Chapter 39 : Promotion Match (2)

“A promotion match, huh? I heard those existed, but I didn’t expect to see one in our batch during the first semester…”

“That’s probably why they’re challenging now. It’s only been about a month and a half since we entered, so they’re thinking there’s not a huge difference between us.”

“True, even our seniors only had promotion matches during the first semester of their first year, and never again after that.”

Due to the challenge issued by Yang Woobin and Fuyuno Tsubaki, the promotion match naturally became a hot topic among the cadets of the Jincheon class.

“So? Who got chosen for the match?”

This curiosity came from the fact that promotion matches were structured so that a cadet from the Beom class challenged one from the Jincheon class.

“From what I heard, it’s the lowest-ranked cadet in Jincheon… who was it again? Oh right, Choi Ingyu? Him and… Han Yujin. Those two got picked.”

“Han Yujin?! That Han Yujin got challenged? By some Beom class nobody?”

When the names of the selected cadets were mentioned, one Jincheon cadet was so shocked he repeated the names to his friend.

“Yeah. I checked this morning.”

“Hah, unbelievable…”

When the nod came as confirmation, the Jincheon cadet let out a half-laugh in disbelief, his mouth slightly open.

“To think they’re actually challenging Han Yujin…”

That reaction was understandable—because Han Yujin, one of the two chosen, was a well-known and skilled figure even within the elite Jincheon class.

“No matter how reckless someone is, you’d think they’d value their life. How could they possibly think of going up against Han Yujin? What, are they trying to put ‘fought Han Yujin’ on their résumé or something?”

“Yeah, well… if they mess with Han Yujin, they might end up crippled before they ever get to submit that résumé. Is that really worth it?”

“Anyway, this is gonna be fun to watch.”

“Right? I’m suddenly looking forward to this.”

Though they were already planning to attend the match, hearing that Han Yujin was participating made them even more excited.

“Getting to watch Han Yujin use her abilities while just sitting in the audience…”

“If someone’s managed to earn a challenge right, they must have at least some skills. Don’t you think it might be worth watching? I just hope they can last a few moves against Han Yujin.”

Of course, their anticipation wasn’t for the match itself—it was all about watching Han Yujin show off her skills.

None of the Jincheon cadets believed that the Beom class challengers had even the slightest chance of winning.

And that was only natural.

There was an insurmountable gap in talent and experience between the Beom and Jincheon classes.

“Alright, we should get going. Let’s grab good seats.”

The two cadets, relaxed and expectant, made their way toward the circular arena in Jincheon Hall, eager to witness Han Yujin’s dazzling display of techniques.

***

The Jincheon class promotion match was both a test and an officially sanctioned form of entertainment at the Daecheon Academy.

Because of that, the Beom class challenger and the selected Jincheon cadet had to wait beneath the arena, just like a real colosseum match, and only enter via lift after all the spectators had arrived.

“Haah…”

That wait only made Fuyuno Tsubaki more anxious.

Before entering Jincheon Hall, she’d felt motivated after hearing about the reward she’d receive if she beat Yang Woobin.

But now she was suddenly riddled with anxiety—and for one simple reason.

“Hey, W-Woobin… am I really going to fight this Han Yujin… for real…?”

She had only just found out who her opponent was.

While Yang Woobin had boldly used their challenge right and selected a Jincheon cadet, she had just nodded along, thinking whatever he did was fine.

“Yup. I’ve already told you like three times. Tsubaki, you’re fighting this Han Yujin.”

“Ah… Aah…”

“I mean, I did tell you yesterday after I used the challenge ticket.”

It wasn’t like Yang Woobin hadn’t said anything after using the challenge ticket to pick a Jincheon class cadet.

“I picked Jincheon class rank 15, Han Yujin, and rank 100, Choi Ingyu. So just prepare yourself mentally.”

He had clearly told Fuyuno Tsubaki who he had chosen.

“But when you said you picked rank 15 and 100… I just assumed I’d be fighting the 100th place guy and that you would be fighting the 15th…”

However, since he hadn’t mentioned who would fight whom, Fuyuno Tsubaki naturally assumed she’d be matched with the 100th ranked opponent.

“Huh? Why?”

“Because, because obviously you’re amazing, Woobin.”

To her, Yang Woobin was such a great person that words couldn’t even describe it.

That’s why she thought he must’ve boldly challenged the 15th-ranked cadet from Jincheon class himself.

“Ah, I see. Yeah, I guess that makes sense. I can see how you’d get confused.”

“Hehe, right? So I’m not weird or anything, am I?”

“Nope. Totally understandable. In honor of your confusion, I’ll give you a pat. Come here.”

“Hehehe…”

As Yang Woobin raised his hand, Fuyuno Tsubaki, momentarily forgetting all her worries, bent over with a cheerful smile to receive the pat on the head.

As always, despite his rough appearance, his touch was incredibly delicate, gentle, and kind.

Whenever he touched her like this, she felt a sense of comfort deep in her heart.

“Alright, that’s enough.”

“Hehehe, thanks, Woobin.”

After about two minutes of pats from Yang Woobin, Fuyuno Tsubaki straightened her back with a deeply satisfied smile.

“…Wait, no. That didn’t solve anything!”

Then, three minutes later, realizing that nothing had actually been resolved, she finally pushed back against him.

“What? We cleared up the misunderstanding, didn’t we?”

“Uh… Y-Yeah…”

But since it was Fuyuno Tsubaki, all she could do was nod in agreement to his question.

“Cadet Fuyuno Tsubaki. It’s time to enter the arena.”

Just then, as she’d spent the entire 30-minute wait anxious, then had a brief 5-minute break of happiness from being patted by Woobin, and then got nervous all over again, the staff member in charge of the match announced it was time.

“R-Right now?”

“Yes, now. Please hurry. Everyone is waiting.”

“Ugh… Ah…”

Caught off guard and totally unprepared, Fuyuno Tsubaki fidgeted nervously and glanced at Yang Woobin.

Like a baby owl in front of a giant monster, she looked at him with wide, darting eyes, and he let out a soft chuckle before speaking.

“Tsubaki, this will be the last time.”

“H-Huh? What will happen?”

“The last time you tremble like a coward.”

“What do you mean…?”

Fuyuno Tsubaki couldn’t understand what Yang Woobin meant.

But, just like always, his voice held no doubt, and the trust it carried was enough to settle the storm of anxiety in her chest.

“See you up there.”

This was the underground level of the arena—the place for waiting challengers and losers.

Winners couldn’t return here, so Yang Woobin was telling her to win and meet him up above.

Understanding what he meant, Fuyuno Tsubaki could no longer cower.

His unwavering belief in her always stood firm.

From this moment on, to let her anxiety win would be the same as betraying that belief—so she bit her lip and gave a strong nod.

“I said we don’t have time! Let’s move!”

“S-Sorry! I’m coming…!”

Of course, faced with the grounded urgency of the promotion match staff, even tightly clenched lips were useless.

And so, with the mood she had finally built up now completely shattered, Fuyuno Tsubaki stepped onto the lift.

“When it reaches the top and the gate opens, the promotion match begins immediately. Do your best. Make sure the audience doesn’t regret coming.”

Clunk.

With those spirit-sapping final instructions, the staff member pulled the lever.

Clatter-clatter-clatter…

As the chain wound up and the lift began to rise, Fuyuno Tsubaki placed her hand over her pounding heart.

At first, she thought the fierce beating in her chest was from the usual anxiety and nervousness that had plagued her all her life.

But the closer the lift got to the arena, the more she realized—she was wrong.

“…”

The cause of her racing heartbeat wasn’t fear or tension—it was anticipation.

Amazingly, Fuyuno Tsubaki was now holding an expectation for herself.

She actually believed that she could win—even against the monster ranked 15th in Jincheon class.

“I can do this. I can do this. I can do this.”

Because Yang Woobin had said she could.

Because he had looked her in the eyes, spoken with that same unshakable voice he always used, and told her, “See you up there.”

He had never lied before.

Every word he’d spoken had always come true before her eyes.

So Fuyuno Tsubaki had come to trust his words about her more than her own.

Thunk.

When the lift finally arrived and came to a stop at the arena, there was no longer a coward behind the iron gate.

The only one standing there now was a proud challenger, confident she could win.

“Phew…”

Fuyuno Tsubaki exhaled to steady her excitement, then muttered her own little spell to boost her morale.

“If I win… Woobin’s gonna pat me a whole bunch…!”

Clang—!

At that moment, the iron gate swung open.

[The promotion match begins!!!]

Right after the announcer’s booming voice echoed from the speakers—

CRASHSHSHSHSH!!!

Countless needles, so many they looked like a giant crashing wave, came rushing at Fuyuno Tsubaki before she could even react.