After a long time gathering in the auditorium, Sihyun, who had just shared opinions on the end-of-month evaluation with the others a week ago, recalled the diverse and credible speculations that had emerged at the time. However, looking at Russ standing on the stage in the auditorium, Sihyun couldn't believe the reality. No one could have imagined facing the world's top Awakener in the end-of-month evaluation.
"...."
Sihyun, seeing Russ on the stage, couldn't believe the fact and opened his mouth wide. The expressions of the other kids who had come to the auditorium upon hearing the sudden news were the same. Who wouldn't be surprised to be suddenly called to the auditorium and then be told that a nobleman who would be their opponent in the end-of-month evaluation next week had been invited to demonstrate their abilities? When the blond man, who had suddenly come to the auditorium, waved away the golden hair that fell over his forehead and appeared, he smiled broadly. His agile and playful demeanor remained unchanged.
So, Kang Haewoon heard that Russ was coming...
The story that Haewoon picked up right after the start of the school year came to mind. He wondered why Russ was coming, but he never expected him to be their opponent in the evaluation. The man who took the microphone on the stage and smiled as he opened his mouth.
"N-no. Thank you for inviting such an esteemed person to such a humble place. As you know, my mother tongue is English, so my Korean may sound a bit awkward. Let's use casual language."
"...."
The kids were speechless at the greeting that was hard to know where to start. Sihyun looked at Russ with eyes that clearly said he was amazed at the man, who was undoubtedly about to say thank you for calling such a distinguished person to such a humble place. Although he would have tried to say that, there was no doubt that the Russ who spoke casually now was different. Even now, spitting out casual language with ease.
The man, who didn't care about the perplexed looks of the kids and the resigned expressions of the teachers, raised the corners of his mouth and showed his characteristic mischievous smile.
"As you heard from the previous explanation, I'm here to help you in the end-of-month evaluation next week. I'll give you a brief explanation, so listen carefully. Detailed explanations will be given by someone else on the day of the evaluation."
The kids, confused for a moment by the insincere explanation, responded a beat late. After that, Russ, who had put down the microphone for a while and was waiting, said something to the teachers and then spat out a word. After a short time, the kids could see someone sitting in a chair and crossing their legs, presenting for the first time since entering school.
After sitting comfortably in a luxurious chair, Russ, who had a much more relaxed expression, opened his mouth again. Now, there was no need to be more embarrassed.
"In simple terms, in the end-of-month evaluation one week from now, you will face me in a combat, and your overall performance will be evaluated, including how well you endured, what damage you inflicted, and how well you handled the situation. No one will be expelled, and I'll try not to hurt you too much during the combat, so attack me as if you want me to get hurt. If anyone has any questions, ask them now."
Russ, who spoke as informally as possible, looked at the kids. His expression was quite boring in this situation. A student who hesitated for a moment in the now silent auditorium raised his hand.
"Is the combat conducted in a real field?"
"Well, then should we do it in virtual reality?"
"...I'm sorry."
"Next."
A student, who was given an icy response after asking one question, withdrew his hand as if he would be overwhelmed. Then, another student behind him bravely posed a question.
"Is the reason you provided information about the evaluation a week in advance to prompt us to prepare from now on?"
"Is it a part of Korean culture to ask even when you already know?"
"Ah..."
"Prepare in advance. It'll help you get a better score. Next."
The student, whose cheeks reddened with embarrassment due to the cool response, lowered his head deeply. The kids, already nervous about facing an unfamiliar opponent, became a bit quieter.
"Anybody else with a question."
Russ, holding the microphone, spoke with a bored expression. The person who looked like a leopard in appearance responded to questions in an unfriendly manner. No one dared to raise their hand to be ignored.
In the quiet auditorium, Sihyun stared at Russ. Their eyes met, and a greenish glow mixed with a golden gaze. Russ, who seemed to have seen him accurately, playfully smiled. It was a smile that looked surprisingly pleasant, unlike the cold response he gave to the kids a while ago.
Seems like a decent person if he doesn't open his mouth.
Watching the exotic-looking handsome man, Sihyun muttered quietly to himself.
Even after giving them about 5 minutes, no one raised their hand. Russ, sitting in the chair, turned to look at the teachers as if asking if he was done. The one who raised his hand beside him was Hamin.
"So, are you going to duel with all the students by yourself? It seems like it would be advantageous for students who duel in the later part if you get tired."
In response to the straightforward question, Russ turned his head. His violet eyes met Hamin's gaze, and he raised the corners of his mouth in a smirk. A forced laugh spread vividly through the speakers.
"Damn."
Hamin's curse was barely audible to me. Meanwhile, the man who twisted his neck to the side opened his bright red lips.
"Someone with poor stamina, kiddo."
"...."
"I don't know if each of you can endure for even a minute when dueling with me individually. In my opinion, probably not."
Why, do you think you can?
The overt disregard created a chilling silence over the auditorium. Sihyun turned his head to observe Hamin's expression. His face looked rugged, as if his pride had been severely wounded.
I wonder who taught Korean to Russ in the first place.
In the midst of many words, it was unfortunate that the remark about poor stamina seemed to add insult to injury. The one who casually created this awkward atmosphere called the teacher with a calm expression, making it seem like there was nothing more to say. A teacher who stood at the back hurriedly stepped forward to salvage the situation.
"That concludes Mr. Russ's guidance. Please give a round of applause to the person who took the time to visit our school."
The awkwardly speaking teacher received a sympathetic applause from the students. However, there was no one clapping out of admiration or respect for the world's top Awakener. Despite admiring the position of being the top Awakener, they had come to realize that the person himself was not worthy of such admiration.
Well, he's quite a character.
Sympathizing with the thought that the kids might be having internally, Sihyun observed the dry applause while Russ descended from the stage through the gap between the teachers. Although the teacher, trying to ease the atmosphere, explained that it was time for individual training and that they could leave now, none of the students seemed to be in a better mood. Hamin, who had consistently scowled since Russ's response, was no exception.
With angry strides, he entered the training room. Kang Sihyun, who had lost the meaning of what he should say to the students gathered naturally in his training room, looked around at the A-class students who were twisting their expressions or sighing. Down, tying his long hair into a high ponytail and leaning against the wall with a sword, spoke up.
"I hope you can use your abilities during the duel. That neck of yours needs to be choked. I didn't like it since last time. After all, he's also a human; won't he die if he can't breathe?"
Down, who spoke ominously, focused only on the scarecrow's neck with his sword. Haeun, who had a round expression, opened her mouth and sighed.
"If there's a big difference in skill, using the skill can be exposed. It might be impossible. Besides, if you get attacked, the skill you used would be released."
"Before he uses that skill on you, watch your mouth."
When Haeun pointed out Down's shortcomings, he warned her with a raised eyebrow. Haeun, lowering her head, tapped the ground twice with her staff.
"I didn't like that uncle from the beginning. I don't want to deal with him."
"Right. I felt a bit uncomfortable before, but seeing him today, oh, he's really unlucky. Do you get the same feeling?"
Even Jihye, who was usually silent, agreed with Russ's sarcastic remarks. Watching the kids nodding in agreement, Sihyun, who couldn't join in the conversation, remained silent. It wasn't because Russ was his savior. He was simply aware of the reality.
He could confidently bet, with his body captured by Titan, that person was not someone they could beat just because they wanted to win. Honestly, even if all the top-ranked Awakeners, including the teachers, rushed at him simultaneously, he wasn't sure if they could win.
He's the one who defeated Titan single-handedly, after all.
Considering his actions, he seemed crazy, wondering if there were people like him. However, his skill was genuine. The fact that the kids couldn't utter a word against him in the auditorium was likely due to Russ's overwhelming presence rather than being suppressed by Titan. Like Haehyun and the head teacher, Awakeners above a certain level naturally emitted a certain momentum. In Russ's case, it was exceptionally strong.
Sihyun briefly recalled the first time he saw Russ. Back during the school trip, he hadn't felt it much, but today in the auditorium, he could clearly see it. Russ back then was just holding back due to my poor condition, considering my health. It was a moment when I could truly feel that the person who seemed like a neighborhood uncle was now the world's top Awakener.
The kids seemed to share similar thoughts as their expressions darkened. Losing enthusiasm due to the overwhelming difference, they soon regained their composure and picked up their weapons, suggesting they should train. Sihyun watched their skills intently until he was grabbed by Hamin. The subsequent training time was spent sparring with Hamin.
***
Is there a way to apply the healing skill in reverse?
Having finished showering, Sihyun, drying his hair, headed to the training room with a sudden thought. He had been feeling this for a few days, and perhaps he could use skills that inflict damage instead of healing as a healer. While he hadn't seen such skills when he was marked, there was no rule that said you could only use skills seen during marking.
Just like how he utilized his barrier, a simple protective shield, as armor on his body and stairs he could step on, skills might be something he could create.
Am I thinking too far-fetched?
Lost in his thoughts, Sihyun tilted his head in contemplation and soon shook his head.
After all, skills weren't something that just popped out when you pressed a button; they were more about internalizing and mastering them. So, if he practiced well, it seemed possible to implement a healer skill that could deal damage to the opponent.
A counter skill that could attack the opponent while staying within the healer class. Yes, for example, a skill that swapped conditions with the opponent when injured.
If such a skill existed, it might come in handy in a sparring match with Russ. With a determined mindset, he opened the door to the training room. However, as he raised his head, he stopped abruptly, surprised. His lips curled. In his training room, which he thought would be deserted after everyone left, an unexpected person was standing.
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