Chapter 61

Chapter 61

I Became the Only Non-mage in the Academy.

Episode 61: Usurper (4)

The exam period was approaching.

Final assessments.

While mid-term evaluations were important, final assessments typically carried the most weight in a semester’s evaluation, so students diligently trained themselves.

Of course, that didn’t always mean good results.

“This time, I totally botched the theory exam, seriously.”

“You’re more of a physical type. I’m into theory, but I got two of my majors wrong.”

“You wanna die?”

Or failing the theory exam.

“They say they’ll replace the practical exam with something else.”

“That’s a relief. The competitors in this batch are insanely good, so I was worried about the sparring.”

“Are you an idiot? Then the assignments will be that much harder.”

Disheartened or discussing the practical exam.

“Your expression looks good. Did you do well in the final evaluation?”

Ershil spoke in a blunt voice.

‘Why is she acting like this.’

Since the weekend, after Hong Yu-hwa partially awakened as the Usurper, Ershil had changed like this.

“I always do well.”

“……”

Ershil looked at me with an annoyed expression.

During the mid-term evaluation, I had teamed up with Seo Ga-yeon, who had a lower ranking, resulting in a huge bonus score.

In the practical evaluation, I hunted a monster alone, which did cost me some points, but Seo Ga-yeon’s rapid growth helped us barely maintain first place.

‘I won’t make that mistake this time.’

“But you seem to be getting along well with Hong Yu-hwa lately.”

“Yeah, I’ve been training Yu-hwa a bit. You should be careful this time; her growth is steep.”

“Hong Yu-hwa?”

Ershil asked with a curious tone, her eyes sparkling strangely.

“Are you two dating?”

“No, we’re not.”

Me dating Hong Yu-hwa? I wouldn’t mind. She was pretty, had a great figure, and was talented.

Her competitiveness was strong, but that’s part of her charm.

But.

“Now’s not the time for a relationship.”

“……Right.”

Ershil nodded.

“There’s a lot to do.”

Really, a lot.

The difficulty, being hellish, would become more apparent as the story progressed.

Even in the early stages, one of the Seven Evils, the Vicious Abomination, had already appeared.

The progress of the Apostles above might also accelerate.

I needed to gather forces, keep them in check, and recruit talent.

Acting as Veritas was part of that effort.

“I probably won’t even look at relationships for a while.”

“An ambitious man.”

“……Is that so?”

“Yes, ambition. It’s good. I’ll support you. Oh, and I have something to discuss regarding the reward this time; is that okay?”

“Reward?”

“Yes.”

Ershil took a paper out of her bag.

“And this is the contract.”

“Contract?”

I examined the contract. It bore traces of magic, particularly on the part where it stated the name Lee Seo-ha.

‘What is this?’

If Ershil had done it, there had to be a reason.

Click.

Activating my Divine Sight, I understood why.

Lee Seo-ha (Veritas).

The name on the contract changed to that when I dispelled the magic.

“…Did you notice?”

“You teach well. Women are like that. They pay close attention to men they are interested in.”

“…….”

Ershil’s eyes curved into half-moons as she gazed at me.

“Offering me an internship already? It’s not even time for internship offers.”

A sharp voice interrupted us.

I turned my head and saw Hong Yu-hwa.

“It’s not that. It’s just that Seo-ha’s alchemy skills are so exceptional that I came to recruit him in advance.”

“Seo-ha is still a student, right?”

“Seo-ha might be a student, but he’s not someone to be treated merely as a student.”

“Hmm.”

Hong Yu-hwa looked at me with a peculiar expression and then handed me a red envelope.

“This is a gift. My grandfather wants to see you. Come if you wish.”

“A party?”

“Yes. It’s after the final evaluations, and it’s his birthday.”

Hong Yu-hwa then turned and walked toward her followers.

“You’re really popular. Even the Red Tower Master, who rarely appears at social gatherings, is personally inviting you.”

“Is that so?”

I recalled information about the Red Tower Master.

It was less about interest in me and more about the Energy of Defying Heaven, or perhaps because of Hong Yu-hwa.

He was somewhat like the Overlord.

‘He really cherishes Hong Yu-hwa.’

He occasionally showed madness befitting a magician, but it was his love for Hong Yu-hwa that caused problems.

“Are you going?”

“I have to. The Red Tower Master invited me personally.”

I would have gone even without an invitation.

Because the Brigade of Eternal Heaven was targeting him.

“How about going with me?”

“With you?”

“Yes, matching dress codes and as partners.”

Ershil leaned her chin on her hand and looked at me.

“…That’s usually something couples do.”

“I’m fine with it.”

“…….”

“Judging by your expression, you don’t seem to dislike the idea.”

Ershil laughed lightly and took out another paper.

“I mentioned it before, right? When villains invaded, you stepped in to help our family fight them off. I’ll definitely repay that favor. Just say what you need, and I’ll provide it.”

Ershil said that and left the room.

“Ah, and the thing I said earlier, you can take it seriously, keep it in your heart.”

-A formidable opponent.

-She’s a tough one~.

Ershil left those words and exited the classroom.

During the final evaluations, the theory part had ended.

And on the first day of the practical part, Instructor Seo Woo-ju gathered the students and said,

“I know there’s been a lot of talk about this practical exam. Normally, we should have announced it a month in advance, but due to the incident during the mid-term evaluation and to assess the students’ ‘adaptability,’ we kept it a secret from you.”

Instructor Seo Woo-ju spoke from the podium.

“This practical exam will take place in the ‘Tower of Trials.’ However, it will be a lengthy one because it’s a survival test.”

“…Survival?”

“Seriously, for five days?”

The students were in an uproar.

“As you all know, at the Korea Hero School, broadcasts can come from outside. Every action you take in the Tower of Trials can factor into your evaluation, so be careful.”

Instructor Seo Woo-ju finished speaking and surveyed us.

“Any questions?”

“Can we actually conduct it inside the tower?”

“The tower is a space with its own world. In terms of area, it’s even larger than Korea.”

Here, Korea referred to a unified Korea that had even absorbed parts of China’s territory, because China was attacked from all sides when the dimensions collapsed.

“Then, in the survival format, are tools provided?”

“No external tools are allowed. However, you can use things you’ve created yourself, like alchemy, blacksmithing, and cooking, or weapons you selected during weapon selection, as well as special gifts granted by the principal.”

Instructor Seo Woo-ju said this with his gaze resting on me.

“How will the survival test be conducted?”

“Hunt monsters to collect points. Rankings will be based on these points. And if you ‘hunt’ a ‘student,’ you can take half of their accumulated points.”

Upon hearing Instructor Seo Woo-ju’s words, the students exchanged glances.

“How are teams formed?”

“Teams are primarily pairs. You move with your partner. Temporarily cooperating with other teams is permissible.”

“Are there no supplies provided?”

“None. There are wild animals living there, so you must forage and survive on your own.”

“My goodness.”

The faces of everyone grew somber at Seo Woo-ju’s last statement.

Most students had been coddled from a young age.

While the talented ones were somewhat okay, Hong Yu-hwa and Ershil looked incredulous.

Instructor Seo Woo-ju appeared satisfied with their expressions, convinced that students unlock their potential when placed in adverse environments.

“It seems there are no more questions. Then, everyone, please proceed to the auditorium.”

The students trudged to the auditorium wearing gloomy expressions.

“Let’s move together.”

During the move, Ershil, who was bringing Kim Ara along, said,

“To be honest, in a survival situation, it’s right to move together. You have to keep watch at night, and even Seo-ha can’t stay up all five nights.”

“That’s right.”

After all, this survival required basic cooperation with other teams.

Because students could also ‘hunt’ each other.

“But I’ve already picked my team member.”

“Who is it?”

“That one.”

I pointed at Hong Yu-hwa, who looked at me with round eyes.

“Hong Yu-hwa?”

“Yeah. How about it, Ga-yeon?”

“I don’t mind if Seo-ha has decided.”

Seo Ga-yeon quietly nodded her head.

“Yu-hwa, how about you?”

“Why me?”

Hong Yu-hwa asked with a curious expression why I had chosen her.

“Because it’s you.”

There was definitely a ‘boss’ hiding on this survival island, and it was likely to be a tree-shaped boss.

With the Usurper and fire attribute magic, Hong Yu-hwa could demonstrate tremendous attack power.

“Oh my, oh my.”

The previous night, Hong Yu-hwa’s subordinate A had blushed while looking at me.

“What do you mean?”

“I think you’ll be needed in this exam. And although it might not seem like it, I’m quite experienced in cooking and camping, so we can live comfortably.”

I had experienced hundreds of survival scenarios.

If you had some skills at the start, you could build a villa.

With talent and dexterity, I had that level of potential.

As for cooking, the mana-infused grass and meat found inside the tower were incredibly tasty.

In cooking, ingredients accounted for 50% of the skill.

“Okay.”

Hong Yu-hwa smiled and extended her hand to me.

Her smile was different.

How should I put it? It was as if she finally saw me, acknowledged me. That was the expression on her face.

I awkwardly smiled and shook her hand.

“…I’ve been rejected for the second time.”

The first time was when choosing partners.

Even though she had proposed first, Lee Seo-ha had chosen Seo Ga-yeon.

Kim Ara quietly looked at Lee Seo-ha with burning eyes.

“Ara.”

“Yes.”

“Let’s definitely catch that team.”

“Okay.”

Ershil and Kim Ara quietly made a pact.