The Academy's Delinquent in Charge, Episode 8
Inside the room filled with the acrid smell of cigarettes, Sama Jin activated the fan enchanted with ventilation magic, stepped over to Jegal Mokyeon's side, and picked up the tablet.
"They're all correct. However…"
"Indeed. Only the problems he solved are correct."
Just as they said, every problem solved on the exam paper inside the tablet had been marked correct. The problem was, quite literally, that only the ones he had solved were correct—in other words, every unanswered problem was completely blank.
What this meant was clear.
"He has talent, but lacks the diligence to put in effort…."
At Sama Jin's muttering, Jegal Mokyeon cracked open his eyes and asked back.
"Hmm… Is it not possible that he simply didn't have enough time to study the entire curriculum?"
"If that were the case, he wouldn't have had the final chapters of every subject as his only correct answers."
Exhaling a deep drag of smoke, Sama Jin looked at the empty spaces on the exam paper and continued his harsh critique.
"I can't help but think he relied solely on his innate talent, grew complacent with the thought that 'this much should be enough,' and neglected his studies."
Of course, there may have been circumstances preventing him from covering the whole syllabus, as Jegal Mokyeon suggested, but even that was merely a lack of effort—not an excuse.
'Ha, jeez…'
Scanning the empty problems scattered throughout the exam paper once more, Sama Jin let out a hollow laugh, dumbfounded.
'In all my years as a proctor, this is the first time I've seen an answer sheet with so many blanks.'
Just then, Jegal Mokyeon, who had been blowing on his tea to the right of Sama Jin, asked with a sly expression.
"Still, isn't this student quite clever? The kind of talent you've been coveting?"
"Is he…? I'm not so sure anymore."
Jegal Mokyeon set down his tea and nudged Sama Jin in the side. A gesture telling him not to play dumb.
"Oof, ahem. This fellow, Baek Iljin, certainly seems to have a head on his shoulders, but…"
"But?"
"No matter how intelligent he is, if he doesn't show the attitude to work hard, he's nothing but an impurity."
"Hehe, is that so."
"I've lost interest now, so please take this tablet."
Just as Sama Jin was about to hand the tablet back to Jegal Mokyeon, one of the problems Baek Iljin had solved caught his eye.
'Wait…!'
Sama Jin's narrowed pupils widened. The irises within shook back and forth as if an earthquake had struck.
'Impossible. A freshman solved this?'
This was a notoriously difficult problem that ordinary knowledge couldn't possibly solve—a problem that would take even scholars with stacks of books beside them several hours to unravel.
It was impossible to solve without comprehending the principles of Taiji Bagua contained in the study materials of the Wudang, which had now been destroyed.
Seeing the near-perfect solution, Sama Jin's eyes gleamed. He stubbed out his finished cigarette in the ashtray and turned to Jegal Mokyeon.
Jegal Mokyeon still had the look of someone who hadn't properly examined the problem yet.
"By the way, I heard that Muhyeok is enrolling this time as well?"
"Indeed he is."
"In Professor Jegal's opinion, who do you think is superior—this Baek Iljin or Muhyeok?"
At the sudden mention of his grandson, Jegal Mokyeon stroked his long beard and pondered Jegal Muhyeok's talent.
'Muhyeok, eh…'
Jegal Muhyeok was a child who reminded him of his own youth, when he had been called an unprecedented prodigy.
'No, he might even surpass me.'
This was not a generous assessment simply because the boy was his grandson.
Objectively speaking, the talent that child named Jegal Muhyeok possessed surpassed any child he had ever seen.
'No matter how outstanding this Baek Iljin may be, he is not on a level where he can be compared to Muhyeok.'
Jegal Mokyeon believed that even if not Baek Iljin but his old grandfather came, he would still not measure up to Jegal Muhyeok.
"I suppose Muhyeok is a little better, wouldn't you say?"
"I would have thought so as well, but I've changed my mind."
"What do you mean?"
Sama Jin picked up a ballpoint pen and tapped the tablet displaying Baek Iljin's exam paper. His pen pointed to a single problem.
"This kid solved the written essay question number thirty-two on Taiji Bagua perfectly."
"…!?"
* * *
Chang'an City was situated between Chang'an, the territory of the Murim Alliance, and Magical City, the domain of the Magic Tower.
Given its location, both the Magic Tower and the Murim Alliance claimed it as their own territory, and their claims clashed fiercely.
As a result, it had effectively been no man's land until the two powers sought reconciliation and agreed upon the name Chang'an City.
"Ugh, you're driving me crazy, stop it already!"
"Why, what's wrong with it?"
Hwangbo Sujeong's brows were deeply furrowed as she watched Hwangbo Cheolsu, who was holding the academy pamphlet and reciting the history of Chang'an City for the umpteenth time.
"Even a pleasant song gets old after the first or second time. Who likes hearing someone ramble on like you?"
"Fine. I'll stop."
With a gloomy expression, Hwangbo Cheolsu put the pamphlet in his bag and pouted, muttering.
"You're always nagging at me and only me."
Three days had already passed since the entrance exam, and on the day the results were announced, they were headed toward the academy bulletin board to check them.
"By the way, Crystal…"
"Hwangbo Sujeong."
"Yeah, you, Sujeong. Why did you take the entrance exam through the magic track?"
At Hwangbo Cheolsu's words, Hwangbo Sujeong's expression faltered and she mumbled.
"Oh, that, uh… Just because."
"Even though you never told me you didn't want to use magic or anything…."
Hwangbo Sujeong stole a glance at Baek Iljin, who was walking beside them eating cotton candy with a happy expression.
"What does it matter? The magic exam just looked easy, that's all."
"What?! You… don't tell me?"
Hwangbo Sujeong's face turned as red as a radish at Hwangbo Cheolsu's tone, which seemed convinced of something.
'W-what? Did I act so obvious that even that oblivious blockhead noticed?'
Being caught harboring a crush on someone was embarrassing even if it was by family.
However, her fears never came to pass. Hwangbo Cheolsu was a far duller man than she gave him credit for.
"So you've finally realized the allure of magic?"
For the first time in her life, Hwangbo Sujeong thought herself lucky to have a clueless idiot for a twin brother.
"Sigh."
Baek Iljin, who had been eating cotton candy and listening to their conversation, also recalled that he hadn't seen Hwangbo Sujeong at the written exam venue.
'The magic entrance exam…? So she deliberately didn't take the written exam because of me.'
Something stirred inside him. A feeling subtly grateful yet uncomfortable at the same time.
'Is this what they call guilt?'
It was still faint, but it was enough for him to perceive.
* * *
The area in front of the academy's bulletin board was packed with exam students gathered to see the entrance exam results.
They ran into Namgung Jongsu, whom they had briefly crossed paths with on the exam day, who also seemed to have come to check the results.
With slightly slanted eyes, neatly pomaded hair, a matching white suit from head to toe, and even pointed dress shoes. Dressed to the nines, he stood waiting for the results with his chin resting on his hand.
"Oh! Jongs, you're here early?!"
"It's Namgung Jongsu. That aside, Sujeong, you grow more maturely charming every time I see you. Like a single peony blossom."
"Y-yeah. Hi, Jongsu."
After exchanging light greetings with Hwangbo Sujeong, Namgung Jongsu looked toward Baek Iljin, who stood silently, and felt a strange tension.
'But what is this strange feeling coming off this written-track guy since the last time?'
To find the cause of his irritation, Namgung Jongsu began scanning Baek Iljin from head to toe.
Unusually long hair, like the martial artists of olden days; a height taller than average if not as tall as Hwangbo Cheolsu; pitch-black eyes of unfathomable depth; and a serene atmosphere.
'I felt it when I saw him before, but…'
This written-track guy named Baek Iljin is quite handsome.
After observing Baek Iljin for some time, he finally identified the source of the tension that had been unsettling him.
'This bastard… I bet he's going to be pretty popular.'
He had glossed over him last time upon hearing he was a written exam applicant, but looking closely now, this guy would definitely enjoy popularity rivaling his own once he enrolled in the academy.
'No, looks aren't everything, no matter what.'
He was confident that no matter how outstanding one's physical condition was, they couldn't match him, having devoured over fifty bestselling dating books in total.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Namgung Jongsu of the Namgung Family. A man destined to claim one of the seats among the future Five Dragons."
Baek Iljin stared blankly at Namgung Jongsu, who approached him with a greeting and a handshake request unlike last time, and clasped his hand.
"Baek Iljin."
Twitch.
Namgung Jongsu's brow twisted at the curt reply.
'A terribly rude bastard.'
Seeing Baek Iljin spit out only his name with an expression of utter disinterest, Namgung Jongsu unconsciously channeled internal energy into their clasped hands and squeezed hard.
Of course, he held back considering the other was a written exam student, but even so, it should have been quite painful. Watching the guy endure and maintain a blank expression, he thought:
'Could it be… this guy also read the passage "One must endure pain to become a man" on page sixty-six of Love Passionately?'
It was possible. A guy radiating this kind of aura couldn't have failed to read that famous dating book.
'But I've read that book sixty-six times.'
While Namgung Jongsu was lost in his own delusion, someone approached Baek Iljin as if they knew him.
"Huh? Mr. Baek Iljin?"
"…Hairin?"
It was Hairin, the blonde elf who had accompanied him from the Karptis Mountain Range to Blue Leaf Village. The moment she saw Baek Iljin, her expression darkened instantly.
'This is uncomfortable… I was hoping not to run into this person.'
But she was also afraid to show her discomfort. Thinking it better to greet him with a smile, she forced one.
"We meet again… I take it you arrived safely at the Hwangbo Estate."
"Yes."
"What's this? You know this elf lady with the charm of a rapeseed flower?"
Namgung Jongsu was not the only one curious about this question. When Hairin appeared, Hwangbo Sujeong, who was standing nearby, also perked up her ears and eavesdropped on their conversation.
But before their curiosity could be satisfied, Hwangbo Cheolsu butted into their conversation.
"Oh! Ms. Hairin, it's Charles. I visited the village often for trade, remember?"
"Ah—yes, Mr. Charles."
She remembered. The strange guy whose name was Hwangbo Cheolsu but introduced himself everywhere as Charles.
But what mattered now was Baek Iljin; Hwangbo Cheolsu was the least of her concerns. And the same went for Hwangbo Sujeong and Namgung Jongsu.
'Ah, that Baek Iljin, he's scary and uncomfortable. How am I going to get through the academy with him around?'
'What's with this elf? Why is she acting like she knows Iljin?'
'How does this bastard know such a beautiful elf?'
Their reasons differed, but they were united in that the core of it all was Baek Iljin.
Just as their subtle, blood-curdling tension was reaching its peak, the students began to murmur.
"The results are out!"
"What? Really? Move!"
"You move!"
At someone's shout, the area in front of the bulletin board descended into chaos as students surged to see the results.
Namgung Jongsu, Hwangbo Sujeong, and Hairin were swept away by the crowd in an instant, unable to properly finish their conversation, and only Hwangbo Cheolsu remained beside Baek Iljin.
"Iljin, let's go check the results too."
"Sure."
They headed straight for the bulletin board as well, but because the students were swarming like bees, it took quite a while before they could check.
The students' rankings were written on the bulletin board in stark detail. It was a fitting measure for an academy jointly created by the Magic Tower and the Murim Alliance, both of which valued competition.
[Martial Arts Track]
1. Moyong Seok (Moyong Family)
2. Namgung Jongsu (Namgung Family)
3. Wongak (Shaolin)
4. Seol Hayun (Ice Palace)
5. Timos Mavro (Black Root Village)
…… 200. Gang Cheolmuk (Taesan Sect)
[Magic Track]
1. Louise (Magic Tower)
2. Laika (Magic Tower)
3. Elia Ajuro (Blue Leaf Village)
4. Hairin Ajuro (Blue Leaf Village)
5. Nam Yunjae (Mid-Small Martial Alliance – Mosan Sect)
…… 200. Jack (Magic Tower)
[Written Exam Track]
1. Jegal Muhyeok (Five Great Families – Jegal Family)
2. Luca Redstorm (Magic Tower)
3. Yeon Jihak (Wanderers' Association)
4. Ha Chaeeun (Sacheon Exam Academy)
5. Evan Morrison (Magic Tower)
…… 200. Yuel (Independent Study)
Baek Iljin scrutinized every name on the list of successful written exam applicants in front of the bulletin board, but he couldn't find his name.
'I failed.'
He didn't feel much. He had been thinking that if he passed, he would attend the academy, and if not, he would just return to Rare.
'What should I tell Grandfather?'
Just as he resolved to bid farewell to the Hwangbo twins and return to Rare, Hwangbo Cheolsu tapped his shoulder and cried out urgently.
"I-Iljin! Your name is over there!"
In the corner of the bulletin board that Hwangbo Cheolsu pointed to, Baek Iljin's name was being written in real time.
[Written Exam Track – Baek Iljin (Special Admission)]