The S-Rank Warden Devours the Academy - Chapter 80

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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 80

Click.
Hae-seong locked up the Research Lab and walked down the corridor.
‘Yeom Sa-hyeon hasn’t arrived yet it seems… I’ll head in and rest first.’
Just as he was about to step outside the building, stretching his stiff body—
“?!”
A dark shadow streaked past him.
Hae-seong’s heart leaped as he belatedly recognized the shadow’s owner.
“…Yeom Sa-hyeon?”
“?”
Yeom Sa-hyeon, who had been looking straight ahead, turned around late.
“Didn’t you say you’d be coming back late today?”
It was just past six in the early evening.
Hae-seong asked, bewildered.
Yeom Sa-hyeon shrugged dismissively.
“The Portal got me here quick enough.”
“A, a Portal?!”
Wasn’t that something only 1st Class personnel could use?
As he blinked in confusion, Yeom Sa-hyeon casually brandished a black card.
“Took it from him.”
Three characters embossed on the card in gold lettering: ‘Ji Se-guk’.
“The Deputy Director’s Travel Pass?!”
And of all people, someone known for having the strictest temperament…!
‘This is so like Yeom Sa-hyeon….’
Hae-seong let out an admiring sigh without further question.
Whatever rough circumstances led to him taking (?) it, he didn’t really need to ask.
Yeom Sa-hyeon clicked his tongue lightly.
“These ought to go to people actually running field operations, not people tapping away on calculators at desks. What good is it to them?”
“You’re absolutely right.”
Hae-seong chimed in with a bitter smile.
Of course, the time of those in government was precious too, but it was a public fact that the system was more necessary for Hunters grinding it out on the front lines.
There was something refreshing about the whole situation, and Hae-seong exhaled with relief.
“Where are the students?”
Yeom Sa-hyeon asked, moving with long strides.
“It’s around time for dinner service to finish, so they’ve probably just gotten back to the Dormitory.”
Hae-seong hurried to keep up with him, answering as he went.
“Are you heading to see the students?”
“I have something to pass on.”
“Ah, I see.”
Hae-seong quickly caught up with Yeom Sa-hyeon and corrected their direction.
“The Dormitory is this way.”
Yeom Sa-hyeon turned without resistance, but gave Hae-seong’s unsteady gait a curious look.
“What’s wrong with the way you’re walking? Did you hurt something?”
“Ah, haha… well,”
Hae-seong chuckled awkwardly, scratching his cheek.
“I’m still feeling the aftereffects from yesterday’s Physical Combat class….”
“Looks like you’re doing it properly then.”
Yeom Sa-hyeon gave a small knowing laugh.
“How was the training itself?”
At Yeom Sa-hyeon’s matter-of-fact question, Hae-seong’s expression brightened.
“Yes! Since it’s my first time doing systematic Physical Combat instruction, I’ve been enjoying it quite a bit. Of course, my muscles feel like they’re tearing from using ones I’ve never used before….”
“That’s how you learn—by tearing them apart.”
Yeom Sa-hyeon answered flatly.
It was the truth, yet somehow it sounded more ominous coming from him….
Hae-seong flinched momentarily, then broke into a pleased smile.
“Still, now that I understand how to use my body, I think I’ll be able to coach the students more efficiently.”
“Good.”
It was a welcome sound to hear.
At least the junior training seemed to be running smoothly.
Yeom Sa-hyeon felt his retirement drawing closer and lifted the corners of his mouth in genuine satisfaction.
“Is that so?”
At Sa-hyeon’s rare affirmation, Hae-seong’s face brightened considerably.
“But Sa-hyeon, what brings you to the students at this hour?”
Sa-hyeon answered matter-of-factly.
“Ah. The Test schedule’s been set.”
His tone was calm, as if he were reciting an evening menu.
‘…A Test, then.’
Hae-seong’s thoughts froze for a moment, then he suddenly raised his voice.
“The first semester Test?!”
That’s an incredibly important matter!
“When has it been scheduled for?”
“This Friday.”
“What?!”
The schedule was rushed on top of everything else!
“But this suddenly…. And given the current situation, Gate Tests should be impossible…! Has the location been decided?”
“Jeju Island, I heard.”
“What?!”
One shock after another.
‘Jeju Island… the entry procedures would be extremely complicated….’
Hae-seong’s mouth fell open before he finally forced out his next words.
“Then… when are we departing?”
“Tomorrow.”
“T-tomorrow already?!”
“The interim president said to leave right away and visit the Jeju Island Training Center as well.”
“?!”
Who on earth was this interim president?
Hae-seong found it difficult to keep up with the constantly updating information.
‘If Sa-hyeon is going, then I as his aide will naturally be accompanying him.’
Hae-seong finally gathered his thoughts, then took a deep breath and spoke in a measured voice.
“Then I suppose we’ll need to suspend the Physical Combat classes for the time being. I should contact Professor Ji right away.”
“Why would you suspend them?”
“…Pardon? Well, wouldn’t it be difficult to attend Professor Ji’s classes while we’re staying in Jeju Island?”
“Difficult, yes.”
Sa-hyeon raised his eyebrows lazily.
“Ji Jae-hyeok is coming with us.”

* * *

The airplane cabin felt sparse and empty.
“Wow! This is my first time on a plane!!”
Tae Eun-o’s excited voice rang out through the cabin.
Go Gyeol, who had been carefully studying the Safety Guide in the adjacent seat, spoke in an offhand manner.
“Well, it’s been a while for me too.”
“Same here….”
Ha Jae-yun, seated behind them, quietly echoed the sentiment.
Only Lee Ha-je sat apart from the others, methodically fastening his seatbelt in silence.
Eun-o’s gaze, which had been scanning the interior of the plane with curiosity, suddenly came to rest on something.
“By the way.”
A group that had just begun crossing the aisle and walking down.
“Why are those seniors coming along?”
As Eun-o expressed his bewilderment without reservation, Tae Jun, who was just about to take his seat, shrugged.
“Well, we’re heading to take the Test too.”
Eun-o let out a disappointed sigh.
“Ugh, I was planning to graduate early after passing this Test myself….”
“…Even if you pass the first semester, you’d still have half your requirements left, so how would you graduate faster than us who are already in our final year?”
Tae Jun exhaled in disbelief.
“Ha! I’m looking forward to another friendly competition this time!”
Hyeong-won followed with an easy grin.
“Have a seat wherever you’re comfortable.”
Jun-hyeon ignored Combat Class A entirely, as if they didn’t exist, and gestured for Hyeong-won to sit.
Hyeong-won smiled and took his seat.
“I’ve been curious what Jeju Island will be like!”
Combat Class A and Physical Combat Class C were headed to Jeju Island together.
Though it was for a Test, the mood was charged with anticipation—this being many students’ first trip there.
Jeju Island had become the nation’s critical industrial hub, so security had tightened; it was no longer a place you could slip in and out of easily.
“We have to break through the defense barrier built by a first-generation S-rank, after all. It’s exciting.”
Jun-hyeon added his comment, and Hyeong-won glanced back at the students with a casual remark.
“The barrier’s so strong that the plane’s engines could blow out going through, supposedly? Everyone make sure you know how to use a life vest! Ha!”
Ha Jae-yun’s face went pale.
“…! What??”
“Seriously?!”
Tae Eun-o’s eyes went wide.
Go Gyeol narrowed his eyes and shook his head firmly.
“That can’t be right….”
“…Of course it’s a joke.”
Tae Jun released a breath and added the clarification.
“Geez, you really know how to mess with people!”
Tae Eun-o gave him a thumbs down in mock disapproval, but Hyeong-won seemed delighted.
“Look at you—polishing your social skills already!”
“You’re supposed to call me senior, not that.”
Jun-hyeon corrected him.
“Everyone, please take your seats now!”
Just then, Hae-seong stepped into the aisle and briskly ushered the students to their places.
By the time their chatter had filled the cabin,
“…they’re all so keyed up.”
Ji Jae-hyeok furrowed his brow.
His gaze settled on Yeom Sa-hyeon, who sat not far away.
“Professor Yeom.”
“?”
Sa-hyeon, who had just pulled out an eye mask, offered an indifferent glance.
Ji Jae-hyeok pressed on regardless.
“Since this is an important event for both of us, I hope we can work together to ensure it goes smoothly.”
With the Go Yu-gwon rampage incident, Jae-hyeok’s name was also circulating in the media.
He, too, wanted this Test to proceed without complications.
Sa-hyeon regarded him in silence for a moment, then let out a soft chuckle.
“Important event? Put away those sunglasses hanging off your shirt collar and then we’ll talk.”
…….
Jae-hyeok pressed his lips together and shoved the sunglasses deep into his pocket.

Just over an hour after takeoff.
Tae Eun-o, who had been gazing out the window, had fallen into a sound sleep with his mouth hanging open, while Go Gyeol was absorbed in his Strategy and Tactics textbook.
“…Oh.”
Ha Jae-yun, who had been staring silently out the window, noticed something and let out a soft exclamation.
That was when—
Ding—
The seatbelt sign illuminated.

[Passengers, we will be passing through the Barrier Field shortly.]

The cabin announcement broke the silence.
“!”
Go Gyeol, whose eyes had been fixed on his book, suddenly looked up.
“Finally….”

[The aircraft may experience significant turbulence during passage, so please remain seated and keep your seatbelt fastened.]
[Additionally, please store any equipment or items containing Mana Stones in your Inventory if possible.]

Go Gyeol thrust his upper body forward and pressed himself flat against the window.
“Hey, Tae Eun-o. Move your head.”
Without ceremony, he shoved the red-haired head that had been resting against the glass to the side.
“Ugh! What the—”
Tae Eun-o’s head snapped forward as he jolted awake.
His sleep-hazed eyes darted about in confusion.
In that same moment, Go Gyeol’s gaze fixed on the window, and his mouth fell open.
“…Huh.”
“What? What is it?”
Tae Eun-o wiped his mouth and wedged his head in next to Go Gyeol’s.
“Whoa, whoa-whoa-whoa!!”
His mouth opened wider and wider.
“Is that a Barrier Field?!”
At his cry, every student’s eyes snapped toward the window.
The landscape visible in the distance beyond the glass grew steadily closer.
A colossal defensive barrier of blue light enveloping the entire island.
The vast wall stretched endlessly across the boundary between sky and sea, its mere presence radiating a crushing weight of oppression.
Hyeong-won let out a low whistle.
“Wow…! It’s even more incredible in person!”
“S-rank really is on another scale.”
Jun-hyeon’s lips curled upward.
The plane erupted into chaos at the sight of that spectacle unfurling beyond the windows.
…….
In the midst of the cabin’s noise, Yeom Sa-hyeon uncrossed his arms and tugged his Eye Mask up slightly with his index finger.
The brightness stung, and his brow furrowed delicately.
“How… how do they maintain a Barrier Field this massive?”
Beyond Hae-seong’s back—his face still pressed against the window—the blue light shimmered.
The veil scattered dazzling brightness as it caught the sun.
‘That cyan Barrier Field is still holding steady.’
The corner of Sa-hyeon’s mouth curved into the faintest smile.

S-Rank Instructor Devours the Academy: Chapter 80

Author
Baek Ru-ga
Publisher
Daon Creative
Planning / Editing / Production
Yoon Tae-ri
Cover Design
Thorp

UCI
G720:N+A036-20260512043.0080

ⓒ2026, Baek Ru-ga

※ This digital book is protected under the Copyright Law of the Republic of Korea.
Without permission from the author and publisher, no part or all of this work may be reprocessed or reproduced in any form.

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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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