Chapter 11
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 011
Chapter Title: Entrance Ceremony
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It's the entrance ceremony for the National Seoul Hunter Academy, the largest academy in the country.
I had expected it to be grand, given that it's the top hunter academy nationwide, but...
'This is quite the spectacle.'
I was a bit surprised by just how massive it was.
An auditorium resembling the opera houses I'd only seen in photos.
It was packed with students.
'So that's the cadet uniform.'
Everyone was dressed in the exact same outfit.
A stylish blend of white and black.
It doubles as the academy uniform, but its primary role is...
'Protection...'
Made from fibers infused with magitech, it boasts far superior durability compared to regular clothes.
Beyond just blocking blades, it provides resistance that can withstand extreme conditions like intense heat.
Of course, I'm wearing one too.
'Never thought the day would come when I'd be wearing one of these...'
They all look the same at a glance, but the difference is on the left chest of the uniform.
A badge symbolizing the hunter rank.
The badge I was issued is E-rank.
More precisely, a blue-tinged E3 rank badge.
'This world gets more brutal the more you look at it.'
Hunter ranks go from E, with the number indicating the tier.
Originally, ranks didn't have tiers.
'A system designed to stoke competition.'
A system unique to the Seoul Hunter Academy.
It's for distinguishing grades among first-years, where E-ranks make up the majority.
'E3, huh.'
E3 is in the bottom 10% of E-ranks.
Doesn't matter.
I don't care about others' stares.
It's better than some vague rank; E3 feels like it hides something.
'Yeah, exactly.'
This isn't just positive thinking.
Absolutely not! Definitely!
I pushed through the crowd, looking for an empty seat.
'Only back-row seats left, huh.'
There are no special events at the entrance ceremony.
Just memorizing the faces of the incoming students is all I can do here.
As long as I run into Yoon So-ah, it'll be a stepping stone to meeting the C-rank boss.
'Well, there is one special event.'
Lee Seong-hyeon's face after missing the top spot.
I can't miss that.
Smiling, I took a seat in the spacious back row.
The other students were still struggling for front-row seats.
"Is this the heat of entrance ceremony day...?"
Of course, the academy's entrance ceremony isn't this chaotic every year.
Hunter academies.
And the Seoul Hunter Academy in particular requires all faculty and students to swear secrecy about academy matters.
Plus, the internal curriculum changes yearly, so leaks are rare.
'That just makes the rumors fly even more.'
This year's rumor.
[They check students' diligence from the entrance ceremony and award bonus points.]
That got twisted through word of mouth into...
[Students who sit in the front get judged as more diligent and receive bonus points.]
Lee Seong-hyeon knows it's meaningless.
Kang Hwa-yeon and Baek A-rin weren't interested from the start.
The rest of the main characters seemed uninterested too.
'Naturally. I'm just looking for Yoon So-ah...'
?
One student mixed in with that foolish crowd, diligently pushing forward.
"Yoon So-ah..."
What the hell is she doing up there?
...Should I drag her out?
I pulled Yoon So-ah back from the crowd to the rear seats.
It took some convincing, but I could make an excuse to ask a favor, so it worked out even better.
"...What were you thinking, being up there?"
"Haha..."
Yoon So-ah laughed awkwardly.
"I just thought it might be good to make a good impression, even a little..."
Of course, it's completely meaningless.
"They give bonus points for front-row seats?"
"What?! How did you know? I heard it was super secret..."
......This isn't kindergarten; no way they'd give bonus points for something like that.
More than that, I didn't think Yoon So-ah was the type to join such a crowd.
Maybe her personality is a bit different from what I know.
"You seem more grade-obsessed than I thought?"
Teasing lightly, Yoon So-ah smiled and replied.
"Huh...? Oh, yeah! They give scholarships to top students! There's an orphanage I donate to monthly, and the director's been struggling lately..."
...What pure motivation is this?
Makes me feel like garbage for suspecting her.
Shaking off a twinge of guilt, I told Yoon So-ah,
"Don't worry. I can guarantee it's better to stay back here."
"Better...?"
I smiled at Yoon So-ah as she tilted her head.
Rumors aren't usually baseless.
The problem is they're not accurate.
[They check diligence from the entrance ceremony and award bonus points.]
This "diligence" is actually for deductions, not bonuses.
In other words, it's the obvious rule that they warn and deduct points from students causing a ruckus or trouble at the ceremony, twisted around.
"Look over there."
I pointed to the front, where the rowdy students were getting warnings.
"See? Told you it's better."
Yoon So-ah looked ahead, mouth agape in surprise, then turned to me.
"How did you know, Si-woo?!"
I know because I read Awakening to SSS Hunter Academy.
Can't exactly say that.
"An institution like the academy wouldn't award bonus points just based on who arrives first without considering circumstances. And they wouldn't look kindly on causing a commotion like that, right?"
I bullshitted on the spot, and Yoon So-ah covered her mouth.
"Si-woo, you're amazing... Thanks. I almost got in big trouble..."
It worked.
Smiling at the surprised and grateful So-ah, I asked,
"Feeling grateful?"
"Yeah, of course!"
"Then grant me one favor?"
"Favor...?"
"Nothing big. Just meet up when I ask later."
I handed her my phone as I said it.
Yoon So-ah looked a bit flustered.
"Uh... sure?"
"Give me your number, and I'll call when I need you."
"N-number...?"
Yoon So-ah fumbled but entered her number.
"Here..."
"Thanks. I'll buy you a meal sometime."
I need something from Yoon So-ah that I have to call her for.
She avoids deductions and gets a free meal.
Win-win, right?
I was smirking inwardly when...
"Welcome, everyone. Congratulations on passing into the National Seoul Hunter Academy. First, the top incoming student..."
The entrance ceremony officially began.
Just as described in Awakening to SSS Hunter Academy, a boring, utterly mundane ceremony.
'Phew...'
Still, it was tense.
Sitting in the back, I could see countless students.
I casually scanned the surroundings.
This generation had overlapping enrollments from prestigious families.
That's why it's drawing attention as the most competitive class.
'And it really turns out that way.'
The heirs of famous clans were everywhere.
-I swear.
Standing out most was Kang Hwa-yeon on the platform, her red eyes shining vividly.
And the protagonist of this world, pushed to second place.
Lee Seong-hyeon, fated to become overwhelmingly the strongest.
His crumpled face was refreshingly novel.
'Worth watching.'
After the oath, Kang Hwa-yeon began reading her prepared short speech.
-Pride in being the top enrollee at the esteemed Seoul Hunter Academy...
-Thus, we must always strive to create a safe world...
Basically about the mindset hunters should have, proper spirit.
And her own goals, at great length.
A speech reflecting her public image of righteousness and kindness.
Most of the auditorium—professors and students alike—seemed captivated.
'For real...'
Of course, I couldn't focus, catching her subtle jabs at someone amid the words.
Knowing she was being watched from above made it impossible.
She probably doesn't see herself as equals with the other students anyway.
'Wondered what Kang Hwa-yeon's speech would feel like in Awakening to SSS Hunter Academy.'
Exactly as imagined.
"So very Kang Hwa-yeon."
"Huh?"
Yoon So-ah must have overheard my mutter and asked curiously.
"Do you know who she is, Si-woo?"
Do I know Kang Hwa-yeon?
Amusing question.
I dare say I know her better than she knows herself.
"Very well."
Of course, not in real life.
Yoon So-ah narrowed her eyes slightly at my answer.
"Are you close with Kang Hwa-yeon?"
"What?"
I didn't quite get the intent behind the question.
Is Yoon So-ah the type to show emotion like this?
'The appropriate deduction here...'
She's probably feeling a bit of fondness toward me.
Meaning she's a little jealous?
What's the right response?
"Not really."
"What?!..."
I have no intention of getting entangled with Yoon So-ah like that.
Or anyone, for that matter.
Avoid, avoid interference.
I'm not leisurely enough to play with romance when my life's on the line.
That was when.
"Everyone here aims for the top of the academy. Let's help each other become pillars of support. Of course, if you ever need my help, I'll assist with all my heart."
Clap clap clap—
Kang Hwa-yeon's speech ended amid pouring applause.
'While thinking only she deserves the top...'
Great grades, great background, and a beauty above all.
On the surface, the perfect super student.
But as a reader who knows her inner story, it looks different.
Memories surface of evaluations calling Lee Seong-hyeon more kind-hearted, selfless, and just.
'Still, not enough to bootlick that bastard Lee Seong-hyeon.'
Kang Hwa-yeon's final words lingered in my mind.
'The top, huh...'
I reminded myself once more.
The countless students before me.
Talents I could never compare to originally.
"Phew..."
Tension gripped my body unconsciously.
Is it possible for me to stand above Kang Hwa-yeon, that Lee Seong-hyeon, all these talents here?
But I can't even afford tension.
To reach the top of Awakening to SSS Hunter Academy, I must trample and climb.
I will stand at the pinnacle of these 1,000.
'I'll exploit everything I can.'