The method of evaluation was simple. Starting from Class D, four students at a time would step onto the field to spar with Russ in one-on-one combat, while those not participating would sit on the bleachers, observing via the live feed cameras.
Russ, shedding his expensive-looking suit jacket, rolled up his sleeves to his elbows, heading towards the field.
To lower the difficulty of the sparring, he could only use three skills in each bout, but to Sihyun, it seemed like a pointless restriction.
As is often the case with awakened combatants of long standing, Russ possessed considerable raw power. But allowing him to use his abilities would be like handing a club to a goblin.
Whether any student could land a blow on Russ or endure for over a minute remained to be seen.
It seemed the teachers were aware of this fact. The evaluation this time around was fairly straightforward in terms of scoring. Instead of dividing into multiple tiers, it was simply categorized as 'A, B, C.' Those who fared quite well were likely to receive an 'A,' those who held out for some time would get a 'B,' and those who didn't would end up with a 'C.'
If that was the case, was there really any point to this end-of-month evaluation?
As Sihyun pondered the essence of this evaluation, a thought occurred to him that he could somewhat agree with.
Upon closer scrutiny, it seemed like the school was pushing the boundaries to provide students with rare experiences, even if it meant sparring against an awakened like Russ, which was a difficult task in itself, and observing him using his skills.
Perhaps there was also a message in there, urging them to step up their game.
There were a few students who thought highly of themselves within the top tier. It seemed like part of the purpose of this evaluation was to remind them that 'true talent lies in this.'
After this end-of-month evaluation, there might be some students who would put more effort into their individual training.
But that was that...
"Aaaagh!"
This was it.
The student in the video, who had only screamed without even trying to use his abilities, declared surrender after just one punch. He was the third one so far, and it hadn't even been a minute since they started.
Russ, who had won the spar without even using his abilities, either gave up on maintaining his expression or was simply bored, as he lazily turned his wrist, his neatly tied tie now hanging down to his chest. With an air of indifference, he discarded the tie into a corner of the field, awaiting the next student.
I wonder how much that tie costs.
As he absentmindedly pondered, three more students were summoned from the auditorium to the field. Their expressions were grim after witnessing the recent events.
"Whether you avoid it or endure it, at least do something. What's the point of all this? There's no useful information to be gained from the video."
Hamim muttered discontentedly while watching the live feed of the spar. Sihyun glanced at the boy with slightly puffed cheeks, wondering if he was just irritated.
Not everyone has such a confrontational nature.
If Hamim heard him, he would suppress the urge to argue and focus on the video. Another student declared surrender within ten seconds. Russ's expression soured slightly more. Sihyun realized why the school had chosen to start the evaluation from Class D, understanding the reason behind it.
They wanted to keep the impatient Russ engaged until the end by saving the best for last. Russ, who was visibly uncomfortable, seemed on the verge of leaving at any moment. If they had started from Class A, it would have felt like he could leave anytime.
Having gained this insight, Sihyun closed his tired eyes. Even if he tried to copy by watching the video, Russ didn't use his skills, and even if he did, he didn't fulfill the condition of being visible to the naked eye, so it would be better to just sleep. He also needed to replenish his stamina.
"I'll sleep a bit more. Wake me up when the teacher calls."
"You're falling asleep now?"
"I was just resting earlier."
"That was before it started..., fine, just sleep."
Hanmin, who seemed to have a lot to say, closed his mouth and pressed Sihyun's head again. They say the head is the heaviest part of the body, but he seemed unfazed. With guilt eased, Sihyun closed his eyes and leaned comfortably. It felt odd to use someone else's shoulder as a pillow, but since he was the one who leaned first, he felt no guilt.
After spending some time, the surroundings became noisy for a moment. Startled from his shallow sleep, Sihyun furrowed his brow lightly. After a while, his head lifted slightly and then rested again. He wasn't curious enough to open his eyes and check what was happening.
Conquering curiosity with laziness, Sihyun continued to doze off, feeling the gentle stroke of someone's hand through his hair, exhaling a relaxed breath.
How much time had passed?
"...Hyuna."
"......"
"Sihyun, it seems like you should wake up now."
A cautious touch, accompanied by a lazy voice, woke him up. Opening his eyes to the familiar tone, Sihyun glanced beside him. It seemed like he had slept leaning on Hanmin again, but there was someone else beside him. It was a similar situation to before.
"...Where's Hanmin?"
This time, replacing Gunwoo's name with Hanmin's, Seowoo pointed his finger forward. Turning his head in that direction, Sihyun could already see Hanmin appearing on the screen.
"It's the first turn of Class A. Haewoon, Down, and Jihye are sitting on the bleachers."
He pointed out the information Sihyun had missed while dozing. Now fully awake, Sihyun observed Hanmin in the video. Standing in front of Russ, he was holding the shield and sword he had received on the first day of placement exams. That meant, a real sword.
Hanmin brought the shield to his chest and assumed a defensive stance before exhaling. Watching it on the screen felt like a scene from a movie.
Isn't there something like armor for tanks? Adding armor to his current appearance would make it truly cinematic.
In the midst of these unexpected thoughts, there was a sharp sound. Hanmin, who seemed ready to spring out like a rascal, unexpectedly maintained a cautious stance.
Is it because it's his first battle with Class A? Russ's face was filled with delight. Their conversation was heard through the speakers.
"You're not coming?"
"......"
"You seemed confident before, but now you look scared."
The blond guy teased Hanmin. As Hanmin's facial muscles twitched, he adjusted his grip on the sword. Despite seeming a little angry, he patiently waited.
Tock. Russ tapped the ground with his shoe twice. While Hanmin was tensing up and focusing, Russ remained relaxed.
"If you're not coming, I'll go."
"Come on then."
"You seem confident. Try dodging with that momentum."
Russ chuckled. At the same time, the sky roared.
Boom!
Lightning flashed, and thunder cracked. As Hanmin swiftly evaded it, the dazzling light veered off its trajectory and struck the boy's body.
Zap!
Urgently raising his shield to block the lightning, Hanmin clenched his teeth. Despite being equipped with tanking skills, it seemed quite difficult. A small sandstorm swept over the field.
"Wow..."
The students, seeing Hanmin react to Russ's lightning for the first time, exclaimed as if in a trance. Sihyun caught Hanmin's slightly trembling arm, captured by the sight of him blocking the lightning. Hanmin, who was biting his lips, muttered something indistinctly.
"You blocked it well."
"Is it over?"
"Of course not."
Russ casually replied, raising the corner of his mouth. Once again, lightning struck. Dodging it with great effort, Hanmin seized the gap before the skill could continue.
Abandoning defense and opting for an attack, he pressed close to Russ and swung his sword diagonally. The sword tip grazed Russ, who dodged. Not daunted by the first attempt's failure, Hanmin rotated his body.
A glint flashed above his violet eyes. As the shield in his left hand suddenly transformed into a sword, surprise flashed across Russ's face. The sharp blade was about to pierce his well-crafted features.
Suddenly, Russ disappeared from Hanmin's sight.
The startled sword edge slipped through the air. As Hanmin, failing in his decisive blow, lost his balance and leaned forward, Russ, who appeared behind him, pushed his back.
Clang!
The sound of the falling sword echoed. Smirking, Russ, who had just grazed Hanmin's cheek, turned his body to counterattack. With an amused glint in his eyes, he picked up the fallen sword and tossed it back to Hanmin. Catching the sword tossed forcefully, Hanmin grabbed the handle as it passed by his side. It was a remarkable reaction.
Watching the bizarre circus of Russ throwing the sword and Hanmin catching it, Sihyun smirked. The weapon transfer process of people with extraordinary physical abilities sent a chill down his spine. While onlookers seemed threatened enough to flinch, the actual participants seemed unfazed.
"Come at me again."
Russ nodded as he saw Hanmin rise, supporting himself with the sword stuck in the ground. With a burst of energy, Hanmin charged forward. The sword, imbued with violet energy, extended towards Russ like a projectile.
The ferocious charge of the sword and the following second sword that came to support it. With skillful manipulation of the two swords, Hanmin forced Russ to retreat. Stepping back more than six feet from his original position, Russ gracefully evaded the attack and flicked his fingers.
Crrrunch!
Once again, lightning struck. It was a moment when Hanmin, who was swinging the two swords alternately, was about to retreat to avoid it.
Thud!
With a dull sound, Hanmin collapsed. Seizing the opportunity when the opponent's gaze was fixated in mid-air, Russ swiftly kicked his knee, lightly tapping his ankle.
"Cough!"
A groan burst from Hanmin's lips. Russ, who had kicked him while he was down, stepped on his stomach as he tried to get up.
"Shall I show you something cool?"
Nonchalantly laughing even as he stepped on someone else's stomach, Russ flicked his finger. As if in response, the sky roared and lightning flashed.
Crackle!
A spark of lightning struck Russ's hand. Gripping the fierce and soaring lightning, he looked down at Hanmin. It seemed like he was ready to thrust it into his opponent's body at any moment.
"Has that guy forgotten this is just a sparring match?"
Watching the crazed Russ, who seemed to be leaping around like a lunatic against someone who was just going to use a skill, Sihyun muttered to himself.
Amidst the tension, the gazes of the two clashed in mid-air. Hanmin, chewing his lips in clear defeat, reluctantly admitted defeat. His muttered words echoed.
"...Damn it."
Finally, both the heavy clouds looming in the sky and the lightning captured in Russ's hand disappeared.
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