Controversial First Place

In the end, the kids conquered the dungeon far more easily than I'd expected, even without me. Well, they'd already cleared it before, their instructor was Ji Suhyun, and she'd declared that if they didn't take first place, she'd kill them all. With their lives on the line, they had no choice but to go all out.

And thanks to that? The results were overwhelmingly dominant—something no other class could touch.

...Though the method was the problem.

"...Hah. In all my life, you're the first class to clear a dungeon by physically blocking the other kids. What the hell possessed you to do that?"

At Park Yunho's words, our entire class hung their heads low and stayed silent. They seemed to have enough conscience to know their approach was wrong, even if they'd gotten swept up in the moment.

"...Attitude scores factor into the class ranking battles. After a stunt like that, you won't avoid deductions."

It was only natural, really. Seoul Hero Academy was for training heroes, not hunters.

The other kids just nodded silently in agreement.

"All classes, return to your starting positions. We'll announce the scores as soon as they're finalized."

At that, Youngje shot his hand up.

"Instructor, unlike the other classes, it seems like we don't have our instructor..."

"Ah, you mean Ji Suhyun?"

His calm expression crumpled again.

"...Instructor Ji Suhyun caused a scene watching you guys and got dragged off. Screaming stuff like, 'Do great, my babies!' and 'That's my students!' or whatever."

"Ah."

"...Anyway, back to your positions for now."

It was so typically Ji Suhyun.

Moments later, once all the classes were back in place, a massive screen materialized in the air.

The screen shifted, displaying Class A's score first.

Park Yunho's voice followed.

The kids cheered like first place was already locked in. But a sharp voice cut through.

The score plummeted in real time.

The kids collapsed to the ground or scowled in frustration one by one.

The score skyrocketed.

Everyone's eyes went wide at the crushing margin, turning to me—Class A kids, Jeong Ui-hoon, even Choi Yeon.

Claps erupted from the instructors' side. All eyes locked on me with the "overwhelming first" declaration. I averted my gaze, feeling the weight, when someone tackled me from behind.

"Boss!!! I believed in youuu!!"

The kids around us beamed just like Jinwoo, staring at me.

...This was surprisingly burdensome.

That was exactly what I'd aimed for: the mentee rights.

After awakening Bloodline: Calione in my duel with Kwon Su-hyeop, the Ranger Club president, I was sure I'd need outside help to develop it further.

As expected, every Famiglia member snagged mentee rights. They'd been raiding the underground dungeon like it was their backyard lately—failing to shine here would've been weirder.

With the Class Ranking Battle wrapped up, our hyped Class A kids headed back to the classroom. Ji Suhyun greeted us with a grin, perched on ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the teacher's desk.

"Back? You lucky bastards."

Youngje jolted back at her unusual vibe.

"...Instructor, they said you weren't at the field... but you're here?"

"You kids have no idea the effort I put in~ When the other instructors saw you blocking the boss room with your bodies, they lost it. Yelling to drag those bastards out, even threatening to reverse-summon me. I threw a fit to shut 'em up, and they hauled me off."

She giggled, reliving it.

"Keep it up like today. When others whine about morals, you chase efficiency. Squeeze every advantage dry. That's the world—and the fastest way to get strong."

She beamed proudly, hopped down, and scanned us.

"No more classes today. Everyone except the mentee winners, get lost. Good work."

The kids grinned and filed out early. Soon, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠only five of us remained: me, Jinwoo, Youngje, Sea-a, and Choi Kang-hyeon.

"As the academy hinted, I'll recommend heroes matching your styles and abilities. Speak up if you disagree."

She started with Youngje.

"You handle all kinds of magic, right? Go with Lottie from Jamsil Magic Tower. She's a bitch with a temper, but her skills are legit. As a frontline battle mage, she'll help you tons."

Next, Choi Kang-hyeon.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"You: Young Ho-em from Busan. Water manipulator who climbed to the top there—perfect match. He's loaded, too; impress him, and he'll shower you with gifts. Next, Jinwoo."

She glanced at him.

"Bloodline from your dad, daggers from Han Yeo-eun, Artemis Guild master. She's skilled enough to stab me in the back— you'll learn something. Sea-a... learn from me? No complaints? I'm Asia's top space mage."

Sea-a nodded eagerly.

Last was me.

"You're the toughest. Who even to pair you with?"

Made sense—she knew my identity. My dad was the Calione Famiglia head, the Emperor of the Night, and Parnello Ramichi, the Calione hunting dog, handled my heir training. Finding a fitting hero wasn't easy.

"Or do you have someone in mind?"

Spot on, as always.

"Yes. I do."

"Oh? Who?"

All eyes—including Ji Suhyun's—turned to me. Who I would choose as mentor? Natural curiosity.

A hero I could learn from. I said the name slowly.

"Gwak Chunsik. I'll train under him."

"...Huh?"

Ji Suhyun looked puzzled; the others tilted their heads.

"Gwak Chunsik? Gramps Chunsik? Korea's top hero back in the day? The Aura Master?"

I nodded, and she burst out laughing. "Pfft!"

"Kid, you know he's locked up in Gangwon-do for causing trouble in his old age? You're seriously picking that gramps as mentor?"

"He's still listed with the Hero Association, isn't he? Honorary board member."

"It's honorary—he's just a name on paper! That dementia-ridden old man's in no shape to take disciples!"

Gwak Chunsik: Korea's legendary hero, always top of "strongest ever" lists. His ability, Congenital Aura, let him reinforce his body or shape objects with aura—Aura Master abroad.

But a decade ago, he quit hero work citing age. Now, he lived in Hero Silver Town in Gangwon-do after killing a villain trying to kidnap his granddaughter.

"If I go, he'll accept me."

"Yeah, right. Rumors say he doesn't even recognize his own kids. Dude, why him? Chunsam or others are options."

His Congenital Aura was hereditary; son Gwak Chunsam was active, a board member—top-tier in Korea.

But.

"Nothing to learn from him."

Strong hero? Not enough.

"Hah, so you're dead set on Gramps Chunsik?"

I nodded; she sighed in exasperation.

"...Fine, I'll write the recommendation, but if they refuse, tough luck. You know that?"

"Yes."

"...Alright. Get mentor consents by week's end. If it'll take time, notify the academy you'll be out. Recommendations... I'll have 'em all by tomorrow—pick 'em up."

With that, she turned.

"Done. Gotta write those letters—head home."

She waved lazily and left. Jinwoo spoke first.

"Boss, really training with that gramps? News says he's beating up retired heroes in Silver Town."

...Even him.

"If the boss picks him, I'm curious too. Must be something there."

Youngje was skeptical too.

"I've got plans, so don't worry. Ji Suhyun's picks will help you all—take ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠'em."

Her long hero career made her connections gold.

"If Yujin says so, no worries..."

Sea-a nodded.

"Keep club activities going during mentoring, but prioritize mentors. Good work, everyone."

Now... time to butter up that stubborn old geezer?