Chapter 52
Chapter 52
Translator: Penny
Episode 52: Do You Want to Change Your Class?
Episode 52: Would You Like to Change Classes? [END]
"Seriously, with stats and skills like these, why did you even aspire to be a Magician? If it were me, I would have switched to Defender long ago. You can't cast high-level magic, but you could have become a frontline combatant with the title of 'Magic Barrage Specialist'—why didn't you consider that possibility? Especially since there's a precedent like Thomas Andrea! Why stubbornly stick with Magician when..."
"C-could you calm down a little?"
Perhaps overwhelmed by the torrent of words, Hong Biyeon's eyes began to spin.
Oh no.
For a moment, it felt like my past self—the one who used to spam the "advice bell" in the game—had resurfaced.
That's not important right now. Hong Biyeon's head is clearly overheating; any detailed explanation would be wasted. I need to summarize it into three simple lines.
"Anyway, I can vouch for her. Miss Biyeon has real talent."
Information
Name: Hong Biyeon
Age: 19
Disposition: Curious, Growth-oriented
Skills:
Flash Step (A) (5/5) Allows short-distance teleportation. Consuming stacks enables consecutive uses. (Recharge time: 15 seconds) Super Strength (B) (2/2) Grants a brief burst of superhuman strength, doubling normal capacity for approximately 10 seconds. (Recharge time: 5 minutes) Hardening (A) Greatly enhances the durability of objects held in hand for a short duration.
Attributes:
Strength: B Defense: C+ Mana: B Stamina: B Agility: C+ Luck: B
She really does have talent.
Did Hong Biyeon even look at her skill window properly?
No, with that skill set, anyone would naturally assume she should choose Striker or Defender. I can't understand why she's so fixated on becoming a Magician.
Of course, she does have talent for Magic. A B Rank is certainly good enough, but... I still can't figure out why she's so obsessed with it.
Is it because of her inferiority complex toward Seong Arin?
"To put it simply, while you have potential as a Magician... your stats are truly optimized for a Defender. Plus, your Mana is completely different from other Defenders. As for defense, Miss Biyeon's strength stat will cover that..."
"Enough. I prefer using Magic. Defenders just stand in front with shields, taking bullets."
Ugh, seriously.
It was simply a Defender aversion.
Maybe I should have just let her drink the black potion, I thought, as I began to seriously consider what to do with Hong Biyeon, who possessed unexpectedly immense talent.
If I nurture her properly... she could grow to rival the Protagonist's party later on.
After all, Hong Biyeon's Dark Evolution had transformed her into a being so powerful that even the Protagonist struggled to face her during her rampage. Her potential was undoubtedly immense.
A mage-Defender with B-rank Mana, combined with melee strength and defense capabilities, who could unleash wide-area magic in enemy territory... Truly, she was the perfect talent to throw into the front lines.
If only I could overcome her Defender aversion...
"Then let me ask you a question."
".........."
"Describe how Miss Biyeon's skills enhance her as a Magician. I'll give you 10 points for a complete answer."
At those words, Hong Biyeon's body flinched.
"Umm... First, my Super Strength allows me to wield a remarkably heavy Staff. And by using Hardening, I can temporarily increase its durability only when casting spells, allowing me to use high-powered Magic without worrying about it breaking..."
"I'll give you 8 out of 10 points."
At least Hong Biyeon's described method of using Magic was feasible.
The fact that she could still remain in Class A—meaning within the top 50 students of the second year—despite choosing to become a Magician with such a flawed skill set speaks volumes.
"With that method, you could definitely become a Hero who earns a decent living. You'd be able to perform adequately as a Magician even in the Gates."
"Right? So mind your own business and—"
"But you'll never beat someone like Seong Arin, a first-rate talent. You'll spend your whole life as a second-rate Magician, content with being a loser."
"You...!"
My words seemed to strike a nerve, as Hong Biyeon glared at me, her expression twisted with anger.
Clench!
She looked ready to grab my collar and throw a punch, but she quickly regained her composure and stopped herself.
"So, you're telling me to abandon the path of a Magician, which I've dedicated my entire life to training for, and become a bullet shield instead?"
But she was already deeply wounded.
I have no interest in girls with fragile mentalities who crumble under harsh words. Therefore, I need to strengthen her confidence.
"You're familiar with the Reversal Device, aren't you?"
"...I know of it. It's the device mages use to reverse-engineer their opponents' magic. It's as large as a staff, making it impractical for portability and efficiency. That's why reversing magic without a Reversal Device is considered remarkable."
"If I defeat Miss Seo-yun tomorrow... you know my next opponent will be Miss Arin, right? I have back-to-back matches tomorrow."
"......So?"
Hong Biyeon picked up the staff she had dropped.
Judging by its considerable weight, it must be made from a dense composite of highly durable materials, making it far heavier than it looks.
"I'll prove it to you. From now on, the path Miss Biyeon can walk will be much wider and far more interesting."
Crack...!!
And with that, he crushed the staff in his hand.
"Th-that's...!"
"Don't worry, I know a cute junior artisan who can fix it."
Right, it was time to head back.
"Will you watch my match tomorrow?"
He wasn't sure why he'd made this choice.
After all, Hong Biyeon was originally destined to become the Protagonist's precious growth experience, consumed by drugs.
Was it out of lingering affection for a classmate? Or because he saw a reflection of his past self, the outcast of the class?
He couldn't quite put his finger on it...
It wasn't pity, nor was it love. It was a strange, inexplicable feeling.
Haha, an old-timer finally met a newbie after so long. I couldn't resist giving them a little boost.
So this was the feeling you got when you saw something cute.
The next day.
"And just like that, it's over! Cadet Lee Seo-yun is instantly thrown out of the arena by the Chairman's overwhelming psychokinesis!"
"Yes, Cadet Lee Seo-yun has shown impressive resilience against psychokinesis... but she couldn't have anticipated having the arena floor ripped up, sandwiching her, and then being hurled out of bounds!"
"...Heeing."
"Don't cry so much, Miss Seo-yun."
"B-but... I lost so absurdly! I wanted to show Miss Se-a how much I've improved!"
Lee Seo-yun had been defeated by me in an instant.
I knew she'd be prepared for my psychokinesis, so I never expected my strategy of lifting the entire arena floor and launching her would work so well. From now on, I'll definitely start with this tactic when I advance to the finals.
"Pfft! How could you lose so pathetically?"
Kang A-yul strode over with a gleeful expression, eager to mock Lee Seo-yun's crestfallen face. But...
"...And what business does Miss Ayul, who suffered two consecutive defeats against someone like me, have with me?"
"Hey! Then let's fight again!"
"No~ The injuries Miss Se-a inflicted are still too painful."
"You lost by ring-out without even getting hurt, you... #$%!!"
Unfortunately, Lee Seo-yun landed a super counterpunch, knocking him out cold.
As I watched their playful banter, my phone began to vibrate. There was only one message I could expect at this time...
Baek Sia
Chairman, I've finished "that" thing I mentioned earlier!
"...As expected, it was a good idea to establish a connection with her beforehand."
"...Miss Se-a?"
Just as I was beaming at Baek Sia's message, Lee Seo-yun and Kang A-yul, who had both witnessed something astonishing, suddenly pounced on me simultaneously, their pupils momentarily frozen.
"You... you can actually make that kind of expression?!"
"Again! Could you show us that incredibly benevolent, satisfied, and utterly content face one more time?!"
But the expression they had seen was nothing more than a strained, artificial smile—a grimace I forced in an attempt to look happy.
Seong Arin vs. Yun Se-a
After advancing past the Round of 256, I looked at the updated bracket for the Round of 128... and there it was, my name and Seong Arin's, prominently displayed.
Since the Round of 128 was mostly filled with unremarkable matches, this was practically the most anticipated showdown.
Well, whether Seong Arin wins or loses, I doubt she'd care much.
But for me, it was a different story.
["Ladies and gentlemen! What we have here is arguably the only true supermatch of the Round of 128! Yun Se-a, the current Student Council President of Raon Academy, will face Cadet Seong Arin, the protégé of S-Rank Hero Choi Won-ho, also known as the Raging Dragon!"]
["We all know how strong the President is. Even though Cadet Seong Arin's first match was overwhelmingly dominant... I still think the President will win comfortably."]
As I stepped through the golden gate, Seong Arin stood on the other side, waving her arms in a welcoming gesture.
"President, it's good to see you."
"Likewise. I see you took my message through Miss Eun-ha to heart. Did your Master make that for you?"
"Yeah, he told me to come at full strength if I didn't want to die."
With that, my gaze drifted to Seong Arin's staff.
One of two masterpieces crafted by the artisan who forged the staff used by Hero Choi Won-ho, each piece meticulously carved by hand.
Alternium combined with the Orb of the Blue Dragon, huh?
Wow, she brought an overpowered item.
Well, I've got a weapon of comparable caliber myself.
"Ah! The weapon the President has drawn against Cadet Seong Arin's personal weapon is..."
"A round shield?! Isn't this underestimating Cadet Seong Arin a bit, Chairman?!"
Ah, it's not a shield.