Chapter 2
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Ruined Academy Life
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Even the penalty fee for breaking my studio apartment lease was handled by the Global Academy.
The academy sure has a ton of money.
Those heading to the Global Academy were told to show up at the Ability Management Bureau by February 25th, all synchronized. I toyed with the idea of running off with Seo Yeon, but with our pitiful combat powers of 43 and 39, escape was nothing but a pipe dream.
From what I'd heard, the academy's superhumans had combat powers in the tens of thousands. We were barely a cut above average civilians who never exercised.
Without real effort, even with the status window's help, weakness was inevitable.
They say combat power skyrockets once you acquire skills, but while I got Possession (F), mine hadn't budged.
Seo Yeon and I checked out the skill details together, and it made sense.
Skill: Possession (F)
Can possess beings with high compatibility to self.
Compatibility Requirement: 95%
Seo Yeon boldly asked me to try it on her, but our compatibility was a measly 21%.
"You don't love me?"
"I do love you. This must be something else."
While wandering around checking compatibility with other guys, most hovered just over 40%. By some fluke, my dad—the one who'd gotten dragged to the academy—clocked in over 70%.
That seemed high compared to others, but it sparked a problem.
"Dad's not even at 95%, so how am I supposed to clear this Tutorial Quest?"
This bullshit situation where failing the quest still lands you forcibly enrolled because you have the quest.
Fuck. What the hell am I supposed to do?
Having packed up my place, it had been a while since I'd seen Seo Yeon at the Ability Management Bureau.
We passed security—ID checks, status window scans—before heading to our assigned lounge.
"We're using a warp gate, right?"
Seo Yeon, sitting beside me, asked.
"If not, there's no way to reach the Global Academy in Utopia."
They restricted access to Utopia to prevent terrorism and conflicts, but weren't the students themselves walking bombs?
That's probably why they isolated it at sea.
Still, Utopia didn't feel like the right name for the island, no matter how I spun it.
Prison or something similar fit better.
As we waited, that devilish public official from before—the one who'd led me to hell—pushed open the door.
"Please wait a moment. Looks like all 16 of us are here."
She counted us, then made a call.
Apparently, direct physical lines couldn't connect, but some workaround allowed calls between Utopia and the outside.
Mid-call, a black line appeared in front of us, ripping open with a burst of roaring flames.
"That's the warp gate?"
The black line sliced through space itself, the mana flames suppressing the collapse. I'd read about it online.
Beyond the gate loomed a room much like ours, though the decor differed.
The devil hung up and addressed us.
"Alright, everyone heading to Utopia Island, step right through! Oh, that's all of you—go on in."
It was narrow for two abreast, so we lined up single file and stepped through.
One step, and we were on an artificial island in the middle of the ocean?
My stomach churned a bit, but it wasn't agonizing.
"The dizziness is from shifting mana density. Sit and rest a moment."
The devil, last through, explained as we slumped into nearby chairs.
"You okay, Seo Yeon? Mine's queasy, but not too bad."
"Same here, but it's passing quick."
She rubbed my back—no real help.
"Where are we, anyway?"
"Global Academy's Ability Management Bureau equivalent. First time in Utopia means a lot of procedures."
Escorted by the devil, we verified IDs again, got new smartphones.
Phone numbers looked weird; we swapped them during the exchange.
After procedures, she said:
"It's like college—more freedom than high school. Except leaving Utopia. Outsiders view Global Academy harshly, but it's safer than you think. Orientation's March 1st, so we'll all meet then... You in Q Class might cross paths more."
She singled me out on Q Class.
"Me? I thought first year is free electives, classes divide properly in year two?"
"Right, but Q Class is the exception. Quest holders have clear growth paths."
I stared blankly at Seo Yeon.
Did we get scammed?
Same island, same academy, yet we're being split for life.
After settling into the dorm and wandering with Seo Yeon, Utopia didn't hit at first, but it grew on me as livable.
Stunning views—artificial island magicked into exotic blends.
Teeming with foreigners, it packed global environments into one spot.
Environmentally, maybe Utopia fit.
KABOOOM!
"Gah?!"
"Eek!"
Minus the massive explosions now and then, it was decent.
Thankfully, most blasts were from Global Academy—irrelevant from afar.
No, not thankful. We were enrolling there.
The thought drew a deep sigh, but I held it for Seo Yeon beside me.
"Ocean views checked off the list?"
"Yeah. Might not see much of each other starting tomorrow."
Tomorrow was March 1st already.
No clue what this forced academy would teach, but I'd adapt somehow.
"Yeah, I crushed my midterms!"
Weekday meetups with Seo Yeon dwindled.
First-year schedules were packed with trials, so we shared days over late-night calls.
"Glad you're adjusting. Whispers about you even reach Q Class."
Sky-blue haired beauty healer.
Following that vicious official's advice, she grinded support skills, skyrocketing post-acquisition.
Even Q Class weirdos knew she was my girlfriend.
"You holding up?"
"Nailed the written tests. Our study smarts were even, right?"
"Sian, that's not what I meant."
Conversely, my news spread beyond Q Class.
"Got a lead, but it's slow."
Classmates cleared quests via monster kills or combat power milestones, surging ahead.
Me? Still stuck on Tutorial Quest.
Rumors flew: Q Class's weakest, nay, academy's weakest.
No skills from routines for non-questers. I stuck to basics for possession compatibility, but gains were meh.
Seo Yeon, with recovery skills, was probably triple digits now.
Still, if I could just start the quest, I'd be fine?
Academy supported Q Class, hunting high-compatibility targets.
Post-call with Seo Yeon, I did push-ups in my room for basics.
"Sian. Should we take a break?"
Breakup notice hit before finals.
"Take a break"? Nah, just breaking up.
I'd sensed it coming since my growth stalled, but it still choked me up.
"Found someone you're into?"
"Not really. A few show interest. But... rumors."
Seo Yeon, thriving at Global Academy, famous for looks and shine.
Me, Q Class reject turned academy's weakest.
Leagues apart now.
"Got it. Thanks for everything."
She glanced, then turned away.
Couldn't grab her. Sat on a nearby bench.
Sunny day, warm sun on the lake, perfect.
Till the warm sun set and cold moon rose over the lake, I couldn't head back to the dorm.