It Was You After All: The Competition Begins
The first test was Modern and Contemporary Imperial History. Im Bukjin was already perfectly prepared for the written exam. In fact, the night before, he had used his smartphone to photograph every single textbook from the first to the third grade of the junior academy, converting them into a searchable database via an app.
As the exam commenced, a formation designed to prevent cheating activated on the desk where Bukjin sat. A small barrier shimmered into existence, surrounding each student to isolate them. Simultaneously, the formation installed on the desk hummed to life, and the exam questions manifested in the air.
[ ACADEMIC & MARTIAL ARTS COMPETITION ]
SUBJECT: MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY IMPERIAL HISTORY
TIME LIMIT: 2 HOURS
Without a moment's hesitation, Bukjin summoned his smartphone, launched the app, and began solving the problems. Approximately fifteen minutes—one gak—passed. Bukjin had already filled in every single answer. He stood up immediately and submitted his paper.
The proctor who received Bukjin’s exam paper wore a look of utter bewilderment. Even the citizens watching the scene through the crystal screens installed throughout the city were stunned.
"He’s fast! Way too fast!"
In this Academic & Martial Arts Competition, there are dozens of different tests, both large and small. And a cash prize is awarded to the student who takes first place in each individual subject.
Stepping out of the testing hall, Bukjin couldn't help but break into a wide, beaming grin. The history exam he had just finished covered the entire curriculum taught in the third grade. Having transcribed the answers directly from his digital photos of the textbook, he was certain he’d get a perfect score. According to the rules of this competition, that meant he would receive a prize of ten gold coins.
His face glowed with vitality as he calculated the potential winnings. Bukjin had been facing a bit of a financial crisis lately. He hadn't expected an opportunity to make money this quickly, which made him all the more delighted.
"Student Im. What has you in such a good mood?"
A familiar voice drifted toward him. Bukjin turned his head, his expression shifting to one of surprise. The person addressing him was none other than Ya Mi-ang.
Unlike her usual appearance, she wasn't wearing her priestess robes. Instead, she was clad in form-fitting leather armor. She exuded the aura of a peerless beauty, a side of her Bukjin had never quite felt while she was in her religious attire. She wore crimson combat boots, and because she had swapped her long skirt for the leather armor, her sleek, shapely legs were fully revealed. Her long legs were as lustrous as jade with snow-white skin, and the tight-fitting armor accentuated her perfectly balanced, curvaceous figure. With her waist-length black hair tied back, her youthful yet stunning face stood out even more.
Was that little priestess always this beautiful?
Bukjin unconsciously swallowed hard. "Ah, Priestess Ya. Did you finish the exam this early as well?"
Ya Mi-ang gave him a cute smile and stepped closer. "Of course. The questions were so easy I finished them in no time. Are you going to continue your miracle from last time and get a perfect score again, Student Im?"
At her question, Bukjin clenched his fist and replied with brimming confidence. "Of course I am!"
"And what exactly are you planning to receive?"
Im Jin appeared behind Bukjin, accompanied by a faint, elegant fragrance. Her tone was calm, but there was a sharp, underlying edge of killing intent within it.
"Um..."
Bukjin froze in his tracks. Oh no! I got caught flirting with another beauty by my first wife! Wait... since when did Im Jin become my first wife?
Shaking off the thought, Bukjin suddenly adopted a dignified posture. "Ah, Lady Im, you've arrived. I was just sharing the... insights I gained from this exam with Priestess Ya..."
"Don't call me Priestess Ya. You can just call me Ya Mi-ang!" Ya Mi-ang interrupted with a bright smile.
"Pardon...? I, uh..."
Just then, Im Jin stepped forward with a bold stride and slung her arm around Bukjin’s shoulders. "It seems Priestess Ya did quite well on the exam? To submit your paper this early!"
Ya Mi-ang’s gaze flickered briefly toward Im Jin’s arm draped over Bukjin’s shoulder. She let out a soft snort. "The questions were simply too easy! For me, participating in a test like this feels like a waste of time. I wonder how it was for you, Student Im Jin?"
Im Jin’s expression remained stoic, but her eyes told a different story. "Indeed! It was a dreadfully boring exam. It would be strange not to get a hundred percent on such simple problems!"
Bukjin stood there, glancing back and forth between Ya Mi-ang and Im Jin. He felt as if the very air around them had turned to lead. Are these two beautiful girls actually having a war of nerves over me?
An involuntary smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth. But as he was basking in the pleasant sensation, a very important realization suddenly struck him. Bukjin shrugged off Im Jin’s arm and began frantically calculating something.
"W-wait a minute. The prize for first place in a single subject is ten gold coins. If both Lady Im and Priestess Ya also got perfect scores, that means three of us will be tied for first...? If we split the prize money equally... that's only three gold coins each?! No! This can't be!"
Im Jin and Ya Mi-ang stared at him, looking utterly dumbfounded.
Is the prize money really the issue right now?
What on earth goes on inside this man's head?
Seeing the two of them rendered speechless, Bukjin grew even more anxious. "L-look, let's settle this now! If the three of us tie for first, how about you two just take three gold each? Let me have four! You guys are rich! I'm poor!"
"W-what?!"
Shock colored the faces of the two girls. Standing before two maidens who looked like they had descended from the heavens, Bukjin was shamelessly shouting about how poor he was.
Is he serious? Has his mental illness flared up again?
Is this really the man known as Unmong City's greatest playboy? How did he ever get that title when he understands a woman's heart this poorly?
Im Jin and Ya Mi-ang were at a loss for words. If Bukjin didn't possess such a handsome face that could stir a woman's soul, they probably would have beaten him senseless right then and there.
"Of course, Brother," Ya Mi-ang said, regaining her composure and offering a sweet smile.
Im Jin, noticing the other genius students trickling out of the testing hall, grabbed Bukjin’s hand firmly. "There are too many people here. Let's go somewhere else to talk..."
However, Bukjin took a step back, pulling his hand away. "Wait! Lady Im, I've wanted to say this for a while. Didn't we make things clear regarding our relationship back at the City Office? We are..."
"That was merely your one-sided opinion," Im Jin said in a flat voice. "I will change that foolish thought of yours."
"I..."
Bukjin felt like cursing. I'm already stressed enough as it is, why do you keep clinging to me!
Just as Bukjin was feeling overwhelmed by the complicated situation, a figure approached and greeted him first.
"Haha, they say enemies always meet on a narrow bridge. Student Im, we meet again."
It was Jo Pacheon. After a moment of surprise at the unexpected encounter, Bukjin’s face twisted into a look of disbelief.
"Jo... Jo Pacheon?! Why is a traitorous rat like you, who betrayed his own sect, even here?"
Bukjin’s words were as vitriolic as ever. Jo Pacheon, the blonde youth who had been trying to maintain an air of relaxed superiority on his handsome face, immediately lost his composure at Bukjin’s remark. His expression darkened with resentment as he let out a cold sneer.
"I am here because I am participating in the Academic & Martial Arts Competition, obviously. Is it really that surprising?"
"You? You're participating in the competition?" Bukjin asked, doubting his own ears. "You're not a student of an Unmong City academy, nor are you a representative of any local sect. By what right are you participating?"
"Haha, who says Jo Pacheon lacks the qualifications?"
At that moment, a portly, obese man walked out from the crowd. "Student Jo transferred to our 6th Municipal Junior Academy ten days ago. He took the Education Bureau’s emergency supplemental exam and rightfully earned his place in this competition. Im Bukjin, I bet you didn't see this coming, did you?"
Bukjin remembered this fat man. He was Gu Cheon, the teacher who had led the students of the 6th Academy during the preliminaries. He was a man who had a notoriously bad relationship with Jeong Sam-seok.
Jo Pacheon transferred to the 6th Academy? And he passed a supplemental exam to get into the competition?
"Did you do this because of me?" Bukjin asked, his voice turning cold as he realized the truth.
Jo Pacheon smiled, enunciating every word clearly. "That's right. I came back to repay the humiliation you gave me tenfold—no, a hundredfold. I'll show everyone that your first place in the Sword Testing Engagement was nothing but pure luck. I'm going to completely shatter that arrogance of yours and crush you so hard you'll never be able to stand again. Just you wait."
Having said his piece, Jo Pacheon leaned in close and whispered into Bukjin’s ear in a low voice.
"It's a real shame I couldn't finish off you and that idiot Cho Heun back at Bukhwang Mountain."
Hearing those words, Bukjin’s mind snapped into focus. His eyes turned razor-sharp as he glared at Jo Pacheon.
"So it was you after all."
Bukjin’s voice was thick with a massive surge of rage and resentment rising from the depths of his heart. Jo Pacheon laughed as if he found it amusing. Seeing the mixture of fury and shock on Bukjin’s face, Jo Pacheon felt a refreshing sense of relief, as if a ray of sunlight had finally pierced through the dark, stifling emotions that had been plaguing him.
"Yes, it was me. So, what are you going to do about it?" Jo Pacheon said mockingly, his tone a blatant provocation. "Breaking the rules to kill a wretch like you would be easier than stepping on a bug. Did you really think Jeong Noe could protect you forever? You mongrel, wake up. You're already in a situation where you'll be lucky to leave this place alive."
Bukjin asked, startled, "What is that supposed to mean?"
Jo Pacheon offered no answer. Bukjin stepped forward and grabbed Jo Pacheon by the collar.
"Hey! Im Bukjin! What do you think you're doing!" the fat teacher, Gu Cheon, shouted at the top of his lungs. "Attacking another representative student while the competition is in progress is strictly forbidden! Do you want to be disqualified? You insolent brat!"
Jo Pacheon maintained his provocative expression, narrowing his eyes and sneering. He looked down at Bukjin’s hand gripping his collar, his eyes practically daring Bukjin to strike him.