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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: bchen3
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A moment later.
“Then I’ll look forward to your continued guidance.”
“I’ll keep in mind what you’ve mentioned and provide proper instruction.”
As Ahn Joo-hae bowed respectfully, Jin Tae-jin responded by nodding his head in return.
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
Ahn Joo-hae stood up from his seat and left the administration office.
Jin Tae-jin, watching his retreating figure, reflected on their conversation with a stern expression.
-Do you perhaps know why the kid aspires to be a superhuman?
-My son is likely a bit different.
From the beginning, sensing an unusual atmosphere, Jin Tae-jin changed his approach.
He decided to set aside his concerns about unimplemented characteristics and focus on the conversation at hand.
Soon, the shocking story behind the cadet Ahn Il-han’s goal flowed from Ahn Joo-hae.
-Since I’m not an awakened one, I’m not sure, but I’ve heard that superhumans are given different privileges based on their rank and the position of their affiliated guild. Is that correct?
-More or less. Everything varies greatly, from simple treatment to assigned missions.
-That means the higher one rises, the higher grade missions and access to more dangerous gates become possible, correct?
-Yes, but…… surely not.
Jin Tae-jin recalled an ominous feeling for some reason.
He swallowed and voiced the thought that came to mind.
-……Then are you saying that the cadet’s goal, his driving force, is hatred toward monsters?
In response, Ahn Joo-hae nodded silently, as if confirming he was correct.
-He’s a kid who knows how to judge situations, so he probably hasn’t shown it, but that’s right.
With that, Ahn Joo-hae concluded with a bitter expression.
After reviewing the conversation, Jin Tae-jin was overwhelmed with complex emotions.
‘If the cadet’s driving force is hatred toward monsters……’
From his perspective, it was by no means an ideal emotion.
He had a duty as an instructor.
It was his obligation to not only train combat abilities but also to guide the cadet down the right path.
However, ironically, understanding the cadet’s circumstances naturally reduced his initial concerns.
‘If his goal is that clear, especially if it’s directed at monsters.’
At least it couldn’t coexist with the villain world that aimed for the collapse and chaos of social order.
Instead, a new worry, a source of anxiety, emerged.
‘Emotions like hatred are ultimately double-edged swords.’
In the future, the blade that the cadet carried in his heart would surely slaughter numerous monsters.
However, in that process, countless scars would accumulate on both the cadet’s body and mind.
‘……But if he has such circumstances, I can’t force him to have a healthy goal either.’
While he could help regulate from the side to prevent excessive immersion, it was impossible to impose what was considered a proper goal.
In that case, his duty as an instructor was clear.
‘If it’s a double-edged sword, then ensure that the blade is directed solely at the enemy, not at the cadet himself.’
From how to hold the sword to how to utilize it.
Making the edge of the cadet’s blade sharper and more lethal.
By doing so, it would be possible to make combat overwhelming and self-defense solid.
Having thought that far, Jin Tae-jin suddenly recalled a person.
‘The cadet has chosen gauntlets as his weapon. Then from the first semester’s final course, he will be under that person’s guidance.’
A person whom he personally respected as a senior and who could be called a veteran of the superhuman world.
As luck would have it, that person was in charge of the gauntlet class.
That person would be able to provide proper guidance on what he had in mind better than anyone else.
‘……Of course, the process of earning that person’s recognition won’t be smooth at all.’
Based on what he had observed so far, he believed that cadet Ahn Il-han could handle it well enough.
With that, Jin Tae-jin rose for his next interview.
*
9th period.
While other parents were having their interviews.
I was able to spend time with my father after a long while.
“So, midterms are in three weeks, right?”
“Yes.”
“And you’ll have virtual duels like today too?”
“Yes, that and a few other things.”
“From what I saw, you were doing quite well.”
Just as I was about to nod calmly at the casual compliment.
“Right? As my rival, Il-han does pretty well!”
For some reason, Lim Gang-cheol, who was beside me, answered with a hearty laugh.
His excessive affection continued.
“He trains every day until dawn! He’s truly an amazing guy!”
Unable to stop him somehow, I simply covered my face with my palm.
My father spoke to me with a peculiar expression.
“Don’t overdo it.”
“I won’t.”
“Always remember to take care of your health first.”
“Yes.”
He seemed unusually worried today.
‘Is it because we haven’t seen each other in a while?’
As I was tilting my head in thought.
“Ah, hello!”
A familiar voice came from right behind me.
It was none other than Cha Eun-wol.
Unlike an hour ago when she was with an elderly gentleman and a woman, she seemed to have come to my side alone.
‘They can’t be her parents, she must have some circumstances too?’
While I was pondering that thought, my father returned her greeting.
Then he casually asked me.
“A friend?”
“Yes, she’s always with Lim Gang-cheol and me. There’s one more, but she seems to be with her parents right now.”
“With you? That’s unusual.”
“I guess so.”
Certainly, compared to middle school when I was always alone, things were quite different now.
So while I casually brushed it off.
“That’s not true!”
For some reason, Cha Eun-wol stepped forward and spoke as if in protest.
Then she began to talk about me in a different manner than Lim Gang-cheol.
“In classes, in performance assessments. Il-han always helps us, and also……”
As she earnestly praised me, I once again covered my face with my palm.
On the other hand, my father nodded with a more relaxed expression at her words.
“You’ve made a good friend.”
“Yes. I think so too.”
The moment she answered.
Slap-!
Suddenly, Lim Gang-cheol struck my shoulder.
“Aren’t you embarrassed with all that praise! Haha!”
“?”
Was there even any praise?
With that thought, I turned my head, and for some reason Cha Eun-wol also seemed embarrassed.
As I tilted my head at their unusually strange reactions, a familiar voice came from the entrance.
“Everyone, attention.”
It was none other than the instructor.
Checking the time, I realized it was already near the end of class.
“With this, I’ll end the class. After today, there won’t be any special events or additional progress, you can consider it that way. From now on, you can properly regard it as the exam period for the first semester midterms.”
The instructor continued.
“Since you’ll be busy preparing for the exams from now on, I hope you spend time with your parents who have taken time out of their busy schedules today. Cadets who are dining out need to return by 8 PM. That’s all.”
After finishing his announcements, the instructor stood at the entrance and politely saw off the parents.
Just as I was about to move, Lim Gang-cheol muttered quietly.
“So it’s finally exam period!”
“Yeah.”
“Il-han, are you confident?”
“For the practical, more or less? The theory is the problem though.”
The practical exam for the first semester midterms covered three areas.
Stat circuit training, magical power, and virtual duels.
Since I had been preparing evenly for all of them from the first class until now, I wasn’t particularly worried.
‘But the theory exam is a bit concerning.’
As I focused on practical preparation to the point of having no significant worries, I had less time to prepare for theory.
Of course, it’s true that it only accounted for 20% of the criteria for forced transfer, alongside performance assessment, so the reflection ratio was small.
But.
‘Top-tier guilds tend to look at grades comprehensively.’
When thinking about the future, such as guild employment, the theory exam was also a part that couldn’t be ignored.
Because of that, I was thinking that I should focus on studying from now on, when.
“I’ll help you……”
Suddenly, Cha Eun-wol volunteered her assistance.
Then she added in a small but confident voice.
“I’m a bit confident in theory studies.”
Unlike her usual introverted demeanor, she exuded confidence.
Thanks to that, my ears perked up, and just as I was about to ask something, Lim Gang-cheol beat me to it.
“Oh, how many points did you get on the entrance exam?”
“Umm, are you talking about the written test? I got everything right, but……”
“P-perfect score?!”
At her nonchalant tone, not only Lim Gang-cheol but even I was left with my mouth wide open.
She fidgeted with her index finger and said to me.
“I was worried about the practical, but you helped me a lot, Il-han, so this time I……”
Before she could finish, Lim Gang-cheol suddenly rushed closer.
“Thank you! Eun-wol!”
The moment she heard his loud voice, her fine eyebrows curved downward.
“……Don’t call me that. And I won’t help you.”
“What?! That’s unfair!”
Lim Gang-cheol expressing his disappointment with his whole body, and Cha Eun-wol growing more and more repulsed.
Unlike the two quarreling, I smiled inwardly.
‘She’s truly a genius. Anyway, if this is the case……’
My worry about the theory exam greatly diminished.
While I was revising my exam preparation plan due to this unexpected fortune.
“Let’s go have dinner now.”
My father brought attention back to our surroundings.
Moreover, he extended the invitation to my friends as well.
The two of them nodded without hesitation.
“Let’s go then.”
With that, the four of us left the academy for dinner.
*
That night.
-Confirming the target’s unconscious state.
-The target’s initiative passes to [Shadow of ????]!
-Confirming synchronization rate with the target.
The Shadow knew the moment he opened his eyes.
-Current synchronization rate…… [15%]
-[Shadow of ????] acts according to a consciousness with a low level of discernment and some intact memories!
That his state had become even more complete.
That the duty engraved in his consciousness was being revived more clearly.
Amidst this, the messages continued.
-[Skills] imprinted in consciousness have been activated!
-Synchronization rate is considerably low!
-Efficiency of [Skills] imprinted in consciousness has significantly decreased!
-Skill [Ultra Evolution(SS)] is changed to [Rapid Growth(C)]!
-All types of training effects increase by 4 times!
-Skill [Ultra Regeneration(SS)] is changed to [Rapid Recovery(C)]!
-All types of rest effects increase by 4 times!
As [Skills] were being activated as always.
-Synchronization rate has reached a certain level!
-Implantation of [Skills] imprinted in consciousness begins!
-Time remaining until complete implantation [659 : 59 : 59]
After the final message, his vision completely recovered.
The Shadow examined the calendar on the desk.
At the same time, he calculated the time shown in the message.
‘Approximately 28 days.’
This would create the necessary rank to confront and counter the ‘upheaval’ that would come in the future.
Next, he counted on his fingers the personnel related to the first stage of his duty.
‘A total of 5 people. One of them has been resolved, so 4 remaining.’
Finally, the Shadow traced his memory of a key figure in the first stage, someone who must be eliminated.
The user of illusion magic.
But.
“……Tsk.”
The information about the most important target was as vague as if his memory was covered in fog.
From current whereabouts to name, face, and general appearance.
All of it was the same.
He thought calmly, taking a deep breath.
There was still plenty of time.
Creeak-
The Shadow left the dormitory.
As always, his steps headed toward the magic training room.
Walking straight through the empty training room, he thought.
The abilities he needed to acquire to build his rank.
And their order.
‘The urgent priority is…… this first.’
He sat cross-legged in the center.
Whoosh-
As mana surged within his body as usual.
He held the reins of the flow and slowly, carefully began gathering it toward one place.
When enough had gathered.
‘Now.’
He added his will to the flow.
A point somewhere in his body.
He poured mana roughly toward an extremely narrow path, one that might as well have been blocked.
He knocked and collided ceaselessly.
How much time passed in that state.
Finally.
Boom!
He broke through with a thunderous noise.
Like a torrent, the mana flowed, gradually widening the path.
Within it, a strand.
The energy of the profound sky (Hyeoncheon) was faintly manifested.
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