Chapter 100 – Midterm (3)

Flashes explode within the arena.

Click! Click!

Kim Hyung-joon furrows his brow at the burst of light, recalling the scene he had just witnessed and releasing a disbelieving smirk.

‘Lee Si-heon.’

The prodigy of this realm that has captured the Union’s attention.

‘What’s going on?’

As a disciple assisting the World Tree and an executive in the Forest Keeper selection, he had only attended this event with a half-hearted interest. After all, those destined to stand out would eventually reach the finals, so it seemed much more advantageous to watch the most enigmatic match.

However…

The contest proved to be on an entirely different level than anticipated.

Kim Hyung-joon strokes his chin thoughtfully. Were there any drawbacks to the man who had just donned the mask?

‘There’s nothing lacking.’

The density and precision of mana. The variety of spells unleashed in such a brief span of time.

Though he had been struck by a few bullets, the intention was primarily to test their potency. After being certain of victory, he made swift judgments and closed the distance. In the final moments, employing magic to neutralize the firearm was a skill that left even him in awe.

‘Was her name Gu-seul? I’ve never heard of her… She’s no ordinary opponent. Her foundation is utterly different from the common folk.’

The match may have concluded rather uneventfully, but it appeared distinct to the perceptive experts.

‘That woman is terrifying.’

A seasoned hunter. For some inexplicable reason, a mere cadet exhibited a demeanor that one could not possess without spending years on the frontlines. To an outsider, she may have appeared as a powerless woman who simply recognized her defeat and surrendered. In reality, being certain of one’s own defeat in that situation was an incredibly challenging feat.

This was not an impulsive decision born from helplessness and despair. Her surrender was the outcome of meticulous calculation and foresight.

The reason became clear when I observed the timing.

‘When I first aimed the gun and realized it wasn’t functioning properly.’

Gu-seul rolled her eyes and hesitated as she tried to reach into her pocket. She must have had numerous methods at her disposal while preparing for this contest. Indeed, magical reactions had occurred dozens of times within that space. However, she quickly assessed which one would work, and in that brief moment, she determined that none of them would be effective.

With her terrifyingly forceful fists before her eyes.

“It’s more like interpreting a dream than the dream itself. But not this time.”

It’s rare for any fighter to maintain their composure even in the direst circumstances. Despite knowing that it was improbable for someone capable of doing so to be at the academy, she wanted to concede to the impossible this time.

A skilled person recognizes the skill in others. The situation was precisely like that now.

“The issue is why a woman whose name I’ve never heard possesses such an ability.”

There were countless infuriating aspects from start to finish. The characteristic of imbuing a bullet with magical power before firing was nearly unprecedented, so it was unlikely that the woman was unfamiliar with it.

“Lee Si-heon is like that too.”

The past was nothing but a blank slate where nothing existed.

“Are they a couple, pairing a man and a woman like this?”

I heard that Lee Si-heon is quite handsome when he removes his mask. They were both attractive, a veritable pairing of beautiful men and women. Such talented individuals always seem to end up together, then go on to film a show like “We Got Married.” I hope that doesn’t happen with these gifted individuals.

“- So why are you hitting me?
– Because I want to.
– Then I’ll hit you too. There! Hey, don’t run away!”

Kim Hyung-joon sighed as he watched Si-heon and Gu-seul bickering. Regardless of the circumstances, it was evident that they were extraordinarily talented.

So, if asked which of the two excels, both are outstanding, but for now, I’d like to focus more on Gu-seul.

Lee Si-heon also surpassed expectations, but Gu-seul’s prowess was astonishing, regardless of victory or defeat. Perhaps someday, after witnessing another match, my opinion may change… but that’s a story for another time.

Kim Hyung-joon grinned as he surveyed the bustling scene around him. Guild members hurriedly contacting someone, and the startled instructors and religious administrators appeared quite amusing. It seemed that for a while, Gu-seul and Lee Si-heon would be tormented by the guild’s love calls.

“What a mess. Alright then. What match should we watch next…?”

Pulling out his smartphone, he swiped through the screen to read the bracket, and upon stopping at one point, he laughed joyfully.

[Lee Si-heon H]
[Jung Si-woo G]

“This is it.”

Lee Si-heon and Jung Si-woo. If the two were to make it to the finals as is, they would face each other.

Feeling the heat surge through his body, he stood up.

Perhaps the lineup for the main tournament, which could have a significant ripple effect, appeared faintly reflected in his pupils.

* * * * *

The door to the player’s waiting room opened with a creak. The heavy footsteps echoed down the hallway before stopping abruptly.

My body, now dressed in everyday clothes, seemed unharmed and without any trace of fatigue, as if it had never been struck.

‘No matter when I look, my body remains resilient.’

The World Tree of Healing… I wonder how it’s doing.

The face of the tree that had once violated me surfaced in my mind. If it were now, I think I could let it off with just one powerful blow. After all, I had endured such harsh training up until now thanks to the power I had stolen from the World Tree of Healing.

“But the more I think about it, the angrier I get.”

Gu-seul, that insane woman.

I unwittingly declared my surrender.
Of course, I was beaten up on the spot, but no matter how much I was hit, it didn’t ease my frustration.
What is this mess?
If the story of capturing Gaoran Gao, only to be beaten up, reaches White Peach’s ears, what kind of reaction will she have?

– Tsk, hahaha! Hahahaha!! Isn’t this pathetic?

I can picture White Peach laughing uproariously without even attempting to cover her mouth with her hand.
Ugh, I’m so mad.
I’ll have to go back to the dorm and give her a piece of my mind. I might get hit dozens of times, but it’ll be worth it.

“You worked so hard!”

As I walked a bit further, Azalea, who had come down from the upper audience seats, waved her hand as if she was happy to see me.
She handed me the electrolyte drink she was tightly holding, and I gratefully accepted it.

“Thanks.”
“Hehe. But you were really, really cool today. It’s completely different from when I first saw you.”

Her exaggerated, inflated gesture was quite endearing.

The hesitant movement of her feet and the swaying of her pink hair were both in sync.

It’s a relief to see her looking brighter. Her slightly flushed face indicates that her emotional turmoil has somewhat subsided.

“How did you fare?”
“Of course, I won. I have to rebuild a ruined company now; I couldn’t afford to lose here.”
“That’s good to hear. I’m glad things are going well.”
“Please, I’m hardly the most successful person here. My skills have improved a lot, which is reassuring… but there are others who have it worse than me.”

Having just been on the receiving end of a beating, I felt awkward hearing that I was doing well. I shifted the topic to Gu-seul.

“By the way, has Gu-seul always used guns?”
“Ah, about that… I’m not really sure, to be honest. I knew she could handle a sword and a bow.”

I had thought we knew her well, having met occasionally since our days at the military academy… but perhaps not.

“Was it actually possible to use a gun like that?”
“It’s possible, but… I don’t really know.”

I can manage to mix magic as well. Although the small size of the bullets makes it complicated, any magic that uses a medium to convey something can be achieved given enough time. However, it was evident that some unique attribute had contributed to the amplification of its power.

‘That’s not the issue.’

Regardless, it’s a victory in battle. Clinging to the unknown only brings stress and frustration.

“I should go in and train a bit.”
“I’m quite busy preparing too.”
“Alright, see you tomorrow.”

Wrapping up the conversation appropriately, I parted ways with Azalea and strolled toward the dormitory. I gulped down the ion drink I had accepted earlier.

In the meantime, as if Azalea had cast a spell, the beverage was refreshingly cold with slivers of ice floating in it.

“Ah…”

I downed it in one shot and tossed the can into the trash bin. The can, after bouncing once, slipped right in.

-*Clang*-

The previous match was just that – a match.

Now, indeed, I needed to be a little more serious.

* * * * * *

Before training, as I headed to the restaurant for dinner, I spotted a familiar face in the corner.

“Isn’t that Siheon?”

Jung Si-woo. Encountering him unexpectedly, I froze, but he approached me with a smile and started a conversation.

“Are you here to eat?”
“Yes.”
“Sit here. I just ordered; let’s eat together.”

I intended to eat quickly and leave, but perhaps it was because the dormitory was close by. I sat down and ordered my portion of food.

“Wow, I didn’t expect to meet you here. Did you do well on the test?”
“I did alright on the written and practical parts, but the real challenge is the tournament.”

For the written and practical sections, the results would be dictated by the professor’s dogma and prejudice, so I’d have to wait for the outcomes. What concerned me were the formidable contenders in the finals, like the guy right in front of me now.

“Yes, you’re overflowing with talent. You’ll climb the ranks a lot this time.”
“Deceiving me again, huh?”

I dismissed the playful deceit as it was just a joke. With my chin resting in my hand, I glanced at Siwoo’s slightly tense face and subtly raised an eyebrow.

“Are we meeting in the first round of the finals?”
“Really?”

Siwoo’s reaction suggested he didn’t know that. It was astonishing to see he had been so focused, charging forward without even checking the tournament bracket.

What drives him to work so hard? My life may be in danger, but this guy is so passionate about honing his skills that he willingly walks into perilous situations.

“Hey, you look really tired.”
“Do I?”

At a quick glance, it seemed his dark circles had gotten worse. Even so, his nerves appeared taut, like a candle flickering just before going out.

“Rest a bit while you can.”

Though it wasn’t my place to say, I offered sincere advice. Siwoo gave a bitter smile and shook his head in response.

“It’s not a big deal.”
“What’s bothering you? Losing the top spot? Even if you can’t complete the quest, it’s just a few hours of training.”
“That’s not it… It’s a difficult issue to discuss.”
“Then never mind.”

If he doesn’t want to talk about it, I have no intention of listening. Everyone has their difficulties.
I removed the mask and placed the rice in the soup that had just arrived.
With my face exposed, I could feel discreet gazes from the people around me.

“Hmm…”

Jung Si-woo gazed at the ceiling light as if looking at a distant mountain, and then opened his mouth as if he had made up his mind.

“I’m not sure where to start.”

I’m not keen on hearing it.

When I glanced at Si-woo, his expression was blank, as if he was already lost in some emotion.
It was an expression I could have worn a long time ago, having forgotten something significant.

“It’s really nothing major. It’s just… I had a younger sibling I was separated from when we were young.”

I listened to his soft-spoken words without any further probing.

“He truly means more to me than my own life. I just want to find my brother.”
“Is that so? If you win this time, will they give you some sort of hint?”
“You know well enough…”

I had a vague sense that something was bound to happen.

Finding a lost family member. Upon hearing it, the story sounds like that of a protagonist one would encounter in a drama. It’s not that I’m trying to mock him… It’s just that the character of Jung Si-woo seems genuinely good and admirable, as if crafted by someone.

A diligent worker with noble goals and devoid of any malice. He’s the kind of person you can’t find anywhere in any world, one who doesn’t allow any corruption during the process. Often, overly cheerful individuals tend to conceal their hidden agendas, but this guy is so honest that it makes me wonder if he’s a pushover, and that’s why I’ve grown fond of him.

He strives not to indulge in self-pity. The more I observed him, the more apparent the differences between us became. Of course, it wasn’t particularly unpleasant, as it was always merely a difference that couldn’t obscure the true essence.

There are people like this in the world… that much?
Suddenly, such a thought crossed my mind. If Jung Si-woo were the protagonist of a drama, where would I stand? A minor character? A mid-level boss? The mastermind?

‘That’s quite intriguing.’

If I were to fail, my chances of dying would increase,
While others, when they fail, miss a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Both Jung Si-woo and I were entangled in fate’s cruel joke.
I didn’t know if this, too, was a scheme of the World Tree.
All things in the world shall be decided by the World Tree. With an incredulous smile, I glanced at Si-woo, recalling a thought that resembled a bold statement on a game release.

“Ah, I… I’m not asking you to forfeit or anything like that, okay?”

Si-woo’s face, as he hastily added that, was filled with embarrassment as if he realized he had said too much.

“Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”

I, too, had much at stake.

“Still, knowing this now, I feel somewhat relieved.”
“What is it?”
“Nothing important.”

Now I understood why he had pushed himself to the point of hospitalization during training.
And because of that, he could fight with all his might.

“Would you like a glass of soju?”

As I asked while perusing the menu, Si-woo contemplated for a moment before offering a wry smile.

“…Sure, why not.”

No hard feelings, regardless of who loses.
And this time, truly giving it our all.
We shared a drink that day.

It was nothing more than a light-hearted drink among academy cadets we befriended this year, without a hint of any hidden meaning.