I Entered an Academy in a Ruined Game

Chapter 134 : Challenge Right (1)

Jeong Su-hyeon defeated Seo Jun-seong!

This provided people with a surprise that was quite different in nature from when Su-hyeon had overtaken him to claim the top spot in the midterm exams.

"Interesting, truly interesting."

Despite his prediction being wrong, Hwang Yong-jae was far from displeased, even clapping his hands in delight.

"Does this mean I misjudged his potential? This Jeong Su-hyeon is really something. While there are many who fail to meet expectations, those who exceed them rarely appear."

"It's just as you say, Chairman."

Meanwhile, Team Leader Song Young-hwan's shoulders were raised so high that they practically reached beyond his forehead to the crown of his head.

"Hahaha! I was the one who wrote Su-hyeon's recommendation letter. Yes, me! Without my recommendation, think about what an excellent talent we might have missed, right?"

"Hehehe, Team Leader, you could just be a scout!"

Park Min-cheol was so pleased hearing the news that he was seriously considering whether he should call Su-hyeon "hyung."

"Ah, this kid is really cool. Wow."

He decided to revise his plan to personally pick up Su-hyeon in a luxury limousine at the end of the semester, upgrading the vehicle by three levels.

'To pay back for my finger and life, I should do at least this much.'

It seemed that on that day, he would also need to have his bodyguards wear stylish suits.

"If I raise just one more disciple well, I might go broke."

Instructor Lee Ho-seung was preparing to treat the Instructors to a lavish meal, adding his personal funds to the incentive for Su-hyeon's growth.

"...I see."

Upon hearing the news that his carefully raised son had been defeated, Seo Dong-jin opened a cherished bottle of brandy with an enigmatic smile.

"The world is vast, Jun-seong. I never would have thought the second person to hand you defeat after Hae-na would be none other than your classmate."

Though a father's heart was uneasy thinking about his son's noble pride suffering after this defeat.

"This was the growing pain you absolutely needed. I should rightfully raise a toast."

As a senior watching the growth of a great tree that would lead the next generation, Seo Dong-jin felt it was something to be celebrated.

"Jeong Su-hyeon, Jeong Su-hyeon. Surely that child will become my son's greatest competitor in the future."

Seo Dong-jin muttered.

"That child who survived the Samcheok Incident and grew up alone."

He sincerely did not hold back his admiration for Su-hyeon's growth and achievements.

"What a splendid young man."

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The injuries Su-hyeon and Seo Jun-seong sustained in the final match were not minor.

Among them, Su-hyeon's injuries were more severe, having taken a blow so significant that if he had been an ordinary person, he would have had to worry about permanent disability in his right arm.

"Your body is an asset. How many shoulder and bicep routines will you miss due to the price of recklessness?"

In response to Health Instructor Jang Jin-won's slightly misplaced scolding, Su-hyeon apologized.

"I'll make up for it once the injury heals."

"Hmm! That's how it should be!"

The point that pleased him was also, of course, somewhat off the mark.

"All done!"

"Thanks."

After receiving primary treatment from Instructor Jang Jin-won, Su-hyeon made a special request to Song Yu-ha, using a healing orb to secondarily boost his recovery.

"Will you be okay? Aren't you pushing yourself too hard?"

To Lee Yu-jin's worried question, Su-hyeon shook his head.

"I can't miss this opportunity. Besides, I'll have plenty of time to rest after the final exams are over."

"Even so."

"Well, I probably won't be able to use my right arm at 100% condition. There's too little time left for that."

"Min Hae-na-sunbae seems to have barely sustained any injuries."

Lee Yu-jin said with a worried face.

"This is the first time I've actually seen Min Hae-na-sunbae fight. But I felt something beyond the pressure I felt from Jun-seong at the beginning of the semester and Su-hyeon now."

Su-hyeon nodded.

"Min Hae-na-sunbae is truly strong. Perhaps even the third-year top student might not be able to guarantee victory against the current Min Hae-na-sunbae."

In other words, she was already counted among the few strongest cadets in the entire academy, including third-years.

And that weight was by no means light.

But.

"I have to do my best to challenge her. Even if I lose, there'll be something to gain."

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The first-year's challenge was now just two days away.

However, even after witnessing the incredible fight between Seo Jun-seong and Su-hyeon, Min Hae-na remained confident in her victory.

"Jun-seong's power, and Su-hyeon who defeated that Jun-seong, are truly amazing."

Min Hae-na smirked.

"But I definitely have a way to win."

"That's impressive. Honestly, I thought we couldn't beat those guys."

"As expected of Hae-na."

Looking at the reactions of the student council members, Min Hae-na added a comment.

"...That is, if he remains at today's strength."

"How could he get stronger in the meantime? If anything, the right arm he took damage from Jun-seong won't be easy to recover."

"Yes, theoretically that's true."

Min Hae-na said.

"It's just that I have a feeling that Su-hyeon won't be easy to deal with."

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"Whew."

I was preparing for yet another power-up ahead of my confrontation with Min Hae-na.

The granddaughter of Min Jeong-gap, the principal of the academy.

Student council president and top student of the second year.

And probably a cadet with strength that could be counted among the best in the academy.

A future S-rank Awakened.

A top-tier named character no less impressive than Seo Jun-seong, Hwang Ji-su, and Lee Yu-jin.

That was Min Hae-na.

'Plus, Hae-na has observed all my tactics and power.'

Although I didn't have the occasion to show the Tachypsychia Mode.

Considering Min Hae-na's abilities, that alone wouldn't be enough to turn the tide due to compatibility.

Therefore, to overcome Min Hae-na, I also needed to take a step up.

'In my current state, I'm at too much of a disadvantage.'

Min Hae-na's characteristic is called "Imperial Dominion," a name savage from the start.

Its specific effect is gaining priority over mana in the area where she deploys her domain.

'First, she presses down on opponents with ambient mana, weighing them down and making them sluggish as if gravity had been increased.'

And secondly.

'She even takes partial control of the mana inside the opponent's body, making it difficult to use mana smoothly or weakening the firepower of activated characteristics.'

Min Hae-na's power can even render someone effectively a non-Awakened if the difference in strength is great enough.

'What's more annoying is that her dominance gets stronger as the opponent gets weaker.'

In other words, as the fight drags on and damage accumulates, the already unfavorable power gap increases exponentially.

'Hence "dominion." A power that gives overwhelming advantage over opponents of lower rank.'

"The more I think about it, the more overpowered it is."

And that's not all.

Min Hae-na also has enough physical prowess to overwhelm opponents based on the penalties she enforces.

'Even fighting with just her physical strength without her characteristic, she could put up a good fight against Yu-jin.'

That's saying a lot.

Considering Lee Yu-jin's sword mastery, that was an absurdly high level.

'At this point, Min Hae-na has already crossed the B-rank barrier and reached A- rank.'

Reaching A-rank before even finishing the first semester of second year was a rare case.

The difference between B+ and A- was far greater than simply one step up.

Moreover, considering that Jun-seong and I received estimated B- ranks after the midterms, and would be ranked around B-rank at present, the difference was even more stark.

'The more I look at it, the more broken it seems.'

But.

My pride as an experienced player wouldn't allow me to give up.

'There is a way.'

If there was "that skill" I could barely afford to purchase with all the skill points and achievement points I had accumulated during these final exams, it would be entirely possible to defeat Min Hae-na.

So far, I've purchased three skills.

Eye Power, Mana Shield, and Clear as a Mirror.

First, I gained the ability to strengthen my eyes and counter any speed.

Second, I gained defensive power, offensive power, and mobility through the ability to manifest mana.

Third, I strengthened my mind.

And now, it's time to acquire the fourth skill to counter Min Hae-na's overwhelming power of Imperial Dominion.

The name of that skill is [Resistance].

It's a skill that temporarily activates the mana in one's body to resist interference from mana that isn't one's own.

Resistance doesn't apply to physically manifested phenomena like fire or wind.

It's a skill that provides resistance against characteristics that influence opponents based on mana.

For example, it provides definite defense against restraint by Seo Jun-seong's telekinesis, confusion or blackout by magic, resistance to magical eye abilities, or the pressure from Min Hae-na's "Imperial Dominion."

This alone doesn't bring about a special increase in combat power like Eye Power or Mana Shield.

'But the more resistance you have against penalties imposed by opponents, the easier it is to operate.'

In martial arts terms, you might call it immunity to all poisons.

If you never face poison attacks, it doesn't offer any particular advantage, but if you face even a single poison attack, the importance of a skill that will definitely save your life once is quite high.

"...Well then."

'Open skill shop.'

Let's use a cheat key.

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"I lost."

That was the first thing Seo Jun-seong said when he regained consciousness.

"Yes. You lost."

Hearing the voice beside him, Seo Jun-seong raised an eyebrow.

"Hwang Ji-su?"

At his somewhat surprised reaction, Hwang Ji-su clicked her tongue as if to say don't misunderstand.

"I just wanted to see your face before I left, and you happened to wake up right then. I hope you don't think I waited until you woke up."

"Of course, I wouldn't misunderstand like that."

Jun-seong chuckled, saying he obviously knew that.

"You don't look like you came to leave flowers."

"You're too quick to catch on, as always."

Hwang Ji-su said.

"Both you and I are bundles of pride. I wanted to tell you not to overreact just because you lost once."

"......"

Seo Jun-seong quietly nodded.

"You're right, I shouldn't place too much significance on the fact that I lost."

"Hmm, you're taking it more calmly than I expected."

"I have to force myself to think that way, or it would be too hard to bear."

Knowing well the emotions appearing on Jun-seong's face, Hwang Ji-su silently rose from the auxiliary chair.

"Right. It's probably better for you to be alone."

"No, thank you for your concern."

"Stop with the gross talk. It's just that I couldn't view it as someone else's problem."

"Heh."

That finally made Jun-seong smile.

"Actually, losing to Jeong Su-hyeon is frustrating, but not obtaining the right to challenge is even more so."

"Now that you mention it, weren't you and Hae-na-sunbae acquaintances since childhood?"

"Yes. Hae-na-sunbae, no, Hae-na-noona has always been one step ahead of me since childhood."

"She's one year older, so it can't be helped. The wall of one year is big at that age."

"I know that fact well. But to accept it with such an excuse, as you know."

"Right. Pride won't allow it."

Hwang Ji-su said.

"It feels like giving up something important just to acknowledge such an exception."

She nodded as if she understood everything.

"Still, accepting that and looking forward to the next opportunity is also an adult's attitude."

"You're my senior in this matter."

"That sounds a bit sarcastic?"

"Not at all. I meant thank you."

Hwang Ji-su snorted.

"Fine. We have plenty of time anyway. Based on the same age, there's no reason we can't catch up to Hae-na-sunbae."

"That's true."

"In the first place, comparing yourself to Hae-na-sunbae who has gained one more year of experience and strength is just because you're too greedy."

"Perhaps you're right."

Jun-seong chuckled.

"Thank you, Hwang Ji-su."

"I told you to stop with the gross talk."

"I apologize."

Hwang Ji-su turned her back.

"I'm leaving."

"Are you going to see Jeong Su-hyeon now?"

"Yes. I should at least see his face before I go."

Bang!

Looking at the closed door, Jun-seong held a mysterious smile.

'Everyone's full of people who can't be honest.'

Of course, he wasn't in a position to criticize others.

"...Hmm."

Suddenly recalling Lee Yu-jin's face, Jun-seong dispelled his thoughts with a calm sigh.

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Before exercising the challenge right against Min Hae-na.

Having endured the intense final exams, the cadets were enjoying a rare leisurely holiday on Saturday.

However, even amid all this, I alone was pouring sweat like rain in a personal training room.

"Hey, is your right arm okay?"

Nam Tae-hoon, who was watching, asked.

"It's not okay."

My grip strength had decreased, and it felt stiff and dull as if it had been exposed to the bitter cold of winter for a long time and then brought inside.

'Considering how twisted my arm was, even this level of recovery is remarkable.'

Still, I needed to adapt to my current condition by raising my sensitivity through light rehabilitation.

'Also, I need to optimize for the new skill.'

In that sense.

"......"

It was distracting to have Nam Tae-hoon continue watching.

"Why are you staring like that?"

"Sorry, but I'd like to do some secret training."

"Man, that's cold."

Nam Tae-hoon grumbled.

"I came to check on you out of concern, you know."

"More like out of boredom."

"Wow, that hurts a bit."

"Besides, I need to go into the capsule anyway."

"What exactly are you trying to do?"

"I need to practice resisting Min Hae-na-sunbae's ability, even if just a little."

"Can something like that even be practiced?"

To his reaction suggesting it was nonsense, my answer was simple.

"Maybe."