The end of May was boasting sunlight strong enough to pass for summer. If you raised your hand to your scalp, you could feel the heat radiating off your hair.
Moreover, the outerwear worn this morning had apparently been discarded due to the soaring temperature, and my tie was loosened slightly as well.
It was a day with a considerable day-night temperature difference. Although the humidity was slightly lower, lunchtime felt almost the same as midsummer.
On such a hot day, there should be no crazy people exercising outside.
“Two, three!”
However, my prediction was completely off the mark. The outdoor training center was bustling like a marketplace.
—”!
With the sound of a whistle, students were sprinting on the track, others were attempting standing long jumps over a jump box, and some were repeating the 3-cone drill for agility assessment.
They were all fully dedicated to their exercises—except for me.
“…”
I, for one, was leisurely seated on the bench, merely observing the training field. I had no intention of moving my body. I didn’t feel like mingling with them and sweating for no reason.
For the record, this is not because I lack friends. I’m not just stuck here because I don’t have anyone to exercise with.
I’m not that much of a loner.
At least,
I think.
“Phew…”
Arna, who had just finished a round of shuttle runs, came over to the bench for a rest. Soon our eyes met.
“Hey. What’re you doing here all alone?”
Arna stopped wiping her sweat with a towel and asked me. The implication was clear: why am I dressed in my uniform, just lounging here while everyone else is in their athletic wear and running around?
I replied nonchalantly as usual.
“I just came here to check things out for a bit.”
“Oh please, it’s not because you have no one to exercise with?”
Arna smirked teasingly.
What a beast. What does she take me for?
I have friends too, you know. If I just open my chat right now, there’ll be a pile of messages waiting.
I couldn’t just take that lying down. I quickly pulled out my smartphone to prove I’m part of a social circle.
——
Hunter Korea
(Ad) Enter your experience and get a customized guild recommendation… (1)
Nice Guardian
Mr. Shin Yoon-sung! Have you checked your credit information for May… (1)
Yang Family Sesame Oil Store
(Ad) Hot deal of the month! Order now… (1)
NovelPia
Age verification required for this message… (2)
——
“…”
I hurriedly stuffed my smartphone back in my pocket.
I really have no friends.
“Would you like me to help you with some record measurements at least?”
“Not necessary. It’s not like doing this now will miraculously improve my stats.”
“You still need to maintain your senses, don’t you? The physical test is coming up next week, after all.”
The physical test refers to the physical capability assessment conducted for students of the Combat Division.
Along with Arna, everyone gathered here is practicing for the physical test.
The events are similar to those seen in the college football scouting combine: 50m sprint, bench press, standing long jump, Sargent jump, and 3-cone drill, among others.
Of course, we’re not just physical athletes; we’re awakened mages. The physical tests incorporate magical abilities, situation handling, and mental evaluations in addition to physical performance.
“Are you really alright spacing out like this? There are going to be a lot of outsiders watching…”
This physical test will be conducted in the presence of guild observers from all over the world. They come to scope out talented awakened individuals.
The students have no choice but to prepare fervently. The better assessment you receive in the physical test, the more your value and price tag improves.
In a sense, this is more important than the midterm exams.
“Since when did you start worrying about me? Let it go.”
I’m not concerned about the upcoming physical test. Trying too hard here might result in a pulled muscle, like last time.
It’s better to take a break for now. There will be other physical tests after the final exams, in the next semester, and next year as well.
I need to prepare more methodically this time.
“Tch, I was worried, and this is the thanks I get… Do what you want.”
Arna turned around abruptly and headed back to the training field for some standing long jumps.
Whoosh!
With the help of magic, it seemed, she leaped impressively high. She looked almost like a grasshopper.
“Wow. You’re still the top student, huh? You went really far!”
A familiar male voice. Moon Shin-chung was now standing beside me.
It felt like I hadn’t seen him in a while. Is it just me?
“Yo, Spoon. Did you come here to practice too?”
Moon Shin-chung was stretching his wrist casually. Now that I notice, the guy has a fairly muscular build.
“Wanna practice with me when you have time? I needed someone to keep track of my records anyway.”
“Both of us?”
“That’s right. Both of us.”
What? Don’t I have friends? Clearly, I was just pretending to be antisocial.
“Guess I have no choice. If you’re going to beg this much, I’ll have to practice with you.”
I quickly got up from the bench and enthusiastically started loosening up my body, starting with rotating my shoulders.
Huh. Was stretching this fun all along? It seems more enjoyable when doing it with someone familiar.
“Speaking of which, I saw your last evaluation match with Kang Tae-hoon.”
Moon Shin-chung brought up the topic of the evaluation match while stretching his calf muscles. Lately, it seems everyone I meet mentions the evaluation match first.
Which means it must have been quite the topic of conversation.
“Damn. I never would’ve guessed you’d surrender by raising both hands like that.”
Thinking about it again, it was absurd enough to make Moon Shin-chung clutch his stomach and laugh uncontrollably. He found it genuinely funny, not out of mockery.
Everyone had a similar reaction.
“But isn’t that problematic? It all gets recorded, right?”
In a sense, it could be seen as willingly losing. That record will undoubtedly be included in the scouting reports.
Of course, a drop in my market value would be the natural consequence.
“Doesn’t matter. It’s not like losing is something new to me.”
But I don’t care.
I already have countless losses to my name. My career has been ruined for a long time now. This deliberate loss doesn’t make much of a difference.
In other words, I have nothing left to lose at this point. That’s why I’m taking a more laid-back approach to this physical test.
Since there won’t be any guilds scouting me anyway.
“Anyway, you’re such a strange guy.”
Moon Shin-chung clicked his tongue as if he’s seen everything bizarre. Afterwards, he continued his stretching.
“By the way, speaking of that evaluation match.”
Suddenly, Moon Shin-chung had a question to ask me.
“Haven’t you seen Kang Tae-hoon around lately? Do you, Spoon, know anything about him?”
“Kang Tae-hoon? Hmm.”
After the evaluation match, I did mess with him a few times using my abilities. But I stopped after a few days.
It took too much magical energy to bother him, requiring the use of both my telekinesis and blind spot skills. It was a poor investment. So I decided to let Kang Tae-hoon be.
However, since then, I haven’t heard anything in particular. It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen his face, and he hasn’t come looking for me either.
I wonder what he’s up to these days?
*
“Would tea be alright, Taehoon?”
“…”
“Got it. I’ll make it right away, professor.”
This was the administrative department office. To be precise, it was the psychological counseling room.
Kang Tae-hoon had visited here again today to meet Administrative Professor Han Se-yeong.
“How are you feeling today? Did you eat breakfast?”
“…”
Currently, Kang Tae-hoon was slouched in his seat, with a posture that resembled a corpse.
“Are you taking your medicine properly?”
“…”
Kang Tae-hoon didn’t voice a sound, only moving his lips slightly. That was his response.
“Really? You went for a walk too? Our Taehoon is amazing?”
“…”
“Alright then. How about we take a stroll outside with professor a bit later?”
At first, Han Se-yeong had struggled to interpret these lip movements.
But after some time passed, she was now able to understand what he was saying just by observing his lips.
“Here you go. I can’t guarantee if it will suit your taste.”
Clack. Han Se-yeong placed the teacup on the table. It was a fairly premium black tea.
“!”
At that moment, Kang Tae-hoon, who until now had been as lifeless as a corpse, reacted. His eyes widened upon noticing the teacup.
He immediately let out a blood-curdling scream.
“Aaaaaaaaagh…!”
“What? Why, Taehoon! What’s wrong?”
Clang!
Kang Tae-hoon quickly got up from his chair and retreated into the corner. Like a trapped animal trying to escape, he scratched at the walls frantically.
“Spoon…! There’s a spoon! There’s a spoon hereeeee……!”
A spoon? Han Se-yeong quickly turned her attention to the teacup. Attached to it was a teaspoon.
Han Se-yeong swiftly removed the teaspoon.
“Alright, there’s no spoon anywhere. Look!”
“Aaaaaaagh…! The spoon…! The spoon is hitting my head…!”
“That’s not true! Look, I’ve gotten rid of the spoon!”
Han Se-yeong showed him the teacup to prove there was no spoon attached. However, Kang Tae-hoon continued to convulse.
“Please just go away…! Just disappear from my sight…!!”
