Chapter 7
The Korean Academy is famous for its ‘cooperation’-focused education system, which sets it apart from other countries.
• There is no forest made by a single tree.
This philosophy, rooted in the beliefs of Yggdrasil, the founder of the Academy who is still active today, reflects Korea’s pursuit of development based on strict rules (Rules).
And this applies from the moment of admission.
In the entrance exam, students with the highest scores are given the position of ‘Team Leader’.
The team leader recruits students to form their team, utilizing all their abilities to build a cohesive unit. From then on, the team becomes a single community.
Classes, assignments… even grades are shared among the team.
For this reason, the role of the team leader is paramount.
The team leader is the one who sets the direction for the community.
The method doesn’t matter.
Whether they lead through their personality, gather the team with their abilities, or suppress them with force, the leader must show that they can guide the group.
Whether they can lead the community or not.
This is the role and value of the team leader and the core of the ‘cooperation’ that the Korean Academy strives for.
Academy Auditorium.
The auditorium, so large it could be mistaken for a football stadium, was packed with people.
From the successful candidates and their families to scouts from various agents and members of the press, all gathered with their own purposes.
In this crowd, my mother and I sat in the front row, right in front of the podium.
“Whew, I’m nervous.”
“Mom, you come here every time. And you’re still nervous?”
“Of course. Business and family are two completely different things.”
Even though this was her third time, I wanted to tease her, but I held back. I could feel the sincerity in her trembling hand that was holding mine.
“But are you sure you’re okay with giving up the 1st team?”
“It doesn’t matter to me. You agreed too, didn’t you? Why, are you still worried?”
“Well, it’s the first team after all. It might seem like nothing, but being first carries a symbolic significance more useful than you might think.”
Traditionally, the top scorer of the entrance exam becomes the leader of the 1st team.
The 1st team leader has the advantage of being the first to greet everyone, leaving a strong impression on their peers.
These things contribute to forming strong teams later on, so it’s no coincidence that historically, the 1st team leader often becomes the representative of their year.
But I threw away this 1st team position.
Without a shred of regret, I blew it off completely.
Of course, it wasn’t for free. Instead, I secured an early access contract for next year’s Academy graduates.
For the benefit of the lady sitting next to me, of course.
“Mom feels ashamed to face you. I should be giving you gifts, but instead, I’m just taking from you… Should I cancel it now? Optimum doesn’t need an early access contract. We’re already the best!”
“Still, it’s better to have it, isn’t it?”
“…Yeah, I suppose it is.”
“Then it’s fine. Just enjoy it as a gift from your son.”
“Well, at least it’s not the last team.”
“Humph. The main character always makes an entrance last, don’t they? And to be honest.”
I smiled brightly at my mother.
“Your son is far too great to be judged by mere order.”
Let me make it clear. The kids sitting behind me aren’t the ones choosing me. I’m the one picking up clueless chicks.
If they miss this opportunity, it’s their loss, not mine. Order? It doesn’t matter. Yes, that’s it.
Soon, the entrance ceremony began with a speech from Chancellor Cheon Soo-man.
In a dignified tone, he said, “It is an honor to greet you, the hope and peace of this world.” It was quite cute.
A fox trying to imitate a bear.
Just a few hours ago, Cheon Soo-man, who proposed a deal to me, was a fox.
A typical fox—shrewd, capable, and moderately ambitious.
A wise fox who knew how to get what he wanted while keeping within bounds.
Personally, I like that type. At least you can have a conversation with them.
There’s nothing more frustrating and nerve-wracking than someone who’s foolishly kind.
Like a saintess, for example, or someone like a saintess.
Lost in such thoughts, the tedious speech finally came to an end.
“…You will face many challenges. You will be tested by countless temptations. But never forget that you are the future of this land, the keepers of peace. If you feel like giving up, don’t hesitate to come to us. The Academy stands behind you. Congratulations on your admission.”
Followed by applause, a brief introduction by the host.
Then, under the blinding flash of cameras, a student ascended the podium in front of everyone’s gaze.
Now the real show begins.
The highlight of the entrance ceremony.
The announcement of the team leaders.
“Greetings. I am Jin Yuri, the leader of Team 1. It is an honor to be the first to meet my esteemed peers as the leader of Team 1…”
Princess Sheik Merhem was bored.
“…What sets me apart from other team leaders is my practical experience. I can assure you of this. Of course, you’ll have to join my team to hear more…”
The 16th team leader, with her cute appearance, tried her best to appeal to everyone.
‘…I’m hungry.’
But all that was on her mind was the piece of chicken she had left over from last night.
If the person she was waiting for hadn’t been last in line, Princess Merhem would have made some excuse and headed back to her hotel.
“Ugh, she’s so cringy!”
“Why? Isn’t she actually cute? But how did she become a team leader? Does anyone know her?”
“Rumor has it she’s the daughter of the Association’s Vice President? Apparently, she’s been trained by a famous monk since she was young.”
“Wow, a monk? Aren’t they like the aristocrats of healers and frontline fighters?”
“Ugh, rich kids. Disgusting.”
A spoon made of gold? Gold is so soft, why would you make a spoon out of it?
Beyond being bored and hungry, Merhem’s mind started to wander. She seriously considered what a spoon made of gold would be like, but had to stop because of what her butler said.
“Princess, the man coming up now is the 17th team leader. His name is Kang Tae-seok. He’s known as a physical superhuman and the son of the famous defensive superhuman, ‘Kang Man-hee.’”
“The son of a superhuman? Weak.”
“Even if he’s weak, it’s good to remember him. It never hurts to make connections with powerful families.”
“He’s too weak. He’s worthless.”
“If you insist, just remember his name.”
“Fine.”
Contrary to her refined appearance, Princess Merhem was inherently lazy.
The only reason she even responded to her butler was because he had been with her since childhood. If it had been anyone else, she wouldn’t have listened to a word.
“But Princess, are you really going to follow the advice of Korea’s guardian spirit? I did some research myself, and it doesn’t seem like a good idea.”
“Why?”
“Well, they say he’s a ‘null.’ It’s known that he can’t use mana due to mana emptiness.”
“I know that.”
“And I obtained his medical records from a few months ago. He was involved in something so horrible that I can’t even say it out loud. They say he even lost his memory because of it.”
“Memory loss? Interesting.”
The butler’s expression changed at Princess Merhem’s response.
When she says something is ‘interesting,’ it means ‘tell me more.’
The butler, who saw her as a daughter, didn’t want her to join someone as problematic as Park Ki-hyuk, so he tried his best to persuade her.
But despite the butler’s efforts, Princess Merhem’s decision was already made. The presence of Yggdrasil had been that impactful.
If such a divine being had given this advice, there must be a reason.
A reason for recommending Park Ki-hyuk.
“Welcome, Princess of the Plains.”
“As promised, I will give you a second-place gift. That gift is that I won’t recommend you as a team leader. You know why, right? You are more suited to being a ‘fighter’ than a ‘leader.’”
“The second gift is advice. Your aura is unique. So unique that it’s hard to blend with others. Therefore, it’s important to find someone who can embrace everything. Someone like ‘black,’ who can encompass all colors.”
“In that sense, you’re lucky. There’s someone in this class who perfectly fits that description.”
“Park Ki-hyuk. He’s the blackest being I’ve ever seen.”
With such strong recommendations, the name Park Ki-hyuk had already been imprinted deeply in Merhem’s mind without her realizing it.
And now, as the 19th team leader’s presentation ended, the moment had come when that name was announced.
“…For these reasons, it would be wise for the Princess to join Team 1, led by Jin Yuri of the Jinryong Clan, for the sake of your abilities…”
“Shh. Be quiet.”
Step, step.
Long legs resembling the hind legs of a horse. Arms reminiscent of a gorilla’s massive limbs.
When Park Ki-hyuk, with his extraordinary physique, appeared, the previously noisy meeting hall fell silent.
His mere presence overwhelmed everyone.
Just like during their first meeting, Park Ki-hyuk smiled brightly at everyone and said.
“Congratulations. You have earned the opportunity to choose me. Whether you seize this chance or not is your choice. I wish you all good luck. That’s all.”
That was it.
That really was it.
No fancy rhetoric.
No enticing promises.
Just a light suggestion, nothing more.
It was as if he was saying that you’d be the ones missing out, not him.
Park Ki-hyuk then walked off the stage without any hesitation.
“Interesting.”
I like it.
Princess Merhem’s radiant eyes were fixed on Park Ki-hyuk. Unbeknownst to herself, she was smiling.
After making my manly announcement and stepping down, I got scolded by my mother.
I hadn’t realized it, but I forgot to mention my name.
It seems my old habits from being a Demon King resurfaced. I wasn’t used to saying my name.
In the empire, there was no need to mention my name. After all, who in the empire wouldn’t know the Demon King?
Anyway, after a few days of training and familiarizing myself with my ‘right hand,’ the freshman welcome party and orientation finally arrived.
And for the first time, I met the hopefuls who wanted to join my team.
“Team leader’s here. Over here, team leader!”
A cute girl waved at me energetically.
“‘You’ve earned the chance to choose me!’ Man, what a macho line! So cool!”
A swordsman kept giving me double thumbs up.
“Boss! I came here because I wanted to train with you! My pectoral muscles are already trembling.”
There was even a musclehead who seemed to have a penchant for exposure.
There were also others who awkwardly greeted me, those already forming their own cliques, those who frowned as if they were forced to join, and one who was already asleep? Seriously?
Overall, their expressions were not great.
The atmosphere was strange.
Their attitude was cocky.
I could tell what was going on. These guys had probably joined reluctantly.
They were likely the leftovers who had applied for highly competitive teams—like Jin Yuri’s 1st team or Henry, the son of Titan’s 2nd team—and were rejected.
“At least there’s some relief.”
The foreigner with the tanned skin I saw during the entrance exam was smiling at me.
I found one.
And another one, a guy who was just reading a book.
I got two.
“Just two keepers.”
The rest were mediocre. They didn’t stand out in any way.
These are the ones who need mental discipline.
They’re unpolished gems, where their future development depends entirely on their will and effort.
But if they’re unpolished and lack willpower, drive, or even a bit of determination? No amount of teaching will do them any good.
A stone that refuses to move will remain a stone for the rest of its life.
This is the lesson I learned as the Grand Duke of the Ebony Tower, teaching countless students.
So, I prepared something.
Thunk.
I took out a heavy box from the subspace.
Inside were headgear, gloves, and other protective gear.
“Put it all on.”
“…!!”
Let’s not tire each other out with unnecessary hassle.
I’ll only take the ones worth taking.
“From now on, you and I will fight. The rules are simple. Use your magic. Weapons are allowed. Do your best to bring me down. But if you flinch, step back. Understood?”
For a moment, the aura emanating from my body enveloped everyone.
Everyone flinched.
They’re misunderstanding something.
What I gave you was an opportunity, not a promise.
Even if you choose me, the final decision is mine.
If you want to be selected, you must prove yourself.
Whether you’re the person I need or not.
So.
“Show me your best.”
Boom-!!
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