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Chapter 172: Academy Heroine's Right Diagonal Back Seat

Chapter 172



What did I just hear?


Everyone seated in the conference room wore expressions that suggested they were all thinking the same thing. Whether from shock or disbelief, no one could speak. Finally, Sylvia, who was the first to gather her composure, refuted Mark’s proposal.


“A squad leader... Yoon Si-woo is my age—he should still be a first-year student at the Academy. Do you really think it makes sense to place such a young hero in a position leading numerous heroes?”


Most of those present nodded in agreement with Sylvia’s words. 


Appointing such a young boy as an official hero had already been an extraordinary move, but elevating him to the rank of squad leader was beyond reason.


It was something that defied their common sense.


However, Mark calmly responded in a measured tone, as if trying to reassure everyone.


“If we debate whether it makes sense, I’d argue that it does. The justification is solid.”


“Justification? What kind of justification could possibly support appointing Yoon Si-woo as a squad leader?”


“Lucas Eloise, the deputy squad leader in charge of the city’s defense, was defeated by the Witch.”


Sylvia instantly realized the justification Mark was referring to and fell silent. 


Mark continued, looking at Sylvia.


“The Witch that everyone considered a match for a squad leader-level hero, Lucas, was defeated by Yoon Si-woo. Isn’t that justification enough? He’s demonstrated strength that qualifies him at least for a squad leader position.”


“...But being a squad leader isn’t just about strength.”


“You’re absolutely right. Qualities like character and leadership are also crucial. But this time, it’s an exceptional situation. I don’t think Yoon Si-woo lacks the necessary character, so I believe we can afford to be flexible.”


Sylvia bit her lip as she listened to Mark’s seemingly indifferent explanation.


“...A squad leader is responsible for leading many heroes. That position carries tremendous responsibility and burden.”


“I’m well aware of that.”


“...And yet, knowing that, you’re willing to place such a burden on a young boy? Do you honestly think that’s okay?”


Sylvia’s voice rose, her anger unmistakable. Her frustration triggered a resonance with her spirit power, causing starlight to flash fiercely around her.


Yet, despite being an ordinary person without a trace of magical power, Mark responded calmly and unwaveringly.


“I don’t think it’s okay.”


“...What?”


Sylvia was taken aback by his answer, which contradicted everything he had argued for.


Mark looked at Sylvia and continued.


“I said, I don’t think it’s okay. To be frank, I’m against making Yoon Si-woo a squad leader. As the headmaster, I didn’t want to burden a student with such responsibilities.”


“...Then why?”


“Yoon Si-woo told Acting Head Eve that he’d do anything for the city, that he’d put aside his own thoughts and focus on what needed to be done. Eve then asked me to think about the most effective way to use him for the city’s sake, from my position. And that led to making Yoon Si-woo a squad leader.”


Mark’s expression remained stoic as he spoke.


“A lot of people witnessed the Witch defeating Lucas, a hero deemed to be of squad leader caliber. Naturally, this has instilled fear in people—if even such a strong hero is helpless against the Witch, then what hope do they have? It’s clear how this will negatively impact the city, so we thought of maximizing Yoon Si-woo’s symbolic impact.”


“...”


“The youngest squad leader who defeated the Witch. It’s an image that people can’t help but be captivated by, don’t you think? Plus, seeing someone so young defeat the Witch gives them hope for how much stronger he’ll become in the future, alleviating some of their anxieties. And having him represent the heroes could restore trust in them. Of course, I haven’t considered the burden this places on Yoon Si-woo at all. As a committee member responsible for the city’s well-being, I was asked to set aside my role as headmaster.”


“...”


“To be honest, sitting in this chair, making these decisions—none of it is easy.”


Mark’s face, which had been composed until now, cracked into a bitter smile.


Sylvia could sense the weight of his agonizing decision-making process from the look of a man who seemed to have aged years in just a moment.


They were human too.


But sometimes, for the city’s sake, they were forced to make heartless decisions.


“...So, does anyone have objections or a better suggestion than appointing Yoon Si-woo as a squad leader?”


Mark paused to catch his breath, and this time, no one voiced any opposition.


Everyone acknowledged the practicality of the plan, and since Yoon Si-woo himself seemed willing, it was only right to respect his wishes.


But Sylvia, curious about a separate issue, cautiously asked Mark.


“Then, which squad will Yoon Si-woo lead?”


“...Good question. Normally, it would be most efficient for him to take over the squad he’s currently part of for smoother handover and communication, but...”


Mark fell into thought at Sylvia’s question.


From Squads 1 to 4, Astrape’s squads were each assigned to the boundaries of the city, guarding the north, south, east, and west respectively.


Currently, Yoon Si-woo was part of the 4th Squad, which guarded the northern boundary facing the old Elf territory.


However, the 4th Squad’s leader, Martina Ivanova, was still very much active and not in a position to pass on her role.


The same was true for the 1st and 3rd Squads, led by the members of the so-called Golden Generation.


This left only one candidate: the 2nd Squad.


The western boundary guarded by the 2nd Squad was close to the site where the great hero Aegis had defeated the Witch of Gluttony long ago.


Perhaps for this reason, it was known as the area with the highest frequency of beast appearances compared to other regions.


For decades, that fierce battleground had been guarded by one man.


As they thought of him, a moment of silence fell over the room.


Not long after, Diakonos of House Dolos, who had been silently sitting with his eyes closed, finally spoke.


“...Let’s appoint Yoon Si-woo as the next squad leader of the 2nd Squad.”


“Are you sure about that?”


“We don’t have any other options, do we? Besides, my father can’t stay active forever. This works out perfectly. I’ll speak to him myself.”


With Diakonos’s statement, the tense atmosphere lingering in the conference room eased, and Sylvia let out a long breath.


The leader of the 2nd Squad was a member of House Dolos.


Since a directly involved family was part of the matter, it had been an awkward situation for anyone to bring up first, but thanks to Diakonos’s confirmation, it was resolved without conflict.


With that single statement, Yoon Si-woo was all but officially designated as the 2nd Squad’s new leader.


Everyone seemed to accept this, and the meeting continued without further discussion about Yoon Si-woo.


“...Then, with this matter settled, let’s move on to the next item on the agenda. It concerns the corpses of the beasts within the city, and the demonic energy that will emanate from them—”


“Our House Dolos will handle everything related to that—”


As the meeting went on, Sylvia quietly reflected on Yoon Si-woo.


So, he said he’d do anything for the city?


Even though Yoon Si-woo claimed that, Sylvia couldn’t help but smile bitterly when she heard those words.


Because she knew it was a lie.


She understood that his choice was not made for the city, but for something else precious to him.


Still, she had kept that knowledge to herself.


The thing that drove him to make such a choice was probably the same as what she held most dear.


That was why Sylvia could wholeheartedly support Yoon Si-woo.


The path that Yoon Si-woo would walk from now on would undoubtedly be burdened with even more responsibilities than before.


She hoped that he would not be crushed by the weight of the responsibilities and burdens he had chosen to bear for the sake of his precious ones.


And someday, if the time came when he would have to choose between what he was carrying and what he cherished most—


She prayed that he would be able to make a choice he would not regret.


Silently, Sylvia offered her prayer.


----------------------


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