The midterm exams are conducted in two major areas.
The first is the written test.
However, this written exam does not significantly impact the grades, nor does it influence Gaon’s rankings to a great extent.
It’s merely a formal procedure.
The Old Man disapproves of the current educational approach that disregards theory, but… what can be done?
Ultimately, all attention is focused on the remaining category.
That is personal combat.
A total of three battles will take place, and after each round concludes, the bidding by guilds and organizations begins.
Then, considering this highly renowned midterm exam of Gaon…
Is it really that important?
“No.”
In truth, the midterm exam isn’t that significant to me.
The real turning point in the original story came when the demonic forces of the Main attacked during the exam.
It was the first event where Gaon became the target of the demons.
Therefore, I simply need to prepare in line with that flow rather than focus on the exam itself.
There is, however, one major difference from the original story… and that is Vanguisher.
In the original, Vanguisher did not observe the midterm exams, so there was no chance of us meeting. But if we did…
One of us is certain to have our limbs torn apart. After all, Vanguisher’s essence fundamentally revolves around the annihilation of demons.
“Today’s lesson ends here.”
The instructor wrapped up the session, summarizing the content.
I stood up from my seat as well.
The work I need to do before the midterm exams is straightforward:
The growth of key characters.
I turned my gaze to the left.
Cheon Yeoul was tightly gripping the cross I had given her and looking up at me silently.
“Cheon Yeoul is set.”
Yoo Hana. I had decided to give her the peach blossom sword, so she’s fine for now.
And Kang Ah-rin? Even if I wanted to give her something, the items that suit her are quite difficult to handle.
So… the last one is Seong Si-woo.
“How should I deal with this?”
According to the plan, he should enter the path of becoming a weapon for vanquishing demons through the splintered shard, gaining attention from guilds and receiving strong support via bidding. Slowly, he would begin walking the path of the Protagonist.
But I completely forgot about the shard, and this kid is still stubborn. I’ve tried talking to him a few times, but he keeps ignoring me.
So, do I have a reason to drag him along at this point?
In reality, I’ve already made up my mind.
“Abandon him.”
I’ll let him go. It’s going to be difficult this time around.
Especially since next week is the midterm exam.
There’s no way I can pull him up in time.
I looked ahead.
Seong Si-woo was staring intently at the word “Vanguisher” written on the blackboard.
I’m sorry.
The truth is, abandoning a protagonist that I’ve created and nurtured isn’t an easy task.
As the sun dipped below the horizon and twilight crept in, I arrived at the B-block training grounds.
At 6 PM, the automatic doors opened, revealing students scattered around, intensively training in preparation for the exams.
The air was filled with the sounds of violent strikes and surging magical power.
But amidst this, Yoo Hana was on her knees, lost in quiet meditation.
A descendant of a martial arts family, she paid no heed to the noise around her.
I carefully unsheathed the peach blossom sword from the diagonal strap on my back and approached her slowly.
As my footsteps drew nearer, she slowly opened her eyes and rose gracefully, walking toward me.
The training ground had a large communal space and individual training rooms.
“Shall we go to the room? I’ve secured one.”
She led me toward the training room, but I moved first.
I withdrew the sword from my back and extended it toward her.
The deep purple sheen of the scabbard, along with the heavy aura emanating subtly from within, was unmistakable.
-Whrrrm…
The sword continued to tremble violently, as if struggling and rejecting me.
I hate you too, by the way.
“Take it.”
Grumbling internally, I spoke briefly.
Her eyes widened in surprise.
Perplexed, I placed the sword in her hovering hands.
At that moment,
-Wing.
The sword’s aura spread softly, gradually calming the trembling from before until its energy settled peacefully.
It seems Yoo Hana suits it.
Smiling lightly, I continued.
“It’s an incredible sword. Let’s use this for today’s training. You’ll likely be using it for a while…”
However,
“Hey.”
I furrowed my brow.
A transparent tear rolled down the corner of Yoo Hana’s eyes. She seemed surprised herself.
“Ah… sorry. It’s sudden…”
Helplessly wiping away the tears streaming down her face with her palms, the crying didn’t stop.
“Why… why am I like this…”
She cried but also smiled, losing control of her emotions.
The gazes of the surrounding students started to gather.
“What’s going on?”
“Isn’t that Yoo Hana?”
Whispers spread as eyes turned toward Yoo Hana, who was crying in the middle of the training ground.
‘This is…’
Awkward.
I silently grasped her wrist and quickly ushered her into the training room.
The figure before me quietly turned away and stretched their limbs.
Yoo Hana could sense his attitude— patient and waiting for her emotions to settle.
There was no sound from him, just his calm presence.
He waited naturally, requiring nothing, urging nothing.
A silent consideration that seemed to say: calm yourself.
‘He’s kind…’
Resting her forehead lightly, she tried to gather her scattered emotions.
The moment her repressed feelings burst forth, memories of the past resurfaced uncontrollably.
She gazed at his broad, sturdy back— the dependable back she always wanted to lean on and had leaned on in the past. But that back carried so many burdens.
She swallowed hard.
Right now—
She wanted to run up and embrace it,
To slowly wrap her arms around his strong shoulders,
And hold him tightly,
And then gently push him down,
To feel his warmth with her entire body,
To let him lay down all his burdens for a moment,
To feel his breath, his heartbeat, his heat close by.
And she wanted to say:
It’s okay now. Let me share your burdens.
And… whispering into his ear…
“Haa…”
But she can’t.
Because everything would be for naught then.
All his efforts would be wasted.
Yoo Hana quietly clenched her fingertips, suppressing her rising emotions and gradually looking away.
She silently rose and stepped closer to the person she loved. He turned his head with a kind, gentle smile.
“Shall we begin?”
He did not ask about the reason for her tears.
Only, as always, a quiet and gentle smile.
Her heart ached again at his kind expression, but she forced her emotions down.
“Thank you. The sword looks incredible…”
He grinned wryly in response.
“It’s a loan.”
A lie. He’d eventually just give it to her.
He took out his sword instead of his usual spear.
It was… that.
He casually swung the sword, starting to explain its technique.
The Blossom Butterfly Sword Technique.
An elegant sword style where flowers and butterflies blend harmoniously. With every swing, the wind danced, and attack and defense flowed effortlessly—a remarkable martial art.
It was a technique that paired beautifully with the peach blossom sword.
He explained the merits of the Blossom Butterfly Sword Technique to Yoo Hana. After finishing, he stared at her, slightly nervous.
The current Yoo Hana—
Her entire being bore traces of him: his techniques, his tone, his habits, even the posture of how she held her sword.
She had already mastered far more than the technique itself.
But the Yoo Hana from before?
“Prove it. That it’s better than my sword technique.”
She would have lifted her lips sharply like that and spoken rudely.
He smiled even brighter at her impolite past self.
He had always tried to persuade her.
To lead her down his way, his path.
And so, the familiar moment of sharing their swords had arrived again.
“Let’s try this out?”
They began sparring.
He advanced with the Blossom Butterfly Sword Technique, closing in through the gaps.
One step, then another.
It felt fantastic.
To once again cross swords with him.
To even be able to stand against his sword like this.
But, what would the Yoo Hana of the past have done?
Yoo Hana changed her expression.
Angry,
Her eyes glaring, refusing to admit defeat.
And his face lit up with a smile again.
It was familiar.
That technique of provoking her emotions and pushing her higher.
‘Are you mad?’
Even if he didn’t ask, Yoo Hana could sense it.
He always fueled her anger to fuel her swordsmanship.
Yoo Hana ultimately lost by a narrow margin.
She tossed the sword to the floor but not carelessly.
It was precious to her, so she only set it down firmly.
She scrunched up her face on purpose, wounded pride mingling with frustration, and said to him,
“Teach it to me too…”
A faint smile spread across his lips—evidently pleased that the situation unfolded as he planned.
If you’re happy, I am too.
And she murmured to herself as if to console herself.
“I’ll behave admirably.”
…Because I’d do anything for you.
