Chapter 81. The Appearance of the School Nurse (3)

Chapter 81. The Appearance of the School Nurse (3)

“Cadet Lee Hoyeon?”

The professor of Class B looked at me with a surprised expression.

I guess she didn’t expect me to raise my hand.

“I’d like to participate.”

At that moment, Elise, who was behind me, also raised her hand.

Wait, why is she doing this? Stop interfering.

“I want to do it too!”

Even Kim Younghan, who had been sitting quietly, raised his hand.

“I want to participate too!”

“How often do we get the chance to duel second-years?”

“…?”

About one-tenth of the cadets raised their hands. This wasn’t part of my plan.

I just wanted to take down that stocky bastard and step off, but now I couldn’t exactly tell everyone else to back off.

“Oh wow… there are quite a few volunteers. What should we do?”

“Why not just have them all go at once?”

“Huh? Oh, Professor Park. What do you think?”

A male professor, who was a second-year instructor, emerged from behind the hesitant female professor.

He scratched his head as if this was troublesome and looked at us.

“Just have them fight in a winner-stays-on format. Make sure everyone gets at least one match, and those who want more can use the extra sparring rings we set up.”

“Ah… that’s not a bad idea. But we haven’t ranked the first-years yet since they haven’t taken their exams.”

“Just divide them based on what we’ve observed so far. I’ll go sort the second-years by rank.”

“Alright. Got it.”

The two professors exchanged a few words and quickly settled on a plan.

The rules explained by the female professor were simple.

One first-year and one second-year would duel. The loser would step off, and the winner would stay.

Since each grade had over 200 cadets, they divided us into five groups.

The second-years were ranked based on their past performances, while we were assigned teams based on perceived skill.

Naturally, I was placed in the top-ranked group. I hadn’t been reevaluated, but I wasn’t considered weak.

I had even beaten that cocky weakling before.

For reference, Do Jinhyuk and his lackeys were also in the top group.

Ever since that day, they’d been keeping their distance from me, which was nice. Some people just need a good beating to come to their senses.

“Can I go first?”

I asked the 40 or so cadets in my group.

My target was the stocky guy, but I didn’t know when he would be up.

If that was the case, I’d just have to keep winning until he showed up.

“Go ahead.”

Elise had the most influence among the top first-years.

While Nam Daeun was actually stronger, she rarely voiced her opinions.

“Looks like they’re sending out their first-ranked cadet first. Are you sure about this?”

That was Kim Younghan.

He was, of course, also in the top group.

I hadn’t paid much attention to him since he was a guy, but I guess he really was strong.

“How do you even know this stuff?”

“I have my ways. I have my ways.”

“…Then do you know what rank that stocky senior is?”

“You mean Senior Yoon Hyunkyu? He’s ranked eighth. And isn’t he in the student council with you? How do you not know?”

“I never really cared.”

Finally, Kim Younghan was doing something useful as my information broker.

Good job, kid! I’m proud of you!

‘Eighth place, huh? So I just need to take down the seven above him?’

Now that I knew his rank, I could wait until his turn. Should I just time my entry?

“Oh! The Saintess!”

Just as I was considering my next move, an unmistakable phrase entered my ears.

I quickly turned my head toward the source of the voice.

A beautiful woman was entering through the auditorium’s main entrance.

Even though she had quit the Association, she was still dressed in office attire.

Her long black hair, snow-white skin, and deep blue eyes naturally drew people’s attention.

Her modestly short skirt and crisp white blouse completed the perfect office lady look.

Baek A-Young seemed uncomfortable under so many gazes, nervously looking around until our eyes met.

“Ah…”

★ Heroine Status Window

[Baek A-Young]

- [ Affection: 84 ] (+0.2)

- [ Lust: 69 ]

- [ Appetite: 30 ]

- [ Fatigue: 35 ]

Current Status: Found him….

Baek A-Young gasped softly and started walking toward me.

“S-Saintess?!”

I desperately signaled her with my eyes not to come any closer.

When I called her ‘Saintess,’ Baek A-Young seemed to regain her composure, clearing her throat as she stepped back.

The professor standing behind her approached and asked why she had come.

“Ah, as my first duty as the school nurse, I came to prepare for any accidents that might occur during the duels.”

“Ah… I see. There’s a group of professors gathered over there, would you like to join them?”

“No, I’ll observe the cadets from here.”

“Ah, alright. Understood.”

The male professor hesitated, seemingly intending to escort Baek A-Young elsewhere, but her firm stance made him give up and walk away.

The cadets kept glancing at Baek A-Young, fascinated to see her at the Academy, but no one dared to approach her.

It seemed they had received the Director’s notice through their professors.

No one wanted to risk upsetting her.

But leaving her standing there alone wasn’t good either.

Since this was a new workplace for her, she must feel awkward with so many unfamiliar faces. Should I casually approach and start a conversation?

★ Heroine Status Window

[Baek A-Young]

- [ Affection: 84 ] (+0.2)

- [ Lust: 69 ]

- [ Appetite: 30 ]

- [ Fatigue: 35 ]

Current Status: I came all the way here… When will he come to greet me?

After checking her status window, it seemed unnecessary.

Awkwardness? She didn’t seem to care at all about her surroundings.

Is she really okay? In the original story, she never left the Association, but now she quit because of me… Is that really alright?

Oh, whatever.

If I were worried about the original story, I should have cared earlier.

The moment I committed to the harem route, twisting the original storyline was inevitable.

The only thing that matters is how I handle it.

“Have you finished deciding the order?”

Professor Kim Jinhyuk, who was acting as the referee for the top-tier duels between first and second-years, approached us.

“Oh, wait! Hoyeon, are you going first?”

“Honestly, I only need to fight the eighth-ranked one, so it doesn’t really matter.”

“Then why don’t we go in order? First, Nam Daeun. Then Elise. You’ll go third, Hoyeon.”

I didn’t mind, but… if Nam Daeun and Elise went all out, they could probably defeat all 40 opponents before my turn.

Especially Nam Daeun—she’s so ridiculously overpowered that even I can’t gauge her strength at this point.

“No complaints, right? You’re the strongest first-year, she’s the best student, and you’re the most handsome. This order makes sense.”

Wait, what? ‘Most handsome?’ I took down demons and ogres too, you know?

Now that I think about it, Elise is contributing to my reputation being weirdly skewed.

“Will this count towards our grades?”

Nam Daeun, who had been silent until now, approached Professor Kim Jinhyuk and asked.

“It’s more of a friendly match, so it won’t be graded.”

“Understood.”

Seeing her reaction, it seemed Nam Daeun wouldn’t go all out.

That meant I only had to talk to Elise.

“Elise, I really want to fight the eighth-ranked second-year. Can you stop at number seven and forfeit?”

“…Why should I?”

She was clearly reluctant.

★ Heroine Status Window

[Elise]

- [ Affection: 35 ]

- [ Lust: 25 ]

- [ Appetite: 30 ]

- [ Fatigue: 40 ]

Current Status: Just thinking about how I had to act cute for my dad because of him… Ugh.

Oh, so she had to act cute for her dad just to help me.

Imagining the usually cold Elise putting on a cute act made me want to see it.

“You’re not still sulking about that, are you?”

“Hah. Do you think I’m that petty? Of course not.”

Elise scowled and quickly walked away from me.

She’ll probably do it anyway… right?

I didn’t care much about the rest of the first-year order, so I let them sort it out and turned my attention to Nam Daeun’s match.

Nam Daeun and the top-ranked second-year stood facing each other in the sparring arena.

“Let’s have a good match.”

“Mhm. You too.”

Despite her appearance, Nam Daeun was quite polite in official settings. It’s just that she barely spoke beyond the necessary words.

“Then, begin!”

With Professor Kim Jinhyuk’s signal, Nam Daeun moved.

Boom!

Nam Daeun activated her unique ability, Spatial Domination, manipulating space around her to accelerate instantly.

Even though the second-year rank one retreated the moment the match started, they couldn’t fully avoid her attack.

“Urgh—!”

Managing to block her strike with a sword was commendable, but they still couldn’t withstand the force and staggered back several steps.

“If this is the best a second-year can do… I guess I’ll just hold back a little.”

Nam Daeun muttered something incomprehensible before suddenly raising her hand.

“I forfeit.”

“H-Hey!”

The second-year rank 1 was visibly frustrated by Nam Daeun’s sudden forfeit and grabbed her arm.

“You can’t just end it like this! I haven’t even started properly!”

“Apologies. This isn’t beneficial for my training.”

“….”

Wow… that must really hurt his pride.

Coming off so polite made it even worse—it genuinely sounded like he was of no use to her.

The second-year rank 1 stood there, dazed, staring blankly at Nam Daeun as she emotionlessly walked off and exited the auditorium.

“Ahem. With the first-year’s forfeit, the winner is Han Seoyul from the second-years. Han Seoyul remains in the ring, and the next first-year should step up.”

Next up was Elise.

Elise also bowed politely before starting the duel.

“She really doesn’t seem like a first-year.”

“Right? With Nam Daeun, you just know she’s insanely strong, but with Elise, you can visibly see her absurd technique and mana control—it’s almost unnatural.”

“Honestly, it’s just talent and skill on another level. She has an ability that should burn through mana quickly, but she was also born with an enormous mana pool.”

The surrounding cadets began assessing Elise.

Most of them had positive opinions, but there was something only a select few close to her knew.

She was born with a congenital mana disorder.

Compared to others, she had an extremely low amount of mana.

Despite her talent in both swordsmanship and magic, the limits of her mana pool couldn’t be ignored.

That’s why Elise required mana stones to exert her full power. Balancing both swordsmanship and magic was only possible by artificially supplementing her mana.

Because of that, she absorbed high-grade mana stones daily.

These simply increased her mana capacity rather than acting as doping agents, so Victoria Academy officially approved their use.

Of course, if she weren’t the daughter of the Iris Guild, getting approval might have been another matter… but that’s just how the world works.

Sizzle—

Every time Elise’s sword clashed with Han Seoyul’s, intense heat surged.

“Guh…”

Unlike in Nam Daeun’s match, Han Seoyul wasn’t instantly defeated, but he was gradually getting pushed back.

At this rate, he would lose soon.

Clang!

As Elise continued pushing him back, Han Seoyul finally lost his patience and charged at her.

Shff—

Han Seoyul kicked off the ground, gathering mana.

In an instant, his sword split into four, each blade aiming at one of Elise’s limbs.

“Block this if you can!”

It looked like a last-ditch trump card, but Elise merely moved her arms lightly.

She parried the two swords aimed at her arms, while vines from the ground ensnared the one targeting her right leg.

As for the last sword aimed at her lower left, a force spell subtly nudged it off course.

“Urgh!”

After that brief exchange, Han Seoyul had already lost grip of his weapon, while Elise remained standing still.

A flawless victory.

Watching their top ranker get utterly demolished, the second-years shook their heads, while the first-years cheered in excitement.

“Senior, I’ve learned a lot from you. I forfeit.”

And then, Elise forfeited.

“…?”

“What?”

Han Seoyul, who had been making an expression of ‘I lost, but I did my best…!’ suddenly snapped his head up in shock, while Professor Kim Jinhyuk, also confused, asked again.

“Indeed, you truly are different, senior. I have learned a great deal.”

Elise maintained a proud, polite demeanor as she bowed respectfully.

What the hell is she doing?

★ Heroine Status Window

[Elise]

- [ Affection: 35 ]

- [ Lust: 25 ]

- [ Appetite: 30 ]

- [ Fatigue: 40 ]

Current Status: This level of skill… worth testing.

‘Ah… so she’s planning to test me.’

It was obvious—her goal was to see my abilities, considering I was up next.

I wasn’t upset. Gaining real combat experience was beneficial for me too, and this was the perfect opportunity to clear my reputation as some weakling.

If I was going to show off, I might as well go all out.

With confidence, I stepped onto the arena.

Standing before me was Han Seoyul, his face red with frustration.

“Just how much do you all look down on me to humiliate me like this…?!”

Hey, I didn’t do anything.

“Senior, I look forward to our match.”

“…I will win this time, no matter what.”

Han Seoyul swallowed his pride and greeted me.

What did this guy do in his past life to deserve getting beaten by his juniors three times in a row?

For the first time, I actually felt bad for a second-year.

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