I Entered an Academy in a Ruined Game

Chapter 90 : Grade Assessment (1)

"Did everyone enjoy their lunch?"

"Yes!"

"It was delicious!"

"Good."

Kim Cheol-han, who had ascended to the lectern to conduct the fifth period, looked around at the cadets and said.

"Today, as previously announced, is the day for the reassessment of estimated grades."

Estimated grade reassessment.

At the midpoint of the semester after completing the midterm exams, this was a curriculum implemented as a kind of physical test to check the growth trajectory of new students.

"Originally, grading awakened ones uniformly is very challenging."

Kim Cheol-han said.

"Because even awakened ones of the same grade can display completely different combat power depending on their condition, compatibility, and situation. Moreover, when characteristics specialized for combat meet those that aren't, there are frequent cases where even an A-rank supporter cannot defeat a B-rank combatant."

Therefore.

"Strictly speaking, establishing grades by absolute standards should be considered virtually impossible. How convenient would it be if the superiority of awakened ones was determined by criteria like mana quantity, but reality isn't so simple."

At that point, Kim Cheol-han's gaze briefly turned toward Park Chang-jun.

'It's too obvious.'

I thought.

Although Park Chang-jun's mana quantity, with his characteristic of Mana Tank, is by far the highest in Class 1.

Currently, he's only half-formed, unable to defeat even Choi Mina with the power of magic, despite her having less than half his mana quantity.

"Therefore, we use the term 'estimated grade' to emphasize that even the simple assumption that 'an A-rank will naturally defeat a B-rank' doesn't hold true in reality, and that the concept of absolute and immutable strength is very ambiguous from the start."

Looking at the cadets nodding their heads and recalling his words, Kim Cheol-han continued.

"Estimated grades consist of 7 levels from F-rank to S-rank, but because they're further subdivided into minus and plus grades, there are effectively 21 grades. Of course, the difference between B-minus and C-plus is much greater than the difference between C-rank and C-plus."

'In other words, there's a huge gap.'

Defeating a C-plus grade when you're C-rank, and defeating a B-minus grade when you're C-plus grade are tasks of completely different difficulty levels.

"Among these, I define F-rank like this."

Kim Cheol-han said.

"A level where it's impossible to work in this industry utilizing your characteristic."

The vast majority of F-rank awakened ones shift to other occupations, or often endure at the lowest levels of this industry, taking on menial tasks while holding onto hope.

"Of course, very occasionally there are cases where they deeply awaken their characteristics through certain catalysts and become stronger, but this can't be considered common."

Most awakened ones who first awaken in their teens or younger typically start at this level.

"E-rank forms the lowest tier in this industry. It's a grade that can't surpass the cutline required for academy applications, so joining the Execution Force is naturally impossible. Even as hunters, they're consumed as the lowest-tier menial workers or porters, day laborers, or they're rookies recognized for their potential for development."

Until the game scenario began, I had maintained my livelihood with menial work processing demonic beast carcass byproducts at this stage.

"From D-rank, one finally reaches a level worthy of being called an awakened one with meaningful power. From here, it's the realm of superhumans that surpasses the strength of ordinary humans."

Kim Cheol-han said.

"The average estimated grade of academy freshmen is also positioned at this D-rank. Similarly in the hunter industry, guild members of decent caliber start their careers from D-rank."

I too received an estimated D-rank at the time of admission due to insufficient mana quantity.

"From C-rank, one can be said to pull their weight wherever they go. From C-plus grade, one reaches a level eligible for Execution Force enrollment. Of course, among EFAC graduates, this would be considered below average."

In other words, from the time of admission, top-tier cadets including Seo Jun-seong, Lee Yu-jin, Hwang Ji-su, as well as Hong In-hyeon, Choi Mina, and Kwon Seung-yeon, were already at the level of Execution Force rookies.

'Of course, Seo Jun-seong was somewhere between B-minus and C-plus even back then.'

I thought.

He was only measured as C-plus grade at that time because his practical experience and combat techniques hadn't been verified yet.

Meanwhile, excellent cadets like Hong In-hyeon, Kang Geon-woo, and Jeong Seung-yeon corresponded to around C-rank at the time of admission.

"From B-minus grade, one has the specs of an average to upper-middle rank EFAC graduate. Within the Execution Force, they are members with experience, and as hunters, they have specs that can receive good treatment wherever they go."

B-rank, on the other hand, is a level that advanced teaching assistants or top-tier cadets at the academy can reach.

Of course, this assumes that cadets with exceptionally elite qualities properly complete the curriculum for 1-2 years, honing their abilities and gaining practical experience.

'B-plus and above would be the academy's top-tier graduates, and in the Execution Force, they would be team leaders or senior members who assist team leaders.'

Kim Cheol-han started to write a large 'A' on the blackboard but shook his head and erased it.

"Hmm. I'll omit A-rank and above as they're still distant stories for you."

Just being A-minus grade would qualify one as a top graduate of the academy or make them eligible for instructor employment.

"Well, that was a long explanation."

Kim Cheol-han cleared his throat slightly and adjusted his voice.

"During the entrance exam, your estimated grades were measured solely by narrow criteria such as mana quantity and characteristics. But this time, we'll measure again using diverse criteria including practical application."

"...!"

In other words, a mid-term checkup.

The sound of gulping could be heard from various places.

"Although you all completed the same curriculum, some will have achieved remarkable growth, while others may not have made much difference yet."

The intention was clear: to give confidence to those who had grown and a sense of awareness to those who had stagnated.

"It's not just the rise and fall in rankings that matters. Even if your own rank remains similar, it's a reason to rejoice if you've become stronger than who you were yesterday."

Kim Cheol-han smiled with a "hoot," saying it depends on how you take it.

"Let's move now."

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Today's estimated grade measurement would be conducted in three stages.

The first stage was to receive a mechanical grade by measuring the mana quantity in the body and physical abilities using a cylindrical measurement machine, just like during the entrance exam.

"Jeong Su-hyeon, you've come out as C-plus grade. Remarkable growth."

"Thank you."

The instructor continued to praise Su-hyeon as he received the examination paper.

"Considering your specs were D-rank at the time of admission, this is truly a dramatic change."

'In reality, it's an incredible level.'

Thanks to the mushroom consumed earlier when hunting the cockatrice, my mana quantity had been considerably amplified.

And as a result of continued training after admission, my body, which was already at superhuman level, became even more powerful.

'In terms of mana quantity alone, I'm at C-rank level, but my extremely trained physique probably earned me bonus points.'

"Wow, that's insane. C-plus grade in just two months?"

Nam Tae-hoon, who peeked at Su-hyeon's examination paper, made a fuss.

"What did you get?"

"I got C-minus grade."

"Hmm. You've grown quite a bit too."

"Hahaha. Well, you know."

"Did you secretly take some elixirs?"

"What are you saying, where would I get the money?"

"You have plenty of money."

Thanks to the premium customer Choi Mina, the additional income Nam Tae-hoon was receiving was quite substantial.

"That's. Hmm."

Nam Tae-hoon cleared his throat and gently pushed Su-hyeon's back.

"Come on, let's go to the second stage."

The second stage was to cross-verify the machine's examination figures based on actual performance abilities.

"Three, two, one. Up!"

"Uggggh!"

"Clench your butt tight and run!"

"Huff huff! Hack!"

Some cadets who had arrived first were measuring their physical abilities through events like deadlifts, high jumps, and short-distance sprints.

"This really is just like a physical test."

In response to Nam Tae-hoon's words, Su-hyeon pointed to a different area.

"Not necessarily."

"3, 2, 1, discharge!"

Pzzzzzzzt!

"Place both palms, good. Now discharge."

Jjeojeojeojeojeok!

Elemental awakened ones like Hwang Ji-su and Kim A-yun were measuring things like the voltage of lightning and the minimum temperature of freezing ability against special alloys designed for measurement.

"What on earth did you do to A-yun?"

"What do you mean?"

"No. As far as I know, she definitely couldn't produce output like that before."

At Nam Tae-hoon's question, Su-hyeon laughed with a "hoot."

"It's too early to be surprised."

"...?"

"You'll know soon."

Su-hyeon passed by Lee Yu-jin, who was measuring the depth of cut on solid steel on the opposite side, and Jeremy McGarr, who was measuring the depth of a spear blade's penetration, and approached Instructor Kim Cheol-han.

"What should I do?"

"Hmm."

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

That's understandable, since Su-hyeon handles swords and has tremendous athletic ability and immense strength, doesn't he?

"...For now, do everything except the elemental measurement."

"Understood."

Su-hyeon decided to take the strength measurement first.

"Add ten more plates on each side!"

Gong Yeong-jin, with his immeasurable strength, was preparing for a deadlift with a weight that looked impossible at a glance.

"How many kilograms is that?"

"...It needs to be counted in tons."

"Good heavens."

Ppudeuk ppudeuk.

Thick tendons stood out over Gong Yeong-jin's rugged muscle definition.

"Hrup!"

He effortlessly pulled the barbell from the ground.

"Uwahaha! That's easy! Give me something heavier! Twice as much!"

"Hmm, the barbell wouldn't be able to handle that."

"Oops! Then that's fine!"

"Right. Let's just record that the machine's measurement is correct."

'His strength is truly overwhelming.'

Gong Yeong-jin's characteristic, which can convert mana itself into muscle power, showed absolutely overwhelming efficiency in this area.

"Next."

"Yes."

Su-hyeon stepped forward at the instructor's call.

"What weight do you want to start the measurement from?"

Su-hyeon answered, seeing the teaching assistants who were ready to remove the plates.

"I'll go with that weight as is."

After the second stage of measurements was completed, Su-hyeon's result sheet received the most attention.

"In terms of overall balance, Su-hyeon is the best."

"This is something else, he doesn't rank low in any category."

Strength, 4th place, not much different from 3rd place Kang Geon-woo.

Cardiopulmonary endurance, 2nd place after Han Soyul, a were-impala.

Short-distance running, 2nd place after Kim Ho-su.

Reflexes, dynamic visual acuity, hand-eye coordination, overwhelmingly 1st place.

In addition, Su-hyeon never fell below 5th place in any area.

'To think this level without using Liberation.'

Su-hyeon wore a satisfied expression, noting that this was a far superior result compared to previous playthroughs.

"...Is that guy actually a lycanthrope?"

"That makes sense."

❀⋆｡°✿☆❀✿°｡⋆❀

The most important stage of today's measurement was the third stage.

"From now on, we will assess your actual combat power through mock battles."

Of course, this would also be conducted in virtual reality through capsules.

"The conditions are the same for everyone. Beast-type demonic beasts and human-type demonic beasts form two layers, and in the deep part, there is a boss-level Ma-in."

Hwang Ji-su raised her hand to ask a question.

"What is the estimated grade of the Ma-ins?"

"B-minus grade."

Murmuring.

Groans leaked from among the cadets.

"Isn't that too strong to face alone?"

"The Ma-ins we faced 5:1 before were that grade, weren't they?"

"Quiet."

Kim Cheol-han calmed them down.

"As you know, even at the same grade, the specs and power of Ma-ins themselves often clearly exceed those of awakened ones of the same grade. However, from B-rank onwards, awakened ones can begin to catch up to that gap based on practical experience and tactical abilities."

Therefore.

"How well you perform against the Ma-in will directly indicate how close you have come to the threshold of B-rank. And..."

Kim Cheol-han, uncharacteristically gentle, said.

"I believe that you all, as you are now, can put up a very good fight."

"!"

The cadets looked excited at Kim Cheol-han's praise, which was rarely heard.

"Subduing or killing, both are okay. Go wild and come back."

❀⋆｡°✿☆❀✿°｡⋆❀

And today.

What surprised everyone most wasn't Su-hyeon, who ravaged the enemy camp with overwhelming combat power and tactics, nor was it Seo Jun-seong, who crushed the enemy forces head-on using telekinesis and overwhelmingly defeated the opponent's Ma-in.

"...Kim A-yun. Very impressive."

As Instructor Kim Cheol-han's surprised face indicated.

The protagonist of the day was Kim A-yun.