Mistaken for a Genius Cadet

Chapter 9 : Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Learning Goal

Kung-!

The aura of magic power that Ju Yeonhwa had stirred up turned into an immense pressure, crushing the space.

Even the debris around her feet seemed to turn to dust and scatter.

But even amidst that, I was calm.

[Kkihihihihi! A rock! A rock! A rooock!]

[Mimicry Instinct is activated. Mimicking inorganic matter (rock).]

Because the trait that activated at the right time was protecting me.

Though my expression almost faltered due to the damn Mimic’s meticulous tongue grooming.

The hot air and the pressure trying to break my spirit no longer mattered.

Bewilderment began to spread in Ju Yeonhwa’s eyes.

At the same time, I could see her lips tense up.

Kuung-!

Was it my imagination that the ground she stood on seemed to sink slightly?

As expected, when her threat passed me by indifferently once again, I could see her trying to raise her aura even further.

“Ms. Ju Yeonhwa, you are crossing the line.”

Jang Juyoung firmly gripped Ju Yeonhwa’s shoulder.

“Did you not just hear? What this insolent brat said to me!”

“The insolent brat you speak of, Ms. Ju Yeonhwa, is my student as of today. And no matter who you are, you have no authority to threaten this boy.”

It was as if a spark of lightning flashed between the two. A scene like the Vermilion Bird and the White Tiger glaring at each other.

“Hmph, what a true teacher you are.”

After a brief silence, Ju Yeonhwa withdrew her aura.

She knew very well that there was nothing to be gained from clashing with Principal Jang Juyoung here.

However, it was a little disappointing to have missed the chance to see two legends clash before my very eyes.

“You, brat, you don't seem ordinary. Not even blinking an eye at the aura I let out.”

Ju Yeonhwa, who had regained her composure before I knew it, shrugged and looked at me.

“I suppose I was excessive for a rookie. I’ll let it slide that you spoke of my granddaughter so carelessly. However, I shall one day repay your insolent attitude.”

With that, she turned and left.

It felt like a storm had passed.

To think I would get entangled with Ju Yeonhwa because of Baekseok.

One more headache was added.

“You’ve had a tough time, Mr. Ryu Jinwoo.”

Jang Juyoung, who had stood behind me at some point, cleared his throat and patted my back.

“Don’t worry too much about it. It’s not your fault that woman is like that. Still, refrain from provoking her like that from now on. If I hadn't been here, it could have been serious.”

It was an action I had taken because Jang Juyoung was there, but I admit it was dangerous.

It was fortunate that Ju Yeonhwa had tried to crush me with her aura; if she had tried to kill me with flames, I might have died.

‘I’ve just enrolled, and it’s already chaotic.’

Am I going to be okay?

I thought, watching Ju Yeonhwa’s receding back.

***

Zero Academy instructors were gathered in a meeting room, dressed in suits.

Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the large monitor on the wall.

On the screen, the image of a boy facing a Sandworm was displayed.

“Examinee number 456, passing student Ryu Jinwoo. The only Non-Awakened in this year’s class.”

As the man in a suit wearing sunglasses who stood in front of the monitor explained, the room became slightly noisy.

“That kid is a Non-Awakened?”

“I was certain he was using a spell. Of the enhancement type.”

“It is certain that he has not awakened. His internal magic power level is also a perfect 0.”

“In that case, has he mastered one of the secret martial arts? To reach such a level at that age, it’s unbelievable.”

As each comment was added, layers of surprise and questions began to stack up.

“An unusual fellow has come in. I’d like to try teaching him!”

An instructor, showing off muscles that looked like they would burst his suit on his dark brown skin, said with a satisfied smile.

The name ‘Kang Mooseong’ was written on his name tag.

“I think it’s for a different reason.”

“What. Hojin, you noticed it too?”

The man called Hojin calmly pointed out to Kang Mooseong.

He had his white hair slicked back with pomade, and unusually, his eyes were completely black without any whites.

He had a somewhat ominous impression.

At his point, Kang Mooseong burst into laughter and continued.

“That old geezer, he’s made something interesting. Don’t you think?”

“Well, he’s still a Non-Awakened.”

“Right. But he’s that good for a Non-Awakened. How in the world did he create something like that.”

As the conversation between Hojin and Kang Mooseong continued, the surrounding instructors began to look confused.

“Excuse me, but may I know what you two are talking about?”

When a rookie who had yet to shed his newcomer status asked, Kang Mooseong lightly operated the remote control.

The screen kept changing until it stopped at one scene.

A scene capturing the moment Ryu Jinwoo cut down the Sandworm.

Looking at the scene, Kang Mooseong opened his mouth.

“Can't you see it when you look at that sword?”

“Uh. May I ask what you see?”

At Kang Mooseong’s words, the rookie still looked bewildered.

Then, Hojin spoke up.

“Baekseok’s disciple has entered the academy.”

Kang Mooseong grinned and put his arm around Hojin’s shoulder.

“This is why I like you, Hojin, we’re on the same wavelength.”

“Pardon? Baekseok…… you mean the Baekseok who was called the Heavenly Sword Saint? That friend is his disciple?”

“Well, he uses that old geezer’s swordsmanship. Where else would he have learned it? It’s not something you can copy just by watching.”

Kang Mooseong stroked his chin in satisfaction and looked at the screen.

Like a lion that had found delicious prey.

Hojin also stared at the screen.

The scene of the boy cutting the Sandworm was on repeat.

It was undoubtedly Baekseok’s swordsmanship; Hojin could tell because he had witnessed Baekseok’s combat with his own eyes.

But apart from that, he also felt a certain sense of unease.

‘Somehow, it’s subtle.’

What caught his eye was the shadow.

It seemed as if the shadow was vibrating strangely the moment the boy swung his sword.

Was it a simple optical illusion, or noise created by the machine?

He couldn't easily shake the feeling that it was strange.

“It would have been fun if he was in my charge. What a shame. Hojin, you’ll probably be in charge of him. Aren't you looking forward to it?”

“Well, even if he’s Baekseok’s disciple, he’s just another cadet here.”

“Is that so? But for someone who thinks that, you seem to be looking forward to it too? Anyway, it’s going to be fun.”

Kang Mooseong expressed his interest with a hearty laugh.

And unlike him, Hojin’s gaze grew deeper and deeper.

***

One day after the exam ended.

In front of the academy’s administration office.

“Mr. Ryu Jinwoo! Your cadet registration process has been completed!”

The robot said in a cheerful voice.

A spherical head floating above a humanoid body.

A display screen was blinking inside it.

There are many robots at Zero.

You could say that robots handle all the basic miscellaneous tasks instead of people.

‘Because of these guys, some troublesome things also happen. Probably.’

When was that-.

Just as I was thinking about it, the robot spoke to me.

“In Mr. Ryu Jinwoo’s case, it has been confirmed that you are unusually a Non-Awakened. This corresponds to approximately 0.65% of the total successful applicants! Please do your best!”

“Um……. Right. Thanks.”

They said the robots are programmed to converse autonomously, but I didn't know they would tell me things like this.

Isn't talking about the acceptance rate and graduation rate just picking a fight?

Ddiring-!

[Tactical Manual]

-A new course will begin.

-Required Course: Graduation

[Learning Goal]

-Let’s complete the regular course of Zero Academy and graduate.

‘It’s started.’

Academy admission.

In terms of the original game, it was as if the game had officially started.

After all this time rubbing shoulders with this damn book, to finally be at the starting line, my head shook on its own.

But something strange caught my eye.

[Course Achievement Reward: ???]

‘Question marks?’

The reward is question marks? This is a first.

To my bewildered self, the robot moved its body cheerfully and said.

“Since it’s your first day, how about the academy’s famous ‘Zero Milk Tea’? It is said that the specially blended tea helps to regulate the flow of magic power. Even if you are a Non-Awakened, the taste is guaranteed!”

“Uh, right. Thanks.”

It's been emphasizing the Non-Awakened part for a while now, is there some kind of algorithm that throws a slight jab if you don't have magic power?

It felt somewhat lukewarm.

After some time had passed.

“Here is your Zero Milk Tea!”

A light purple liquid shone faintly inside a transparent cup.

When I tilted it slightly, pearly bubbles flowed down softly.

They say it’s a specialty, so I should try it at least once.

I brought the milk tea to my mouth just like that, and.

“Uweck, this tastes awful.”

My tongue stuck out on its own.

It tasted incredibly bad.

It felt like drinking fishy soybean milk straight.

Just as I was getting annoyed at the thought of having wasted my money and taste buds.

[Did you know? Zero Milk Tea is said to taste sweeter to those with abundant magic power! Grow until the day you can taste its best flavor!]

A moment too late, an advertisement poster caught my eye.

“…….”

No wonder everyone around seemed to be enjoying it.

Was it because they were Awakened?

The guarantee that it would taste good even for a Non-Awakened was apparently nonsense.

It wasn't guaranteed at all.

I pushed aside the disgusting drink and immediately brought up the system window.

Because the new curiosity I had was greater than the annoyance from the milk tea.

[Course Achievement Reward: ???]

What is hidden behind the question marks?

‘Could it be something like ‘Return’?’

Could it be that I can go back to my surplus and affluent life in reality?

‘And stop seeing this damn book.’

I looked again at the [Tactical Manual] floating in mid-air.

As expected, it’s a pain in the ass.

It would be the best if I could stop seeing this thing.

Anyway, to check the reward, I had to achieve the goal of graduation.

And I know.

That all sorts of incidents and accidents will occur at the academy from now on.

‘That means I have to overcome all of that and graduate…….’

Just as I was lost in thought, I heard a fuss from the next table.

“Oh! It’s our kids!”

A local news program was playing on the video output device in the center of the cafeteria.

It was a special feature introducing the promising new students of Zero Academy.

“They say those kids are already getting guild contacts? Even as freshmen.”

“Their lives are set. We’re in the same Zero, but the treatment is different from the start.”

“Still, the other kids outside are probably jealous of us too, right?”

The kids at the next table were grumbling in a lighthearted manner.

That the kids born with special talents would live an elite life without any worries, unlike them.

‘Not really, if you look closer.’

As someone who had played the game, I couldn't agree at all.

In fact, the grumbling kids might live a more carefree life than those promising prospects.

In the game [Heroes Zero], there was something called the ‘Collapse Phenomenon.’

A phenomenon where the body and mind break down and are reborn as a new existence.

And among the game users, the character where a collapse occurs was called a ‘bomb.’

‘Ur beloved character was also a bomb lol ㄷㄷ.’

‘Ha… Seol Hayun exploded. I raised her so well and she just exploded ㅅㅂㄲ.’

‘[Photo] All the kids exploded. The title really became ‘Zero’….’

It was an expression that stuck because the moment it occurred, it would blow up a game that was progressing smoothly.

As far as I know, a significant number of the promising prospects are at risk of collapse.

And that is a fatal problem for me as well.

‘If a collapse occurs, my life also explodes.’

Because this equation holds true.

The collapse varies from person to person, but if a strong person collapses, the people within a certain radius are massacred, and the game ends just like that.

If the game’s collapse setting exists as a reality in this world, there was no variable as terrifying as this for me, who had to graduate from the academy safely.

In the original work, the player intervened to prevent the collapse, but now I might have to stop it myself.

And as a Non-Awakened at that.

‘Frankly, with my current skills, it would be hard to even survive, let alone graduate.’

Just as I was thinking about the bleak situation.

[The Tactical Manual has understood the learner's concerns.]

[ will now commence to help the learner who desires growth.]

‘Pardon?’

What do you understand? And what are you commencing? I stared blankly at the book.