Chapter 209: Laundry (3)
I couldn't hide my dumbfounded smile at the scene before my eyes.
I had expected Sien might be up to something suspicious, but...
*This is crossing way too many lines?*
I never thought he'd be in cahoots with the Cult.
To defend myself, even I don't monitor the guy every day.
Let's be honest.
*What good would come from constantly watching some dude anyway?*
So it's understandable that I didn't know he was collaborating with the Cult until now.
With that thought, I stared at Sien through the screen.
Unaware I was watching him, he was cackling like a villain.
*This bastard, after I've been so nice to him.*
Seeing his smug face made me feel like I'd been stabbed in the back.
I clearly mentioned several times that we were buddies, but he betrayed my expectations.
However...
*I guess it's fortunate in a way.*
I discovered the situation before actually getting backstabbed.
I'd love to crack his skull open right now, but...
*That would be too messy to clean up afterward.*
So I'll just quietly "launder" him during the exam.
I pondered how to deal with him as I headed toward my destination.
***
Walking with a throbbing sensation at the back of my head, I arrived at my destination.
Kim Su-yong's group from our previous meeting with the Director was there, along with Illin and Skaya.
Furthermore...
*There are so many of them.*
Professors were gathered in droves, presumably to supervise all the students.
Just then...
"Cain! Over here!"
Skaya waved her hand, beckoning me over.
I turned my head and approached her.
Then, Skaya and Illin asked with curious voices:
"Why are you late? You usually come early."
"Did something happen?"
I couldn't bring myself to say it was to plan how to launder Sien, so I brushed it off.
"Just overslept, that's all. There sure are a lot of professors here."
"All grades are taking the Performance Evaluation simultaneously. Of course there'd be many."
"Well, that's true."
"TAs, gather over here!"
At that moment, Butler, the burly, muscular physical education professor, called us to assemble.
We walked over to him.
Once we were all gathered...
"I feel sorry for the students who'll have to face you lot."
Butler grinned while flexing his bulging muscles.
Then, he continued in a lowered voice:
"Anyway, your real mission is to play the role of boss monsters, but before that, you need to act as TAs on the surface, as you know. So wear these."
Butler handed us bright red caps.
The moment I saw it, I almost had a PTSD episode, but I pretended to be nonchalant and grabbed the cap.
As I put it on...
[The Goddess Who Sees Fate says it suits you incredibly well!]
"Oh! It really suits you, as expected of the original."
"Cain. I'm going to record this on video."
The Constellation and the two women showed intense reactions upon seeing me.
Wait, why are they making such a fuss about me wearing a cap?
"Su-yong! It looks so good on you! Let me take a video!"
"Uh, is that necessary?"
It wasn't just us—Rain was also making a fuss over Kim Su-yong wearing the cap.
Meanwhile, Buckle was left alone.
Was it because he was the only single one?
As he wore a gloomy expression...
"Everyone, focus."
Butler, Buckle's comrade, called us with a sad voice.
We all turned our attention to him.
"Your job as TAs is simple. Before the Performance Evaluation, you need to manage the students, and you can subdue those who don't listen."
"Professor, I have a question."
I raised my hand as soon as he finished speaking.
As if I'd been waiting for this moment.
"Yes, Cain. What's your question?"
"I was wondering if TAs have the authority to give penalty points?"
"Of course you do. But don't be too harsh."
"I understand."
"Good. Then let's begin now."
With those words, we walked toward the students' area wearing our TA caps.
Like squad leaders at a military training center.
***
Meanwhile, at that time.
Jenny was internally screaming.
For good reason.
"Tomato. What were you doing with my brother earlier?"
"Why do you care, flat-chested shorty?"
They were desperate to fight each other again.
Normally, these two would emit a murderous aura just by making eye contact.
However...
*They seem even more sensitive than usual!*
Jenny stepped between them, foreseeing the inevitable disaster if she didn't intervene.
"Girls, let's calm down. We're in the same team, right? Fighting won't do any good."
"...It's okay, Senior. We'll be fine with just the two of us without this tomato."
Willy shook her head, ignoring Jenny's words.
Not to be outdone...
"Whatever. From someone who only knows how to use a sword."
Lisana snorted in response.
Jenny inwardly sighed deeply at their reactions.
She thought this would be easy, but it turned out to be an extreme job.
*Sigh... I'm gaining new respect for Cain. How did he manage to coordinate these two all this time?*
Just as she was reevaluating Cain...
"What are you all doing?"
His voice suddenly rang in her ears.
All three immediately shifted their gaze.
At the same time...
"Cain, what's with that cap?"
"Brother, what's your concept this time?"
"Darling, it suits you so well!"
They saw Cain wearing a red cap.
Ignoring their reactions, Cain spoke in a rigid voice:
"From now on, you will not speak informally to this TA."
"...Huh? What's going on, Cain?"
"Brother, what are you saying?"
"Darling? Why are you suddenly acting like this?"
The three still hadn't grasped the situation.
Cain looked at them with sharp eyes.
"From now on, speaking informally will result in penalty points by my authority as TA."
"What?"
"B-Brother, what are you saying!"
"Darling?"
The three were startled.
Cain responded:
"Everyone gets one penalty point."
He assigned penalty points without hesitation.
Then...
"......"
"......"
All three pressed their lips shut as if on cue.
An awkward silence fell between them.
Cain broke the silence that seemed like it would last forever.
"From now on, you will respond to this TA with 'Aak.' No objections will be accepted. Understood?"
"Yes."
"Yes...? Yes?"
When Jenny nodded and answered "Yes," Cain glared at her with stern eyes.
*W-what's going on? Why is he so into this role?*
While the three were confused by this unexpected behavior, Cain warned in a low voice:
"Jenny. Do you want another penalty point?"
"A-aak."
"Louder!"
"AAK!"
Jenny instinctively stood at attention and shouted her response when Cain barked at her.
The other two also realized something was off and stood at attention.
Like fresh recruits at boot camp.
"Good. This TA can be an angel if you behave, but a devil if you don't. Now, Lisana and Willy, step forward."
"AAK!"
The two came forward, shouting loudly.
Cain crossed his arms and stared sharply into their eyes.
"Why do you two always fight at every opportunity? Are you sworn enemies? Don't you see how your behavior is making this TA and your senior team leader Jenny suffer?"
Cain burst out, venting his frustration as if he'd been waiting for this moment.
Jenny, watching from behind, nodded in agreement.
*Cain! Scold them more! You can do it!*
As Jenny was mentally cheering him on...
"Um, should I answer with 'Aak'...?"
Perhaps because she'd been pampered all her life?
Willy cautiously asked, showing her lack of awareness in such situations.
The next moment...
"Who told you to speak while the TA is talking!"
Cain cut her off mid-sentence and shouted.
Meeting his intense gaze, Willy...
"Hiccup!"
Involuntarily hiccupped.
Seeing this, Lisana...
"Pfft!"
Burst into laughter despite trying to hold it in.
Then...
"You're laughing? You find this funny? Instead of helping your classmate who's scared, you're laughing?"
Cain tilted his head and stared intensely, as if he'd experienced this himself.
Lisana swallowed hard upon meeting his gaze.
*Gulp!*
"If you laugh one more time, you'll get penalty points and extra training. And if I catch you two fighting again, you'll be called in separately by this TA. Understood!"
"AAK!!"
Both answered with "Aak" while sweating nervously.
Seeing them, Cain smiled with satisfaction.
"Now, back to your positions."
"AAK!!"
The two hurriedly returned to their places.
Cain turned around with his hands behind his back.
"Now, I need to control other students too. Both of you, listen well to your team leader. Understood?"
"AAK!!"
With those words, Cain gracefully disappeared.
After that day, the two vowed never to fight in front of Cain again.
As a side note, Cain would later become known among students as the "Devil TA," but that's a story for another time.
***
About an hour passed.
The roll call finally ended.
After confirming everyone was present, the professors led all students into the gate.
Then...
"No chattering, everyone."
Cain appeared in view, standing with his hands behind his back and a terrifying expression.
Immediately, all students shut their mouths as if on cue.
The professors watching from behind...
"I never knew Cain had such talent."
"Neither did I. He's doing an impressively good job."
"It wouldn't be bad to assign him again next time."
They nodded with satisfied smiles.
It's understandable why they reacted this way.
Honestly, they had appointed TAs merely as a formality.
Who could have expected someone would perform so well in a role they hadn't even taken seriously?
"Sien. Come forward."
"AAK!"
Sien ran forward urgently, looking quite exhausted, probably from being disciplined earlier.
Cain frowned at him.
"Sien. Are you joking right now?"
"...Yes?"
"Yes...? Yes? Didn't I clearly say to answer with 'Aak'!"
"AAK!!"
Sien immediately corrected himself.
Cain examined his expression.
Then, in a cold voice, he said:
"I don't like your face. One penalty point."
"What? That's not—!"
"Talking back! Another penalty point!"
"AAK!"
Sien reluctantly accepted, knowing he'd get more penalty points if he argued further.
Besides, I was planning to kill him during the Performance Evaluation anyway, so it didn't matter.
While Sien was grinding his teeth internally...
[The Goddess Who Enjoys Amusement bursts into laughter!]
[The Goddess Who Brings Happiness says you're crazy.]
[The Goddess Who Loves Battle says this is entertaining after a long time.]
[The Goddess Who Sees Fate says this side of you is attractive too!]
The Constellations showed intense reactions.
Cain inwardly smiled triumphantly.
*Might as well thoroughly crush him while I'm at it.*
After all, he betrayed my kindness first.
There was no need to give fair reasons for penalizing such a person.
"Now, back to your position!"
"AAK!"
Sien hurriedly returned to his place.
He seemed to make an annoyed expression, but I pretended not to notice to avoid escalating the situation.
"Hmm. Looks like everyone's here."
Just then, William's voice rang in my ears.
He yawned and quickly explained the Performance Evaluation.
"*Yawn!* Let me explain the Performance Evaluation once more. This evaluation will be conducted in groups of three. You'll survive on an uninhabited island for three days through self-sufficiency. Like last year, you'll earn points by hunting monsters, which can be used to purchase food and supplies. Note that stealing points from other teams or intimidation will result in disqualification for cheating if caught. Now, let the Performance Evaluation begin."