Facing the Hero's Son
Choi Ji-seong. Son of the national hero Choi Kang-cheol. Proving that the power of bloodlines doesn't fade, he'd awakened genius-level Talent just like his father. And seven years faster than the average cadet.
"Hmm... fucked up."
He must've scored too high on the previous exams. Because of that, the AI evaluation system had pegged me as a suitable opponent for Choi Ji-seong.
Of all people, Choi Ji-seong...
"What a pain in the ass."
With a sigh, I headed to the cadet cafeteria in the academy basement.
Before entering, I bought a meal ticket from the kiosk, and a sudden thought hit me.
Come to think of it, money's an issue too.
The academy facilities aren't free, of course. This meal ticket included.
Even after the Outbound Incident made power more important than money, the world still runs on capital.
"...Gonna have to grind for cash hard too."
I piled random buffet food onto my tray and sat in a quiet corner.
As I ate, I mulled things over.
The scoring for the last remaining sparring practical isn't just win or lose.
So as long as I hold out for a bit, it'll be fine.
Choi Ji-seong's stats are probably way higher than mine. Especially since his Talent comes with innate agility like it's baked in.
I can't beat his Talent with a late-game Martial Artist's strengths right now.
"...Maybe I should craft a technique."
After acquiring Void Origin, I'd deposited the remaining 49,999 points in the point bank. For the future.
Clink.
"...Whatever."
I was lost in thought, eating, when I spotted someone dining boisterously with a crowd, unlike me.
Choi Ji-seong's eternal rival.
...Han Cheol-woo.
Come to think of it, Han Cheol-woo was originally supposed to spar with Choi Ji-seong.
Han Cheol-woo glared at me like I rubbed him the wrong way. Probably thought of me as the guy who stole his spot.
But this sucks for me too. Who the hell wants to fight fucking Choi Ji-seong?
Bratty little shit.
"...Hah."
Getting my ass handed to me by some kid younger than me at my age? Depressing.
I really need to avoid a total beatdown...
Han Cheol-woo glanced around pointedly, then jerked his chin at me arrogantly. Roughly translated: You don't even have friends to eat with?
"...Do you have to eat with a group?"
Solo dining's second nature to me. I ignored his stare and focused on my food.
As I ate, I noticed another solo diner across from me.
"......"
It was Mo Ye-ji.
Come to think of it, I'd crossed paths with her a lot during today's exams.
How much had my actions affected her?
Mid-bite, I checked the Contribution System.
Visiting Contribution Shop.
Held Assets: 1,001P
"...What the hell."
Surprisingly, I'd earned way more points than expected.
Did chatting with her a bit really net me 1,001 points?
Checking the acquisition path, no.
Maze Finding: 1st Place Achieved!
Reward: Acquired 1,000 points.
Oh yeah, achievements too.
Main story-related ones are OP, as expected.
So the point from talking to Mo Ye-ji was just 1.
"...Pocket change."
Still, pennies make a mountain. Or rather, fragments of a mountain.
"Withdraw from the bank, and I'd have about 51,000 points..."
With 10,000, I could craft a decent technique for the spar.
But deposited points can't be withdrawn freely until the term's up. Early withdrawal docks 30%.
Nope, scratch that.
As I thought that, my eyes met Mo Ye-ji's.
"......"
I'd been staring at the translucent system window, but she thought I was looking at her.
"...Tch."
Mo Ye-ji blatantly turned away, ignoring me.
That tiny reaction?
1 point acquired.
"Oh."
Mountain fragment acquired.
* * *
After lunch, I headed to the multipurpose training ground for the next exam.
I thought I was early, but plenty of cadets were already there.
Fighting off post-meal drowsiness, exam time arrived.
"Lunch sit well?"
Few cadets answered Park Dae-sik. Probably too nervous to eat properly.
"Look at those death masks. Self-care's basic for heroes. We fight to eat—if you skip meals over one exam? Force down a few bites next time. Got it?"
The cadets replied.
"Alright then. Sparring practical exam starts now!"
With Park Dae-sik's shout, it began.
Five arenas in the training ground, each with an instructor as referee.
Sparring proceeded alphabetically.
I watched a bit, then...
Full stomach? I dozed off.
> Next spar: Cadet Mo Ye-ji. Please proceed to the arena.
The announcer woke me. Mo Ye-ji was climbing into the arena.
"Rule: 3-minute limit. No decision? Judges call it."
Mo Ye-ji and some nameless cadet nodded.
"Begin!"
The nameless cadet charged with a blunt steel sword. No edge, but still hits hard. Sharp's sharp.
"Die—!"
He yelled some third-rate villain line as he rushed Mo Ye-ji.
She glared, aimed her pistol.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Training rounds fired; he flopped down.
Couldn't dodge her precog-predicted shots.
"Winner: Mo Ye-ji."
Her match ended; I closed my eyes again.
Funny, though. Not some trash mob, yelling "Die!" Snrk.
Then the announcer called me.
> Cadet Imir!
> Please proceed to the arena.
My turn.
Yawning, I stepped up, loosening up.
Across stood Choi Ji-seong, gripping his blunt training sword like an extension of his body.
"Choi Ji-seong, fighting!"
"Crush him!"
"Ji-seong's so cool!"
Cheers and boos from behind. Cheers for him, boos for me, obviously.
"Who's that guy? A Martial Artist?"
"We got a Martial Artist in our class?"
"Didn't that dude use a spear before? Why fists now?"
Imir used a spear originally, huh. Memories stirred—heard that 15 years ago too.
"He's just playing for handicap points since he's gonna lose anyway, right?"
"Coward."
"Nah, that's smart."
At least someone defended me. Small mercies.
"But wasn't that guy like 280th in entrance rankings? Why's he fighting Ji-seong?"
"Dunno."
"Must have connections. 280th gets handicap just for losing to 1st."
"Damn, lucky. Academy's not fair after all..."
I tuned out the conspiracy theories, focusing my mind.
Yeah, yap away. I don't give a shit.
"Spar start!"
The instructor shouted.
"Let's do our best."
Choi Ji-seong approached casually, greeting politely.
I skipped chit-chat, acted.
Whoosh.
Faked a punch, twisted my torso. He instinctively thrust.
Dodged, counter incoming...
"Whoa, your footwork's solid."
He was already out of range. Insane reflexes.
Fuck, protagonist buff bullshit.
"I'll get serious now."
Choi Ji-seong shifted to a proper stance, more refined.
We traded blows a few times. Experience let me dodge or block his sword, but stats gap was too much.
My goal from the start: don't get crushed. Stall, and it's done.
"You're really impressive."
He praised sincerely.
Didn't feel good. I'm way more experienced.
"Wonder if you can block this..."
He sheathed his sword suddenly. Blade trembled, emitting faint blue glow.
I got it: channeling mana.
...Crazy bastard.
Mana manifestation. Impossible for fresh cadets.
He did it like breathing.
Hummm.
But I wasn't green either. I channeled mana into my fist.
Same mana manifestation as him.
When he swings, parry. Resonance might shatter his weapon.
Judges would favor me then.
Right then—
> 3 minutes up! Match over!
The instructor stepped between us.
"Judges' decision: 7-3, Choi Ji-seong wins."
Three minutes gone already.
Damn, so close.
Time-out end.
"Ji-seong wins, as expected."
"But that guy... held up surprisingly well?"
"Ji-seong went easy. It's just training swords anyway."
"True."
I caught my breath, panting. Body covered in bruises.
Choi Ji-seong? Breathing steady. Protagonist as fuck.
"Good match. Imir, right?"
I nodded vaguely, stepped down.
Not crushed. Good enough.
Relaxing, then commotion from waiting cadets.
"Kyaa, Ye-ji!"
"Uh, what?"
"Instructor! Cadet Mo Ye-ji collapsed!"
Glancing back: Mo Ye-ji out cold, nosebleed.
What's her deal?
Anyway, class placement exams over.
"Whew."
Did alright, I think.