Battle Royale: The Midterm Apex

Just one day remained until the duels, the crowning glory of the academy midterms. The midterm rankings of my club members were essentially Familia's performance record and grade. That made it crucial for the kids to score high, which was why I'd gathered these special instructors today.

"No egg yolk in the hot sweet red bean soup? Aigoo, tsk tsk…."

"Hey, this isn't some teahouse. You think they're gonna float an egg yolk in your ssanghwacha? Just drink an Americano like me."

Gwak Chunsik grumbled as he took the ssanghwacha, while Choi Seonho clicked his tongue at him. These two were rivals by ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠nature, so seeing them side by side like this was about as rare as a blue moon. But thanks to the recent academy terror incident, they seemed to be getting along pretty well now.

"Why drink that tasteless Americano crap? Geez, you old fogeys always getting influenced by the young kids without any sense."

"Tasteless? The bitter kick that clears your head—how good is that? That's why you old relics…."

"What? Old relic?"

"What, you an early adopter or something? Ahem."

…They were getting along, right?

"Ahem. So, you want us to help with training for tomorrow's exam?"

Choi Seonho, realizing we were watching, cleared his throat and looked our way, Americano in hand.

"Yes. Among the people I know, you two are the strongest by far."

I started with some flattery. From my experience and stats, they hated bootlicking but melted for genuine praise. The difference? Timing, tone, and vibe. Sure enough, they weren't hating it—their lips were curling up.

"Hm, well, yeah. Can't argue with that, Eugene."

"I don't disagree either… Ahem. But no complacency. We've still got room to improve."

…Easy marks.

"Alright. Let's hear what kind of training you need help with."

Gwak Chunsik set down his ssanghwacha cup and leaned in, focused.

Now? I gauged the timing, put on an apologetic face, and looked at them.

"They say just watching a master's fight or training can lead to huge growth. So this might be a bit presumptuous, but…."

With these two, I knew it'd hook them.

"Don't tell me…."

Bingo.

"Who's stronger between you two?"

Go on. Kill each other.

The morning of the duel day. The Familia members gathered in class had eyes sparkling with excitement. No wonder—they'd witnessed yesterday's spectacle and probably barely ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠slept.

The duel between Sword Sage Choi Seonho and Aura Master Gwak Chunsik. The shock had nearly wrecked the club training ground, and even off-duty Ji Suhyun showed up to investigate.

She freaked out at the state of the club room, then bowed her head the second she saw the culprits.

Ji Suhyun bowing in panic was a rare sight. Still, the kids had gained a ton from it. The two masters' heated exchange, killing intent practically billowing off them, was as real as combat gets. Every subtle shift in momentum and aura control was like an elixir just to watch.

"Alright, you know today's the last midterm, right? Kids."

Ji Suhyun shuffled in with the attendance roster, eyes heavy with exhaustion. She set it on the podium, swept her gaze over us, covered her mouth, and yawned.

"God… I'm dying of fatigue. Oh, Jinwoo Bivalt. Get up."

"Huh?"

Jinwoo stood, puzzled at his ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠sudden call.

"What the hell did you do in the strategy exam?"

"Huh? I just cleared it hard?"

"…Charging in with your whole party is your 'strategy,' you idiot?"

Everyone's eyes locked on Jinwoo at her words.

"But we cleared it…."

"Yeah, you did, idiot! Three dead, one critically injured? You knew I was grading strategy and pulled that crap?"

…Three dead, one critical. They cleared it somehow, but it was basically a failure.

"If you don't hit top ranks today, you're basically failing. Get ready to die. Got it?"

"Yesss…."

"Or I'll kill you myself."

"…Yes, ma'am!"

His bright eyes dulled instantly. Jinwoo slunk back to his seat, and Ji Suhyun sighed before speaking again.

"As you know, today's the duel day that sets the first-year rankings at the academy. These ranks go up on the school community until finals, so fight like your life depends on it."

She finished attendance, closed the roster, then went, "Oh," and looked back at us.

"Right, this duel class is on an external field, so get ready to head out."

"Huh?"

"External?"

"Isn't it usually in the duel room?"

I shared the class's confusion. Weren't academy midterm duels always in the duel room against a designated opponent? External field? That had to be the one from the club tournament.

"Apparently top rankers keep getting picked, so they're experimenting this time… I don't know the details either, idiots! Ask the president—he decided it."

She spun on her heel and left. As she crossed the threshold, a faint whisper.

"Do well on the exam."

The door shut behind her barely audible voice.

"B-Boss. What did we just hear?"

"Eugene, that was Instructor Ji Suhyun telling us to do well and then leaving embarrassed, right? Right?"

"…She just said what any homeroom teacher should. Why freak out?"

Youngje eyed the overreacting duo like they were weird. At least he hadn't been corrupted yet—still thinking straight. Good.

The announcement blared, and soon the hallway grew noisy. Other classes were moving too.

"Alright, kids. Grab your personal gear and let's head out."

Under class rep Youngje's lead, Class A finally headed to the external field after so long.

"Whoa, external field? The one where we fought the Rangers? Been forever."

Jinwoo grinned ahead of me, chatting with Youngje, lost in memories.

"Pretty confident for pre-duel jitters?"

"Obviously. After yesterday? My whole mindset changed."

Good—yesterday's events had lit a fire under them.

"So I can expect good scores today?"

The kids turned to me in unison.

"Not fighting the boss."

"No duels with Eugene."

"If the boss comes near, I'm running?"

…Ouch, that hurt. I wasn't planning to challenge first, but now I kinda wanted to out of spite.

The kids nodded. I'd known it that way too.

"…This is the 'Academy Battle Royale Expansion Pack' update."

"Huh? What's that, boss? Sounds fun though?"

I muttered without thinking. Jinwoo looked clueless.

…No wonder Ji Suhyun looked wiped. That's why.

Battle Royale wasn't new to CS. There was a virtual field ranking war update like this. I just didn't expect it now.

Park Yunho glanced at the entrance, and massive doors swung open, revealing a shimmering purple portal.

"Class A first, proceed in order."

Under instructor guidance, Class A entered one by one.

"Battle Royale, huh? Let's do our best, everyone."

Class rep Youngje went first.

"Boss! Don't run into me!"

Jinwoo next.

"Hm… Temporary alliances possible?"

Sea-a, brainstorming strategies, followed.

Last of Class A, I stepped in.

The familiar spatial warp sensation—brief floatiness, vision flipping. I landed in….

"…Where's this?"

Acrid smoke. Stale stench. Oversized canned goods in the corner.

"Smoking area? Looks like some shopping district…."

Tall buildings, cars everywhere. Yet eerily empty, sending chills.

This must be what they call a liminal space.

But surveying around, it felt familiar. I realized: this was Yeouido.

"I've seen Yeouido maps dozens of times—no big worries."

One issue: I couldn't move. Mana threads bound my body—instructors' seal for pre-start standby. Standard for battle royales.

The broadcast echoed across the city.

A ping above my head, something floating up.

"Huh?"

The ranking blazed brightly above my head.

"What the—? Did the game have this?"

Glowing rankings? What the hell—

Whoosh—!

Far off, a massive pillar of light pierced the sky. Everyone must've seen it. Giant letters spun boastfully for all to read.

"…I'm a nobody, huh."

I remembered something forgotten: Seoul Hero Academy was more sadistic than I thought.

"2nd place! He's over there!"

"First to grab him wins!"

"Rush him together!"

Exam. Battle Royale. Looked like the toughest one yet.