Became a Dark Merchant in the Academy - Chapter 216



215 – Student Council President Election_19

“what…”

“If necessary.”

Woo Sang-cheol, who had expected an unexpected answer, at best silence or a mumble, opened his mouth blankly, speechless.

Regardless, Lee Seong-hyeon continued talking.

“…I’ll tell you the truth. I’m not confident. To be honest, this is just a simple discussion. I’m saying this because I’m on the pro side. If a situation arises where I have to choose in reality, I’ll definitely hesitate. And then in the end, I’ll turn my head away without being able to make a proper choice.”

“then…”

Woo Sang-cheol came to his senses and tried to refute him.

Lee Seong-hyeon looked away as if his opinion was not worth paying attention to.

All eyes were on the other candidates, Olivia, and the audience.

“I’ve been talking like I’m cool and cool all this time. That’s all I’m capable of. That’s all I’m capable of. But I saw it. What happened in LA. I experienced it. The bombing at the Academy a year ago.”

It wasn’t a loud voice.

If we had to be specific, it was a low-pitched voice.

“I saw a friend who used to laugh and do math right next to me, a colleague who used to fight alongside me, and senior heroes who used to tell me not to lose my humanity all fall for the villains’ tricks and suffer horrible things that are beyond words. I saw people who are still wandering around LA, searching for even a single finger, a single strand of hair, or a single piece of clothing that was too burnt to be recognized, in the ruins where no bodies could be found. I saw someone who said he wanted to become a hero and save people lying under a cold coffin.”

But there was a seriousness and mourning in that voice.

It was a voice clearly filled with sadness.

“I don’t want to see those tears anymore. I don’t want to see people who should have been happy lose their families, lose their friends, lose the people they loved.”

Also, I felt a strange magic, so instead of discussing the pros and cons.

Even though it was a long, emotional confession, like giving a speech.

Without anyone questioning it.

About two hours had already passed since the discussion began, and even the students who were looking at their phones or chatting with the people next to them were turning their gazes to one place.

“Obviously, we are hero trainees. So we know that no matter how urgent the situation is, and that we must not lose our humanity in order to catch the villain. We can make the right choice. Just as it is better to let 100 criminals go free than to let one innocent person disappear. A hero should not force anyone to make a sacrifice. If you must make a sacrifice, it should be as a hero. I know that. I know that all too well. But if there is no other way, if it is necessary, and it may sound cruel… but… if sacrifice… is a constant, then I think we should accept the… lesser one.”

Small tears welled up in Lee Seong-hyeon’s eyes.

“Don’t cry, oppa.”

“Cheer up, Seonghyun!!”

“Seonghyun…”

Did you even empathize with him?

Some of the female students were sobbing as they consoled Lee Seong-hyeon.

“…”

It’s ridiculous.

This is neither a discussion nor a speech, but a simple expression of emotion.

I hate seeing innocent victims being made, so I feel it’s okay to force small innocent victims.

It is contradictory and forced.

Besides, Lee Seong-hyeon’s words were full of weak points that could be stabbed at.

But Woo Sang-cheol’s mouth could not open.

‘Fuck.’

That loophole was a loophole, but it was because I realized without anyone having to tell me that it all led to a trap.

The guy has been involved in every incident that has occurred around the Academy recently, whether it be the Academy terrorist attack a year ago, the LA incident, or something else, as if he was born from a different world.

In such a situation, it would be pointless to point out the contradiction here and talk about the trolley’s dilemma.

If you drag it into emotionalism, it is unclear whether you will win logically, but you are bound to lose completely in the argument.

If you ask me if I have ever experienced something like that, I have nothing to say.

That guy had a good reputation because he had been doing good deeds and listening to people’s worries since he was a freshman.

“Candidate Woo Sang-cheol, would you like to rebut?”

“…doesn’t exist.”

The situation is one where there is a difference in appearance, reputation, and approval ratings from the start.

It was a disadvantage from the start.

A situation where even emotions are affected.

If I argued with him any longer, I would only end up being caught up in emotions and contradictions, making me look ugly.

Woo Sang-cheol shook his head at Olivia’s question.

**

In the logic of this argument, there is little way for the pros to overcome the cons.

There was a big difference in the logical stance between those who could bring up things like law, bioethics, the mindset and behavioral principles that a hero should have, and universal morality, and those who remembered that small sacrifices could be made to prevent big sacrifices, like the trolley dilemma.

Of course, this is just my opinion.

In fact, there may have been more ways for the pros to overcome the cons.

However, due to a lack of preparation for a topic that was completely different from the one I had prepared for, it was difficult to come up with a logic that would convince everyone right away.

So what was put forward was an empathy theory based on experience.

People who have experienced it firsthand say so.

What good does it do for a guy who has no experience to talk about something?

So that it doesn’t end up as nothing more than empty talk, empty talk, or the idealism of a foolish person.

Add a little melodrama to it too.

“…doesn’t exist.”

It was a constant that it happened like that.

Woo Sang-cheol bowed his head.

“The debate between Woo Sang-chul and Lee Seong-hyeon was really interesting. As for Woo Sang-chul’s argument, no innocent person should be exposed in any way, while Lee Seong-hyeon’s argument was that if there is a necessary situation…”

Olivia’s comments summarized.

The first round is over.

And that was the end of it.

If we were to exchange these topics once per person, we would have had to do it at most four more times.

Even if you don’t know logic, you created a situation where it’s not easy to win emotionally.

From a while ago, Tachibana showed no signs of attacking.

Park Yul-cheon and Xiaolong felt like opponents for Lee Won-jun.

So, the only thing left was b.

That guy was just watching A suffer, and he was keeping his eyes fixed on the easy Yukinana without any tail between his legs.

There seemed to be no room for further debate.

That’s why I thought things would go smoothly.

“…Can I ask candidate Lee Seong-hyeon a question?”

Olivia’s first question, who had been only concerned with the progress and had not asked any questions in order to maintain neutrality.

Her gaze was directed at me.

It also seemed like he wanted to confirm something.

‘Confirmation.’

I can roughly guess what it will be like.

Maybe he heard something from the guy behind him.

But it wasn’t completely arbitrary.

It’s half mixed.

‘Is that over now?’

Doubt is poison.

A very vicious poison.

“…Yes. Please tell me.”

Curiosity and the two deadly poisons that kill people.

“Thank you… I have a question. Candidate Lee Seong-hyeon said that if necessary, we should use drastic measures. Can you give me a specific example of a situation where you think it would be necessary?”

I could see his throat moving, as if he was nervous.

“A concrete example…”

I wonder what to do.

It wouldn’t be a bad idea to just break it like this.

She was still useful.

No matter what, it was one of the keys to reaching the saint in France, who was in the final stages of planning.

‘Should I be a little more playful now?’

Then the gap will be reduced for a while.

It’s no use trying to mend a broken cup.

The gold did not disappear.

“I’m sorry, I can’t think of a specific example right now.”

But even if it was a little leaky, it could hold water for now.

“Is that so… Then here’s the next question. It’s a little off topic, but can I ask it?”

“As long as it’s not a personal question that’s completely off-topic, it’s fine.”

“Is that so? Then here’s a question. Candidate Lee Seong-hyeon, I understand that you’ve been unfortunately involved in several incidents and accidents at the Academy over the past year. Why do you think there have been so many incidents at the Academy? Do you think it’s because the Academy was not prepared? Or do you think it’s because some villain group or villain-like person with some sort of ulterior motive is targeting Laplace Academy, as rumors are circulating in the Academy world? Or is there another reason… Could you please share your opinion?”

reason?

Of course it’s my fault.

There is no denying that these are things I have done.

Of course, some of the events that would occur were a bit distorted, making them ambiguous.

It doesn’t change the fact that most of it is my fault.

Especially Olivia and Ines’ case was my work from start to finish.

“Could it be because the Academy was not well prepared?”

But why are you telling me that?

Negativity was a constant.

“…okay.”

Olivia’s body trembled slightly when she heard my answer.

The area around my eyes also gradually became red.

If you hit him lightly, he would crumble to pieces, and his face would look like it was covered in tears.

It was really a shame.

**

I tried to stop my voice from shaking, but it wouldn’t stop.

‘Do you think I’m lying?’

From noble mtl dot com

I wanted to deny it.

‘Senior Seonghyeon is related to Astra. That villain organization that controlled the attack on my sister. Why don’t you believe me when I showed you the evidence?’

But I couldn’t do it.

‘Then ask the chairman. I’m sure he’ll say what I’m saying is true.’

I went to ask because I wanted to have a little hope.

‘Come to think of it, Cadet Lee Seong-hyeon was supposed to announce that Astra was behind the academy attack last year, but he changed it to a different organization. How did you know that and ask…’

My sister’s friend, the president of the academy, would have any reason to lie like that.

no.

There wasn’t any.

But I thought there must be a reason, a reason that couldn’t be said, so I came here and mustered up my courage to ask.

“Could it be because the Academy was not well prepared?”

The answer came back.

“…I see. I… heard it well. I’ll end my questions here…”

Olivia’s heart ached so much.