"Um, sorry to say this at our first meeting, but… you're incredibly beautiful. You're the most stunning elf I've ever seen. Truly."
Despite Baek lyeon's bold words, which could easily be considered rude, Shahar didn't wipe away her smile and gave a small nod.
"What a strange way of speaking. I asked for questions, and you offer compliments on my beauty… Still, thank you. However, I am the First Blade of the great Eluriate family. I would prefer to be seen not as a woman, but as a warrior."
Her response carried a clear pride in her identity as a warrior.
In truth, Soohyeok had always wondered if such a thing as a beautiful warrior woman could exist in real life — but it seemed possible, especially if she wasn't human, but an elf.
"Ah, I see. And, um… Earth…
I mean, your Korean is really amazing. You're seriously cool."
This time, Shahar broke into a genuinely pleased, radiant smile in response to Yiyeon's continued compliments.
It was the kind of smile that seemed to give off the fragrance of flowers just by looking at it.
"I studied to become an instructor for Earth. Being complimented on my efforts makes me feel good. Thank you, young one. Now then — at nineteen, you would just barely be weaned by elven standards. The fact that you've chosen to begin training for war at such a young age is admirable. You still have two more questions left."
After giving praise that left no doubt of her approval, Shahar turned her gaze back to the group of 48 trainees.
This time, quite a few hands went up.
Thanks to Baek lyeon's question, many had come to see Shahar as more approachable than she initially appeared.
"You there. You raised your hand the fastest. What's your name?"
Shahar pointed to a man wearing a sleeveless black shirt that didn't quite suit his small frame.
Am I just old-fashioned…?
Soohyeok frowned slightly as he glanced at the man. He could understand wearing a sleeveless shirt in this heat, even if it didn't fit the man's build. But the snake tattoo on his arm, its mouth agape as if threatening to strike, gave off a hostile impression.
"Jin Changhyuk. I couldn't find anything online, so I wanted to ask… Can ex-cons join the training?"
As expected, he seemed to be someone with a criminal record.
"An ex-convict, huh… What crime did you commit?"
"Well…"
Jin Changhyuk scratched the back of his head, clearly uncomfortable under the stares of the others.
"Some petty theft."
"Theft, I see."
Shahar nodded, her smile unwavering.
"In Elvenheim, we offer criminals a chance to fight on the battlefield. Kill many enemies, protect many comrades. We call it Lang-der. In Earth terms, I suppose it would be 'honorable atonement.' Ha ha ha."
Shahar laughed heartily, amused by the awkward translation.
"Tell me, why are you here?"
"Because… I awakened."
"Ah, I asked a strange question, not fully understanding humans. Let me rephrase. Jin Changhyuk, what do you hope to become through this training?"
Changhyuk furrowed his brows, struggling for an answer.
"A protector…"
"You want to become a protector of your people. That intention alone is admirable.
If you've committed a crime, then all the more reason to fulfill your duty with diligence. Never forget your sins. Remember them, and act with honor. Final question."
Shahar's gaze left the now flushed Jin Changhyuk.
At that moment, Soohyeok quickly raised his hand.
"Your name?"
"Yang Soohyeok."
Shahar tilted her head slightly, as if puzzled.
"How curious. Yang Soohyeok — forgive me for asking first, but do you sense spirits?"
Spirits?
It was the first time Soohyeok had heard of such a thing, and he shook his head.
"I've never heard of that before."
"Hmm…"
Letting out a thoughtful hum and stroking her chin, Shahar smiled again.
"No matter. If you have talent, it may bloom with time. Go ahead and ask your question."
"Instructor Shahar, are you teaching all of us by yourself?"
"No, as I mentioned, I'm the chief instructor. I wouldn't claim to teach every subject alone. Especially theoretical lessons — they don't suit me well. So most of those are taught by Earthlings. Though when field training begins, I may be assigned to a specific squad."
"I see."
Soohyeok nodded lightly.
If you thought about it, Shahar was like the principal of a school.
But unlike the usual school head who mostly managed from the sidelines, Shahar was actively involved in the education process.
"Question time is over. From now, follow me in two orderly lines to the classroom. Note that the first lesson has already begun, and it is mine. I'll be teaching you the mindset and behavioral codes expected of an Awakened."
Unfolding the arms she had kept crossed during the entire Q&A, Shahar turned and walked into the association building.
The would-be protectors, or hunters, who followed her looked far from orderly.
Despite her instructions, a clean two-line formation was nowhere to be seen.
Soohyeok, too, walked along casually, when suddenly—
WHOOSH—!
As the first few people reached the entrance, a sudden gust of wind blasted them backward.
"Whoa—!"
"Eh?!"
"Oh no!"
Caught off guard, several people screamed and tumbled back in a chaotic heap.
Inside the now-open door, Shahar stood again, arms crossed and smiling.
"For your information, I believe discipline is critical in all training.
Please — let me keep this smile on my face. That little breeze just now was me going easy on you, thinking you didn't know any better.
Next time…"
Shahar didn't finish the sentence.
Instead, her smile deepened as she looked at the startled trainees.
"Enough talk. Line up in twos and follow me. I will be watching."
Immediately, two neat lines formed behind her.
***
The first lesson, led by Shahar, helped firm up the resolve of the would-be protectors, hunters — in short, the trainees — who had entered training with relatively relaxed minds.
She always smiled, and was beautiful, but she was strict.
Every movement she made carried a sense of authority.
Because of this, no one could treat her lightly.
And perhaps because she controlled the wind, it felt like she had eyes in the back of her head — instantly catching any trainee who broke posture, even slightly. Some who had dozed off during class found themselves blown off their chairs by a sudden gust.
"Maybe it's thanks to her?"
The students' level of focus during the following theoretical classes appeared to be unusually high.
According to Park Youngsook, a 48-year-old former full-time housewife taking her third entrance test, it was a classroom atmosphere she had never seen before.
She said that usually, most trainees would slack off during theoretical lessons.
The theory instructors were mostly pure academics — scholars with little to no field experience. Because of the rare and elite nature of Awakened individuals, many of them had developed a superiority complex. As a result, some trainees would even release their powers in defiance during class.
But during this round of theory lectures, not a single person dared step out of line.
Whenever someone with little patience even looked like they were about to complain, Shahar would somehow appear behind them, smiling. For someone said to be taking on the chief instructor role for the first time, Shahar showed a remarkable knack for handling people.
In the midst of all that, there was one thing that truly surprised Soohyeok — something about Jin Changhyuk.
Wasn't he 25?
Due to his rough demeanor and older-looking appearance, Soohyeok had assumed he was over 30 — but he was much younger.
In any case, Jin Changhyuk turned out to be quite different from his first impression. He kept to himself, didn't act out, and paid attention in class. After the first day, he started carrying a backpack and brought writing tools with him. He seemed to be studying very hard, though it wasn't easy for him. He often looked like he was struggling, clutching his head in frustration.
Soohyeok could relate deeply — very deeply — to that feeling.
"Trying to study again after all this time… it's ridiculously hard."
It wasn't something he had thought about much back when he was famous as the greatest warrior of the Hwan Continent and eventually returned to Earth.
To do anything meaningful here, studying was essential. But since he'd never liked it to begin with, it always felt like something completely beyond his reach.
"Me? Studying…?
Aaaaaargh!"
On the way home, sometimes Soohyeok would let out a sigh and scream that line without even realizing — though only when he was sure no one was around.
If Heuksanja had heard it, he would've doubled over laughing.
In any case, like Jin Changhyuk, Soohyeok also carried a bag every day, took notes diligently, and reviewed his lessons. He didn't have the energy to study in advance. He wasn't especially good at studying either, and it took everything he had just to process what he'd learned that day.
And then there was the so-called honors student — Baek lyeon, was it?
For some reason, she wore her school uniform to class every day, drawing attention from everyone.
First of all, she was a high school girl.
She had soft, puppy-like eyes and a cheerful, friendly personality.
Most importantly — she was pretty. Her face was round and youthful, the type that would probably remain cute even as she got older.
"Still just a kid, though…"
Even Soohyeok found himself glancing her way.
Though — to be clear — there wasn't even a speck of impure intent.
Soohyeok had just always liked cute things since he was young.
And truthfully, he liked animal-types like dogs and cats more than people.
His interest in Baek lyeon didn't go beyond that — it was like watching a cute, four-legged animal.
"Mister, heading home by yourself again?"
Not as cute as a four-legged animal maybe, but still a charming presence — and since she talked to him every day, she was someone who lingered in his thoughts.
"O."
"Stone."
"Aunt Youngsook says that since theory class ends the day after tomorrow, we should all go out to a café together. Wanna come?"
There were only two days left until the theory exam.
"Nah. Not interested."
Soohyeok was firm.
Park Youngsook, 48, former housewife.
Currently divorced, unemployed, and taking the training course for the third time.
It wasn't hard to see why she kept failing the theory exams.
She seemed aware of Shahar's presence and didn't talk during class, but it was clear she wasn't paying attention. After class, she always gathered people and went out for fun.
Considering her age and how hard studying must already be, it seemed likely that at this rate, she might be taking theory classes for the rest of her life.
"Really?"
"Yup. Really."
"Even if I keep calling you mister?"
"Go ahead."
Soohyeok answered coolly, packing away his neatly organized pens.
"Even Changhyuk-oppa said he's going today, though???"
"Jin Changhyuk?"
At Soohyeok's reaction, Baek lyeon nodded with twinkling eyes.
"I see."
He was just surprised that the guy who, like himself, only seemed to go between home and the association for study was suddenly joining a social gathering.
"Ugh… seriously. I want to be friends with you, mister."