The Assessment Prep Begins
In the sprawling mansion located in Hannam-dong, Seoul, hundreds of pyeong of land stretched out like a fortress.
High walls surrounded the property, and 24-hour private security cameras were installed at every blind spot.
Even the private guard house was constantly manned by special agents in black suits.
This was one of the private villas belonging to the Yu Gapryeong family.
Only Jin Soyeon and a few servants currently resided here.
“Hmm.”
Yu Seolhyeon took a slow sip of her tea in the vast room, then began to recall the events that had unfolded at the academy.
A month had already passed since she enrolled at Union Academy.
In that short time, many things had happened, but what truly piqued her interest was the relationship between Lee Siwoo and Jin Soyeon.
Lee Siwoo being interested in a woman for the first time in his life…
Yu Seolhyeon and Lee Siwoo had known each other for a long time.
It was due to family circumstances, but they could still be considered childhood friends.
That was why she found herself harboring a strange feeling.
Lee Siwoo had always looked at her as if she were something to be protected, yet he was now approaching Jin Soyeon so actively.
It was completely different from when he had first met her.
If he didn’t have business with her, he wouldn’t even speak.
His face remained expressionless the entire time they spoke.
She had always thought his demeanor was like stone.
Did he really like her that much?
She had assumed it was a fleeting interest, but perhaps she was wrong.
A strange emotion surfaced in Yu Seolhyeon’s chest.
From her perspective, it was difficult to understand.
Jin Soyeon was simply a commoner girl.
She didn’t possess good bloodlines or exceptional abilities.
Her grades were decent, but that was the end of it.
There was nothing about her that Lee Siwoo would find appealing—family, power, talent, nothing.
…Her looks, then…?
The only thing that made sense was her beauty.
Even Yu Seolhyeon, who had seen her fair share of beautiful women in social circles, found it impossible not to admire her.
Smooth black hair that looked like glossy satin, skin as pale as porcelain—those alone were enough to leave anyone stunned.
Her long legs and the graceful curves of her figure were also striking.
Even from another woman’s eyes, she was undeniably attractive.
But still.
If Lee Siwoo had truly been interested in Jin Soyeon for her appearance alone, it would have been impossible.
Because Lee Siwoo had grown up surrounded by countless beautiful women and had never shown the slightest interest in them.
So why was he drawn to Jin Soyeon?
Even from the very first day at the academy.
“……”
Yu Seolhyeon wondered when she had started properly talking with him.
Because of his usual blunt, one-word responses whenever they met, it had taken months before they could exchange more than a few sentences.
Yet Jin Soyeon…
No, wait.
She had heard they attended the same middle school.
So he should have started paying attention back then.
She didn’t know what had happened between them at the time, but.
Ah, but in middle school Jin Soyeon had a boyfriend.
Lee Jinhyuk, her childhood friend.
That meant Lee Siwoo had been in love with a girl who already had a boyfriend?
A guy like Lee Siwoo?
“……”
Yu Seolhyeon lay back on her soft bed and stared at the ceiling.
She thought deeply for a long moment, then let out a soft laugh.
The more she thought about it, the less pleased she felt.
“……This is ridiculous, Lee Siwoo.”
His pride had been hurt.
To Yu Seolhyeon, Lee Siwoo’s behavior was quite humiliating.
He had never once shown interest in her as a woman, yet he was throwing himself at a commoner girl?
……It felt as if he had been replaced by someone else.
It was deeply embarrassing.
Yu Seolhyeon had been by his side for years, yet he had never given her even a moment of attention.
But now he was so eager for someone completely ordinary like Jin Soyeon?
Even though he had rejected her fake flirting to tease the younger Lee Siwoo.
Yet with Jin Soyeon he was so persistent?
Though she wasn’t in love with Lee Siwoo in a romantic sense, being replaced by someone like Jin Soyeon was a humiliating blow.
Especially from the person he had been with until recently.
Ah, one more thing.
Wait a minute.
So Jin Soyeon broke up with him from the very first day at the academy?
She had been quite lively that day.
It made sense that a girl as beautiful as Jin Soyeon had become single.
It was even a rare opportunity for the few boys who had fallen for her at first sight.
But with Lee Siwoo appearing, most of them had given up hope.
The breakup… he called it a breakup…
Lee Jinhyuk and Jin Soyeon seemed to have decided to remain just friends.
Since they had been childhood friends, the awkward atmosphere never developed.
They were still maintaining a close relationship now.
Just as if the breakup had never happened.
But still?
Could a man and woman who had been together for years break up so easily without any lingering feelings?
Lee Jinhyuk had been secretly watching Jin Soyeon this whole time, hadn’t he?
Jin Soyeon must have been a bit worried about him as well.
……Ah.
Yu Seolhyeon’s lips curled into an unknown smile.
What should I do? A rather interesting thought just occurred to me.
If Yu Seolhyeon approached Lee Jinhyuk, how would Jin Soyeon react?
Since they had broken up, would she completely forget about him?
Or would she glare at Yu Seolhyeon with displeasure?
Or would she show an entirely unexpected reaction?
Yu Seolhyeon was genuinely looking forward to it.
She hoped it would be even more interesting than she had imagined.
If it wasn’t, she would just have to make it interesting herself.
But I really shouldn’t do this…
Still, she had no choice.
She had always been like this since forever.
***
Over a month had passed since enrolling at Union Academy.
“That’s enough for today.”
Every training session so far had been difficult.
The more I repeated the drills, the more sharply I felt my own limitations.
I didn’t have even a shred of talent as a hero.
“We will end today’s training here.”
Hong Daye’s words drew smiles from the students.
“Alright, everyone. Starting next Wednesday, team performance evaluations will begin.”
Team performance evaluation?
“Yes. Form a team. Heroes do not move alone.
Though there are heroes who work alone, most operate in teams.
They can cover each other’s weaknesses.
Fighting, evasion, survival—having comrades is always advantageous.”
The students listened intently to Hong Daye’s words.
“You may freely form 3-person teams within your homeroom and submit by Monday’s morning assembly.”
Teams chosen by us?
“Yes.”
Hong Daye glanced at all our faces, then spoke again.
“Before I forget, the performance evaluation will assess tactics, strategy, combat, adaptability, teamwork, role-playing, and many other things.”
“……”
“Forming teams with your high-scoring classmates may seem convenient, but it can actually hinder you.
Even if your individual abilities are excellent, you might become a burden.
You might also lose your chance to shine.”
“……”
“When selecting teammates, consider composition, synergy, and role-playing abilities.
The exact type of evaluation will be announced on the day itself.”
Don’t just pick the strongest combat members without thinking things through.
Forming a team that could handle every possible situation was ideal.
Of course, if Lee Siwoo, Kang Daehan, and Yu Seolhyeon teamed up, it would be unbeatable.
“Any questions?”
No one answered.
The students were already thinking about who they would team with.
“If not, that’s all for now.
Disperse.”
“Yes!”
With that, the students turned and left the classroom.
Along the way, the students engaged in endless chatter about teammates and training.
“Hey, let’s team up.”
“I don’t want to.
I’m with Han Sung.”
“Whoa, I want to team with Lee Siwoo.
That would be an instant win.”
“Me too, me too.
I’d be great if I get chosen.”
They were desperately trying to secure teammates.
“Soyeon-ah, let’s team up?”
“Hmm~ I don’t know.”
“Come on, what do you say?
Respond.”
“Huhu, I’ll think about it.”
Jin Soyeon looked rather busy.
Her current abilities were fairly average, so.
She could probably handle any role on any team.
And with her looks, she was popular with the boys.
“I, I can be a teammate.
I have a gravity-type ability.
It will definitely be useful.”
“As you know, I’m an electricity type.
I can handle almost any situation….”
“Everyone is crowding around Lee Siwoo, trying to get picked.
How many are there?”
But Lee Siwoo didn’t pay them any mind and walked toward someone.
And that someone was none other than Jin Soyeon.
“Soyeon-ah.”
“Huh? Oh, Siwoo.
You’re so lucky.
Everyone seems to want to team with you.
You can just choose whoever you want.”
“Will you team up with me?”
“Eh?”
Jin Soyeon blinked in surprise.
“With me?”
“Yeah.”
“I don’t think I’d be as good as the others…?
I honestly don’t think I’m good enough to team with you.”
“We’ve teamed up a few times back in middle school.
Since this is a team performance evaluation, cooperation will be important.”
“Ah, is that so?
Well, if you pick me, I’ll be grateful.”
In the game, Lee Siwoo hadn’t been the one to approach first.
Because I had been his girlfriend.
But now I was nothing but a childhood friend.
Lee Siwoo no longer hesitated.
Thank goodness.
He was the one who approached first.
I nodded to myself.
This performance evaluation was quite important.
I wanted to take the strongest possible forces and Jin Soyeon all the way to the finals.
Because this evaluation was the starting point of the real story.
There were important things I had to do by then.
Perfect, then I’m going to… huh?
“Hello? Lee Jinhyuk.”
Unexpectedly, Yu Seolhyeon appeared and called out to me.
I tilted my head slightly in my mind.
I hadn’t expected her to be the one to speak first.
“We’re in the same class, yet we barely ever talk, right?”
“Yeah, but why?”
“Ah, I just have one question.”
Yu Seolhyeon smiled gently and parted her small lips.
“Do you have anyone you’d like to team up with?”
“Hmm.”
She knew why she was asking.
After a month of training, she would have realized my competitiveness against the others.
“If you don’t have anyone, will you team up with me?”