I Became the Academy’s Hidden Skill Master – Chapter 32

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“Answer me, Lee Seok-hyun!”

Acasa hadn’t intended to demand an immediate response. However,

“He’s too popular.”

Witnessing the absurd flurry of offers in real-time, she’d changed her mind.

“Why do the representative professors want him so badly?”

She understood their eagerness. If other students were like gleaming gemstones, Lee Seok-hyun was…

“A piece of ore waiting to be forged?”

Gemstones already had predetermined paths. Take Woo Do-hyun, the most talented first-year at Mirinae Academy, for example. He would receive swordsmanship training, eventually becoming a Sword Saint, or perhaps even something greater.

But Lee Seok-hyun was different.

“Untapped potential.”

His potential seemed limitless, capable of being molded into anything depending on his mentor. That was Lee Seok-hyun. That’s why the professors, usually limited in their recruitment efforts, were all vying for him.

Doesn’t have mana in his body? We’ll infuse him with it. Doesn’t use weapons? We’ll teach him. We’ll instill knowledge that will astound the world.

The representative professors weren’t constantly vying for him to become their personal disciple for nothing. In such a situation, to simply stand by idly? That was unthinkable for Acasa.

“You guys at least have existing disciples.”

While the representative professors had other students, she had none. It wasn’t that she’d lost any; she’d simply never had one. This absence fueled her impatience.

“I shouldn’t have given him time.”

She regretted her foolish attempt to alleviate his pressure. She should have demanded he become her disciple right then and there, even making him sign a contract with his fingerprint. The conversation during the investigation replayed in her mind, still unbelievable.

-“So you captured the Main alone, student Lee Seok-hyun?”

-“Yes, that’s…”

-“I knew it! Judging by your deep understanding of summoning magic, the path of magic is…”

-“You mentioned spider webs, right? To wield cutting wires so skillfully… the path of martial arts is clearly optimal for you…”

-“To anticipate and act on all of that is the essence of Other Studies! Student Lee Seok-hyun, come into my embrace at once!”

Every question and answer was followed by a barrage of praise, each subtly steering him towards their respective disciplines, urging him to abandon his double major.

Acasa realized then that she knew nothing about her future disciple.

“A double major?”

She hadn’t even known the course registration period had ended, let alone that he’d chosen every major. It was fortunate he hadn’t taken the advanced martial arts course, leaving a gap in his schedule. When she heard his schedule was full until Saturday, she’d been shocked.

“That leaves only time for me.”

The advanced martial arts course, demanding intense physical exertion, was typically scheduled last, often followed by mandatory rest. Classes usually ran from 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM. It seemed almost destined that Lee Seok-hyun would become her disciple, filling that empty slot. And to realize this destiny, there was only one way:

“Take action.”

While the other representative professors couldn’t openly recruit in front of their existing disciples, Acasa had none. The other professors, understanding her urgency, tacitly approved of her aggressive approach. Having made such a bold move, Acasa looked at Lee Seok-hyun.

Every being in Class S, including Acasa, watched him, anticipating his response. He was at the peak of his popularity.

+++++++++++

“I’m screwed.”

Normally, when someone asked for time, you waited until they came back. He hadn’t anticipated such aggressive action and was caught off guard.

“This isn’t a discipleship declaration, it’s an ambush!”

Like the representative speech, why were these moments always so sudden? If she’d given him some warning, he could have prepared.

“This isn’t good.”

The ideal time to announce the discipleship would be after he’d learned about half of her unique martial art. Then, he’d be strong enough to handle the inevitable challenges from those who weren’t chosen, those who would angrily demand, “Who are you?!”

But if the news spread now, he’d likely be the one getting beaten up. He knew what kind of trouble students fueled by ambition and inferiority complexes could cause at Mirinae Academy.

“Even if I don’t agree, they already think I’m her disciple.”

Whether he accepted or not, the rumor would spread and be distorted. He was trapped. Acasa seemed slightly flustered, so she probably hadn’t anticipated this level of impact. She likely acted impulsively after being provoked by the other professors’ attempts to recruit him. This was troublesome.

“I’ll become your disciple! Thank you for accepting me!”

“Mm! Good! I’ll register you for the courses, so come see me when you’re free!”

“Yes!”

Troublesome or not, he had to control the situation. He quickly gave his answer before things escalated further.

Slam!

Acasa, wearing a satisfied smile, slammed the door shut and turned away. As soon as she left, all eyes were on him, but…

“Quiet down! Everyone, take your seats.”

Fortunately, Gainad’s timely arrival diverted the attention.

“Today, before discussing course registrations, we’ll review the theory exam and provide feedback on the practical exam.”

We’ll start with the theory exam review, so stay awake and pay attention. Gainad stepped back, and Lee Hwa-ryeong appeared out of thin air. Seeming to relish the attention, she immediately began the review.

“Let’s start with the most difficult questions, numbers 1 through 5.”

“I was actually surprised anyone even attempted these.”

Her playful tone felt like a blunt blow to the back of his head.

‘She didn’t expect anyone to solve them?’

According to her, those were trick questions, and the real exam started after those. He’d wasted all his time on the first five questions, not knowing they were decoys. Of course, solving them was why he ranked 6th, but it still felt ridiculous. Usually, the hardest questions were at the end. To place them at the beginning, completely subverting expectations… It was a masterstroke.

“Question 1 was about party play. This relates to Other Studies… I’ll explain the intent and the model answer.”

Her difficult questions covered magic, martial arts, and Other Studies, so Gainad and Kerrar occasionally chimed in. Lee Hwa-ryeong explained each question and then took questions, but few students raised their hands.

‘Their level is too high.’

It was like telling a chick to fly like a phoenix – they wouldn’t even know where to begin. Being bombarded with high-level explanations while still completely clueless was overwhelming. If you didn’t understand the basics, asking questions was impossible. This applied to him as well. He’d memorized the entire answer sheet, so even listening to the explanations was pointless.

“…And that concludes the theory exam review. If anything is unclear, feel free to ask anytime.”

Lee Hwa-ryeong, seemingly finished, suddenly added,

“By the way, Lee Seok-hyun was the only one who answered the first five questions correctly.”

Why did she have to mention that?

The gazes that had finally dispersed after Acasa’s departure now refocused on him. He couldn’t stress enough how detrimental this attention was right now.

“Why are they so fixated on me?”

He felt targeted. It was one thing if it happened once, but this constant attention felt like the professors were intentionally making things difficult for him.

And it didn’t end there. Gainad, during his practical exam feedback, casually mentioned his name.

“The most important thing during the practical exam is to give your all and show your fighting spirit. In that sense, Lee Seok-hyun exemplified this when he fought the ogre.”

This wasn’t feedback; it was thinly veiled mockery.

Fortunately, Gainad’s feedback was based on the top five students’ performances, so the attention on him was relatively less intense.

‘But it’s too late.’

His name had been mentioned by Acasa, Lee Hwa-ryeong, and now Gainad. He was already in the spotlight. He couldn’t avoid what was coming next. The inevitable event that occurred in every new class. Something essential but dreaded by most students. An event that brought more pressure than prestige, even avoided by those seeking attention.

“Now that the review is over, we’ll have a short break before the class president election.”

Those who wish to run, please speak up. Gainad’s words were followed by a unified gaze directed at Lee Seok-hyun.

‘I’m doomed.’

He was guaranteed to be class president.

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[yo it aint shio its Daddy Fusion and yall are lucky i fuckin hate myself so much im gonna TL this till that dumbass shio gets back from buildin his college or smth anyways i didnt read the novel so lemme know if i fucked some shit up love yall shit stains peace]