Academy's Silver Gatekeeper-Chapter 35

Suhyeon glanced around nervously once, then continued looking all around.

"Suhyeon."

She paused for a moment, then resumed her scanning.

"Suhyeon?"

This had been going on for a while. After her lecture ended, she just kept circling around me. I wondered what was wrong. She clearly had some reason for acting this way.

"What's going on? Say something."

Even when I demanded an answer, Kim Suhyeon just kept circling around me multiple times. Her gaze looked so serious that I felt awkward asking anything more.

"Just a moment, just a little longer... Okay, I'm done now, Examiner."

Finally, the circling ended, and Kim Suhyeon approached me. Then she let out a long sigh of relief. Sensing something from that sigh, I asked what had been on my mind.

"Were you checking to see if I was injured somewhere?"

"Yes."

"You could have just asked me directly if I was hurt."

"Well..."

After hesitating briefly, Kim Suhyeon carefully parted her lips.

"Actually, I didn't think you'd tell me the truth, Examiner."

"Huh?"

"You're such a good person. I thought you'd hide it somehow, so I wouldn't worry."

I almost reflexively denied her words. But thinking about it, I found it slightly difficult to argue against what she said.

If I had actually been injured, would I have told Kim Suhyeon honestly? Probably not. It would have been uncomfortable to see her worrying. Especially when she needed to focus on her promotion exam, I wouldn't want her distracted.

"I won't hide it next time. Is that okay?"

"Are you promising?"

"Yes, I promise. In return, you'll trust me and follow along, right?"

Unlike Lee Hyunwoo, who was growing well on his own, Kim Suhyeon required careful attention.

Just a slight dent in her confidence, and she'd be asking to postpone her Silver exam. That wouldn't be good. Delaying further wouldn't benefit either of us.

Above all, to eliminate her inferiority complex, she needed certainty.

The feeling that she was improving, that she was being recognized. To give her that feeling, the promotion exam had to begin without fail.

But forcing her wouldn't work either. I needed to persuade her, guide her, and make her approach on her own.

I couldn't ignore that Kim Suhyeon's original future was as the 'Crimson Witch.'

Even if that wasn't the case now. Even if she hadn't been captured and brainwashed by villains. I had to consider the possibility that she might somehow follow the original flow. Especially since one of those "seeds" was still labeled as "wrath"—that was particularly concerning!

"Is it over now? Can we start?"

Lee Hyunwoo, who had been waiting quietly until now, stood up abruptly. Kim Suhyeon wasn't the only one here. He was with us too.

I had noticed earlier that the two of them came together, which was a strange sight. Originally, they were supposed to be mortal enemies, with him fighting the Crimson Witch. Now they were laughing together as "Bronze comrades!"

For a moment, I wondered if they might be dating. But I immediately scolded myself for such a ridiculous thought.

Like many protagonists in novels, our protagonist Lee Hyunwoo had a screw loose. Not that he was crazy like Irina. His issue was with how he dealt with the opposite sex. In crude terms, he was practically emotionally stunted when it came to romance.

"Excuse me. Do we really, really have to do the exam today?"

Even with Kim Suhyeon giving him a sharp look, Lee Hyunwoo was looking at me with an expression that seemed to say, "So what?"

Other male students might've picked up on the atmosphere, but not Lee Hyunwoo. He only showed his eagerness to take the exam right away.

"The examiner must be tired from yesterday's events..."

"It's fine, Suhyeon. It won't take long anyway."

"Wow. Examiner, that's a bit much. I've been training hard every day, you know."

I was aware of that. I knew, but it still felt like he had a long way to go.

Compared to Irina or Elder, and even the pressure I felt from Ma Hakjun, Lee Hyunwoo didn't exude that same intimidating aura. If he had grown even a little more, there might have been a slight tingle of that feeling. But not yet. That meant he was still Bronze.

"Thank you for your support today, Examiner!"

While he said that, his expression looked like he wanted to punch me right away. I couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity as Lee Hyunwoo charged at me.

*

Thud―!

"Ugh!"

The pressure was accurate. There wasn't much change from yesterday. Lee Hyunwoo was sprawled on the ground, gasping for breath. It was a rather pitiful sight for a protagonist, but it would all pay off in the end.

◎ No Pain, No Gain

Trait activated.

Target – Lee Hyunwoo

Stacks 3

The three stacks accumulated from the recent exam would eventually turn into something significant.

However, I couldn't predict how powerful it would become when Lee Hyunwoo grew stronger than he was now.

In a fleeting moment of judgment and movement, the outcome—no, the very essence of life and death—could hinge on it. It would increase the likelihood of Lee Hyunwoo emerging as the final victor, not against monsters or villains, but in his own right.

Thinking about it, the name of the trait suited him perfectly.

"Wow, this is just... unbelievable."

Lee Hyunwoo, who had barely managed to sit up, blinked in disbelief.

"Examiner, you're a support type, right?"

"That's right, support type."

"Then how come your martial arts and weapon handling skills are so good? That's not typical for a support type."

I flinched slightly at Lee Hyunwoo's question.

Honestly, I thought it was a bit precarious.

Fortunately, I had discussed this with Ma Hakjun and established a concept.

A public servant of the support type who trained hard without giving up.

After all, unlike true weapon or martial arts types, I didn't have any ultimate abilities that relied on powers. And with enough effort, anyone could master weapons or martial arts.

Focusing on one area was indeed more powerful and easier to gain recognition.

"I worked hard, just like you, Lee Hyunwoo. You’re a weapon type, but you also use martial arts, right? Just like a martial arts type."

"But I'm not as skilled as you, Examiner."

This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.

"You'll get there soon. After all, hard work is the best talent."

At least for Lee Hyunwoo, that was true. He was someone who would grow with effort. He was the quintessential protagonist buff recipient.

Hearing my words, Lee Hyunwoo grinned and jumped to his feet.

"You really know what you're talking about, Examiner! That's right. Hard work is true talent."

That's just you. You're the only one who climbs steadily with effort.

"I'll challenge you again tomorrow. I’ll make it for sure!"

"Are you saying you’ll promote? Are you confident?"

"...Um, not tomorrow, but the next time."

Lee Hyunwoo said that and turned to dash off.

He would probably head straight to the training ground and start swinging his sword. Outside of class, he practiced daily, honing his body and building his patience. With that level of effort, it would be strange if he didn't grow.

'But is this really the end of the exam today? This is a big deal.'

As a Silver Gatekeeper, it was a problem that no one was challenging me. I even found myself wishing that Jung yuhyeon would show up. If I didn't find a way, my growth would completely stagnate...

"Ex-Examiner?"

"Yes?"

"Um, I think someone is coming."

Even as Kim Suhyeon shot me a sharp look, I turned my head toward the entrance. Indeed, several students were approaching the examination room.

I hoped they weren't lost like last time. Or worse, I hoped they wouldn't come and run away upon seeing me.

"Um, are you the Examiner Baek Seojin?"

"Yes, that's me. If you’re lost, please turn back quickly..."

"No, we came here correctly. We... came to take the exam."

Did I just hear that correctly? They said they came to take the exam?

Looking back at Kim Suhyeon, she was clapping her hands softly. It seemed to be a congratulatory gesture, indicating that I hadn't misheard them.

"Just a moment."

I scanned the students who had arrived. I could see the reason behind their presence.

Among the group, a pair of boys and girls seemed to have come for similar reasons as reporters. They likely thought I had some connection to the famous S-rank ability user after seeing yesterday's article.

'As expected, not everyone comes with good intentions.'

However, one of them stood out. This student seemed different from the others, likely drawn by the recent gate incident where I had played a significant role.

"Then, all three of you are Bronze, correct?"

"Yes."

"That's right."

"Then we'll proceed with the exam in order."

I decided to filter out the two who seemed to be there for the wrong reasons and focus on the one who appeared genuinely interested in improving. If they were a decent candidate, I could pair them with Lee Hyunwoo and encourage them to grow together.

"Alright, let's begin..."

"Uh, Examiner!"

Kim Suhyeon, who had been quietly observing, pointed toward the entrance again.

"What now?"

This time, more students were entering the examination room.

"Is this the right place?"

"Yes, it is. I'm Baek Seojin, the examiner."

"Ah, I saw the article yesterday. You really are impressive!"

I could sense the mixed intentions among the students. Some were genuinely eager to learn, while others were likely hoping to ride the coattails of my newfound recognition.

"Thank you for coming. Please line up if you're here for the exam."

As they gathered, I noticed that not all of them were there for the right reasons. Some were clearly there to gauge my abilities or to see if they could gain something from my reputation.

"Well, I suppose I should help them as best as I can. After all, their efforts today might save them from greater struggles in the future."

Despite the challenges ahead, I was determined to guide them through their trials, hoping that the sweat they shed today would spare them from bloodshed later on.

In the end, I had my own goals to achieve as well.