The Proper Mindset of Bukjin

"Hahaha! Fairness? How amusing. Are you suggesting our exchange just now wasn't fair?" Bukjin asked, looking at Mok Simwol as if she had just told the world's most ridiculous joke. "Fine, I’ll give you one more chance. I’ll keep fighting you until you’re forced to admit the truth."

Bukjin smirked and beckoned her forward with a taunting flick of his finger.

"Grrr...!" Mok Simwol growled, her fury boiling over. Wiping the blood from the corner of her mouth, she launched herself at Bukjin like an arrow released from a bow. The longsword in her hand began to vibrate slowly, emitting a dreamlike radiance. It was a shimmering light, reminiscent of starlight twinkling in the high heavens. It was a true 1-star sword technique.

In an instant, a cold sword-light spread across the dueling platform, accompanied by a sudden, biting chill. It was a display that forced everyone to acknowledge her remarkable talent. Mok Simwol was ranked second in talent at the 3rd Academy, surpassed only by the third-year ace, Han Bul-bu.

As she unleashed the Red Star Sword Technique, it looked as though the stars of the entire sky were being gathered into the palm of her hand. Her will manifested so powerfully that even Gwan Bi-do, one of the four geniuses of the third year watching from below, couldn't hide the look of admiration on his face. Even the Special Inspector, Lee Cheong-hyeon, nodded quietly from the VIP stands.

'That girl is a talent worth nurturing, even if I have to write the recommendation letter myself!' he thought. She certainly possessed a gift that transcended the ordinary.

The moment Mok Simwol fully committed to her technique, Bukjin raised his sword and lunged forward with blinding speed. He was executing the Big Dipper Descent.

One Sword, Four Shadows.

It was a single thrust, yet four distinct streaks of sword-light erupted simultaneously.

Clang—!

Mok Simwol’s Red Star Sword Technique collided with Bukjin’s first strike. In that heartbeat, an irresistible, gargantuan force surged through the hilt of her sword and into her hand. Her wrist went numb. A terrifying sensation washed over her—the feeling that if she kept holding the sword, her very bones would shatter. She couldn't maintain her grip, and for the second time that day, her weapon was sent flying.

The remaining three streaks of sword-light descended upon her almost instantly, striking the back of her hand, her arm, and her right leg. Three droplets of crimson blood sprayed into the air.

Watching from the sidelines, Cho Heun was so startled that he almost stepped in to intercept Bukjin’s blade. However, he froze when he saw Bukjin pull back. The moment the blade pierced her clothes and grazed her skin, Bukjin had reigned in his power with perfect control. Seeing this, Cho Heun let out a sigh of relief.

"Do you admit it now?" Bukjin asked, holding his sword upright.

Mok Simwol’s mind was a chaotic mess. "I... I can't admit...!" she started to scream, refusing to accept the reality of her defeat.

Thwack—!

Bukjin’s leg lashed out, kicking her squarely. The force sent her skidding back nearly five meters.

"Urgh!" Crumpled on the ground, Mok Simwol staggered to her feet, coughing up a mouthful of blood. She stared at Bukjin with an unreadable expression.

"Still can't admit it? I guess I’ve been too easy on you, haven't I?"

Bukjin stepped forward and began to slap her across both cheeks.

Slap—! Crack—! Slap—!

He was repaying the debt owed by the original owner of this body. The face of the girl once hailed as the 'Princess of the Masses' swelled up in an instant. Vivid red handprints marked her once-vibrant cheeks and forehead.

The students watching from below the platform were speechless, their mouths hanging open in shock.

'How cruel.'

'I didn't know Im Bukjin could be this heartless.'

'He’s hitting a girl that beautiful without even changing his expression...'

'His hands are way too heavy!'

"Don't think you can rule the world just because you have a pretty face!"

Slap—!

"And don't think every man will jump at your command just because you act cute!"

Slap—!

"I want nothing from you, and I owe you nothing. You’re a nuisance, so don't you dare loiter around me ever again. If you try to play the 'innocent girl' act in front of me one more time, I won't let it slide. This is a warning. If you get on my nerves again, I’ll leave you half-dead, so you’d better watch yourself."

Bukjin continued his lecture between a barrage of slaps. He was venting all the pent-up anger and disgust he had felt toward her. After dozens of hits, Mok Simwol swayed as if she were about to collapse. Her head spun, and stars danced before her eyes. Finally, her legs gave out, and she slumped onto the platform, bursting into tears.

Having never been treated with such brutality in her life, she sobbed out of pure sorrow and indignation. Her heart felt as though it had been burned to black ash. She had used every trick and method at her disposal, yet she had lost. It was a defeat so absolute that there were no words left to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠say. She hadn't stood even a ghost of a chance against him. On top of that, she had been subjected to unimaginable humiliation.

Mok Simwol quietly reflected on the results of this year's competition. She had been outperformed by Bukjin in the written exams. She had been utterly crushed in the Mystic Energy measurement. And in the practical duel—the area she was most confident in—she had been defeated three times over, even after Bukjin gave her multiple chances. She searched her mind for any way to overturn this situation, but no matter how hard she thought, no solution appeared.

She stared at Bukjin with a dazed, tear-streaked face. She couldn't understand how this was happening. In just a few short days, the 'trash' known as Im Bukjin had returned as a completely different person, sweeping aside every opponent in his path.

'Has he been faking it this whole time? Acting like a fool?' If so, his acting had been far too convincing.

"Why... why are you being so cruel to me?" she asked, looking up at him with eyes full of resentment.

She believed that if Bukjin had shown even a glimpse of his talent and ability earlier, she never would have discarded him so heartlessly. She was convinced that everything he had shown until now was a deliberate act, a calculated deception. Her mind filled with rage and spite.

'She still has the mental energy to ask a question like that?' Bukjin couldn't even be bothered to answer. Though he had been a timid shut-in before ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠coming to this world and a delinquent after arriving, he wasn't a fool who didn't understand human emotions and relationships. He had realized days ago that Mok Simwol’s shadow loomed behind many of the 'accidents' he had faced. Today’s duel was simply the final knot in that string.

If the Grade Dean, Cho Heun, hadn't been strictly supervising the match, Bukjin would have given her an even harsher lesson.

The supervisor announced the result in a booming voice. Any further combat was meaningless. It was a perfect defeat for Mok Simwol, plain for all to see.

Cheers erupted from below the platform. The students of Class 9 were jumping for joy in their excitement. The second-year girls were screaming even louder, chanting Bukjin’s name in unison. For a moment, Bukjin felt like a top-tier celebrity basking in the adoration of his fans. However, he still looked slightly dissatisfied.

'Hmm... I don't see any girls fainting yet. Shouldn't there be a scene where the teachers have to hold back a mob of girls trying to throw flowers at me?'

Meanwhile, Mok Simwol sat huddled on the corner of the platform, her face ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a mask of despair. No one was looking at her anymore. She was no longer the center of attention.

"Mok Simwol, you may step down now," a supervisor said to her, his tone polite but ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠firm. Dazed and filled with resentment, she quietly descended from the platform. The cheers, the heated reactions, and the excitement of the students—the fact that none of it was for her felt agonizingly sorrowful.

She didn't leave immediately. She stood at the base of the platform for a long time, staring at her surroundings. She wanted to etch this humiliation into her mind. It was the most shameful moment of her life, and she intended to use it as the fuel for her revenge.

"Hahaha! Well done! Our second year has reaped the greatest harvest in this year's competition! Im Bukjin, you did magnificent!" Cho Heun said, slapping Bukjin on the back.

"The prodigal son has repented and returned to his rightful place! This is a blessing that money can't buy! Im Bukjin, you have become a truly formidable student!"

"Thank you, teacher," Bukjin replied with an exceptionally polite bow. "I will continue to work hard and fight for the glory of our 3rd Academy!"

He had achieved his revenge, punished the brats who looked down on him, showed off to his heart's content, and was now set to receive a prize. Bukjin felt as if a weight that had been crushing his chest for ten years had finally vanished. He had never felt so refreshed.

"Hahaha! Excellent! That is a most commendable mindset! Truly a student of our 3rd Academy!" Cho Heun beamed with a wide grin.

Nearby, Jeong Sam-seok lowered his head, his expression suggesting he was suppressing a strong urge to say something. 'Dean Cho, you really are simple-minded. That damn brat is only doing this for the money...'

Jeong Sam-seok’s intuition was spot on. A moment later, Bukjin spoke up with a bashful expression.

"Teacher, about that... the prize money...?"

Cho Heun laughed heartily. "No need to be in such a hurry. You still have one test remaining, don't you?" He waved his hand and shouted to the staff, "Is someone there? Bring out the 6th-Grade Measurement Stone!"

Soon, several teachers carried the prepared 6th-Grade Measurement Stone onto the platform and set it down in the center. The moment the stone was placed, the students remembered that Bukjin’s previous Mystic Energy measurement had been invalidated after two stones exploded. Now that the practical duels were over, it was finally time to re-measure his strength.

Every student leaned in, curious to see just how powerful Bukjin’s Mystic Energy actually was.

"Now, let’s see what you’ve got. I’m curious to see the true level of your energy as well," Cho Heun said.

Bukjin stepped up to the 6th-Grade Measurement Stone and placed his palm upon it. Immediately, a pale red light surged from the stone, racing upward with incredible speed. Countless eyes were fixed on the result, everyone eager to see the final number.

Then, a result occurred that neither the students, the teachers, nor Bukjin himself had ever dreamed of.

The moment the pale red light reached its peak—

Bang—!

With a thunderous crack, white smoke billowed from the stone. Fissures and cracks spider-webbed across the surface of the 6th-Grade Measurement Stone in an instant.

It was another Explosive Manifestation!