Why Did You Choose Me?
The closing ceremony for the individual matches was conducted with immense grandeur. Lee Ung-bu, the Chief of the Unmong City Education Bureau, stood before the crowd to deliver his address.
"First, I offer my congratulations to everyone who has qualified."
"To be among the final ten proves that you are the most outstanding talents in our Unmong City. Now, only the final hurdle remains: the team battle, Flag Capture."
"From this moment on, your previous scores and records are meaningless. You will all start from zero. Only the results of the team battle will determine your final ranking!"
"You are granted exactly one day. Go and select your teammates to form a five-person squad. Eligibility is restricted to students who participated in this Academic & Martial Arts Competition. The team battle will officially commence the day after tomorrow. Upon achieving final victory, the team members will receive the Junior Genius Badge, and the student serving as the team leader will be crowned the overall winner of this competition!"
Lee Ung-bu’s voice thundered through the martial arts arena, reaching every student with crystal clarity. At that moment, the eyes of the six thousand spectators in the stands and tens of thousands of citizens across Unmong City were fixed upon these ten young individuals. A sacred, solemn, and reverent aura seemed to emanate from the boys and girls.
Since its founding, the Northern Sea Empire had pursued bold reforms. It had suppressed the sects that once wielded absolute private power, remodeled the temples, and implemented sweeping educational changes to establish the current academy system. The Education Bureau was an institution founded directly by the Sacred Founding Emperor himself. The four tiers of academies—Special, High, Intermediate, and Junior—were also his personal design.
Throughout the five-hundred-year history of the Northern Sea Empire, these four tiers of academies had produced countless talents for the nation. It was undeniable that the educational institutions deserved the greatest credit for the empire’s rise to a massive power with nine administrative districts on the vast continent of Dongdojin, as well as its ability to withstand its long-standing rival, the thousand-year-old Aurora Empire, and repel foreign invasions.
The talents produced by these academies possessed a level of loyalty to the empire that far exceeded those from the old sects, temples, or scholarly cliques. This educational system served as the foundation for discovering and nurturing gifted individuals from commoner backgrounds, providing the empire with a steady stream of exceptional servants.
While it couldn't be said that the current Northern Sea Empire was a perfect utopia for all its citizens, it at least maintained strict laws and public order within its borders, supported by systematic social, economic, and civil welfare systems. It was far more advanced than the era of the Western Jin Empire, when lords divided and ruled the land. And the Academic & Martial Arts Competition was the cradle that birthed the elite of the elite—the most outstanding students in the history of the empire's education. It was of a different caliber than a mere tournament for evaluation.
The tradition of this competition was inextricably linked to the empire’s national strength and development. For any student who made it into the final ten in a competition held within any administrative district or city of the Northern Sea Empire, their future was essentially a paved road to success.
"You are all the brilliant future of our Northern Sea Empire. I shall be rooting for your success."
With Lee Ung-bu’s speech concluded, the individual matches that had spanned the entire day came to an end. The spectators began to file out of the arena. The seventy-two students who had participated in this year’s competition gathered to receive brief instructions before heading to their respective homes.
The decision of which teammates the ten selected leaders would choose was left entirely to them; the Education Bureau did not interfere. Selecting teammates was, in itself, a test. The ten leaders had to persuade the students they wanted to join their side, which was a trial of leadership and charisma. Since each team consisted of five people, the chance to become a teammate was worth its weight in gold.
From the moment the closing ceremony ended and the crowd dispersed, students began to show off their merits to catch the eyes of the ten leaders. Some even went as far as to swear absolute obedience and promised not to hold any grudges even if they lost the team battle.
A significant number of students swarmed around Bukjin as well. However, Bukjin rejected them flatly.
"I'm going out for drinks tonight. Talk to me tomorrow about anything else."
Leaving them with those words, Bukjin immediately boarded a carriage with Baek Geum-un, Ak Hong-hyang, Han Bul-bu, and the teachers of the 3rd Academy. The carriage sped away, exiting the National Imperial Junior Academy.
The people from the 3rd Academy inside the carriage were unable to hide their excitement. Even Han Bul-bu, who hadn't fully recovered his physical strength, began to laugh heartily after receiving a few of Bukjin’s Bukjin Pills and regaining his spirit. Though he hadn't made it into the final ten, he was one of the protagonists who had created a miracle today.
"Let's go! To Manseung-ru! It's on me today! I won't let anyone leave sober!" Baek Geum-un shouted boisterously, thumping her ample chest.
"Haha! Geum-un! I was just waiting for you to say that!" Cho Heun laughed loudly. "To be honest, I already booked a room at Manseung-ru. I just hadn't found someone to foot the bill yet! Haha!"
Without a second thought, the group from the 3rd Academy drove the carriage toward Manseung-ru.
About an hour later.
The private room in Manseung-ru was filled with an atmosphere of joy and triumph. Ban Oe-min had personally selected the menu, and the table was laden with all sorts of delicacies and premium liquor.
"Cheers!"
The young warriors raised their glasses and cheered. As if by unspoken agreement, no one brought up the topic of the team battle. Even the usually tactless and rowdy Baek Geum-un didn't dare mention it, having been warned beforehand by Ak Hong-hyang.
For Bukjin, this team battle was truly a life-or-death struggle. The lethal bet he had made was like a sharp sword hanging over his head, ready to drop at any moment. It kept him in a state of constant tension, preventing him from relaxing even for a second.
It was difficult to predict what kind of team Jo Pacheon would assemble or what formations he would deploy. However, one thing was certain: his team would not be weak. In a time like this, Bukjin needed to recruit powerful teammates to ensure his own survival. And Ak Hong-hyang, Baek Geum-un, and Han Bul-bu all felt that they did not meet those criteria. Wanting to be on his team in this situation felt like they would only be dragging him down.
Bukjin also refrained from mentioning the team battle. Now was not the time to bring up such a heavy subject. If he lost the team battle, everything he currently possessed would turn to ash. While Bukjin wasn't the type to foolishly hand over his life to Jo Pacheon even if he lost, he would at least be unable to show his face in Unmong City ever again. He needed to think deeply and consider his options carefully.
While everyone was enjoying the food and drink, a knock sounded at the door. Soon, the melodious voice of a beautiful girl drifted in from outside.
"Classmate Im, may I come in?"
It was a voice very familiar to Bukjin’s party. Bukjin stood up, opened the door, and said with a smile, "Classmate Mi? What brings you here? Please, come in."
Standing gracefully outside the door was Mi Yeo-yeon, one of the genius students of this competition. Had she not encountered Bukjin in the individual matches, she certainly possessed the skill to have made it into the final ten. Her failure to qualify was purely a matter of bad luck. Her strength was beyond reproach.
"Teachers, and fellow students, hello."
Mi Yeo-yeon was dressed in a fine yellow skirt. With her clean features, fair skin, and slender frame, she was a true beauty. She entered the room after greeting everyone with impeccable politeness. Since she was both beautiful and well-mannered, no one harbored any ill will toward her.
"Senior Mi, what brings you here?" Baek Geum-un stepped forward, grabbing Mi Yeo-yeon’s hand and pulling her in. After setting a place for her at the table, she said as if she’d just realized something, "Ah! I know. Did you fall for Senior Bukjin’s pretty face while losing to him today? Did you come here to confess?"
At those words, Mi Yeo-yeon’s face instantly flushed crimson. She hurriedly covered Baek Geum-un’s mouth and shook her head frantically.
"N-No, it's n-not like that!" She was so flustered she could barely speak.
The others in the room burst into laughter. Ak Hong-hyang quickly stepped in to stop the wild Baek Geum-un from causing any more trouble. The teachers and adults present only smiled, refraining from saying anything that might further embarrass the girl. However, everyone in the room could naturally guess the reason why Mi Yeo-yeon had sought them out.
Bukjin spoke up. "Classmate Mi. Did you come because you want to be a teammate?"
Mi Yeo-yeon, her face still flushed, looked up at Bukjin. Unlike his persona in the arena, his voice was soft and warm, and he exuded an inexplicably charming aura. Mi Yeo-yeon felt her heart begin to race involuntarily.
She spoke quickly. "Y-Yes, Classmate Im. I want to be on your team. Would that be alright?"
Hearing her words, Han Bul-bu and Ak Hong-hyang’s eyes sparkled. To the others, her proposal was both unexpected and a stroke of great fortune. Mi Yeo-yeon’s skill was at a level that could have easily placed her in the top ten. If she joined Bukjin’s team, it would be like giving wings to a tiger.
Cho Heun and the others looked at Bukjin, waiting for his answer. However, Bukjin stroked his chin, a mysterious smile playing on his lips.
"Classmate Mi... why did you choose me?"
After speaking, Bukjin realized his words might sound a bit strange, so he added an explanation. "I mean, I'm asking why you specifically chose to be my teammate."
But upon hearing Bukjin’s clarification, Mi Yeo-yeon’s face turned an even deeper shade of red. No one could have imagined that the girl who had been so strong and fierce in the arena would be this shy in real life.