The Academy’s Time Stop Player
chapter-154

Meanwhile, at the Academy's principal's office, Riella was on a call with a man.

"Have you been well, Hero Riella?"

"Hmm... I didn't expect you to contact me."

Although she spoke in a cool tone, a faint smile was etched on her face.

"So, how have you been?"

"Thanks to you, Hero, my life has been meaningful."

"Well, that's good to hear. So, what brings you to call? You must be quite busy."

The man then explained his purpose for calling.

Upon hearing it, Riella's brows gradually furrowed.

"That child?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Hmm... I can talk to them, but I'm not sure if they'll agree."

"There's no particular agenda. I simply wanted to meet them. Actually..."

As they continued their conversation, Riella's eyes widened in surprise upon hearing his final words. Then, her eyes slowly dimmed with a hint of sorrow.

"...I see."

"Yes. So, I'd like to meet him."

"Alright, I'll talk to him."

With those final words, Riella ended the call and sighed deeply, gazing out the window at the sky.

After the re-evaluation.

"It's over."

"Hmm..."

After watching the last group's evaluation, Hajoon approached Instructor Han Eeseul.

Instructor Han Eeseul looked at Hajoon with a somewhat tired expression, anticipating what was to come.

Instructor Han Eeseul remarked, "It's going to be tiring from here."

"Well, they didn't grow in a legitimate way anyway."

"Hmm... Honestly, I don't think all 50 of them are like that."

"That's why we need to filter them out this way."

If Hajoon's prediction was true, there would be changes in the children who had grown in a month.

Hajoon didn't expect their growth to last long.

But what if it wasn't the case?

"What will you do if they're still the same after a month?"

"Beat them the same way, I guess?"

"..."

At that, Instructor Han Eeseul simply responded with a hollow laugh.

Despite seeming thoughtless, Instructor Han Eeseul decided to trust Hajoon for now.

After all, if something did happen, Hajoon would handle it, especially since Principal Riella had approved.

"Phew... Alright, that's enough. You've done well; now head to the principal's office."

"Why the principal's office?"

"When you were dealing with the kids, a call came in. The principal wants to see you."

Puzzled, Hajoon nodded in agreement.

Thinking there might be something else to discuss, Hajoon decided to visit Principal Riella's office.

"So, what's the matter?"

Arriving at the principal's office, Hajoon sat opposite Riella and began to speak.

Riella calmly sipped her tea and opened the conversation with Hajoon.

"A student has made a request."

"Who?"

"It's a man named Han Taehwan."

At that name, Hajoon's expression crumpled instantly.

It sounded like a bothersome matter, likely related to politics, didn't it?

"What, you want me to guard a National Assembly member?"

"Yes."

"Really?"

Hajoon couldn't help but let out a snort of laughter.

A member of the National Assembly requesting my personal protection...

"Is it really about protection?"

Hajoon thought it might be a legitimate request due to unavoidable circumstances and being targeted by villains, but he didn't really believe it.

It sounded like a political issue, and he didn't want to get involved...

But to his surprise, Riella nodded and made an unexpected suggestion.

"Yes, it's for protection. You have the freedom to choose, but how about going?"

"Why?"

He thought she would be reluctant to get involved in politics, so he was surprised by her straightforward suggestion.

Hajoon looked at her quizzically.

Riella spoke in a calm tone.

"I usually despise politicians, but this guy is different. Above all, he doesn't lie."

"A politician who doesn't lie?"

At that, Hajoon half-jokingly asked.

"Are you sure you haven't been fooled?"

"You little...!"

Riella's face contorted in anger as she clenched her fist, intending to give Hajoon a smack on the head.

Hajoon quickly activated 'Slow Flowing Time' and began to dodge her punches. Eventually, unable to contain her frustration, she grabbed a teacup from the table and threw it at him. Hajoon skillfully caught the teacup, preventing the tea from spilling and placing it back on the table.

Astonished, Riella couldn't help but admire his skill.

"Huh... You're quite adept."

"Why would you throw a teacup?"

"I knew you would dodge it. Anyway, just go. There probably won't be much to do. Just take it as a break."

"A break?"

"Weren't you busy lately? With the villain terror incidents calming down thanks to you, take a break."

"Where is he going?"

"Hmm... Something about going fishing or whatnot? Wouldn't it be nice to relax on a yacht and enjoy the seaside?"

"I've had enough rest in America."

Riella looked at Hajoon sleepily and spoke.

"You were just cooped up in a hotel, right? Take this as an extended vacation and relax."

She was right.

But the idea of relaxing beside a stranger seemed a bit uncomfortable...

"It's kind of awkward to rest with someone I don't know..."

Riella chuckled at that and looked at Hajoon.

"Don't worry too much. He's not the kind of person you're thinking of. In fact, being around him might even make you feel at ease. He was close to Choi Jungwon and used to be the president of the previous Korean Heroes Association. We also received a lot of help from him during the era of chaos when we were attacking the dimensional dungeons."

"That kind of person?"

Hajoon looked puzzled at the mention of Han Taehwan.

It was a name he was hearing for the first time.

He also didn't know that this person was closely associated with Principal Choi Jungwon.

"What does he do?"

At Hajoon's question, Riella grinned and replied.

"Well, he's just someone we've received help from a few times. And he just wants to see your face, so think of it as a break. You're not going to attend classes properly anyway."

Convinced of her point, Hajoon nodded, albeit with a slightly skeptical look.

Thus, Hajoon accepted the student's request and, a few days later, he finally saw the face that Riella had praised.

"Ha ha ha, nice to meet you, Student Kim Hajoon. I've been looking forward to meeting you. My name is Han Taehwan."

He was an elderly man with neatly groomed beard and a gentle demeanor.

Despite his casual attire that didn't quite fit the image of a typical politician ready for leisure, his trained muscles were visible beneath his clothes.

He seemed to be a superhuman, not just an ordinary person, though his casual clothes made him appear less intimidating. However, contrary to his light-hearted appearance, he spoke in a calm and respectful tone, as if showing respect to Hajoon.

Hajoon shook hands with him, greeting him in return.

However, looking around, he noticed the absence of any bodyguards.

He thought a National Assembly member would bring a few bodyguards...

Puzzled, Hajoon asked him.

"Am I the only one?"

"Ha ha, I did call you for protection, but there's no need to take it too seriously. I genuinely just wanted to meet you, Student Hajoon."

The man spoke with a kind smile, honestly confessing his intentions.

Hajoon didn't expect to be told outright that it was more about leisure than protection.

Looking at the old man's hearty laughter, Hajoon asked another question.

"Then, it seems you're not targeted by villains?"

"That's not exactly true. I have a lot of history that still makes me a target for villains."

"…?"

Hajoon looked at him with a somewhat incredulous expression.

However, the man nonchalantly continued.

"Don't worry too much. It's unlikely that villains will chase us out to sea to target me."

Hajoon looked at him with a hint of suspicion in his eyes.

But the man continued to look at Hajoon with a relaxed and kind expression, speaking calmly.

"Just give it a try. You might find it more satisfying than you think."

"How do you find it? Quite a nice yacht, isn't it?"

As they walked through the harbor for a few minutes, guided by him, the man stopped abruptly and introduced the yacht.

Hajoon looked at the yacht with a sense of wonder and remarked, "It looks incredibly expensive."

It was indeed what one could call a super yacht.

Maybe it's because the world itself is set in the near future?

Even Hajoon, who usually lacked enthusiasm, couldn't help but admire the grandeur of the yacht.

Han Taehwan smiled kindly at Hajoon's reaction and said, "I'm glad you like it. Come on board, I'll steer."

"You're going to drive?"

"Ha ha, I've done quite a variety of things in the past."

Hajoon nodded and boarded the yacht with him.

After Han took the helm and they set sail, Hajoon quietly observed him steering and then turned his attention to the waves passing by the window.

The sound of seagulls and the cool breeze at the seaside...

The scenery was indeed a feast for the eyes.

A different thought suddenly struck him amidst this peaceful scene.

'Was it really just to take a break?'

Honestly, even though she sent him just to relax, Hajoon couldn't help but feel there might be another reason.

Deciding to take her advice, Hajoon resolved to enjoy his time and relax here. After all, villains wouldn't chase him out to sea, would they?

"Student Hajoon."

Just then, the yacht slowed down and stopped, and Han Taehwan approached Hajoon from behind with a fishing rod in hand.

"Have you ever tried fishing?"

"No, I haven't."

At his response, Han showed a kindly smile and said, "Then, shall I teach you? Would you like to try?"

Hajoon readily nodded without much hesitation.

Honestly, he had never tried fishing before but had always been interested.

Before entering this game world, he neither had the money for such activities nor went out much.

On the tranquil sea, aboard the yacht, Hajoon and Han Taehwan sat side by side in chairs, enjoying fishing. Hajoon found himself unexpectedly liking this quiet and peaceful atmosphere.

Was it like finding a hobby for life?

For Hajoon, who disliked movement and was inherently lazy, fishing seemed like the perfect pastime.

"Do you like fishing?"

"Yes, it's nice."

"Ha ha, I'm glad to hear that."

With that, Han quietly returned to looking at the sea with a kind smile.

Hajoon also stared blankly at the sea, following his gaze.

There wasn't much conversation, and the silence continued, but it wasn't awkward. Instead, it felt comfortable and peaceful, perhaps?

However, amidst this comfort, Hajoon still harbored a question.

What exactly does this man do?

What is his relation to the past great heroes, and why did he call me? These questions lingered in his mind.

Not being one to hold back his curiosity, he straightforwardly asked.

"I heard that you once helped Riella."

"Ha ha, it's an honor to hear that. I was merely a porter back then."

"A porter?"

"Yes, I served as a porter while traveling through dimensional dungeons with the great heroes. It’s my one and only pride."

It seemed he understood why she had said she was indebted to him.

Considering the dangers of the dimensional dungeons, even the role of a porter would have been fraught with great risk.

He appeared to be more remarkable than Hajoon had initially thought.

To have worked alongside those who are now called great heroes, having contributed to the conclusion of the dimensional dungeons.

But why would such a person want to meet me?

As Hajoon pondered this with a puzzled expression, it seemed as if Han read his mind and began to explain.

"It's understandable to be curious. Why would someone like me, a member of the National Assembly, want to meet Student Hajoon? Let me be clear, there's no political agenda here. Honestly, I just wanted to meet you out of my own desire. You, who are protecting this country."

"You wanted to see me just for that?"

Was it really just for such a simple reason?

Hajoon looked at him with a slightly skeptical expression.

However, Han remained composed, even in the face of Hajoon's doubt.

Soon, the reason became clear.

"The truth is, I've been given a terminal diagnosis."

"…What?"

"In two weeks, I will likely pass away."

At that, Hajoon's eyes widened in shock.