novelraw Chapter 127 : Final Exams (3)
Chapter 127 : Final Exams (3)
The night before the written exam.
First-year cadets who had been granted special permission to keep lights on were focused on last-minute cramming, either studying in their rooms or having booked study rooms.
Scribble scribble scribble.
The sound of even writing filled the quiet study room.
Scribble scribble? Scribble.......
In the middle of solving problems with hesitation and worries, Song Yu-ha put down her pen.
"Aaaaah, my head feels like it's going to explode!"
"Yu-ha."
"Yes?"
Lee Yu-jin, her eyes bloodshot from fatigue, spoke in a voice that felt almost cold.
"The human head doesn't burst that easily."
"Waaaah! Yu-jin has gone dark!"
Song Yu-ha burst into tears and clung to Kwon Seung-yeon who was sitting next to her.
"Ahk!"
Kwon Seung-yeon, who had been secretly dozing off, woke up with a start.
"W-what? Is it an enemy attack?"
"What kind of dream were you having?"
Hwang Ji-su sighed.
"It's already three in the morning, so at this point, why don't we all take a break? We seem to be reaching our limits."
"Agreed, agreed, agreed!"
"That's the best thing I've heard."
Nam Tae-hoon and Seo Jun-seong promptly got up from their chairs.
"Then I'll go get some fresh air!"
"Tae-hoon, I'll join you."
"Me too."
"Oh! Then me too."
Kang Geon-woo, Seo Jun-seong, and Song Yu-ha followed Nam Tae-hoon outside in a rush.
"They're all so quick about it."
Hwang Ji-su sighed as she stood up.
"Want a cup of coffee?"
"Sure."
Su-hyeon went outside with her.
'!'
Seeing this, Lee Yu-jin hurriedly tried to get up at the same moment.
"...Yu-jin."
Kwon Seung-yeon grabbed Lee Yu-jin with a voice that sounded nearly dead.
"I really don't understand this one..."
Unable to refuse her friend's request, Lee Yu-jin made a tearful face.
"Fine. Which one is it?"
While Lee Yu-jin was helping Kwon Seung-yeon with her problem.
Su-hyeon and Hwang Ji-su drank coffee they had brought in their own thermoses.
"Is that cold brew?"
"Yes."
Su-hyeon answered Hwang Ji-su's question.
"You seem to like cold brew quite a bit."
"There's nothing like cold brew for extracting a consistent flavor. The taste is also mild."
Hwang Ji-su nodded as if she agreed.
"The fact that it produces a similar aroma regardless of what beans you use is both an advantage and disadvantage. But since there are still many problems with worldwide trade like before the Gate Era, it's not easy to get good beans anyway."
Su-hyeon agreed with Hwang Ji-su's words.
"That's right. Ethiopia, Brazil, Guatemala... it's difficult to enjoy the aromas of various beans grown in different climates."
Of course, from Su-hyeon's perspective, coming from an era where you could enjoy all kinds of beans from around the world just by stepping outside your house, this was still something he hadn't fully adapted to.
'It's fortunate that Korea, having largely recovered its system, has become one of the very few countries with sufficient food self-sufficiency to grow commercial crops like coffee, tobacco, and grapes.'
"Well, in that regard, Paul Baguette inside our academy is quite excellent."
"Hmm. I completely agree with that."
Hwang Ji-su smiled softly, feeling that talking about coffee made conversation flow naturally.
'...They're talking well together.'
Lee Yu-jin, watching this scene from a distance, quickly solved the problem for Kwon Seung-yeon.
"So, this is how you do it."
"I see."
Kwon Seung-yeon's eyes shone with gratitude for her sincerity.
"Yu-jin, you're really good at teaching."
"R-really? Thanks."
"So, about this last one..."
"......"
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"Cheating will result in an immediate zero. If any cadet wants to change their career path, feel free to try."
The next day.
Cadets who had practically stayed up all night faced the written exam, writing on their answer sheets like zombies with dark circles under their eyes.
'Hmm.'
After quickly solving the multiple-choice questions and moving on to the essay part, I raised an eyebrow at a familiar question.
[Question: Explain the mechanism of Ma-in transformation in detail and elaborate from either the perspective of 'mutation' or 'evolution'.]
'This question again.'
Among the various questions in the question bank, this was quite frequently asked, so I confidently began writing my answer.
[Ma-in transformation can be defined as a phenomenon that occurs when magical energy accumulated in an awakened person's body exceeds the limit of immunity, causing changes in the awakened person's body, mana, and characteristic system. The biggest changes are, first, the strengthening of the awakened person's killing impulse, and second, the mutation and enhancement of their characteristic.
The noteworthy point here is that changes occur strictly within the existing characteristic. For instance, a flame mage would not suddenly start using ice.
.......
The range of these changes is quite diverse. For example, there was a case like Ma-in Shin Jong-gil, where a general characteristic like body modification resulted in complex changes manifested as acidic poison secretion, body enhancement, etc.
However, this cannot be explained by the concept of evolution commonly discussed.
This can be explained with a concept similar to how evolution of species in nature doesn't always lead to more positive improvements, but often results in deterioration or regression.
For instance, there have been reports in academia of side effects such as the characteristic 'muscle hypertrophy' becoming excessively enlarged through Ma-in transformation to the point where combat activity becomes impossible.]
Scribble scribble scribble!
My pen filled the exam paper densely as if it had a motor attached.
'Still not enough.'
[When Ma-in transformation occurs, the obsessions (food cravings, destructive impulses, etc.) that the individual exhibited during the latent period just before transformation often manifest in extreme ways.
Therefore, if one can identify what their obsession was, it becomes easier to understand their behavioral patterns after the Ma-in transformation is complete.
The general academic view is that how strong a Ma-in becomes depends on their strength before the mutation and the degree of exposed magical energy.
A point to note is that generally, the stronger the awakened person, the higher their threshold for demonic nature, so the two tend to be proportional.
This means that...]
'Hmm.'
Writing enthusiastically, I noticed the remaining space on the answer sheet was getting precarious.
"May I have another sheet?"
"...Go ahead."
The examiner, looking at me with a slightly daunted expression, reluctantly agreed.
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EFAC's final exams were traditionally conducted as a tournament.
The structure began with preliminary rounds on day one, where 12 people formed one group and participated in a survival match in a circular arena until only one person remained. On day two, the main tournament continued with semifinals and finals.
'The first-years compete in the morning, the second-years in the afternoon, and the third-years don't participate in this system.'
Su-hyeon thought.
'After all, by this time, third-years have essentially submitted their employment applications and are completing internships, which is no different from the position of high school seniors who've finished their college entrance exams taking final exams.'
"And as you all know."
Instructor Kim Cheol-han, who had been writing on the blackboard, turned to face the cadets and said.
"Three days after the final exams schedule ends, the first-year student who takes first place overall gets to challenge the second-year first place holder."
"!"
Tension and excitement flashed across the cadets' faces.
"Well, as you might guess, this tradition was originally created so that second-years could show their dignity as seniors to first-years and establish discipline."
Instructor Kim Cheol-han laughed.
"But occasionally, when truly monstrous first-years enroll, upsets do happen."
'Of course, from the second-years' perspective, their face would be dragged through the dirt if that happened, so it's an event they prepare for by gritting their teeth.'
Su-hyeon thought.
"However, such upsets are very rare. Even the current student council president, Min Hae-na, lost to the top student at that time when she was a first-year."
"Even Senior Min Hae-na."
Hwang Ji-su murmured in surprise.
"She ultimately lost, but it was quite a close match. Even that was considered a remarkable achievement. That's how significant one year's difference is at your age."
"I see."
"But here's the thing."
Instructor Kim Cheol-han asked with a cryptic smile.
"Will it be the same this time?"
"No! This time, I'll definitely get first place and achieve that upset!"
Hong In-hyeon burned with fighting spirit.
"Good. That's exactly the attitude needed."
Meanwhile, in the second-year student council, President Min Hae-na and other council officers were using their spare time to discuss the final exams.
"The most likely candidates for first place are obviously either Seo Jun-seong or Jeong Su-hyeon."
The other officers agreed with the Vice President's words.
"I vote for Seo Jun-seong."
"Me too. Telekinesis is just too overpowered."
"That's right."
The Vice President continued.
"I understand that Jeong Su-hyeon fights incredibly well. But honestly, in a one-on-one match, if Seo Jun-seong just maintains ranged attacks and keeps running away, Su-hyeon would have no way to hit him."
"Plus, his output is no joke. That gravity field, or whatever? It seems like even a lycanthrope-class body would have its bones twisted if hit by that space-crushing thing."
"It'd be fortunate if only the bones were twisted. One small mistake and you could die, right?"
"Well, his father is also such a remarkable person."
After watching the officers' opinions lean toward Seo Jun-seong, Min Hae-na asked.
"So you all think it's Jun-seong rather than Su-hyeon?"
"Generally speaking, yes?"
"Hmm, I disagree a bit."
"Huh."
Min Hae-na's eyes lit up at the secretary's comment.
"Why?"
"What I notice most about Jeong Su-hyeon is his unique problem-solving approach."
"Problem-solving approach?"
"Yes. He always seems to have a knack for solving problems in ways others don't. His application skills are good, and his thinking pattern seems different too."
Min Hae-na grinned at the opinion she liked.
"I agree."
"So, though I can't provide exact grounds."
The secretary said.
"I think it's unlikely that Jeong Su-hyeon hasn't prepared tactics against Seo Jun-seong."
"That's. Hmm. Certainly."
"In terms of unpredictability, Jeong Su-hyeon does stand out more."
Other officers also showed signs of partial agreement.
"But don't those two really contrast with each other? One is a young noble who has walked only the royal road with a great father."
The secretary added to the Vice President's question.
"While the other is an orphan who grew up alone after being caught up in the Samcheok Incident during childhood. With his past veiled in mystery, he was a dark horse at the time of enrollment, but it's amazing how he overtook even Seo Jun-seong for first place in the midterm exams."
"Hmm. They're both handsome, but one gives off a mysterious flower boy vibe, while the other is a tough, cool handsome guy with great physical abilities."
"...Isn't that a bit off-topic?"
"Well, it's still unknown anyway."
The Vice President shrugged.
"Those two might get eliminated in the preliminaries from too much targeting."
"If that happens, it would mean they were just bubbles not worth much after all."
"If possible."
Min Hae-na smiled.
"I'd prefer that not to happen."
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Unlike most of the previous curriculum, the final exam tournament had a structure where all cadets wore masks and equipment and engaged in actual combat.
The groups were composed of cadets arranged by grades regardless of whether they were from the combat or supporter departments.
Of course, among them, the 10 completely non-combat cadets such as production staff usually left the arena right after the start, so in practice, many groups ended up as survival matches among 11 people.
[There are three conditions for elimination. Having your mask taken and being judged unable to fight, falling outside the arena, or raising both hands to surrender.]
The circular arena where the midterm exams had been held.
This time, survival matches would be held simultaneously in the exam venue divided into 10 sections.
"Let's go!"
"Class 2, fighting!"
"Let's show the power of Class 3!"
[3, 2, 1. Match begin.]
As everyone expected.
As soon as the match began, the top-ranked cadets from Class 1 were targeted.
"Jun-seong, I'm sorry!"
What was unusual was that in groups containing top students like Seo Jun-seong, even cadets from the same Class 1 participated in the encirclement as if by agreement.
"Hmm."
As Seo Jun-seong waved both hands in the air like a conductor, half of the 11 people who had charged at him were instantly thrown outside the arena.
"...!"
A Class 3 cadet who fell outside and landed on his bottom in the blink of an eye just stupidly blinked.
"That crazy bastard."
Facing him directly, he was such an overwhelming opponent that motivation completely disappeared.
'Ah, that's a different world from mine.'
He smiled bitterly as he realized the reality.
Meanwhile, in Hwang Ji-su's Group C.
Crack!
Hwang Ji-su, who had scattered cold air around her field and frozen two approaching cadets, announced in a cold voice.
"Stay still. If you break anything by mistake, it will be difficult to treat later."
"Urgh!"
The cadets who had been intimidated by the clear threat withdrew hesitantly.
"It would be bad if you accidentally broke a finger and found it difficult to use chopsticks later, right?"
'That person is serious.'
The sound of gulping was loud enough for Hwang Ji-su to hear.
'This is a real situation. Pain, wounds, injuries, even the threat of death—all of these exist for real.'
It had been experienced once during the attack by the Sword of Belphegor.
But that one time was not enough to adapt to the weight of actual combat.
Hwang Ji-su, who had instantly broken the spirit of the cadets who had targeted her, snorted as if it was boring.
"What are you all doing? If you don't want to fight, just go down."
At this time, in Lee Yu-jin's Group D, Lee Yu-jin was fighting with a noticeably different style.
Clang!
"Kuk!"
Lee Yu-jin, who had induced a momentary stiffness by crossing swords with one of the two approaching cadets using a penetrating scene, cut off the handle of the sickle of the cadet who was targeting her from behind with a single stroke.
"!"
Then, spinning around once more, she struck the cadet who was about to recover from stiffness on the collarbone with the back of her sword to induce a state of combat inability before retreating with nimble footwork.
Boom!
As a result, a ranged attack aimed at the three people who were entangled together directly hit the two cadets excluding Lee Yu-jin.
"That's!"
Instructor Lim Jeong-tae, who was watching, exclaimed in surprise.
"Instructor Lee."
"Ah, yes."
Instructor Lee Ho-seung also showed interest in his eyes.
"It's a different sword from the previous Lee Yu-jin."
"Hmm. Definitely."
As Lee Yu-jin's fight continued, the two men's discovery became certain.
"I don't know what happened, but even her footwork has become more lively."
"Yes. She's making good use of her advantages."
Lee Ho-seung grinned.
"You've found the right clothes, little one."
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But among the ten groups, there was one that attracted the most attention.
"Well, well."
Instructor Oh Chang-seong, who was watching Su-hyeon's fight, let out a dry laugh.
"How should I describe this?"
Kang Jun-man chuckled.
"That Jeong Su-hyeon, he's really something else."