Rank Removed From Now On (2)

Peng Jin-ah.

A person with the grandiose nickname [Overlord Sword].

She was strong enough to reach the pinnacle as an A-rank Hunter.
She independently created and mastered an Epic grade skill called [Overlord Sword Technique].

But she was frustrated by the wall of S-rank, the realm beyond the heavens.
Afterwards, she accepted a position as an Academy professor to find a new path and came here.

It was certainly an excellent story.

Most of the ‘close combat’ professors expressed affection due to her background, outstanding skills, and attractive appearance.

But they did not know.
Peng Jin-ah rarely formed parties, so her interpersonal skills weren’t well known.

―Professor Peng Jin-ah. How about a cup of tea after class today…?
―I refuse. I have no hobby of chatting amiably with women.
―Professor Peng Jin-ah. Let’s go hiking this weekend to get to know each other…
―I think it would be more beneficial to practice instead.

Actually, this wasn’t because Peng Jin-ah was rude or something, but most of the time, misunderstandings arose due to the lack of sociability.

If she had explained herself more, there wouldn’t have been a problem.

Her rough manner of speaking made interpersonal relationships awkward.

Eventually, she became known among the professors as a person with a tough personality.

Still, because she was talented and didn’t abuse her power, no one expressed dissatisfaction when she ranked second place.

The problem arises here.

The entrance exam this time.

[Snow Ice] Moon Bora.
The appearance of an unexpected talent called Ma Hana.

Lastly, there was this newcomer who appeared like a comet, Yu Seha.

Anyone would be amazed by the beautiful appearance and brilliant talent of this character.

There were even rumors that this person possessed an amazing <Class> of some sort.

It was said that if a professor specializing in close combat saw him, they would immediately want to take him as their exclusive disciple.

So everyone was just drooling over him…
Then suddenly, Peng Jin-ah made a bombshell statement.

―Cadet Yu Seha is mine. Do not touch him.

It was a command without any additional explanation.

From Peng Jin-ah’s perspective, Yu Seha was clearly an outstanding talent that she should teach.

To continuously apologize to him, it was only logical to make him her exclusive disciple, so she spoke without much thought.

But this became the catalyst for the resentment that had been slowly building up against her to explode.

Naturally, there was backlash here and there.

Chairman Lee said, “…Well, you all decide among yourselves.“ quite irresponsibly, and upon hearing this news, Peng Jin-ah gathered everyone.

Thud!

“Kwak!”

A clean straight punch landed on an unknown professor’s jaw.

Peng Jin-ah’s main skill was, of course, swordsmanship.

But just because she didn’t have a sword didn’t mean she was weak.

She knew how to use most martial arts.

The skills she had honed in real battles with monsters overwhelmed the other professors.

In the end, it was obvious that she would be the final victor.

In the process, she did get bruised from a hit by the professor in charge of [Hunter’s Sparring Match].

But such a wound was nothing compared to the glory of victory.

Thus, except for Peng Jin-ah, no one could approach Yu Seha and his party.

This was the reality of why there was no contact with the trio for three days.

‘By the way, I also registered Ma Hana and Snow Ice together.’

Seeing their close relationship, Peng Jin-ah thought it was necessary.

No matter the age difference.
Even if they were in a teacher-student relationship.
Being alone with Yu Seha… was incredibly uncomfortable for her to be with a young man.

“So, let’s proceed with the position registration from now on…”
“W-wait a moment!”

The one who raised her hand at Peng Jin-ah’s words was none other than Moon Bora.

She revealed her bewilderment at the hasty atmosphere.

“What is it, Cadet Moon Bora?”
“I-I heard that cadets have the basic right to refuse when forming a team. The same goes for course registration.”

At those words, Peng Jin-ah felt a slight twinge of realization.

‘…I forgot.’

Right. There was such a crappy rule.
Given the fierce competition, it was a provision set up to prevent any undue harm to cadets.

Ahem! Moon Bora slowly continued to speak.

“I am not doubting the Professor’s judgment. However… I am not yet willing to form a team with anyone. Also, you said you would be in charge of us during the training… I’m not doubting your guidance abilities, but I think we might not be compatible.”

Moon Bora’s words were quite reasonable.

Except for Ma Hana or Yu Seha.

She belonged to the typical “magic” path under the [Special] category.

It was better to be under a professor who handles magic than under Peng Jin-ah, who specialized in close combat.

“Indeed, that is a reasonable point. Fine. If you wish, it can be changed. Cadet Moon Bora is excellent, so anyone would want her.”
“Th-then–”
“But I have already given three names to the Chairman.”
“Wh-what?!”
“It should be fine until the second week, but there might be complications in the third week match. If we’re unlucky, these two might be eliminated due to a lack of participants. If you’re okay with that, you can leave.”

After finishing her words, Peng Jin-ah smiled brightly.
Of course, such a thing wouldn’t happen.
Just in case, she had assessed and kept the number of cadets in reserve for any unforeseen variables.

But only the professor, Peng Jin-ah, knew this fact.
No matter how much information she had, Cadet Moon Bora wouldn’t know.

Here, Yu Seha and Ma Hana’s actions also played a part.

Each of them grabbed her arms and looked at her with sorrowful eyes.

“…Bora, Bora. Are you going to abandon us?”
“…Bora. We made up yesterday… Are you really going to leave Seha and me behind?”
“…Ugh!”

Moon Bora was startled by the two people’s pitiful gazes(?)
In the end, she raised a white flag.

“…Alright. I get it! Let’s team up, the three of us. Team!”
“Yay~”
“Woohoo~”

Peng Jin-ah watched this scene with a satisfied smile.
She clapped her hands lightly, looking at the watch on her wrist, to draw attention.

“Then, we’ll conclude this morning’s briefing here. Everyone, have a hearty lunch and prepare for the physical training class in the afternoon–”

Bang!

It was at that moment.
A sound that seemed to interrupt Peng Jin-ah’s words filled the training room.

“E-excuse me!”

A hurried voice followed.
The owner of the voice was none other than a red-haired woman.
The girl, who appeared to be around the same age as Moon Bora, was drenched in sweat as if she had been running breathlessly until now.

The sound of her panting breaths echoed through her neatly tied red side ponytail.

A striking beauty with a lively demeanor and amber eyes stood out.

“You are…”

Peng Jin-ah looked at her with a startled expression, seemingly recognizing her.

She had a look that said, ‘Why is this kid here?’
This was the same for Yu Seha, who was watching.

‘Wow, this scam character…’

…is here.

The woman, who had taken a deep breath, soon trembled with a face as red as her hair.

Rather than being angry, she looked at Peng Jin-ah with eyes full of deep grievance.

Her name was Ju Na-young.

Like Yu Seha, Moon Bora, and Ma Hana, she was an outstanding student who entered [Gonis Hunter Academy] with nearly perfect scores.

In terms of overall evaluation, she was a talent aiming for the top and second place, even higher than the three.

The reason such an amazing person had come all the way here.

It was because of Peng Jin-ah right in front of her.

“…Ju Na-young. What on earth is this?”
“I apologize for the sudden rudeness! But still, I have to hear this!”

Ju Na-young, who had been glancing at Yu Seha, continued to speak.

“I-I heard that Professor Peng Jin-ah is planning to designate that man as her exclusive disciple! Is that true?”

“…Did another professor say that? Loose lips bastards.”

Peng Jin-ah sighed and gave a brief nod.

Ju Na-young’s eyes began to tremble at those words.

As if a dog, whose treat was snatched right in front of its nose, feeling a pang in its heart, drooped.

Whimper!

With tears welling up in her eyes…
She really looked like an abandoned puppy.

“Wh-why, why not me?! I entered the Academy following you, Professor! You know that I have worked harder than anyone to become your exclusive disciple!”

“…Ju Na-young. That perspective is not that of a professor and a cadet, but rather the personal one of an older sister and younger sibling. I have never once said that I would take you as a disciple…”

“I still can’t forget it! The image of Professor appearing in front of me, who was trapped in that high-rise building!”

Ju Na-young still remembered it vividly.

The back of Peng Jin-ah, who flew in like a black meteor shower and saved her.

16 years ago.
It was the story of when she was a 5-year-old kid.
A ‘Break Out’ caused by an unknown reason turned the city into a wasteland.
Separated from the guards who were protecting her, she was trapped in a building and faced with the threat of a monster.

At that moment, trembling and helplessly shedding tears, Peng Jin-ah, who was active in her career, appeared.

“I still remember it clearly. Rings on every finger, a black hood, and an eye patch on one eye. And for some reason, she covered her face with a black cloak and said, ‘Oh my, oh my,’ in that iconic scene!”

“…?!?!”

At the bombshell statement, Peng Jin-ah’s mouth dropped open.

“Th-that’s enough! Ju Na-young–”

“No! I won’t stop! I’ll always remember it! The words you left me when you saved me became my hope! ’Girl… rise and seize life–”

“Stop, stop!!!”

At Peng Jin-ah’s outburst, Yu Seha, who was watching, smiled bitterly.

‘…Ah, the Professor had times like that too.’

As far as Yu Seha knew, Peng Jin-ah was 30 years old this year.

Ju Na-young, according to the setting, was the same age as Moon Bora, 21 years old.

Doing the math, it was a story from when Peng Jin-ah was exactly 14 years old.

‘…It’s a case of eighth-grader syndrome.’

It wasn’t strange, considering she was in the midst of puberty.
Rather, her image, which was once stiff, is now softened with a touch of cuteness.

Yu Seha looked at her as if finding her cute.
Peng Jin-ah’s face gradually turned red, noticing that gaze.

“Ju Na-young! Go back now!”
“P-Professor!”
“Go back!”

At her harsh words, Ju Na-young started trembling more.

Her tearful eyes finally burst into tears, and she started shedding bead-like tears.

“Just wait and see! I will prove that I deserve to be your exclusive disciple!”

Then she sharply turned her head toward Yu Seha.

Straightening her shoulders and back, she pointed her finger as if making a rival’s declaration.

“You there! I have no personal grudge, but… just wait! I’ll prove that I’m the right talent to stand by Professor Peng Jin-ah’s side!!”

Uh, um.

“…You can just stand next to me?”
“What?!”

This flustered Peng Jin-ah.

“…Y-you! Don’t pity me!!”

Ju Na-young was getting angry while uttering strange vocalizations.

Yu Seha gave a slight chuckle at their appearance.
And pity?
Toward Ju Na-young of all people?

‘If it’s her, she can prove herself well.’

The Ju Na-young he knew was a character with that much strength.

A moment later.

―At the physical training this afternoon, I’ll show my strength there!

Shouted Ju Na-young as she stormed out.

“…Haa.”

Peng Jin-ah let out a small sigh and, looking at Yu Seha’s group, lowered her head.

“I’m sorry. It’s my fault for not explaining it properly.”
“It’s alright. But… if she wants it that badly, can’t she just take the class together with us?”

There was no rule saying a professor could only have one exclusive disciple.

Of course, generally, it was customary to maintain just one.

It seemed that the origin, you see, was not something that could be split in half and shared.

Peng Jin-ah shook her head at the question.

“…Demanding that child is too much, even for me. Besides, who knows, they might end up fighting with weapons this time.”

Yu Seha tilted his head at the incomprehensible words.
Peng Jin-ah, who had been clearing her throat, clapped her hands softly.

“Anyway, the morning roll call is dismissed with this.”

The first week of training begins after lunch.

“Everyone, go have your meals. Dismissed!”