Chapter 46: Midterms (1)
“Now, silence!”
The supervising teacher’s shout rang out filling the classroom of Year 2 Class A.
At the same time, the students who had been sitting on the stiff chairs adjusted their posture all at once.
Slide.
The test papers landed on the desks, and the supervising teacher’s gaze turned sharp.
It was the moment the midterms of Taewoon High began.
In the past, college was everything in life.
A good college, a good job, and a stable life.
However, the world had changed.
College was no longer the top priority.
The era of Awakening.
Awakened ones are evaluated by their skills.
Rank, battle record, and actual combat ability.
Therefore, exams at Taewoon High are a little different.
They are not multiple-choice.
They are not short-answer questions either.
“You have discovered a monster. Describe the creature’s weaknesses and explain what actions must be taken in that situation to ensure a high probability of survival.”
This is a written exam.
A descriptive essay, no less than 1000 characters.
“The monster will be limited to creatures found in C-Rank dungeons.”
The supervising teacher’s final voice rang out.
And the students buried their faces in their test papers all at once.
Scribble scribble.
Tap tap.
Now the students’ goal was not college, but a position in a good guild or the Association.
However, even though the era of the Great Awakening had arrived, there was something that did not change.
Assuming there were countless applicants, both in the past and now.
The easiest way to select people is.
To pick those with good scores first.
That is why, no matter how much the world had turned upside down.
Students had no choice but to dwell on their scores.
So, as always.
Flip.
Less than 10 minutes after the exam began.
“If I’m finished, I can hand it in and leave, right?”
There are geniuses who are on a different level.
Kang Tae-wook finished the first exam before anyone else.
***
Ding-dong-dang-dong.
The written exams conducted on the first day all came to an end.
“It’s over!”
“Ah, that was hard.”
“No, a Hunter just needs to be strong. Why do we have to take written exams?”
“Exactly. I used my brain for the first time in a while and now I’m dizzy.”
Groans rang out from here and there in the classroom.
Earlier than usual.
Yoo jin entered the classroom for the closing meeting.
“Gosh, making such a fuss just because you looked at test papers for a few hours.”
Perhaps finding the groaning children cute, the smile did not leave Yoo jin’s face until he reached the podium.
“Anyway, good work. The written exams end today. The practical exams start tomorrow, so don’t relax until the end. Don’t overdo it and get hurt. That is all.”
The first day of exams concluded with the bow led by the Class President, Kang Tae-wook.
As soon as the greeting was over, the students quickly left the classroom.
To prepare for tomorrow’s practical exam, they gathered in twos and threes for final preparations and left.
Except for three people.
“What is it, you guys? Why aren’t you going?”
Yoo jin’s gaze fell upon the students sitting in their seats.
Jin-ho, Ye-na, and Seong-hyeon.
“Huh? Well…….”
“We have to train.”
“I intended to get up at the very end. Because the protagonist always moves last.”
Yoo jin shook his head looking at Seong-hyeon, who was making a sly expression, and then shifted his gaze to the other children.
“What training when the exam is tomorrow? Rest today.”
“B-But…….”
Jin-ho and Ye-na met each other's eyes anxiously.
Yoo jin let out a deep breath.
“Geez, there is no need to be so anxious. Did you forget what I said? You guys have changed a lot. Don’t worry and focus only on the exam. Then there will be results that will surprise even you.”
Although their anxiety hadn't completely vanished.
It was said by that teacher, not anyone else.
It was what Yoo jin said.
Strength entered Ye-na and Jin-ho’s eyes.
“Yes!”
“Still, since you thought about staying behind to train like this, it’s my treat. Let’s go eat stir fried rice cakes.”
“Yes!!”
“That sounds good!”
“Ju-hee! Are you watching! I have friends to eat stir fried rice cakes with now too!”
Yoo jin shook his head looking at Seong-hyeon.
I still can’t get used to it.
That self-deprecating gag.
Still.
“Can we eat fried food too?”
“Of course!”
“Yes!”
“Hahahahaha!”
Blooms of laughter were blossoming on their faces.
.
.
.
And unlike the laughter blossoming on their faces, only deep darkness filled the face of Kang Tae-wook, who was watching them from the front of the classroom door.
He completed all 3 written exams first.
His grades would likely be 1st place as well.
And yet.
Tae-wook could not laugh like them.
***
Taewoon High’s midterms.
The second day.
Year 2 Class A students were gathered in the sparring room from an early hour.
And today’s exam supervisor was.
“Are you ready, brats!”
It was Yoo jin.
He wasn't alone.
“Don’t be nervous and do your best.”
He was with Class E’s homeroom teacher, Kang Hye-rin.
Since today’s exam was a single subject of actual combat, two supervising teachers were assigned to take charge of one class.
That was because today’s practical exam was.
“Absolutely no arrogance is allowed. Even if it is an Artificial Dungeon, the monster substitute dolls are the real deal.”
It was actual combat to clear a dungeon.
An Artificial Dungeon built with the fusion of science and mana stones.
Although there are real monsters in this facility too.
For today’s exam, dolls imprinted with holograms will substitute for the monsters.
“When you actually go inside, they will look like monsters, not dolls.”
“If you think of them as the cute cotton dolls you played with as babies, you are mistaken. With the power of mana stones, they are harder than most golems and can move more precisely than humans.”
Most of the children swallowed dryly at the teachers’ voices.
They know.
Just how much like ‘real’ monsters those programmed dolls in the Artificial Dungeon are.
They heard it was made by importing technology from Rome Academy, which is number one in the world.
Tremendous support from the government and the Association.
And even astronomical amounts of money.
Republic of Korea.
In other words, even if you search the entire country, there are fewer than five places equipped with facilities of this level.
That must be why Taewoon High is called prestigious.
And why promising Awakened ones gather here.
“The exam proceeds in teams of 4. You just need to gather your strength as a team and clear the dungeon like in actual combat. Cooperation, situational judgment, ability usage, etc. We will judge comprehensively and grade you. Also, since it will be recorded on video from beginning to end, if you have an objection to your score, submit it.”
“Don’t worry too much. If you shout that you give up, or if it is judged dangerous at the supervisor’s discretion, the dungeon will be stopped immediately.”
However, none of the students here were hoping for that situation.
The moment the dungeon stops and becomes darkness.
Their scores would also crash into darkness.
Taking in the bitter expressions of the children, Yoo jin shouted.
“Then, I will announce the first team. The first team is Im Jong-sin, Im Jong-il, Kang Dae-il……. And lastly.”
The corners of Yoo jin’s mouth went up.
“Park Ye-na.”
It was time to show the results of the special training.
***
The first practical exam.
And the first order.
Even if they are students of Taewoon High where only talents are gathered, they couldn't help but be nervous.
Furthermore, Im Jong-sin and Im Jong-il.
Prospects who follow right behind Kang Tae-wook, the top of Year 2.
Since she was on a team with such talents who are heard to be stronger in pure attack power than most Hunters running in actual combat if they combine their A-Class Awakening ranks, everyone thought she wouldn't be able to show distinct results or stand out in the team.
That is, until the first group of monsters appeared.
Swish— Swish swish— Slice!
Like a blade coming from who knows where, someone permeated into the shadows and suppressed one enemy in an instant.
A clean execution without a single breath mixed in.
One head of a monster resembling the shape of a snake fell to the ground.
And following that.
Slice!
Slice!
Four necks fell to the floor.
Cleanly cut snake heads.
A group of Testnagis was annihilated in an instant.
“…….”
“…….”
Kang Dae-il, who took the position of tanker, couldn't even take an aggro action, which could be called the basic of a tanker.
If the defense was like that, how surprised must those preparing to attack have been.
The mouths of Im Jong-il and Im Jong-sin, who had a large sword floating above their heads, hung wide open.
And…….
Shaaa!
The center of the monster corpses.
Color began to be painted in the empty air.
“Assassination success!”
As Ye-na revealed herself with an innocent expression.
“Whoa!”
“Wow!!”
Exclamations burst out from the mouths of the Class A students who were capturing that scene through the camera connected to the Artificial Dungeon.
A situation no one expected.
Exclamations burst out from the mouths of the students waiting at the entrance of the Artificial Dungeon.
“Stealth specialization type? She’s really fast.”
“Look at her movement, it’s totally practical combat style.”
“Isn’t she C-Rank? was Ye-na originally that strong?”
Ye-na’s name went up and down in the children’s mouths.
Even Teacher Kang Hye-rin, who was watching, was only filling her eyes with the orange hair of the child who unexpectedly became the protagonist.
However, just one person.
“Ay, ay. It’s too early to be surprised yet.”
Only Yoo jin remained relaxed.
“Ye-na is a supporting character today.”
***
The first team’s exam ended.
Contrary to expectations, Ye-na, who showed tremendous impact, became the protagonist of the first team.
Still, fitting for the modifier of being right behind Kang Tae-wook, the twins showed good performances behind her.
Naturally, if there are children who stand out, there are bound to be children who do not.
Anyone could see that the one who received the lowest score was this team’s tanker.
Like that, following the first team, the second team entered the Artificial Dungeon.
Up to the third and fourth.
And when the fifth team was deployed.
“Oh!!”
The illusion of Ye-na, who had left the biggest impact, was being erased.
“What kind of day is it today…….”
“No, wasn’t he originally a super quiet personality?”
“His personality…….”
“No, leaving all that aside. Is that really…… Jo Seong-hyeon? He’s that strong?”
Those who finished the exam.
And those who were waiting.
The faces of the children looking at the screen where the appearance of the Artificial Dungeon was flowing out were dyed with shock.
It couldn't be helped.
Unlike Ye-na who slaughtered a group of monsters in an instant.
Jo Seong-hyeon on the screen was.
“Move! Move!”
Making the monsters in the dungeon disappear in an instant with a single punch.
“Ju-hee! Watch over me! I will become the protagonist!”
Bam!
Bang!
Every time his fist cut through the air, a tremendous explosion sound was heard.
At that sight, the children were only staring at the screen with their mouths open.
And this time too.
Just one person.
Only Yoo jin was wearing a relaxed expression.
Although it was a completely different feeling from Ye-na’s time.
“Mmm, well……. Yeah, you be the protagonist…….”
I couldn't beat that Ju-hee joke.
***
Perhaps trying to resolve the grudge of living quietly because his Unique Skill was stolen all this time.
Seong-hyeon played a debut match that wasn't really a debut match while receiving the highest score so far.
The twins were also surprised enough to approach Seong-hyeon and talk to him.
“You, were you a martial arts type?”
“You didn’t use a Unique Skill?”
“Se―cret! Hehe!”
Well, his personality changed too much, and he became a child like a mischievous prankster.
Anyway.
His strength was real.
Even Kang Tae-wook, who had worn an expression of having no particular interest in the exams of Ye-na and the other children, had his gaze stolen by Seong-hyeon who came out after finishing the exam.
After Seong-hyeon’s tremendous debut match passed.
“The next team is…….”
A smile spread on the face of Yoo jin, who was filling his eyes with Kang Tae-wook.
‘Where are you looking. The opponent you should be nervous about is not that side but…….’
It was the appearance of the real protagonist.
“Go, Jin-ho.”