I Entered an Academy in a Ruined Game

Chapter 16 : New Semester (2)

The incident that began with Park Chang-jun's clumsy move ultimately resulted in raising Su-hyeon's stock even higher.

'Su-hyeon. Amazing.'

Lee Yu-jin knew why Su-hyeon had enrolled in the academy, but she wasn't fully aware of the fact that Su-hyeon was a survivor of the Samcheok incident.

'So the reason he confronted the Ma-in that day.......'

From her rational and somewhat rigid perspective, each of Su-hyeon's actions was being interpreted as motivated by justice.

'He probably didn't want to see citizens being sacrificed to the Ma-in.'

Of course.

It was such a favorable viewpoint that Su-hyeon would have been perplexed if he'd heard it.

"Yu-ha?"

Lee Yu-jin tilted her head at the sight of Song Yu-ha, who would normally have been making a fuss, thinking about something with a strangely calm demeanor.

"Is something wrong?"

"Huh? Hehehehe. No, no. What issue!"

Song Yu-ha quickly brightened her face and waved her hands dismissively.

"But Su-hyeon was kinda cool. He heard all that stuff but didn't get worked up, and instead made the one picking the fight get angry first, right?"

"Yeah."

Lee Yu-jin agreed.

"He seems really composed."

From the entrance exam until now.

Su-hyeon's personality—remaining calm and rational in any situation—made Lee Yu-jin feel even envious.

'Grandfather always said it too. Composure is the most essential virtue for a swordsman.'

"He's good at fighting too. Did you see him take just one hit and the other guy rolling on the floor?"

Song Yu-ha made a fuss, throwing punches like a boxer.

"He dodged like this, swoosh swoosh, and pow pow! Wow, he completely turned that guy's insides upside down!"

"He must have learned some boxing. His footwork and all that—it wasn't a beginner's movement."

Not just these two, but Su-hyeon's name could be easily heard in any room.

"So he had that kind of story."

"That's tough."

"I know, right? I don't think I could have grown up so properly if it were me."

"Yeah, you haven't grown up properly even now."

"Oh, when you suddenly bring up facts like that......"

"Whatever it is, he's really different compared to Park Chang-jun."

"That guy had a bad reputation since middle school."

In any case, now that their fight had become such a hot topic.

"Jeong Su-hyeon and Park Chang-jun fought?"

It was natural that rumors would reach the instructors' ears as well.

"Yes. But I'm told they didn't use their characteristics. There were witnesses—the nutritionist, kitchen staff, and cadets."

"I see."

Instructor Kim Cheol-han, who had stayed in the faculty office well past quitting time to do paperwork, rubbed his rough beard.

"Was anyone injured?"

"No. Park Chang-jun took a hit to the stomach and was in pain, but apparently not enough to warrant a visit to the infirmary."

"Hmm."

Based on the assistant's report alone, it wasn't an incident worth making an issue of.

'In principle, sparring between cadets is permitted. Of course, fights like this one, driven by personal emotions, are subject to disciplinary action, but.......'

Since they hadn't used their characteristics and the incident ended without major injuries, it wasn't even worth giving penalty points.

'Pushing and shoving to establish hierarchy at the beginning of a new semester is an annual event.'

Kim Cheol-han's view was that there was no need to overly control such peer conflicts as long as they knew where to draw the line.

'No group exists without hierarchy and factions.'

But it was still better to give a warning.

"Call Jeong Su-hyeon here."

He decided to take this opportunity to have a meeting with Su-hyeon.

'This works out well.'

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We returned to the dormitory after finishing our meal.

"Park Chang-jun is pretty disgraceful."

Nam Tae-hoon chuckled.

"He showed his true colors in less than a day. That's a talent in itself."

Nam Tae-hoon joked that at this rate, he might drop out on the first day.

"How should I put it, he gives off the typical vibe of a spoiled brat?"

"Having a good characteristic and coming from a good family creates an environment conducive to becoming arrogant."

It wasn't unfounded arrogance.

After all, being accepted into EFAC and achieving top scores was something that couldn't be done without exceptional talent.

'Of course, not everyone with the same conditions becomes so ill-mannered.'

"Even so, compared to kids like Seo Jun-seong or Hwang Ji-su, his family background and aptitude aren't that special. And seeing him roll after taking one hit from you, he doesn't seem to be good at fighting despite his abilities."

I responded to Nam Tae-hoon's muttering with a shrug.

"That's probably why the kid is so twisted. Just leave him be."

"Oh-ho."

Nam Tae-hoon grinned.

"Anyway, you've made quite an impact right after enrolling, haven't you?"

"It's nothing—just some kids scuffling at the beginning of a semester."

"That's not all. The entrance exam too."

"The entrance exam was Lee Yu-jin's achievement. I just benefited from it."

"Hmm."

Nam Tae-hoon showed a peculiar look at my answer.

'He's probably suspicious of me in his own way.'

"Well, setting that aside."

He changed the subject.

"You were the only one recognized by the instructor during the practical training too."

"Hmm."

'I couldn't just let it slide when achievement points were at stake.'

"How did you manage to get your hand on the instructor's groin......"

I did it because it was the most efficient approach.

'Am I a bit strange?'

"What would you have done?"

"I'd probably have just hidden in the shadows like Seo Jun-seong."

Well, that was Nam Tae-hoon's specialty.

"Anyway, I need to rest a bit."

Nam Tae-hoon flopped down on the bed.

'Without even washing his feet?'

I frowned involuntarily.

"Su-hyeon, aren't you going to rest?"

"Wasting maintenance time on meaningless rest isn't a good choice."

The time from the end of afternoon activities until bedtime is designated for autonomous personal maintenance.

'What you do during that time. That's where the difference emerges.'

Those who wasted their free time goofing around couldn't survive the three years here.

"Come on, it's just the first day of school. We can start tomorrow."

Nam Tae-hoon scratched his stomach.

"If you don't walk today, you'll have to run tomorrow."

"......."

Taken aback by the sudden proverb, he asked.

"So you're going to work out starting today?"

"Today I want to buy some necessities, and from tomorrow I'll start in earnest."

"What are you going to buy?"

"Knee guards, wrist guards, workout gloves, running shoes, Converse shoes, protein powder, a shaker bottle, and......"

I showed him my densely written list, and he stuck out his tongue.

"That's a lot."

"This much is necessary."

"Most people don't go that far."

Nam Tae-hoon made a disgusted face.

'I need to find workout partners quickly too.'

"I'm heading out."

Then Nam Tae-hoon got up from his seat.

"I'm bored, let's go together."

"Sure."

Having an extra hand to carry bags is always welcome.

"Want to go to Burger Emperor afterward? I'm craving hamburgers."

"Let's just go to Paul Baguette."

One of the few pleasures of academy life.

That was having a café that sold quality coffee.

"Won't that keep you from sleeping tonight?"

"Well, if I work out until I'm completely exhausted, caffeine doesn't matter no matter how much I drink."

"Ugh."

"Jeong Su-hyeon! Is Jeong Su-hyeon here?"

It was right then that an assistant came looking for me.

"Yes. I'm Jeong Su-hyeon."

"Instructor Kim Cheol-han has summoned you."

He said.

"Report to the interview room immediately."

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"I hear there was a fight?"

Su-hyeon answered Kim Cheol-han's question.

"Yes."

'He's not even trying to explain himself.'

Kim Cheol-han's gaze deepened.

"I've heard the gist of it. It doesn't seem like something to make a big issue of."

'Did he hear it from Kim Ho-su? Or it could be from an assistant.'

Su-hyeon thought.

With his tendency to enjoy gossip, Kim Ho-su was the type who would voluntarily spill all the class gossip if someone just nudged or questioned him a little.

'And Kim Cheol-han is a homeroom instructor who knows how to use such students to manage the class easily.'

"Jeong Su-hyeon. You acted entirely within the bounds of self-defense. If there's any issue to be taken, it should be with Park Chang-jun."

"Is that so?"

"If you want penalty points, I'm willing to assign them."

Even at this probe, Su-hyeon showed no particular reaction.

"That's fine."

"......I see."

"Is that why you called me?"

"Among other things. Individual meetings with cadets are part of a homeroom instructor's duties."

Unable to easily read Su-hyeon's inner thoughts, Kim Cheol-han brought up another agenda.

"Let's get to the point. There's something I want to clarify."

"What is it?"

"Jeong Su-hyeon, what exactly is your characteristic?"

This was something he normally wouldn't need to ask separately.

'Just by watching someone fight, you'd inevitably figure out what their characteristic is.'

But from Su-hyeon's combat style shown so far, it was difficult to infer his characteristic.

Moreover, unlike other cadets, Su-hyeon had never received elite training as an awakened before, so there was too little information about him.

"As your homeroom instructor, I have a duty to accurately understand and guide the abilities and potential of you cadets."

"Of course."

"And personally, I evaluate your potential very highly."

"Do you?"

Kim Cheol-han's eyes narrowed at Su-hyeon's surprised reaction.

"Yes. Since the entrance exam."

"......."

While Su-hyeon showed no outward response.

'As I expected.'

Inwardly, he was nodding.

It was predictable that Kim Cheol-han, with his keen eye, would have grasped to some extent the true intention behind Su-hyeon putting Lee Yu-jin at the forefront.

"Then I'll tell you what I know."

'I don't need to tell everything.'

Su-hyeon decided to hide information about the skill shop, concerned about causing too big a ripple.

"I call my characteristic 'Unlimited.'"

"Unlimited? A name difficult to guess the meaning of."

"It's exactly as it sounds. I don't have the limitations that should normally exist in humans."

"......."

After pondering Su-hyeon's words carefully, Kim Cheol-han asked.

"In a physical sense? Or mental?"

"Let me explain with an example."

Su-hyeon explained.

"No matter how diligently a human trains in running, they can't become faster than a car. No matter how much they train by punching trees, their bones can't become harder than steel. Not unless they're awakened, that is."

"......You're saying you can do that."

"It's not possible yet, but with continued training, it will become possible."

"Hmm."

Kim Cheol-han fell into thought.

'It's difficult to verify whether what he's saying is true right now.'

But if it were true.......

Kim Cheol-han felt a cold sweat running down his spine.

'Could this be an absurdly powerful ability?'

"......First, we need to clarify exactly where and to what extent the proposition of 'having no limits' applies."

'As expected.'

Su-hyeon's lips curved into a slight smile as Kim Cheol-han quickly grasped the concept.

"That's right."

[Instructor Kim Cheol-han shows great interest in your characteristic!]

[Kim Cheol-han's understanding increases.]

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I finished my long meeting and stopped by the mart to complete my shopping on the way back.

"Oh, you're back?"

Nam Tae-hoon, who was engrossed in his phone, waved his hand.

"What took you so long? Did you get extra training?"

"No way. Just got some cautionary advice."

"Hmm."

Nam Tae-hoon pretended to be disinterested and handed me his phone.

"We just made a new group chat."

When I checked the phone, there were over 300 messages piled up.

"Why is it so active?"

"Probably the initial excitement?"

[Kim Ho-su has invited Seo Jun-seong, Hwang Ji-su, Lee Yu-jin, Hong In-hyeon, Jeong Su-hyeon, Kwon Seung-yeon, Go Do-il, ...... to the chat.]

Skimming through from the beginning, it seemed Kim Ho-su had invited everyone this time too.

'He really is the instructor's lackey.'

Kim Ho-su: This is the Class 1 group chat

Kim Ho-su: Is anyone missing?

Hong In-hyeon: What's this

Hong In-hyeon: How did you get my number?

Kim Ho-su: I have my ways

Kim Ho-su: (dog emoticon wearing a bow tie looking smug)

Kim Ho-su: Anyway, announcements and stuff will be shared here so don't leave

Kwon Seung-yeon: Is this the instructor's directive?

Kim Ho-su: Yeah he said I'd be best at this sort of thing

Kwon Seung-yeon: Huh? So you're the Class President?

Kim Ho-su: No no just in charge of odd jobs

Seo Jun-seong: Tough job.

'Nothing important.'

After quickly scrolling through, I soon lost interest.

'Better to sleep early instead of wasting time on this.'

"Don't stay up too late playing around. Go to sleep," I said while organizing the items I bought.

"You're going to bed early?"

"You should sleep early too."

Tomorrow is the day of the hellish morning roll call, doubling as an initiation.

'There's going to be quite a commotion.'