The more I talked with Kim Suhyeon, the more I got to know her better. She had an even lower sense of pride in herself than I initially thought.
Most of her words either started with phrases like "Unlike me, they..." or ended with "I wish I could do that too."
Whenever I moved even slightly, she flinched. Maybe she thought I was losing interest in her words and focusing on something else. Her constant glances for reassurance made me feel bad, so I did my best to stay still.
'At least she doesn’t seem to have a bad personality...'
I had heard that some people overwhelmed with inferiority tend to put others down. They do it to mask their own insecurities and try to feel superior in some way.
Fortunately, Suhyeon hadn’t reached that point. Looking back, I couldn't recall any instances where she belittled others at the Academy. Her problem was that she constantly made self-deprecating comments.
I once had a friend like her. Their family struggled financially, and nothing ever seemed to go right. Naturally, they were plagued by severe feelings of inferiority for a long time.
It had taken years for them to overcome it— understanding themselves, acknowledging the strengths of others, and setting goals while believing that someday they could achieve them too.
Kang Minseong entered the room and called out to his granddaughter.
“My throat's a bit dry. Could you go get me some water? Take your time and go with the others outside.”
There was already water in the room, so why send her out to buy more? The reason was clear from the way he looked at me. He wanted to have a private conversation with me.
Suhyeon nodded and left the room, leaving me alone with Kang Minseong.
Standing next to me was a seasoned warrior with a presence somewhat different from Ma Hakjun’s. I couldn’t help but feel a little nervous about what he was going to say.
“I realize I haven't thanked you properly yet.”
Kang Minseong approached and bowed his head.
The age gap between us was massive, not to mention our social status. Yet he didn’t hesitate to express his gratitude. It seemed that the title of hero wasn’t given just for strength alone.
“Thank you. Without you, I would have lost my only granddaughter. And if that had happened... I would have lost my mind.”
He wasn’t speaking as the head of a powerful family, but as a grandfather who deeply loved his granddaughter.
I had expected him to be a stern, authority-driven man, but standing before me was simply a thankful and worried grandparent.
“And... I also owe you an apology.”
“You've heard that you’ll be returning to the Academy as an examiner after your discharge, right?”
My supervisor had mentioned that just yesterday— that I should go back to the Academy right after being discharged. But how did he know about it?
“I... may have asked some acquaintances for a favor. To ensure you quietly return to the Academy.”
“You did, Chairman? Why?”
“What do you think of Suhyeon? My granddaughter.”
Why was he suddenly asking about Suhyeon? He’s not asking for my thoughts as a man, right?
“I... I don’t quite understand what you mean.”
“You’ve spoken with her for a while, haven’t you? I imagine you’ve formed some impressions by now. After all, you assessed her as part of your duties.”
Technically, I relied on my special ability for assessments, but I guess you could call it an eye for talent.
After a brief hesitation, I decided to speak honestly.
“…Suhyeon, well, she seems to have low self-esteem and…”
“No need to sugarcoat it. Just say what’s on your mind.”
“Uh… I mean, she… has a bit of an inferiority complex.”
“Oh? You already knew?”
When I asked, Minseong simply nodded with a calm expression.
“In a family full of exceptional talents, she was the only one who lacked anything special. No one ever blamed her for it,
but she convinced herself that she wasn’t good enough.”
“So that’s why Suhyeon…”
“I hoped that by enrolling her at the Academy, she’d learn to accept her limits and grow among peers of her age.”
He had hoped that by spending time with other students, she would slowly come to terms with herself and improve. But instead, she became even more withdrawn.
“But recently, something changed in her—after meeting you.”
“You’re an ordinary silver-ranked examiner. Just like Suhyeon, you’re not special. But despite that, you’ve found your own way to shine. I believe that inspired her.”
Minseong said that it was Suhyeon who suggested visiting me in the hospital. It was the first time she had taken the initiative to do anything. Her family members were secretly surprised.
“That’s when I realized— you might be the one who can help my granddaughter. So I arranged for you to remain at the Academy.”
That explained why things had been so quiet despite my encounter with an Elder. Considering Minseong’s connections in the government, it made sense.
I was nodding when he suddenly blurted out in a flustered voice:
“But listen! I never asked them to discharge you so soon! I only asked them to make sure you could stay as an examiner after recovery. That’s all, I swear!”
“When Suhyeon said it was too soon to be discharged, I thought she might find out and blame me. Please, if she asks, tell her I had nothing to do with it!”
His voice was practically pleading. Of course, I wasn’t about to tell her anything different.
“Whew. Thank you. You don’t know how relieved I am.”
Seeing him let out a deep sigh of relief, I realized that beyond being a former war hero, he was just a doting grandfather.
“Anyway, when you return to the Academy,
please look after my granddaughter.”
“You might be expecting too much from me. I’m just an examiner, not a professor.”
“Suhyeon is still bronze-ranked, isn’t she? That means she’ll have to take your tests often.”
Oh no. Don’t tell me he wants me to go easy on her in assessments...
Would he? I mean, he’s a war hero and all, but still… Should I ask him outright? No, that might offend him. But what if he is thinking that? Wouldn’t it be better to clear things up?
Before I could ask, the door opened,
and Suhyeon walked in, carrying bottled water.
I missed my chance to ask.
“Here, Grandpa. Have some water.”
“Thank you, my dear.”
While Kang Minseong pretended to drink, Suhyeon looked at me hesitantly.
"Why, Suhyeon? Is there something you want to say?"
"Um… You're still not discharged yet, right, Examiner?"
"Yeah, I still have a few days left. Why?"
"Then... c-can I visit again tomorrow?"
She wanted to come back tomorrow? Even though villains might still be lurking around? We'd be seeing each other at the academy soon enough, so was it really necessary...
"...Sure. If you want to come, feel free. I could use the company anyway."
Under Kang Minseong’s subtle yet firm gaze, I found myself accepting her request without much resistance.
“I want to visit the examiner in the hospital.”
When Suhyeon voiced her wish, Kang Minseong and those around him were visibly surprised. For someone as timid as her, expressing her own desires was a rare occurrence.
She felt ashamed facing her family and guilty for making such an unusual request. Was she being selfish by insisting on something so trivial?
But even so, she wanted to see the person who had saved her life— to properly express her gratitude and apologize for the trouble she had caused.
She wanted to tell him that she aspired to be someone like him. Even though he was just a regular examiner, to her, he seemed extraordinary.
The memories were still vivid in her mind. The way he effortlessly took down the arrogant Park Junwoo. The way he dismantled each overconfident student during the assessments. And finally, how he stood his ground against the terrifying Elder to protect her.
Unlike her grandfather and her family, he wasn’t born special. He was just an ordinary man—a mere silver-rank examiner. Yet within that ordinariness, he had discovered his own way to be special.
The feelings that overwhelmed her— were they admiration? Or something more profound?
Whatever they were, Suhyeon found them comforting. For the first time, something warm had settled deep in her heart.