When Do Gyeonu first recommended pole dancing, Lisa thought he was joking.
Although perceptions of pole dancing had only recently begun to improve, the prejudice surrounding it had not been completely dispelled.
In the Grace Empire, which had assimilated into this world yet refrained from actively interacting with the outside for two hundred years, striving to preserve its existing culture and order as much as possible, negative perceptions remained dominant.
Even Lisa, who was relatively open-minded—open-minded enough to leave the empire to experience the world and become a hunter, and to enter Academy City—could not shake off those perceptions.
After all, she was a member of the imperial family. Though low in the line of succession, she had been taught various cultural accomplishments and etiquette from a young age in order to maintain her dignity.
There was no way she could readily accept pole dancing.
It was a wonder she had not taken offense.
Had she been another, more conservative member of the imperial family, she would likely have flown into a rage, calling it an insult to the imperial family.
It was only possible because she was close to him and had, at least, a somewhat open mind.
‘Still, pole dancing…. Even if Gyeonu was joking, this is a bit much…. He doesn’t think I’m a laughingstock, does he?’
Even so, she could not feel entirely pleased.
She had encouraged Do Gyeonu to treat her casually, but she had meant that they should respect each other as equal friends and improve themselves through friendly competition.
She had never meant that he could look down on her.
Even if that had not been his intention, that was how it felt to Lisa.
After looking back on her usual conduct and wondering whether she had carelessly tarnished her dignity by mingling too freely with her friends, she had resolved to warn him.
If he had not tried to persuade her in such a passionate tone at the time, she might truly have done so.
‘…Gyeonu suggested it with my interests in mind, and I nearly doubted him and got angry. I’m sorry. I think I was being short-sighted.’
Lisa reflected on her mistake in misunderstanding Do Gyeonu, then fell for his sweet talk—or rather, his persuasion.
It was something anyone who had grown close to her would know…, but Lisa was subtly impressionable.
Of course, in her own mind, she had reached her conclusion through rational judgment.
Meanwhile, Yeon Haneul’s advice had also played a part in Lisa’s decision.
―Gyeonu does have an odd side to him. But speaking from my experience as his childhood friend… following Gyeonu’s advice has never done me any harm. If anything, it’s always benefited me. Even when his advice is so bizarre that I wonder if he’s making fun of me, it ends up helping somehow.
At the time, Yeon Haneul’s face, revealing her unwavering trust in Do Gyeonu, had remained in Lisa’s memory.
Because of her status as a member of the imperial family, Lisa could not comfortably open her heart and speak freely with anyone. She could only envy Yeon Haneul, who had someone she could trust, rely on, and lean upon without reservation.
What aspect of Do Gyeonu had impressed her so deeply that she could trust him so completely?
Was that simply what childhood friends who had known each other since they were young were like?
‘Or perhaps there’s something special about their relationship….’
Either way, she could not help wanting to grow closer to them, nor could she help being interested in Do Gyeonu.
Thus, Lisa decided to take him at his word and enrolled in the pole-dancing class.
For her, it was a courageous challenge.
―How embarrassing…. You’re saying I have to wear clothes like this for an entire semester?
Lisa, who usually wore clothes that exposed as little skin as possible, found it difficult to adjust to pole-dancing attire that revealed as much as a bikini swimsuit.
However, in order to hang from the pole using the friction of the contact points, she had no choice but to attend class in an outfit that exposed a great deal of skin.
―Student Lisa, don’t be shy. Show yourself boldly and actively. Become one with the pole and move freely! Imprint the feel of the pole upon your body! Imagine that the world has ended and the only thing left in existence is this pole, then cling to it with all your might! The pole will respond to you. Now, this time, spread your legs wide!
―M-my legs!?
―It’s a difficult pose for your first time, but don’t worry. I’ll support you from below!
―I-I don’t think that’s the problem….
The princess of the empire, wearing clothes no different from underwear, being told to hang from a pole and spread her legs….
Even Lisa herself was shocked. Had the people of the Grace Empire seen her, there was a high chance they would have let out a cry of alarm.
Fortunately, the class was for women only, which made the embarrassment somewhat more bearable.
At the time, she turned her eyes away from her shame and assumed the pose with a sense of resignation.
Then she shuddered.
―Ah….
―That’s it, Student Lisa! You’re doing remarkably well for your first time. You have a real talent for this.
―So this… is pole dancing….
―Aerobic exercise! Improved stamina! Muscle training! Increased flexibility! Do you understand the greatness of pole dancing now, Student Lisa!?
―Yes, Instructor! Pole dancing really is amazing!
Lisa let go of her dignity and pride as a member of the imperial family and danced while clinging to the pole. She was overcome by the sensation of confronting her true self.
She felt liberated, as though she had escaped every restraint and fetter.
Performing daring movements that she normally could never attempt gave her a strange sense of transgression.
She was utterly free.
That was how she became completely captivated by the allure of pole dancing.
And that was why she was so passionate and serious when taking the examination.
“Good, very good, Student Lisa! Ignore the eyes of the world and take flight against gravity! Enjoy the thrilling pain and pleasure!”
Unlike during her usual classes, Lisa stepped onto the stage in a decorated, flowing outfit and delivered her finest performance, hanging from the pole.
Instructor Ahn Hyeri, who was alone in the audience evaluating the performance, sprang to her feet without realizing it and cheered Lisa on.
Lisa remained focused on her pole dancing, seemingly unaware of the applause.
Grasping the pole and sharing a sense of unity with it, she appeared to walk through the air. It was like watching a work of art.
‘I’m so proud.’
Sweat flowed from her intense exertion.
Feeling truly alive, Lisa grasped the pole, spun around in a circle, and smiled.
That was the moment she grew.
A message visible only to Do Gyeonu appeared before his eyes.
[Skill level increased.]
[Staff Mastery Lv. 6 → 7]
[The physical body has broken through its limits.]
[Stamina increased by 1.]
[You have completed 50% of the class ‘Pole Dancing.’]
[Normal attack power through a staff has slightly increased.]
* * *
Thursday, periods 8 and 9: Extreme Mountain March.
The midterm examination was similar to the training Kang Hanbyeol and I had experienced before.
The students had to avoid the rubber balls rushing at them and receive attacks on specific areas of their bodies according to the instructions of the equipment they wore.
When the device strapped to one’s elbow lit up, one had to let a ball strike that spot.
Beep!
There were also times when restrictions were placed on the colors of the rubber balls allowed to make contact.
In that case, the device lit up in the same color as the rubber ball instead of white.
‘Right shoulder, green ball.’
I checked the light from the corner of my eye and immediately moved.
With my evasion instinct activated, avoiding the rubber balls was not difficult.
Nor did I need to stumble around like before in order to get hit by them.
Having acquired a skill that reduced damage from attacks judged to have made contact, rubber balls were no longer a threat to me.
My body had become capable of deflecting blades and even bullets if I put my mind to it.
There was no way the impact of rubber balls, which possessed little killing power, could cause me pain.
I took the examination without fear or excessive caution.
Beep!
‘A simultaneous attack this time?’
Right chest, red. Left flank, yellow. Left knee, green.
After identifying the colors of the lights on my equipment, I calmly surveyed my surroundings.
It was a fairly tricky problem, but not one I could not solve.
All I had to do was calmly let the rubber balls strike me one by one before the lights went out.
Whoosh!
I left my body to my evasion instinct and dodged, waiting for an opportunity.
Then, the moment an opening appeared, I moved without missing it.
“Do Gyeonu, full marks.”
Before I knew it, the examination had ended.
I had been running through a storm of rubber balls flying in from every direction, but I stopped moving upon hearing Instructor Suhoguk’s evaluation.
When I turned my head, he was nodding with a satisfied expression.
“You seemed to think too much about being hit, but you’ve changed tremendously. There are still some unrefined aspects since you only awakened your insight recently…. But you’ll gradually master it as you attend the remaining classes.”
“Thank you. It’s all thanks to you, Instructor.”
If not for Suhoguk’s instruction, I would never have learned Hard Skin.
I bowed my head in gratitude, then turned around.
The examination was over for today, and I intended to return to the dormitory so I could prepare for tomorrow’s test.
At that moment, Kang Hanbyeol, who had finished his examination earlier, approached me.
“You got full marks too, Gyeonu. Congratulations! If things go well, it looks like we could both get A+ grades.”
“The final exam is still left, but… it does seem likely.”
“For now, we’re the only ones who got full marks on the midterm, so it’s definitely possible.”
Kang Hanbyeol shrugged his shoulders with a grin.
I did not bother contradicting him and left the examination grounds.
He followed after me.
We headed toward the dormitory grounds while talking about the examinations that remained.
‘The exams will be over in just two more days.’
I had two examinations on Friday.
Beginner Swordsmanship Duel I and The Mysteries of the Human Body.
The former would pose no difficulty for someone like me, a member of the Divine Sword Do family.
I had long since surpassed the level required to learn beginner swordsmanship.
Nor was I particularly worried about the latter, as it would be conducted as a written examination.
At least that meant the burden of preparing for tomorrow’s tests was somewhat lighter.
The problem was the written and practical year-level examinations on Saturday.
Since the two exams were worth a combined fifteen credits, I had to pay particular attention to them.
‘Besides, Do Seungwoo is planning to cause quite a scene during the practical exam….’
Since the day Noh Hyowon had informed me of the news, I had kept track of Do Seungwoo’s movements through her.
Judging by the way things had been progressing, his cheating was all but certain.
It was becoming increasingly likely that the event from the game would definitely occur in reality as well.
For the sake of my own grades, I had to devise a countermeasure.
However, I could not act too aggressively, since I also had to take Kang Hanbyeol’s growth into consideration.
‘In this event, my role is nothing more than creating the opportunity for Hanbyeol and Do Seungwoo to settle things. My part ends there.’
I was merely a member of the protagonist’s party, not the protagonist himself.
I must not forget that.
Wanting to preserve the flow of the game as much as possible, I could not interfere in this event unless absolutely necessary.
I could not expose Do Seungwoo’s cheating in advance and restore the midterm examination to normal, nor could I confront the people who were supposed to appear as Kang Hanbyeol’s enemies and hinder his growth.
The mission assigned to me was simply….
‘To guide Hanbyeol into recognizing Do Seungwoo as an enemy he must defeat.’
Having finished my thoughts, I called out to Kang Hanbyeol beside me.
“Hanbyeol.”
“Yeah. Why?”
“You know my cousin, Do Seungwoo? Something about the way he’s been moving lately seems suspicious. I think he may be planning to lead his lackeys and target you.”
“Me? Why?”
“Obviously, he wants to pick a fight with you because you’re the Demon Fighter’s disciple. Be careful.”
“So you mean they might try to come after me during the practical portion of the midterm? Thanks for telling me. I’ll stay alert if I run into them during the exam.”
After I had said that much, Kang Hanbyeol would surely pay attention to the threat awaiting him in the year-level practical examination.
I patted him on the shoulder as he quickly inferred the situation.
Soon, he spoke in a curious tone.
“I think I heard before that your cousin also had one of your family’s treasures….”
“That’s right. He has the Brooch of Windstorm, which envelops the body in a barrier of wind.”
“If I fight him and win, can I have that brooch?”
“…”
Kang Hanbyeol asked with a subtly expectant expression.
My answer was momentarily delayed, and I blinked a few times.
Then I burst out laughing and replied.
“It may be a family heirloom… but it belongs to me either way, so what does it matter? Do Seungwoo, who loses the brooch, will bear all the responsibility.”
“So you’re saying you’ll overlook it if I take your family’s treasure!?”
“I don’t know anything about it. Figure it out yourself.”
Kang Han-byeol was visibly excited.
The Brooch of the Stormy Seas had kindled his competitive spirit toward Do Seung-woo.
I gave a wry smile at the sight.
‘Seriously….’
Just like Kang Han-byeol.
* * *
I knew it was something I should never do.
Bribing instructors with wealth and power to steal information about the exam was unquestionably wrong, an act of cheating that was tantamount to belittling the efforts of the other students.
It was dishonorable, even as a member of the Shingum Do clan.
He was terrified of what punishment he would receive if the family ever found out.
It was as clear as day that he would incur the wrath of his grandfather, the clan head, Do Ye-ik.
Above all, every member of the family would be disappointed in him.
‘I know. I know that too. Even so, I….’
I don’t want to be buried like this.
He could never accept a life spent forever being compared to Do Gyeon-woo, hidden in his shadow.
Living that way was no different from dying a humiliating death.
What was more, unlike him, who had shown no notable achievements since entering the academy, Do Gyeon-woo was flourishing more with every passing day.
Not only had he surpassed him to become the representative speaking for the collective will of the students in the swordsmanship track, but recently, he had even accomplished a remarkable feat by stopping the mana rampage that Min A-rin had caused in the library.
‘No, it isn’t just that bastard Do Gyeon-woo.’
With the first semester already more than halfway over, the scions of other prestigious families had also begun revealing their abilities one by one and earning people’s recognition.
Especially those belonging to Do Gyeon-woo’s group.
Do Seung-woo’s position, pushed aside by them, was growing narrower by the day.
It only made him more anxious.
‘Somehow….’
He had to raise his worth, so as not to betray people’s expectations and, above all, for the sake of his own honor.
In that sense, the grade-level written and practical exams, in which every student in the same year would compete, would be a perfect opportunity to make his name resound throughout the academy.
Do Seung-woo did not want to miss that opportunity.
Even if it meant cheating.
His inferiority complex and hatred, his impatience and anxiety, led him to make that choice.
“…”
The midterm exams for the afternoon classes had all ended, and Friday had arrived—the day before the grade-level written and practical exams.
Do Seung-woo stood lost in thought as he gazed out the window of his room on the top floor of the Jade Dormitory. His face was expressionless.
After watching the sunset sink into the clouds and steeling his resolve, he rummaged through his pocket and took out a vial.
Inside the light-blocking bottle was a dark red liquid.
‘With just this….’
It was not common for a student to die at the academy, but neither was it particularly rare.
For those who lived with danger hanging over them at all times and in all places, death was never far away.
From time to time, someone would die through sheer bad luck while attending a class or taking an exam.
Among such cases, there were also incidents that did not occur accidentally, but were brought about by someone’s intentions, whether known or unknown.
No longer protected by their families, the academy was a gathering place for students possessing all manner of vested interests—a veritable breeding ground for schemes.
Whether for personal grudges or political reasons, covert struggles were taking place beneath the surface.
No matter how strictly the academy kept watch, it was impossible to control everything perfectly. They could not look into people’s hearts.
‘I could kill Do Gyeon-woo.’
There was a monster known as the Dark Night Hornet.
Active on nights when the moon did not rise, it took the form of a giant hornet, and its venomous stinger was extremely lethal.
Even a single drop could disrupt the target’s mana circuits, paralyze their bodily functions, and ultimately bring about their death.
The more abundant the target’s mana, the more uncontrollably potent the venom became.
That was the identity of the liquid inside the vial.
“Perhaps… this will be the last time.”
The last time you and I compete, Do Gyeon-woo.
Swallowing the rest of his words, Do Seung-woo felt the wind against his face as he watched the darkening night sky.
‘Do Gyeon-woo.’
I truly hate you. I loathe you.
Enough to want to kill you.
No—enough to desperately want to see you despair because of me.
And so, dawn broke.
Became the Childhood Friend of the Middle Boss