episode_0010

011

Monday afternoon at the academy.

“This performance evaluation will be ‘Capture the Flag.’”

Once the team members were all decided, Hong Daye began explaining what kind of test they would be taking in a pleasant manner.

“It’s a game where two teams compete to capture the flag in the center and bring it back to their own base first.”

The trainees sat quietly, listening attentively to Hong Daye’s words.

As it was their first performance evaluation, they had to focus.

After all, their internal scores were really important.

“Since each team consists of three members, teamwork and strategy are crucial. In other words, the goal is not to defeat the opponents but to capture the flag.”

If it were a simple match, the stronger team would win, but capturing the flag was different.

Even if a team was considered weak, with a well-thought-out strategy, they could ignore the opponents and secure the flag for victory.

Of course, the process wouldn’t be easy.

“This test will be conducted in a tournament style, with teams divided into 16 groups and each playing four matches.”

There are a total of 48 students in our class.

With three members per team, they will be divided into 16 teams.

Naturally, this means round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals.

They will proceed through four rounds in this format.

“Since it follows a match format, reaching the finals and winning will be advantageous for your internal scores. However, even if you are eliminated early, the evaluation will vary based on the performance you show. So, don’t be too disheartened if you are eliminated early.”

If you face a monster-like team like Lee Siwoon or Kang Daehan early on and get eliminated, as long as you show a good performance, you will receive a decent score for your internal evaluations, so don’t be disappointed.

“Now, let’s slowly… announce the tournament bracket.”

Hong Daye displayed the tournament bracket format on the PC-integrated electronic whiteboard.

“The opponents will be selected randomly…”

As the homeroom teacher mentioned that the opponents would be random, the kids started to murmur, but I knew she wouldn’t decide the opponents randomly.

After all, I’ve witnessed this scene dozens of times.

“…It wouldn’t be fun that way.”

Hong Daye looked at the kids and gently raised the corners of her mouth.

“I will give each team leader the opportunity to choose their number based on their entrance exam scores.”

“Based on the entrance exam scores?”

“Oh? Is that so?”

In an instant, all the kids’ attention focused on one place.

Thump thump.

Numerous gazes were fixed like arrows.

Beyond the kids’ gazes was Lee Siwoon.

It might be painful to say, but Lee Siwoon was the top student.

Even though they couldn’t know the exact scores of the other students, everyone knew Lee Siwoon’s scores.

“In that case, Lee Siwoon’s team, please come forward first. Ah, not everyone, just the team leader.”

“Yes.”

As Lee Siwoon and his team members tried to stand up, the teacher stopped them.

Jin Soyeon scratched her cheek with a puzzled look, then patted Lee Siwoon’s shoulder and smiled as if urging him to go.

He glanced at Jin Soyeon for a moment, then suddenly changed his direction and headed towards the teacher’s desk.

Lee Siwoon’s lips were trembling ever so slightly.

Hmm… It seems like those two have gotten quite close.

It was a good thing, but it bothered the person watching them.

“…”

That person was Yoo Seolhyun.

“Ha. Siwoon is too nice, so she’s taking advantage of him again.”

“Yeah, yeah. Jin Soyeon, that brat, seems to be getting too cocky these days, doesn’t she?”

“That girl. Look at her flirting with another guy right after breaking up. It’s really unbelievable.”

The kids in Yoo Seolhyun’s group grumbled incessantly.

As usual, they vented their frustrations to Jin Soyeon.

It was like a broken record.

Perhaps it was because those two were getting along too well these days.

It seemed like jealousy and resentment were about to explode.

“Could you guys keep it down a bit? My ears hurt.”

“Ah, sorry. Haha. I was a bit noisy, wasn’t I?”

As Yoo Seol-hyeon quietly spoke, the noisy chatter in the classroom came to a halt.

These female students couldn’t be considered Yoo Seol-hyeon’s friends.

They were simply convenient tools and subordinates.

The female students were also aware of their place.

“Yeah. It’s nice when it’s quiet.”

After scanning the female students once, she turned her head.

Seemingly satisfied now that the kids had quieted down and her headache had eased.

Yoo Seol-hyeon ignored the sweating female students and alternated her gaze between Jin So-yeon and Lee Si-woon.

She didn’t seem to like the friendly demeanor of those two.

“Lee Si-woon, where will you choose?”

“…….”

In response to Hong Da-ye’s question, Lee Si-woon remained silent.

The current bracket had empty slots.

It didn’t matter where he chose.

So, Lee Si-woon confidently chose number 1 out of 1 to 16. Not 2 or 3, but 1. It was a meaningful number. It was like stepping with confidence.

“Alright. Lee Si-woon and two others… will be a team. Next, come forward, Kang Dae-han.”

Watching from the sidelines, Kang Dae-han took a step forward with a slightly mocking look in his eyes.

As Lee Si-woon was about to return to his place, he glanced at him and chose number 2.

Team 2.

Right next to Team 1.

That meant they would face each other in the first match.

“Kang Dae-han, is number 2 correct?”

“Yes. That’s right, number 2.”

Kang Dae-han looked at Lee Si-woon with a sly smile.

Lee Si-woon also met Kang Dae-han’s gaze.

Their eyes locked in a silent challenge.

“I wanted to face our top student at least once.”

“…….”

“I heard rumors. Can we expect something interesting?”

“…….”

Murmurs.

The kids were restless at Kang Dae-han’s provocative words.

The rivalry between Lee Si-woon and Kang Dae-han had always been a hot topic.

“It’s progressing like the game, fortunately.”

Kang Dae-han’s unexpected actions, which showed some confidence in Lee Si-woon, had a certain significance.

The showdown between the top-ranked and fifth-ranked players in the first match would be an exciting spectacle for the kids, but not for the teammates.

Naturally, this action was not discussed with the team.

Therefore…

“D-Dae-han. I mean, even if it’s you, starting off against Si-woon…”

“What’s wrong? Don’t you trust me?”

“No, it’s not that…”

The teammates were flustered.

They seemed to feel burdened by facing Lee Si-woon’s team from the start.

No matter how strong Kang Dae-han was, Lee Si-woon was not an easy opponent.

From their perspective, facing a slightly easier team first and then facing off in the finals would be the best option.

But Kang Dae-han confidently threw down the gauntlet.

Teammates like Kang Dae-han were a headache in many ways.

No matter how strong a teammate was, acting independently like that could be awkward.

However, we weren’t on that team.

“Next, Yoo Seol-hyeon, come forward.”

“Yes.”

As Yoo Seol-hyeon walked towards the podium, passing by me, I quietly said, “Choose number 16.”

“What. Okay.”

Yoo Seol-hyeon accepted my words with understanding and walked forward.

Perhaps it was because of the evaluation task, but it was also rational to keep a distance from risky teams.

That’s why I didn’t choose Kang Dae-han at the beginning.

It’s difficult to control someone like him who acts on his own whims.

On the other hand, Yoo Seol-hyeon was a reasonable person to communicate with.

Above all, using the keyword of a bet, she would at least pretend to listen if not actually do so.

“I’ll go with number 16.”

“Alright. Yoo Seol-hyeon, your team is number 16, and next…”

After calling out each team leader, the bracket was finally completed.

Hong Da-ye threw a glance at the trainees.

“Now, let me talk about the exam day for the last time. The exam will be held at the 4th East Gate Training Ground ten days from now.”

Ten days.

There is quite a lot of time left.

Of course, I didn’t set the exam day late without thinking.

I deliberately set aside plenty of time to analyze the opponent’s team and come up with a strategy that fits.

Not only for combat-related trainees but also for supporter-related trainees to be well prepared.

“Prepare your best until the exam day. That’s all for today.”

Now, in ten days, the main episode performance evaluation will begin in earnest.

As it is the main story, I knew almost all the details and flow very well.

I had to leave a good impression on Yoo Seolhyun in this performance evaluation so that I could have enough ‘plausibility’ for what I will do in the future.

Soon, when the dungeon conquest failure incident happens, I will have to show a good side from now on to help Yoo Seolhyun and retrieve the sleeping item.

‘In fact, the way to give a good impression to Yoo Seolhyun is… well, it’s not difficult.’

Yoo Seolhyun is like a character similar to Jojo, half-jokingly speaking.

It’s not that she covets other people’s lovers like the wife killer Jojo, but she has a strong desire for talent.

Because Yoo Seolhyun wanted to be recognized as a hero rather than the third lady of Gaon Nuri Clan.

That’s why she has been bringing talented people to her side from Gaon Nuri or outside.

Currently, she was managing one hero team under the clan unofficially.

When she graduates from this academy, she will probably lead the team in earnest.

‘If I want to build a friendship with Yoo Seolhyun now, I just have to pretend to be a useful talent.’

And in this performance evaluation, I can maximize my abilities.

It would be impossible for me alone, but luckily, I have Yoo Seolhyun and Sunari.

‘Also… since I know Yoo Seolhyun’s character setting well, it should be okay.’

I know her personality, hobbies, likes, dislikes, etc., so approaching her shouldn’t be difficult.

First, I’ll mention that there is a strategy related to the performance evaluation and talk about various things.

Since Yoo Seolhyun would probably want to hear about Jin Soyeon through me, the possibility of her agreeing is high.

If I buy her cake at the cafe, she probably won’t refuse.

Because there is a setting that Yoo Seolhyun really likes sweet things.

Oh, but I’m a little worried about Jin Soyeon.

She doesn’t get along well with Yoo Seolhyun.

She might not like it if I approach Yoo Seolhyun.

No, is it okay?

Anyway, she’s getting along well with Lee Siwoon these days.

If she’s all lovey-dovey with Lee Siwoon, she won’t have time to worry about me. And we won’t be whispering in the academy.

As long as we don’t get caught meeting separately.

***

“…Jinhyuk, what are you doing here?”

“?”

Huh?

Why is Jin Soyeon popping out here?