I Became the Academy’s Hidden Skill Master – Chapter 115

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Mod7
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The Variant Drake wasn’t meant to be a difficult challenge.

‘These students are much stronger than I anticipated.’

Kerrar had chosen the Variant Drake for one specific reason: to temper the first-year students’ inflated egos.

He’d heard the whispers, the praises, the accolades showered upon them after their victory in the Territory Capture event.

He knew that constant praise could breed complacency, arrogance, a dangerous disregard for the challenges that lay ahead.

He’d hoped to provide a reality check, a humbling experience.

‘They’re defeating it too easily.’

But the students, seemingly unfazed by the drake’s formidable power, were systematically dismantling it, their movements efficient, their teamwork seamless.

Even he was impressed by their skill, their ability to adapt and overcome.

Lee Seok-hyun’s flawless command was expected, but the other academies’ performances were a surprise.

‘To think they’re already able to block a drake’s breath attack with a simple protection spell…’

He’d assumed such resilience would only be possible for second-year students, perhaps even older.

Yet, here they were, first-years deflecting flames with seemingly effortless ease.

–Clang!

Tanteroi’s knights blocked the drake’s claws with their shields, their defenses holding firm.

Velutos’s mages, through a combination of layered spells, severed the drake’s wings, crippling its mobility.

Each academy, demonstrating a mastery of their respective disciplines, was steadily chipping away at the drake’s defenses, their progress surprisingly swift.

They were truly living up to their reputation as the “golden generation.”

‘These representatives are operating at a level far beyond their years.’

They were performing at a level comparable to second-year students, perhaps even higher.

It was clear now why this year’s first-year competition had garnered so much attention.

–Thump.

On screen, the Variant Drakes, their bodies battered and broken, began to collapse.

And as everyone predicted, Mirinae Academy claimed first place.

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“That was to be expected.”

Bellos stated the obvious, his tone nonchalant.

No one on the Mirinae team was surprised by their victory.

With a veteran Final Destiny player like Lee Seok-hyun leading the charge, a team composed of some of the game’s main characters, and the strategic advantage of knowing the monster’s abilities inside and out, how could they not win?

The most time-consuming aspect of any raid – figuring out the monster’s attack patterns – had been completely bypassed.

They’d entered the arena fully prepared, their strategy tailored to exploit the Variant Drake’s weaknesses.

Victory had been all but guaranteed.

“And Ruamos took second, just like I predicted.”

“Well, as long as the Saintess wasn’t eliminated by the Variant Drake, that was inevitable.”

Ruamos was the only other team with a balanced composition, capable of both offense and defense.

The other academies, specializing in either magic or knightly combat, lacked the flexibility to adapt to the drake’s diverse abilities.

Ruamos’s paladins, empowered by the Saintess’s blessings, were a force to be reckoned with, their ferocity rivaling even the most battle-hardened berserkers.

‘And Raymay’s divine power is truly formidable.’

While her methods might have been questionable, her sheer power was undeniable.

The final rankings appeared on the screen as they exited the arena, met with a wave of cheers and applause.

As the first-year representative, Lee Seok-hyun walked towards the podium for the awards ceremony.

The swift transition from competition to awards was a welcome change. He appreciated the efficiency.

“Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

The headmasters of each academy presented their respective representatives with trophies.

There were no other prizes.

After all, the inter-academy exchange competition wasn’t about material rewards; it was about fostering camaraderie, testing their skills, and strengthening their resolve against the demonic threat.

It was about exchange, not conquest.

That was why he’d proposed the side wagers, the personal bets between representatives.

It was a way to add some spice to an otherwise predictable competition, a chance to capitalize on their ignorance and make a little profit on the side.

–Click, click.

As soon as the brief ceremony concluded, the other representatives approached Lee Seok-hyun, eager to settle their wagers.

“I learned a valuable lesson today. As agreed, I’ll send you the complete Royal Knight Combat Manual.”

Arak was the first to speak. He acknowledged his defeat with grace, his tone sincere, his promise of swift payment a testament to his honorable nature. He was a true knight, his word his bond.

“…As promised, I will deliver twenty kilograms of pure mithril.”

“In one piece.”

“Yes, yes, I understand. Just… please… keep that matter… confidential…”

Raymay’s eagerness to conclude their transaction and escape his presence was almost comical. She practically shoved the mithril into his hands before fleeing the scene.

‘Who would ever believe she was a Saintess?’

“I believe the wager was for Rubulub’s Complete Necromancy Grimoires and a single Spirit Armor. I’ll have them delivered to you tomorrow.”

“Thank you.”

Elua, despite finishing second, wore an expression of smug satisfaction, as if she were the true victor.

If someone had judged the competition solely on appearances, they might have mistaken her for the first-place winner.

“What do you intend to do with all those prizes?”

“Huh?”

‘Why isn’t she leaving?’

Even as he gave her a pointed look, silently urging her to depart, Elua continued.

“The others seemed… hesitant… when discussing their wagers, but you weren’t. It was clear from the start that you needed those specific items.”

“Knowing that now doesn’t change anything.”

“I’m just curious. It’s always good to know more about potential recruits, especially those who might transfer to our academy.”

“Keep dreaming. See you later.”

Knowing that the conversation was going nowhere, Lee Seok-hyun cut her off and turned to leave.

–Tug.

As he walked away, he felt a gentle pull on his sleeve.

The delicate touch could only belong to Meiri.

“Seok-hyun, are you going to transfer to Velutos?”

“Huh? No, I’m not.”

“You could… And if you do… take me with you.”

“I’m not transferring, I said.”

“…Piggyback ride.”

Fine, fine.

He couldn’t refuse her.

She was just too adorable.

Meiri possessed an uncanny ability to make him want to indulge her every whim, her innocent requests impossible to deny.

It was like being charmed by a particularly cute and cuddly animal.

–Scoop.

He lifted her onto his shoulders, her weight barely noticeable, and headed towards the waiting room.

The long and arduous inter-academy exchange competition had finally come to an end.

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“Another failure.”

“I apologize.”

“Apologies are useless. Just die.”

–Crack.

The reporting demon was reduced to a bloody pulp, his life extinguished in an instant.

The failed attempt to infiltrate the academy and assassinate the first-year students using the Explosive Summoning Beast, the lack of significant progress during the Death Meteor incident, and now Raystember’s defeat—

A string of failures had put the demons in a foul mood.

“How could an Archdemon lose to a first-year? That’s what I can’t understand.”

“Raystember was always… unorthodox. It was only a matter of time before his carelessness caught up with him.”

“But it happened before the headmasters intervened. At this rate, we’ll never achieve His goals.”

The room was opulent, a stark contrast to the carnage outside. Luxurious leather sofas, a shimmering chandelier—it was hardly the stereotypical image of a demon hideout.

The three figures within, their faces hidden behind masks, continued their discussion.

“There are rumors that this generation of students is exceptionally talented.”

“The ‘golden generation,’ wasn’t it?”

The figure wearing a dragon mask responded to the comments from the bear and fox masked figures.

“Does that even matter? And what about the others? This was supposed to be a full assembly. Why are there only three of us?”

“He said he dislikes predictable clichés. He told us to prepare individually.”

The dragon mask shook its head at the fox mask’s explanation.

The thought of having to lead such a disorganized, unpredictable group filled him with dread. The future seemed bleak.

“Is there any way to… quiet the screaming outside?”

“That’s the bear. He enjoys savoring their fear. Apparently, he prefers to… dismember them… while they’re still alive…”

“That’s disgusting. This is supposed to be our new palace. Why fill it with the stench of blood?”

The palace was called Xylan.

Just a day earlier, it had been a bustling kingdom, filled with life and laughter.

Now, it was a desolate ruin, its streets littered with corpses impaled on spikes, its survivors transformed into mindless, black-eyed demons.

The opulent interior of the palace, a scene of lavish excess, stood in stark contrast to the carnage outside.

If the citizens of Xylan could have seen their rulers now, feasting and reveling amidst the ruins of their kingdom, they would have wept tears of blood.

Of course, there were no citizens left to weep.

“To think we conquered an entire kingdom, a kingdom barely even registered on the map, and this is all we have to show for it…”

“Don’t be so pessimistic, Dragon. Why not just destroy Mirinae Academy? That would be a more… satisfying… target.”

“We can’t. We haven’t received His orders.”

“Should we suggest another Death Meteor strike?”

“Do you have any idea how much that costs?”

The golden throne, resting upon a mountain of corpses, seemed to mock them.

They sat there, laughing and scheming, discussing how to best eliminate the remaining threats to their rule.

To crush the budding sprouts, to break the fully grown trees—that was their strategy.

People often made the mistake of assuming demons had a reason for their destructive actions, that their conquests were driven by some grand purpose, some noble ideal.

‘They’re wrong.’

Demons had no such motives.

Their actions were driven by pure instinct, a primal urge to destroy, to consume, to dominate.

The Demon King’s revival, the summoning of the Demon God—these were simply means to an end, tools for achieving their ultimate goal: the complete annihilation of everything.

But with those grand schemes repeatedly thwarted, their attention inevitably shifted.

“Our only consistent failures… have been against Mirinae Academy, the so-called ‘neutral territory.’”

Academies were traditionally built on neutral ground, free from the influence and control of any specific kingdom. It was a symbolic gesture, a declaration of independence.

“Perhaps it’s time for a visit.”

And so, a new target was chosen, a new objective defined.

The demons, their destructive impulses unchecked, set their sights on Mirinae Academy.

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