Ch.200Epilogue

Six months had already passed since the villain attack on the World Union Academy.

It was a formidable force with hundreds of villains positioned across various ranks, including multiple Elders.

However, they were crushed by the superpower users who had been waiting in advance.

Villains still exist in the world. But they no longer boast the same influence as before.

Partly because they lost many forces after pouring them into the academy attack.

Unlike the past when there wasn’t much difference, now the gap between them and superpower users has widened.

Except for occasional troublemaking, they’ve been reduced to the level of ordinary criminals.

And today, the first semester of the Union Academy officially began.

Unlike the completion ceremony six months ago, without any unfortunate incidents,

The Union Academy was able to announce its beginning that would surely leave a clear footprint.

“ARGH!”

Hmm! Even friends from other countries who speak different languages!

They all scream the same way when they get hit! Hahaha!

Hyunwoo Lee swung his wooden sword around, unable to contain his excitement.

In front of him, an academy student who had boldly challenged him was now rolling on the ground.

He was rolling so roughly that the watching students couldn’t help but groan.

“Aaah! Aaaah!”

While the student was rolling around in pain, Hyunwoo who had struck him looked completely calm.

From his perspective, it wouldn’t make sense if sparring didn’t hurt.

Rather, his “girlfriend” who rushed out to treat the student seemed more flustered.

“Ah, come on! Hyunwoo, you! Take it easy, I said, take it easy! How many times do I have to tell you?”

“I’m being as gentle as possible, Senior Dasom. What can I do if that guy is too weak!”

“I told you not to say things like that! Everyone’s wearing translators, so…”

It was already too late. Several students who understood Hyunwoo’s words were frowning.

They were all ace students who had been selected from their countries to come here.

So naturally, they reacted to such blatant provocation in front of them.

Among them, some were volunteering to be the next sparring opponent.

“Haah…”

Because of this, Dasom Yoo had to let out a sigh full of irritation and concern.

Was she worried about her boyfriend, Hyunwoo? No, of course not. Why would she worry about that guy?

The reason she was acting this way was because of the students who would soon be face-down on the ground in droves.

And because she would lose all her time with Hyunwoo treating those students.

‘That insensitive jerk. I just want to walk around the academy with him and have a date!’

Not long after defeating the villains during the completion ceremony,

Dasom finally got an answer from Hyunwoo.

The answer to “let’s officially date” and “let’s try being a couple.”

She thought they would finally become a normal girlfriend and boyfriend.

She thought she would now be able to act lovey-dovey like other girls.

In reality, she was just getting stressed because of her boyfriend who still prioritized sparring over his girlfriend.

“Haaah…”

Hana Kang, who had just submitted an application for a magic research club for exchange activities with Magic Class users from around the world.

She was on her way to share this exciting news with Dasom, her close junior.

But seeing the crowd gathered at the training ground, she let out a sigh.

‘So our junior is having another big match.’

Dasom had definitely said she was going to have a date and was in a good mood about it.

Surely he hadn’t forgotten that and was sparring here instead.

Hoping it wasn’t the case, she went to check, but there he was. Hyunwoo was clearly visible.

‘Oh my.’

Hana Kang, holding her forehead, quickly looked for Dasom.

“Dasom. I’m here.”

“You’re here, unnie?”

“Your boyfriend is at it again?”

“Ah, really. That person is driving me crazy!”

Perhaps because they were on the same team, and also because Hana knew Hyunwoo’s personality well,

Dasom grabbed her and started pouring out all kinds of complaints.

Listening to her, Hana suddenly thought of something.

‘The man you chose, so endure it with grit and determination.’ That was the content.

Of course, she only muttered it to herself and didn’t say it out loud.

Even though they were very close, she believed in maintaining certain boundaries.

“Next! I’ll take the next challenger!”

“What do you mean ‘take’! Stop it already!”

“Dasom is right, junior! Listen to us!!”

*

There are two types of students at the Union Academy.

Silver and Bronze. Students who passed the Gatekeeper test, and those who didn’t.

Wouldn’t there be complaints running rampant like at the original Superpower Academy?

Wouldn’t these ace students who passed tests in their own countries have their pride?

“You bastard. Hey. You’re not doing it right. If you disappoint me one more time, I’ll beat you like a villain.”

Not a chance. Just take Rina’s beam, you fools.

Since the rank examiner is already S-rank, students can’t easily express complaints.

And with Rina openly hanging around with me, students have roughly figured it out.

The very important fact that if they get on the wrong side of the examiner, that Yellow Madwoman will go crazy!

And even if it wasn’t for Rina, they would have handled it well on their own.

As proof that they were carefully selected individuals, they were all quite reasonable.

Even when treated a bit harshly, they acknowledged their defeat and promised to work harder.

“Examiner! How long must this continue! We cannot defeat you!”

Ah, of course, there were occasionally guys like him who ran out of patience and spoke up.

“This is not an objective evaluation. It’s not being done against a machine, and clearly the results vary depending on your mood and personal satisfaction!”

Hmm. That’s a complaint with quite reasonable grounds.

Even I nodded along with the surrounding students.

“How dare he speak so freely…”

Now, now, calm down, Soohyun. Okay? Put that sword back and extinguish those flames.

From his perspective, it’s a perfectly valid question to raise. Try to understand.

“You seem to have quite a lot of complaints about my evaluation.”

“Rather than complaints, I’m raising questions. Honestly, don’t you agree, Examiner?”

Yes. I do admit it. About the point that it’s not a 100% objective evaluation.

But you know, student friend? There are still things we need to be clear about.

“Student, you seem to be suggesting that I’m not capable of properly evaluating your level. Is the perception of S-rank so low in your country?”

“N-no, that’s not it!”

S-rank receives tremendous respect anywhere in the world.

Especially in these turbulent times after the great cataclysm!

“Well, I understand. A brilliant scholar isn’t necessarily a brilliant professor, and a brave warrior isn’t necessarily an excellent commander. Yes, I understand your questioning.”

So I told him, let’s try this.

If he could win three or more matches against the Silver students I’ve evaluated here at the Union Academy,

Then I would reconsider and acknowledge the flaws in my evaluation method.

I said I would consider changing to a more objective method.

‘Of course, the chances of that happening are almost zero.’

Currently, there aren’t many who have succeeded in rising to Silver at the Union Academy.

At the forefront are Soohyun, Hyunwoo, Hana, and Dasom.

All people I’ve acknowledged. Friends with plenty of practical experience and good sense.

This student raising questions also has excellent basic skills.

But that’s all. When he meets someone stronger than himself, he’ll break without even being able to resist.

That’s why I’ve kept him at Bronze for now.

So he can learn more. Experience more defeats. And hone himself a bit more.

If he does that, his basic skills will serve as a stepping stone to take him higher.

“…Are you really promising this?”

“Of course. I promise on my honor as an S-rank.”

The student is probably quite troubled right now.

He knows that the students who have risen to Silver are all formidable.

But his pride won’t let him back down now.

Whatever happens, you brought this upon yourself, so I hope you endure it.

This too will become fertilizer that helps you later on.

If you don’t gain anything, then that’s just the limit of your level.

“You.”

As soon as my conversation with the student ended, Soohyun who was standing beside me stepped forward.

“Spar with me.”

“Eh? No, I should be the one to choose my opponent…”

“Fight me. I’m Silver too, why are you avoiding it, Bronze?”

Wow. Soohyun’s provocation skills have really grown.

It seems that her squabbles with Rina have developed more than just her abilities.

“…Fine. Let’s spar.”

Thanks to this, the student also steps forward, saying he’ll do it.

A sudden sparring match in the middle of rank evaluations.

“What’s suddenly happening?”

As if it was break time, Rina, who was acting as an instructor, approached.

Among students, she’s known as the Tyrant Instructor, or Tyranno Instructor.

Certainly a much stronger name than Tiger Instructor. Tyranno. Sounds incredibly powerful.

“And why does his expression look like that? It’s just oozing with the intention to half-kill someone.”

I explained the situation to Rina who was asking again.

A student’s questioning, and Soohyun who got angry at it.

“…He’s going to get beaten badly.”

Yes. I think so too. Soohyun doesn’t seem like she’ll go easy on him.

“But he’s got guts. To directly oppose you, oppa. Ah, I’m getting filled with the desire to torment him a bit during my time?”

My goodness. First Soohyun, and now he’ll have to deal with Rina too.

Student friend. It looks like you’re in for a long, long Bronze life.

KWANG!―

The opposing student gets knocked down just 3 seconds into the match.

Soohyun still with an expression that hasn’t fully calmed down, and Rina cackling while watching her.

Well. It’s a mess as expected.

And that friend is definitely confirmed Bronze again!

– The Silver Gatekeeper –

End