Chapter 138

Thankfully, or perhaps as expected, no major deviations from the original story I knew occurred in the early part of the semester.

I diligently attended Academy classes while simultaneously preparing for the Exorcist qualification exam with the other four cadets.

“Should we switch teams for mock battles today?”

“Probably should.”

“Training in a practical format every day does seem to be improving our skills.”

Jeong Hansol seemed quite satisfied with the training results.

Well, thinking about it, what Jeong Hansol currently lacked most was practical experience and competition against worthy opponents.

Even setting aside the Exorcist qualification itself, she would likely gain a lot from this exam.

“But seriously, you’d thrive anywhere. How do you come up with these training plans so perfectly? Someone I asked said it seemed like a level made by the qualification exam proctors themselves.”

“I just looked everything up.”

From my perspective, creating inefficient training plans would actually be harder.

I already had almost all the information in my head.

“They should all be gathering soon. Let’s go too.”

Me, Jeong Hansol, Sophia, Hwang Jihak, and Gilford.

Gathered as usual at the state-of-the-art training ground, we repeatedly conducted mock battles in a 2v2 practical format.

The remaining person would record and analyze the fights, pointing out areas for improvement, and we cycled through the matchups.

After repeating this for several days, we began accumulating meaningful data.

The most noticeable among it was, unsurprisingly, Sophia Charlotte’s skill.

“Whoever she teams with has the highest win rate.”

“Obviously. She’s a real monster. Honestly, I wouldn’t be confident even in a 2v1 against her.”

“I too believe she is a talent who will be recorded in modern history and discussed for a long time.”

Everyone’s opinion was the same. Sophia Charlotte’s skill clearly transcended the cadet level, to the point where she defied comparison even with most active Exorcists.

Of course, since it was a small-scale training session among cadets, everyone was holding back to some degree, but even in a real fight, the result likely wouldn’t change much.

“Hmm. Should I go a bit easier?”

“No, it’s fine. This is just right.”

Originally, sparring yields the best efficiency when facing an opponent somewhat stronger than oneself.

In that regard, Sophia was truly the optimal training partner.

“This is the last one. Should we take a short break?”

“I’m fine.”

“Same here.”

“Then let’s wrap up today’s session here.”

After finishing the day’s training, we would often have a drink together, chat about the exam, and then disperse.

There were about three weeks left. If we continued training at this pace, we likely wouldn’t be underprepared.

However, that didn’t guarantee passing. One could never know what variables might arise in a real test.

‘Especially since the standards for early applicants are even stricter.’

In a way, it was a funny statement, but the idea was that since they would gain the authority to be involved in the field at an even younger age, their responsibility was also greater.

For all I knew, it was clearly much harder than following the standard course to become a 3rd-Rank Exorcist.

‘I’ll find out when I face it.’

If I failed, I’d just find another way then.

Dragging my body, heavy from exhaustion, I entered the dormitory and lay down.

Now thinking anew about what needed to be done tomorrow.

Lately, I had been pouring most of my effort into the Exorcist qualification exam, but that didn’t mean I was neglecting other areas.

When the weekend came again, I took Yoo Haon as usual and began the journey to acquire the Divine Power Trait.

“Today, I will definitely achieve my goal.”

Yoo Haon, who at first couldn’t even adapt to the atmosphere and suffered consecutive defeats, had now reached the stage of setting his own goals and actively engaging in matches.

Glancing around, it seemed even the average riff-raff here were no longer a match for Yoo Haon.

‘As expected, the protagonist is the protagonist.’

Whatever he did, he adapted and grew at an incredibly fast pace.

By the end of the day, Yoo Haon finally began a match against one of the most skilled individuals there, a bespectacled young man with horn-rimmed glasses.

Early on, the young man, adept at game strategy, seemed to have the upper hand, but after being consistently pushed back from a pivotal mid-game point, he ultimately admitted defeat.

Honestly, I thought it would still be tough for him, so it was a result beyond expectations.

‘Perhaps the Divine Power Trait has already taken root?’

Seeing him make perfect choices at critical junctures, that possibility existed.

“I won. Were there any shortcomings?”

“No, you did well.”

To Yoo Haon, who returned with a satisfied expression, I quietly made a proposal.

“Then, how about a match with me this time?”

“With you, Senior?”

Of course, the story about frequently coming here to earn money as a child was a lie, but in reality, I was quite confident in this type of match.

I nodded at Yoo Haon, took an empty table, and pulled out a deck of cards.

Then, I briefly explained one rule.

“It’s late, so no need to drag it out. I’ll draw a card and state its content. You guess if it’s true or false. Ten rounds total. Whoever guesses correctly more times wins.”

“Yes. I understand.”

A type of game often called ‘Doubt’. Very simple, but an exceptionally appropriate match for gauging the acquisition level of the Divine Power Trait.

Shuffle sounds

Slide

I shuffled the cards stylishly, then drew one from the center and checked its content.

‘Spade 8.’

Then, without any change in expression, I presented the statement to Yoo Haon.

“Club 8.”

“False.”

“…Correct.”

That’s one point.

I was confident I didn’t give anything away, but Yoo Haon had also become a truly formidable opponent.

“Spade K.”

“True.”

“Spade J.”

“This time, it’s also True.”

By the time all ten rounds were finished, Yoo Haon’s score was a full 9 points. It was an overwhelming victory.

Confirming that, I finally became certain.

‘Done.’

Sure enough, upon checking Yoo Haon’s status window again, a new Trait was proudly displaying its name.

【Divine Power (A)】

▶ The possessor carries a mysterious energy within their body, repelling all manner of impurities and benefiting from it in any situation.

With this, two of the three targeted Traits were now in Yoo Haon’s grasp.

Honestly, I thought it would take at least two more months, so it was an achievement faster than expected.

‘Even if it’s not directly related to the Demon-Suppressing Trait, the original effect itself is excellent, so it should be helpful.’

I also tried aiming to acquire the same Trait while accompanying Yoo Haon, but perhaps due to lack of aptitude, I didn’t gain much.

Still, since most of the Traits I wanted to obtain were already planned out, there was no rush.

I returned to the Academy with Yoo Haon, who was subtly acting cautious due to his overwhelming victory.

“This seems sufficient for this training session.”

“It definitely seems helpful in many ways. Thank you, as always.”

“It’s thanks to your excellence.”

Honestly, half of what I said was nonsense, but since he actually acquired the Divine Power Trait, it would indeed be helpful.

I parted ways with Yoo Haon, who was starting to look sleepy, returned to the dormitory, and this time sat at my desk and began continuously recording something.

I was organizing the growth statuses of characters who would be active in the upcoming main story, like Yoo Haon’s group and Arietta.

‘Overall, growth is faster than in the original timeline.’

Not to mention Seo Jian, whose role was originally minor, but even Yoo Haon’s group, Arietta, and the current 3rd-year A-Rank class members were all developing faster in some way due to their connection with me.

This was also my intention and a necessary step for the future.

‘The next one to approach gradually…’

Was Laura, the exchange student newly transferred to Cheonghwa Academy this semester.

She didn’t exist in the original plan, but since she had joined, I wanted to help her grow in various ways and receive her aid.

Especially as mentioned before, her Trait would prove its true worth in the upcoming events like the 2nd Night Parade of One Hundred Specters Crisis.

Having set my next goal, I finished organizing and went straight to bed.

Determined that after this Exorcist qualification exam ended, I would first work on making her royal family’s unique Trait Bloom.

The three-week grace period passed faster than expected.

Perhaps because daily life as an Academy cadet repeated without any particular incidents.

And the five cadets, including me, having obtained the Academy’s official permission, finally set off to take the Exorcist qualification exam.

“Now that the day has come, I’m feeling a bit nervous.”

“No need to worry. Just do as prepared. If that’s insufficient, it simply means the effort was lacking.”

“Hmm. Since we’re taking it, it would be nice if we all passed together.”

To ordinary aspiring Exorcists, they might seem like top-tier A-Rank cadets existing in the heavens, but they were also human.

Even Gilford, usually as sharp and cold as a well-honed spear, showed signs of some tension.

Step

Step

Thud

Finally arriving at the Exorcism Headquarters’ 1st Examination Ground where the test would take place, we marveled slightly at its massive scale and entered one by one.

“Since the waiting rooms for the first exam are probably separate, we should start splitting up soon.”

“Let’s not embarrassingly fail right from the start, everyone.”

“Hmph. Even if the sky falls, that won’t happen.”

After exchanging light words of encouragement, we each finished our procedures and headed towards our assigned waiting rooms.

“Confirmed. Please wait in Waiting Room No. 4 for the examiner’s instructions.”

Entering the waiting room without delay, the gazes of numerous aspiring Exorcists inside shot towards me.

Some widened their eyes slightly in surprise, while others just indifferently continued their own preparations.

But the most common expression they showed was clear ridicule.

“…There really are many early applicants this year. Annoyingly so.”

Frankly, it was an expected reaction, so it wasn’t shocking.

These were people who had accumulated various experiences even after graduating from the Academy or training on their own to become adults, so it was understandable they’d look down on someone taking the Exorcist exam at this age.

In reality, the pass rate statistic for early applicants is below 0.08%.

Practically non-existent.

Their ridicule wasn’t exactly a wrong judgment.

However, I met their gazes and smiled, dismissing it.

Sorry, but they were probably about to see.

What kind of monstrous skill those within the 0.08% pass rate possess.

What it means to be of a different caliber from birth.