How to get on the protagonist’s flower path

“Hm? Didn’t you know? Due to the recent shortage of personnel, there’s discussion about pulling first-years in addition to the second-years.”

Ah, I remember now.

This was an episode that had appeared near the end of what I last read.

Soon, there will be an award ceremony, followed by an episode disguised as field training that involves conscription.

In this world, the profession of Hunter is not only lucrative but also recognized as a demanding job.

‘If you’re going to be a Hunter, you might as well become a researcher.’

This is the common perception.

To put it in perspective, while medical school is popular, certain departments within it attract more students than others.

Well, dramas and movies mainly focus on the stories of Hunters, though.

But how many people would actually decide to leap into a situation where their life could be on the line just because they were moved by a movie about soldiers hitting big?

Moreover, among the few Awakened ones.

Even if someone came with that mindset, it’s common for their feelings to change after going through the rigorous training at the Hunter Academy.

That’s why there’s a perennial shortage of personnel.

Even so, whether it’s socially acceptable to conscript academy students who are still learners is a different issue.

Then again, this world is half-apocalyptic, so it’s hard to apply strict moral standards.

What’s more, once the field training episode disguised as conscription is over, I’ll have run out of all the knowledge I have from the original work. It seems I won’t be able to rely on novel knowledge anymore.

From now on, how to utilize the meta-system will become increasingly important.

“The field seems to be in chaos.”

“Chaos doesn’t even begin to describe it!”

As I listened to Shion, I suddenly felt grateful that Kangyu wasn’t going out for training.

I didn’t want to pull Kangyu into the more perilous field that lay ahead.

Choi Borim seemed aware of her mistake, glancing around to gauge people’s reactions.

It was funny that while she was doing that, she still didn’t want to distance herself from us and slowly started to speak.

“I’m looking forward to meeting Yggdrasil!”

“Oh, is this your first time meeting him?”

“It’s my first time talking to him directly! Should I bring some dessert?”

“No need for that, unless you want to give up on training.”

Shinbaran responded to Choi Borim with a strangely cold attitude.

From her gaze at Min Jaeyun, it seemed she had figured out that Min Jaeyun’s condition had worsened and that it was somehow connected to Choi Borim.

“Jaeyun, today—”

“Is training going to be really tough? I hate hard work!”

Choi Borim, not wanting Shinbaran to focus on Min Jaeyun, oddly interrupted every time Shinbaran tried to talk to him.

Shinbaran wasn’t the kind of person who wouldn’t notice that. She simply kept silent and raised an eyebrow.

Was she trying to see how far this would go?

After that, Shinbaran continued to respond to Choi Borim with one-word answers.

It was blatantly clear that she didn’t want to talk to her, but Choi Borim truly… didn’t give in.

After such an uncomfortable time passed, we arrived at the training room.

“Ah! You’ve come!”

Yggdrasil, who had been waiting for us, waved lightly.

As soon as Choi Borim saw Yggdrasil, she politely performed a deep bow.

“Hello! I’m Choi Borim!”

“Ah, I heard about you earlier! Let’s start with a physical fitness test! The rest of you will have a group mock battle!”

“Yes!”

“Um… a physical fitness test? Can’t I join the mock battle too? It’d be more fun together!”

Yggdrasil frowned as if puzzled by Choi Borim’s words.

“What are you talking about? We need to know your level first to pair you with an appropriate party, right? Not to say this, but those kids are the elite disciples of Yggdrasil. It’ll be difficult to match with regular students. Even if you try your best, you’ll only be able to support them.”

“Eeh…”

Choi Borim, who had clearly imagined a scene where everyone could happily chat together, dragged her words with a sense of disappointment.

To her, Shinbaran sharply said, “Like before, and even now, I think you need to be a bit less hasty. Take your time and go step by step.”

“Ugh— if Baran says that, I guess I have no choice! I’ll work hard!”

I had to make an effort to smile back at Choi Borim, who winked at me.

I’m just trying to catch some sunshine… catching sunshine…

It’s really tough to make a living.

Thus, Choi Borim headed to the gym inside the training center with Yggdrasil for her physical fitness test.

After sending Choi Borim off, we prepared for the mock battle as usual.

Nayu Han, who was operating the simulator based on the plan that Yggdrasil had prepared, mentioned it would take a bit longer.

By the way, after Choi Borim left, Min Jaeyun’s complexion noticeably brightened. That was a relief.

“Um… are you feeling okay? It seemed like your condition was worse whenever you were with her. Did something happen?”

Shinbaran, who had been concerned about Min Jaeyun’s condition, cautiously approached him.

Min Jaeyun seemed dazed at first, then flinched as Shinbaran’s hand touched his back.

“Ah, no! It’s nothing! Just… I haven’t been feeling well today…!”

“If you’re uncomfortable, let’s just train separately.”

“Yeah. Jaeyun comes first.”

At the words of Park Siwoo and Lee Hana, Min Jaeyun shook his head.

“B-but… I think I should do well since we owe her for the letter… It’s my problem too…”

“I’m sorry for Choi Borim, but you can repay her kindness in other ways. Not to say this, but personally, I find her a bit uncomfortable as well.”

“I feel the same… I think we don’t really get along. It’s hard to talk.”

Especially Shinbaran and Nayu Ryu, who were both troubled by Choi Borim, immediately expressed their discomfort.

Kang Yu, who had been silent all this time, suddenly chimed in.

“You know, if you’re going to live in a group, you have to deal with the person who’s causing trouble.”

“Hahaha, Kang Yu is right~ Besides, she kept isolating Jaeyun and Nahyun, right? We don’t need a sycophant like that.”

“Senior Soo Jung’s right. There’s no merit in the existing members enduring and supporting her.”

Nayu Han, operating the simulator, echoed the merciless words of Choi Soo Jung.

“So if you want, we’ll always back you up.”

…Nayu Han has changed too.

I felt a sense of new realization.

I smiled gently and added a few words to comfort Min Jaeyun and ease his anxiety.

“That’s right. To us, Jaeyun, you’re more important. Don’t forget that. We’re friends, after all.”

“…Thank you, everyone.”

At our words, Min Jaeyun finally smiled brightly as if he felt relieved.

After a while, during the mock battle, Min Jaeyun seemed to have fully regained his condition and flew around.

***

After the mock battle, while we were watching the footage and giving feedback, Yggdrasil and Choi Borim arrived at the training room earlier than expected.

Yggdrasil was pouting as if he found something unsatisfactory and kept his mouth tightly shut, while Choi Borim was watching Yggdrasil’s reactions.

Kicking the door open, Yggdrasil grumbled.

“Hmm— is this kid really wanting to train? For someone who wants that, the determination seems… lacking.”

“Well, I don’t know~ I’m more serious about the training than the food, so maybe it was tougher than I thought?”

Choi Soo Jung replied playfully.

Yggdrasil seemed to understand roughly what Soo Jung was saying, letting out a short sigh as he looked at Choi Borim.

Still, it seemed he thought that sending away a student who wanted to train hard wouldn’t be something a teacher should do.

After all, Yggdrasil made sure that even students from Class A, who had given up a bit, could follow basic training.

He would do at least that much. I wasn’t sure if Choi Borim could keep up with that level of training, though.

“Well then… putting that aside, you know what the second semester’s midterm evaluation practical for the Hunter major is, right?”

“Yes. It’s an evaluation of basic combat and survival skills as a Hunter, involving a one-on-one battle against a monster where items can be used…”

“Correct. Supporters and healers are assessed on survival skills, while tanks and damage dealers are evaluated on combat skills. However, I brought this up because of the special evaluation that takes place after the practical exam.”

“A special evaluation? Is that the one that only accepts applicants? I heard it’s an evaluation where you can make up for a low score in the midterm and even get promoted to Class A if you do well.”

“Yes. That special evaluation. You know how it works, right? The best students from the year are selected as representative evaluators, and challengers who apply for promotion compete against these evaluators. If the challengers win, they are promoted.”

“Representative evaluators….”

Nayu Han’s words were met with a nod from Yggdrasil.

“Right. We had to choose representative evaluators from Class A. It was a bit difficult to pick someone who doesn’t differ much from the existing students. So I chose among my lovely disciples!”

“I see.”

Nayu Han replied indifferently. She probably had an idea of who was selected as the representative evaluators.

As it turns out from the original novel—

“So Nayu Ri! Min Jaeyun! Park Siwoo! You’ll have to work hard!”

It was those three.

In the original novel, Min Jaeyun was selected because Nayu Han had been nurturing him, boosting both his self-esteem and his specs at the same time.

Now, he had grown far more than he did during the original story, and since he could perfectly control his curse, there wouldn’t be any problem at all.

Lee Hana and Choi Soo Jung were strong as well, but they were repeat students, so they likely weren’t picked because of that.

The reason Shinbaran wasn’t chosen was probably because she lagged behind the three in close-range combat. Usually, students from combat majors participating in special evaluations tend to be more focused on close-range fights.

…As for me, I still have some shortcomings.

It’s a bit disappointing.

“Wow…. Being selected as a representative means you’re literally the strongest in the first year, right? Congratulations!”

“W-what do you mean the strongest! That’s not true!”

“I-I might be quite strong now, so maybe it’s possible…!”

Unlike Nayu Ri, who denied it bashfully, Min Jaeyun expressed his confidence.

It was admirable to see how, unlike when we first met and he didn’t believe in his own abilities, he now believed he was strong.

“That’s right! Overcome these strongest! That’s what this is about! The best!”

“Thank you.”

Like someone catching sunlight, I showered Nayu Ri, Min Jaeyun, and Park Siwoo with generous praise.

I genuinely wanted to congratulate them on being officially recognized.

Other friends also added their congratulations.

Even Choi Borim, worried that it might be too obvious if she didn’t say anything to Min Jaeyun at a time like this, awkwardly offered her congratulations.

“Congrats, everyone~”

“Uh, yeah….”

It was truly an awkward sight.

Yggdrasil waited for our conversation to pause before bringing up the next topic.

“Hmm! And there will soon be a medal award ceremony! I assume you’ve been informed that it will be to commend your achievements during the field training? The ceremony will take place at the Awakeners Management Headquarters! You’ll be going with the principal!”

At the mention of the principal and the medals, Choi Borim’s eyes sparkled.

“Wow! A medal! Can I go to observe too?!”

“That might be difficult. Only the person receiving the medal can attend, and it’s during class hours.”

Choi Borim’s expression briefly stiffened and then returned at Yggdrasil’s words. She seemed disappointed.

However, perhaps the fact that she wouldn’t be able to go to the medal ceremony heightened her sense of inferiority, as she turned her attention to the group with a shrill voice.

“Who’s receiving the medals? I heard friends who went to the Pangyo Fortress and also… Siwoo and Baran made quite an impact at the Gyeongin Fortress. So is it just Jaeyun, Nahyun, and me who are left out? We must be the leftover team! How unfair~”

“Huh? Ah, Borim, you might not know? Jaeyun and I are receiving medals too.”

I corrected Choi Borim’s misunderstanding with a deliberately bright smile.

It was understandable that she wouldn’t know.

Neither Min Jaeyun nor I are the type to boast about ourselves and make a fuss.

The school had focused more on the achievements of the Class A students rather than ours, who were under close surveillance by the monitoring team, so in fact, the extent of our contributions had not been widely known.

However, that didn’t change the fact that Min Jaeyun and I were receiving medals.

I tilted my head slightly and looked at her.

“It turned out that we’re leaving Borim behind… How unfortunate.”

I gazed at her with a genuinely regretful expression!

My sunny self.