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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: bchen3
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“Wasn’t it just barely over 60 points until yesterday? How on earth did you manage to raise it by more than 10 points in just one day…?”
Yoon Seolha looked at me and Cha Eunwol with an expression of disbelief.
Her eyes held the light of various emotions such as admiration, shock, and bewilderment.
Perhaps because of this, Cha Eunwol lowered her head with a shy expression.
In her place, I stepped forward and explained to Yoon Seolha.
“Yoon Seolha, do you remember what we learned in magic class today?”
“So, the function of mana and the 3 stages, basic operation through mana circulation and physical enhancement…”
As Yoon Seolha was muttering while recalling her memories, she suddenly trailed off.
It seemed something had struck her, and she immediately asked me a question.
“Don’t tell me the grades Cha Eunwol just showed are thanks to physical enhancement through mana?”
“That’s right.”
At my words, Yoon Seolha’s pupils trembled slightly.
The reason was none other than this.
“Wait, didn’t you say you taught her? Then did you learn mana operation right during class?”
“Yeah.”
“And Cha Eunwol learned it right away? To the level where she could immediately apply it in practice?”
“Yeah.”
“Is that even possible? How?! An Ilhan, you really…”
Yoon Seolha let out an astonished exclamation with a dumbfounded expression.
I could sense complex emotions within her reaction.
In a way, this was a natural response.
‘The class on mana operation was just a few hours ago after all.’
Moreover, today’s class was, objectively speaking, not an easy one.
This was evident just by looking at those who had already been initiated into the 3rd stage before the magic class.
‘Even more than half of them failed.’
Even those who succeeded couldn’t utilize it to the level Cha Eunwol did.
So it was difficult to even think it would be possible already, let alone come up with it as a solution like I did.
Nevertheless, Yoon Seolha remained silent for a while.
Seeing her like that, I pondered for a moment.
‘If she asks how we learned it, how should I answer?’
There wasn’t a proper way to explain it.
It was natural since even I hadn’t fully grasped it.
Fortunately, she seemed to consider the part I was worried about as a trivial matter.
“…You two are really amazing.”
She cleanly acknowledged it and moved on without further questioning.
Then she showed a reaction that was truly like her.
“Mana operation, meaning physical enhancement allows for activity beyond one’s stats, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Show me. I want to see it with my own eyes.”
She asked me to show her with sparkling eyes.
From her gaze, I could feel her desire for improvement and burning competitive spirit.
It was implied that she wanted to see it with her own eyes first, and someday she would achieve it herself.
So I didn’t bother to say things like ‘it’s impossible for you right now.’
Instead.
“Then let’s go to the stat training room.”
I silently complied with her request.
…
…
…
A little later, at the stat training room.
“Since I’m assigned to the third track, I’ll demonstrate with strength and agility stats.”
As soon as we arrived at the training room, I prepared to show physical enhancement as per Yoon Seolha’s request.
The method I chose was simple.
‘I guess I’ll show by raising it one level higher than my current stats.’
It was about demonstrating how to accomplish a level that would normally be impossible through ‘physical enhancement.’
Of course, at first, both of them tried to stop me.
“Ilhan, are you really going to be okay?”
“That’s right. Even if it’s just raising it by 1 level…”
It was because there was a risk of injury if I used the equipment at a level I couldn’t handle.
But when I silently shook my head.
“Alright. If it seems dangerous, I’ll step in right away!”
The two of them accepted my opinion on the condition that Im Gangcheol would assist me right by my side.
And I demonstrated without delay.
The power of physical enhancement through mana operation.
The moment they confirmed it.
“…!”
Both of them were at a loss for words.
I slowly opened my mouth toward them.
“It’s kind of like this. I can only utilize it momentarily for now.”
On the other hand, as Cha Eunwol had shown through the stat circuit training earlier, her duration was longer than mine.
She could maintain physical enhancement and complete nearly half of her assigned track.
‘It’s probably because the difference in magic stats is so significant.’
Though not certain, it seemed to stem from the difference in talent and quality between her and me.
As I calmly added, Yoon Seolha spoke with a dismissive shake of her head.
“…No, it’s enough. Rather, it’s at an overflowing level.”
There was no more doubt in her expression.
Instead, it was filled with desire for grade improvement.
Perhaps that’s why.
“Let’s try it right away. With this method, we can push our grades even higher.”
Yoon Seolha stepped forward eagerly.
I also agreed with her words.
The same went for Im Gangcheol.
Recently, he had raised both his strength and endurance stats, reaching close to 80 points.
‘Cha Eunwol and I need to become more skilled at mana operation.’
We needed to become more accustomed to mana operation in dynamic states.
Then, at least 10 points would rise from our current grades.
Lastly, Yoon Seolha. There was nothing more to be said about her.
‘Since she has that score right before her eyes.’
I thought as I watched her back quickly leaving the training room.
‘Five days until the performance evaluation.’
We all burned with determination.
*
Five days later, 7th period.
“Now I will conduct the performance evaluation for the stat circuit training. As announced, the test will be the final course with an F-level difficulty, and two teams will proceed simultaneously.”
The instructor headed towards the platform set up at the edge of the gymnasium, along with an explanation about the performance evaluation.
After approaching the wall side of the platform and manipulating something, a hologram screen soon appeared.
“Pay attention to the screen.”
The screen displayed all 50 teams, the list of members for each team, and finally, the matchup table.
While all cadets were focused on the screen.
“Jinsol, look at that!”
At the voice of the young man with slanted eyes, Lee Chan, Kang Jinsol turned his head.
Where his gaze landed was the opponent for his team, Team 8.
It was none other than Team 14.
‘Yoon Seolha, An Ilhan…!’
Coincidentally, Team 14 included two names that provoked anger just by thinking about them.
It was the team that Yoon Seolha and An Ilhan belonged to.
Kang Jinsol clenched his fist with a sly smile.
‘This works out perfectly.’
He had been thinking that just crushing them with scores wasn’t satisfying enough.
And now, this opportunity had come.
The very opportunity to make them kneel by directly confronting them.
Kang Jinsol’s confidence was tremendous, enough to assure victory.
‘Anyway, their team is practically a one-man team with Yoon Seolha!’
Around Monday of the previous week.
Kang Jinsol had an opportunity to check her team’s score.
307 points. It was a score that would only come from a team of misfits.
‘With three holes, what can even the great Yoon Seolha do?’
The other three cadets were eating away at her threatening score.
On the other hand, his team?
“We broke 340 points yesterday, so we should be able to get first place with this, right?”
As Lee Chan said, it was exactly 341 points.
That was more than 30 points higher than Yoon Seolha’s Team 14.
Perhaps that’s why.
*Smirk*
Kang Jinsol waited for his turn with a sly smile.
Finally, the awaited words flowed from the instructor.
“Team 8 and Team 14, come forward.”
It was time to teach them a lesson.
The runner for the first “Strength – Endurance” track was none other than Lee Chan.
Kang Jinsol spoke to him in a lowered voice.
“Chan, crush them.”
“Got it!”
Lee Chan headed to the track, swaggering.
On the other hand, an unforgettable runner emerged from the opposing team.
‘…That damned muscle head, perfect timing!’
Kang Jinsol recalled the name Im Gangcheol.
He was also one of the holes eating away at Yoon Seolha’s team score.
So not only would he crush him with skill.
‘Chan has a way with words.’
He would also verbally jab that big-bodied muscle head.
With anticipation, he watched the two cadets standing side by side on the track.
Sure enough, even before the test started, Lee Chan’s mouth opened.
No, just before it opened, a thick and rough voice flowed out first.
“Hmph, you’re frail!”
It was none other than Im Gangcheol.
Perhaps because of the unexpected timing.
Or maybe because of the intimidating physique.
Lee Chan became as silent as a mute who had swallowed honey.
Regardless, Im Gangcheol continued his words.
“Tsk, from calves to thighs, waist, and back muscles! With such a flabby body, you can never beat me!”
Lee Chan was speechless at the rapid-fire words.
Since his awakening as a superhuman.
It was because he had never heard such criticism even once.
As Kang Jinsol, who was watching, started to boil inside.
“W-what does muscle have to do with…”
Lee Chan finally opened his mouth to protest.
But.
“What do you mean it has nothing to do with it! I guess I’ll have to show you directly!”
He was drowned out by Im Gangcheol’s booming voice.
Just as Lee Chan, unable to bear it any longer, was about to shout back, the instructor spoke.
“Quiet. If you continue to talk, I will deduct attitude points from both of you. Both cadets, prepare.”
In the end, they prepared without being able to make any rebuttals.
“Then begin.”
As soon as the instructor’s start declaration burst out, the two of them kicked off from the track.
“Haap!”
“Huaaap!”
Battle cries in different tones burst out.
Kang Jinsol took a deep breath to calm himself.
‘It’s enough to verbally crush him after crushing him with grades!’
He would show it soon.
The sight of Lee Chan crushing that damned muscle head.
But.
Boom-!
The speed of the two pushing the equipment forward was neck and neck.
Im Gangcheol wasn’t falling behind Lee Chan at all.
Because of that, Lee Chan couldn’t shake him off even as they approached the end of the first track’s straight course.
‘It’s okay, the next part is a right-angle turn anyway!’
It was the difficult part of the first track, called the ‘right-angle course.’
Movement lines, actions, position selection, etc.
One needed to move concisely and agilely to minimize delay time.
In other words, it was disadvantageous for a uselessly large physique like his.
Just as he was thinking that.
“Movement must be!”
A strange cry burst out from Im Gangcheol.
At the same time, he changed direction with surprising agility, belying his size.
“Concise-!”
A battle cry that followed!
Im Gangcheol faithfully carried out what he had uttered.
He quickly passed through the right-angle course with concise and efficient movements.
Moreover, even the position where he turned the equipment was exquisite.
As a result, Im Gangcheol’s equipment created a situation where it diagonally blocked Lee Chan’s path.
Perhaps that’s why.
“…Eek!”
Unable to bear it any longer, Lee Chan surrendered to the inertia created while turning the right-angle course.
He was about to throw his whole body towards Im Gangcheol.
The moment they collided.
“It’s useless!”
Im Gangcheol literally didn’t budge.
“This muscle won’t be affected by such a weak body, I’m telling you!”
Rather, he was moving forward smoothly, using Lee Chan’s tackle as propulsion.
As a result.
“Cadet Im Gangcheol, 85 points. Cadet Lee Chan, 81 points.”
A result completely outside of Kang Jinsol’s expectations came out.
Moreover, Lee Chan’s score had dropped by about 4 points compared to practice.
‘…What the hell.’
Kang Jinsol was momentarily speechless at the performance of Im Gangcheol, whom he had considered just a hole.
Soon, he shook his head and changed his thinking.
‘It’s just 4 points anyway. The next one is even more of a hole than that muscle head…’
Cha Eunwol, that was definitely her name.
Her score was memorable because it was so impressively low.
’60s. Yes, she was definitely the lowest scorer.’
Recalling his memory, Kang Jinsol opened his mouth towards his team’s second runner, Noh Yumi.
“Noh Yumi, the opponent is just in the 60s. You know, right?”
“Kuk! Don’t worry, I’ll crush her by a difference of about 25 points and come back!”
With her answer, Noh Yumi walked out with light steps.
…
…
…
A little later.
“H-how can she get such a score?!”
Kang Jinsol’s mouth dropped open at the score of Cha Eunwol, whom he had considered the undisputed hole in Yoon Seolha’s team, as it shattered all common sense.
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