Chapter 90
Chapter 90
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 90
Chapter Title: Masked Guy (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-Creak.
Opening the door, I step into the classroom.
A faint smile that others couldn't see crosses my face at the familiar classroom smell, and I press the mask firmly onto my face.
There weren't many curious stares directed my way.
-Hasn't that guy been gone for a while?
Such murmurs drifted sparsely, but as interest usually goes, it flares up briefly before fading away completely.
Heading to my seat, a familiar face greets me with a bright smile. It's Bead.
She spreads one hand wide in a fresh greeting.
"Yo!"
"Yo?"
"It's the trend these days. Long time no see!"
What isn't trendy these days?
At a loss for words, I keep my mouth shut, and Bead bursts into her usual sloppy laugh without holding back.
"Heard the instructor for this class is changing starting today. You know?"
"Yeah."
I reply vaguely and glance forward, where Azalea sits in the front row, catching my eye.
She turns her head, sensing my gaze. Our eyes meet, and she gives a sly smile.
I start to nod in greeting but remember the mask and wave my hand instead.
"What's that? You two close or something?"
"Friends."
Bead glances between us, quick to tease, but I'm not one to fall for childish jokes.
I tidy up casually and pass the time waiting. Soon, the classroom door slides open, and a male instructor enters.
-Creak.
-Ooh.
Exclamations ripple through the room like waves.
Broad shoulders and a mature charm emanate from him.
His instructor badge around his neck bears a familiar name: Man Se-jeok.
He doesn't have much experience as an instructor, but as an A-rank hero, his name is well-known.
'So it's him?'
I remember meeting him twice, once during the entrance exam.
How to describe his impression? His handsome features and flexible handling of things make him the perfect likable type.
Se-young had said he was reliable, and sure enough, he seemed trustworthy.
He has the skills, and there's plenty to learn from him.
"I'm sorry to bring this up right before exams. Starting today, I'm Man Se-jeok, your new instructor for this class."
He smoothly draws reactions from the cadets, slowly covering questions and self-introductions.
Alright then.
Now that I've seen the instructor's face, it's time for my routine.
'As long as I do well.'
Midterms. Prodigy.
To live up to the name, draw guilds' attention.
To beg for the World Tree girls' envious gazes watching from afar, I need to prove my worth and value.
But that's not all I have to worry about. While fulfilling what I promised, I can't draw too much attention from Flower. One slip, and I might get stabbed on the street and die.
In other words, I need to play politics a bit broadly.
It's like tightrope walking on a precarious rope where one misstep means falling. That's how I survive.
I have Heavenly Demon as backup, but she can't protect me forever.
'Let's do this.'
In game terms, reputation grinding.
There were various tips from Heavenly Path or Imperial Path guides, but I set those aside.
I wasn't underestimating what lay ahead.
Do I lack backing? Talent? Effort?
I may not have their eye for talent, but drawing attention has been my specialty since nailing trees.
No, only I could pull off such crazy stunts.
'And my bloodline is so tainted.'
Politics? Agitation?
There's a reason it feels doable.
Thinking about it, it was surprisingly my field of expertise.
I'm a politician's son.
-Tap tap.
Of course,
'Time to take off this mask.'
The son of a politician in prison.
*****
If you grabbed any cadet and asked them to name El Academy's top Korean cadets, the names that came up were always the same.
No need to mention grade toppers Jeong Si-woo and Cornus.
First-rate spirit user Azalea, recently in the spotlight from the cult incident.
Swordsman Im Jong-hyun, whose personality is a bit off but whose skills can't be ignored.
Among first-years, those four names always stood out.
Adding a few more, maybe Bead, Su-young, or Shin Jeong-ah.
Even with this year's abundance of talent, only they get consistent mentions. And there's a clear reason.
Overwhelming combat prowess. Judgment and reaction speed.
No one can keep up, so no one even dreams of squeezing into that list.
"Alright~ Who wants to demo a match?"
So when the instructor raises his hand and asks,
The cadets hesitate, keeping quiet.
-Swish.
Midterm prep tournament exam training room.
The first to raise a hand is, predictably, Im Jong-hyun, brimming with confidence and aura.
"Don't just raise your hand—say your name."
"Yes. Im Jong-hyun."
"Got it, Jong-hyun... Come on out."
Jong-hyun sheds his outer jacket, grabs a blunt training sword, and stands in the arena.
His fitted combat suit reveals defined muscles.
-Wow...
A few girls' gasps echo.
At the center, Shin Jeong-ah clenches her hands, gazing at him like a lovestruck girl.
Im Jong-hyun's opponent is an AI doll, far superior in quality and stats to training dummies.
"Alright, three, two, one... Begin."
-Tweet!
Whistle blows. The humanoid wooden doll's eyes glow red and it moves.
"Watch closely~. Tournament fights get bloody for a reason."
As the instructor adds commentary, Jong-hyun leans forward.
-Crack!
His form launches instantly. Swords cross, sparking blue waves.
"This midterm has a lot of subjects, right? If you're not confident, skip this one. Accidents happen sometimes. Luckily, first-year tournaments aren't heavily weighted."
A tournament to spot standouts among rookies.
Usually, veterans or the talented rise here.
"If you've had a huge breakthrough these past months, go for the win."
Though he says that, breakout stars in midterms are rare.
Im Jong-hyun might be the closest.
He entered with solid talent as one of the four prodigies, but his growth is insane.
Some instructors who trained him see him as next topper material.
Talent's real, even if personality sucks.
-Boom!
Fierce gust blasts toward the cadets.
Hair flutters wildly, leaves dancing from the sword strikes.
Mixing mana-infused leaves into swordplay is Im Jong-hyun's specialty.
Cornus tree. His sword style's affiliation.
The Cornus family leads a massive corp, successful in Japan with their Katsura logo trend.
Always top Korean chaebol. Explains his innate nobility.
Forced to live aristocratic from the bone, his swordsmanship outpaces peers.
-Thud crash!
Glancing at the scarred, fallen doll, Jong-hyun returns casually.
Adoration, respect, even jealousy—he deems them all fitting.
Gazing at the instructor in combat gear, he nods and returns to his seat upon approval.
"Good work, sit down. But one demo doesn't hit home, huh? Especially since Jong-hyun finished so fast."
The instructor scans nodding cadets, raises his hand slyly.
"Next volunteer?"
Cadets glance around, eyes darting.
After Jong-hyun's show, few could match the impact.
"Hey, wanna go?"
"Nah."
A cadet nudges Jeong Si-woo, who declines firmly.
Silence falls. As lips dry,
The instructor scratches his cheek, hiding confusion, when someone breaks the quiet with a raised hand.
"Me."
"Let's see... Okay, love the guts. Give it a shot."
A burly build clashing with a ridiculous mask.
Almost no Korean cadet doesn't know him.
His issues make occasional gossip fodder.
Rumors of ties to a big-name Baek drew interest, but his low profile made many lose interest.
Just a weird kid.
Hard to figure.
Worse: late-blooming chuunibyou.
-Who's that?
-The mask guy.
-Duh, I know that. What's his name?
Jeong Si-woo's eval and training glimpses give some measure, but bad rumors spread fast.
-Heard the rumors?
-Yeah. But is he strong?
-Dunno. Skips so much, never seen him fight. Anyone know his rank?
-152nd or something.
-Lame.
Bad rep flies on wings.
For oddballs like Lee Si-heon, all the more so.
"Begin."
Thus, no expectations.
Except a few who knew or suspected his skill—like Im Jong-hyun, watching since Jeong Si-woo's drunken words.
-Tweet!
Whistle.
AI doll charges Si-heon simultaneously.
Its polished wooden sword aims fiercely at his face, tip straight for the brow.
Si-heon doesn't move until the last second.
Stoic stance—almost like he couldn't react.
Some snicker already.
Why bother if that's it? At least it's funny.
Predictable. Reversible.
Doll's sword pierces him.
-Huh?
It looked that way.
Head tilts just before. Doll's sword slices empty air.
Naturally placing both hands on its forearm, he wrenches the joint backward.
-Crunch!
Deadly mana-charged strike.
Makes you wonder if you'd react in time.
Doll counters with remaining arm, but Si-heon adapts seamlessly.
Heel crushes ankle, topples stance, then follows up.
-Boom!
Fist to the face. Fluid like a stream, not flashy—utterly unlike Im Jong-hyun.
Far from Heavenly Demon's domineering style, yet impressive enough.
Showy martial arts? Fitting label.
-Wow...
Admiration erupts.
Doll recovers twisted pose, swings final sword.
-Crack!
Focus slips? Takes a hit he dodged before.
Grazes chin, mask flies off.
-Roll roll.
Mask tumbles across floor.
He spins, kicks doll's heart.
-Boom!
Doll flies far, crashes, eyes dimming.
"Hoo..."
Heavy breathing.
Not a drop of sweat on his face. He cracks wrists, sits, picks up mask.
Silently dusts sand, dons it. Eyes full of mixed emotions turn his way.
"Uh, yeah. Good job. Well done."
Approved, he returns to his seat.
Hoping he left a strong impression.
Freak rumors spread like wildfire.