Ch.6565. Dissonance

During the first in-person class, the advanced class was extremely quiet. It wasn’t that they didn’t have troublemakers like the lower class, but they were more cautious.

Bang Seokchan, the problem student Doh Jonghyun had mentioned, observed the third-year students.

‘Go Jiyun, In Yeseul. Those frustrating ones are finally leaving.’

He glared at the two skilled third-years.

As Cho Sunghee had said, the third-year class was a poor crop. Besides Go Jiyun and In Yeseul, there weren’t many notable students. Moreover, they were mild-mannered, making this year’s third-year class generally quiet.

Bang Seokchan couldn’t understand them.

‘I’m grateful they stopped the third-years from causing trouble last year. But honestly, discipline is necessary. Isn’t it obvious when people are dying and getting hurt?’

He disliked the academy’s atmosphere. It was hard to find the typical strict hierarchy, and the founders didn’t want it either.

Bang Seokchan was constantly bothered that first-years didn’t show respect to second-years.

‘Damn, these first-year brats just stare blankly at their seniors even during the protection period. They should be bowing their heads on sight. We can’t even get proper respect as seniors, and they’re all laughing? Where did they learn this? I need to change it.’

The third-years would endure just one more month in September before disappearing to deal with employment issues.

‘This academy has been attacked twice, so half-measures won’t work. We need to intervene actively.’

Bang Seokchan was waiting for that moment—the time to act and change the academy’s atmosphere.

That’s why he was watching the first-years with eagle eyes.

His gaze was already focused on a girl with flowing red hair.

While most students at the academy were Asian, there were definitely foreigners too.

Among those foreigners was Ariel, a girl with a particularly provocative and striking appearance.

This first-year genius was already known among the second and third-years.

He had witnessed Ariel defeating an A-class monster with a gram in her hand.

“Is that Ariel?”

“Damn, she’s amazing.”

“Wow. She’s stronger than us.”

Ariel was already stronger than the advanced class’s Go Jiyun and In Yeseul.

Considering that those two were graduating while Ariel still had two and a half years left, it was impossible to imagine how much further she would grow.

‘Hmm. As expected of someone raised on Western food, she looks good.’

While contentedly watching Ariel, their eyes met.

“Huh?”

“What are you looking at, idiot!”

Bang Seokchan was shocked by Ariel’s irritation, despite him being a second-year.

‘Such a rude girl. Damn, just because she has some skill…’

But even at this point, Ariel was already stronger than Bang Seokchan.

She wasn’t someone he could confidently challenge.

‘The more arrogant the girl, the more fun she is to see in bed.’

Bang Seokchan greedily licked his lips, but it was beside the point. Ariel was exempt from his discipline establishment for now.

But there was one more person Bang Seokchan considered off-limits.

“Is that Seol Yuhwa? The one recruited by the White Dragon Guild.”

“With the White Dragon Guild backing her, she’s untouchable.”

Before his eyes appeared a beauty who elegantly controlled and ultimately destroyed a monster step by step.

Long hair reaching her waist, a calm beauty with thick eyebrows.

‘These first-years are pretty good this time.’

And Yoo Jia, the bob-cut girl who had rushed at the rude Ariel earlier, was also quite skilled. Overall, they were all impressive.

‘If I mess with someone the White Dragon Guild has declared they’ll recruit, it could affect my employment. Seol Yuhwa is off-limits too.’

He thoroughly evaluated the first-years and categorized who could be targeted.

Despite his foolishness, he wasn’t the type to randomly enforce strict discipline.

After the girls, his attention turned to Gu Sangheon and Geum Dohyun. The girls were strong, but those two were equally formidable.

They were already stronger than him.

‘What’s going on? Why are there so many strong students in this year’s first-year class?’

Even just looking at the monster simulation, there were talented individuals everywhere.

‘And they’re systematically hunting monsters? Already?’

First-years typically fought monsters with brute force.

Both his class and the third-years had many who used forceful approaches.

But this year’s first-years seemed to counter monsters “systematically.”

Carefully targeting weaknesses.

‘Impressive.’

He had no way of knowing this was due to Doh Jonghyun’s influence.

However, Bang Seokchan kept his eye on Geum Dohyun.

‘That bastard… already playing with his gang?’

Uniquely among the others, Geum Dohyun was seen leading a few people.

‘Oh?’

This appearance was something different to Bang Seokchan.

Even in the history before regression, Geum Dohyun had been notable for leading his own organization like this.

‘That looks promising.’

Despite small changes, the main current flowed unchanged.

Bang Seokchan looked forward to the next joint training.

*

Why are these guys suddenly looking for someone?

“Me?” I answered from behind, causing the second-year seniors from the lower class to turn around hastily.

“What the hell, where did this bastard pop up from?”

“Don’t you greet your seniors?”

“…”

What nonsense? These guys keep talking rubbish. I already greeted them when we met, what more do they want? Ah, I get it. They’re picking a fight with this atmosphere.

“Ah, yes. But what’s the matter?”

“Huh? Look at his attitude.”

“Hey, we have business with you, so come with us. You don’t have the right to refuse.”

The two grabbed my shoulders and moved me.

They keep talking unnecessarily when they could just go. I’m not curious at all, people.

“You, kid. You’ve already been marked.”

“Are you really dating Ariel? Why?”

“Look at how disrespectful he is. Is the academy a joke?”

Ah… hearing lines I’ve heard before is so tiresome.

Suppressing a yawn, I’m taken to a space behind the academy.

A typical spot conducive to school violence.

There, seniors I don’t want to acknowledge, including Gu Jeongyul, were gathered.

“Hey, did you see him earlier?”

“What do you need?”

“‘What do you need?’ Wow, our junior is so scary I’m afraid to call him. Hey, are you crazy?”

The guy immediately kicks my joint.

“Argh!”

I screamed in pain as my leg nearly broke.

“Hey! Gu Jeongyul. This guy doesn’t even have a summoned spirit.”

“No summoned spirit? So this is the famous guy without a summoned spirit? From Ariel to this, you’re quite renowned, huh?”

I was touching my ankle in pain, but anger was rising. What is this from day one? Just when I thought I might get less attention.

“Hey, do you look down on your seniors? Do you look down on your seniors?”

“The school atmosphere is about to change. Consider this early adaptation. Hahaha.”

Hearing that annoying laugh, I stood up abruptly.

“If that’s all, can I go now?”

“What? Huh… are you crazy? Is this guy really insane?”

Their voices became vicious and their expressions turned ugly.

Many people don’t understand why I’m being so defiant when I can’t fight here, but the reason will soon become apparent.

“Are you planning to do more?”

“Yes, yes, our junior. Yeah, damn, now that I think about it, I want to beat you more! You’re confirmed as the punching bag in my heart!”

Gu Jeongyul’s arm swung, but the attack didn’t reach me. Instead, Gu Jeongyul screamed as someone grabbed his wrist.

“Aagh!”

“What are you doing, Gu Jeongyul!”

“Uh… you are…”

Next to Gu Jeongyul was a newly appointed security guard.

I have a 24-hour protection program activated.

This is pointless, seniors. It’s already too late.

“Becoming a second-year and setting a bad example instead of being a role model!”

“No… that’s not…”

“All of you, come with me!”

In the end, the ones trying to discipline others ended up being disciplined themselves and punished.

Protection program… if used well, it might be good for the second semester.

*

Yoo Deokmin returned from school. An extremely quiet house.

His mother was quietly doing dishes in the living room.

But something was off about her appearance.

Band-aids were stuck all over her body, and her forearms were bruised.

“I’m home.”

At Yoo Deokmin’s words, his mother startled.

“D-Deokmin, you’re back?”

His mother watched him nervously. Around the house were signs of things broken and shattered.

“…”

Yoo Deokmin moved to his room.

And roughly closed the door.

[Congratulations on first place.]

“Congratulations on first place? You think you’re so great?”

Yoo Deokmin struck the already cracked wall again. The crack widened, becoming more precarious.

“Damn… I’m better than you! What’s with that attitude of being above me! Trash! Acting like you’re the best!”

Since school started, Yoo Deokmin had been waiting for this moment. In battles of intellect, he was always in the second tier among the gifted.

‘The real test is actual combat.’

Yoo Deokmin was now truly confident in real combat.

Because he had awakened true strength with the power of the red powder.

[This powder is an experimental drug from the association. It awakens human potential. Mr. Yoo Deokmin, don’t you want to confirm your potential?]

Yoo Deokmin believed the drug had awakened his true power.

‘This was my real strength all along. Yes, I’m not meant for just the lower class.’

In the lower class, he was always intimidated and overshadowed by Min Gangsu.

What always comforted his loneliness was studying. He had exceptional intelligence since middle school.

If he could excel in studies, he could secure a position as an analyst or something.

But what he experienced in the first semester was the monster named Doh Jonghyun.

Knowledge and judgment that couldn’t be caught up with no matter how hard he tried.

The attitude that commanded even the difficult advanced class. Strength that could break Min Gangsu’s pressure from Geum Dohyun’s gang.

To Yoo Deokmin, Doh Jonghyun was an object of envy and admiration.

But the red powder changed him.

It gave him confidence, physique, strength. Everything.

That’s why he looked forward to confronting Doh Jonghyun.

‘Doh Jonghyun has nothing but knowledge anyway.’

As Doh Jonghyun had worried, the superiority of knowledge disappears once second and third-years enter the picture.

Second and third-years will guide the first-years with knowledge surpassing Doh Jonghyun’s.

The structure is that second and third-years teach what instructors can’t cover in detail.

First semester is adaptation. Second semester is the real learning ground.

Doh Jonghyun’s knowledge was just using second and third-year knowledge early in the first semester.

Why did the department head recommend dropping out? Because Doh Jonghyun’s strengths shown in the first semester would disappear over time.

Somehow he got through with help from Ariel and Eun Serin, but from the second semester, even Doh Jonghyun would struggle.

‘But not knowing his own situation, he congratulates me for getting first place? Acting so high and mighty.’

That’s what bothered him.

Doh Jonghyun has no summoned spirit and relies on reinforced suits.

A pitiful human with a predicted future. But what about Yoo Deokmin himself?

Having awakened his potential, his future is bright.

And he finally succeeded in surpassing Doh Jonghyun in the simulation, which he couldn’t win even once throughout the first semester.

He wanted to feel superior by beating Doh Jonghyun, but all he got was congratulations.

There was no special reaction.

‘You lost to me, Doh Jonghyun. But what’s with that attitude? You’re looking down on me. Not even seeing me as a competitor, thinking it was just luck.’

Thinking of Doh Jonghyun who didn’t know his place, Yoo Deokmin pounded roughly with his fist.

The wall was already dented and continued to be dented.

“Deokmin!”

At that moment, his mother, unable to bear it anymore, opened the door.

“I told you not to open the door! Why? Your son is doing well!”

“Please, stop destroying the house! You’ve been so strange lately, haven’t you?”

“Stop it! I’m already strong. You know? I’m the strongest in my class. Your son is doing well, so why!”

“Deokmin… please calm down for your mother’s sake. You weren’t originally like this. Our Deokmin was a good child.”

Seeing his mother’s tearful plea, Yoo Deokmin looked at the wall he had just destroyed.

A horrific scene—he didn’t know what to say to the landlord.

With his anger finally subsiding, Yoo Deokmin went outside.

“Anyway, one of the three major guilds will take me, so it doesn’t matter.”

“Three major guilds?”

“Yes. Because they’re watching me.”

Yoo Deokmin lied so nonchalantly. No one was watching him, but he belatedly regretted his actions.

“I can earn enough to pay for this house easily. I was just a bit angry today.”

Yoo Deokmin managed a smile.

‘Anyway, I’m the best in the lower class now. Doh Jonghyun, your showing off won’t last long.’

Yoo Deokmin was burning with anger toward Doh Jonghyun.