I am a lost cause.

“Even a superhuman lost cause, shit.”

To be a superhuman and yet lost. It’s really incomprehensible. It’s all because this place is unfathomably huge. I’ve asked and marked rally points to get here, and yet I’m lost.

“It should be around here.”

As I searched for the director’s office…

ㅡClick.

“Huh?”

Someone had stopped in front of me.

“Who might you be?”

A melodious voice with stunning silver hair.

Looking ahead, there stood Leona, from the noble family who had not just excelled in class but also slashed a spider to pieces.

“Ah.”

What do I call her? Should I call her Leona since she’s a fellow student? While I pondered that, she looked straight at me with a slight tilt of her head and said,

“Should I address you as ‘Mr. Oh My Shit’?”

“What? No. What’s that about? Who’s Mr. Oh My Shit… When people are startled, that can happen.”

Man, it’s so embarrassing to have that pointed out again.

“No matter what, I’ve never seen someone get so startled. My god, what an embarrassment. You even cried a bucketful of tears.”

“Hey, it was just a startled cry, not bawling. Why are you distorting the incident? That’s defamation, you know?”

“You’re good at grumbling, aren’t you?”

Does she enjoy teasing people?

But it’s okay because she’s pretty.

“Anyway. So what brings you to this place?”

Seemingly intrigued, Leona asked.

“Just a trifle. About swearing on the Entrance Ceremony day.”

“Ah… that ‘Argh Shit’ moment.”

“Do you only remember that about me?”

“What else is there?”

Nothing.

Still, try to show some interest.

“Let’s leave that behind. Just thinking about it seems to break my heart. Anyway, Instructor Lee Sora mentioned it. It would be better to apologize to the director. Otherwise, I might get in bigger trouble later.”

So I’m on my way there.

“Apologizing to the Director… it’s that way.”

Leona kindly pointed me in the right direction.

“Then I’ll be on my way.”

“Thanks for that. I was looking for the place. Take care.”

With a farewell to Leona, I continued on my way.

“Here it is.”

This is the Director’s office. Never seen a school with a director like this, not even in the jungle.

ㅡKnock knock.

Anyway, with a steadied heart, I knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

At the sound of the commanding voice, I opened the door nervously and entered.

“Hm?”

Seeing me, the Director…

“You are Kim Geun-chul!!!!!!!!!!”

She roared like a lion!!!!!

“Aaaaaaaahhh!!!!!”

Holy crap!!!!