A-Class Promotion Exam (1)
I gazed at Cheonwigwang standing before me. His eyes were sharp and forceful, etched with the wrinkles of time across his face. His long beard flowed like a white waterfall, adding a touch of majesty. And atop his head, not a single strand remained, forming a gleaming bald dome that reflected the light from the overhead lamps, nearly blinding me.
▶…Master. In moments like this, shouldn't we cap it off with some flair? Like, 'I could sense the energy churning like an active volcano,' or 'As expected of the legend once hailed as an awakener—he was more than fit to lead the organization.'
'Hmm, maybe you're right.' Fine, whatever. To add a bit more... Probably the old age. That musty smell wafting off him... Makes you wonder if he even showers daily. No, even if he does, that body odor is unavoidable—
"—...You're not thinking anything rude, are you, Cadet Choi Siwoo?"
"Wouldn't dream of it, Principal."
"Ahem. Maybe I'm just on edge lately. Your gaze feels awfully sharp, especially the way you're eyeing my hair."
"Misunderstanding. I just saw that fresh, sprout-like scalp and thought, yep, you're in great shape."
"…!! Really? You can tell? I got this stuff from Mountain Sea Classic recently. Works wonders!"
I watched the old man chatter on like an excited kid. He seemed endlessly lighthearted and cheerful, befitting a principal...—
"—So anyway, I shelled out big for a few more. Money was tight, but... I covered it by borrowing from Instructor Jegalrin..."
Scratch that. Just a senile geezer.
'Sigh...' With a personality like that, no wonder he died such a pathetic death in my previous life.
"Principal. Mind telling me why you called me here?"
"Ah... Right, my mind wandered. Sorry, Cadet Choi Siwoo."
He cleared his throat awkwardly and continued.
"You must know how the beast horde incident was reported."
"…Roughly. The B-Class kids fought hard, and Hero Erina delivered the finishing blow. That's what the news said."
"Exactly. What a disgrace..."
Cheonwigwang pressed his furrowed brow and let out a deep sigh. He placed his hands on his knees and bowed his head low.
"...I'm truly sorry, Choi Siwoo. I know full well the massive contributions you made, how you pushed your body to the brink, yet I let this news go out. Forgive this incompetent fool."
He fell silent for a moment. Not out of overwhelming emotion, but because his attitude caught me off guard.
'...He's part of the elite too.'
Cheonwigwang was born with a silver spoon, one of those so-called Royal Bloods blessed with exceptional lineage and innate talent from the start. For them, bowing to someone like me was utter humiliation.
'Not that it moves me or anything...'
It's just him highlighting his own incompetence. Why are there so many people around me who can't do their damn jobs?
I crossed my legs tighter and pressed on. "It's fine. So, what did you want to say?"
"Hmm, some explanation first, I suppose."
Cheonwigwang launched into a rambling tale of adult circumstances I had zero interest in. Long story short: 'Prunel Academy's reputation is on the brink of the gutter after this mess. They needed massive PR, so a hero the public could buy into. And right on cue, Erina "descended" like some divine savior.'
The Hero herself. Personality's just "hehe," but on the surface, she's the picture-perfect fairy-tale heroine. Perfect optics. So they hyped up the kill-stealer and tacked the B-Class kids on as side notes.
'And I got completely erased.'
The reason's obvious.
"So, the Association views me unfavorably... That about right?"
"...Bluntly, yes. I'm so sorry. They couldn't believe it—a nobody with no background or bloodline wielding that kind of power."
Cheonwigwang wiped cold sweat as he spoke. Exactly as expected. Blinded by vanity and arrogance over logic and reason.
"Whatever. I'm used to it."
"My apologies. Anyway, the Association plans to push this PR harder—through the B-Class kids."
"…The A-Class promotion?"
"Yes. You heard from Instructor Yoon Jiye, so you know the context. Promoting promising talents to lead the future. And what better proof than promotions?"
Cheonwigwang pulled out a few photos from his pocket. Familiar faces: three of them.
"Song Junho and Ohana should hear by today. A-Class promotion confirmed."
"Confirmed meaning no exam, straight up?"
"That's right... It's just..."
"Song family and Oh family's influence, huh. Family achievements boost their status. Association leaned on Prunel with that."
"Ahem..."
This place... Even an academy crawling with beasts and demons like it's their living room has no pride left? Not that I blame them. I knew it was like this, and either way, their promotions are worth celebrating for me.
'...Though Ohana worries me a bit.'
Objectively, her skills fell short of A-Class. Hope she doesn't get bullied... 'But with her social butterfly vibe, she'll be fine.'
"And Cheolwangguk last. He going up to A too?"
"That's where it gets interesting. Association approached him first—his mom's connected, apparently. But..."
"But?"
"He refused on the spot. Nearly caused a scene. Said you're the true hero, not him, and blew up."
'Damn kid... Just take it and spare me the unease.'
Not like it matters much to me anyway. As I frowned, Cheonwigwang looked at me with sparkling eyes.
What the hell? This geezer?
'Actually losing it in old age?'
"Ahem! Here's where I shine. Spot open, perfect justification—I recommended you strongly."
"…To the Association?"
"Yep. They threw a fit, faces twisted."
"…Isn't 'threw a fit' a bit crude for the principal?"
"Hey, Association bastards are scum—'fit' is polite. I'd love to cram profanity down their throats."
"Fair enough."
"Anyway, we compromised: not direct promotion, but a test. Starts tomorrow! Can't spill details, but I believe you'll pass with flying colors."
Finished, he beamed like 'Did I do good?' A guy over 100 looking like that was creepy, borderline repulsive.
'A test, huh...'
Felt the same when Yoon Jiye mentioned it. Why bother? Zero excitement.
Sensing my vibe, he looked flustered. "...Not as thrilled as I thought."
"Eh, doesn't really appeal. You know that. It's just a matter of time. Me hitting S-Class is as natural as apples falling."
"Ahem... Arrogant, but factual. No retort."
"Fought my ass off, saved the whole class... Ignored, called 'mongrel' or 'trash,' shoved aside, now they summon me like charity? Who'd be happy?"
"Mongrel? No one says that!"
"Dunno. News comments were full of that vibe."
"Urk!"
Cheonwigwang dabbed sweat with a handkerchief, avoiding my eyes. Guilty conscience, probably.
'Easy mark.'
I'd worried a bit. By past-life memory, he's decent, but we'd never really talked. A bottom-rung cadet like me wouldn't rub elbows much with the principal. Figured the friendly front hid slimy snakes... But nah, what you see is what you get.
'How'd he even become principal?'
Anyway, time to achieve my real goal here.
"So... If the academy compensates me, this bitterness might fade."
"…Huh? Compensation?"
"Yes."
"Money? It'll take time, but—"
"No, no. Heard there's an academy vault for valuables."
"…You don't mean?"
"Yes. One item from there. For me."
"Hmm..."
"Word is you're all about rewarding effort. My feats qualify, right?"
"Ahem..."
"A fair principal like you won't ignore this wish."
At my words, Cheonwigwang scratched his flawless scalp like it ached. After pondering, he sighed and added a condition.
"Prove it for sure... Got it?"
"This test. Association inspector coming personally. I'm itching to humble that prick. Flatten his nose there, and I'll hand it over myself."
Real anger flickered on his face. Inspector must've ground his gears.
"Fine. Deal."
"Great! Oh, and..."
"More?"
"Boasted big, but... Keep it A-Grade or below. Higher draws too much heat."
"……"
His 'legend' image crumbling fast... Whatever. I already knew what to pick.
"C-Grade."
"…?"
I raised my index finger. "Just one C-Grade item."
Time flew, and exam day arrived.
'Thought it'd be inside the academy... External stadium instead.'
▶Sniff sniff. Olfactory sensors active. Smells suspicious.
By the way, Cheolwangguk called late night. Said the test was nominally Prunel, but Association handled all prep.
'Desperate to knock me down, huh.'
This level of sabotage actually built hype. Wonder what those Association assholes cooked up.
As I walked, a presence approached. I looked up. The owner of that nagging gaze stared back.
"Hi~?"
'...Who the hell is this chick?'
I scanned her top to bottom. Striking blonde with blue-streaked hair like stripes. Reminded me of blueberry peanut jam I'd eaten once. Heavy perfume hit my nose. Thick makeup, bold lipstick, flashy manicure gleaming on her nails.
'And that spray-tan brown skin.'
One word: Gal.
▶…Gal, right?
'Same difference.'
Heard of the style but first time seeing it live—fascinating. She closed in quick, smirking, licking her lips as she slowly opened her mouth toward me.