The Academy’s Time Stop Player

TL/Editor: looloo

Schedule: N/A

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The following morning.

"Ugh, I can’t stand this."

Hajoon woke up, immediately expressing his frustration. Going to school was a torment for him. He’d already graduated and completed his military service, and yet here he was again. Life at the academy was even more rigorous than the military. For Hajoon, who had enjoyed a few peaceful years at home, it was unbearable.

Truthfully, it felt like doing military service all over again.

"First things first... my status window."

Clad in his school uniform, Hajoon quickly pulled up his status window and made his way to class. His status was predictably disappointing.

Level: 2

Job: Unemployed

Title: None

Fame: 250

HP: 11

MP: 0

Strength: 6 (+1)

Agility: 6 (+1)

Stamina: 11 (+1)

Defense: 0

Magic Resistance: 999 (Max)

Spirit: 999 (Max)

Skills: [Time Stop] (SSS) [Indomitable Will] (SS) {Always Active}

"Ah..."

He sighed when he saw his stats. His strength, agility, and stamina had each increased by 1 since the Full-Power Man incident. But compared to an average student with stats around 100, his numbers were laughable.

While HP did increase with levels, the other stats didn’t. Leveling up only raised the upper limit of HP and other stats. Actual improvement required personal effort. And with such low stats, the limit was glaringly obvious.

Did he just have a bit more muscle than the average person?

His Magic Resistance and Spirit were through the roof thanks to Indomitable Will. But other than that, he was no different from anyone else. With stats like his, anyone else might have had a heart attack during training.

’At least I have Time Stop...’

He wasn’t sure about anything else, but he knew Time Stop was his saving grace. Without it, even with his game knowledge, he wouldn’t make it.

There were other dangers too.

’I don’t know when the system will give me a quest...’

The Full-Power Man incident was a prime example.

He didn’t know when this digital machine would back him into a corner.

"Sigh..."

Hajoon let out a sigh.

When he looked up, he was standing at the door marked ’special class’. The familiar sight brought back memories of his school days... but not in a good way.

Creak!

-Oh, it’s the top student!

-Me? That guy?

-Wow... is he from a middle school?

His entrance into the classroom stirred up a buzz.

Even before he’d enrolled, he’d outdone all the promising students and claimed the top spot.

It would be strange if they weren’t curious, but to Hajoon, nothing could be more irritating right now.

’Dropping out… Hmm, I guess that’s not going to work.’

He’d thought about dropping out as soon as he enrolled in the academy, but it seemed like a bad idea. The academy was his best defense, especially with the Villain Alliance lurking around.

Sure, there were many incidents at the academy, but he didn’t have to deal with them all. These incidents usually centered around the main characters anyway.

He just had to keep himself safe.

’Now, where’s an open seat…’

As he searched for an empty seat, he noticed a prime spot unoccupied.

’That seat’s empty?’

It was a window seat at the back.

A cool breeze flowed through the window, making it the perfect location.

As he made his way to claim the seat, he felt all eyes on him.

Normally, he’d feel self-conscious under such scrutiny.

But not today.

Instead, he was yawning, barely keeping his eyes open.

“Yawn~”

As he rested his chin on his hand and gazed out the window, his eyes began to shut.

He hadn’t been sleeping well lately.

And just like that, Hajoon dozed off... and woke up to an unexpected scene.

’Why is he here?’

Han Siyoung was sitting next to him, his eyes fixed on the blackboard, his posture straight. Why was he sitting next to him and drawing attention, just like at the entrance ceremony?

He didn’t want to make a fuss over seating, but what puzzled him more was the platinum blonde girl in the seat in front of him.

’I don’t recall parting on friendly terms at the entrance ceremony...’

Clearly, Anna wasn’t pleased with him, but he didn’t understand why she was sitting right in front of him. Furthermore, she kept glancing back at him, as if she wanted to say something.

’So what.’

He reacted calmly.

Regardless of how they’d left things, he didn’t want anything to do with her, including Han Siyoung next to him.

’When will the roll call start... Ah, here we go.’

His thoughts were interrupted by a man entering the room.

He wasn’t a major character in the game, but his name was...

"Now, before we start roll call, allow me to introduce myself."

He was a towering figure with fierce eyes and four short swords strapped to his thigh.

His entrance alone put half the new students on edge.

He might not have been a significant character in the game, but he was a well-known instructor at the academy.

“Nice to meet you all. I’m Han Eeseul, your instructor for this first-year special class."

Han Eeseul.

"I’m Han Siyoung. I look forward to a good year."

Han Eeseul’s lips slowly curled into a smile at the first successful introduction.

"Pass. Next."

Next up was a girl, Anna.

The moment Anna rose to the podium, she attempted to use magic to counteract Han Eeseul’s pressure. However, her magic fell short.

Cracks started to form in her magical barrier, and through these cracks, Han Eeseul’s pressure began to seep in. Still, Anna held her ground. Clenching her fist, she introduced herself with determination.

"Ugh! I’m Anna Elizabeth Hartel. Pleased to meet you!"

"Hmm..."

Han Eeseul stroked his chin for a moment before nodding and murmuring softly.

"Borderline... but pass. Next is..."

Han Eeseul’s eyes sparkled with anticipation as he checked the order.

Next up was the guy who’d been making a name for himself among the instructors and students lately.

’Kim Hajoon... it’s him.’

Hajoon rose from his seat, drawing everyone’s attention.

Han Eeseul’s expression soured at the sight of him.

’So relaxed...’

His lazy stride and laid-back expression...

He looked as if he’d just woken up from sleep. His indifferent demeanor seemed to aggravate Han Eeseul.

Then, Han Eeseul’s booming voice echoed through the room as Hajoon approached the podium.

"Start."

Roar——!

His will took the form of magical power.

This massive will transformed into a deadly intent, an urge to kill the opponent standing in front of him. An urge directed solely at his opponent.

An ordinary student might faint from such concentrated murderous intent, but...

"Hello, I’m Kim Hajoon, who was fortunate enough to be top scorer in this entrance exam. I look forward to a good year."

"Heh..."

A sigh escaped Han Eeseul’s lips.

Hajoon seemed unphased by the deadly intent aimed at overpowering and killing him.

"Let’s work hard for the next year. Let’s do this!"

When he casually struck a fighting pose, Han Eeseul let out a dry laugh.

’That... that’s beyond mere talent.’

Familiarity.

It was evident from his expression.

His calm, unbothered demeanor.

His indifference to the palpable magical force, the horrifying murderous intent, it was clear.

He was no stranger to death.

’Never thought I’d see a new student like him.’

He was more than a typical student.

Being familiar with death suggested he had the experience of a seasoned warrior.

"Kim Hajoon, you pass."

"Yes."

With his approval, Instructor Han Eeseul withdrew his murderous intent and bowed his head.

The pointlessness of further demonstrations of murderous intent was clear.

That was the conclusion Han Eeseul came to after witnessing Hajoon’s unflappable demeanor.

However, Hajoon himself wasn’t exactly thrilled.

’Damn it.’

[Main Quest]

Eligible participants for the quest: Kim Hajoon (Liber Laphilton Phil Ehrman)

Objective: Earn recognition from Instructor Han Eeseul.

(1. Courage Test: 1/1)

(2. Practical Class: 0/1)

Reward: 200P

[Courage Test Successful!]

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