The Demon of the In-Seoul Class
The exam hall of Hyeseong Academy's In-Seoul class overlooked the testing grounds. Representatives from various companies—pharmaceutical firms, magic development labs, and magical equipment manufacturers—scanned the students' data.
"This year's students aren't bad. The average physical stats are up 13.5% from last year."
"Thanks to the pharmaceutical companies' support. They secured even better material suppliers than last year."
"The average level for the 108th style is 6.75? Even for the In-Seoul class, not reaching an average of 7 is serious."
The appraisers examined the data as if evaluating merchandise. Some compiled reports for headquarters while others exchanged information with colleagues.
A Nokjeong Pharmaceuticals employee organized the data for students who had taken Nokjeong Pills.
'Average stamina values improved 11.5% over last year. The new drug development was a success.'
The employee smiled.
'As expected. The academy is the best testing ground!'
Clinical trials were essential for pharmaceutical companies developing new drugs. Academies that gathered comparable groups of similar age and environment every year made ideal partners. In exchange, they offered discounts, but the data was worth far more than the price.
The academy's role didn't end there. After entrance exams, high-ranking students who got into top universities could be used as advertising models. This ranking test was also a scouting mission to find those models.
Sixty-three days remained until the university entrance exams. If they steadily nurtured the students receiving Nokjeong Pills and turned them into advertising stars, the company would receive favorable evaluations.
After sending the message, the employee looked down at the testing grounds. A tall blonde woman was warming up. Baek Seol. She was the guinea pig Nokjeong Pharmaceuticals had their eyes on.
Originally, Baek Seol had been a lower-ranked student. She was just an ordinary girl who couldn't even afford proper private tutoring because she lacked money. However, Nokjeong Pharmaceuticals had seen potential in her physical data. So the company had provided her with a total loan of 3 billion won. Baek Seol had lived up to their expectations. Currently, her grades completely overwhelmed the other top-ranked students. Considering that their average expenditure was 5 billion won, her talent was extraordinary.
'If we nurture her well, the top and second place at a lower-tier In-Seoul university are already in the bag.'
'Then my evaluation for discovering Baek Seol will rise as well.'
EP 5 The Demon of the In-Seoul Class at the Retake Academy
The atmosphere at the academy, which I hadn't visited in a while, was tense. It wasn't hard to understand why. With only a little over two months left until the exam, it was only natural for everyone to be consumed by anxiety and fear. What bothered me more, however, was their outfits.
Unlike a week ago, the amount of exposed skin had increased dramatically. Some wore outfits that left their stomachs or thighs completely bare, while others had replaced their tops with bikinis.
"Why is everyone dressed like that?"
I asked Itoha.
"Ah. It's because we don't know when the man from the bedroom arts study group might appear. Plus, he might already be here at the academy, right? So they're keeping their appearances polished at all times."
'The possibility that a man is already at the academy. Surprisingly sharp. Well, she doesn't seem to suspect that the man is disguising himself as a woman.'
"Want a drink?"
Itoha offered me a beverage laced with a high-grade laxative.
"Thanks for the offer, but you should save that for someone who really needs it."
"Really? That's a shame."
I warmed up near the track. Through the lounge windows installed above the testing grounds, I could see dozens of people.
"They're not instructors... probably academy staff."
"Alright, we'll begin the physical fitness test! Everyone, please take your positions!"
Once again, Cheon Hee-ah came near the track and began calling out names. She handled all the exam supervision and data entry at the academy. It seemed she was treated as a general laborer because she had no notable achievements. The heavy dark circles under her eyes suggested she was exhausted.
'I should focus on the test for now.'
"What? I thought you ran away, but you're still here?"
Baek Seol approached me.
"I registered at the academy, after all."
"...Are you showing off? You think you're something special just because you're dragging around some nobodies?"
Baek Seol flashed a bright smile and began trash-talking. Her physical specs were quite high. According to last week's ranking test chart, her stamina, strength, and magic power were all in the mid-7 range. She seemed like a good rival.
Over the past few days since returning from Lee Seon-hee's mansion, I had devoted all my time to training. I took the medicine Lee Seon-hee gave me, crafted and consumed enhancement drugs with the remaining money, and raised the level of the Manxiangpaji Fist Kick Technique to 7. My body had undergone explosive growth. My current stamina and strength stats had reached 6.03 and 6.18 respectively. Though the growth rate had slowed, likely because the deceleration phase had begun, the numbers were still tremendous. Physically, I was at the level of the upper ranks of the In-Seoul class.
That wasn't all. I had also mastered the Taeguk Four Divine Dance and the Manxiangpaji Fist Kick Technique. The former's rapid acceleration ability and the latter's powerful kicking force were weapons unique to me that other students didn't possess.
"First event of the ranking test: the 3000m run! Then...!"
Beep!
The moment the signal sounded, I leaned my center of gravity forward and accelerated explosively. The Taeguk Four Divine Dance wasn't suitable for long-distance running due to its unstable posture. It placed tremendous strain on the body. However, I had learned the Manxiangpaji Fist Kick Technique. Its overwhelming leg power ignored even the physical burden of the Taeguk Four Divine Dance and propelled my body forward even faster.
I was tied for first place among the 31 students standing on the track.
"!"
Baek Seol, running beside me, let out a heavy breath. Then she gritted her teeth, lowered her posture, and ran even faster. We entered the curve section. Though I ran at full speed, my inferior physical abilities left me about 3 meters behind. Then one person cut inside and took the lead, dropping me to third place. The moment we hit the straight section, I accelerated quickly and reclaimed second place.
Using both the Taeguk Four Divine Dance and the Manxiangpaji Fist Kick Technique simultaneously caused my magic power to drain rapidly, and pain shot through my body. My bones throbbed. Baek Seol, running 10 meters ahead, broke into a sweat and accelerated even more.
"Hah! Hah! Hah! Hah!"
The breathing of the top-ranked student who had been in second place until moments ago grew ragged. She had pushed herself too hard trying to take second place in the curve section, ruining her pace.
"Why... why you...! How could you!"
I could hear the student sobbing. I felt a bit sorry for her. In just one week, I had overturned the rankings.
Thud! Crash!
The sound of someone tripping and falling, followed by crying, came from behind. That student was out. Now only Baek Seol remained.
I accelerated forward. Sweat poured from Baek Seol's body like rain. Long-distance running consumed stamina. The one who could squeeze out more stamina for longer would win. My stamina was depleting quickly, but so was Baek Seol's. Her entire body flushed red. Her breathing sounded almost like screams. She was pushing her body to its limits.
Both our stamina levels had dropped to around 1 or below. Baek Seol was visibly slower than before. We passed the curve and finally entered the final straight section of the track. The first to cross the line at the end would take first place.
The distance between us was about 15 meters. We were both squeezing out every last drop of stamina. But the Manxiangpaji Fist Kick Technique had the effect of improving stamina and strength the more it was used. Especially when stamina dropped below 1, the improvement happened even faster.
Bang!!
The distance between us closed rapidly. 15 meters, 10 meters, 5 meters—and then I was running alongside Baek Seol.
"I'll go first."
"Huh...?! Ah...? Aaah....?!"
Baek Seol's breathing collapsed. Her posture crumbled. Leaving her behind, I surged forward. The gap widened. 10 meters, 20 meters...
"No... no... no.... Ugh. Hic..."
I could hear sobbing from behind. Ignoring it, I crossed the finish line.
1st Place: Lee Se-rin — 3000m Run: 3 minutes 58 seconds
2nd Place: Baek Seol — 3000m Run: 4 minutes 1 second
I stood by the track to rest. Baek Seol strode toward me, then tripped and fell. Sitting on the ground, she looked up at me. Hot tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Why... how... why you.... Ugh. Sniff..."
"...What?"
"Th-that, cough?! Hack!"
Baek Seol coughed as if she had choked while trying to speak. After a few seconds, she caught her breath and stood up. She glared at me with eyes full of hatred. Thanks to the effects of the Taeguk Heaven and Earth Heart Technique, I could accept such a gaze calmly. Or perhaps it was because I was inwardly dismissing Baek Seol.
"I... I worked so hard!!"
Baek Seol sobbed as she clutched the chest of her tracksuit. The outfit was designed to expose her abdomen from the start. The fabric had ridden up, revealing her sports bra.
"I worked so hard I thought I would die!! But why?! Why is some nobody who suddenly rolled in first place, and I'm second!!! Why am I suddenly losing to you!!!"
Other students gathered around, apparently wanting to watch our fight.
What should I say? Telling someone who claimed to have worked hard that they hadn't worked as hard as me wouldn't be very humane. And realistically, Baek Seol had probably worked harder than me. So if it wasn't effort, then it must be talent.
I smiled gently.
"It's because you have no talent."
Baek Seol's mouth fell open.
"......Huh? You... you...!"
The surrounding students began shouting.
"Baek Seol! Cut!!! You! Have no talent!!!"
"Kyaaaa! Unnie! This is it!!!"
"I believed in you!!! Unnie!!!"
"Kyaaaaah! This is it! This is it!!!"
"Kyaaaaah!!!"
"This is it. This is it. This is it. This is it. This is it. This is it."
Baek Seol stared at me blankly before covering her mouth. Then she collapsed to the ground.
"You... you... you, ugh! Mmph! Urgh."
Baek Seol retched. Itoha appeared beside her.
"Are you okay? Want some water?"
"......Give it here."
'This crazy woman.'
I immediately stretched my leg forward to kick away the water bottle Baek Seol was reaching for. At that moment, Baek Seol's body swayed.
Thud!
Baek Seol let out a short scream as she was struck in the side.
"Kyaa."
She fell backward, staring at me in disbelief.
"You... you... you....."
The female students nearby erupted in tremendous cheers.
"Wait, that's not what I—"
Itoha hid among the crowd.
No. That damn woman.
Baek Seol immediately stood up and shouted at me.
"Don't get cocky!!! I-I'll definitely beat you in the next test!!! This is the last time you'll be able to crawl up like this!!!"
The surrounding female students let out an enormous roar.