Red Hell Tactics
"Everyone, space out your desks, put your phones away. You all know I'm a space mage, right? If you think you can cheat, go ahead and try. You'll fail on the spot."
The morning of midterms was chaotic with the scraping of desks being pulled apart.
Screeech— screeeeech— screech— screeeeech—
For me, it had been years since I'd taken a school exam. Even just moving the desks brought back memories, and a nostalgic smile tugged at my lips before I knew it.
Today's subjects, written on the blackboard for the three-day midterm period, were four in total.
[Korean Language][Mathematics][Ethics][Strategy]
We took Korean Language, Math, and Ethics in the classroom like any other school, receiving our test papers and proceeding as usual.
But the highlight of the day was the last one.
[Strategy].
"I'll be proctoring the Strategy exam, so make sure you greet the other instructors properly when they come in. Oh, and just in case—no one's failing, right? If you do, get ready. I'll personally drag you around for special training. Got it?"
Ji Suhyun left those chilling words before exiting the classroom. The kids nodded stiffly at her smile laced with ice, then dove into their meticulously prepared notes.
And as for me...
I planned to use a power beyond worldly logic.
The 'Smart Lens'.
'This one's all I need.'
Honestly, I felt a twinge of guilt about using it during a test, but being able to scour the internet without anyone knowing was basically a cheat key for days like this. As a veteran gamer, glossing over it as "effort" instead of skill was nonsense.
'It's just a way to be faster and more efficient.'
Alright, time to...
Due to Limited Trait: Exam Start, Smart Lens usage is temporarily suspended.
"What the fu—."
* * *
In the end, the exams went... surprisingly well. Actually, really well.
I panicked when my trusted Smart Lens shut off at first, but the difficulty was lower than expected.
Which made sense. Seoul Hero Academy wasn't some ordinary high school—it was for training heroes. A school built for a special purpose wouldn't throw standard high school problems at us.
The tests were basically middle school level, so I nailed perfect scores on the spot-checks.
"What the hell? Why are these problems so hard? Are we at some fancy private academy or something?"
...Unlike Jinwoo, slouched next to me.
That left the practical exam: [Strategy].
This was a core subject at the academy, so unlike the others, everyone was diligently reviewing their records.
The Strategy exam was tougher yet simpler than expected.
A historical battle recreated on the tablets at each desk. Students commanded the units to fight for victory.
Just like Ji Suhyun's lessons.
And up until now, I was top of the first-years in this subject.
"Screens up? Timer's counting down?"
The kids nodded at the proctoring Ji Suhyun.
"Yeah, you guys'll handle it. The exam setter's your homeroom teacher, right?"
They gulped, correctly reading the subtext: 'Score lower than the other classes, and you're all dead meat.'
They stared at the timer ticking toward zero.
"Get ready, everyone."
As the timer hit zero and the screens shifted, Ji Suhyun's voice rang out.
"Begin."
The pitch-black screen blazed to life, unfolding a game-like interface.
A world ablaze, like we'd descended into hell.
I scanned the surroundings first, piecing together info from the landscape.
Gray smoke billowing endlessly skyward, flames and ash blanketing the ground.
And in the distance, kangaroo herds fleeing the inferno.
'Australia? Then... 'Red Hell'?'
I pinpointed the field instantly and inferred the scenario.
Even among random strategy pulls, this was hell-mode difficulty.
But.
'Piece of cake. This'll be fun.'
To me, it was just light entertainment.
I manipulated the interface, checking my assigned party.
Four avatars appeared, all afflicted with 'burns'.
Warrior, archer, thief, priest—a classic combo.
Enemy monsters: 50 lesser imps and 30 goblins on a ridge, led by one mid-tier demon.
'Summary: Burning plains field. Terrain favors them. Party all injured. Got it.'
Despair incarnate.
But with plenty of time left on the tablet, I started positioning with my fingers.
Thief and priest far off. Warrior and archer stealthed front-facing the demons.
Hit 'Simulation Start'. 'START' flashed, and the demons moved.
Toward the priest and thief in the east.
I ordered the thief to carry the priest; priest to heal thief's legs.
-Kill the filthy servant of the gods!
The mid-tier demon bellowed, accelerating the horde.
Overwhelmed 4 vs. 81, they charged cockily.
Anyone watching might cry foul on the field design...
But this was a famous legendary battle in this world.
A priest with past mage experience turned flames against the horde—pure heroics.
Diligent studiers could replicate the records and clear with good control.
'But I wouldn't.'
Observe races and environment right, and you clear without a scratch.
Demons despise priests. They'd shred one on sight.
So, warrior and archer: smear ash, crouch low.
Only thief and priest exposed.
Priest pours all mana into healing thief; thief carries priest, zigzagging to disrupt formations.
And.
Kieeeek!!
As demons reeled from holy power, warrior and archer crawled forward silently.
No worry of mid-tier noticing.
We exploited the field max.
'Smoke limits vision. Burning stench masks smell. Hiding's the point.'
Flames and ash tough for fleers too, but priest's wind magic shifts smoke, keeping thief's path open.
Warrior and archer flank fully, behead the oblivious mid-tier...
'Done.'
Over in minutes, zero casualties.
'12 minutes? Decent.'
Best record in my memory was 20s, so yeah.
'Prime me could've sub-10. Been slacking.'
A bit regrettable, but.
'Good enough.'
Submitted, plenty of time left. I laid my head down and closed my eyes.
Korean high schooler trait: Finish early, nap.
But...
'Why's he sleeping?'
Jinwoo, out before me, head down snoring.
* * *
After exams, Gwak Chunsik summoned me to the sparring room for long-overdue Aura Style lessons.
"Strategy exam today, right? Word is you set a new record."
As I slipped on Midas Gloves pre-lesson, he grinned.
"Strategy? Yeah, got lucky."
"Lucky?"
He stared, incredulous.
"Breaking world records on luck?"
"Can't claim skill and luck both, y'know."
No modesty? Nah, gotta have shame.
But he crossed arms, shaking his head like it was obvious.
"The great ones say it. I did."
...True, the old man strutted like that.
"Plus, gotta brag my disciple crushed it. You stay humble, I look desperate. Go on, boast away!"
Ah, the real motive.
His proud gaze left me chuckling, nodding.
"Oh, Kwang-su mentioned. Learned Ki-sik from him?"
As I bounced in place warming up, he brought up the weekend—clearly briefed.
"Yeah. Using furnace and hammer with hands. Lethal depending on use."
"Exactly. Better to smash the tough stuff."
He focused aura in his hand, demonstrating flawlessly.
"Like this, right?"
Yoon Kwang-su swore he hadn't taught the elder, but perfect replication in seconds.
"Great technique. Aura insights evolve it nicely."
A sudden question hit me.
"...Why don't you use it, sir?"
"This? Easy."
He'd never used it in-game, despite its utility.
Why skip it normally?
He chuckled, approaching.
"Remember what I said?"
"Uh? Tough stuff better smashed than sliced..."
"Eugene."
Tap. Hand on my shoulder.
"Nothing I can't cut with aura. No need."
Peak arrogance from the pinnacle.
"And you soon won't need a sword for upcoming tests."
Something about him looked cooler than usual.
'New technique?'
"How's that? This master lookin' cool? Heh heh."
Yeah. Probably that.