How to get on the protagonist’s flower path

Choi Borim snapped at my expression.

“Why, why are you guys receiving medals?”

Why? Because we did well.

I once again wore the pure smile of someone who catches sunlight and mentally celebrated.

Nahyun is clueless~ But anyway, you’re not in the same position as her.

“Huh? Didn’t you know? Siwoo, Baran, and I defeated the tier boss together! We did quite well! Right, Jaeyun?”

“Uh, yeah!”

I smiled at Choi Borim, who was taken aback by the fact that Min Jaeyun and I were receiving medals, revealing her true colors for a moment.

Min Jaeyun also nodded proudly, as if recalling that time.

Choi Borim, trying hard to hide her feelings of inferiority, smiled.

“Ah, so you were with Siwoo and Baran? You must have helped a lot! Good job!”

Look at how she’s talking.

I patted Min Jaeyun, who was glued to me and glancing at Choi Borim.

Yggdrasil tapped his foot, gathering our gazes back to him.

“And regarding the departure date, it’s tomorrow!”

“Tomorrow?!”

“I don’t even have the right clothes for that!”

“A student should be fine in a school uniform! What else do you think you need?”

Yggdrasil cleared his throat and continued.

“Alright, I’ve said all I needed to say. It’s training time, kids!”

Before we could ask more questions, training resumed.

Choi Borim was doing some physical training in one corner, then glancing at us and taking appropriate breaks.

She seemed to be putting in some effort, but when we and Yggdrasil were busy training, she often slacked off.

It seemed she was trying to be clever, but I mostly noticed her behavior…

Yggdrasil clicked his tongue lightly.

“…This just won’t do.”

And that behavior seemed to be the catalyst for Nayu Ri, who had been somewhat lenient towards Choi Borim, to decide to push her away.

After finishing the training, we were all exhausted, and after drinking the potions that Yggdrasil provided, we sprawled out on the floor.

At that time, Choi Borim, who hadn’t received a potion because she was still energetic, crept over.

“Is everyone okay? Should I get you something to drink?”

“No. Once the potion takes effect, we’ll be fine. By the way, Choi Borim, I have something to say.”

Nayu Ri stood up and spoke in a calm voice.

Choi Borim tilted her head as if she didn’t understand, looking at Nayu Ri’s firm expression.

Unfazed by her seemingly innocent face, Nayu Ri coldly delivered her decision.

“Choi Borim, if you’re going to participate in training like it’s a joke, it would be better for you to stay separate from us. I appreciated your help with the letter, but I can repay that in another way.”

“What? What do you mean? Why are you joking around?”

“This isn’t a joke. It’s a conclusion I’ve reached after careful consideration. And I hesitate to say this, but… with your current level, it seems difficult for you to match our pace.”

At Nayu Ri’s words, Choi Borim looked flustered as she scanned our faces.

It was as if she was hoping someone would tell her that Nayu Ri was joking.

But there was no one among us who would disagree with her, so silence filled the air.

It seemed she realized that Nayu Ri’s words were close to the consensus of our group, and she gradually looked more sullen.

“Why?”

“I told you. We—”

“Lack of skill? Attitude? Those are just excuses, right? Is it because I’m not in Class A? Do you think I don’t qualify?”

“That’s not it.”

“Liar. Then why are you all in Class A? You included that kid who’s similar to me and even someone lacking in ability to receive medals because they’re in Class A, right? Otherwise, a government-supported Awakened wouldn’t receive a medal!”

Choi Borim roughly rubbed her eyes with her arm.

Then, she suddenly burst into a fake tone of laughter.

“Alright! So the minimum condition to join your group is to move up to Class A, right? Then I’ll move up to Class A!”

“Wait, Choi Borim—”

“My wish hasn’t changed. If I become Class A, you have to let me join your group as a reward for helping you!”

Choi Borim said this while glaring fiercely at Min Jaeyun.

Then she smiled sweetly.

As if she were targeting him.

“So just wait. I’ll be moving up soon.”

Objectively, both in the story and in reality, Choi Borim’s skills were insufficient to be in Class A.

The fact that she was currently in Class B was only because she had been lucky with her team in the first semester.

Rather, she should hope that her ranking wouldn’t drop in the upcoming mid-term evaluation.

But I felt like I understood why she was so confident.

There was no way I couldn’t know.