Ch.32Episode 7. Joint Class Sparring (5)

“Finally, it’s my turn. I’ve been waiting with bated breath!”

I approached Gu Yeonhwa, who was speaking boldly with her arms crossed, and whispered in her ear.

“Yeonhwa, how long can you maintain your ability at maximum output?”

“I have unlimited stamina—gack!”

“Tell me the truth.”

I pulled her ear. When I let go, she rubbed it vigorously while glaring at me with a grimace.

“Ow, that hurts!”

“It was meant to hurt. So, what’s the answer?”

“W-well… at maximum output? Thanks to you, instructor, my endurance has improved a lot lately, but even in peak condition, one minute would be my limit.”

“Good. Then use your ability as if you’re trying to subdue a villain.”

“What? N-no… if I do that, the opponent could get seriously hurt.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be watching carefully.”

I spoke confidently.

Yujin’s peripheral vision and movement were unrivaled in the series. I was confident I could protect the students in any situation.

“I’ve been thinking, Instructor, are you secretly a narcissist?”

I was dumbfounded by Yeonhwa’s words.

Her boldness in looking me straight in the eye and speaking so frankly was commendable. However.

*Thwack!*

“Oww!”

“You just keep asking for it, don’t you?”

She pressed both hands against the spot where I had flicked her forehead, tears welling in her eyes.

“At this rate, I’ll really become an idiot!”

“You already are an idiot.”

“Wow… that was harsh!!”

Ignoring her tearful expression, I continued.

“Anyway, if it looks like your opponent might get seriously hurt, I’ll step in. So think of your opponent as a villain and use your ability with the intent to completely subdue them.”

“I have no idea what you’re thinking, saying things like that.”

This is a kind of gamble.

Not knowing how many are hiding among us, we have no choice but to continue these matches until we filter them all out.

That raises a question.

If Akcheon organization members are mixed in, what “purpose” do they have for infiltrating Class A?

The only information we can gather from these matches is about abilities.

Are they trying to assess the current ability levels of the special students?

Or are they trying to assassinate the special class students before they become heroes?

I’m pretty sure it’s not the latter.

Currently, Akcheon is expanding its ranks.

Having failed to recruit me, they wouldn’t give up on the special class students.

I don’t know what Akcheon’s goal is yet, but for now, I’ll pretend I don’t notice.

I looked at Kang Sohee being treated among the medical staff.

The strength Sohee showed in her match with Jung Iyeon was at a professional level.

In other words, she’s either truly an exceptional talent or an experienced Akcheon operative with field experience.

If it’s the latter, there’s a possibility that another special Akcheon operative is involved.

The “Disguiser.”

I suspect the Disguiser’s involvement because of Sohee’s appearance.

I don’t know what Sohee looks like, but Iyeon does.

Iyeon called out to Sohee and faced her without suspicion.

However, during their match, Iyeon questioned her skills. The instructor also said it was the first time seeing her like that.

This suggests that while she looks like Sohee on the outside, she might be someone else entirely.

The Disguiser has the ability to change not only their own appearance but others’ as well.

Honestly, I want to grab Sohee right now, but with the Disguiser involved, I can’t move rashly.

If we don’t catch the Disguiser, this pattern of threats will continue.

We noticed this time because it was Iyeon’s acquaintance, but what if it had been someone none of us in the special class knew?

We could have been attacked without even realizing Akcheon was right beside us.

So before that happens, we need to catch the Disguiser who has started to move.

The good news is that the Disguiser must be quite close. They would need to be nearby to maintain their ability.

They’re probably hiding within Class A. Or perhaps lurking around the arena.

First, I need to gather information.

“I think there are some rebels mixed in. I’m trying to sort them out.”

“Rebels! Gasp! Could it be that evil forces have appeared at the academy?! Finally, it’s my turn to step up! I understand! I’ll burn them all with full power!”

Her enthusiasm seemed a bit misdirected, but it didn’t matter now. I needed to use whatever I could.

“I’ll give you a signal. If I say ‘take it easy,’ just pressure your opponent during the match. If I say nothing, go with the intent to completely subdue them.”

“Yes! Yes! I’ll do exactly that! It feels like we’re on a secret mission—I’m so excited!”

Yeonhwa spoke with the excitement of a child thrilled by a new toy.

“The operation code name should be ‘Yujin’!”

“This isn’t a game, you know.”

“I know that~!”

Is she really going to be okay…?

Watching her walk toward the Class A spectator seats with a smile, I was filled with worry.

As soon as she stood before them, she raised her index finger high and shouted.

“Whoever wants to get their ass kicked, come forward first!”

…She’ll be fine, right?

Class A students looked at each other after Yeonhwa’s unexpected performance, then burst into laughter.

“This crazy cosplay girl has lost her mind.”

“What’s your problem, you crazy bitch.”

“I’m thinking of joining the special class too. It must be fun hanging out with those weirdos.”

“Hey. Stop running your mouths and come forward. You cowards who can only talk behind backs.”

Unlike her usual self, Yeonhwa lowered her voice and became serious, causing the expressions of the Class A students who had been dismissing her to harden.

Rather than being scared, they seemed displeased by her dismissive tone.

“I’ll do it.”

A broad-shouldered male student stood up.

His muscles were too developed to be what a twenty-year-old would normally have. Was he on steroids?

Judging by appearances, he seems like a physical type.

I wonder what ability he has.

Even if he’s a muscle-bound gym rat, there’s no guarantee his skill is physical, so I’ll have to see for myself.

And so the match is set.

“The special class girls have gotten so arrogant lately. Today, I’ll specially educate—”

“Silence. Do not speak before the Dark Wizard Magician. Inferior human.”

“What?”

“Even your brain seems to be made of muscle! You’re the one who needs education!”

“Y-you bitch…!”

The male student’s face turned red with anger at the childish psychological warfare before the match even began. He roughly exhaled as he picked up a greatsword.

Seeing this, Yeonhwa merely sneered.

“Ah… now that all restrictions are lifted, I am the strongest. Let me show you the difference in our power.”

“Excessive use of abilities will be penalized. Now, begin!”

As soon as Instructor Kang Cheon raised his hand, the male student charged toward Yeonhwa.

“Die!!”

Her right eye turned golden.

“I told you. I am the strongest. ‘Black Dragon Cannon.'”

Black flames gathered in Yeonhwa’s hands and erupted outward.

The male student’s face filled with dismay as the black flames, shaped like a dragon’s head, approached him.

*BOOM!*

The black flames exploded upon contact with his sword.

“Instructor Yujin! Isn’t this excessive use of ability?!”

“It’s fine.”

I saw it before the male student was engulfed in flames. The way his skin changed unnaturally.

His ability must be “Hardening.”

It’s an ability more advantageous for defense than offense, so he won’t die from one hit.

As I expected, he emerged from the dust cloud that rose like cumulus clouds. But his body was already in tatters.

There were marks all over his skin.

This guy isn’t from Akcheon. His level is too low.

“Yeonhwa, take it easy.”

“Aww~!”

He swung his greatsword to threaten Yeonhwa, but she easily dodged by stepping back. The edge of her frill was slightly cut off.

He aimed for her neck with consecutive attacks. However, Yeonhwa blocked the greatsword with her palm as embers flared up. The part of the greatsword she grabbed began to melt.

“Is that all you’ve got? Make this more fun for me!”

Before the male student could withdraw his greatsword, Yeonhwa dove in and placed her hand on his side.

“‘Fireball.'”

“Gack!”

The sphere that emerged from Yeonhwa’s palm struck the male student’s side and exploded.

*BOOM!*

His hardening completely shattered as he flew all the way to the boundary wall of the arena. The male student lay sprawled on the floor, lifeless. A large blister had formed on his side.

This is the true difference in ability between the special class and Class A.

After all, the special class students have S-grade potential.

The medical staff hurriedly came to check his condition.

Fortunately, his condition wasn’t serious, as his complexion improved quickly.

“You took it easy, right?”

“Of course. If I had gone all out, all his organs would have been burned to a crisp.”

“I see. Well done.”

As I was praising Yeonhwa, Kang Chan approached.

“Instructor Yujin, wasn’t that attack a bit excessive?”

Is he talking about the Black Dragon Cannon or whatever it was?

It certainly had quite strong output.

It was powerful enough to neutralize a hardening ability refined enough to be proudly in Class A in one go. If it hadn’t been a defensive-type ability, that output might have killed him.

“Not at all. This is more practical. The experience of fighting with full power will be a great driving force for the students’ growth.”

Growth is just a pretext.

I needed to let them run wild a bit more to make the infiltrators move.

“What if a situation arises that you can’t stop?”

“It’ll be fine. I’m watching over them. If it looks like someone might die, I’ll step in, so there’s no need to worry.”

If they don’t fight with full power, we won’t be able to tell the difference.

There’s a fundamental gap between active villains and academy students who are still rookies.

Half-measures would only help their act.

“Next is Yu Ari’s turn.”

“Y-yes…”

Yu Ari, who had been sitting quietly on the bench, switched places with Yeonhwa.

“Did you see? Do it like me! Senior Yu Ari!”

“Y-yeah. I’ll try…”