Chapter 101
Chapter 101
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: 1st Place VS 152nd Place (1)
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Fights that divide superiority and inferiority in skill boast a long history originating from ancient times—a living culture.
Colosseum. Jousting...
The arena is a place to prove one's efforts and the field of duels.
And in that place, the weapon gripped in one's hand holds greater power than the judge's gavel.
This venue where cadets clash in combat doesn't stray far from that meaning either.
They hold a single tournament. They sharpen their blades in anticipation, unleashing their honed skills freely in the matches.
Pouring everything into that entire process—that's what a match is.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Group A Victory → Cornus] In such a glorious arena of duels,
it's rare for someone who hasn't put in the effort to step in.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Group C Victory → Im Jong-hyun] Some might slip due to overconfidence in their talent.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Group G Victory → Jeong Si-woo] Others will explode with the results of over a decade of effort.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Group H Victory → Lee Si-heon] Occasionally, there are unusual outliers, but even they have undoubtedly shed blood and sweat—no one can deny that.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Eliminated List: Kim Young-hoo, Shin Young-ah... Azalea] However, there are always those who must drink the bitter cup of defeat.
In this academy, where skill is everything—a frog in a well,
the victors are treated as having toiled longer and receive praise.
Since it's a well that fosters competition, some hang obsessively on their grades and crumble.
The despair of collapsing on the stage prepared for a lifetime due to a minor mistake.
Championship contenders dropping in prelims purely due to bad luck. Skill-less guys climbing thanks to favorable draws.
Those participating in the tournament grow more desperate than anyone.
Because producing results is the trickiest part.
Lest the unskilled climb above them.
-Click.
Lee Si-heon tightened the belt of his cadet combat uniform and gave a wry smile at the results sheet.
Was it inevitable that his first worry was for Azalea?
With his personality that made him worry alone, he could picture himself forcing a cheerful grin.
"Beep, biiip!"
At the front door.
When Shiba, dressed in bright yellow casuals, cried out, he stroked his daughter-figure with a fatherly smile brimming with affection.
"You'll head to kindergarten just fine today too, right?"
"Biiip."
After hugging his primly responding daughter once, Si-heon glanced at the peach-like figure standing behind him.
Lounging on the sofa, still giggling... the white-haired Baek Do was wiping tears from her eyes.
"...Pfft."
"Ah, come on!"
"Puhup."
"How long are you gonna tease me about that?"
"Can't help it, heh, right? The more I think about it, the funnier it gets. My disciple, who struck every pose in the book... heh, came back covered in hives."
The evening of his first match against Bead.
When he reported it to his master. Baek Do's lame remark, which he'd half-expected, proved spot on.
All sorts of jabs like "That's why you can't trust show-offs" and "Spineless tough guy." And not content with that, she kept teasing him into this morning, days later.
Of course, it wasn't a secret that they'd nearly grabbed each other's collars when she first teased him—everyone knew.
"Just you wait, one slip-up and you're done."
"This body won't slip up."
"We'll see about that."
Whether Baek Do's shame would explode first or Si-heon's boldness crumble.
Let's see how far it goes, Si-heon thought.
When twilight came, who would be the one in tears was obvious.
Si-heon stuffed the nutrient solution he'd prepared into his backpack, stood, and grumbled.
"Don't kill my vibe. It's an important day."
"It is important. That Si-woo guy, right?"
"Yes."
"Sounds like a host club burnout."
Si-heon stuck out his tongue at Baek Do's rude remark and flung open the front door.
"Whatever. Match starts at 1, so take your time. Make sure to drop Shiba off."
"Got it."
Feeling his stiffening face, Si-heon stepped outside.
His pounding heart was the perfect stimulant.
Today. The most crucial day of midterms—the first round of the tournament proper.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Waaaaaaaaah—!
The crowd's cheers filled every gap in the surrounding chatter without a miss.
El Academy, the world's most renowned. The tournament showcasing elite cadets attending it.
A high-quality match viewable without special tickets—the vast arena was packed today as always.
-Beep!
Whistles echoed here and there.
Morning class cadets began heading to the waiting rooms first.
The cadets descending the stairs all wore tense expressions.
And black-suited guards encircled them, surveilling the surroundings.
Such an astonishing sight was being watched by cadets' families, guild reps, reporters, journalists, and tourists.
"They'd think it was the Olympics or something."
"Right?"
-Gulp gulp.
As he sipped flat cola and spoke to Azalea, she giggled and gazed at the vast arena.
Her eyes held a mix of relief and bitterness.
"Ah, I wanted to compete too. It's a shame. Of all places, running into that guy there."
It was about Im Jong-hyun.
The guy gunning for Jeong Si-woo would surely be tough for a mage like her.
Word was it was razor-close.
If she'd just blocked one attack, or landed one spell, their fortunes would have reversed.
Honestly, landing a hit on a swordsman was impressive in itself. With Im Jong-hyun fuming, it was a solid achievement.
Proving she was El Academy's top first-year Korean class mage.
"You'll do better next time."
Of course, I offered only perfunctory comfort over a hundred words.
She knew her regrets best anyway.
"Still, it's a relief."
Azalea pouted, then looked at me and said,
"What is?"
I asked back, and she grinned.
"I get to cheer for you thanks to it."
A slightly touching line. Very slightly.
I forced a laugh at the cringey words and changed the subject.
"Heh heh, what about Si-woo?"
"True. The winner gets my support."
"Gotta win no matter what."
"...Hee hee."
Whether eased by my resolve, Azalea looked much more relieved as she scanned the arena, then pulled some pills from her handbag—uncertain when she'd packed them.
"Want a calming pill if you're nervous?"
I wasn't particularly tense.
Maybe because the afternoon match made it feel unreal, but compared to near-death experiences, it was fine.
If anything, the pre-match excitement was pleasant.
"Thanks."
Still, no harm accepting the gesture.
Maybe hit the bathroom before it starts.
And check on Cornus in the athlete waiting room while at it.
"I'll head down for a bit."
"Okay."
After telling Azalea, I went to the first floor.
Escaping the bustling second-floor stands like a marketplace, my breath opened up.
Of course, even the first floor was crowded with spectators.
After handling business in the bathroom and stepping out, someone covered my eyes from behind.
"Guess who~."
An unforgettable, distinctive voice.
A bright yellow star bobbed before my eyes. No surprise, since it tied to talent scouting.
"Star sis?"
"Eek! How'd you know?"
I took her hands off, and Star blinked her golden pupils in mock surprise.
"I'd know Star sis's voice anywhere."
"Hee hee... Had some work here, thought of Si-heon and came right over."
We'd both been busy, no time to meet, so it was nice seeing her.
I clasped her hands, and she bounced like a high school girl in joy.
"Right, gotta go soon, but I'll cheer. Who's your opponent today?"
"Jeong Si-woo."
"Oh... Huh? Si-woo?"
At my words, Star blanked out, pondering what to say.
"Y-your draw luck is awful..."
After agonizing, that was her line. Knowing Jeong Si-woo's skill well, she skipped empty "You can win."
"Thanks for the cheer."
Some positive rumors about me had spread, but fame-wise, Jeong Si-woo dominated.
Half the crowd here was for him, no exaggeration.
Makes sense, given the attention from his military academy days.
I was a record-less outsider mere months into this world.
'92% was it.'
Jeong Si-woo's win odds on an illegal betting site themed around the academy tournament.
My 8% was just joke reverse bets.
"Gotta do my best. See ya."
"Yeah, text me after~~~!"
I smiled faintly watching Star skip away energetically.
Before heading to the second floor, I bought cotton candy from a vendor and found the athlete waiting room.
"Si-heon?"
Opening the door, Cornus turned, eyes widening round.
"Brought a gift. For cheer."
"Cheer... why? We're rivals."
Cornus took the cotton candy absentmindedly, stared curiously, then questioned my words.
"Friends cheer each other on. We're not facing off right now anyway."
"...Is that how it works?"
Even in her snug combat gear, her chest protruded noticeably.
Must be uncomfortable fighting, yet she swings her sword well.
Cornus stared at the cotton candy, then tore the wrapper and popped some in her mouth.
Her soft cheeks moved as she crunched the melting sugar treat.
Watching her hamster-like munching, she'd finished it before I knew, licking her fingers.
"Match..."
"Hm?"
Then she conveyed her thanks.
"Win or lose, I'll do it easy tonight."
"...?"
Unlike her demure, gentle voice, the content was vulgar beyond imagination.
-Beeeep!
A whistle sounded. About to start.
I gave Cornus light cheers and returned to my seat to watch.
Despite being an academy, they sang the school song for some reason.
As the opening ceremony began, morning match cadets filed in. Foreign cadet tournaments ran simultaneously, so Korean matches were only A vs B, C vs D groups in the morning.
Time passed, and the first tournament match opened.
Gripping battles drew gasps from the crowd repeatedly.
Results of the Korean matches matched my predictions perfectly, wrapping up with Cornus and Im Jong-hyun advancing to semis.
Bonus cheers poured on Cornus, who lightly parried her opponent's sword and ended it swiftly.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [El Academy Freshman Cadet Tournament: Morning Session Ends Here.] The final announcer's words fell.
Only then did I sense my turn.
1st place and 152nd place.
A match between two with an absurd gap, somehow realized.
Pity for Jeong Si-woo's opponent. Such murmurs scattered about—no one could predict the outcome.
The start of an unpredictable match.