NOVEL NEXT Chapter 39
Three days after the first test, students were packed tightly in Hwayangkwan at the Cradle.
Today was the day to announce the freshman rankings based on the results of the Sky Rift practical exam, and it was also the day for mentor nominations.
They were all chattering about the incidents that had happened during the practice. Quite a number of students had been injured that day.
It was a rather serious incident, to the point that it was a relief no one had lost their life.
However, the announcement that followed from the Cradle had an unsettling and ambiguous aspect to it.
Some higher-tier monsters had crossed over to the northern area due to territorial disputes and attacked the students, but the investigation concluded that the situation was managed without significant casualties due to quick responses.
On the other hand, there were testimonies claiming they had seen the shadow of something enormous. Yet no concrete evidence surfaced, and ultimately, it was ruled that their visual information had been exaggerated in the midst of confusion.
Although the exam was halted, the Cradle announced that they would assign rankings to the freshmen based on the observation results up to that point.
Since this would be the first ranking, an important milestone in future Cradle life, the students were eagerly waiting for the event to begin.
Except for three students sporting very uncomfortable expressions.
“What the heck was that dude?” Woojin glanced back slightly. His gaze landed on the Masked Male Student standing alone. The brown-haired female student who always hung out with him was mysteriously absent.
“Are you saying it’s lucky that he found an injured monster? He looked really worn out for that. He was covered in bodily fluids. So, do you really think…?”
“Hey, stop talking nonsense,” Yeseo interjected.
“This isn’t just about skill or anything. Aiteraanus is a monster that’s notoriously difficult for even veteran hunters to take down! And that guy is a variant! He even has a designation like Tentacle Snake or something. How could a student possibly take that down? Especially alone?”
Her face was filled with unresolved questions, a mystery they all shared.
The image of the Masked Male Student casually resting atop the corpse of a massive monster was still etched deeply in their minds.
“The monsters we saw on the way could be what that guy hunted. Last year, Seoyeon Unnie and Minha-senpai said they managed that much without difficulty. Let’s just say we didn’t recognize an incredibly skilled guy. But catching a Tentacle Snake? That’s just impossible! How many times do I have to repeat the same thing…”
“Enough, enough!”
Seunghun, standing between them, intervened to cut off Yeseo’s rant.
“It’s all in the past now. Let it go. Besides, we promised to keep quiet about what we saw that day. So stop…”
“Tch…”
Yeseo reluctantly shut her mouth, and seeing that, Seunghun let out a sigh.
“Ugh. And remember what Senior Baek Seoyeon said last time? She wondered if it was because of his skills that he got accepted on a recommendation basis. And honestly, Hyun does seem quite alright…”
“Alright, everyone must have rested well for the last three days, right?”
Suddenly, the megaphone blared, cutting off Seunghun’s words. It was already time for the event to start, and the group turned their attention forward.
Professor Song Dae-won, wearing a monocle, took the stage as the host.
“First of all, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the students who were injured during the exam. The Cradle will spare no effort to support their recovery and ensure that they do not face any future disadvantages…”
He briefly summarized the outline of the previous incident, apologized, and stated the follow-up measures before beginning to announce the individual rankings of the freshmen.
“…Although it was halted for safety reasons, the exam was almost at its conclusion. We calculated the rankings based on the data available up to that point. It was conducted in a setting with all members of the Education Committee present, and objections can be raised until three days later…”
He began calling out the students’ rankings one by one. The first name called—essentially the lowest ranking—barely lifted their face in embarrassment.
The constantly changing rankings could be easily found all over the Cradle. While there was a chance to rebound based on future grades, it was naturally not a pleasant feeling.
Though I don’t know much about it, it doesn’t seem educationally sound to pit students against each other with rankings. It’s hard to believe this would ignite their passion for learning.
Rather, someone’s claim that this system allows companies and influential families to easily corral students seems more believable.
“217th…!”
“185th…!”
The professor, wearing single-lensed glasses, continued announcing the rankings.
“97th…Gook Jae-ryong!”
Suddenly, a rather familiar-sounding name echoed. That’s quite a disappointing rank for a student from a prestigious family.
Neither Muyoung’s nor Yena’s names had been announced yet. From a distance, he was hunched over, shivering with embarrassment, looking quite wounded in pride.
The ranking announcements continued towards the end. Now, it was time to call out the top students with the right to choose mentors.
Unlike before, this time, as their names were called, small cheers erupted from all around.
“27th…Shin Muyoung!”
“23rd…Ha Yena!”
They had made it into the top 10%, at least based on their rankings.
Turning his head, he caught sight of Yena, shyly receiving congratulations from friends who were bouncing around in a fuss.
Their eyes met for a moment, but Yena quickly puffed out her cheeks and turned her head away with a swish.
“…”
I felt the need to talk to Yena separately after the event was over.
“Alright, then 10th place…!”
As the professor’s voice began to wane, only the single-digit ranks remained.
“4th…Ryu Seunghun!”
As his name was called, a particularly loud scream erupted from the front. A boy with a charming smile and a girl next to him gushed with excitement.
“3rd…Choi Woojin!”
He wore a somewhat displeased expression for someone who had achieved such a high ranking.
“2nd…Jin Yeseo!”
I soon found out the reason for that displeasure. The blonde girl next to him glanced over with a condescending look.
His reddened neck and trembling fist were visible even from where I stood.
Now, only one name remained—the glorious first place yet to be announced. The students looked around, seeking the identity of the one yet to be called.
After a prolonged pause, the professor’s lips finally moved.
“1st place…Yoo Jin-hyun!”
*
“Yoo Jin-hyun?”
“Isn’t that the weird guy in the mask? He definitely had some sort of run-in with Senior Baek Seoyeon…”
“That’s nonsense…!”
Hwayangkwan was soon filled with chaos. Unlike the other top students, many seemed to struggle to accept the newly called student’s ranking.
In particular, a student with a rather thin build, Gook Jae-ryong, was nearly bursting a vein in his throat.
Seeing the commotion, Professor Song Dae-won used the megaphone to calm the students down.
“Be quiet! I told you this ranking was selected absolutely and fairly. Objections regarding someone else’s ranking are not accepted. And let me clarify, Yoo Jin-hyun is the only student who successfully reached the recognition device and printed his identification label. That should be enough of an explanation.”
Once his words ended, the students’ uproar gradually subsided.
“…Still, maybe there’s something to the recommendation for admission…”
“Yeah…his skills must be solid after all.”
“It seems like the noise has settled down. Now, Yoo Jin-hyun, come up to the stage.”
At the professor’s summons, someone from the back row of students began to walk forward.
His pace wasn’t hurried nor slow; it was relaxed and self-assured as though he were simply taking his rightful place.
Every gaze on him was different—jealousy, envy, admiration, a hint of friendliness, competitive spirit, and hostility all seemed to emanate through the mask.
Once on stage, Lee Hyun turned to face the audience. The multitude of gazes felt overwhelmingly intimidating. If he weren’t wearing a mask, he might have felt nauseous.
Given the profound silence, even the faintest whispers could be heard.
The mentor nomination ceremony starts with the student who placed first in the exam calling out the name of their mentor.
Following that, students who placed in the top 10% also choose their second-year mentors, and the remaining students find suitable opponents during the following banquet through mutual agreement.
Everyone present awaited eagerly for Hyun to speak.
“So, our glorious first place, Yoo Jin-hyun, which senior would you like to nominate?”
“…”
Though the professor wearing single-lensed glasses asked, it would take quite some time before his response could be heard.
To the left half of the room were the second-year students. They occupied this space under the pretense of encouraging the freshmen.
However, their eyes were sharp as predatory beasts hunting for prey. They were assessing the freshmen’s skills and backgrounds to choose the suitable junior candidates.
Hyun didn’t bother looking at them.
Simply recalling their presence tightened his chest. If he saw that smiling face again, he couldn’t predict the torment he might endure.
“I will…”
Besides, his answer had already been determined from the very beginning.
“I nominate Senior Yeon Minha.”