Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Promotion Match (2)
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"A promotion match? I've heard of those, but I never thought our cohort would get to see one right in the first semester..."
"They're challenging now because it's the first semester. It's only been a month and a half since enrollment. They probably think they aren't that far behind us."
"True. Our seniors said they only saw promotion matches in their first semester as first-years, never after that."
The promotion match triggered by Yang Woo-bin and Fuyuno Tsubaki's challenge was bound to become a Hot topic among the Jincheon Class cadets as well.
"So, who got picked to fight who?"
That was because promotion matches were formatted as General Class cadets challenging Jincheon Class cadets.
"I heard it was the lowest-ranked guy in Jincheon Class... Who was it again? Oh, right, Choi In-gyu? Him and Han Yu-jin. Those two got picked."
"Han Yu-jin?! They challenged that Han Yu-jin? Some General Class nobody?"
The Jincheon Class cadet was stunned when the names of the two challengers came up, immediately asking his friend to confirm.
"Yeah. I checked this morning."
"Holy crap..."
Nodding in confirmation, his friend made the Jincheon Class cadet gape in disbelief, letting out a hollow laugh.
"Challenging that Han Yu-jin..."
That was because Han Yu-jin, one of the two who had been singled out, was a standout talent even among Jincheon Class.
"Even a pup knows not to risk its life, right? How do you pick a fight with Han Yu-jin? What, trying to add a line to their resume saying they fought him?"
"But if they piss off Han Yu-jin, they'll end up crippled before they can even submit it... You sure?"
"Anyway, this promotion match is gonna be fun."
"Yeah. I'm actually getting excited now."
The two had planned to watch the promotion match anyway, but hearing Han Yu-jin had been targeted amped up their anticipation even more.
"Getting to sit back and watch Han Yu-jin unleash his abilities."
"To earn a challenge right, they must have some skill. Worth looking forward to, right? Hope they last long enough for him to show off a few techniques."
Of course, their excitement wasn't about the outcome of the match, but about seeing Han Yu-jin's prowess on display.
No one in Jincheon Class thought the General Class cadets stood a chance.
That was only natural.
There was an insurmountable gap in talent and experience between General Class and Jincheon Class.
"Alright, time to head out. Let's go snag good seats."
With completely relaxed attitudes, the two headed to the circular arena in Jencheondong where the promotion match would take place, eagerly awaiting Han Yu-jin's display of techniques.
※
Jincheon Class promotion matches were both exams and officially recognized entertainment at Dabcheon Academy.
As such, the General Class challengers and the designated Jincheon Class cadets had to wait underground in the circular arena like gladiators in a colosseum, then ride the elevator up once the audience was seated.
"Haaah..."
That waiting time only amplified Fuyuno Tsubaki's anxiety.
Before entering Jencheondong, she'd been motivated by the rewards Yang Woo-bin promised if she won, but now she was suddenly anxious again for one simple reason.
"U-um, Yang Woo-bin? For real? I'm really fighting this Han Yu-jin...?"
She'd only learned late that her opponent in the promotion match was Han Yu-jin.
While Yang Woo-bin had arbitrarily used the challenge right and picked Jincheon Class cadets, she'd just nodded along, thinking anything he did was fine.
"Yeah. How many times do I have to say it? You're fighting this Han Yu-jin guy, Fuyuno Tsubaki."
"A-ah..."
"I told you yesterday when I used the challenge right."
Yang Woo-bin hadn't kept it completely secret from Fuyuno Tsubaki when he'd used the challenge right to pick Jincheon Class cadets.
"I picked Jincheon Class #15 Han Yu-jin and #100 Choi In-gyu, so brace yourself or whatever."
He'd definitely told her who he'd chosen.
"You said you picked #15 and #100, so... I naturally thought I'd fight #100 and you'd take #15..."
But he hadn't specified who fought who, so Fuyuno Tsubaki had assumed she'd get the #100.
"Huh? Why?"
"B-because you're amazing, Yang Woo-bin."
To her, Yang Woo-bin was a great person beyond words.
So she'd thought he'd boldly used the challenge right against Jincheon Class #15 himself.
"Ah, got it. Yeah, easy to mix up."
"Hehe, right? I'm not weird?"
"Yeah. Totally understandable. As a reward for admitting it, head pat. Come here."
"Ehehe..."
When Yang Woo-bin raised his hand, Fuyuno Tsubaki forgot all her worries in an instant, giggling as she bent down to offer her head.
He always felt surprisingly gentle and tender despite his rough looks, making her feel safe from the depths of her heart whenever he touched her like this.
"There, done."
"Ehehe, thanks, Yang Woo-bin."
After about two minutes of Yang Woo-bin's petting, Fuyuno Tsubaki straightened up with a satisfied smile.
"...Ah, wait. It's not done?!"
Three minutes later, realizing nothing had been resolved, she finally called him out on it for the first time.
"Misunderstanding cleared up. That's it, right?"
"A-uh. Y-yeah..."
But since it was Fuyuno Tsubaki calling him out, she could only nod at his retort and agree.
"Cadet Fuyuno Tsubaki. Time to enter the arena."
Just then, the promotion match staff notified her it was time, after she'd spent the full 30-minute wait anxious, then five minutes happy from the petting, then anxious again.
"R-right now?"
"Yes, right now. Hurry. People are waiting."
"A-uh..."
Completely unprepared mentally, Fuyuno Tsubaki fidgeted and glanced at Yang Woo-bin.
Like a baby owl facing a massive monster, her glances made him chuckle as he spoke.
"Fuyuno Tsubaki, today's the last time."
"Huh? Last time for what?"
"You'll act like such a scaredy-cat."
"What do you...?"
Fuyuno Tsubaki couldn't understand what Yang Woo-bin meant.
But his words to her were as unshakable as ever, and the trust within them was enough to calm her anxiety-filled heart.
"See you up top."
This was underground in the circular arena, where participants and losers returned.
Winners didn't come back, so Yang Woo-bin was telling her to win and meet him above.
Understanding that, Fuyuno Tsubaki couldn't wimp out anymore.
His faith in her was always steadfast and straight.
Trembling in fear now would betray that faith, so she bit her lip and nodded vigorously.
"No time. Hurry up."
"S-sorry! Coming right now...!"
Of course, the staff's no-nonsense urging made her bitten lip useless.
With the atmosphere she'd barely built shattered, Fuyuno Tsubaki boarded the elevator.
"When it reaches the top and the grate opens, the promotion match starts immediately. Give it your all. Make sure the audience doesn't regret showing up."
Clank.
The staff pulled the lever after that deflating instruction.
Rumble...
As the chains wound and the elevator rose, Fuyuno Tsubaki placed a hand on her pounding chest.
She first thought the fierce beating was from the anxiety and tension that had plagued her all her life, but as the elevator climbed toward the arena, she slowly realized she was wrong.
"..."
The pounding in her chest now wasn't tension or anxiety.
It was anticipation.
Shockingly, Fuyuno Tsubaki was excited about herself right now.
She believed she could beat Jincheon Class #15, a monster in her eyes.
"I can do it. I can do it. I can do it."
Because Yang Woo-bin had said she could.
Because he'd said "see you up top" in his usual unshakable voice and gaze.
He'd never lied, always making his words reality before her eyes, so Fuyuno Tsubaki trusted the version of herself he described more than her own self-talk.
Thud.
When the elevator stopped at the arena, no scaredy-cat remained inside the grate.
Only a confident challenger certain of victory.
"Whew."
Fuyuno Tsubaki calmed her exhilarated heart with a light breath, then whispered her morale-boosting spell.
"If I win, Yang Woo-bin will pet me tons...!"
Clang!
Right after the announcer's booming voice echoed from the speakers.
Kwaaang!!!
Before she could even react, countless needles surged toward Fuyuno Tsubaki like a massive wave.