episode_0015

016

The final day of the performance evaluation.

The morning of the final match dawned.

The trainees of Class 1-1 all made their way towards the training ground.

Step by step. It feels like their steps are heavier than usual. It’s not just a feeling, their steps are really heavy.

Today was the day they had to experience the ‘real deal’, whether they liked it or not.

“Wow. I didn’t expect you to make it to the finals.”

A familiar voice softly whispered in my ear, and Jinsuyeon approached me with her hair fluttering like the night sky.

I slowly turned my head to look at Jinsuyeon.

She smiled confidently with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“But!”

She pointed her finger and said, “Your luck ends here!”

“…”

“The final match is against me!”

“…”

I glanced at Jinsuyeon, who stood tall with a proud expression, with a pitiful look in my eyes.

“Oh. Okay.”

“…What’s with that indifferent response?”

When I responded somewhat blandly, she quickly deflated and twisted her hair into a messy bun with a dejected look on her face.

What is she doing in front of everyone?

Isn’t she embarrassed?

“…I don’t know why you’re not responding well these days. It’s boring.”

Jinsuyeon pouted her lips and grumbled.

She is relatively quiet when with others, but when she’s with me, she acts like a seven-year-old child, playing innocent pranks.

That’s how close our relationship is, I guess.

“Jinhyuk, Jinhyuk. Are you confident about today’s match?”

“I don’t know.”

“Look at you, giving vague answers again.”

“To be honest, I’m not confident about this match. I have to face Ishiwoon, Kang Daehan, and Yuliya Troianova.”

Yuliya Troianova.

A legitimate magician from Russia.

She ranks 14th among the freshmen. Excluding single numbers like Ishiwoon and Kang Daehan, she has the highest rank in our class.

She uses honorifics with everyone due to her unfamiliarity with Korean.

She’s what you call a polite character.

“What about you? Do you really need to be cautious with someone ranked 257th?”

“Haha. Ridiculous. Confidence in being last? I should show you the taste of my spicy punch after a long time, Jinhyuk.”

Watching Jinsuyeon confidently throw punches like in boxing, I burst into laughter unexpectedly.

“It seems like you’re in good condition. That’s a relief. It’s going to be tough today.”

“Huh. Are you overconfident?”

“No, it’s not because of me that it’s going to be tough… Well, never mind.”

“Why are you stopping mid-sentence?”

I hope Jinsuyeon doesn’t get hurt in the upcoming event, but I wonder how it will turn out.

Honestly, I can’t say for sure right now.

I can only do my best.

“By the way, Jinhyuk, after this performance evaluation, how about we…”

“Jinhyuk. Can I talk to you for a moment?”

Jinsuyeon’s slightly stuttering words were abruptly cut off by Yuseolhyun’s voice.

I turned my head slightly to see where the voice came from.

Yuseolhyun was there.

“Oh, sorry. Were you two in the middle of a conversation?”

Yuseolhyun smiled brightly and apologized, but it was more of a facade, as there was no hint of apology on her face.

Yuseolhyun then approached us with a haughty demeanor, like a young lady from a noble family.

Jinsuyeon seemed uncomfortable with her presence, but Yuseolhyun paid no attention and continued speaking.

“If it’s not urgent, can I borrow Jinhyuk for a moment? I have something to tell him before the match.”

As if showing intimacy, Jin Soyeon slightly furrowed her brows at Yoo Seolhyun, who was resting her hand on my shoulder and seeking permission.

It seemed that Yoo Seolhyun’s attempt to act friendly towards me was not to Jin Soyeon’s liking.

“Have you two become close?”

“Huh? Oh, well….”

At Jin Soyeon’s blunt question, Yoo Seolhyun pretended not to know and smiled coyly.

“After working together as a team for a few weeks… maybe a little?”

“Oh, really?”

Continuously poking at Jin Soyeon’s feelings.

From deliberately interrupting the conversation at first to showing familiarity by touching my shoulder.

‘I should probably step in and change the mood a bit… Huh?’

“That’s good. It seems like Jinhuk is a bit interested in you.”

“Oh? Really?”

At Jin Soyeon’s sudden remark, I blinked my eyes.

Wait, what is she saying now?

Yoo Seolhyun smiled arrogantly and glanced at me.

“Sorry. You’re not my type.”

Me, Lee Jinhuk.

Today is the first round of confession.

For some reason, it feels a bit sad.

“Hmm. Are you saying my face is slightly disappointing?”

“Indeed. It’s not a bad face, but it’s a bit ambiguous.”

Having the setting of being the heroine’s childhood friend, my appearance was quite decent, but compared to the other male leads, it might be a bit lacking.

But why are you suddenly evaluating my face?

“I think I’m decent.”

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll say that. Oh~ Our Jinhuk is handsome~.”

“No, really, am I not…?”

Compared to my past life, my current face is much better~ not to the extent of being handsome, but more good-looking.

So, I was quite satisfied.

“Okay, enough. Anyway, Yoo Seolhyun.”

“Yeah?”

“You said you had something to say before the match, right? What is it?”

“Oh. But it’s a bit awkward to say it here.”

She glanced at Jin Soyeon hesitantly.

It wouldn’t be appropriate to speak while the opposing team is present.

It was necessary to move to a different place for a moment.

“Soyeon.”

At that moment.

A clear voice of a man echoed.

“What are you doing here?”

Looking us up and down, Lee Siwoon was approaching.

“Oh, just… ”

“The match is about to start soon. Let’s go and discuss and prepare.”

After glancing at me, Lee Siwoon turned to Jin Soyeon and pursed his lips, and Jin Soyeon nodded as if she understood.

“Got it. Well, Jinhuk, I’ll go ahead. See you at the match in a bit.”

“Okay.”

Jin Soyeon and Lee Siwoon walked away together.

I watched their backs for a moment and thought.

Caution.

Although it was a bit, I could feel Lee Siwoon’s caution.

It wasn’t jealousy or envy yet, but I felt the need to be a bit more careful. I didn’t want to make a mistake and end up becoming overly possessive.

“Seems like Lee Siwoon likes Soyeon.”

Yoo Seolhyun suddenly spoke up.

“He seems to be quite concerned.”

I slightly moved my head.

“What do you think as her ex-boyfriend?”

To a question that could be taken a bit sensitively by some people, I just shrugged my shoulders.

“I think she doesn’t know. She’s clueless when it comes to relationships.”

“Really?”

Yoo Seolhyun asked, probing further.

“Does Soyeon really not know?”

“What are you trying to say?”

“I heard a rumor.”

Yoo Seolhyun smiled mischievously and spoke provocatively.

“That she broke up with you on purpose to date Lee Siwoon.”

She must not be believing that baseless rumor.

Yoo Seolhyun was trying to shake me.

To sow doubt in my own heart.

It was the typical gaslighting beginning. Perhaps trying to deceive little by little in this way.

To slightly worsen their relationship.

“Do you believe that nonsense?”

“Well, who knows? They say you can know the depths of the ocean but not the depths of a person’s heart, right? Only the person involved would know.”

But it wasn’t that person.

“You said you parted on good terms… but just in case? Did Soyeon have other thoughts?”

What?

I inwardly sighed deeply at her whispering voice, like a cunning snake.

Can’t listen to this, really.

“If it was a transfer farewell, it’s a bit pitiful…”

“Is Soyeon bothering you that much?”

“What?”

“Because Isiwoon only has eyes for Soyeon, are you jealous?”

“You.”

Her words pierced my pride, and Yuseolhyun’s eyebrows twitched slightly. Why? Does it hurt?

“Let’s stop here. The match is coming up soon.”

“…Alright, got it.”

Yuseolhyun seemed like she wanted to say more, but she closed her lips. It was fortunate that she cut off the conversation, as I couldn’t make Yuseolhyun uncomfortable any further.

“There’s a lot to worry about besides the match… sigh.”

Not only the protagonist Jin Soyeon, but also the relationship between the male lead and the villain Yeongae. It’s going to be complicated.

“I’ll have to pay more attention after this performance evaluation episode is over.”

With that thought in mind, I only shifted my gaze towards the training facility that we would soon arrive at.

***

“Teams, take your positions.”

We entered the training ground and stepped towards the opposite ends.

The teams gripped their weapons tightly, facing each other from a distance.

Alright, it’s time to begin.

“Is everyone ready? Then…”

Beep.

With the sound of a remote control, the entire training ground was surrounded by a circular barrier.

Now, this place was a complete sealed room.

Unless the remote control was used or there was external manipulation, we couldn’t leave this place.

“If everyone is prepared, let’s start the final match. 3, 2, 1… begin!”

– Vroom!

Just then.

– Emergency alert.

“What?”

“Huh?”

Normally, the barrier was to prevent facility destruction and protect the audience, but not today.

Today, it was nothing but a trap that would turn us into mice trapped in a cage.

– Spatial vibrations detected nearby! All trainees and instructors are to stop what they’re doing and evacuate to the safe zone…

Because.

“Tsk. The match is temporarily suspended. Everyone stop and follow the security personnel’s instructions to move…”

“Huh?”

Crack.

Crackle, crack.

Crackle, crackle, crack.

The sound of space splitting.

The air split apart like spiderwebs.

As if the air was shattered like glass with gold veins, it was breaking into pieces.

“Wait, is that…?”

The crack between spaces.

What was beyond it was an indescribable entity.

“Anomaly…?”

“You guys! Gather over here immediately!”

Hong Daye shouted at Team 1 and Team 16, but it was already too late.

“Kiiii! Kiiiiii.”

With long limbs like a monkey and thick arms like a bear, the entity tore through the crack like a curtain, revealing an indescribable being.

“Kiiii, kiiii.”

Beyond the crack, an unknown enemy scattered hostility towards humanity, glaring at the children.

“Mon… monster, it’s a monster!”

That’s right.

A monster.

A monster had appeared in the exam room.

“Kiiii, kiiii, kii.”

“Krrrr, rrrr.”

“Squeak, squeak.”

And not just one, but several monsters.