An Exorcist Magical Girl!

It was the final point on my ring.

 “Are you sure about this?”

I asked while looking at Seo Jun with a puzzled look.

 “Yes.”

Seo Jun answered.

 “Why are you doing this?”

I asked again.

 “I saw you earlier—” “How did you do it?”

I asked without even letting her finish her sentence.

 “I used the team system. You see all the students running around in groups of twos and threes? That’s how they do it. You give one person a bunch of points, and then the points are automatically distributed based on their contribution.”

Seo Jun answered like it’s an obvious thing.

 “From what I heard, it seems that the strategy of teaming up for a short period of time only when targeting a strong demon, achieving the goal, and then distributing points and disbanding immediately afterward is often used. I realized that this must have been the case with the students at the live session earlier.”

Seo Jun continued.

“As soon as I sent the points, I deactivated the team, so it’s not distributed, it’s just your score, and it’s enough to get you into the top 10.” 

I was confused. I understand the team system, but I don’t understand why Seo Jun is doing this. She’s just giving away her points to some random person.

 “Hey, that’s nice of you, but I honestly don’t get it.”

I didn’t hide the embarrassment in my tone, but Seo Jun’s voice was as dry as ever.

 “You think I’m doing some kind of charity work, but I’m not, so shut up.” “That’s why I’m scared, I feel like you want to get something out of me.”

I replied.

 “There is such a thing.”

Seo Jun mumbled..

 

You little bastard, I couldn’t have asked for more.

 “Just turn in your ring on the way out. You’ll probably be ranked as soon as the evaluation is over.”

Seo Jun advised.

 “Okay.”

I took a deep breath and opened my mouth again.

“Thanks.” 

This one was genuine. No matter what she was hiding, being grateful was being grateful.

 

Seo Jun heard me and replied

“If you’re grateful, come to Branch 4.”

still sounding unimpressed.  

 

This high-scorer, this mysterious student who barged into the middle of the room with no affiliation.

 

It was the center of attention for all the chapters. All of them would be eager to claim the new genius.

 

So, Seo Jun made sure to make it clear,

“Come to Branch 4, where I am.”. 

With that, Seo Jun headed for the exit.

 

So, she’s going to keep me close by for easy pickings.

 

Why not? After all, if I’m going to pursue exorcism as a career, I’m going to have to learn it formally at the academy.

 

I just need to find a branch of the academy soon.

 “Right.”

I muttered, looking toward the hallway where Seo Jun had disappeared.

 

***

 【00:03:24】 

Done. I turned in my ring three minutes before the end of the assessment.

 

At the exit, I could feel the officer staring at me.

 

He looked at me in disbelief, as if to say,

‘Was there a kid like this when we started?’

but he soon turned away without saying anything.

 

They seemed to have concluded that with so many students, they simply couldn’t remember all of them.

 

I sat down in the corner of the clearing where the students were resting after the assessment.

 

As soon as the test was over, the grades were announced, just like in the magical girl simulation test.

 “Dude, you still have 90 seconds.” “I’m shaking. Please just announce it and get it over with.” “What do you think you’ll do this time?” “I think I’ll do about the same as I did in March, but I really have no idea.” “Oh. I heard the teacher gets mad at you if you don’t do well there.” “I wonder which branch got first place?” “I heard the kids from branch 2 were really good.” 

The students chattered in groups.

 【00:00:01】 【00:00:00】 

A beep sounded, followed by the announcement I had heard when I first arrived here.

 

《The assessment has ended, please check your status window to see your score.》

《Would you like to check the results of your 8-hour practical assessment?》

 

I pulled up the status window and was immediately greeted with this pop-up.

 

《Yes/No》

 

I pressed

“Yes”

with a trembling hand.

 

And a window popped up, similar to the one I saw earlier with the ring.

 【Name: Baek Iri】【Institution: None】【Final score: 3650.86 points】【Final ranking: 3/207】 

3rd place. Third place out of 207.

 

As soon as I realized the number, the message I was waiting for arrived.

 

《Mission:

Prove it

》

《Show that you are worthy of this talent.》

《Mission successfully completed》

《Your

【Talent: Exorcist (Aspiring)】

will be converted to a permanent collection type.》

《Done.》

 

I felt a wave of tension and fatigue wash over me. The

“rental”

phrase is now gone in my talent.

 【Talent: Exorcist (Aspiring)】【Name: Baek Iri】【Rank: S】【Skill total: 2】【Title: – 】【Skills: – 】 

Although not shown here, my two primary skills hit 100% saturation a while ago.

 

My skill total has also gone from 1 to 20. I must have been rolling hard today. I can’t believe my skill total jumped so much in about four hours.

 

I’ve never seen anything like this before. I guess this is the power of talent and that talent is all mine now.

 

Once I realized this, all the questions I had put aside came flooding back into my head.

 

‘What is this all about?’

 

At the age of eighteen, I was suddenly gifted with a talent.

 

I was almost trapped in a talent-for-hire scam.

 

A friend I’d never met before donated all of her points to pull me out of the pit of hell.

 

Everything was questionable.

 

In the midst of my confusion, I filtered the one question that mattered most to me right now.

 

‘Where am I?’

 

I’d been knocked unconscious and teleported, and I knew nothing about this place.

 

I didn’t even have my wallet or cellphone on me.

 

Is it okay to just throw people around? Isn’t it common decency to take responsibility for them and send them home?

 

Luckily, a saving hand soon descended.

 “Baek Iri, the unaffiliated student, is Baek Iri still here?!” 

A group of people, presumably teachers, shouted and started looking for me.

 “So, you were curious about the exorcist, and you just happened to sneak in at the beginning of the evaluation?” “Yes. I’m so sorry that an outsider barged in without asking.” “No, that’s okay, for now…” 

The heads of the four chapters questioned me, and I gave them a vague but not untruthful story. I can’t say I woke up and was teleported, after all.

 

Once they realized that I was an S-rank talent, they put aside their doubts with cloudy eyes.

 

They understood that it was more important to scout for a prodigy who could boost their branches’ performance than to pry and probe.

 “Baek Iri, are you sure you want to pursue a career in exorcism?” “Yes. I’m going to be an exorcist.”

I answered immediately.

 “Then we, Branch 1, are the best.”

said the head of Branch 1 with a smug face.

 “The instructors at Branch 2 are really good.”

interrupted by the head of Branch 2.

 “Branch 3 has the best pass rate.”

said

the head of Branch 3.

 

The branch heads were all bragging about their branches. However, I don’t need to listen to them. I already knew where I wanted to go.

 

As a human being with at least a modicum of common decency I had Seo Jun’s grace written all over me.

 “Branch 4.”

I said with conviction.

 

One of the branch heads glanced at me with a puzzled look.

“Branch 4? Are you sure?” “Hey! student, not so fast.”

seconded by the other head.

 “Branch 4.”

I was adamant.

 

Branch 1, 2, and 3 nodded nervously,

“Well, if you’re so sure of yourself.”  “Excellent choice, Student Baek Iri.”

Branch 4 smiled with embarrassment and satisfaction.

 “Thank you.”

I replied.

 “Do you have any more questions?” “Yes.”

I immediately answered.

 “Oh, okay. What do you want to know?”

the head of Branch 4 was startled by my sudden answer.

 “Well, how do I get home?”

I asked innocently.

 

And just like that, I got into a cab that was arranged by the head of Branch 4 and got home safely.

 

I decided to leave the training center the following week.

 

I thought about leaving Seo Jun a note to let her know that I was going to Branch 4 like she said, but then I realized I didn’t have her contact information. I’ll see her again in a few days anyway and I’m sure Seo Jun would rather talk to the branch head than see me.

 

There’s no way the institute is going to stand idly by while one of their students gets a staggering zero points.

 

I’m not sure if it’s the branch head or Seo Jun who brings up my story. If the Branch head learns the truth about my final point, would he feel cheated? Would I tell him that it doesn’t matter because my ranking is fake, and my talent rating is still S-rank? Maybe he doesn’t care because it didn’t hurt his branch’s total score.

 

Well, we’ll see next week. It’s not something to worry about now. I’ve got some work to finish right now.

 

***

 

I opened the familiar door and stepped through. It’s the last time I’ll be here today.

 Thud— 

The door to Shenlin Girls’ High School closed behind me with a familiar thud. The teacher who recognized me waved to me from the end of the hallway. It was obvious what she had to say. I followed her into the river room.

 “Didn’t you sign up for the April simulation test yet? It was due yesterday.”

the teacher asked.

 

I scratched my head.

“Oh, yeah.”

I said.

 “What are you thinking, did you forget? The test is next week.”

irritation now visible to the teacher’s face.

 “No, I didn’t forget, I just don’t think I need to do it.” 

The teacher across from me furrowed her brow. She looked at me as if I were trying to defy her. So, I spoke up and told her straight up the reason I was here today.

 “I’m done being a magical girl.”

I said confidently.

 

The teacher’s eyes widened, sizing me up. Realizing that there was not a single lie or bluff in my words, the teacher shouted in panic.

“Why all of a sudden?!” “Because I’ve been told to.” 

Talent just fell out of the sky one day. I showed my teacher my status window. The magical girl talent had been deleted and the exorcist talent was taking its place.

 

She narrowed her eyes in disbelief. Then she slowly opened her mouth.

 “Wouldn’t you regret it?”

asked the teacher.

 “Yes.”

The answer immediately came out of my mouth.

“I just wanted to say goodbye one last time, and thank you for everything.” 

With that, I walked out of the lecture hall and left the building.

 “Are you sure you want to quit?” 

A shaky voice stopped me in my tracks. I turned around and saw an unexpected figure standing there.

 

Narea.

 

It was Narea who grabbed me. Narea, the genius magical girl.

 “Sorry, I was passing by and I heard you talking.  But are you really going to quit?”

Narea said.

 

It was weird.

‘How many times have I talked to her in private?’

 

I stared at Narea with questions etched on my face. There are a lot of kids who quit around this time of the year. Isn’t it strange to grab someone you don’t even know and ask them questions?

But Narea waited patiently for my answer. I should have talked to the teacher more discreetly.

 

She gave me a look that made me doubt my memory and wonder if we were actually close.

 “Yep. I quit being a magical girl.”  “…I see.”

Narea said looking disappointed.

 “Uh, well, take care. I’m leaving.”

Realizing that if I stood still, she’d ask me why, I answered quickly and walked away.

 

My pace quickened. There was nothing to ponder about what had just happened. What’s the harm in a new life, I thought, and maybe Narea would like to have a little fun.

 

It’s not in my nature to wallow in sentimentality. I walked out the front door of the academy with a light step. But I soon had to stop. A phrase appeared in front of me.

 “What is this?” 

《Your

【Talent: Exorcist (Aspiring)】

is in danger of being deleted》

 

The status window pop-up glowed ominously.