I Entered an Academy in a Ruined Game

Chapter 125 : Final Exams (1)

"The more I think about it, the more incredible that guy is."

Friday night.

Instructor Oh Chang-seong spoke at a gathering where close Instructors met for beer before the weekend.

"Definitely."

"He's a funny guy."

Instructor Kim Cheol-han and Instructor Kang Jun-man nodded.

"I mean, when that bastard enrolled, he had good sense and good eyes, but didn't his actual specs seem rather unremarkable?"

"Absolutely. He was far behind even me when I was wearing restraints."

"I understand that his 'Unlimited' ability is impressive and that he does insanely intense training every day, but, heh."

Instructor Oh Chang-seong let out a dry laugh.

"Come to think of it, wasn't his technique almost perfected from the beginning? He's even helping other cadets now."

Instructor Kim Cheol-han said.

"I felt the same way when I saw him overwhelmingly subdue Hong In-hyeon during the boxing match."

"But it's not just that either."

Instructor Lee Ho-seung, who had been listening quietly, chimed in.

"That guy, at least when it came to swordsmanship, was almost completely ignorant except for some basics he learned from Lee Yu-jin. Until he first received instruction from me, that is. I can definitely vouch for this."

"Huh."

Kang Jun-man let out a dry laugh.

"Anyway, he's a crazy bastard, a crazy bastard."

"He's like a puzzle. Various pieces coming together, leading to explosive growth."

The three Instructors nodded at Kim Cheol-han's assessment.

"That's the only way to look at it."

"Come on, the beer's getting warm. Let's toast first."

The four Instructors clinked their beer cans and emptied half at once.

"Phew."

"Anyway, that Su-hyeon guy, isn't he undeniably the top student at this point, no matter what anyone says?"

Oh Chang-seong said, wiping the foam from his upper lip.

"I heard he even pushed Yang Dong-ju in Muay Thai versus Muay Thai, and later, after unlocking boxing, he really beat him up."

"Ah, that."

Lee Ho-seung snickered.

"It's extreme. Second-years and first-years have absorbed different amounts of curriculum, yet a first-year who hasn't even finished his first semester can dominate to that extent."

"To be honest, he's abnormally strong."

"In fact, just the fact that he caught up with and defeated Chu Jinhong in actual combat already means he's surpassed first-year level."

Kim Cheol-han said.

"Of course, even I was surprised when he took down Kwak Mu-jin alone."

"At first, didn't you think, 'What the hell is this crazy bastard doing?'"

Kang Jun-man chuckled, saying he saw the expression at that time.

"I did. But then he boldly plunged inward, using sword energy to deflect the nameless cloth. He even showed superior physical abilities when facing a B+ ranked Ma-in."

"That doping ability 'Liberation,' it's a cheat no matter how you look at it."

Lee Ho-seung shrugged.

"Even Seo Jun-seong and Hwang Ji-su, who had favorable compatibility, barely managed to take him down with coordinated attacks."

"Well, he was a boss designed to be fought that way."

In contrast, Su-hyeon's fight—alone, in close combat, subduing Kwak Mu-jin without taking a single effective hit—was truly amazing.

"Seeing how roughly he subdued him by even cutting off an arm, it seems he displayed nearly his maximum skill."

Oh Chang-seong said, rubbing his chin.

"I'd say so. Because if he took even one hit, it would be over. That's why Hwang Ji-su and Seo Jun-seong also didn't take direct damage."

Kang Jun-man agreed.

"Lee Yu-jin barely winning with the gambling move of sacrificing one of her arms is in a similar context."

"But I was surprised to hear that. Yu-jin wasn't originally that type of character."

Kim Cheol-han responded to Lee Ho-seung's comment.

"She must have been influenced by Jeong Su-hyeon."

Kim Cheol-han said.

"The bond between those two is quite strong."

"Does Yu-jin like Su-hyeon?"

"She might, or she might not."

"That Su-hyeon guy seems to have no interest in romance, with his mind completely focused on training."

"Hmm. He's blessed beyond his deserving."

Kim Cheol-han said as he finished the remaining beer.

"Anyway, at this rate, I'm quite looking forward to the final exams next week."

"Seo Jun-seong must be in danger too."

Oh Chang-seong agreed with Kang Jun-man's words.

"Well, yes. His ability is so overpowered that I still thought Seo Jun-seong had better compatibility than Jeong Su-hyeon in a one-on-one match."

"If I had to bet money, I just wouldn't. I think we'd have to see them face off to know."

Kang Jun-man chuckled.

"Hmm."

Kim Cheol-han murmured softly.

"At this rate, even Min Hae-na might be in danger."

"Huh? That's..."

"...Surely not."

Lee Ho-seung snickered at Oh Chang-seong and Kang Jun-man's lukewarm reactions.

"When has the word 'surely' ever applied to that guy?"

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Meanwhile.

The two pillars leading the massive academy that is EFAC, Principal Min Jeong-gap and Vice Principal Gong Gi-jeong, were also spending time at a bar they frequented before the weekend.

"Good. I don't know how many months it's been since I've had a drink with you like this."

Gong Gi-jeong bowed his head at Min Jeong-gap's smile.

"You've worked hard."

"Nonsense. You've worked harder than this old man."

"It's just that my prickly personality makes me create work for myself."

"I believe our academy runs well because of your strictness."

"You're too kind."

One on the rocks, one straight.

The two clinked their whiskey glasses and emptied them simultaneously.

"This is nice. Back in the day, there were times when we'd savor cheap diluted liquor with gratitude."

Gong Gi-jeong also chuckled at Min Jeong-gap's recollection of old memories.

"Didn't it taste better back then?"

"Hmm. That's true."

"Among the friends from that time, many have departed first, but those of us left behind are representing their will by raising future pillars who will inherit what they wanted to protect."

Min Jeong-gap smiled as if pleased by Gong Gi-jeong's uncharacteristically sentimental words.

"It's truly a blessing that your educational philosophy and mine can complement each other despite being different."

"You must have a hard time dealing with a subordinate who always contradicts and nitpicks."

"Thank you for understanding."

Principal Min Jeong-gap laughed heartily.

"But I think this year has been the most eventful since I came to this academy."

"That's certainly true."

Gong Gi-jeong sighed.

"We've had an influx of cadets with clear character qualities, and their skills are undoubtedly the best among recent cohorts."

"Honestly, I feel sorry for those children. They've had to endure too many hardships they shouldn't have had to face."

Anger rose in his expression.

"The Sword of Belphegor. I will, absolutely will make them pay."

"For Instructor Bang Woo-gil and Class 2's Hyun-su, we must."

Gong Gi-jeong still couldn't forget the devastating emotions he felt that day.

"...Nevertheless, the decision to continue with the academic schedule despite the anticipated threats sometimes weighs on my heart, even knowing it was necessary."

Min Jeong-gap poured fresh whiskey, speaking self-deprecatingly.

"Someone had to do it. EFAC needed to remain an unwavering symbol."

Gong Gi-jeong responded with a stern expression.

"And that is something only the head of this academy could do. Such decisions are precisely the role of a leader."

"I'm fortunate to have such a nagging vice principal."

Min Jeong-gap relaxed his expression and smiled softly.

"Not at all. It's thanks to your considerable shadow that I could come this far."

"Hmph. Even Gi-jeong is getting better at flattery. The world is an interesting place."

Gong Gi-jeong also laughed at Min Jeong-gap's joke.

"Was it that obvious?"

"Hahaha!"

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As all Instructors commonly acknowledged, the first-year was experiencing a warring states period with the twin chariots of Su-hyeon and Seo Jun-seong, followed closely by Hwang Ji-su and Lee Yu-jin, and then behind them, Hong In-hyeon, Choi Mina, and Kim A-yun, who had built up solid skills.

However, compared to this, the second-year had an indisputable top position system with Min Hae-na standing alone.

This was not because the second-year cadets' level was low.

Rather, it was a structure where cadets with skills as outstanding as their seniors fiercely competed for the second-place position.

'It's just that Min Hae-na is that overwhelming.'

Yang Dong-ju thought.

'After I lost to that guy, people who don't know better have been babbling about whether Min Hae-na might be in danger too.'

For Yang Dong-ju, who had watched Min Hae-na directly for a year and a half, it was difficult to think that Su-hyeon could be stronger than Min Hae-na, no matter what.

"Yes, Dong-ju."

Yang Dong-ju shrank further at the sight of Min Hae-na smiling at him with a casual attitude.

Min Hae-na's innate imperial quality.

It made Yang Dong-ju, whose position had already narrowed due to past sins, even more uncomfortable.

"I highly value your strength and perseverance. You're a combatant who can adequately fulfill your role on any battlefield. But there's one thing I've always found regrettable. Do you know what it is?"

"...I don't know."

"Not seeing an opponent's skill properly. That's your biggest flaw."

"...!"

"Courage and recklessness are different things. Why don't you understand that yet?"

The sight of Min Hae-na saying such things with a bright smile was something Yang Dong-ju secretly feared.

"Anyway, what I want to know is your impression of this kid Su-hyeon, whom you've directly faced."

"Do you really need to be so cautious when you have such strength?"

"Dong-ju."

Min Hae-na sighed as if he still didn't understand.

"Judging others with such hasty preconceptions—do I really have to tell you directly that this is your problem?"

"......"

Accurately penetrating an opponent's skill, knowing oneself.

And neither being careless nor tense before any opponent.

It was too large a vessel to possess at the mere age of 18.

'Min Hae-na, I'm afraid of you.'

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The first-year Class 1 cadets preparing for the final exams were in quite a sensitive state.

Unlike the midterm exams, which determined grades through matches with Instructors.

The final exams had a structure where cadets directly competed in a tournament against each other to determine the winner and grades.

'It's quite cruel.'

Above all, the preliminaries were notorious—dividing 120 cadets into 10 groups of 12 each and making them fight until only one remained in each group.

'This time it's 119.'

In fact, having only one casualty was an achievement that could be counted on one hand across hundreds of iterations.

"Ahem."

"AHEM!"

Saturday morning.

The gazes of first-year cadets having breakfast were full of caution and exploration as they looked at each other.

'They're really worked up.'

But it was understandable.

'Since the midterm grades are used to seed the top 12 from 1st to 12th, with the next tier forming the next seed.'

In this situation, inevitably, movements would arise to gather strength and eliminate the top-seeded, highest-ranking cadets first.

Of course, I was the only one who knew the exact selection principle.

'Whether they overcome this or get devoured. That's also the weight that those at the very front must bear.'

Will there be upsets in the preliminaries, or will positions be maintained?

That's where the many variables of the final exams began.

"Um, Su-hyeon."

"Hmm?"

Lee Yu-jin approached me as I was lost in thought.

"Can you spare some time this afternoon?"

"Sure, what's it about?"

"......"

After contemplating briefly, Lee Yu-jin opened her mouth.

"There's something I'd like to ask for help with."

'It's probably because of what happened at the Sword God's birthday party last time.'

I nodded, able to guess her intention.

"Of course. See you later."