<Chapter 1403> 1403. The Academy’s Savior
The day after the one-on-one sparring practical exam, the one-on-one combat test against large monsters began.
Some students openly complained about the public nature of the testing format and officially protested to the academy. The academy responded in just ten minutes.
Maruhan Academy wants students to learn even a little. There are things to be learned from watching others’ battles, so all practical exams will be conducted publicly.
The academy’s response was firm. Some students who were worried about their full strength being exposed protested again to the academy, but it didn’t make a bit of difference. And as for making it public outside the academy? Impossible. The academy’s justification and reasoning were flawless.
Still, this was an exam. As the exam progressed sequentially and the results were revealed to those taking the test, it gave an advantage to students competing later on.
This was an undeniable fact that the academy couldn’t refute.
The academy shamelessly countered by starting the one-on-one monster combat test based on the rankings from the one-on-one sparring. In other words, since I ranked first in the one-on-one sparring, it meant I would take the one-on-one monster combat test first.
“Guess it’s good that we can get started quickly.”
I had no complaints about this testing method. On the contrary, I welcomed it. There’s no need to wait around unnecessarily. Unlike written tests, finishing the practical exam quickly means the academy schedule is done for the day.
“It’s 9 AM now. If I finish the test quickly, I can relax for the rest of the day.”
Thud, thud.
An expressionless supervisor walked toward the arena.
“Sung Yoojin. The combat time is a maximum of 2 minutes, and the large monster you’ll face will be randomly selected. The randomness of the large monster is guaranteed by the Hero Association and government agencies. Any other questions?”
I glanced at the arena control room. Representatives from the Hero Association and government agencies were gathered there. The content of this exam will inevitably be exposed to outsiders, whether knowingly or unknowingly.
“No.”
“Good. Since the schedule is tight, we’ll start immediately.”
Peeeeeek!
The supervisor blew the whistle.
The Aurora System activated. The space wavered briefly, and then a Twin-Headed Ogre materialized. It was a large monster more than twice the size of a regular ogre. Its two heads atop its neck glared at Sung Yoojin.
“Twin-Headed Ogre…!”
“Even an A-Rank Hero struggles to fight a Twin-Headed Ogre alone. Is this where Sung Yoojin’s luck runs out?”
“Yujin, fighting!”
“I hope when it’s my turn, they just summon a normal Ogre.”
The surroundings were noisy.
Everyone expected me to fail. After all, the Twin-Headed Ogre was the strongest among the summoned large monsters.
Ignoring the spectators’ reactions, I activated ‘Instant.’
[Using Instant (刹那). Remaining Stacks: 6]
The steps of the approaching Ogre seemed to slow down. In this slowed-down world, I thought.
‘Honestly, this guy showing up was a bit unexpected.’
What should I do?
Should I unleash my full strength? Or should I roughly fight to avoid lowering my evaluation? Even a Twin-Headed Ogre fights brutishly like a regular Ogre, so dragging the battle out for 2 minutes wouldn’t be difficult. Unlike these kids here…
The combat experience with R Monsters is also extensive, so.
『Name: Sung Yoojin
Strength: B Stamina: B Agility: B Durability: C+ Mana: A+
Traits: Spirit Vision (S) Demon Hunter (S)
Skills: Spirit Contract (A) Spirit Conjuring (A) Force Field (C+) Swordsmanship (B+)
Karma: Good (善) 34』
I calculate an estimate while checking the stats. The abilities are well-balanced overall. Especially the mana stat is at a level that even active A-Rank Heroes would envy.
“Let’s go full strength. But no sword.”
Having made my decision, I summoned Mocha, the Thunder Owl.
BOOM!
With a thunderous crash, Mocha appeared, spreading snow-white wings. Blue electrical currents ripple around her like scattered flower petals. Since becoming a High Spirit, she’s become flashier than ever.
“Hoot, hoot!”
And far stronger than her showmanship suggests.
“Mocha, Spirit Conjuring. We’re taking out that pig brat in one strike.”
“Hoot!”
Mocha dives toward me at high speed and merges into my chest.
Spirit Conjuring (精靈降靈).
My skin turns white, and menacing lightning wings sprout from my back. With these thunder wings spread wide, I leap into the sky. As I soar, the Twin-Headed Ogre can only gawk up at me like a dog chasing chickens.
‘The power is overflowing.’
High Spirits.
If Upper Spirits could be likened to natural disasters themselves, then High Spirits possess the power of local deities ruling over regions. In fact, most land spirits are at least High Spirits.
Mocha hasn’t been a High Spirit for long, so her newfound power isn’t fully manifest yet. Still, with her strength coursing through me, I feel more than capable of taking down the Twin-Headed Ogre.
CRACKLE.
The thunder wings emit maximum power, gathering in my hands to form a spear.
I recall a fleeting memory from the God’s Atlantis—the ‘Lord of the Sky’s’ lightning. I attempt to replicate Astrape.
‘I can’t perfectly mimic that power. But Astrape was also my skill.’
Recalling the sensation of using Astrape, I shape the lightning into a spear-like form, imbuing it with intent and stabilizing it using mana. Hundreds of lightning bolts were consumed in the process.
‘Efficiency is garbage.’
It couldn’t be helped. In the ‘God’s Atlantis’ world, skills receive system corrections, making them easier to use, but here there’s almost no such assistance.
‘But I’m confident in my mana pool.’
Ignoring all efficiency concerns, I focus on recreating Astrape. At least the form looks decent enough.
‘…Would throwing this match the power of the lightning I saw back then? And this is just compressed lightning in spear form anyway. That Zeus lightning I witnessed was different.’
Recreating Zeus’s Astrape exceeds my talent. Knowing my lack of talent already, I feel no disappointment.
‘If I lack talent, I’ll just borrow someone else’s.’
The Leisure App makes even the impossible possible.
[Genius Time activated for 10 seconds.]
Yuria’s overwhelming talent is unleashed. All senses awaken, and spiritual awareness opens. My body trembles with ecstasy as I instinctively understand how to handle the lightning. Within five seconds, I infuse it with intent, unify it, and refine its form.
‘Without Genius Time, I wouldn’t be able to do this right now.’
Our eyes meet with the Twin-Headed Ogre. The ogre swings both fists wildly at me. Its two heads roar furiously, mouths wide open. The sound of the lightning in my hand drowns out their shouts.
“Don’t whine. I’ll kill you now.”
[Using Instant (刹那). Remaining stacks: 5]
Using Instant, I aim at the Twin-Headed Ogre and hurl the spear of lightning.
Astrape flashes brilliantly as it strikes the ground. It lands between the Twin-Headed Ogre’s heads…
The
I looked down at the earth from the sky. The entire arena floor was flipped upside down, and the Twin-Headed Ogre had vanished without a trace.
“Tch.”
While others might not know, I had perfectly witnessed the moment of the Twin-Headed Ogre’s death through the power of my Spirit Eye. Astra hadn’t completely bisected the Twin-Headed Ogre; it managed to slice only about 70% through its body before losing momentum and exploding.
“Guess I did one-hit it… but it’s far from satisfying.”
I descended to the ground. Mocha emerged from my body, soaring high into the heavens before disappearing somewhere.
My body wobbled.
“…Did I overuse mana? I’m even feeling faint.”
I forced strength into my trembling legs. No way I could collapse here—it’d be embarrassing. If I displayed overwhelming power, I had to maintain an overwhelming posture and aura.
“Sung Yoojin. Good work. Leave the arena. Your results will… be announced tomorrow morning.”
The supervisor struggled to hide his astonishment as he spoke to me. Following his orders, I slowly exited the arena.
The voices of Academy students filled the air in awe.
“…Did you see that? The Twin-Headed Ogre went down in one hit.”
“Wow, lightning swept through the whole arena! It was like a lightning storm. A lightning storm!”
“Is this even Academy student level? He’s too strong. Even if he merged with a spirit… he’s on another level compared to us.”
“He’s the Son of Thunder. Born different from us.”
“Shouldn’t he skip grades? Thinking about being in the same Academy as him… ugh. Forget dreaming about first place.”
“You wouldn’t be first even without him. Where do you get off, ranked 200th?”
“250th is starting trouble. Let’s duel after this?”
“Deal. If I hadn’t made that mistake, I would’ve beaten you.”
Everyone was shocked by my skills. Satisfied, I headed toward the waiting room, planning to check out Lee Si-eun’s test.
Next up after me was Ryu Hanna. Her opponent was an Ogre, which she took down in 1 minute and 12 seconds. Maybe inspired by me, she aggressively closed in on the Ogre despite risky moves. Fortunately, she succeeded—if she hadn’t, she’d have lost points and her score would’ve dropped.
Kim Cheon-woo and Choi Da-yeon also defeated large monsters. Quite a few students managed to take down big ones too. Top-tier students were clearly above the rest.
“Lee Si-eun is number 19. She performed well in the one-on-one duels. If she does good on this test, she’ll secure a spot within the top ten.”
The type of large monster chosen randomly mattered.
“If something like an Ogre appears… maybe she should give up on the top ten.”
When I saw the large monster facing Lee Si-eun, I smirked. Her opponent was a Ghost Horse—perfect for her.
The battle began. The Ghost Horse flew around, using magic. Because of this, many Academy students fear the Ghost Horse more than the Twin-Headed Ogre, especially front-line warriors who despise them.
“But for Lee Si-eun, it’s easier than fighting a mage.”
Lee Si-eun drained the Ghost Horse’s magic and energy with Energy Drain. The magic dissipated, and the Ghost Horse grew enraged. In its fury, it charged toward Si-eun to stomp her with brute force. It got too close—a fatal mistake.
BOOOOM!
The Ghost Horse exploded.
It was Si-eun’s Reverse Flow. Made entirely of energy, the Ghost Horse was an even easier target for Si-eun than an Orc.
“Finished in 15 seconds? Faster than me. Guess matchups really matter.”
The arena erupted in noise. The smarter Academy students had roughly figured out Si-eun’s abilities, including the mages. Naturally, they stared at her with eyes full of fear.
And soon after, the nickname “Mage Genocider” was bestowed upon Lee Si-eun.
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