I Became the Academy’s Heroine Stalker – Chapter 9

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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*Tap tap tap tap tap tap.*

About ten days had passed since my reincarnation.

My previously pathetic body was now starting to take shape.

A combination of exercise and diet.

And the hidden pieces I was monopolizing at the academy.

Perhaps because it was a superhuman body, different from ordinary people, the contours of my muscles were becoming more defined day by day.

Moreover…

I was also enjoying the benefits of the Limit Break trait, which was originally exclusive to the protagonist, with every workout.

Well…

“Ugh… damn it…”

With the Frail trait activating like a best friend every time Limit Break triggered, my training was twice as difficult as others’.

Fortunately, as the Frail level decreased, the intensity of the penalty weakened, making it bearable.

Anyway, thanks to the Limit Break trait, I was growing faster than expected, and the biggest change was the addition of a new member to my household.

“Master, did you go running again today?”

“Yes. Water.”

“Here you go.”

As soon as I returned home after my morning run, which had become a daily routine, Bersha handed me a towel and water.

Having an intelligent summon by my side was certainly more reassuring than facing this other world alone.

Furthermore, she wasn’t completely useless during her previous five summons. She was quite knowledgeable about dungeons, gates, and monsters.

Thanks to her, I was also filling in the gaps in my theoretical knowledge.

As expected of a ROYAL grade summon, she was quite a useful housekeeper.

“What time are you coming back today?”

“Hmm, I have an extended class today, so around 7?”

“…Is that so?”

“Why?”

“Oh, nothing.”

Bersha averted her gaze and scratched her cheek in response to my question. She muttered something, but it was too quiet for me to hear.

“…Tch, I’ll be bored.”

It probably wasn’t anything worth dwelling on.

I needed to shower before going to school.

I didn’t want to ride the bus smelling of sweat.

I asked Bersha, who was shuffling away, for hot water and went straight to the shower.

*Whoosh.*

The thin streams of water drenched me from head to toe.

Enjoying the warm water washing over me, I opened my status window.

I had already checked it countless times, but I was so satisfied with the results of my ten days of effort that I kept checking it whenever I had the chance.

‘Status Window.’

“Heh.”

A satisfied grunt escaped my lips as I looked at my status window, like Im Kkeok-jeong after a refreshing drink of cider.
[T/N: Im Kkeok-jeong (임궉정) is a famous figure in Korean history, known for being a legendary bandit and a hero in some interpretations. He lived during the Joseon Dynasty and was often depicted as a Robin Hood-like character]

The title slot was still empty, reserved for the monster outbreak incident happening in a few days, but I could see significant changes elsewhere.

First, the stats.

My remarkable growth was most evident here.

My strength, including the rune effect, was 20.

Of course, Choi Do-han, the protagonist, was also growing at the same rate, so compared to him, it was still paltry, but considering it was ‘2’ just ten days ago, it was remarkable progress.

Furthermore, my endurance had also increased due to consistent aerobic exercise and strength enhancement effects, and my magic power had risen considerably thanks to practical training.

And the Frail level had decreased to 7.

Now, the trait didn’t activate from light exercise or meals, which significantly improved my quality of life.

I could now understand the elders’ constant praise of good health.

In short, I had achieved unbelievable growth compared to my first day after reincarnation, but the hidden information was still unavailable.

‘What kind of information is it that it can’t be accessed?’

I couldn’t help but be curious.

After living as Han Tae-jin for ten days, I didn’t think he was a one-dimensional, disposable villain.

But I didn’t have enough information to draw any conclusions.

‘The main villain is clearly God R’hell, the leader of Illusion.’

God R’hell.

The founder of the villainous alliance Illusion, and the first monster-type villain.

He was also a victim of the ‘Helenium Project,’ the monster serum injection experiment that was probably still being conducted secretly in Korea.

The Helenium Project was a project to create secret weapons by recruiting volunteers for new drug trials with large sums of money and then secretly injecting them with monster serum. God R’hell, or Lee Do-jun as he was known then, was the first test subject and was injected with the serum of an S-rank monster.

And out of the ten test subjects, he was the only one who successfully absorbed the serum, becoming a so-called ‘villain.’

It was a government-led experiment to mass-produce hunters, supplementing those who awakened naturally through uncertain probabilities.

Because relying on uncertain probabilities meant humanity’s ultimate fate would be ruin.

However, during a mission, he regained his lost memories and, awakening the memories of other villains like himself, broke free from the government’s control and founded ‘Illusion.’

Illusion had one goal.

To bring down the government that turned them into monsters.

And knowing that Choi Do-han was aware of their plan, they were planning to attack the academy soon to eliminate him.

Anyway…

It was clear that God R’hell, who appeared from the early to mid-stages of the novel, was the main villain.

Choi Do-han was growing stronger to stop him, so there was no need for further explanation.

Choi Do-han vs. God R’hell.

Since they were diametrically opposed, the possibility of Han Tae-jin being the main villain was unlikely. At most, he might be a mid-boss.

‘A mid-boss who awakens at some point and seeks revenge on the protagonist and heroines.’

Otherwise, it would be difficult to explain his current growth rate.

After organizing my thoughts, I closed the status window and scrubbed myself clean.

Today was an important day.

Because the afternoon class was ‘sparring practice.’

It would be a good opportunity to gauge the results of my ten days of training.

Well…

As long as my opponent wasn’t Choi Do-han.

Of course, that wouldn’t happen.

‘I wonder who I’ll be paired with.’

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“Don’t you think Han Tae-jin has gotten more handsome lately?”

“He’s gained some weight too. Is that why?”

“He seems to have put on some muscle as well.”

“He looks different. Was he always this handsome?”

The changes in the past ten days weren’t limited to my status window. The image of the gloomy loser Han Tae-jin had undergone a significant transformation.

The guy who used to hide his face behind shaggy hair was now sporting the forehead-revealing style that women found attractive. That, combined with his noticeable growth, had a big impact.

It was like the comedic image of a man proposing with a simple ring, his bulbous nose prominent, suddenly transforming into a sharp, aquiline nose when the ring was replaced with a diamond.

A halo effect based on ability.

Of course, if his base appearance had been irredeemably awful, he wouldn’t have received this buff.

‘But I’m handsome.’

The hollows under my eyes had filled out, and the dark circles were gradually receding.

Since his base appearance was excellent, he was receiving attention rivaling the protagonist’s.

I felt a strange sense of accomplishment, as if I was rehabilitating Han Tae-jin’s character.

It felt like a successful character build.

If I kept this up, I might even be able to join a major guild.

And fortunately, Choi Do-han didn’t seem interested in me yet.

I didn’t want the protagonist’s attention.

Let’s each live our own lives and part ways amicably after graduation.

“Quiet down, I’m taking attendance.”

Professor Ella, our homeroom teacher, began calling roll.

I opened my morning theory class textbook and waited for my turn.

“Han-Na.”

“Here.”

“Han Tae-jin.”

“Here.”

This time, I answered without stuttering.

Just a few days ago, I used to break out in a cold sweat while waiting for my turn, but this was significant progress.

However, after taking attendance, Professor Ella, who should have left, called me.

“Cadet Han Tae-jin?”

“Y-yes?”

My stuttering problem returned.

It was still difficult to handle unexpected situations.

“Could you come to my office during lunch break?”

“Ah, y-yes.”

I tilted my head at Professor Ella’s sudden request.

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*Knock knock.*

“It’s Han Tae-jin.”

[Ah, come in.]

“Yes.”

Tae-jin had spent the entire morning speculating about the reason for the summons, and he concluded it was for an interview about his transformation and growth.

As Ella had mentioned before, a student’s special circumstances were important records for the homeroom teacher.

As he opened the door and entered, a fragrant aroma wafted through the air.

Ella, with a faint blush on her cheeks, quickly rose from her desk and approached Tae-jin.

“Oh, you came?”

“Yes.”

“Have a seat. Just a moment…! I’ll make some tea. Green tea? Roasted barley tea? What would you like?”

“Roasted barley tea, please.”

A moment later, Ella handed Tae-jin a mug with a roasted barley tea bag.

“Thank you.”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

Tae-jin quickly steeped the tea bag a few times.

However, Ella, holding the mug with both hands, remained silent.

She had called him over, during his precious lunch break, and yet she wasn’t saying anything.

“Professor, is there something you wanted to talk about…?”

Tae-jin asked first.

“Huh?!”

Ella flinched in surprise and then spoke.

“W-well, I saw on your application that your hobby is ‘observing’…”

“…Yes, well…”

Did this guy express his creepy desires even on his application form?

Tae-jin’s heart pounded with sudden embarrassment, but fortunately, the Frail trait didn’t activate.

By the way, why was she suddenly bringing up his hobby?

“Ah, I-I was just curious, you know? About what exactly you observe when you say ‘observing’…? You know…? Haha…”

She was curious about a student’s hobby almost three years after he enrolled?

Moreover, in the original story, Ella wasn’t the least bit interested in Han Tae-jin.

Tae-jin’s confusion deepened.

‘Or could it be…’

Was the original storyline changing because of Han Tae-jin’s transformation? But until the middle of the story, Han Tae-jin’s role was less significant than a passing extra.

If that wasn’t the case, it was more likely that there was some hidden backstory.

‘Could it be…’

Was that hidden backstory related to the main heroines?

As Tae-jin reached this conclusion, he felt an ominous sense of foreboding.

And soon…

“No, I… d-don’t misunderstand. I’m just curious about my student’s change…? So, what exactly do you observe when you say ‘observing’? Like… observing people…?”

Ella’s awkward tone and strange accent made Tae-jin realize that the situation was taking a strange turn.

How could he not notice when she specifically asked if ‘observing people’ was his hobby?

Besides…

Han-Na, who had been making eye contact with him all week.

Su-ah, who had been praying and rejoicing for him.

And now Ella, who suddenly asked about his hobby from his application three years ago, a hobby related to stalking.

He hadn’t interacted much with Mi-jin yet, so he didn’t know what she thought of him, but even without considering her…

He would be a fool not to notice by now.

‘There must have been a hidden backstory between Han Tae-jin and the main heroines in the original story.’

Tae-jin quickly reached a conclusion.

He decided to draw a clear line.

He didn’t know what the hidden backstory in the latter half of the story was, but getting involved with the heroines meant getting involved with Choi Do-han, and getting involved with the heroines definitely wouldn’t sit well with him.

Would the protagonist of a harem novel tolerate a villain interfering with his harem life?

That’s why he didn’t want to touch that harem.

‘…Or could it be that Han Tae-jin… awakens as a golden tanned bastard?’

Sun of Gold.

A neighborhood punching bag character who always tried to commit NTR, one of the three cardinal sins, and was subsequently taught a lesson by the protagonist.

Considering the heroines’ current reactions, it was plausible, but such a development would be enough to turn a mega-hit into a flop, so it was unlikely.

‘No, it can’t be. His hair color is different.’

Anyway, this world revolved around Choi Do-han, and getting on his bad side would only result in an early grave.

Therefore…

“No. I don’t have that hobby anymore.”

He firmly established social distancing.

Ella’s eyes widened in surprise, and she flinched.

“W-what? Why?!”

“I lost interest.”

“B-but you were quite passionate after school…!”

“Excuse me? How do you know I was passionate…?”

“Ah, n-no! What am I saying…! I-I just thought that maybe… your current growth stemmed from that hobby…!”

The pink cherry blossoms on Ella’s face gradually deepened into the color of roses.

She kept stumbling over her words, deviating from what she had originally intended to say.

Panicked that her hidden desires might be exposed, she rambled incoherently.

“Well… that’s not it.”

“R-right? Haha, I was just asking, just curious. No other meaning. So… you’re saying you’ve lost interest in your hobby of observing…?”

“Yes.”

A thick layer of disappointment was evident on Ella’s reddened face.

She even looked a little anxious.

“Oh, I see. Well then, have a good afternoon class!”

“Yes, you too.”

There’s a saying that the insignificant flapping of a butterfly’s wings can cause a typhoon on the other side of the world.

A small change can lead to a major event later on.

But Tae-jin couldn’t yet fathom the magnitude of the storm his transformation would bring.

Instead…

‘…Good grief, the harem was almost shifting.’

He knew that a shift in the harem could be disastrous.

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Meanwhile…

“Yoo Su-ah, what were you doing last night?”

“M-me? I was just praying in my room…”

“Baek Mi-jin! What did you do after class yesterday?”

“Me? I had a part-time job, of course.”

“Baek Seok-hwa! Weren’t you in Eunnam-dong yesterday after school? I think I saw you!”

“Eunnam-dong? Where’s that?”

Han-Na was diligently digging dry wells.

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