Chapter 82

### Chapter 82: The School Nurse Appears (4)

"Then, let's start the sparring match!"

As soon as Professor Kim Jin-hyuk's starting signal rang out, Han Seo-yul charged at me.

Thump.

A very weak heartbeat could be felt.

This meant that, although slight, his combat sense was reacting.

"Haah!"

Han Seo-yul, being the top student in the second year, moved at a fast speed, but...

'Kai-an.'

He couldn't keep up with my eyes.

I blocked his horizontal slash aimed at my side with 'Cotton Guard' and simultaneously burst a weak flame in front of his eyes.

"Ugh!"

Whoosh!

Han Seo-yul quickly jumped back. It was a good judgment, but a magic circle was already prepared behind him.

'Enka.'

"...?!"

A scorching flame engulfed Han Seo-yul entirely, and the sudden appearance of flames from behind singed his entire body. He raised his sword, infused it with mana, and slashed to extinguish the flames.

I didn't give him a chance to recover and pressed my attack.

Whoosh!

Predicting Han Seo-yul's movements, I changed direction and shot flames at him.

Han Seo-yul calmly blocked the flames coming from all directions, but he gradually started to be pushed back.

Eventually, he must have decided that just defending wouldn't work, so he allowed a bit of magic to enter his body and forced his way through to me.

'He's pretty good, isn't he?'

He's one of the stronger students, so why is he an extra?

A sword aimed at my shoulder came at me with terrifying momentum, and I accelerated my body.

I dodged the sword by spinning my body and struck his side with a force magic I created in an instant.

"Ugh!"

Of course, his combat sense not fully activating shows that he's far below my level, but my base stats are currently higher than those of the students.

Han Seo-yul retreated with a backflip and then threw four swords using the ability to copy swords he had shown earlier.

However, his all-out sword throw was effortlessly blocked by my 'Cotton Guard.'

It's time to end this.

I still have to face seven more people, so I can't waste any more time.

Whoosh!

I summoned spheres of fire in all directions.

Dozens of fire spheres, each compressed with an immense amount of mana.

Han Seo-yul sighed as the magic filled the sparring area in just a few seconds.

"Double casting, right? ... My self-esteem is really taking a hit."

Han Seo-yul laughed bitterly, looking bewildered.

"You flatter me, senior. You're strong too, you know."

Han Seo-yul was really strong for an extra.

I couldn't understand why someone like him had never appeared in the game.

Of course, the real answer is 'because he's a guy,' but where would a guy appear in a game like this?

"Thanks a lot. I'm done too. Professor, I forfeit."

Han Seo-yul forfeited as soon as he saw my fire spheres.

I had prepared quite a bit to give him a proper senior treatment. It's a shame.

"Can I use this again in the next sparring match?"

"No way."

Professor Kim Jin-hyuk scolded me for my empty words.

*

"... Hey, was he always this strong?"

"He was strong... Kim Ho-jin also said this guy was outstanding."

"But... double casting? Can a student even learn that technique?"

"I don't know."

The students watching the top-tier sparring match were all gaping at Lee Ho-yeon.

Even the lower-ranked students, who usually didn't care about the lower ranks if it wasn't their turn, were interested.

While it's true that watching a fight between the bottom feeders is the most entertaining, it's different in a high-level setting.

Professional leagues are more interesting than amateur leagues.

Thus, over a hundred students gathered around the top-tier sparring area.

"Wow, hey. He's already on his sixth opponent."

"He's really good... Hey, are you recording this?"

"Of course, man. Posting Lee Ho-yeon-related videos on Everyday gets at least a hundred likes."

"Damn. I should record too."

The debate over Lee Ho-yeon's strength among the students had already disappeared.

Seeing him defeat seniors like swatting flies, it was obvious.

Moreover, he was casting incredibly powerful magic and moving so fast, making it an entertaining spectacle.

However, the professors were different.

The professors praised Nam Da-eun and Ellis's sparring match.

"Wow, this year's freshmen are really something."

"Right? Shouldn't we give them names? How about 'The Golden Generation'?"

"Not bad~."

"Ellis's mana control is so beautiful."

"Her sword skills are already at a high level? She's much better than expected."

Then, they fell silent when they saw Lee Ho-yeon's sparring match.

"Am I seeing things?"

The middle-aged man who had been a professor at Victoria Academy the longest muttered.

"All the A-class students are so formidable."

"Formidable? That's not the issue."

A female professor asked, looking bewildered.

"Right. It's not just formidable, it's really a top-tier talent."

Some professors, especially the older and more experienced ones, believed that Lee Ho-yeon was a promotional character for the academy. They didn't believe in anything they hadn't seen with their own eyes.

Moreover, since they weren't in a position to receive direct information from the board chairman or the principal, they naturally thought he was just a promotional character.

Since they had never openly criticized Lee Ho-yeon, it was also a reason why Kim Jin-hyuk didn't feel the need to persuade them.

"It seems the bubble theory will completely disappear... No, it might even get noisier."

"The videos are already spreading. Once the guild scouts see them, it's over. Whatever."

One professor was watching Everyday on a smartwatch.

Lee Ho-yeon's video was already at the top.

"Unbelievable speed in casting magic circles, double casting, and no gaps between spells... He's a complete combat mage."

"He definitely has a body enhancement skill. I can see moments where his reaction speed suddenly increases."

"Is this an awakening?"

Awakening.

The process by which a capable person transcends their limits and reaches the next level.

The treatment of hunters changes based on whether they have awakened or not.

It's a difficult level to reach, with most active hunters not achieving it.

"Of course. It can't be explained otherwise."

"How intense the impact will be... It's nerve-wracking."

The professors naturally concluded that Lee Ho-yeon had reached that level.

One professor sighed and took a sip of coffee.

"I don't know. I'll leave it to Professor Kim Jin-hyuk. He's the homeroom teacher."

"... Right."

While the professors were talking, Lee Ho-yeon defeated the top seven second-year students.

He kept using different magic, and it seemed more like he was testing his own abilities rather than sparring.

His level was far above the other students.

"This midterm... We might as well prepare the first-place pamphlet in advance."

"..."

The professors' perception of Lee Ho-yeon had completely changed, and they were worried about the storm he would bring.

"Of course, dear...!"

"Yes? Saint, what did you say?"

"Ah, nothing!"

Baek Ah-young, who had been watching the sparring match intently, bowed her head deeply.

*

The sparring area, filled with cheers, saw a small earthworm climb up.

"Hello, Senior Yun Hyun-gyu?"

"You, you... What are you?!"

Yun Hyun-gyu, who had been pushed into the sparring area, had a tense expression, hiding his sinister smile from the student council meeting.

"Since you're so proud, I came to experience your magical skills firsthand. Please take care of me."

"Y-You... You damn...!"

Yun Hyun-gyu couldn't hide his shock at my greeting and trembled.

"Surely you're not going to forfeit without fighting me, a junior who has already defeated seven people and is exhausted, right?"

I smiled and provoked Yun Hyun-gyu.

"Who's forfeiting? Come on!"

The earthworm Yun Hyun-gyu raised his mana.

A mage, and of the same fire attribute as me.

'Should I reveal other attributes here?'

There are many spectators, and this is not a bad stage to reveal my power.

If I show that I can handle all types of attribute magic, it will cause a huge stir.

'No. There's a bigger stage.'

The midterm exams and the festival.

One of them will definitely provide an opportunity.

If I'm going to receive the spotlight, I might as well get it in the biggest way possible.

Moreover, I don't need to reveal my full strength against an opponent I can easily overpower with the same attribute.

"Prepare, and let's start!"

As soon as Professor Kim Jin-hyuk's starting signal rang, Yun Hyun-gyu drew a magic circle.

A fireball. A simple but fast and powerful basic spell for a fire mage.

Whoosh!

A sphere of fire, emitting intense heat, was created and burst into flames.

"Don't get too confident!"

Five fireballs flew at me.

I easily blocked them with Cotton Guard.

"Senior, you're too slow. This is how you use a fireball."

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

Two fireballs were continuously generated around my body.

One, two, three, four, five... A total of 24 fireballs covered the sparring area in just three seconds.

It was a speed that couldn't be compared to Yun Hyun-gyu, who took more than five seconds to create five fireballs.

"You need to block them. It wouldn't be fun if it ended in one go."

Boom!!

I poured all 24 fireballs at Yun Hyun-gyu at once.

Realizing he had nowhere to run, Yun Hyun-gyu cast a defensive barrier in front of him.

A wall of fire. A shield made of fire, naturally highly resistant to fire.

It was a good judgment.

But.

Whoosh!

My fireballs easily tore through Yun Hyun-gyu's shield.

"Aaah!"

As the fireballs tore through the shield, I pulled out a chain of fire from the ground and dragged Yun Hyun-gyu's feet.

Thud! A fireball grazed Yun Hyun-gyu's head as he fell.

"Can a fire shield be penetrated by a fireball?"

"That's how big the skill gap is. Between Lee Ho-yeon and this senior."

"Ah... Well, he doesn't look like he can fight. Is he a theorist?"

From below the sparring area, the students' jeers and laughter could be heard.

Yun Hyun-gyu, his face red, freed himself from my fire chain and stood up.

"You, you... I won't let you off! Playing with me? I'll show you what happens when you cross the vice president!"

"Sure, sure. Don't forfeit."

Yun Hyun-gyu, fuming, cast magic, and I chuckled as I began to dismantle his spells one by one.

*

"How...?"

"Admit it now, senior. You're really weak, you know?"

"I, I'm a second-year! I have no reason to lose to a first-year freshman!"

As I approached Yun Hyun-gyu, who was denying reality and having all his magic dismantled.

"Just lick the vice president's ass and live. Don't cause trouble."

"Argh!"

I kicked him with my foot, infused with mana, and left him sitting on the ground as I turned around.

"I forfeit."

"... Using forfeit like that is not desirable."

Professor Kim Jin-hyuk looked at me with a disapproving expression.

It seems he wants us to give our best in sparring.

'But Nam Da-eun and Ellis also forfeited casually, Professor.'

Is it because Professor Kim Jin-hyuk is a guy and favors pretty girls?

Fortunately, I had a good excuse.

"Professor, I've done too many sparring matches, and my head hurts. I need to rest in the infirmary."

"You look like you're in the best condition I've seen recently."

"... No, I'm not. You can ask the school nurse."

"Ha, Miss Baek Ah-young isn't that idle to indulge in your jokes..."

Kim Jin-hyuk's voice was cut off by a clear voice echoing through the hall.

"Student Lee Ho-yeon!!! What's wrong??!!"

Baek Ah-young, who had been watching the sparring match among the professors, hurriedly climbed up to the sparring area and began to check my condition.

"Definitely. His condition is not good. He needs rest, Professor Kim Jin-hyuk."

"... Really? He looked normal to me..."

"It's certain. Are you doubting my eyes?"

Baek Ah-young glared at Kim Jin-hyuk.

It's a well-known fact among active hunters.

"... I'm sorry. Take him away quickly."

"Student Lee Ho-yeon. Can you walk on your own? Do you need support?"

"... Yes. Please support me, then."

★ Heroine Status Window

– [Affection: 88] (+0.2)

– [Lust: 80]

– [Hunger: 30]

– [Fatigue: 35]

Current Status: T, take him to the infirmary and... L, lock the door...!

How can no one suspect anything from those perverted eyes?

Everyone needs to break the image of the saint and face reality, but Baek Ah-young's image as a saint is really solid.

"Wow, checking for injuries right after taking office... She's crazy..."

"That's why she's called a saint. I should become a fan from today."

It's amazing how someone with eyes full of desire can burn their body for healing.

"Everyone is blind."

"Student Lee Ho-yeon. You shouldn't say anything that could make your wound worse."

"I never had a wound in the first place..."

"Shh!"

"... Yes, I understand."

Baek Ah-young and I left the hall in this manner.