The Academy’s Time Stop Player - C.95Nov 09, 2023

The next day.

As Hajoon rose comfortably from his bed, he washed his face and gazed at his reflection in the mirror.

"Hmm..."

His face was different from the one in reality.

But it was a face he had grown accustomed to.

Staring at his reflection, a soft sigh escaped him. He felt deeply troubled.

"Will she recognize me?"

Although the silver hair and red eyes he initially had upon entering this world had disappeared, his overall appearance hadn't changed.

If that girl remembers her brother's face, she would undoubtedly recognize him.

"Sigh..."

Hajoon was deep in thought.

What should he do if she recognizes him?

If she doesn't recognize Hajoon, it wouldn't matter. However, if she does, he was unsure of how to proceed. After all, he was currently being targeted by villains in Korea.

"Hmm... Well, I'll have to see her face to face first."

In any case, avoiding her wasn't an option.

He needed to meet her to learn more about Liber's story.

Hajoon promptly took out his smartphone and called Anna.

Ring-

Shortly after, with a beep, Anna answered. She spoke with a surprised tone, "Huh? Hajoon, what's the matter?"

"I'm heading to England. Can you guide me there?"

"...What?"

The time was 10 o'clock at night.

In a hotel in England, Anna and Hajoon sat facing each other.

Anna looked at Hajoon with a somewhat flustered expression.

Anna said, “We met again so soon after breaking up. Did you come here for leisure?”

At that, Hajoon looked as if he was about to nod but then shook his head. He'd indeed felt like enjoying England upon arrival, but he had something to attend to.

“I'm here looking for someone.”

“Someone you're looking for?”

Hajoon handed over a photograph. Anna looked at the girl in the picture with a puzzled expression, then turned her gaze to Hajoon.

“Hmm... Do you know this person?”

“It seems like I might?”

“What kind of vague answer is that?”

“Either way, I intend to find her.”

“Alright. Do you know her address?”

At Anna’s question, Hajoon nodded. He knew her residence, name, and even her age.

Hajoon recalled what Lorelei had told him the day before.

-She's 16 years old, her name is Elaine Hills, supposedly the adopted child of a high-ranking British wizard named Darham Hills. Apparently, she attends a rather renowned superhuman academy in England.

She seemed to come from a decent family background. Considering she was attending the academy after awakening as a superhuman, it seemed she might be aspiring to be a hero.

“Considering it's late now, how about we visit her together tomorrow? You wouldn't be able to go alone anyway.”

“Do you have the time?”

“I do have my own matters, but occasionally, it should be fine. After all, I did invite you to enjoy England.”

Well, that makes sense.

Given the situation, Hajoon decided to accept Anna’s help. It was his first time in England, and he likely couldn't find his way alone.

“Then let's meet tomorrow, Hajoon.”

“Alright.”

After Anna left the hotel room, Hajoon, left alone in the lodging, lay down on the bed with a complex expression.

“How should I explain this...?”

What should he say at their first meeting?

For Hajoon, who grew up an orphan without a family, this dilemma seemed even more challenging than capturing a villain.

The next morning at 9 a.m.

Hajoon and Anna rode in a limousine heading to the house where Elaine lived.

For context, considering she is a British princess, she covered her face with sunglasses and a mask.

Hajoon remarked, "You must live quite uncomfortably."

Anna looked slightly baffled by his comment. "From what I see, you'll probably live like this in no time too, right?"

"Um…" Hajoon found himself unable to refute that, feeling an odd certainty that she might be right. A sudden shiver went down his spine at the thought.

"Ugh, what a ridiculous thing to say…"

Anna chuckled, "Anyway, here." She handed him something that looked like an earpiece.

"What's this?"

"It's a translator. It converts any language you hear into Korean. Of course, it can also translate your Korean into English. You're not planning to speak to that child in Korean, are you?"

"Um… Right." Nodding, Hajoon fitted the translator into his ear.

After a drive of about 30 minutes, the chauffeur pulled up in a quaint residential area and announced, "We've arrived. I'll wait here."

"Thank you," Anna said as she stepped out of the car first. Following her, Hajoon too alighted and looked up at the relatively large house in front of them. Anna glanced at Hajoon, suggesting, "Judging by the address, this should be the place… Why don't you ask?"

Hajoon, momentarily lost in thought while staring at the house, eventually approached the front door and rang the bell, waiting for someone to answer.

Soon, a chubby middle-aged man with a thick beard and glasses opened the door. After sizing up Hajoon and Anna with a puzzled look, he asked, "Who are you?"

"We came looking for Elaine. Is she here?"

"She's not here right now. Went out for shopping."

"When will she be back?"

"I'm not sure… But wait a moment…" The man squinted at Hajoon, scrutinizing him closely. "Could it be?!"

He started with surprise, but then a voice interrupted, "Huh?"

The attention of Hajoon, Anna, and the man shifted to the side.

A young girl with silvery hair and red eyes, reminiscent of a porcelain doll, was standing there, seemingly having appeared out of nowhere. She looked stunned as she stared at Hajoon.

The surprise in her expression gradually transformed into a cold, hardened gaze.

And with every step she took - thud, thud - a girl approached with a decidedly troubled expression.

Anna glanced briefly at Hajoon and asked, “Did I do something wrong?”

“I wonder.”

Hajoon wanted to ask her the same.

Her expression clearly showed her annoyance.

Thus, with every step - thud, thud - she came closer, her footsteps echoing until she stood right before Hajoon, merely closing her lips and glaring intently at him.

A few seconds of silence ensued.

With a puzzled look, Hajoon blinked at her, and the girl, who seemed to be Elaine, scrutinized Hajoon’s face, examining him as if she was trying to confirm something.

Shortly after, her eyes widened in realization and she continued to glare softly at him.

After what felt like an eternity of silence,

“You! Scoundrel!”

Elaine suddenly clenched her teeth and shook with fury.

The entire scene unfolded in an instant.

“Hey! You! Bastard!”

Suddenly, she swung her tightly clenched fist at Hajoon.

With a whoosh!

"Ah! Damn, you scared me."

Suddenly, she threw a punch directly at Hajoon's face.

In that instant, Hajoon quickly ducked, dodging her fist, and stepped back with a surprised expression, staring at her.

Before he could even catch his breath, another fist came flying at him.

"Watch out!"

With another loud whoosh, she swung her threatening punch, truly a force to be reckoned with.

Without hesitation, Hajoon activated Time Stop (SSS), moved slightly back, and avoided her fist. As soon as he deactivated the skill, she continued to swing wildly, missing every time.

Seeing Hajoon dodge each attack seemed to agitate her more, and she lunged at him, fists swinging in all directions.

Whack! Whoosh! Whack!

"Hey, wait a minute!"

"Shut up!"

Of course, Hajoon used Time Stop (SSS) again and merely dodged her by stepping back.

And, activating Time Stop (SSS) once more, he reappeared beside Anna.

"Eek! Where did you go?"

The moment Hajoon vanished from her sight, she looked around frantically, searching for him.

Anna, taken aback by the ongoing situation, stood with her mouth agape.

Seeing Hajoon suddenly beside her, Anna asked, "What on earth did you do to make her that angry, Hajoon?"

"Well..."

With that, Hajoon scratched his cheek, answering nonchalantly, "Honestly, I'd like to know too."

"Why is she so furious?"

Then, catching Hajoon's voice, she quickly turned towards him and lunged at him again.

And as she charged, she shouted, "How dare you show your face?! Big brother!"

"Big... brother?"

Anna couldn't hide her shock.

Vroom~

An awkward silence enveloped the interior of the car.

Elaine sat with her arms crossed, staring discontentedly out the window.

And right across from her was Hajoon.

Hajoon merely gazed blankly at the disgruntled Elaine.

"Umm..."

It was then that Anna spoke up.

She had intervened to stop their earlier altercation, fearing it would continue endlessly. But apart from that, she was genuinely curious about what had transpired between them.

Stealing a quick glance at Hajoon, Anna whispered her question.

"Are you two, by any chance, relatives...?"

"No, we're siblings."

"What?! But..."

Anna's eyes darted between Elaine and Hajoon as she processed his answer.

She looked at Hajoon in disbelief before exclaiming, "But your hair and eye colors are different... Ah! Still, your faces do resemble each other a bit... More importantly, why did you two fight?"

"I don't know. I need to hear it out myself."

"Excuse me?"

Anna gave Hajoon a perplexed look in response.

A few minutes later.

Hajoon, Anna, and Elaine arrived back at the hotel room. As soon as they entered their lodgings, a three-way confrontation began between Hajoon, Elaine, and Anna, who was still unsure why she was even involved.

The first to speak was Elaine.

"Hmph! Seeing you with a girlfriend, it seems you're living quite comfortably."

"A girlfriend?!"

Caught off guard by the remark, Anna's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Hajoon, with an impassive face, was quick to correct her.

"She's not my girlfriend. Just a friend."

"Uh... Hajoon?"

"Hmph! What audacity brought you to me?"

Hajoon scratched his cheek, seemingly at a loss.

He truly didn't know where to begin or how to proceed with the conversation. He didn't even know the reason for her anger. Moreover, delving deep into such matters wasn't in his nature.

Hajoon decided to ask directly, "Can I ask why you're angry?"

Choosing his words carefully to avoid offending her further, he asked in a gentler tone.

Elaine, seemingly exasperated, clicked her tongue and responded, "Do you really not know?"

"Yes."

"You idiot!"

Unable to contain her frustration any longer, Elaine shot up from her seat and yelled at Hajoon.