I Possessed a Broken Academy Instructor

Chapter 43

The theory exam with Jin Crow had concluded around 2 PM.

In contrast, the time he had summoned them to the central arena for the practical was set for 4 PM.

……Two hours hung in the air.

Thus, it was hardly surprising that the cadets naturally gathered in groups, beginning to chatter amongst themselves.

Their interests were twofold.

“What will happen to Walker?”

“Well, will he really get expelled? Since he was caught midway, the worst he might face is just a repeat year.”

“Not that I feel sorry for him… Well, it’s his own karma.”

The first was curiosity about the punishment that would befall Walker Bertrand, who had been dragged away.

The second was anxiety about how the upcoming practical would unfold.

“It’ll be in the training grounds, right? Jin Crow’s lectures are all about fighting against creatures, aren’t they?”

“I think so too.”

The first to speak from Group 2 were Pamiu and Kanae, who had been sipping their respective black and green teas, as if they had a silent agreement.

They exchanged glances while adhering to their own tea rituals, resembling a gathering of common medieval noblewomen at a tea party.

“Making a fuss over a two-dollar snack from the store…”

Of course, to an outsider, it would seem like nothing more than a ridiculous spectacle.

At Dokoran’s words, Pamiu and Kanae shot her a sidelong glare, but Beatus and Baek Hui-young, who were nearby, felt a sense of relief wash over them.

“Shut it, Ran.”

“Ugh-!”

“I agree.”

That didn’t mean they would stop Dokoran’s mouth from being forcibly shut, however.

As Dokoran was swiftly silenced, the gazes of the two boys, Beatus and Baek Hui-young, naturally met.

“What do you think?”

“……Me?”

“You seem to have a keen interest in creatures.”

The first to speak was not Baek Hwi-young, but Beatus. After a moment of contemplation, Baek Hwi-young finally opened her mouth.

“Well, I think the same. It doesn’t make sense unless it’s a simulation, right?”

Her opinion was not far removed from that of the others.

Of course.

As they had said, they were teaching how to deal with creatures—was there any other alternative?

Yet Beatus, seemingly harboring a different thought, shook his signature platinum hair slightly askew and replied.

“Then, isn’t there no reason to divide into groups?”

“Well, maybe they want us to catch phones in groups or something.”

At his words, the previously tight-lipped Dokgo-ran responded curtly.

Her comment seemed casually tossed out, but given the nature of the central training ground, where multiple people could enter, it was a possibility worth considering.

However, the most crucial point remained, and after a brief moment of thought, Beatus spoke again.

“Then why did they call us to the central dueling arena?”

“Uh?”

“……That’s true. The central training ground and the dueling arena are located in completely opposite directions.”

Only then did the other four, excluding Beatus, realize something was amiss and exchanged glances.

“…….”

“……Is there anyone else thinking the same as me right now?”

A wave of unease washed over them.

In particular, Baek Hwi-young began to ponder something with an even more serious expression.

Was that atmosphere unfamiliar to them?

Or perhaps uncomfortable.

Dokgo-ran, revealing her slightly protruding fangs in a grin, spoke up.

“Come on, you don’t think they actually brought a real creature here, do you? Hahaha!”

“……Isn’t that possible?”

“Yeah. No matter how I think about it, that’s a bit….”

Even though Dokgo-ran usually made light of things, this time everyone had to concede.

Even Baek Hwi-young.

And it made sense; he knew that training dummies could be made from creatures, but that was something he learned only after becoming a second-year student.

In other words, at this point, it was an idea that not even Professor Lilian had considered, let alone implemented.

‘No way. Even if the instructor’s actions are suspicious…’

He blinked his ashen eyes, lost in thought.

Surely, it couldn’t be true.

Yet, as two hours slipped by and the cadets gathered in groups at the central training arena, they were met with a singular realization.

“This practical exam is simple.”

That was the truth: Instructor Jin Crow was even more unhinged than they had anticipated.

“You must endure against a training dummy crafted from a creature for ten minutes. Additionally, those who manage to incapacitate it will receive bonus points and rewards. This is a special opportunity granted to our exceptional talents, so take it to heart and engage with gratitude.”

And in that moment, the cadets beheld it.

The corners of Jin Crow’s expressionless mouth were, without a doubt, curling upwards.

*

“…Um, Instructor.”

“What is it?”

“…Nothing, really.”

Sub-instructor GiNatio regarded him with a look of sheer disbelief, or rather, his gaze fell upon the five creature training dummies standing ominously behind him.

Where to even begin with this?

Just the other day, when he had only heard whispers of it, he had been uncertain, but now he was certain.

Instructor Jin Crow was most reassuring when he remained silent.

‘No wonder he’s been bustling about lately.’

It was then that—

“Jin Crow!!”

Sub-instructor GiNatio, having caught wind of the news, rushed in, his expression unusually grave as he spotted Ideale entering the arena.

“H-Honorable Headmaster.”

“…Sigh.”

She stared blankly at the training dummy made from creature specimens, as if struck dumb.

What could one say?

A look of incredulity was etched across her face.

-Crunch, crun-crunch.

“Truth be told, the sound isn’t necessary, but I added it for realism.”

“That’s the right attitude, Professor Lilian.”

“What can I say? It’s all thanks to the instructor.”

Moreover, listening to the exchange between Instructor Jin Crow and Professor Lilian felt, quite literally, like a spike in blood pressure.

Perhaps it is not merely a matter of feeling.

In truth, Ideale’s pale skin had flushed a deep crimson.

Watching her, the sub-instructor, Ginatio, rolled his eyes and spoke cautiously.

“Shouldn’t we intervene now?”

There was some merit to Ginatio’s words.

To put it bluntly, even if she had given her permission, it seemed she would only create something akin to a training tool resembling a creature.

But that was not just any creature.

“Poppy. Sit.”

– Krrr-rrr.

“……Poppy?”

However, upon witnessing the creature immediately obeying Professor Lilian’s command, Ideale felt a dissonance and fell silent.

At that moment, Jin Crow, who had discovered her a bit late, approached along with Professor Lilian.

“Welcome, Headmaster.”

“Ah, this is… Hello. I am Professor Lilian.”

Ideale blinked her distinctive white eyes, taking in the two of them.

Perhaps sending both of them to the detention hall right now would be a better choice for the future of this academy.

…Such was her contemplation.

Yet, having ultimately given up, she let out a short sigh and asked Jin Crow.

“Is it dangerous?”

“Of course not.”

He nodded, seemingly confident, his voice flat yet assured.

Yes, no matter what, they wouldn’t throw something uncontrollable at the cadets.

Having thought that far, she soon scanned the central training hall.

‘The support cadets are categorized separately, and Professor Lilian has even come to lead a team to assist.’

For now, her mind began to cool, and it seemed this training was not entirely reckless.

Even so, she could not feel at ease.

Because of that, Ideale gazed into Jin Crow’s dark eyes, uncertain of his thoughts, and spoke.

“I intend to observe; that should be alright, yes?”

“Certainly. Then may we begin the practical exercises soon?”

Though it took the form of a question, it was little more than a declaration.

She nodded, and soon Jin Crow scanned the cadets gathered in their groups before speaking.

“Group One.”

“Ah, yes!”

“Prepare yourselves.”

At his words, the five cadets, who had been frozen in place, exchanged glances before stepping forward.

Swish—.

Jin Crow turned his gaze to Lilian, who sat on a makeshift chair—one she must have brought without anyone noticing—puffing on a cigarette while Naomi conducted a final inspection of the training dummies with various equipment.

“Begin!”

“Yes, Professor.”

In that moment, Group One, now inside the training hall, gripped their weapons tightly, eyes fixed on the creature before them.

—Kyaaa!

The roar nearly made them drop their weapons in shock, but they were, after all, the elite of the elite, cadets from the Central Special Operations Academy.

“Spread out!”

With that command, the battle commenced, and their expressions shifted in unison.

The martial arts cadets, each wielding their specialized gear, charged across the vast expanse of the training ground.

—Crrrreeeak!

The creature, Von, cast a chilling gaze over the cadets, and soon it swung its massive spear as if it were still alive.

However, upon witnessing this, Jin Crow could only click his tongue in disappointment.

‘Remarkably slow.’

Having faced Von directly, he understood.

He had already discussed it with Lilian, but to perfectly replicate the creature in just three weeks was an impossible feat.

‘Well, just the fact that it was created…’

Jin Crow shifted his gaze slightly, observing Professor Lilian, who lay back in her chair, her horn-rimmed glasses askew, oblivious to everything as she continued to smoke.

“Wow, Poppy, fight on.”

Though she appeared to be out of her mind, her abilities were undeniably real.

Given that the work had begun ahead of schedule, perhaps…

Kwaaang!

His thoughts were abruptly cut short.

Not even three minutes into the practical exam, all members of Group One had been eliminated.

“Ugh…”

“Mad, mad.”

“How can we… overcome that?”

The murmurs, laced with the frustration of the cadets, echoed through the training hall, while the other groups, waiting in anticipation, gazed at the creature with disbelief.

“…It seems stronger than the simulations?”

“When it attacks, its movements are at a triple gear level. Insane.”

Honestly, the more they learned about the creature’s danger, the more they found themselves dismissing it.

Though they had never faced it directly, cramming others’ knowledge into their minds made them feel as if they understood the opponent intimately.

Even if they lost every time in the simulations, there lingered a vague hope: ‘Wouldn’t it be different when facing a real weapon?’

“Support team.”

“Yes, yes!”

But as they watched the five support cadets, previously exempted, bustling about to treat the injured members of Team One, reality struck them hard.

…The creature is stronger than expected.

And just as that thought began to linger among the cadets, a voice cut through the tension.

“What are we doing?”

Jin Crow spoke in a calm yet still blunt tone.

“Team Two, move up.”

At the end of his gaze lay the very stars’ riders, poised for confrontation.