I Became The Only Healer In The Academy [EN]: Chapter 58

“Have you unpacked everything? Before I discuss the schedule, please know that all expenses for this invitation are covered by us.”

The woman took out three cards and placed one in front of each of them.

“There are no limits, so please use them as much as you like. We have no way of tracking where you use them, so feel free to enjoy the nightlife if you wish.”

Her explanation didn’t quite match the cheerful expression on her face.

“Now, let me tell you about the schedule we would like you to consider.”

“A schedule you’d like us to consider…?”

“Yes, since we invited you without prior notice, there’s no obligation. You can participate in only the things that seem interesting, or you can choose not to participate at all. Of course, I might get scolded a bit if that happens, though?”

The woman, after subtly hinting at the situation with considerable nonchalance, explained the schedule.

“There are a total of three events. The first is… a meeting with the Vice-Chairman of the Japanese Hunter Association.”

“…”

The first event was quite significant.

Although its current ranking was lower, Japan had maintained 9th place for a long time until recently, so its potential was still significant.

“What’s next?”

“Next…”

The woman took out a remote control from her pocket and pressed a few buttons.

Then, the top of the table opened, revealing a monitor.

“Since you are currently academy students, we have arranged a visit to a Japanese academy for you. Of course, this is also optional.”

She seemed to emphasize the word ‘optional,’ but the woman quickly brushed aside that implication.

“These two are the schedules we hope Mr. Kim Hunter and the other two will consider. You can do both, or neither, but if you are thinking of participating in any of the events, please let us know in advance.”

The woman was clearly singling them out.

By referring to Sung-hyun and the other two separately, she emphasized that the choice was up to Sung-hyun.

“Apart from these two, you are free to enjoy yourselves as you wish before returning.”

The woman bowed politely and left the room.

“What do you think?”

At Sung-hyun’s question, In-hwan and Sang-yeon shrugged slightly and replied.

“Meeting both seems fine to me?”

“I agree. It doesn’t matter what they say, as long as you don’t waver.”

“That was a quick decision.”

Sung-hyun immediately picked up the intercom next to him.

“I’ll meet them now.”

“Yes, yes?”

Perhaps because it was an unexpected response, a rather flustered reply came from the other end of the line.

“I’m happy to meet the Vice-Chairman or go to the academy. Let’s proceed with the schedule right away.”

“Ah, I understand. Then, we will arrange the meeting with the Vice-Chairman first.”

As he put down the receiver, In-hwan and Sang-yeon stared at Sung-hyun and said.

“Go alone.”

“Huh?”

“It seems right for you to go alone.”

Both of them already understood.

The reason for this Japanese invitation was entirely thanks to Sung-hyun.

Of course, they weren’t saying this out of jealousy or inferiority.

Strictly speaking, it was an accurate assessment of their capabilities.

They knew better than anyone that they would have only been class representatives if it weren’t for Sung-hyun, and looking back on the events, they had become stronger thanks to him.

Moreover, they were able to receive equipment made by the academy by participating as representatives of their grade, so he was practically their benefactor, if not someone who had saved their lives.

“We know. If you weren’t the representative, Japan wouldn’t have invited us at this time.”

“…”

“To be honest… I don’t belong in such a place. You could say I’m leaving the troublesome things to you.”

In-hwan nodded actively at Sang-yeon’s words.

“And it’ll be better for Japan too, right? It’s obvious that they invited us along to get on your good side.”

“We’ll enjoy our vacation, so you take care of the troublesome stuff.”

“Let’s just go to the academy together; I’m a little curious about what Japan’s is like.”

Sung-hyun smiled lightly at their words and replied.

“Let’s have fun together when this is over.”

At that moment, there was a knock on the door, and the woman’s voice was heard.

“The Vice-Chairman said he is available anytime. Even right now.”

“Ah, can I go alone?”

“Yes? Mr. Kim Hunter, alone?”

Again, the woman looked puzzled at the unexpected words, but she quickly smiled and replied, as it was what they had hoped for.

“Of course! Are the other two enjoying their vacation?”

“They’re only going to the academy with me.”

“Yes, we will prepare everything to ensure your comfort. Shall we depart then?”

He had no idea what the Japanese Vice-Chairman would say, but he could be sure that they would be friendly to him.
The fact that they had invited him so quickly before the national team representatives were even decided, and that there were quite a few Japanese names on the list the association had given him, and so on.

Of course, he was the main reason for lowering their ranking, but if they had any sense, they shouldn’t antagonize Sung-hyun.

“Let’s go.”

Sung-hyun followed the woman out of the hotel.

A limousine, or rather, a luxurious sedan, was waiting for Sung-hyun.

“We will take you there comfortably.”

It only took about 10 minutes from the hotel to the association.

The association he arrived at boasted a slightly larger appearance compared to Korea.

“Ah! Are you Mr. Kim Hunter?”

Japanese filled with goodwill was heard from the entrance of the association, and the woman began to translate.

“Yes, are you the Vice-Chairman?”

“That’s right. If I had known you were coming so soon, I would have prepared a little more, but oh well. Please understand even if it’s a bit simple.”

“No, I scheduled the meeting rather abruptly.”

The Vice-Chairman, pleased with Sung-hyun’s answer, nodded with a good-natured smile.

“Let’s go then.”

Following the Vice-Chairman into the association, it was decorated in a way that felt a bit extravagant, unlike how it looked from the outside.
The Vice-Chairman’s office, in particular, was the epitome of luxury.

All sorts of artwork hanging on the walls, golf clubs in the corner of the room, and golden statues filling the bookshelf revealed the Vice-Chairman’s hobbies.

“First of all, welcome to Japan. Wouldn’t Japan’s winter be much more beautiful than Korea’s?”

“Is that so? I haven’t seen it properly yet, so it’s hard to agree.”

At the ambiguous answer that was neither affirmative nor negative, the Vice-Chairman replied with a slightly stiffened expression.

“…There’s plenty of time, so take your time to look around.”

“Rather than that, what is the reason for inviting me here?”

“Is there a big reason? It’s a basic qualification for the Vice-Chairman to interact with hunters.”

The Vice-Chairman’s slick smile seemed quite accustomed to this kind of conversation.

“I was a little puzzled. You invited me before the academy representatives were even decided.”

“Haha, is there a problem with the timing? The right time always changes.”

Unlike other years, there was supposed to be an observation period during this competition.

If so, it would be easier to contact Sung-hyun then, and it might be too late to contact him then.

One of the reasons Japan invited Sung-hyun at this time was this.

“Actually, I’m planning to go to the academy today as well. If I want to enjoy Japan’s winter, as the Vice-Chairman said, wouldn’t it be good to finish all the schedules today?”

“Mr. Kim Hunter, you have a much more fiery personality than I thought. I vaguely thought you might be a passive person since you have healing abilities, but I guess I was wrong.”

The Vice-Chairman’s face was full of composure.

He didn’t seem flustered by Sung-hyun’s unexpected behavior.

“Since you said you’re going to the academy today, I’ll get straight to the point.”

The Vice-Chairman opened the file that had been prepared in advance and showed it to Sung-hyun.

“This is…”

The document contained information about the United States.

“Since I’m in this position, there are many things I hear even if I don’t want to.”

Sung-hyun had given the association a potion once before.

And he hadn’t given any other potions since then.

Japan had figured out that only the United States had received that potion.

“When I first confirmed this… I was really surprised. To think that potions I only saw in games and comics would appear.”

Judging by his reaction, he seemed to know roughly how far the potion’s effects extended.

“But we can’t just pressure the hunter just because we found out, can we?”

Sung-hyun instinctively realized.

That the real point would come after this.

“How about we trade for your potion?”

“Trade?”

“You don’t have to decide right now. I just want you to make a decision before you leave Japan.”

“What do I get?”

The Vice-Chairman smiled inwardly.

If he had no intention of trading, he wouldn’t have asked in the first place.

“You can get what you want.”

“…I understand for now.”

The original Sung-hyun might have asked what he wanted specifically, but he decided that there was no point in talking any further right now.

“I’ll be waiting for a good result.”

The Vice-Chairman smiled as he had when he first greeted Sung-hyun and extended his hand.

There was no reason to hesitate.

He could go tomorrow, but it was easier to finish all the troublesome things today and enjoy the remaining days.

“Then you’re going straight to the academy, right?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll take the two of them to the academy separately. They’re still at the hotel.”

“I understand.”

For some reason, it felt like there was something significant at the academy.

Judging by the fact that he had arranged the meeting with the Vice-Chairman, he must have known about this.

And judging by the fact that he had scheduled the academy visit together, it seemed that the source of his confidence was the academy.

‘Come to think of it, I heard that unlike our country, the Hunter Association and the academy here are deeply connected.’

Everything could be confirmed once he went to the academy anyway.

Also, the distance between the association and the academy wasn’t that far, so he could arrive quickly.

The size of the academy was truly enormous.

Compared to Korea, the difference was almost twice as much.

“They said the number of students is the same…”

Then the rest of the area was all space for the students.

As he admired the grandeur of the academy building, In-hwan and Sang-yeon arrived.

“Now that the two of you have arrived, let’s start the tour.”

The huge academy door opened, and the students inside turned their attention to them the moment they stepped inside.

“You don’t have to worry about them. As you know, we don’t usually open to outsiders, so it’s just because they’re curious.”

The woman guided Sung-hyun and his party straight to the basement.

“The academy’s basement is a place created solely for research. Hunters have superpowers, but sometimes science can make even greater things possible. Of course, the scientists are hunters as well.”

As they entered a different entrance than the one the students usually used, a scene unfolded that felt like it was 30 years in the future.