NOVEL WEB Chapter 24: Training Class [3]
A few minutes later, we were all lined up in rows of ten students while Ah-reum took attendance.
'Lee Ah-reum'
An extremely powerful S-Rank Ranker from Jarilon VI at the beginning of the novel, wielding the [Scythe of Judgment], a [SS]-Rank weapon. She was also Sae-jin's secret master.
She saw potential in him and didn't hesitate to take him as her apprentice.
But the most incredible thing about her was that she was extraordinarily beautiful.
There was no way to describe her beauty except by noting that every boy in the class—except for Ha-joon, Lim Astread, and Kim Sae-jin—was drooling like pigs at the sight of her.
I can't say it's inappropriate because, right now, I'm completely under her charm as well.
But her charm wasn't something she was simply born with. In reality, she was one of the few who had received the sponsorship of a rather special god:
[Aphrodite], the Goddess of Love.
By obtaining her sponsorship, Lee Ah-reum didn't just become more beautiful—she also inherited a second ability called:
[The Path of Seduction]
With this ability, Lee Ah-reum emits an aura that can seduce any man with weak willpower.
"Cadet Kim Sugil…"
Lee Ah-reum's voice pulled me out of my thoughts, and as I looked up, I saw her staring at the holographic tablet in her hands.
"Ah… ahem, yes, present…"
She then lifted her gaze towards me and sighed.
'Wait, why does she look so disappointed?!'
She then moved on to the next name.
.
.
.
"To start the class, you will warm up by doing stretches in pairs!"
'Ah… crap…'
As soon as Lee Ah-reum said that, most of the class had already formed pairs.
The only person I felt comfortable with was Sae-jin, but…
"Hey Sae-jin, do you want to pair up with me?"
"No, me!"
"Me, Sae-jin, choose me!"
About ten people were surrounding Sae-jin, all trying to form a pair with him, but—
"Get lost!"
A masculine voice rang out, and everyone around Sae-jin turned in that direction.
It was Park Ha-joon, pushing his way through the crowd until he stood face-to-face with Sae-jin.
"Hey, are you here to ask me to pair up with you?"
Sae-jin asked.
"You read my mind."
"But… don't get the wrong idea. It's not to be friends with you."
Ha-joon replied with a piercing gaze.
'If I remember correctly, and this part of the story hasn't been altered, Sae-jin and Ha-joon did pair up, but it led to a duel due to poor coordination…'
'As expected, Sae-jin won the duel, and Ha-joon ended up humiliating himself in front of the entire class, only fueling the hatred he held for Sae-jin.'
With a small, light smirk, Sae-jin sighed.
"Sorry, but I already have a partner."
Everyone looked at Sae-jin with a puzzled expression, myself included.
'Another inconsistency…'
He then pointed at someone.
"Kim Sugil."
"..."
"..."
Ha-joon and the other students turned to look at me and fell completely silent—just like me.
Then, everyone backed away from Sae-jin, sighing and whispering—I assumed about me.
"Tsk."
Ha-joon didn't argue. He simply looked at Sae-jin with disappointment.
"Well, Sugil, shall we get to work?"
Sae-jin said as he walked up to me with a big smile.
'Sae-jin, you're doing everything you can to ruin my peace, aren't you?'
.
.
.
"Ngh!!"
"Come on, 53!"
"Gah!"
"54!"
As I was doing sit-ups, Sae-jin held my feet, counting each one I completed.
"Khh… Damn!"
"Ah… ahh… I can't do any more—"
"Come on, Sugil, don't say that!"
"I swear, I'm done…"
"Hold on, just 50 more, and then we switch!"
'I can't feel my stomach anymore, and I feel like I'm about to throw up—'
"Kof-kof…"
—
Not far from the training grounds where the students were exercising, Lee Ah-reum observed them, analyzing each one of them.
"Hey, Lee Ah-reum."
A voice called out to her. When she turned around, a man in his twenties stood before her, with jet-black, perfectly straight hair and deep red eyes. His well-built and upright physique was enviable to any man.
"Oh, good morning, Kang Sung-min."
Ah-reum replied, refocusing on the students of Class A-20.
"So, how's your class?"
"Well…"
She turned off her holographic tablet.
"This year, we have many rare gems. Like Sun Daehyun, the cadet of one of the greatest hunter families and the best archer of her generation. I don't think she'll have any trouble passing the practical exam.
Then there's Lim Astread. He has an exceptional sword technique; he will certainly pass the exam without difficulty, and these three years here will only help him grow even more.
Then we have Lee Ye-rin, a powerful mage—if not the second-best mage in this class. Her family owns the largest bank in Jarion VI, so you get the idea."
"Wait, why the second-best mage in the class?"
Kang Sung-min asked.
"Is there someone stronger than her?"
Ah-reum simply smiled slightly and remained silent for a moment.
"Well, yes, as a matter of fact… because among us, we have the descendant of the most powerful hunter family of all:
Han Yeon-seo."
"Wait, 'Han'? The family where all the members are SSS-Rank Rankers?!"
Kang Sung-min asked in shock.
"Yes, that very same family. And I believe Han Yeon-seo may be the smartest of them all—she answered every single question on the written exam correctly."
"You're lying!"
"And that's not even all… because…"
Lee Ah-reum pointed at Kim Sae-jin and Park Ha-joon.
"The academy managed to unearth two geniuses that you wouldn't find every ten—no, what am I saying? Every thirty years."
"What do you mean?"
Ah-reum simply smiled.
"Well, you'll see for yourself."
"Okay… okay, I get it… You really hit the jackpot this time. So, do you think your entire class will pass the practical exam?"
Upon hearing this question, Ah-reum's gaze suddenly turned cold as she shifted her eyes to Sugil, who was struggling with his sit-ups.
"Of course… not…"
[Quest: Reach Level 5 during the entrance exam
Rewards: New card abilities of 1 or 2 stars, gain points in STR and END.
Failure to complete the quest within the time limit will result in penalties for the next 10 days. Quest difficulty: RANK F.]