I Became the Academy’s Kibitz Villain

Education was indeed pursued with unparalleled fervor in Korea.

In Korea, educational methods from various places, such as the Finnish or American systems, were adopted. Despite criticisms from other countries about the “ills of Korean education,”

-Even ability users can’t receive special treatment in the college entrance exam! If you aim to enter Seoul National University’s Busan campus, you must go through the regular admission process!

In terms of ‘fervor,’ no other country could match Korea’s zeal for education.

This held true for ability education as well; Korea had established and operated educational institutions that were renowned worldwide and attracted international students.

And now, Korea had become the premier country for educating ability users.

This is due in part to the large population of ability users and the country’s extensive infrastructure related to abilities.

-Teacher! He hit me with his superpower!

-Oho. I told you, my ability is telepathy.

-You lied, so should I remove one praise sticker?

-No, I won’t do it again….

-It’s okay. I used to lie when I was young too. So, can I ask why our hero lied?

-More than anything, it’s because those who can understand ability users from their perspective have started teaching them.

Adults aged 20~25.

-How about deploying newly adult ability users as specialized counselors in kindergartens or elementary schools? You might discover kids hiding their abilities.

-Sending them to the ability user kindergarten in Busan would work. My nephew works there as a teacher; I’d like to pair them up….

These newly socialized individuals are not entering college but are being integrated directly into professional fields.

While others spent their early twenties in college, these individuals had already completed their education up to the college level on Sejong Island.

-Fast-track education is also fine! Ability users are mostly intelligent!

-What? Finish a four-year college curriculum in one year? Drop that impossible thought! They can do it because they have the motivation!

Society had been hoping for these individuals to enter the workforce, and they, in turn, wished to contribute as members of society.

A prime example was this man, ‘Jeong Gong-in’.

A man who grew up as society would expect and dedicated his life to public service.

“How can someone be named Jeong Gong-in…I can understand his parents’ feelings.”

There was once also a man named Jeong Gong-in.

He was a villain known as Red Scarf and had tried to blow up Seoul.

-My child will never become a villain or a demon! Certainly not!!

Unlike him, Jeong Gong-in’s parents surely saw him as a normal person, no different from other children.

Apart from having special abilities, he grew up to be a normal man, which his name reflected.

He truly lived up to his name and became a pride of the Korean Marine Corps.

To the extent that he was designated as a re-socialization instructor for children who grew up in limited environments.

He was the man chosen by the world to reintegrate brainwashed children found during the turmoil in Thailand back into society.

“Oppa. So, do all of Laplace’s children become marines?”

“They adopt a marine-like mindset, not necessarily joining the marine corps. But…it certainly seems easier to adapt than at a regular educational institution.”

We enjoyed a drive in Pattaya and then watched a press conference by Jeong Gong-in’s ‘Red Team’ about the re-socialization process at a beachside hotel on TV.

-The cultures of Thailand and Korea are very different, but is it really okay to apply Korean marine education? The marines are still part of the military, aren’t they?

-In Korea, there is a separate marine camp. It’s extreme training selected from military drills that focus on unity, cooperation, and team spirit. The program doesn’t aim to make soldiers.

Dressed not in a military uniform but in a formal black suit, Jeong Gong-in confidently expressed his beliefs in Korean in front of global journalists.

-Some experts believe military-style education is more effective for them.

-Which experts are those?

-Staff from Korean educational institutions, professors from Sejong Academy…

“Oppa, do those people really have enough expertise to persuade the world…?”

“Still, he’s a professor. There might not be a paper or theory immediately applicable to this situation, but it should be enough to persuade people.”

After assessing the situation in Thailand, Korea gathered education experts.

Just as when Sejong Academy was established, experts from various fields came together for intense discussions on how to educate ability users.

“They’ve concluded. Marine-style education is deemed most appropriate for their re-socialization.”

-We will do our best. This may not be the perfect answer, but as ability users, we are the closest to understanding their turbulent emotions. Ability users sometimes share the same feelings across borders.

“Oppa. Do you trust that Marine?”

“To trust someone, you need to see their actions, and so far, Jeong Gong-in has shown himself to be a loyal soldier to the country.”

Information about Jeong Gong-in was available on the Hero Wiki.

“There’s no incident other than when he came down to his hometown and fought 1 against 17 to save a high school student from school violence. Jeong Gong-in is a thoroughly normal hero. He’s the type that society most rigorously scrutinizes.”

He did not compromise on evil.

With Baek Seol-hee, he could persuade her through a honey trap.

With Yumir, he could form a cooperative relationship by compensating for what she lacked.

Unlike Yoon Iseon, who shared some of society’s ideals and showed its actions, he was not someone who could be recruited into the society.

Even if, like Nguyen, they received consulting and assistance from the society, there was no willingness to clean up the darkness within their own country. This made them very awkward for the society to deal with.

Just like when I intervened in the confrontation between Yoon Iseon and Hayabusa.

While the society’s collaborators and associates showed a standoffish attitude, figures like Armored Taejo, Noje, and Toosin were really trying to arrest me or showed guarded actions.

“Lucky us. Whether the marine education happens or not, we can still do our work our way.”

“Exactly. Ah, have we arrived?”

Yun Hye-ra quickly threw on her coat.

“Shall we leave the troublesome kids to the world of light and focus on the world of darkness?”

“…That sounds right.”

Dressed in a black dress with a half coat, she reached out her hand to me, and I too put on my coat and joined hands with Yun Hye-ra.

“I never imagined Yun Hye-ra would suggest working overtime because she’s afraid of the night.”

“…I’d rather work overtime than deal with you alone every day.”

Yun Hye-ra fiddled with a red mark on her neck and puffed her cheeks.

“And doing it when we’re tired from overtime feels better than just doing it patriotically every day, right?”

“……Indeed.”

It’s more fulfilling to do it when both were a bit emptied out than when both were full.

“Shall we go then?”

After leaving the children at the marine academy.

We were off to address a more serious issue, currently unnoticed by anyone.

“To the Island of the Succubus.”

A place far from Phuket, and also a destination for those seeking pleasure, attracting more visitors.

South of Bangkok, Thailand’s capital.

An island that could be quickly reached by boat from Pattaya.

Outwardly, it’s promoted as a beautiful island, but in reality, it’s more severe than the resting place of the gods.

Creak.

A small rowboat arrived outside the hotel.

The woman who docked the rowboat outside the hotel’s shore didn’t even bother to remove the boat’s keys before vanishing. Yun Hye-ra and I approached the boat and seated ourselves within it.

“Shall I drive?”

“No. I’ll do it.”

When else would I have the chance to pilot a boat if not now?

Living in this world, experiencing national pride and the world’s darkness daily, was indeed a bittersweet affair, yet it’s always fresh and mystical to encounter things I couldn’t before I was sent to this world.

Perhaps what we’re about to experience might occur in reality, but it’s an experience ordinary people wouldn’t easily encounter.

“People are so shocked that they all seem to be overlooking one thing.”

The ruler had vanished, and now they were plunged into chaos on this island of luxury and pleasure.

“There’s another place more severe than a divine resting place.”

Once known as ‘Coral Island’.

“It’s because the visible ones are children, but where do you think those children came from?”

“Sigh…”

Red Brassard, Jeong Gong-in, patted his throbbing heart and straightened his posture.

Although the setting resembled an interrogation room, he was safe; this was a precaution for the Thai Deputy Prime Minister and the so-called ‘high-ranking individuals’ observing from beyond the glass window.

This was a minimal measure in anticipation of the threat posed by Laplace’s abandoned children, or in case they became ‘demons’.

A measure taken in anticipation of corruption to a degree even Jeong Gong-in might find challenging to suppress.

And at the same time, a demonstration for the world to see.

“Recording standby. Ready, Captain Jeong Gong-in.”

“Let’s bring in the first student.”

“Yes.”

The door opened.

Soon after, a nervous child glanced around and took a seat on the chair.

“Do you know who your instructor is?”

Creating an oppressive atmosphere from the outset.

It’s not intended to frighten the child, but according to the investigation, this atmosphere mirrored the behavior exhibited by the guards under Laplace in the resting place of the gods.

“Yes, I know.”

One should not be overly submissive.

Children naturally gravitated towards strength, and in the presence of someone as formidable as Laplace in a changed environment, their spirits will inevitably be crushed.

“They say you’re an A+ from Korea….”

“That’s correct. I am Captain Jeong Gong-in, the representative and instructor of the Marine Academy that will be educating you.”

The irony of being both an educator and a soldier simultaneously.

This was deemed necessary because among those high-ranking individuals, there existed a viewpoint that regarded the children as ‘defeated remnants’.

“First question. The demon Laplace has been killed. Executed by the Goblin. Do you have anything you’d like to say about that?”

“…I’ll cooperate as much as possible.”

Perhaps because he was the eldest, the child slowly broached the subject.

“But, there’s something I’d like to ask.”

“A request?”

“Yes, that.”

The child barely managed to convey the emotion he had summoned from deep within.

“…We want to find our mother.”