The Last Place Hero’s Return - Chapter 41

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 41. Consistent as Ever (2)
After leaving the Medical Facility.
During the remaining break, I’d been shuttling between the Dormitory and the Training Ground, hammering my newly elevated realm into my body. Now, glancing at the calendar hanging on one wall of the Training Ground, I clicked my tongue in frustration.
“Classes start again tomorrow….”
No Candidate Program student actually enjoyed the start of the academic term, but my reluctance ran deeper than merely resuming classes.
“Today’s my last day having this place all to myself.”
I exhaled a short sigh, surveying the empty Training Ground.
Few Candidates ventured to the Training Ground during the break to continue personal training, which meant I’d enjoyed the space as though I’d rented it exclusively.
‘But that ends today.’
Once classes resumed, the Training Ground would teem with Candidates again.
Hero Academy’s curriculum was unforgiving—fall behind in personal training, and you’d fall behind in the program itself.
“Not that sharing bothers me, but the stares… well, that’s unavoidable.”
Especially with all the recent incidents raising my profile considerably, using the public Training Ground meant drawing unwanted attention.
‘Maybe I should apply for a private Training Ground this time.’
The problem was the same as with the Private Recovery Room—securing a private Training Ground required a substantial ‘donation.’
“Why does this school only think about squeezing money out of Candidates?”
Of course, Candidates ranking in the top 50 of the comprehensive evaluation could apply for a private Training Ground without any donation.
“Ha, damn it.”
What could I say?
Comprehensive evaluation ranking: 472nd out of 472.
As the lowest-ranked Hero Candidate Dale Han, I had no way to apply for a private Training Ground without a massive donation.
‘When’s the comprehensive evaluation exam?’
Never thought I’d reach a point where I’d pray for the comprehensive evaluation to happen sooner.
“A donation, huh….”
Hmm.
As I stepped out of the Training Ground, my mind drifted to one particular ‘friend’ whose name automatically surfaced whenever money came up.
“Huh?”
“H-hyiek!”
They say speak of the tiger and it appears?
Though in this case, it wasn’t appearing—it was fleeing.
Regardless.
The moment my best friend Juliet Kang caught sight of me, he spun around desperately to escape. I kicked off the ground and gave chase.
“Where are you rushing off to in such a hurry?”
“Aaaah!”
In an instant, I’d grabbed Juliet by the scruff of his neck.
I flashed him a friendly smile and draped an arm across his shoulder.
“Man, it’s been a while since I’ve seen you.”
“Y-yeah. It’s… it’s been a while.”
“What’d you do during the break?”
“I… I went back home for a bit….”
“Hmm. You visited your family home?”
The moment I opened my eyes, Juliet Kang jumped up with a startled expression.
“N-no, of course I didn’t say anything about you! I-I swear by the Seven Gods, absolutely not!”
“Haha! You bastard, you were too embarrassed to tell your parents you made a friend?”
“Huh? Ah… u-uh, yeah. That’s right, I guess.”
“Yeah, yeah. That makes sense.”
At this age, it might be a bit embarrassing to talk about friends with your parents.
I understand.
“S-so, what’s this about?”
Juliet Kang asked in a timid voice.
I grinned widely and tightened my grip on the arm I had around his shoulder.
“Do friends always need a reason to spend time together?”
“Huh? Oh, no. That’s not what I meant….”
“Let’s just grab a bite to eat together, that’s all.”
“…So I just buy bread and milk like usual, right?”
With 5 gold left over… w-no, wait.
“No. Today let’s head to the Candidate Program Cafeteria. I’ll treat.”
“What…? You, you’re treating? Really?”
Juliet Kang’s eyes widened at the mention of me treating.
I twisted my lips into a smirk as I watched Juliet Kang blink in disbelief.
“You’re always mooching off me. I should buy you a meal once in a while.”
“R-really?”
“Of course.”
Besides, soon enough I’d be borrowing a massive donation from him to apply for a private training ground.
Buying him a meal before borrowing that donation wasn’t difficult at all.
“Come on, let’s head to the cafeteria, friend!”
“Oh, okay.”
And so Juliet Kang and I headed to the Candidate Program Cafeteria located in the Annex.
Unlike the upscale cafeteria in the main building, this one was filled with affordable yet nutritious menu options.
“So this is the Annex Cafeteria….”
“Is this your first time here?”
“U-uh, yeah. I usually go to the main building cafeteria.”
“Ah, right.”
Juliet Kang was the son of a conglomerate family ranked among the top five in the Republic.
Of course he’d only ever used the eye-wateringly expensive main building cafeteria.
“Call it an experience. Try it out. There are lots of menu items here that aren’t in the main building.”
I led Juliet Kang toward the entrance of the Annex Cafeteria.
Beep.
[Hero Candidate ‘Dale Han’. Identity confirmed.]
As I brought my Hero Watch to the recognition device installed at the entrance, the firmly locked cafeteria door slid open.
Upon entering, what greeted me was the sight of Candidate Program students bustling about the Cafeteria.
‘There wasn’t a single soul at the Training Ground, yet they’re all gathered here.’
Well, that made sense.
Even during a school closure, one had to eat, didn’t they?
“Let me see what today’s special is… oh, they have spicy stir-fried pork?”
Spicy stir-fried pork was one of those dishes that could be called the soul food of the Republic, alongside ramen.
“…Spicy stir-fried pork?”
“What? Don’t tell me you’ve never heard of spicy stir-fried pork?”
“I’ve heard of it… but I’ve never actually eaten it.”
“You’re telling me you’ve never eaten spicy stir-fried pork?”
I turned to look at Juliet Kang, my mouth falling open.
“Are you even from the Republic? How have you never tried spicy stir-fried pork?”
“My father said I shouldn’t eat such junk food that commoners consume….”
“Well, well.”
How impressive of him.
“Come with me. I’ll show you what spicy stir-fried pork tastes like.”
“U-uh, okay.”
Juliet Kang hesitated before following me.
I placed two servings of spicy stir-fried pork on a tray and headed toward a table.
“…So this is spicy stir-fried pork.”
Juliet Kang gazed down at the dish with bright, curious eyes.
He carefully picked up chopsticks and grasped a piece of pork glistening with the crimson sauce.
He placed it atop the white rice and took a bite.
“…!”
Juliet Kang’s eyes widened in astonishment as he bounced on his feet.
“How is it? Delicious, right?”
“Y-yes! It’s incredibly delicious!”
Juliet Kang nodded vigorously and devoured the spicy stir-fried pork with gusto.
“Phew. That was the best….”
“All finished?”
“Ah, yes. Thank you for the meal.”
“Just take your bowl over to the dish return over there.”
“Huh? I thought the staff would clean it up if I left it?”
“The Annex Cafeteria doesn’t work that way, kid.”
This is exactly why I can’t communicate with wealthy people.
“Once you’re done eating, let’s head out.”
Just as I was about to lead Juliet Kang out of the Candidate Program Cafeteria.
“Huh?”
“What?”
I noticed a group of Candidate Program students huddled together in front of the exit.
“Why is everyone gathered here instead of heading out?”
As I tilted my head and approached the entrance, I had no trouble discerning the reason.
“What’s this? Why isn’t the Hero Watch being recognized?”
“Did your Hero Watch break?”
“Move aside. Let me try.”
A Candidate stepped forward and held his Hero Watch up to the recognition device installed at the Cafeteria entrance.
Normally, simply bringing the Hero Watch close to the device should have automatically opened the door.
But for some reason, the recognition device that had worked perfectly when we entered was now completely unresponsive.
“Is it broken?”
“Seems like it.”
“Wait, could it be that Demons attacked again like during the Sealing Festival? Or maybe Demon Humans…?”
A Candidate stepped backward, his face drained of color.
The other Candidates turned to look at him and clicked their tongues, telling him not to say such nonsense.
“Come on, don’t talk crazy.”
“Would Demon Humans have gone insane and infiltrated the Academy?”
“B-but no one predicted the Demon incident would happen during the Sealing Festival either, right?”
“Yeah. Now that I think about it, they never even caught the culprit back then…”
Perhaps because the Demon incident had occurred not long ago.
The Candidates stiffened their expressions and reacted sensitively to what would normally be dismissed as a simple malfunction.
“It’s… just a malfunction, I’m telling you…”
“Someone contact the professors right now!”
“Everyone get away from the door!”
Fear spread like a plague, swiftly consuming the Candidates.
As the commotion continued to grow.
“Hahahaha! Fear not, everyone! I shall open this door with my ‘Unlock’ spell!”
A booming voice, as if someone had boiled an entire pot of chili peppers, echoed through the space.
In an instant, all the Candidates’ attention converged.
At the center of their gaze stood a massively muscular Candidate whose uniform seemed ready to burst at the seams, striding purposefully toward the entrance.
“…Isn’t that the Magic Department insignia?”
“Wait, the Magic Department? With that physique?”
“No way, that doesn’t make sense…”
“Could that be the reckless one from the Ryu family?”
“Oh, I’ve heard rumors about him. I think he’s a second-year…”
Short black hair and a beard.
Broad shoulders and a height approaching two meters.
The insignia on the left chest of this Candidate, whose appearance suggested he could wield an axe or mace at any moment, remarkably indicated he belonged to the Magic Department rather than the Warrior Department.
“…You.”
My eyes widened as I recognized the Candidate stepping forward.
“Now then, everyone step aside!”
The muscular Candidate pushed past the gathered Candidates and grasped the firmly locked door handle.
“Hrrrraaaaaaagh!”
The burly Candidate Program member let out a fierce battle cry as he wrenched the door handle with all his might.
Crack! Screech! Crunch!
Fissures spider-webbed across the wall as the steel door crumpled like parchment.
“Unnnnnlooooooock!!!”
With a roar that bordered on primal fury.
Snap!
The firmly sealed door swung open.
The burly Candidate Program member grinned wickedly, clutching the mangled door in one hand.
“Did you all see that? That’s what I call the ‘Unlock’ spell!”
“….”
“….”
Silence descended upon the Cafeteria.
The Candidate Program members stared at the crumpled door frame with expressions of utter shock.
“…Sigh.”
I suppressed a hollow laugh as I watched the Candidate Program member who had torn the entire door off.
“Some things never change with this bastard.”
It had been a long time.
Berald Ryu.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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