Chapter 10
Jae-Hyeok’s body felt as light as a cloud when he opened his eyes the next morning. That was nothing unusual—thanks to his tempered body and mind, Jae-Hyeok recovered with little sleep. Sleeping for four hours on average was enough.
Still, today he felt especially light and energetic. He even felt stronger than usual—it seemed that he’d have to increase the body weights he usually wore.
Jae-Hyeok immediately realized what was going on. My stats increased again.
Last night on the hill, he’d realized that his Strength had improved. The improvement was only at the level of his sword cuts becoming slightly sharper, and if Jae-Hyeok weren’t so sensitive, he wouldn’t have even noticed the small change. Nonetheless, he’d been elated by his growth.
Examining himself now, it was clear that his stats had gone up again. But it wasn’t just one. All of his stats had improved at some point. He’d been exhausted after his training last night, so he hadn’t immediately noticed.
The non-awakened were inconvenienced in many ways. Most of the information on their status window was locked, which was why Jae-Hyeok couldn’t hear the System’s messages or see his stat values.
Hmm. My body would’ve felt heavy if my stats hadn’t gone up, Jae-Hyeok reasoned. Last night's training had been intense, and it had gone on much longer than he’d realized.
After carefully sensing his physical state, Jae-Hyeok was pleased.
How long had it been since his stats had grown so quickly? The more Jae-Hyeok thought about it the happier he became. He was grateful that he was still in his growth phase.
After washing up, the road to the cafeteria felt like walking on a path of clouds.
***
Although his father had defended it, Lion’s Castle failed to honor his father's achievements and spirit. The government’s influence permeated Lion’s Castle, and they exerted that influence to their liking.
To Jae-Hyeok, Lion’s Castle felt like a cage.
Still, today he felt a little less gloomy when he looked around.
The architecture of Lion’s Castle was a harmony between the gate’s ancient architecture—whose style was reminiscent of medieval Europe—and modern civilization’s.
It was quite beautiful.
Jae-Hyeok didn’t even feel unpleasant looking at all the low-level students; he’d witnessed the grit of the students in Class B yesterday. Although they might be chicks now, they would grow well over the next few years.
It was a good motivation for Jae-Hyeok. Even the chicks were working hard, so he should also work harder.
He couldn’t relax. He had to be strong. In particular, he needed to do well in the team classes and competitions to remove his demerit points and win elixirs, boosting his stats.
The most urgent matter is building my team. Hmm. Who should I recruit for the remaining two spots…
When creating a team, there were no special restrictions. The people Jae-Hyeok picked didn’t have to be in the same year or class. Any like-minded students could join. That was why he didn’t hesitate to put the second-year student, Baek Do-Jin, on his team.
Well, now that I have that him, I’m confident I can get good results, no matter who I pick for the other two spots, Jae-Hyeok thought matter-of-factly.
He knew how to evaluate his skills objectively. The other students wouldn’t be able to handle him. Their level was low, so they couldn’t overwhelm him with pure stats. Meanwhile, Jae-Hyeok could use better technique and skill to dominate his opponents.
Well, that silver-haired monster is an exception. But people like that can’t be common.
Normally, he was confident he could take first place in the team activities; it wouldn’t matter who filled his team’s last two spots. But it was a different story if the Shinras’ heir was participating.
Even if Jae-Hyeok formed a dream team, the heir would be difficult to deal with.
No. I won’t think like that. The heir of the Shinra family was a freshman, just like him. He would be competing with the heir over the next three years, so it would be tiring in many ways if he assumed that he would lose every time.
Besides, if I awaken in the next three years, I can take the top spot. But to achieve that, I’ll still need a team that works… I shouldn’t accept just anyone into my team.
An excellent team proved a student’s qualities as a leader, so putting aside their results in the activities, a high team level would also reflect well on grades.
Jae-Hyeok arrived at the cafeteria and sat down, still lost in thought.
“H-hello?”
Jae-Hyeok looked up at the greeting and was happy to see that it was Chae Da-Hee. He smiled. “Oh, it’s the great runner-up.”
“......”
Great runner-up? Chae Da-Hee’s expression turned odd. Jae-Hyeok was smiling brightly, and she saw no malice in his expression, but his tone was a little too friendly.
Is he being sarcastic? She remembered how pathetic she’d looked yesterday with sauce all over her mouth. She sighed. I guess I should’ve expected this…
“What’s wrong?” Jae-Hyeok asked. “Aren’t you hungry?”
“I, uh, don’t normally eat breakfast. I’m not that hungry.”
“Really? I’ll eat it for you. Give it here.” Jae-Hyeok stretched out a grabby hand for her plate.
“T-that’s okay, you don’t have to… ”
“No. Give it to me.”
Da-Hee exclaimed, “N-no! Even if I’m not hungry, I have to eat, okay? Training is only going to get harder. I-I need my breakfast to keep up.”
“But I’ve already started,” Jae-Hyeok said somewhat incoherently. His cheeks were full with Da-Hee’s toast.
He swallowed. “How about this, after I finish your food, I’ll bring you a plate later.”
Da-Hee stared at her dwindling plate. Is this some form of high-level bullying?
Her friend leaned in and whispered from the side, “This is blatant bullying, no matter how you look at it.”
Da-Hee twisted in her seat to face her. “That’s exactly what I was thinking!”
“Oh, I know. Our cute Da-Hee’s expression reveals everything inside～”
Jae-Hyeok swallowed and, after a moment of thought, said, “That’s a good thing. You have a pure spirit.”
He felt very favorable toward Da-Hee. She had remembered and respected Duke Kang’s dedication to his country and people. How could Jae-Hyeok look down on someone like that? If anything, he felt inclined to support her for the rest of his life.
Da-Hee’s friend Yoo-jin looked at Jae-Hyeok critically. “Hmph. You sat here instead of another empty table, and now you’re spewing compliments. Are you interested in our Da-Hee?” If she were to be honest, Jae-Hyeok’s appearance really suited her taste, but it was hard to look at him kindly. She had heard too many rumors about Jae-Hyeok.
Jae-Hyeok nodded as he swallowed the omelet that had originally belonged to Da-Hee. “Yeah, I’m interested.”
“Bah, you can’t pretend... Wait, what?!”
“H-hiiiik!”
The girls’ reactions were loud.
Yoo-Jin was stunned and Da-Hee recoiled. They hugged each other and gave Jae-Hyeok a contemptuous look.
He didn’t care at all.
Jae-Hyeok continued shoving rice and side dishes into his mouth when he suddenly thought of a good idea. “Okay, Chae Da-Hee, you can join.”
“Huh? J-join what?”
“My team, obviously. Join the team I’m going to make.”
“Pfft!”
Before Da-Hee could reply, Yoo-Jin burst out laughing.
“Hah, I was wondering why you were flirting with Da-Hee. So this is your intention? You sure are funny. You’re only in Class B, while Da-Hee is in Class A. She’s also the runner-up in the entire freshman year. Yet you want Da-Hee to join your team? Are you perhaps eating shame as a side dish?”
Jae-Hyeok ignored her and told Da-hee, “If you join my team, I’ll help you train. I’m sure it will be a great help.”
Yoo-Jin frowned. Jae-Hyeok was treating her like air.
“Who’s going to help train who? I guess you’re misunderstanding Da-Hee due to her usual appearance, but she really is the freshman runner-up. She completely changes when she picks up a sword. Why else do you think she’s called Sword Saint?”
Jae-Hyeok glanced at Yoo-jin as if he was looking at an idiot. “The Sword Saint is in the United States, damn.”
“T-that’s the real Sword Saint. This is just a nickname! You’re just a level 1 player in Class B, right? The point is that you don’t deserve Da-Hee on your team, let alone have the ability to help her!”
Jae-Hyeok replied, “I’m not a player.”
"Wow, I heard rumors that you even dared to tell a teacher you haven’t awakened. I guess that ridiculous rumor is true. To lie to a teacher… just how thick is your face? Hahaha!” Yoo-Jin’s displeasure with Jae-Hyeok had been obvious, but now she started laughing again.
Jae-Hyeok glanced at her with a pitying expression and stood up. “In any case, think about it. I’m not speaking empty words when I say that I can help you.”
"Wait a minute!"Da-Hee urgently called out to Jae-Hyeok as he was about to leave.
Jae-Hyeok stopped and smiled. “It’s good that you made your decision so quickly. Even though you’re the runner-up, you’re quick to judge this opportunity.”
“Put the food plate away! You just left it on the table yesterday, and I had to clean it all up!”
“...Hmm. Since it’s your request, I’ll do it.”
A request? But it’s something you’re supposed to do? Why did he act like he was being generous? Da-Hee was speechless as she stared at Jae-Hyeok’s back.
It was hard to believe that he was the son of Duke Kang Dae-Guk. She had been shocked when she’d found out Jae-Hyeok’s identity yesterday.
“Parents and children don’t have to be alike. Dae-Hee, don’t you know about Kang Dae-Seong and Kang Hyeon-Ah?” Yoo-Jin said.
“Y-yes… ”
“I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but the Kang family is a family of traitors. Don’t get too involved with him. He’s just going to take advantage of you.”
I hope she understands. Yoo-Jin looked at Da-Hee’s innocent face and still felt worried. She was also worried about Kang Jae-Hyeok. That guy… he’s even more reckless than the rumors. It’s going to make his school life difficult.
What if the person sitting next to Da-Hee just now was an ordinary Class A student and not her? They probably would’ve lost their top at Jae-Hyeok’s behavior.
Except for her and Da-Hee, no Class A student would’ve given Jae-Hyeok the time of day.
They would’ve been very upset.
A fallen aristocrat dared to say such things? They probably would’ve showered Jae-Hyeok with curses. A Class B student pretending to be on par with the Class A students? As if!
Jae-Hyeok’s personality would’ve earned him a good beating. Well, it isn’t something for me to care about.
Yoo-Jin rested her chin in her hand and put a cherry tomato in Da-Hee’s mouth.
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