I Possessed a Broken Academy Instructor

“T-Then ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍what do you think about the D'Artagnan Analysis Method?”

“Umm... ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍The part where it interpreted the anomalous laws of physics in hyperspace was certainly fascinating, but there were quite a few logical inconsistencies......”

“My ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍goodness. A child barely ten years old has the same opinion as the people in academia?”

Lillian ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍and Naomi.

Long ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍ago, Jin Crow and Lee Su-jong had completely vanished from the minds of the two women in lab coats.

Naturally ‍​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍so.

Naomi was an android to begin with.

As for Lillian, she herself was one of the leading geniuses in the academic world.

The fact that someone could construct arguments on the same level as her was enough to capture anyone's attention.

‘You can't tell just by looking at her.’

Ner occupied an artificially cultivated body into which the consciousness of the Mother AI had been artificially implanted.

In other words, Jin Crow already knew they were incomparable from the very beginning.

To him, the scene unfolding before his eyes was practically a comedy.

But he could hardly reveal the truth.

It was not that he did not trust Lillian and Naomi.

In the original story, both of them were undoubtedly on the side of good.

However, good people did not always make the right decisions.

“Professor.”

“Yes?”

At that moment, as though they had reached some sort of decision, the two exchanged glances before looking at Jin Crow almost simultaneously.

...It was honestly rather burdensome.

“Instructor, this child is a genius. Surely you don't intend to raise someone like her as a soldier?”

Thinking about it again, he felt he had seen quite a few new sides of Lillian today.

Everyone would probably be surprised.

The woman who normally seemed so sluggish that one might suspect she was distantly related to a sloth was displaying such enthusiasm.

“To be honest, this may be presumptuous, but I feel the same way, Instructor. It's not that I'm belittling the efforts of soldiers, but this child will make an enormous contribution to humanity's advancement.”

With Naomi adding her opinion as well, Jin Crow could not help but consider it seriously.

‘It's not a bad idea. Definitely.’

Thinking as rationally and objectively as possible,

there was certainly a reason to keep Ner close.

Even setting aside the truths she had yet to reveal, the OOPArts, and the 20 billion Credits.

However, as he had thought before, she could not continue living with him in the instructors' dormitory.

Family housing for instructors was located outside the academy in a residential district.

By regulation, allowing outsiders inside, regardless of age or gender, was already a problem.

‘But if it's the Research Building...’

The Research Building was located within the academy grounds and maintained the same level of security.

However, those inside were civilian researchers.

It was essentially a partner organization, or perhaps a military-affiliated research facility.

Moreover, if it was Lillian...

Even in a galaxy overflowing with mad scientists, she was one of the few who never crossed the line.

The more deeply he considered it, the more it became obvious that the Research Building was the best place for Ner to remain nearby without causing problems.

“Hmm.”

“......”

At his quiet murmur, Lillian and Naomi waited nervously for his answer.

Silence followed.

How much time had passed?

Finally, Jin Crow spoke.

“Let's hear Ner's opinion first.”

“Ah?”

“......You're right.”

At his words, Lillian and Naomi lowered their heads with expressions of sudden realization.

Naturally, everyone's gaze turned toward Ner.

A small, adorable child with blonde hair and golden eyes, yet somehow carrying the atmosphere of an adult.

As all eyes focused on her, Ner looked toward Jin Crow before asking Lillian and Naomi,

“Would I have to be separated from Instructor?”

“No. You'll be able to see him whenever you want. I promise.”

Naomi answered with a gentle smile that radiated maternal affection.

Lillian nodded as well.

Thinking about it again, was it discrimination to feel that the android Naomi seemed more human than most actual humans?

“You don't like being a soldier either, right? Hmm? People like us belong in a laboratory.”

Unaware of Jin Crow's thoughts, Lillian had already completely returned to her usual personality.

Speaking in her lazy drawl, she added,

“A researcher......”

Ner seemed to think for a moment before turning toward Jin Crow and asking cautiously,

“Is that okay?”

The single word "researcher" carried an odd sense of comfort and nostalgia.

Perhaps that was only natural.

Whether she had obtained her body by her own will or not, she had spent her entire existence living no differently from a researcher or scholar.

Deep down, she must have been anxious.

After all, no one had been able to give her a clear answer.

What if she ended up being rejected?

‘Even if someone tells her it's unnecessary worry, she'd still be anxious.’

Every intelligent being wished to have their worth acknowledged.

Whether by another person,

by society,

or by themselves.

Perhaps because he sensed that,

he looked directly into Ner's eyes and quietly answered,

“If it's what you want. I've already received my payment.”

“......Thank you.”

Ner lowered her head slightly.

Relief flickered through her golden eyes.

It was fair to call this a satisfying outcome.

‘If she's in the Research Building, there won't be any terrorist attacks either.’

Safety and results.

He had secured both.

Having reached that conclusion, Jin Crow walked past Lillian and Naomi and grasped the doorknob.

Then, as though something had suddenly occurred to him, he casually remarked,

“I'll donate ten million dollars every month to the Research Building. That should speed up the results of the King's research.”

His figure disappeared behind the closing door.

Left behind inside the conference room, Lillian and Naomi stared at the door through which he had left with peculiar expressions.

“Professor.”

“Yes... I noticed too. So that was......”

There was one thing Jin Crow had completely overlooked.

“Is it... something like child support?”

“......Ten million dollars every month as child support. He's certainly generous. I guess the rumors really were true.”

It wasn't just the cadets and instructors who were members of the academy's anonymous online community.

Naomi looked down at Ner, who was now sitting quietly in her chair with a faint smile.

Feeling sympathetic, she hurried to the break room, returned with the most expensive chocolate they had, and placed it into Ner's hands.

“Don't worry. Everyone in our lab will stay together with you.”

“......Yes.”

Another strange misunderstanding had just been born.

There were no problems with Ner staying in the Research Building.

Officially, she was simply a child under Jin Crow's sponsorship.

On top of that, Professor Lillian had publicly declared that Ner was now her disciple.

Ner herself also seemed quite satisfied.

Perhaps because of that,

Jin Crow was finally able to enjoy several days of leave.

Of course, deep inside, he could not completely shake off his anxiety.

Every day he wasted made him wonder how many more lives would be lost tomorrow.

Yet the body was honest.

Once Ner's living arrangements had been settled, overwhelming exhaustion and pain immediately washed over him and tormented him for several days.

“......Hoo.”

It was not enough to leave him unable to move.

It was simply that nosebleeds occasionally flowed, while muscle pain struck his entire body as though someone were beating him every moment.

To an ordinary person, it would have been a horrifying condition.

But to a Superhuman, it was merely comparable to a mild cold.

Still, it hardly felt pleasant.

Someone knocked on his door from time to time,

but he ignored it.

‘It probably wasn't anything important.’

After all, he was on leave.

Officially authorized by the Headmaster himself.

He had nothing to feel guilty about.

And so, an entire week passed in the blink of an eye.

During that time, his condition steadily improved.

Finally, the day lectures resumed arrived.

After taking a quick shower, he put on the military uniform that had become familiar to him.

Rustle.

He buttoned his white shirt all the way to the top, fastened his military harness, and holstered a pistol loaded with Reinforced Rounds.

After tying a black necktie and putting on the black uniform bearing a major's rank insignia, he placed a cigarette between his lips and stepped outside.

“Attention!”

Returning the salutes of soldiers he passed from time to time, he headed toward the training ground.

The hallways were quiet.

After crushing his finished cigarette into his portable ashtray, he opened the door.

Creeeak—.

The massive training hall doors slowly swung open.

As soon as he stepped inside, seeing the familiar and unfamiliar faces mixed together, he instinctively frowned.

“Ah, Instructor.”

“Assistant Instructor Ginnatio.”

It was almost as though Ginnatio had expected that reaction.

He hurried over.

Looking at the number of cadets, which had more than doubled compared to what he remembered, Jin Crow asked,

“What is this?”

“......First, here's the roster.”

But it was not only the increased number of cadets that puzzled him.

Dark circles hung heavily beneath Assistant Instructor Ginnatio's eyes.

Even his usually bright gaze looked hollow and lifeless.

Rustle.

As Jin Crow accepted the documents from the man, who looked like an overworked graduate student, Ginnatio quietly began speaking as though he had been waiting for the opportunity.

“The Ministry of National Defense suddenly issued orders to expand the lecture's enrollment, but every time I came looking for you, you weren't here... Then applicants just kept pouring in. I'm the only assistant instructor. So I ended up staying awake for several nights......”

“......”

Was Ginnatio the one knocking on the door?

The memory briefly crossed his mind.

He looked down at the roster.

A sudden increase in cadets.

Its meaning was simple.

Even the generals at the Ministry of National Defense, whose minds had grown rigid from politics, had finally begun to recognize the growing threat posed by the Creatures.

‘Ranin, Hal Latim, Kang Yu-sin......’

There were few particularly memorable names,

but none stood out in a bad way either.

The original one hundred cadets.

Four hundred newly added cadets.

The list had been carefully balanced between Ability-type and Martial Arts specialists.

It also accounted for long-range combatants, close-range fighters, and healers.

Even Jin Crow had to acknowledge that it was well put together.

“You've worked hard, Assistant Instructor.”

“......Yes, sir.”

Though unintentional, Ginnatio had effectively been forced to shoulder Jin Crow's own responsibilities.

Patting the exhausted assistant instructor on the shoulder as though the man was on the verge of breaking down, Jin Crow slowly surveyed the cadets gathered inside the training hall.

‘A total of five hundred.’

Not many.

For now, enrollment was still voluntary through elective courses.

But once the Creature threat escalated further, anti-Creature warfare would become mandatory at every military academy throughout the galaxy, not just the Central Special-duty Officer Academy.

‘But not yet.’

Increasing the number of students in a lecture was not as simple as adding more seats.

Curriculum planning,

budget allocation,

even assigning the smallest homework—

everything had to account for student numbers.

A sudden increase inevitably came with side effects.

“......”

For example,

the original one hundred cadets who immediately fell silent and assumed the position of attention the moment he entered.

And—

“Seriously?”

“I told you it's true. Have you been fooled your whole life?”

“Creatures? Ugh, what a waste of time.”

“Exactly. My parents made me take this course... They're just beasts anyway. Can't we just cut them down?”

The four hundred newly enrolled cadets chatting noisily among themselves.

“Honestly, aren't the people who lose to them just idiots? It's not like we've only been seeing space monsters for a day or two.”

“Exactly. People always exaggerate everything......”

Among them, one particular conversation stood out.

Turning his head, he found a group of five male and female cadets laughing and chatting together.

Their faces were unfamiliar.

Their names were unfamiliar.

What did that mean?

Simple.

Whether they died during the Galactic War or the war against the Creatures,

they were nothing more than extras who perished like livestock despite possessing the advantages of being Special-duty Officers, all because of their pathetic arrogance and overconfidence.

“They're noisy.”

“Instructor?”

It wasn't that he held any grudge against them.

Without expectations,

there could be no disappointment.

‘These five hundred will become the vanguard in humanity's future war against the Creatures.’

Whether they wanted to or not,

that fact would never change.

Mindsets like theirs, already spread throughout the galaxy, would never change through mere words.

Besides,

wasn't it far too late to pretend to be some kind-hearted instructor now?

Having reached that conclusion, he drew the pistol from his harness without the slightest hesitation.

“I-Instructor!”

Before Ginnatio could say another word—

Jin Crow calmly pulled the trigger.

Bang!

A short,

sharp gunshot echoed through the training hall.

“……!”

An astonished silence fell over the room.

“Much quieter now.”

Meanwhile, Jin Crow calmly lowered the pistol after deliberately firing just above the heads of the noisy cadets.

“What are all of you standing around for?”

He holstered the pistol again.

Then, looking at every cadet with eyes colder than ice, filled with something close to contempt, he spoke.

“All of you.

Get down and assume the push-up position.”

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