Chapter 17
Despite successfully completing the mission, time passed rather chaotically.
One week.
A short span of time, yet it felt as tumultuous as a storm.
The reason was obvious—because of the club.
“Cancel it immediately. Do you realize what you’ve done? The administration of the academy is strictly within the professors’ jurisdiction. Including Yggdrasil in this is madness!”
“Park Gi-hyuk, this is not right. Why have you exacerbated a situation that could have been resolved amicably? This course of action benefits you in no way.”
“Think carefully, Gi-hyuk. You’ve crossed a line. This is insubordination. No matter how much backing you have from Optimum, this cannot be tolerated.”
They accused me of crossing the line, asked what kind of nonsense this was, and urged me to resolve things peacefully.
To exaggerate a little, I think I saw every professor at the academy at least once.
I just answered with, “Yes, yes,” nonchalantly.
But even that wasn’t enough. Soon, representatives from every club started coming to see me.
As I mentioned before, clubs are where people go to build connections or align themselves with a powerful network. They’re hierarchical by nature.
To put it simply, they hold themselves in incredibly high regard.
Yet here they were, smiling and trying to win me over.
“Hey, junior, let me tell you about our club, Gurumi…”
“I’ll take full responsibility for providing all the support you need. Like gate hunting? We’ll handle all the paperwork—just show up with your body.”
“Gi-hyuk, I’ll drop the formalities since I see you as a little brother. Join our band club. After all, you’re already connected to the Optimum line, right? You can do whatever you want here. Why make enemies with the professors?”
They kept telling me I should get along with the professors, that I’d only be hurting myself if I clashed with them.
I didn’t say anything to avoid prolonging the conversation, but in hindsight, it was pretty funny.
All I wanted was to establish a club. I wasn’t out to conquer the world, yet they were reacting as if I was threatening their very existence.
I started to wonder why they were so vehemently opposed to the idea of one little club.
So I asked the one person who would know best—my mother.
“Hmm, Gi-hyuk, I think you’re misunderstanding something. The issue is no longer about the club itself. The problem is that Yggdrasil is getting involved in the academy’s management.”
“Why? Because they’re scared. The authority and respect they’ve taken for granted are being threatened by Yggdrasil’s presence. I doubt this will end here.”
Yggdrasil is the academy, and the academy is Yggdrasil.
The moment Yggdrasil stepped in, all the structures, systems, and rules established by the professors became insignificant.
In comparison, the club issue was trivial.
And just as my mother predicted, things didn’t end there. Eventually, I found myself in a private meeting with the academy’s director, Cheon Su-man.
“Park Gi-hyuk, the current situation is very complex.”
“I’ve heard that the professors have been somewhat harsh towards you. I understand that it must have been unpleasant. But this situation with Yggdrasil—this is too much.”
“I will personally handle your academic supervision and make sure you’re given every convenience. So why don’t we end this matter here?”
This was Cheon Su-man’s final attempt at mediation.
And my response?
“No, thank you.”
I declined.
The absurdity of it all was laughable. All I wanted was to establish a club, not conquer the world, and they were trying to interfere.
What? Didn’t I listen? That the club isn’t the issue?
So what? The club is what matters to me.
Why should I care if they’re intimidated by Yggdrasil? Why should I bother considering the professors’ concerns? What’s so special about them that I should be thinking about their problems?
People tend to forget. They hear the word “academy” and the titles “professor” and “student,” and they start believing this place is an actual school.
Morals, etiquette, respect, honor… A proper school where the relationship between teacher and student is held sacred, like the grace of a teacher being as high as the heavens…
In my opinion, that’s a load of crap.
What school in the world teaches you how to kill?
Let’s be clear—this place is all about learning how to kill. This is a “warrior training ground.”
So why is everyone acting like this is a place for politics? Why do they care about appearances?
Fine, play your games if you want. But why drag me into your childish nonsense?
If you want to play house, do it on your own time. I’m too busy training.
Consider this a warning—don’t provoke me.
I conveyed my thoughts, more or less summarized, to Cheon Su-man.
His expression was priceless.
One thing was clear: the relationship between me and the professors had crossed the point of no return.
Honestly, I don’t care at all. I already knew that staying quiet and peaceful was out of the question the moment I demolished that… what was it again? Something with “Hwang”… Whatever. I knew from that point on that staying quiet wasn’t an option.
People should live according to their nature. When have I ever been the type to play nice? Right?
After a stormy week, we finally stood in front of our club room.
But something seemed off.
How much farther down are we going?
Basement level 4.
As we descended further underground, a flickering light greeted us like a mole surprised by daylight.
Bzzzt—Bzzzt—
When was the last time they replaced that?
Sensing my curiosity, the female senior from the student council who accompanied us chuckled awkwardly and offered an excuse. “Hoho… It was definitely replaced, but why is it acting up today…?”
Clearly embarrassed, she tried to brush off the dust in vain… Just stop. You’re making it worse.
“Cough, cough. It’s, well, a bit shabby, isn’t it? But it’s the only place that fits the conditions you wanted. It was originally intended as a performance hall, but that plan was scrapped. It’s probably the biggest club room available.”
She tried to reassure us, then quickly fled after getting my signature.
The flickering light showed no signs of understanding the situation.
Dust that had clearly been accumulating for ages.
A peeling wall, with a door that seemed like it was barely hanging on.
“……”
“……”
“……”
In the end, I was grabbed by the collar by Merhem.
“Die! Just die already!!”
Well, she does have a strong grip, doesn’t she?
……
…
After a brief pause.
Once Merhem’s anger had subsided, we finally grabbed the doorknob to this “hell with no exit.”
We grabbed it, but…
Crash!
Bang, clang!
“There really is ‘no exit’ now. Gi-hyuk’s foresight is truly something to behold.”
Merhem’s sarcastic remark stabbed like a dagger.
The moment I turned the doorknob, the door completely collapsed.
But I wasn’t surprised. Why? Because the reality before me made the collapsed door seem like a minor inconvenience.
“Wow… How can a place be this much of a disaster?”
Sure, I’d seen dust outside, but inside was strewn with garbage that had clearly been rotting for ages. It was supposed to be a storage room, yet there were strange stalls, and a cabinet that reminded me of an ancient dungeon mimic…
I can’t even describe it further. It’s just too overwhelming.
Whatever you imagine, this was worse. It was a sight that defied human language.
“Absolutely disgraceful.”
Even Jun-woo, who usually didn’t care much about hygiene, was speechless.
“I think I’m going to get sick.”
Merhem was already covering her mouth with a handkerchief.
We had no choice. We scoured the area for something better, but in the end, we had to leave the room.
“Compared to that, this is a paradise.”
“Agreed.”
“Relatively speaking, it’s much cleaner. Let’s just sit down.”
We sat on the steps of the staircase.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t expect things to turn out this way. Damn it.”
Even though we’d been at odds with the professors, I never imagined they would stoop to such petty tactics.
It’s embarrassing to face the kids after this.
But then, Merhem offered some unexpected comfort.
“You do owe an apology for stirring things up and escalating what should have been a minor issue. But this situation isn’t your fault, Gi-hyuk.”
“Are you sure that’s supposed to be comforting?”
“No, it’s an assessment of the situation.”
Suddenly, Merhem’s gaze turned icy as she stared at the mirror.
“Everything has its limits. This is too much. Let me ask you something. Are you the only one in our team?”
“…Of course not.”
“Jun-woo is here. I’m here. I, Merhem, am here. And yet they treat us like this?”
Though Merhem might get pushed around in our group, she’s still royalty.
A royal who values pride and honor more than life itself.
“I wasn’t asking for special treatment. But I certainly didn’t come here to be humiliated like this. I’m going to lodge a formal complaint right now.”
She seemed ready to march off immediately, but I stopped her with a bitter smile.
“I understand why you’re angry, but let’s hold off for now.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s the smarter move.”
In my experience, whether you’re negotiating or going to war, it’s always wiser to handle internal disputes within your own ranks. The moment you let an external force intervene, things spiral into chaos.
“What’s your method of complaint? You’re just going to use your father’s influence, right? And what will happen then? It’ll escalate into an international issue.”
Do you think the academy will back down then? No, they absolutely won’t. The academy’s authority is far stronger than we realize. At least, not to the point where they’d yield to external pressure.
That’s why I haven’t used my mother’s influence either.
Honestly, if Yggdrasil weren’t backing me, I wouldn’t have been able to act so recklessly.
“…So I should just keep taking this? Swallowing this insult?”
“You really think I’d let that happen? An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. If we’ve been wronged, we’ll get even. But let’s do it smartly.”
“Smartly?”
“Are you talking about the ‘midterms’?”
“Exactly, Jun-woo. Well done.”
In the end, it all comes down to proving ourselves.
The most effective way to silence those who run their mouths is to show them. Forget about etiquette and respect—when you crush them right in front of their eyes, they won’t dare to speak up again.
“Here’s my declaration: I’ll be the top scorer in the midterms. Next in line will be…”
I pointed at Han Jun-woo.
“Jun-woo, you’re up.”
Then, patting Merhem on the head, I added,
“Merhem, aim for the top ten.”
“…Are you underestimating me? Why am I only aiming for the top ten?”
“Kid, do you think being in the top ten is a joke? How long have you even been practicing magic? You’re being greedy, Merhem.”
“Hmph.”
Once I’ve secured the top spots for myself and the others, what can they possibly say? If they still act up after this, then it’s do-or-die time.
I’ve treated them like humans. If they respond like animals, I’ll become one too.
And being someone who grew up in the backstreets, I’ve never lost a street fight.
“Alright, I get what you’re saying, Gi-hyuk. So what’s the next step?”
“Well, the next step is dealing with that.”
We might have grand plans for the future, but first, we needed to handle the mess that was our club room.
Then Merhem spoke up.
“Leave it to me.”
“Huh?”
Merhem pulled out her phone.
Shortly after, someone arrived in front of us.
“Well, well. What a nasty joke this is.”
It was Merhem’s butler, Grandpa Hal. He’s the one I mentioned before—the ‘not to be underestimated’ old man.
“Grandpa Hal, how long do you think it’ll take to clean this place up?”
“Hmm…”
With the same kind, gentle smile he always wore, Grandpa Hal surveyed the situation. The fact that he could maintain his composure while looking at this disaster zone was proof enough that he wasn’t just anybody.
After carefully inspecting the room, Grandpa Hal held up three fingers.
Three fingers? Does he mean three days?
But when Grandpa Hal spoke, I had to admit—I had underestimated him.
“Three hours.”
“…!!”
“It happens to be lunchtime. Please enjoy your meal, have some tea, and when you return, everything will be spotless.”
Grandpa Hal bowed politely.
And three hours later…
After devouring eight servings of jajangmyeon, stir-fried pork, and sushi, then sipping on caramel macchiatos at a café near the academy…
…Was I seeing things? Was this really the same place?
“…Unbelievable.”
“…Unbelievable.”
As Jun-woo and Merhem stared in amazement, Merhem lifted her chin proudly, as if it were her own accomplishment.
“See? That’s my Grandpa Hal. Good work, Grandpa Hal.”
“Hahaha, it was my pleasure.”
What lay before us was a space that was not only spotlessly clean…
But completely transformed.
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