Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Mock Reverse World (1)
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Arena Academy's classes, unlike those at a regular school, start at 10 a.m.
Until then, students are free to do as they please, aside from the academy's scheduled outings.
Whether that's grabbing breakfast, going for a walk, sleeping in, or anything else—there are no restrictions on activities.
But with that freedom comes responsibility.
Slacking off is fine, but falling behind isn't.
What the Divine Martial God Baek Yu-hwa—founder of Arena Academy and its current chairman—values most is 'strength' and 'heroism.'
Following his vision, the academy emphasizes 'competition.'
In other words, it's run on a strict merit system.
But what if your skills don't improve—if they decline or stagnate?
That means you can't keep up with the academy's curriculum anymore.
And it signals the end of your time as a student here.
That's why most students get up early, eat breakfast, and head to the training grounds for practice before class—or train first and eat after.
Not everyone sticks to that routine, though.
Take me, for example.
"Arena Academy really pulls out all the stops, even for breakfast."
Right now, I'm marveling at the restaurant's food quality and variety—it's rivaling a five-star hotel buffet.
"Man, this is seriously good."
True to its goal of forging great heroes, the academy's cuisine is top-notch.
The meat is tender yet bursting with juices, like it was just butchered.
The seafood tastes fresh off the boat.
And the veggies and fruits? Organic, probably—packed with that wholesome flavor.
So what am I eating?
"Hands down, the best jeyuk bokkeum I've ever had."
That's right—stir-fried pork.
The place is loaded with gourmet options like beef steaks and butter lobster, but my plate? Rice, kimchi, and a mountain of jeyuk bokkeum.
Anyone walking by might think I starved in my past life without ever tasting it.
It's just that I was craving it extra hard today. Not that I'm ignoring the other dishes.
Anyway, among the people in the cafeteria right now, I barely recognize a few.
And even those are just faces—no chit-chat, total extras.
No sign of the leads: Arthur, Lee Seo-yeon, Asuka, Noah, not a one.
[AM 07:22] I checked the time on my smart watch.
The academy cafeteria opens at 6 a.m.
But with none of the leads around, they're probably all at the training grounds.
No "probably" about it.
The leads never slack on training—they're up at dawn cultivating their skills.
"...Alright, scarf this down and head to the training grounds myself."
I don't need to train.
But the kids will be there, so it's a good chance to build some favor.
"Come to think of it..."
Lee Seo-yeon's Sword Prodigy talent is pioneering a new path, right?
"Wonder what's changed."
Excitement bubbling up, I hurried through my meal.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ And just like that, my expectations shattered into pitiful pieces.
Bang! Bang!
"...No way, why?"
The moment I stepped into the training grounds, gunfire rang out. A question mark popped over my head as I looked toward the sound.
"...No, seriously, why?"
The familiar silhouette in Lee Seo-yeon's hand hit me like a truck—my stomach dropped.
"Why the hell are you holding a gun?!"
There, at the remote physical testing machine, Lee Seo-yeon stood firing at targets. I let out a scream.
I'd hoped it wasn't true, but damn—she'd pivoted to firearms.
Dizzy, I nearly blacked out.
Thankfully, the sword-red Dainsleif hung at her waist, easing my mind a bit.
Still carrying a sword meant her identity and talent as Sword Prodigy were evolving, not abandoning blades entirely for guns.
Still... a gun? Really?
Unless you've got something like 'Super Accuracy,' firearms in this world are nothing but drawbacks.
As I mulled that over, Asuka came sprinting toward me, twin tails flying.
"Top Student! Top Student! Big trouble, big trouble!"
"...What's up?"
"Well, Lee Seo-yeon! Lee Seo-yeon!"
Her face was pure shock, words tumbling out incoherently.
From that, I clocked it: she was freaked because Lee Seo-yeon was shooting, not swinging a sword.
And sure enough.
Asuka thrust one of her wooden swords toward Lee Seo-yeon and blurted exactly what I'd thought.
"Lee Seo-yeon's shooting a gun!"
"...Yeah, why's she doing that?"
"Maybe she's so mad about losing to you that she picked up a gun?"
"Nah, doubt it."
If defeat burned her that bad, she wouldn't be at the testing machine—she'd grab a sword and challenge me to a rematch.
To Lee Seo-yeon, losing meant learning.
'...Wait, learning?'
Come to think of it, her idea of learning is...
'...Paying back the one who beat her with the exact same technique..., ri..., ght.'
Oh.
It's because of me.
She's using a gun because of me.
"I'm screwed."
"Huh?"
Asuka blinked, question mark floating, clearly not processing what I'd said.
I brushed it off, reaching out to pat her round little head.
"...Eep!"
She jolted like a startled squirrel, face flushing as she jumped back.
"W-why do you keep petting my head since yesterday?!"
"...Because it's there?"
Yesterday was just to comfort her.
But those twin tails today made her petite, round head extra pettable.
I couldn't help myself.
'Kinda soothing, actually.'
Like petting a cute animal.
As I reached again...
"I-I'm gonna go train!"
Asuka bolted.
"Tch, too bad."
"...Too bad about what?"
"...!"
The sudden voice from the side made me flinch and whip around.
There stood Lee Seo-yeon, gun in hand.
I'd been so fixated on Asuka, I hadn't sensed her approach.
'I've got Swift Movement, but does she get the perception buff?'
Her presence was totally off my radar.
"Nothing. Forget it."
"...Okay?"
She tilted her head, expression blank.
Then, as if remembering something, she raised the gun and spoke.
"...Teach me how to use this."
"...Why?"
"...I wanna learn marksmanship."
"......Why?"
Can't you just not?
Lee Seo-yeon, you're meant to swing swords, not guns.
Besides, once Dainsleif's seal breaks, you won't be able to use anything else anyway.
...The words rose in my throat, but I swallowed them.
I'm the reason her Sword Prodigy latched onto guns.
How do I explain that later, when the Blood Demon Sword's seal lifts and its jealous ego awakens, locking her to it alone?
She'd never believe it—or worse, suspect how I know.
So I picked my words carefully, settling on something safe.
'Too bad, but I can only handle guns thanks to my talent—I'm no teacher. Can't help you. Sorry.'
"Just don't learn it."
"...Huh?"
"Ah."
Wrong words slipped out.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Luckily, Lee Seo-yeon didn't take my accidental honesty too hard.
She went quiet for a bit, but soon asked again for shooting lessons.
Perfect timing—class was starting, so I promised to teach later and bolted to the classroom.
But like yesterday, trouble followed.
Lee Seo-yeon and Asuka flanked my seat.
Arthur sat right in front, Noah behind.
Surrounded by the leads.
Basking in their attention, first period began.
"Everyone get some good rest?"
Instructor Kang Cheol-su entered as class time hit, scanning us.
""Yes, sir! Rested well!""
"Good."
He nodded, satisfied with our spirited reply, and gently set his folder on the new desk.
Probably got chewed out for smashing the last one by the supply officer.
Thud.
The folder landed safe. A smirk tugged at his lips.
Overconfident, maybe? He rested his chin on the desk without thinking.
Crack.
A fissure spiderwebbed across it.
Then...
Split.
Crash.
It cleaved in two and toppled sideways.
"......"
Kang Cheol-su's smile froze.
But he snapped out of it quick, scowling as he snatched the fallen folder.
"Ah, damn... Gonna hear it again."
Grumbling came standard.
Worried about another scolding, he scratched his forehead scar.
Then, resigned, he sighed deeply, kicked the wreckage aside, and stood in its place.
Flipping open the folder, he announced:
"Today's first class is outdoors."
Out... doors?
That word from Kang Cheol-su jogged a forgotten memory.
'...Forgot about this.'
Classes vary by class.
Class 1-B did skill assessments like we did yesterday.
Class 1-C: physical training.
And our 1-A? 'Outdoor' fake 'Reverse World' simulation.
But that 'fake' turns 'real.'
How? Thanks to a Fallen cultist planted in the academy.
No worries, though.
Even when it flips real, the monsters aren't that tough.
Plus, the leads aren't average, and Kang Cheol-su's on standby outside—no big issues.
'The cultist... gotta close the Reverse World and take him out.'
That guy's a goldmine for me.
'Wait... goldmine?'
Speaking of, do I have ammo?
Never seriously used guns before—unsure if the academy supplies live rounds beyond rubber bullets.
If not, I'd need to commission from the fabrication department or order from outside.
Problem: I'm broke. Zero funds.
'Ah, we're screwed.'
No live ammo now, that's for sure.
How do you hunt monsters with rubber bullets?
'Got the gun, but no bullets...'
I felt a wave of despair.