Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Entrance Ceremony
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March, Korea University entrance ceremony day.
Tsss.
The bus that was about to depart opened its doors upon spotting Kang Hyun running toward it.
"Thank you!"
Kang Hyun, who had come sprinting breathlessly, managed to board just in time before it left.
It was a vibrant start to his first day as a college student.
He would have to commute back and forth twenty-six stops each way, morning and evening, but he was happy anyway.
The weather was warm and pleasant, lifting his spirits, and his face was filled with excitement and anticipation for what lay ahead.
Kang Hyun, a freshman in the Faculty of Law at Korea University.
It was the fruit of his efforts, something he could hold his head high about to anyone.
"Phew."
Having barely made the bus, he now relaxed, fiddling with his phone before lightly pulling out the Korea University guidebook from his bag.
"Nice."
The cover featured the school's model, Yoon Haneul from the pre-med first-year class, beaming brightly, which brought a fond smile to his face.
Flipping to the next page revealed the campus map and various guides.
Kang Hyun focused and reread them carefully to reconfirm the building locations.
'This way, right?'
Today, he was scheduled to take the stage as the freshman representative to recite the pledge.
Once upon a time, titles like "Subway Hero," "Citizen Award Recipient," and "Nation's Top College Entrance Exam Scorer" had rocked the country.
These stories had propelled him to the position of student representative at Korea University's entrance ceremony.
People occasionally recognized him and greeted him, suggesting his fame was greater than he'd thought.
'Stay calm...'
But whenever he had to step onto a stage or stand as a representative like this, his heart raced just like the first time.
'Let's do this!'
It was a moment of deep emotion for this new beginning.
About a third of the way toward his first goal had passed.
Being the nation's top scorer on the College Scholastic Ability Test was impressive, but it was nothing more or less than an achievement from his high school days.
In this place gathered the sharpest minds from across the country, he had to outperform the rich, haughty types who'd never known hardship and establish himself as the best here too.
To top the law graduate school entrance or secure early admission later, he needed to maintain top grades at all times. Unlike university admissions, he also had to rack up various experiences and earn good evaluations from professors and peers.
'Can't ignore the Judicial Exam.'
He had a rough plan for studying for the Judicial Examination too.
He intended to take it after completing the minimum requirement of 35 credits in law-related courses.
Of course, he was confident.
However, whether to become a prosecutor via the Judicial Exam route or after law school via the prosecutor appointment exam was still up in the air.
The Judicial Exam, amid abolition debates, was on track to be scrapped. Looking to the future, law school grads who were once sneered at by Judicial Research and Training Institute alumni would seize their positions, dooming Judicial Exam passers to obsolescence.
'Either way...'
Kang Hyun wanted to be the best.
Someday, a moment of decision would come.
But first and foremost, overcoming the challenges ahead without tiring was crucial.
Kang Hyun gathered his thoughts, got off the bus, and started walking.
The grand auditorium for Korea University's freshman entrance ceremony.
A vast brown hall fanned out in a semicircle, flanked by large screens on either side, with a stage at the far end.
"Wow... it's huge."
Before the event started, people were finding seats, taking photos with family, and sharing emotional moments.
Kang Hyun was the impatient one, due to the rehearsal for the pre-event run-through.
He approached a man who seemed to be staff, diagonally across from the stage, and bowed politely.
"Hello! I'm Kang Hyun."
The man, wearing a name tag—likely from the student affairs office—lit up as if spotting a celebrity upon seeing Kang Hyun.
"Oh, the national top scorer! Hello. We were just waiting for you. Here, this is the pledge script you'll read."
"Sorry I'm late."
"No, no problem. Congratulations on your admission. We look forward to it. Shall we do a quick practice? The order's changed a bit. The president has a schedule today, so Dean Kim Jong-hwan from the Faculty of Law will stand in."
"Dean of the Faculty of Law?"
"Yes."
Kim Jong-hwan, a capable professor and former prosecutor. Even after hanging up his prosecutor badge, he was infamous for his immense influence over the organization.
Kim Jeong-min the prosecutor occasionally mentioned him while keeping Kang Hyun close, and the word wasn't bad.
-He's got a brutally straightforward personality, but deep thoughts. Considering how stingy he was with praise for people, Kim Jong-hwan seemed like a decent guy.
"...It's an honor to stand here today. Moving forward..."
The practice itself wasn't too hard. He skimmed the program a few times, recited the pledge, and answered some questions to wrap up.
"You did great. Go back to your seat and wait."
"Thank you."
After a few run-throughs, the rehearsal ended. Kang Hyun parted from the staff, scanned around for a seat, picked an empty one, and greeted the person next to it as he sat.
"Hello."
A man with narrow, slit eyes and a bit of flesh on his face sat there—probably a freshman too. But he gave Kang Hyun a quick once-over and nodded curtly, ignoring him.
"..."
Kang Hyun had a rough idea why. From his clothes and shoes to his clutch bag, the guy was decked out in luxury brands, with a flashy latest-model phone. He screamed rich kid from a wealthy family. In contrast, Kang Hyun was neatly dressed, but nothing designer, and his phone was an older model. The difference was stark. Then, out of nowhere, the guy tossed a line at Kang Hyun.
"This seat's only for Korea University admits."
"I'm a freshman too."
"..."
Kang Hyun's hunch was spot on. The guy's words and expression dripped with condescension. It could've soured his mood a bit, but Kang Hyun brushed it off with a relaxed smile. He'd overheard the conversation between that guy and the two other men on the opposite side.
"The student rep doing the pledge scored perfect on the national exam, right?"
"Word is, some prosecutors from the Central District Prosecutors' Office are backing him."
"Son of the Prosecutor General or something?"
"Dunno, but family connections, probably. What school are you from? I'm..."
Their chat held no nutritional value, so Kang Hyun tuned out and focused elsewhere. 'She should've arrived by now...' Kang Hyun glanced around, searching for Yoon Haneul. But unable to spot her, the event kicked off. Lights brightened the stage, the program lit up on the screens. The emcee, a former announcer, declared the opening, and a renowned quartet led the national anthem. It was leagues beyond any school event Kang Hyun had seen, and it felt surreal yet exciting that he'd grow accustomed to this life. After the pledge of allegiance, it was time for the students' oath.
"Next up, the freshman representative will recite the pledge. All students, please stand. Due to the president's absence, the dean will handle the address and pledge presentation."
Kang Hyun's turn had come. A microphone awaited him at the center podium below the stage. He shot up and strode forward confidently. Step, step.
"...Huh?"
The guy next to him who'd snubbed Kang Hyun gaped, eyes and mouth wide. Nearby students watched the approaching Kang Hyun with curious stares. Those who'd been competitively bragging about their schools, study abroad programs, and international debate experience fell silent as if their mouths were glued shut. As all eyes converged, Kang Hyun took center stage.
"Whew."
He steadied his nerves with a soft exhale. Then, smoothly taking his marked position, he received the pledge script and opened it naturally.
"..."
Before raising his hand for the oath, he scanned the crowd. From the podium, he saw admiring gazes, shocked faces, curious onlookers—gestures and murmurs revealing a flood of thoughts. Attending professors and dignitaries whispered while fixing on him.
"..."
Kang Hyun shifted his gaze forward, raised his right hand, and opened his mouth.
"I pledge."
In this moment of rapt attention, his resolve hardened anew.
"...As a student of Korea University, I pledge to abide by the school rules and regulations, to cherish the honor of the university and my peers, and to strive my utmost to become a pillar of the Republic of Korea, equipped with character and ability."
Finishing the recitation, he tucked the script into his waistband and ascended the stage to hand it to the dean. The hall hushed, eyes locked even tighter. 'That's Dean Kim Jong-hwan.' First face-to-face with Kim Jong-hwan: dressed in black robes like judicial attire topped with a mortarboard, not comical but fitting. Former prosecutor, renowned legal figure.
"Student Kang Hyun. Welcome."
He gazed warmly at Kang Hyun with intrigued eyes and accepted the pledge script. Polite applause then rippled through the hall, long and steady. In that brief interlude, Kim Jong-hwan murmured to him.
"Heard about you from Jeong-min the other day. Said you've been up to some interesting things."
No clue what Kim Jeong-min had told him already, but it eased Kang Hyun's tension a notch.
"Thank you."
"Good. I'll train you hard to withstand this world's harshness."
Unclear on his full intent, but the dean's keen interest was plain.
"Drop by my office later. Got something to tell you."
"Got it."
Nodding, Kang Hyun turned to descend. But the emcee's next line threw him off.
"A moment for a bouquet presentation to the student representative from an acquaintance."
"...?"
His mother couldn't make it due to work. 'No one's coming...' Kang Hyun's face stiffened at the unexpected agenda item. But it was soon drowned in the crowd's cheers and gasps echoing through.
"Wow!"
"Amazing! She's gorgeous!"
"Who is she?"
He turned to follow the gazes. Someone cradling a huge bouquet was ascending the stage. Her silhouette evoked a goddess, and someone recognized her.
"Ah! The school model!"
As her identity dawned, the murmurs swelled beyond before.