Raising A Hero – Chapter 76

Ch 76: Something more intense

A month and a week later, Aizel finally arrived in Hakam, the capital of the empire. It had been almost two years since the fairy had left this place on the day of Ji-hyuk’s second test.

The capital hadn’t changed much from then to now. The avenues were still bustling, the buildings were packed closely together, and carriages came and went without rest.

However, for the Heavenly Demon, it was a visit after almost ten years, and his expression showed a new sense of feeling. Larocha was busy looking around, turning her head this way and that, as if the capital was new to her.

“It’s still the same here.”

“That’s what capitals are like. I’ve spent decades here, and it doesn’t change much.”

“Didn’t the Emperor change twice?”

“…Yeah, that did change.”

The fairy gave a light chuckle. It seemed to mean that even if the city didn’t change, people do.

Anyway, the two walked down the avenue, chattering. They went to the Hero Academy first. The Dean smiled meaningfully, seeing the fairy who had come because of the recommendation letter again.

“Didn’t you say the last time was really the last?”

“This time, it’s not my disciple.”

“Then who is it?”

“The Heavenly Demon.”

Ahㅡ.

The Dean was surprised. As he also had connections with the Heavenly Demon, he knew how strong he was. He couldn’t help but be excited that it was the disciple of such a person.

Anyway, making the recommendation letter wasn’t difficult. Because of an exceptional clause made by the Imperial Family that specially recognized Aizel’s contributions, her recommendation letter was considered separate from the academy’s.

“But your disciple has grown a lot. Do you know?”

“Well, he’ll grow well on his own. Whose disciple is he, after all.”

“There was a rumor that he might be promoted to B-class within this year… You certainly have a great eye. How did you discover such a talent…”

Aizel forced herself to hold back the corners of her mouth from going up. She was as happy as if she had heard praise for her own child.

“Yeah, he is really good. Isn’t he?”

“…I don’t know, I have a lot of work, so go quickly to your disciple’s residence.”

You, you rascal, you’re just being mean.

Aizel took out a leather pouch from her luggage and held it out to him. The Dean’s sullen face quickly brightened.

“Here.”

“What is this?”

“It’s good for your body. Brew it and drink it.”

“You’re the only friend I have, after all.”

“You were sulking just now.”

“When did I sulk?”

Humans must become childish when they get older.

Anyway, Aizel finished everything at the academy and left the building again. The Heavenly Demon and his disciple, who had been waiting below, left the academy with her.

“The recommendation letter issue is over. There is about a month left, so you can come back here then.”

“Thank you.”

“…Alright, then.”

The fairy haughtily turned her head and strode forward. …Actually, what was important to her was not this.

Aizel was a little worried that her disciple might have left for a mission now, as they might have gone their separate ways, but fortunately, she heard from the Dean that he had returned not long ago. She was lucky. She thought as if the heavens were helping her. She kept thinking about destiny.

The fairy stopped people, asking where the Hero Gang Ji-hyuk’s residence was. As he was such a famous figure, there were almost no passersby who didn’t know. Thanks to that, she could easily find her way.

“Your disciple is famous, it seems.”

“Yes. He’s very famous… Later, there won’t be anyone in the continent who doesn’t know him.”

“Are you really fond of him?”

“…He’s just, that kid is smart. Kind too. He also has recognition… And his skills are great.”

Strangely, the words that boasted about him came out like that.

“He also knows how to care for his teacher. You’ll be surprised when you see him.”

The Heavenly Demon had never seen Aizel so excited like this. He was very curious about the person who was her disciple. Her friend was strangely excited when his story came out like this.

They soon approached the hero’s residence. The fairy Aizel suddenly couldn’t stop her body from shaking. Her heart was pounding madly.

Really…, why am I like thisㅡ.

She was nervous. She wanted to see her disciple so much, but strangely, her body refused to go.

Still, she pretended to be nonchalant on the outside. She didn’t want to show a wretched look in front of her friend… No, she wanted to show her disciple the teacher’s dignified appearance.

She mustered her strength by force. And she approached the mansion’s front gate. Of course, the guards stopped her.

“What is the purpose of your visit?”

“I am Aizel, the hero’s teacher.”

“…Yes?”

“Tell them quickly. The teacher has arrived.”

Ahㅡ.

The guard quickly sent a messenger inside. He asked to wait just a moment, making a request with a smile on his face. Aizel also knew the situation and waited without saying anything.

Soon, Durka, the administrator, came running to the entrance with the messenger.

“I will escort you inside.”

Aizel nodded her head towards the Heavenly Demon to go inside. And so, the three passed through the front gate and went inside.

Her heart rate became even more intense. She wondered if she had been this nervous in recent days. She was in this state just by meeting her disciple. She was a little embarrassed inside.

Yeah, I’m just here to meet my disciple. What’s so great about it?

At that moment, the entrance door suddenly opened, and her disciple, Gang Ji-hyuk, came running out. He ran towards his teacher, Aizel, with a bright smile.

“Teacherㅡ!”

He hugged her right away. She was momentarily at a loss as to what to do with her arms and was fumbling to find a place to put them before slowly hugging his back and patting him.

It was the disciple she had longed for so much. She was embraced in his chest and drank in his scent. Her legs were about to give way for a moment. His embrace was so warm.

The two soon separated. He looked closely at his teacher’s face with a joyful expression.

“What brings you here…”

“Just…, I stopped by on the way.”

She couldn’t bring herself to say that she had come because she missed him. She would rather bite her tongue and die.

Her disciple’s gaze slowly moved to the side. Reallyㅡ. Aizel quickly introduced the Heavenly Demon.

“Ah, I mentioned him before, right? The Heavenly Demon…”

However, the Heavenly Demon and Ji-hyuk only looked at each other and said nothing. Aizel looked at their faces alternately with a puzzled expression.

…Why are these two like this?

After staring at each other like that for a while, the Heavenly Demon spoke heavily.

“This guy…, is a real thing.”

Then Ji-hyuk smiled and slightly lowered his head.

“Nice to meet you, Heavenly Demon Elder. I’m Hero Gang Ji-hyuk.”

“Nice to meet you too.”

The two lightly shook hands.

“How old are you this year?”

“I’m twenty-seven.”

“Twenty-seven?”

The Heavenly Demon compared himself at twenty-seven and him. It was embarrassing to compare. The other person was a really great guy.

…How did this guy just suddenly appear out of nowhere?

His curiosity didn’t end.

“Are you from a foreign land?”

“Yes.”

“Where? The Jianghu?”

“Earth.”

Earthlingㅡ!

So, he couldn’t believe it even more. All the Earthlings she had met until now were all weaklings without exception. But this unbelievable guy was an Earthling? …From there, the stereotypes about Earthlings were somewhat shattered.

At that moment, the fairy interjected during the conversation.

“Are you going to keep standing here and talking?”

“Ah, please come in… Ah, but this is…?”

“My disciple, Larocha.”

“I am Larocha, Sir.”

“Nice to meet you, Larocha.”

They headed to the first floor reception room. Everything was already prepared to welcome the guests.

The four sat side by side at the table. The fairy was looking at Ji-hyuk with admiration, as if she was looking at her grown child.

Actually, there wasn’t much to the conversation. It was just simple greetings, inquiries, and updates. It wasn’t a place to bring up important matters, so only light content was exchanged.

Larocha, although she was not a talkative person to begin with, remained silent especially and examined Ji-hyuk carefully. …She had been taught under Heavenly Demon for many years, but it was the first time she had heard him say words that seemed to truly acknowledge someone.

━ This guy…, is a real thing.

It seemed like a simple sentence, but she knew right away that it was her teacher’s high praise. However, no matter how much she looked at Ji-hyuk, she could only tell that he was just an ordinary hero. …That meant she lacked so much.

Anyway, after that light conversation, they were shown to the room where they would stay for the day.

In the meantime, after the Heavenly Demon and his disciple had left, Ji-hyuk and Aizel had a moment alone.

The fairy suddenly thought that the air had become hot. It was strangely embarrassing to look at her disciple’s face.

She thought of a kiss at that moment. So, she unknowingly licked her lips with her tongue.

“Teacher, have you been doing well?”

“Oh? Oh, yeah, I’ve been doing well… You?”

“I’ve been doing well too.”

Another warm silence followed. The two continued to go up the stairs.

The scenery visible from the hallway window became significantly higher. The appearance of the capital came into view at once.

“But what brings you here?”

“Ah, um, the Heavenly Demon said he needed a recommendation letter, so I came to the capital.”

“Ah, is that so.”

“Yeah. There’s no other reason. I just came for that.”

“I see.”

The fairy thought about what she had just said again, and she was a little worried that she might have been too cold to her disciple.

“…Well, I stopped by on the way, just to see if you were doing well. I heard you’ve been busy with missions lately.”

“Yes. Fortunately, I finished without any problems.”

“Really? That’s good. …Still, take care of your body. You should always be careful. You still have a long life ahead of you.”

Ji-hyuk, walking down the hallway, suddenly tapped on a door with his palm.

“This is my room.”

“Ah, is that so?”

“And, the room where the Teacher will stay is…, here.”

The fairy Aizel’s room was next to Ji-hyuk’s bedroom. She was strangely embarrassed for no reason. Still, she pretended to be nonchalant on the outside and lightly nodded her head.

“It’s a good room. Thank you for taking care of me.”

“Yes, take a look around. The scenery is also good. You won’t be uncomfortable while you are staying here.”

It was definitely a good room. It was wide, and the furniture was also luxurious. The bed in the middle was particularly large and good.

“If you have any discomforts, please feel free to tell me anytime.”

“Alright.”

The disciple looked at his teacher with a piercing gaze. Ah…. The fairy also tried very hard to look at him. But strangely, her gaze turned to the side from time to time. Her chest was hot, and the tips of her fingers tingled.

“I’m really glad you came. I’ve been wondering when I could invite you…”

“I am also very glad to see you.”

The fairy tried to create the appearance of a strict teacher. But on the other hand, her expression was about to melt from the affectionate affection that was welling up from her heart.

The two were fiercely competing, with the teacher’s role she had always played, versus the teacher who wanted to kiss her disciple. But still, the victory went to the teacher who had consistently played the role of teacher for a long time.

Aizel couldn’t become the wretched teacher who had come hoping for her disciple’s kiss.

“…Can you introduce your colleagues?”

“Ah, yes, of course.”

The two left the room again and walked down the hallway. Aizel looked at the scenery outside the window again. …It was a place she had been looking at for decades, but it looked unusually beautiful today.

“I’ve been wanting to introduce them to you, Teacher. They are all good subordinates.”

“Really? That’s good.”

She was still thinking about a kiss, but she lightly shook her head.

…A kiss from the morning is a bit indecent.

The wretched teacher still couldn’t forget that moment and was still attached to it.

After the guide left and the Heavenly Demon and his disciple were left alone, Larocha looked around the room, and suddenly, the Heavenly Demon said to her at once.

“Your goal from now on is that man.”

The disciple quickly turned her head and looked at her teacher. The Heavenly Demon’s eyes were shining horribly.

“Follow him desperately… Do you understand?”

Larocha deeply bowed her waist.

“Yes, Teacher.”

For the first time, her goal was set.

Hero Gang Ji-hyuk.

Her competitive spirit was ignited.