episode_0032

[Hello, Kim Maru students. Today is the day for the DT Academy’s Premium Mock Exam. Please go to the test site specified below….]

After checking the message, I stood in front of the academy building. Numerous students entered the academy with determined expressions.

This was no ordinary mock exam. It was a test that everyone took sincerely, as the quality and quantity of the content returning to school varied according to the student’s grades.

This was the rule of a student.

Thorough meritocracy. That was why the Ojakgyo led by Alice had gained power.

So, all I had to do was to counter that meritocracy with my outstanding abilities.

“Finally, today has arrived.”

Kim Noeul murmured beside me. She seemed relaxed, appearing to have managed her condition well the previous day.

“The 2nd mock exam we’re taking today will determine the rankings for the first semester, just like the 1st one we saw before, right…?”

Nayuna senior opened her mouth to confirm if she understood correctly. Han Doa, who was listening nearby, nodded in agreement.

“The standout figure is a male student named Ju Won-young from Dowon High. His grades are good.”

Han Doa’s tone seemed anxious, but her expression didn’t reflect it at all. She trusted me, Kim Noeul, and herself.

“In reality, this is the first step in directly confronting Ojakgyo.”

I encouraged them.

And it was true.

When Jegal Hwarin clashed, it wasn’t widely publicized as the entire counseling department wasn’t involved, and it was just a minor street incident.

But this time, it’s different.

Because of TT Academy’s reputation, it would be seen as a public act of pressing down on Ojakgyo-affiliated schools by Haneul High.

“You need to button up the first button properly.”

Said Kim Noeul, smiling at me.

“Maru, are you confident about coming first?”

“Are you trying to pass the burden to me? You should also be prepared to come first.”

“Of course, but…”

Kim Noeul added,

“I feel like you’ve prepared something big again this time. Just like when you founded the counseling department last time.”

“….”

I couldn’t give a detailed response to that. The fewer people who knew about the event in advance, the higher the chances of success.

“If you’re looking forward to that event, you’ll be quite satisfied today.”

“As expected, a scheme has been laid out.”

“But even if it fails, it doesn’t matter.”

Even if our plan with Gumiho falls through, the result of raising our status at the academy is certain. Because I will just take the top spot.

“Wonyoung, things won’t go your way.”

Even from a distance, students from Dawon High, including Ju Wonyoung, gathered around us. They didn’t enter the school building but instead glared at us.

Fighting isn’t just about physical confrontation. Now, we begin a battle using pens as our weapons.

“Hey, Haneul High. You guys have been acting pretty cocky lately. What do you believe in to act so smug?”

“If it were me, even if my grades were good, I would deliberately lower them. Rather than being under Oh Jakgyo’s thumb.”

They started using dirty talk to shake our mental state. However, unlike Moyuna, the three of us were unaffected by such psychological attacks.

With just a slight narrowing of Han Doa’s eyes, some of the Dawon High students who were picking fights flinched. Kim Noeul flashed a friendly smile to ease the tension.

“Instead of causing trouble here, why don’t you just go in first? There’s a lot of material to review. Unlike us.”

It was a subtle yet provocative taunt, highlighting Dawon High’s advantageous position over Haneul High. It reminded them that despite having this advantage, they had already lost to Haneul High in the first round of mock exams.

Ju Wonyoung’s face turned red and blue.

“Ugh… Noeul, I didn’t look at you like that. You’re really rude. I approached you kindly, but you answered sharply, and on top of that, you picked a fight? I was sincerely advising you to focus on studying.”

“Pot calling the kettle black. Who’s really rude here, and who should really focus on studying?”

I personally countered Ju Wonyoung’s statement with facts. He glared at me, his eyebrows twitching.

You won’t be able to act so high and mighty after today, you lowly scumbag. I’ll show you firsthand what happens when you mess with Oh Jakgyo.”

After speaking, Ju Wonyoung confidently entered the academy. He seemed overflowing with confidence. I know well where that confidence comes from.

“Shall we go in too then…?”

At Yu-na’s cautious suggestion, we also stepped into the academy. Noeul and I, along with Yu-na and Handoa, went our separate ways. Since third-year students took the exam on a different floor from the second-year students.

“Guys, do well!”

“Wishing you good luck.”

“Seniors, do well too.”

“Don’t make any mistakes.”

We bid each other farewell and entered the exam room. I entered the boys’ examination room. As soon as I entered, I saw Ju Won-young’s back.

I sat in the chair with my exam number written on it, thinking it looked like a good punching bag for a surprise attack.

“The subjects are Korean, Math, and English. The exam will end around 8 to 9 p.m.”

If inquiry is important for science subjects, there is a saying that class is important for Korean, Math, and English. I agree with that saying.

Today’s exam results will be a measure of students’ pure class.

[Let me explain the details of the Premium Mock Exam.]

Starting with the alarm broadcast, students received their answer sheets and Korean exam papers. I filled in the attendance check box.

“The sunlight was vividly licking the leaves.”

“I feel like I’ve seen this phrase somewhere before….”

And I waited for the start of the exam.

I wasn’t nervous. Rather, I was looking forward to the event after the exam.

[First period, Korean language section has begun.]

As soon as the bell rang, I turned over the test paper. From then on, I focused on the exam questions, so time passed very quickly.

I took the test in a trance, moving my pen. When I came to my senses, there was only one minute left before the end of the English section.

“I really concentrated a lot.”

In the blink of an eye, the exam had already reached its final moments.

Until just before entering the academy building, the sky was blue, but now darkness had set in, and the light was coming in through the building sign.

Since I had finished the English questions 10 minutes earlier, I crossed my arms and gazed out the window.

The night view was beautiful.

[Third period, English section has ended.]

“Everyone, put your answer sheets under your desks! I’ll collect them from the back!”

The students busily handed in their answer sheets. After the supervisor finished checking everything and left the classroom, the students grumbled restlessly.

“Man, the English fill-in-the-blank is so abstract.”

“What’s the correct order for the answers? (A) seems to be the first one?”

“I’ve tried solving math problem 30 in my English class, but it still won’t work.”

“Did the person who set the Korean and Economics passages go on leave?”

Leaving behind their noisy chatter, they exited the exam room. Then, in a deserted corridor near the restroom, they took out their phone.

[Me: I’m posting it on Hakdo Gal right now]

[Me: Also asked Veritas to mention it in tomorrow’s newspaper]

“Gumiho: Should I upload it with the title ‘Today’s Premium Mock Exam Perfect Score Certification.jpg’?”

I’ve always thought that Gumiho is truly a genius at stirring up trouble.

“Gumiho: It’s actually impossible, but just out of curiosity, will you click it?”

After checking Gumiho’s message, I paused for a moment.

[Me: Impossible?]

[Gumiho: ?]

I reviewed the mock exam questions I attempted today. The other questions were all fine, but the Korean and Economics passage was a nuisance.

“Just one question was fishy….”

[Me: Never mind, I’ll just post it]

[Gumiho: Yes]

After sending the message, they returned to the vicinity of the exam room. Unbeknownst to them, the female trio had gathered and were engaged in conversation amongst themselves.

“Noeul, did you do well?”

“The Korean section was a bit tough. How about you, sunbae?”

“I got a 4-pointer because Maru gave me the type I nailed.”

Hana made a serious face and flashed a victory sign. As I approached them, Nayeona was the first to react.

“Maru! Did you get everything right?”

“I don’t know either. I might have made a mistake.”

“In that case, you might lose to me this time, right?”

Kim Noeul taunted playfully, forming a challenging expression. I sighed and spoke up.

“You said Korean was difficult for you. Are you that confident?”

“I’m seriously expecting not to score 100 in Korean this time. You saw the Economics passage.”

“…Yeah.”

The international patent system twisted and turned, making it excessively harsh for high school students.

“Unless someone memorized leaked answers, there’s definitely no perfect score.”

Kim Noeul may not realize it, but she hit the nail on the head. In fact, in the original, only one second-year student achieved a perfect score in this mock exam.

“That one person is… Hey! The scores are out!”

As the students’ scores were released, they eagerly checked their apps to see their results. Most of them looked despondent as they glanced at their Korean scores.

“This damn talented subject.”

“Huh? I got 98 in Korean and I’m second.”

“Crazy. 100 points?”

Kim Noeul’s complexion paled as she overheard the students’ conversation. Na Yuna and Han Doa’s expressions darkened naturally.

Kim Noeul, a top student, had expected that there would be no one who scored full marks in Korean, but the results exceeded her expectations. They were engulfed in anxiety, wondering if a student who wasn’t from a prestigious background might take first place.

“No, Noeul! How many points did you get!?” Na Yuna shouted, to which Kim Noeul weakly replied, “…297 points. Missed one in Korean.”

“What a shame….” Just as Kim Noeul was about to check the overall rankings, cheers erupted from the direction of Dowon High School.

“Joo Won-young got everything right!”

“This is Dowon!”

“Joo Won-young, GOAT! Joo Won-young, GOAT!”

Joo Won-young basked in everyone’s cheers, wearing a smug smile. Eventually, that smug smile turned towards us.

He walked over to us, tilting his head.

“Well, this is how it turned out. It was a good fight.”

“…….” Kim Noeul stared silently at Joo Won-young. Sensing something electrifying in that gaze, Joo Won-young licked his lips.

“Why do you boast without even knowing the topic….”

Joo Won-young couldn’t finish his sentence. A screen window descended with a clatter, drawing the students’ attention due to its loud noise.

“What’s this? Are they going to show us some video?”

“I want to go home quickly.”

Ignoring the students’ complaints, the projector displayed a video.

A dark night street. Two individuals gazing at each other, engaging in conversation.

[“So? Tell me in detail. You want to take first place?”]

“Yes. Give me the cheat sheet.”

“Oh? That’s Teacher Choi, right?”

“Yeah. Who’s the other person?”

[“Is this agreed upon with Ji Hye?”]

[…I heard her tell Ji Hye to clean up the academy. That’s the deal.]

“That’s Joo Won-young’s voice.”

A student approached the screen closely, scrutinizing the faces.

“It’s Joo Won-young. But why are you asking for a cheat sheet from the teacher?”

Some astute students quickly reached a conclusion. If this video wasn’t manipulated, then Joo Won-young had indeed caused a major incident.

“Joo, Joo Won-young? What’s that? Why are you asking for a cheat sheet?”

The situation became serious, and a student from Dowon High School realized this and pressed Ju Won-young for answers. Ju Won-young remained silent, gaping at the screen without saying a word.

“When? When was it recorded?”

[But there’s a bit of risk involved… We shouldn’t get caught.]

[We’re the only ones who know about it at Ojak Bridge. Who would find out? So, are you in?]

[Hmm….]

“Ju Won-young sounds desperate.”

“Wait, does that mean the teacher leaked the test questions?”

Dowon High School students shouted to sway public opinion.

“But, is the video really true!? It could be manipulated! What’s bothering Ju Won-young so much!”

“Verify its authenticity!”

Cold sweat poured down Ju Won-young’s face like a waterfall.

‘Even if they verify its authenticity, it will backfire on me. The video is real. No matter how hard I pretend not to know, rumors like this spread endlessly.’

Once it becomes public, it’s over. It must be prevented from becoming public. However, that determination turned out to be futile.

“Hey, check the forum now. It’s trending on Naver.”

“Perfect score certification? The content is different? This is targeting Ju Won-young, isn’t it?”

“Was it really Ju Won-young?”

Even Dowon High School students seemed unable to cover up any longer. Their expressions hardened. They looked at Ju Won-young with various expressions.

Some were angry, some despondent, and some disappointed.

[This is the down payment. If it goes well, this much more.]

[…I can tolerate this.]

It even led to monetary transactions. Ju Won-young’s legs gave way, and he sank to the ground.

His head spun. The world spun around wildly. The shapes of people merged geometrically into the form of a monster.

Leaving the seemingly soulless Ju Won-young behind, I headed towards another exam room. In another exam room, the same video was being screened.

A long-haired female student manipulating the video came into my view. I approached her.

“Veritas is everywhere. Simultaneously broadcasting the video throughout the entire examination hall.”

“Are you Kim Maru?”

She noticed me and asked. She observed me intensely for a moment, then turned her gaze back to the video.

“Good articles stem from good information. To obtain good information, one must send correspondents here and there to gather it. There are quite a few members even in this academy.”

I checked the name tag on her uniform.

Seong Nari.

The head of Veritas, who stirs up the school.

She is currently attending Yushin High School, located outside the area of Ojakgyo, and is an adept at evading Ojakgyo’s oppression with the help of members scattered throughout the school.

“Thanks to that, public opinion has accelerated. It was easy to find scenes of misconduct.”

“The latter is entirely your merit. Frankly, I was impressed. How did you manage to know their meeting places and times without being a correspondent?”

Unable to say “Watch the webtoon,” I chose to remain silent.

She seemed to think I deliberately didn’t answer and gave up asking.

“I heard Miho found a good business deal, so I had some expectations…”

“Did it meet your expectations?”

Seong Nari looked at me with the eyes of a thief seeking treasure.

“Should I be honest? Whether it’s the counseling department or Veritas, I want to kidnap you.”

“Discuss it with the head.”

Seong Nari paused for a moment at my concise response.

“If you’re the head of the counseling department… Kim Noeul? I’ll pass. I don’t want to retire from life just yet.”

Saying so, Seong Nari scrolled through the school community board.

“Miho also did a great job of attracting attention as a troublemaker. It’s a perfect premium scoop… Even though it’s exaggerated, we can’t help but click on it.”

“I’m not a troublemaker.”

“Hmm?”

I displayed today’s test results on my phone. Seong Nari’s pupils trembled slightly as she checked the screen.

“Gumiho is a true journalist who delivers the truth.”

“Haha, haha!”

Seong Nari laughed cheerfully, wiping away tears from the corners of her eyes.

“I guess there was no need to target you after all, huh? Since you’re the top scorer anyway?”

“Still, it’s right to uphold justice.”

After her laughter subsided, Seong Nari asked me seriously again.

“Are you going to finish things now?”

“Yes.”

“If you’re going to do it, do it properly.”

It seems like tonight at TT Academy will be very long.