Chapter 7

Chapter 7

I Became the Only Non-mage in the Academy.

Episode 7: Dungeon Exploration (2)

In Korea Hero School, much like at a university, you can choose a major that suits you.

Most students didn’t know what they’re good at, but this was Korea Hero School.

Even those without a clear talent could get the chance to take the entrance exam by sheer luck, but they were usually weeded out during the exam, with only a few notable exceptions.

“Before the first joint class, I’ll choose my major first.”

The majors were clear-cut.

They included subjects like magic, alchemy, awakening abilities, and swordsmanship; you selected what matched your aptitude.

As Seo Woo-ju spoke, the children rose from their seats and formed small groups.

“Seo-ha, what will you choose?”

“I’m leaning towards close combat.”

“Close combat?”

Kim Seo-hyun was curious.

“…I want to gain some physical strength this time.”

“Ah, so you’re training because you’re physically weak. It’s one way to compensate for weaknesses with strengths, but eliminating your weaknesses so you have none is another strategy.”

Kim Seo-hyun gave a nod, muttering as if to confirm that my choice was the right one.

“So, you’re going to learn about close-quarters combat?”

“That’s correct.”

I replied with a nonchalant attitude.

Kim Seo-hyun’s eyes gleamed. He knew that understanding close-quarters combat meant some theoretical classes, but it mostly entailed practical skills.

Did he really want to spar with me that much?

“So, it’s just me and Seo-hyun for the close-quarters combat track?”

“No, I’m in it too.”

A voice suddenly joined in.

I turned and saw a man with a large build, both manly and handsome.

Park Woon-hyuk.

He was a warrior class student who passed the entrance exam right after Hong Yu-hwa. His specialty was the spear, and while he might appear to have a superiority complex, he’s actually quite a decent person.

This statement suggested that he was often misperceived as being consumed by a superiority complex.

Normally, he would be the one declaring that he would take the top rank from Kim Seo-hyun, but seeing him cling to me this time, it seems he felt a sense of rivalry towards me.

‘No, maybe not.’

He said he would take the top rank, but he directed that towards Kim Seo-hyun. He didn’t say anything to me. Perhaps he secretly thought that I was much better than him.

I casually joined the conversation and added a few more subjects.

Theory of Magic Counteraction, Basic Knowledge of Alchemy, Understanding of Ancient Languages.

Theory of Magic Counteraction was for practical scores because of my Heaven Defying Body.

Basic Knowledge of Alchemy should be fine; I could make potions. I had all the formulas in my head.

Understanding of Ancient Languages was to get closer to Kim Ara.

“Are you going to take that many classes?”

“Well, they’re all easy.”

None of them overlapped in time, and the only class tight enough to affect the joint classes conducted by the class was Understanding of Close-Quarters Combat.

“Then I should also take Theory of Magic Counteraction.”

“Can’t help it. If you guys are doing it, I’ll join you.”

I got up and submitted my paper to Seo Woo-ju.

“Hmm, Understanding of Close-Quarters Combat?”

Seo Woo-ju looked at me in surprise for a moment, then nodded.

“It’s a good idea. You’re perfect in everything else, but you’ve been too lazy in physical training. However, the will to improve is commendable.”

I wondered when he had come to see me as perfect in everything.

I just nodded casually. Then I noticed Seo Ga-yeon approaching Seo Woo-ju from the side.

“Hmm, Understanding of Close-Quarters Combat and Basic Swordsmanship Using Magical Power. Are you planning to delve into swordsmanship?”

“Yes, yes. Swordsmanship seems to fit me.”

“Really?”

I hesitated for a moment.

Seo Ga-yeon wanted to learn swordsmanship, but for her it was almost like she was giving up halfway.

A curse-like restriction.

Seo Ga-yeon had received such a curse from a certain magician. To them, her abilities were too dangerous.

I pondered for a moment.

Seo Ga-yeon’s abilities were outstanding. However, due to her restrictions, she started off the game struggling but shone in the mid-stage.

“You seem more suited for magic than swordsmanship.”

I said this in passing.

Pretending to be as disinterested as possible.

“Wha, what? Me, doing ma, magic?”

“Yeah, you’d probably be good at it.”

Hearing my words, the people around looked at Seo Ga-yeon. She had a delicate figure, restless expression, and lacked confidence.

Their eyes seemed to ask, “Why is Lee Seo-ha paying attention to her?”

“If you don’t like it, never mind.”

I shrugged my shoulders and walked away. I would be able to draw her in slowly.

Unlike weapon selection, majors could be changed later, though the process was complicated and annoying.

As I walked out, Kim Seo-hyun and Park Woon-hyuk followed me.

“Then, let’s begin the first joint class, dungeon exploration.”

The students looked at instructor Seo Woo-ju with anticipation.

“Everyone looks fine. Well, it’s natural to be excited.”

Instructor Seo Woo-ju chuckled darkly.

“You may have been thrilled to join Korea Hero School, the best academy in the world. However, Korea Hero School only cares about students’ ‘abilities.’ This school is not kind enough to uplift students who fall behind.”

That’s right.

This school coldly assesses students based solely on ‘grades.’

Those who fell behind were left behind. If they continued to fall behind, they were expelled. There was no reversing that decision.

“Korea Hero School is literally at the forefront, fighting monsters, killing Magicians, and catching villains. We have many enemies. Even a mistake can lead to death or lifelong injuries, even if it’s not your fault.”

The students’ expressions turned fearful. After all, they were still children.

“Well, I guess that’s enough to scare you all. Now, I’ll temporarily form groups for the joint class based on the grades from the entrance exam. The top students will lead the groups as captains.”

Seo Woo-ju said this while glancing at me.

“Looks like I’m the first captain.”

“First, I’ll call the captain, Lee Seo-ha.”

“Yes.”

“Your group members are as follows.”

A hologram-like object appeared in the air, a hologram created with magical engineering that combined science and magic.

[Lee Seo-ha(1)/Baek Seol-gi(357), Kim Ara(457), Han Woo-sung(575), Seo Ga-yeon(999)]

“…Wow.”

I marveled at the display. The group’s composition was quite good, aside from a few ‘bombs.’

“The next captain is Kim Seo-hyun.”

“Yes.”

“The members are…”

As time passed, a total of 20 groups were formed. Instructor Seo Woo-ju then said,

“Let’s head to the dungeon with these groups. Follow me.”

We followed Seo Woo-ju as he moved.

Outside the school, several buses waited.

“We’ll take this bus.”

After we boarded, the bus soon set off.

The bus ran for 10 minutes within the school grounds before we arrived in front of a sinister-looking cave.

The cave’s entrance exuded a chilly aura.

“This is the artificial dungeon ‘Nest.’ You’ll come here often during practice sessions, so it’s a good idea to familiarize yourselves with it.”

Nest.

It was a dungeon created by Korea Hero School, and had helped the school gain international renown.

In the game, the layout changed every time you entered. It contained 15 different types of dungeons.

Of course, I had all 15 dungeon layouts memorized.

“The groups will start in the order they were called earlier, beginning from the back.”

Our turn would be last.

I gathered my group members.

“Let’s introduce ourselves briefly.”

Han Woo-sung, who had a friendly demeanor, suggested. Introductions – what a tiresome ritual.

“Hello! I’m Baek Seol-gi! My specialties are pathfinding and trap disarming!”

A girl with a charming demeanor bowed as she introduced herself.

“I’m Kim Ara. My specialty is the sword.”

Kim Ara then pulled out the Giant’s Sword from her spatial bag.

The blade alone measured over 2 meters, and the handle was more than 70 centimeters. It was a sword meant for a giant, not for a human.

“…Isn’t it heavy?”

“It’s lighter than you think. Plus, the sword has a spatial dimension, so it’s quite convenient.”

Kim Ara responded to Han Woo-sung’s query.

“I, I’m Seo Ga-yeon! My, my specialty is swords!”

Seo Ga-yeon stuttered her introduction.

“I’m Han Woo-sung. My specialty is this.”

Han Woo-sung grinned and held up a buckler with pride.

“I’m Lee Seo-ha. Nice to meet you all.”

After the introductions were complete, I sat down and reflected.

Not bad.

Four warriors and one archer. It was a high ratio of warriors, but that couldn’t be helped.

‘They must think I’m a magician.’

“But, are Seo-ha and Ga-yeon already acquainted?”

“Huh? Me, with Seo-ha?”

Seo Ga-yeon asked, her voice laced with surprise.

“Just now, Lee Seo-ha suggested magic to you. I thought maybe you two knew each other~.”

Baek Seol-gi drawled out her suspicion.

Baek Seol-gi, Baek Seol-gi… Suddenly, I was craving rice cakes.

“I just thought she had a talent for magic. No special meaning.”

I replied, concealing my real thoughts. Seo Ga-yeon was a magician. She was a necessary puzzle piece for a happy ending in this world.

But there’s no need to say that out loud. Seo Ga-yeon, who’s lacking in self-esteem and more dependent on others than on herself, would find such direct attention burdensome.

“The next group is Park Woon-hyuk’s group.”

Time continued to pass. New groups entered every five minutes, but there wasn’t much else happening.

“Yawn.”

“…Yawning?”

As I yawned idly, Han Woo-sung voiced his disbelief.

Well, it couldn’t be helped.

While others felt apprehension about the cave, I knew all fifteen dungeon layouts by heart, leaving no room for tension.

“Next group, Lee Seo-ha’s group.”

“Let’s go then.”

As instructor Seo Woo-ju made his announcement, I nonchalantly stood up.

The closer we got to the cave entrance, the more ominous it felt. Someone swallowed their fear with an audible gulp.

As we ventured deeper into the cave, a fork in the path loomed ahead.

“Ah, lucky.”

We’d stumbled upon the dungeon layout perfect for a speed run.

“There’s a fork. Which way should we go?”

“Hmm.”

Instead of heading toward the fork, I veered to the right wall. There had to be something here.

I noticed a protruding rock and tapped it lightly with my hand. Thud, thud. The strange sound of air leaking could be heard.

There was a mechanism where a path would appear if you broke the wall. However, this wall was quite thick. It was so sturdy that even Kim Seo-hyun couldn’t break it with a few determined strikes.

I called out to Kim Ara.

“Ara, come here.”

“…Why?”

“Break this wall.”

“…You want me to break it?”

“Yes.”

“I’m not really good at this kind of thing.”

Kim Ara’s voice was full of discomfort.

It wasn’t that she was bad at this; it was probably because I singled her out.

That was understandable.

There were quite a few aggressive types here.

If she got noticed by one of those young hotheads who overestimated themselves and challenged her, her school life would be far from peaceful.

I whispered quietly to Kim Ara.

“You might enjoy the peace you seek here, but do you think the Overlord wouldn’t know?”

At my words, Kim Ara’s eyes flickered. Her violet eyes looked at me, mixed with various emotions.

‘How did he know I have a connection with the Overlord? Is he testing me? No, that can’t be. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have specifically mentioned the Overlord.’

She must have been thinking that.

“I’ll tell you how to escape the Overlord if you break this wall.”

I said, my lips curving into a slight smile.