Chapter 33 End-of-semester Evaluation (3)
The day of the end-of-semester evaluation dawned. The academy has been bustling with nervous first-year students since the beginning of the day. The training grounds were already set, and many were engaged in mock duels, predicting their opponents at various spots.
“Do Jae-hyun! Over here, come here!”
“......”
When Kim Chae-eun and I arrived at the examination hall, Moon Ga-eun had already secured a prime spot. It was the best position where you could watch other duels and immediately step in when your name was called. No one could rival Moon Ga-eun in situations like this. Even the speed at which she defeated opponents was different. Next to her was her close friend Kang Juyeon, of course, and in the corner, Park Jin-woo had taken his place.
“Oh, you finally made it.”
Why is he here again?
“How did you find this place again, Park Jin-woo?”
“Well, seriously, give it a rest. I can see Do Jae-hyun if I’m where we are, so I’ve been hanging around here alone since a while ago.”
Moon Ga-eun explained as if she were annoyed. As expected from Park Jin-woo, he didn’t even flinch at the scornful looks from Moon Ga-eun and Kang Juyeon. One had to admit he had strong determination.
“Hahaha, anyway, since I don’t have any friends, watching with Do Jae-hyun is the best I can do.”
“Proud of it. Ugh. And on top of that, my dad was going on about making introductions, which is driving me crazy.”
“Introductions? What introductions?”
Out of nowhere, Moon Ga-eun’s words made me ask without realizing.
The first-year students at the current academy were almost all twenty years old, just becoming adults. What kind of introductions could you have with a twenty-year-old? But perhaps due to the stress piling up, Moon Ga-eun’s forehead creased even more.
“Ah, I don’t know either. My dad is really weird. He wanted me to meet the successor of the Sunset Flower or something, but I’m so annoyed.”
The <Sunset Flower> was a mid-sized clan that was currently rising in popularity. It wasn’t as large as the three major clans, but it was a promising up-coming clan that was growing its influence in the country while capitalizing on its unique characteristics. If it’s the successor of that clan, it would be Jung Hyun-seok, who is currently studying in the academy’s second grade, just one year older than us. Something felt strange. I asked unconsciously.
“Isn’t he just suggesting a blind date?”
“Blind date arranged by my dad? What era does he think we are in, and he calls it an introduction.”
“Is that so?”
“Even though we are in the Joseon era? Even though I clearly said I didn’t want to, he keeps insisting... Ugh. Juyeon, don’t you think I’m pitiful?”
“......”
Kang Juyeon seemed quite familiar with the situation. She casually ignored Moon Ga-eun’s words and slowly waved at me.
“...Hello.”
Huh? Did she just greet me?
I instinctively waved back.
“Uh, uh. Hello.”
A greeting exchange with Kang Juyeon?
If this were someone other than Moon Ga-eun, it would be quite an honor. I somehow felt that Kim Chae-eun was staring daggers at me, but... it must be a misunderstanding.
We moved to an empty spot and took our seats.
“It’s been a while since we all gathered like this. Hasn’t it been almost a month?” Park Jin-woo stretched and said.
Come to think of it, we used to team up for dungeon raids. The five of us were sitting together in one place. After that, I went on a few dungeon raids with Kim Chae-eun, but... anyway, it was the first time that all the original members had gathered.
Maybe it was because we had shared life and death experiences, but when I was with them, I felt much closer than with other students.
“Did everyone prepare well for the evaluation?”
Today was the end-of-semester evaluation. It was an important exam where students would either get promoted to the next grade or demoted, and there would be changes in their gradings within the ranks. When I brought up the topic, Moon Ga-eun’s expression turned unusually sour.
“Not at all. Since the dueling opponents are random, it’s so unfair for archers. And on top of that, my dad keeps insisting on making introductions, which doubles the stress.”
“It’s not introductions, it’s blind dates, right?”
“Whatever...!!”
Moon Ga-eun was right. She would be at a disadvantage in this type of duel. Archers shined more in team duels where they could use their party skills rather than one-on-one duels. Even if she met a warrior who was fast...
It would be a sure win for the warrior.
Of course, losing in the duel wouldn’t be a big problem. The end-of-semester evaluation involved not only the duel evaluation but also subject evaluations based on one’s class.
“......”
Kang Juyeon, who had been quietly listening to our conversation, nodded her head slightly with a calm expression.
The only B-grade Holder in the first year.
Just that title alone made her look intimidating. There weren’t many opponents she couldn’t handle among the students in the academy. The end-of-semester evaluation should be a piece of cake for her, even if she hadn’t prepared much.
In my heart, I hoped I could face Ji Yoon-jae or Ha Do-kwon.
I wanted to gauge Ji Yoon-jae’s skill, and even though Ha Do-kwon was a bit dangerous, it would be better for me to face him rather than having one of my fellow students die unnecessarily.
But since the opponent was already decided, I had to do my best.
“Both Holders greet each other and prepare for the duel.”
Following the supervisor’s instructions, Kim Hyo-won and I exchanged a brief handshake.
But this Holder Kim Hyo-won seemed more outgoing than I expected.
After the handshake, he got closer to me...
Lightly patted my shoulder and said,
“Let’s play fair, Do Jae-hyun.”
“...Huh? Uh, uh.”
He was as friendly as Park Jin-woo.
It was strange to be this friendly with the person I should be dueling. I replied absentmindedly and immediately prepared for the duel.
The dagger at my waist and the longsword on my back. My main weapons were all ready.
It was already well known that I was a Multi-Holder.
Even if I used both weapons simultaneously, no one would find it strange.
After confirming that we were ready, the supervisor signaled the start.
“Duel, begin.”
Clang! Swish-!
As expected of someone with such a lively personality, his fighting style was unrestrained.
The moment the starting signal rang out, Kim Hyo-won charged at me with his sword in hand.
It was a situation that posed no threat to me.
If he gave me the first move without any scouting, I would welcome it.
I swiftly drew the longsword on my back without hesitation.
“...Huh?”
However, something felt strange.
The longsword, made of the firm material created by Choi Yoo-min, suddenly lost its form as soon as I drew it.
It was as if it were melting away.
Like a rusted iron sword.
The blade was corroded and oxidized.
‘What...?’
I looked at the sword in a daze.
At that moment, I couldn’t grasp the situation.
But not long after, I quickly realized the reason.
‘When we shook hands!’
Kim Hyo-won had patted my shoulder.
Out of nowhere, he patted my shoulder and did something.
He must have used a special item to corrode the sword on my back.
Even though I’m an assassin type, it’s widely known that I use the [Sword] as my primary rune and weapon thanks to the lectures I’ve attended and the performance I’ve shown.
Kim Hyo-won caught on to that and corroded my sword.
It would be quite effective against someone like me, who is closer to a warrior than an assassin...
It seems that he had planned his tactics quite well.
“It’s over, Do Jae-hyun...!!”
Kim Hyo-won shouted, releasing his aura and coming closer.
... Play fair, my ass.
