Chapter 49

<Episode 50> I’m gonna fail this test…

– Scritch scritch scritch scritch.

In the dimly lit room, only the sound of pencils scratching against paper echoed eerily.

Her gaze and expression even hinted at a faint madness.

The Class President has always been diligent, but never to this obsessive extent.

Clearly, she was pushing herself too hard now.

Of course, it’s all because of Yu-jin.

-SNAP!

Unable to bear the pressure, the pencil finally broke.

With that sound, the Class President’s hand froze mid-motion.

Staring at the snapped pencil tip, she let out a heavy sigh.

“What am I even doing…”

The Class President had been intensely focused on expanding her knowledge and improving her skills.

But this wasn’t the healthy kind of ambition people usually talk about.

Rather, it bordered more on obsession toward one particular boy.

Specifically, her feelings for Yu-jin Kim had driven her to this state.

“But if I don’t do this…Yu-jin won’t look at me again.”

For a while now, the Class President had been helping Yu-jin with his training.

Because of that, Yu-jin had grown far beyond what he used to be.

Or rather, that’s what she had convinced herself.

In reality, Yu-jin probably didn’t care at all.

There were plenty of people who could replace her after all.

She had mistakenly believed that he needed her too.

“This wasn’t…how it was supposed to be…”

Without realizing it, she bit her lip hard.

Suddenly, dark emotions surged up from deep within her chest.

Guilt, jealousy, envy, doubt, obsession, regret –

All these conflicting emotions tangled together, making her heart heavy and complicated.

Finally unable to bear it, she face-planted onto the desk.

Yet despite this, one face kept appearing in her mind.

Of course, it was none other than Yu-jin Kim.

Even in this situation, just thinking about him made her heart race uncontrollably.

Now she even found herself resenting these very feelings of hers.

“Guh…”

She had clearly chosen Yu-jin.

Betrayed her close friend and sided with him instead.

“I have nothing to apologize for.”

She still remembers Chul-soo’s expression when he heard her words.

The memories of her time spent with Chul-soo and Young-hee still linger in her heart.

She had even witnessed firsthand what Yu-jin had done to them.

Despite knowing all this, she had still chosen Yu-jin.

Though she had resolved not to regret her choice no matter how guilty she felt.

“Never would I have thought Yu-jin would refuse training…”

The foolishness and cowardice of her own thoughts made her shiver.

What kind of reasoning had made her believe Yu-jin would need her?

The power she sensed from Yu-jin was truly immense.

Whatever help she provided was likely just wishful thinking on her part.

From Yu-jin’s perspective, it might have all been a waste of time.

“Did I abandon my friends who needed me…just to choose a boy who doesn’t even need me?”

As this vague thought crystallized into words…

It became a sharp dagger, plunging deep into her heart.

The Class President desperately tried to stop thinking.

If she continued like this, that dagger would surely start carving up her heart.

“No, that’s not right. Yu-jin did say there was someone who could replace me…which means my help was useful.”

Yu-jin isn’t the type to sugarcoat things or lie.

His words may be lacking and hard to understand, but if he said it, it was likely true.

Meaning there really is someone who can replace her.

“But who…?”

Though it may be arrogant to say, her abilities are extremely rare.

A unique training method using the flow of magic power.

Combined with her personally accumulated research knowledge and experience.

Not even an average skilled mage could easily replicate this.

She could proudly say she’s unparalleled within the Academy.

Finding a replacement so quickly is definitely abnormal.

“Could there be someone similar in Hwagcheon?”

It’s not impossible.

Hwagcheon is one of Korea’s largest guilds.

Its notorious reputation comes with many powerful members.

There must certainly be mages far superior to someone like her.

They might have figured out something similar after hearing Yu-jin’s explanation.

Especially since Yu-jin is Hwagcheon’s successor.

They wouldn’t have hesitated to invest heavily for the successor’s growth.

“…Annoying.”

But regardless of who it is, the fact remains that someone has taken Yu-jin away from her.

She gave up everything for Yu-jin.

Betrayed precious friends.

Discarded her pride and ideals of being a hero.

And yet, it was all taken away in an instant.

There’s no way she could forgive that.

“I’ll take him back…”

Someone thinks they can replace me?

Then I’ll become someone even better who can’t be replaced.

At this point, she has nothing else.

She abandoned everything to choose Yu-jin.

If she loses that too, her heart won’t be able to take it.

She’ll be crushed under the weight of her own pitifulness and guilt.

“Now I have no other choice.”

No matter how great Hwagcheon is…

All she needs to do is prove her worth to Yu-jin.

Then for whatever reason, he will choose her.

Rather, she must make him choose her.

Her decision wasn’t wrong.

Rather, it can’t be wrong.

“Whoever it is…I’ll definitely take Yu-jin back. I won’t let him be taken again.”

This one-sided emotion had gradually evolved into an almost obsessive determination through long contemplation.

Unaware that her own feelings were growing darker and deeper,

The Class President once again moved her pen, thinking only of Yu-jin Kim.

– Scritch scritch scritch scritch.

Once more, in the room of a love-struck girl, the pencil scratches echoed eerily.

***

The next day at the Academy.

Yu-jin gritted his teeth at the scene before him.

“Damn…”

Honestly, he had expected something like this would happen eventually.

He foresaw this possibility ever since he first came to this Academy.

But it’s happening much sooner than expected.

He had let his guard down, thinking it wouldn’t come this early.

Recently, there hadn’t been any signs pointing to this.

He didn’t even have time to mentally prepare himself.

“Alright then, I will now announce the groups for the survival assignment taking place on the island.”

At the homeroom teacher’s words, Yu-jin internally braced himself.

Group projects!

The school event where kids who barely know each other’s names try to awkwardly interact and somehow accomplish tasks together!

It’s as nerve-wracking as those times when teachers say “Now form groups with your close friends~” and you’re left standing there clueless about what to do.

To Yu-jin, this news alone was enough to make his stomach churn.

Of course, he understands the purpose of the lesson.

Enter the island in teams and survive for a few days,

While also hunting monsters – a survival-style exam.

It helps cultivate teamwork, gain experience, and boost combat ability.

These are all essential skills for future heroes.

Most students actually enjoy it as a chance to develop practical skills.

But for someone as socially inept as Yu-jin, this wasn’t welcome news at all.

Though it’s not exactly difficult either.

Frankly speaking, considering only Yu-jin’s “abilities”, this could be considered an ideal event.

“Honestly, surviving with Master Kim was basically the same thing.”

His days with Kim Tae-jin were pure survival training.

Living entirely off nature in the forest.

Everything from starting fires to gathering food was primitive.

If they failed to collect or hunt successfully one day, they’d skip lunch.

Well, with his basic physical abilities, he managed to catch something most of the time.

Anyway, survival itself isn’t much of a challenge for Yu-jin.

“Killing monsters…yeah, I don’t like it, but I can manage somehow.”

Monsters are still scary to him.

But his mindset has changed compared to before.

It’s similar to how even grown men get grossed out by cockroaches or rats.

He was already aware of his own strength.

That certainty solidified after rescuing the Class President last time.

Even the Class President, who consistently ranks top academically, couldn’t handle that monster.

Yet he took it down in one shot.

“The problem is having to stick with strangers for days!”

Listening to lectures in the same classroom is tough enough.

Being stuck together 24/7 is just too much.

It’s unreasonable! Impossible for a lonely introvert like him!

He should file a complaint with the school’s human rights committee!

“Still, asking to be exempted would just make me seem crazy.”

Besides, complaining wouldn’t change anything.

The best he could hope for is to request being grouped with acquaintances?

Currently, the only people Yu-jin could call friends are Young-hee, the Class President, Soo-hyun, and Chul-soo.

Soo-hyun is in a different class, so that leaves three.

“Between Young-hee who always initiates conversation, the Class President who’s gotten closer since the last incident, and Chul-soo who’s…awkward but still better than others…”

Talking to classmates who can’t communicate properly is far worse.

Of course, Yu-jin doesn’t expect a miracle where all four end up in the same group.

Logically, it’s unlikely they’d put together four top students from the same class.

He’s just hoping at least one ends up in his group!

“Please! At least don’t make me the odd one out among a bunch of strangers! Just avoid that situation!”

Spending several days like that would be unbearable!

He might die from tension and stress!

With earnest prayers, Yu-jin checked the team assignments.

And the result was-

– Yu-jin Kim

– Chul-soo Kim

– Young-hee Lee

– Yura Seo (Class President)

Yu-jin blinked, thinking he must have read it wrong.

But the list remained unchanged.

At the top was his name.

Below it were Chul-soo, Young-hee, and the Class President.

A miracle had truly happened!

“Azuuuuuu!”

-Huh?! What is this?!

Even Lime, who had been sleeping in his soul, woke up startled.

Yu-jin cheered inwardly with joy,

Completely unaware of what this assignment would bring.

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