The Class Annihilation Match Begins
Jeong Eunseo and Lee Hyunseung climbed into the car. Unlike usual, they headed toward the academy without much conversation. Jeong Eunseo's expression was clearly tense.
"Aren't you nervous, Hyunseung-ssi?"
Lee Hyunseung gazed out the window as he spoke. "Not really."
Seeing his calm demeanor, Jeong Eunseo muttered in surprise. "Even so, the gap in strength between the A-class members and us is enormous. Of course, we have you in our class, but..."
Lee Hyunseung glanced at Jeong Eunseo, who was diligently calculating on her own. She looked genuinely serious, as if trying to figure out how they could possibly win.
In truth, winning the Class Annihilation Match wasn't particularly important to Jeong Eunseo. She already had the solid backing of the Teore Guild, and whether she stood out in this match or not, her destination was already set with the Teore Guild. She had even skipped classes to search for her grandfather's legacy, so her grades were already in shambles—she had no reason to care about something as broken as academic performance.
In other words, the only reason Jeong Eunseo was taking the Class Annihilation Match seriously was because of Lee Hyunseung. He wanted to win. That was all.
Watching her small frame and cute, concentrated face as she mulled things over, he suddenly thought she resembled a puppy.
"Thanks."
When Lee Hyunseung spoke and lightly tapped her head, she blushed and stammered. "W-why so suddenly... That's so cringy."
"Just felt like it. This match doesn't really matter much to you, after all."
"I-it does matter to me, you know? That Yoo Heeyeon person even picked a fight with me, and winning is better than losing... Besides, if we win here, you'll go with me to find my grandfather's legacy, right? And..."
She hesitated for a moment before continuing in a small voice. "...We're friends, aren't we? Friends are supposed to help each other."
Her cold personality, the ruthless mage with no blood or tears—her current appearance was quite different from how she was portrayed in the original Broad Academy Online. It felt awkward, but this wasn't the first or second time, so he decided to let it slide.
Just what kind of events are going to happen in the future...
If Lee Hyunseung hadn't intervened, Jeong Eunseo would have graduated from Broad Academy without issue and joined the Teore Guild. She would have risen through the ranks there, but gradually lose her humanity, eventually becoming someone consumed by misanthropy. She would kill people as casually as stepping on ants and willingly use others for results. It was a future that didn't match her current clumsy self at all.
Seeing her awkward appearance, so different from the original game, he suddenly felt the urge to change it. The tragedy that would befall her for some unknown reason, and the unfortunate events that would drastically alter her personality. Those parts weren't properly shown in the game, but if he stayed by her side like this, he would eventually learn the reason.
When that time comes, I'll just help her.
Jeong Eunseo had helped him a lot. The mages from the magic tower, the weapons he was currently using, and even the funds for daily life—all of it was supported by her.
"Are you even listening to me?! Ignoring someone while they're talking...!"
Jeong Eunseo huffed and shouted, while Lee Hyunseung smiled and turned back to the window. For something as grim as heading into battle, the mood wasn't half bad.
***
Upon arriving at the academy, Jeong Eunseo and Lee Hyunseung began climbing the stairs. Since today was the day of the Class Annihilation Match, outside access had been temporarily restricted, and the interior was packed with countless people. It was easy to guess they had all come to watch the annihilation match between A-class and F-class.
"We're here at Broad Academy today! The representative selection matches that many have been waiting for are finally beginning! All eyes are already focused on the event! Our reporter today..."
From broadcasting stations to individual creators and guild scouts, all sorts of people had gathered at Broad Academy. Probably over 90% of them had come because of Yoo Heeyeon. It was the first Class Annihilation Match featuring the daughter of the Artemis Guild Leader. Previous practical exams had been closed to outsiders, making this open Class Annihilation Match even more of a hot topic.
People were curious. As the daughter of the Artemis Guild Leader, what kind of impressive performance would she show? Being an only child, Yoo Heeyeon was practically confirmed to inherit the Artemis Guild in the future. Naturally, people were interested in the next Artemis Guild Leader—how strong she was, what level of ability she possessed. In short, they had come to witness the future movements of the Artemis Guild's successor. After all, Artemis wielded tremendous influence just by existing.
"Hoo..."
Now that she was actually in the crowded place, tension finally began to set in. Jeong Eunseo asked Lee Hyunseung, "Are you nervous?"
"Now that we're here, yeah, a bit. But it's fine. There's an unexpected harvest, so the match itself isn't as disadvantageous for us as it seems."
When Jeong Eunseo looked at him questioningly, Lee Hyunseung pointed ahead with his hand.
Han Seonggil was standing there.
"That guy's abilities as an Epic-grade swordsman aren't bad, and he even has the Berserker Trait. Since I can control his Berserker Trait as well, he'll be a massive asset."
"You can artificially control the Berserker Trait? I thought only those born with it could do that..."
"Well, there's a way. I'll show you during the Class Annihilation Match."
Jeong Eunseo was about to tell him that was impossible when she shook her head instead. This person has never made an empty promise.
Lee Hyunseung always delivered on what he said. He had never spoken carelessly. That was why she believed him.
Han Seonggil, who had been standing at a distance, approached Lee Hyunseung and asked, "What do I need to do?"
"The match theme hasn't been announced yet, so I can't make detailed plans. But I've already divided the team members appropriately."
Both F-class and A-class had around sixty members each. Lee Hyunseung had split the F-class into three teams. The Class Annihilation Match wasn't a simple all-out brawl but came with specific themes. For example, Annihilation—where the match continued until one entire team was eliminated. It was a one-sided battle format. If Annihilation was chosen, their chances of winning would be extremely low. There were ways to counter it, but it was the most dreaded type of match.
Besides Annihilation, there was Escort. In Escort, one person was chosen as the king, and that king had to be protected. If the king was eliminated, it was a loss.
Lastly, there was Occupation. Specific points had to be captured, and victory came from seizing all of them. While combat was still necessary to take the points, it was the most favorable category compared to the others.
The chances of Occupation being chosen are high.
In Broad Academy Online, the Class Annihilation Match at this point had been an Occupation match, so Lee Hyunseung believed there was a high probability they would face that. However, since he had interfered in so many things here, the storyline might have changed, so he had prepared various plans. If they lost this Class Annihilation Match, not only would seizing the Artemis Guild become difficult, but various other plans would also be derailed.
"Everyone, gather here."
Lee Hyunseung began explaining team assignments and strategies to the gathered F-class members. There might be some of Yoo Heeyeon's spies among them, but it didn't matter. After all, he had already won over all the capable ones by giving them artifacts.
After hearing everything, Han Seonggil spoke. "Not bad. If we split into three teams of twenty and operate separately, we can respond to Annihilation, Occupation, or Escort—no matter which one comes up."
As expected, Lee Hyunseung was the leader of Team 1, Jeong Eunseo of Team 2, and Han Seonggil of Team 3.
"Let's go."
When the time came, everyone began heading toward the venue where the Class Annihilation Match would take place. Uniquely, this match was being held in a magically created pocket dimension. One of the instructors addressed them.
"Everyone, please step onto the platforms. Once the president sends mana into it, you'll be automatically transported to the stage. You've all put on the bracelets, right?"
The bracelets were safety devices that protected participants in practical exams. If the wearer received excessive damage or was judged to be in a combat-incapable state, they would be automatically transported outside the stage.
Looking ahead, Yoo Heeyeon and the A-class members stood confidently on the opposite side. Their chatter could be heard even from across the way.
"Ha... Do we really have to do this match? It's obvious we'll just crush them anyway. Fighting with F-class brats is embarrassing as hell."
"You're right. Let's just crush them properly and end it instead of messing around."
The A-class students were full of themselves. Even the spectators watching seemed to share their opinion.
— Which team do you think will win?
— Are you joking? Obviously A-class. This isn't a one-on-one duel. How could F-class possibly beat A-class in a many-versus-many battle? It's obvious. Stop thinking nonsense and look for any useful talents in A-class instead. We need to recruit if there's anyone worth taking.
Lee Hyunseung memorized each of their faces as they spouted nonsense. He wanted to check if they would still be wearing the same expressions after this battle ended.
All participants stepped onto the platforms. Then, a massive energy began surging from below.
In an instant, the A-class and F-class members were sucked in.
The commentators shouted. "The annihilation match between A-class and F-class——! Begins now——!"
The Class Annihilation Match had started.