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Chapter 252: The Midterm Examination

“When do you plan to stay in the mid-level forever?”

“Huh?”

Yuri casually tossed that question at Yeon-woo, who was facing her upcoming midterms. Naturally, it was a statement that left Yeon-woo utterly bewildered.

Staying in mid-level? It sounded as if she were deliberately stuck in the midst of Aura Expert, didn’t it?

“If I could have moved on, I would have done so by now… What can I do, if I don’t have the qualifications?”

“Seriously, you’re not even a master, yet you’re talking about qualifications for the late stage of Aura Expert…”

“Apologize to the ten million Aura Experts nationwide.”

“Even if ten million of them gather, my old bones would still win, you brat.”

“Seriously? My master is insane.”

“Haha, I get it’s meant positively, but it’s oddly infuriating.”

It was questionable if there really were ten million Aura Experts out there. The academy’s average typically ranged from the early to mid levels of Aura Expert; it was easy to get confused, but in reality, the vast majority of hunters never even stepped into that high-level realm.

Just like in martial arts novels where it seems like everyone is swinging sword energy all of a sudden, but in fact, attaining phenomenal sword energy requires talent and sufficient inner strength.

“Ah, you’re finally looking this way, huh? I thought Noel was your former apprentice, not your current one.”

“Um, sorry about that. I must have neglected you a bit.”

“I never thought you would apologize. It’s okay. I’ve gained a few things myself.”

“You certainly have. I feel like you’re just one step away, aren’t you?”

Yuri nodded as she looked at Yeon-woo. What? Am I just one step away from being late-stage Expert? That might be kind of touching.

“What matters is what kind of realization you’ll have to fill that lacking step. While I’ve made a paired sword technique to teach you while training with Noel, it doesn’t feel like the right time for that now.”

“Ugh.”

With a mournful scream, Yeon-woo gazed at the gate entrance positioned at one side of the Department Head’s Office.

Just a week ago, Noel had been inside there, but not anymore. After completing her rehabilitation and workouts for her lacking aspects, she had left the academy without hesitation to return to her world.

I gifted her an introduction letter from Count Lionel too, so I hope she won’t struggle alone like before.

As Yeon-woo gazed reflectively at the distant mountain, Yuri thoughtfully stroked her chin and spoke to him.

“Hmm, maybe it’s better not to intervene. Natural is a hundred times better than forced, after all. For now, focus on physical training and prepare for the midterms.”

“I’m already planning to do that.”

“That’s even better. And after the midterms, come straight to the Department Head’s Office.”

“Got it. No more topics?”

“You know I don’t need to remind you that if you don’t score well, you’re in trouble, right?”

I certainly do know that…. Yeon-woo bowed as he left the Department Head’s Office. Yuri’s scolding was quite painful. It was not so much mentally exhausting, but physically. This was because it was the beginning of Claire-style training.

“I absolutely cannot. I’m aiming for the top 20 overall.”

The academy’s exam results are divided into departmental grades and overall grades. While only departmental grades were announced in the first semester, starting in the second semester, overall scores would also be made public, leading him to aim for that. It stoked the competitive spirit, or so they say.

After all, the subjects taken and the practicals conducted vary greatly, so it was unclear how they graded each other, but as long as there hadn’t been any complaints until then, there must have been some solid guidelines in place. It wasn’t something Yeon-woo should worry about.

With those thoughts, he headed toward the dormitory. Today, he had to conduct a study session with the brainless ones again.

The stress of teaching Kim Yoo-min and Namgung Seong could be offset by receiving difficult subject help from Seong-ryong, and most importantly, with Nea around, it was overwhelmingly positive.

“Should I grab a drink?”

Thinking that, he stopped by the staff lounge café, where he spotted a familiar face, Im Yu-bin, sitting with her head buried in a textbook.

Without hesitation, Yeon-woo finished placing an order for his friends’ favorite drinks and approached her.

“Hey, Im Yu-bin. What’s up? Why are you studying alone?”

“Oh, hi, Yeon-woo. It’s just that it’s easier to focus when I’m by myself…?”

“Really? You don’t look like that’s the case…. It seems like you don’t have a friend to study with….”

“Ugh, no, I’m not!”

“I’ve got a great proposal for you, Yu-bin. Right now, just bringing my drink for me will give you a chance to enroll in Je Gal Seong-ryong Academy…!!”

“Huh, really!? Seong-ryong!?”

Je Gal Seong-ryong was the outstanding top student of his year. He had even hit the number one spot on the list of names people wanted to hear just before the midterms.

She was already starting to waver, but without hesitation, Yeon-woo decided to apply some pressure.

“Plus, with Namgung Seong, the guy you like, this is the perfect opportunity, isn’t it?”

“Huh, huh!? How did you know, eek!”

Im Yu-bin was flabbergasted, almost spilling the beans before quickly covering her mouth with her hands. Frankly, that was practically confessing.

The ears of a fox don’t miss such things. However, there’s the downside of never missing a conversation you sometimes wish to forget.

“What do you think? Isn’t it an enticing proposal?”

“Is it really okay for me to go?”

“Of course, of course. I’d actually love it if you came by more often. Why do you keep declining? Don’t be shy, just come along.”

“Th-thank you, Yeon-woo…!”

“I’m the one who should be thankful….”

Having someone willing to take care of Namgung Seong in my stead is excellent…

I hope this doesn’t lead her to lose interest in him because of his stupidity… that would truly be a problem. It would mean my sweet bittersweet youth spice would vanish.

*

Im Yu-bin’s inclusion was incredibly successful. She actively answered Namgung Seong’s questions, and moved by her enthusiasm, Seong-ryong offered her guidance. Isn’t this the true win-win relationship?

Thanks to that, Yeon-woo found himself only needing to look after Kim Yoo-min. This much was manageable. Even if her thoughts occasionally wandered to strange places, Kim Yoo-min was mostly okay in terms of her learning motivation.

Namgung Seong had nothing. That dumb kid. Once exams end, is there a reset process where he forgets everything I taught him? He’s forgotten things I previously explained. It’s incredibly frustrating.

Setting aside my resentment toward Namgung Seong, the question on my mind was more about Im Yu-bin.

She’s skilled, cute, an academy student, and uses a unique weapon — why hadn’t I ever heard her name before the regression?

I heard she’s from a relatively well-off company family. Yet, thinking that her personality drove her to quit doesn’t seem fitting, since she had no problems during fights.

Slurping down a cold, sweet smoothie, a chill swept over the inside of Yeon-woo’s ear. He shivered.

“You’re thinking about a different girl.”

“Oh, who do you think I was thinking of?”

Baek In-hwa’s gossip made Nea laugh with interest. Yeon-woo hurriedly shook his head. Of course, I was thinking about another girl, but not like that! My crush is sitting right next to me!

“Just kidding. Don’t get too serious.”

Nea lightly poked Yeon-woo’s shoulder with her finger, smiling brightly. Please don’t make jokes like this. Can’t you hear my heart rolling under the table?

Regardless, that gesture was a signal for more detailed explanations. Though I pretended I didn’t care, it was a clear sign that I was actually troubled about it.

With a deep sigh, Yeon-woo conveyed the reason for his distracting thoughts to Shar. Unfortunately, while Nea and Shar could communicate with one another, communication lines between Yeon-woo and Nea required a direct method, which was risky.

Direct lines could potentially lead to sharp ears picking up on it, hence the safe route.

[I’ve been worried about this for a while. I’ll let Mom know!]

“Thanks~.”

My good daughter jumps right up when Daddy asks something. Even though it doesn’t literally mean jumping up, since I only send my voice in my head.

After hearing this series of events, Nea nodded quietly. Thankfully, this matter seemed to be headed for a silent resolution. Nea’s relieved expression was cute.

“Hmm, I can’t ask Riley to do a background check… Maybe I should ask Jun-woo.”

Now that I think about it, I haven’t heard from those guys lately. They used to report to me regularly each month to get their allowances.

But I can understand. How much information could there be about artifacts related to gates, amidst such a limited number of them? Maybe it wouldn’t be bad to get them to do some other work too for some allowance.

A man who can’t refrain from giving money to his siblings, that’s Choi Yeon-woo.

Regardless of what happens going forward, for now, let’s focus on studying. If I don’t score well on the midterms, pain will come as a consequence.

“Yeon-woo, what’s this question?”

“Let’s see, ‘The shell of the Rock Turtle is said to be vulnerable to certain mana patterns. Describe which mana patterns can break the shell of the Rock Turtle.’ …It’s just as it says. What’s the problem?”

“Duh, just punching it would break it, right…!?”

“I’m going crazy.”

Professor Kim Hyun-soo uses his brain to smartly crush things, so why is Kim Yoo-min’s thinking so one-tracked…?

*

In the Shrine, the screams and wails of lions echoed. However, within this shrine, there were none undeserving of suffering. Only those capable of using the voices of the deceased as lullabies could rest here… except.

“I don’t get why you like this kind of stuff.”

“Shut it, or just endure.”

Stirred by Christopher’s grimace, the necromancer sitting next to him spat out his words bluntly. I thought Oblivion was a reasonably rational being, but in the end, it still seemed to be all about Oblivion.

Thinking that, Christopher leaned back in his chair, digging at his ears. He hadn’t intended to enter the shrine, but here he was.

The Cult of Oblivion didn’t impose anything on its devotees, as its collective consciousness was not as profound compared to other cults, especially when compared to the depression cult.

Christopher had learned exactly that and also found out that Choi Yeon-woo utterly despised Saturdays; hence he had come to the Cult of Oblivion…

“Not having a strong one is making it boring. I should have gone violent instead.”

With the chaotic intensity being annoyingly dull, Christopher yawned. However, that attitude didn’t last long.

Step by step, significant presence filled with mana… no, killer intent, crossed the shrine.

On the dark red skin, endless unknown symbols were inscribed. Clad in an ornately decorated black robe with skeletons hanging from it, and holding a staff dripping with tears of blood, it made its way slowly toward the altar.

With every step, the ground soaked up with blood.

“I see, what a tough one.”

If I rush in now, could I kill it? It wouldn’t be easy. If I don’t finish this in three exchanges, undead will swarm. I might not be hurt by such a mere undead, but if they overwhelmed me with numbers, even Christopher wouldn’t be able to move.

If it were an opponent without any martial arts background, it might be different, but this one fully established their martial arts foundations. I could not guarantee victory.

“The High Priest is no joke.”

The Demon King of Saturday, High Priest Nephren-Ka. He knelt before the altar.

“Bow down. Offer. Build a tower of blood and flesh, souls and bones. For the descent of the great god, sacrifice everything….”

A sinister voice began to fill the shrine. It was a horrible song and ominous scripture that, for an ordinary person, would have driven them mad long ago.

Christopher grimaced, letting out a chuckle.

“Haha, so this confirms I was already crazy a long time ago.”

(Continued in the next installment)

 

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