How To Use Regressors

29 – Part 1 of the Demonstration

Seo Yooju had returned.

Eager to know the results, everyone couldn’t wait and asked her before she had a chance to speak.

“Yooju, what happened? Can we all join the same clan…?”

Seo Yooju had only mentioned that she had resolved the issue regarding clan membership, so myself and others didn’t know her specific goal regarding which clan she intended to join.

Our goal was for all of us to join the best possible clan without dispersing too much, not necessarily one of the top three clans, but something close.

Seo Yooju answered with a bright smile.

“It worked out well. Don’t worry. We can all join the Hwashin Clan.”

Everyone marveled at the news she brought. It was hard to believe that all of us would join Hwashin Clan, one of the three major clans.

Ahn Taeu, seemingly unable to believe it, asked,

“…. Are you saying that Hwashin Clan accepted all of us, including me?”

Ahn Taeu seemed dumbfounded by the fact that he would be joining Hwashin Clan.

When everyone else seemed delighted at the idea of joining the Hwashin Clan, I… couldn’t comprehend So Yooju’s choice.

“Why the Hwashin Clan?”

I had thought So Yooju wouldn’t enter a major clan or a large one, for it’d be challenging to assert her own will within such grand organizations.

In major clans, one couldn’t ignore the hierarchy and connections. Even if So Yooju attempted something based on her knowledge from the First Round, she wouldn’t have the freedom to act as she pleased, unless she were the Clan Master or a high-ranking official.

“What’s on your mind? And, even if you’re recruiting So Yooju, would they accept all nine of us?”

Considering the effort and cost involved in properly nurturing a clan member, it seemed impossible without some conditions.

“I don’t know about others, but there’s no way they’d accept me and Ahn Taeu without conditions.”

Saying this hurt my pride, but my talent was truly abysmal.

To put it in perspective, among the trainees in Ha Yuri’s classes, I ranked second to last when it came to grades. Theoretical aspects were fine, but my practical abilities were severely lacking, which was why.

For instance, if others increased their magical power abilities by 3 after a month of training, I would only increase mine by 1. This wasn’t a comparison with individuals like Yoo Hyun or Ha Eun, who had high talents. It was a comparison with those who had quite ordinary talents.

Ahn Taeu, too, appeared to keep up with the lectures, but the increase in his ability points, as seen through the status window, was minimal.

Nevertheless, So Yooju mentioned something about my curiosity.

“However… there are conditions. I’m truly sorry to Yoon Sung and Taeu, but there will be differences in benefits compared to others. I’m really sorry to both of you…”

So Yooju seemed genuinely apologetic, her lips trembling as she lowered her head.

Feeling uncomfortable with her apology, I immediately spoke up.

“No, Yujoo. Please lift your head. It’s such a great accomplishment that we can all join the Hwasin Clan. I’m fine.”

“….. But still, I really-“

Just as Seo Yujoo was about to apologize again, Antaeu interrupted her with a slightly annoyed expression.

“May I ask exactly what the difference in benefits is?”

“…. First of all, there will be a difference in the basic salary.”

“If it’s only the first step, then there must be other differences as well.”

“….. Yes. It’s just my guess, but I think there’s a high chance that there will be a difference in receiving basic equipment.”

“……. “

“For people like me and others, we were promised heroic-grade armor and weapons. But for someone like Taewoo or Yoonseong, they probably won’t receive rare-grade equipment.”

Antaeu clearly showed his discontent. It seemed like he was quite upset about being treated differently from others.

“Well… I don’t really mind.”

It’s because Seo Yujoo, who has a connection from the first round, wouldn’t dare to mistreat me. She will surely take some measures later.

Judging from the expressions of the others, they seemed angry about being treated worse than themselves.

Finally, Yurim said something.

“… I don’t mean to say anything against Yujoo unni, I just… I don’t understand why the Hwasin Clan doesn’t recognize Yoonseong oppa’s worth.”

“Yurim, I’m fine. I can handle the treatment I receive and work on improving it through my actions. For now, I’m grateful that we can all join together.”

“…Yoon-seong, why do you underestimate your own worth like this? You’re not someone who should accept this kind of treatment…”

Why would I want to undervalue myself? It’s just that raising my own value can happen after I join the clan.

Seo Yoojoo cautiously interjected after overhearing my conversation with Yurim.

“Um, Mr. Yoon-seong, I could go back and negotiate with Kang Seong-joon once again…”

“There’s no need for that. I’m satisfied with this result, Miss Yoojoo.”

“…But still…”

Seeing that the conversation wasn’t going to end like this, I cleared my throat and began to address everyone.

“Everyone… there seems to be some misunderstanding. I appreciate your high regard for me, but Hwasin Clan is just one of the three major clans. The fact that all nine of us can get in is already remarkable. Demanding more from the clan at this point would be crossing the line.”

Kang Iseo seemed a bit angered after hearing my words and retorted.

“Hey! We’re doing this for your sake!”

Cutting off Kang Iseo’s words, I spoke coldly.

“We’ve only been stranded on this continent for three months.”

“…”

“Constantly receiving offers from various clans, it seems you haven’t grasped the situation. We’re newcomers here. If we’re unlucky, we could be done for anytime, anywhere.”

Hyunjin, who was about to say something after Kang, closed his mouth when he heard my words.

“Back during the tutorial, it felt like we had become something. But now, here, we have to crawl. I appreciate you thinking of me, but just because of this, will you make Yujoo go back to Kang Sung Joon? I hope everyone knows that things could actually get worse than they are now.”

“….. I understand.”

“Good. Anyway… sorry for being so cold, but let’s end the conversation here.”

Eventually, everyone succumbed to the atmosphere. When everyone was silent because of the atmosphere I created, Seo Yujoo spoke up.

“You all seem so frozen. What Yoon Sung said wasn’t because he dislikes you all, so I hope everyone can lighten up a bit. Anyway… since there is a showcase tomorrow, let’s prepare.”

The showcase is a moment for everyone to show their value to various clans. For example, if you are in the melee profession, you would have a sparring match with an instructor, or if you focus on magic, then you would demonstrate magic. Usually, after the showcase, people join the clan that made an offer to them.

In our party’s case, we had already decided on the clan to join before the showcase. It doesn’t really matter if we wait for the showcase since every clan already knows our party’s worth.

Anyway, since it was confirmed that I would join the Divine Clan, I had to inform Yoon Yeon in advance that I would decline the proposal.

Even though I hadn’t heard a word from her, if news suddenly reached her ears that I would join the Divine Clan, she might get angry at me.

Of course, I didn’t think she would be angry to that extent, but considering the possibility, it was better to inform her in advance.

I approached Seo Yujoo quietly to tell her that I would go to Yoon Yeon.

“…. Yujoo, I will go to Yoon Yeon, the instructor, for a while.”

As soon as she heard the name Yoon Yeon, Seo Yujoo widened her eyes and hurriedly replied to me.

“Why…? Is Yoon Sung planning to join the Myth Clan separately?! I knew it, I have to meet Kang Sung Joon once again…!”

Seo Yooju began to babble frantically, as if in a panic.

“No, that’s not it! Just calm down for a moment…!”

“I, I can do better! Please come with me…!”

“Please calm down! I have no intention of joining the Myth Clan.”

“…. What?”

“Phew… I’m not saying I’m joining the Myth Clan, I’m just here to inform Instructor Yoon Yeon that I will decline the offer in advance.”

Only then did she realize her own misunderstanding, and Seo Yooju’s face turned red with embarrassment.

“Well… yes, I understand. Um, um…”

“…. Then I will go.”

“…. Yes.”

******

It didn’t take long for her to arrive in front of Yoon Yeon’s bedroom. Originally, she had intended to go to her office, but there was a problem.

“Damn it… What’s with only knowing the location of her bedroom and not her office…?”

The problem being that I didn’t know the location of her office.

I asked a few people I met on the way about the location of Yoon Yeon’s office, but no one knew.

“Damn it… The nerve to come into my bedroom. I hope you’re not expecting to leave in one piece.”

I had no choice but to go to her, as the only means of access was through the bedroom. After all, I was not one of her students.

I stood outside the door for a moment, and then I heard a voice from inside.

“Don’t just stand there outside the door. Come in.”

“…….”

I opened the door and what I saw was Yun Yeon sitting on the bed wearing only a robe. There were drops of water still clinging to her hair, indicating that she had just showered.

I was momentarily taken aback, but I pushed aside my emotions and spoke to her.

“… I came here to respond to the proposal that Commander Yeon mentioned last time.”

“Hmm… Is it a rejection?”

I was deeply embarrassed internally. I never imagined she would be the one to ask if it was a rejection.

“… How did you know?”

“Why else would you come to me at this hour? You must have come to discuss which clan to join. Besides, you’re someone who pays a lot of attention to others.”

“… I apologize. I appreciate the clan offer, but I will decline.”

“No need to apologize. It’s your choice. Well, I can’t help feeling a little disappointed from my perspective, but there’s nothing to be done.”

“……”

She smiled and said to me.

“Don’t be so rigid. I’m not the kind of person who gets angry or annoyed easily.”

I felt relieved that she realized I was worried about her causing harm to me.

“Cough…”

“Can I ask why you refused? I’m just curious about the reason. I don’t want you to overthink it. I’m just curious about the perspective of a newcomer looking at our clan.”

She seemed curious about the pure reason why I refused her proposal.

Judging by her expression, if she hears something that seems problematic about her clan from me, she seems to be willing to fix it.

“…Honestly, I respect her.”

Generally, people in higher positions tend to become arrogant and stop finding faults in themselves at some point.

But not everyone in higher positions starts out that way. It’s the position that changes people.

At first, they would have worked on fixing their own flaws and developing themselves, putting effort into the opinions of others and seeking advice to climb up.

However, when the position changes, it not only changes the person but also the reactions of people around them.

There may be good aspects, but also bad ones.

When the perspectives and positions of two people change, even if they were originally equal, the people around the one who climbed up become less likely to point out their flaws.

As the people who would tell them their flaws gradually disappear, only yes-men are left around them and they unknowingly become arrogant.

Your usual judgments are right; when you constantly hear that you are right, the human brain automatically starts to believe that it’s always right.

It’s not easy for someone in a high position like Yoon Yeon to seek out the flaws in oneself or in the clan they’ve built.

That’s why Yoon Yeon, as a person, was admirable, separate from the fact that she was the Master of the Myth Clan.

And I came to realize one important fact.

In the first round, I would most likely have joined her clan with a high probability. Because I was drawn to Yoon Yeon as a person.