The Academy's Time Stop Player

The clock struck 4 a.m., shortly after the lessons ended at the academy.

Students who had collapsed from training were transferred to the infirmary at Rokia Academy, and the remaining six were on their way back to their dormitory accommodations after a brief closing ceremony.

'Hmm...'

Hajoon watched the expressions of the students returning to the dorms. All six of them seemed to be in some sort of complicated mood as they headed back.

Without giving it much thought, Hajoon simply began to walk away. After all, he thought it might be best to let them sort out their feelings alone, and honestly, he was exhausted and just wanted to sleep.

"Kim Hajoon."

Just as he was about to leave, Instructor Han Eeseul called out to stop him.

With a weary sigh, Hajoon turned to look back.

Instructor Han Eeseul spoke up, “You did well.”

“Ah, thank you. I mean...”

“You seem to have a knack for teaching.”

Saying this, Instructor Han gazed at the retreating figures of the students with a contemplative look.

Hajoon responded, “You could have taught them just as well.”

“No, I might not have been able to make them realize what you did. The talents those kids possess aren’t ordinary.”

He pondered if that was true. After all, even if it was Instructor Han Eeseul, expecting him to fend off those students going all out might be a bit much.

Especially when pointing out their weaknesses and training them would first require breaking down their pride.

“Anyway, you must be tired. Go and get some rest,” Instructor Han suggested.

Hajoon nodded in agreement. Frankly, he was more worn out from pulling an all-nighter than from dealing with the students.

It should’ve been time for him to sleep by now...

Perhaps the only silver lining was that starting from tomorrow, which was Thursday, he would have a break on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

“Yes, I’ll be going then.”

With that, Hajoon turned and headed towards his dormitory. As he walked away, Instructor Han watched him, the corners of his mouth lifting in a subtle, satisfied smile.

“Heh heh~”

At 7 in the evening that day, Hajoon was humming a tune, holding a bag of chicken as he headed towards the dormitory.

From 4 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon, he had been sleeping, and upon waking up, he had an immediate craving for chicken.

Considering he'd be off the next day, and the day after, and even the day after that, perhaps he could explore some renowned restaurants?

While making such plans for his days off, Hajoon spotted Han Siyoung training in the distant outdoor training ground.

However, Han Siyoung was swinging his sword with an inexplicably frustrated expression.

Repeatedly swinging his sword as if something was not to his liking, he paused for a moment and, placing his sword back into its sheath, started to stretch.

That's when Han Siyoung’s gaze met Hajoon’s, who was holding the bag of chicken.

“...Kim Hajoon.”

Han Siyoung looked at Hajoon with his characteristic stoic expression.

Yet, unexpectedly, a trace of complexity swirled within that stoicism.

After gazing at Hajoon for a while, Han Siyoung slowly let out a pent-up sigh and asked,

“What did you mean by what you said during training?”

For a moment, Hajoon didn’t answer, lost in thought.

Certainly, the day before, he had provoked Han Siyoung by mentioning the Sword King, aiming to spur his growth.

Still, judging by the fact he asked, it seemed Han Siyoung had some realization. But asking probably meant he wasn't entirely sure yet.

However, Hajoon felt there wasn't a need to explain in detail. Just by looking at Han Siyoung’s face, it seemed he already knew the answer.

Hajoon briefly replied and continued on his way back to the dorm.

“You aren’t the Sword King, are you?”

“...”

With that, Hajoon passed Han Siyoung and headed straight to the dormitory.

For a moment, Han Siyoung silently watched Hajoon's retreating figure.

Then, Han Siyoung re-entered the training ground, swinging his sword once again.

Smoothly, naturally, his sword traced arcs in the air, reminiscent of the techniques he learned from his master.

It was the sensation of his swordplay, unchanged for years.

He then closed his eyes, recalling the sensation from the day before.

Driven by anger, the previously smooth motion of his sword became more aggressive.

Reviving that sensation, Han Siyoung swung his sword again.

Whoooosh!!!

In that moment, Han Siyoung's eyes gleamed with realization.

“...”

Silently, Han Siyoung gazed at his hands and then at his sword.

It felt paradoxical.

He couldn't understand why his current swordsmanship felt more natural and suitable for him than the sensation he'd known for years.

However, that feeling was fleeting.

A realization dawned on Han Siyoung.

“...I see.”

Kim Hajoon’s words from yesterday weren’t meant as an insult.

He had provoked him simply to teach him.

Initially, he perceived it as discarding the sword techniques of his master.

But it wasn't that.

He had only slightly altered the sensation and form of his swordsmanship, and yet...

Above all, his swordsmanship had transformed to truly suit him.

And only then could he grasp the meaning behind Hajoon's final words.

You're not the Sword King, are you?

"So that's what it meant..."

Clearly, he was not the Sword King.

There's no need to emulate him.

"Kim Hajoon..."

Thinking of the boy who made him realize this, Han Siyoung quietly smiled.

Thanks to Hajoon, it felt like his stalled growth had begun to move again.

Meanwhile, back at the dormitory, Hajoon was enjoying a movie while devouring some chicken.

He was delighted to have a full three days off and intended to make the most of it.

As he was laying out his plans for the holiday,

Ding~ Ding~

"Huh?"

His smartphone suddenly rang.

The caller was none other than Lorelei Hills.

Instantly, Hajoon's expression crinkled in annoyance.

She's calling right when I'm planning my days off?

Beep.

"Yes, hello?"

Hajoon answered.

However, Lorelei's voice on the other end sounded unusually weary.

-Ha... How have you been?

"Yes, I'm fine... What's going on?"

-Well, there's something. Quite a lot actually.

At that, Hajoon felt more irritated than curious.

He chose not to probe further.

He responded, "Ah, I see. Take care."

-Wait! It's something related to you.

Hajoon sighed heavily.

Why do these things always come up when I'm trying to rest?

With a weary expression, Hajoon asked, "What's the matter?"

-It's about the potion.

"Is there a problem with it?"

-The potion itself is perfect. But that's why a bigger issue has arisen.

Realizing he couldn't feign ignorance about something related to the potion, Hajoon asked further.

"What's the problem?"

-How about we discuss the details in person?

"Ugh... Fine, I'll come by tomorrow."

-Okay, understood.

The next day.

It was 8 o'clock on a Friday morning.

"Yawn~"

Hajoon, looking visibly tired, sprawled on the sofa in the Hermes Guild's office.

Yawn after yawn escaped his lips.

'It's strange, I slept soundly last night. Why am I feeling so exhausted now?'

'Or is it just that I'm trying to avoid working?'

At that moment, Lorelei, with a tender smile, handed Hajoon a cup of coffee and took a seat opposite him.

She looked at him and began to speak.

"I've completed the potion. From my tests, it seems perfect."

With those words, she casually placed the potion on the table. At first glance, it didn’t seem any different.

Hajoon stared blankly at the potion before asking, "So, what's the issue with it?"

"I wanted to start a business with it," she replied.

"Oh, I see..."

He had a hunch about it.

That's why he had entrusted the task to her in the first place.

"So, what happened?"

"The problem is, because the potion's efficacy is outstanding, there are now people who want to investigate it."

"Who might they be?"

Lorelei scratched her cheek, looking uncomfortable, and tried to avoid Hajoon's gaze before answering.

"Well... everyone?"

"Everyone?"

"Del Her is a place where people from all over the world gather, including villains."

"So, you're saying 'everyone' means?"

"Yes. I can't specify, but probably most of them? What's crucial here is that the only people who can produce this potion are the Broker and Miss Lee Gayeon."

"..."

Hajoon stared at her in disbelief, but soon understood the gravity of the situation.

"So, you're saying..."

"Yes, probably exactly what you're thinking."

"The potion turned out to be more exceptional than expected, and there's a possibility that the Broker and Lee Gayeon might get kidnapped?"

"Yes."

She replied simply, seeming unfazed.

The situation appeared more serious than Hajoon had anticipated. However, there was a part that he couldn't understand.

He asked, "What about the rules?"

There are inviolable rules in Del Her.

[No one can engage in a fight using superhuman abilities within Del Her.]

[Always honor the trades.]

However, at Hajoon's words, Lorelei just lowered her head.

"Yes, those exist, but they're simple, which means there are loopholes."

"Loopholes?"

"Yes, on the flip side, as long as you follow the rules, almost anything's possible."

Understanding what she was getting at, Hajoon frowned in thought.

He could guess what she was going to ask of him next.

"So, you want me to provide some protection?"

"Yes. I believe it might be too much for our guild to handle on its own."

"Sigh..."

Hajoon let out a soft sigh.

He then took a sip of the coffee on the table and spoke.

"You can't narrow it down even a bit? We're a renowned information guild, after all."

"We're the best information guild in the world, you know. But yes, I think I can narrow it down a bit."

"Where to?"

"China. And there's unusual activity from the Sura Guild."

"The Sura Guild?"

Upon hearing this, Hajoon stroked his chin in thought.

The Sura Guild was once the top guild in China and is now the second. It was indeed one of China's most prominent guilds. But it was somewhat unexpected.

To be honest, he had thought the villains would be the ones on the move.

'Sigh... Aside from that...'

He began to think that this issue would be more bothersome than he'd anticipated.

Honestly, he felt that this wouldn't be resolved in just one or two moves.

After dealing with the Sura Guild, wouldn't there be another guild or some villains likely to cause trouble?

With such thoughts, frustration began to brew within him. Eventually, Hajoon made a decision internally and spoke to Lorelei.

"Yes, I understand. I'll handle this matter on my own."

"Huh? You have a plan?"

"Yes, I have a rough idea."

Lorelei responded with a gentle smile.

Given Hajoon's confidence, she genuinely believed in him.

"Thank you. I'll also make some efforts on my side."

"How so?"

"Information is our strength. It's not hard for us to coerce people with information."

"The Sura Guild is tough to handle?"

"They're unexpectedly aggressive. They might not succumb to threats but might resort to force."

Hajoon nodded in agreement.

After all, even in the game's description of them, the guild had a stronger inclination towards villainy than heroism.