Academy's Silver Gatekeeper

Chapter 4

Since the emergence of superhumans, the question has persisted: who is the greatest superhuman in South Korea? If the criteria extend beyond sheer skill or abilities and encompass the individual as a whole, more than half would likely say this name:

- Third Eye is activated.

? Ma Hakjun  

A Veteran Unfazed by Past Glory

? Details  

Unshackled by his past accomplishments, he remains a formidable figure. Though time has weathered his body, his resilience endures. He does not falter, even in the most extreme circumstances.

As one of the heroes who saved Korea during the early days of the superhuman crisis, Ma Hakjun’s combat experience ranks among the top ten worldwide.

Though age eventually pushed him to step away from the frontlines, his class remains unmatched. He commands such respect that no one dares to make an enemy of him.

It’s said that a white-haired elder with perpetually closed eyes is a terrifying force, no matter where they go.

That legend now serves as the headmaster of the Academy.

“This is nerve-wracking.”

The reason for his sudden summons was likely related to the recent Silver Rank evaluation.

Even though I was officially dispatched here, I was still an outsider— neither a student nor faculty, not even security personnel.

Park Junwoo, for all his thuggish behavior, was still an Academy student. It wasn’t hard to guess whose side the headmaster would take.

“Or maybe… Ma Hakjun might hear me out.”

I clung to that faint hope as I arrived outside the headmaster’s office. The security officer gestured for me to enter before walking away.

Before touching the doorknob, I took a deep breath to steady myself.

“Hoo…”

Staying calm was easier said than done. Ma Hakjun wasn’t just powerful—he had the character, influence, and skills to back it up. One wrong move, and my life could take a turn for the worse—guaranteed.

“No. Don’t be intimidated"

Strictly speaking, I did nothing wrong.

The lower-level rank evaluations might be considered low-stakes, but superhumans themselves were akin to living weapons. Even in a simple sparring match, a single mistake could lead to severe injuries. For Academy students, such risks were part of their everyday life.

“You’re going to waste the whole day just holding the doorknob. Come in already.”

I almost jumped out of my skin. Could he sense my hesitation? The deep voice from beyond the door spurred me into action, and I quickly stepped inside.

The headmaster’s office wasn’t as grand as its name suggested. There were shelves filled with books, a few framed photographs, various commendations on the walls, and a single, meticulously maintained sword that radiated an imposing aura.

As I passed these items, I finally came face-to-face with Ma Hakjun.

“Nice to meet you. You must be the newly dispatched examiner.”

He looked exactly as described—an elderly man with white hair and perpetually closed eyes.

At first glance, his appearance sparked debates: was he a hidden villain masking his true intentions or a powerful ally? It didn’t take long for the truth to become clear—he was firmly the latter.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Headmaster. I’m Baek Seojin, dispatched from the Superpower Assessment Department.”  

“Ma Hakjun.”

After briefly introducing himself, Ma Hakjun gestured for me to take a seat. Then he simply stared at me in silence.

There was no hostility in his gaze, but the intensity was enough to make me uncomfortable.

“Let’s skip the pleasantries and get to the point. I’ll ask you one question. Answer it once, and only once.”

Even the way he spoke was heavy with pressure. Was he angry about the injury to the student?

“Why are you here at the Academy?”

“…Pardon?”

I instinctively repeated his question. It made no sense. Why was I here?

“Headmaster, I… I’m not sure I understand—”  

“I said I’d ask only once. You only get one chance to answer.”

This was Ma Hakjun. Even if age had caught up with him, he was still one of the greatest superhumans. He wasn’t the type to joke or ask frivolous questions.

His tone and expression made it clear he was completely serious. He wanted a truthful answer.

“I… uh….”

The problem was, I didn’t have a good answer for him.

“Well… I was told to come, so here I am.”

Ma Hakjun didn’t reply immediately. He simply stared at me with an even sharper gaze than before.

“That’s your answer?”

When he finally spoke, his tone was cold, and I reflexively nodded. The saying, “Class is eternal,” couldn’t be more true. His mere presence was overwhelming.

“…Very well. If that’s your answer.” Ma Hakjun nodded, clearing his throat.

“I heard there was a minor incident during the rank evaluation.”  

“Ah, Headmaster, about that—”  

“Don’t dwell on it. Park Junwoo likely knew what he was getting into.”

Ma Hakjun was known for deeply caring about the Academy and its students. I’d feared he might scold me for injuring one, but—

“He got what was coming to him. I figured he’d face a harsh lesson sooner or later.”

As expected, Ma Hakjun was different.

From his reaction, it seemed he already had a good grasp of Park Junwoo’s character.

“I’ll ensure the matter is handled appropriately, so it doesn’t cause issues with the higher-ups.”  

“Thank you, Headmaster. Truly, thank you.”  

“Brace yourself for more trouble. This incident will draw even more students to you.”

He was probably right.

The idea of a previously unassuming lower-rank examiner defeating a capable student like Park Junwoo would surely attract attention—some curious, others malicious.

“But not all students are like that. Most of them are decent. I wanted to tell you this so you wouldn’t judge them too harshly.”

Of course, Headmaster. I understand better than anyone.

The real troublemakers were a minority. Most students genuinely wanted to fulfill their duties as superhumans. It was just that the troublemakers stood out like sore thumbs.

“Keep up the good work.”  

“Thank you, Headmaster. I’ll take my leave now.”

The conversation was brief but left a lasting impression. As expected of one of the greatest allies one could have.

…

“Hm…” Ma Hakjun closed his eyes, replaying the conversation in his mind.

“Well… I was told to come, so here I am.”

Baek Seojin, the newly dispatched examiner. On paper, he was just an ordinary civil servant.

But the events of Park Junwoo’s evaluation were anything but ordinary.

“His skills aren’t normal. He baited his opponent into letting their guard down and ended the fight in a single blow.”

Even from the written report, Ma Hakjun could picture the scene vividly. This wasn’t the behavior of a typical assessment department employee. Something was being concealed, whether intentionally or not.

Ma Hakjun considered two possibilities:

The first was that Baek Seojin might be a spy for the villains targeting the Academy.  

Given his skills, it wasn’t entirely implausible.

Ma Hakjun knew the capabilities of the Assessment Department better than anyone. Someone of Baek Seojin’s level wouldn’t be assigned to a desk job. If he had that kind of talent, he’d be on the frontlines.

“If he’s a rookie spy, he might accidentally expose his powers while trying to blend in. And given reports of villains moving in the shadows, it’s not far-fetched.”

The second possibility was that Baek Seojin had been sent by that friend.

“Forty years I’ve spent calling that fool my friend, and this is what it comes to.”

Ma Hakjun sighed, massaging his temples.

He had recently been enduring pleas that were almost desperate in nature.

“Please, Hakjun, I’m begging you. Keep an eye on my granddaughter. Make sure she doesn’t get mixed up with the wrong crowd. She’s a fragile girl, you see. I can’t sleep at night worrying about her.”

Kang Minsung—a hero who had saved Korea from destruction alongside Ma Hakjun. The head of a prestigious superhuman family renowned for their weaponry-based abilities. An overwhelming presence on the battlefield, feared even by villains.

Yet, in private, Kang Minsung was an overprotective grandfather prone to outbursts.

Kang Minsung’s granddaughter had recently enrolled at the Academy.

“She has decent abilities but struggles with inferiority and self-doubt.”

It made sense. Kang Minsung’s children and grandchildren had all inherited his talent and fame.  

In such a family, merely being “decent” could feel like a failure.

The pressure to live up to the family name had likely crushed her confidence. It was no surprise that she became withdrawn—and that others took advantage of her vulnerability.

One of those opportunists had been Park Junwoo. And today, Park Junwoo had been utterly defeated.

It was no wonder Ma Hakjun suspected Baek Seojin might be one of Kang Minsung’s agents, sent to protect her.

But the sincerity in Baek Seojin’s voice and eyes… they weren’t those of someone hiding the truth.

There was one more possibility:

Baek Seojin was exactly what he appeared to be—a nobody who had gotten lucky.

“Perhaps it was sheer instinct or a miraculous survival response.”

Ma Hakjun decided on one course of action:

“Keep an eye on him.”

If Baek Seojin turned out to be a villain’s pawn, he’d deal with it. If Kang Minsung had sent him, Ma Hakjun would send him back with a stern warning. And if Baek Seojin really was just a lucky civil servant…

“He could inspire the students in a positive way.”

No matter the case, it would take time to uncover the truth. In the meantime, Ma Hakjun cleared his desk, organizing the reports.

- Baek Seojin, Male, 24, Support Type, Superpower Assessment Department, Assigned to Academy.

- Park Junwoo, Male, 22, Martial Arts Type, Entered as C-rank, Eligible for Gold Rank Evaluation.

As he reached a particular file, Ma Hakjun clicked his tongue.

“Tsk.”

That damned fool. As much as he wanted to ignore his old friend’s request, he couldn’t entirely disregard it.

Ma Hakjun muttered to himself as he reviewed the details again.

- Kim Suhyeon, Female, 20, Weaponry Type, Entered as E-rank, Bronze Rank by Academy Standards.