Sweet Temptation
With the exception of the disqualified students, the remaining fifty-two moved on to the next round. Among the ten who had been eliminated, some stood in stunned silence, some clenched their fists until their knuckles turned white, some wailed openly, and others fought back tears that threatened to spill over.
Though they were geniuses possessed of exceptional talent, they were still only children, barely fourteen or fifteen years old. Each of them had entered the Academic & Martial Arts Competition with a heart full of passion for the martial path, chasing their own individual dreams. Because that fire burned so brightly, the sting of disappointment and sorrow was equally intense. Every boy and girl had struggled to seize glory for themselves, for their academies, and for their families. Everyone had their reasons. Who would want to fall behind on the road to their dreams? Who would want to admit they had to remain in the shadows while others followed the light?
But this was the Academic & Martial Arts Competition. It was a cold, calculated world of rankings, standings, and the law of the jungle. Someone had to be left behind. It was a place filled with passion, yet it was equally defined by its cruelty.
"Attention, students! It is now time for lunch. Please take your identification tokens to the academy cafeteria for your meal. You have exactly two hours. This afternoon, we will proceed with the Pill & Herb Medicine exam and the Mystic Energy evaluation. We will also conclude the day with the individual duels and the team Flag Capture event."
The students began to disperse. Ak Hong-hyang and Baek Geum-un looked drained, their spirits dampened by their elimination. Nevertheless, they approached Bukjin and Han Bul-bu to congratulate them on advancing. In truth, their congratulations were directed more toward Han Bul-bu; Bukjin’s skills were so monstrously beyond the norm that he didn't really seem to need their encouragement.
Han Bul-bu, who could be considered the most painstakingly cultivated talent of the 3rd Academy, had shown incredible prowess in this competition. Among all the students of the 3rd Academy—excluding Bukjin—he had recorded the most outstanding results. In any other year, before Bukjin appeared, Han Bul-bu’s name would have been the most radiant honor of the school. Unfortunately, he now lived in the shadow of a freakish monster. If Han Bul-bu was a bright star, Bukjin was the sun itself. While Han Bul-bu’s performance was exceptional, it was largely eclipsed by Bukjin’s antics. Still, his achievements were more than worthy of celebration.
"Senior, our journey ends here," Ak Hong-hyang said with a faint smile.
"Senior Han, Senior Im... you both have to do your best!"
Having received treatment from the Education Bureau’s doctors, the Temple priests, and even Bukjin’s own recovery arts, Ak Hong-hyang’s body was fully healed with no lingering side effects.
"Who says it's over?" Bukjin asked with a grin. "Don't forget, the Flag Capture is still left."
Ak Hong-hyang blinked, looking dazed. Hearing his words, Baek Geum-un’s eyes lit up, her ample chest heaving with excitement.
"What do you mean? Are you saying you might pick us as your teammates for the Flag Capture?"
Given Bukjin’s current scores, barring some miracle, he was guaranteed a spot in the top ten for the individual duels. That would grant him the right to select his own teammates and form a squad for the final team event, the Flag Capture. As a team leader, Bukjin would have the authority to choose whomever he wanted. If he so desired, he could select Ak Hong-hyang and Baek Geum-un.
Bukjin smiled. "I can't give you a definitive answer just yet. I have to see how things play out. If I completely crush Jo Pacheon in the upcoming fights and secure an absolute advantage, I’ll definitely pick you two. I want to give you the chance to experience the atmosphere of the Flag Capture stage. But if I don't have that kind of breathing room, I’ll have to be more cautious with my selections."
Ak Hong-hyang spoke up hurriedly. "No, no, Senior Im. You’ve entered a life-and-death pact with Jo Pacheon. You can't afford to be careless. Of course we’d love to stand on that glorious stage, but we want you to win even more. This is too important. We can't let our personal desires interfere with something that involves your very life!"
Bukjin simply gave her a soft smile and said nothing. Ak Hong-hyang was a truly kind girl. She always put others before herself. Her depth of character was enough to move anyone who witnessed it.
Baek Geum-un tilted her head, thinking for a moment before chiming in. "Then... Senior Im! You have to win! If you just crush Jo Pacheon in the individual duels, everything will be solved, right? Hehe, whether Hong-hyang and I get to play in the Flag Capture is all resting on your shoulders!"
Baek Geum-un’s way of thinking was refreshingly simple. The four of them chatted for a while longer before parting ways. Since Ak Hong-hyang and Baek Geum-un had been eliminated, they weren't permitted to eat in the academy cafeteria with Bukjin and Han Bul-bu. They had to follow the chaperones outside the National Imperial Junior Academy grounds to find a meal before returning to watch the afternoon events.
The cafeteria.
The dining hall of the National Imperial Junior Academy was filled with lavish, abundant food, all served buffet-style so students could eat as much as they liked. Bukjin and Han Bul-bu each piled their plates with what could only be described as small mountains of delicacies before sitting down and burying their faces in their food.
The two of them had to admit it: the National Imperial Junior Academy was indeed the most prestigious aristocratic school in Unmong City. The quality of the food here was several times better than anything at the 3rd Academy. Not only was the scale of the cafeteria larger, but the interior was obscenely luxurious. There were even various works of art on display, making one feel like a noble just by sitting there.
Every dish provided—in terms of variety, nutrition, taste, and culinary skill—made the 3rd Academy’s cafeteria look like a corner convenience store.
"Compared to this, the stuff we were eating at the 3rd Academy was basically pig slop," Bukjin remarked, stuffing food into his mouth like a glutton while glancing around.
Han Bul-bu nodded in silent agreement. Normally, Han Bul-bu was a very calm and serious person. He remained quiet now, but even he seemed unable to resist the temptation of the gourmet feast before him. Neither of them stopped eating for even a second.
The food wasn't just delicious; its nutritional value was staggering. The Dragon Heart Grass, Bear Gall, and Phoenix Egg Porridge Bukjin was currently devouring was an incredible dish that simultaneously restored both Mystic Energy and blood vitality. The ingredients were all rare and expensive, the kind of things one would struggle to find even in high-end restaurants. Yet here, they were free and unlimited.
As he was eating, Han Bul-bu suddenly felt a presence beside him. He looked up to see Ya Mi-ang standing by the table with a sweet smile. Even a man as stoic and oblivious as Han Bul-bu could guess why Ya Mi-ang—one of the most popular beauties of the competition—had come to their table.
Han Bul-bu picked up his tray and stood. "Junior Ya, you have business with Junior Im, don't you? I'll give you some space so you can talk."
Before Bukjin could even react, Han Bul-bu was gone.
"Thank you, classmate Han," Ya Mi-ang said gracefully. She placed her tray on the table and sat across from Bukjin.
"Need something?" Bukjin asked without looking up, tearing into a bear paw dish called Black Wind Explosive Bear, which had been roasted in Cinnabar Fragrance Herb juice.
Ya Mi-ang nodded. "Brother Jin, how confident are you about the matches this afternoon?"
"Hmm... hard to say. I'll have to see how it goes," Bukjin answered dismissively.
He greedily swallowed a chunk of the bear paw, marveling internally at how delicious it was. He wondered where they had sourced such fresh bear meat. If he could meet the chef, he’d definitely ask. If it was farm-raised, he’d eat his fill, but if it was wild, he’d have to consider the hygiene and maybe hold back a little. After a moment of deliberation, he reached out and grabbed an even larger bear paw than the one he’d just finished.
"Taking first place in the competition is very important to you, isn't it, Brother Jin?" Ya Mi-ang asked with a smile, elegantly biting into a piece of fruit from her tray.
Bukjin replied, "I used to think it was the most important thing, but now..."
He briefly recalled his business plans. By now, Wang Chung should have pulled in the nets he’d cast, likely yielding a harvest worth thousands of gold taels. Compared to that, the prize money for winning the competition felt like pocket change for a single night’s drinks. The thought made the corners of his mouth twitch upward. He made a mental note to keep this newly earned money tucked safely in his own pocket. He vowed that if he got scammed by that delinquent apprentice goddess, Geomseol Mumeong, ever again, he’d change his damn name.
"Right now, I think completely crushing Jo Pacheon is the priority," Bukjin said, reaching a conclusion after sorting through his messy thoughts.
"If you really want to win, Brother Jin, I can always step down for you," Ya Mi-ang whispered in a voice as sweet as honey.
Huh?
Bukjin looked up at her. The smile on the young priestess’s face was beautiful, sweet, and seemingly innocent.
"No thanks. I prefer to carve my own path," Bukjin said with a smirk.
Ya Mi-ang nodded vigorously at his words. "I understand."
She hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "Actually... I once heard something from my Master regarding a certain matter."