Terraforming Exam
Team training had entered its final phase. The other three teams had steadily followed our lead through the stages, leaving us—the first to hit the passing mark—with plenty of free time. Gerard hadn't tampered much with teams that met their goals. That meant we all got ample personal time.
Brack, who'd already passed, threw himself into reviewing past drills or extra solo training. Lately, he'd been eyeing me with burning intensity, throwing himself into it like he had no time to rest. It was the same Brack I'd grown used to seeing seven years from now—the instructor version.
My two teammates, whom I hadn't paid much mind, lounged under a tree, chatting idly. Chris and I...
"Hngh... haa...!"
We'd spent days devouring each other's bodies nonstop, day and night. Of course, hidden from prying eyes. We'd slipped away together so often that most people had caught on, but...
Trainees hooking up wasn't just us, and no one gave us dirty looks. Plus, Chris and I had been obvious about it from the start.
"Ugh... gotta give up, huh?"
"No openings at all..."
The female trainees who'd had their eyes on me just sighed in regret.
To everyone else, I—Park Chanyoung—must've looked like the perfect boyfriend: handsome, capable, great personality. Couldn't get better than that.
'And it's all true, isn't it?'
Chris was falling deeper into the allure of sex with each passing day. Her first orgasm during it felt like ages ago; now she was fully immersed, savoring it.
By the time I could tell her pussy blindfolded, the day of the "test" finally arrived.
"As announced, today is test day!"
Just like in the future, the team training seven years ago ended with a test on the final day. A real monster showdown.
"Any team volunteering to go first? If not, I'll pick one at random..."
"We'll go first!"
"Oh ho. Bold! Very well. To the training grounds!"
"Yes! Th-thank you!!"
Gerard looked genuinely pleased with the team that stepped up. He must've admired their courage despite knowing the risks.
...Naturally, it wasn't our team.
The trainee beaming at Gerard's praise for their boldness was Wang Zagen, second-best overall in the camp.
Why didn't we volunteer first, when in the test seven years later with Brack and Gwangnyeon-i, going first had the edge?
Simple: This time, it didn't look advantageous at all.
The biggest reason for that judgment? Brack and Gwangnyeon-i had proven themselves sharp instructors. They'd surely prepare something fair for the first team.
But Gerard?
...Unfortunately, he wasn't the type with real instructor talent. He'd stuck to a "keep up with the intense training or bust" attitude throughout. No way he'd set up accommodations like Brack and Gwangnyeon-i did for the first team.
'That's why no one wants to go first. Can't be sure the test opponent is orcs. But if nobody volunteers, Gerard picks randomly—1/4 chance it's us...'
There were four teams total. And since we dominated first place, Gerard was most likely to spotlight us for the opener.
To dodge that, I'd spread a rumor. Focused around Wang Zagen's circle, who wanted to impress Gerard.
'He overestimates Gerard's skills. He'll buy that the instructor has it all figured out.'
I'd planted seeds with his cronies—same pitch I'd used seven years later to convince Blanc, Ri Shaolin, Midachi Kenji, and Lee Kangin. Direct talk from me, his rival, would've raised flags.
So now, Wang Zagen thought, 'I've outsmarted everyone!'
Thus, he boldly volunteered first. None the wiser that I'd steered his thinking.
His move played out exactly as predicted. He stepped up as the guinea pig.
"Gruk!! Kweeeek!!"
"Gruk gruk..."
'Lucky—the opponents are orcs. Same as before.'
Gerard, lacking Chris's subspace skill, had four orcs prepped in the training ground. And their heights...
All matched perfectly.
'No real first-team advantage, huh?'
Well, maybe Gerard could step in at the start and snap an orc's arm for Wang Zagen's side. Overkill, but better than zero balance.
Wang Zagen looked briefly rattled but quickly schooled his face—maybe not a total betrayal of expectations.
But as the test kicked off, reality hit.
"Begin!"
"Uh... In-instructor? Like this?"
"Hm? Problem, Trainee Wang Zagen?"
"...No, sir."
No advantage. Wang Zagen started the test saddled with pure penalty, under his team's scorching glares for his bad call.
"Kweeeek!!!"
Thud thud thud!!
The orcs burst from their ropes, charging his team.
...Trust in their leader had shattered before it even began.
And without enemy intel, even second place had slim odds.
Wang Zagen's team losing to the orcs wasn't surprising.
Our team passed without issue. I was too reliable for them to fear the orcs.
Honestly, full throttle now, I bet I could take an orc one-on-one. Their base strength and agility were high, but...
I had mana. Over four months in Terraforming—ridiculous not to match one yet. Especially with my system.
I dialed back just enough not to stand out, cooperating with my team to drop the orcs.
"Team one members—think of what you want by tomorrow and report to me! I'll grant reasonable requests!"
In the future seven years ahead, top teams got White Ape Monkey leather armor as reward. But now? No such luxury for trainees. Or maybe lower difficulty with just four teams meant lesser prizes.
Grateful for any reward.
"Chanyoung? Your shirt's torn."
"Huh? Oh yeah. Must've ripped facing that orc head-on."
Chris pointed it out. Peering at my top, a long gash ran along my side through the leather armor gaps. No injury underneath—that's why I hadn't noticed.
"Eh, no big deal. Barely notice it."
"..."
"Chris?"
"...Yeah! True."
I shrugged on my coat to cover it.
Oh, and a wish coupon dropped right in my lap. Too grand? "Request slip" fit better. No over-the-top asks.
'Hmm... Could let me do that sneaky plan openly with permission?'
Frankly, better than fancy armor or a blade. I had immediate use for it.
*
Knock knock knock!
"Come in."
"Pardon the intrusion."
Creeak... thud.
So familiar now. I entered the meeting room. Gerard sat there, as expected.
"Three days up. Prum? Or some request?"
"Both."
"Let's hear it."
I handed over the Prum and sat. My request was short but risky—could be touchy.
"Your plan last time mentioned combatant internship after team training."
"Correct."
"Any idea which district?"
"Hrm... No harm. District 11. Tradition's District 12, but circumstances there."
Bingo. As predicted—not 12, but 11. Original plot had Lee Kangin chased by Baekwonhu Victor; roots here. But if Victor haunts 11, odds were high Lee Kangin interned there seven years ago.
Inference wasn't hard.
"Then... during internship, could I have a bit of personal time?"
"Personal time?"
"Yes. Two-three hours enough. I promise to stay inside District 11's scout zone. Violate it, any punishment."
"Meaning... solo action?"
"Yes. Private business hard to show others..."
"...With your lover?"
"...Pardon? Uh... well..."
"...Sigh. Regulations say desertion is execution. I'll defend you best I can, but tardiness won't slide."
Damn. Gerard misunderstood. Thought I wanted hookup time with my girl.
'...But permission granted anyway?'
Couldn't help my image tanking. He'd seen me as elite warrior-scholar; now, just another lovesick early-20s fool.
'...Sacrifice for the greater good.'
I closed my eyes, accepting it.
"...Thank you for understanding."
*
"Eek? W-wait...!"
Internship started tomorrow. Tonight was likely our last midnight rendezvous with Chris.
Knowing that, I went for passion like yesterday, but she blocked my advance with a hand.
"Hm?"
"Um... take off your shirt."
"Shirt?"
"Yeah. That torn side one from today."
I handed it over, puzzled. My torso bared, but Chris wouldn't blush now. We'd pressed bellies together plenty.
"Hng... uh... ahem..."
...She still did. How long till she got used to my nakedness?
I stared as she took my shirt. Oh yeah—she'd requested something from Gerard too. Curious what.
"What'd you ask the instructor for?"
"This... ta-da."
"Huh?"
Chris pulled out an embroidery kit. Needle and colorful threads in a crude wooden box.
This world had that? Barely scraping by on food/shelter—hobby crafts like this were rare.
"You asked for that embroidery set?"
"Yup!"
"Why? Don't tell me...!"
"To... stitch your shirt. You worked hard fighting that monster today. And embroidery's my hobby anyway."
She dove in, beaming like she could finally do something for me.
Right—Gwangnyeon-i... no, Chris from the future knew embroidery...
I watched her blankly. Chest tickling; wanted to ruffle her hair like crazy.
"Ow!"
"Y-you okay?!"
"...Too dark, keep pricking myself... Fine! Hehe..."
She powered through the stabs, focused.
I just watched, silent.
Minutes later, she returned it. A beautiful flower bloomed on the rough shirt—mismatched perfection.
"...Thanks. Huh? The petals' colors..."
"...Similar, right?..."
Chris shyly averted her eyes, fiddling with her hair.
Deep orange roots fading to yellow edges. Like her now—two months in, natural orange reclaiming her bleached yellow.
...The flower was Chris herself.
"Yeah... identical."
"Heehee!"