Chapter 39: Written test

Sunlight streamed through the dorm window.

I’d forgotten to close the curtains last night and woke up to the light on my face.

I stretched and opened my eyes.

I hadn’t been in any state to remember curtains last night.

At least I’d brushed my teeth.

Dental hygiene was important, especially when you were young.

Having learned that lesson in my first life, I’d diligently brushed my teeth with salt, even as a s*ave in the martial world.

Knock knock

As I was stretching, I heard a knock.

Weren’t top 10 students supposed to get breakfast delivered to their rooms?

“Kim Yu-won, I’ve brought your breakfast.”

A cool, feminine voice.

“Okay, coming.”

I wiped the sleep from my eyes, ran a hand through my hair, and opened the door.

A woman with white hair and red eyes, dressed in a maid uniform, stood there holding a tray laden with food fit for a king.

“Uh… does this school dress its staff in maid uniforms?”

It suited her, but it was unexpected.

It felt like I was back in Estelle’s world.

In modern society, maid outfits were only seen in wealthy households, romantic roleplay, or themed cafes.

This was my first time seeing one in person on Earth.

“No, I chose to wear it. If it makes you uncomfortable, I’ll wear something else next time.”

I shook my head.

“I was just surprised. It suits you.”

It wasn’t my place to judge her personal preferences.

Some Hunters wore hanbok-style artifacts for practical reasons; a maid outfit wasn’t that strange.

“Thank you… My arms are getting tired, so could you please take the tray?”

“Oh! Sure.”

I took the tray.

“Enjoy your meal.”

She turned to leave.

“Wait, what’s your name?”

If she was going to bring me breakfast every day, I should at least know her name.

“Seol Ah-yeon.”

She replied and left.

I memorized her name, took the tray inside, and started eating.

It was a home-cooked meal, prepared by someone with considerable experience.

After a satisfying breakfast, I thought about Seol Ah-yeon.

‘She’s an Awakened, isn’t she…’

She’d claimed her arms were tired, but that was a lie.

I’d met countless assassins, all specialists in concealing their energy.

She was skilled at it, but not as skilled as the Assassination Kings and Assassination Saints I’d encountered.

I’d even been trained by an Assassination Saint, so I was adept at sensing concealed power.

She’d tried to disguise her gait, but she couldn’t completely hide the distinctive footwork of an assassin.

Were the other staff members like her as well?

Or was she the only assassin, assigned specifically to me? And if so, why?

I finished the meal, checking for poison, but it was just a normal, delicious breakfast.

No poison detected. Maintaining a peaceful routine was a good thing.

I showered, put on my uniform, and prepared to head to class.

I couldn’t be late on my first day, even if it was a boarding school.

I left with plenty of time to spare, but Jin Baek-ryong was already waiting outside.

“Good morning, Master. Did you sleep well?”

Seeing him first thing in the morning would have been overwhelming, but thankfully, I’d already encountered Seol Ah-yeon.

“Morning. You know you’re not supposed to call me that in public.”

“Yes.”

I’d grown accustomed to being called “Master.” It had been awkward at first, but I’d accepted it.

Believing in one’s choices was essential for reaching the Transformation Realm.

Unwavering self-belief was necessary to overcome obstacles without hesitation.

I needed to level up, but the academy offered plenty of monster-hunting opportunities, so I wasn’t worried.

And with the principal’s promised support, my growth would be accelerated.

One by one, the residents of the single-occupancy dorms emerged.

Seung-ah and my wives joined me.

My dorm had become a gathering place for top students.

“Did everyone sleep well?”

“Well enough.”

Ha-yeon seemed to have slept decently.

“It’s been a while since I lived in a dormitory, so I didn’t sleep very well.”

Estelle had attended a different kind of academy in her world.

“I couldn’t sleep without you.”

Liera offered a flimsy excuse, despite having slept in a separate room at home as well.

“The facilities are pretty good. Not as good as my bed at home, but still decent.”

Seung-ah, ever the rich girl.

I was glad they’d all slept relatively well.

I’d slept like a log, despite the unfamiliar environment, probably due to exhaustion.

Except for Shin-woo, who was in Class B, everyone else headed towards Class A. We entered the classroom, and found Alice already there, lights on, waiting.

We were early, but she was even earlier.

A true overachiever.

That explained her perfect score on the written exam.

Definitely not because she was trying to impress me.

“Good morning.”

“Yu-won, you’re early.”

“You too. You’re really early.”

“It’s my first time at an academy, so I came an hour early to familiarize myself with the classroom.”

While it was everyone’s first time at this academy, I didn’t point it out.

Coming early wasn’t strange.

“Good morning, everyone. Estelle, Liera, Yoo Seung-ah, right? And Jin Baek-ryong, nice to see you too.”

Alice greeted the others.

She seemed to know Jin Baek-ryong, probably due to their shared top 10 family background.

As we were exchanging greetings, I heard other students approaching.

Among them were Wang Mei and her followers.

“Good morning, Yu-won oppa.”

“Morning.”

Having promised to see her without prejudice, I smiled and returned her greeting.

Liera pinched my side.

“You seem closer than yesterday…”

She whispered in my ear.

“We… cleared up some misunderstandings. We’re friends now.”

She still seemed suspicious, despite my explanation.

But she stopped pinching me.

Liera approached Wang Mei.

“I’ll be watching you.”

“Okay.”

Wang Mei smiled sweetly.

Sparks seemed to fly between them.

As I was about to take a seat, a problem arose.

Like a university lecture hall, the classroom had a podium at the front and rows of seats.

My wives and Seung-ah were now competing for the seats next to me.

If Shin-woo were here, I could have flanked myself with him and Jin Baek-ryong, creating an impenetrable barrier. But Shin-woo was in Class B.

‘I need to get him into Class A quickly.’

We settled it with rock-paper-scissors.

Estelle and Ha-yeon won. Experts could manipulate the outcome by reading their opponent’s hand, but when both were experts, it became a game of pure luck.

Estelle and Ha-yeon, beaming, took their seats beside me.

Seung-ah and Liera, looking slightly dejected, sat beside them.

As we were chatting, I sensed someone approaching.

It was Han Ah-reum, the Monster Ecology instructor who’d overseen our entrance exam.

“Good morning, everyone! You all remember me, right? We met during the entrance exam and yesterday at the ceremony… It would be sad if you didn’t…”

She had a… unique personality.

“Since it’s the first day and the first class! We’ll keep it short and review Kim Yu-won’s written exam answers!”

She displayed my answers on the screen using a projector.

I’d seen this scenario in a novel and never thought I’d experience it myself.

‘Seriously?’

This was my first class?