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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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“The reason Team 2 is ineligible for the test is entirely your fault.”
“…”
I was speechless. Not because I lacked a rebuttal, but because it was so absurd.
If she’d said Choi Ah-hyun wasn’t ready, I would have understood.
But me? Why?
Seeing my confusion, Irena continued, looking me straight in the eye.
“Han Yuri is exceptional. She’s capable of challenging D-rank right now. Choi Ah-hyun… frankly, lacks talent. But she is diligent.”
“If it’s about diligence, I…”
“Don’t interrupt. Let me finish.”
‘Tsk.’
“Choi Ah-hyun, along with Lee Seol, has a 100% attendance rate in both theory and practical classes. But what about you?”
“…I spent that time training.”
“Independent training? Fine. But that’s something you should focus on after you’ve built a solid foundation. Your entrance exam score was last in the entire school. Don’t you think you should start with theory and basic training?”
“…”
“You’re aware that I’ve sent you several messages, aren’t you? I suggested that you, the only student with a 0% attendance rate, participate more actively in class. And what did you do?”
I ignored them.
They weren’t worth responding to.
“During the Grade Evaluation, I saw you fight against a Flare Wolf. You fought remarkably well for an F-rank.”
“Then…!”
“But that’s all you have. Aside from your combat skills, you’re not ready.”
“…”
“You’ve boosted Choi Ah-hyun’s rank with artifacts instead of focusing on her actual growth. And you’re neglecting theory, focusing solely on practical combat to advance. I’ve seen too many people like you.”
Her voice softened, as if she was remembering someone.
“If you only focus on climbing without strengthening your foundation, you’ll fall just as quickly.”
Irena returned to her desk, ending the conversation.
‘Nothing’s going my way.’
I suppressed my frustration and spoke.
“I understand what you’re saying, Professor. But I, no, we will definitely take the test tomorrow.”
“Is it because of the top student support?”
“Yes. If you refuse, I’ll apply to another professor. There’s no rule that says we have to take the rank-up test with our assigned professor.”
As I turned to leave, she chuckled.
“That won’t work. I’ve already told the other professors not to accept your application.”
‘Haa.’
This bitch…
“You’re going too far.”
“…”
She watched me impassively, unfazed by my outburst.
“How can you deny us the test just because I skipped a few classes?”
“Well, here I am, aren’t I?”
She smirked, as if mocking me.
I really wanted to punch her.
“And it’s not just about skipping class. You’re not qualified for E-rank. Focus on building your foundation, and come back later. I’ll accept your application then.”
‘Damn it. If I wait, Lee Seol’s team or another team will get the top student support.’
This was ridiculous.
An unexpected obstacle.
And a huge one at that.
This was going to disrupt my plan to surpass the two Witches within a year.
My frustration must have shown on my face, because Irena crossed her legs and smiled.
“If you’re that desperate, I’ll give you a chance.”
“A chance?”
“I’ll let you take the test tomorrow. But your opponent will be me. If you can land a single hit on me within three minutes, I’ll recognize Team 2 as E-rank.”
“…Why don’t you just admit you don’t want to let us pass? How am I supposed to beat a B-rank professor?”
“You never know. And I’m not asking you to beat me. Just land one hit.”
She was grinning. I’d never seen her smile like that, in either timeline.
I’d thought that the only ones who would hinder me this time around would be the Witches.
But I was wrong.
A fox had appeared in the tiger’s absence.
A completely unexpected fox.
But what could a fox do to someone who’d spent years trapped in a tiger’s den?
Its tricks were laughable.
“I’ll take the test.”
She’d picked the wrong person to mess with.
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The next day.
We were in the dueling arena.
Despite facing a B-rank Hunter who’d made a name for herself overseas, Han Yuri and Choi Ah-hyun seemed completely relaxed.
“Give it your all. Put on a good show.”
“Seong-hyun-ah, fighting!”
They weren’t the ones taking the test.
Seeing my sour expression, Han Yuri sighed.
“How did you manage to get on the professor’s bad side? Professor Irena is strict, but she usually lets things slide.”
“I have no idea. I’d like to know myself.”
In the previous timeline, she hadn’t shown the slightest interest in me.
Why was she obstructing me now?
“Ugh, thanks to our incompetent leader, we’re going to miss out on the top student support. This is such a mess.”
Han Yuri’s taunt, spoken as if my defeat was a foregone conclusion, irritated me.
“What are you going to do if I win?”
“If you win?”
She let out a sarcastic laugh, then grinned.
“I’ll strip naked and twerk in the Hall of Challenges.”
“Seriously.”
She was that confident in my defeat.
“What about you?”
“Huh? Me?”
Choi Ah-hyun looked flustered, then scratched her cheek.
“Um… I’ll pay for all our meals for a month!”
“Wow…”
For someone always strapped for cash, that was a big promise.
I sighed and stepped into the arena.
“Kids these days… All that effort for nothing.”
“Don’t push yourself too hard. It doesn’t matter if we rank up later.”
“Yeah, Seong-hyun-ah, staying safe is the most important thing, okay?”
‘I don’t know. You bastards.’
I was putting everything on the line for this duel.
But they were so carefree.
As I entered the arena, Irena followed. She was dressed in a white blouse, a miniskirt, and black heels.
A typical office outfit.
It was hard to tell if she was here for a duel or a lecture.
“You’re here. Shall we begin?”
“Yes.”
Irena manipulated something on her phone, and a transparent barrier appeared around the arena.
A special artifact that prevented deaths during training.
‘This bitch is serious.’
She was subtly showing that she wasn’t going to hold back.
“We will now begin the E-rank Rank Up Test for Class 1-A, Team 2.”
*Beep!*
As the whistle blew, I charged towards Irena.
My speed was almost as fast as Choi Ah-hyun’s acceleration skill.
I’d enhanced my physical abilities with Equivalent Exchange before the duel and stacked buffs from the officetel girls.
It was a bit underhanded, but I couldn’t afford to be picky when I couldn’t even use Lightning God properly.
‘I’ll end this in one blow!’
Prolonging a fight against a B-rank monster was suicide.
I was almost within striking distance.
Confident that my attack would land, I swung my sword horizontally.
-Clang!
“…!”
[Thousand Hands – A]
Her trademark mana whips blocked my attack.
‘Holy shit, her skill activation speed!’
It was faster than the blink of an eye.
I gritted my teeth, spun my body, and swung my sword upwards.
A second attack. But…
-Clang!
It was blocked just as easily.
“You came prepared. But you underestimated me.”
Long, mana-formed hands reached towards me.
I jumped back to dodge, but they followed me like homing missiles.
I activated Lightning God and swung my sword, but…
-Clang!
It bounced off harmlessly.
The repelled hands reached for me again. If they caught me, I’d be torn apart.
Knowing their power, I desperately parried and dodged.
I had no time to counterattack.
I could only defend and evade.
After what felt like an eternity, the attacks stopped.
“Only two minutes left.”
“…”
“Are you starting to understand your place? The world is much bigger than you think. There are countless Hunters stronger than me, and even more monsters stronger than them.”
“…”
“Even with careful planning and meticulous preparation, casualties are inevitable. If you advance now, you’ll likely meet your end on the cold floor of a dungeon.”
Irena closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them slowly.
Her gaze was filled with unwavering resolve.
“I don’t want to repeat the same mistake.”
I sighed and glanced behind me.
Choi Ah-hyun was fidgeting nervously, and Han Yuri was biting her lip anxiously.
They’d acted like they wouldn’t even bother cheering for me.
It was ironic.
I chuckled and turned back to Irena.
The number of mana hands had increased.
There were at least fifty now.
“I agree with you, Professor. Building a solid foundation and preparing thoroughly before advancing… it’s a valid approach.”
“Then…”
“But I don’t have time. My goal is far away, and I have to shorten the journey any way I can.”
“…We’re at an impasse, then.”
Irena shook her head and extended her hand.
Fifty mana hands surged towards me.
The pressure was twice as intense as before.
Overwhelmed by the sheer number, I frantically swung my sword.
-Rip!
Skin tore from my shoulder, and a chunk of flesh was ripped from my side.
“Shit!”
There was no respite.
No time to breathe.
Just fifty.
Not even a hundred, just fifty.
I was struggling against a mere 10% of her power.
A wall.
That’s what it was.
The same wall I’d felt countless times in the previous timeline.
The feeling of being powerless against the Witches’ overwhelming strength.
The sensation I’d momentarily forgotten after regressing was returning.
My resolve, dulled by the peaceful days, began to solidify.
‘If I back down now…’
There would be no next time.
I’d be sent back to that room.
A lightless space devoid of even white noise.
My grip on the sword tightened.
‘Get a hold of yourself.’
I had less than 8 pain points left for Equivalent Exchange.
With this, I can’t do much. If there’s even a slim chance…
‘It’s only Lightning God.’
Lightning coursed through my skin and into the sword.
But it wouldn’t be enough.
So, I pushed the skill further.
‘Ugh!’
A sharp pain shot through my head as I increased the output.
It felt like my brain was being gnawed away.
Normally, I would have stopped here.
I was afraid my weak body wouldn’t be able to handle it. But there was no turning back now.
Only forward.
There was no other choice.
-Crackle!
Lightning flowed.
It surged through my skin and into my body. The lightning that had been swirling around me now permeated my being.
My reason screamed at me to stop.
My emotions urged me to push further.
I sided with my emotions.
My vision blurred. The world seemed to slow down. My brain, overloaded with information, began to overheat.
*Beep… Beep… Beep…*
A high-pitched ringing filled my ears, and then everything went silent.
The moment I pushed past my human limits, shattering the fragile vessel that was Lee Seong-hyun…
System Notification
[Lightning God Activated.]
I was already swinging my sword from behind Irena.
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