Ch.92Hard Work, Civil Servant – 1

B grade…? The measurement result is B grade?

I thought I misheard. My goodness, is this even possible?

‘You even fought with the Elder!’

I thought the examiner was playing a joke.

Right. It must be a joke. How could I possibly get a B grade?

…Wait. Is the examiner the type to play such jokes?

‘No. The examiner isn’t that type of person.’

Right. The examiner isn’t someone who would joke about something like this.

I can see it in their expression. They understand what I don’t.

But this is real. The re-measurement result really is B grade.

“Examiner, is there any possibility that the measurement result is wrong…?”

“That’s why I did the re-measurement three times? Ah, maybe four times. I think I’ve seen about that many.”

Ah. I see. Of course, as someone who works in the ability measurement department.

If the measurement result was strange, the examiner would have been the first to file an objection.

‘So that means you really are B grade.’

Does this make any sense? How can a B grade fight against an S grade, the Elder?

I still can’t forget that day. The examiner fiercely wielding their sword against the Elder.

I can still see the examiner refusing to back down even while splattering blood.

My father also said it. That Seojin Baek would become the new S grade.

That Chairman Minseong Kang’s eye was never wrong. That it was a joyous occasion for South Korea!

But the result was B grade. They didn’t even receive an A grade.

‘If there was a problem, the examiner would have been the first to be displeased.’

I studied the examiner’s face. They look extremely calm.

It’s the reaction of someone who knew this would happen. That’s where I started to wonder.

The measurement record came out strangely compared to the effort and results the examiner has shown so far.

I thought they would naturally be displeased.

But that person was just wearing a relaxed smile.

“Are you okay?”

So without realizing it, I asked such a question.

I immediately worried that I might be disturbing the examiner who was just managing to collect their emotions.

But it was already a question I had thrown out there.

Just as I was starting to worry more about whether I had been rude,

“Why? Because the grade came out low? Not at all. There’s no problem with having a low grade. It doesn’t erase the fact that I fought with the Elder. And there are witnesses like student Hana Kang.”

There’s no problem with having a low grade.

The examiner’s words made a part of my heart twinge.

All ability users in the world stake their lives on their grades. Even I did so.

Higher grades mean greater benefits and better treatment.

With a low grade, regardless of age or gender, one must be prepared for ridicule and contempt.

That’s why people constantly strive and try to achieve more accomplishments and merits.

Although some criticize the grade-obsessed system, in the end, grades are everything.

I thought criticizing that was absurd in itself.

People have low grades because they don’t work hard enough.

It’s like the final struggle of those who aren’t up to standard.

I recalled my past when I would just ignore such comments.

“Rather, I’ve learned my limits early, so I’ll just have to work harder. Isn’t this good too? Even a B grade can fight against an S grade if they put their life on the line and do their best!”

Instead of saying “if your grade is low, just live accordingly,”

“If your grade is low, work harder. Then you might surpass your limits.”

The examiner’s suggestion of that possibility was very impressive.

‘…I see. They mean, don’t be bound by grades…’

I felt dazed, as if I’d been hit on the back of the head with a club.

When everyone in the world is obsessed with ‘grades,’ the examiner was looking further ahead!

They were cautioning against a situation where means and ends become confused!

Grades are just one line dividing skill levels, not the goal itself.

Not working hard just to have a high grade.

But having the skill to overcome any situation after painful effort.

Grades follow secondarily afterward, that’s what they seemed to be saying.

‘I envy them.’

I heard they went through difficult times in the past.

Despite that, I envied the examiner who could maintain such a composed attitude.

At the same time, suddenly, I had this foolish thought.

That I really envied Soohyun, who seemed to be very close to Examiner Seojin Baek.

*

“I heard the news. The result came out as B grade.”

When I nodded, Hakjun Ma nodded with a “hmm.”

I wonder if this person also thinks I’m hiding something?

‘…Probably high chances of that.’

From what I heard, Hakjun Ma was well acquainted with Hyuk Kwak.

A junior with excellent skills who would take responsibility for the future, they say.

The problem was that while his skills were excellent, his personality and character were flawed.

Full of arrogance and pride, he was defeated by Rina Lee, who was a high school girl at the time.

Naturally, Hyuk Kwak went crazy and fell into a path of corruption.

And then he immediately quit his position as an ability user and appeared as the Elder.

“Are you disappointed?”

“No. Not at all.”

To say I wasn’t disappointed, my expression management was a complete mess.

They say there’s no point in telling a lie that will be discovered anyway.

So when I answered honestly, Hakjun Ma smiled with a “heh.”

“Is that so? Yes, I suppose you would be.”

The way he nods and speaks like that suggests he knows something.

There’s no way Hakjun Ma would know about my characteristics.

He’s probably slightly misunderstanding something else.

“Sometimes there are people like that. Those who show overwhelming strength in practical situations.”

Yes. Like that. Well, that’s a reasonable misunderstanding.

At that level, I can just go along with it.

“You’re saying I’m that type of case.”

“In my view, one hundred percent. Otherwise, you couldn’t have fought with the Elder like that. Hyuk Kwak, the Water Ghost. Even though he’s arrogant, he’s definitely not the type to be careless.”

That was certainly true. While there was still an underlying feeling of looking down on me,

There was almost no sign of carelessness or arrogance.

The defeat by Rina must have been truly painful for him.

“Natural talent for practical situations. That alone is enough. What does it matter if you’re B grade or any other grade? It’s actually better this way. If your grade had come out high, it would have been very troublesome for you. If that happened, it would be difficult to maintain your position as an examiner.”

After saying that, Hakjun Ma gestured. As if telling me to come closer.

As I stepped forward, he handed me a folder that was on the table.

The first word visible on the first page was none other than ‘Academy Related Regulations’.

Wondering why he was suddenly showing this to me, I looked at Hakjun Ma.

Did I do something wrong again? Is there a problem?

“Open it.”

Following Hakjun Ma’s words, I obediently opened the folder.

Inside were several A4 papers filled with small, densely written text.

He must have handed me the folder with the intention of having me read the contents.

So, as Hakjun Ma wanted, I slowly read through the text…

“…Principal?”

No way, this?!

“What do you think? As you can see from those regulations, you don’t necessarily have to be affiliated with a government agency on dispatch to hold the qualification of an Academy examiner. If you ‘want’ it, that is.”

In short, he means for me to move positions and become a permanent Academy examiner.

His intention to tell me not to suffer by being tied to a civil servant position is revealed.

“If you have an attachment to that position, there’s nothing I can do, but as you know, being a civil servant is more strict than you might think. In the future, when you work as an examiner, that position might actually become troublesome for you.”

Indeed, I had been feeling that aspect bit by bit from before.

Simply put, the need to focus solely and thoroughly on examinations.

The tension that one misstep could lead to another complaint and become tiresome.

And the lack of belonging that comes from being an outsider.

“From my perspective, Examiner Seojin Baek, you consider that position your calling. You probably plan to stay as long as possible, until all the students at the Academy achieve ‘Silver’.”

“…That’s pretty much correct.”

“Then move your affiliation to the Academy side. It will be more comfortable. You won’t need to be mindful of your department, and now you can also get along well with the Academy faculty.”

And even if you become closer to some students,

It would be less problematic than when you were in your previous civil servant position.

Hakjun Ma spoke as if he knew about my relationship with some of the students.

“Hmm.”

I fell into contemplation. Honestly, the very act of contemplating is a bit ridiculous.

This isn’t a proposal that disadvantages me. Rather, it’s entirely for my benefit.

I could immediately say, “Yes! I’ll quit this damn civil servant job and transfer to the Academy!”

The ability measurement department won’t collapse just because I’m gone.

To be honest, rather than accumulating good memories, I just wanted to escape as soon as possible.

‘But still, the reason I find myself unconsciously hesitating is….’

Probably due to the influence of the original owner of this body, whom I don’t remember.

Thinking about it now, I don’t know what Seojin Baek was thinking when he became a civil servant.

At first, I thought he chose it because it was the only way to make a living.

But as time passed, I began to think that might not be the whole story.

The moment I think “Let’s quit being a civil servant,” both my body and mind hesitate.

This hesitation, which even I can’t explain, might be evidence of that.

“Principal.”

“Have you decided? Speak freely. You can follow my suggestion, or you can do as you wish.”

Yes. I’ve decided. Despite the inexplicable hesitation that keeps raising its head.

Taking everything into account, I organized my thoughts and answered Hakjun Ma.

“…I would be grateful if you could move my affiliation to the Academy.”

“Really?”

“Yes. To be honest, being a civil servant is too hard.”

It’s a regrettable thing for the past Seojin Baek, the original owner of this body.

It feels like erasing the last trace of his existence in this world.

But now, I am Seojin Baek. Seojin Baek is me.

And I, the current Seojin Baek, am more suited for the position of the Silver grade examiner at the Academy than being a civil servant.

“By the way, before I quit, there’s something I want to resolve.”

“Resolve?”

There’s an old-fashioned jerk I want to torment a bit.