I Possessed a Broken Academy Instructor

Chapter 59

Free Planet Alliance, Capital City Mercato.

“Wow….”

The Free Planet Alliance is, aside from the enemy Empire, the most familiar foreign land to the citizens of the United Human Federation, yet surprisingly few have actually set foot here.

In a way, it’s only natural.

How many planets make up the United Human Federation, and how many colonial worlds are treated as quasi-federations?

There’s little reason to go through the complicated procedures and even obtain a passport just to visit the Free Planet Alliance.

Be it for a honeymoon, simple tourism, or even relocating.

Of course, it wasn’t just that reason alone.

“Wow, is that an elf?”

“Yeah. And you’re being rude.”

To the citizens of the United Human Federation, other races are strange.

No, it’s more accurate to say they are viewed with hostility.

To them, elves are enemies, and the humans serving under the elves in the Empire are merely unfortunate subhuman shadows to be liberated.

Let alone the humans of the Empire, who are genetically nearly 100% identical, there aren’t many who would welcome the idea of mingling with other races.

“…Well, it is fascinating.”

“Right? It’s my first time seeing so many people from different races.”

“That’s a, Titan, isn’t it?”

Of course, for the cadets, unfamiliarity seemed to outweigh disgust.

“Hmm.”

Just moments ago, even Pamiyujo, who had scolded Dokgo-ran for openly pointing at a passing elf, was subtly rolling his eyes and scanning the surroundings, while Hino Kanae and Miel Anber were continuously exclaiming in pure admiration.

It was only natural.

The United Human Federation, true to its name, is a society centered around ‘humans,’ and naturally, the mainstream of society is entirely human.

It’s not that there are no other races.

Most of the colonies are inhabited by them.

However, considering that even androids face discrimination, one can only imagine the treatment these other races receive without needing to spell it out.

“Elves really are beautiful.”

“Wow, that man. What muscles? Is he on something?”

Miel’s voice, filled with admiration and Dokoran’s rudeness, brushes against my ears.

…It’s embarrassing.

I couldn’t help but think that way, almost unconsciously.

Indeed, their presence was so conspicuous that it drew the eyes of those around us.

‘It’s not that I don’t understand.’

However, for Baek Hwi-young, it was a sight he had grown weary of.

There was no need to come all the way to the Free Planet Alliance; as the war with the Creatures escalated, it would soon become a matter that transcended humanity alone.

At that point, there would be no distinction between human and other races.

If one could wield a gun and lay down their life, they would have to be clad in military uniforms and thrust into the battlefield, regardless of who they were.

Ironically, it was a time when all forms of discrimination were neatly erased under the premise of survival.

How ironic it was that, by the end of the war, his aide had gotten along so well with the elves he had once regarded as enemies.

‘I wonder if they’re doing well.’

Though their actions were utterly foolish, as a noble and a knight, there was no need for concern.

It was then, as Baek Hwi-young momentarily chewed on the past, that he heard:

“Alright, enough. Especially you, Ran. You might provoke someone. Calm down a bit.”

Beatus, seemingly accustomed to such scenes like Baek Hwi-young, added with a hint of caution.

“Don’t even think about ‘if someone provokes us, we’ll just fight.’ There might not be much happening during the day, but it’s better to keep a low profile. This place is essentially a hub for all mercenaries and PMCs in the galaxy. The same goes for criminals.”

“You know quite a bit. Have you been here before?”

Perhaps their personalities clicked, as Hino Kanae, who often conversed with Beatus among the women, asked him, and he nodded.

“Didn’t I mention? Before enrolling, I was originally a PMC mercenary. I didn’t participate in many operations since I was still an apprentice. That’s what my senior told me back then.”

“Really?”

“That’s surprising.”

Baek Hwi-young already knew, but it was a story everyone else was hearing for the first time.

Yet, contrary to the surprised reactions of those around, Beatus maintained a calm expression.

Was it because of that?

The other cadets also seemed to respond with nothing more than a simple ‘that’s surprising.’

This was not something that could be brushed off so easily.

‘PMC.’

For someone who chose that path despite being superhuman, there had to be some underlying circumstances.

Of course, it is not a bright situation.

They all hail from families that could easily be called illustrious.

Even the least among them, Miel, could not help but look down upon orphans like himself and Beatus, considering the social standing of the Anber family.

“It used to be just a given.”

Now, he knows that this is not the case.

Rather, it serves as a stark reminder of how he is surrounded by friends who are far beyond his own worth.

Because of this, he unconsciously wiped away the bitter smile that had formed at the corners of his mouth and spoke.

“So, when is the car coming?”

They were currently standing on the long, polished road in front of the department store, waiting for the vehicle from the resort that Dokoran had reserved.

The problem was that after returning from the department store, their already considerable luggage had doubled, and they had been waiting for nearly an hour.

“Ugh. Just a moment.”

It seemed that it was not only Baek Hwi-young who was growing weary; as Pamiu’s sharp gaze pierced the back of his head, Dokoran awkwardly smiled and turned on his watch.

But just then.

A sleek black pickup truck came to a halt before them, and soon the window on the passenger side rolled down, revealing a man in a suit who spoke in a cheerful voice.

“Are you the customer who reserved under ‘I am Dokoran’?”

“Ah. Yes!”

“Yes. Just a moment!”

The man quickly parked the car and got out.

“Let me take your bags. Ugh.”

He opened the trunk and began loading their luggage.

“I am Dokoran?”

“…That’s really lame.”

Of course, Dokoran did not mind.

Once all the bags were loaded and they climbed into the car, the man flashed a sly smile, glancing at the rearview mirror as he spoke.

“Welcome to Carpe Diem Leisure, ha ha. I am your dedicated manager, Artin. I look forward to serving you!”

At last, the black pickup truck swiftly disappeared among the other vehicles.

And just then.

In an alley they could see, a woman clad in a long coat with a hood dropped the cigarette she had been holding in her mouth onto the ground, soon taking a shaky sip of alcohol with her trembling hand, marked by the telltale seams of illegal implants.

“…Ugh.”

She instinctively flinched at the pain that washed over her, and as she did, her slightly revealed hair slipped down, following the tilt of her head.

Her deep purple hair, unkempt for days, hung in disarray, yet the owner seemed oblivious to such trivialities, only heaving ragged breaths.

“Huuk. Keuk.”

How much time had passed?

After trembling in place for a while, she finally turned her head to the series of men who had appeared behind her.

“Are we ready to infiltrate the resort?”

“All set, Captain.”

“Good.”

Captain, no.

…Now a fugitive scattered across the galaxy, Satra nodded at their words, her eyes glinting as she mulled over the black pickup truck that had just departed.

‘Crimson hands.’

She swallowed another mouthful of liquor.

The sharp sting of alcohol dulled the pain that surged at times, and with a clearer mind, she stepped into the darkness of the alley, following their trail.

*

“Aha, you must be the cadets from the Special Operations Academy. Training even during break, how admirable. Surely, it is such individuals who protect the galaxy?”

“Yeah, we’re here to train, you know.”

They say a person’s first impression does not lie.

Arthin, who introduced himself as the dedicated manager, was as affable as his lively demeanor suggested, and he got along quite well with the equally straightforward Dokkoran.

“So, about our academy…”

“Isn’t that a bit of an exaggeration?”

“No! I saw it, I swear! A moth that big…”

Perhaps the atmosphere had lightened considerably.

Or maybe it was because the Special Operations Academy was physically and psychologically distant from the Sigma satellite.

With Pamiyu and the others, the tension seemed to ease, and they continued their conversation comfortably, mostly revolving around life at the academy.

And when cadets gathered, there was inevitably one topic that would arise.

“Doesn’t Instructor Jin seem a bit different lately?”

Surprisingly, it was Miel Anber who spoke first.

She mumbled through a donut she claimed was ‘flour tanghulu,’ bought from a department store.

“Well, he has changed. He saved Ran, after all.”

“What did I even do…?”

“Who was it that stirred up trouble right after enrollment, forcing the selection of Special Operations troops?”

“Th-That’s… ugh.”

At the back of the carriage, where Pamiyu sat alone with a book, Dokkoran pouted at her words, and Beatus, who had been cleaning his firearm, nodded in agreement, adding his own thoughts.

“Well, I was a bit on edge just from the rumors, but it turned out to be more reasonable than I expected… except for those moments when his eyes go a bit wild.”

“Ahahaha…”

“…It seems to have gotten worse since he returned from that trip.”

“Did you see the face of Assistant Instructor Ginatio? He looked half a man.”

Indeed, it was a well-known fact that since Instructor Jin Crow took over the Creature lectures, his complexion had worsened considerably.

Did Ginatio know?

That lately, he himself had been receiving the most sympathy from both instructors and cadets alike.

So much so that rumors circulated about instructors treating him to meals, not limited to any particular faction.

It was then.

As the cadets nodded along, discussing ‘Jin Crow,’ Artin, who had been quietly listening, casually interjected.

“Wow, I hear that instructor is really scary. Is he like a tiger instructor? Something like that?”

“Uh…”

“Not a tiger, though.”

“If we had to categorize…”

The remaining four, excluding Baek Hui-young, who gazed out the window, and Pamiyu, who read her book on a device, exchanged glances and soon murmured in unison.

“Isn’t he a crow, after all?”

“A wolf.”

“A cat?”

“A snake… Wait, why is a cat coming up?”

If Jin Crow had heard them, he would surely have wanted to assign demerits to all of them, but fortunately, he was not nearby.

“Well, he’s sensitive and hands out demerits often…”

“But he’s not a bad person, right?”

“Who knows? You can’t judge a person just by fragments.”

How long had they been traveling the road?

Starting with Dokkoran, the chatter gradually faded as each of them fell asleep one by one, while the awake Baek Hui-young and Pamiyu occasionally responded to Artin’s murmurs, leading them into a silence that enveloped them as they reached the quiet outskirts.

And as they passed through the deep forest and climbed to the mountainside, Artin turned off the AI-assisted driving system and, with a voice that he tried to make cheerful despite its heaviness, announced,

“Alright, we’ve arrived, cadets.”

“Hmm…”

“Hmm, we’ve arrived? Huh?”

At those words, the slumbering souls stirred awake, and Artin was the first to step out of the vehicle, opening the door with a flourish, his hand outstretched as if to showcase a grand reveal.

“Welcome once more to the Carpe Diem Resort!”

Before their eyes stood a luxurious high-rise resort, accompanied by the sprawling expanse of a vast ranch-like structure that seemed to stretch into infinity.

—Kieeeeee!

And from that distant end came the vivid, haunting cries of creatures.