Academy's Silver Gatekeeper
Ch. 90

Irina grumbled about having no place to park.

She complained about how much tax they collect, yet she had no idea where it all went to. They meticulously collect all vehicle-related taxes, but can't even secure parking spaces.

As I nodded appropriately to her complaints, I recalled what she had said earlier.

'A monster,' she called herself.

Monster. She referred to herself as a monster. Honestly, it's not wrong.

A physical constitution several times stronger than others, abilities that science can't explain. At S-rank, one can be considered to have far surpassed the human category. There's a reason why countries do everything they can to maintain and recruit S-ranks.

But Irina's description of herself as a monster seemed different from that. It wasn't just about stating that she was different from others. There was something more profound. Something more solemn behind her words.

"But with Seojin oppa, I feel like you could handle me. Someone who could make a monster like me, at least a little bit, more human-like."

It almost sounds like she's a cursed princess, I thought. But I somewhat understood what she meant. It might be related to the 'monster' term she used earlier.

Irina possesses overwhelmingly powerful strength, even among S-ranks. From her perspective, she just happened to be born with this power. But in others' eyes, she might as well be considered a terrifying monster.

From there, Irina must have had to choose. Either blend in among people like other S-ranks, acting human-like. Or just move forward alone, based on her own standards.

Between the two options laid out before her, Irina chose the latter. The whole world knows this. That's why they call her the 'crazy blonde.'

I used to think it was just a personality issue.

Since that's how she was portrayed in the novel, I just went along with it. She was basically a villain, just not an Elder.

But after hearing what she just said, that she had no choice but to go crazy—I began to wonder if there might be a secret that the whole world doesn't know.

'The Third Eye doesn't show anything more. Could there be something I don't know...?'

No, no. I shook my head vigorously.

Let's stop falling for it. I've had enough of this crazy woman's mind games. Every time, I'm the only one who takes it seriously. And each time, Irina just laughs it off.

"What are you doing? Are you looking for a parking spot?"

"Hmm... I've looked around, but there's really no space."

"Who looks around like that? You were headbanging."

After wandering for a while longer, we finally found a place to park. She checked the rear camera once, confirmed both sides, and then smoothly drove the car in.

"What are you doing? Just sitting there."

"Huh? Wait. Did you already finish parking?"

"I finished, so that's why I'm unbuckling. And turning off the engine."

She wasn't joking; there was indeed a car key in Irina's hand.

Wait, seriously? She parked in just one try? Thinking she might have parked poorly, I glanced down. But what I saw was a perfectly parked car with even spacing.

'What is she? What kind of character is this?'

At first, I thought she was an S-rank drunk on her own power, with a late onset of chuunibyou, on the verge of turning dark. After actually meeting her, that seemed to be the case.

But seeing her like this, it seems that's not all there is to her. I hate to admit it, but it's genuinely surprising.

"Take this."

With those words, a case flies toward me. When I catch it and open it, I find a pair of glasses inside. Just as I was about to ask why she was giving me this, I looked at Irina.

"What are you doing? Put them on quickly. It'll be annoying if people recognize us from now on."

At some point, she had put on glasses similar to mine, and even tied up her flowing straight hair in a tight bun.

It's just glasses and a hair tie. She calls this a disguise? But the funny thing is, at a glance, she really doesn't look like Irina. Yet, for me, just putting on one pair of glasses doesn't seem like much of a disguise...

"You think one pair of glasses won't make a difference? Try it on. It'll explain why heroes in movies aren't recognized when they wear just one pair of glasses."

To cut to the chase, Irina was right.

Not only for me, who's relatively less famous, but even Irina wasn't recognized.

I think it's because people generally don't pay much attention to each other. Plus, there were a lot of people around, so we just blended in. Above all, there are quite a few foreigners, so Irina didn't stand out.

"What did I tell you? Just one pair of glasses is enough."

She whispers into my ear, and for some reason, I feel a bit annoyed.

Good grief. Who would've thought Irina would be right about something?

"...So, how are you going to spend the remaining 36 minutes?"

"Wow. Amazing. Did you actually count 4 minutes? That's too much."

"You said it was taxi fare. So I need to calculate precisely. If I pay more than what I rode for, it's a loss."

It's not unreasonable. It's actually quite valid.

If a taxi fare comes out to 10,000 won and you pay 10,100 won, that's a loss. Now, since we're paying in time rather than money, it's natural to count.

"Seriously, you're such a single!"

"Another minute has passed."

"Argh!"

It's you who's weird for suddenly demanding a 40-minute date. 40 minutes is even shorter than a typical office worker's lunch break. It's just barely enough time for a meal.

"So, Irina. Where are we going now? At least tell me something."

We're just endlessly walking without even mentioning a destination. My legs aren't hurting, but spending time like this seems like a waste. Not only for me but also for Irina, who demanded these 40 minutes.

"You're so noisy. Showing your single status?"

Despite my request, Irina remained firm. She just kept walking through the crowded streets. Because of this, I was getting increasingly frustrated.

'Why is she like this? It's not like I said I wouldn't go on a date. I said I would, whether it's a late meal, a cafe, or even just sitting in a park and talking...'

Wait a minute. Wait, wait, wait.

"Irina."

"Why do you keep rushing? This time is mine to decide—"

"Are you single?"

The reason I first said that was because I suddenly had a thought. I just wanted to see her reaction.

"...What are you saying now?"

"Irina, I'm asking if you're single."

Her excessive fixation on the 'single' part was the first reason. Whenever I said something, she would circle back to, "Are you single?" Teasing once or twice is fine, but the repetition seemed strange.

TN: The single here came from Mosol or a slang of someone who has no experience in relationship.

And second, how afraid she seemed of her mother. Children like that typically have very little dating experience. In strict parental environments, getting caught could be troublesome.

"Are you trying to piss me off right now?"

Irina's expression noticeably stiffens.

Even when she lost track of the Elder she was chasing, when fighting monsters, or when Suhyeon was being sharp with her, not once had she shown a negative emotional expression. But as soon as I mentioned being single, she reacts like this?

"Then what were you planning to do on this date? Tell me. You must have had some plan."

"P-plan? Do you have to have a date plan?! If anything, thinking like that makes you the single one!"

"Even if you say that, everyone thinks about where to go and what to do. They all have ideas."

Yes, now I'm starting to see the full picture. This explains why Irina kept approaching me so aggressively. Why she was obsessively calling me a 'single.'

By doing so, she could hide herself. She shook me up so much that I couldn't even imagine the truth.

'I almost fell for it. No, I did fall for it and just came to my senses.'

I've encountered similar people as civil service complainants before.

They come in and immediately try to shake up the civil servants, acting as if they're experts in these matters. In reality, they're just loud with nothing to back it up.

"I'm not single! I'm really not!"

"Say it again. Are you really not single?"

"Of course! Do you think someone like me hasn't had a boyfriend?!"

If she had, that would be surprising in its own way, wouldn't it? Even if her ability awakened late, her personality would have been the same. Handling a woman like her wouldn't be easy.

And from what I've heard about Irina's mother, she seems like the type who would have smacked her for not focusing on her studies.

"Are you really not single?"

"I'm not!"

"Really, really? Are you really not single? Are you sure? Can you swear on your pride?"

A characteristic of these characters is their unnecessary pride. If you challenge them with "Swear on your pride and say it again," nine out of ten will give you the answer.

"..."

For a while, Irina said nothing. Just as I was beginning to worry that she might get seriously angry...

"Siiiiing!"

She made a strange sound and turned her body away. In the process, she looked so upset that tears even welled up in her eyes...

Wait, what? Tears? Irina? That crazy blonde? A villain and ability user who's always getting cursed at. She should have developed steel nerves by now, but she's crying?

I thought I might be hallucinating. So I slipped my right hand into my pocket and pinched my thigh hard.

...It hurt like hell.