episode_0012

Hm… I’m ranked 22nd.

Honestly, I didn’t realize my abilities were that high.

My stamina and endurance are at a level of late first-year students, while my strength and agility are similar to current first-year students.

As for magic… well, I guess I’ll just have to improve gradually.

“Some may simply accept it, while others may have doubts. It’s simple. There was an additional evaluation during the sparring sessions with the instructors held in each class yesterday. The instructors were monitoring.”

Professor Paeng Da-yoon continued.

“Those who showcased themselves well received additional points, while those who did not were ranked according to the grades initially recorded.”

Ah, that makes sense.

So, being 22nd is somewhat understandable.

“However, this ranking is not set in stone forever. You remember what the headmaster said, right? If you want to aim for the top, challenge your peers through battles. It’s up to you to challenge students ranked higher than yourself. However, challenges deliberately aimed at those significantly lower or deemed malicious by the instructors will be halted at their discretion. Refer to the notice board for more details on the rules.”

Rules aside, they’re just standard rules that won’t be violated if one behaves diligently as usual.

But, isn’t my ability also a part of my skill?

Yet, there’s a significant difference between when I activate body control and my usual state.

Hm… I should think of it as a special move concept.

Yes, my skill!

Still, it’s better not to use it too much.

Ehwa Young… as expected, she’s in first place.

All playable characters are within the top 10.

-Knocking sound-

I turn my head at the weight felt on my shoulder.

Was she watching my smartwatch from the side?

Ehwa Young had rested her head on my shoulder, looking at the watch together.

“How is it?”

“Impressive. You’ll become really famous once you grow, won’t you?”

“Well, Gye-li is even more impressive than me.”

“Oh, come on. Does this data tell you that?”

“Uh… yeah.”

Huh, why do I suddenly feel a bit down?

Maybe teasing her will lighten the mood.

“To become impressive here, I have to beat you, right? Wait, I’ll catch up soon.”

“Heheh, I’ll be looking forward to it.”

She starts laughing again. Yes, she looks much better when she smiles.

“We will only have 2 hours of classes in the morning. Until further notice, continue training or club activities. To join a club, go to the respective department and apply as you know.”

Any questions? –

Professor Paeng Da-yoon asked if anyone had questions after his explanation.

One student raised their hand.

“Professor, what will we learn during class time?”

“In the morning, we will learn about the monsters our heroes have faced so far.”

Powerful monsters appearing from the tower and their more aggressive versions inside dungeons.

Knowing your enemy versus facing them blindly can make a huge difference in mortality rates, so it’s good to be informed.

“It might not be fun, but knowledge is power. Understanding monsters can lower mortality rates, so bear with it and learn.”

“Will sparring be possible after that?”

“Of course, but a moderator is necessary. Spar only when there is a moderator present. Any more questions?”

“No, thank you for the information!”

With that, the student who asked the question sits back down.

“Then… let’s proceed with the class.”

…

“That concludes today’s lesson. You all know where the cafeteria is, right? There’s also a convenience store, so feel free to use them and continue training.”

End of class.

The taught content covered differences between monsters and demons, methods to distinguish power levels, characteristics, and various basic knowledge.

Just as I expected, it’s all familiar information.

I guess I don’t need to study much then.

Before possession, I was just an ordinary person. But here, am I a genius?

After class, I went to a restaurant with E Hwayoung to eat.

It’s fortunate that nothing special happened today.

“Hey! Hankyeol!!”

“Yeah? Kang Jinhyuk? What’s up?”

“Yeah. I saw the latest rankings of students, and you’re 22nd?”

I guess anyone can check the rankings, so did he look up my rank?

“Uh… yeah?”

“Let’s have a match!”

Oh, something interesting is happening.

“Uh, right now?”

“Why, do you have something urgent? Then wait.”

I don’t want to fight, but…

…Come to think of it, did they gather all the first-year students today?

-Ding!!

Perfect timing.

I turned on my smartwatch and checked the alarm notification, then read the message inside.

“Here, all first-year students are to gather at the training ground for practical training.”

“I wanted to spar, but oh well. Let’s go.”

“Sure.”

If I fight you guys now, without controlling my body, I can never win…

Even if I use it, if I can’t secure victory within 10 minutes, I’ll face defeat next time.

I need to grow as quickly as possible.

Should I visit a dungeon this weekend?

…

A large training ground located in the center of the academy.

Inside, several professors were positioned, with a large portal generated in the center.

According to one professor, upon entering the portal, groups of five should form parties to conquer artificial dungeons.

With a total of 7 floors and a boss on the final floor, they encouraged us to challenge it.

The dungeon’s theme is fixed, so we must come up with our own strategies once inside…

Since it’s an artificial dungeon, even if injured, you will be immediately transported back to the training ground if attacked fatally.

Or if you wish to give up, raising all team members’ hands will trigger your return.

Also, the clear time of the party affects your grade, so it’s best to clear it quickly.

Hwayoung held my hand and didn’t let go, so after persuading her, we entered the portal.

Moving one by one, even if we hold hands, it’s still left to luck.

Upon entering the portal, I saw four other students.

Wow, even if it’s random, shouldn’t professions be assigned, professors?

Three swordsmen and one mage.

There are four vanguards? Oh boy.

Hmm… the dungeon seems to be maze-like in structure.

This means we can’t predict what challenges will arise.

I hate extra difficulty like this.

Everything being random makes it hard to memorize.

But who am I?

The self-proclaimed best player in this gaming world.

Even if everything is random, the structure is limited.

If there are 100 random patterns, I’m the one who has memorized all 100.

When facing challenges, I can understand the structure of this illusionary maze.

Let’s do this.

While making a determination, someone approached me.

“Um… excuse me.”

“Yeah? You are…”

“I-I’m! I’m Baek Chaerin…! I specialize in healing magic.”

“Baek Chaerin, nice to meet you. I’m Hankyeol.”

“Yes! Hankyeol, um… please take care of me!”

Baek Chaerin, a support character appearing as a helper.

Her blue hair cascading down to her hips, eyes devoid of any color, and a face resembling a hamster.

Contrary to her naturally timid personality, she became like this due to past trauma.

If supported during party play, Baek Chaerin can evolve into an irreplaceable area-of-effect healer.

However, to learn area-of-effect healing, Baek Chaerin needs to reach a stage of awakening, which is quite challenging.

To resolve her trauma, I first need to build rapport with her, but she seemed very guarded.

Her initiative to approach me and say hello seems like a good start.

But wait, in the current situation, a mage specializing in healing magic?

We only have front-line attackers. How do we handle this?

Oh boy.

“Hey, you. Han Gyeol, right? You got 22nd place in the B-rank topic, didn’t you?”

A rough voice came from behind while Baek Chaerin and I were exchanging greetings.

Turning around, I saw two male students glaring at us and a brown-haired boy with freckles at the front.

He’s definitely…

“Who are you?”

“Hey! Don’t you know me?! Unlike you, who is B-rank, I received an A-rank!”

Oops, did I accidentally say that out loud?

“Um… was it… Kim Cheolsu?”

“It’s Kim Hyunseong!! Who on earth is Kim Cheolsu!?”

Ah, it’s Kim Hyunseong.

Judging by the fact that I don’t remember him, he must be an extra who appeared out of nowhere and will disappear soon.

Why is he picking a fight with me all of a sudden?

“Tsk! I’m ranked 51st as an A-ranker, and you’re 22nd; you must have used some trickery!”

Seeing the two male students behind Kim Hyunseong echoing his words, they must know each other.

“You can’t use such tricks here. If we take care of you without you even lifting a sword, you won’t get any points.”

…Huh! Look at this?

I bowed my head at the twisted smile on the face that didn’t match the situation. Oh my eyes.

“Hmph, you’re just like a guy without any pride. Hey, mage at the back! Come here. Leaving aside that B-ranker, wouldn’t it be more efficient to go with me, an A-ranker?”

“Y-yes? I-I am… that’s… um…”

Thinking I flinched when our eyes met, he became even more arrogant.

Baek Chaerin, trembling at the voice calling her name, raised her head, then mumbled something, avoiding eye contact, and silently hid behind me.

“Tch. You guys stay put there then. We’ll conquer the dungeon ourselves and get all the points.”

With that said, Kim Hyunseong and the two male students moved into the dungeon.

That guy, although he looks like that, seems quite sharp-witted.

Although the professor didn’t mention it, it seems I found a flaw in the content.

Splitting into teams of five and entering the dungeon for conquest.

It was mentioned to proceed with the conquest as a team, but it wasn’t explicitly stated to clear it through cooperation.

This must include evaluating how much trust there is between each other.

So now, I feel grateful for Baek Chaerin’s presence.

“Baek Chaerin?”

“Y-yes!!”

“Why did you choose to stay with me? It might have been easier with them.”

“I-I just thought it would be… more comfortable here…”

Mumbling, Baek Chaerin bowed deeply. Why is she acting like that?

Oh, her ears are slightly turning red. Is she feeling unwell?

“Anyway, thank you for staying with me. I was worried about being alone.”

“Oh, no!! I just thought it would be… more comfortable here…”

“Let’s get going for now. I wonder how far those guys will go.”

“Y-yes! Leave the healing to me!”

The first practical training.

It begins.