The two weeks flew by faster than usual. Kang Sihyun, who had increased the sparring sessions from twice to three times a day, frowned despite not needing to call for a stop to the matches anymore. His body couldn't tolerate the aches and pains anymore, no matter how casually he brushed them off. When he raised his trembling arm, a brief light flickered as he used healing, almost as if enlightenment followed the relief from pain.
"I should've used this earlier..."
"Hmm?"
"Oh, it's nothing. But have you thought about tomorrow's end-of-month evaluation?"
"Ah..."
It had been two weeks since the discussion about whether he'd function as pure support or an early-stage tank. Yet, there was still no clear answer. Asking again, Sihyun adjusted the dagger he had been holding for days, seeking clarity.
"I... I'd prefer if you stuck to support."
"Are you sure you'll manage alone? It's a timed attack this evaluation."
The second end-of-month evaluation, the Partner War. The notice from the day before was still saved in his pairing device. While they talked, Sihyun scrolled through the holographic window.
[End-of-Month Evaluation Notice]
1st Semester, 1st Year, 2nd End-of-Month Evaluation
Theme: Partner Evaluation (Partner War)
Details: Dispose of irregulars classified as targets with your partner within the given time.
Type: Timed Attack
Date: Friday, May 31, 1st to 8th periods
Note: This is a real situation without the use of virtual reality systems. Healers of B-grade or higher are on standby, but please prioritize safety to avoid injuries.
Compared to the last evaluation notice, the difficulty level was significantly higher. A timed attack? It seemed like a headache. Sighing, Sihyun erased the window in front of him. Hamin excelled in assassination, but his speed matched Hamin's. Just because he supported and Hamin darted around didn't guarantee a top position.
He was a healer, not a buffer.
If it came to attack support, Hamin with a buffer was slightly advantageous.
As Hamin pondered, Sihyun, too, got lost in thoughts. He wished he could copy an area-of-effect skill. He hadn't witnessed an area-of-effect skill with his own eyes yet. The closest thing was Jihye's...
"Ah."
"...?"
If it was a spreading flame attribute, it could be handy in a timed attack. Since he had only Hamin as an ally, it was even better. But then, they'd have to counter Hamin and Jihye... Daun's waiting abilities were also not to be underestimated.
Considering this, Sihyun, who had previously disregarded Daun and Jihye's classes due to the Four Heavenly Kings' dominance, felt their classes were more formidable than expected. Unexpected variables were unsettling.
No matter how strong Daun and Jihye might be, Sihyun could guarantee that Hamin or he would be faster. However, when the enemy numbers increased, the dynamics changed.
"This is tricky."
"Hmm?"
Sihyun, muttering to himself since a while ago, caught Haru's attention. When asked what was wrong, Sihyun recalled a phrase from the notice.
'Irregulars classified as targets.'
It meant there could be irregulars who weren't targets for disposal.
In that case, an area-of-effect ability might not be particularly useful.
At a loss for suitable area-of-effect skills, Sihyun found solace in the absence of one. He shook his head. Tapping absentmindedly with the staff in his hand, the sound echoed in the training room.
Three skills could be copied at once.
Among the approximately thirty skills he had copied and mastered, he needed to find one suitable for this evaluation.
In reality, except for the fact that specific irregulars needed to be killed, using area-of-effect abilities seemed fine. However, the only area-of-effect abilities he could copy were Haewoon's debuffs, Daun's waiting-related skills, and Jihye's flame-related skills, of which the most efficient one was...
Fire.
Even if he set just one of them on fire, it would spread to the others nearby, causing chaos. That seemed the most advantageous. But the problem was...
"...Why fire, of all things."
"Hmm?"
"...Oh, it's nothing."
Fire wouldn't work.
Sihyun, with a twitch at his fingertips, lowered his gaze. The situation was back to square one. His forehead furrowed, his mind racing constantly. When the bell signaling the end of the training rang, Sihyun, who had pondered for a while, raised his head. Just then, the bell chimed. Sihyun looked at Haru, who had stood up from the bench.
"Hyung."
"...Yes?"
"I'll help, so let's take first place."
"..."
"I'll pave the way for you."
The sudden declaration was quite unexpected. Seeing Haru's expression falter at the abrupt statement, Sihyun had to explain his plan before Haewoon arrived. After repeatedly assuring Haru of his safety, Sihyun finally got the permission he needed.
As Haru nodded at last, Sihyun rose from his seat. The schedule had been confirmed.
Thunk!
As if timing the end of their conversation, Haewoon entered abruptly. More accurately, he barged in. Without a knock, he announced they should go eat, and Sihyun, detaching himself from Haru, headed to the dining hall.
"Since the evaluation's tomorrow, I can bring Pia!"
While eating, Haewoon's words made Sihyun's eyes widen, and in urgency, he covered Haewoon's mouth. Unexpectedly making contact, Haewoon choked on his food, and when Sihyun released him, he narrowed his eyes.
"I told you not to bring Pia out."
"No one would know who she is anyway!"
"Kang Haewoon."
"...You're a complete dictator, a dictator."
Complaining about the restriction was painful enough without getting scolded. Sighing, Sihyun picked up the spoon he had set down. When he discreetly glanced around, he noticed Hamin quietly eating.
He seemed eager to raise her too, in the beginning.
Though initially repulsed, Hamin seemed infatuated after a few interactions with Pia. Seeing an opportunity, Sihyun decided to speak to him about it later during the meal.
***
The day of the end-of-month assessment dawned. Instead of the auditorium, we were instructed to gather at the sports field. I blinked at Haru, who wore one of the outfits I picked out, sporting a short-sleeved shirt and shorts. When our eyes met, Haru seemed a bit crestfallen. I wondered why but figured it might be because he didn't wear the outfit I chose for him.
"It's too hot," he said, offering no further explanation, clearly feeling a bit guilty. Haru's expression relaxed slowly after that.
After Haewoon and Hamin got ready, we headed to the field. As we lined up, I noticed something different this time—unlike before, where we stood in the order of entry. I glanced around and spotted that our class, compared to others, had noticeably fewer students in line.
Seowoo and Geonu were already there, maybe because they're diligent and might be the class representatives.
I approached Seowoo, holding a banner indicating our class's spot, and our eyes met. Her platinum eyes held mine for a long moment. It felt like it had been quite a while since we had a prolonged gaze like this.
"Don't forget our promise."
"As if I would forget your request."
Just in case, Seowoo replied with a small smile. I turned away, noticing Daun and Jihye approaching from a distance.
Then, a thudding sound interrupted us.
Does this school change the attention-seeking sound every time? I covered my ears as the booming sound reverberated, glancing up to see the head teacher standing at the front of the field. Above them loomed a massive black canopy, almost as if it covered something.
Two giant black canopies floating in the air.
"How skilled are they really..."
The size alone was almost half the size of the field. Seeing a teacher suspend not just one but two canopies of that magnitude in the air left me astounded. It wasn't just canopies; there must have been something concealed underneath.
"Ah, greetings to the amazing 1st-year students of the Supreme High School!"
The familiar greeting marked the beginning of the talk. I finally tuned in when the head teacher started explaining the end-of-month evaluation.
"This month's assessment will be a time-attack format, where you'll battle within this field with your partner."
I followed the teacher's finger, pointing towards the canopy. It seemed that the field was what the black canopy concealed.
There must be Awakened Individuals creating this field. Come to think of it, if there are people whose skill is a loudspeaker, having something like that wouldn't be odd.
"In this assessment, you're to cooperate with your partner to defeat 'one type' of Irregular within the designated time. Killing another Irregular during the process will deduct 1 minute per Irregular."
Just as I expected.
No, there were penalties for that, making it more challenging than I anticipated. Thankfully, it seemed that injuries to Irregulars beyond the target were pardoned, which was a relief. The head teacher continued.
"The time limit for the time-attack is 20 minutes. As the time is limited, we've only placed mid-level Irregulars, with a maximum of 5 per type. I trust in you amazing students, but if any team fails the time-attack..."
"..."
"That team will be transferred as suspects."
"..."
Someone gasped audibly. As expected, even today, the Supreme High School was astonishing, leaving me dumbfounded.
Failing to kill the Irregular within the time meant being out immediately. The difficulty had surged a few levels compared to the previous evaluation. It was akin to finishing a tutorial in a game and then being asked to play on hard mode. As the school grew increasingly insane, the teacher adjusted the microphone, following the tiresome routine.
"Now, let's introduce the mid-level Irregulars you'll be facing in this assessment: Siren, White Wolf, Midnight!"
As the canopies lifted, revealing the field, 15 Irregulars appeared. Seeing giants over 3 meters tall, I couldn't help but doubt my eyes and ears.
"In the case of the White Wolf, be cautious during combat as it's one of the stronger mid-level Irregulars. Now, let's commence the 2nd End-of-Month Evaluation of 2019!"
With a thunderous call, the evaluation began.
I looked at the imposing White Wolf and swallowed hard, just its size alone was intimidating.
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