Performance Evaluation Preparation (3)
On Monday afternoon at the academy.
“This performance evaluation is ‘stealing the flag.’ All the team members are already decided, so Homeroom Teacher Hong Daye began explaining what kind of test it would be.”
“We’ll split into two teams. The team that first pulls out the flag planted in the center and brings it back to their own territory wins.”
The cadets sat up straight in their seats, ears perked up at Teacher Hong’s words.
This was their very first performance evaluation, so they had no choice but to focus intensely.
Their grades mattered so much.
“Since we’re organized into groups of three, each person’s sense of cooperation and strategic thinking will be crucial. In other words, the goal isn’t to defeat the opponent’s team—it’s simply to steal the flag.”
If it were a simple tournament, the stronger team would win, but this flag-stealing game was different.
Even a weak team could win if they planned perfectly and snatched the flag without relying on raw strength.
Of course, the process wouldn’t be easy.
“The test will be conducted in tournament format, with sixteen teams each playing four matches.”
Our class had forty-eight students.
That meant sixteen teams of three.
Naturally, that led to the quarterfinals, semifinals, finals, and championship.
We’d play four rounds in that format.
“Because it’s a tournament format, reaching the finals and winning would be great for your grades. But even if you get eliminated early, the evaluation will still depend on how well you performed. So don’t let yourself get discouraged if you’re eliminated early.”
Even if you meet monsters like Siwoo or Daehan from the start and get eliminated, Teacher Hong would give decent grades if you showed strong performance.
“Then it’s about time… we should draw up the bracket.”
Teacher Hong raised the tournament bracket on the electronic classroom board.
“The opponents will be randomly assigned…”
She let the tail of her sentence hang, saying “randomly,” and the students started murmuring among themselves. But I knew she wouldn’t actually choose the opponents randomly.
After all, she had watched this scene dozens of times before.
“……That would be no fun at all.”
Teacher Hong looked at the students and slowly curled the corner of her mouth into a smile.
“Each team leader will get the chance to pick their own number first, based on their entrance exam rankings.”
“In order of ranking?”
“Huh? Like that?”
Instantly, all the students’ gazes locked onto one spot.
Pat, pat, pat.
Countless eyes shot over like arrows.
Beyond the students’ stares stood Lee Siwoo.
It would be rude to say it straight out, but Siwoo was the top-ranked student.
Even if no one knew the exact scores of the others, everyone knew Siwoo’s score.
“Then come forward, Lee Siwoo’s team first. Ah, don’t all come—only the team leader. Only the team leader.”
“Yes.”
Siwoo and his teammates rose, but the teacher stopped them.
Jin Soyeon scratched her cheek with an embarrassed expression and, after a moment, patted Siwoo’s shoulder and flashed a bright smile as if urging him to go.
He stared quietly at Soyeon’s face, then suddenly turned and walked toward the podium far away.
The corner of Siwoo’s mouth twitched slightly.
Um…
It seemed the two had become quite close lately.
That was good news. But the person watching them felt a little uneasy.
“……”
It was exactly Yu Seolhyeon.
“Hah. Siwoo is so well-behaved, she’s been keeping him company again.”
“Right, right. Jin Soyeon, that girl, has been acting way too arrogant lately, hasn’t she?”
“That brat. The moment they broke up, she’s already chasing after another guy. I can’t believe it.”
The students from Yu Seolhyeon’s group kept gossiping nonstop.
Just like usual, they were venting their frustration at Jin Soyeon.
It was like a flock of sparrows.
Maybe the fact that the two had been hanging out too much lately had sparked jealousy and resentment.
“Could you be a little quieter? My ears are hurting.”
“Ah, s-sorry. Ahahaha. I was a little noisy?”
The moment Yu Seolhyeon spoke quietly, the group went silent.
Those female students couldn’t be considered her real friends.
They were simply convenient tools and subordinates she kept nearby.
Even the girls knew their place.
“Yeah. It’s quiet and nice.”
She scanned the girls once more, then turned her head.
Their unnecessary chattering had given her a headache, but now it was finally peaceful—she looked satisfied.
Yu Seolhyeon ignored the sweat-soaked girls and kept glancing between Jin Soyeon and Lee Siwoo.
Their familiar closeness didn’t sit well with her.
“Which number are you choosing, Siwoo?”
“……”
At Teacher Hong’s question, Siwoo stayed silent.
The current bracket was completely blank.
Choosing anywhere wouldn’t matter.
That was why Siwoo boldly picked number 1 from the options 1 through 16. Number 1. A meaningful choice. It was a show of confidence.
“Great. Siwoo and two others… Team 1. Next, Daehan, come forward.”
Kang Daehan, who had been watching the scene, took a small step forward with a mocking glint in his eyes.
He shot one last glance at Siwoo, who was about to return to his seat, and in an instant chose number 2.
Team 2.
Right next to Team 1.
In other words, they would face each other in the very first match.
“Daehan, is it number 2?”
“Yes. Number 2.”
Daehan looked at Siwoo with a vicious smirk.
Siwoo met his gaze in return.
Their eyes locked and tangled.
“I’ve always wanted to go up against the top student once.”
“……”
“I heard there’s a lot of buzz about it. Maybe I should look forward to it.”
“……”
Whispers rippled through the crowd.
The students murmured at Daehan’s provocative words.
Ever since, the matchup of Siwoo versus Daehan had been a hot topic.
“Fortunately, it’s progressing just like in the game.”
Daehan’s sudden action—showing a bit of arrogance toward Siwoo.
From the very first match, a clash between the number-one and number-five ranked students would make an excellent talking point for the students, but not for the teammates.
Of course, the action hadn’t been discussed with the other members of Team 2.
That was why…
“D-Daehan. No, no matter what, facing Siwoo from the start is…”
“What? You’re scared? I’m here.”
“No, that’s not it…”
The teammates were at a loss.
They seemed to feel burdened by facing Siwoo’s team from the beginning.
No matter how confident Daehan was, Siwoo was never an easy opponent.
From their perspective, it would be best to face an easier team first and then battle in the finals.
But Daehan paid no attention and boldly stepped up to challenge.
His teammates with Daehan would probably face a lot of headaches no matter how strong they were.
Actions like that without thinking things through could cause trouble.
But our team was different.
“Next, come forward, Seolhyeon.”
“Yes.”
Yu Seolhyeon headed toward the podium. As she passed me, I spoke quietly.
“Pick 16 for me.”
“What? Okay.”
Yu Seolhyeon accepted my words without hesitation and walked forward.
Since this was related to the performance evaluation, I had told her my orders would be followed, but I also thought logically that it would be wise to keep a safe distance from dangerous teams.
That was why I hadn’t chosen Daehan at the very start.
His personality made it hard to control him properly.
Yu Seolhyeon, on the other hand, was a partner who listened to reason.
Especially since the keyword was a bet, she would probably follow through even if it wasn’t a small matter.
“I’ll pick 16.”
“Good. Your team is 16, and next—”
After calling each team leader, the bracket was finally complete.
Teacher Hong addressed the students.
“Now, last, I’ll tell you about the test day. The test will be held at Training Field 4 in the fourth dormitory building ten days from now.”
Ten days.
There was still plenty of time.
Of course, I hadn’t delayed the test day on purpose.
I had deliberately given them a generous amount of time so they could analyze the opposing teams and prepare suitable strategies.
This wasn’t just for combat-focused students—support students as well would have enough time to prepare.
“Prepare your best until the test day. That’s all for today.”
Ten days later, the main performance evaluation episode would finally begin.
Since it was the main story, I knew almost every content and flow in great detail.
As much as possible, I needed to leave a favorable impression on Yu Seolhyeon during this performance evaluation period.
Only then would I have enough ‘plausibility’ to do what I had to do next.
Soon, when the dungeon conquest failure incident occurred and I had to get involved with Yu Seolhyeon to recover the sleeping item, I would need to show good form from now on.
“Actually, the way to make a good impression on Yu Seolhyeon…” Well, it wasn’t difficult at all.
If I had to describe Yu Seolhyeon half-jokingly, she was like Jojo—a talent-hungry person, not a woman-killer chasing other people’s lovers.
The reason was that Yu Seolhyeon wanted to be recognized as a hero rather than just the third daughter of the Gaonnuri Clan.
That was why she had always drawn talented people from the Gaonnuri Clan or outside into her faction since the beginning.
Now she informally ran and managed one hero team under the clan.
Once I graduated from this academy, I would lead that team properly.
“Right now, if I want to build a relationship with Yu Seolhyeon, I just need to act like a useful talent.”
And in this performance evaluation, I could raise my own abilities to the maximum.
If it were just me, it would be impossible, but luckily I had Yu Seolhyeon and Seo Nari on my side.
“And… since I already know Yu Seolhyeon’s character settings, it should be fine somehow.”
Her personality, hobbies, likes, dislikes—everything. Approaching her would be easy.
First, I could mention the strategy for the performance evaluation and draw her out to talk about various things.
Yu Seolhyeon would probably want to hear about Jin Soyeon through me, so she was likely to listen.
If I treated her to cake from the café, she wouldn’t refuse.
Because Yu Seolhyeon loved sweet things.
Ah, but Jin Soyeon was a slight worry.
Yu Seolhyeon and she weren’t on good terms at all.
If I approached Yu Seolhyeon, she might dislike it.
No, maybe it would be okay?
After all, she was hanging out with Siwoo these days.
If she was all lovey-dovey with Siwoo, she wouldn’t have the leisure to worry about someone like me. And they wouldn’t casually chat in the academy.
As long as this private meeting didn’t get exposed.
***
“……Jinhyuk, what are you doing here?”
“?”
Eh?
Why did Jin Soyeon suddenly pop up here?