Ch.118118. Gauntlet

When Yoo Deokmin was showing abnormal signs, Geum Dohyeon was struggling in a one-on-one match against Bang Seokcheon.

“Tired already, junior?”

Bang Seokcheon pressed Geum Dohyeon with confidence.

“Your specialty is area-of-effect attacks, right? Precise control against a single target is your weakness.”

Bang Seokcheon was both talented and cunning.

He brilliantly overcame Geum Dohyeon’s straightforward firepower.

At the beginning, Bang Seokcheon was shocked when Geum Dohyeon shattered his energy cannon with flames.

His confident attack technique had been easily destroyed.

[Senior, surely that’s not your best, is it?]

The initially triumphant Geum Dohyeon had unnecessarily forced himself to break his opponent’s attacks, wasting magical power.

[Senior, what kind of attack was that? I thought you’d be better. If this is all you’ve got, I’m disappointed!]

But after the first move, it was all Bang Seokcheon’s strategy.

While Geum Dohyeon consumed large amounts of magical power in unnecessary displays of dominance, Bang Seokcheon reduced his own magical consumption while attacking.

This was Bang Seokcheon’s brilliant strategy based on understanding Geum Dohyeon’s personality.

Each time Geum Dohyeon countered his techniques, he pretended to be surprised or shocked, luring him into overconfidence.

Small attacks to draw out large expenditures from his opponent.

By the time Geum Dohyeon realized what was happening, the tide had already turned.

“Damn it!”

Geum Dohyeon cursed himself for his arrogance and for falling so easily into the trap.

Moreover, he couldn’t catch Bang Seokcheon who was using hit-and-run tactics.

At that moment, he recalled Do Jonghyeon’s words.

[Senior Bang Seokcheon is more cunning than clever. Don’t let him find your weakness. Either deal significant damage with your first move or end it quickly. When I analyzed that senior…]

Do Jonghyeon had taught him several strategies when Geum Dohyeon said he would face Bang Seokcheon.

One of them was to end the fight quickly, but that plan had failed.

[In a prolonged battle, Bang Seokcheon will have the advantage. Your ability is to cover wide areas. You’re not precise enough to freely control a single stream.]

‘Do Jonghyeon was right. If only my control was a bit better…’

Geum Dohyeon, exhausted from running around the large arena, could barely move.

For Bang Seokcheon, who was using hit-and-run tactics, nothing was easier than a stationary target.

[If you’re at a disadvantage, make a decisive move. Bang Seokcheon is strong though, so I’m not sure if this strategy will work well…]

‘No, it works well. Do Jonghyeon. That bastard is damn good at it.’

Bang Seokcheon was annoyingly hitting and running, his energy blasts painfully striking Geum Dohyeon.

‘Shit, this is hard to win.’

But losing here would be the ultimate humiliation.

After having dominated the atmosphere earlier, losing now would be something he’d never forget.

So what should he do in this cornered situation?

‘Right, I need to draw him in.’

Chasing after Bang Seokcheon was already difficult.

So he needed to create a situation where his enemy had no choice but to come to him.

Geum Dohyeon squeezed out his remaining strength and spread flames everywhere.

As if to burn the entire space. Geum Dohyeon recalled the final piece of advice in his mind.

[When attacking, he mainly uses his right hand. He always extends his right hand. He can use his left too, but when pressed, instinct makes you use your dominant hand. So keep an eye on his right hand.]

He could see Bang Seokcheon jumping in front of him.

Moving into the only area without flames.

But Bang Seokcheon had also prepared something.

He was pointing his hand forward, charged with even more energy than before.

Yes, Bang Seokcheon had predicted Geum Dohyeon’s move.

“You fool. So obvious!”

He thought he was one step ahead. Bang Seokcheon must have been thinking that.

Geum Dohyeon smiled brightly.

“But I’ve already fired!”

Geum Dohyeon had already concentrated his flames into a single stream and released them.

He had predicted his opponent’s move two steps ahead. And his target was precise.

As Do Jonghyeon had advised, he fired his flames directly at the right hand.

“At this distance, control is easy!”

Bang Seokcheon was shocked. If he had been given even a little more room to maneuver, he could have countered it. But his instinctively used right hand had been intercepted, exposing a vulnerability.

Flames exploded before his eyes, and Bang Seokcheon fell.

The match was over.

Geum Dohyeon had won after a grueling struggle.

“I won!”

The outcome was decisively settled between the opposing second and first-year students.

When Geum Dohyeon defeated Bang Seokcheon, second-year students who hadn’t participated in their schemes began to react.

But this was a minor issue. The real problem arose with Yoo Deokmin.

When the instructors suddenly rushed over, Geum Dohyeon realized something was wrong.

“What’s going on? What happened?”

At that moment, a newspaper club member who had been with Do Jonghyeon ran over.

“They say Yoo Deokmin had a seizure and fainted!”

“What?”

Geum Dohyeon’s jaw dropped at the newspaper club’s quick report.

*

Bang Seokcheon and the second-year disciplinary members had the worst week. Losing to a junior and facing increasing rebellion.

Neither Baek Dongguk nor Shin Minjeong could offer any words of comfort.

It was that depressing. The defeat of Bang Seokcheon, their central figure and strongest member.

This would drastically break their momentum. Bang Seokcheon still couldn’t let go of his resentment.

“No. Not yet…”

He went around the second-year classrooms as soon as he arrived at school.

“They’re openly rebelling. The authority of the second-years is being challenged! Even those who haven’t participated so far should join in! Do you want to be looked down on by first-years?”

But the students were even more hesitant than before.

Bang Seokcheon pounded on a desk.

“Do you want to be disrespected by juniors for a whole year? If we unite, they can’t do anything. What if they report to the instructors? Will they expel the entire second-year class?”

Clearly, if it involved the entire second-year class, even the school administration would be at a loss. That’s why Bang Seokcheon was calling for complete unity.

But when he reached the intermediate class, he faced opposition.

“Do you enjoy bullying kids?”

Sim Hochang, scratching his buzz-cut hair, showed reluctance.

“Hochang, what are you saying? Are you siding with the first-years?”

“It’s not about taking sides. This isn’t the military. Why are you so intent on oppressing them? When we were first-years, it wasn’t like this. We got along fine with our seniors without all this. There’s no reason to fight.”

Hochang was resolute.

“Are you crazy?”

“Why, you think you can do whatever you want because you’re strong? Honestly, who agrees with bullying kids?”

“You’ve lost your mind.”

As Bang Seokcheon approached with a threatening face, Ju Ara stepped in to block him.

“Stop it. Why do you keep fighting? Let’s end this now. What’s wrong with getting along from now on?”

“Such weakness. Really!”

Just as he was about to throw an angry punch, his fist was forcibly stopped before reaching its target.

“Bang Seokcheon. What do you think you’re doing?”

It was Gyeongsu from the security team who had grabbed his wrist.

“I-Instructor?”

A surprised Bang Seokcheon stepped back.

“No wonder everyone rebels when you’re so violent.”

“What… what are you saying? This is just a dispute between classmates. We can have fights during school days, can’t we?”

“How disgusting. No matter. It’s all over anyway.”

Bang Seokcheon felt a sense of unease.

“What do you mean it’s over?”

“He’s already arrived.”

Gyeongsu’s finger pointed toward the window.

There, Dokgo Jun could be seen with an extremely irritated expression.

“D-Dokgo Jun? Why is he here?”

Bang Seokcheon’s heart was pounding.

*

The solo record test was suspended. It had to be, as Yoo Deokmin had a seizure and was foaming at the mouth.

The instructors were administering emergency treatment, but the seizure wouldn’t stop easily.

“Instructor Yun Seona! Check his internal condition now!”

Soon, another instructor scanned his body with ultrasound.

“His entire body is convulsing! Why is this happening so suddenly?”

“Administer a sedative now! We’ll take him to the hospital immediately.”

Yoo Deokmin was taken to the hospital and couldn’t return to school.

The sudden convulsion and fainting was shocking, but to me, it signaled the inevitable effect of the red powder.

That powder drains an Aeger’s magical power and depletes their physical strength. It’s obvious what happens to an overheated body after complete exhaustion.

“He brought it upon himself.”

Though it’s sad, he’s facing the consequences of his own actions.

Yoo Deokmin will probably never be able to use Aeger abilities again. Plus, he’ll be investigated for the red powder and his life will be ruined.

With this incident, all of Thursday’s schedule came to an end. Even setting aside Yoo Deokmin’s seizure, there was much to be done.

First, Geum Dohyeon had won against Bang Seokcheon. With this alone, we gained the upper hand in the power game.

Now we needed to approach the “good” seniors—those who didn’t follow Bang Seokcheon’s directives.

“Senior, honestly, there’s no reason for second and first-years to be like this.”

I went around persuading seniors who I knew had good personalities.

On Saturday, I even arranged meetings with seniors.

This included Senior Yumi and Junghyeon, whom I had previously mentioned were kind.

And most importantly, someone who could push out Bang Seokcheon and take over the hegemony among the second-years:

Ju Ara.

A talented sidekick who would later join the Magician Guild.

However, in her second year, she hadn’t yet fully blossomed in her abilities.

She always made mistakes in actual combat, causing third-year seniors to get angry.

Then there’s Senior Hochang, who’s quite skilled in the combat team. He also makes a name for himself in the third year. He has a rather generous personality too.

I approached these people.

During the weekend, I diligently planned social gatherings and met with them.

“Honestly, I don’t understand why we’re fighting.”

I expressed my true feelings in front of the second-year seniors.

Without Bang Seokcheon’s unnecessary actions, there would be no problem.

And many people sympathized with this.

“Bang Seokcheon is skilled but annoying. He must have learned his lesson this time, so I’ll try to persuade him.”

Senior Hochang nodded, and so did Senior Ju Ara.

“I don’t know how much help I can be, but I’ll try to stop him.”

Yes, this is how it should be. After busy meetings throughout the weekend, the third week of November began.

From Monday, we witnessed an ominous scene.

Dokgo Jun from the White Dragon Guild had arrived.

“What’s this? Did he come to watch again?”

I thought he might have come to see Seol Yuhwa, but the situation was more serious than I expected.

The entire second-year class was summoned to the auditorium, with instructors standing by in each classroom. They distributed questionnaires.

Like military “letters from the heart,” they were asked to write about the bullying they had experienced.

Why was the White Dragon Guild suddenly involved?

But then I remembered Seol Yuhwa. Could this be why she asked for materials?

And to think the White Dragon Guild would intervene. I knew the three major guilds and elders provided significant support to the school’s operations, but I never expected them to come like this.

During lunch, we too were called to the auditorium.

What I saw there were second-year students hanging their heads like criminals and Dokgo Jun standing on the platform.

After we all took our seats, Dokgo Jun pointed at the second-years.

“Why do you think we participate in and provide so much help to the academy? Thirty years ago, we fought monsters without proper education. The level of monsters then was low, but our level was also low, resulting in numerous casualties. My colleagues, my friends, my family died senselessly. It turns out they died because they couldn’t perform simple magical conversion or amplification.”

Dokgo Jun’s face was filled with anger.

“So we decided to create a proper educational curriculum. Basic operations and systematic education. We established theories through our own physical experiences. To prevent further sacrifices. The former principal and most of the founding members here would understand this intention. But… I found something appalling.”

At this moment, I could feel the second-year students shrinking back.

“Seniors guide juniors, and juniors follow seniors. This is based on mutual cooperation, respect, and understanding. Blindly oppressing with violence and bullying because you’re a senior? That’s garbage. It’s a type that shouldn’t exist on the battlefield! And this is happening in this academy? This academy doesn’t exist for that purpose!”

Dokgo Jun’s thundering voice struck not just our ears but the entire auditorium.

“Who gave you such authority? To inflict pain through selfish bullying? This goes against our beliefs, no, the academy’s beliefs. The responsibility is not light. Second-years, you’ve seen the bullying videos, right? Those directly involved with Bang Seokcheon at the center and the second-years who supported them.”

Now, like an executioner’s blade, the verdict was being delivered.

“As a member of this academy’s board of directors and a founding patron, I don’t care how many there are. Everyone involved is expelled. This has already been agreed upon with other patrons. It won’t be reversed. Everyone out.”

Shocking and terrifying news was delivered.

Even I, who heard it directly, was left with my mouth agape.

No, I thought only Bang Seokcheon’s group would be expelled, but everyone involved?

It was a terrifyingly decisive method of handling the situation. Crying could be heard from various places as Dokgo Jun left.

And from today, an incredible event occurred where 60% of the second-year students were expelled.