Sihyun, who had left the field with Haru, glanced at the students' gazes directed toward him. They were people who only knew about his ability to copy through word of mouth. It was clear they had no idea how powerful it actually was.
Despite being quadruple-class, having only two awakening marks, and never showcasing his ability as a copy, Sihyun was undervalued. Recollecting his life so far, Sihyun blinked.
You know, they say when you're too surprised, words fail you. The silence, rather than cheers, in the situation didn't feel bad.
At least there won't be anyone like Donghyuk coming out after this.
Rather than creating that kind of situation, it was better to just clearly show the difference in abilities like this and avoid troublesome matters. Even if it meant a change in the way people looked at him.
It was better than being looked down upon. Pursuing normalcy in the first place was to live an undisturbed life, wasn't it?
Sihyun silently stepped away amidst the stupefied students and headed back to his spot. Thud, Hamin nudged Sihyun.
"Why did you bother if it was going to be like this?"
"I didn't know Haru hyung would be this fast either."
Honestly, Sihyun didn't think a minute would come out of it. Even if Haru was fast, Sihyun thought there'd be a bit of a struggle, but he unilaterally wiped them all out. Rapidly, too. Even without using acceleration, he could have easily cleared it in three minutes. That's when Haewoon, looking intrigued, approached Sihyun.
"Hey, Sihyun, aren't you exhausted? It seems like you've run more than a triple-class."
Saying he had poor stamina, yet today he seemed perfectly fine?
Whoever judged him must have been blind.
If you really looked into it, his body belonged to the track team. Compared to other students in Class A, his stamina might be lacking, but it was still better than average. Sihyun, furrowing his brows, looked at Haewoon, who spoke despite having less stamina than even Sihyun.
"Later."
There were too many eyes. He didn't want to throw detailed information about his class in front of other students.
Even informing Haewoon felt equally unwanted, but the fact that the recipient was Haewoon made it worse. If he didn't inform him, Haewoon would cling and pester him 24/7 to know.
A weary expression on his face, Sihyun pushed away Haewoon, who persisted in asking him through whispers. Locking eyes with Seowoo, who was fixing her hair, Sihyun found himself at the far end of the line this time, having previously been in front of her.
Well done.
Just locking eyes seemed to convey her voice. Thud, when Sihyun was standing still, a cold water bottle hit his cheek.
It was at that moment that something cold touched his flushed cheek. Sihyun, rolling his eyes, looked at the person who suddenly placed the water bottle on his cheek. Unbelievably, it was Gunwoo, who had come through the evaluation without a single scratch.
"A sudden splash of water?"
"You seemed thirsty before."
"So you brought it for me?"
"Yeah."
"It's a bit lukewarm, though."
"They said it's tepid, so they helped me out and went to get some."
"They?"
As he questioned, Gunwoo gestured to his side. Following his gaze, Sihyun saw a girl whose face turned red upon catching his eye.
"Ah..."
Sighing softly, Sihyun glanced at Gunwoo. For some reason, he felt like he shouldn't have received it.
"Since I'm done, you drink."
As Gunwoo handed over the water bottle, Sihyun, feeling a mix of emotions, took it. He was a bit upset that he didn't drink the water Gunwoo had thoughtfully brought, but wasn't it alright to accept something that was given even if it was cold? It seemed evident that Gunwoo liked Baek Geonwoo.
Sihyun, who could pride himself on being perceptive, once again turned his head slightly to where the student had been earlier. Just as their gazes met, the girl's face reddened.
"...It's not like that."
Seeing another student sneak behind someone else's back nearby, Sihyun sighed inwardly. It was becoming unnecessarily awkward.
It's a bit ridiculous to try drinking it again now.
His throat was dry, but Sihyun exhaled, pushing away the trivial thoughts. Right now, the focus should be on the grades, not such things.
Ring.
As he was contemplating, a small notification sound came from the pairing device. The results of the test, something he was afraid of, had arrived upon speaking of it.
"Through your pairing, the individual grades for the second monthly evaluation have been delivered."
Listening to the familiar explanation as always, Sihyun pressed the pairing to check his grades. It was the third time he'd seen a hologram grade sheet, including the placement exam.
[May Evaluation: Partner War Grade Sheet]
1st year Class A, Kang Sihyun
Time Attack Clear: O
Clear Time: 1 minute 5 seconds
Detailed Grades
Cooperation: S ∥ Adaptability: S ∥ Attack Power: C
Support: S ∥ Speed: S ∥ Adherence to Rules: S
Note: Excellent judgment
Overall Evaluation: S
This was more than enough to rank at the top. If only Haru had come out similarly, or even less, it wouldn't have been a problem. Sihyun's gaze scanned down the hologram window. Seeing adherence to rules included in the evaluation, it seemed like Hamin might miss the top spot again this time.
"Now, I'll announce the top 10 students who excelled in the second monthly evaluation, Partner War!"
At the principal's words, the attention of the kids who had been chatting while checking their grade sheets turned back. The students whose expressions turned gloomy after receiving the grade sheets were no different. The principal's voice carried mercilessly through the lips.
32 students.
That was the number of students who transferred due to being the suspects in this month's evaluation.
Watching the 32 students heading into the building, seemingly being swept away, Sihyun clicked his tongue dryly. His pity for them briefly appeared and dissipated in his eyes. Only to return. The principal started announcing the top-performing students after all 32 students had left the field.
"From this month, the system's name has changed to the Ranking System. Now, I'll announce the top 10 students who performed excellently in the Partner War."
"…Them again."
One student from Class B walked out and headed forward. He resembled a squirrel Sihyun had seen before, but he hadn't seen him during the monthly evaluation battles.
Sihyun seemed caught up in Haewoon's antics while evaluations were underway. The applause poured in as they cleared it in just 10 minutes, and Shinijae's partner was called at 9th place. Daun took 8th, and Jihae was 7th.
"In 6th place, Kang Haewoon. In 5th place, Baek Geonu!"
They called Haewoon and Geonu based solely on their individual scores. When Haewoon said, waving his hand, "I'll go first and wait for you," Sihyun rolled his eyes. If other students who didn't make the rankings heard that, it would've earned Haewoon some serious resentment.
"In 4th place, Lee Hamin!"
"Hmm..."
Hamin, announced as 4th, furrowed his brow and ran his hand through his hair. Despite his fast clear time, breaking the rules seemed to hit him hard in various ways. Well, he did kill 15 creatures.
As if that was the last straw, a gaze tinged with blue fell on Hamin's back. Falling from 2nd to 4th, Hamin's back looked surprisingly intact.
I thought his pride might take a hit.
Watching him closely, it almost felt like someone else was scrutinizing him ardently. Unable to ignore such persistent scrutiny, Sihyun sighed and turned his head.
"Why?"
"I thought if I got 1st place this time, maybe I could see it too."
"What?"
"That thing your partner picked up."
"Oh... well, I guess. Will Haewoon brag about it a bit?"
Surely, Haewoon, when he brings Pia, will be eager to show off. Thinking about stopping that made Sihyun tired just thinking about it. Seowoo, who laughed as she watched Sihyun touch his forehead, moved forward upon hearing her name.
"Good for you. I don't like you hiding things from me."
"What?"
As Seowoo spoke, walking forward with her back turned to him, Sihyun questioned her. He barely smiled, taking a step without a reply. Hamin was acting strange earlier, now it was Seowoo causing a stir.
"What was that secret about?"
Pia's presence was already a widely known fact, spoken of by someone loose-lipped in Class A. Frowning, wondering what the issue was, Sihyun was called as 2nd place without time to dwell on it. He snapped out of his confusion. The plan was a success.
"Good work, hyung."
He greeted Haru briefly and walked ahead. Sihyun, standing next to Seowoo now, spoke without parting his lips like a martial artist practicing martial arts. It was a small voice.
"Did you act like a kid or throw a tantrum?"
"Just because I act like a kid doesn't mean you have to be affectionate."
True enough.
If Seowoo thought of him as a kid, honestly, it was a bit unsettling. He wondered if affection was really necessary. Revealing these feelings openly, he watched Seowoo, who burst into laughter, tilt her head toward him. Her bright platinum hair shook ever so slightly.
"Sihyun."
"What, again?"
"I like it when you're completely yourself around me."
"...."
"Be it your expressions or words."
Without hiding.
Sihyun blinked at Seowoo's whispered words. Though her voice was low, each word she uttered was clear and distinct. There seemed to be a lot of resentment towards Pia in her. Seowoo was fully reflected in his blue eyes.
He hadn't seen it that way, but this felt a bit childish.
But if asked if it was unsettling? Not quite.
"...Is this the end?"
"Hmm?"
"Never mind, just shift your gaze away."
As he murmured habitually, Seowoo responded. Sihyun absentmindedly reached out and ruffled her hair. Trying to calm her down, he realized it was an action that came out unintentionally. Belatedly noticing it, Sihyun withdrew his hand from her tousled blonde hair.
Just as he was called as 1st place, his gaze shifted to Haru. He was called to the principal's office and it was time to use the wish token.
"I want to raise... an animal. Would that be okay?"
"You're saying you'll use the wish token."
"...Yes."
Even though he already knew, he played along. Sihyun, who observed Haru not using the placement exam wish token, felt perplexed watching the principal grant permission to raise Pia. Come to think of it, something seemed off.
Why would the principal go this far for Pia?
As he pondered something unsettling, Haru, having received permission, turned to Sihyun. With a bright expression, he looked at Sihyun, who blinked awkwardly.
Honestly, this was nice.
Proud and awkward, proud and awkward. How to express this mixed feeling, he didn't know. Sihyun, sighing, looked at Haru approaching with a bright smile.
"You can raise it."
"That's good to hear."
The expression seemed excited, but the words were hesitant. Sihyun absentmindedly patted Haru's head, who seemed a bit uncertain. He glanced at the students in front of him and quickly retracted his hand.
"That's fortunate."
A soft whisper came from beside him.
The evaluation felt more like reclaiming Pia than the end of the month's assessment,
And in Room 207, one more comrade joined the ranks.
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