I Don’t Have Any Magic Power but I’m Having a Blast at the Academy

90

The survival of the final exam will end when the top 20 remain, or when it reaches 12:00 PM in 3 days.

Capturing a fellow student earns a basic 1 point, and capturing a student with more points means all those points become the share of the student who captured them.

Of course, catching a horse would increase points. However, since the points obtained per horse caught were only 0.5 points per individual, the efficiency was low.

This was mainly due to the Taebaek Mountains, where they were managed by the Superhuman Association, resulting in a very small number of horses.

On the other hand, with 50 beginners each, even seeing a horse was not easy.

The easiest way to earn points was to hunt the same prey.

However, in this case, there was a risk of being hunted as well, which made the risk too high.

But there was a ‘Regular’ here.

It was Han Seyeon.

Han Seyeon, a manipulator of horses, had the special ability to attract horses at will.

It was said that by gathering a small number of horses and wiping them out, one could freely earn points.

However, she did not gather horses. Instead, she actively participated in hunting beginners more than anyone else.

The reason was really quite simple.

“It’s more fun that way, isn’t it?”

“······.”

I had forgotten, but she enjoyed provocative thrills.

Just collecting horses and hunting them down was boring and not fun at all.

So hunting beginners, well, just watching it made me cringe.

Even though she had maybe modified her gun for a long range, she would effortlessly snipe beginners from afar, and if they didn’t notice, they just had to forfeit their points right there. She even had such good eyesight that she didn’t miss a shot.

In less than 2 hours, Han Seyeon earned 15 points, leaving me speechless.

“Isn’t this cheating?”

I wondered if sniping was allowed, but I didn’t really have a leg to stand on.

I did more than that, not less.

Even though the classmates, and even the proposer of the test, seemed to perceive this test as a ‘survival’, the core of this test was who could earn the most ‘points’.

In other words, points were ‘resources’.

And seizing resources in a modern war was a barbaric and flawed approach from the start.

Instead of seizing them, making them give it up ‘unavoidably’ seemed more like an adult way of doing things.

For example, monopolizing bedding needed for sleep, or clearing out all the stores three days before the final exams so that the students, who might bring snacks or hand warmers, would have to decrease their supplies······

Just by monopolizing consciousness, the students inevitably had to give me points.

I have never forcibly taken or demanded anything. They willingly gave it from their end.

It was similar to how a shopkeeper sitting at the respawn point monopolized unfairly without anyone saying a word.

Of course, the students who were fixated on scores had a mindset of sleeping on the floor, not eating, not wearing anything, so when I first opened the store, no one paid any attention. There were students who slyly proposed trades, though.

“Excuse me.”

“No.”

“Do you know what I’m going to say and why it’s not allowed?”

Without even listening, Amelia looked bewildered at my immediate rejection.

“You’re probably saying you’ll buy what you need for 2 points and convert the rest into cash later.”

“Well, how···”

Amelia shrugged her shoulders as if she had accurately read my thoughts.

Obvious, isn’t it?

This kind of analysis is simple. Amelia had ‘3 points’ in her possession.

Since she wasn’t completely heartless, she might be willing to use anything beyond the minimum requirement of 1 point for survival, but with that amount, even buying a melon bread would be overwhelming. She would have to give up on a sleeping bag and hand warmer for the night.

So, the intention is to buy me using the money that you are most proud of.

“Honestly, it’s a really tempting offer.”

“Well then…”

“No.”

I shook my head.

Even though it was a tempting offer that I really wanted to accept because it involved money, unfortunately, it was difficult to accept.

“Why not?”

“Because buying points with money is against the academy rules.”

“…”

Amelia seemed to have a lot to say as she nibbled on her lips like a chick. But in the end, she remained silent without saying a word.

That’s just how it is.

Even if money transactions are against the rules, there are no regulations against conscious transactions.

You have to know how to exploit this subtle gap to get away with such things.

Can’t just freeload.

“But why is the melon bread 2 points while all the other breads are 1 point?”

“Because melon bread has melon in it.”

“Melon in melon bread?”

“Yes. That’s why it’s melon bread.”

“I see. I had no idea.”

Amelia innocently widened her eyes as if hearing this for the first time.

Wasn’t it in there?

Sorry.

“Um, 3 points…”

Watching Amelia hesitate due to a lack of points to buy a sleeping bag, I scratched my head.

“Well, I did need an extra hand.”

The inn was already short-staffed.

“If you help me with one task, I can’t refuse.”

“Really?”

“Sure.”

Amelia, who seemed somewhat suspicious of my bold offer, perhaps recalling her penniless days, eventually accepted my proposal.

“I’ll do it!”

Got her.

“Good choice. First, put this on.”

I handed Amelia an apron and a hairnet from under the table, which she promptly put on.

“After putting them on, grill this for me.”

I passed the tongs and scissors I had been holding to Amelia.

“Flip it every 30 seconds, and when both sides turn a nice brown, cut it into bite-sized pieces and transfer them to the paper plate on the side. Start by cutting the middle first, then three cuts on each side. I’ll tell you what to do next once you’re done with this.”

“Yes? Yes, yes.”

Amelia memorized my detailed instructions in a daze.

As a result, without realizing that there was an ‘upcoming task’ at the end of my instructions, she diligently grilled the frozen pork belly on the burner’s frying pan.

Of course, I’m not a wicked merchant who just exploits others.

I provided the best working environment by turning on the fan to keep it cool, offering melon bread and black tea.

Melon bread for 1000 won, black tea for 300 won, sleeping bag rental for 3000 won.

I did make a profit by hiring a part-timer for 4300 won a day, but anyway…

“Is this color right?”

“Oh, you grilled it well. Just a little more and then flip it.”

“Yes.”

Unaware that she was being exploited for 4300 won a day, Amelia diligently grilled the pork belly.

Beside her, Han Seyeon was neatly arranging items taken out from the backpack in the yard.

“Put some kimchi on.”

“Yes? Okay.”

“Here’s the garlic.”

“Got it.”

Amelia, who seemed flustered as she didn’t know much about Korean food, was being helped intermittently.

Meanwhile, I took out a new burner, poured water into a pot, and dissolved the ramen soup.

As the meat sizzled, the scent of kimchi, garlic, and ramen wafted through the yard.

“Mm, the smell is nice.”

Amelia sniffed the aroma, her ears perking up.

“Is that an 8-point reaction?”

“Huh?”

“No, keep going.”

Indeed, the food smelled amazingly good. It was the influence of the ‘energy’ I infused.

When energy was infused, the frozen pork belly boasted a taste and scent as good as fresh.

As the students who were filling their hungry stomachs with tap water glanced over in our direction, their eyes seemed hesitant.

“Mm, I want to eat, but the points…”

“Tap water tastes good.”

Swallowing saliva, they tried to force taste onto the tap water that wasn’t delicious, starting a forced diet. I couldn’t hide my disgust at them.

Disgusting.

“There’s no other way.”

I really didn’t want to, but there was no choice.

Taking a deep breath, I shouted, “Please try it once before you leave! It’s a free tasting!”

Free tasting.

Like going to a supermarket at lunchtime and coming out with a full stomach from the tasting corner.

The impact of that word was tremendous.

The students, who had been scoffing at tap water, now gathered like hungry zombies, eyes gleaming.

“Hey, move aside! I was here first!”

“If tap water tastes good, go have some tap water.”

I regretted the dramatic change in situation, feeling a bit flustered, but it was too late.

Tasting once per person, but watching as some reckless rookies indulged in the food, I felt a bit annoyed.

Eating, rinsing their mouths, then eating again, those trying to sell for money, sneaking items, bargaining for points…

With the eliminated rookies joining, the crowd of 100 people was chaotic.

“We might need more people for this.”

Just then, appearing in front of the banner, Eungaye was seen smiling and nodding slightly.

Hanseyeon, who was tidying up things with Nikolai, smiled as if things were going well.

“Huh? Nikolai? When did he…?”

“Eungaye, perfect timing.”

“What, what for?”

Approaching with a smile, Hanseyeon sensed Eungaye’s awkwardness and hesitantly took a step back.

But Hanseyeon, like a ghost, caught on to Eungaye’s attempt to escape and dragged them along.

Of course, Eungaye’s initial hesitance was short-lived, and after hearing my terms, they actively joined in.

Who else would provide food and support for a job that not only paid well but also gave three points per task.

However, there was one issue.

While Eungaye was good at physical tasks, they lacked skills in organizing.

To a great extent.

“Oops!”

As the instructor called out, Eungaye, unsure of what to do, began to panic as the stacked sleeping bags collapsed.

Finding joy in the chaos, Hanseyeon smiled like a parent.

“Frantic Eungaye, so cute.”

“…”

Despite the chaos, the free tasting event caused quite a stir.

“Is this tasty?”

“Wow, amazing.”

As the rookies, rejuvenated by the food, started earning points, the effects were significant.

While regular food might be endured, the addition of “energy” made a noticeable difference.

Just like with Amelia, energy wasn’t just about taste; it aided in natural recovery.

Though most rookies only did the bare minimum for point accumulation or just tasted and rinsed, it was sufficient.

This was relative grading, and since my points were already relatively high…

Let’s see how many are gathered here.

Beep.

[48 points]

As I infused the bracelet with gram of magic, points appeared.

“I just need 2 more points, too bad.”

Giving Melon Bread to Amelia for free was indeed a mistake.

“Is it risky to accumulate so many points before leaving the building?”

“Why leave?”

With the building’s closing time nearing 9 PM, the rookies were starting to leave one by one.

Some were waiting at the entrance, probably to see me off.

Of course, I had no intention of leaving. Why would I? Just pay 10 points and stay…

“Ah······”

Finally, the words spoken by the instructor came to Amelia’s mind, and she absentmindedly opened her mouth.

It was the remark made by the instructor, promising to allow a student who could earn 10 points with a question about not being able to sleep in the building to sleep well, said in jest.

It was probably just a joke, as no one had ever thought that a student would actually earn 10 points, but she wouldn’t retract what she had said.

“Let’s clean up later and eat ramen.”

As a pot filled with the scent of four ramen packages bubbled on the stove, Amelia set the table with rice, paper plates, and disposable wooden chopsticks. She was quick to pick up things, which was nice.

I have to finish all of this before going in.

***

Meanwhile, on the summit of Mount Taebaek.

“It was real.”

Noah felt surprised as she looked down at the building where the students were coming and going.

She recalled the scene she witnessed during the day.

The sight of Yi Haesol, who entered without any hindrance, even sitting still for over four hours, had become a sign that Yi Haesol was truly the descendant of the night of extinction, Yu Jin.

“This should be kept a secret, right?”

Although Yu Jin was an orphan, the Elders of the Superhuman Council were involved in identifying and eliminating his relatives.

They were innocent, but they were killed simply because they shared the same bloodline as Yu Jin.

If Haesol were to find out that the Council was involved in the elimination of her relatives, how would she react?

“This is getting complicated.”

A bitter smile formed on Noah’s lips as she unexpectedly discovered the secret.