Chapter 22

To put it simply, we did not destroy the barrier stone.

“What a waste…….”

“Give it up.”

Not only would it be too conspicuous, but leaving too strong an impression of that nature on the exam supervisors wouldn’t be a positive thing either.

And besides, if we were going to target something, there was a better option.

Right now was the time to move quickly.

‘B-Rank used their heads well.’

Through the vision of the Black Bird I had sent far away, I could spot the barrier stone of 2-B Rank, glowing alone in the distance.

Why, after giving up on victory, would they leave behind a barrier stone that could become points for another team?

The reason was simple.

‘It’s bait.’

To make the two most powerful forces currently—1-A Rank and 2-A Rank—clash with each other.

“What do we do now?”

“Let’s assess the situation first.”

Both teams are seriously aiming for victory. With such tempting bait placed, there’s no way they wouldn’t notice it.

“Black Bird.”

Whoosh!

[Screech!]

[Squeak.]

I summoned the remaining two Black Birds and had them scout around the B-Rank barrier stone.

‘I’ve roughly confirmed the locations of the other teams, so I just need to watch that path.’

After a few minutes, the signal came.

The result was both sides. In other words, both 1-A Rank and 2-A Rank, brimming with confidence, had chosen to engage in an all-out battle against each other.

“This might be settled within a few hours.”

“Did both sides move?”

“The scale is considerable. They’ve all rushed in except for the minimum personnel left to guard their bases.”

Too bad. If both sides had chosen to preserve their full strength, we could have easily snatched the B-Rank barrier stone from here.

‘I guess things in this world don’t always go as you want.’

I picked up my terminal to check the situation.

Ding.

[2-D Gong Hyeokjin, incapacitated.]

[2-D Yoon Harim, incapacitated.]

[1-B Baek Kangmuk, incapacitated.]

It seemed a fierce battle was already raging over there. There was no turning back. In that case, only two options remained.

‘Hide in the B-Rank base and wait to profit from their conflict, or target the barrier stone of one of the remaining two A-Ranks.’

Neither path is easy.

However, I soon caught a glimpse of one possibility.

‘Huh?’

I had the Black Bird move and take a quick peek at the 2-A Rank base. Only two students remained there.

Namely, Cheong Haram and the 2nd-year top student, Sophia.

‘This might be worth a try.’

If there had been even one or two more people there, I would have cleanly given up.

But with just two, and one of them being Cheong Haram, there was a possibility.

Recalling the safety measure I had placed on Cheong Haram during the midterm evaluation, I grinned and asked Cheong Joohwa.

“2-A Rank. The opponents are just Cheong Haram and Sophia. What do you want to do?”

“Cheong Haram?”

Cheong Joohwa’s face lit up as she asked back. Then, she immediately made a subtle expression and said to me.

“But Sophia? Isn’t that the person? The one featured in magazines as the next-generation promising talent.”

“That’s right.”

“When I saw her during the last training session, she was completely inhuman.”

“She is a monster.”

The next-generation Special-Rank promising talent who maintains the top position with overwhelming performance among the 2nd-years.

Frankly speaking, judging by individual ability stats alone, even if there were ten of me, defeating Sophia would be absurd.

But, there was a way.

“On our side, we just need to destroy one barrier stone, and it’s over.”

After speaking, I summoned one more Shikigami from the shadows.

“Mind Fox.”

Whoosh.

Hop.

[Kee-ing.]

Then, a fox with ash-gray fur did a somersault in the air and landed on my shoulder.

“What’s this? It’s cute, but it looks weak.”

A body even smaller than the Black Bird’s.

Compared to the Shikigami I’ve summoned so far, its appearance is quite petite.

However, Mind Fox, along with Doodoori, was one of the trump cards I had mentioned. Despite appearances, it’s a Shikigami of considerable rank.

Therefore, I confidently answered Cheong Joohwa.

“A weapon to break through Sophia.”

For the A-Ranks, this exam is harsh in a different sense. For complete victory, not a single mistake can be allowed.

And now, we are going to go create that one mistake.

“Ah, it’s Kangyoon. Hello~”

Seeing Cheong Joohwa and me appear in front of her, Sophia greeted us brightly.

That was her natural disposition, but it was also an expression of unconcealable confidence. It meant she didn’t perceive us as a threat at all.

‘Appraisal.’

Ding.

【Sophia Charlotte】

▶Level 37

▶Stats

【Stamina: B-】

【Spiritual Power: S】

【Art Formula: A+】

【Mental Strength: A-】

▶Traits (6/10)

【Sea Embracing Hundred Rivers (S)】

【Raging Tide (S)】

【Vitality Drain (B+)】

【Growth Acceleration (B)】

【Output Enhancement (B-)】

【Intimidation (C+)】

With a formidable S-Rank Spiritual Power stat, and thanks to several traits that maximize it, Sophia’s spiritual power is nearly inexhaustible.

‘Also, even when using the same Cursed Technique, the output level is different.’

The reason the 2-A Rank students left only a small number behind and launched a full-scale offensive was simple.

Because everyone knew that Sophia alone was sufficient to guard the barrier stone.

“…For a D-Rank, you’re still hanging on.”

Beside her, Cheong Haram muttered in a displeased voice. But even as she did so, she was subtly avoiding my gaze.

Seeing that, I was convinced the safety measure was properly activated.

“Hmm? But you already knew. We confirmed all the surviving upper ranks earlier.”

“That’s not why I said it.”

Cheong Haram made an exasperated expression and covered Sophia’s mouth with her hand.

Her natural disposition probably felt quite awkward to Cheong Haram.

Because she was a person completely at the opposite end of the spectrum from herself.

“So, why did you come?”

Sophia smiled brightly and sent a somewhat sharp look.

In response, I also smiled and threw back an answer.

“To get a few more points.”

“…Hmm. That sounds like you’re saying you came to destroy our barrier stone?”

“Exactly.”

“Sorry, but that’s impossible.”

Sophia declared without hesitation.

“I’m glad you seem to have improved. Honestly, part of me wants to just let you have it……. But, you see, the entire class’s score is on the line~”

She didn’t even seem to consider that we could take it by force.

No further conversation was needed. After exchanging glances with Cheong Joohwa beside me, I immediately spread out and entered combat.

Tap!

‘Earth Rat.’

The combination I used against the 1-B Rank students before.

At my call, Earth Rat diligently dug into the ground, trying to collapse the footing beneath the opponents.

But.

“I already saw it.”

Whoosh.

Crunch!

Trapped by a small-scale Barrier Technique deployed at just the right moment, Earth Rat couldn’t move a muscle.

As expected, my Concealment Art doesn’t work on opponents of this level.

But that was fine. I didn’t expect it to work in the first place.

Shwara-rak!

“Clear Chain Binding!”

Cheong Joohwa, who had scattered, unleashed the Cheong Family’s unique Binding Spell Formula, scattering talismans from atop a tree.

Kee-ing!

Shwarr-ruk.

“Ah.”

Caught by that clean and swift attack, Sophia was bound right away, and Cheong Haram also canceled the Art Formula she was constructing and hastily dodged.

“Much faster than during training……?”

Leaving behind Sophia, who muttered a small exclamation of admiration, Cheong Haram, her expression twisted, shouted at Cheong Joohwa.

“How can you, who was expelled from the family……!”

“Why make such a fuss? It wasn’t particularly difficult.”

Even if it’s a unique Cursed Technique, it’s just an Intermediate-Rank Art Formula at best. Mimicking it would have been simple. For Cheong Joohwa, the only one in the first year with an EX-Rank Art Formula stat.

“So, the Illusory Dream Han Kangyoon used during the midterm evaluation was also you…….”

“I didn’t teach him that one.”

While a good argument broke out regardless, Sophia, who had still been smiling leisurely, instantly broke free of the restraint and launched a counterattack.

“Three-Six Brilliant Sand Formation.”

Dust rose from the ground, blocking our vision. Simultaneously, a small-scale barrier identical to the one that trapped Earth Rat formed, seemingly to restrain my entire body.

‘This intensity is ridiculous.’

At this level, even if I had deployed a Defensive Art, I wouldn’t have been able to withstand it anyway.

Sophia, who had captured me, said with a smile.

“Kangyoon is out!”

At the same moment, Cheong Haram, who had been constructing an Offensive Art, aimed her finger at me.

“…I didn’t want to end it so meaninglessly like this.”

As she spat out the words with displeasure, she tried to recite the Incantation Trigger for her Cursed Technique. But suddenly, her mouth seemed to freeze and stop.

“Haram?”

“Ugh, w-wait a moment…….”

Seeing Cheong Haram staggering as if her condition had deteriorated rapidly, I finally felt the time had come to execute the plan.

‘Mind Fox.’

[King!]

At my mental command, a howling sound, almost like a wolf’s cry, began to spread from a slightly distant location.

[──!]

And a moment later, with rustling sounds, dark insects began to leap out from the bushes.

Flying insects, poisonous bugs, even small reptiles—without distinction.

“Eek?”

Cheong Haram grimaced, and Sophia, who had been holding me bound, let out a groan and froze completely.

‘As expected, this is just like the setting.’

Sophia hates bugs immensely. Especially the kind with many legs, like centipedes.

“It’s a gift.”

At my words, Sophia’s frozen expression turned completely cold. As if she had become a different person from just a moment ago.

“…Hey. If you came here to do something like this, even I’m getting a little angry.”

Whoosh!

Groan.

In an instant, the atmosphere around us changed 180 degrees.

‘Kgh.’

The insects that had been charging forward vigorously began to flip over and collapse, and even I, who was bound, grimaced under the powerful pressure.

A truly monstrous amount of Spiritual Power. Just by releasing it, she was affecting the surroundings.

“…Shall we stop the games?”

Sophia began to walk towards me, glaring as if she wanted to devour me.

Even for me, this was the first time I actually felt such pressure, so my startled heart refused to calm down.

But this, too, was naturally within expectations.

“…Hey! The barrier stone!”

Cheong Haram, who had been in poor condition since earlier, shouted with difficulty.

Zzzt.

Zzt.

Due to the Spiritual Power radiation exceeding permissible levels, even the sole barrier stone of the A-Rank was being affected.

“Ah!”

Startled, Sophia hastily withdrew her Spiritual Power. And right now was the gap I had been waiting for all along.

“Void Boundary Erosion Gluttony.”

An Intermediate-Rank Curse Art specialized in eroding barriers.

With the correction from my Forbidden Technique Value, if her stance was disrupted, I could sufficiently escape Sophia’s barrier.

“Ah?”

The Cursed Technique I deployed, drawing Spiritual Power from even four beads of the Bari Jade Bracelet, freed not only me but also Earth Rat in the ground.

“Earth Rat!”

[Groo.]

Crash!

My form, freed from the barrier, instantly disappeared underground.

And I kept moving. To the ground beneath where the A-Rank’s barrier stone was.

“…W-wait a minute! Underhandedly going there?”

Sophia muttered as if it was absurd, but to make matters worse, because she had withdrawn her Spiritual Power, the insects that had regained their senses were also approaching.

“Ugh!”

Even under the adverse condition of having to handle everything alone since Cheong Haram couldn’t move, Sophia was indeed living up to her reputation.

Whoosh.

Crunch!

First, with a perfectly controlled release of Spiritual Power, she cleanly incapacitated only the insects.

Next, using her specialty Cursed Technique, she used moving tree roots to lift the barrier stone, ground and all, from the earth, blocking my attack.

“Amazing. I’m honestly impressed. But…….”

From above Sophia’s head as she spoke, someone’s presence was felt. It was Cheong Joohwa, who had dodged Sophia’s technique earlier and hidden herself using a Concealment Art.

Flutter.

[Squeak!]

[Screech!]

Cheong Joohwa, floating in the air with the help of two Black Birds, descended at high speed and launched a surprise attack on the barrier stone behind Sophia.

“Soul Blaze Rending Wave.”

Crackle!

Sophia tried to defend belatedly, but it was impossible.

Distracted by me underground and the insects on the surface, she failed to detect Cheong Joohwa’s Concealment Art, causing her reaction to be delayed.

“Ah. Aah……? Ah……?”

Sophia could only stare at it blankly with a dazed expression.

Ding.

[2-A Rank base, barrier stone destroyed.]

And almost simultaneously, one more alarm rang out.

[2-B Rank base, barrier stone destroyed.]

It was the moment when the sole remaining 1-A Rank became the winner of the exam by profiting from the conflict.

“…The overall level is high.”

Inside Yeongwoldo, in the temporary headquarters that served as the exam’s control tower and where the accompanying professors also stayed.

The supervisors gathered there were evaluating the exam’s content with serious faces.

“Certainly, compared to ten years ago, students these days… how should I put it? They’re incredible.”

“In our time, there weren’t that many people using Intermediate-Rank Art Formulas.”

“Especially the skills of the upper-rank class students are beyond reproach. In fact, Ms. Charlotte could probably hold her own against a B-Rank Specter already.”

A brief silence flowed, and one of the admiring supervisors spoke.

“…The saying that times are changing might not be entirely unfounded.”

Just as the younger generation is increasingly standing out, the Specters threatening people are also growing stronger day by day.

Everyone present was clearly aware that some change was occurring.

“Well, I think we’ve scored everyone about enough. Let’s talk about something else. There seem to be some students who are rather noteworthy.”

“You mean Ms. Cheong Joohwa?”

At those words, many supervisors nodded unconsciously. Even among the first-year freshmen who could be called the best in history, she stood out particularly.

“Hah. Is that Art Formula deployment speed even possible? When I first saw it, I thought my eyesight was failing.”

“To be blunt, she was much faster than me.”

“And what about the completeness? Who on earth placed her in B-Rank?”

At that, one supervisor who had been hesitating and unable to join the conversation spoke up.

“I, I did… But at that time, she was ordinary…”

At those words, all the supervisors fell silent. That was entirely possible. They also had a rough idea of the Cheong Family’s internal circumstances.

Then, the one who had first brought up the topic spoke again.

“She is one thing, but that’s not who I meant.”

“…Han Kangyoon, then.”

This time, too, everyone nodded as if they understood.

“His skills have definitely improved. Tremendously so.”

“See? What did I say? I told you something had changed, didn’t I?”

The person sitting languidly with legs crossed spat out a complaint. It was Baek Jieun, in charge of the lower division of Comprehensive Combat Training.

“It seems his stagnant talent has finally revealed itself.”

“Honestly, it was strange. Watching him, he always worked incredibly hard but showed no growth at all.”

“That’s a cause for celebration. He received the reward for his effort.”

However, on the other hand, there were those who voiced negative opinions.

“But he has a somewhat… sinister aspect to him.”

“Indeed, his methods can’t be called exemplary…”

Of course, Cheonghwa Academy’s top priority was the growth of its students, but that didn’t mean the mental aspect could be neglected.

“…It’s not just the evil spirits we have to worry about.”

The power wielded by someone tainted by bad ideologies is, in essence, nothing but a weapon. Even now, such people are running rampant somewhere in the world.

“But isn’t it a bit too much to express concern? He’s a student who, even in Forbidden Arts Studies class, tried to protect his classmates while taking risks.”

“That may be true, but the series of Cursed Techniques he uses are all a bit…”

“…Huhu. That can’t be denied, I suppose.”

Over the shoulder of Ko Dahye, who shrugged and answered, a bewitching woman with long silver hair trailing down smiled.

It was Yoo Hyejin, the overall person in charge of this semester’s comprehensive exam and also a 1st-Rank Exorcist.

“If you’re so concerned, why not confirm it in the next exam?”

“…The next exam?”

“Yes. There happens to be a perfect opponent, doesn’t there? The second exam requires team formation, so let’s put them together once.”

“…Are you referring to that first-year girl? Well, if all goes well, we should be able to glimpse some fundamental tendencies. Doesn’t seem like a bad idea.”

“Then let’s proceed that way. After all, she just turned eighteen. It wouldn’t be good to get too involved, right?”

It wasn’t an incorrect statement. It’s just that there’s no harm in being cautious.

At Yoo Hyejin’s suggestion, the supervisors all nodded in agreement.

Immediately after the first exam ended, reflecting the significant mental exhaustion among the students, they were gathered together as instructed for a period of rest.

And then the next day. The team assignment time for the second exam.

‘…Of all people.’

I couldn’t help but let out a sigh as I saw the name of my teammate floating on the Terminal.

[Han Seoa]

‘…Sigh.’

It was truly a moment that only deepened my sigh.