Academy's Nurse Appearance (3)
"Student Lee Hoyeon?" The professor from Class B cast a surprised look my way. Apparently, my decision to raise my hand caught her off guard.
"I'd like to participate too." At that moment, Alice, who was standing behind me, decided to join the party by raising her hand.
What's her deal? She's really throwing a wrench into things.
"I want to do it too!" Kim Younghan, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, also raised his hand.
"I'd like to participate!"
"How often do first-year students get a chance to spar with the second-years!"
"?"
About one in ten freshmen decided to get in on the action. This wasn't going according to my laid out plan. All I wanted was to stay low-key and avoid drawing attention, but I couldn't exactly tell them to back off just because I wanted to kick that guy's butt.
"Uh it seems we have quite a few volunteers. What should we do?"
"Should we just let them all go at once?"
"Yes? Oh, Professor Park. What do you think?"
The professor who suddenly emerged behind the contemplative female professor was one of the second-year instructors. He scratched his head, looking somewhat annoyed as he assessed the situation.
"Why don't we have them take turns coming out based on their ranking? Let's have everyone in the first round, and those who want to continue can use the additional sparring rings we've set up."
"Ah that doesn't sound bad. But the first-year students haven't taken their exams yet, so we don't have their rankings."
"We can make a reasonable estimate. I'll organize the second-years by rank and go from there."
"Alright, understood."
After a few more words exchanged between the two professors, they reached a conclusion. The rules explained by the female professor were straightforward. One first-year and one second-year student would step up for one-on-one sparring. The loser would leave the sparring area, and the winner would stay. With each grade having over 200 freshmen, they decided to divide us into five teams.
The second-years would determine the teams based on rankings, while we first-years formed teams based on our initial impressions. Naturally, I was in the top tier. I might not have undergone a reevaluation, but I certainly wasn't considered weak.
I had also demonstrated some guts when dealing with Kim Hojin, the weakling. By the way, Do Jinhyuk and his gang were mostly in the top tier as well. They hadn't given me much trouble since that day, which was a relief. People usually had a change of heart when you stood up to them.
"Can I go first?" I sought the approval of the approximately 40 freshmen around me. My intention was to keep a low profile, but I had no clue when that guy would make an appearance.
Well, what can I do? I'll have to take them down one by one until he shows up.
"Go ahead." Alice had a strong presence, even among the top tier of first-year students. Of course, Nam Daeun possessed superior combat skills, but she rarely voiced her opinions.
"It looks like they'll be sending their top student out first. Are you okay with that?" This was Kim Younghan speaking. He naturally ranked high among the top tier. I hadn't paid much attention to him because he's a guy, but he appeared genuinely strong.
"How do you even know that information?"
"There are ways. There are always ways."
"Do you happen to know what rank that senior who looks like a country bumpkin holds?"
"You mean Yoon Hyungyu, the senior? He's ranked 8th. And isn't he in the same student council as you? Do you not know?"
"I'm not particularly interested."
Finally, it was Kim Younghan's turn to take the spotlight in information. It felt so rewarding to see my efforts paying off! I couldn't help but feel proud of him.
"If he's ranked 8th, does that mean I just have to beat the top 8?"
Now that I know he's ranked 8th, it would be great to challenge him directly, don't you think?
"Hey! It's the Saint!"
As I contemplated my next move, I couldn't ignore the words entered into my ear. I swiftly turned my head towards the sourcea stunning woman entering through the auditorium's main entrance. Despite having left the association, she was dressed in office attire. Her long black hair cascading down to her waist, fair skin, and blue eyes captured everyone's attention. Her knee-length skirt and crisp white shirt perfectly matched the office-girl image.
Baek Ahyeong, seemingly overwhelmed by the numerous gazes, turned her head around, and our eyes met. "Aah"
Heroine Status Window
[Baek Ahyeong]
[Affection: 84] (+0.2)
[Lust: 69]
[Appetite: 30]
[Fatigue: 35]
Current Status: Found him
Baek Ahyeong let out a sigh and began to approach me.
"Um, Saint?!" I sent a clear signal to Ahyeong, urging her not to come closer when I called her "Saint." Perhaps realizing it, she giggled and stepped back.
A professor nearby approached Baek Ahyeong and asked her why she was here. "Oh, I came to prepare for any incidents that might occur during the sparring as the academy nurse's first task."
"Ah, I see. There's a gathering of professors over there. Let's go together."
"Hey!" The 2nd-year 1st place, taken aback by Nam Daeun's sudden concession, grabbed her, seemingly wounded in his pride.
"We're ending it already? I haven't even begun!"
"I apologize. It doesn't seem like this would be beneficial for my training."
""
Wow that must really hurt his pride. It's even sadder that it comes across as polite. It really doesn't seem to help at all.
In the sparring ring, the 2nd-year top-ranked student stared blankly at Nam Daeun, and walked out emotionlessly.
"Alright, due to the 1st-year's forfeit, the winner is 2nd-year Han Seoyul. Please, stay on, and let the next 1st-year contestant come in."
Next is Alice. She also began the duel with a polite greeting.
"She doesn't seem like a 1st-year, does she?"
"Yeah, Nam Daeun is just incredibly strong, but Alice seems even more impressive with her skills and magic use."
"Honestly, her talent and abilities are simply remarkable. She's gifted with a talent that comsumes mana voraciously, and yet, she excels in both swordsmanship and magic. But she has naturally low mana capacity."
The students around evaluated Alice. While most comments seemed positive, there was a hidden truth about Alice that only a select few close to her were aware ofa congenital mana deficiency.
Her mana capacity is significantly lower than that of others. To balance her innate talents in swordsmanship and magic, she has to forcibly replenish her mana, even if it means daily absorption of manastones through expensive equipment. It doesn't truly enhance her mana capacity; it's more of a supplement. It isn't quite like doping, so she has received official permission from Victoria Academy. Of course, if she weren't Iris guildmaster's daughter, that permission might have been questionable, but that's just how the world works.
Crack!
With every clash of Alice's sword against Han Seoyul's, there was a burst of intense heat.
"Argh"
Although Han Seoyul didn't go down as quickly as Nam Daeun did, he was gradually losing ground. It appeared that he might lose the match soon.
Crash!
As Han Seoyul was pushed back and couldn't hold on any longer, he made a desperate charge towards Alice.
Swish!
He suddenly surged his mana as he lunged, and his sword multiplied into four, each targeting one of Alice's limbs.
"Block this if you can!"
Observing this seemingly last-ditch move, Alice nonchalantly moved her arms. She intercepted the incoming swords with her own, and tendrils sprouting from the ground caught the ones aimed at her legs. Then, with precise force magic, she deflected the blades away from her body.
"Ugh!" After a brief clash, Han Seoyul was disarmed, and Alice remained standing, triumphant. A flawless victory. As the 2nd-year top-ranked student was soundly defeated, the 2nd-year students hung their heads, while the 1st-year students cheered.
"Senior, I've learned a lot. I'll forfeit." And Alice, she conceded.
?
"What did you say?"
Han Seoyul, who had initially worn an expression of I lost, but I fought valiantly,' was taken aback, and Kim Jinhyuk asked again as if he misheard.
"Indeed, Senior is different. I've learned a lot from you. I concede." Alice confidently bowed, showing proper respect.
Why is she behaving like this?
Heroine Status Window
[Alice]
[Affection: 35]
[Lust: 25]
[Appetite: 30]
[Fatigue: 40]
Current Status: If he's really that strong; it's worth testing.
"Ah, she wants to test me."
It's evident that she intended to assess my skills next. I don't mind. The more real-world experience, the better. Plus, it's a chance to shed the label of being weak.
If she wants to see, I'll show her my full strength.
I confidently stepped into the sparring ring. In front of me stood the 2nd-year top-ranked student, his face contorted with anger.
"What the hell did you do to make me lose like this!"
What? No, I haven't done anything to him.
"Senior, please take care of me."
"This time, I'll win." Han Seoyul swallowed his anger.
What on earth had this person done to warrant losing to a junior twice already, with a third defeat seemingly imminent? It was the first time I began to feel a bit sorry for the 2nd-year student.