Chapter 23: S Class Advancement Test (3)

Since it was a 5-person tournament.

Naturally, one person had to receive a bye.

Coincidentally, the one who advanced by a bye was none other than Hyunwoo.

Thinking he was barely lucky, Hyunwoo calmly assessed the unfolding situation.

Hyunwoo usually displayed a very arrogant demeanor.

But today, he was restraining himself as much as possible.

This was because the Class S promotion exam was such an important event.

Based on the original work, if the first year was the prologue.
The Class S promotion exam could be called the main part.

In other words, if he didn’t get promoted to Class S.
It meant he wouldn’t even break even.

Lim Kang-doo and Yeon Na-rae were eliminated in the first round, and now there were 3 remaining, including Baek Yu-shin and himself.

Since he had advanced by a bye initially, he would probably be fighting 100% this time.

But no matter who the opponent was, Hyunwoo was confident.
He hadn’t just been idling for the past year.

Especially after absorbing Baek Yu-shin’s fortuitous encounters, Hyunwoo had become so strong that he even surprised himself.

It was not merely arrogance, but confidence calmly judged from the achievements he had attained.

He wanted to settle things with Baek Yu-shin, but unfortunately, his wish was off the mark.

Instead of Baek Yu-shin, he had to fight a guy named Shim Ho-jun.
Even as Hyunwoo clicked his tongue in disappointment.

He was recalling the information he had gathered on Shim Ho-jun in preparation for the promotion exam.

Shim Ho-jun.

A genius who ranked among the top ten even in Class A, third year.

His main weapon was a dagger, and he was an assassin type specializing in ambushing while hidden in the dark.

In other words, as long as he wasn’t ambushed.
It could be said to be a very advantageous fight for him.

Coincidentally, while his opponent was a type that fought by hiding in the dark.
He himself was a type that dispelled darkness.

Perhaps it was because he knew he had the advantage in terms of compatibility?
Hyunwoo shrugged and walked out to the arena.

There was no anguish or fear in his steps.
As if victory was already secured.

On the other hand, Shim Ho-jun, facing Hyunwoo, clearly showed signs of tension.
He sighed and said.

“Of all opponents, it had to be one with bad compatibility.”

He had green hair and heavy dark circles.
He looked as if he would collapse at any moment.

Moreover, his arms and legs were very thin, and he was short, to the point where one might wonder if he was a middle school student.

One worrying point was that he was not a character from the original work, so there was no information about him.

However, as long as he wasn’t careless, he would easily secure victory in this fight.

‘I’ll give it my all, but should I save Bloom?’

Hyunwoo had already completed Bloom as an awakener, but the academy people didn’t know that fact.

Because Hyunwoo had thoroughly hidden it.
One should always save their trump card.

Of course, the Class S promotion exam was important enough.
He originally intended to use it in the Class S promotion exam.

But now, his thoughts had changed.
Shim Ho-jun was advantageous in terms of compatibility, so after winning without using Bloom.

He would go up to the finals and use Bloom on Baek Yu-shin.
That was Hyunwoo’s intended stratagem.

“Senior, I’ll take the first move!”

Hyunwoo smiled and stretched out his hand.
At the same time, hot flames began to blaze from his hand.

Like the maw of a fire-breathing dragon, the flames emanating from his hand instantly covered the arena.

Watching that, Shim Ho-jun frowned.
His ability as an awakener was Shadow Stealth.

Shadow.
That is, being able to hide in darkness was fundamental.
The problem was that his opponent was a flame-type awakener.

Naturally, the first thing to artificially illuminate humanity’s darkness was fire.

Indeed, as the arena was covered in flames, Shim Ho-jun’s hiding places instantly vanished.

Except for one.

However, he, who hadn’t noticed that fact yet, continued to push Shim Ho-jun.

Excluding his rough edges, Hyunwoo was certainly one of the strong ones even within the academy.

Especially the firepower generated from freely manipulating flames was enough for even Selena to acknowledge.

Controlling flames with both hands, one hand created a wall of fire to prevent close-range approach.

The other hand used flames to cover the entire arena, slowly constricting the opponent’s breathing.

It was an unbelievable level of control for a second-year student.
Indeed, he was the Disciplinary Committee President’s younger brother.

‘Got him!’

Hyunwoo, slowly constricting like an anaconda, his eyes gleaming, strongly clenched his fist.

Then the slowly narrowing flames instantly engulfed Shim Ho-jun.

Thanks to the flames surrounding all sides, Shim Ho-jun couldn’t break through the encirclement of fire and escape.

In the end, he was completely reduced to ashes by the flames.
At least, on the surface.

“Cough…?!”

At the moment he was convinced of victory, Hyunwoo was shocked by the immense impact suddenly delivered to his back.

Slowly, he forcibly turned his head, stiffened by the pain.
Thanks to that, Hyunwoo could see.

Shim Ho-jun, whom he thought he had completely suppressed with flames, had completely gotten behind Hyunwoo.

“What, how?!”

“Even if you surround the area with flames, shadows don’t completely disappear.”

“…Surely!!”

Only then did Hyunwoo understand the current situation.
From the beginning, the reason Shim Ho-jun had continuously only run away.

At first, he thought he was trying to find an opportunity to ambush him.
But that wasn’t it.

He had continuously moved without rest until the shadow created by the flames reached him.

Hyunwoo, who hadn’t grasped that far, was merely intoxicated with victory and continued to unleash flames.

Thanks to that, he allowed this counterattack.
Hyunwoo was barely able to maintain his balance due to the immense pain.

‘I-I can’t end it like this!
I need to use Bloom quickly…!!’

Desperately clinging to his slowly fading consciousness, Hyunwoo tried to use Bloom somehow.

If he used Bloom, if only he could use Bloom.

A guy like that would be nothing but a snack!

However, Hyunwoo never got to use Bloom.

Ho-jun, confirming that Hyunwoo was stumbling but still clinging to consciousness, delivered the finishing blow.

“You were too careless, junior.”

Thwack!

With that single word.

Hyunwoo lost consciousness.

Hyunwoo, having lost consciousness, was carried out of the arena on a stretcher.

That was the surprisingly scary part.
Those who left the arena now couldn’t return.

That meant automatic disqualification from the Class S promotion exam.

Yu-shin, who had been watching their duel from the audience stands, his eyes gleamed.
His opponent’s ability was nothing special, but.

Surprisingly, the opponent was very skilled.
How much had he honed his skills to become like that?

Indeed, his movements were reminiscent of the rogue companion he had fought alongside.

Of course, compared to his rogue companion, his skills and abilities were still far from enough.

[I’ll take care of my own share.]

[Just so you know, my life is my top priority.]

[I have a reason to return!!!]

How should one express it?
That guy was always inconsistent in his words and actions.

He always said he only cared about his own share, but surprisingly, he was very affectionate.

Back when Yu-shin was a hero, to be precise.
At the time when he was called an incompetent hero and persecuted.

The first rogue Yu-shin recruited as a companion.
His reason was ridiculous.

[When a fcker grows, they can consume that much more.]

[But you might not get anything at all.]

[You little bstard, an adult is speaking, where do you get off talking back?]

It was brushed off like that then, but thinking about it now.

Perhaps, seeing himself being despised and ignored by everyone, he couldn’t just stand by.

Indeed, it was that rogue who was the first to welcome Yu-shin back after he had been exiled and returned.

Recalling memories of that guy after a truly long time, Yu-shin slowly stood up from his seat.

It was his turn now.
Their personalities and appearances were all different, but the feeling was similar.

‘I felt nostalgic for a long time.’

“Alright, then I’ll decide immediately.”

The student who will be promoted to Class S in this battle will be chosen.
It will be either Shim Ho-jun or Baek Yu-shin.

However, Shim Ho-jun, who had been watching Baek Yu-shin from the arena for a moment, sighed and said.

“I forfeit.”

“Suddenly?”

“Honestly, it’s a miracle I even made it this far.”

Ho-jun continued speaking in a drawn-out voice.
He was originally an assassin type, so he was weak in direct combat.

Someone who pushes with firepower like Hyunwoo might find a gap and stab him.

But someone who utilizes techniques to the fullest like Yu-shin was very difficult to handle.
Ho-jun sighed.

“I’ve already fought him several times in my head, and every time, it ended in my defeat.”

Ho-jun had grasped all of Baek Yu-shin’s movements in the first round, that is, in the fight between Lim Kang-doo and Baek Yu-shin.

And the conclusion he reached was that he couldn’t win.
The speed was one thing, but more importantly, his techniques were no joke.

In that case, he would rather aim to showcase all his abilities in front of the principal.

That was Ho-jun’s judgment, and Ho-jun could easily display everything he possessed.

Now that he had achieved his initial goal.

There was no reason to bother fighting.

However, if there was one thing Ho-jun hadn’t expected.

‘Forfeit?’

It was that his opponent was a provocateur.