The Academy’s Time Stop Player

TL/Editor: looloo

Schedule: 5/Week Wed-Sun

Illustrations: Here

join the discord! Here

The day following the end of training arrived.

Feeling drained, Hajoon made his way to the classroom for his afternoon lessons. Perhaps his fatigue came from his awkward sleeping position over the last three days of survival training?

Despite a long sleep, he woke up feeling sore and anything but refreshed.

"Ah... I need a break," he thought.

His mind suggested a day off, but his body mechanically continued on to the classroom. At least his afternoon class involved theory, so he wouldn’t have to move much.

He opened the classroom door and settled into his seat. As he was about to drift off, waiting for the instructor, his eyes were drawn to the message on the blackboard.

"What?"

The words ’self-study’ stared back at him.

Something seemed off. His instructor was not one to give free periods without a good reason. Despite this thought, he settled his head onto the desk, ready to take advantage of the unexpected nap opportunity. After all, wasn’t a self-study period a blessing in disguise? A chance to sneak in a nap during class.

Without overthinking it, Hajoon drifted off to sleep.

A few minutes might have passed when he was abruptly woken up.

"You there, the one sleeping. Wake up."

Hajoon slowly opened his eyes, rubbing away the sleep, as he registered the woman’s voice. It sounded like an instructor’s.

’Huh?’

He focused his attention on the podium, and his eyes widened at the unexpected sight.

Did I see that right?

He pinched his cheek to confirm he wasn’t dreaming and then refocused on the girl standing in front of the podium. As he realized he was fully awake, his expression gradually hardened.

’Why? Why is she here?’

---

Raei Translations

---

The silence within the principal’s office at Rokia Academy was palpable.

Sitting at his desk, Principal Choi Jungwon sipped his tea, his attention focused on the woman seated across from him.

"It’s been a while. I didn’t expect an unannounced visit from you."

Upon hearing his words, the woman smirked slightly as she tasted her own tea. After a quiet moment, she set down her teacup, aimed an enticing smile at Choi Jungwon, and responded.

"Indeed, it is quite out of the ordinary."

Her sparkling green eyes, the vibrant green hair that flowed down her back, and her lively yet pale complexion all contributed to her youthful look. Regardless of her youthful appearance, she was, surprisingly, the same age as Choi Jungwon.

"Hahaha, it is indeed out of the ordinary. Especially for a hermit like you, Riella."

The woman was none other than Riella Harnis, one of Britain’s great heroes who had settled past conflicts, and a leading summoner and Water Mage. After distancing herself from the rest of the world, she had covertly arrived in Korea and was now sitting in the Academy.

"So, why are you here?" Choi Jungwon asked, curiosity piquing.

Riella was known for preferring to remain within her own separate dimensional space, rarely venturing out into the world.

"Something of significance must’ve brought you here. It can’t be a trivial matter, right?"

Riella Harnis was known to exist almost entirely within her own created dimension, away from the ordinary world.

Even among the great heroes, she was known for her preference for solitude. She was separate from the mundane world; a recluse, to put it nicely, or a homebody with a dislike for leaving her comfort zone, if one were to be harsh.

Consequently, she was one of the heroes whose faces weren’t even familiar to her fellow great heroes.

Choi Jungwon was intrigued. Regardless of the reason, the fact that she had decided to venture out was certainly significant.

He regarded Riella seriously, and after a moment, she broke into a light smile. "Are you trying to pull the wool over my eyes?"

"What do you mean?" he responded, puzzled.

"Aren’t you raising a monster within this Academy?"

Choi Jungwon met Riella’s gaze, his expression stoic.

Seeing his calm demeanor, Riella continued, "It seems so."

"To be precise, I’m not the one raising him. He’s growing on his own."

"But this time, it’s gone too far."

"Too far? What do you mean?"

"Don’t play dumb. I’m already well aware."

Choi Jungwon looked at Riella, genuinely confused. If she was referring to a ’monster’, it was clear she meant the student Kim Hajoon, but something seemed to be off about their conversation.

Riella soon offered a confident smile. "There’s a student here who has formed a contract with a divine beast, correct? At this very academy."

A silence followed her words.

Choi Jungwon looked at Riella, his face hardened.

After a moment, he had to clarify what he’d just heard. "...Divine beast? Did you say divine beast?"

"Yes. In fact, I’ve already confirmed it. It’s Lee Jooah, correct? I’m certain it’s her."

Lee Jooah was a name Choi Jungwon knew well. She was indeed the child of Lee Joowon and the younger sister of the student council president, a well-known figure. She had recently passed the promotion test and advanced into the special combat department...

’So that’s why...’

Choi Jungwon understood that this achievement was not due to her hard work alone.

He looked back at Riella and asked, "Hmm... Riella, what do you intend to do with her?"

With a slow smile, Riella replied, "I plan to take her as my disciple."

Choi Jungwon nodded, outwardly calm. Internally, however, he was taken aback.

"This is your first time taking a disciple."

"Indeed, my first disciple. She’s a child of significant potential."

"I see... So, do you plan to stay here for a while?"

"Yes. I’ll stick around for a bit."

With that, Riella rose from her seat.

As Lila was making her way towards the door, Choi Jungwon suddenly called out to her.

"Riella, your teachings are highly sought after. Have you considered taking on more students?"

"Only if there’s a child who piques my interest."

"Hmm... how about a bet then?"

"A bet? What kind?"

At her question, Choi Jungwon’s mouth curved upwards.

"There’s a first-year student who’s caught my attention," he told her confidently.

"Oh? You mean someone you’re interested in?"

"It’s more than just interest. I believe this child could potentially be a symbol of peace for this country in my stead."

Riella’s eyes widened at his words.

"So, what’s the bet?" she asked, a smile spreading across her face.

"To see if you can guess who this student is."

"And the terms of the bet?"

"A favor."

"That’s interesting. Your favor would be for me to teach the children, I assume... I’ll think about what I want in return."

---

Raei Translations

---

’Why is she here?’

"Pleased to meet you. I am Riella Harnis."

Her introduction was succinct, yet it elicited a variety of reactions from the students. Most were disbelieving or confused, unable to accept that a girl who looked their age was introducing herself as one of the great heroes.

A few, however, recognized her and were visibly shaken.

"Huh! Ri, Riella Harnis?"

Anna was one of them. As the princess of England, she exclaimed in surprise, her voice trembling. At her reaction, the other students finally began to realize the significance of the situation and started expressing their shock.

"Could it really be her?"

"Oh my goodness!"

"But I heard she retired…"

Riella Harnis was a hero. The students had heard her name before, but very few had ever seen her face.

Among the great heroes, she was known for her reclusive nature, having spent much of the last decade seemingly in a separate dimension.

"Yes, it’s a pleasure to meet you all. Choi Jungwon has told me much about you. You’re indeed quite a talented bunch."

Her words sent waves of excitement through the room. Some students were even moved to tears by her mere acknowledgement.

It was understandable - she was one of the least known, most enigmatic figures among the great heroes, and the one who had achieved the greatest feats during the time of great chaos.

A fellow hero had once said,

"Had she not been among us during the time of the great chaos, we would have never been able to quell it."

Riella Harnis had played a significant role among the great heroes in quelling the great chaos, her influence unparalleled.

"Calm yourselves," she implored the class. "I need to speak. I came here to assess your abilities."

As Riella surveyed the room, the children’s excitement surged. Every time her gaze fell upon one of them, they seemed to rejoice.

For a moment, Hajoon wondered if he was in an idol concert hall rather than a classroom.

’Why is she here, really?’ he thought.

Riella Harnis wasn’t supposed to appear until much later, and it certainly wasn’t typical for her to show up at the academy like this. There was definitely a significant shift occurring, one that he wasn’t aware of.

’The system is going crazy again,’ he concluded.

"Hmm."

Unlike the confusion within Hajoon, Riella was observing several of the students with interest.

’I can see why Choi Jungwon is intrigued.’

A boy destined for the path of the sword, a potential future sage, a boy favored by weapons, and a girl harboring an enigmatic energy that was not magic - these were students that would certainly draw Choi Jungwon’s attention.

However, among them, there was only one who caught her eye. A girl who stood out, her presence noble and quiet.

’Interesting,’ she thought.

She could tell just by looking. This girl had contracted with a divine beast.

’It’s him, I’m sure.’

Fenrir. A storm that swallows the world, a beast with whom she had once failed to make a contract. Yet this young girl had managed to form a bond that even she, the Divine Beast Master, had failed to create.

For a moment, curiosity flickered in Riella’s eyes, but she quickly reined it in.

’No, I shouldn’t get ahead of myself. What am I doing here…’

With a calmer mindset, she addressed the class once again.

"Let’s head to the training ground. I’d like to assess your abilities."

---

Raei Translations

---

The exceptional class students assembled in the spacious auditorium, their expressions tense as they awaited Riella’s instructions.

"The facilities are indeed commendable," she commented after surveying the room. Satisfied, she addressed the students.

"There’s no need to be overly nervous. I’m merely curious to see your skill level."

With a flick of her hand, a green summoning circle materialized, revealing a hawk enveloped in a shimmering green aura.

The students stared in awe at the summoned creature.

"I want to gauge your abilities," Riella explained. "So, I would like each of you to face the creature I’ve summoned. It’s not a test, so there’s no need to be nervous... However, I do ask for your earnest effort."

She flashed a gentle smile before continuing.

"Those who feel ready can step forward one by one. I will adjust the hawk’s strength to match each of you."

---