Chapter 101

<Episode 103> The Class President

There’s a saying that you should never interfere in a man’s fight, but you should stay miles away from a woman’s fight. Can’t remember which country it’s from.

Anyway, both Chul-soo and Yu-jin were the type to heed the wisdom of their ancestors.

Isn’t that why they’re reacting so meekly right now, like Pinocchio lying in front of some fairy?

“……Why are you guys acting like this? Did you two fight while I wasn’t looking?”

Yu-jin tilted his head as he looked ahead.

In the training ground stood Young-hee and the class president side by side.

The class president still stood with a slightly awkward blonde hairstyle and an outfit with a few buttons undone, her face set in determination.

Young-hee smiled faintly at her.

Regardless, the vibe between them was less like friends and more like cats fiercely competing over territory.

This world of waves upon waves breaking against each other felt like the DMZ.

No one could figure out why the class president was acting this way.

“Did you do something again?”

Chul-soo turned his head and said.

His gaze clearly said, “You’ll spill the beans eventually, so just tell the truth already,” making Yu-jin feel quite wronged.

“Why are you blaming me?”

“Probably all your fault.”

“Is everything that happens in my presence automatically my fault?”

“Of course.”

Chul-soo didn’t hesitate to agree outright.

“If school gets shut down tomorrow, or if gates open and monsters flood out, or even if the world ends, it’ll be entirely because of you.”

That evaluation was harsh—way too harsh.

Even sadder is how everyone except Yu-jin would understand Chul-soo’s frustration.

But this time, Yu-jin genuinely felt wronged.

He had simply been working hard to defeat monsters, saving people, and diligently attending Academy classes.

Yet somehow, Chul-soo thought there was a problem, and the class president had transformed into some slightly awakened yandere.

Where in the world does such injustice exist?

“Weren’t the class president and Young-hee close before?”

“They were. Probably the closest in the whole academy. Both are really kind-hearted. That’s why everyone’s reacting this way.”

It wasn’t just Yu-jin and Chul-soo watching the duel.

Students from the same class, other classes, seniors, and even professors were observing.

“Unlike us, those who earn respect can naturally attract others.”

The class president before meeting Yu-jin and the one recently were almost like different people.

Most students remembered her as she used to be, and most liked her.

So it’s no surprise many were shocked by her sudden change.

– Why is the class president acting like this all of a sudden?

– Lately, she’s been hanging out with Kim Yu-jin. Maybe it’s his influence?

– Whoa, after targeting Young-hee, now it’s the class president?

– Seriously scary. We shouldn’t even make eye contact with Kim Yu-jin from now on.

Some people were whispering, speculating that Yu-jin must’ve done something, spreading all sorts of rumors.

Unintentionally, his bad reputation grew once again.

“So stop talking to me, successor of Hwagcheon.”

“What does ‘so’ even mean here? I have no idea.”

“We aren’t even supposed to talk to each other, anyway.”

“Engaging in conversation might lead to unexpected revelations and surprising compatibility.”

“I can’t imagine any situation where I’d want to talk to you.”

Looking back, their first meeting was pure chaos.

With so much history, their conversations usually ended up in insults or fists.

Though regrettable for Yu-jin, this was self-inflicted karma.

If he kept feeling wronged, even Satan might lose patience with his lack of conscience.

“Hmm, I wanted to consult about the class president stuff…”

Judging by Chul-soo’s glare, continuing might escalate the conflict to four people.

Better to keep quiet here.

Meanwhile, the duel between the class president and Young-hee began.

-KABOOM!

As soon as it started, their magic collided with a deafening sound.

“Wow!”

“What the heck is that?!”

The one who moved first was the class president.

She immediately unleashed a fiery spell, launching it straight forward.

Young-hee shattered it mid-air with her enhanced whip.

Then their magical powers continued clashing.

Basically, the class president attacked, and Young-hee defended—a natural dynamic given the mage vs. supporter matchup.

“Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve seen mages battle each other.”

Most of Yu-jin’s acquaintances were strong martial artists.

Biseo Park, Tae-jin Kim, and even Rime if we got technical.

Thus, opportunities to witness pure mage duels were rare.

Maybe that’s why the magical combat seemed especially dazzling.

“Or maybe it’s because the fighters are the class president and Young-hee?”

Regardless, both were top-tier geniuses in the Academy.

If there were no major variables, one of these two would likely represent U-Academy as the mage champion.

“…Still, isn’t this getting a bit intense?”

Their fight gradually escalated.

The level of spells flying around went from “glasses-wearing boy riding a broomstick” to “old grandpa taking down Balrogs with Jipangyi.”

-Mid-level Magic: Thorny Claw

-Mid-level Blessing: White Rabbit Veil

The ground cracked, fragments of broken spells flew everywhere, and the air trembled from the clash of magical energies.

No exaggeration, their magic was strong enough to worry about.

These girls were already powerful enough to rip through a couple demons from hell.

When their full powers collide, it’s far beyond kids’ play.

Even the two casting the spells showed signs of fatigue.

That’s how serious this fight was.

“Haa! Haa!”

“…What’s been bothering you this whole time?”

Young-hee wiped the sweat trickling down her chin.

Though she accepted the challenge since the class president initiated it,

she honestly couldn’t understand why the attack was so emotionally charged.

She even felt gratitude toward the class president for taking care of her.

But… what’s going on with her now?

‘She looks like she’s obsessing over something.’

Her eyes alone told the story.

The class president stared at Young-hee with a bitter yet venomous look.

“…You wouldn’t understand even if I explained.”

“Are you mad at me?”

“No.”

Despite her words, the atmosphere around the class president was ominous.

“I’m not mad at you. I’m mad at myself.” It was jealousy.

That emotion was so potent it almost seemed visible.

“Honestly, I was surprised too. I didn’t know I could feel this way.”

“Huh?”

“I don’t want to give up the second chance either. It’s everything to me.”

Still unclear what she meant.

Their conversation felt completely misaligned.

But the magical energy radiating from her was genuine.

‘Is she serious?’

The class president gathered immense magical power.

It was obvious a massive spell was incoming.

Should I intervene and try to stop this?

Professors, Chul-soo, and Yu-jin were all present.

If I spoke up, they’d surely step in to mediate.

‘But I don’t want to stop this fight.’

The class president’s emotions felt too unsettling to leave unresolved.

Though hard to articulate, it felt like this match needed to happen.

Only Young-hee could properly handle these feelings.

Perhaps letting it all out would be better.

Plus, Young-hee herself has pride.

‘I don’t want to show weakness in front of Chul-soo, especially now.’

This tournament ultimately hinges on who Chul-soo and Yu-jin choose.

Even if Chul-soo briefly considers “maybe the class president?”—that’s unacceptable for Young-hee.

…Could this be related to why the class president is acting this way?

‘No time to think deeply about that.’

The class president had already begun chanting a spell.

At advanced levels, the preparation phase alone affects surrounding magical energies.

She exuded a powerful aura matching the magic she prepared.

In response, Young-hee also channeled her magical power.

Back then, she honestly wouldn’t have stood a chance.

But after growing exponentially stronger through various experiences, things were different now!

Both girls simultaneously began their incantations.

-Advanced Magic: Pseudo Gravity

-Young-hee Original: Moonlight Splendor

Massive magical forces clashed.

Semi-transparent pressure and white light erupted, pushing them apart.

An overwhelming amount of magical energy and shockwave, unlike anything a student should produce!

The wind pressure made onlookers’ hair flutter.

The sheer force felt completely different from anything witnessed until now.

‘Is it really okay to let this go unchecked?’

Even Yu-jin, who’d joke about losing an arm and becoming Winter Soldier, was startled, showing how serious this situation was.

…

The two magics remained locked in a standoff, neither giving an inch.

But soon, one side began to falter.

Calmness under pressure is a mage’s most crucial trait, and that decided the outcome.

“Ahhh…”

The class president let out a soft groan.

Simultaneously, her spell was pushed back and exploded mid-air.

The powerful shockwave sent her body flying backward.

“B-, Class President! Are you alright?”

As the smoke cleared, the class president sat stunned on the ground.

Thankfully, there were no obvious injuries.

But the emotional impact seemed significant.

She remained dazed for a moment.

Just as Yu-jin and Chul-soo finally approached,

“Sniff…”

Tears streamed down the class president’s eyes.

Everyone froze in shock.

Ignoring their stares, she burst into uncontrollable tears.

“Waaaah! Why me?! Why am I always stuck in this role?! Why does this keep happening to me?!”

She broke down crying like a child.

Young-hee didn’t know what to do, Chul-soo stiffened, and Yu-jin watched awkwardly with a bewildered expression.

“I worked so hard and just wanted to be acknowledged once! Why do I always get this unfair treatment?! It’s so unfair! So unfair! Waaaah!”

Only the class president’s cries echoed through the tense atmosphere of the training ground.

This incident became a hot topic, making the front page of the Academy student newspaper.

However, she only found out about this long after regaining her composure.

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