Why Are These Kids So Weak?
The massive institution known as Valhalla in Seoul's Gangdong-gu was one of the world's top three contractor academies, renowned and held in the highest esteem.
Every year, an enormous number of contractors applied, hoping to ride on Valhalla's prestigious name.
Of them, only 1,500 managed to cross Valhalla's threshold after surviving an absurd 250:1 competition ratio.
But even getting in didn't end the rivalry.
After all, fewer than 150 graduates would leave Valhalla carrying its name into society.
So every student who entered Valhalla began competing right away.
Competing to claim Valhalla's prestige for themselves.
And when did it start?
From the very moment the entrance ceremony kicked off.
"Man, there sure are a ton this year too."
From the upper levels of the massive arena within Valhalla's grounds—offering a bird's-eye view of the entire site—Valhalla's combat instructor Lee Sang-cheol, who had been watching the fights unfolding across all 16 arenas, turned to the man approaching him and replied.
"Well, it's the entrance ranking battles. Bound to draw a crowd."
The entrance ranking battles.
These were matches held among confirmed freshmen to determine their rankings before the semester even began.
"So, you here to check on your niece?"
Lee Sang-cheol's question drew a smile from the man, Yoo Min-jun, who nodded.
"Yep. The Yushin family has high hopes for So-yeon this time."
"Yoo So-yeon..."
Lee Sang-cheol quickly recalled her profile at Yoo Min-jun's mention.
"...Yeah, she does seem like someone worth betting on from the Yushin family this year."
Yoo So-yeon.
The genius from one of Korea's five great families, the Yushin family, lived up to her fame with an equally dazzling profile.
"Started handling mana at age 10—something high schoolers struggle with. By 13, she was infusing it into her sword naturally... or so it says."
"And she didn't stop there. At 16, she beat several contractors from our Yushin family. Plus..."
"There's more? From what I remember, that's where her profile ends."
Yoo Min-jun grinned at Lee Sang-cheol's question before continuing.
"Sure, that's impressive enough to get our hopes up, but the real kicker? So-yeon can already communicate with our Yushin family's guardian constellation."
"...What?"
Lee Sang-cheol stared at him in disbelief.
But Yoo Min-jun just met his gaze with utter confidence, prompting Lee Sang-cheol to ask after a beat.
"For real?"
"Of course."
"Huh."
The reason Korea had five great families.
It all came down to the guardian constellations tied to each one.
The Yushin family's Sword God.
The Jangsan family's Spear Ghost.
The Choi Jin family's Dao Wang.
The Oseon family's Fighting King.
The Dojon family's Archery God.
Unlike the B-rank constellations that ordinary contractors bonded with, these were S-rank or higher, granting the families their unparalleled edge.
Family members received a constellation's blessing, gaining far superior talent and power compared to outsiders.
But direct communication with a guardian constellation? That was another level entirely.
For someone her age to do it meant Yoo So-yeon's mana was already potent enough to reach an S-rank guardian constellation.
In other words, she wasn't just eligible for a blessing at her young age—she could potentially form a full contract.
And naturally, not even family heirs could contract with a guardian constellation prematurely. Lee Sang-cheol let out a wry chuckle.
"...She really is a genius."
"Right? I'm pumped too."
Yoo Min-jun beamed with pride, lips curling smugly as he added,
"So, how's my star niece doing?"
"Her match hasn't wrapped yet, I bet. Here to watch?"
Yoo Min-jun shook his head at the question.
"Eh, So-yeon's a lock for the finals or runner-up at worst, so I figured I'd swing by on my way home and head out together."
Lee Sang-cheol fiddled with his tablet, signaling him to hold on, then spoke up.
"Round 8, last match of the day. Starts in 30 seconds."
"Oh yeah? Mind if I watch then?"
"Didn't you say you didn't need to?"
"Come on, skipping a match she's in would be weird, right?"
"Then go down and watch."
"In that crowd? Pass."
The arena below was packed, no doubt.
First up: guild scouts from various groups.
Excluding the five great families with their established heirs, they were rolling their eyes, hunting for any promising talent.
Next: reporters.
Contractors enjoyed celebrity-level fame, drawing massive media attention as they scanned for headlines.
Finally: civilians.
Likely friends or parents of the freshmen in the entrance ceremony.
Excluding press and scouts, no one else would show up to gawk at unproven rookies.
"C'mon, show me, senior. What's the point of pulling rank?"
"Tch. You ever treat me like a senior?"
Lee Sang-cheol sighed in resignation at Yoo Min-jun's voice as he pulled his gaze from the arena floor, then manipulated the tablet.
Wooong—
One of the 16 arenas dominating the massive glass window zoomed in.
"Ooh."
Inside the enlarged arena stood two figures.
One was Yoo So-yeon—the girl Yoo Min-jun couldn't stop praising—gripping her sword hilt with a steely expression.
The other was an unremarkable freshman wearing the standard-issue gauntlets provided for the ranking battles.
"...He looks way too relaxed."
Lee Sang-cheol frowned at the guy standing there without even assuming a fighting stance, but Yoo Min-jun just kept smiling.
"Probably given up already. Makes sense—So-yeon's genius rep is all over the place."
True enough, a crowd had gathered near their arena, just as Yoo Min-jun said.
Scouts, reporters, even curious civilians—all eyes locked on Yoo So-yeon in the spotlight.
The other freshman might've shrunk under that pressure.
Unlike Yoo So-yeon—a direct heir of a great family, wielding mana since age 10—his opponent was utterly average.
But even so, Lee Sang-cheol didn't like the guy's attitude.
"Tch. Assuming defeat and quitting before it starts? Pathetic."
"She'll drop him in under five seconds, easy."
As Yoo Min-jun chimed in, predicting the quick KO, Lee Sang-cheol replied,
"Tch. What a loser."
"More like unlucky. Drawing a Yushin genius on day one."
[3]
As their casual chat continued, the countdown began.
[2]
The moment it started, Yoo So-yeon—who'd been staring down her opponent—lowered her stance with a hardened expression.
[1]
She tightened her grip on the sword.
BEGIN
She exploded forward at the signal, drawing her blade in one fluid motion.
Her launch was flawless—even seasoned contractors would praise the clean form—as she closed the gap in an instant and swung.
Lee Sang-cheol now saw why Yoo Min-jun raved about her.
At her age, already sword aura without a hint of waste.
Sword Aura.
Handling mana from age 10 was one thing; wielding it like this was another. Lee Sang-cheol marveled at her control.
The sword aura cloaking her blade was utterly stable, without a single flaw.
Meaning she perfectly commanded her mana at such a young age.
Lee Sang-cheol watched the aura-clad sword descend, certain—as Yoo Min-jun predicted—that victory would come swiftly.
And the next instant—
Paak!
Sure enough, the match ended lightning-fast, just as Lee Sang-cheol and Yoo Min-jun expected.
Except...
"...Huh?"
Kim Joo-hyuk Wins
...it wasn't the average freshman on the arena floor.
It was Yoo So-yeon.
And then.
"What the hell?"
The one who'd floored the Yushin family's prized genius—Yoo Min-jun's so-called prodigy...
"Why's everyone here such pushovers? This really 300 years later?"
...chuckled in disbelief, muttering to himself.