episode_0003

A training ground where students specializing in weaponry have gathered.

In front of the assembled students at the training ground, exam proctors and professors are sequentially assessing the students’ abilities.

“Hmm… This student’s performance has been measured. Overall evaluation: Grade E.”

“Gah…!”

The current method of assessing the students’ levels involves attacking specially treated scarecrows placed in the training ground with the weapons available there.

Using beads imbued with [Emotions] carried by each proctor, they visualize and confirm the approximate abilities of the students for grading.

While detailed abilities remain unknown, they evaluate and grade based on five main abilities: strength, agility, endurance, stamina, and magic power.

Though only able to discern up to that extent with the emotion-infused beads, those familiar with games like myself know precisely what other detailed abilities exist beyond those five main ones. Perhaps luck, intelligence, unique abilities, and characters with unique skills?

Unique abilities.

Individuals possessing unique abilities such as exceptional magic resistance instead of magic power or extraordinary strength instead of endurance have all stood out, for better or for worse.

The average abilities of ordinary individuals range from 1 to 8, while students graduating from the first to fourth year exhibit average abilities ranging from 10 to 35.

Those with abilities ranging from 40 to 50 are considered capable students and heroes who can actively participate without much strain. Heroes with abilities exceeding 50 are currently active in the towers.

Among them, top-ranking elites are known to possess abilities averaging between 80 and 85.

The abilities of the current Hero Academy’s principal average around 75, although not officially recognized as a top-ranking elite, opinions vary on this matter.

As mentioned earlier, the unique abilities possessed by individuals cannot be discerned through emotions. Park Kang-Cheol possesses such unique abilities.

Park Kang-Cheol’s unique abilities—exceptional magic resistance, overwhelming strength, and the ability to excel based on unique abilities possessed only by some heroes—have earned him the title of “Frontline Shield,” a hero revered by all. Hence, it is a common belief that this academy is the safest due to the presence of such esteemed principal and active heroes.

“Well, we must always consider the constant threat posed by internal traitors… If we can identify and prevent such internal betrayals, the academy could truly become a safe haven.”

By pinpointing the traitor, one can eliminate the reasons that compelled them to betray after making necessary preparations.

This way, one can naturally resume the path of a hero.

“They didn’t do it out of genuine desire. If it was an inevitable choice, then I’ll push them to the point where they’d give up that choice.

Lost in thought, I felt a touch on my cheek and turned to find Hwayoung poking my cheek with her finger.

“What’s on your mind, Gyeol?”

“Oh, nothing. Just wondering how well I can perform.”

“You’ll do great, Gyeol! Go for it!”

“Heh, thanks.”

“Nuuh- Thank youu-.”

As usual, as I reached out to pull her cheek, Hwayoung’s cheek stretched out, waiting for her turn.

“Next! Kang Jin-Hyuk, step forward!”

It was the arrival of the awaited playable character.

A character with blonde hair, a fierce demeanor, skilled in handling a spear, and possessing an aggressive personality.

Despite behaving like a delinquent, the character displayed a surprising charm by speaking kindly and smiling at animals, earning praise from many users.

With strength, agility, and stamina all at 18, this character boasts the most stable abilities and possesses unique abilities like magic resistance and unique skills—a character akin to a hearty rice bowl.

Considering that the average abilities of first-year students range roughly between 10 and 12, it’s only natural…

“Newbie Kang Jinhyuk, overall evaluation grade A.”

Well, that’s how it goes.

A murmur emanating from the newcomers waiting in line to hear Kang Jinhyuk’s comprehensive evaluation.

“Wow, grade A, that’s insane.”

“Our levels are different. I’d be happy with an E or D.”

“If he asks me to practice swordsmanship together later, would I agree?”

The gazes of the newcomers filled with admiration, jealousy, and a desire for competition.

The newcomers who followed after Kang Jinhyuk were individuals I knew very well.

Jeong Yuna, classified as an assassin by profession. With short blue hair and striking blue eyes, standing at around 170 cm tall with a sleek physique.

Due to her candid and chic personality, she is popular among both males and females.

She also received an A grade in the evaluation.

Lee Yuseong, a sturdy tank specializing in shield combat. With light green hair and a delicate appearance, though petite, possesses exceptional strength with a strength attribute of 23, likely the highest among first-year newcomers.

Her personality, matching her appearance, tends to be timid, yet she garners excessive attention from some users, resulting in numerous fan arts.

She also achieved an A grade.

And lastly, Hahn Seyoung, the final playable character attending weapon skill classes and the beloved character of the majority of users in “Become a Hero!” official story.

Handling swords, she possesses the unique passive skill of Sword Master.

Receiving significant stat boosts related to swords, her skill demands remarkably low proficiency requirements, making her sword mastery quite formidable.

With silver hair cascading down to her waist, crimson eyes, and a slender physique often referred to by users as the epitome of swordsmanship.

Feeling the gaze of Hwa Young beside her, she quickly averted her eyes to avoid being teased.

As for her personality… It’s hard to say since the official story mainly focuses on Hahn Seyoung’s development.

Among the examinees, she was the only one who significantly damaged the scarecrow, earning an A+ in the evaluation.

Hmm… Hwa Young is truly exceptional.

My efforts in customizing myself in the past have paid off, reaching a level comparable to the officially certified world’s most beautiful character by the production team.

Reflecting on this, I continued to playfully touch Hwa Young’s cheeks, prompting her to reciprocate.

-Please die, please die, please die, please die, please die, please die

-Couple hell solo paradise, couple hell solo paradise, couple hell solo paradise, couple hell solo paradise, couple hell solo paradise

-If only that man were me, if only that man were me, if only that man were me, if only that man were me, if only that man were me

Hmm, strange whispers seem to echo, perhaps just my imagination.

As more examinees completed their measurements and the waiting crowd dwindled, it was almost my turn.

“Next, Han Gyeol!”

It was my turn.

“I’ll go ahead and wait for you.”

“Sure, fighting!”

Responding to the professor’s call, I walked towards the spot with the scarecrow.

Beside it stood a display of training weapons, from which I retrieved a wooden sword.

“You… You were the couple newbie bickering behind earlier. I was about to chase you away if you kept going. Lucky you.”

Ahem…

“The test is simple. Just take up your weapon, assume a stance, and attack the scarecrow. If you’re not satisfied, you can smash it.”

Truly a straightforward test.

Without hesitation, I approached the scarecrow, assumed a stance, and channeled mana throughout my body, strengthening myself.

Body reinforcement.

Inhaling deeply, exhaling, then inhaling again, I held my breath and thrust the sword towards the scarecrow with force.

Clang!

The scarecrow remained unscathed.

“…”

The assistant instructor silently measured the results next to me.

“…Next, come here and touch the bead.”

Following the professor’s instructions, I reached out to touch the bead.

———-

Han Gyeol

Gender: Male

Age: 19

Strength: 12

Endurance: 16

Agility: 13

Stamina: 17

Magic: 5

Physical Enhancement: 2Lv

Basic Swordsmanship (Passive): 5Lv

Persistence (Passive): 6Lv

———-

I couldn’t see my own stats, so I didn’t know, but it seems like my stats are quite high?

Is it because of the training that my stamina and endurance are high? They’re the highest.

By the way, is there a way to see something like a status window? It’s inconvenient not being able to see my unique abilities or skills.

Wait, when you perform a possession-like action, aren’t you supposed to get some kind of reward? Am I the only one left out? Oh no.

Oh, so that’s why Hwayoung was given? Thank you very much, bowing.

Right. Was this pattern on the back of my hand also given as a reward?

Come to think of it, that’s true. If this is also a reward, does that mean I’ve already received two? Oh, thank you.

“····?”

The instructor, seemingly jotting something down next to me in a notebook, listened to the professor’s call, then resumed writing before speaking up.

“Hankyeol, overall evaluation of abilities: Grade B.”

“Oh…?”

I was expecting a C grade from a D grade, but to receive such a generous score?

As if sensing my confusion, the professor approached me and spoke.

“Hankyeol, you use an interesting swordsmanship technique. While your skill is sufficient, it seems like your body isn’t keeping up with it.”

That’s true. The swordsmanship I just displayed was a direct reproduction of the stance seen in the game.

The ‘Codex of the Fallen Swordmaster’ dropped while clearing the hardcore level 85.

Without using physical control abilities, all I can mimic right now is a horizontal slash.

And even that is far from a perfect replication, more like a rough imitation, so it’s only natural.

“You still have a long way to go.”

“Excellent, I look forward to you achieving higher grades in the future.”

Just by swinging a horizontal slash once, did they notice that? This is the skill level of active heroes. I still have a long way to go.

I wonder if the combat field class is taught by that professor, looking forward to it.

After the evaluation, I walked towards the students who were observing this place from the opposite side.

When will it be Hwayoung’s turn? I’m curious.

“Excuse me…”

“Yes?”

While pondering about Hwayoung’s skill level, a soft voice came from right beside me.

Turning my head, I saw Han Seyoung gazing at me with her smooth silver hair gently swaying and her red eyes gleaming. Why is she approaching me…? What’s going on??

“Just now, that sword technique you used, what kind of technique is it? Where did you learn it? Or—”

Ugh, don’t cling to me, it’s uncomfortable.

The students behind seem to be getting increasingly hostile. Hey, relax your gaze over there. It’s scary – no, I’m sorry.

-Tap

I hear strange noises from behind, who could it be?

Anyway, it wouldn’t hurt to tell Han Seyoung about this sword technique. The stronger the main characters become, the better.

“Wait, I’ll tell you about the sword technique, just don’t get too close.”

She touches the hilt of her sword.

“Oh, sorry.”

She looked like a lonely wolf, but turned out to be just a puppy. Cute.

As I exchanged greetings with Han Seyoung and discussed various things about swords…

-Tap Tap

Where is that weird sound coming from all the time? Who’s grinding something?

Lost in trivial thoughts, the awaited name rang out.

“Finally, student E Hwayoung!”