I Became the Only Healer in the Academy - Chapter 4
“As things stand, South Korea’s status is declining. You’re well aware of that, right?”
“Y-Yes, but…”
In the early days of the appearances of Gates, South Korea held the highest status globally.
The abilities possessed by the Hunters were the best in the world when it came to dealing with the Gates.
However, Hunters over the world consistently grew.
The top Hunters in South Korea had powerful innate abilities but clear limits on their growth.
As a result, South Korea’s status declined.
“I hope someday, Kim Seonghyun’s abilities grow. He’s now a student from the academy, he will get the support for him to get stronger.”
“You don’t need to worry about the academy. It’s South Korea’s best educational institution, it is a place where prospective combat forces are concentrated.”
“Then, I trust that the academy’s future problems will be handled properly. I will also do my best as part of the Association.”
They exchanged a firm handshake and a determined look, each carrying significant meaning.
“Still, shouldn’t we hear student Kim Seonghyun’s opinion?”
“Of course. Since I’m from the Association, may I ask you to do this one?”
“Will do. I’ll do my best to have the discussion as smoothly as possible.”
The two managers harbored hopeful smiles for South Korea’s future, which was poised to rise.
“I’ve come to apply for the academy’s support.”
Seonghyun made his way to the academy support application department.
He handed over the documents he had obtained from the Manifestation Center.
The staff briefly looked at Seonghyun with a surprised expression but didn’t probe further and immediately began processing something.
After approximately 10 minutes, the staff approached Seonghyun and said,
“It would be better if the academy were close by, wouldn’t it?”
“Yes? What do you mean?”
“I mean your home.”
At the mention of his home, Seonghyun momentarily gazed at the staff with a blank expression.
“Oh, do you not know the items you can receive support for?”
“Uh, no. I haven’t looked into it.”
His location wasn’t of particular interest to the staff all this time.
The staff had also avoided looking into it, fearing there might be jealousy or resentment of those who received support.
“Allow me to explain briefly. All tuition fees for the entire semester at the academy are renounced, and scholarships are always granted as long as you pass the requirements. If you have a driver’s license, you’ll receive a vehicle, and as you might have guessed, we also provide a residence.”
“Oh…”
It was something Seonghyun would have never expected. This level of support far exceeded his expectations.
He would have honestly been grateful for just having tuition fees renounced.
“Furthermore, depending on your abilities, you can also receive support in equipment. But for this part, you’ll need to directly consult with the association.”
The possibilities left Seonghyun astounded, his thoughts racing far beyond what he had anticipated.
“I-I see. Then, p-please find a residence close to the academy.”
“How many family members will there be?”
“My younger sister, my mother, and myself, so a total of three.”
“Well… in that case, we will coordinate with the security personnel.”
“Th-Thank you.”
Upon hearing that, Seonghyun thought that applying was a wise decision.
Hearing that they would also provide security, Seonghyun felt relieved that he applied in the manifestation center.
Their current residence in a neighborhood commonly known as the slums had still been a source of concern.
“Would you like to see a house in the vicinity? It should be suitable for three people.”
“Huh? Is that really okay?
The staff member chuckled and replied.
“Wouldn’t it be strange if someone else decided where you’re going to live?”
“Haha, I suppose you’re right.”
“Please feel free to look around when you have time, and let us know when you’ve made your decision. Oh, and I’ll pass the word to the Association separately, so you can visit whenever it’s convenient for you.”
The staff member handed Seonghyun a map indicating the locations of available houses.
“Yes, thank you.”
Seonghyun nodded slightly and stepped outside.
“Sigh…”
For some reason, this day felt like the best day of his entire life. It left him with a peculiar feeling of contentment.
“Since there’s this kind of support, I guess I don’t need to buy a place…”
Seonghyun wanted to develop his ability as soon as possible, even if it was just for a day.
While he didn’t harbor grand ambitions of saving all the hunters in the world, he didn’t want to see anyone die just because he couldn’t heal them in time, even if they were doing it for money.
As long as the monsters coming out of the gates were being defeated, he considered it a job of saving people.
“I should focus on improving my ability for now.”
The problem was the method of training.
Since his original ability was detecting vital spots, there was no training method other than physically conditioning his body, and he was at a loss without any more tricks.
‘This method I’m thinking of seems a bit too extreme…’
To use his new healing ability, he needed injuries..
However, he couldn’t bring himself to inflict injuries on his own body just for training purposes.
“In the end, there’s only one way.”
There was only one option he could do.
To directly confront the monsters.
“But for now, I don’t know what the Association and the Academy will do.”
He wasn’t sure if he would go public in the media, but he knew he would have a discussion with them beforehand, just like what the managers discussed.
No fool would dare challenge the mind of a rare ability user.
“There’s no other option besides going on a solo hunt.”
If he decides not to go public in the media, joining a guild and going on a hunt would be useless since he wouldn’t be able to use his ability.
And with only about a week left, the process of joining a guild and going on a hunt was already quite tight on time.
“Today, I need to check the house we’re moving to. I should start tomorrow.”
Tomorrow morning or afternoon, he can receive equipment support from the Association and head out for a hunt at night.
In cases where the danger level is significantly low, the Association allows lower-ranked hunters to have continuous access for their growth, so Seonghyun should be able to train without any problems.
The schedule for today and tomorrow is set. Seonghyun took out the map he received to confirm the location of the house.
All of them were located within a 5-minute distance from the Academy.
Seonghyun immediately hailed a taxi and headed to the nearest house.
“Is this the perfect one?”
The house, perfect for three, was basically welcoming Seonghyun.
It was reasonably sized, not too spacious, and not too cramped. It was quite close to the house Seonghyun had dreamed of.
“This should be good. And if Mom tells me not to go to work, I’ll just nod when I answer.”
Seonghyun, now inside the house, looked around with a weird feeling.
“…”
He had worked for nearly five years since graduation, saying that he would try living in a place like this, but now that he had obtained it so easily, he felt somewhat empty.
“As for the interior… Hyein will take care of it.”
Thinking of his younger sister and his mother being excited, Seonghyun chuckled lightly and left the house.
Seonghyun took out his wallet and checked his money.
Only 30,000 won.
“…Guess I’ll buy some meat.”
Since he wouldn’t need to skip meals anymore, Seonghyun headed to the butcher shop he had visited before returning in time.
“Welcome! What can I get you?”
“Please give me 30,000 won worth of beef sirloin.”
Seonghyun, holding a black bag, headed home with light steps that contrasted the weight inside of his hand.
“I’m back..”
“Did you already eat outside?”
“No. Instead…”
Seonghyun handed the bag he was holding to his mother.
“What’s this?”
“It’s meat. It seems like it’s been a while since we had some.”
“Oh, Seonghyun…”
“What? The meat?”
Hearing ‘meat’, Seonghyun’s younger sister, who was in a room, rushed out.
“Wow! Beef? Did you buy that with your own money~”
“When I finish washing up, let’s eat together. There is something I have something to say.”
Upon hearing that there was something to say, the expressions of his sister and mother stiffened a bit.
“So, what’s the matter, big brother?”
Setting down the meat he had picked up, Seonghyun replied.
“We’re moving.”
“Moving?”
“Moving? What are you talking about?”
Though both his sister and mother were worried, thinking that they would lose this house for a moment, they looked at Seonghyun with lingering doubts since it was unlikely that there could be a better house in the area.
“Mom, you already know this, but my ability has been manifested.”
“What? Really?”
“Yeah, and this ability… it’s healing.”
“Healing, healing? Are you serious?!”
Though his sister wasn’t a hunter, she was well aware that there were no hunters in the world with abilities related to healing.
“So, today I reported the ability’s manifestation at the Academy, and on the way back, I applied for support. They said they’ll provide a house for us near the Academy.”
“A house?!”
His sister, as expected, couldn’t hide her excitement, but his mother had a different reaction.
His mother had a somewhat hardened expression, as if she had some concerns.
“Could it be that the Academy might make some demands or something?”
“It’s okay. I won’t agree to unreasonable demands. “
His mother’s concerns mirrored Seonghyun’s.
But Seonghyun didn’t overlook that issue.
Since he wouldn’t be forced to use his ability, he wouldn’t agree to unreasonable demands.
‘I could use somewhat extreme methods if necessary, but…’
However, regardless of the choice, Seonghyun had decided to prepare rather than worry about these issues, as there would be risks associated with his decision to reveal his power.
“Can we move before the start of the new school year??”
“…Mom, you seem a bit worried.”
“Mom, wherever we go… it’ll be safer than here.”
It wasn’t just about the environment.
In his previous life, Seonghyun was killed by a monster in this very area, so they couldn’t stay in the house any longer.
‘Because I’ve changed…’
Furthermore, Seonghyun would be taking different actions in the future, and could potentially attract new threats.
He knew better than anyone that the security personnel assigned by the Academy were not just there for protection.
And the reason he couldn’t refuse the proposal was also because his last moments in his previous life still haunted his mind.
“Alright… we can’t stay here forever.”
His mother didn’t want to hold him back.
Even with just what Seonghyun had said, she knew very well that it wasn’t just about wanting to live in a bigger place. It was about her concern for her son and daughter. That’s why she couldn’t refuse his words.
“Let’s eat quickly. Before it gets cold.”
“Yeah, Mom. I haven’t eaten anything yet.”
It seemed like they had received a good amount of meat for the 30,000 won Seonghyun spent, as there was still some left even after all three of them had eaten their fill.
“I’ll be back soon.”
“Be careful.”
“If anything comes up, call me.”
“Don’t worry too much.”
Originally, Seonghyun had planned to wait until the moving company arrived to confirm everything was in order, but he was a bit hectic today and left the house.
Since he had everything done now, Seonghyun had plans to go on a monster hunt. But he was worried about his family, who would be left alone.
“I wonder if I can get immediate assistance in case of emergencies.”
The Academy provided high-level support, but Seonghyun wondered how the Association’s go.
With some hope in his heart, Seonghyun headed straight to the Association.
