Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: It's Okay Because I'm a Genius Even If I'm on a Time Limit
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So Yi-hyun, who had witnessed the same scene, widened her eyes in surprise.
True to her identity as a magic-type Awakener, she analyzed it more precisely.
"Not bad at all. A 1-star Fire Control Technique, Flame Orb, combined with a 1-star Water Control Technique, Ring of Water."
"Combined? You don't mean..."
"Yes. Attribute combination. Specifically, the Evaporation Technique: Latent Heat. It amplifies the phase change of matter with mana to cause multiple explosions and extreme heat."
"So, from that family?"
"Probably. Only the Brew Clans handle such bizarre techniques."
"Oh ho."
The two evaluators stared at the monitor with highly intrigued expressions.
In the meantime, the fireball wrapped in streams of water struck the leader.
"Ah. That was really close."
A sigh of regret unlike before escaped Lee Ha-jun's lips.
The striking point was disappointing compared to its overwhelming power.
"You should have activated it sooner. Or delayed the targeting. That could have been disastrous."
So Yi-hyun reacted the same way.
It was good that she used it, but the activation was immature.
If Joo A-rin hadn't reacted immediately, the aftermath alone could have caused serious injury.
Lee Taek-jin, who had been watching their reactions, timed his words perfectly.
"We've already applied a team penalty."
"A team penalty?"
"Yes. Actions that threaten teammates' safety are a deducting factor."
His tone was casual, but in truth, he had been shocked when he first heard the news.
What was an attribute combination?
Even if the activation was immature, it was the Brew Clans' signature technique, one that required exceptional talent to perform.
And for Park Ha-yul of all people to pull it off...
It was another moment proving that the diagnostic evaluation results weren't mere luck.
"I see."
"It's a team assignment, after all."
So Yi-hyun and Lee Ha-jun nodded slightly in agreement.
But their interest hadn't waned.
"Doesn't something feel off? For someone who can do attribute combinations to activate it like that?"
"The order doesn't add up. It's like trying to run before you can walk."
Their gazes, which had been fixed only on Joo A-rin, now turned to Park Ha-yul.
"She must have known the damage radius of Latent Heat, right?"
"Nah, no way. It's not like it's her first time using it."
"But was there a Brew Clan kid in second year? How has talent like that stayed unknown until now?"
The fact that he wasn't famous made it all the more exciting.
A pearl buried in the dirt belonged to the first one to find it.
Unable to contain their curiosity, the two asked simultaneously.
"Professor, what's that student's name?"
"What's her name?"
* * *
Joo A-rin had grown up hearing one phrase as often as she ate.
"Wow, she's really pretty."
"So young, yet she has such poise."
Most were compliments about her looks.
Some would draw a knife for just that, but to her, it was too ordinary.
Like seeing pure white snow in Antarctica—no emotion at all.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, miss."
"...Really?"
"Of course. You've already fully recovered."
But today was different.
She kept sneaking glances in the mirror, her face slathered with expensive healing mana cream.
"No matter how I look, my under-eye area seems..."
"You're worrying over nothing. It's truly fine, I tell you."
The white-haired old butler smiled faintly at Joo A-rin's childlike demeanor, which he hadn't seen in a while.
His emotions ran deeper since he had served her since birth.
"Ahem."
Realizing she was more excited than usual, Joo A-rin blushed.
"Sorry for bothering you."
"It's no bother. It brought back old memories, and that was nice. And don't hold it against him too much. If not for him, your injuries would have been far worse."
"That's true, but... Anyway, don't mention that person anymore. It just sours my mood. And..."
Joo A-rin hesitated anxiously before continuing cautiously.
"Please keep this as quiet as possible from the family. You never know. It might interfere with Seol-ah's treatment..."
"Surely not to that extent..."
"No. We can't let our guard down. You know my brothers well."
"...Understood."
"Thank you."
Only then did Joo A-rin seem to relax, quietly stroking her chest.
"Oh! And about forming the direct team."
She switched to a sharp, intellectual gaze as they discussed family matters she would oversee.
An hour passed just like that.
"Anyway, I look forward to your help."
"Yes, miss. I'll contact you as soon as candidates are selected. Don't worry too much and rest well today."
A flicker of pity crossed the old butler's face, but only briefly.
He soon wore his usual kindly smile and checked the watch on his wrist.
Regrettably, it was time to go.
"Visiting hours are over, so I should head out."
"Already? No choice, then. Got it."
Unlike her nonchalant tone, Joo A-rin slightly lifted her chin.
It was a habit when she didn't want to show weakness.
Thud.
Left alone again, Joo A-rin lay back on the bed.
Bzzz.
Right on cue, her phone vibrated, and she reached for it.
She planned to ignore any check-in texts—she'd received plenty already.
-Team Training Assignment Mid-Results.txt
...That might have been better.
Her heart sank the moment she saw the group message from the faculty office.
She'd hoped to delay opening it as long as possible...
Normally, she'd check indifferently, but not this time.
The first penalty she'd ever received weighed heavily on her mind.
"What if we're in the lower ranks."
She knew it was just mid-results and could be turned around.
...But.
Some things just couldn't be helped.
If word got out and became gossip fodder, reaching her other half-siblings' ears?
...
Just imagining it made her dizzy.
Even trivial weakness shown would lead to horrors she'd already experienced through her full blood-sister, Joo Seol-ah...
"Should I check? Or not?"
For that reason, her finger hovered over the screen, then stopped again.
Joo A-rin, who had unconsciously bitten her nail, finally squeezed her eyes shut and tapped the attachment.
Will it be okay?
She cracked her eyes open, vision gradually clearing.
...But.
"Huh?"
The number peeking through was strangely off.
"Th-three?"
Third place?!
The result was beyond expectations.
No, third place?
"Impossible."
Suspecting an error, she refreshed, but no.
Cheon Seo-yoon's name, always ahead, was now below hers.
Staring blankly, blinking, Joo A-rin snapped to and checked the details.
Time taken and difficulty scores were maxed out.
"Ah..."
With anxiety gone, thick regret remained.
If not for the penalty...
If Park Ha-yul's targeting had been a bit more precise, and she'd been fine...
First place would have been theirs, Team 4's.
...
But it didn't last long.
She knew full well that third place wasn't "because of" that, but "thanks to" it.
Without Park Ha-yul's performance, third place would be a pipe dream— she'd be lying in a hospital reeking of disinfectant right now.
The lump in her chest, the target of her anger, might be her own inadequacies.
Blinded by grades, she'd been too greedy.
"...I'm such a fool."
Thud—
Lying back on the bed, Joo A-rin naturally recalled old memories of Park Ha-yul.
The origin was the "Junior Celestial Society," a gathering of heirs from the Ten Great Families.
True to its elite social club status, conversations centered on prestigious family gossip.
So-and-so dated someone, turned out to be two-timing.
The upright guy was a total sleaze, etc.
Bad stories outnumbered the good, and in that vein, Park Ha-yul came up often despite never attending.
The rumors were always consistent.
Living proof of the Brew Clan's decline.
Hallucinogen addict.
Severe social recluse.
Duller than average.
.
.
How repulsive they were—his three-syllable name stuck subconsciously.
"Is it true?"
But today...
Joo A-rin questioned facts she'd always taken for granted.
Because of the technique he unleashed.
For the subject of all those awful rumors, the power was unbelievably stunning.
Rivaling even her prized ice techniques...
He was still someone she frowned at and wanted to keep distant, but now with a small question mark added.
* * *
Unlike other prestigious families specialized in single attributes, the Brew Clans focused solely on brew techniques.
Single-shot, but they could combine basic attributes into unique advanced ones.
The Evaporation Technique I'd used was in that vein.
"But who knew it'd have such a wide range and mana drain?"
Harming Joo A-rin was an issue, but escaping the first stage left me dizzy to the point of near-death.
So upon returning to the dorm, I passed out for a while.
Bzzz.
If not for the relentless phone vibrations, I'd have slept longer.
"Results are out already?"
I clicked the attached file in the message.
[Mid-Results Ranking Announcement]
1st. Team 3 / Total: 144 points
2nd. Team 1 / Total: 143 points
3rd. Team 4 / Total: 142 points
4th. Team 5 / Total: 140 points
.
Phew—
Success, thankfully.
Plus, third place was a prime position.
Exactly the rank I'd aimed for.
The next stage, territory occupation, deployed by these rankings with time handicaps—perfect to move with second-place Baek Sa-young's team.
[Main Quest #2: First Stage Occupation—Achieved Top 3]
[Reward: +10 days]
[Reward: 15 SP granted]
[Remaining Time: 13 days 18 hours 52 minutes]
[SP Held: 45]
Seeing the reward messages made me even more satisfied as I checked the clock.
"Already this late?"
It was past 5 PM.
Time to prepare for the 6 PM special scholarship orientation.
I gulped down a glass of water and headed to the shower.
['Nameless Shaman's Bracelet' effect activates.]
[Mana recovery increased by 10%.]
Worth the time investment.
I felt recovery speeding up already.
* * *
I'd visited the faculty office once before, so finding it was easy.
I entered the familiar building and headed to the third floor.
"You've worked hard."
"You too, TA. Fighting!"
"See you."
Voices in conversation drifted over as people exited the office.
"Class A really has all the promising talents."
"You know formal offers start from third year, right?"
"Ah, there you go again. 8th Unit has enough already. What's your strategy? You always snag the good ones first."
"It's not strategy. We're just the lucky ones chosen."
A man and woman bickering approached.
Mid-30s?
A mild-mannered man and a beauty with red-dyed hair that suited her perfectly.
I'd seen that combo somewhere before—
"Hm?"
Our eyes met with the woman.
"What's up? Oh? You're..."
The man noticed me late, looking slightly surprised.
Park Ha-yul and them know each other?
Tensing at the sudden development—
"Park Ha-yul, Prime Brew Clan apprentice, right? Nice to meet you. I'm So Yi-hyun."
Luckily, not acquaintances.
"I'm the deputy commander of Extermination Corps 8th Unit."
So Yi-hyun smiled brightly, extending her hand. Then it clicked.
So Yi-hyun of the Extermination Corps.
The Red Witch, more famous by moniker than name.
A magic-type Awakener specializing in fire attributes.
"Ah, yes."
Awkwardly shaking her hand, the man chimed in hurriedly.
"Wow, meeting a junior here. I'm Lee Ha-jun, deputy of 13th Unit. Nice to meet you."
He was familiar too.
Probably here for evaluations.
Timing suggested why we'd met here.
I shook hands with Lee Ha-jun too.
A bit abrupt, but as a frequent mid-story character in the original, not unfamiliar.
"Came to evaluate. Great attribute combo brew—I saw it. But I've got a question."
His original personality intact: affable but overwhelming for a first meeting.
"Senior. Be satisfied with the greeting and hurry along."
Fortunately, So Yi-hyun cut in aptly.
"Why? Can't I at least ask?"
"Don't you think that's overwhelming? Ignore us, Park Ha-yul apprentice. Keep working hard, and we'll meet soon enough."
"No, junior. If you're interested in our 13th Unit..."
"Come on."
"Operation zone's Ilsan—urban life possible too..."
"Stop with the nonsense and go."
So Yi-hyun covered Lee Ha-jun's mouth, winking at me.
I bowed once more in greeting.
As they walked away—
Tinglle.
Suddenly, my palm tingled. Looking down—
Junior, contact me if you need help.
So Yi-hyun: 010-1234-5678
An unusual recruitment message was etched there.
Well, well.
Must've done it during the handshake greeting.
Her salesmanship was impressive.
"As expected of 8th Unit?"
Famous in the original too—I knew them well.
Operation zone: rural hellholes swarming with demonic beasts. Southern Gangwon, notoriously brutal.
Despite nonstop action, applicants overflowed.
This savvy approach must be their recruitment secret.
[Received interest from external forces.]
[Achievement-119: Red Witch's Note]
[Reward: +10 hours]
[You now have someone to call for help when needed.]
[5 SP gained from promising development.]
[SP Held: 50]
Oh ho, even time donation?
Boosted 8th Unit's image, but a question arose.
"Will they last that long?"
Story shifts from Taehak to Extermination Corps post-graduation—about two years away.
Better not to meet, for me, but...
Can't say for sure.
Just a hope.
...
But.
[SP Held: 50]
[At 100, the boundary of causality softens briefly.]
[Within permitted bounds, the reward you truly need will be provided.]
...
Causality?
The reward I need?