Chapter 10

In the Exorcism Academy, there are three factions commonly referred to as the Three Great Noble Families.

Regardless of the series, they are entangled in countless stories, much like civil servants of the Exorcism Academy Series.

The Cheong Family, hailed as the origin of orthodox Cursed Technique.

The Baek Family, which has researched and developed the physical application of Cursed Technique.

The Hwang Family, which envisions a future-oriented goal through the fusion of Cursed Technique and technology.

It would be no exaggeration to say that these three factions have long dominated Korea’s Cursed Arts World.

‘Most of the era’s powerhouses active in Korea belong to their side.’

Among them, the Cheong Family stands as the foremost.

Its origins are the longest, and the faction itself is evaluated as being more massive compared to the other two noble families.

Cheonghwa Academy, the main stage of Exorcism Academy Part 1 and the institution I belong to, is also, when you think about it, an organization created under the influence of the Cheong Family, so much so that further mention is unnecessary.

So, what’s the point?

It meant that within this Cheonghwa Academy, the Cheong Family literally holds untouchable power.

“…….”

The one-on-one exchange class is fundamentally conducted by pairing two students. Excluding third-year students in the graduating class who cannot take the course, one first-year and one second-year form a pair.

Naturally, the first step of the class is for the first-years and second-years to find their exchange partners.

Because of this, students gathered at the meeting place were busy exchanging greetings and finding like-minded individuals before the professor in charge arrived.

But right now, an unsettling atmosphere was flowing through the venue. At its center were two girls with contrasting expressions.

“We meet again?”

“…….”

Among them, what caught my eye was the first-year cadet who was bowing her head deeply as if she were a criminal.

Long black hair that seemed to absorb light, a somewhat sharp, cat-like face, and eyes tinged with a unique blue hue.

She was clearly one of the important characters from the original work that I knew.

‘…The atmosphere is quite tense.’

Everyone could tell something unpleasant was happening. But not a single person moved to improve the situation.

I quietly used the Appraisal function while looking at the second-year cadet who was harassing the girl.

Ding.

【Cheong Haram】

▶Level 31

▶Stats

【Stamina : C】

【Spiritual Power : A+】

【Art Formula : B+】

【Mental Strength : B-】

▶Traits (5/10)

【Emotion Devouring(S)】

【Growth Acceleration(B)】

【Output Enhancement(B-)】

【Tyrant(B-)】

【Intimidation(C+)】

As expected, there was a reason why the other cadets had been only watching cautiously.

The one creating such an atmosphere was precisely a figure from the Cheong Family, known as the real power of the Academy.

‘Did Cheong Haram take this class?’

I was equally taken aback.

Top-ranking students usually don’t participate much in one-on-one exchange classes.

For those with unparalleled talent, self-improvement during that time is far more efficient than inter-grade exchanges.

Of course, I knew why she was here. It was because of another Cheong Family member right next to her: Cheong Joohwa.

“How pathetic. Did you think you wouldn’t run into me if you came here?”

“I, it’s not like that…….”

Cheong Joohwa was bowing her head servilely, avoiding the eyes of her senior, Cheong Haram.

To explain their relationship, we first had to touch on one characteristic of the so-called Three Great Noble Families.

‘Bloodline Supremacy.’

In this world where actual talent differences exist based on lineage, those from the Three Great Noble Families receive treatment completely different from ordinary people.

Simply inheriting even a drop of the family’s blood grants them elite status.

‘Moreover, that atmosphere is even more severe within the families themselves.’

Direct bloodlines, especially those with a thick inheritance of the blood, held strong power. Conversely, those with thin blood had to live under subtle discrimination.

In such a Cheong Family, one thing was strictly forbidden: taking the family’s blood outside.

Simply put, only consanguineous marriage was permitted.

One might call it an anachronistic rule, but in this world, it wasn’t strange.

The side effects could be resolved through the Cursed Technique possessed by the family, and in reality, children born this way all possessed high talent.

‘However, Cheong Joohwa’s parents violated the taboo.’

Cheong Joohwa’s father married an ordinary person who wasn’t even an Exorcist and had Cheong Joohwa.

Naturally, he was expelled from the family. After suffering endless pressure from relatives who saw it as a disgrace, her weakened mother passed away, leaving the family behind.

Her father’s end wasn’t good either.

Tormented by the helplessness of failing to protect his wife properly, he similarly fell ill and ended his life.

Therefore, Cheong Joohwa grew up with her grandmother from a young age. Even her surname was changed from Cheong (blue/green/young), meaning the Cheong Family, to Cheong (clear/pure).

‘And after many twists and turns, she enrolled in the Academy.’

But her luck was poor. Among the students just one grade above her happened to be Cheong Haram, a direct bloodline of the Cheong Family and hailed as the next-generation hope.

Naturally, it meant she was completely marked.

“Being low-born, it’s only natural your head is dull too. How can your thoughts be so predictable?”

“…….”

Cheong Joohwa couldn’t even retort. She herself knew the extent of influence held by the title of being a direct bloodline and the hope of the Cheong Family, making it even more so.

Cheong Haram, wearing a sneering smile as she looked at Cheong Joohwa, scanned the surroundings and spoke.

“Just in case, I assume no one wants to pair up with this one?”

No one could answer. The second-years, aware of her usual conduct, were all busy avoiding Cheong Haram’s gaze.

She was simply too far out of their league to confront just because they were in the same grade.

Just as Cheong Haram wore a satisfied smile, the professor in charge of the class finally entered the lecture hall. A middle-aged man in modest attire, not someone I remembered.

“Sorry for being late due to a meeting. Let’s start the class right away.”

‘Appraisal.’

Ding.

【Yoon Ilrok】

▶Level 39

▶Stats

【Stamina : C】

【Spiritual Power : B-】

【Art Formula : B-】

【Mental Strength : C+】

▶Traits (4/10)

【Silver Tongue(B+)】

【Aging Delay(C+)】

【Researcher(C)】

【Crisis Detection(D)】

Being faculty, his level was higher than the students around here, but his standard was just average. He was the type who focused more on his role as a professor rather than being combat-oriented.

‘Controlling Cheong Haram is beyond him.’

Cheong Haram seemed to realize this too, smiling slightly. Once it had come this far, the future was obvious.

“Hmm?”

Yoon Ilrok expressed doubt at the strange atmosphere in the lecture hall, but Cheong Haram cut him off.

“Professor, is there a problem?”

“Ah, no, it’s just…….”

Yoon Ilrok made an ‘oops’ expression.

Perhaps his Crisis Detection trait had activated, allowing him to roughly grasp the situation.

After glancing at Cheong Joohwa, who was bowing her head deeply, Yoon Ilrok chose to turn a blind eye.

“Let’s proceed with the class.”

Cheong Haram wore a satisfied expression, and Cheong Joohwa, realizing the bleak future awaiting her, bit her lip tightly.

“In this class, through inter-grade exchange, we aim for mutual positive……”

Yoon Ilrok briefly explained the class outline. After finishing, the group formation began immediately.

“……Thus, I hope you will now find partners with whom you can develop each other through sufficient conversation. I’ll generously give you 30 minutes.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the students moved busily.

Some had already decided on partners, while others checked each other’s systems and specialties, searching for suitable partners.

But no one approached Cheong Joohwa.

They didn’t even glance at her, to a frightening degree.

Cheong Haram, smiling, spoke to Cheong Joohwa, who looked despairing.

“There’s no place for you here.”

“…….”

“So leave the Academy.”

Cheong Joohwa could no longer lift her head, but Cheong Haram, as if it still wasn’t enough, was about to speak again.

And I, began to slowly step forward towards those two.

Thud.

Thud.

At first, it was drowned out by the conversation noise.

But as it continued, the surroundings gradually quieted, and gazes began to focus one by one.

Murmur. Murmur.

[What? Who’s that guy? Didn’t he hear earlier?]

[It’s Han Kangyoon. Is he really…….]

[Why is he like that? He must be crazy.]

The whispering noises buzzed in my ears, but they didn’t matter. They were just words I’d grown sick of hearing over the past week since the school opening anyway.

Thump. Thump.

With each step, tension filled the lecture hall. Someone swallowed their saliva audibly, someone else turned their head and checked the situation only with sidelong glances.

Thump.

Finally, as silence flowed and only the sound of my footsteps echoed, I was able to reach the front of the two.

“…Sorry, but second-years can’t form pairs with each other?”

Cheong Haram spoke with a grin. Of course, it wasn’t meant literally. It was a kind of threat and warning that now was the last chance to turn back under the pretense of a misunderstanding.

Naturally, my response to that was predetermined.

Similarly grinning, I looked at Cheong Haram and calmly replied.

“I know.”

It was the moment everyone in the lecture hall completely froze.