Chapter 7

The Korean Academy is famous for its educational system that emphasizes 'cooperation,' which is distinct from other countries.

– There is no forest that can be completed alone.

This philosophy, reflecting the beliefs of Yggdrasil, the founder and still active member of the Academy, has led Korea to pursue development based on strict rules.

This was no exception from the moment of admission.

The top-ranked students in the entrance exam are given the position of 'team leader.'

The team leader recruits students suitable for their team. Once they have used all their abilities to form the team, the team becomes a single community.

Classes, assignments, and even scores are shared by all members of this community.

Therefore, the team leader was the most important.

The team leader is the one who sets the direction for this community.

The method doesn't matter.

Whether they lead the team members with their personality, charm them with their abilities, or suppress them with force, they just need to show that they can lead the community.

Can they lead the community or not?

This was the role and value of the team leader, and the core of the 'cooperation' that the Korean Academy pursued.

* * *

In the Academy's grand hall.

The hall, as large as a soccer field, was filled with people.

From the successful candidates and their families to various stakeholders such as agents and reporters.

At this gathering, where everyone had their own purpose, my mother and I were sitting in the front row in front of the podium.

"Phew, I'm nervous."

"Mom, you come here every time. Are you still nervous?"

"Of course. Business and family are completely different things."

Even if you argue, isn't this the third time? I wanted to joke but held back because I could feel the sincerity in the trembling of my mother's hand.

"But is it okay to give up the first team?"

"It doesn't matter to me. You also agreed, didn't you? Why are you still worried?"

"Well, it's the first team. Even though the order seems insignificant, the symbol of being first is more useful than you think."

Traditionally, the top student in the entrance exam becomes the leader of the first team.

The first team leader has the advantage of being able to give the first greeting, which can leave a strong impression on the other students.

These advantages have made the first team a strong choice for later team formations, which is why the first team has historically become the representative of the year.

However, I rejected this first team position.

Without any hesitation. I let it go with a clear conscience.

Of course, it's not free. In return, I secured the right to contact next year's Academy graduates in advance.

For the sake of the lady Kim here.

"Mom, I'm embarrassed to face you. Even if you give me a gift, it's not enough, and I'm just receiving... Can't I back out now? Even without the pre-contact right, Optimum is fine. It's the best!"

"Still, it would be better to have it."

"......It would be better to have it."

"Then that's settled. Think of it as a gift from your son and enjoy it."

"At least, I'm not the last, right."

"Heh. The protagonist always appears last, anyway. And honestly speaking..."

I smiled brightly at my mother.

"Mrs. Kim's son is too great to be evaluated by such a trivial order."

Let me make it clear. The students sitting behind me are not choosing me. I am taking in these inexperienced chicks.

If they miss me, it would be like kicking away their own good fortune. What does the order matter? It doesn't matter at all. Yes, that's right.

The opening ceremony began with the greeting of Dean Cheon Su-man.

He said, "It is an honor to greet you, the hope and peace of this world," in a deep and dignified tone, which was quite cute.

Isn't it like a fox imitating a bear?

Just a few hours ago, Cheon Su-man, who offered me a deal, was a fox.

A typical fox, moderately weak, moderately capable, and moderately ambitious.

A wise fox who knows how to keep a balance while pursuing practical benefits.

Personally, I like this type. At least, they can have a conversation.

There are few people as frustrating and annoying as a bear that is merely naive and kind.

For example, a saint, or someone like a saint.

While lost in various thoughts, the tedious lecture time was coming to an end.

"......You will face all kinds of obstacles. You will be tested by many temptations. But never forget that you are the future of this land, the peace. If you want to give up, do not hesitate to come to us. The Academy will be behind you. Congratulations on your admission."

Following applause and a brief introduction by the host.

Then, the blinding flash of cameras. A student ascending the podium under everyone's attention.

Now, the real show begins.

The highlight of the opening ceremony.

The announcement of the team leaders has started.

"Hello, I am Jin Yurim, the leader of the first team. As the first team leader, I am honored to meet my proud fellow students first......"

* * *

Princess Shaike Merhem was bored.

"......The only thing I'm better at than other team leaders is practical experience. I will definitely take responsibility for this. Of course, you'll have to join our team to know the details......"

The 16th team leader, with a cute appearance, tried to appeal to her charm.

"......I'm hungry."

Right now, all she could think about was the piece of chicken left over from last night.

If the person she was waiting for wasn't the last, Princess Merhem would have made an excuse and headed to the hotel.

"Ugh, goosebumps!"

"Why, isn't he actually cute? But how did he become a team leader? Does he know someone?"

"Rumor has it he's the daughter of the vice president of the association. They say he was trained by the famous Monk since he was young."

"Wow, a Monk can handle both healing and frontline. He's a noble among nobles."

"Silver spoon, unlucky."

Make a spoon out of gold? Gold is so soft, why would you make a spoon out of it?

Beyond being bored and hungry, she was now having random thoughts. Princess Merhem had to stop imagining a spoon made of gold seriously because of the butler beside her.

"Princess, the man coming out now is the leader of the 17th team. His name is Kang Tae-seok. He is a physical powerhouse, the son of the legendary hero 'Kang Man-hee,' known for his defensive skills."

"Son of a hero? He's weak, right?"

"Even if he's weak, you should remember him. It's never bad to build a relationship with influential people."

"He's too weak. He's worthless."

"If that's what you truly think, Princess, just remember his name."

"Alright."

Princess Merhem, who has a lazy nature despite her elegant appearance.

She only responds to the butler who has been with her since she was young; she wouldn't even listen to others.

"Princess, will you follow the advice of Korea's guardian spirit? Personally, I don't think it's a good choice."

"Why?"

"They say he is a powerless person. It's known that he cannot use mana due to mana void syndrome."

"I know that too."

"Also, I obtained his hospital records from a few months ago, and it's said that he did something too terrible to mention, which caused him to lose his memory."

"Memory loss? Interesting."

The butler's expression changed at Princess Merhem's interested reaction.

'Sinteresting' means 'keep going.'

The butler, who did not want Princess Merhem to join a problematic figure like Park Gi-hyeok, tried his best to persuade her.

However, despite feeling sorry for the butler, Princess Merhem's decision was already made. The presence of Yggdrasil was that shocking.

If such a divine being gave advice, there must be a reason.

The reason for recommending Park Gi-hyeok.

"Welcome, Princess of the Grassland."

"As promised, I will give you the second gift. The gift is that I will not recommend you as a team leader. You know better why. You are a 'fighter,' not a 'leader.'"

"The second gift is advice. Your color is special. So special that it's hard to mix with others. Therefore, it's important to find a color that can embrace everything, like 'black,' which can embrace all colors."

"In that sense, you are lucky. There is a person in this year's batch who perfectly fits the conditions."

"Park Gi-hyeok. He is the blackest being I have ever seen."

With this strong recommendation, the name Park Gi-hyeok was deeply etched in Princess Merhem's mind without her realizing it.

Just as the announcement of the 19th team ended, his name was about to be mentioned.

"......For that reason, I speculate that it would be better for the princess to go to the first team where Jin Yurim, the dragon, is......"

"Shh. Be quiet."

Thud, thud.

Long legs resembling the hind legs of a horse. Arms that evoke the image of a gorilla's powerful limbs.

As Park Gi-hyeok, with a physique that defies common sense, appeared, the previously noisy conference hall fell silent like a graveyard.

Everyone was overwhelmed by his mere presence.

He smiled brightly at everyone, just like their first meeting.

"Congratulations. You have the opportunity to choose me. Whether you seize it or not is your choice. I wish you all the best. That's all."

It was over.

That was really it.

There were no grandiose phrases.

No tempting promises.

Just a light suggestion, that's all.

As if saying, "It's your loss, not mine."

Park Gi-hyeok was walking away from the podium without any hesitation.

"Interesting."

I like it.

In Princess Merhem's sparkling eyes, Park Gi-hyeok was reflected. She was smiling without realizing it.

* * *

After announcing and coming down like a man, I got scolded by my mother.

I didn't realize I didn't say my name.

This must be a habit from when I was the Demon King. Not saying my name.

In the empire, there was no need to say my name. No one in the empire would not know the Demon King.

Anyway, after a few days of exercise and training my right arm, the new student welcome party and orientation arrived.

And I met them for the first time.

The hopefuls who wanted to join my team.

"Team leader is coming. Team leader~ over here!"

A girl waving her hand cutely at me and

"'You have the opportunity to choose me!' Wow, what a man! What a cool spirit!"

A sword enthusiast giving me a thumbs up.

"Bro! I came because I want to train with you! My chest muscles are already trembling."

And a muscle enthusiast with exhibitionism rivaling a barbarian.

There were also awkwardly greeting guys like broken dolls, those already forming their own groups, and a group that looked like they came reluctantly, frowning. What? There's even a sleeping one?

Overall, their expressions were like that.

The atmosphere was strange.

Their attitudes were arrogant.

I could read the situation. They clearly came reluctantly.

A competitive team. For example, Jin Yurim's first team or Henry's second team, known as the son of Titan, the so-called first picks, who applied and were rejected.

"At least, it's fortunate."

A foreigner with a bronze skin tone, whom I saw during the entrance exam, is smiling at me.

I found one.

You bark, I read. The guy who only reads books.

That makes two.

"Got just two."

The rest are average. Talents with no particular standout qualities.

The kind of people who need mental training.

Their development depends on their own will and effort. They are mediocre gems.

If they lack effort, will, and determination, even if you teach them for a hundred days, it's useless.

A stone that doesn't want to move will remain a stone forever.

This is the lesson I learned from teaching many children as the heir of the Black Tower.

So, I prepared.

Thud.

I took out a heavy box from the subspace.

It contained protective gear, including a headgear and gloves.

"Put them on."

"......!!"

Let's not make each other's lives harder.

I'll only take those who can follow me.

"From now on, I will fight with you. The rules are simple. Use magic. Weapons are allowed. Try your best to knock me down. But if you wet your pants, step back. Understand?"

The spirit I exuded enveloped everyone.

Everyone flinched.

There is a misconception they have.

I gave you an opportunity, not a promise.

You can choose, but I will decide.

If you want to be chosen by me, you must prove yourself.

Whether you are the person I need or not.

So,

"Show me your best."

Boom-!!