Rank-Up Test (2)
"Professor, you really have to name your favorite disciple this time!"
"Someone like me doesn't deserve a favorite disciple…"
"Oh come on… Professor, please……."
Favorite disciple. In simple terms, it meant a personal disciple. Professors could designate students they liked and personally nurture them. It was the elite course every student dreamed of, a path paved with flowers. But the competition was fierce. If even Lee Seol and Han Yuri were barely in the running, it showed just how exceptional the talent had to be.
'Irena's favorite disciple, huh…….'
I remembered that in the previous timeline, she hadn't taken a single one until I graduated.
"It's already been four years since that incident. That child wouldn't want you living like this. So please……."
"I'm sorry."
"Even the principal has limits on how much she can cover for your arbitrary decisions. So at least choose one between Lee Seol and Han Yuri……."
"Those two can grow strong enough without me. I want to raise students who are lacking."
"Ha……."
Parallel lines. Typical of the stubborn Professor Irena. I shook my head and moved away. It had nothing to do with me anyway.
***
Two weeks had passed since I obtained Thunder God. After cycling through assignments and training, we finally stood on the threshold of the rank-up test.
[Year Ranking]
1st: Class 1, Group 2 — 19 assignments
2nd: Class 1, Group 1 — 18 assignments
The final assignment. We were facing the boss that marked the end of the assignment period.
[Night Tiger]
A monster hovering between F-rank and E-rank. We could have just cleared the required number of assignments, but we deliberately chose the harder one for the sake of the rank-up test. Normally, you wouldn't know what monster would appear in the test until right before it, but I already knew.
'I remember the first-year rank-up test.'
It felt like peeking at the exam in advance.
"Grrr!"
Like a matador facing a bull, I drew the creature's attention. Once its aggro was fully locked on me, Choi Ahyeon received the signal.
"Seonghyun! I'm going!"
I lowered my stance and prepared to attack. Wind stirred. In the blink of an eye, Choi Ahyeon appeared beside the tiger and swung her dagger.
Crunch!
"Kwaaaang!"
The dagger buried deep into its nape.
"Aack! What do I do? It won't come out!"
"Don't get greedy, fall back!"
"Okay!"
She still wasn't used to Ferio's dagger, so mistakes happened. But the damage landed cleanly. When the tiger cub tried to turn toward Choi Ahyeon, I swung my sword at it. Lightning coursed through the blade.
Clang!
The sword was stopped by the Night Tiger's hardening. It took no damage, but thanks to Thunder God and my aggro skill, I managed to pull its gaze back to me.
"Lee Seonghyun!"
Our time-buying was over. Now it was time for the bombardment. Dozens of meteors hung in the sky, each the size of a car.
"Meteor!"
Kwa-ga-ga-gang!
The moment I retreated, the boulders rained down.
"Grrk……."
Unable to resist the merciless attack that ignored its hardening, the creature met its end.
"Huu…… It's over."
"Yuri, good work!"
"Yeah. You too."
The two of them groomed each other. I walked over and added a word.
"Ahyeon has improved a lot. Her acceleration skill is much faster now."
Acceleration skill. Short for "Faster Than Wind."
"Hehe. Even if you butter me up like that, nothing's coming out, you know?"
"It's true though?"
"Hehe."
Choi Ahyeon grinned ear to ear at my unvarnished praise. She really was too simple. Watching us, Han Yuri crossed her arms and sighed.
"It would be nice if she just reduced her mistakes."
"Ah……"
"You did well. So keep working hard from now on too."
"Yeah!"
A passing grade. And receiving that passing necklace from Han Yuri carried extra weight. Choi Ahyeon danced with her shoulders while Han Yuri turned her gaze to me.
"So. When exactly is that Pikachu million-volt move coming out?"
"……I'm working on it. Don't rush me."
"Ha……! You said you'd make a dragon out of lightning before. Does it make sense that you still can't even create a single bolt after two weeks? You might as well carry around a stun gun."
"……"
Damn it. I hadn't known Thunder God would be this difficult to handle either. The moment I tried to properly manifest lightning, the pain felt like my brain was burning, making it impossible to activate the skill correctly. My still-fragile body probably couldn't yet accept the skill. When I'd seen a dragon use it, it had manipulated lightning as freely as mana……
Seeing it and doing it yourself were completely different.
"Let's just head out for now. We can talk about the rest after we apply for the test."
"Look at him, changing the subject the moment it's inconvenient for him."
"Come on, Yuri. Seonghyun must have a lot on his mind too, so let's stop. Okay?"
Nice, Choi Ahyeon. Now wasn't the time for us to argue. Students who were the first in their year to rank up received national support. Special dormitories for top students, financial and material aid, and most importantly—
'The right to challenge above your rank.'
It allowed you to freely attempt assignments one rank higher than your own and, under certain conditions, enter dungeons outside the academy. In other words, it meant pulling future opportunities forward. I'd half-given up on it considering Han Yuri's solo playstyle, but for some reason she'd cooperated smoothly and given us this chance.
'No way I'm letting food sitting right in front of me go to waste.'
I was going to secure the top-student benefits no matter what. To do that, we had to apply for the test before Lee Seol's group did.
'Well, we still have two to spare, so we won't be late.'
Before we started the assignment, they only had eighteen.
"Then let's head back."
"Yeah."
Once we finished the assignment, white light enveloped us, and soon the noisy sounds of the plaza reached our ears.
'What's going on?'
It was 11 a.m., peak hours. Yet the commotion was two or three times worse than usual.
"Wow. That's Lee Seol for you. How did she clear two in under an hour?"
"Why else would they call her a monster, you idiot. Seriously, talent gaps are fucking ridiculous."
Everyone's eyes were turned in one direction. When I looked over, Lee Seol was already done with her assignment and was seeing her teammates off. A sudden sense of foreboding made me hurriedly check the electronic board.
[Year Ranking]
1st: Class 1, Group 1 — 20 assignments
2nd: Class 1, Group 2 — 20 assignments
'Ha…….'
Exactly one hour. That was how long it had taken us to finish our assignment. This morning I'd clearly heard that Lee Seol's group was going to theory class. That was why we'd rushed here ahead of everything else……!
Grind. When two groups reached twenty assignments at the same time, priority for the test went to whichever group had reached twenty first. Super Sensory. That overpowered unique skill had led Lee Seol here. While I ground my teeth, Lee Seol approached me. At the same time, the surroundings grew noisy.
"What? This feels like some kind of showdown."
"Kuh~. The two-strong rivalry is finally taking proper shape. Hey, get some popcorn!"
Lee Seol waved her hand lightly.
"Hyun-ah. Hi? It's been two weeks since we saw each other at the closing ceremony?"
"Hyun…?"
At Lee Seol's words, Han Yuri frowned. Given the situation, I decided to focus on Lee Seol for now.
"Yeah. I've been busy with training and assignments."
"Ah. Assignments……."
Lee Seol glanced at the electronic board. Then she made a genuinely apologetic expression.
"Did you maybe want the top-student benefits……?"
"……."
I nodded silently. Lee Seol pondered deeply for a moment, then the corner of her mouth lifted slightly.
"I'll yield the test to you."
"What…? Really?"
"Yeah. But in exchange—"
She leaned slightly toward me and whispered.
"If you grant me one favor, I'll yield the test."
***
Since it wasn't a conversation to have in a crowded place, we decided to move to the plaza. I told Han Yuri and Choi Ahyeon I'd handle it, but……
'What the hell is her problem now?'
Choi Ahyeon left looking convinced, but Han Yuri couldn't wipe the disgusted expression off her face until the end. Well, whatever. For now, I needed to focus here.
"So, what kind of favor?"
"Hmm……."
With her hands behind her back, Lee Seol looked up at the sky, then pulled something out of her pocket and held it out to me.
"A phone?"
"Yeah. My favor is for Hyun to give me your number."
"No way……."
I'd been a little nervous about what kind of favor she'd ask, but it was just this?
"You already joined the group chat, right? There's an emergency contact list too……."
"That's true, but getting it directly from the person feels different, doesn't it?"
Lee Seol gave a bright smile and tilted her head slightly.
"You won't give it?"
"No. I'll put it in."
Between the top-student benefits and having my number available at any time, the scale naturally tipped toward the former. After I entered my number, Lee Seol was busy giggling as if she couldn't be happier.
"Do you remember the first day?"
"The first day?"
"The day Hyun and I first met."
"Ah. During OT……."
"Doesn't it feel really similar to back then? Back then, Hyun drew a line because you didn't want to give your number."
"I didn't really draw a line……."
"Liar."
While I was entering the number, Lee Seol had somehow moved right in front of me. I could feel her breath. At the same time, her eyes pierced through me. Black, pitch-black pupils. Yet clearer than anyone else's. That clarity made the blackness even more chilling.
"Can you put your hand on your chest and say that?"
"……."
Super Sensory. No matter what I said here, the lie would be exposed. When I didn't open my mouth, Lee Seol gave a meaningful smile and stepped back.
"Okay. If that's what Hyun says, I'll believe you. Hyun wouldn't lie, after all."
Then Lee Seol waved at me and left.
"I have theory class, so I'll head out first. Hyun-ah."
"……Yeah. Get there safely."
After sending Lee Seol off, a wave of relief washed over me.
'Whew, somehow I got her to leave.'
The cold sweat on my back told me just how dangerous that had been. But in the end, I'd achieved my goal, so I decided to let the past go. It was better for my mental health.
Having received priority from Lee Seol, I headed toward the professors' building with light steps.
'At this point, the test is basically already passed.'
I'd boosted Choi Ahyeon with equipment despite her lacking skill, and I'd already rehearsed our combat style against tiger-type monsters, the test monsters. It was a game we couldn't lose. Whistling at the thought that I'd be E-rank tomorrow, I walked, and before I knew it, I was inside the professors' building. Passing the lobby and hallway, I stopped in front of the door at the very end of the first floor.
[Class 1-A Advisor: Irena]
Knock knock.
—Come in.
When I opened the door and entered, Irena was sitting at her desk. She glanced at me, then turned her gaze back to the monitor.
"What is it?"
"I've come to apply for Group 2's rank-up test."
At that, Irena's eyebrows twitched and the hand typing on the keyboard stopped. But soon she began tapping the keyboard again.
"Group 2 cannot take the test."
"What?"
A completely unexpected answer. Throughout all my regressions, I'd never heard of a test being rejected. I forced my voice to stay steady and asked.
"I'd like to hear the reason why it's impossible."
"Insufficient combat power. You don't have the qualifications to rise to E-rank."
"Insufficient combat power? That doesn't make sense! Han Yuri aside, Choi Ahyeon is……!"
My protest stopped. Could it be?
'Did she notice?'
If Irena had figured out my trick of trying to rank Choi Ahyeon up with equipment, her reaction made sense.
'Shit……!'
While I ground my teeth inwardly, Irena slowly rose from her seat. She walked over to me and crossed her arms.
"It seems you're misunderstanding something."
"What?"
"The reason Group 2 cannot take the test is—"
Still with her arms crossed, she pointed at me.
"Entirely because of you."
What?