Chapter 26: F class Representative selection.

Academy Break Time.

Jung Eun-seo approached Lee Hyun-seung and spoke.

“Hyun-seung, are you planning to represent our class in the annihilation battle?”

Lee Hyun-seung looked at her and replied.

“Yeah, I need to become the representative for the class annihilation battle to gain various benefits. Well, to be

honest, the most important part is that if I become the representative, I can designate A-Class as the opponent for

the duel.”

If he becomes the representative for F-Class in the annihilation battle, he can decide which class to fight against. In

other words, if he becomes the representative of F-Class, it naturally leads to a duel with A-Class.

Jung Eun-seo nodded in agreement.

“Surely, with your skills, I believe you can definitely be the representative for the annihilation battle.”

Jung Eun-seo knew that Lee Hyun-seung had an S-Class profession. Therefore, she thought he could confidently

defeat everyone and become the representative in the F-Class annihilation battle, even among dozens of participants.

Moreover, Jung Eun-seo herself was participating in the F-Class representative selection. Thus, she naturally

assumed that she wouldn’t be able to beat Lee Hyun-seung.

For reference, Jung Eun-seo’s profession is a magician, and her profession rank is ‘Epic.’

An Epic rank magician is a spec that is recognized both within and outside the academy. In addition, as a member of

a high-ranking guild, she has received more training and practice than ordinary people and has learned various

methods of mana utilization.

She was well aware that even someone like her couldn’t stand against a legendary-level profession.

“That’s a pity. If it weren’t for you, I would have become the representative for F-Class and smashed A-Class.”

Lee Hyun-seung looked at Jung Eun-seo and spoke.

“You want to target A-Class? Why?”

“Oh my, have you forgotten? Not long ago, I had a big fight with Yoo Hee-yeon. Naturally, I want to see that woman’s

twisted expression. Honestly, I think I wouldn’t lose to her in magic. Well, I might be a bit lacking in background, but

in the annihilation battle, external interference is impossible anyway.”

Jung Eun-seo said clearly. In the annihilation battle, external interference is indeed not allowed. Since all equipment

must be basic gear, there are no factors that can involve family ties, relationships, or bloodlines.

It means that they are thrown into a virtual stage and must fight using only the abilities of their profession.

“Well, it might sound fair at first, but it’s not.”

At its core, the representative selection battle is fair since everyone fights among their own class members. However,

the class annihilation battle is not fair.

This is because the skill levels of team members vary.

What would happen if A-Class faced off against F-Class in the annihilation battle?

Dozens of A-Class members with Epic ranks versus F-Class members who either have not awakened or do not even

have Epic ranks.

It’s obvious which group would win in such a clash. In other words, splitting the classes for battle itself is unfair.

“But that’s not the case for me.”

Of course, the term unfair only applies to the limited case of F-Class.

I have awakened two legendary-level professions, and one of them is a blacksmith. Even if I go in with basic

weapons, as long as time permits, I can create weapons endlessly within that space. Furthermore, using my

gunslinger profession, I can relentlessly fire upon them.

Having a primary profession that utilizes weapons and a secondary profession for production that I can manage

entirely by myself at the legendary level—that’s the real deal.

“If I’m given enough time, I can generate weapons and magazines indiscriminately, strengthening our forces and

even creating an overwhelming difference in my combat power compared to A-Class members.”

When everyone else is using basic weapons, what if I alone am using rare or Epic-level weapons? Moreover, what if

the profession wielding those weapons is legendary? There couldn’t possibly be such an absurd monster.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

The sight of the A-Class members’ faces crumpling. That’s what he had endured everything for until now.

• Swoosh
  Lee Hyun-seung glanced around. There were many who had yet to awaken. However, a few had already awakened. Considering that some had been demoted to F-Class due to various issues in personality, practical skills, and written tests, it was clear that not all members of F-Class were the worst. Of course, their current state was close to the worst, but Hyun-seung knew which individuals might awaken and grow, so they were like hidden gems.
  “Depending on how they are processed, they could become jewels or stones that no one seeks out.”
• Ding dong ding dong
  Once again, the bell for class rang.

“Well then, I’ll head back to my seat. Although the class annihilation battle is said to be an individual competition, it

doesn’t mean forming teams internally is prohibited. How about we team up once we’re in? From the looks of it, it

seems like some have already formed teams.”

At Jung Eun-seo’s words, Lee Hyun-seung looked around, and some students had already huddled together, chatting

about various things.

“Well, even if they can’t become the representative, they wouldn’t want to embarrass themselves by losing pitifully.

It’s only natural that they’re forming teams.”

Lee Hyun-seung briefly considered this and replied.

“Sure, I was thinking of suggesting it if you hadn’t. With your skills, you’ll definitely be a great help.”

“Cough… Well, if you say that, I appreciate it. And we’re friends, right? Friends usually do these things together.”

“Do I have to learn what friends do together?”

It was a puzzling thought, but he decided not to dwell on it. She probably hadn’t had anyone else to call a lifelong

friend but him, so it was clear she hadn’t experienced what it was like to have friends and how to interact with them.

“Seeing it and experiencing it firsthand are two different things.”

No matter how easy something is or how well he knows it, there is a world of difference between doing it himself and

merely watching or hearing about it from afar. The concept of “friends,” which might be trivial or as natural as

breathing to others, might be something quite precious and possibly more challenging for Jung Eun-seo.

“Jung Eun-seo wouldn’t betray me, and she’s the type to keep her mouth shut, so the more special treatment I give

her, the more it’s an advantage for me.”

The reason he revealed his legendary-level profession to Jung Eun-seo as soon as he met her was due to her

character. Even though she had a cold personality, she never betrays those she considers allies. Additionally, she

makes every effort to lead her subordinates. She is cold yet, paradoxically, quite warm-hearted and tight-lipped.

That’s Jung Eun-seo.

• Screech
  Before long, the bell rang, prompting him to quickly return to his seat.
• Swoosh
  As he sat down, he felt someone’s gaze from beside him.

Kim Yoo-ri spoke to him.
“You seem pretty close to that girl. It looks like you talk a lot.”

He shrugged and replied,

“She’s one of the few friends I have.”

• Flinch
  As if she had overheard their conversation, Jung Eun-seo’s cheeks flushed.
  “Is she using some sort of auditory enhancement?”
  It felt a bit eerie, but he decided to ignore it.

Kim Yoo-ri quietly spoke to him.

“I might have misunderstood you, so let me be honest. To be frank, the atmosphere within F-Class isn’t very

favorable towards you right now. Some are starting to form teams among themselves, and there are those who dislike

your attitude of thinking you’ll become the class representative as soon as you showed up. So it would be wise to be

careful. You might face some rough situations in the representative selection battle.”

Seeing her speak with a nonchalant expression, he thought,

“She’s quite straightforward. There’s no need for her to share this information, and even if she did, it wouldn’t help

her in any way.”

According to Kim Yoo-ri, the current opinion about me within the class isn’t favorable. If it became known that she

approached me and leaked this information, it was clear that she would face significant penalties.

Moreover, Kim Yoo-ri didn’t have any particular backing, nor was she in an awakened state. To be precise, she was

on the boundary between a regular person and an awakened one.

“Of course, being an Epic-grade magician for her first awakening, she’s practically a diamond gem.”

I was touched by her consideration and thought to myself,

“I need to awaken Kim Yoo-ri during this representative selection battle.”

Since I had already decided to utilize her like an ally, there was no need to delay her awakening.

• Swoosh
  I reached out my hand to Kim Yoo-ri and spoke.
  “Thanks for telling me. And if you’re okay with it, why don’t we form a team too? Jung Eun-seo has already decided to team up with me.”

After a moment of contemplation, Kim Yoo-ri replied,

“What benefits will I gain if I team up with you?”

A very practical question.

“Yeah, that’s how she normally is.”

I almost forgot her original personality due to her earlier friendly demeanor. The reason she had been kind to me

was that she misunderstood me because of her prejudices. It was clear she had boundaries.

I responded to Kim Yoo-ri,

“If you say you’ll team up with me, I’ll specifically share what I learned about magic theory in A-Class.”

• Snatch
  Kim Yoo-ri urgently grabbed my hand and asked seriously,
  “Really? Is that true? You’re not lying, are you?”

I nodded at her, thinking,

“She loves magic theory this much; she’ll probably faint when she finds out I awaken as an Epic magician later.”

• Swoosh
  Kim Yoo-ri might not have noticed, but many around us were already eavesdropping on our conversation.
  I wasn’t unaware of it. Given how open we were and how close everyone was, it would actually be strange if they didn’t overhear us.

Some had already begun to murmur.

• “Isn’t that Gunmage brat getting a bit too cocky?”
• “How long has he been here to be acting all high and mighty about becoming the representative and even forming a team openly?”
• “Kim Yoo-ri is really acting strange; what does she see in that Hyun-seung guy to team up with him?”
• “That Jung Eun-seo girl is a real weirdo too. If it were me, I wouldn’t team up with a Gunmage…”

But it didn’t matter.

No matter how much they criticized, it wouldn’t change the outcome, and knowing about it wouldn’t allow them to

cope.

Even if one knew a tsunami was coming, what could a human do?

• Creak!
• Thud!
  In the midst of the noisy situation, the door opened, and Instructor Son Sae-bom entered.

Instructor Son Sae-bom addressed the students.

“Everyone, gather at the representative selection battle arena.”

“We’ll be starting the representative selection battle today.”