Chapter 115
Chapter 115
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 115
Chapter Title: Undefeated March
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The second match following the first in the tournament was nearly a struggle.
It was a tight schedule, and unfortunately, they were up against the other Korean team from Seoul National University that had advanced alongside them.
They were a team that had made headlines as one of Korea's proud representatives, praised for their remarkable growth.
However, the tight timeline was the same for both sides, and there was inevitably an absolute gap in skill.
The opposing rebuttal attorney stood weakly and spoke, her face showing she already sensed defeat.
"No objections to the opposing side's claims."
"No... objections?"
This left Woo Si-hyung flustered instead. He'd anticipated it, but their prompt surrender was still surprising.
- Korea University Team 3 Victory.
The match ended smoothly like this, and Kang Hyun's team pushed ahead with preparations for the next one.
The next match resulted in victory as if it were the most natural outcome.
And so, two wins, three wins...
Victories kept piling up.
This wasn't just one or two matches—it was a breathless group tournament with 30 teams running simultaneously.
Yet as time passed, Kang Hyun's team grew more composed, while other teams' performances dipped in quality. In contrast, Kang Hyun's matches shone like jewels.
Naturally, spectators' attention focused on them, and responding to those expectations, Kang Hyun's team soared even higher.
Soon, the first news article featured them prominently.
- Kang Hyun, the prodigy law student making waves, and Professor Park Min-ha's Korea University mock trial team are shining at the World Mock Trial Competition 'Bismuth,' which opened on the 10th of this month.
Followed by another article.
[Mock Trial Festival for Future Lawyers Becomes the World's Top Headline.]
News outlets soon began covering Kang Hyun's group's exploits in real-time, with some channels dedicating special features to them.
Naturally, Kang Hyun was at the center.
His feats even boldly claimed the main news slots.
[Kang Hyun Sweeps the World Championship in Unstoppable Fashion.]
"We will now announce the tournament results."
Kang Hyun stood and looked at the LED monitor behind the courtroom.
- Korea University Team 3 Victory.
"Whoa!"
Cheers rippled like waves through the small courtroom, accompanied by nonstop applause.
Clap, clap, clap.
The cramped spectator seats meant not many could watch live, but those lucky enough to see Kang Hyun's team's performance applauded vigorously, praising them.
Everyone present was amazed by them, their eyes filled with anticipation for what was to come.
And with this, the answer to Kang Hyun's earlier question—"Has there ever been a team undefeated through the tournament in Bismuth?"—changed from "No" to...
"There is a team undefeated through the tournament in Bismuth."
- The first ever undefeated tournament run in Bismuth history.
- As expected from the legends.
Tournament staff murmured in admiration around the courtroom.
They had achieved this streak with astonishing skill and overwhelming dominance.
A gap so vast there was no room for dispute.
Truly, they advanced to the main draw undefeated.
"Main draw advancement!"
"Good work, everyone."
It wasn't luck.
It was the fruit of pure effort, so the entire team, Kang Hyun included, could celebrate heartily.
But the joy was short-lived.
The next match came at them without respite. This one would be breathless too.
The main draw matches followed soon after.
The courtroom had more spectator seats than during the tournament, and the atmosphere grew heavier.
Their first opponent in the main draw: the heavily favored German team.
Kang Hyun and the other three gathered in the competition hall began their final briefing.
"...Finally, this first trial will hinge on international private law disputes. Stay calm if unfamiliar terms come up, and absolutely do not concede jurisdiction."
A match where jurisdiction between the two countries would decide victory or defeat.
If jurisdiction was ceded to the opposing nation, judgment would follow foreign law instead of Korea's, complicating things immensely.
Professor Park Min-ha seemed a bit tense for this first main draw match. Coaching time stretched longer, instructions more detailed.
She knew better than anyone how well they'd done so far, but worried the team—on the international main stage for the first time—might slip up.
Yet the three reassured her instead.
"It's fine. We'll recalibrate direction after the first recess. We need to see their approach first."
"Good thinking."
Kang Hyun faithfully handled his team leader role, laying out detailed strategies, and she fully trusted and respected him for it.
The court will reconvene shortly. Both teams, prepare for the competition.
Thus began the match against the top-seeded German team.
But when push came to shove, the skill gap was enormous.
They were dragged powerlessly, like in a tug-of-war against vastly superior strength, as Kang Hyun's Korean team battered them mercilessly.
"We object to the opposing side's statement."
In the end, just like in qualifiers, Yoon Chan-rim wrapped it up.
"So far, the opposition has argued that their nation's court is more convenient for the parties in terms of geography and language. However, international judicial jurisdiction is a matter of sovereignty, so denying our jurisdiction based on such claims is absurd logic."
Especially against the Germans, Yoon Chan-rim flew even higher.
No one on the opposing rebuttal could match him fluently interrupting in German and speaking coherently.
It didn't matter if opponents were strong or weak.
Kang Hyun shone too.
"Additionally, beyond personal interests in the opposition's claim, per Article 2, Paragraph 2 of the Republic of Korea International Private Law Act, we must also consider if the trial is fair and effective, rendering their argument meaningless."
"We acknowledge."
Kang Hyun's quite proficient English.
His precise word choice and tone for legal terms were impressively eloquent.
The opponents could only flounder helplessly.
- Korea University Team 3 Victory.
A decisive victory in their first main draw match.
Unstoppable momentum.
Yet Kang Hyun didn't loosen the reins.
Next, semifinals after the weekend.
School events overlapped, forcing Kang Hyun to juggle both.
Click.
In the spacious student council president's office.
Lee Myung-hwan, temporarily filling in for Kang Hyun, greeted him.
"Tired?"
"Launch ceremony postponed for sure?"
"Yeah, that's the plan."
"Good that it's delayed, but prep time's extended now. Let's coordinate the vendors' schedules first."
"...You okay? Pulled another all-nighter?"
"I'm fine."
Nod.
Vice Student Council President Lee Myung-hwan spoke with concern, but Kang Hyun calmly accepted the schedule.
Four or five scheduled student council events already. More would flood in as time went on.
Especially in April, when official activities kicked off—delayed college and autonomous group launch ceremonies tangled things further, naturally extending Kang Hyun's student council hours.
He couldn't cut competition prep time, so sleep shortened, and he got home later.
Yet Kang Hyun didn't stop.
He wrapped up event coordination, handled extra tasks, then holed up in the study room sorting materials.
Days passed, into the dawn.
Morning again.
Semifinals.
Against the UK.
An elite squad from a top law school rivaling Germany—intimidating prestige.
They even brought substantial staff and coaching to Korea; the most solid mock trial team.
However...
- Korea University Team 3 Victory.
Overwhelmed by the staggering skill gap, they bowed their heads.
"We did it!"
"Great job!"
As Kang Hyun's entire team jumped up, fists clenched tight, shutters filled the hall.
Click! Click!
- A Korean team in the world semifinals!
- And from a regular university, not a law school!
Absolute shock.
The explosive results stirred uproar everywhere.
News, papers, SNS—no one wasn't talking about them.
Especially Kang Hyun's usually stoic figure leaping up with clenched fists—it was charismatic and cool to anyone watching.
The short clip went viral on SNS with massive views, even featured on broadcast TV.
Truly astonishing.
Advancing to semifinals as Korea's rep.
Mock trial stars appeared occasionally, but such dramatic results were rare.
Kang Hyun stood out uniquely, captivating the public like a star.
- In the Bismuth mock trial tournament, Korea University's Kang Hyun mock trial team advanced to main draw undefeated, then beat Germany in quarters and UK in semis. Details...
Exiting the Foreign Ministry building, crowds of reporters and well-wishers celebrating Kang Hyun's win blocked his path.
"Kang Hyun! Just one word!"
"When did you predict victory?"
"Most rated opponents superior—your thoughts?"
Click! Click!
Kang Hyun politely answered each question courteously, like a photo line turning into a press conference.
"May I wrap up here? We'll prepare hard for finals and greet you with another win."
After 30 minutes, he bowed politely and hurried off.
Walking far, slipping to a crowded opposite side, he finally met his waiting teammates.
"Hyun-ah, we really did it!"
"Bro, that last bit was insane."
With cameras around, they'd restrained their joy for a casual high-five.
Confirming no one nearby, they hugged and savored the victory.
They'd more than earned it.
"I never thought... we'd reach finals..."
Professor Park Min-ha, standing a few steps behind the celebrating trio, couldn't hide her amazement as she enjoyed the win.
In her career, she'd never guided a team to such heights.
"You all worked hard to get here!"
They hadn't reached their goal yet, but this far alone qualified them for joy.
"Now, just finals left."
"Whoa! Can't believe it!"
"Just one more."
But Kang Hyun's team had no time to slack. They had to charge for the final peak.
Competition theme announced tomorrow, finals next Monday.
"A bit more effort."
As Professor Park Min-ha spoke and eyes met, Kang Hyun.
And everyone’s eyes gleamed.
With the spark of passion-forged fervor.