Miracle Upset in the Final Evaluation
What the hell? What happened?
I can't see anything because of the smoke...
The smoke obscuring the arena cleared, revealing the two figures. Yoon Seoa stood unharmed, while Kim Siu lay collapsed, looking injured.
As expected, Yoon Seoa wins!
Smoke screen plus a noise generator—impressive as hell.
Wait, something's off here?
No matter how you looked at it, it seemed like Yoon Seoa had won, but no victor was announced. The scoreboard remained frozen.
The results aren't out yet?
Is it broken?
That can't be...
As time dragged on, a single question bubbled up. An absurd possibility: had Kim Siu actually beaten Yoon Seoa?
"This is a first..."
The scoreboard displayed their shield damage percentages. Kim Siu's remaining shield: 0%. Yoon Seoa's: 47%.
In a duel, victory went to the first to deal over 50% damage to the opponent's shield.
Yoon Seoa's shield got over 50% destroyed too?
Has this ever happened before?
I don't think so...
Yoon Seoa, the academy's top student, had fought countless duels in front of crowds. In inter-academy friendlies and promotional matches, her shield had never taken over 50% damage.
But this time, an upset had occurred.
No way...
Against Kim Siu?
Both had inflicted victory-condition damage on each other. Now, it came down to who struck first.
"Don't just stand there—treat him!"
"Sorry!"
The medical staff and officials stared in disbelief at Kim Siu before snapping to and rushing over. The instructor acting as referee had watched the duel but struggled to judge the razor-thin margin.
"We'll review the footage. Wait a moment."
The arena erupted in murmurs at the instructor's words. The atmosphere thickened with the sense that something unbelievable was about to happen.
Even amid the chaos, the medics stayed focused and began treatment.
"Ugh... that hurts."
A warm energy enveloped Kim Siu, slowly melting away Yoon Seoa's chill. His wounds looked painful, but he was smiling.
"Thanks for letting your guard down."
"..."
If Yoon Seoa hadn't slipped, the outcome might have been different. If she'd gone all-out from the start, Kim Siu couldn't have won.
But the evaluation was over. Hypotheticals meant little now.
Yoon Seoa hadn't held back entirely, but she'd thought her attacks sufficient for victory. The issue was Kim Siu's movements.
"How... did you read all my attacks?"
"Who knows?"
If he hadn't dodged like he knew everything coming, her win would have been certain.
"..."
Most students froze before Yoon Seoa. How many could stay calm after seeing her crush opponents with overwhelming power?
Yoon Seoa felt a spark of intrigue watching Kim Siu stare her down boldly. And that mana that sliced her final ice wall—she recognized it.
"Anti-Magic."
Yoon Seoa murmured softly.
"Huh? What'd you say?"
"Kim Siu..."
The clear blue mana flickered like a flame—a familiar power. One held by the hunter she admired most, now lost.
Two years ago, S-rank Kim Tae-hwan had sacrificed himself defending Korea. That was his ability.
Anti-Magic—in games, it meant magic resistance. It had let Kim Siu repel her chill with minimal mana.
But Anti-Magic wasn't just defensive. What if used offensively?
Equal forces clashing? Resistance held the edge.
Hunters all used mana; monsters used magi. A cheat ability with broad utility.
"The results are in."
Having reviewed the footage, the instructor stepped into the arena to declare the winner.
"Kim Siu wins by a margin of 0.01 seconds."
The scoreboard updated: Winner: Kim Siu.
A near-simultaneous strike, a miracle from the academy's dead last.
The arena fell deathly silent.
The bottom-ranker beating the top student. Everyone knew her strength from past duels.
Is something wrong here?
Students who couldn't see through the smoke muttered in confusion.
"The winner is Kim Siu."
The instructor's words silenced the doubts. A miracle had happened in this duel.
Yoon Seoa stepped toward Kim Siu from her spot.
"Kim Siu... I'll remember you."
Watching from beyond the screen were others. Instructor Han Ho-jin, slightly plump with a cute face, let out a gasp.
"Ah, if I'd been nearby, I could've seen exactly what happened. Too bad the smoke hid it all..."
"..."
Kang Mina shivered at the thought of the aftermath storm.
I was heading to the infirmary with the medics' help. Yoon Seoa's attacks were brutal— a few ice shards could be fatal.
As I passed, whispers followed, rumors already spreading.
Soon, the whole academy would know: I'd beaten Yoon Seoa.
The scenario quest completes when grades are revealed, right?
Your quest will clear the moment your grades are revealed.
Guess I have to wait a few days...
I wanted the reward now, but no choice. Still, a satisfying result.
The long journey was over. This win would reshape my image.
Regrettable I hadn't fully mastered Anti-Magic yet, but no one would see me as bottom-ranker Kim Siu anymore.
Honestly, it felt like I lost, though.
Yoon Seoa walked out fine; I was carried off. Didn't look like a winner.
But results mattered. No one had imagined Yoon Seoa losing—not even her.
Still, I'd left a strong impression.
Yoon Seoa's favorability hit 35.
The Favorability System showed she'd remember my name.
No worries when second semester started.
Just you wait, Yoon Seoa.
Thinking of the hardships made me teary. How long had it been? I never gave up and won.
Congratulations.
What, even you're acknowledging it?
We are positively evaluating User Kim Siu.
Great, if it's good, it's good. Can I look forward to the scenario quest reward?
I cannot provide details, but you can expect substantial rewards.
This time, big gains. Scenario quest reward aside, the real excitement was...
How to handle Kang Mina?
She was probably anxious now. The contract meant she'd grant any request. An influential professor—making her mine would smooth things ahead.
Pondering how to reel her in, a notification popped up.
What the—sudden favorability 80?
Only one person had that high.
Kang Minji?
A new feature has been added to the Favorability System.
You can now designate a heroine.
Jackpot!
Unexpected points thrilled me.
Obviously Kang Minji, right?
Glancing back, Kang Minji followed with a worried look.
Minji's the one!
The medics checked me, said I needed rest, and left. Kang Minji entered the infirmary.
"You okay?"
Genuine worry in her expression and softer voice—favorability over 80, maybe? Marriage-level, after all.
"Not that bad."
She approached, fidgeting.
"Uh... how'd you win?"
Curious about the smoke-filled chaos. Most would be. High-level folks might sense it via mana detection, but not her yet.
"Thanks to your boobs."
"Bull... shut up, loser!"
She'd banned skinship during exams for studying. With loops, it felt like ages without sex.
Not that I suffered from blue balls or anything.
Still, stress relief was nice. Before the duel, I'd begged her—citing my cave awakening, saying sex with her brought luck.
She refused, compromised by letting me grope her boobs. Lucky boobs.
"But I won, all thanks to you, Minji."
Absurd nonsense, but planting seeds mattered for later.
"..."
If she wondered maybe?, the ploy worked. Absurd, but beating Yoon Seoa was more so.
"Say that anywhere else and you're dead... for real."
Right, new Favorability feature.
Designate Minji as heroine?
Wanted to see Kang Mina, but needed recovery. Minji mattered too.
Feels like my libido's exploding after so long.