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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: bchen3
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After the orientation ended, things continued to be quite hectic.
It was none other than because of the dormitory assignments.
Since first-years were basically assigned two people per room, I received my dormitory assignment along with a roommate and completed the move-in process.
As a side note, from the second year, students were assigned one person per room, and the reason for this was shocking.
‘In the first year, there are many cadets, but just as many get kicked out, so from the second year on, there are vacant spots.’
That was brutally blunt.
Anyway, for that reason, I was assigned to room 402 on the 4th floor.
“Ilhan! I’m looking forward to the year ahead!”
I ended up sharing a room with my roommate, Lim Gangcheol.
At first, I pressed my forehead in frustration, but.
‘…I guess it’s better than someone I don’t know at all.’
I let go of my thoughts and just accepted it.
Afterward, I unpacked with him and finished dinner.
As soon as we returned to the dormitory, Lim Gangcheol urged me on.
“Let’s go quickly!”
“Where?”
“The stat training room! My muscles are itching!”
“Ah, right.”
The stat training room.
Although I had unintentionally finished the test, I still had personal business left.
‘Whether I was really born with a blessed quality.’
Whether I had the quality or not.
If it existed, what level it was at.
It was finally time to check.
I had already memorized the standards needed for judgment during the orientation.
‘Since the standard was provided by the instructor, it could be considered official, right?’
Given that the source of the information was the “Genius of Nurturing,” Instructor Jin Taejin, the reliability was sufficient.
So all that remained was to verify.
‘Once I verify the quality.’
Life at the academy would become much easier.
After all, stats were the foundation of all superhuman activities.
“Let’s go, Ilhan!”
“Yeah.”
I left the dormitory with Lim Gangcheol, burning with determination.
*
‘Wow, there are so many people.’
The stat training room was busier than I had thought.
Moreover, I saw people I hadn’t seen during the orientation.
It seemed that it was because all the first-years were using it.
In the awkward atmosphere of the first day.
‘…Those kids.’
A few were making a commotion.
Moreover, the surrounding gazes were also focused in that direction.
When I naturally checked, familiar faces caught my eye.
“Sim Inuk, why do you have to be in the same class as me!”
“I feel the same way, Oh Yunseo. I’d prefer Yujin over you.”
“Haha, both of you stop it. We can all hang out together after class, right?”
Oh Yunseo, Sim Inuk, and Baek Yujin.
They were the trio who had been the talk of the town since the entrance exam.
Whether they had already become friends or were already acquainted, they were deeply engrossed in conversation amongst themselves.
“Yujin, how many stats have you raised since the entrance exam?”
“Me? Hmm, 6 stats in agility and stamina?”
“Then you’re already at a total of 38 stats.”
“What about you, Inuk?”
“I raised 4 stats in strength and stamina to reach 31 stats. I hit F+ grade.”
“Oh, that’s impressive!”
In response to Baek Yujin’s cheerful answer, Sim Inuk solemnly shook his head and added a comment.
“I’m glad you’re in Class B. Thanks to that, I can aim for first place in Class C.”
“Haha, is that so?”
Just as Baek Yujin was responding playfully.
“Wait, Sim Inuk. You, first place? Wake up from your dream! Not while I’m here!”
Oh Yunseo, who had been quietly listening until now, suddenly flared up.
Sim Inuk then glared at her and opened his mouth softly.
“Keep quiet, F grade.”
“Huh! I raised 7 stats this time!”
“That’s probably because your total was so low.”
“What?! With your magic power like a rat’s whisker!”
“It’s fine because my strength is high. But didn’t your magic stat also lose to another entrance exam candidate? Certainly Cha Eunwol…”
“You, say one more word! I’ll just…!”
Sim Inuk, whose eloquence was impressive despite his stature.
Oh Yunseo, whose face was turning red with anger.
And Baek Yujin, who was consistently participating in the conversation with a smiling face.
Looking at the trio that naturally drew my eyes, I thought.
‘To dismiss a stat total in the late 20s like that. I was thrilled with my total of 17 stats.’
From the stat total to the growth rate of the stats.
Indeed, as I was thinking they lived in a different world.
‘Wait, I also raised about 7 stats this time.’
Suddenly, my own growth rate came to mind.
In terms of growth speed alone, I wasn’t falling behind them.
After thinking that, I shook my head.
‘It’s not even certain yet. More importantly, now is not the time to worry about this.’
Just as I was about to move, Lim Gangcheol suddenly grabbed my sleeve.
“What?”
“Ilhan, strength! Let’s start with strength!”
“Why?”
“Because that’s what makes a ‘man’…!”
“…”
I shouldn’t have asked.
‘Well, it doesn’t matter.’
Currently, the stats that were presumed to be blessed qualities were the three stats excluding magic power.
So as long as it wasn’t magic power, there wouldn’t be a particular problem with verification.
“Alright, let’s go.”
“Ooh!”
Just as I was moving to the strength training area with Lim Gangcheol.
A commotion broke out nearby.
This time, too, it was a familiar person.
‘Yoon Seolha is also here, is that natural?’
Yoon Seolha, the top entrance student and a member of the same Class A.
I didn’t particularly pay attention, but like the trio before, my gaze went to her.
Not just for her beauty, but rather.
“Wow, Yoon Seolha is seriously gorgeous.”
“She’s really like a celebrity. I think she’s prettier than Oh Yunseo?”
“Someday, I’ll definitely talk to her!”
“To a girl who looks so cold and arrogant? Hey, Kang Jinsol! Be a man!”
It was because of the commotion surrounding her.
‘Thinking about flirting from the first day, they have a lot of spare energy.’
With just that thought, I turned my head.
No matter how I thought about it, I didn’t think there would be any connection between Yoon Seolha and me.
After finding a suitable spot at a nearby strength equipment, I recalled the judgment criteria that the instructor had taught us.
‘For F grade, it takes an average of one to two days to raise 1 stat. Among them, those with excellent qualities take roughly 2 to 3 hours.’
So, at most, 4 hours.
I needed to see if the stats would increase within that time.
“Let’s do this, Ilhan!”
“Yeah.”
Together with the spirited Lim Gangcheol, I began the test to determine my quality.
…
…
…
After four hours of dedicated training, I realized.
The judgment criteria that the instructor had given us was not wrong.
As a result, the stats really did increase.
However, there was one minor issue.
“Hahaha! Ilhan, my strength just increased to 8 stats! How about you?!”
Not me, but Lim Gangcheol. The point was that his stats had increased.
The point was that I had determined his quality was excellent.
As for me?
“…Uh, mine stays the same.”
There wasn’t even the slightest change.
It had already been four hours, but there wasn’t even a sign of it increasing.
Moreover, with Lim Gangcheol as a comparison right next to me, I had to accept it.
‘Blessed quality my ass…’
The fact that I didn’t have such a favorable talent.
‘I should try other stats… No, would that be meaningless?’
Would it be possible that all three stats showed abnormal growth but only strength was a bust?
That possibility was significantly low. It was more realistic to think that all three weren’t blessed qualities.
‘Then why did they increase?’
I got up from my seat with a sigh.
“I’m going first.”
“It’s only 10 PM! The training room is available 24 hours!”
“I’m tired.”
There was a world of difference between exercising with the body alone and training in the training room.
Because the limit came quickly even after just a few attempts, it was quite exhausting.
‘Still, it should improve if I keep doing it.’
That was somewhat comforting.
So I.
“Ilhan, this is betrayal! Ilhan-!”
I returned to the dormitory, shaking off Lim Gangcheol’s restraint.
As soon as I returned to the room, I threw myself onto the bed.
‘Why on earth are my stats increasing? Is someone exercising with my body on my behalf?’
I laughed wryly at the thought that was so ridiculous even to myself.
“Haa, it was good while it lasted.”
I buried my head in the pillow with a sigh.
The questions were still plentiful, and the quality I had hoped for was a bust.
I thought I might not be able to sleep because my mind was troubled, but.
“…Zzz.”
I fell asleep like a lie.
A moment later.
-Confirm the subject’s unconscious state.
-The subject’s initiative is transferred to [????’s shadow]!
-Checking synchronization rate with the subject.
-Current synchronization rate… [4%]
-Synchronization rate is significantly low!
-[????’s shadow] acts according to a consciousness infused with very faint discernment!
-[Skill] imprinted on the consciousness has been activated!
…
…
…
Without fail, An Ilhan’s eyelids opened.
First, he looked around the room once.
Then, he checked the smart watch wrapped around his wrist.
“…”
He looked around the room as if trying to grasp the current situation.
After standing there blankly for about a minute.
Creek-
He boldly left the dormitory.
*
Around the same time.
“Huff, huff! Men, strength! Strength, men!”
Lim Gangcheol was dedicating himself to strength training with a vigorous chant.
He had become captivated by the speed and intensity that was incomparable to when he was training in the mountains and fields before enrollment.
While his chest was full of delight, a deep regret came over him.
‘Tsk, it would have been nice if Ilhan was here too.’
It was because of the absence of An Ilhan, his acknowledged rival and roommate.
He had returned to the dormitory early, citing poor condition.
‘But he’ll come back!’
Lim Gangcheol believed without a doubt.
The reason was simple.
‘Because in his chest, a passion that surpasses mine is burning like an active volcano!’
At the entrance exam, An Ilhan’s first impression was that of a weakling.
However, the moment he saw his manly strength stat, Lim Gangcheol realized.
That An Ilhan, this guy was the ‘real deal’.
‘Otherwise, he couldn’t have raised his strength from 1 stat to 7 stats in less than two months!’
Moreover, he seemed to have continued to strive even after the entrance exam.
That point made Lim Gangcheol burn even more.
“I can’t lose! Hyah! Hyeah!”
Lim Gangcheol, shouting encouragement while thinking of his only rival!
Just as he was about to spur on his training even more.
A familiar figure suddenly appeared at the entrance.
The moment Lim Gangcheol confirmed the identity, the corners of his mouth rose.
“Damn, Ilhan! I believed in you-!”
It was none other than An Ilhan.
He had returned, not betraying his expectations.
Lim Gangcheol approached him in one breath.
“You came, my rival!”
An Ilhan stared at him without answering.
“…”
The unresponsive attitude, a somewhat rigid posture, and finally, eyes that wavered like a shadow.
It would have been reasonable to feel that something was off, but.
“Hmm, seeing that you’re as indifferent as ever, your condition must be fine!”
Lim Gangcheol welcomed An Ilhan without the slightest doubt.
Moreover, he.
“Ilhan, which stat are you going to train?!”
As if he really didn’t feel anything was amiss, he even went as far as to ask a question.
In response to Lim Gangcheol’s question, An Ilhan silently raised his right hand.
Swish-
The tip of his finger pointed to the agility-exclusive training room.
Lim Gangcheol nodded as if he understood.
“Agility? I just finished 15 sets of strength, so I’ll go right away!”
Nod-
An Ilhan nodded his head briefly.
He headed straight to the agility training room with him.
As it was approaching 11 PM, the inside of the training room was empty.
Lim Gangcheol immediately took a spot alongside An Ilhan and shouted vigorously.
“Now, shall we go for agility too?”
“…”
“Oh, right! How about a competition?! The first one to drop out loses!”
“…”
“I knew you’d agree! Then let’s go!”
“…”
Lim Gangcheol began a fierce competition with An Ilhan, who didn’t even respond.
Four hours later, around 3 AM.
“Ye, yet again my rival! I lost…”
Thud-
Lim Gangcheol’s large body collapsed.
He had failed to keep up with An Ilhan’s mechanical pace.
Moreover, though sweat was pouring down like rain from An Ilhan, unlike himself, he looked fine.
‘This guy is really something…!’
Along with his admiration, Lim Gangcheol made a promise to himself.
‘Tomorrow, I’ll definitely ask him the secret to his tireless iron stamina!’
With that thought.
“…Snore.”
Lim Gangcheol fell asleep.
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