Chapter 25

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 25

Chapter Title: Targeted from the First Day of Training (2)

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On the way back to the dorm after the lecture ended, Song Ha-eun approached me, looking worried.

"Y-Yun-seong oppa... A-Are you okay...?"

"...I'm fine."

"D-Don't take it too hard. Th-The instructor seems a bit... off."

"..."

'That damn bitch...'

I'd never gone to college back on Earth, so I couldn't compare it exactly, but it felt like going to university for the first class and getting singled out by the professor right away. No, in my case, it was probably even worse.

The shitty memories from earlier started flooding back.

"Mr. Lee Yun-seong, compared to when you got your job in the tutorial, your mana is quite low."

"Mr. Lee Yun-seong? That's inefficient the way you're casting magic."

"Hmm... Even if you ask me, I'm not a dark sorcerer, so I wouldn't know."

"Everyone else is doing fine. It's because you're handling your mana like that."

"Why not just contract with a demon? Honestly... your magic side is kinda..."

Grit.

'Hoo... Calm down, just calm down.'

This was the first time since falling into this world instead of Earth that I'd felt the urge to dunk someone.

The really frustrating part was that I hadn't done a damn thing to this woman named Ha Yu-ri.

She'd been like this from the very first moment, which left me utterly baffled. If she hated dark sorcerers, she could've just swapped the lecture for someone else.

Honestly, I knew I had no talent for magic. Even compared to Song Ha-eun right next to me, my mana stat was pathetically low.

'...Mana's just 8.'

In contrast, Song Ha-eun next to me and Yu-hyeon...

Both of them had mana stats far superior to mine.

The puzzling thing was that everyone's unique traits had been graded after ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠clearing the dungeon, yet Yu-hyeon's one remained unchanged.

Guidance of the Faded Light God (Grade Pending) - A once-radiant god of light favored you.

'...Why is this still like that?'

I had no idea why only Yu-hyeon's trait hadn't been graded.

"...Yun-seong oppa?"

"Huh? Oh?"

"A-Are you really okay? You weren't answering..."

"Ah, just lost in thought for a sec. I'm fine. Well, the instructor might just not like me."

"Hyung... Still, from what I saw, th-the instructor was too harsh on you..."

I ruffled Yu-hyeon's hair to brush it off.

"It's fine. If I work hard, it'll get better."

When we arrived at the dorm, everyone was there except Kang I-seo and Mr. Ho-won. Their lectures must've ended early too.

Seo Yu-ju asked me,

"Mr. Yun-seong. How was the lecture? Was it okay?"

She probably knew from the first round that I lacked talent, so she was asking out of concern.

It wasn't a big deal in hindsight, so I was about to say it was fine when,

"Yu-ju noona! The instructor seems to hate Yun-seong hyung...!"

'Crazy kid...!'

I didn't want to say anything because Seo Yu-ju got uncharacteristically agitated about things involving me, but Yu-hyeon spilled it immediately.

Seo Yu-ju's expression hardened as she pressed him.

"...What do you mean, Yu-hyeon? Can you explain in detail?"

Not satisfied with just Yu-hyeon, Song Ha-eun chimed in too.

"W-Well... Yu-ju unnie. Yun-seong oppa's job is dark sorcerer, right? For some reason, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠that instructor hates dark sorcerers..."

"Yeah! She kept comparing him to others and belittling Yun-seong hyung!"

'Damn it, why are you guys doing this.'

"Haha... It's nothing, Ms. Yu-ju. No need to worry. It wasn't that serious. Ha-eun and Yu-hyeon are exaggerating."

Seo Yu-ju bowed her head and muttered softly to herself.

"...Hah, right... That bitch hated dark sorcerers. This fucking..."

The others didn't seem to hear. I pretended not to and continued.

"Really, it's no big deal. So please don't make it one. I'll handle it."

'Please... just listen...!'

"...If you're okay with it, I'll let it go for now. But... if that instructor crosses the line for sure, please tell me right away."

"Y-Yes, of course. If that happens, I won't stay quiet either. Don't worry, Ms. Yu-ju."

"...Don't just say you're fine. If there's really a problem, please tell me."

"Of course."

Bang!

"Yah-hoo~ Lecture's over! What? Everyone's already here? Me and the old man are last?"

Kang I-seo and Mr. Ho-won returned, their lectures apparently done. I said to Kang I-seo,

"What, you came with Mr. Ho-won? Run into each other on the way?"

"Yeah. His lecture ended around the same time as mine, so we came together! Kyaa~ But man, I must have some talent. The instructor was praising me like crazy."

She looked oddly cheerful, probably because she'd been complimented during the lecture.

Makes sense—with her stats and traits, she definitely had archer talent.

That instructor has a good eye.

"Lucky you. How was the instructor as a person?"

"Uh... It was a guy, seemed decent enough? What was it... He said he was filling in for the clan master from Golden Wings Clan at the training facility."

As Kang I-seo finished, Seo Yu-ju spoke up.

"Golden Wings Clan is one of the top three clans."

"Oh... Really? He praised me so much I thought he was just sweet-talking from some mid-tier or small clan trying to recruit me. Unexpected."

Golden Wings Clan must've really impressed Kang I-seo. I figured they'd probably make her an offer on the sly.

"Anyway, what about you? Lecture any good?"

"......"

The mood suddenly chilled, and I could feel Yu-hyeon and Ha-eun glancing at me nervously.

"Eh, nothing much."

Kang I-seo wasn't completely oblivious; she sensed the vibe and shut up.

Seo Yu-ju lightened the atmosphere by addressing everyone.

"...Anyway, I have some good news to share with you all."

Everyone looked at her curiously. It was the first time she'd called something good news.

Seo Yu-ju pulled out a magnifying glass from her pocket, along with the necklace and ring from the tutorial dungeon.

"You can ignore the necklace and ring for now, but you're probably wondering about this magnifying glass. Long story short, it's a one-use artifact that lets you read item descriptions."

"...So we can find out what our necklace and rings do."

"Exactly, Mr. Yun-seong. I got the artifact to check the items with you all."

"...How'd you get the artifact?"

"I asked an instructor, and he found one for me. It's not too expensive, so he was happy to help."

Probably because she asked. They'd recognized her talent and wanted to impress her.

"Alright, let's check them out since you're all curious."

Everyone took turns peering through the magnifying glass at the necklace and rings, faces full of curiosity. I grabbed it too and checked the item info.

'...Nice.'

The rings were good, but the necklace's performance was insane. Considering how precious even 1 stat point was, +4 mana was huge.

And it aided mana circulation—truly lived up to its hero-grade name.

'...Well, the dungeon was that tough; it'd be weird if the rewards sucked.'

The others were all staring at their items in shock. No one had expected hero-grade gear from the tutorial.

'Maybe tutorial dungeons drop especially good stuff.'

Seo Yu-ju got to the point.

"Now that you've all seen the item info, let's discuss distribution. Raise your hand if you want a specific item or have thoughts."

'...Nothing for me.'

I wanted the necklace, sure, but honestly... it was wasted on talentless me. Song Ha-eun or ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Yu-hyeon would make better use of it.

The rings weren't for me anyway.

I raised my hand to speak.

"Yes, Mr. Yun-seong. Do you want something?"

Even if I said yes, she'd try to accommodate, but those items were like pearls on a pig's neck for me.

"...I think Ms. Yu-ju should take the Ring of Strength."

She looked stunned, not expecting me to nominate her.

"M-Me? I don't really..."

"Think about it: without you in the dungeon, not all of us would've survived. You're the highest contributor in our party."

"Yeah, Yu-ju unnie. If not you, who?"

After Hyun-jin spoke, Mr. Ho-won added,

"I agree Ms. Yu-ju deserves it. You've more than earned it."

"Everyone..."

Seo Yu-ju looked deeply touched.

"...I get how you all feel. Then, shamelessly, I'll take the Ring of Strength."

"Shameless? It's only right you take it."

"...Thank you, Mr. Yun-seong."

After Seo Yu-ju took the Ring of Strength, Yu-rim raised her hand.

"Oh, Yu-rim. Want something?"

"No, not really. But what if Yun-seong oppa takes the necklace?"

'This... is bad.'

The necklace was better for Song Ha-eun or Yu-hyeon. I was about to phrase a gentle refusal to spare Yu-rim's feelings when,

"Yeah, like noona said! Yun-seong hyung should take the necklace!"

This was heading toward me getting it, so I cut in urgently.

"Yu-rim, Yu-hyeon. Thanks, but I'll pass on the necklace."

Seo Yu-ju puffed her cheeks, looking a bit miffed as she asked,

"...Why not? You're a dark sorcerer..."

"Hate ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to say it, but yeah, I'm a dark sorcerer—with basically zero magic talent."

The others looked baffled.

I get it. After seeing my magic shine in the tutorial, this wouldn't make sense to them. They hadn't seen my status.

"I'm saying this because it's you all, but... my mana stat is pretty pathetic. The necklace would be wasted on me. Ha-eun or Yu-hyeon should get it."

Seo Yu-ju, knowing my lack of talent from the first round, couldn't really argue.

Hyun-jin, who'd wanted me to have it, chimed in.

"Hyung... You've contributed so much to this party... You deserve it..."

"Mr. Yun-seong. We're not distributing based on talent. We just... all value you, that's why."

I had to refuse firmly. That great necklace would be useless to me. Rationally, Song Ha-eun or Yu-hyeon had to get it.

"I appreciate it. Truly, from the heart... but I'll pass on the necklace. I nominate Yu-hyeon or Ha-eun."

".....Oppa."

Yu-rim looked at me not with disappointment over the necklace, but pity for me as a person.

"Sorry, Yu-rim. I'll just take the sentiment."

"...It's fine. It's your choice, oppa."

"...We'll respect your opinion, Mr. Yun-seong. So between Ha-eun and Yu-hyeon..."

Song Ha-eun interrupted, stating her preference.

"I-I'm fine. Yu-hyeon should take it over me!"

"N-No, Ha-eun noona, you should..."

'They're yielding to each other. In another party, they'd be fighting over it.'

"Ah... I have a t-trait that helps mana circulation. It'd help Yu-hyeon more than me."

"...If you have a trait like that, got it. Then the necklace goes to Yu-hyeon. Speak up if you object, no pressure."

"......."

"Great. Necklace to Yu-hyeon."

Seo Yu-ju handed Yu-hyeon the necklace. He took it with a reluctant, confused expression, like he didn't get why he was getting it.

"Now... the Ring of Resistance. Personally, I think there's only one owner for this."

Seo Yu-ju handed the ring to Mr. Ho-won.

"Old man, perfect! Honestly, who else but you for this ring."

"Take it without burden, Mr. Ho-won."

This time, unanimous. He was our party's tank.

"...I'll accept without refusal. Thank you. Instead of feeling burdened, I'll repay with better performance."

A classic Mr. Ho-won response.

"That wraps up item distribution. Good work, everyone."

And with that, the item split was done.