Whispers of Doubt and Plundered Talents

"To think they're this frail."

"No matter how you slice it, this is impossible," one instructor said, and another nodded in agreement, picking up the thread.

"It's certainly unprecedented. An F-Class confirmed student displaying such absurd power..."

"Couldn't it be a case of explosive potential awakening?"

"Even that has limits. Even if talent bloomed, the prep time was less than a month. To toy with Cadet Song Junho, who's at minimum A-Class confirmed, in that span? It's no exaggeration to say he's a different person altogether."

"Maybe he pulled strings beforehand. Bribed the cadets or something..."

"You think that makes sense? Among the dropouts is Hwangbo Han, son of the Fist King. What would he possibly lack to accept a bribe?"

Various opinions ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠flew back and forth in the heated discussion.

The reason for their intense debate was simple: Choi Siwoo's performance in the exam.

All other groups had the expected cadets take top spots, but G Group was the exception. The winner, amid massive fanfare, had claimed that precious golden apple, sparking endless chatter.

"...What if he joined hands with demons?"

At someone's words, the room fell deathly silent.

It was the elephant in the room they'd all avoided voicing—the biggest possibility.

No matter the talent, such rapid growth in a short time was impossible. But if he'd accepted demonic energy and become a demon himself? Suddenly, it became plausible.

"...It could be."

"Hah, but the statue scan showed zero demonic traces. CCTV footage showed them licking his forearm clean."

"He must've used some underhanded method. Nothing else explains it."

"...We should investigate directly..."

The debate grew heated. Despite no proof, the mood solidified around labeling him a demon.

Then, a man who'd stayed silent spoke up.

"This is ugly."

"...What did you say, Instructor Kang Hanseong?"

"Ugly. Demons? Are your eyes glued shut? And you still wear the instructor badge?"

His words dripped with massive fury, leaving most instructors stunned and staring.

"Did you sense even a hint of demonic energy in his moves? Detect any foul power in his techniques? Do you really think that single sword stroke borrowed demonic might? No. That's a realm reached through bone-grinding effort and insight."

"But that's what doesn't make sense logically..."

"What's so 'logical' about it? Trashing a cadet's true skill is logic? Be honest."

Kang Hanseong swept a cold gaze around the room.

"You're jealous of him, aren't you?"

"...Watch your mouth, Instructor Kang Hanseong!"

"No. I have to say it. That sword strike he showed—if you have eyes, you felt it. An Overwhelming Domineering Aura, yet a strike silent as the grave. How many here could beat Cadet Choi Siwoo purely on sword realm?"

"Ahem..."

"That's why you're spouting nonsense. You can't admit it. Your lifelong efforts look pathetic next to his talent."

Finally, a few instructors couldn't hold back and stood, berating him.

Kang Hanseong just stared silently, unfazed.

As the atmosphere thickened, Principal Cheonwigwang intervened.

"Everyone, calm down."

"But Principal!"

"Does my word mean nothing?!"

His roar unleashed an aura that ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠made them all flinch—a legend's presence, the true dragon's wrath.

"We'll synthesize opinions. Instructor Kang Hanseong, you believe he belongs in S-Class?"

"Yes. His skill warrants S-Class. It's respect for his strength and his due right."

Cheonwigwang turned to the others.

"The rest think S-Class is absurd."

"Of course! F to S? Beyond unprecedented—it'll draw protests from everywhere if announced!"

"It could shatter the established order!"

"Classes aren't child's play! They define status, qualification, position! The Association and guilds will interfere 100%!"

Cheonwigwang fell silent after hearing them out, stroking his beard before sighing and speaking.

Moments later, the decision on Choi Siwoo's class placement was made. The instructors' faces showed a mix of emotions.

Meanwhile, at that moment.

Hwangbo Han, transferred to the hospital, quietly opened his eyes.

Confused by the situation, a clan member explained what happened.

"So I blacked out?"

"Yes, young master."

"......"

Hwangbo Han swept a hand over his forehead, silent. Rage boiled in his chest like fire.

Suppressing it with effort, he finally spoke.

"What was that worm's name?"

"...Choi Siwoo."

"...Royal Blood? Choi... Never heard of it, but maybe some overseas ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠hotshot's blood?"

"...He's unaffiliated."

"...I see."

He'd also taken down Song Junho, apparently. Must've prepared a ton.

'Filthy bastard.'

Hwangbo Han was convinced: dirty tricks beforehand. Massive bribes, whatever—cowardly setups in the arena.

Anything else, and he wouldn't have gone down in one hit.

Of course, a moment of calm reflection would reveal how absurd it was, but he knew that already. It didn't matter.

"Choi Siwoo... Choi Siwoo..."

Muttering it like chewing, he couldn't hold the rising fury and slammed the bedside table.

BAM!

Staring at the shattered fragments, he growled with pure malice.

"I'll have my revenge. You damn punk."

Of course, he didn't know. This rage would ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠only make him stronger. While his revenge target was thrilled by a sudden message.

"Oh, sweet jackpot."

What kinda windfall is this?

'Didn't expect it from him... Unexpected bonus?'

Updated late, so he must've just come to.

'Tsk tsk... In a real fight, you'd be dead already.'

Whatever. As a Hwangbo heir, his talents should be top-tier.

A grin crept up as Kay's voice chimed in.

"Good work."

I'd just returned to the dorm after the exam. The door plaque read Room 305.

Assigned the same as my past life—some things don't change with regression.

'Man, I'm sore.'

Meeting Song Junho after so long? Or maybe I got too hyped for my age. Showed more hand than planned... Now this pathetic body was screaming everywhere.

Inspecting my swollen wrist, I downed a sip of recovery potion from the shop.

'Golden apple's mine for sure—should get it today or tomorrow latest. Time to prep for that constitution. Check news and papers too. That woman's due out of the gate soon.'

Thinking ahead gave me a headache. So much to do...

'Well, saving a fucked world ain't supposed to be easy.'

First, sort today's spoils.

"Whoa..."

A gasp escaped me. Nearly 20,000 points. Worlds apart from past life's trophy scraps.

'That "dangerous figure" bit, though?'

Random folks' opinions didn't matter, but "special individual" piqued curiosity.

'One of the protagonists' quartet? Nah, news hasn't spread that far.'

Less than a day since the exam. Regular cadets wouldn't know. So an instructor...

'...Her?'

Too soon for alarms. Felt iffy, but no point dwelling now.

'Damn, worth every penny.'

Nothing beat real combat for efficiency.

'Strength, Agility, Stamina up 0.3 each... Intellect and Mana 0.1 each.'

Technique unchanged—bummer. Even a little would've sharpened the feel noticeably.

'No rush.'

Finally, scanned contract talents.

'...Fewer than expected.'

Smashed 20+ at least, but only 6 updated. Factoring Song Junho and Hwangbo Han as 2, really just 4 new.

'Why?'

Too light? Needed near-death beatings? As I pondered, Kay spoke.

'Oh, right?'

Pfft, and these are Prunel Academy freshmen? This frail?

Cleared the small fry: Picked 2 [Swordsmanship] traits to boost Swordsman's Zenith proficiency 20%, sold the priciest other 2.

'Nice, all sorted... Time for the main course?'

Unlike the minnows, radiant lists for [Song Junho] and [Hwangbo Han] appeared.

Rubbing my hands, I smacked my lips in anticipation.