I Became The Only Healer In The Academy [EN]: Chapter 80

Hakeno, who was in charge of DNN’s directorship, felt his heart sink at the sudden summons.

“…Did I do something wrong…?”

“Pardon?”

“Ah, no. It’s nothing.”

No matter how much he thought about it, he hadn’t done anything wrong, but even if he did well, if it didn’t meet the elder’s approval, it wasn’t considered well done.

“Book the fastest flight to the home country.”

“What about the meeting…?”

Hakeno frowned deeply at the word ‘meeting’ and replied.

“Is that important now? The elder himself called for me.”

“Ah, yes. I understand. The fastest flight is in 3 hours.”

Hakeno immediately prepared to leave and said to his secretary.

“I’ll go alone, so handle the meeting well.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Clearly, the elder told him to come by tomorrow, but Hakeno left immediately.

He could have left tomorrow, but the fact that the former Prime Minister himself had summoned him made it difficult to delay.

Boarding the first-class seat on the flight to Japan, Hakeno tapped his fingers on the armrest, his mind anxious.

Normally, he would have taken a nap during this short flight, but his anxiety prevented him from doing so.

“Approaching Tokyo…”

As the arrival announcement came, Hakeno took a deep breath and disembarked.

“Director Hakeno!”

Recognizing the voice calling him, he saw one of the former Prime Minister’s secretaries waiting for him.

‘As expected of the elder…’

He hadn’t even informed them of his arrival, but they knew in advance and had someone waiting.

“Ah, yes. The elder…?”

“Is waiting.”

“Let’s go quickly.”

“Yes. This way, please.”

Following the secretary’s guidance, he arrived at a teahouse with a distinctly antique atmosphere.

‘He usually doesn’t come to places like this…’

Perhaps the topic of today’s conversation was serious.

The elder, whom he had known for a long time, only visited such places when he had weighty matters to discuss.

“He is waiting inside.”

As he entered the room with the employee’s guidance, the elder was already seated, drinking tea.

“It’s been a while, Elder. How have you been?”

“Yes. I’m always the same.”

Hakeno carefully examined the former Prime Minister’s expression.

He had already received a report that Miyua’s treatment was complete.

And now, if he was talking to him, who was working in Korea, it was definitely one of two things.

It would be about the person who treated Miyua, either to deal with that person or to recruit them.

“You’ve probably already heard that my daughter has recovered.”

“Yes, I heard. I should have made time to visit; I apologize.”

“It’s alright. I know better than anyone how busy you are. But… have you received any other reports?”

Hakeno quickly recalled all the reports he had received, but there was no report significant enough for the former Prime Minister to inquire about again.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know what you’re referring to.”

“That’s understandable. It’s just that my daughter Miyua… can still use her abilities.”

“Yes, yes? What do you mean…?”

“Even the power of her abilities has become stronger than before.”

As much as the former Prime Minister had worried, Hakeno also began to worry about the implications.

The potential impact of a hunter with that healing ability was significant.

“Ah, and I think I’ll live quietly now.”

“That means…”

Hakeno was about to ask more but stopped when the former Prime Minister raised a finger.

“You’ve helped Hunter Kim Sung-hyun a lot. No matter how strong hunters’ powers become, political figures always need to be careful.”

Now, thanks to the association’s plan, other countries weren’t making significant moves, or rather, they couldn’t. But if it became valuable enough to take that risk, there was no telling how they would act.

“Then what should I do?”

“I don’t know how much you know about that friend, but if you make it obvious, he’ll feel burdened.”

“You mean I have to act without that friend knowing.”

“That’s right.”

“I understand. I will make it the top priority.”

“I’ve said everything I needed to say. Now, tell me how you’ve been.”

The two shared stories they hadn’t been able to share recently.

Hakeno wore a smile with an unknown meaning at the sight of the former Prime Minister, who seemed changed from his old self.

In the past, they would have had such a conversation once every few years, and it wouldn’t have lasted long, but he was definitely different now.

“Anyway… without making it obvious. You understand, right?”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Whether Sung-hyun was Korean or a citizen of any other country, it didn’t matter to Hakeno.

What mattered was that Sung-hyun had restored everything to Miyua, and Miyua had returned it to the former Prime Minister, who was almost everything to her.

“You’re always working hard.”

“…It’s nothing.”

Soon, the former Prime Minister patted Hakeno’s shoulder, and Hakeno nodded with a determined expression, firmly deciding on his future course of action.

Having won the inter-학년 [inter-class] competition against the 3rd graders, Sung-hyun was immediately receiving guidance regarding the national competition.

“The national competition will be held next month. It affects the national prestige ranking, and as you already know, you will be granted the qualification to request equipment production from Demarge, so participating in it is meaningful.”

He already knew the details, but he was looking forward to the opportunity to request something from Demarge.

Of course, it was Demarge’s choice whether to fulfill the request or refuse.

“Are there any special precautions?”

At Sung-hyun’s question, the guide handed out neatly organized documents to each of them.

“First, you must go to the competition venue one week before the competition starts.”

“Where is it being held this time…?”

“It’s in China.”

China, currently ranked 4th in national prestige.

There had been many complaints about China until it reached that ranking, but it was still a force to be reckoned with because it held the 4th place.

It was also a place with an overwhelming number of hunters.

“It’s all in the documents I gave you, but I’ll explain it simply.”

The guide’s expression, who was about to begin the explanation, wasn’t very bright.

“After arriving in China, you must not use your abilities for any reason. If you do, you will be immediately disqualified from the competition.”

“For any reason?”

“Yes, the phrase ‘for any reason’ wasn’t originally included, but this time China insisted on adding it, so this clause will be in effect only for this competition.”

It was a condition that made him uneasy from the start, but Sung-hyun and the others listened to the guide’s explanation in silence because the competition hadn’t started yet.

“Ah, and requesting equipment production from Demarge is scheduled for the day before the competition starts. There was an incident in the past where Demarge’s equipment was used during the competition, so the schedule is structured this way.”

The schedule itself was understandable enough.

“Just be careful about what I said at the beginning. It would be more disappointing than anything if you were disqualified before you even started properly.”

“I will be careful.”

The reason why the guide was saying this was none other than Sung-hyun.

Looking only at the recent competition, Sung-hyun was cold enough to break Choi Min-hyuk’s arms without hesitation.

He didn’t seem cruel or merciless at all.

He thought it was exactly the necessary measure in the right situation.

However, he wouldn’t have done that normally, but seeing that he acted that way after having some conversation, there was definitely something behind it.

And there was no guarantee that such a thing wouldn’t happen in China, so he felt the need to warn him.

“There are only about 3 weeks left until departure, so until then, you can continue with your usual training.”

“I understand.”

Having received all the necessary guidance, Sung-hyun and his companions immediately left the academy.

The eyes of the students who happened to see them leaving the academy held subtly different expressions depending on their grade.

The 1st graders looked proud.

The 2nd graders looked apologetic but still acknowledged their strength.

The 3rd graders didn’t want to admit it, but they were forced to because they had witnessed it firsthand.

Originally, Sung-hyun didn’t enjoy these gazes, but today was a little different.

In-hwan and Sang-yeon were also the focus of these gazes, so they wore satisfied smiles that didn’t fade.

“Then are we going to the association now? We have to deal with the monsters right away.”

“That’s good too, but let’s spend some time at home for a few days.”

As Sung-hyun said, he had hardly spent time with his family recently.

He went to the amusement park with Ye-in, but he hadn’t gone anywhere with his family.

‘Shall we take a proper break?’

If he processed only some of the crystals piled up like mountains, he would have more than enough money.

Since it’s winter, it would be nice to spend time at a nice hotel.

The trip he went on with his father in the past was an ordinary one.

Looking at the scenery and finding local restaurants.

He didn’t think he could go on such a trip now.

Even if the same thing happened as then, Sung-hyun’s ability would be enough to stop it, but for some reason, it felt like something was bound to happen.

“Then only about 4 days?”

In-hwan was also thinking of visiting his parents for the first time in a long time.

They didn’t have a very good relationship, but recently he had been spending a lot of time with Sung-hyun and Sang-yeon, so he felt like he could approach them without hesitation.

“That’s good. 4 days.”

“Okay. Then let’s see each other in 4 days.”

The three parted at the entrance of the academy, and Sung-hyun immediately began to look for a good hotel.

Close, near the beach, and, most importantly, expensive.

He always felt that it was easier to find expensive places compared to finding cheap ones.

He could find it right away by clicking a few things here and there.

“480,000 won [~370 USD] a day?”

In the past, he would have frowned, or rather, he wouldn’t have even considered it, but not now.

Rather, it even felt a little lacking.

Still, since the association was responsible for the safety of the hotel, he could spend a relaxing time with his family without having to worry about anything else.

“Even before the regression, and after that, it’s the first time I’m going to a place like this.”

Sung-hyun, who wasn’t very interested in spending money, felt like it would be a little different now.

He was starting to enjoy the thought of spending money in such places.

He was about to make a reservation online, but he didn’t know what time his mother and sister would be available, so Sung-hyun went straight home.

“You’re already here?”

His mother, who had perfectly adapted to a relaxed life these days, was watching a drama while eating fruit.

“Yes, I’m going to rest for a few days.”

“That’s right! What about the competition? Did you do well in the competition?”

His mother, who greeted Sung-hyun with a smile, seemed to prioritize Sung-hyun’s well-being over the result, so she checked him over to see if he was okay.

“Of course, I’m fine.”

“I always say this, but always be careful not to get hurt…”

“I don’t even remember the last time I got hurt.”

His mother didn’t entirely believe Sung-hyun’s words, but she seemed relieved that he seemed okay.

“I have to go to China in 3 weeks for the national competition.”

“Oh my, China? Still, I’m glad it’s not too far.”

“I was thinking of going on a short trip before that…”

“Huh? You should go and come back safely.”

“No. All together. With my mother and sister.”

At the suggestion to go together, his mother slightly shrugged and flinched.

Like Sung-hyun, the memory of that day still lingered.

It was an unforgettable memory.

“…Okay. Let’s do that.”

But his mother was not a weak person.

Like Sung-hyun, she chose to overcome it.