I Became The Only Healer In The Academy [EN]: Chapter 87

87

“Because he’s a promising Hunter from America?”

“From the American Academy…”

“Stop, stop!”

DeMarque, who had been listening to the answers, sighed deeply and looked at the American representatives.

“Do you think I’m making equipment because of a request from America right now?”

“…Pardon?”

“I’m asking if America asked me to make equipment. You guys are the ones making the request, aren’t you?”

“Well, we are the top-ranked in the United States…”

“Sigh… Enough. Go back.”

At DeMarque’s words to leave, the American representatives wore dumbfounded expressions and denied it.

“But, still…”

“If you’re so proud of being American, go to an equipment maker with American citizenship.”

“Even so…”

“Enough! I said get out. If you utter another word here, I won’t make any equipment for American Hunters in the future, so keep that in mind.”

The American representatives wanted to say more, their lips twitching, but DeMarque’s last words were something they couldn’t handle, so they eventually bowed slightly and had no choice but to leave the room.

Next was the United Kingdom, ranked second in prestige.

However, the United Kingdom was not much different from the United States.

They had a strong sense of pride and self-esteem in their country, and since they were ranked second, their pride was even greater than that of the United States.

“Tsk, are the academy representatives this year only able to say their country’s name?”

Next to enter were the representatives from the Russian Academy, ranked third in prestige.

“It’s DeMarque!”

From the moment they entered, unlike the two countries that had come before, their voices were filled with a strong competitive spirit.

“I feel like the same guys always come out from Russia every time.”

Last year, the year before, and even before that, it was always the same.

Only the faces were different, but the atmosphere felt similar every time.

“We’ll sit here.”

However, this year’s representatives seemed to have an even stronger competitive spirit than before.

Still, they showed a decent amount of basic manners, which was quite pleasing.

Of course, it was obvious that they were trying hard to force it.

“Then, as I did with the United States and the United Kingdom, I’ll ask you one question.”

“Yes!”

“Tell me just one reason why I should make equipment for you.”

At DeMarque’s question, the Russian representatives answered confidently.

“Because we are Russia.”

“You are Russia?”

They also mentioned their country, but the nuance was different.

While the United States and the United Kingdom mentioned that they belonged to that country as a reason, the Russian representatives’ words meant something different.

It was as if Russia should be grateful that their nationality was Russian.

“Huh, the more years pass, the more outrageous guys pop up. Then I’ll ask you one more thing. If you were from a country ranked below 30th in prestige, how would you answer?”

“Is there any need to think about it? We are their future. It’s the same no matter which country we go to.”

Perhaps DeMarque always liked this aspect of the Russian representatives.

That’s why Russia was the only place he made equipment for every year.

“Tsk. Well, someday, kids who aren’t like you will become representatives.”

At DeMarque’s words, the Russian representatives laughed heartily and replied.

“Those kinds of guys can’t survive in Russia.”

“Enough talk. Now go. Hey! Investigate these Russian friends.”

At DeMarque’s call, assistants approached and took the Russian representatives out.

Now, the next representatives to enter were from China, ranked 4th in prestige.

As the Chinese representatives were about to enter, an assistant outside blocked their path and said.

“DeMarque has instructed that the representatives from South Korea enter first.”

“What, what did you say? We are ranked 4th in prestige!”

“What is this all of a sudden…! Even if it’s DeMarque, this is unacceptable!”

The assistant, who had been maintaining a blank expression, frowned at the statement that it was unacceptable and looked down at the Chinese representatives.

“I will summarize your remarks very well and report them.”

“Th, that…”

“South Korean representatives, please come in.”

Seonghyun was curious about what was going on, but he nodded and stepped forward since DeMarque said he would do so.

One of the Chinese representatives who had attacked Inhwan and Sangyeon lowered his head to the ground, trying to ignore Seonghyun’s gaze.

As they entered the room where DeMarque was, a voice was heard from inside.

“Come this way.”

As they headed towards the voice, DeMarque was waiting for Seonghyun and his group.

“Sit.”

Surprised by the fluent Korean, Seonghyun stared blankly at DeMarque, and DeMarque chuckled as if he knew the reason and replied.

“Surprised by my fluency? It’s one of my abilities, so don’t mind it.”

“Ah, yes.”

DeMarque stared intently at Seonghyun.

So much so that it felt a bit excessive.

Only an awkward atmosphere flowed, but Seonghyun also met DeMarque’s gaze without avoiding it.

‘An interesting guy.’

It was a gaze that didn’t get boring no matter how much he looked at it.

How could this be the gaze of a Healer? [A Hunter specialized in healing magic and support.]

It would be more accurate to see it as the gaze of a veteran Hunter who had gone on countless subjugations.

A pretty strong Hunter at that.

“…Alright. Then I’ll ask you one question as well. What is the reason I should make equipment for you?”

At DeMarque’s question, Seonghyun answered immediately.

“Because I’m a Hunter.”

“Because you’re a Hunter? Who. Me?”

“No. Because I’m a Hunter.”

Compared to the answers he had heard so far, it was quite a primitive answer.

“If that’s the case, shouldn’t I make equipment for all Hunters?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

Seonghyun’s eyes, answering without the slightest hesitation, were filled with conviction.

“…”

DeMarque couldn’t continue the conversation any further.

He wondered if they would say something along the lines of wanting him to make it because they were special or because they had rare abilities, but they didn’t show any such intentions at all.

‘Because I’m a Hunter… I should make it…’

Perhaps it was the answer that was most rooted in the fundamental reason for the existence of a Hunter.

“Then can I take it to mean that you don’t mind if I make equipment for the Chinese representatives?”

DeMarque’s eyes were sincere.

He asked with a gaze that felt oppressive, as if he were forcing Seonghyun to choose.

“Of course. Absolutely.”

“What if they threaten you with the equipment I made?”

“I still don’t mind.”

“You don’t mind? Why?”

At DeMarque’s question, Seonghyun shrugged lightly and replied.

“Because they’re still weak.”

“Ha, haha! Hahahaha!”

In a way, it could have been a statement that disregarded the equipment DeMarque made, but DeMarque didn’t dwell on such small things.

“You’re a Healer, right?”

“Yes, I am.”

He had already heard it in the report.

Of course, he knew that Seonghyun had annihilated them alone.

“It’s been a long time, no… you’re the first interesting friend I’ve seen.”

DeMarque had been quite worried before meeting Seonghyun.

Even though DeMarque was picky about who he took requests from, he was also someone who had been a Hunter.

He wondered if he was someone who had become intoxicated with the power of his abilities and abandoned many things, acting according to his greed, but now he didn’t seem like that kind of person at all.

“One last question.”

“Yes. Please speak.”

“What do you want to do?”

He had already decided to make it for them, but perhaps the answer he was about to hear now was the most important answer.

“The annihilation of the monsters.”

“I see.”

Becoming stronger could be a goal, but it couldn’t be the purpose.

People tend to do something when they become stronger, and DeMarque was curious about this point.

“That’s enough. Hey! Here too. You can go now.”

“Thank you.”

Inhwan and Sangyeon hadn’t said a single word, but somehow the conversation ended with him making equipment for them.

“So, don’t we… have any questions or anything?”

He asked the assistant who had come to investigate what they wanted, and DeMarque, who heard the question, smiled and replied.

“Haha. Being chosen by that friend is proof enough.”

As they followed the assistants out of the room, the Chinese representatives were looking at them with expressions full of anger.

It seemed that their pride was quite hurt just by the fact that they had entered before them.

Seonghyun raised his hand, saying something they couldn’t understand.

Showing the paper that the assistants, who were like proof that DeMarque had accepted the request, had handed out for the investigation.

“It’s all foreshadowing.”

The gazes became even harsher at that sight, but Seonghyun didn’t care and finished his words with a smile.

“That the national prestige rankings will change like this before long.”

——————————————–

They received word that it would take about 3 days for DeMarque to finish making all the equipment.

“As expected, a world-class artisan is different.”

Even at the academy, it took about 3 weeks to make equipment for about 10 people.

Even if the equipment was completed, they wouldn’t be able to receive it until after the first match of the Academy Competition.

“What are we going to do until then?”

The answer Inhwan was expecting was already set.

Seonghyun knew better than anyone what that answer was, but unfortunately, he had no intention of giving that answer.

“You have to keep sparring with 1.”

“Ugh…”

“Are we going to watch the competition? I think it would be good to watch.”

Sangyeon asked with a calm expression, as if he had completely accepted sparring with 1 now.

“We have to. I’m also curious about what abilities the representatives of the top-ranked countries have.”

As long as he had the Sacred Mark, there wouldn’t be many Hunters who could beat Seonghyun in a 1:1 fight.

However, since it was an ability that couldn’t be used against multiple people, they had to consider other ways to deal with it if the number of opponents increased.

“The competition doesn’t start for a few more days, so let’s spend that time sparring with 1 and go see the competition.”

“Isn’t there anyone other than 1…”

“Don’t exaggerate. It’s a good opportunity.”

Thanks to the fire, the hotel’s security was much tighter than before, and thanks to that, Seonghyun and his group were able to focus on sparring with 1 in their room.

The few days passed by quite quickly, and finally, the day of the Academy National Competition arrived.

He briefly thought it was a bit of a shame that he was disqualified from the competition, but the important thing was that Seonghyun was a freshman right now.

He had two more opportunities in the next 2 years, and Seonghyun was confident that he would be able to participate in the National Competition both times.

And that was the same for Inhwan and Sangyeon.

“Let’s go in now. It’ll start soon.”

There was such a large crowd that he wondered if there could be this many people, and Seonghyun was able to watch the competition from the VIP seats thanks to the Chinese side’s last consideration.

[From now on, we will begin the Academy National Competition.]

The broadcast echoed inside the stadium, and an even louder roar began to spread.

“Waaaaah!!”