...
[Theo: Of course, if you can do that, I'd be very happy for the help.]
Yeonha's help would undoubtedly be very welcome. Especially to take care of the press buzz.
[Theo: We'll talk more in a bit... I'm going to finish getting ready.]
Smiling, she waved goodbye.
[Yeonha: Okay! See you in a bit.]
The call ended.
Theo stood there for a few seconds, motionless. His expression was neutral, but his thoughts were not. The hologram had vanished, but the news still echoed.
The problem wasn't the truth about the Sagans.
It was public perception.
Being the son of Djinn terrorists, even if only nominally, put him in an extremely difficult position.
Enemies could use this. People affected by the attack could seek revenge on him.
'And here I thought I'd have a quiet end of the month.'
Theo reflected bitterly.
'Now I have to deal with the ghosts of a family that isn't even mine and the real possibility of someone close to the victims deciding I'm a legitimate target...'
Nayun, who had approached and was now by his side, looking at the turned-off holographic screen, finally broke the silence:
"Mnn! Theo, do you have any idea who might have leaked this? The American Association, maybe?"
Theo shook his head slowly, a cold smile forming on his lips. The answer was almost obvious, too obvious.
"No, it wasn't them."
He replied, his voice low and heavy with a dark certainty.
"Think about it, Nayun. What would the US gain by exposing a secret they themselves helped cover up? They'd be criticized for having taken care of the 'devil's son.' Not only that... And what's more... They're trying to get closer to me, not the other way around. It would be foolish of them to sabotage that."
He paused, his eyes meeting Nayun's.
"But there is someone who would gain something from seeing me in this situation. Someone who has reason to attack me publicly, even if indirectly. Someone who recently had their pride wounded and is perhaps seeking retaliation."
Two crucial points fit together perfectly, making him begin to understand quickly.
First: The leak damaged the American Association's image as much as his, but it benefited anyone who wanted to see his image ruined.
Second: There was someone with a clear and recent animosity directed at him, mainly because of Nayun.
The name appeared in his mind with the clarity of a lightning bolt.
Shin Jonghak.
The puzzle came together with an irritating simplicity.
The timing, the method, the motive. Everything pointed to the arrogant young chaebol who couldn't accept losing, especially to him.
Especially when 'Nayun,' the girl he liked, was dating Theo.
Sighing lightly, Theo went to change his clothes...
...
A few moments later in the halls of Cube.
The journey from the apartment to Cube's teaching complex passed without major incidents.
The breakfast jokes were naturally replaced by the usual routine of going to class, although the recent news about Theo's parents was still on everyone's mind.
Nayun walked beside him through the academy's familiar corridors.
Some curious glances came from other cadets, which was to be expected, given how quickly gossip circulated in Cube.
Theo maintained his usual expression, perhaps a little more thoughtful than normal, considering the small complication the news represented, not because of the information itself, which was indifferent to him, but because of the trouble it could cause and his suspicion about the source of the leak.
Near the door of the Veritas Class, Theo's smartwatch vibrated.
The display showed "Unknown Number."
He stopped for a moment. Nayun also stopped, looking at his watch.
"You can go on ahead."
Theo said casually.
"I'll just see what this is and be right in."
Nayun nodded, giving him a quick glance before entering the classroom.
Theo waited for the door to close and answered the call.
A formal, male voice with an American accent spoke on the other side.
[Unknown Voice: Cadet Theo Sagan?]
[Theo: Yes?]
[Unknown Voice: This is the Assistant Director of Internal Operations for the United States Hero Association, Eastern Division. Apologies for the unidentified call; we prefer to maintain discretion for now.]
Theo waited, not showing much interest.
[Assistant Director: I am calling to formally express our regret for the trouble that the recent information leak about your biological parents may have caused.]
The voice was purely professional, focused on following protocol.
[Assistant Director: We would like to assure you that the leak did not originate from our current systems. We have already initiated an internal investigation to determine the origin and those responsible for this breach.]
Theo listened patiently.
[Assistant Director: We will do our best to identify who did this. We understand the situation is delicate and would like to offer our support, if necessary.]
[Theo: Understood. I appreciate the call and the information about the investigation.]
There was a brief pause, perhaps due to Theo's neutral response.
[Assistant Director: Right. We will keep you informed of any relevant developments. Have a good day, Cadet Sagan.]
[Theo: You too.]
He ended the call.
The call was exactly what he expected: a formality from the Association to absolve themselves and promise an investigation that would likely lead to nothing useful for him. It was just another item on the day's list of minor annoyances.
Turning off the smartwatch, he turned and walked calmly towards the door of the Veritas Class.
"Huh?!"
However, as soon as he put his hand on the doorknob and opened the door, his expression hardened, and in a movement that could be described as unreal, Theo disappeared.
He reappeared in front of Nayun, as if he had always been there, his eyes fixed on the tense and wretched figure behind her.
"?!"
Nayun barely had time to process. One second she was trying to get to her seat after ignoring Jonghak; the next, she was in Theo's arms, pulled back with a protective firmness, enveloped in his warmth and scent.
After pulling Nayun to him, he extended his arm and with a restrained motion, moved it to the side.
Her wide-eyed gaze shot forward. There, the scene unfolded in a way she couldn't have imagined.
Shin Jonghak was biting his lips, his fists clenched, ready to attack her from behind.
Theo's arm moved slowly. Using the back of his hand, he delivered a violent rejection to any possible threat against his girlfriend.
"Boom!"
The impact was sharp, but devastating. His strike wasn't vicious, but it was strong enough to send him flying.
Jonghak flew backward, hitting the classroom wall with a muffled thud.
The structure trembled with the impact. The sound that followed was thick, as if his lungs had been crushed from the inside.
And blood began to spill from his mouth.
"Who the hell do you think you are, trying to touch my woman, you bastard."
The few cadets already in the classroom looked at the scene before them, understanding nothing.
And for good reason...
What they saw was a blur, a shape appearing from nowhere, followed by a violent impact against the wall.
The tension in the classroom became so thick you could cut it with a knife.
"Aah! Cof!"
The silence was absolute, broken only by the hoarse sound of Jonghak's ragged breathing.
A sound that was enough to bring everyone back to reality.
...