"Begin!"
On Friday morning, the indoor training ground of Ethol Academy was abuzz.
More filming equipment had been mobilized than on the first day to monitor the real-time final situation of the third round, which was nearing the end of the fierce exchange battle. Master Hunter Seridwen, who could be considered in charge of this exchange event, and the student council president were present from early morning to watch the final round, as they could handle emergencies.
A war role-play of a different scale had commenced.
From the start, the academy's emergency medical team was kept busy with a continuous stream of injuries.
"Bring a stretcher here!"
"Don't let them stagnate. Move them quickly!"
Patients with minor injuries, who could be treated immediately using healing magic, were sent to a temporary clinic supervised by student council officer Evangeline for treatment. Academy students who required further observation were admitted to the academy's infirmary.
In an environment closely resembling real combat, where those who vanished without using a return item—akin to a lifeline—were practically considered deceased, students with immense potential began to emerge.
Stella, who boldly blew up the castle gate right from the start, made a particularly strong impression.
"What's with her?"
"Her magic power seems very high."
In addition to Stella, who garnered attention,
Sarika Millfie, a first-year student who advanced the "Storm of Swordsmanship" to an even more practical level, also received high praise.
"Wouldn't it be great if she could freely control the wind?"
"Didn't we have a student with that kind of talent in the third year?"
"The first-year students this year are truly extraordinary."
The whispers among the scouts grew louder.
It was a sign that a true prodigy had appeared.
Quintia.
The daughter of Sword Saint Justia. A female swordsman referred to as the next Master Hunter candidate, she captivated everyone's hearts with her delicate, beautiful face and astonishing swordsmanship.
She was now the sole focus on the monitoring screen.
"Her skills are already beyond that of a first-year student, aren't they?"
"S-class professional hunters have been easily surpassed."
"You truly do everything on your own."
In the second round, the Imperial Army had to concede the crown to the rebels due to Kim Sang-hyuk's exceptional performance, leaving them unable to avoid weakening. From the monitors, it was evident that the number of troops on each side was vastly different. There were even frequent instances of a single rebel overpowering two or three Imperial soldiers.
The balance of power had collapsed. Many analysts believed that, if left unattended, the fortress would be breached within three hours. However, the momentum of the academy students among the rebels was so strong that the south gate was broken through merely 10 minutes after the skirmish had begun, far from the predicted three hours.
At this point, the Imperial Army already appeared defeated. They lacked the skill to stop the troops storming into the fortress, and more rebel soldiers were converging from the north.
Yet, Quintia single-handedly maintained the shattered power balance. To draw an analogy, it was as if she was lifting an enormous log all by herself, without anyone's assistance.
"Ha!"
A person with the power to alter the course of fate through their own skills.
In the first year, no more than three individuals were esteemed to possess such strength.
Hilaria, bearer of the "Climbing" talent.
Kibele, the "Necromancer."
And lastly, Quintia, daughter of the Sword Saint.
Among these three exceptional prodigies, Quintia stood apart. Her worth was already estimated at over 100 million coins.
Her swordsmanship, capable of striking down hundreds of rebels in a mere instant, transcended the realm of human skill.
A mastery befitting the favor of the gods.
A slash that cleaves through space itself…
There was no point in discussing the potency of her abilities any further.
"Yukseom, Palroe!"
Swung once, it becomes a thunderbolt; swung twice, it transforms into a brilliant flash of light.
Quintia valiantly defended the northern gate like an impenetrable iron wall, singlehandedly halting the spirited advance of the rebels.
Similarly, Kibele guarded the eastern gate with unwavering resolve.
Judging by their abilities alone, this side appeared to have the upper hand.
A prowess surpassing even that of a swordsman who can cut down hundreds.
"It seems like it will end soon since Hilaria isn't here, but…"
Cybele removed her glasses.
"I feel more anxious not being able to see him."
In truth, Cybele's power excelled not in summoning the dead and controlling them but in imbuing her body with their command. Those who had witnessed her abilities even once would understand why she was valued higher than a Sword Saint. All the rebels who entered Cybele's line of sight were petrified, becoming as immobile as stones.
Her blue eyes flickered with a mysterious olive-hued light, emitting a unique magical energy wave and dominating the battlefield.
"Huh… ha… ugh…!"
Having expended her concentration, Cybele tightly closed her eyes and rested. Even with her glasses, her vision would not return for some time. Nevertheless, the situation had already shifted overwhelmingly in Cybele's favor.
After using her special pupils, Cybele would become defenseless, and it was Hilaria's original role to protect her. While they could make full use of this power on this battlefield due to the advantage of a defensive war, it was a formidable force not easily unleashed when surrounded by enemies.
"Quintia is, as expected, overwhelmingly powerful."
"The more we witness the power of Kibele, the more captivating it becomes."
"Is Hilaria not ready yet?"
There was one reason the scouts eagerly awaited her arrival.
The towering walls, dozens of meters high, could not deter her.
"She's here!"
As the image of Hilaria scaling the fortress wall appeared on the screen, everyone erupted in cheers.
Her mere presence exuded an intoxicating star quality.
The sight of her skillfully deflecting fire magic with her mighty greatsword, all the while advancing with a cool grace, elicited admiration.
Her opponent, Deherit Ade, was preoccupied with evading her.
"Come, generals, let us engage in a thrilling battle. Why do you persist in fleeing?"
"Stop pursuing me!"
"You, too, follow the footsteps of your elders. Huh? Join me in this dance!"
"Please, don't come any closer!"
Early on, Deherit had abandoned the idea of fighting Hilaria and retreated into the citadel's secret passage.
From this point on, the situation took a peculiar turn.
"Focus on Kim Sang-hyuk!"
"Has he already reached the center of the citadel?"
"What? It hasn't even been an hour since the third round commenced!"
Like a soul beckoning an early departure,
While everyone was fervently battling and earning PT, Kim Sang-hyuk's squad alone advanced with an uncanny prowess towards the heart of the fortress, heading straight to the queen's chamber. Seridwen's crimson eyes gleamed like precious gemstones.
"Intriguing. How did they discover the hidden passage?" she mused.
The distinction lay in their exploration skills. Kim Sang-hyuk possessed an exceptional ability to decipher maps, surpassing anyone else in the exchange match, and his leadership in utilizing this talent was outstanding. To the scouts, Henna was merely a C-tier mage, lacking initiative and possessing relatively inferior abilities.
However, when she was by Kim Sang-hyuk's side, the assessment of her skills was transformed.
"Is she a sorceress wielding void magic?"
"Not bad, right?"
"It's a rare support-oriented propensity nowadays."
Using Henna's powers, Kim Sang-hyuk effortlessly scaled the walls. Unaware of what other variables he might introduce, numerous scouts watched intently.
Had about an hour and 20 minutes elapsed?
Kim Sang-hyuk managed to subdue the queen with ease, forging a victory with his own strength.
"Is it truly over?"
"The more I witness, the more it resembles the White Devil's combat techniques."
Isabella blinked in astonishment.
Although he didn't say a word, he was watching Kim Sang-hyuk. It had been confirmed during the second round that his combat movements bore a striking resemblance to his own.
He couldn't help but feel pride in that similarity. It filled him with a sense of gratification, as if witnessing the rapid advancement of a disciple. This was separate from the haphazard use of personality excretion that could lead to accidents.
'Kim Sang-hyuk…'
However,
"Quintia is approaching! Isn't she too fast?"
"She won't let herself be easily defeated."
In terms of a chessboard analogy, Kim Sang-hyuk was like a knight, creating opportunities for checkmate by evading the enemy's superior pieces. But when Quintia intervened, an odd tension filled the air.
On one hand, there were those who thought that everything was over now that Quintia had arrived; on the other, there were those who believed that Kim Sang-hyuk might still be able to do something.
The atmosphere was split between the two viewpoints.
'…So fast.'
The student council president inwardly marveled at Quintia's movements. He observed that her ability to rescue hostages held captive by the opponent was extraordinary.
The agility to exploit the enemy's vulnerabilities and the technique to naturally seize control must be skillfully combined to outmaneuver them undetected.
'Quintia, much like her mother, seems to possess ample heroic qualities.'
For Kim Sang-hyuk, who has only just begun to grasp martial arts, this proves to be a formidable adversary.
"…No."
Seridwen's voice seeped out of her mouth, betraying her apprehension.
"You'll lose if you engage."
Quintia is not one to permit even the slightest clumsy assault. Especially when they are facing each other as they are now.
In reality, the outcome was a crushing defeat in the first move, with regretful sighs emanating from all around.
"Ah."
"He performed exceptionally well for a D-class."
"This is as far as he goes. The skill levels are indeed different."
As everyone anticipated Quintia's 100% victory, an odd atmosphere enveloped them.
They couldn't hear what Kim Sang-hyuk was saying, but…
He didn't seem like someone who had given up on the fight.
'What is he trying to do?'
The student council president hadn't considered that Kim Sang-hyuk, who even carried a gun, might have something up his sleeve to alter the situation.
At that very moment.
Quintia displayed a peculiar and abrupt behavior, fearfully swinging her sword around her. It seemed as though she was engaging with an unseen force.
'…Is it that power?'
Isabella tilted her head, puzzled, as the scene was invisible to her eyes.
"Isabella, can you not see it?"
At that moment, Seridwen spoke.
"No, I cannot. What is happening, sir?"
"That person… what in the world…? What divine favor could they possibly have?"
Seridwen muttered in bewilderment.
There was a more dangerous power at play – it felt as such, and even Isabella had some inkling of it. However, up until now, this power had only caused minor physical contact or an accidental kiss.
She never imagined it would be an ability potent enough to instill such fear in Quintia.
"Isabella, prepare to intervene."
"Sir?"
"…The duel. We might have to put an end to it."
This statement was entirely unexpected.
Isabella wondered why Seridwen, who had been indifferent even in the face of death, now sensed such a grave threat.
Isabella hadn't even grasped the situation yet.
Could there be something even more terrifying than the revelation of one's innermost secrets?
If so, what in the world was about to unfold?
'Kim Sang-hyuk… You…'
At that moment, Kim Sang-hyuk lifted a feather and grinned. The female students who had come to spectate let out breathless gasps all around. Seridwen's eyes widened in shock.
"What… what is this?"
The taut tension in the air suddenly dissipated.
"Capture the audio!"
The filming crew focused on Kim Sang-hyuk's mouth movements.
"A female student worth 100 million coins is indeed strong. Ah, I can't win!"
Had he… admitted defeat?
It was an odd sight – the winner trembling on unsteady legs, while the loser smiled brightly.
"Were you going easy on me with the feathers?"
Watching Kim Sang-hyuk effortlessly escape the gravitational wave, blood pouring from his wounds, the student council president had already begun to shout.
"Evangeline! Prepare the medical team!"
"What? Oh, right! Yes!"
Soon after, Kim Sang-hyuk emerged from the gravitational wave alongside Henna, and was carried away on a stretcher. He appeared to have lost consciousness from the sudden blood loss.
Isabella hurried to assess the situation and moved alongside the medical team.
"How is Kim Sang-hyuk's condition? Does he need a blood transfusion?"
"It's alright, Chairman. There are no internal injuries at all."
"Really?"
Upon closely examining Kim Sang-hyuk's face, Isabella was relieved.
'What an honorable choice he must have made, to be laughing like that.'
In the end, he was defeated by Quintia in the third round, becoming the victim of a famous meme known as the "Job Below Quintia." However, it was evident from his expression that he gave his all and participated in the exchange match without any regrets.
"I really thought it would be over in an hour."
"Indeed. He's an incredible D-rank."
"From now on, everyone will have their eyes on Jelly Nam."
Kim Sang-hyuk's market valuation was set at 590,000 coins. In the remarks, it was written:
"Personality Discharge."
*
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