The Academy’s Time Stop Player
chapter-48

The following morning.

To be exact, it was the final day of the sidekick training experience.

That morning, Jin Ahhan, who came to Hajoon's hospital room, was chatting with him.

"Really...I didn't know you were an Irregular."

"Yes, well... but, are you feeling better now?"

"Yeah. I'm good. Being superhuman, I recover quickly. But it's incredible, right? How can you be so powerful with such muscles?"

She was touching Hajoon's arm, fascinated by his strength.

Truthfully, she initially found it hard to believe that the talk of the town was about Hajoon.

Of course, she had witnessed that astonishing event with her own eyes, so she had to believe it now.

"Oh, right. Did you ask me to keep it a secret that you're an Irregular?"

"Yes, for now, that's what I want."

Jin Ahhan looked puzzled.

Truthfully, she was a bit curious.

About why Hajoon, who didn't seek fame, only acted out of kindness.

'Hmm...Well, he must have his reasons?'

However, that felt like a personal question, so she decided to extend an invitation she'd thought of earlier, instead of asking that question.

"Okay, got it. Oh, and by the way, Hajoon."

"Yes?"

"Do you want to join our guild?"

At that, Hajoon's face started to look unhappy.

Hajoon answered with his face.

"Huh? Why? Our guild isn't that bad, right? The heroes in it are good people. We're even in the top 10 in Korea, right? The job satisfaction survey for affiliated heroes is also not bad, right?"

"...Please don't try to recruit a student who hasn't even graduated yet. It's illegal."

That included the fact that Hajoon had no intention of joining a guild in the first place.

Even though she kept saying the people are good and they pay a lot, the work is too much.

Truthfully, he'd only experienced her guild for barely two days, but it was a guild that didn't suit Hajoon.

The guild's overall mood felt too workaholic for him.

"Did you run away to my room?"

"Eh, uh? Oh, well..."

"What are you going to do about them?"

Although she was now calmly chatting with Hajoon, outside the hospital it was madness.

Her fans kept showing up at her hospital room, and journalists were stationed in front of the hospital, causing a ruckus.

Of course, Hajoon was in no position to talk about others either.

"Among those people outside, there must be a few journalists who have gathered to interview you."

"..."

"Since we're in the same boat, let's help each other out, okay?"

At that, Hajoon just shrugged his shoulders without saying anything.

Naturally, unlike her, Hajoon was confident he could dodge the journalists.

Above all, Hajoon was troubled by the noise outside the hospital room.

Though some of them could be journalists who slipped in, Hajoon assumed they were 100% Jin Ahhan's fans.

"Really... I can't even rest in peace."

"Why don't you at least send your fans a message?"

"I left a message on Xstagram."

Hajoon pointed outside the window and told Jin Ahhan.

"I mean in person."

At that, Jin Ahhan let out a heavy sigh.

And so, Hajoon began to slightly consider his words.

It was because he felt that he needed to sort out the current situation before he could relax.

"Alright, I guess I should at least say hello and leave."

"Yes, please take care."

With that, Hajoon got off the bed and stretched his stiff body.

Jin Ahhan looked puzzled at his actions.

"Why? Are you going for an interview too?"

"No, I am planning to leave the hospital. There's nothing for me to do here anyway."

"Oh... So, you're running away?"

"I planned to rest more, but it's a bit noisy outside."

"Sigh... Alright. Contact me later. I'll treat you to a meal."

At that, Hajoon smiled and nodded, opening the door to leave when there was a knock.

Knock- Knock-

Startled by the sudden knock, Hajoon opened the door with a confused face.

Outside the door, Kim Jeongyong, the chairman of the association, was waiting for him with a serious face.

"What is it?"

"Yes. I have something important to tell you."

"··········?"

Meanwhile, in the principal's office at Rokia Academy.

"He's done it again."

Riella Harnis was reading an article while drinking tea with Choi Jungwon.

A slight smile appeared on her face as she read the bold letters on the front page of the newspaper.

[Mass fainting incident at XX department store, solved with the help of top-ranked hero Jin Ahhan by student Kim Hajoon? Who exactly is he?]

A small smile spread across Riella's lips.

Because this time, not as an Irregular, but the name 'Kim Hajoon' was written in big letters.

"He's been dodging around until now, but this time, it will be a bit hard for him."

"Yes, Hajoon will have a tough time. Hehe!"

Choi Jungwon also showed a satisfied smile as he read the article.

This article is probably the first one.

The first time the name 'Kim Hajoon' has been made public.

"Moreover, he is quite unlucky. Accidents seem to happen only where he is."

"Hehe, on the contrary, I think he is lucky. After all, a terrorist attack happened where Hajoon was."

"Well, you can think that way too... more importantly..."

Her eyes started to look serious.

Riella looked at Choi Jungwon and opened her mouth.

"Three villain attacks in a year... Do they know as well?"

"...Probably. They must have been sure after the Nephertem incident."

"I see..."

With this incident, Choi Jungwon and Riella could understand.

The rise in villain crimes hinted that the Villain Alliance was stepping out from hiding and beginning to act.

"It's like a time bomb... Without you, this country will fall into chaos for sure."

"Hehe, that's why I'm asking you."

"Yes, yes, I understand. Keep an eye on Kim Hajoon as he grows up."

"Hehe, thank you."

Riella examined Choi Jungwon's health with her 'clairvoyance' skill.

Indeed, Choi Jungwon was not the same as before.

His once immense magical power was fading, and one of his bright blue eyes, a symbol of a sage, was already gone.

"He doesn't have much time left..."

"It's a natural process."

"Pushing too hard won't help you live longer... So, have you found him yet?"

At her words, Choi Jungwon shook his head.

"With his personality, he won't come out while I'm alive."

Back in the past, during the Age of Great Chaos.

The ten great heroes who ended the Great Chaos tried to return to their home countries after subduing the massive disaster that could have destroyed the world.

However, one of the great heroes had a different idea.

They should become special beings.

They needed to rule over people.

He believed that superhumans should have a superior position in the upcoming peace.

-We deserve it! We have the power for it! What do you think we stopped this Great Chaos for?

But the other nine great heroes rejected his idea.

All the great heroes, except him, wanted not special treatment, but peace, just as it was before the Great Chaos.

And the one who was rejected by the great heroes traveled the world, gathering superhumans who agreed with his views, and established the Villain Alliance.

"He'll definitely be in Korea. He'll take action the moment you lose all of the sage's power."

"Yes, or maybe he will try to kill me before that happens."

Choi Jungwon leaned back on the sofa, staring at the clear sky.

He slowly closed his eyes, lost in deep thought, then called out to her.

"Riella."

Choi Jungwon slowly turned his head to look at Riella.

"He'll surely target Korea, and he'll create a situation like the Age of Great Chaos."

"Hmm........"

"So we need to find him and stop him."

"You won't be able to beat him in your current state, Choi Jungwon."

"Hehe, I know. But."

He began to smile calmly as he looked at Riella.

"We can't let the children of this era deal with the fallout of our past, can we?"

Vrooom-

Kim Hajoon was traveling to the academy in a car with Chairman Kim Jeongyong.

Though there was the reason of evading the reporters in front of the hospital, Hajoon felt as if the chairman had something more to discuss with him.

"So, what's going on? Do you have something to discuss?"

Hajoon was the first to speak, getting straight to the point.

Chairman Kim Jeongyong looked at Hajoon seriously, then slowly began to talk.

"Yes. There is something. After hearing everything, I really wanted to ask you something, which is why I came to see you."

"What is it that you want to discuss?"

"Scouts will probably start flocking to Student Hajoon soon."

"Isn't scouting students against the law?"

This was a rule set by the International Heroes Federation in the Heroes Constitution to protect students.

So even though the situation had escalated this much, Hajoon wasn't too worried about being scouted.

However, he looked at Hajoon with a hint of worry.

"Yes, that's the rule. But it becomes a different issue if there's talent worth breaking it for."

"What, so you're saying they've figured it out?"

"Yes, it seems that way. Plus, they will come from overseas, not just within our borders."

At his words, Hajoon's eyebrows gradually knit together.

So, is he saying that scouts from foreign countries are coming?

"This happened with Han Siyoung in the past. For now, Han Siyoung declined all offers. But the same thing will likely happen this time. Scouts from various countries will come looking for Student Hajoon."

He didn't know what happened before Han Siyoung joined the academy, but it seemed that Han Siyoung had experienced the same thing.

Hearing that, Hajoon could guess what Chairman Kim Jeongyong was trying to ask.

"We can't dictate what Student Hajoon should do. And they will offer you an astronomical amount of money to scout you."

His expression gradually turned more serious.

"But, I would like to ask you this. Will you stay in Korea?"

At his words, Hajoon was silent, looking at him without a word.

Hajoon's expression was calm, but his mind was racing.

'I’m screwed...'

Does this mean that pretty much everyone has figured it out?

Honestly, he thought he had been a little too laid-back and careless...

Maybe he should hold a press conference?

He’s not an Irregular.

Seeing Ha-joon’s calm reaction, Chairman Kim Jeongyong grew nervous, guessing what it might mean.

He thought Hajoon's silence was a rejection of his request.

'So it’s not going to happen after all...'

Just as he began to despair with his eyes tightly closed, Hajoon, who had been quiet for a while, finally spoke.

"Yes. Understood."

At his words, the chairman's face brightened momentarily.

It was a decision that Hajoon didn’t need much time to make.

He wasn't sure about the amount of money they would offer, but just like the saying goes 'you work as much as you're paid', it was clear they would ask Hajoon for something troublesome.

"Thank you very much, Student Hajoon. Really, really thank you."

"Yes, for now, could you take me to the academy?"

"Ah! Yes, of course."

He looked at Hajoon, deeply moved.

And Hajoon was contemplating the future.

'For a while, I should stay within the academy.'

After all, no scouts would be daring enough to venture into the academy where the Korean national hero resides.