Chapter 135 : Chapter 135
Chapter 135: Rome Academy (7)
There is a saying that a man cries only three times in his life.
First, when he is born.
Second, when his parents pass away.
And third…….
“Waaaaah! Waaaaah! It’s a lie, it’s a lie!!”
Right now.
Seong-hyeon was shedding the most sorrowful tears in the world.
“Bring back Yelena! Yelena! She’s supposed to be damn pretty!!!!”
Indeed.
Yelena Brandon was a man.
And not just any man.
“Hey! Don’t cry! Friend! A man shouldn’t cry! Not because of Santa Claus…… but because of muscle loss!!!”
He was a crazy muscle-monster.
***
“What is the matter, Seong-hyeon?”
No answer came to De Marco’s question.
It was inevitable.
Seong-hyeon had already…….
“I’ve burned it all white…….”
He had turned into ashes.
Like a boxer who had finished the 10th round of his retirement match.
Like a marathoner who had run the final race of his life barefoot.
Half of his soul had already departed for the next world.
“Seong-hyeon……”
The moment De Marco tried to say something more.
“Hahahahaha!!!!”
“Ehehehehehehehe!”
The twins began to roll on the ground, laughing.
“Oh my! My stomach!”
“Save me!”
Despite their mockery, Seong-hyeon couldn't offer a single rebuttal.
Just quietly.
“God doesn't exist…… ha… ha……”
He muttered words that should never be uttered in the Vatican.
“Just why is he acting like……”
Then, Kang Tae-wook, who was behind De Marco, added expressionlessly.
“He’s originally like that. You don’t need to pay him any mind.”
Thus, the boy's delusion was shattered.
Just as it always was.
***
Seong-hyeon clung to De Marco with a face that looked like he was about to burst into tears.
“Is there any way you could…… change my roommate to a girl……?”
De Marco cut him off flatly.
“It is a violation of school rules.”
“…….”
“No, aside from school rules, the idea of men and women sharing a room is unthinkable here. Both religiously and educationally.”
A brawny forearm wrapped around the soul-depleted Seong-hyeon.
“Hey bro! I like you!”
“Go… go away……”
“Don’t worry! We will be very good friends! Running! Training! Squats! Hello, friend!”
“Aaaaaah!”
Ignoring Seong-hyeon’s screams, the room assignments continued.
“Room 1006……”
The rest of the children were also assigned rooms with Rome Academy students who were quite famous in their respective countries.
Germany, France, Japan, Brazil, somewhere in Northern Europe….
And so, their cohabitation with children whose names and appearances were unfamiliar began.
Once all ten rooms were assigned.
“Separate accommodations have been prepared for the teachers.”
De Marco pointed to a small building on the opposite side of the hill.
“It is a private annex for faculty. It won't be bad for staying quietly.”
“Oh, an annex. It’s small, but the exterior is definitely worthy of Rome Academy.”
Lee Si-wang’s eyes sparkled.
Well, since they were hidden behind his trademark sunglasses, no one could really tell.
Once the assignments were over, Yoo jin, who had been standing quietly in the back, stepped forward.
“The rules are exactly what I said on the plane. Don't break buildings, don't hit people, and especially, don't do anything that will get you scolded by me.”
“Teacher, that third one is way too broad.”
Yoo jin nodded at Seong-hyeon’s words.
“That’s right. That’s why I like it.”
“…….”
“Now, go to your respective rooms, unpack, and rest. Don’t act weird just because your roommate is a stranger, and if you're going to fight, try fighting with words first.”
“You’re not saying we shouldn't fight.”
“It’s because I know you lot.”
Honestly, the children who heard that had nothing to say.
“You’ll be tired, so go into your rooms, unpack, and rest. I’ll come by for roll call when the sun sets.”
“Yes!”
After the enthusiastic response echoed.
The children began to scatter gradually.
As the children sharing rooms gathered, the Academy students approached them.
After sharing brief greetings, they immediately began moving toward the dormitory.
The first day at Rome Academy.
An air mixed with expectation, anxiety, and excitement filled the space in front of the dormitory.
***
“Whoa……”
“The inside is more…… of a hotel than the outside……”
“…….”
As soon as they entered the room, the three of them opened their mouths simultaneously.
Kang Tae-wook, Jin-ho, and even the Model student.
The ceiling was so high that it couldn't even be compared to a normal apartment living room.
Through the window filling one side of the room, the entire view of Rome was visible at a glance.
It was called a studio-type dormitory.
But it was like a suite in a top-class hotel.
Yes, a Royal Suite.
It was a wall-less, studio-type Royal Suite.
Through the crack of the still-unclosed door.
“I wouldn't mind dying in this room!”
“Me too!”
“Ju-hee! I’ve succeeded…… Aaaah! Don’t stick to me, you muscle-monster!”
The voices of the Trio of Silliness flowed in.
The claim that they wouldn't mind dying in this room was a bit of an exaggeration, but it wasn't completely incomprehensible.
Leaving Seong-hyeon’s screams behind, Jin-ho and Tae-wook entered the room and carefully took in the space where they would stay for over a week.
The shimmering marble floor.
The luxurious wallpaper.
And even a top-of-the-line air purifier made from Mana Stones.
“The air conditioning is great too.”
“Coming inside, our school dorm is a total KO.”
“…….”
Everything was state-of-the-art.
And the tables and chairs.
Even a small shelf to place their belongings.
For something placed in a student dormitory, it seemed to be a fairly expensive product.
Even if they didn't know the exact price, the children could tell it was expensive.
Even to kids.
“It’s high-end.”
“Seriously. This might be similar to the furniture at the main house……”
“…….”
While Jin-ho and Tae-wook were admiring the furniture filling the room.
“The spot on the bottom left is mine. Pick your spots from the rest as you like.”
The voice of Leo Valentino, who was standing by the door, rang out.
The three students’ heads turned in unison.
“Why did you decide first? We should decide the spots by discussing it together.”
Kang Tae-wook blurted out without missing a beat.
“The school has given the Academy students the right to choose their sleeping spots. And even if there were no priority, I have no reason to discuss it with you.”
Behind the firm words, blue eyes and icy eyes crossed in the air.
Invisible sparks were flying between Kang Tae-wook’s and Leo’s gazes.
“Should I stop them……”
“…….”
Jin-ho asked while scratching his cheek, but the Model student, as usual, said nothing.
The staring contest between Kang Tae-wook and Leo felt like it would never end.
“Get settled. I’m going to wash first.”
The staring contest ended as Leo turned away coldly.
Thud.
The bathroom door closed.
“Ha…… I don’t know if he’s the youngest S-rank or whatever, but he really…… makes my blood boil.”
Kang Tae-wook’s brow furrowed.
He wore an expression as if he were about to smash the bathroom door at any moment.
“But why is he so prickly toward us? He isn’t even suppressing his bloodlust. This must be the first time we’ve met……”
“…….”
Jin-ho and the Model student merely stared at the bathroom door Leo had entered.
Regardless.
“I don't care what the reason is. If they come at us like that, we just have to hit back.”
Gulp.
Jin-ho, taking in Kang Tae-wook’s expression, gave an awkward smile.
Somehow.
It felt like if trouble broke out, it was going to be massive.
***
As the room assignments for the children were completed.
While the Academy students and the Taewoon High students from Korea were exchanging their first impressions.
The Principal’s Office of Rome Academy.
Principal Totti, who was looking toward the dormitory through the window of the office created inside the tower through magical alchemy, spoke in a low voice.
“I hope they get along well.”
“They will get along. Those children are strong and a bit peculiar, but they are good kids.”
“I suppose so.”
Totti, nodding his head, turned his body toward the Holy King sitting on the sofa.
“By the way, Holy King……”
“Grandfather, I told you to call me by my name when we’re alone.”
“I cannot do that. This office is strictly within Rome Academy. Even if it weren't Rome Academy, calling the Holy King by name recklessly within Rome is a capital offense.”
The atmosphere sank heavily.
“Wait…… Grandfather. There is no death penalty in Rome's regulations!”
“Ah. It seems I was mistaken.”
“What do you mean mistaken! You teased me on purpose!”
“Hahahaha. This old man’s mind must be wandering a bit.”
Tsk!
Liar.
The Holy King pouted her lips.
A benevolent smile spread across Totti’s face as he watched her.
After taking in his granddaughter’s expression for a moment, Totti’s eyes hardened into a line.
It was partly a joke to see that cute expression of his granddaughter, but there was another reason.
It was also to settle the atmosphere slightly for the heavy conversation to follow.
“How was that teacher's power?”
“Pardon? What do you mean……”
“Back then, when I stopped.”
At Totti’s words, the Holy King recalled her first meeting with Yoo jin.
“If he neutralized you, a Returnee, to that extent, isn't he a threat to Rome?”
“…….”
Her expression darkened.
The atmosphere sank.
He was right.
His words were true.
She had heard that he smashed the security gate with his bare hands.
Furthermore, a while ago.
When they first met.
The power of holy reverence that was attached as a passive skill—that dignity that made ordinary humans bow their heads without even realizing it.
It was devoured by the Demon King’s power.
Because of that, she knew for certain.
Returnee.
Yoo jin.
He was….
The only one with the power to make the Rome the Holy King protected disappear.
As Karina’s expression turned somber.
“Hahaha! You don't have to make such a face. It’s only a 'what if', a 'what if'. Hahaha.”
Totti was wearing a playful smile.
“Grandfather!”
“Hahahahaha.”
Even at his granddaughter’s sharp voice, Totti laughed.
Louder and louder.
Then, shortly.
He calmed his expression.
“And if that Returnee, who has the power to topple Rome which is under the Holy King’s protection, set his mind to it, he could have taken not only Rome but the whole world into his hands. The reason he didn't do so is……”
A gentle smile formed at the corners of Totti’s mouth.
‘Our kids can do the greeting themselves.’
That one scene and voice he had seen in that short moment.
That was enough.
More than enough.
He could tell what kind of person he was.
Money.
Honor.
Power.
No, the dream-like task of manipulating the entire Earth.
Perhaps, yes, he was the only person who could become a god.
Well…….
“Because there is something precious to him that such things cannot squeeze into.”
The same thing came to mind.
‘He said students are more precious than the world!’
‘He’s a Demon King who can knock out even the Supreme King with a single finger flick. In terms of strength, he's probably stronger than even the Heavenly King.’
‘He even refused the money China offered.’
‘Such a teacher really exists in reality.’
He was.
Neither a Returnee.
Nor a Demon King.
He was simply.
A true teacher.
The kind of teacher that exists nowhere else in this world.
“That Returnee named Yoo jin really…… values his students more than the world.”
Karina’s eyes, which were meeting his, shook violently.
“…….”
After becoming a Returnee.
The power that had tormented her.
The holy passive skill.
Because of that power, a hierarchy was always decided.
Even if the Holy King herself didn't want it.
It wasn't a difference created by power or authority.
As if existence itself were divided by rank, humans would offer reverence and bow their heads.
Even if they didn't want to.
Even if their hearts weren't moved.
So it was always lonely.
It was lonely, but….
Crunch.
Crunch.
The moment the black Demonic Energy devoured her holy power came to mind.
Even in that grotesque situation.
Karina couldn't take her eyes off one man.
Because for the first time, she felt an emotion that made it feel like her heart would burst.
“…….”
As she recalled her first meeting with Yoo jin, Karina’s cheeks turned red.
A smile that formed gently without her realizing it.
Not the radiant smile of a beautiful Saintess.
The smile of the Holy King Maria.
The true smile of an 18-year-old girl spread across her face.
Silence filled the Principal’s office.
.
.
.
“Are you unwell? Your cheeks are red. Do you have a fever……?”
A question?
An inquiry?
It was not.
What came from Totti’s mouth was not such a thing.
Grin—
The expression of a mischievous grandfather who had discovered his granddaughter’s first love.
“Shall we go to a pharmacy?”
Since there was no way the world’s number one healer would need a pharmacy.
“There’s a famous pharmacist from Korea in the dormitory. Named Yoo Jin.”
Saint Francesco Totti.
The Principal of the world’s number one Rome Academy.
The highest clergyman of the Vatican.
He was teasing his granddaughter.