Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Overflowing Power
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Kang Jae-hyeok woke up in the morning feeling his body light as a feather.
Of course, he usually felt refreshed after sleeping.
Even though his sleep averaged just four hours, his trained body and mind recovered him quickly with the minimum rest.
But today, his body felt especially light.
His overflowing energy made him think he might need to increase the weight of the lead weights he always carried.
‘It was the stats going up.’
Jae-hyeok quickly grasped the situation.
The night before.
He had been pleased with a small achievement during his training.
An achievement where his footwork had sharpened just a tiny bit.
If Jae-hyeok’s senses had been even a little less sensitive, he wouldn’t have even noticed the growth.
But now it was clear his stats had risen.
Not just one specific stat, but all of them.
However, Jae-hyeok had been exhausted yesterday.
Fatigued from flying around during training, he hadn’t felt it even though his stats had gone up.
‘If my stats hadn’t risen, my body would’ve felt as heavy as a thousand tons.’
That was the inconvenience of being unawakened.
Most information in an unawakened person’s status window was locked.
They couldn’t hear system messages or view stat info.
“Good.”
How long had it been since his stats had grown at such a rapid pace?
He felt like he could fly. He was newly grateful that he was still in his growth period.
The path to the cafeteria after washing up felt like walking on clouds.
Lion’s Castle.
A place that didn’t honor his father’s achievements and spirit even though his father had protected it.
This damned cage, fallen into the government’s hands and used at their whim, seemed less dreary than the day before.
The harmony of otherworldly architecture reminiscent of medieval Europe and modern buildings looked purely beautiful, and even seeing the low-level students didn’t bother him.
Yesterday, Jae-hyeok had witnessed the grit of the B-Class students.
Though they were mere chicks now, he had glimpsed their potential to grow sufficiently over the next three years.
It was good motivation.
If even the chicks were rolling hard, he needed to roll even harder.
‘Above all, my top priority is forming my team.’
Jae-hyeok had to get stronger.
He desperately needed spirit medicines that boosted stats.
He wanted to achieve top results in team classes, training, and tournaments.
He also needed to erase his penalty points.
‘The key is who to put in the remaining two spots.’
There were no special restrictions when forming a team.
They didn’t have to be the same year or class; anyone with matching goals could join the same team.
That’s why he had decided to put the second-year Baek Do-jin on his team.
‘Since I’ve got a kid like him, I’m confident I can take top scores even with randos...’
Jae-hyeok knew how to objectively evaluate his own skills.
No student-level opponent could handle him.
Even awakened ones were all low-level.
They lacked the capacity to overwhelm Jae-hyeok with stats yet.
On the other hand, Jae-hyeok could overwhelm them with technique.
‘Silver-haired monster types aren’t exactly common.’
He was confident that even with any two randos for the remaining spots, they’d take first in all kinds of team plays.
Unless he unluckily overlapped events with House Silla’s successor, but even a dream team would struggle against House Silla’s successor anyway.
‘...No. That’s not right.’
House Silla’s successor happened to be a freshman too.
They’d be competing for three years straight, and assuming he’d lose to the guy every time would be exhausting in every way.
‘If I awaken midway, the dynamic could flip.’
To flip the dynamic, his teammates needed to be solid.
‘So no half-assed randos for team members.’
From the start, students who formed excellent teams proved they had outstanding leadership qualities.
A high team level would favorably influence grades regardless of scores.
“Ah, hello?”
Someone greeted Jae-hyeok as he sat down, lost in thought, searching for a seat. It was Chae Da-hee, delightfully enough.
“Wow, if it isn’t the esteemed vice-top seat. Eat lots.”
“...”
Chae Da-hee’s expression grew complicated.
She sensed no malice from Jae-hyeok, who smiled brightly in response.
But his tone was a bit...
‘Esteemed vice-top seat...?’
W-was that sarcasm?
‘No helping it... After the disgraceful display yesterday...’
Da-hee sighed deeply, recalling her pathetic self sniffling with sauce all over her mouth.
“What’s wrong? No appetite?”
“Ahaha... I don’t usually eat breakfast... so it’s hard adjusting.”
“Really? Then give it here; I’ll eat it for you.”
“No need to...”
“Nah. Hand it over.”
“B-but I need to adapt to breakfast too! If I skip mornings, I won’t keep up with the increasingly grueling training ahead!”
“Already got my spoon in it? This is mine now, so go get a new tray.”
“...”
High-level bullying?
As Da-hee pondered seriously, her friend sitting next to her whispered.
“Anyone can see he’s blatantly bullying you.”
“Y-you read my mind?!”
“Of course~ Your cute face shows everything.”
“You’re so pure. You could be in a water purifier and no one’d notice.”
Jae-hyeok added.
He felt a great fondness for Da-hee. How could he dislike a girl who remembered Duke Kang Dae-guk’s dedication and vowed to carry it on?
He wanted to cheer her on for life.
“What’s your deal? Skipping other empty seats to sit here—got a thing for our Da-hee?”
Da-hee’s friend Bae Eujin eyed Jae-hyeok warily.
She knew Jae-hyeok’s rumors well. He was totally her type looks-wise, but impossible to view favorably.
Jae-hyeok nodded, swallowing in one bite the omelet that had originally been Da-hee’s.
“Yeah, lots of interest.”
“Hmph, trying to play it cool... What? WHAAAT?!”
“Eek!”
The reactions were explosive.
Eujin was shocked, Da-hee horrified.
The two girls huddled together, shooting Jae-hyeok disdainful glares.
Whatever.
As Jae-hyeok shoveled food into his mouth, a great idea suddenly struck him.
“Perfect. You join, Chae Da-hee.”
“Huh? Join what? You really want me in a water purifier?”
“What’re you on about? Join the team I’m forming.”
“Pfft!”
Before Da-hee could react, Eujin burst into laughter.
“That’s why you were hitting on Da-hee? Hilarious. You’re just B-Class, and she’s A-Class top freshman vice-seat. And you want her on your team? What, eating shame as a side dish?”
“If you join my team, I’ll help with your training too. It’ll definitely be a huge help for you.”
Eujin scowled, treated like she wasn’t there by Jae-hyeok.
“Who’s helping who train? You must’ve misjudged from seeing her usual self—she seems a bit dim normally, but she’s really the freshman vice-top. She changes 180 degrees with a sword in hand. Her nickname’s Sword Saint for a reason!”
“Sword Saint’s in America—what the hell.”
“Th-that’s the real Sword Saint; it’s her nickname! Meanwhile, you’re just a level 1 B-Class player. You don’t have the skill to help Da-hee, or even the qualifications to team with her!”
“I’m not a player?”
“Oh, it’s true? You insisted to the teacher you hadn’t awakened—that ridiculous rumor was real! Kyahaha!”
Eujin couldn’t hide her annoyance, then burst into giggles again.
Jae-hyeok glanced at her pitifully and stood from his seat.
“Anyway, think about it seriously. I’m not just saying I can help you.”
“Wait!”
Da-hee urgently stopped Jae-hyeok as he turned to leave.
Jae-hyeok paused and smiled brightly.
“Quick decision—nice. As vice-top, your situational judgment is fas—”
“R-return your tray! You left it yesterday too, and I had to clean up!!”
“...Hmm, well. If it’s a request from you, I’ll do it.”
Not a request?
It’s what you’re supposed to do anyway?
Why act like you’re doing a favor...
Da-hee stared blankly at Jae-hyeok’s retreating back, at a loss for words.
She could hardly believe he was Duke Kang Dae-guk’s son.
How shocked she’d been when she learned Jae-hyeok’s identity yesterday...
“Parents and kids don’t have to look alike. You know about Kang Dae-seong and Kang Hyeon-ah, right Da-hee?”
“Y-yeah...”
“It’s unfortunate for you, but House Kang is a traitor’s lineage. Don’t get too involved with him. He’s just looking to use you anyway.”
Did she get it?
Eujin grew worried at Da-hee’s innocent grin and hehe laugh.
Jae-hyeok lingered in Eujin’s mind too.
‘Kang Jae-hyeok... More reckless than the rumors. He’ll have a hard school life like that.’
Just now.
If the person sitting next to Da-hee had been a normal A-Class student instead of her.
Jae-hyeok would’ve gotten seriously chewed out.
The other A-Class students wouldn’t be kind to him at all.
A fallen noble daring to.
They’d hurl insults without hesitation at a B-Class trying to equate with A-Class.
With Jae-hyeok’s personality, he’d fire back equally and get beaten to a pulp.
‘Whatever, not my problem.’
Eujin rested her chin on her hand and popped a cherry tomato into Da-hee’s mouth.