RE: Player again

310

[Chapter 100] [To Those Who Live Stepping on Death]

Middle Academy 1st semester midterm exams.

Ha-yang wrote a long essay on the origin and principles of mana.

Even as other students finished their exam papers and left their seats, she asked the instructor for additional answer sheets.

...Done.

It was quite a difficult exam.

Nevertheless, unlike students who gave up and left their seats, she persistently organized vast amounts of content.

She reviewed her answer sheets several times to check if the tone of her answers was consistent, then submitted them to the instructor.

"Ha-yang, you're the last one." "What? There are still people... I really was the only one left."

She hadn't paid attention to her surroundings while focusing on the exam.

Only when the instructor spoke to her familiarly did she realize she was the only one left in the lecture hall.

Ha-yang smiled sheepishly.

"Ha-yang." "Yes?"

At that moment, the instructor who had roughly read her answers called her with a proud face.

The instructor liked Ha-yang who used to attend his lectures with shining eyes.

Of course, because she was a polite student and also Alice Group's direct descendant.

"You know that from next year you can choose one Player position to learn, right?"

"Yes. We can choose one to take when we become 3rd years, right?"

Ha-yang nodded at the instructor's words.

Players could be divided into combat and production roles.

And combat and production roles were further divided into countless subcategories.

Among them, representative subcategories in production roles were Maestro, Black Smith, Crester, and Alchemist.

Also, representative fields in combat roles included Dealer, Hunter, Guardian, Ranger, Caster, Supporter, Navigator, Telepath, Sniper, etc.

Middle Academy students could take classes related to one field from combat or production roles when they became 3rd years.

Though it was just basic theory.

More specialized classes could be learned at High Academy.

But for Middle Academy students, it was an opportunity to freely and diversely understand fields compared to High Academy students.

"Even though it's still the 1st semester so you have time, it would be good for you to clearly decide which field you want to major in, Ha-yang. It's good to experience various things, but personally I think it's best to dig deep into just one."

"Is that so? I was thinking of changing at High Academy if it doesn't suit me..."

"Even though classes learned at High Academy are full-fledged, it's still better to learn the basics at Middle Academy. The number of students will increase so much, so we can't take care of students one by one like now. If possible, it would be helpful for you to build a foundation at Middle Academy then dig deep into one field."

"Yes..."

Ha-yang accepted the instructor's advice without reservation.

Eun-ha had said something similar before.

As a result, she and her friends were all contemplating which field to choose next year.

Meanwhile, Eun-ha had also advised fields that suited his friends.

'...Ha-yang, you're a bit ambiguous.'

'What's ambiguous?'

'You seem like you'd do well at anything that mainly deals with mana.'

However, Eun-ha couldn't make a firm proposal about her field.

The instructor seemed to be the same.

"Have you decided what you'll choose, Ha-yang?"

"Hmm... I'm still thinking about it. I'm not sure what suits me."

"You have the most internal mana among the 031st class and good control ability too, so you should choose something related to that." "Yes, that's right."

"How about Caster or Supporter?" "Yes, there's that too..."

The fields Eun-ha advised were Caster and Supporter.

And there was one more.

"...I'm also thinking about Navigator."

"Navigator... that might suit you, Ha-yang."

Eun-ha recommended Caster and Supporter first, which could fully utilize vast internal mana.

Then he recommended Navigator which could utilize her Gift.

But he didn't urge her to choose any particular one.

Though he seemed to want something from her.

'...But it's your life, Ha-yang. I don't think I can force you that far.'

Even though he recommended Supporter to Eun-woo.

Even though he recommended Caster to Soo-bin.

Eun-ha didn't recommend anything to her in the end.

She was both happy and disappointed.

Because it meant he was sincerely thinking of her.

Because it meant he cherished her.

I want to be helpful to you.

In the end, Ha-yang had to choose a field herself.

So she was troubled.

Whether to choose for herself as Eun-ha said.

Or whether to choose for Eun-ha.

"But I think Caster would suit you, Ha-yang... Your written answers here, and your class comprehension... I'm saying Caster who freely handles magic would suit you well."

"...Right?"

If she had to choose for herself, Caster was most appropriate.

She who had read various books since childhood could create offensive magic based on that foundational knowledge.

Moreover, she could use magic similar to Supporters too.

But then it overlaps with Soo-bin...

However, if she chose thinking of Eun-ha, she should avoid Caster.

Because she believed without doubt that Soo-bin could fulfill that role too.

The same was true for Supporter.

She didn't know well, but Eun-ha seemed to be expecting Eun-woo's abilities.

And people Eun-ha expected always possessed skills worthy of that expectation.

She couldn't choose Supporter and overlap with Eun-woo.

In the end, the choice Ha-yang made was─

"─I'm thinking about Navigator for now."

"Well... that's not bad either. But it's a bit disappointing. You could do even better as a Caster..."

"Haha..."

Ha-yang laughed awkwardly.

The instructor just licked his lips.

I want to be helpful to Eun-ha.

Ha-yang was aware of what kind of students Eun-ha often showed interest in.

There didn't seem to be anyone with qualities of a Navigator among them.

Eun-ha had also repeatedly said he still couldn't find a Navigator.

'I wish the 31st class would come soon. For Navigator after all...'

An expectant wish.

Eun-ha had said such words once while looking out the car window.

But Ha-yang thought it would be better for her to become a Navigator herself rather than an uncertain wish.

☆

Middle Academy 3rd Year Specialized Elective Intermediate Swordsmanship Advanced Application.

Eun-ha who took Basic Swordsmanship Advanced Application in the 2nd semester last year took a higher level specialized elective this year.

Originally he should have taken Basic Swordsmanship Advanced Application or Intermediate Swordsmanship Basic Introduction, but the swordsmanship instructor recommended this class after seeing his skills.

It's not even at dungeon level.

Nevertheless, he was taking the exam without much difficulty.

It was at the level of responding to high difficulty yellow dungeon level traps and low-rank monster attacks.

There were several blocks flying around by magic in the small exam room.

The exam was to strike down the flying blocks.

However, the colorful blocks each showed different abilities according to their color.

"Next! Purple level! Those who can't do it step back and switch with the next person!"

White breaks after one hit.

Yellow breaks after two hits.

Orange breaks after three hits.

Green emits smoke around it.

Blue emits cold air around it.

Red explodes the moment it's attacked.

Purple dazzles the moment it's hit.

And some blocks suddenly changed color without warning. The randomly flying blocks even had different sizes and lengths.

The moment the exam started, the flying blocks circled around the examinee showing such properties.

So when new colored blocks appeared, students taking the exam judged they couldn't continue and stepped back.

As a result, there were only a few students who faced purple blocks.

"...Is he really a 2nd year?" "Did you see him just now using the red block's explosive power to avoid the purple block?"

"I had a hard time striking down 7... how many is he at now?"

Naturally, waiting students or those who dropped out midway could only watch Eun-ha moving busily in the exam room.

The students sitting with legs together all exclaimed in admiration.

Compared to the remaining students, the sight of Eun-ha commanding a clearly different number of blocks could be called art.

He strikes down blocks that pop out in front, then jumps high into the sky to break only white blocks in order from above.

He uses the explosive power of lightly hit red blocks as propulsion to break through the illusions created by purple blocks.

He neutralizes blue blocks while scattering flames attached to his body.

As time passes, newly created blocks surround him but he shows no hesitation.

While other students gave up, he swung his sword until the blocks grew to the point of blocking his vision.

"E-Exam over─!!"

Finally.

Only when the exponentially increasing blocks filled the exam room did the exam end.

The instructor couldn't help but be astonished at Eun-ha who remained in the exam room until the end.

How on earth did he guide the blocks for only white, yellow, and orange blocks to gather around him.

As a result, he was able to be safe without any injuries in a space full of blocks.

Blue, red, and purple blocks were gathered on the outermost edges.

"...Eun-ha, you don't need to learn things like advanced swordsmanship. Since you already have your own unique swordsmanship, learning basic swordsmanship might actually not be good for you."

"But I have no choice if I want to graduate."

Eun-ha curtly replied to the instructor who approached pushing aside students.

The swordsmanship learned at Middle Academy was just basic swordsmanship after all.

If it's basics, he learned it all last year.

He had reached the point where he could no longer gain insights even if he learned more academy swordsmanship.

Rather, he had to worry about the swordsmanship he mastered in his previous life being tainted by academy swordsmanship.

Nevertheless, he couldn't not learn swordsmanship since there was a credit requirement specified by the academy.

"I can't take High Academy classes, right?"

"...I know your skills well, but according to regulations, that would be difficult."

"Tch."

Eun-ha clicked his tongue briefly.

The swordsmanship learned at High Academy might be somewhat helpful, but his status was ultimately a Middle Academy student.

He couldn't take High Academy classes without going through the regular curriculum.

It meant the academy side hadn't considered this kind of situation.

Of course, it didn't make sense for this kind of thing to happen.

The problem was that this nonsensical situation happened to him.

"But it seems you learned swordsmanship before entering the academy too... Can I know who you learned from? I saw habits of Players who roughly crossed battle lines..."

"...I don't know their name either. They're not alive in this world." "I see. This is... really a shame. If they could make you like this, they must surely have skills in teaching..."

He told the lie that had become his repertoire since last year.

The instructor accepted those words without particular suspicion.

"Since you can't achieve more at Middle Academy, how about becoming of another Player? I hear you know Player Kang Hyeon-cheol..."

"What? This is the first I'm hearing of it?" "...So it was just a rumor after all. Never mind. Forget it."

Eun-ha spoke so nonchalantly.

The instructor who tried probing once to confirm the rumor backed off regretfully.

It's not that I haven't thought about sparring with that squid bastard...

But getting involved with him would just be a headache.

No way.

He recalled thoughts he had before, turning away from the instructor.

Becoming of had more losses than gains.

Above all mentally.

It would be good if I could receive teachings from Teacher Baek Seo-jin... but that would be difficult too.

Eun-ha sighed.

He inevitably decided to only complete the swordsmanship needed for graduation at Middle Academy.

It would be better to handle other weapons for the rest.

Learning spearmanship from Yeon-hwa noona might not be bad either...

Learning spearmanship from Ryu Yeon-hwa who will become in the future might not be bad.

Perhaps he could gain insights while learning spearmanship.

Wasn't there a saying that extremes meet?

"How many classes with exams do I have left now..."

Of course, 3rd year students didn't try to approach him.

Because rumors about him had spread quite badly at the academy.

Moreover, he showed that much power in the exam room.

He wasn't very interested in the 030th class anyway.

Eun-ha checked that the midterm exam period was almost over while looking at the calendar on his smartphone.

The comprehensive evaluation is coming up soon.

He pressed the comprehensive ability evaluation schedule after midterms with his thumb.

The comprehensive evaluation lasting a week.

Students who pass the exam of killing monsters now start facing monsters in earnest.

This comprehensive evaluation would also be exterminating monsters while camping.

'Don't even mention it. Middle Academy wasn't smooth sailing either? You don't know, but when I was in 2nd year, something happened...'

Eun-ha recalled the anecdote Yoo-jeong had told before his regression.

It was a vividly remembered anecdote.

It couldn't be helped.

Many students died.

Because of that, the academy even exceptionally recruited the 031st class additionally.

...I hope that time comes soon.

Much blood will flow.

But he will make even more blood flow.