I Became the Must-Have Character of the Academy City-Chapter 169: To Samhwa Nation

Rohan formed a group chat with everyone, exchanged messages, and made plans.

For the day they would head to Samhwa Nation during the academy break, he decided to rent a car and make the long drive himself.

He had already reserved a suitable vehicle through a major corporation’s app.

He wasn’t usually the type to enjoy driving, but this time, since it wasn’t work-related and using a car would let them talk and hang out comfortably on the road, he looked forward to it.

Even the reason he got his license recently wasn’t for some far-off future—enhancing the quality of the trip played a much bigger part.

As the planned day steadily approached—

Today happened to be when Shion and Clara set off on their second round of swimsuit shopping.

Having immersed himself in training and achieved some personal results, Rohan packed his gear and headed out.

He walked alone, step by step.

To resolve a lingering unease that had weighed on him, he made his way toward Juyeon’s house.

He owed her quite a bit, so he remembered clearly where she lived.

‘Hmm...’

Not far away, he pulled out his phone and started writing a message.

He wasn’t sure if Juyeon was home. Since he was nearby, he messaged to ask if she was busy.

He didn’t have to wait long like last time—the reply came quickly.

[Instructor Juyeon: I’ll be out soon. Wait at a nearby café.]

Satisfied with the response, Rohan looked up and scanned the area.

‘Now then, where to?’

He preferred quiet cafés with the fewest customers.

There was one right in his line of sight. He went in, took a seat at the innermost corner, and texted Juyeon the name of the place.

‘The atmosphere’s not bad.’

Rohan untied the sword from his back and sat there in a daze for a few minutes.

The bell on the door jingled! A striking red-haired woman walked in, drawing all eyes.

Maybe it was because the time apart had been too short to feel long, but too long to feel short. Rohan couldn’t stop himself from smiling at the familiar face.

“Instructor! Over here!”

“Sit and wait. Just tell me what you want to drink.”

“I’d like whatever you’re having, Instructor.”

After letting out a dry chuckle, Juyeon placed the order and brought back the coffee.

As soon as she sat down, she gave Rohan a faint smile.

“I wondered if you were contacting me because you got yourself in trouble. Seems not.”

“It’s exactly what I said in the message. I was nearby and thought of you, Instructor, so I reached out.”

The smile on Juyeon’s lips deepened ever so slightly.

As if to say “you’ve got to be kidding me,” yet not hiding the joy in the least.

“A cadet wanting to see their instructor during vacation—now that’s a rare choice.”

“Aren’t there other cadets like me? Given your popularity, I figured this sort of thing must happen often.”

“Huht, the instructor in Rohan’s mind seems quite different from reality. I’ve never had a cadet approach me this openly.”

Rohan studied Juyeon’s expression as she said that.

He couldn’t say what it was, but her eyes looked more tired than usual—though he had no way of knowing what inner worries might lie beneath.

As they exchanged gazes, Juyeon placed her coffee down and changed the subject.

“You did well at the shopping mall. From what I heard from the City Security Agency, your response was excellent, and the citizens were full of praise.”

“I just followed your teachings, Instructor. And I was lucky to have Gilbert there, since he’s so loud.”

“True. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better voice for catching attention.”

It seemed Juyeon could picture the scene well enough in her mind, as she gave a small nod.

“What are your plans for the break, Instructor?”

“I’ve got next semester’s lessons to prep, and I’ll be patrolling Academy City in collaboration with the security officers.”

“Do you have any plans to return to your home country?”

“None. I’ll be too busy for the time being.”

“I thought you’d go back at least once.”

Juyeon rested her chin on her hand as she looked at Rohan.

Maybe it was the result of increasing his training intensity like she’d declared during the bell-snatching game, but Rohan’s skills had clearly improved.

“You seem to take quite an interest in your instructor. I don’t mind—it keeps things from getting dull—but still, it’s vacation. Are you sure this is the best way to spend your time?”

“I enjoy being with you, Instructor.”

Juyeon quietly smiled as if she’d just heard something unusual.

There was a raw sincerity in his words that made her heart tingle.

“You’re not planning to just stick around like I do, right? If you get the chance, broadening your horizons can be a good choice.”

“I’m actually planning to visit Samhwa Nation.”

Juyeon blinked for a moment, seemingly surprised.

Then she gently nodded, as if pleased, and recalled her first meeting with Rohan.

‘Rohan really is... resourceful.’

It hadn’t been that long since he finished a shift at the bookstore after classes and squeezed in study time whenever he could.

Now, in just one semester, he had earned enough through his own efforts to no longer be pressed for money.

Seeing him now, focused completely on his duty as a cadet, made her feel proud.

“I’d love to recommend a good spot, but I can’t think of anywhere fitting.”

“I understand. It’s common for people not to visit touristy spots in their own hometown.”

Rohan slurped the half-finished coffee.

Putting aside the wistful feeling, they wrapped up their conversation with some small talk.

“Instructor.”

“Mm.”

“Is something bothering you?”

“That’s a sudden question... Is there a reason you’re asking?”

“You look tired.”

“My body’s fine, but... do I really look that way?”

Rohan nodded honestly, saying that she did.

Juyeon picked up a teaspoon and stirred her poor coffee for no reason.

“To be honest, it’s half intuition. On the day of the dimensional rift commotion, did something—”

“Enough.”

Juyeon calmly cut Rohan off mid-sentence.

Then she reached out and flicked his forehead with a light snap.

Smack! With that sound, Rohan closed his mouth, and Juyeon firmly drew the line.

"Rohan has a tendency to dig too deep."

“...”

“A cadet should focus on their duties. All you need to do is enjoy your break. Understood?”

“...”

“Why is Rohan, who usually answers so well, so quiet now? Are you trying to leave me with the impression that you’re a problem student?”

“No, ma’am. I’ll fulfill my duties.”

“Good. Excellent.”

Juyeon smiled in satisfaction at Rohan’s reluctant response.

An academy instructor has a duty to protect their cadets. They must never draw them into danger.

Rohan understood those boundaries. He also knew Juyeon’s upright character.

So, without giving up, he added one more thing.

“Instructor.”

“Speak.”

“If I graduate, and you no longer have the obligation to protect me... and I become strong enough to be someone you can trust—will you then talk to me more openly?”

“...”

Juyeon leaned back and crossed her arms.

Erasing her smile, she locked eyes with Rohan in silence.

The whole café sank into a stifling stillness.

After several seconds—

Juyeon relaxed her stern expression and let out a quiet laugh.

“Isn’t having a drink with your instructor enough for you, Rohan?”

“I didn’t grow up with much, so I tend to be greedy.”

“If you put it like that... even I don’t know what to say.”

Juyeon felt both troubled and oddly pleased.

Strangely enough, she also felt reassured.

“Well, once you prove yourself as someone reliable, we’ll talk again.”

As good as a promise.

Rohan finally nodded in understanding and stepped back.

Then, he quietly listened as Juyeon moved into a gentle lecture.

...

The day they departed for Samhwa Nation.

Rohan parked the rental car in front of Shion’s estate.

First, the luggage.

Rohan was traveling light with just a backpack, but Shion and Clara had gone shopping for swimsuits and brought along massive suitcases.

He had no idea what they packed for such a short trip, but he suppressed his curiosity.

“Alright, get in.”

“Waaah...!”

Once Rohan finished loading the luggage and opened the passenger door with a wave, Clara slipped right in.

Clearly excited, she turned her head left and right, her twin tails swaying with every movement.

“Fufu, traveling together like this... It’s oddly thrilling.”

Shion took the back seat, but didn’t seem disappointed about not getting the passenger seat.

They had already agreed—Clara would ride in the front on the way there, and Shion on the way back.

“Let’s see. The address...”

Rohan checked the address Ichinose had sent via message and input it into the navigation.

Their destination: Ichinose’s house.

As he pressed the “Start Guidance” button, a robotic voice came through.

─ Please select a route.

Depending on the toll, the distance varied significantly.

Just as he’d heard, the free route was absurdly long, but that wasn’t a problem this time.

Since Rohan was doing the driving, Shion had promised to cover all tolls and additional costs, so he went with the recommended best route.

─ Starting guidance.

Hearing the mechanical voice, he messaged Ichinose to say they were on their way.

His phone vibrated urgently.

Zzzzt—!

[Ichinose: Noah’s mother is here too. Are you okay with that? If it’s uncomfortable, we can meet outside instead. I really don’t mind, so please tell me honestly. Seriously, it’s totally fine.]

A rather long-winded, frantic message.

Rohan replied right away that it was fine.

They were borrowing the house by the sea—how could he not offer his thanks? He had to properly express his gratitude to Ichinose’s parents.

To come all that way, borrow everything, play as much as they wanted, and then just disappear? Absolutely unacceptable.

He didn’t want to act like someone with no manners.

And besides—

‘Noah’s mother?’

Outside of Seolho Grandmaster and Noah, he knew nothing about the Frozenheart family.

There hadn’t been any special mention, so there was no information.

That only made it more intriguing. He wanted to meet her.

Adjusting the rearview mirror, Rohan exchanged a quick «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» glance with Shion.

Then, he looked over at Clara, sitting in the passenger seat with a beaming smile.

“Clara. You need to put on your seatbelt.”

“Mm...? Oh, the seatbelt...”

As she fumbled around, trying to locate it, Rohan gently pressed her shoulder back against the seat.

Then he moved in himself.

“Hold still.”

“!”

As Rohan leaned in close, Clara froze, holding her breath.

She sucked in her already-flat belly even tighter.

Click! The belt fastened, and as Rohan sat back down in the driver’s seat—

Clara’s cheeks stayed flushed, and the corners of her mouth twitched with restrained emotion.

‘That’s Clara for you. A clever tactic.’

Shion nodded as if she’d learned something new and made a mental note of the situation.

Only then did Rohan press down on the accelerator.