Chapter 101: 1st Place Vs 152nd Place (1)

Chapter 101: 1st Place Vs 152nd Place (1)

The struggle to distinguish between the higher and lower in skill has a long and storied history, originating from ancient times, and was a living culture.

The Colosseum. Horseback competitions

The arena was a place to prove ones efforts, a stage for duels.

In that place, the weapon held tightly had more power than a judges gavel.

This place where the students battled did not deviate much from that meaning.

They prepared for a tournament. Sharpened their swords and waited. They fully displayed their honed skills in the competition.

This whole process of pouring everything out was what the competition was all about.

[A Group Winner Sansuyu]

In such a glorious arena of combat

It was rare for those who had not made an effort to step in.

[C Group Winner Lim Jonghyun]

Some may slip due to being intoxicated with their own talent.

[G Group Winner Jung Siwoo]

And there were those who literally released all the skills they had worked on for over a decade.

[H Group Winner Lee Shiheon]

Occasionally, there were exceptional exceptions, but even they had undoubtedly put in blood, sweat, and effort, something no one could deny.

[Eliminated Kim Young-hu, Shin Young-ahJin Dallae]

Yet, there were those who tasted the bitterness of defeat.

In this academy, skill was everything.

The winners were treated as those who had put in more effort and were praised.

Some hung onto their grades and fell apart in this well of competition.

The despair when one collapsed due to a minor mistake on a stage they had prepared for their entire life.

The promising winners fell in the preliminaries due to sheer bad luck. Those without real skill who advanced due to good matchup luck.

Those participating in the tournament became more desperate than anyone.

Because it was harder to achieve results.

For fear that the unskilled might climb above them.

-Click-

Lee Shiheon, fastening his student combat uniform belt, looked at the results and smiled bitterly.

Worrying about Dallae came first. He couldnt help it.

Picturing himself forcing a cheerful smile alone due to his worry-prone nature.

Beep, beep!

At the entrance.

As the yellow-clad Shiba cried out, he stroked his daughters head, showing a loving smile overflowing with paternal love.

Will our daughter go to kindergarten well today?

Beep.

After hugging his cheekily responding daughter, Shiheon looked at the peach behind him.

Lying on the sofa, still giggling Baekdo, with her white hair, was wiping her tears.

Pfft.

Hey, stop it!

Haha.

How long are you going to tease me with that?

I cant help it, haha, can I? It gets funnier the more I think about it. My disciple, who put on all sorts of airs haha, came back covered in beehives.

The evening when he had his first match with Guseul.

When he reported about the match to his master. Baekdos expected pathetic remark turned out to be true as expected.

He heard all sorts of things like fancy dudes cant be trusted, empty husks, and more, and it didnt stop there; even this morning, days later, the teasing continued.

Of course, it was no secret that they ended up grabbing each other by the collar the first time Baekdo teased him.

I swear if I catch just one opportunity later on.

I shall never let that happen.

Well see about that.

Whether Baekdos shame exploded first or Shiheons courage collapsed.

Lets see how far this goes. Shiheon thought.

When twilight came, who would be the one shedding tears was the obvious battle.

Shiheon put the agricultural products he prepared himself into his backpack, stood up, and grumbled.

Dont make it so hard. Its an important day.

It is important. That Siwoo, was it?

Yes.

Sounds like a name for someone loafing around in a host bar.

Byeol noona?

Ah! How did you know?

Removing the hand that covered my eyes, Byeol blinked her bright yellow pupils, making a surprised gesture.

I can always tell by Byeol noonas voice.

Hehe I just happened to have some work here and thought of Shiheon, so I came to visit.

It was nice to see her since we had both been busy and hadnt had the chance to meet. We clasped hands, and Byeol, like a high school girl, jumped up and down in excitement.

Right, I have to go now, but Ill be cheering for you. Whos your opponent today?

Jung Siwoo.

Oh, right Wait, Siwoo?

At my words, Byeol looked lost in thought, as if she didnt know what to say to me.

That, that, thats really bad luck

After pondering for a while, she finally spoke. Knowing Jung Siwoos abilities well, she refrained from saying something like You can win.

Thanks for the support.

Although some stories about me have spread, in terms of recognition, Jung Siwoo was overwhelming.

Half the audience here probably came to see Jung Siwoo.

Its natural since hed been the focus of attention since the military academy.

After all, I was just an isolated guy who arrived in this world a few months ago.

Was it 92%?

That was the probability of Jung Siwoo winning, according to an illegal betting site based on the Academy tournament.

Of course, the 8 percent betting on my victory was nothing more than a joke.

Ill do my best. See you.

Okay, contact me when its over~~~!

I smiled faintly as I watched the lively Byeol leave.

Before returning to the second floor, I bought some cotton candy and found the players waiting room.

Siheon?

When I opened the door, Sansuyu looked at me with wide eyes.

I brought a gift. As a show of support.

Support Why? Were rivals.

Sansuyu, caught off guard, took the cotton candy, looked at it curiously, and then questioned my words.

Friends support each other. Its not like were fighting right now.

Is that so?

Despite the tightness of her simple battle outfit, her chest area was noticeably protruding.

Fighting must be quite uncomfortable with that.

Sansuyu stared at the cotton candy, then unwrapped it and put it in her mouth.

Her soft cheeks moved as she chewed the melting sugary treat, resembling a hamster.

Watching her hamster-like behavior, Sansuyu soon finished the cotton candy and licked her fingers.

The match

Hm?

She then expressed her gratitude.

If you lose the match, I can comfort you.

?

Her voice was modest and gentle, but the content was unexpectedly vulgar.

-Beep!

The whistle sounded. The opening was about to start.

I briefly wished Sansuyu luck before returning to my seat to watch the matches.

Although it was an academy, they sang the school anthem for some reason.

As the opening ceremony began, the morning session students appeared one after another. Since tournaments for foreign students were held simultaneously, only A, B, C, and D groups of Korean students had matches in the morning.

As time passed, the first tournament match began.

The audiences gasps and the tension in their clenched fists accompanied several intense duels.

The results of the Korean matches aligned perfectly with my expectations. Sansuyu and Lim Jonghyun made it to the semifinals.

The joy that poured out for Sansuyu, who ended the match swiftly by deflecting the opponents sword, was just a bonus.

[The El Academy Freshmen Tournament for the morning session is now concluded.]

With those words from the commentator,

I finally sensed that it was my turn.

1st and 152nd.

The unbelievable gap between the two competitors in this match.

Jung Siwoos opponent is pitiful. Such murmurs could be heard occasionally, signaling the start of an unpredictable match.