I Possessed a Broken Academy Instructor

Chapter 48

As Jin Crow descended beneath the instructor’s quarters, he caught sight of several instructors who had also heard the screams, along with the back of Assistant Instructor Ginatio, who was smoking a cigarette.

“Instructor, this is…”

“Indeed.”

Jin Crow nodded without bothering to say much more.

He wasn’t asking what had happened.

He wasn’t a fool.

He simply believed that if anything were to be done, it would be most certain if Instructor Jin Crow took action himself, and so he inquired.

“Location?”

“Close.”

“Go ahead and assess the situation first.”

“Yes, Instructor.”

Lieutenant Ginatio nodded immediately to his command and swiftly separated the space, heading rapidly toward the source of the screams.

Meanwhile, Jin Crow, without even glancing at the soldiers who had just arrived, slipped on the leather gloves he had momentarily set aside to attend to his duties and spoke.

“Follow me. I’ll go myself to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances.”

“Yes, yes! Understood! Instructor!”

The greatest possibility swirling in Jin Crow’s mind was the Empire, the Red Hand, or perhaps a third force.

Isn’t the justification ample enough?

‘How dare they touch the totem meant for Baek Hwi-young’s mental care…’

There is no totem as certain as Miel Anver.

Though Baek Hwi-young had sown countless romantic entanglements throughout the story, his final love was always Miel Anver.

Of course, he had no interest in such trivial love affairs.

Survival comes first.

He had no intention of dying gracefully while reminiscing about how happy they were, saying something cliché like, “We were truly happy, my dear,” as the creature legion bore down on him in his twilight years.

In any case, whether he had been caught while merely playing the role of a spy or while attempting to recruit or abduct a precious support cadet, one thing was certain: that man’s life hung by a thread.

There is a common misconception.

Hidden behind the facade of being an instructor at the military academy, most of them are special officers who have experienced the Third Galactic War.

In fact, perhaps the reason why most citizens of the Synthesized States, including soldiers, do not feel a sense of crisis, even though they are aware of the formidable enemy known as the Creatures, is precisely because of this.

‘Because it’s a world riddled with war.’

One generation endures war, and based on the sacrifices of that generation, the next enjoys a brief and uncertain peace.

This has become the common sense of the world.

It’s not strange, really.

Even in the original world he lived in, hadn’t the subsequent generations enjoyed peace and progress at the cost of several generations’ blood?

Perhaps human history inevitably feeds on the blood of its people to grow.

“……”

But the one who welcomed Jin Crow, who had swallowed a sip from a hip flask containing the components of a stimulant, with the intent to use force if necessary, was not a spy from the Empire or a terrorist from the Red Hand.

“……So.”

Lieutenant Ginatio, washing his face dry while avoiding eye contact. And there stood Dokgo Ran, scratching his head, unsure of what to do, alongside Miel Anver, who was at a loss.

It wasn’t just the three of them.

There was also Hino Kanae and Famiyu Dimejea, both wearing expressions that clearly suggested they had been caught trying to flee. And……

“Shangs Mavre, despite Miel Anber’s rejection, continued to cast persistent glances. In response, the cadet Dokoran sought to intervene…”

As Jin Crow slowly lowered his gaze, he caught sight of Shangs Mavre, half of his face a grotesque mass, writhing like a lump of dough.

“…So this is what you’ve turned into, a bloody mess.”

“Yes! Indeed!”

Jin Crow stared at Dokoran, whose face glowed with pride as if he were a hero, before closing his eyes and calling over the quietly standing Deputy Instructor Ginatio.

“Instructor.”

“Yes, sir.”

“First, inform the military police, and after assessing the situation, report back.”

“Yes, understood.”

Yet, this time, he could not issue a demerit.

After all, it wouldn’t be a lie.

Shangs Mavre. No matter what, how could one forget him?

He had no intention of defending the wretch.

‘Still, it seems he’s saved his life this time.’

Perhaps, being beaten by Dokoran was a better choice for his survival.

Jin Crow slightly turned his head, contemplating as he gazed at Baek Hui-young, who silently glared at Shangs Mavre.

‘In the original, he dies at the hands of Baek Hui-young. A most brutal end, too.’

He was, in essence, the so-called ‘early villain.’

For reference, Baek Hui-young was not the kind of person to grant a merciful death to those who dared to touch Miel.

It was no wonder that a sympathy movement arose among some readers.

Of course, it was only a handful.

“Ugh…”

“Tsk.”

Shangs Mavre was led away by the hands of the soldiers on site, and Jin Crow spoke to Baek Hui-young, who was gnawing at his lips.

“Whatever it may be, you must have been shocked, so stay close. And, Deputy Instructor.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Just in case, keep a tight lid on things during the investigation.”

“Understood.”

This was a necessary measure for Miel as well.

Within the academy, no retaliation could be taken against Miel Anber, but the problem lay with his family.

The Former House of Marbre.

The Current House of Marbre.

Though merely a baroncy, a lowly rank even among the empire’s nobility, the Marbre family, with their single planetary domain, is a lineage that, when the eldest son brings disgrace upon himself, will unconditionally cast blame upon others rather than face the truth.

‘Surely, they will seek revenge in some form. Thanks to that, Baek Hwi-young has had quite the headache.’

So, what did Baek Hwi-young do?

…Ah.

The moment they were invaded by the creatures, he unleashed an orbital bombardment.

Just one shot.

Precisely aimed at the Marbre estate.

As a result, I recall there was a time he was demoted and forced to serve in white robes.

‘Still, this time it won’t escalate to such extremes.’

Whether the Marbre family is a disgrace or still clings to their noble trash ways, the moment they entangled with the Doggo clan, their fate was likely sealed.

If they wished to live, that is.

The Doggo family is one of the true noble houses of the Synthesized Nation, far beyond the reach of a mere former baron.

‘Thanks to that, I avoided Baek Hwi-young’s interrogation, so I suppose I should offer a gift in return.’

Jin Crow let out a derisive chuckle as he watched Shangs Marbre being dragged away.

‘No need to dirty Baek Hwi-young’s hands further.’

Whether he liked it or not, for now, he had to nurture the situation delicately.

Jin Crow gazed at the receding figure of Shangs Marbre and made a decision.

If he was destined to vanish from the academy in any case, wouldn’t it be mutually beneficial to preserve his life?

Jin Crow firmly believed that this was indeed the path for the academy and its cadets.

*

“It’s all a misunderstanding.”

After regaining his senses, Shangs Marbre testified that it was merely a ‘clumsy expression of interest,’ but thanks to the thorough recording by the hidden Pamiu, his words lost all credibility.

However, Pamiu could not explain why, upon seeing Miel Anber head towards the instructor’s office, he immediately followed and began recording.

“This, this is all slander!”

Seeing a hint in that, Shangs Marbre instead claimed that Miel Anber had seduced him and that Pamiu’s faction conspired to frame him.

Yet, having been dragged to the military police without even recovering his lost teeth, his pronunciation was so poor that his message barely got through.

Of course, even with clear pronunciation, the outcome would have been the same.

“There are many writings on the academy’s blind board that tarnish your character, Shangs Marbre.”

The whispers of Shans Mavre and his gang had already spread like shadows, ensnaring him in their grip.

They might think they had been discreet, but let’s be honest—cadets are no fools, and those who provoke others are not likely to be met with kindness, even if they provoke a little less.

Moreover, when the ‘anonymous tipster seeking justice’ found its way into the hands of Jin Crow, the tide began to turn swiftly.

“On his home planet, he was notorious for blatant misconduct and lewd behavior, extortion, habitual violence, and a multitude of complaints and accusations… Tsk, there’s no worth in reading further.”

“Th-that’s… How could…”

The behavior of Shans Mavre was so disgraceful that one could only wonder how he had managed to evade detection until now.

It was painfully obvious.

Whether he had greased palms or threatened the local soldiers, he had surely scrubbed his past clean.

A single mistake could be forgiven.

After all, everyone makes mistakes.

Yet, he was the sort to endlessly lament being ‘slandered,’ even when the evidence and suspicions laid bare the reason why Shans Mavre was irredeemably trash.

Surely, he deserved some consideration to rest in the good lands and waters of his homeland.

“Cadet Shans Mavre, expelled.”

“Y-you can’t do this! I-I am of noble blood!”

“If you cherish your noble status so much, go lick the feet of the elves. Who knows, they might even let you sit on a chair.”

“…B-but Instructor Jin Crow, even so…”

The words spat out by Jin Crow at the disciplinary committee and the harsh punishment he proposed were ripe for controversy, yet amusingly, due to his usual reputation and the faint whispers of his past, it hardly stirred any significant trouble.

“Expelled? Isn’t that a bit excessive?”

“I heard Instructor Jin Crow insisted strongly. He claimed it would be better for a noble like Shans Mavre.”

“…Of all people, a turncoat noble, and it seems he’s particularly furious that you touched a cadet attending his lectures.”

“Well, would the headmaster tolerate such behavior? What a foolish man, tsk.”

“Not that I feel sorry for him. Those from the Empire are like that.”

One need not roll in the battlefield for twenty years; simply being immersed in the ‘Empire is bad’ doctrine ingrained in the education of the United Human Synthesis Nation is enough to become an Empire racist for life.

Especially towards the elves, who dominate the ranks of their knights and constantly spew words like ‘inferior races’ and ‘subhuman.’

The only reason Shans Mavre had managed to stay at the Central Special Officer Academy until now was due to the solid backing of a small faction that had pushed him as a rookie, and the fact that he was a third-generation human turncoat noble.

“From now on, the reputation of that family will end as it is.”

“Self-inflicted, indeed.”

Of course, that would end with Shans Mavre’s generation.

“…”

In the end, Shans Mavre had no choice but to leave the Central Special Officer Academy, shunned by all.

“To the very end, how ugly it is, eh?”

“Lan, you are under probation, aren’t you?”

“Well, for now, that’s what they say.”

In contrast, Dokgo Ran and Hino Kanae wore expressions of clarity.

The cadets were not fools.

While they might not have sensed the subtle intent to assassinate, they had certainly caught the sinister glances directed their way long ago.

“Miss, if you commanded us…”

“Enough. If we are to draw swords against such a lowly scoundrel, how could the way of the warrior stand tall?”

“Indeed…!”

Of course, if one were to listen to Hino Kanae’s conversations with her guards, one might wonder just how many lives Shangs Mavre had already been spared.

“…It’s because of me. I’m sorry.”

“What for? By the way, Miel, can you not fight at all?”

“Uh, um? Well, that is…”

“That won’t do. A strong body must house a strong mind. This cannot continue. From now on, every morning…”

Meanwhile, Miel had been properly caught by Dokgo Ran, yet Baek Hwi-young’s mind was a tangled mess.

‘This is absolutely not a matter that warrants expulsion.’

He could be certain based on past experiences.

Shangs Mavre had faced the disciplinary committee before, and even the harshest penalties had only resulted in a mere repeat year.

But this time, it was cut like a knife.

…A petition for justice, you say?

Rather, it felt as if there was malice within, a desire to drag Shangs Mavre down by any means necessary.

And Baek Hwi-young could easily deduce who was behind it without needing to look too closely.

‘Jin Crow.’

…What, exactly, are you trying to achieve with these actions?

Baek Hwi-young wanted nothing more than to confront him and ask again, but time had already slipped away.

“Vacation time!”

Like Dokgo Ran’s cheerful shout, the first break had arrived.