Episode 144
Although defeated again, there was no disappointment or regret on Sophia’s face.
There was only the feeling of regret.
“yes. I was satisfied with this. Improvements were also seen. I won’t lose next time.”
So Sophia left the arena and went back to her seat.
The final winner of the first match was none other than me, and I was given a five-minute break, during which I could choose whether to start the next match or give up and leave the field.
‘… … .’
To be honest, it was enough to stop at this point. I became the perfect winner in the first round, and in the process, I had a great match with Sofia.
You will probably get the highest score among the candidates this time around.
However, to that extent, it was not enough.
As I said before, what I want in this qualification exam is a perfect result. Because it was to raise my reputation beyond the records set by the nineteen-year-old Jung Hae at that time.
So I didn’t leave the stadium until the next round started, and I had to fight once more and survive to the end.
Read at noblemtl.com
Murmur.Read at noblemtl.com
Murmur murmur.[Nonsense. Did you survive again?]
[This is already not at the apprenticeship level, I’ve never seen a level 3 exorcist with this level of skill.]
[…] … .]
So the battle continued without stopping.
three times, four times, then up to the fifth.
And when I finally got out of the arena, out of breath.
There was awe in the eyes of everyone who had been watching.
***
“Heh, damn it. In fact, you will be able to see a sight like this.”
A sight unfolded by only one exorcist apprentice.
It was truly unusual, and the result was shocking.
“Maybe that was the feeling of the qualification exam under Jeong-ha, I don’t know.”
“In fact, the record of Candidate 48 has already largely surpassed that of under cleaning. If the record of the third test, which has not yet been counted, is also outstanding… … .”
At those words, everyone’s expressions changed.
Zheng Ha’s record was broken. Because what this meant was by no means small.
“Even though there have been changes in the time period and the contents of the exam, it’s a great thing.”
“It’s a record that has never been broken even under such conditions.”
“At least in the same age group, Kang Yoon-kun is superior to anyone I’ve ever seen.”
The rave reviews poured in, but no one objected to it.
As such, the skills that Han Kang-yoon showed were overwhelming.
As someone said a while ago, it would be difficult to find even a level similar to that in the same age group.
“Well, if you think about it that way, the same goes for Miss Sophia, who was your opponent.”
“Han Kang-yoon was just a little more experienced, but it seems that she was more superior in terms of her abilities.”
“Honestly, the comparison itself would be meaningless. Both of them have already greatly surpassed the skills of a third-class exorcist.”
Even those in this position cannot be sure of victory against those two.
Considering that only experienced exorcists after numerous battles can obtain the qualifications of an examiner, it was truly a great thing.
While everyone was being candid and admiring, finally all the scores of the delayed 3rd written test were calculated.
“How did it go?”
“… To be honest, I’m embarrassed. Everyone will see it for themselves. The way of thinking is different from ours.”
Han Kang-yoon’s score is perfect. It is said that all the officers in charge expressed unanimity without objection.
The examiners who confirmed Han Kang-yoon’s answer had no choice but to make strange expressions.
“… It’s hard to believe. Are you really going into battle while doing all these calculations?”
“To be precise, it might be a little different. He probably isn’t really coming up with an answer through a calculation process in his head.”
A second-class exorcist, Yoon Soo-ah, who brought the results.
When everyone’s eyes turned to her, she replied:
“It would just come naturally. Just like when you see luxurious food, you think it’s delicious, and when you see fire, you think it’s hot.”
When I heard it for sure, it was exactly what I was saying.
Even for the examiners, the vast answers that Han Kang-yoon wrote in such a short period of time were not something that could come out of thinking and pondering.
How to delay time when encountering an unbearable youkai alone, how to deal with a battle in a city mixed with citizens, and the formation of a siege against powerful monsters.
Kang-yoon Han’s answers to all those questions are so complete.
Rather, it made me question it.
Is it possible to actually do all of this?
“I don’t think I can even do it.”
Even if a perfect plan exists, the person who does it is not perfect.
A plan that is too high-level will become sloppy again.
“But for him, it must be possible.”
And, in fact, there are already several such people in the world.
With the title of Exorcist Exorcist.
“… Maybe in the next five years?”
Lee Moon-soo, who has the most outstanding skills among the examiners and is working as a first-class exorcist, uttered only one small word.
“In this country, there will be one more express.”
Those words were obviously full of certainty, not predictions.
***
Two days later, we were finally notified of the results of the test in a separate document sent.
Whether to say it was surprising or expected, all five of them passed.
“Does training together help you more than you think? The content of the test itself was quite in line with expectations.”
“It must be said that Han Kang-yoon’s prediction was correct.”
Guilford nodded and thanked me a little.
“Honestly, if I had tried to prepare by myself, it would have been difficult. You’ve done a good job.”
“Thanks to everyone’s hard work.”
Because it was an individual notice, the document also contained other unusual matters, such as the contents of the examiners’ evaluation and the final ranking.
“I am too passive and passive for my abilities, did I?”
“Ugh. Isn’t Hansol a bit too self-determining? You give up on me every day, even against me.”
“No, that’s because you can see the results anyway. what? If so, are you really talking about that way of thinking?”
He said it was a pity, but Jeonghan-sol was also quite good in the final ranking itself. It was the second highest number after me and Sofia.
On the other hand, it was none other than Hwang Ji-hak who recorded a lower rank than expected.
“What, you are surprisingly low-ranking? What did you shovel during the exam?”
“… … .”
I also turned my attention to Hwang Ji-hak because I was a little skeptical about that part.
After being silent for a while, he then showed a slightly bewildered face and answered while avoiding his gaze.
“… I have a stomachache.”
“what?”
“I couldn’t concentrate because my stomach kept hurting.”
It was a very ordinary yet humble reason.
“Oh that. What. Everyone has had that experience at least once. cheer up.”
“Aww, that’s just so amazing. Jihak looks like he’s made of steel, so I thought he wouldn’t catch a cold.”
“Don’t be too disappointed. I passed, so it’s a good achievement.”
Surely, it may be even more remarkable to have achieved better grades than others even in such a situation.
Hwang Ji-hak nodded and agreed.
“After all, the goal was to pass, so there is no problem. I just reflected on my self-management a little bit.”
After that, it was revealed that, as expected, Sophia achieved the final 2nd place.
In fact, if it wasn’t for her, it would have been even more strange, and it was a natural result.
‘… … .’
So, the result is the final one.
Feeling everyone’s attention, I revealed the results in a low voice.
“He’s the chief.”
“I knew it would too. There was no one better than him, but what?”
“Congratulations. The hard work is worthwhile.”
As soon as the results were revealed, congratulatory baptisms flew in, and Jeonghan-sol ruffled my hair as if it was rude.
After the commotion had subsided for a while, Sophia with a small smile said to me.
“Thank you for keeping your promise.”
“Do you have any regrets?”
“Not at all. Literally, it was a bittersweet match.”
I was worried that there would be some kind of shock because Sophia had been receiving the most attention in the new generation so far, but it seems like it was raining.
Rather, Sophia is smiling happily as if she was stimulated by this battle.
“yes. I’m really starting to get a little bit of motivation after a while. For a while, in fact, neither this nor that felt meaningless.”
That was a bit scary. Even though she has neglected her training recently, if she is capable of this level, her growth rate with all her sincerity may far exceed my expectations.
‘You’re growing faster here?’
I don’t know what kind of result this difference in attitude will bring, but if I become stronger than her in the original, there is nothing wrong with me.
So, I graciously handed over the will of support.
“yes. thanks I’ll try again. So next time you have a chance, will you give me a fight?”
“… … .”
To her, who smiled brightly, I couldn’t bear to say no.
***
Passed the Exorcist Qualification Exam.
The size of the reputation of such a modifier was never small.
And what if the subject was an academy cadet who took the exam early?
As expected by Han Kang-yoon, such news had a significant impact on the Korean witchcraft world.
“Early test takers say senior pass? What does that mean?”
“This is undeniable news. Besides, he is said to be a rookie who has never made a name for himself.”
“Hey, let me tell you in detail.”
In the short term, people occupying a place in other influential families, and in the long term, organizations of national institutions or leading corporations.
Everyone started to remember Han Kang-yoon’s name.
Among them was the Red Flower Team, a special task force belonging to the Exorcism Headquarters, who had an eye on Han Kang-yoon at the time of the public presentation of the Cheonghwa Academy.
“Captain, did you hear the news? At that time, Erla was the head of the qualification exam? It’s also an early test. This is unverified information, but it also broke the record of Chung Ha.”
“okay. That news is already the fifth time today.”
Shin No-eul, the leader of the Jeokhwa Team, has already evaluated Han Kang-yoon as a talent second only to Sofia.
And today it turned out to be true. Because Sophia’s name was written in the list of those who passed the second place, pushed by that very Han Kang-yoon.
“Clearly, the manager’s perspective is different. To be honest, I thought it was bullshit back then.”
“… Whoa, did you mean that?”
“No, honestly, it doesn’t make sense. Back then, Han Kang-yoon was nothing more than a scarecrow compared to Sophia Charlotte.”
However, in other words, in that short period of time, she has grown her presence even more than Sophia.
Shin No-eul, after pondering for a long time, finally came to a conclusion.
“I can’t do it either, it’s too coveted.”
“yes? When are you saying it’s not realistic?”
“I don’t know, man. You think about it after you twist it. I will go as soon as I have time, so you know.”
Shin No-eul, who is the head of the special task department’s Jeokhwa Team, and was recognized as a new special exorcist just last month.
Her gaze stayed on Han Kang-yoon in the picture.