The Sparring Match Test (3)

“Next~ Participant number 100~ Cadet Yu Seha~ Please come out~”

At Sarang-mi’s call, Yu Seha stood up from his seat.

“Meow! Hang in there, Seha.”
“Yong-aah! Do your best!”

Meowi and Ju Na-young cheered for him with their unique, energetic cries.

Additionally, Moon Bora, who was coming up, smiled faintly and whispered softly, “Good luck.”

“I’ll be back.”

Of course, his gaze, as he answered, did not leave the fingertips Moon Bora was secretly hiding.

Step, step.

He moved forward one step at a time.

‘…Strangely, the stares are feeling intense.’

It was the same with Moon Bora, but he felt the gazes particularly piercing.

There was a reason for this.

About 20% of those sitting now were not cadets but outsiders.

And not just any ordinary civilians, but professional business teams allowed by the .

In other words, they were commonly referred to as agents.

They were individuals primarily composed of mid-level team leaders dispatched from most , , and even .

Their job was to discover raw gems with brilliant talent and ultimately polish them into jewels.

Therefore, they were thirsting for the emergence of individuals exuding the most intense light of talent above all else.

And Yu Seha, who was walking now, was one of those raw gems to them.

―…Is that the one? Other than his appearance, I don’t see anything particularly exceptional.
―Team Leader Yoon, are you blind? Can’t you see the sheer intensity of mana surging within him? It’s an amount that’s almost impossible to believe for a first-year cadet.
―He’s impressive for a man, sure… but I’m not sure if he’s the kind of prodigy who stirs up this much attention. His mana reserves seem pretty average, don’t they?
―…Are you seriously still stuck in that outdated mindset? It’s true that men are naturally born with less mana on average, but there are always exceptions. Just look at Manager Seo in our team…
―Alright, alright, let’s not argue in front of the cadets. Let’s just watch and see for ourselves.

The murmuring could be heard, but Yu Seha didn’t pay any attention.

He climbed onto the training ground, rotating his shoulders and lightly shaking off any stiffness.

“Next~ Participant number 299~ Cadet Min Hak-gyu~ Please come forward~”

‘…Hmm? Min Hak-gyu?’

At those words, Yu Seha tilted his head slightly in curiosity.

He thought it was a name he had heard somewhere before.

Looking at the large man walking over, he let out a short “Ah…” as a filler.

A male student with a striking short sports haircut.

He clicked his tongue with a slightly distressed expression.

As if he hadn’t wanted to meet like this.

On the other hand, Yu Seha, who was watching, felt a bit pleased.

‘Seeing him like this, I definitely remember now.’

A few months ago.

He was one of the guys who helped when he was surrounded by girls in the dormitory.

Among them, he stood out because of his large build, so he vaguely remembered.

‘Well, we didn’t really talk, but…’

Come to think of it, Yu Seha didn’t even say thank you back then.

Tap.

Soon, Min Hak-gyu stepped up.

Just as he was about to say something, Sarang-mi’s words quickly interjected.

“Then~ Let’s get started~ Both of you, please pick up your training weapons~”

It couldn’t be helped.

It seemed like it would have to wait until after the match.

Meanwhile, Min Hak-gyu was watching Yu Seha.

‘Damn it…’

He muttered a low curse to himself.
First-year Warrior Division, mid-level.

That was his current position and de facto rank.

In other words…

‘No matter how you look at it…’

It meant there was no way he could match that genius in front of him.

Min Hak-gyu’s was .

True to the typical type class, he had numerous experiences of stepping forward first and fighting on the front lines.

Therefore, Min Hak-gyu had a certain confidence in assessing an opponent’s strength at a glance.

This was amidst the contempt he endured as a man with clear limits to his innate magical power.

It was a talent Min Hak-gyu had honed in his own way.

And from what he saw now…
Yu Seha was on an entirely different level.

No—if he was being honest, there was no way Yu Seha should still be considered a first-year at all.

‘…When I met him in the dormitory, it didn’t seem this intense…’

Was this what it meant to be a true genius?

Min Hak-gyu quietly lamented his terrible luck with matchmaking.

To be honest, he didn’t want to fight.

While it was true that Yu Seha was strong, the fact that he was someone Min Hak-gyu respected played a part, too.

In the jungle-like hierarchy of the , a person who confidently maintained the role of the top predator.

Someone who was not bullied by women, but rather walked proudly as an object of admiration.

That was Yu Seha.

To Min Hak-gyu, who had always been pushed around by women, he was a role model.

Various thoughts swirled in his head.

However, it was only for a moment.

Slap!

Min Hak-gyu slapped his own cheeks, then quickly took out a shield and gladius with a serious expression.

He demonstrated the most stable yet aggressive combat style with a one-handed sword and a round shield.

No matter who the opponent was, he had to do his best as it was a test.

For now, he only reminded himself of that.

“Then~ Start~”

Bang bang!

As soon as it started, Min Hak-gyu struck the center of his shield.

It was a taunt skill, [Taunt’s Shout], similar to Ma Hana’s.

The intangible energy spreading in all directions engulfed Yu Seha.

‘…Oh no.’

However, Min Hak-gyu clicked his tongue.

Because Yu Seha didn’t move at all.

This meant the taunt didn’t affect him at all.

It was evidence that the opponent’s was ridiculous.

‘I expected it.’

It had been a gamble—worth a try, but not a necessity.

The real fight started now.

“Kraaaa!!”
“…!”

Min Hak-gyu suddenly roared.
Soon, the lion’s roar that spread from his mouth activated its unique .
Yu Seha, who was watching, seemed quite surprised, as if recognizing the skill.

At that sight, Min Hak-gyu smiled with satisfaction.

‘As expected, he recognizes it.’

A Hero grade skill, [Commander’s Battle Cry].

A highly powerful and efficient buff that temporarily increases the strength and endurance of all allies within range, including oneself.

It was also the only boast Min Hak-gyu had that allowed him to gain admission to the .

With even greater endurance, Min Hak-gyu raised his shield forward.

First, focus on defense as much as possible to assess the situation–

“What?”

He was flustered.

He was gone.

Yu Seha was nowhere to be seen.

In the blink of an eye, he vanished like a ghost.

Min Hak-gyu looked around in a panic.

At that moment, a chill ran up his spine, and he realized that Yu Seha had already taken position behind him.

“……”

Simultaneously…

He realized that if Yu Seha had intended to end this, the match would have already been over.

“Ugh!!!”

Min Hak-gyu shouted his battle cry and swung his gladius like lightning.
An expression of the determination to show something, anything.

That was all.

Kang!
Whirl!
Clang…
Thud.

“…Huh?”

Min Hak-gyu was bewildered.
Noticing that his gladius had ended up outside the arena somehow.
And Yu Seha’s long sword was aimed at his neck.

“……”

A gaze that showed no change in emotion.

Min Hak-gyu sighed softly.

This is just…

’Yeah… no way. I never stood a chance.’

He raised both hands in the air.

“…I surrender.”

“……”
“……”

A deathly silence continued among the audience.

Those who were watching with a sense of strange distrust all gaped in astonishment.

About half of them lost track of Yu Seha’s movements right before their eyes.

The remaining half vaguely perceived his motions.

Lastly, fewer than five people accurately grasped how many skills he used and how he utilized them.

Considering they were all part of a specialized scout team that had been observing and discovering numerous talents, Yu Seha’s skill was clearly beyond expectations.

―…What on earth did he just do…?
―Yoon Hyo-won, don’t you have an [Analysis] ability? Can you tell what skills he just used?
―Well, I’m not entirely sure, but… I think it was [Forceful Agility] and perhaps [Dash].
―…What? A first-year cadet already possesses two correction abilities? And has enough experience to operate them simultaneously?
―With all due respect, it seems to be beyond just [Dash]. It was more intense than the magical reaction of [Dash].

Except for some cadets and professors who anticipated this, amazed voices echoed here and there.

Well, naturally…

Yu Seha didn’t care at all.

Because what appeared right in front of him was a million times more important.

‘Oh…’

He never expected it to activate with such a short sparring.

Even had been added after a long time.

‘Hmm, what should I choose?’

The [Commander’s Battle Cry] he saw earlier was useful as a group buff.

[Thick Tendons] was a skill that, like [Strange Monstrous Strength], provided a boost to strength.

Both were desirable, but…

‘This is overwhelmingly the better choice.’

‘Oh?’

The message in the was different from before.

Originally, it was obtained in proportion to the original level without exception.

Now, it was acquired at an elevated level, even if the original level was low.

Moreover, the base level 2 was amplified to level 3.

‘I was right about having grown.’

It seemed obtaining level 3 [Charge Crush] from the [Alligator Man of Hellfire] wasn’t just a coincidence.

Meanwhile, Min Hak-gyu, who had slumped down, looked at Yu Seha with a hollow expression.

A bitter smile lingered at the corner of his lips.
He was truly a person of a different caliber.

‘I knew it, but still…’

Unable to resist at all, everything was decided in a single move, leaving him feeling empty.

Min Hak-gyu quietly gathered his fallen equipment and prepared to leave.

Before he could say anything, Yu Seha was standing in front of him.

Startled, before he could speak, Yu Seha extended his hand.

“It was a good match.”
“…Huh? Uh, yeah…”

For a moment, he wondered if it was mockery.
But Min Hak-gyu could see in Yu Seha’s eyes that he was sincere.

He shook his hand, caught off guard.
And then came unexpected words.

“And thanks for back then.”
“Um, what?”
“At the dorm, you helped me, remember?”
“Oh…!”

He didn’t expect him to remember.

As the two exchanged a few more words, Min Hak-gyu realized that Yu Seha actually knew about them.

Min Hak-gyu felt an inexplicable shyness at his gratitude and smiled slightly.

To him, Yu Seha was an object of admiration.
How delightful it must be for such a person to remember and thank him.

“Well, good luck in the next match.”
“You too.”

Clap, clap, clap!

At the sound of applause, the two looked toward the audience.

A rare warm moment between men at the .

At the applause, the two glanced at each other and bowed to express their gratitude.

At the same time.
Beyond the audience.

A woman was making a fuss as she watched Yu Seha.

A woman with a name tag that read .

Oddly, two rabbit ears popped up from the hat she was wearing.

She moved her large eyes, like those of a real rabbit, around with an expression of surprise.

She was a member of the scout specialist team, , within the Four Great Clans, .

Her name was Toya Kang.

As a rather rare race known as , she once again fussed to her acquaintance next to her.

“Towaang Towaang! Team Leader, Team Leader~ That kid is really amazing, right?”

“…Employee Toya Kang. Please stay still. Your fur is flying everywhere.”

“Chit, chit, chit! More than that, I want you to tell me your thoughts on that kid, that kid, that kid.”

At Toya Kang’s chattering, the woman called the Team Leader let out a low sigh.

Ash gray-toned hair and a balanced physique.

An intellectual appearance that any man would glance at at least once.

The Team Leader was someone whom anyone would call a beauty.

She also bore the emblem representing .

Just like Toya Kang, she was a member of the within the Four Great Clans.

However, unlike Toya Kang, she was not from the origin.

, one of the factions within , was a leading team competing for first and second place in achievements.

That was the position of Team Leader Cho Seol-hwa.

Also, she was…

The Team Leader unnie, whom Ju Na-young frequently called and always trusted.

“……”

Cho Seol-hwa crossed her arms.

Beyond her gaze, she stared directly at Ju Na-young, who was sending a longing gaze toward the victorious Yu Seha, unaware of her presence.

‘…As expected.’

Cho Seol-hwa had watched Ju Na-young for a full ten years.

She knew her better than Ju Na-young herself.

Therefore, she was once again certain.

Miss Ju Na-young had a liking for Yu Seha.

Not just a simple crush, but a strong desire to the point of wanting to kidnap him and make him her husband.

‘…As the Master said.’

The mother of Ju Na-young, and the leader of .
One of only five S-grade hunters in South Korea.

Just as she said.

Her daughter learning [Breath] wasn’t just a coincidence, surely…

There must have been a reason and a motive to acquire it.

―…It’s most likely love.

“……”

Cho Seol-hwa set aside her feelings for the girl she considered like a sister.

The reason she came here today was because of the person at the center of attention, the heart of everything.

And…

To find out more about Yu Seha, whom many desire.

“So, how is it?”
“……”

Cho Seol-hwa pondered over the that Yu Seha had demonstrated just moments ago in response to Toya Kang’s pressing question.

Then, she slowly began to speak.