The Broken Stone
Bukjin stepped up to the Grade 5 Measuring Stone. He placed his palm against its cold surface and began to circulate his Hyeongi. A pale red light flickered within the stone, beginning a steady, unwavering ascent.
Every student in the training grounds watched the stone as if they wanted to bore holes through it with their eyes. Mok Simwol, in particular, had her fists clenched so tightly that her nails threatened to draw blood from her palms. She was experiencing a level of tension she had never known before. The self-assured mask she had worn until moments ago had long since shattered. She couldn't believe that Bukjin—the man she had dismissed as a worthless "trash"—was now exerting such a colossal sense of threat and pressure over her.
BOOM—!
A sudden explosion rocked the air. Smoke billowed from the top of the Grade 5 Measuring Stone where Bukjin’s hand rested. Worse yet, the surface of the stone was webbed with countless cracks, looking as though it might crumble into dust at any second.
Another Mana Burst!
The term "Mana Burst" echoed endlessly in everyone's minds. A Grade 5 stone had just been overloaded.
'H-How is this even possible?'
Even the experienced Cho Heun was witnessing such a phenomenon for the first time. The other proctors were frozen in place, their minds gone completely blank from the shock. Special Inspector Lee Cheong-hyeon bolted upright from his seat, his eyes bulging as he stared at Bukjin. Grade Dean Jeong Sam-seok’s jaw had dropped so far it looked like it might unhinge.
As Bukjin’s homeroom teacher, Jeong Sam-seok understood Bukjin’s level better than anyone. Only three days ago, Bukjin’s Hyeongi had been firmly at Grade 1. Even with the most generous assessment, it couldn't have been higher than Grade 1.5. Yet now, a Grade 5 Measuring Stone had exploded under his palm.
What did this mean? It meant Bukjin’s Hyeongi rank was at least Grade 6 or higher.
'He went from Grade 1 to Grade 6 in just three days?'
That was a feat even the monstrous geniuses at the 1st Academy, the 2nd Academy, or the Imperial Junior Academy couldn't achieve. 'What on earth happened to that delinquent brat?'
The students gathered below the platform were in even greater shock. Mok Simwol bit her lip so hard it bled, yet she didn't even notice the metallic tang of blood. The other geniuses of the second year—Go Min, Ak Hong-hyang, Sa Sin-rim, and Mu Sae—stood as if time had stopped, mouths agape, unable to utter a single sound.
After a long silence, Special Inspector Lee Cheong-hyeon finally spoke.
"Is that student Im Bukjin?"
The reason he had come to the 3rd Academy for this inspection was precisely because of Bukjin. Bukjin had caught the attention of every academy in Unmong City after scoring a perfect 100 on every single subject in yesterday’s written exam. Rumors and theories had been flying wildly. People from other academies suspected that the 3rd Academy, desperate to save face after years of failure, had used some undetectable method of cheating to manufacture a miracle. Lee Cheong-hyeon had been sent to investigate and oversee the truth.
Bukjin was at the center of it all. Lee Cheong-hyeon had heard the name before. The boy was infamous throughout Unmong City—a delinquent, a troublemaker, a walking disaster. It was harder not to know him. Consequently, the Inspector had expected Bukjin’s true, pathetic self to be exposed during today’s test. The reality was the exact opposite of his expectations.
Cho Heun, standing beside him, managed to find his voice. "Y-Yes. That is indeed Im Bukjin."
"Bring me his academic records. Immediately."
Bukjin’s files were quickly handed over. As Lee Cheong-hyeon scanned the documents, a tidal wave of confusion surged within him. The scion of a fallen house. A delinquent. A student who never studied. Bukjin had never achieved a single decent grade in any test, large or small, until now. Yet, in this mid-year competition, it was as if he had undergone a complete Marrow Cleansing, displaying a level of skill that defied logic.
This was more mysterious than the legends and myths whispered in the streets.
"Bring a Grade 6 Measuring Stone," Lee Cheong-hyeon ordered.
"T-That is... Inspector, the 3rd Academy does not have a Grade 6 stone prepared..."
"You don't have one?" Lee Cheong-hyeon asked, though he understood the situation almost instantly. Generally, the Hyeongi rank of a third-year student in a junior academy ranged between Grade 3 and 4. Only a handful of geniuses ever reached Grade 5. While the top geniuses of the 1st or 2nd Academies might occasionally hit Grade 6, the 3rd Academy was never expected to produce such a student. It was only logical that the Board of Education hadn't provided them with a Grade 6 stone. They were expensive, and stocking them where they wouldn't be used was considered a waste.
No one had expected a Mana Burst on a Grade 5 stone today. Certainly not from a second-year student.
It was a stalemate. Without a Grade 6 stone, they couldn't get an accurate reading. How were they supposed to record Bukjin’s score? Lee Cheong-hyeon and Cho Heun put their heads together in deep deliberation. The exam was temporarily halted. All the proctors and teachers of the 3rd Academy held an emergency meeting on the platform to discuss a solution. Meanwhile, Bukjin was left waiting on the stage.
Bukjin scanned the crowd below. His eyes locked onto Oh So-bang, and he smirked.
"Does a Hyeongi rank of 4.7 really seem that high to you?" Bukjin asked mockingly.
Oh So-bang looked like he was about to explode with rage. A crushing sense of humiliation washed over him. He could only glare at Bukjin, teeth gnashing, unable to find a single word to fire back.
"Didn't you just ask me if I realized the difference between us?" Bukjin continued, unbothered. "I see the difference quite clearly now. But Oh So-bang... I'm not sure if you realize it yet."
"I..." Oh So-bang wanted to retaliate, but anything he said now would just be spitting in his own face.
Bukjin then turned his gaze toward Mok Simwol. It was as if his gaze held some magnetic power; wherever he looked, the eyes of the crowd followed. Every student was now staring at Mok Simwol along with him. She struggled with all her might to maintain a neutral expression. She expected Bukjin to humiliate her with words, just as he had done to Oh So-bang.
However, Bukjin’s calm eyes merely swept past her and moved on to the next person. It was as if, in his eyes, Mok Simwol was no different from any other random student in the crowd.
Disregard. It was total, absolute disregard.
Mok Simwol felt a sharp, stabbing pain in her chest. This silent dismissal hurt her pride far more than any insulting words could have. She hated him. She hated him so much she couldn't breathe. She refused to accept this reality. Today’s practical exam was supposed to be her perfect stage—the moment she shocked everyone. She was supposed to be the protagonist, the one bathed in the adoration of the students and the praise of the teachers. But now, Bukjin had stolen all her glory.
A moment later, a proctor stepped forward to make an announcement.
After a consultation between the proctors and the Special Inspector, it has been determined that the Grade 5 Measuring Stone suffered a mechanical malfunction. Therefore, the results for student Im Bukjin have been declared VOID.
His score will be withheld from the final tally for the time being. Other students will proceed with the exam as scheduled. Im Bukjin will be retested once a replacement Grade 5 stone arrives!
"What?"
"The stone was broken?"
"His score is voided?"
A commotion erupted among the students. Bukjin himself was taken aback. 'Voided? What does that mean?' He turned to look at Cho Heun and Lee Cheong-hyeon.
"Step down for now. We will have you retest once the new stone arrives," Cho Heun said. Just as Bukjin was about to protest, a Secret Transmission reached his ears.
"Im Bukjin, do not act rashly. Just wait. The academy will not let you be treated unfairly. Trust me."
Bukjin gave a silent nod and descended from the platform. Every eye followed him.
"Hahaha! Voided! Your score is voided!" Oh So-bang laughed loudly, practically running up to Bukjin to gloat. "Devastating, isn't it? Hahaha! You fell from grace in a single heartbeat!"
Bukjin looked at him coolly. "I still feel better than you do, so I don't really care."
"Hmph, still acting tough. I knew there was something wrong with your score from the start. It seems the Inspector realized exactly how you were cheating. Your written exam from yesterday will probably be voided too, so just shut up and wait for your expulsion," Oh So-bang hissed, his face twisted in a malicious sneer. "You're just a piece of trash, and you always will be. Remember that."
"Silence!" Cho Heun roared from the platform, his fierce gaze sweeping over Oh So-bang.
Bukjin replied calmly, "You're the one who should wait."
Both boys fell silent. The remaining students of Group 1 continued their Hyeongi measurements. However, after the shock of Mok Simwol and Bukjin, even the impressive 4.6 score achieved by the other genius, Mu Sae, failed to cause much of a stir.
By the end of the morning session, the practical Hyeongi test was over. Since the Grade 6 stone hadn't arrived yet, Bukjin’s rank remained "Pending." However, thanks to Oh So-bang’s aggressive instigation, many students began to believe that Bukjin had indeed cheated. Rumors spread that his scores would be canceled once the Inspector finished his investigation.
In this atmosphere of suspicion, the afternoon arrived, and with it, the highlight of the mid-year competition: the Combat Exam.
The combat phase began with internal class evaluations. Bukjin returned to Class 9. Their internal test was overseen by the swordsmanship instructor, Jeong Sam-jeong. The class consisted of forty students. They drew lots and were divided into winner and loser brackets to ensure everyone could showcase their practical combat skills.
There were no surprises in Class 9’s matches. Not a single student could withstand Bukjin’s Three Sword Forms. Even Yun Yeok, who had held the top spot in Class 9 until now, was no exception.
By the time the afternoon faded, Bukjin had secured the undisputed first place in Class 9’s combat exam. Bukjin, Im Seol-geum, Yun Yeok, Jeong Go, and Seol Ak were chosen as the five representatives for their class.
As the internal class evaluations concluded, the first day of the mid-year competition came to an end. Silence finally returned to the academy, which had been buzzing with scandals and miracles all day long.