I Became the Academy’s Kibitz Villain

The match was decided.

Yoon Iseon emerged victorious, while Taejo faced defeat.

The first S-Class hero of 2025!

At Sejong Academy, serving as the student council president, winning the A-Class final at the grand sports festival, and going on to defeat Armored Taejo in an S-Class scanner match.

It was the ideal emergence of an S-Class.

A student who received good evaluations from national education institutions, not just focusing on themselves but also caring for others and cultivating a sense of service, and then ascending to the ranks of the mere eight S-Class individuals in Korea.

And that, through awakening in the midst of battle!

“Congratulations, Ms. Yoon Iseon. I am….”

“Truly congratulations. We met at the academy graduation ceremony the year before last, right? I am….”

Invited to the celebration, Yoon Iseon was overwhelmed with greetings from numerous adults.

“Ha, I always believed you would become an S-Class. Leading the student council last year….”

“Were you leading the students in Ulleungdo during the Duoexini incident? Remarkable. Was that perhaps a turning point?”

“Until last year, you seemed to be just a regular flame sorcerer, but from the start of this year, you adopted a Gumiho concept. Ha, our culture is indeed the best. You’ve become an S-Class with the power of *Shinto-bul-i! Ha, ha, ha….”

As the compliments were only about information that could be found on Hero Wiki within five minutes, Yoon Iseon responded with soulless ‘Yes, yes’ while scanning the surroundings.

As expected, everyone was awkward.

Looking around, there were excessively many government officials.

For them, the main character of this feast had changed, which must have been surprising.

“……Hm.”

Nobody anticipated Yoon Iseon’s victory.

A glance at the hastily made placard suggested ‘Yoon Iseon’ was added at the last moment, behind which ‘Taejo’ seemed likely to have been written.

This made Yoon Iseon even more elated.

It felt like dousing their expectations with cold water.

Defying the expectations of those who were certain Armored Taejo would win, showcasing an underdog’s triumph.

-Yes, yes. Sorry. It seems I’ve defied everyone’s expectations.

-But what can we do? Armored Taejo lost.

The thrill of victory stemmed not just from defeating Taejo but also from observing the ambiguous looks of those who doubted his victory.

‘Is this what they call a reverse bet or something?’

There were instances where people cheered ecstatically when a reverse bet with odds of hundreds to one wins, only to end up with a heart attack. However, those who bet on his victory must be tilting their glasses to their newfound wealth.

“Ha, ha. Miss Yoon Iseon. You know what? My son is a fan of Miss Iseon. He insisted on betting on Hero Toto that Miss Iseon would win.”

“Oh, really? So, did you win a lot?”

“Of course! Ha, ha, ha. The money Miss Iseon made us, we’ll spend it well. Is the student council short on budget or anything?”

“Wow. Thank you for caring; it means a lot.”

Although it was slightly displeasing that someone’s hard-fought victory was being used for gambling, thinking differently made her feel better, as these were people who believed in her victory.

Having someone root for you could be a great source of strength.

-It’s okay. You’ll win no matter what. If your faith wavers, trust me. I can bet all my wealth on your victory.

-And if I lose?

-If there’s even a 1% chance of losing, then you’ll have to train again until you win. It’s okay to lose. But personally, I hope you win convincingly this time.

-You’re really making it impossible for me to lose.

“……Sigh.”

Just as he had faith in her.

From the first awakening, even before the awakening, thanks to the support of her idol who had faith in and supported her, she was able to win.

Murmurs.

While lost in thought, the crowd began to stir.

“…Huh.”

Yoon Iseon momentarily lost her words at the sight of a young man approaching the entrance, dressed in a white suit with blonde hair.

“Oh, Taejo…?”

“Congratulations, noona.”

The man who had lost to Yoon Iseon, Armored Taejo, appeared at the feast.

Even in front of the woman who had defeated him, he casually smiled and raised his glass.

“Though you’ve become an S-Class, you do know I’m technically your senior in being S-Class, right?”

“…Suddenly speaking formally?”

“Well, it’s only natural for me to use honorifics if you’re older and stronger than me.”

“…….”

Could this be the same young man who used to shout at everyone in a commanding voice, brandishing his Iron Blood King?

Whether it was the shock of defeat or he had been instilled with manners, Yoon Iseon couldn’t be certain.

“Well, this is something. I thought I was properly fulfilling my role as an S-Class guardian. Never imagined I’d be breached like this. Haha.”

“…….”

“Why do you look like that? You can stand a bit prouder. You won, after all.”

“That, Taejo?”

“I’m fine. Actually, it’s a relief.”

Taejo shrugged his shoulders with a broad gesture.

Making a bigger deal than necessary, he just grinned broadly.

“Now that I know my shortcomings, I won’t lose next time. Ah, are you worried that I might be angry or displeased? Don’t worry. There’s no such thing. Instead.”

He grinned slyly.

“If there are A-Classes thinking they can challenge me because I lost, those people are going to have a bit of a hard time.”

“They might end up being ranked 9th or 10th.”

“…Gasp.”

At the voice of a woman appearing from behind, Taejo’s expression stiffened.

“Se, Seol-hee noona? Why are you here…?”

“What, can’t I come here?”

“Ah, no. You don’t really like these kinds of gatherings.”

“We should congratulate when there’s something to congratulate. A new S-Class has emerged.”

Baek Seol-hee raised her glass towards Yoon Iseon and winked.

“Sincerely, congratulations. And a word of warning: don’t mind what others say.”

“Huh?”

“Claims like ‘only strong in bursts’ or ‘only S-Class when transforming’. All that stems from jealousy. Sorry to sound preachy right after congratulating you, but it’s all for your sake.”

“……Understood.”

Yoon Iseon nodded gravely at Baek Seol-hee’s words.

Even here, there were those whispering about her behind her back.

“It’s okay. I’ve experienced a lot while in the student council.”

“Then, that’s good. Oh, right. Someone asked me to tell you something.”

Baek Seol-hee’s expression briefly hardened, then she smiled widely again and flicked her glass towards Yoon Iseon.

“Your awakening, someone said it’s pretty.”

“…Someone?”

“Yeah. A certain meddlesome tsundere.”

“……Ah.”

She seemed to know who it was.

Given what Yoon Iseon already suspected and knew about Yumir, she immediately realized who Baek Seol-hee was referring to.

“I’m just grateful.”

“What for? I’m the one who should be thankful. Can I call you informally? You can call me ‘sister’ too.”

“Yes, sister.”

“Alright. Then….”

Baek Seol-hee’s smile deepened.

“Surely, you’re not planning to just stay in 7th place, right?”

“…….”

Somewhere.

Yoon Iseon started to feel something like a fluttering tail behind Baek Seol-hee.

It must be her imagination.

“A strong S-Class colleague is always welcome. I hope you become even stronger. Hehehe.”

“…….”

Yoon Iseon genuinely felt a chill at Baek Seol-hee’s smile.

There were many in this banquet hall looking to use her, but this was the first time someone seemed to want to use her in such a pure and non-malicious way.

She wondered if Baek Seol-hee was aiming for a pregnancy retirement.

Though the thought briefly crossed her mind, Yoon Iseon internally shook her head and smiled.

“Of course. I’ll become stronger. Please help me a lot, sister.”

The pregnancy retirement was the plan for both Baek Seol-hee and Yumir..

---

[Teacher, if there’s ever anything, please contact me. I’ll come running.]

“I’m overseas. And if you come when there’s ‘something’, it’ll only complicate things.”

[…….]

“I understand you’re worried, but some things just can’t be done.”

Yumir called me with a worried voice, but I had to refuse Yumir’s kindness.

“Just transferring some of your magic power to me is enough… It’s about 3 minutes now. Yumir.”

[Yes, Teacher.]

“Take good care of the house while I’m away.”

[Of course. Please take care and return safely.]

Click.

The call ended.

I threw my Taeguk Watch into a basket on the desk after taking it off.

And then.

“It’s been a while. This heavy sensation.”

I wore an analog wristwatch, not the Taeguk Watch.

“…….”

Something I didn’t, couldn’t, wear when I was working as a librarian, Do Ji-hwan.

A wristwatch from a top brand that still holds its place as a super high-end even after the cataclysm.

“It feels new to wear the Nautilus again, but maybe it’s because I’ve gotten used to it. It’ll feel like old times again in Phuket?”

“Aren’t you going to change into a suit?”

“Um, that would feel even more awkward? It’s better to act as usual. Just think of it as wearing a mask and explain that.”

Gunggi, Yoon Hye-ra, pulled on my suit tie and grinned.

It seems like Yoon Hye-ra has made proper plans to go with me to Phuket this time.

“I came out wearing Hanbok, so it’s a bit…”

“What? You’re taking care of me because I’m a lady in Hanbok? Is that the concept?”

Yoon Hye-ra giggled and moved a hand to her face.

“During our trip to Phuket, does that mean Mr. Ji-hwan will be playing my knight?”

“Perhaps treating each other like before would be better.”

“Um… Then how should I address you? Mr. Ji-hwan? Or Director Do? Isn’t that too formal for everyday use?”

“We’re not going as a newlywed couple, are we?”

“Not? It’s exactly a newlywed couple concept.”

“…No. Which Korean couple goes to Phuket for their honeymoon? They’d rather go to Ulleungdo or Jeju Island.”

“If it’s 14 nights and 15 days in Phuket instead of a 1-night and 2-day trip to Ulleungdo or Jeju Island, wouldn’t that make a difference?”

Yoon Hye-ra’s eyes sparkled red.

“Since the Chief has formally designated me as your partner, I won’t leave your side for 15 days. Oppa.”