The Steel Witch's Scream
EP 5 In the In-Seoul class of the re-study academy, the demon ranking test evaluates three capabilities: stamina, strength, and mana. Stamina refers to the total energy reserve of the body—its stamina. It is measured by how long one can repeat the same motion. In the past, repeated weightlifting was the standard, but these days it has been replaced by running. Stamina also represents the body's breaking point. The higher one's stamina, the better one can endure an opponent's attacks and sustain combat that strains the body. Every time one is struck, stamina decreases, eventually reaching zero. That is why, in practical exams, the match ends the moment stamina hits zero. Once it reaches zero, life itself becomes endangered.
Strength refers to the instantaneous physical power one can exert—in other words, attack power. Sometimes it also indicates instantaneous acceleration, but generally it is treated as attack power. The stronger one's strength, the greater the stamina consumption. Therefore, the standard training order prioritizes stamina first and strength second.
Mana indicates the total mana capacity of the ability user. The higher the mana, the more powerfully one can unleash their possessed techniques. That was Itoha's explanation.
“Any more questions?”
“No. Thank you.”
“Alright. But the test is coming up soon—really, you don't want to drink it?”
Itoha shook the water bottle containing the premium-grade laxative.
“No. I'm fine.”
“If you change your mind, just say so. Even water costs money here.”
EP 5 Following the demon of the In-Seoul class at the re-study academy, Cheon Hee-ah, we arrived at the next testing ground.
“This is the strength testing area.”
The strength testing ground resembled a massive gymnasium, except its scale far exceeded imagination. An enormous space measuring one hundred meters in length, width, and height. Inside, machines were arranged at regular intervals like a chessboard. They were punch machines shaped like women, made of steel. A red striking point marked the heart area of each female figure.
Cheon Hee-ah clapped her hands to gather everyone's attention.
“We will now begin the strength test. Please strike the heart of the Steel Witch statue with all your might.”
She pointed to the electronic display board in front.
“When you hit the Steel Witch statue, the amount of stamina reduced by the impact will be shown on the board, and rankings will be determined accordingly. However, please be careful not to strain your body. Then… begin!”
I first separated from Itoha and observed my surroundings. The other students were assuming stances and thrusting their fists into the hearts of the Steel Witch statues. Numbers began appearing one by one on the display boards. The upper group reduced the Steel Witch's stamina by nearly 3.5 with a single strike, the middle group by 2, and the lower group by more than 1.
I stood still, simply watching. The female students' gazes turned cold.
“What the hell? You don't even know how to assume a stance? Why did you even come here?”
“Just standing around spacing out. Pathetic.”
“Are you okay? Want some of my water?”
But I wasn't frozen out of confusion. Several windows had appeared before my eyes.
Acquirable
[Body Part Destruction Technique]
Acquirable
[Body Part Destruction Technique]
Acquirable
[Body Part Destruction Technique]
Body Part Destruction Technique.
I read the description of the skill.
[Body Part Destruction Technique]
A destruction magic exclusive to Refined Realm mages, developed by the research team of Hyesung Academy. It consumes both mana and stamina to momentarily enhance the entire body's muscular strength and focus that power into a single point to destroy the opponent's body. The more it is trained, the better one's muscle control becomes.
Cheon Hee-ah approached me.
“This is an exclusive magic developed and taught by Hyesung Academy. If you want, I can arrange private tutoring for three sessions at twenty million won right now. Would you like to sign up?”
“No.”
Cheon Hee-ah's expression stiffened.
“Ah. You can always apply for private lessons later, so please take your time to think about it.”
My gaze had already shifted to the top-ranking female students. They were using a different form of magic. Red energy coiled around their limbs.
[Extreme Body Part Destruction Technique]
A destruction magic exclusive to Refined Realm mages, developed by the research team of Hyesung Academy. It consumes a large amount of both mana and stamina and focuses that power into a single point to destroy the opponent's body. Each use shortens the user's lifespan, but its power surpasses that of Body Part Destruction Technique.
The Steel Witch statue struck by their fists opened its mouth wide and screamed.
“Kuaaaaaaaaagh!!!!!”
Cheon Hee-ah explained with a wide grin.
“This Steel Witch statue was developed by our Hyesung Academy. The stronger the blow, the more pitifully it screams. How is it?”
“Impressive.”
“Right?”
Cheon Hee-ah beamed. The number displayed on the board was 3.8—the highest score so far.
Cheon Hee-ah began her explanation.
“Those students are the top of the In-Seoul class. They have learned the advanced version of Body Part Destruction Technique—Extreme Body Part Destruction Technique. It is a magic available only to the top ranks of the In-Seoul class.”
I could learn that too. Without paying a single won.
…This is too much of a free ride.
But what I needed right now was magic that could improve stamina and strength. In terms of raw power, the techniques I was already training seemed superior.
“Now then, would you like to take your turn? Since it's your first time, just relax and go easy.”
Cheon Hee-ah urged me forward. After all, I was the only one who hadn't gone yet.
I stood before the Steel Witch statue and assumed my stance. Among the magics I currently possessed, the highest level was Man Sang Pa Ji Kwon Gak Beop at Lv. 6—a top-grade technique. I clenched my fist, spread my legs, and settled into position. I wondered how it would compare to the techniques developed by the academy researchers. A hint of curiosity stirred within me.
*****
The top-ranking students watched Cheon Hee-ah and the new student. Cheon Hee-ah was cheering the newcomer on while the new student assumed an unfamiliar stance, preparing to strike.
“Looks like Cheon Hee-ah got assigned to the new kid.”
Another female student who heard this smirked.
“What? I thought someone special had arrived since they came in at this point. One staff member, and it's Cheon Hee-ah at that. It's over. Nothing to worry about.”
The staff of Hyesung Academy were essentially salespeople. They earned commissions by brokering exclusive tutoring from the academy's star instructors, high-grade elixirs from pharmaceutical companies, and training facilities. Connections were everything. Without the right network, even the lectures they could sell were limited. Cheon Hee-ah was a typical low-ranking staff member who had failed to build such connections. Rumor had it that the only thing she could sell was private tutoring for the basic lecture, Body Part Destruction Technique.
“When I enrolled, seven staff members swarmed me.”
A student listening nearby replied, “I had ten.”
The hierarchy among the female students was determined by how many high-quality staff members they contracted with, or how many staff members attached themselves to them. The top-ranking In-Seoul class students currently conversing had all signed contracts with veteran-level staff. Thanks to that, they were receiving lectures on Extreme Body Part Destruction Technique and low-grade elixirs. To their eyes, a new student who was getting along with a single bottom-tier staff member like Cheon Hee-ah could only appear insignificant.
“But how long is that guy going to keep preparing?”
In their eyes, the new student had been standing motionless for thirty seconds. Moreover, the distance to the Steel Witch statue was a full ten meters.
“He's way too far. From that distance, the strike won't even land properly. Is he planning to charge? That'll just hurt his accuracy.”
Another female student responded, “Hmm. That guy probably hasn't even learned Body Part Destruction Technique. Judging by Cheon Hee-ah being assigned to him, he doesn't seem to come from a particularly impressive family either. What is he trying to do?”
“Who knows? Maybe he's training with the free magic. Ah—he's finally moving.”
The new student bent his knees and crouched. It was a fast, precise, and striking motion. Everyone's eyes mistook it for a black sphere. The compressed sphere shot forward like an explosion, stretching long toward the front. It was an afterimage. The irregular rhythm made the simple act of bending and extending the legs appear as a sphere and a pillar. The lower-ranked female students chased the afterimage from one second ago, while only the top-ranking students, who realized it was an afterimage, shifted their gazes further ahead. Only they could barely witness the moment of impact.
The new student's fist extended like a spear toward the Steel Witch statue's chest.
BOOM!!!
The Steel Witch statue struck by the fist floated into the air. It vomited red blood from its mouth and screamed.
“Kuaaaaaaaaagh!!! I'll offer both my money and my husband! Please, just spare my life!!!”
The Steel Witch statue, weighing over five hundred kilograms, soared into the air before crashing down. It embedded itself into the floor of the testing ground, leaving a small crack. The score appeared on the display board. The amount of stamina reduced was 4.1. It was the highest score in the In-Seoul class, comparable to the lower ranks of the prestigious university class.
The mid-to-lower-ranked female students who had gathered around the new student bowed their heads.
“That was truly an excellent stance! I sincerely respect you, unni!”
“Unni! You're the pride of the In-Seoul class!!!”
“If you're ever thirsty, please let me know anytime!! I'll bring you clean water!!!”
The ordinary female students who had ignored him moments ago began smiling brightly and fawning over him. The new student covered his mouth and averted his gaze while Cheon Hee-ah waved her hands, telling them to back away from the new student.
Beep!
Identical messages arrived on the phones of the top-ranking female students.
The eyes of the top-ranking female students turned toward the new student.