Chapter 190: Chapter 190

Even the early career years that seemed like they'd never pass went by incredibly fast looking back.

Let alone the Academy's vacation of only two months - it was truly in an instant.

Plus during those two months, I couldn't rest and was called everywhere, making it even more so.

[A-rank gate occurred near Chungcheong Province - standby for support requested]

[S-rank monster appeared in waters near West Sea - emergency dispatch]

There were many more incidents than this, but I summarized as much as possible.

And besides those, there were more tasks I handled, so naturally I was busier.

"Not yet! I can still do more! Heut!"

"Treat that dangling arm first before doing more, student Lee Hyunwoo."

"Please treat me a bit more roughly, Examiner."

"Will you be okay, Suhyeon? If we go further than this, you might really get seriously hurt."

"Getting hurt by the Examiner doesn't matter how much I get hurt."

"Seojin oppa. How far has the Academy level fallen lately? Does it make sense they can't even do this?"

"Asking students to do that makes even less sense, Irina."

Plus occasionally meeting Kang Hana and Yoo Dasom to share recent news,

Sometimes the team gathered to subjugate A-rank gates and dungeons.

I sat with Ma Hakjun drinking tea discussing future situations,

Sometimes meeting Kang Minseong hearing about engagement first.

Irina's parents were so quiet I felt sorry.

In the midst of such busyness, finally the fruits of effort bloomed.

A movement she couldn't show me until now.

She grasped the feeling but her body and magical power couldn't follow at all.

This student achieved that momentary attack just as vacation was ending.

Of course the attack didn't even reach me and completely went awry midway.

But the attempt was good, and she definitely made a starting point.

Just these two were enough. From this student's perspective, she overcame the 'wall.'

Like finally finding a path while wandering in fog.

I urged her not to sit down in that fog but to quickly advance.

And this student emerged from that fog before other students.

What remains now is charging down her own path spread before her.

The path to end her long Bronze life and grow one more step.

"Barely, just barely at threshold level. But I can say it's a pass."

At the point where Academy vacation was almost ending, another person reached Silver.

Though very lacking, though still needing to work hard,

I wanted to acknowledge she stood at the real starting line at least once.

One regrettable point was this student was first and last.

The remaining students couldn't overcome that wall despite working hard all vacation.

They make efforts, don't lose will, but still insufficient.

If I raised them just feeling sorry, it would harm everyone.

Students who would reach their level, and the students themselves who would rise.

This isn't a simple game. It's a death match risking one's life.

If you're insufficient in combat, you don't simply lose.

You die, comrades die, and everyone falls into tragedy.

So though sorry, I maintained all remaining students at Bronze.

Still, hope isn't completely gone. They worked hard for two months anyway.

When others said they'd rest or play, they worked harder.

Perhaps later this current effort might shine.

"Don't know what I did - vacation's already over."

Yoo Dasom grumbles burying her face in the table.

According to her, group work was harder than ability user work.

She even said she wanted to give up all subsidiaries they'd transfer to her.

"But you said you learned a lot. That's good."

Kang Hana pats such Yoo Dasom's shoulder giving encouragement.

Hmm, but she herself has dark circles under her eyes from clan work?

In terms of fatigue, Kang Hana looks more serious than Yoo Dasom.

"How was it for you, Examiner?"

Unlike Suhyeon or Irina whom I met daily,

I couldn't meet Kang Hana or Yoo Dasom much due to their circumstances.

Clan dungeon subjugation was last two or three weeks ago.

So they seem curious about this side's news, but honestly nothing special.

"Except weekends, went to Academy daily to look after remaining students. And sparred with student Lee Hyunwoo daily. Plus evenings Suhyeon came to spar again. Then when support requests came, I'd go out. When S-rank appeared, I'd run out leaving meals. That repeated."

"E-Examiner worked really hard too."

Support requests or S-rank subjugation weren't really hardship.

Rather, it was comfortable not worrying about serious injury while fighting.

Sparring with Suhyeon or Lee Hyunwoo was much harder.

"Ah! Right. I heard you've been looking after British students lately too!"

Yoo Dasom, who was lying down, suddenly sits up and shouts.

As she said, about a week ago I started evaluating British students who followed Emily.

No particular reason, just curious about their level.

"First, it's true they're students selected through careful filtering. They were decent."

It was proof Britain was paying tremendous attention to Joint Academy matters.

Understandable, since Britain kept being pushed back after S-rank's death.

So much they swallowed British Empire pride asking for help everywhere.

In that situation, they wouldn't want to fall even at Joint Academy. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ NoveI[F]ire.net

They'd somehow want to regain collapsed pride and grab leading positions.

So they definitely selected aces from domestic students.

'Eight out of sixteen were okay enough to pass examinations immediately.'

Not just current skills but future growth potential and character aspects.

Those eight scored more than passing grades. They'd do well at Joint Academy too.

Looking at this, seems right that British Empire experience doesn't disappear.

I suddenly wonder what students other countries will send.

Would be great if all students entering Joint Academy are .

Well, they won't want embarrassment either, so they'll send properly.

"Really? Must be amazing. For the Examiner to say that immediately. Hmm... Then! How do they compare to our team?"

"Obviously. Our team members are much better."

Must compare what can be compared. They're just seedlings starting to be seen.

Conversely, our team consists of talents I've carefully raised for half a year.

Even Yoo Dasom, who grew slowest, became strong enough not to be called support-type.

Kang Hana also came to handle her specialty ice-type magic much better.

Handling magical power doubly to double firepower and sustainability is bonus.

And the climax among team members was definitely Suhyeon and Lee Hyunwoo.

First, Lee Hyunwoo has not only me but even Irina attached to him.

Since he has talent and everyone attached is S-rank, he can't not grow.

Consequently, he's now slightly ahead of Suhyeon.

Looking at results alone, Lee Hyunwoo is somewhat superior.

Befitting protagonist, getting insanely strong.

But looking at process, Suhyeon was more cheat-like than Lee Hyunwoo.

She doesn't wrestle with S-ranks daily like Lee Hyunwoo.

In training time, she spends more time working alone than sparring.

Yet somehow, her daily strengthening is visible.

"Crazy. This is just a monster."

Once Irina said that watching me and Suhyeon spar.

When I asked if that much, Irina frowned hard.

"Until recently she was Academy Bronze, external standard between E-rank and D-rank. But now she's surpassing A-rank aiming for S-rank? Try saying this elsewhere. They'd call it bullshit."

"Really? But if that's the reason, there's Lee Hyunwoo too."

"...Right. Not a monster but monsters. Oppa. Are those two perhaps siblings... Ugek! Why hit me?!"

"Beating is medicine for bullshit."

Anyway, our team is doing well. At minimum, no ridiculous deaths.

Don't know about meeting worst enemies, but doesn't seem like big problems will arise.

"Truly rewarding vacation."

Unlike two women with haggard expressions and fatigue stuck all over,

Lee Hyunwoo overflowed with more peace and leisure than ever.

Though he actually rolled around and got beaten most.

Checking phone at vibration, I see Ma Hakjun's name.

And below it, a simple message was written.

[Examiner Baek Seojin. Come see me briefly.]

What's the matter? He rarely calls on weekends.

Did I just mishear something?

"I said I want you to select students entering Joint Academy."

Ma Hakjun blinking both eyes as if asking what's the problem.

Problem, problem. Obviously there's a problem. Me having to do it? Besides that.

"No, Dean? Joint Academy matters are still..."

"Main building is already completed and over half the auxiliary buildings are up. At latest, everything will be completed within a month. With support from each country, not just mobilizing heavy equipment but all magic-types attached - taking years would be stranger."

I forgot how this world's setting was twisted.

Since so much breaks and collapses, recovery is equally fast.

"Then Dean. Grade restrictions..."

"None. Joint Academy prioritizes thorough skill over age. Looking at each country's atmosphere, seems they're only sending those filtered and re-filtered domestically. Britain's the same right now."

When I nod, Ma Hakjun clenches his fist continuing.

"It's a worldwide educational institution built in our country. Can we let them disgrace the nation? Absolutely unacceptable. Don't want to see that. You understand my words?"

I understand. Excessive nationalism is problematic, but moderate nationalism is beneficial.

"Understood. I'll carefully select and send to Joint Academy."

First filled four spots, need to think about the rest.