episode_0045

As Handoa rushed in with a show of force, Kim Noeul finally dodged Handoa’s sword and ran away.

Avoiding Nayuna, who approached me with dead eyes like a zombie, I checked the message.

“Kim Gaeul…?”

It was Kim Noeul’s younger sister who had sent me a text.

[Kim Gaeul: The current trends at the academy are strange.]

Upon reading that message, my eyes narrowed involuntarily.

[Me: What exactly do you mean by strange?]

[Kim Gaeul: Originally, the students at Dowon High School were keeping a low profile, but lately, they’ve started to assert themselves again.]

[Kim Gaeul: It’s the same at Hankook High School, as if they don’t care about the power dynamics at Haneul High…]

Listening to her report, I fell into contemplation.

This was an event not present in the original work because in the original, the academies did not vie for power from the first semester.

By intervening, I had seized control of the academies and the Rotteri from the clutches of Ojakgyo earlier than in the original work.

However, Ojakgyo is no fool. Unable to sit idly by, they began to counterattack.

“But unless they surpass my ranking, that kind of resistance won’t hold sway within the academy.”

Just as much as within the academy, victory or defeat is determined strictly by academic performance rather than physical strength.

Furthermore, even the Rotteri near the academies, the leaders of Haneul High, and students from Yusin High are patrolling.

It means that Ojakgyo does not have an environment where they can easily make a move.

“I wonder what plans Ojakgyo is preparing.”

Seeing my expression grow serious, Kim Noeul abandoned her playful demeanor and approached me.

“What’s going on?”

“Your sister contacted you. She said something is off at TT Academy.”

“…Gaeuli to you? Why?”

With a meaningful look, Kim Noeul asked, recalling the time when I exchanged numbers with Kim Gaeul.

When I briefly stopped by the academy to pick up exam materials, I happened to run into Kim Gaeul.

“Hello, oppa. It’s hard to see you at the academy.”

“I’m a free commuter. I came to get some materials today.”

“I see. Would you like to exchange numbers? I want to ask you if I have any questions.”

“It’s fine with me… Your sister studies well too.”

“You’re better at studying, oppa.”

Roughly, that’s how I exchanged numbers with Kim Gaeul. As she left, she said one thing to me.

“Please take care of our sister.”

She seemed like someone who would do well in social situations later on.

“She just wanted you to take care of her and exchanged numbers. That’s all there is to it.”

“Is that so…?”

“Your sister is really considerate. She even asked me to take care of you considering your circumstances.”

Although Kim Noeul seemed displeased, she didn’t press further. Meanwhile, Handoa approached, tying the sword to her waist.

“You mentioned something happening at the academy?”

“Oh, we were talking about that.”

I shared the conversation I had with Kim Gaeul with them. After hearing the story, Handoa tilted her head.

“I haven’t received any special reports from my subordinates. So, I thought everything would be fine for the time being.”

“It seems like Ojakgyo isn’t planning a major resistance yet. They seem to be waiting for an opportunity.”

Adding to Handoa’s words, Kim Noeul explained further. Nayuna, who had been quietly listening, also spoke up.

“I’ve heard from Soyeon about Yusin High. The Yusin students were patrolling the Rotteri, and the Hankook students were causing trouble.”

“Even though I warned them not to cause trouble…!”

Handoa chewed on her lip.

“It looks like we won’t have a peaceful break until the end of summer vacation. We need to prepare to respond at any time.”

After Kim Noeul’s words, Nayuna seemed scared, trembling slightly. I watched them silently for a moment before changing the subject.

“But since final exams are right around the corner, don’t neglect your studies.”

At my words, Handoa and Nayuna’s expressions darkened.

“Maru, the underclassman. There might be a fight brewing where the fate of our studies is at stake…”

“Yeah, you’re right. It’s an emergency situation right now.”

“Academic performance is also one of the means to gain power in our studies, right? We need to study hard now so that we have a solid foundation to resist Ojakgyo.”

They delivered a blow to those who were avoiding reality.

As your academic level at Haneul High rises, you naturally receive more benefits and gain some breathing room. To resist Ojakgyo, you also need to focus on your studies.

The two girls couldn’t find any counterarguments to my words and bowed their heads deeply. Meanwhile, Kim Noeul seemed to whistle as if she didn’t care about anything related to herself.

“Why aren’t you reacting? You’re included too. Work hard.”

“This time, it will be perfect.”

Kim Noeul calmly retorted.

“Really? Are you confident?”

“I’m aiming for a perfect score this time.”

Although I showed a nonchalant reaction outwardly to Kim Noeul’s words, inwardly, I was quite surprised.

Despite her recent struggles with Ojakgyo and the alliance contract, she had been lacking time to focus on her studies.

Nevertheless, seeing her confidence like that, it was evident that she still possessed the qualities of a versatile talent.

“Well, I have to push her a bit; after all, she’s Alice’s rival.”

I felt sorry for asking too much of Kim Noeul, but given the circumstances, there was no other choice. Besides, Kim Noeul had the potential to handle such demanding requests adequately.

“For now, let’s focus on the final exams and observe the academy for a while. We need to see what moves our opponents are making so we can choose our own strategies accordingly.”

That day’s conversation ended like that, and before we knew it, it was the day of the final exams.

I smoothly tackled the exam questions just as I usually did when studying. After struggling with all sorts of tricky supplementary questions, solving the problems from Haneul High and Neshin felt like a breeze.

After three days of exams, we gathered again at the counseling office. This time, Teacher Chae Yubin was also present.

Since she was in charge of mathematics, she was aware of our math grades.

“Hey, kids, you’ve worked hard this semester. I know you must have been busy with things outside of school, so thank you for putting in consistent effort into your studies.”

As she applauded, we followed suit.

“Noeul and Maru got everything right, huh? The difficulty level was the same as the midterms, but your skills have improved.”

“It’s thanks to you, teacher.”

“Don’t flatter me. Just solve past papers like Simo or N-tests, and you’ll improve a lot.”

Chae Yubin casually advocated for private education while continuing the conversation.

“Yuna and Doa’s grades have also impressed the 3rd-year teachers. They were amazed by the significant improvement.”

“R-really?”

“Phew, we made it.”

Yuna was surprised, and Doa breathed a sigh of relief as she had achieved her goal.

“By the way, the vacation ceremony is coming up soon. Have you all decided on your plans?”

At Chae Yubin’s question, we fell silent.

If we were ordinary students, we would be planning enjoyable vacation activities. However, due to our current situation, we couldn’t afford to relax.

If Ojakgyo decided to strike during the vacation, we would have to intervene. Essentially, we wouldn’t get a proper break.

After Chae Yubin asked her question and pondered our situation, she scratched her head.

“I underestimated the situation… You all have a lot on your shoulders… I’ve been in touch with a counselor from another school to see if they could help.”

“We didn’t know that.”

When Kim Noeul widened her eyes, Chae Yubin regained her confidence and continued speaking.

“I’m asking for help from Haneul High. Most people ignore my request, but there are some who listen to me.”

“Even a small help is needed in this situation.”

Han Doa murmured while caressing the hilt of her sword. She was on high alert every day, fearing an incident at the TT Academy.

“Have you been on guard all this time? Any unusual incidents?”

To Yuna’s question, Han Doa nodded.

“There haven’t been any special incidents. Except for the fact that there has been an increase in new enrollees since Summer School started…”

New enrollees.

Suddenly, that word bothered me.

The Broken Bridge Extends Its Hand.

In the academic world, power is determined by grades. If the Broken Bridge tries to regain its influence in the academic world….

“…Ah.”

Having reached a conclusion, I stood up from my seat. As I rose, the girls looked up at me.

“What’s wrong?”

Locking eyes with Kim Noeul, I spoke.

“Let’s go to TT Academy now.”

“Hmm, seems like there’s something fishy going on.”

The girls got up from their seats without a word in response to my suggestion. Teacher Chae Yubin blinked her eyes.

“I’ll lock the door and follow you out. Seems urgent, so let’s hurry.”

“Thank you.”

We dashed out of the sky-high building towards the academy.

“Maru…! What were you thinking, suddenly heading to the academy…!”

Na Yuna panted as she questioned me. I answered while running.

“If we want to bring TT Academy back into our territory, we ultimately have to compete based on grades. In other words, the Broken Bridge will pressurize us using grades as a means. Violence won’t be spared near the rotunda during this process.”

“Pressuring Maru with grades?”

Hana Doa, seemingly unable to comprehend, quickly arrived at the same conclusion as me, her pupils shaking intensely.

“No way….”

“So we’re going to check it out.”

Upon reaching the academy, we headed towards the entrance desk. The four of us attracted attention as prominent figures in the academy.

“They’re from Sky High.”

“Wow, they look like some Avengers. Each one stands out.”

“Let’s exclude the front bangs ghost stuck in the middle.”

Ignoring the students’ chatter, I scanned through the grade trend chart posted on the bulletin board.

It was a board listing names of top performers and students with significant grade improvements. If there were any changes, this board would reveal them.

However, upon checking, there were no significant changes. Most of the top performers were still students from Sky High, with me leading the pack.

“Did I miscalculate…?”

Lost in thought, a middle school student came running towards us.

“Unni!”

It was Kim Gaeul, Kim Noeul’s younger sister. Kim Noeul patted her panting sister on the back and asked.

“What’s wrong?”

“Well….”

Gaeul, catching her breath, pointed towards the counseling room with her finger. Many students had gathered there.

“I thought it was just an ordinary new registration, but people around were saying strange things, so…”

“New registration?”

Kim Noeul raised her head upon hearing that. Her gaze landed on a certain female student coming out of the counseling room.

Hair braided to one side, a hairstyle reminiscent of maternal love.

That female student approached us while conversing with the counselor.

“Even though I rejected the invitations from many academies, I don’t know why I ended up registering, but I think it was a good decision, Yoo-ri. I won’t spare any support for you.”

“Because the college entrance exam is coming up soon. There’s no room for mistakes in the test that determines your life.”

“Haha, that’s a really nice thing to say! Many students will start registering after seeing Yoo-ri!”

The surrounding students stopped to watch Yoo-ri.

“That girl is Yoo-ri….”

“She got a perfect score on the June mock exam. Is she even real?”

“She’s so elegantly beautiful…. It’s a different world she lives in.”

“How can someone sitting in a chair have such a figure?”

Engaged in lively conversation, Yoo-ri noticed us standing in the corridor. Her gaze swept over us before fixing on me.

Without sparing a glance for the girls around me, Yoo-ri approached me.

Kim Noeul and Hana Doa tried to block her path, but Yoo-ri didn’t stop walking.

“Stop.”

“Why are you approaching with such confidence?”

Yoo-ri smiled at the growling girls.

“Why are you blocking me? Do you think I’ll cause harm?”

“Don’t you know that? Think about your affiliation.”

Han Do-ah silently observed Eun Yoori’s resistance, twisting her hair with one hand before speaking.

“Han Do-ah. Chief of the Sky High Dojo. Originally a kendo prodigy until middle school, but gave it up due to an incident involving Lee Ji-hye.”

“…What?”

“Ji-hye still wants to see you. Shouldn’t you face the past properly? Since things weren’t completely resolved, both Ji-hye and you still have lingering feelings, right?”

Contrary to Eun Yoori’s calm tone, Han Do-ah’s breath became rough. Her arm trembled as it moved towards her sword at her waist.

Kim No-eul grabbed Han Do-ah’s arm.

“We are inside the academy. It wouldn’t be advantageous for us if you draw your sword.”

“….”

Han Do-ah calmed her trembling arm while gritting her teeth. Eun Yoori, who had been smiling at the scene, skillfully maneuvered past the two women and approached me.

“I’ve been really curious all this time, and today is my lucky day. Meeting like this.”

“…It’s a coincidence. I felt the same way.”

“Is that so? Looks like we communicate well with each other.”

She scrutinized my face closely. Her gaze made me frown in discomfort.

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

“Sorry. It’s just fascinating how you don’t look like a top student, so I stared.”

Such a rude comment.

Eun Yoori narrowed her eyes, perhaps displeased with the surrounding noise, and muttered.

“To be honest, I don’t understand the current situation. I simply enrolled in the academy as a regular student, so why is everyone making such a fuss?”

“You should know the reason best yourself, right? There’s no hobby here of laughing at self-deprecating jokes.”

“You’ve got some nerve… But since we’ve met, I’ll propose something I’ve been thinking about for a while.”

Eun Yoori reached out her hand for a handshake.

“Would you consider joining the Crossroads?”

“….”

“Maybe we can study together with sis… Huh?”