The Start of the Academic and Martial Arts Competition
Bukjin felt a wave of genuine surprise wash over him. They’re actually broadcasting this!
He glanced at Baek Geum-un, who was currently striking a series of "cute" poses for the Thousand-Mile Lens, and spoke with a hint of annoyance. "Junior Sister Baek, can’t you show a bit of gravity? You’re acting like someone who’s never seen the world! How do you expect to achieve great things by my side if you’re like this?"
Baek Geum-un opened her mouth to snap back, but then paused, realizing his words actually made sense. She straightened her posture and immediately began to radiate the aura of a serious, focused genius girl. Compared to her, Ak Hong-hyang and Han Bul-bu were acting much more naturally, though they were both internally bracing themselves.
Senior Brother Bukjin is right, they thought. This is the time to be solemn. We can’t look like country bumpkins. The eyes of the entire city are on us.
A moment later, however, they all witnessed Bukjin flash a smile so bright it revealed every single one of his white teeth—an unprecedentedly radiant expression. He waved at the lens and spoke in the most melodious, gentle voice he could muster.
"Greetings, everyone. I am Im Bukjin. I am Unmong City’s number one handsome man and its greatest genius. I am also the man who will be taking the top spot in the finals of this Academic and Martial Arts Competition."
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As Bukjin’s smile and greeting were broadcast across the massive crystal screens, many citizens of Unmong City began to shout in fury. His words were a blatant provocation and a challenge to every single representative participating in the finals. It was an intolerable statement.
The moment Bukjin boldly declared his ambitions to the Thousand-Mile Lens, his face was seared into the minds of every genius in Unmong City. They all vowed internally to turn him into a bloody pulp during the finals.
On the other hand, a significant number of women were screaming in admiration at his stunning appearance.
Countless young girls, middle-aged women, and even grandmothers couldn't help but marvel at Bukjin's looks in their hearts. As time passed, the faces of representatives from various academies were broadcast one by one across the twenty-one massive crystal screens installed throughout the city.
Among them were students whose reputations were already legendary: Im Ui, Zhu Ga-a, Neung Hyeon, Im Jin, So So-yeon, Mi Yeo-yeon, Chang San-seol, and Wang Hyeong-yeo. Whenever these famous names appeared on the screen, the citizens erupted in cheers. For everyone in Unmong City, this competition was more than just a contest—it was a grand festival.
The National Imperial Junior Academy.
This was the final gathering point and the site of the opening ceremony. As the most elite institution in Unmong City, the Imperial Academy was undoubtedly the best in every category: its architecture, its sheer scale, its academic standards, the quality of its teachers, the number of masters on staff, and the strength of its students.
The academy was situated on high ground in the southwestern district of the city. Of all the locations within Unmong City, it sat at the highest elevation, second only to the Temple of the Lord of Swords. The sun hung high in the sky, marking a perfect day for the event.
Seventy-two elite representatives from various public and private academies and sects across Unmong City gathered at the Imperial Academy. Before the competition could begin, they had to undergo a grand opening ceremony.
The man presiding over the ceremony was Ju Ung-bu, the Director of the Education Bureau. He was a man of gentlemanly bearing, with a broad face, large ears, a straight nose, and thick, commanding eyebrows. His gaze was sharp, and his skin was fair. Dressed in a pristine official robe without a speck of dust, he radiated the powerful aura of a Grandmaster-level expert.
His status within Unmong City was immense. The city government was divided into five major direct-control agencies: the Education Bureau, the Conscription Bureau, the Police Bureau, the Political Affairs Bureau, and the Tax Bureau. All five were subordinate to the central administration. Because of this structure, the City Lord, Im Gun-hyeon, possessed an authority that was virtually untouchable.
However, the only organization the City Lord could not control at will was the Unmong-wi. The Unmong-wi was a branch of the central military, and local officials had no right to interfere with them.
The Academic and Martial Arts Competition was the most prestigious event in the North Sea Empire's educational world. It boasted a long history and was highly valued by the Imperial Family. Consequently, the people attending this opening ceremony were all powerful heavyweights.
City Lord Im Gun-hyeon, the directors of the five major bureaus, and Lee Mong-ung, the Commander of the Unmong-wi, were all seated in the VIP section. In addition, the principals of every academy, the heads of famous associations, individuals of great renown, high-ranking military officers, retired teachers who had made significant contributions to the empire, the chairmen of massive merchant guilds, and prominent figures from various sects were all gathered in one place.
"If someone dropped a nuclear bomb on that VIP section right now, Unmong City would be finished today," Bukjin muttered idly, standing among the rows of representatives.
Watching the various segments of the ceremony and the endless speeches, Bukjin was reminded of the tedious assemblies back on Earth—where the principal would speak, then the head teacher, then the homeroom teacher, and finally a student representative... It was a boring, repetitive cycle. In a word, it was dull.
Unable to endure the boredom, Bukjin began to scan his surroundings. It was then that he spotted his two older brothers, Im Ji and Im Oh, sitting in the VIP section. Both were dressed in military uniforms, and their handsome features combined with the sharp attire made them stand out remarkably. However, they weren't sitting together.
Im Ji sat alone in silence, radiating such a frigid aura that no one dared to approach him. Even the bureau directors sitting on either side of him looked visibly tense. Im Oh, on the other hand, was sitting with another young man of a similar age.
The youth sitting with Im Oh looked to be about seventeen. He had exceptionally handsome features, with eyebrows as sharp as sword blades and eyes that sparkled like stars. His gaze was so clear it felt like looking into a pristine lake, and his sharp jawline and defined features were striking. He was a magnificent beauty.
His skin was flawlessly smooth and radiant, and when combined with his flame-red hair, he possessed a unique atmosphere that commanded attention. Furthermore, he wore a suit of polished, thin vermilion armor that looked incredibly expensive at a glance.
Faced with such a handsome individual, Bukjin found himself staring intently, examining the man further.
Any man more handsome than me must be a philandering scoundrel who deserves to die.
Finally, the speeches concluded.
The finals of the 121st Academic and Martial Arts Competition... begin now!
As the opening was declared, City Lord Im Gun-hyeon and the noble youth in vermilion armor—the one Bukjin had just been admiring—stepped forward and hoisted the competition's flag high into the air.
"Huh? I guess that guy's status isn't ordinary," Bukjin muttered, slightly surprised.
"Didn't you hear the introduction just now?" Im Jin, who was standing in front of him, turned her head and spoke.
"That man is the 7th Prince of the Empire."
"When did they introduce him?" Bukjin asked, looking flustered. "Why didn't I hear it?"
Im Jin was speechless. Since she hadn't seen Bukjin in a long time, she had expected him to approach her first and greet her when they met in the Imperial Academy square. Instead, Bukjin hadn't shown the slightest sign of doing so, merely looking around and fidgeting, which had left her feeling quite annoyed.
At that moment, the deep, clear voice of City Lord Im Gun-hyeon echoed from the VIP section.
"We shall now begin the written examination!"
The seventy-two genius students lined up in the square stepped onto the stage one by one to draw their seat numbers.
EXAMINATION SEAT NUMBER
44
Bukjin checked the number he had drawn. What an unlucky number!
Just as he was about to step down from the stage, someone called out to him.
"Could it be... are you the student named Im Bukjin?"
The one who spoke was none other than the 7th Prince of the Empire, Lee Yak-so, clad in his vermilion armor.
"That is correct, Your Highness. He is indeed the legitimate son of the War God, Im Bukjin."
Before Bukjin could even answer, a familiar voice cut in. It was the Sword Saint, Baek Hae-geum, one of the Three Great Swordsmen of White Cloud City. He had appeared beside the 7th Prince without anyone noticing.
Has that old man still not gone back to White Cloud City? Bukjin thought, his guard immediately going up.
"Student Im! The person standing before you is His Highness, the 7th Prince of the Empire. Show some respect immediately!" Im Oh, who had rushed over, hissed at Bukjin while giving him a meaningful look.
"I greet His Highness, the 7th Prince," Bukjin said, clasping his hands in a formal salute.
Bukjin recalled the many dimension-travel novels he had read back on Earth. The protagonists of those stories always seemed to ignore their own standing, disrespecting imperial authority or demanding "freedom and equality" in worlds where such things didn't exist. Bukjin, however, remembered the principle: When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
His policy was to avoid meaningless conflicts that offered no profit. He had no intention of ignoring or mistreating an Imperial Prince. If anything, he just wanted to keep a low profile and grow his strength in peace.
"You are indeed like a dragon descended to the mortal realm, just as I heard. I have great expectations for you. I look forward to seeing your performance in this Academic and Martial Arts Competition," the 7th Prince said in an incredibly smooth, refined tone.
"I am honored, Your Highness," Bukjin replied, bowing his head respectfully before taking his leave.
He headed toward the examination hall corresponding to his seat number and sat down. All of his friends and acquaintances were assigned to different halls.