Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Freedom After the Exam
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Baek Yi-yeon's coquettish tone, laced with a hint of nasal playfulness, kept going, but Yang Su-hyeok remained utterly unmoved.
"I'm heading home to eat. If I'm not careful, I might flunk the exam in two days."
"No way! You, Uncle? You've been studying your butt off."
"Can't let my guard down. You never know till the results are out."
"Nuh-uh. Someone like you is more than set to pass. I guarantee it. Unlike a slacker like me. Hehe."
"Quit talking nonsense."
Su-hyeok pretended to lightly bop Baek Yi-yeon on the head.
In truth, Baek Yi-yeon was the type who studied diligently in her own subtle way.
She loved hanging out and having fun, but she paid attention in class. Even when teachers asked about topics Su-hyeok hadn't covered or learned, she answered smoothly, suggesting she previewed at home too. The royal road to studying was focus, review, and preview. Do that right, and there's no way you'd fail, he figured.
It wasn't for nothing that she gave off top-student vibes.
"You really won't come?"
Baek Yi-yeon, trailing after Su-hyeok like a shadow as he slung his bag over his shoulder and headed for the classroom door, puffed out her cheeks and shot him a pouty glare.
"I'm seriously gonna get mad."
"Go ahead."
Truth be told, Su-hyeok couldn't quite grasp why a girl like Baek Yi-yeon was so keen on sticking to him.
"You've got tons of guys who like you. Go hang with them instead of me."
"But I like you, Uncle."
"Why?"
"'Cause you're hot."
Caught off guard by the unexpected reply, Su-hyeok halted. Baek Yi-yeon stepped right in front of him, flashing a bright smile before tiptoeing closer on her toes.
Their eyes weren't quite level, but she was close enough for him to catch the sweet warmth of her breath.
"Look at this skin. What guy's got better skin than mine? You're no elf or anything.
You know I'm just a high school girl, right? Isn't this cheating, Uncle? Admit it? Yeah, admit it."
He knew exactly what that soft touch on his cheek felt like.
"Hands off, kiddo."
Su-hyeok gently brushed away Baek Yi-yeon's arm from his cheek and strode off briskly.
"Ah, Uncle!"
His pace was quick enough that Baek Yi-yeon, chasing after him, eventually gave up.
Su-hyeok was already out of sight.
She dashed to the window, spotted his receding figure, flung it open, and yelled.
"Ah, what the—! Running away and using your abilities? That's cheating!"
She shouted, but no reply came back.
Just a casual wave in parting.
"Cheating Uncle."
Baek Yi-yeon's red lips pursed in a long pout.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Two days later.
The grueling, exhausting theory training finally wrapped up.
The instant the exam ended, Su-hyeok couldn't help but shout.
"I'm free!"
It felt like pure liberation.
Studying just wasn't his thing.
Back in the past, on the Huan Continent, and now—no matter the era, he could force himself into it out of necessity, but it was truly not to his taste.
In that sense, actually studying and taking exams was the ultimate proof of effort paying off.
"That happy about it?"
Two days prior.
After turning down her invitation to hang out, Baek Yi-yeon hadn't spoken to him for a full day. Now she approached and asked.
"Yeah, best feeling ever. I'm thrilled."
"You know you sound a bit pervy, Uncle?"
"So what? You said I'm hot."
Su-hyeok said it with full confidence.
He could guess the reason anyway.
For starters, both his father Yang Seung-bon and mother Han Jeong-hee were exceptionally good-looking.
Kids of a handsome couple and beauty might not always inherit it, but it's rare—and Su-hyeok and Su-a had dodged that bullet. Plus, lately, steadily circulating the Nature Primordial Art had brought out clear cosmetic benefits.
Anyone could see his skin had cleared up massively compared to right after awakening. Even Su-a, who'd been eyeing him suspiciously, had started grilling him about the Nature Primordial Art in detail.
So, no reason to deny his good looks.
"Whoa, for real. Aren't you embarrassed, Uncle?"
"Overdoing the humility can hurt others, you know."
Su-hyeok whistled a cheerful tune as he replied.
His tone was lighter than usual, voice brighter too.
Part of it was the exam being over, but mostly the gut feeling he'd aced it.
"Looks like you nailed the exam? You're in a great mood."
Sure enough, Baek Yi-yeon asked.
"Yeah. Felt solid."
"Ooh, see? Told you. In 30 minutes, it'll say 'Pass' next to your full name."
Theory exam results came out in 30 minutes.
With under 50 people and computer grading, it didn't take long.
"Yeah, pretty sure."
As Su-hyeok spoke confidently, his eyes caught Jin Chang-hyeok sitting alone, hands clasped in prayer. Baek Yi-yeon's gaze followed naturally.
"Chang-hyeok oppa looked so desperate. I overheard something the other day... he's got a story."
"A story?"
"Yeah."
Baek Yi-yeon turned to meet Su-hyeok's eyes at his question, her voice bright and eager.
"What kind?"
"Dunno?"
"You heard."
"Kinda. But no reason to spill to you, Uncle."
"Why not just say it's rude to gossip about others' business?"
"I thought of that, but then my sulk wouldn't show."
Baek Yi-yeon grinned mischievously, eyes crinkling, then glanced back at Chang-hyeok.
"Just that his family's in a tough spot. Really tough.
Says he has to pull them through somehow."
"Hm... Sounds familiar."
Su-hyeok muttered to himself.
His slight interest and goodwill toward Jin Chang-hyeok ticked up a notch.
Baek Yi-yeon must've heard him clearly but didn't pry with questions.
Instead, she acted disinterested, pretending to look elsewhere, then pulled out her phone and started tapping away busily.
"Yi-yeon, how'd the exam go?"
"Wanna grab drinks with me and some bros today?"
Male trainees approached, striking up chats, and each time, Baek Yi-yeon smiled sweetly in response.
"Got plans. Busy."
"Yi-yeon, if not today, how about next week? Movie with me if you're free..."
"Saw that one."
"Haven't even said which..."
"Oh, right? Sorry."
Baek Yi-yeon gave an awkward smile, stuck out her tongue, and scratched her head.
Her cuteness made the rejected guy grin foolishly anyway, which was amusing.
Su-hyeok, who'd ended up watching it all up close, thought to himself.
'If she were on the Huan Continent, she'd definitely be a fox spirit.'
Thanks to the entertainment, the 30 minutes flew by without boredom.
Results popped up on the front screen of the classroom they'd studied in for two weeks. Trainees widened their eyes, scanning for names.
Every name was listed.
No scores shown.
Just "Pass" or "Fail" appended.
"Number 28, Yang Su-hyeok, Pass."
Su-hyeok, who'd scanned down to his name, grinned wide.
He'd been confident, but seeing it confirmed felt even better.
He'd spotted number 19, Baek Yi-yeon: Pass too.
"Damn, failed again. Fourth time's too embarrassing..."
Number 43, Park Young-sook, failed as expected.
The other five in her clique got fails too.
'Birds of a feather flock together; the ink rubs off on the fool.'
Like attracts like, and fools spread their folly.
Recalling the old proverb, Su-hyeok tuned them out.
About then.
"Pass! I passed!"
A voice bursting with joy rang out.
Jin Chang-hyeok's, rarely heard outside the first day or class disruptions.
He snatched his phone and bolted out.
"Guys, your bro passed the theory! Grabbing chicken on my way in. You know it? Yeah, man. You know I'm good at the grunt work? Awakening's in the bag now."
Even the conversation as he left sounded so exhilarated that Su-hyeok felt good hearing it.
"See, Uncle? You passed!"
"Yeah, what'd you expect? Hard work pays off."
"Heh, I barely tried."
"Must be a genius then."
"Ooh, really?"
Baek Yi-yeon covered her mouth, giggling like a playful imp.
Su-hyeok ruffled her hair lightly and said,
"I'm heading out first."
"Huh? For real? It's the last theory day today?"
"Practical starts tomorrow. Go home early and rest. In a way, this is when it really begins."
"True, but... I have plans today."
"Then wrap 'em up quick and head home."
"Plans were with you, Uncle."
"...Nonsense. Keep yapping and you'll get it."
"Really? Gonna hit me? When I'm this cute?"
Baek Yi-yeon pressed her index fingers to her cheeks, batting big eyes and tilting her head.
'She is cute.'
Honest thought, but no need to give in.
"Seriously going."
"So heartless!"
"Yup~ I know."
Su-hyeok waved casually and hurried homeward.
Family dinner was priority one, after all.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The next day.
Forty-two passers gathered, minus the six who'd flunked theory.
In the now slightly emptier, quieter classroom, Su-hyeok—as usual—arrived 10 minutes early, took his seat, crossed his arms, and closed his eyes.
A long Force Status window unfolded before him.
⚔ STATUS ⚔ Name: Yang Su-hyeok Age: 27 Gender: Male Level: 3 Class: Martial Artist Alignment: Chaotic Neutral Karma: Excess ⚡ Strength: 19 💨 Agility: 22 ✨ Wisdom: 19 💪 Stamina: 26 🛡️ Will: 39 Special Notes: Karma value is extraordinarily high compared to age and racial norms.
Body Purification: 38%. Qi-based techniques gain boosted efficiency.
Conception and Governor Vessels opened. Real-time qi recovery and usage efficiency doubled relative to base.
Thanks to steady training during the week's theory classes—never slacking—his level had gone up by one.
Not just that; stats had risen across the board a bit, and more bodily impurities had been purged.
Growth hadn't stopped at stats either.
⚙ FORCE SKILL INTERFACE ⚙ Active Skills: A-Grade, Nature Primordial Art Lv. 5 - An excellent foundational art based on earth's qi. *New A-Grade, Iron Palm Strike Lv. 3 - A palm technique harmonizing outer/inner, power/skill exquisitely. *New A-Grade, Retreating Wind Kick Lv. 2 - Powerful kicks that repel even the wind. *New A-Grade, Mad Ghost Chaotic Staff Lv. 2 - Wield the staff like a rampaging mad ghost. Recommended to vacate the premises if witnessed. Special Persistent Skills: Martial Bone - +20% effect boost when using physical skills.