Chapter 41

Chapter 41

I Became the Only Non-mage in the Academy.

Episode 41: Class (1)

After the midterm evaluation, we attended the first class.

“I believe everyone must have had a tough time during this midterm evaluation.”

The Korea Hero Academy had responded swiftly.

Despite the invasion of villains and Mines, if students or teachers sustained injuries, they received compensation and treatment.

“So, the school has decided to change its policy, considering the possibility of future invasions by villains and Mines. Recognizing the boundless potential in those of you who have joined us this time, we have opted to upscale the curriculum.”

Everyone tensed up at Instructor Seo Woo-ju’s announcement.

“The new curriculum will be incredibly harsh compared to the previous one.”

The students’ expressions grew tense upon hearing Instructor Seo Woo-ju’s words.

This was something that usually happened in the second year, yet it was already starting.

‘Does this mean the difficulty has increased?’

There was a chance that some transcendents from the side of good and neutrality might switch to the Mines.

Alternatively, it could mean that the Seven Evils and those above them had grown much stronger.

In the worst-case scenario, both could be true.

Either way, the situation was far from favorable.

“Also, we will experimentally implement team operations. Teams will typically consist of two members each. However, there will be variations based on grades. Moreover, teams may be merged for dungeon explorations based on joint assignments or at the professors’ discretion, so be prepared for that.”

The students’ expressions shifted at Seo Woo-ju’s words.

The lower-ranked students immediately fixed their gazes on me.

In contrast, those who were of high rank like myself turned their attention to Kim Ara, who had been most impressive in the Mine battle.

“Additionally, this is to enhance mutual abilities. Top-ranked students who mentor lower-ranked ones will be generously scored, while lower-ranked students will earn additional points the more they strive to emulate the top-ranked ones.”

The gazes directed at me intensified even further.

“Everyone, think of whom you want to team up with. You must submit your team members by lunchtime today.”

Instructor Seo Woo-ju exited the room after making the announcement.

Thirty minutes remained until the next class.

It was up to the students to decide among themselves.

“I will team up with Kim Ara.”

Hong Yu-hwa declared in a haughty tone.

She glanced not at me but at Ershil.

“Hmm, Hong Yu-hwa, are you also aiming for Kim Ara?”

“Of course.”

It was only natural.

Both Hong Yu-hwa and Ershil were magicians with powerful offensive and support abilities, usually positioned in the rear or middle of a formation.

They desperately needed an excellent vanguard.

Good vanguards were hard to find.

There were mediocre ones, but most were merely meat shields.

Kim Ara was an outstanding vanguard and had also concealed her power, so her rank was only around the 200s.

She was the most coveted partner for top-ranked magicians.

Park Woon-hyuk formed a team with a magician student who followed him.

“Seo-ha, who will you team up with?”

“Me? Well…”

I looked at Kim Seo-hyun, deep in thought.

I had already decided on my partner.

It was Seo Ga-yeon.

Of course, Seo Ga-yeon was still green.

After all, she had only recently awakened her Starlight Magic.

Even if other kids surrounded her, she had the potential to grow well independently, but I felt it was right for me to stay with her and teach her various things.

‘On the other hand, Kim Ara is someone who will grow on her own once she awakens her origin power.’

In fact, others’ interference might be detrimental.

After all, she was the child of the ‘Overlord,’ a solitary existence in this world.

“Still haven’t decided?”

“Yeah, I’m conflicted.”

I followed Kim Seo-hyun’s gaze.

Kim Seo-hyun also seemed troubled, observing the students.

At the end of his gaze was Seo Ga-yeon.

Truth be told, for someone like Kim Seo-hyun, most partners would be a burden.

He was skilled in martial arts, magic, and even knew barrier spells.

Kim Seo-hyun needed a partner who was stronger than himself.

In that regard, I had to be most cautious of Kim Seo-hyun.

His face was delicate.

Androgynous, perhaps?

He was pretty and his small stature evoked a maternal instinct. His abilities were exceptional as well.

He was like a prince, which made me wary around him.

“What? You’re not choosing me, but her?”

A dumbfounded voice echoed.

I turned to see Hong Yu-hwa, Kim Ara, and Ershil. Both Hong Yu-hwa and Ershil looked shocked.

“I’m good enough, right?”

Kim Ara asked, tilting her head with ease.

“Kim Ara is certainly good enough. But when you think about the team dynamic, having two vanguards might not be the best, right?”

Ershil chimed in smoothly.

Yet, her quivering lips betrayed her desperation.

“But she’s not the type to care about team dynamics, is she?”

“…That’s true.”

Ershil conceded reluctantly, nodding.

…Had Kim Ara chosen Kim Seo-hyun?

As I pondered, Kim Ara approached with heavy steps.

Toward me.

“I want to team up with you.”

“…With me?”

“Yes. I’m competent, and my skills outmatch my rank, so I’d make a good partner, wouldn’t I?”

Kim Ara declared confidently.

Her face was stoic, yet a subtle confidence shone through.

She seemed to believe it was only natural for me to pick her.

“Uh…”

Kim Ara would indeed be a strong choice.

If Seo Ga-yeon was the best option for me, Kim Ara was a close second.

“What about me?!”

Seo Ga-yeon interjected suddenly.

“I, I’ve climbed in the rankings this time, but I’m still 700th. But you said it yourself, Seo-ha. I can make it… to the very top.”

“…That’s right.”

“And I’ll work really hard!”

“…”

I knew Seo Ga-yeon would put in the effort.

Before her talent was awakened, her relentless determination was all she had.

“Hmm.”

Ershil smirked playfully.

“Then how about me?”

“You?”

Ershil was now part of the fray.

“But Ershil, you’re ranked third.”

“If Ershil and Lee Seo-ha combine their strengths, the difficulty might become too easy. Then it would be hard to earn points. But the school has raised the curriculum’s level; if it’s the two of us, wouldn’t they assign something very challenging? Then we might be able to earn quite a lot of points?”

…That was a valid point.

In reality, if a team formed with Kim Seo-hyun and Ershil, it would be like experiencing a game difficulty level up.

Although the outcome might be slightly better, one might question if it was worth it, given the increased difficulty level.

However, when Ershil butted in, the eyes of the other two wavered.

I was concerned about Kim Ara’s wavering confidence.

There was a reason I called Kim Ara a loser.

It was because of her loser-like behavior.

If she was rejected here, she would definitely sulk for about half a year.

On the other hand, Seo Ga-yeon still couldn’t properly handle Starlight Magic.

Therefore, teaming up with her and giving advice would provide a platform for her growth.

I would have gladly accepted if it were teams of three.

It seemed right to choose Seo Ga-yeon.

I looked at the three of them and quietly opened my mouth.

“Should I install it here?”

“Yes, please install it there.”

Penthouse.

There, installation technicians came and set up the VR device.

I had purchased the VR device because of the Alchemy Guild.

It was needed to connect to cyberspace.

The Alchemy Guild was incredibly secretive yet open.

The reason was that the guild had been created in the space of the internet.

However, such a thing was usually impossible.

Alchemy couldn’t be simply made with ingredients and recipes.

How the ingredients were processed, handled, and refined with magic mattered, and a mere 0.1g error could distort the entire process.

It took about 10 years for an apprentice, treated like a graduate student, to receive the secrets from a master.

That was why alchemy was secretive.

‘It’s normally impossible.’

Yet, the Alchemy Guild existed because of the Electronic Witch.

Electronic Witch.

She had the talent to turn the electronic world into her domain and create within it.

And she used her talent to project reality into the virtual world.

“That’s why it was possible.”

In a space where reality was projected, alchemists gathered to showcase their recipes, create elixirs, obtain copyrights, and make fortunes.

Thus, the Alchemy Guild opened its doors.

Especially since the guild met once a month to reduce the error values in potions.

In reality, rare ingredients that might appear once in ten years could be ‘partially’ projected here to make potions and reduce errors.

In return, the Alchemy Guild provided the Electronic Witch with what she needed.

Thus, the two had a symbiotic relationship.

However, there was a downside.

In this space, a partial projection of reality and virtual space allowed for separate avatar settings.

Yes.

VR device. You could set up and create an avatar.

These two elements fulfilled the depths of this place… which were truly abyssal.

Even strong-willed people like Ershil and Kim Seo-hyun fainted after glimpsing its depths, so one could only imagine its terror.

“Let’s go in.”

I lay down with the VR device, the Black Heavenly Demon Sword beside me.

I wondered if it was worth the money.

Even just lying down in the Diamond Class felt extremely comfortable.

I put on the VR device and started to connect.