My Growth Rate is Strange – Chapter 6

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: bchen3
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Time flew by like an arrow to the end of February.

The 51st entrance ceremony of the National Superhuman Academy was held.

The busiest people at this time were undoubtedly the academy’s staff.

That is, they could be said to be the instructors.

“Phew, it’s so hectic. Good thing preparations are finally complete, right? Instructor Jin Taejin.”

In response to the question from an affable man who appeared to be in his early 40s, the cold-faced man, Jin Taejin, nodded.

“Yes, Instructor Kim Hanseok.”

“By the way, this year’s class has many outstanding students, doesn’t it?”

“What do you mean by outstanding?”

“From the youngest of the Shin Chang-Baek family, to the second daughter of the fifth Truth Tower Master, and even the only son of the Earth’s Soul Guild Leader.”

Famous organizations flowed from Kim Hanseok’s lips.

He then turned his head toward the platform and added.

“But it’s really amazing that there’s a student who beat all those kids and took the top spot.”

Where Kim Hanseok’s gaze landed, an incredibly beautiful girl was busy preparing for the entrance ceremony.

Jin Taejin also slightly turned his head and spoke.

“You mean Yoon Seolha.”

“Yes. From what I found out, she seems like an ordinary child, but she pushed the great Shin Chang-Baek family’s child to second place?”

As Kim Hanseok said, the top student of this class wasn’t Baek Yujin from the prestigious family, but Yoon Seolha.

She had received perfect scores on both the written test and interview.

“With a total stat of 34, she also showed F+ rank in the practical test.”

She had placed first in the practical test as well.

“So, what do you think?”

“What do you mean?”

“Come on, you’re known as the ‘Genius of Cultivation’ because of your excellent eye!”

Kim Hanseok subtly praised Jin Taejin.

This wasn’t just empty flattery.

Jin Taejin was highly regarded with the nickname ‘Genius of Cultivation’ not only among fellow instructors but also among guild officials.

“Kim Jaehak, who’s now part of the ‘Four Major Guilds’ in the Guardian Guild, and Oh Yunjin too…”

“I don’t particularly want to hear about that friend.”

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

Silence fell between them.

The entrance ceremony began before he could hear a response.

As Kim Hanseok was smacking his lips, Jin Taejin spoke.

“…As you said, Baek Yujin, Oh Yunseo, Shim Inwook, and Yoon Seolha. They all look promising.”

“But?”

“There are a few.”

Along with his answer, Jin Taejin recalled the names of two people.

Cha Eunwol, who displayed 12 points in magic power out of a total stat of 19.

And a young man with a total stat of 17, which was average, but whose growth rate was abnormal compared to his initial stats and awakening timing.

‘I’m sure his name was An Ilhan.’

He was particularly memorable.

Of course, whether he would become ‘real’ was still unknown. Confirmation was needed.

Because of this, Jin Taejin quietly spoke.

“I plan to keep an eye on them.”

As he answered.

“I swear.”

“I swear.”

Along with the voices of two promising cadets, the entrance ceremony officially began.

*

After the entrance ceremony.

I saw off my father who had brought me, then headed straight to my assigned classroom.

“Quite spacious.”

Was it because this was the only Superhuman Academy in Korea?

Combat and non-combat cadet education buildings and dormitories, the main hall, gymnasium, cafeteria, and store, etc.

Not only was the campus large, but the number and scale of buildings were also considerable.

Among them, I headed toward the building for combat-oriented superhuman aspirants, ‘Bravery Hall.’

‘First years use the fourth floor, right?’

First years used the fourth floor of Bravery Hall and were divided into three classes: A, B, and C.

Among them, I was assigned to Class A.

At first, I wondered if just three classes could accommodate nearly 600 new students, but.

“…The classroom size is considerable too.”

The moment I saw the classroom beyond the Class A entrance, my thoughts changed.

Was this what a foreign university lecture hall looked like?

Desks were arranged in semicircular tiers centered on the teacher’s platform at the front.

It could easily accommodate about 200 people.

‘So that’s why they divided us into 200 students each.’

With understanding, I opened the door to Class A.

As I entered, a familiar face came into view.

‘That girl was definitely the top student, right? Was her name Yoon Seolha?’

I had just seen her at the entrance ceremony.

She remained in my memory for beating the famous Shin Chang-Baek family’s Baek Yujin for the top spot.

Along with her, I also saw a student whose appearance was impossible to forget once seen.

“Oh, Ilhan! We’re in the same class!”

It was none other than the giant, Lim Gangcheol.

‘Ah, we’re in the same class.’

I was already feeling drained.

“I was just exchanging greetings with fellow students! Ilhan, how about joining me!”

Looking around at the classmates in response to Lim Gangcheol’s words.

Some sneered, while others were visibly repulsed.

Judging by their reactions, he wasn’t really exchanging greetings but rather imposing himself on them.

‘…Wow, what a crazy character.’

Just as I was about to ignore him and take a seat.

A cold-looking middle-aged man entered from the doorway.

‘That person is definitely.’

I had seen him during the entrance exam.

He seemed to be the instructor who had measured strength stats.

At that moment.

“Everyone, please take your seats.”

The instructor directed us to sit down in a gruff tone.

One by one, including Lim Gangcheol and me, we sat in nearby seats.

Once everyone was seated, the instructor spoke again.

“I am Instructor Jin Taejin, who will be in charge of you, Class A, for one year from today.”

Instructor Jin Taejin, who stepped onto the platform to introduce himself.

The moment his name was uttered, exclamations erupted from various corners.

“Is that instructor the one called the ‘Hawk of the Battlefield’?”

“They say he was a B-rank superhuman. Plus, he’s from one of the Four Major Guilds.”

“I heard he’s also known as the ‘Genius of Cultivation’?”

“Wow, that’s amazing!”

Surprisingly, some already seemed to know about him.

‘No, is it that I don’t know enough?’

As I pondered, the instructor spoke.

“Quiet. Since today is the first day, we’ll substitute the class with a simple orientation about future classes and academy life.”

The instructor paused to collect himself, then continued.

“Before explaining, let me give you one realistic piece of advice.”

Everyone’s attention focused on his cold voice.

“I’m sure you’re all here because you want to become superhumans. There’s something you need to know.”

Suddenly, a sharp glint appeared in his eyes.

“At most, half of those here, or at least one-third, won’t be able to become superhumans.”

Suddenly saying we couldn’t become superhumans. And half of us at that.

As an answer to the shocked reactions of the cadets.

“Your expressions show disbelief. I understand. But that’s the reality of this place, the Superhuman Academy.”

He explained using the harsh reality.

“The academy will evaluate your growth and test your qualifications. To be precise, twice a semester, your treatment will be determined through tests and evaluations.”

“The criteria are simple. If your overall grade, consisting of 20% written test, 20% performance evaluation, and 60% practical skills, is less than 50%, or if your practical skills alone are evaluated at less than 50%, it’s mandatory transfer.”

“Additionally, if you fail to achieve the set rank for each academic year, it’s also mandatory transfer. That means you can’t become a superhuman. For reference, the minimum rank required for advancement to the second year is E-rank. In other words, you need to reach E-rank within a year.”

The content was as fierce as the intimidating atmosphere.

‘Overall grade above 50%, practical skills above 50%, and achieve E-rank within this year…’

That’s how to survive here.

That’s what it took to become a superhuman.

‘E-rank within a year.’

The rank assessment in both the academy and superhuman society was determined by the sum of stats.

Stats totaling from 4 to 30 were F-rank.

31 to 60 was F+ rank, 61 to 90 was E-rank.

In other words, the rank increased with every 30 points in total stats.

Calculating by these standards, my current rank was merely F-rank.

‘At the entrance exam, my total was 17, so I need to raise at least 44 stats.’

I clenched my fist.

This moment, after my mother passed away as a superhuman.

It was the moment I had been yearning for every single day.

‘I must survive no matter what.’

The instructor looked around at the cadets and moved on to the next topic.

“I’ve talked for too long. Now, let me explain about the classes.”

The explanation about classes was much shorter than the previous advice.

From the class procedures and types of subjects, their importance.

To which subjects were included in the written test, and how practical classes were conducted.

It mainly consisted of information that we absolutely needed to know.

“It’s fine if you don’t understand right away. You’ll eventually learn anyway. Let’s end the explanation about classes here.”

The instructor placed a pre-prepared box on the front desk.

Then, he took something out from the box.

“This is a superhuman smartwatch. I’ll explain after the distribution is complete. Pass them along.”

From the front seat to the back.

Soon, a smartwatch was passed to me sitting at the back.

After confirming this, the instructor continued with the explanation.

“I’m sure you all know what a smartwatch is. So, I’ll just briefly explain its additional functions and uses.”

The usage was simple.

First, register content from the status window such as [Stats], [Traits], [Skills], etc., on the smartwatch.

Then, it would sync with the stat training equipment and facilities within the academy, allowing real-time checking of updated stats while training.

Additionally, it could be used for various purposes such as a black box, messenger, and more.

‘That’s good?’

I especially liked the fact that stats were updated in real-time.

With this, I could directly see my potential with my own eyes.

“Now that you’ve received them, you should try using them, right? We’ll move right away. Everyone, please stand up.”

Following the instructor’s direction, we stood up one by one.

*

The place we went following the instructor was the first floor of Bravery Hall.

It was a place of tremendous scale, as if two classrooms had been combined.

“This is the ‘Stat Training Room.’ It’s exclusively for you first years, and each grade has its own.”

None other than the ‘Stat Training Room.’

True to its name, it was a place to train various stats.

As rumored, strength, agility, stamina, magic power, and so on.

Equipment and facilities dedicated to each stat were available.

Having eagerly waited for this place since admission, I entered the training room with an excited heart.

“Here, you can not only train your stats but also measure them. So today, after the orientation ends, each of you must measure, update, and register your stats on your smartwatch.”

Measurement, update, and registration of stats.

For me, who wanted to understand my potential, this was exactly what I had been hoping for.

But the instructor’s words didn’t end there.

“Two months have passed since the entrance exam. If you haven’t been idle during that time, your stats should naturally have changed. Therefore, I will check your stats at this time tomorrow.”

The atmosphere froze instantly at the declaration of a ‘stat check.’

“The comparison point will be your entrance exam results. Those cadets with no changes should be prepared for some disadvantages.”

The cadets stirred at the instructor’s vague warning.

The instructor then admonished them in a stern tone.

“As I said in the classroom, evaluation has already begun. Also, remember that the place where you’re standing is the place that those who have tasted the bitter cup of failure longed for so desperately.”

A heavy silence descended.

In the midst of it, I chewed on my thumbnail.

‘…I’m in trouble.’

The truth was, I hadn’t done anything during these past two months.

This was because I had painfully realized how inefficient it was to train alone while preparing for the entrance exam.

‘I thought it would be more efficient to train intensively after admission.’

In this situation, there was no time to leisurely solve the mystery about my potential.

I had to raise my stats even if it meant staying up all night.

“Now, I’ll explain about stat measurement and how to link it with the smartwatch. The method is, hmm.”

The instructor suddenly stopped speaking and looked around.

“It might be better to show you directly.”

It seemed like he was looking for a volunteer.

His words sounded like a death sentence.

‘If I’m unlucky enough to get picked and there’s no change…’

Disadvantages would be given right away.

As I was trying to keep as quiet as possible.

‘…Huh?’

Our eyes met.

Thinking it couldn’t be me, I tried to turn my head slightly.

“Cadet An Ilhan, right? Come forward.”

The instructor specifically called out my name.

‘…I’m screwed.’

To be precise, I thought I was screwed.

…

…

…

A moment later.

Ding!

-Strength Stat 7 (UP!)

‘…Huh?’

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