Chapter 15

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 15

Chapter Title: Semester Start (2)

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Perfect timing—the bell rang. That wrapped up the first period's regular class. Even on the first day back, there were no exceptions to Blue Pine Academy's ranking match schedule.

Ranking matches don't need much explanation. Just think of them like ranked games or competitive modes in online games.

Blue Pine Academy was fundamentally the top domestic institution for training awakeners.

Compared to regular high schools or universities, competition was inevitably intense here.

From first-years to fourth-years, the four separate leaderboards offered huge perks to those at the top.

Things like premium dorm facilities, scholarships for top grades, or free access to the academy's gear crafting and repair shops.

Someone might call it unfair treatment, but no, it wasn't.

Sure, they called it a school or academy, but this place was all about forging ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the strongest awakeners.

In a world ruled by strength, criticizing that meritocracy would be the real oddity.

And among them, the absolute top spot belonged to me. I could proudly say I was Lee Hyun-jin, the prized disciple of the great archmage, the Ice Empress.

The overwhelming score leader among hundreds of first-years—now second-years—of Blue Pine Academy's ninth class!

...If only that were true.

Unfortunately, I hadn't quite reached that level. To be precise, there were a few others on my level.

I'd been a big frog in my master's pond, thinking I was the strongest in my age group... but the world was vast, indeed.

Anyway, cutting to the chase. Here's the current second-year leaderboard, from first place down:

Across a year of hundreds of students, scores typically spread from 300 to 900 points. Occasionally, you'd see low 200s.

As you can see, first-place me and second-place Cheon So-yul maintained a massive gap over the rest. Breaking 1000 points was a big deal.

Glancing up at the arena's central monitor, I noticed something curious.

"Come to think of it, top two are both mages, and three and four are both melee types."

Probably coincidence, but it felt good. Proof that us mages outshone those brute melee fighters.

Of course, saying that to Kim I-jun or Baek A-yun's faces might get me stabbed. Or punched...

Anyway.

Fifth was Kanzaki Rie, the exchange student from Japan, followed by more top-rankers. Around twentieth, I spotted Jin Yong's name...

He just slacked off in rankings. The guy embodied boredom.

I wondered how long it'd take to get matched. A minor gripe of top-tier players.

Sometimes you'd wait over 30 minutes for a ranking match.

The academy's AI handling matches must be stumped on who to pair me with. Needed at least top-10, but they weren't always available.

Someone might say match with Cheon So-yul since we came together, but my last opponent was her.

Rules prevented rematches for up to three games.

So, I was doomed to wait. Until fourth period—about three hours—when someone showed up?

I shook my head and muttered, forehead in hand.

"Who can understand the loneliness of the top? Sigh."

Fellow second-years passing by shot me annoyed looks, but whatever. Trivial.

Bored and restless, I was about to grab a hot coffee from the nearby café when—

Paaat—

"Oh."

A soft hum, and light enveloped me. The monitor confirmed: match found.

"Oh..."

A different kind of admiration slipped out. Of all people, Kim I-jun. What a coincidence.

...Especially right after betting late-night snacks with Cheon So-yul. This was awkward.

Not disastrously so, but Kim I-jun, disciple of the Sword Saint, wasn't all hype. He countered mages exceptionally well.

Matchup dependent, you could say. Like how fourth-place Baek A-yun could pummel him with fists, but struggle against me?

As I let out an awkward chuckle, Cheon So-yul—who'd been waiting nearby—checked the monitor and glanced my way.

Our eyes met.

Pfft.

She openly smirked, covering her mouth like she was in for a show, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠already counting my loss.

I felt a vein throb on my forehead. Hey, you—

"Hey, it hasn't even star—"

Whooosh!

The light intensified, swallowing me and Kim I-jun somewhere else in the arena.

Thud, rrrumble...

Kabooom!

In a vast lava sea, flames surged from vents, erupting skyward with massive blasts that prickled the ears.

This was Blue Pine Academy and Ilseong Group's joint creation: one of a dozen virtual dungeons made solely for ranking matches, infamous for its hellish volcanic environment.

"...Hm."

Magma and scorching earth heated my body through.

Ah, sweat already sticking. How long had it even been since arriving?

I gazed at the ash-choked, fiery sky. Not exactly healthy.

Clang!

A sharp metallic ring echoed—foreign in this volcano.

I turned toward it. There stood a male student emanating faint golden light.

Kim I-jun, disciple of Korea's strongest swordsman, the Sword Saint. The next-gen talent set to inherit the Golden Sword.

Shaaa...

Of course, that was limited to the sword. I gathered cold energy and approached.

I spoke first.

"It's been a while."

Short and abrupt. Kim I-jun frowned, raising a brow.

"What exactly? Seeing my face after a month? Or crossing swords properly in a ranking match?"

"Both. If I had to pick, the latter more so."

"...So you've been looking forward to dueling me too."

No, I hadn't said that exactly...

"Hm."

I almost shot back bluntly but held off. No need for pointless taunts; he had pride too.

I wasn't one for cheap provocations unless deliberate.

I nodded solemnly instead. His sharp gaze softened a bit, pleased.

He gripped his sword tighter, golden light intensifying as he assumed stance.

"...You know this, right? Beat you today, and I hit 1000 points—gap be damned."

Frost crept over me as I exhaled coldly.

"And?"

"I'll reach the spot you and Cheon So-yul are eyeing."

"Hm."

He grinned fiercely. I just noted his odd speech hadn't changed.

Seemed eager to be the third second-year over 1000.

"Too bad."

"...What?"

That ambition wouldn't happen. Not against me.

I summoned a massive ice blade without hiding my smirk.

Recognizing it, Kim I-jun's face hardened. He swiftly swung his sword.

Whoosh! Golden sword aura hurtled toward me with cutting wind.

No panic. Caution, yes—but not enough to flinch and hurt myself.

Ka-gang!!

"...Wha...!"

I deflected it at an angle with my ice blade. He gawked, stunned.

He'd assumed physical sword aura would overwhelm my counter. Miscalculation.

Last time we clashed was before last summer break.

I was an incomplete mage then—theory perfect, practice lacking. Especially against melee.

Yet I'd pushed his stamina to the brink and won by a hair. Proud moment.

So he'd have regrets. So close, just a bit better and he'd have won. Must've trained hard.

Natural to seek revenge now, with confidence.

Crack! Craaackle!

If I hadn't honed anti-melee spells post-that to fix my pride...

He might've had a shot.

"...Wh-what."

I swung my arm. Sharp-tipped ice blades formed behind me.

Prime rule against melee: deny approach.

"Hoo."

Volcano favored short fights. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I'd tire faster than his stamina reserves.

Deep breath, then arm extended at him. Mana to fingertips. Magic circle activate.

Dozens of prepped ice blades unleashed.

Shrieeek!

Deadly, no wasted mana.

I saw him grit his teeth.

"...Ngh!"

Caught off-guard, but he gripped tighter, channeling energy.

Golden shards floated. Sword Saint's secret swordsmanship as intangible auras scattered to block.

"Wonder how long you can keep parrying."

I never stopped summoning second, third waves.

To trap this swordsman in a blade prison forever.

"Ha ha!"

"Grrgh...!"

I laughed heartily.

He groaned.

My sole goal: win the bet against Cheon So-yul.

Today, I wanted to see her humiliated, buying me snacks.