Chapter 56

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 56

Chapter Title: Midterm Evaluation (2)

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Hero Academy Anonymous Community: Woongyeong.

The forum was buzzing with heat, just like right after Kim Geon-ho's bold 1:11 declaration.

Of course, the reason was that the 1st-year midterm evaluation had merged with the class competition.

A curriculum wildly different from the first midterm they'd done so far.

Hero Academy usually adjusted schedules flexibly based on cadet levels.

But advancing the class competition this aggressively? It'd been ages.

And that proved one thing.

'This year's freshmen are so superior, they're crushing upperclassmen levels.'

High overall averages meant accelerated schedules, with new training slotted in to match.

The stronger you were, the more you got in this meritocracy. The weak? Couldn't hold on even if they tried.

That was Hero Academy's hidden brutality.

Which was why so many were predicting Kim Geon-ho's class would lose the competition.

'It's not just Kim Geon-ho who's strong.'

No one doubted his skills.

But that didn't mean he was the only standout.

Public opinion overwhelmingly favored Class 1A's defeat.

While Woongyeong users debated fiercely whether Class 1A or the rest would win...

Info on the 1st-year midterm content leaked.

All 1st-years gather on an island for a battle royale to decide 1st place.

That was the true nature of this midterm evaluation.

1st-year class rep meeting—excluding Class 1A.

"Heavens are on our side. Survival, huh."

"Harass 'em 24/7, no sleep, pure misery."

"Need a plan? Just swarm and crush 'em at once?"

They were plotting to dunk on Class 1A.

They'd acknowledged Class 1A as the strongest and agreed to team up.

But their plan had one massive flaw...

"...So who’s volunteering to lead the charge?"

Deciding which class faced Class 1A first.

"..."

These reps weren't really aiming to topple Class 1A.

'Fight fresh Class 1A? Insane?'

'Not our class, we got backline support, obviously last...'

'Dammit! Our class has the big guys, why send us front? Hell no!'

True goal: Victory.

This ragtag alliance was anything but solid.

Once the big bad was gone, how to divvy rewards?

They already saw beating Class 1A as a given.

"How about draw straws?"

"Nah, but what if someone betrays when we're all gunning for 1A?"

"That's what trust is for? You're joking? Gotta hit 1A first!"

Alliances without a core fell apart fast.

Immature 1st-year reps? Alliance felt distant.

While reps chanted "Down with 1A"...

Their target, Class 1A's rep, was wrapping strategy talks at top speed.

"Strategy? Nah, stir chaos into a brawl and smash 'em all."

First thought on hearing "survival" for midterms: one thing.

'Ain't this my wheelhouse?'

In his 1st round rock-bottom life, he'd out-survived everyone.

Not getting stronger—surviving. Similar, but worlds apart.

Plus, no need to overthink: wipe everyone out.

'Clear enemy lines? Best condition for planning.'

Other classes target us obviously. Exploit that.

"Listen up. Rough math: 30 per class, 360 on one island? Chaos guaranteed."

Leading 30 vs. 330? Night and day.

By clueless freshmen? Obvious outcome.

'Gaps will form. Guaranteed.'

Maybe massive holes where alliances even form.

"Teleport to island, damage sensors attach. Too much damage? Auto-eject. What’s that mean?"

"...Any damage over threshold = forced out?"

"Bingo."

Class rank by last survivors. One left from class = class safe.

No big penalty facing 11 classes.

"Splash damage hits, some class takes worse than us? Others gonna let that slide?"

To rank high: outlast, pick off weakened foes—not smash 1A.

Everyone thinks that.

Declare enemy, clump targets together.

Didn't predict survival specifically, but bait I'd saved.

"We ride the chaos. Specifically..."

No need for long plans.

Bold and clear.

Show the losers what bottom meals taste like.

"...That's the gist. Details on-island."

Strategy ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠done, back to class...

"Hold up. Talk with me."

"?"

Grip.

Heila grabbed his wrist, dragging him off.

Heila was pissed.

'Why... why nothing for me?!'

Raw stuff with Marren before she showed? Fine, whatever.

But dating Airi? Hard to swallow.

Coulda played cool, but Airi bragging about the kiss? Nah.

'I'm the fiancée!'

Even if progressing slow with others.

Fiancée deserved constant care, right? Well, not official yet.

"Still! This is too much!"

In a secluded spot, gripping his wrist, she vented.

"Me?"

"Yes! What, 'cause I'm fiancée material you're acting up? Keep this up, engagement tomorrow!"

"Survival soon. Can't do tomorrow."

"...After!"

"But hey."

Silence.

Kim Geon-ho pondered her words carefully, then lit up.

"You banters with everyone else, but formal with just me?"

Respect for future hubby?

"..."

She clamped her mouth shut.

Her unnoticed habit, called out objectively—embarrassment flooded.

"Wh-what! I just...! Whatever! Engagement after midterms, got it!"

Heila bolted.

"Damn, my circle's full of push-pull masters lately?"

Watching her, Kim Geon-ho glanced at his raging hard-on.

"Nah, Geon-ho. I swim in your arms always—no games."

"Holy shit, startled me! Where you been?"

Marren eyed that erection from behind too.

"Told ya. In Geon-ho's arms."

Time for lust to run wild.