A-Class Promotion Exam (2)
I stared at the blonde gal in front of me. No clue why she was licking her lips so creepily, but I decided to give her an opening anyway.
"Got some business with me?"
"You wouldn't happen to be Choi Siwoo, would you?"
She even knows my name.
Sure enough, this was no coincidence. Part of me wanted to just ignore her and walk away, but I figured I'd hear her out a bit longer.
"And if I am?"
"I was so worried 'cause of your bad rep... but you're just a hot guy, huh?"
"……"
I sucked in a sharp breath. Should I just bail? I'd never seen a normal-looking girl among the types who spewed crap like that.
Yeah, ignore her.
"Hey! Wait, wait! Hold up, stop!"
The flustered blonde hurriedly blocked my path. Before I knew it, she'd grabbed my hand and hooked her arm through mine, pressing her chest against my forearm like we were a couple. I couldn't help but frown.
"What the hell are you doing?"
"C'mon~ Don't be so stiff. Look, look. I run an Insta account. Just play along a bit~"
She whipped out her phone with one hand and struck all sorts of poses. After snapping away for a while, she finally seemed satisfied and let go of me.
"Thanks for cooperating. Oh yeah, I didn't introduce myself. Name's Dangmari."
"From Prunel Academy?"
"Yeah, that's right. How'd you know?"
"Your uniform's got the emblem."
I hadn't noticed at first. She'd modded her uniform into a total rag. But that wasn't the only reason—it was the way she angled her body and moved, like she was hiding something.
It might've been overthinking it, but experience had taught me to assume the worst. Made things easier on the mind.
Still, who the hell is she?
I racked my brain, but nothing came up. Probably just some nobody. Though a few things nagged at me, like the way she'd moved just now.
Her mana reserves are insane.
She had an enormous total mana pool—maybe double, no, triple mine. Enough to rival a proper active mage. But she didn't seem to walk the path of magic.
No mage scent on her.
Mages always carried that distinct aroma from constantly circulating and maturing their mana. She didn't have it. If anything, she felt more like a warrior.
The habit of dropping her hand low. Calluses on her palm scream ranged weapon—archer, most likely.
Bows weren't as shunned as guns in this world, but they were still rare. Few had the talent for them. Her exposed limbs showed the telltale signs of consistent training—muscles honed sharp. She tried hiding it with makeup and accessories, but it was pointless to my eyes.
Not like I know every Awakener out there. Could be someone who went overseas early.
No more time to waste.
"We're done. I'm out."
"Wait, hold on! Let's chat a bit more. You're super popular lately, right? Community's blowing up about you."
She trailed after me, chattering nonstop.
"Got a girlfriend? Wouldn't be surprised if you did, but if not, mind if I throw my hat in?"
"Favorite food? Wanna grab a bite? If you're busy, gimme your number at least."
"……"
She reminded me a bit of Ohana. But unlike Ohana's pure innocence, this one had clear ulterior motives.
I tuned her out and kept walking until we reached the exam site. She beat me to the punch.
"Oh, business here? Heard on the community there's some promotion exam—guess that's you?"
"You know, so back off already?"
"Tch~ And here I was coming on strong, but you don't budge. Your girlfriend's lucky. A guy this ironclad must be so reliable."
I pressed my temple. More exhausting than expected. Would be nicer if she just spit out her real goal.
"By the way, I'm a second-year. Call me 'sunbae' once before you go... Hey, don't ignore me!"
Dangmari thrust her hand out like a final farewell.
"Your sunbae's rooting for you—good luck on the exam?"
"……"
I eyed her outstretched hand. That familiar vibe. Overlapped with the fake-friendly types from my past life.
That's when it clicked why she'd approached.
Pulling such an obvious play...
I hesitated. No reason to play along.
...But...
Her eyes intrigued me. Looked like it'd be fun, so I went with it.
"Thanks, sunbae."
"Eh... honorifics right away? Makes your sunbae sad. Next time we meet, talk casual, junior~?"
"Sure, whatever..."
"See ya!"
She vanished in a flash, just like when she'd appeared. I watched her go, flexing my hand, then headed inside.
A fresh scent tickled my nose. A cool breeze rustled the vibrant greenery into view. Hard to believe this was the city moments ago—I let out a small gasp of admiration.
This is impressive.
It looked like the forest from the entrance exam, but unlike that illusory space conjured by spells, this was the real deal. I touched the dirt clods on the ground, feeling the vivid life force pulse in my palm.
That's one hell of a money sink.
Yeah. Can't even imagine how much they poured into this.
I was pondering if an exam warranted such investment when a shrill voice scraped my eardrums from behind.
"You're late!"
The irritated tone grated like metal on metal. Who the hell's making that racket? I turned to see two men approaching. The one in back wore the tactical vest marking a Prunel instructor.
...Not the guy behind, then.
Had to be the asshole up front. He sported a flashy silver coat and a gentlemanly bowler hat, twiddling a cane in one hand and his scraggly mustache in the other.
Guess he's the inspector Erina mentioned.
The mustache eyed me up and down with clear disgust.
"...As expected. Even a capable Gifted is still a Lesser. No manners. Can't even keep time?"
The instructor stepped forward at that.
"Inspector. We still have over ten minutes till start. And 'Lesser'? That's outdated discriminatory slang. We call everyone Awakeners now—equality for all."
"Hmph. Awakeners my ass. 'Lesser' is the perfect word for inferior breeds. Be grateful you're not worthless 'Normals.' Wasting my time on mongrels like you is already more courtesy than you deserve."
He ranted on about sacrificing for no-names like us. The instructor's brow furrowed.
"...What did you just say?"
"What's that? Heard you're a nobody too. Pathetic how you lowlifes stick together."
Mustache just snorted at the fuming instructor.
"Hmmm..."
This type, huh. Not my first rodeo, but one this deep in bloodline supremacy bullshit? Rare these days.
Reminds me of that guy...
Probably screwing around at the Association, whining 'oh dear~' by now.
Mustache caught my quiet hum.
"Hmmm? 'Hmmm'?! You braindead punk! Dare make that lowlife noise in front of me? Greet me properly!"
Ah, fuck. Loud asshole.
"Hey, old man. Keep strutting like that, you won't last long."
Sincere advice. In my past life, all the superior-race spouters met bad ends. Demons wrecked the world—bloodlines meant jack.
Mustache flushed red, trembling before exploding.
"You insolent brat! Who do you think you're talking to—"
"—Old man. Real bloodline-ism? It's not you blustering like an illiterate fool. It's the sly ones who smile through polite speech. You know the type—slitty-eyed bastards grinning everywhere. Dogs do it best."
"Y-You cut me off... Wait, what? Slitty-eyed? You said slitty-eyed?"
Mumbling, he paled instantly. Red to blue—quite the color show.
"H-How do you know of him!"
"None of your business. You're here as inspector, right? Quit squealing like a pig and do your damn job."
"You orphan shit!"
He couldn't hold back, raising his cane high. I considered taking the hit, but—
Snap.
The instructor's hand shot out, gripping the cane with impossible strength for his slender arm.
"That's enough, Hasman Inspector. Harm our cadet, and Prunel won't stay silent."
"MEEEE!"
Unable to vent, Mustache glared daggers before storming off.
The instructor scratched his cheek.
"Sorry about that embarrassment, Choi Siwoo-ssi."
"Just Choi Siwoo."
"Ah, right. Nice to meet you. I'm—"
"—Instructor Yubin, yeah?"
"You know a guy like me? What an honor."
Honor, huh...
Still humble as ever. I sized him up. Scholarly vibe, just over 30, soft like a reed in the wind.
He grinned sheepishly and offered his hand. I shook with my free one—not the one Dangmari had grabbed.
Yubin...
Prunel's S-Class sword instructor, codename White Sand. A powerhouse every Awakener knew.
And...
In the future, the man who'd lose all four limbs and die because of me.