TRPM 228

chapter 228

Until recently, it was the most famous Awakener Academy in Korea, and every Korean high school student with potential for awakening dreamed of enrolling there.

However, that was only within Korea. Compared to other academies around the world, it was just an ordinary prestigious academy with nothing particularly outstanding.

“Until the Artists appeared.”

The appearance of the Artists.
The debut of the youngest Aura Master, Yeon Mirae.
Ryu Ah-young, who opened a new horizon for manifestation-based supernatural abilities.
Then came the youngest Aura Master Han Geon-woo and the youngest Grand Magus Lee Ha-eun.

As these unusually extraordinary Awakeners started emerging one after another from Korea, the world’s attention began to focus on the country.

As a result, the number of foreigners wanting to enroll in Seoul Awakener Academy—the top academy in Korea—inevitably increased.

“Hmm… That wraps up today’s work~.”

Shin Han-ji, the director who was effectively the owner of Seoul Awakener Academy, stretched and organized her documents.

Even though she held the title of director, the other board members existed only to maintain appearances… in reality, all the authority of the Awakener Academy rested in Shin Han-ji’s hands.

After all, how many would be foolish enough to oppose Shin Han-ji, one of the top Grand Magi?

“If it’s another Aura Master or a Grand Magus, maybe… otherwise, everyone bows before me.”

Not only the directors, but even the students and instructors feared her.

“Still… I wish people would treat me more comfortably…”

Among those around her, no one ever treated her casually.
Even Artist Han Geon-woo, who could act somewhat boldly toward Richard, the head of the World Awakener Association, behaved cautiously around her.

That’s because even combined with his age before his regression, Han Geon-woo was still younger than Shin Han-ji.
Moreover, unlike Richard, who sometimes engages in underhanded schemes, Shin Han-ji was a figure far removed from corruption, which earned her respect.

Knock, knock.

As Shin Han-ji was thinking this in her office, someone knocked at the door.

“Come in.”
“Excuse me, Director.”

An instructor, visibly nervous, entered the office.

“What is it?”
“Well… we’ve received protests from film production companies regarding the hiring of Chloe Greenwood as an instructor.”

“Film production companies? Ah, I see… from their perspective, it’s like losing a popular movie star.”

Shin Han-ji wondered what audacity had led a film company to protest directly to the academy.
Though she didn’t know the reason, she found it a refreshing challenge and decided to handle it personally.

“When we recruited Chloe Greenwood, I expected protests on a national level and prepared in advance, so it won’t take long.”

Though she hadn’t anticipated a protest from the film company rather than the country itself.

“All this time, they scolded Chloe for focusing on movies instead of dungeon raids, and now they’re trying to stop her from leaving the film industry? How amusing.”

Shin Han-ji quickly devised a plan to deal with the film companies.
As someone well-versed in academy politics, planning took her no time at all.

“Director?”
“Oh, you haven’t left yet?”
“Yes… I still have a report to make.”

The instructor glanced at the documents in his hand.

“The students’ parents have lodged complaints, saying we’re discriminating against their children…”

“Of course we are,” Shin Han-ji nodded as if it were obvious.

“It’s natural to distinguish between students who study diligently and train hard, and those who waste their time socializing after joining the academy.”

“But…”
“And even students who face disadvantages here still receive more benefits than students at other academies. So if they don’t like it, tell them to go somewhere else.”

Although harsh, the instructor could not deny the truth of her words.
At other academies, student cliques and factions often formed, leading to internal conflicts.
And it wasn’t even healthy competition; backroom scheming rarely contributed to real growth.

Shin Han-ji didn’t tolerate that, so she focused benefits on students who were sincere and ambitious.
Of course, if such students became corrupt, their benefits were promptly revoked.

“If protests continue for the same reason, we may even consider expelling the children of those who complain.”
“…You’re joking?”
“Do I look like someone who jokes?”

The instructor quickly shook his head.

“We’ve never had an expulsion policy, but it may be time to consider one. It might encourage students here to work diligently rather than just aiming for a diploma.”

“…Ah, I’ll discuss this at the next full instructors’ meeting. You may leave now.”
“Yes, yes!”

The instructor, sweating nervously, left the office.

Knock, knock.

“Come in~.”
“It’s me, Director.”

The head of the Swordsmanship Department entered.

“The instructor who just left looked pale. What did they say?”
“Nothing much. But I think they took bribes from the film companies and parents, so I’m considering dismissal.”
“…I see.”

The department head said nothing further; if the Director said it, there must be evidence.

“I can understand parents, but why a film company? Still, it’s Shin Han-ji’s decision…”

The department head asked, “What about me, Director?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”
“Sir Sergey from Russia is coming next year. Won’t he take over the Swordsmanship Department?”

“Oh, that’s a concern.”

The current head is also an Aura Master.
But compared to Sergey, he falls short.
So he would have to step down, as it would seem he’s claiming to be stronger than Sergey.

“Instead of making an Aura Master a regular instructor… maybe I’ll create a new department. Aura Studies. Under it, Swordsmanship, Spear Techniques… and other Aura users’ departments.”
“So Sergey becomes head of Aura Studies?”
“More like a dean than a department head.”

The head nodded. In university terms, Aura Studies would be a college, and Swordsmanship a department beneath it.

‘Not bad. It just creates a title, but nothing else changes significantly, so others will accept it.’

He would retain his position as department head—less work than a professor, plenty of prestige.

“But Director, how did you hire Sergey? He could get anything he wanted, why our academy?”

“Oh, that? Simple. We offered something even Sergey couldn’t easily get.”

“Something even he couldn’t get?”

“Sergey himself is too old to use it meaningfully, but his grandson is different.”
“…Ah, his grandson. So you agreed to be his guardian?”

Sergey is old.
Many Awakeners age slowly, and even those who age quickly live longer than ordinary humans.
Still, Sergey is one of the long-lived, and his days are limited.

“Actually, I’ve lived longer than Sergey, but I feel I’ll live for a long time unless something happens to me.”
“I see. So Sergey comes to our academy…”

Sergey wanted Shin Han-ji to be his grandson’s guardian after his passing.

“Oh, initially he hesitated at just that. But when we met in Chicago, he decided after seeing the Artist.”

Seeing the Artist influenced his decision?
The Swordsmanship Head was puzzled, but Shin Han-ji declined to elaborate.

“Not important. Shall we discuss Chloe Greenwood, our newly hired magic instructor?”
“I don’t know much about magic, so I’ll leave that to you.”

If the topic had been Aura users, he might have engaged, but wizards were another matter entirely.
With that, he quickly left the office.

Hehe… this is actually the most interesting part…

Shin Han-ji quietly smiled and looked at Chloe Greenwood’s profile.

On weekends, the academy had no formal lectures, but that didn’t mean it was empty.

Dormitory students were mostly still there.
Although the dorms allowed for freedom on weekends, many stayed due to Shin Han-ji’s meticulous care of the facilities.
Instructors also came in on weekends to supervise students.

“(Going out?)”
“(Yes, Instructor.)”
“(Return before evening. If you plan an overnight stay, notify us.)”

Even on duty, the work was minimal.
Instructors were mainly there to respond if any incidents occurred.
The shrine maiden on duty that weekend was no exception.
She walked in the park outside the dormitory, seeing off students heading out.

(Peaceful…)

Feeling the cool breeze, she sat on a bench. Some female students approached and asked:

“(Instructor, did you hear the news?)”

Since they were Japanese, the students naturally spoke Japanese.

“(What news?)”
“(An Elf has been hired as an instructor at our academy.)”
“(Oh, that? She won’t start until next year.)”

It was no secret anymore, so the shrine maiden spoke casually.

“(Really? I need to be ready for her autograph next year!)”
“(You haven’t even gotten mine, and now you want hers?)”
“(Ah… but your autograph is cheaper than the Elf’s.)”
“(……)”

The shrine maiden froze at that remark.