Chapter 17: ■■■ (4)
Killing Jo Hosik’s group helped him out just then. Without that, the urge to follow Mihailov as he left the room in a hurry would have been overwhelmingly burdensome.
But that Russian soldier was neither an element hastening the approach of the Apocalypse, nor a demon. Except for the fact that he annoyed himself, there was no reason for him to die.
This was a process of him escaping the usual slaughter. In order to get closer to a daily life, the Regressor settled his heart that had been filled with such thoughts.
That was when something tapped his arm. Turning around, he found Yeorum gesturing with her eyes, and despite saying nothing, he thought she was enjoying it more than usual due to the flushed cheeks.
At that point, there were only three people, Wei Yan, Yu Jitae and Yu Yeorum, remaining inside the office. Suddenly, Wei Yan’s watch received a message.
“There has been contact from RIL’s Legal team. They want to talk about reaching an agreement.”
He had noticed the situation flowing in a strange direction, as well as Mihailov leaving as if in an escape. Wei Yan’s voice was more cautious than before as his subtle gaze seemed to be assessing Yu Jitae.
“There’s no need for that. And we don’t need compensation either.”
“…Does that mean you wish to send it over to the Discipline Department?”
“Please do as you like. It doesn’t matter as long as there’s no downside for us.”
“Yes yes. I understand. I will take care of it to reduce rumours as much as possible. Thank you very much for ending things on a good note.”
Wei Yan gave a bow.
Since everything had been taken care of, Yu Jitae raised his body.
“Then we’ll be on our way. Yeorum, we’re going.”
“Un.”
They were about to stand up when Wei Yan quickly interrupted with his words.
“Ah by the way the interview for study group members was aborted, you see.”
“Yes.”
“But an incident is an incident while an interview is a different story. I’m asking this out of curiosity, but Cadet Yu Yeorum wished to enter the Azure Dragon study group right?”
Yu Jitae stared at Yeorum.
As if she had lost all interest, she crossed her arms, as well as her legs and was looking outside the window. Below the bob hairstyle consisting of crimson hairs, her white nape could be seen.
Now that it was mentioned, why did she attend an interview for a study group?
Yeorum remained silent.
“There were many reserve recruits but there was no-one who reached Cadet Yeorum’s level in terms of… how should I say this. Should I say expectations for the future? There weren’t many other students with that.”
“Yes.”
“When I scanned through the freshmen profiles, it seemed that there were three reserve cadets that would be joining Lair from the Yu family… If you don’t mind, would it be possible for the Azure Dragon study group to make a special offer for the three?”
He had nicely hidden the desperation behind his voice. Wei Yan’s gaze that resembled a gentleman was filled with a fluttering expectation.
Hmm… Yu Jitae touched his chin as if in contemplation and felt a rough texture of his beard. He had no intention of bothering himself by sending them to a worthless place. Thinking that, he was about to reject it but on another note, it felt like he could make use of the situation if handled properly.
“Not sure about that. I don’t know much about Lair and the Azure Dragon study group you see. To the children, it will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and time in Lair, so I’m not sure if there’s any reason for me to persuade them to stay in a study group for years.”
“If it’s regarding that, I would like to say that you can trust me with that.”
Wei Yan then started his explanation. He talked about the likes of support scholarship from the study group, recommendation from various professors, as well as his position in the media and the influence his PR team had.
“In addition, I am thinking of having Cadet Yeorum be the main face of the Azure Dragon study group, if you help us out a little. Let alone her outward appearance, her skills had also been verified to some extent, after all. Also, I have quite the power amongst the teachers and have a connection with the deputy principal, so it won’t be difficult to undergo a large-scale promotion either.”
Ma Namjoon, the deputy of Lair, was someone Yu Jitae also knew of. Being the largest education association in the entire world, countless superhumans visited Lair.
The reason was simple. Some wanted a prey, some desired fame, while there was also a social gathering of demons. Due to that, there were quite a number of demons that settled themselves at Lair and Deputy Principal Ma Namjoon was one of them. He was in fact a big shot within the large organisation of demons.
“It will be difficult to find a similar opportunity elsewhere.”
“You’re very generous.”
“That’s how much value there is inside Cadet Yu Yeorum.”
His subtle gaze connected onto Yu Jitae, who then thought for a bit.
He knew about Wei Yan outside of Lair. The actions he will carry out and the time and occasion were all things Yu Jitae remembered off his heart but he did not know about how Wei Yan was inside Lair.
Thus, he decided to ask.
“I understand Azure Dragon study group’s future. But before allying myself with an organisation, I tend to first view the people that make up the group.”
“Ah, I see.”
“What situation are you in, professor, and why are you so desperate?”
In response to his words, Wei Yan closed his lips. Then, he interlocked his fingers and buried himself in deep thought.
“It is a bit of a sensitive topic…”
“You can just tell me the things you are allowed to.”
“Hmm, with the end-of-the-year event this year at the centre, there will be a huge change.”
End-of-the-year event referred to a large ceremony which every cadet of Lair was required to attend each year.
“What sort of change is it?”
“I can’t tell you the details but… it is an extremely large change, while also being a great opportunity. Around that time, every study group and organisation within Lair will start competing against one another. I became a war hero at a very young age and a professor despite being young, but am still a hungry man. I wish to grasp that opportunity with my own hands.”
It will probably be a plan to devour the cadets. He wasn’t interested in a dream like that.
End-of-the-year event huh… thought Yu Jitae. A staff member, who had stayed at Lair for a few years, calling it large must mean that it was a relatively large event, and was something he had to look into.
Like always, a pandemonium will occur with approaching opportunity and with tons of eyes, it will also be a decent spot to decorate one’s last breath.
Wei Yan carefully asked.
“Then, can I see this as the Yu household’s agreement of a later contact?”
“…Who knows.”
“Sorry?”
“It appears good to me, but I think the opinions of those directly involved are more important. I am but a guardian, after all.”
“Ah, haha. That’s true. Then, our dear Miss Yeorum. Can you help this professor out a bit?”
“I don’t want to.”
It felt like a bucket of icy cold water had been emptied.
“…Eh? You don’t want to?”
“Why should I bother persuading them? I’m not even going to be entering myself.”
There was still a faint smile on Wei Yan’s face, but Yu Jitae also felt something cracking inside his heart.
“Ha, haha. Why did you suddenly change your mind I wonder…”
Making the same expression made by kind people when they were troubled, Wei Yan scratched his hair, along with his voice going, “Haha, haa… seriously”.
“……Wait, ahh, I got it. Is it because of Sophia?”
“What?”
“If you are being mindful of spending time with Sophia Vorkova together at the study group, nn, this professor understands as well. There was also a statement from that side wishing for a good result, but if you want to enter, although regretful I can postpone Sophia till later.”
Regretfulness dripped out of his voice. Although Sophia was less skilled than Yeorum, she had quite the fame due to her association with RIL despite her appearance as a cold beauty. He was saying that he would give up on a person like that for Yeorum.
However, Yeorum was stern.
“No. That’s not it so you can just accept her in.”
“Wait, wait. Then why did you come for an interview in the first place?”
Yu Jitae was also curious about this. Well, for some reason, he thought that the answer would be obvious without asking.
“I was lying on my bed.”
“Yes, and?”
“And got bored… so I wanted to fight a bit.”
And it was as expected.
“…No, think, think one more time at least. This is an opportunity, a huge opportunity!”
“…”
“Usually guardians lower their heads and carry bags of gifts with goodwill. Cadet Yeorum, think well. Look. Even right now, it’s the same outside.”
Wei Yan pointed at the door, most likely talking about the outside of the building.
“There are reporters there. To hear a few words of my opinion regarding the incident today, a dozen or so reporters from different countries are in wait, and it’s been more than thirty minutes since we chatted inside the office right? Those people are waiting just for a few words from the Azure Dragon study group and I, Wei Yan. This is a place like that. Do you understand?”
“Ah, whatever. I said I’m not going to do it. Whatever~”
“You, you. Later, you will regret it for sure. Frankly speaking, do you think you will ever receive a spotlight like this again while living in Lair?”
His voice turned slightly louder, and Yu Jitae interjected.
“It is unfortunate. We will be on our way then.”
“Ah, wait, mister guardian. Let’s have a bit more chat. If you’re like this, it will become difficult for us to help each other throughout our time at Lair.”
Since sweet words didn’t work, he was relying on a light threat. When Yu Jitae stood up from his seat, Yeorum followed suit and as if chasing after them, Wei Yan walked alongside Yu Jitae.
“Here, is an integrated world. With those people outside right now, I can say one more good word to the reporters, and also might not.”
“I see.”
“You know the media is about image right? When you’re still not known, you need to build up your image at the start to make it easier to move around later on, you know? Although it might sound like I’m boasting, you can feel what it’s like judging from how they came to visit me right?”
“I know very well.”
“Sorry?”
While Wei Yan was making a blank expression, Yu Jitae walked forth and pushed the door open.
“Ah, they came out!”
“This is CT France. Regarding the bloodshed that occurred two hours ago…”
“KBC here! You have entered the trending topics of the day. Are you really a proud citizen of Korea?”
“A simple interview at least…!”
But something unexpected occurred. Reporters, who Wei Yan thought were for himself, surrounded Yeorum and started asking a barrage of questions.
“What’s wrong with these people?”
Despite seeing reporters for the first time, Yeorum was not nervous at all. In fact, it appeared like she was angered by the reporters that approached in an oppressive manner.
“Step aside!”
But the reporters remained aggressive.
“A question from NSS! Was there an animosity with Sophia Vorkova from the start?”
“Is there perhaps anything you would like to say regarding this incident?”
It seemed like they formed a tent, as they blocked Yu Jitae and Yeorum front the front.
“Ah, what’s wrong with you people? Don’t block the road and go ask there!”
Then, she pointed at Wei Yan. When Yu Jitae threw a stealthy glance, he found Wei Yan forming a frown as if he couldn’t understand what was happening. Was that the expression of a fisher that let a huge catch escape in front of his eyes?
Seeing that made him feel quite pleased.
Walking in front of Yeorum, Yu Jitae gestured with his hands to have the reporters move off but those who had seen Yeorum’s face from up close lost half of their mind as they blankly ignored Yu Jitae’s gesture, regardless or gender.
That was when a camera with a fluttering Korean flag approached right up close next to her face.
“Miss Yu Yeorum! Currently, Miss Yeorum’s interview session is going viral on Korean internet community and the likes! Why did you apply for the Azure Dragon study group, and what are you planning to do there?!”
Yeorum, who was startledly forced to a sudden stop in the middle of her walk, crumpled her expression in the blink of an eye. Her expression that appeared to be seconds away exploding soon calmed down. Her lips, that murmured, “What am I planning to do there?” were bent into a mischievous smile.
Yu Jitae, who knew the facial expressions of the red race, was pondering whether he should block her mouth or not, when she mischievously shouted.
“Sex!”
He should’ve blocked her mouth.