The struggle to distinguish between the higher and lower in skill has a long and storied history, originating from ancient times, and was a living culture.
The Colosseum. Horseback competitions…
The arena was a place to prove one's efforts, a stage for duels.
In that place, the weapon held tightly had more power than a judge's gavel.
This place where the students battled did not deviate much from that meaning.
They prepared for a tournament. Sharpened their swords and waited. They fully displayed their honed skills in the competition.
This whole process of pouring everything out was what the competition was all about.
[A Group Winner – Sansuyu]
In such a glorious arena of combat…
It was rare for those who had not made an effort to step in.
[C Group Winner – Lim Jonghyun]
Some may slip due to being intoxicated with their own talent.
[G Group Winner – Jung Siwoo]
And there were those who literally released all the skills they had worked on for over a decade.
[H Group Winner – Lee Shiheon]
Occasionally, there were exceptional exceptions, but even they had undoubtedly put in blood, sweat, and effort, something no one could deny.
[Eliminated – Kim Young-hu, Shin Young-ah...Jin Dallae]
Yet, there were those who tasted the bitterness of defeat.
In this academy, skill was everything.
The winners were treated as those who had put in more effort and were praised.
Some hung onto their grades and fell apart in this well of competition.
The despair when one collapsed due to a minor mistake on a stage they had prepared for their entire life.
The promising winners fell in the preliminaries due to sheer bad luck. Those without real skill who advanced due to good matchup luck.
Those participating in the tournament became more desperate than anyone.
Because it was harder to achieve results.
For fear that the unskilled might climb above them.
-Click-
Lee Shiheon, fastening his student combat uniform belt, looked at the results and smiled bitterly.
Worrying about Dallae came first. He couldn't help it.
Picturing himself forcing a cheerful smile alone due to his worry-prone nature.
"Beep, beep!"
At the entrance.
As the yellow-clad Shiba cried out, he stroked his daughter's head, showing a loving smile overflowing with paternal love.
"Will our daughter go to kindergarten well today?"
"Beep."
After hugging his cheekily responding daughter, Shiheon looked at the peach behind him.
Lying on the sofa, still giggling… Baekdo, with her white hair, was wiping her tears.
"...Pfft."
"Hey, stop it!"
"Haha."
"How long are you going to tease me with that?"
"I can't help it, haha, can I? It gets funnier the more I think about it. My disciple, who put on all sorts of airs… haha, came back covered in beehives."
The evening when he had his first match with Guseul.
When he reported about the match to his master. Baekdo's expected pathetic remark turned out to be true as expected.
He heard all sorts of things like fancy dudes can't be trusted, empty husks, and more, and it didn't stop there; even this morning, days later, the teasing continued.
Of course, it was no secret that they ended up grabbing each other by the collar the first time Baekdo teased him.
"I swear if I catch just one opportunity later on."
"I shall never let that happen."
"We'll see about that."
Whether Baekdo's shame exploded first or Shiheon's courage collapsed.
Let's see how far this goes. Shiheon thought.
When twilight came, who would be the one shedding tears was the obvious battle.
Shiheon put the agricultural products he prepared himself into his backpack, stood up, and grumbled.
"Don't make it so hard. It's an important day."
"It is important. That Siwoo, was it?"
"Yes."
"Sounds like a name for someone loafing around in a host bar."
Baekdo spat out harsh words. Shiheon clicked his tongue and flung open the front door.
"That's enough. Come slowly for the 1 PM game. Take Shiba safely."
"Got it."
Feeling his stiffening facial expression, Shiheon stepped outside.
His trembling heart was a great stimulant for him.
Today was the day. The most crucial day of the midterms, the first round of the main tournament.
Wowww -!
The cheers of the audience filled the void of surrounding conversations.
At the world-renowned El Academy. A tournament that showcased the elite students attending there.
Even without special tickets, quality matches were accessible, and today, the spacious stadium was packed as always.
-Beep!
Whistle sounds echoed from various places.
The morning session students began moving towards the waiting room.
The students descending the stairs all had faces steeped in tension.
And surrounding them were black-suited security guards, vigilantly watching over them.
This astonishing sight was witnessed by the students' families, guild associates, reporters, newspaper journalists, and tourists.
"Anyone would think it's the Olympics or something."
"Exactly."
-Ssssshh.
While sipping on a flat cola, I spoke to Jin Dallae, who giggled in response, her eyes fixed on the wide stadium.
Her gaze seemed both relieved and bittersweet.
"Ah, I wanted to participate too. It's a shame. Just had to encounter that person there."
She was talking about Lim Jonghyun.
Given that she, a magician, was determined to take down Jung Siwoo, it was undoubtedly a tough match for her.
Rumor had it it was a very close call.
If only she hadn't allowed that one attack, if only one of her spells had hit, the fortunes of the two would have been reversed.
The fact that she even managed to land a hit on a swordsman was remarkable in itself. Considering how pumped up Lim Jonghyun was, perhaps this was quite an achievement. She was effectively revealed to be the best magician in the first year of the Korean division of El Academy.
"Next time, it will be better."
Of course, I could only offer such simple consolation.
After all, Jin Dallae knew her shortcomings best.
"But it's a relief."
Jin Dallae said, her face falling, then looked at me.
"What is?"
I asked, and she smiled gently.
"Because I get to support you."
It was a slightly heart-touching comment. Just slightly.
I forced a laugh at the cheesy remark and changed the subject.
"Haha, what about Siwoo?"
"That too. I'll just support whoever wins."
"I definitely need to win then."
"...Hehe."
My resolve seemed to have lifted her spirits, as Jin Dallae looked more relieved, glancing into the stadium. She then took out some medicine from her handbag, which she had apparently brought along.
"Want a calming pill if you're nervous?"
I wasn't particularly nervous.
Maybe because my match was in the afternoon, and it didn't feel real yet, but it was much better than the times I was on the brink of death.
If I had to describe my current feeling, it was more like a flutter of anticipation before the match. Actually, it felt good.
"Thanks."
There was no harm in accepting kindness.
Maybe I should go to the bathroom before starting.
It wouldn't hurt to stop by the player's waiting room and see Sansuyu's face, too.
"I'll head downstairs for a bit."
"Okay."
After letting Jin Dallae know, I went down to the first floor.
Leaving the bustling, market-like atmosphere of the second-floor spectator seats, I felt like I could breathe easier. Of course, the first floor was inevitably crowded with spectators, too.
After using the bathroom, someone covered my eyes from behind as I stepped outside.
"Guess who~."
An unforgettable voice with a distinct personality.
A bright yellow star flickered before my eyes. Well, it was not strange for her to come, considering her talent was directly linked to her profession.
"Byeol noona?"
"Ah! How did you know?"
Removing the hand that covered my eyes, Byeol blinked her bright yellow pupils, making a surprised gesture.
"I can always tell by Byeol noona's voice."
"Hehe… I just happened to have some work here and thought of Shiheon, so I came to visit."
It was nice to see her since we had both been busy and hadn't had the chance to meet. We clasped hands, and Byeol, like a high school girl, jumped up and down in excitement.
"Right, I have to go now, but I'll be cheering for you. Who's your opponent today?"
"Jung Siwoo."
"Oh, right… Wait, Siwoo?"
At my words, Byeol looked lost in thought, as if she didn't know what to say to me.
"That, that, that's really bad luck…"
After pondering for a while, she finally spoke. Knowing Jung Siwoo's abilities well, she refrained from saying something like 'You can win.'
"Thanks for the support."
Although some stories about me have spread, in terms of recognition, Jung Siwoo was overwhelming.
Half the audience here probably came to see Jung Siwoo.
It's natural since he'd been the focus of attention since the military academy.
After all, I was just an isolated guy who arrived in this world a few months ago.
'Was it 92%?'
That was the probability of Jung Siwoo winning, according to an illegal betting site based on the Academy tournament.
Of course, the 8 percent betting on my victory was nothing more than a joke.
"I'll do my best. See you."
"Okay, contact me when it's over~~~!"
I smiled faintly as I watched the lively Byeol leave.
Before returning to the second floor, I bought some cotton candy and found the players' waiting room.
"Siheon?"
When I opened the door, Sansuyu looked at me with wide eyes.
"I brought a gift. As a show of support."
"Support… Why? We're rivals."
Sansuyu, caught off guard, took the cotton candy, looked at it curiously, and then questioned my words.
"Friends support each other. It's not like we're fighting right now."
"…Is that so?"
Despite the tightness of her simple battle outfit, her chest area was noticeably protruding.
Fighting must be quite uncomfortable with that.
Sansuyu stared at the cotton candy, then unwrapped it and put it in her mouth.
Her soft cheeks moved as she chewed the melting sugary treat, resembling a hamster.
Watching her hamster-like behavior, Sansuyu soon finished the cotton candy and licked her fingers.
"The match…"
"Hm?"
She then expressed her gratitude.
"If you lose the match, I can comfort you."
"…?"
Her voice was modest and gentle, but the content was unexpectedly vulgar.
-Beep!
The whistle sounded. The opening was about to start.
I briefly wished Sansuyu luck before returning to my seat to watch the matches.
Although it was an academy, they sang the school anthem for some reason.
As the opening ceremony began, the morning session students appeared one after another. Since tournaments for foreign students were held simultaneously, only A, B, C, and D groups of Korean students had matches in the morning.
As time passed, the first tournament match began.
The audience's gasps and the tension in their clenched fists accompanied several intense duels.
The results of the Korean matches aligned perfectly with my expectations. Sansuyu and Lim Jonghyun made it to the semifinals.
The joy that poured out for Sansuyu, who ended the match swiftly by deflecting the opponent's sword, was just a bonus.
[The El Academy Freshmen Tournament for the morning session is now concluded.]
With those words from the commentator,
I finally sensed that it was my turn.
1st and 152nd.
The unbelievable gap between the two competitors in this match.
"Jung Siwoo's opponent is pitiful." Such murmurs could be heard occasionally, signaling the start of an unpredictable match.