Chapter 5
As soon as the second entrance exam concluded, the Academy was thrown into chaos.
Rank 1: Park Ki-hyuk
• The student has been appointed as ‘Team Leader’ upon the recommendation of Yggdrasil.
Park Ki-hyuk?! That Park Ki-hyuk?!!
Everyone was in disbelief.
Who was Park Ki-hyuk? A Mana Deficiency patient.
Once hailed as a genius with a naturally gifted physique, he fell from grace the moment it was revealed that he couldn’t use a single ounce of mana—a tragic downfall of a once-promising talent.
In essence, Park Ki-hyuk had been sentenced to death as a superhuman, labeled as a “disabled” individual.
And yet, there he was, right before their eyes, standing proudly at the top of the entrance exam rankings!
How could this be?
What on earth had happened?
It was only natural that the Academy would be bombarded with countless inquiries.
From those who couldn’t accept the results, to those who suspected foul play, to those demanding further information—the Academy’s forums quickly descended into chaos…
Eventually, the Academy’s headmaster, Chun Soo-man, had no choice but to step in.
“Yggdrasil, what on earth is going on here? How could Park Ki-hyuk be the top scorer?!”
“He arrived first, so he’s the first. Now, please calm down and take a seat.”
Chun Soo-man, fuming, finally sat down, and vines rose to form a table.
Yggdrasil offered a cup of tea.
Sipping the tea to wet his dry throat, Chun Soo-man continued.
“This is a serious situation, Yggdrasil. We’re being flooded with complaints. You can’t imagine how many phone calls I had to take yesterday.”
“Humans always live such stressful lives. Why do you all live with so much doubt?”
“Because we have to! We’re talking about Park Ki-hyuk! That child was diagnosed with Mana Deficiency. He was deemed incapable of using mana—a failure.”
“And?”
“And?!”
“Yes, and?”
“Listen here, Yggdrasil!!”
“I only trust what I see. In this second exam, Park Ki-hyuk arrived at me first. He did it all on his own.”
“Is that even possible…? Hoo… Then at least give me something to convince others. This situation is getting dire.”
“Are you asking me to release the student’s personal information? Chun Soo-man, remember that I hold full authority over the exams.”
“But if this continues, the Academy’s credibility will be at risk…”
“That’s your problem, not mine. I don’t care what you or anyone else calls Park Ki-hyuk. Mana Deficiency, disabled… It’s all from a human perspective.”
“…Even if it means you’ll be doubted?”
“Of course. It’s human doubt, after all. It doesn’t bother me.”
“…”
“But don’t misunderstand. I don’t look down on humanity. I respect you all. If I were to view things from a binary perspective, I’d say I’m quite fond of you. However…”
Yggdrasil looked at Chun Soo-man with indifferent eyes.
“Don’t judge me by human standards. Don’t drag me into human politics either. If that happens, I might become very displeased.”
“…I was thoughtless. I’ll be more careful next time.”
Yggdrasil, the cornerstone of the world-renowned Korean Academy.
As such, not even the Academy’s headmaster could do anything about her.
“Then just tell me one thing. How did the recommendation happen? That’s not something given just for arriving first.”
“As I said before, I tested Park Ki-hyuk, and he passed my test with flying colors.”
“Is that all?”
“What more is there to say?”
“…Yggdrasil, I respect and admire you. I was once your student too, wasn’t I?”
“You were. Haha. Young Chun Soo-man was quite adorable. Ah, I miss those days.”
“Ahem, anyway! If you appoint a Team Leader just like that, it puts me in a difficult position. You know how important the Team Leader role is for first-year students.”
“I’m well aware. I created the system, after all.”
The Korean Academy’s cooperative education curriculum consists of Team Leaders, Squad Leaders, and Captains.
In the modern era, where raiding parties have become the standard form of combat, the charisma of a commander is as important as individual bravery, and Yggdrasil’s curriculum was designed to cultivate ideal leaders.
“Even if I reluctantly accept that Park Ki-hyuk arrived first, let’s say he dominated the entrance exam with overwhelming power. But being a Team Leader is a different matter. A Team Leader needs to take care of their teammates, and that kid fundamentally lacks mana. He doesn’t even know magic.”
“Heh. Did you know, Chun Soo-man? With that statement, you’ve just lowered the credibility of humanity even further.”
Park Ki-hyuk doesn’t know magic?
A boy who completely dismantled an illusion Yggdrasil had deliberately crafted with a mere handful of mana stones doesn’t know magic?
How laughable.
This is why Yggdrasil only trusts what she sees. Humans only believe what they want to believe.
“Ninety-nine points.”
“…!!”
“That’s the score I gave Park Ki-hyuk. Satisfied now?”
The highest score ever awarded since the founding of the Korean Academy.
This was Yggdrasil’s response to the controversy.
“Ugh.”
“What’s wrong, son? Does your ear hurt?”
“It’s not pain, just an itch.”
“Oh, someone must be talking about our brilliant son.”
If that’s the case, I can’t disagree.
The fact that I, once labeled as a “disabled” person, passed the entrance exam as the top scorer is bound to stir up quite a bit of gossip.
“Do you want me to clean your ears with a cotton swab?”
“No, thanks. We’re in a restaurant; it wouldn’t be polite.”
Right on cue, there was a knock, and the food was brought in. Today’s menu was Chinese-style jajangmyeon and sweet and sour pork. I heard this combination is a must after exams here on Earth? I decided to give it a try.
“Is this enough? I can order something better if you want. Should I get something else?”
“Oh, it’s fine. It’s just an exam I passed; this is plenty.”
“Just an exam? Do you know what kind of exam it was? It was the Academy’s entrance exam. Do you know what the pass rate was this time?”
“How much?”
“7.3 percent. There weren’t even 30 successful applicants in the second exam you took. And you came out on top. Do you know how proud I was when I heard the news?”
“Hearing that makes me happier than being first.”
“What?”
“That I made you proud, Mom.”
“Of course. You’re my son. Children are always a parent’s pride. Now, eat before it gets cold.”
I felt a lump in my throat.
A warm, ticklish feeling filled my chest. Family… no matter how many times I hear it, it’s always a comforting word.
Even more so than being first place.
I know there’s a lot of talk about my results out there. I have ears and eyes; how could I not know? Just checking this phone is enough to see that the news is plastered with articles about me.
The funny thing is, none of it is good.
It’s all doubt and suspicion. Some even question the integrity of the entire Academy, as if the entrance exam itself was flawed.
How amusing must this be from my perspective?
These people, who are so full of doubt, why didn’t they question the part where I, once hailed as a genius, suddenly collapsed due to Mana Deficiency? Isn’t it stranger that a genius, called a heaven-sent talent, would fall overnight? To me, that’s what’s truly odd.
And now that the fallen genius has risen again, they’re scrutinizing every detail, demanding proof.
They want me to prove the results I’ve already achieved.
‘Pathetic.’
Enough. Let’s drop it; just thinking about it is enough to rot my brain.
I dipped an onion into the black bean sauce and popped it into my mouth. The crisp, tangy flavor spread across my palate, and I slurped up the last of my jajangmyeon.
“Should I order another bowl?”
“Yes, the portions are a bit small.”
“Hold on.”
A single bowl cost 25,000 won. The taste was decent, but the portion was lacking. So, I ordered three more bowls. And another plate of sweet and sour pork.
Mom seemed overjoyed just watching me eat.
“But, Mom. I’m not the first to place first in the entrance exam, am I? Didn’t my brother and sister also graduate at the top of their classes?”
“Yes, that’s right. Who told you that?”
“Yggdrasil. She was very pleased, saying that our family was the first to have such consistent talent across generations. Oh! She also asked about Dad and Mom.”
“That old tree…”
I left out the part where she casually asked for another one.
That ancient tree, Yggdrasil, has a terrible sense of time. She seems to think humans live for 200 years. But it was still nice. It’s always a pleasure to hear your family praised, even more so than receiving praise yourself.
“Let’s gather everyone when your father and Soo-hyuk return from their deployment. By then, Min-ji should have calmed down a bit too.”
“Don’t push yourself too hard. I’m fine.”
“No… You’re trying so hard, so we should all try as well. That’s what family is.”
I don’t know all the details, but I’m aware that this family has been hurt because of Park Ki-hyuk. Especially my sister, Park Min-ji, who was so deeply affected that she even left home, saying she couldn’t stand to see me.
Apparently, she used to visit often when I was unconscious, so it’s not like she completely hates me.
In any case, these are burdens I must bear and knots I must untangle.
That’s why I plan to continue revealing my abilities without holding back. To completely erase the past that worried my family.
“This jajangmyeon is good. We’re going to have a lot of reasons to celebrate from now on, so let’s eat here often to avoid any hassle.”
“Haha. My son is so cool. You were quite manly just now.”
“A man has to take responsibility for his words. You can look forward to it.”
“Yes, yes.”
You think I’m joking.
But I’m serious. I’ve already walked the path of an absolute being once.
With the experience of a Demon King and the body of a giant.
Honestly, even I don’t know the limits of my potential.
What’s certain is that soon, all this controversy will seem laughable compared to the shock everyone will feel.
Just wait and see.
I’ll show you what it really means to live with style.
“Oh! I almost forgot. Ki-hyuk, Chilseong Group contacted us. They want to meet with you about the incident. I recommend going.”
“Could it be… what I think it is?”
“If you’re thinking compensation, probably?”
“Ho, now I’m intrigued.”
Gifts are always welcome.
And so, the pleasant evening drew to a close.
A few days later, I went to the meeting arranged by Chilseong Group.
However, the location I arrived at, accompanied by a lawyer, was quite unexpected.
“Whistle~ It’s big. Definitely bigger than our house.”
“Well, it is the Chilseong Group. If our Optimum has power, then the Big Three, including Chilseong, have wealth. We can’t ignore their history.”
“I agree.”
“But there’s no need to feel intimidated. It’s just that our CEO isn’t materialistic. If she wanted, these kinds of material things would be nothing. The strength of the Swordsmanship Clan doesn’t come from such trivialities. I’m sure if there were a surefire way, your… condition would have been resolved long ago.”
The lawyer spoke in a stiff tone, probably trying to reassure me in case I felt overwhelmed.
I appreciate the sentiment, but it’s unnecessary.
This mansion is about the size of a small castle. It’s certainly the largest house I’ve seen since coming to this world.
But that’s only by this world’s standards. Back in the Empire, mansions like this were a dime a dozen. Even the castles I’ve crushed underfoot were sometimes as large as small cities.
Do you think I’d be fazed by something like this?
My concern lies elsewhere.
A chairman is the head of a group, comparable to a noble house in the Empire. Why would such a person invite me here? Surely, they don’t expect me to naively believe they just want to apologize?
“I have a guess…”
“What do you mean?”
“The reason they invited me here.”
“As expected, you’re as sharp as our CEO said. Yes, it’s likely because you topped the entrance exam.”
The explanation may have been lengthy, but it boils down to something simple.
They want to maintain a good relationship with me, who proved my strength by ranking first in the entrance exam.
And if they can keep a favorable relationship with Optimum Agent too, all the better.
“Actually, this incident is an opportunity for Chilseong Group.”
“Why?”
“For a group that’s actively pursuing the agent business, strength is what they need most. And the fact that they have a chance to make early contact with you, a promising talent who topped the entrance exam, is an enormous advantage.”
“I’m flattered.”
“No need to be modest. It’s the truth. And if this makes you feel even a little embarrassed, you shouldn’t.”
“What do you mean?”
“There’s an old saying that a king knows no shame. The same applies to conglomerates. When it comes to getting what they want…”
The lawyer glanced at me through the rearview mirror.
“They don’t shy away from anything. The awkwardness is just beginning.”
And the lawyer’s words were spot-on.
“I’m sorry!”
“Yeon Jae-hoon.”
“I’m really sorry!”
“Louder.”
“I’m really sorryyyyy!!”
Seeing a grown man kneeling, head bowed, and even crying…
… The embarrassment was all mine.[ If you liked the chapter and want to read more, feel free to join my PATREON page and find more chapters]
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