Language of Champions

As Friday dawned, so too did the anticipation of the infamous compulsory English class, taught none other than by the university's director herself, Director Hye-su. Her decision to introduce this additional class during orientation sparked mixed reactions among the students, ranging from grumbling resentment to begrudging acceptance.

For many, the prospect of delving back into the intricacies of English grammar and vocabulary after escaping it in high school was met with disdain. However, Director Hye-su had a vision that extended far beyond the groans of reluctant students. She believed fervently in the adage that to be the best, one must learn from the best.

In the realm of NexaCorp Korea University, where excellence was the ultimate goal, fluency in multiple languages was not just a luxury but a necessity. Director Hye-su understood that for Korea to compete on the global stage and join the ranks of champions, students needed to broaden their horizons and embrace the challenge of learning a new language.

Despite the initial resistance from some students, Director Hye-su remained steadfast in her conviction that embracing the hardship of learning English would pave the way for a smoother future. She saw it as an opportunity for students to expand their skill sets, enhance their communication abilities, and ultimately position themselves for success in the international arena.

As Friday morning unfolded, the residents of room 205—Joon-ho, Kang-dae, and Kyu—prepared themselves for the compulsory English class. Despite the groans and grumbles echoing through the halls of the dormitory, they knew attendance was mandatory. With a sigh, Joon-ho retrieved his Realm device, contemplating whether it was necessary to bring it to an English class.

"Are we really going to need these for English?" Joon-ho asked, holding up his EEG device, the tool used to immerse oneself in NexaRealm.

"Who knows? Maybe Director Hye-su has some virtual English immersion planned for us," Kang-dae shrugged, adjusting his backpack.

Kyu, as usual, remained silent, his expression unreadable. He simply nodded in agreement, indicating his compliance with whatever was required of them.

As they made their way to the main hall, the conversation turned to the implications of having Director Hye-su as their English teacher.

"Do you think she'll be as strict in English class as she is whenever it comes to NexaRealm?" Joon-ho mused, recalling the director's formidable presence during their virtual battles.

"I mean it as clear as obvious, so I wouldn't put it past her. But hey, at least we'll have a story to tell if she ever catches us slacking off," Kang-dae chuckled nervously.

As Joon-ho, Kang-dae, and Kyu made their way out of their room and down the hallway of the men's dorm, Joon-ho's phone buzzed with a notification. Glancing at the screen, he saw that it was a message from Soo-jin, inquiring about their whereabouts. Apparently, she and her roommates had been waiting for them for quite some time.

"Looks like we're late," Joon-ho remarked with a sheepish grin, showing the message to Kang-dae and Kyu.

Kang-dae chuckled. "We did oversleep a bit, didn't we?"

Kyu nodded in agreement, though his expression remained stoic as ever.

With a quick reply to Soo-jin's message assuring her that they were on their way, the trio hastened their steps. Soon, they reached the intersection that connected the men's and women's dormitories, where they spotted Soo-jin and her roommates—Sang-hee, Jin-kyong, and Hyun-ae—waiting patiently.

"Sorry for the delay," Joon-ho apologized as they approached the group. "We lost track of time."

"No worries, we just got here ourselves," Soo-jin waved off his apology with a smile.

"You boys must have had quite the night if you overslept like this," Jin-kyong chimed in with a teasing grin.

"You could say that. It was a bit rowdy," Kang-dae laughed.

As they fell into step together, the group made their way towards their destination, engaging in light-hearted banter along the way. Despite the late start, they were all looking forward to the day ahead, curious about what Director Hye-su had in store for their English class and eager to spend time together outside of the virtual battlefield of NexaRealm.

As they walked together, Joon-ho couldn't help but notice the contrast between the four beautiful women beside him and the casual way they interacted with one another. To him, it was simply friends waiting for friends, but he couldn't deny the picturesque scene it created.

"So, for those that have yet to know one another," Soo-jin began with a smile. "This is Sang-hee, Jin-kyong, and Hyun-ae. We've been roommates since the start of the semester."

"Nice to meet you all," Joon-ho nodded politely, returning their greetings.

"Likewise! So, how do you all know each other?" Sang-hee grinned warmly.

"We're roommates. Well, the three of us are," Kang-dae stepped forward, a rare hint of enthusiasm in his voice.

"This is Kang-dae and Kyu. And, of course, you already know Soo-jin," Joon-ho gestured to Kang-dae and Kyu.

"Hey," Kyu nodded in acknowledgment, while Kang-dae offered a small smile.

"Are you in the Assassin course?" Hyun-ae observed Kyu with curiosity.

"Actually, we don't know. Kyu a special case and we respect his secrecy in this," Kang-dae interjected before Kyu could respond.

Kyu shifted uncomfortably at the praise, but a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

As they continued their walk, the conversation flowed easily, with jokes and anecdotes exchanged freely among the group. Despite the initial awkwardness of introductions with Kang-dae, Kyu, Jin-kyong, and Hyun-ae, it didn't take long for everyone to find common ground and settle into a comfortable rhythm. As they approached the main hall where their English class would be held, Joon-ho couldn't help but feel grateful for the unexpected camaraderie that had formed between them.

As they approached the main hall, Hana's arrival surprised the group, eliciting wide-eyed stares and whispers of awe. Even Kang-dae and Kyu, who were typically reserved, couldn't help but be taken aback by the presence of the second-best fighter in Korea.

"Hana!" Soo-jin exclaimed, stepping forward to greet her friend with a warm hug.

"Hey, Soo-jin. What's up?" Hana returned the embrace with a smile, her demeanour calm and composed as always.

"Just heading to our English class. These are my roommates, Sang-hee, Jin-kyong, and Hyun-ae. And of course, you know Joon-ho and Hyun-ae," Soo-jin gestured to the group beside her.

"Nice to meet you all," Hana nodded politely, acknowledging each of them in turn.

Joon-ho couldn't help but feel a sense of pride at the sight of Hana casually interacting with his friends. It was a testament to her down-to-earth nature despite her formidable reputation in NexaRealm.

"It's an honour to meet you, Hana," Sang-hee said, her voice tinged with excitement.

"Yeah, we've heard a lot about you!" Jin-kyong nodded eagerly in agreement.

"Just doing my thing. Anyway, I'll catch up with you all later. Have a good class," Hana chuckled modestly, brushing off the praise.

With a final wave, Hana continued on her way, as she had another engagement to attend to before the class, leaving the group in awe of her presence.

"Wow, that was amazing," Hyun-ae remarked, her eyes still wide with admiration.

"Yeah, it's not every day you get to meet someone like Hana," Joon-ho couldn't help but agree.

As they entered the main hall for their English class, the encounter with Hana lingered in their minds, adding an unexpected thrill to an otherwise mundane Friday morning.

As they arrived at the main hall, Joon-ho, Kang-dae, Kyu, Sang-hee, Hyun-ae, Jin-kyong, and Soo-jin found their seats among the rows of chairs. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation as students chatted amongst themselves, exchanging greetings and discussing the upcoming class.

Taking their seats, they settled in, each immersed in their thoughts. Joon-ho glanced around the hall, noting the familiar faces of classmates and the occasional nod of recognition exchanged between them. Kang-dae and Kyu sat beside him, their expressions unreadable as they awaited the start of the class.

Hyun-ae and Jin-kyong engaged in a quiet conversation, their voices hushed as they discussed the latest assignment or perhaps shared a joke. Soo-jin, seated nearby, exchanged smiles with her friends, her gaze drifting to the front of the hall where Director Hye-su would soon make her entrance.

As the minutes ticked by, anticipation grew, punctuated by occasional whispers and the shuffling of feet. They all knew that Director Hye-su's English class was not to be taken lightly. Her reputation for demanding excellence preceded her, and they braced themselves for the challenge ahead.

Finally, the doors at the front of the hall swung open, and Director Hye-su made her grand entrance. Dressed impeccably in professional attire, she exuded an aura of authority and confidence as she strode down the aisle, her heels clicking against the polished floor.

Taking her place at the lectern, Director Hye-su surveyed the room with a keen eye, her gaze sweeping over the assembled students. With a nod of satisfaction, she cleared her throat and began to address the class, her voice commanding attention as she outlined the objectives for the day's lesson.