Regular Exam (1)
“Baek Han-beom?”
Yoo Ara’s eyes widened involuntarily as she stared at him. The Baek Han-beom I know?
Baek Han-beom. Among this year’s freshmen at the academy, there were three promising stars dubbed supernovas. Lee Hye-ri, the sister of the world-class tanker Lee Kang-san, with speed unmatched by anyone. Kwon Jun-hyuk, who had already cleared an A-rank dungeon with the powerhouse guild Hopan before even enrolling. And Baek Han-beom, the rising tank prospect tapped to succeed Lee Kang-san as Korea’s next great tanker.
Those two aside from Hye-ri were both dominating Class A. They belonged to an entirely different world from Yoo Ara. Baek Han-beom should have been teaming up with his Class A teammates. Why is he on our D-Class team…?
“I guess you’re wondering why we ended up on the same team.”
Baek Han-beom, clad in armor as white as snow, spoke up.
“Uh, um? Oh, no. Haha.”
“I applied because I was curious about Lee Hye-ri, who surged to 1st and 2nd place ahead of all of us, and you, Senior Yoo Ara.”
“Ah……”
Baek Han-beom bowed his head.
“Please take good care of me, Senior.”
“Y-yeah……”
Yoo Ara nodded awkwardly, accepting his greeting. Senior? This kind of treatment feels so foreign. But she couldn’t hide the smile tugging at her lips. She’d always been treated like a loser, a repeat-year failure. It felt strange to be respected for the first time, but it also felt good.
“The team balance looks solid. I’ll tank, Hye-ri can handle close-range DPS, and Senior Yoo Ara supports with telekinesis……”
“No.”
Lee Hye-ri cut in before Baek Han-beom could finish.
“I’m the tank. Don’t try to steal my spot.”
“…You still haven’t given up on tanking?”
“Yeah. I got 1st as a tank. I’ve got what it takes.”
Baek Han-beom glanced at Yoo Ara.
“You decide, Senior. You saw how well she did.”
“M-me?”
“Yes. Do you really think she can tank?”
“…W-well……”
Yoo Ara recalled it all. The gaps left by Hye-ri not being a proper tank. No taunt skill, no wide-area block. Monsters and cadets ignored the tank and charged straight for the DPS. But Yoo Ara had covered for it perfectly, securing them 1st place.
Yeah. Hye-ri doesn’t fit as a tank. But… Yoo Ara knew how hard Hye-ri had worked to become one. This was a crucial exam. Her bet with Kim Siu hung on the results. He’d grant any wish if they got 1st. If we drop outside the top 5, recommend my tutoring. She didn’t want that. She wanted to hog him a little longer. At the same time, she wanted to trust Hye-ri, her comrade-in-arms. Two conflicting desires warred inside her.
“Yes.”
Yoo Ara nodded heavily.
“Is that so?”
“Hye-ri can do it. I believe in her.”
“Understood. If you say so, Senior.”
Lee Hye-ri snorted triumphantly, steeling her resolve.
“Then I’ll sub-tank. The villains we face have varied attacks, so we’ll focus on holding out as long as possible together. Meanwhile, Senior Yoo Ara rescues civilians and clears escape routes.”
“Sounds good.”
She’d expected a drawn-out argument, but Baek Han-beom backed down surprisingly easily.
“Please take care of me. This 2nd exam is broadcast to the public, so let’s show them our best.”
“You got it.”
Yoo Ara steeled her own resolve. As Baek Han-beom said, the 2nd exam—fighting villains—was publicly broadcast, unlike the private 1st and 3rd rounds or the 4th seen only by scouts. It started as a way to show the public how hunters trained and fought fiercely, easing tensions between awakeners and civilians. Now it had turned into a kind of sport—problematic, sure, but popular enough to continue as tradition. Critics called it a showcase for cadets to promote themselves, but the viewership kept it going.
“Let’s do our best.”
The newly formed Team 33 of D-Class exchanged determined looks.
-The cadets are entering.
I’d propped my phone in one corner of the training room and threw myself into practice. The announcer’s voice signaled the start of the 2nd exam as the cadets entered the massive simulation arena. Team 33, with Yoo Ara, came in last.
“They look tense.”
Sweat dripping, I watched the screen. Cameras focused heavily on Team 33—Yoo Ara and Lee Hye-ri, the stars of the 1st exam upset. The announcer explained how the repeat flunk-out had suddenly hit 2nd, and comments flooded in.
Raw, unfiltered internet chat poured in. Good thing Yoo Ara wasn’t seeing this crap.
Baek Han-beom, the hot new tank prospect, was there too. An unexpected teammate.
“Team balance is trash.”
Hye-ri wouldn’t have agreed to DPS. Amateur tank, pro tank, and telekinetic. DPS-starved lineup. Unless Hye-ri shone as DPS—which she wouldn’t, prioritizing civilian rescues—Yoo Ara might carry solo.
“Do well.”
I cheered the Yoo Ara on screen. You’re my student. Your success boosts my rep too. Tough teammates, but still.
“Aim for 1st if you can.”
I’d grant any wish she wanted. The top-5 penalty was just light motivation. She didn’t blab to the others on purpose—means she wants me all to herself. I got her possessiveness. 2nd in round 1 was huge, but she was still on a knife’s edge. She’d crave better results, so I dangled a condition she’d hate. But real promo? Her crushing these prodigies for 1st place. That’s the ad.
“Fight hard. Don’t break.”
Swinging my sword, I rooted for screen-Yoo Ara. Maybe it was my imagination, but her face seemed to relax a bit.
Your sincere cheer is conveyed.
Passive: Growth Assistance (SSS) effect manifests.
Additional effect on Yoo Ara manifests.
For a set duration, extra stats are applied.
Checking skills linked to Yoo Ara:
• Strength Growth (A)
• Abundant Mana (S)
• Quick-Witted (A)
• Super Recovery (S)
• Swift Stride (S)
Strength, Mana, Intelligence, Stamina, Agility temporarily grow by 2 ranks each.
Duration: 2 hours
Well, damn.
“If it does this, you should’ve told me sooner.”
Her body felt unbelievably light.
“What’s this?”
Yoo Ara clenched her fist. Far more power than usual surged in. It was beyond peak condition—like several times better. No simple “good shape” could explain it.
From all that hard practice lately? Nothing else came to mind. If she had to pick… hugging Kim Siu’s clothes to sleep the night before, boosting focus. She’d promised to wash them, but kept delaying—they felt too precious. Now she clutched them like a teddy bear. Weird, yeah, but it helped her sleep.
Of course, I told him I’d do his laundry for his sake…
Recalling it, her face flushed.
“Ugh, forget it. Focus now.”
“Forget what?”
Lee Hye-ri beside her asked.
“N-nothing! Ha, haha!”
Caught by those innocent eyes, Yoo Ara waved her hands frantically. Can’t say it. Slept hugging a guy’s clothes the night before the exam?
“Ara, your face is red.”
“W-why’s it so hot? S-summer, maybe? Hoo…”
“AC’s blasting—it’s freezing.”
“Everyone, focus. It’s starting soon.”
At Baek Han-beom’s words, Yoo Ara snapped to attention. Time ticked on.
-Alright, 2nd exam starts in 10 seconds!
Professor Park Ji-yoon, the announcer, boomed.
-10! 9! 8! 7…
Tension thickened with each count. Then the simulation shifted. A half-ruined city from villain attacks—recreating the Villain Alliance’s Chuncheon raid four years ago. A test to remember the tragedy and push forward.
Yoo Ara eyed the simulated Chuncheon.
-Exam starts now!
Park Ji-yoon’s voice cut off.
“Kyaaack!!!”
Screams erupted everywhere. A distant BOOM!—villains on the move.
“Let’s move.”
More real than ever. They advanced warily, scanning all sides.