Chapter 5

As soon as the second round of the entrance exam ended, the academy was thrown into chaos.

1st place: Park Ki-hyuk

* This student has been confirmed as the team leader by Yggdrasil's recommendation.

Park Ki-hyuk?! That Park Ki-hyuk?!!

Everyone was in disbelief.

Who is Park Ki-hyuk? A patient with mana nihilism.

Once hailed as a genius for his innate physical abilities, he fell from grace in an instant when it was discovered that he couldn't use even a single speck of mana.

In essence, he was a disabled person who had been sentenced to death, a superhuman in name only.

Yet, there he was, right in front of them, at the very top of the entrance exam results!

How on earth?

What was going on?

It was only natural that the academy would be flooded with inquiries.

From those who couldn't accept the results, to those who suspected foul play, to those demanding evidence.

The academy bulletin board quickly turned into a chaotic scene...

In the end, the academy's principal, Cheon Su-man, had to step in.

* * *

"Yggdrasil, what is going on here? How can Park Ki-hyuk be the top student?!"

"He arrived in first place, so he must be the top student. Calm down and take a seat."

As Cheon Su-man huffed and sat down, wooden vines sprouted and formed a table.

Yggdrasil placed a teacup on the table.

Cheon Su-man sipped his tea and continued.

"The situation is serious, Yggdrasil. Protests are pouring in. I received more calls yesterday than you can imagine."

"I always feel that humans live a tiring life. Why do you live with so much suspicion?"

"There's no choice but to be suspicious! It's Park Ki-hyuk. That boy is a confirmed patient with mana nihilism. He's been diagnosed as a disabled person who can't use mana."

"So what?"

"So what?!"

"Yes, so what."

"Listen, Yggdrasil!!"

"I only believe what I see. In this second round of the exam, Park Ki-hyuk arrived in first place, all on his own."

"Is that even possible...! Huh... No, if that's the case, at least give me some convincing evidence. The situation is serious."

"Are you suggesting I reveal a student's information? Cheon Su-man, I have full authority over the exams."

"But if this continues, the academy's credibility will be at stake..."

"That's your problem. I don't care what you call Park Ki-hyuk. Mana nihilism, disabled. It's all from a human perspective."

"Even if you are suspected?"

"Of course. It's human suspicion, after all. I don't care."

"..."

"Don't misunderstand. I don't look down on the human species. I respect you. If I had to choose, I'd say I like you. But..."

Yggdrasil looked at Cheon Su-man with a detached gaze.

"Don't judge me by human standards. I also don't allow being dragged into human politics. If that happens, I'll be very upset."

"Sorry, I was rash. I'll be more careful next time."

Yggdrasil, who laid the foundation for the world-renowned Korean Academy, was someone even the academy's principal couldn't touch.

"Instead, tell me this. How did the recommendation come about? It's not just given to the top student, right?"

"Exactly as I said before. I tested Park Ki-hyuk, and he passed the test excellently."

"Is that all?"

"What else do you need?"

"Yggdrasil, I respect and admire you. I was once your student, wasn't I?"

"That's right. Hehe. Young Cheon Su-man was quite cute. Ah, I miss those days."

"Cough, anyway! Appointing a team leader so abruptly puts me in a difficult position. You know how important a team leader is to first-year students."

"I know. I created the system."

The Korean Academy's unique cooperative education curriculum, consisting of team leaders, squad leaders, and captains.

In the modern era where raid parties are the standard combat formation, a commander's charisma is as important as individual prowess. Yggdrasil's curriculum aimed to produce ideal commanders.

"Even if I can't believe it, let's say Park Ki-hyuk did arrive in first place. Let's say he tore through the entrance exam with overwhelming power. But being a team leader is a different story. A team leader needs to care for their teammates, and that boy has no mana. He doesn't even know magic."

"Tsk. Do you know, Cheon Su-man, that your statement just lowered human credibility even further?"

Park Ki-hyuk doesn't know magic?

The boy who completely shattered the illusion I deliberately created with just a tiny bit of mana doesn't know magic?

It's ridiculous.

This is why Yggdrasil only believes what she sees. Humans only believe what they want to believe.

"99 points."

"......!!"

"That's the score I gave Park Ki-hyuk. Is that enough?"

The highest score in the history of the Korean Academy.

This was Yggdrasil's controversial answer.

* * *

"Ugh."

"Why, son? Does your ear hurt?"

"It doesn't hurt, it's just itchy."

"Oh, someone must be talking about our talented son."

That's true.

I, who was once labeled as a disabled person, passed the entrance exam in first place. It's more strange that there's no backlash.

"Mom, do you have a cotton swab? Can you clean it for me?"

"I'm fine. It's impolite in the dining room."

Just then, there was a knock, and the food arrived. Today's menu is Chinese-style black bean sauce noodles and sweet and sour pork. They say on Earth, this combination is a rule after exams, so I tried to follow it.

"Is this enough? I can order something better. Do you want to change your order?"

"No, it's fine. It's just an exam. This is enough."

"Look at him. It's not just any exam. It's the academy entrance exam. Do you know what the pass rate was this time?"

"How much?"

"7.3%. In the second round of the exam you took, fewer than 30 people passed. Our son proudly came in first. I was so proud when I heard the news."

"I'm happier about that."

"What?"

"Being a source of pride for Mom."

"Of course. You're my son. Children are always a source of pride for their parents. It's getting cold. Eat quickly."

It's touching.

A warm, tickling feeling in my chest. Family... It's a word that always feels good to hear.

More than just being first.

I know people are talking a lot about my results. I have ears and eyes, after all. Just looking at this phone, it's all over the news.

The funny thing is, there's no good talk.

It's all suspicion and distrust. Some even deny the academy itself, saying there was a problem with the entrance exam.

How ridiculous it must be from my perspective.

These people, who are so suspicious, why don't they doubt the part where I, a genius, fell due to mana nihilism? Isn't it more strange that a genius, once called a talent bestowed by heaven, could fall so suddenly? I find that more strange.

And yet, when a fallen genius rises again, they apply all sorts of suspicious standards.

They demand proof even though the results are clear.

I, who created the results, have to prove them.

'How absurd.'

Forget it. Just thinking about it makes my brain feel like it's rotting.

I dip the onion in the black bean sauce and put it in my mouth. The crunchy, fresh taste spreads, and I slurp the last of the noodles.

"Should I order another bowl?"

"Yes, this one is small."

"Sure."

A 25,000 won bowl of noodles. The taste is good, but the portion is small. So I ate three more bowls. I also had another plate of sweet and sour pork.

Mom seems happy just watching me eat.

"By the way, Mom. I'm not the first to be top in the entrance exam. My brother and sister were also top students, right?"

"Yes, that's right. Who told you that?"

"Yggdrasil. She was very happy, saying that our family is the first to pass down talent. Oh! She also asked about Dad and Mom."

"That person... really..."

I left out the part where he asked for a fourth child.

That guy, being the World Tree, has a terrible sense of time. He thinks humans can live for 200 years. Still, it felt good. It's a different kind of pleasure when the family is praised, different from when I'm praised.

"Let's all gather when Dad and Su-hyuk return from their deployment. Min-ji will probably calm down by then."

"Don't push yourself. I'm fine."

"No... Ki-hyuk, if you're working hard, everyone should work hard. That's what family is."

I don't know exactly, but I know the family was hurt because of Park Ki-hyuk. Especially my sister, Park Min-ji, who was deeply hurt and even left home, saying she couldn't bear to look at me.

The fact that she often visited when I was unconscious suggests she doesn't hate me.

Still, it's my burden to carry and my knot to untie.

So, I plan to reveal my abilities without reservation. To erase the past that worried my family, if nothing else.

"This black bean sauce noodles is delicious. There will be a lot to celebrate from now on, so let's eat here to avoid the hassle."

"Hehe. Our son is so cool. Quite manly."

"A man should take responsibility for his words. Look forward to it."

"Sure, sure."

It sounds like a joke.

It's a path I've already walked as an absolute being.

With the experience of a demon king and the body of a giant.

Honestly, I can't even estimate my growth.

What's certain is that the current controversy will shock everyone to the point of being ridiculous.

Look forward to it.

I'll show you what it really means to live in style.

"Oh! Right! I almost forgot. Ki-hyuk, the Seven Star Group contacted me. They want to see you about the last incident. I recommend you go."

"Could it be... what I'm thinking...?"

"If you're thinking of compensation, probably?"

"Wow, I'm looking forward to it."

Gifts are always welcome.

The pleasant evening was drawing to a close.

* * *

A few days later, I went to the place arranged by the Seven Star Group.

However, the place I arrived at, accompanied by a lawyer, was completely unexpected.

"Whew~ It's huge. Definitely bigger than our house."

"It's the Seven Star Group, after all. While our Optimum has power, the Seven Star Group and the other two major groups have money. Their history can't be ignored."

"I agree."

"That doesn't mean you should be intimidated. The representative doesn't have material desires, but if you want, this kind of material wealth is nothing. The strength of the Sword Tiger family doesn't come from such trivial things. If there was a definite method, your... condition would have been resolved long ago."

The lawyer, worried I might be intimidated, spoke in a stiff tone to reassure me.

I appreciate the thought, but it's unnecessary.

The mansion is almost the size of a small castle. It's definitely the largest house I've seen since coming to this world.

But it's only large by this world's standards. In the empire, such mansions are common. Some of the castles I've trampled were the size of small towns.

I'm not going to be intimidated by a house like this.

What I'm concerned about is something else.

The chairman, the head of the group, would be like a noble family head in the empire. Why would such a person invite me? Surely, they didn't naively invite me to apologize.

"I have an idea..."

"What is it?"

"The reason they invited me here."

"Indeed, as the representative said, you are perceptive. Yes, it's because you passed the entrance exam in first place."

To summarize, it's simple.

They want to maintain a good relationship with me, who has proven my strength by passing the entrance exam in first place.

As a bonus, maintaining a friendly relationship with the Optimum agent would be even better.

"Actually, for the Seven Star Group, this incident is also an opportunity."

"Why?"

"For them, who are actively involved in the agent business, the most crucial thing is power. Just the opportunity to make contact with a promising candidate like you, who has clearly emerged as a top student, is a huge gain."

"I feel embarrassed."

"There's no need to feel embarrassed. It's the truth. And if you feel embarrassed by just this, you shouldn't."

"What do you mean?"

"There's an old saying that kings don't know shame. The same goes for tycoons. They will do whatever it takes to get what they want."

The lawyer looked at me through the rearview mirror.

"They don't shy away from shame. The embarrassing times are yet to come."

And the lawyer's words were spot on.

"Sorry!"

"Yeon Jae-hun."

"Sorry!"

"Louder."

"Sorryyy!!"

A grown man, kneeling and bowing his head, even crying.

...The embarrassment is mine, I guess.