Chapter 8: Entrance Ceremony (1)

Chapter 8: Entrance Ceremony (1)

While she was taking me to some place, not a word was exchanged between Song Cheon-hye and me.

Song Cheon-hye who was leading the way occasionally glanced back to ensure I was following.

.

Judging from the displeasure that came out every time we made eye contact, it didnt seem like I made a good impression at all.Read latest chapters at novelhall.com Only

In her view, I must have seemed like a strange person who caused trouble for the disciplinary committee over a cookie.

Moreover, due to that slight friction with Han So-mi I was probably on the verge of being branded as a troublemaker.

I was probably just a notch above Shin Byeong-cheol, who was already a student known for being problematic.

Eventually, we arrived at the office marked disciplinary committee Club.

The office was neatly organized.

Except for a corner stacked with piles of documents.

On one side of the room, there was a door leading to another room. Song Cheon-hye approached it first, opened the door, and gestured for me to enter.

If the disciplinary committee office was neat and orderly, this room felt barren and stark.

The only furniture was a table in the middle with two folding chairs facing each other.

A single dim incandescent bulb faintly illuminated the dark room.

Anyone could see that this was an interrogation room.

The place was known among players as The Room of Truth.

It was said that anyone who entered would come out a good person.

Please, take a seat.

Okay.

At Song Cheon-hyes words, I pulled up a folding chair and sat down.

I settled into the folding chair, leaning back with leisurely ease. This apparently looked too comfortable to Song Cheon-hye, as her eyes twitched once in response.

She closed her eyes tightly as if suppressing anger, then reopened them.

Just wait a moment.

Song Cheon-hye left the Room of Truth and soon returned with another male student.

Judging from the golden color of the pin on his tie, he must be a third-year senior.

His sturdy build and benign appearance reminded me of a gentle bear, perhaps more so because of his narrow, slit-like eyes.

It was hard to tell if he was smiling or expressionless, as only the corners of his mouth were slightly turned up.

The senior with narrowed eyes placed a few items on the table and asked,

Hello. Your name is Kim Ho, right?

Yes, senior.

Alright, Kim Ho. My name is Oh Se-hoon. Most people know me as the president of the disciplinary committee or Slit-Eye Senior. Feel free to call me whatever youre comfortable with.

.

People with narrow eyes usually dont like being called that, do they?

I wasnt sure if Oh Se-hoon was genuinely indifferent to such a nickname or if he was testing me.

In situations like this, its best to keep quiet.

Oh Se-hoon asked while pouring coffee from a thermos in his hand.

Would you like something to drink? Ive got honey water, green tea, and coffee But its almost evening, and coffee might keep you awake, right?

Ill just have some cold water, thank you.

Please stay seated. Ill get it for you.

Before Oh Se-hoon could rise, Song Cheon-hye quickly left the room and returned almost right away.

She was so fast that one might have thought there was a water dispenser right outside the door.

Song Cheon-hye, still showing her displeasure, briskly placed a paper cup in front of me and then positioned herself upright behind Oh Se-hoon.

Oh Se-hoon took a sip of his coffee and then began to speak.

So, Kim Ho, we wont keep you long since you cant be late for the entrance ceremony. Just answer a few questions, and you can go.

Okay.

I heard you used the slot machine in carriage number 10. So-mi warned you it was against school rules, but you continued. Why is that?

He went straight into questioning about the incident on the train.

My response did not change despite knowing the other party was the head of the disciplinary committee.

I persisted with my strategy of feigning ignorance.

I dont understand why it was against the rules, so being told not to do it just made me more rebellious.

Pardon?

If we use the magnifying glass and it doesnt reveal any problematic skills, what then?

That is

Song Cheon-hye found herself unable to respond easily.

Although she was almost 100% certain in her suspicion, what if she pushed hard and it turned up nothing?

The backlash would affect not just the disciplinary committee but also the Topaz Magic Tower that she was a part of.

On the other hand, even if the Magnifying Glass did reveal a prohibited skill the chances of it being something egregiously evil were slim. At most, the perpetrator might get demerit points or a minor disciplinary action.

The risk seemed too great compared to what could be gained.

Oh Se-hoon had likely already considered this when he decided to let Kim Ho go.

Song Cheon-hye bowed her head.

Im sorry. I was careless.

Oh Se-hoon was pleased with his juniors attitude.

This was a time when the students were full of self-esteem as elites.

Recognizing and admitting ones mistakes during such a period was no easy feat.

Oh Se-hoon gently advised her.

Cheon-hye, I understand that your heart is in the right place. But remember, in matters like these, pushing aggressively isnt always the solution. Lets take it slow and look at the bigger picture.

Yes.

If Kim Ho was indeed using something prohibited, he would inevitably get caught, even without the use of the magnifying glass.

Unless he causes more trouble, let Kim Ho be. Our priority now is to monitor the trends among the clubs.

Understood.

Come on, you better hurry too. Youll be late for the entrance ceremony if you dont leave now.

***

The time I spent in the Room of Truth was very brief.

But by the time I stepped outside, the sun was already halfway down.

Walking on the land bathed in the crimson hue of the setting sun, I arrived at the auditorium.

Hundreds of freshmen were seated, waiting for the entrance ceremony.

The noise of their chatter combined, sounding like a swarm of bees buzzing.

While casually looking around, I noticed someone with gray hair.

Although it was a game world where all kinds of worldviews were mixed, gray hair was still surprisingly rare.

Seo Ye-in seemed to sense my gaze and turned her head towards me just in time.

Following her gaze, Go Hyeon-woo also looked my way and soon he spotted me and waved his hand.

Kim-hyung, over here!

In a rather calculated move, Go Hyeon-woo and Seo Ye-in had strategically left a seat empty between them.

Unless you have a very thick face, it would have been difficult to put your butt in between them.

The moment I sat down in the empty seat, a notification message was displayed in the corner of my eye.

[Tutorial III Completed]

You have attended the entrance ceremony on time.

Reward: E-rank weapon selection, 5 silver coins

[Weapon Selection (E)]

You can acquire any E-rank weapon of your choice.

Even though it was called an E-rank weapon, it was merely mass-produced equipment that was no better than Go Hyeon-woos iron sword.

But it was still better than nothing.

The 5 silver coins I had squandered on the slot machine were also fully reimbursed.

!

!

The bustling auditorium began to quiet down, beginning from the front rows.

The reason was that a group had entered the stage at the front of the auditorium.

Judging by the timing of their appearance and their age range, it was clear they were the teachers and staff of the Dragon Slayer Academy.

As the students attention converged on them, the teachers displayed varying reactions.

Some completely ignored the sea of faces, focusing straight ahead as if nothing else existed, while others responded with faint smiles and friendly waves.

Among them, a man who appeared to be in his late thirties, with a roughly trimmed beard, stepped up onto the podium.