This period passed by quickly.
The incident at Rift No. 57 gradually faded from public interest as time went on, and it was rarely mentioned in the news, no longer making headlines.
Instead, the talk shifted to the upcoming opening of a new Rift, with everyone uneasy, uncertain where it might appear next.
And so, Wednesday arrived.
Kim Seo-jun was living his days rather ordinarily.
Meanwhile, he had received a substantial sum of fifty million won from Shim Jae-deok, which lifted his spirits immensely.
Besides that, nothing special happened at the Academy, so once classes ended, he would head straight home to train in martial arts.
Occasionally, his father, who left work early, would join him on the rooftop for training.
Before he knew it, Kim Joo-hyuk’s physical condition was nearly back to his prime.
Only his father himself was unaware of this fact.
Still, when they sparred one-on-one, the gap in their abilities widened considerably.
Kim Seo-jun had grown so rapidly in such a short time that even Kim Joo-hyuk at his peak couldn’t keep up.
Because of that, Kim Joo-hyuk couldn’t accurately grasp just how strong he had become.
But Kim Seo-jun knew very well that his father was no weak hunter.
Just yesterday, when he examined Kim Joo-hyuk’s magical power through his Mystic Eye, the numbers were by no means low.
[63 / ELITE]
Like a label floating above Kim Joo-hyuk’s head, those words appeared.
His magical power was steadily rising, and his rank was marked as “ELITE.”
Fortunately, no magic stones were visible in his father’s heart.
Even if someone possessed the mysterious ability to detect the presence of magic stones, they could rest assured that his father was safe.
In the hallway leading to the lecture room, Kim Seo-jun walked while pondering how the “rank” system might be structured.
“I get that there’s ‘NORMAL,’ and then ‘ELITE’… but why am I ranked as ‘GUARDIAN’?”
He wondered about the rank displayed on himself.
Perhaps “SPECIAL” was the rank above “ELITE.”
It must be a rank higher than ELITE.
All of this was just speculation; nothing was confirmed.
To increase accuracy, he had no choice but to frequently use his Mystic Eye to read people’s information whenever he had the chance.
Just as Kim Seo-jun was thinking this and entered the lecture room, the atmosphere inside was rather noisy.
The cause was a student shouting loudly at the front of the classroom.
“…What’s with you guys? No one here? What the hell, are you all idiots? Damn it, is this Hunter Academy full of cowards or what?”
It was a student Kim Seo-jun had never seen before.
He looked a year or two older than Kim Seo-jun, but judging by the first-year armband on his collar, he was indeed a classmate.
He was nearly 190 cm tall, with a short, sporty haircut.
His muscular body and square jaw exuded a macho aura from head to toe.
He turned his gaze toward Kim Seo-jun as well, acknowledging his arrival.
“What are you?”
The brash macho student asked.
But Kim Seo-jun ignored his question and quietly took a seat.
The macho student bared his teeth and chuckled.
“Look at this. Pretty face but acting like some Academy student, huh?”
Like a predator who had just discovered prey, the macho student approached Kim Seo-jun.
At that moment, a burly student sitting at the back of the classroom suddenly stood up.
“Hey, you. Your name’s Joo Gwang-sik, right?”
The muscular student over 190 cm tall was Lee Chan-sung.
He was a close friend of Go Han-seok and one of the two top dogs in the class who eyed Kim Seo-jun with hostility because of Go Han-seok’s situation.
Lee Chan-sung possessed the secret of being a Level 3 magician with Level 2 magic, but that alone was enough for him to reign almost like a king in this class, except for Go Han-seok.
Lee Chan-sung was Go Han-seok’s loyal subordinate and also the one who took the lead in bullying Kim Seo-jun.
“What’s this now? You were quiet before, but now that this pretty little thing showed up, you suddenly got guts?”
The macho student named Joo Gwang-sik smirked, glancing between Kim Seo-jun and Lee Chan-sung.
“If you’re a transfer student, then act like one and quietly understand the atmosphere here. This isn’t a place for punks like you to run wild!”
Lee Chan-sung gave a sideways glance at Kim Seo-jun and, for once, spoke straightforwardly.
“Transfer student? That macho guy is a transfer student?”
Hunter Academy only accepted transfer students once a year.
The timing usually coincides with the start of the second semester, but there was still a month left before the first semester ended, making this situation unusual.
“Ha, look at this bastard. How old are you to be talking back like that? Are you twenty? I’m twenty-one, you damn pig.”
He swore as if it was natural speech.
Joo Gwang-sik, the transfer student, was 21 years old, a year older than Lee Chan-sung, who was 20.
Even though they were in the same academic year, age differences existed because people awaken their magical powers at different times.
“Who cares how old we are? If you enrolled as a first-year, then we’re all first-years. And why do you keep cursing everyone? Got a leash stuck in your mouth or what?”
“Well, fine then. Let me ask you again. Who’s the boss of this class? Try answering that.”
It turned out Joo Gwang-sik had been aiming to be the class boss since his very first day as a transfer student.
“What is this, middle and high school kids or something?”
Kim Seo-jun shook his head at the two fools lost in their delinquent games despite being 21 years old.
At that moment, Lee Chan-sung sat back down, leaning his body back with an arrogant attitude.
“Originally, our class boss quit the Academy a few days ago due to personal reasons. So as Number Two, I have to welcome you as the new boss, right?”
“Oh? So you were Number Two? Why didn’t you say so earlier? Would’ve saved us some time. Alright, then let’s meet behind the lecture building after class. Deal?”
“Don’t go getting scared now.”
Kim Seo-jun was momentarily at a loss for words amid the muscular duo’s conversation.
“Go Han-seok, huh? So he got expelled from the Academy after all.”
The “boss” Lee Chan-sung was referring to was probably Go Han-seok.
If he quit the Academy for personal reasons, it meant he had been forced to leave due to committing a crime.
His father probably wouldn’t get him out of prison, but with so many watching, he could no longer stay at the Academy? Seems like a fitting end for him.
Kim Seo-jun felt quite relieved that he wouldn’t have to see that troublesome Go Han-seok again at the Academy.
Anyway, backing from the Hyunmoo Guild sure had its perks.
Even when he was involved in bullying at the Academy, no one dared to pick a fight with him.
Even after getting caught using drugs and having a history with scavengers and violent incidents, he somehow escaped a prison sentence.
With Go Han-seok gone, there was a vacancy, which explained the early acceptance of transfer students…
But it’s troublesome if the transfer student is just another punk.
Kim Seo-jun stared silently at the back of Joo Gwang-sik, who had plopped down in the front row.
At that moment, Joo Gwang-sik turned his head sharply, locking eyes with Kim Seo-jun.
A sly smile spread across his face.
That smile seemed to say, “You’ll be seeing me soon enough.”
Kim Seo-jun was curious.
What did this guy rely on to act so brazen?
Was his magical power high? Or did he possess some incredible mystery?
Deciding not to hold back, Kim Seo-jun immediately activated his Mystic Eye.
His pupils briefly turned golden, and soon, waves of the Mystic Eye’s energy radiated throughout the classroom, targeting every student.
“It’s great that it can be used widely within a 20-meter radius.”
He could use it up to 50 meters for a single target, making it an extraordinary skill.
Kim Seo-jun scanned the surrounding classmates’ magical power and ranks.
Above everyone’s heads, their magic power and rank floated noisily.
Most ranged between 10 and 19 magic power, and only five or six students were between 20 and 24.
However, one person stood out.
[65 / UNIQUE]
This information floated above Joo Gwang-sik’s head.
His magic power was higher than Kim Joo-hyuk’s, and his rank was displayed as “UNIQUE.”
Moreover, surprisingly, a magic stone existed within Joo Gwang-sik’s heart.
“Only a Level 5 in magic power? Why the hell did a guy like this come to the Third Academy?”
Being a transfer student meant he had only recently awakened.
If so, having 65 magic power right from awakening meant he more than qualified for the First Academy.
Shortly after, Professor Shim Jae-deok entered.
He officially announced that Go Han-seok had left the Academy due to personal circumstances and introduced Joo Gwang-sik as the new transfer student taking his place.
Though 21 years old and late to awaken, Joo Gwang-sik introduced himself with a casual, laid-back attitude and shot a sharp glance toward Lee Chan-sung.
Thus, the day’s classes passed under a tense atmosphere.
When the afternoon classes ended, a group of students rushed out as if on cue.
They headed toward the trail behind the lecture building.
Near the trail was a small clearing, where Joo Gwang-sik, Lee Chan-sung, and several male and female students gathered.
Kim Seo-jun followed them.
He originally had no interest in the gang’s antics but was curious about Joo Gwang-sik’s magic power of 65 and his rank as UNIQUE.
The students were slightly surprised to see Kim Seo-jun appear at one end of the clearing, but their attention quickly returned to Joo Gwang-sik and Lee Chan-sung.
“Let’s not make this a big deal. Let’s finish this quickly and easily.”
Joo Gwang-sik suggested, and Lee Chan-sung agreed.
“I’m with you on that. How do you want to do it?”
“Just one punch each.”
“Nah? What kind of nonsense is that? You’re no boxer; you’re just a street punk, and you’re talking about one punch?”
“Why? You scared? Then just admit defeat and bury your head in the doghouse.”
Joo Gwang-sik sneered coldly, and Lee Chan-sung cracked his neck and wrists.
“I agree if I go first.”
“I have no desire to kill anyone, so let’s fight without using magic. How about that?”
“What are you talking about? Use magic, and you’d be dead in one hit.”
“Enough talk. Hit me first.”
Joo Gwang-sik approached Lee Chan-sung, pushing his face forward.
His posture, hands behind his back with only his face extended, showed blatant disrespect.
Lee Chan-sung, realizing this, clenched his teeth and swung his thick hand in a full swing.
Smack.
Joo Gwang-sik took the punch on the two fists, his head snapping about 30 cm.
Yet, he didn’t move an inch.
He swung his head back, straightened his waist, and lowered his hands behind his back.
Rubbing the place he’d been hit, Joo Gwang-sik smirked.
“Not bad strength, huh? Anyway, now it’s my turn.”
Rubbing his palms, he shook his hips left and right.
Lee Chan-sung thought he could knock Joo Gwang-sik down with one hit, but when it didn’t work, he leaned back arrogantly and pushed his face forward.
“Promise you won’t use magic.”
“Ha, what are you talking about? You think I’d break a promise?”
Joo Gwang-sik laughed wickedly, then twisted his waist powerfully, springing forward.
His palm, tracing a short arc, struck Lee Chan-sung’s punch.
Bang!
A louder sound echoed than expected.
Two teeth flew from Lee Chan-sung’s mouth, blood spurting out.
His body spun and collapsed onto the ground of the clearing.
Foaming at the mouth, his eyes rolled back.
“Ch-Chan-sung, ah…”
Several students rushed to him in shock, shaking his body.
Watching this quietly, Joo Gwang-sik licked his palm and muttered to himself.
“Damn, Number Two’s gotten so weak? If I’d gone all out, he’d be done for. This is why I should’ve gone to the First Academy. No wonder the Third Academy is called a gathering of idiots. Hah.”
His muttering seemed to wound the students’ pride deeply.
Four male students quickly surrounded Joo Gwang-sik.
“There’s no point in a fair fight with a punk like you.”
“You think we’ll let some transfer student start trouble with us?”
“We’ll beat you to a pulp!”
The boys were Lee Chan-sung’s subordinates and enjoyed attacking in groups.
They immediately attacked Joo Gwang-sik, who was outnumbered and could only curl up, taking the hits without resistance.
Kim Seo-jun considered helping but decided to just watch.
The guy’s been trying to be boss since day one, and these guys are ganging up on him… but at least he’s holding back his magic. Maybe he’s not all bad.
Just as Kim Seo-jun was about to leave,
“Waaah!”
Joo Gwang-sik suddenly stretched out his curled body, sending the attackers reeling.
“Heh. All hit, huh? Cowards. Now it’s my turn.”
He clicked his knuckles while glaring at the fallen students.
At that moment, a female student confidently stepped forward.
“Our real class boss is someone else! If you have the guts, fight that person.”
“Real boss? What the hell is that nonsense?”
“She’s right here. Our real class boss.”
As the girl turned her head, the other students naturally followed.
They were all looking at Kim Seo-jun.
“What? That pretty guy is the real boss hiding his strength?”
Joo Gwang-sik asked in surprise, and the students nodded vigorously.
Kim Seo-jun, suddenly declared boss, covered himself with his fingers and shook his head.
“First time hearing that. Mind your own business.”
He left those words and tried to leave.
Suddenly, Joo Gwang-sik moved sharply and blocked his path.
“Huh. Where do you think you’re going? I knew from the start. Hardly anyone has looked me in the eye and ignored it.”
“I haven’t avoided your gaze.”
“You’ve got spirit. Different from the rest. Let’s try again. If you can withstand my punch, you win. Hit me first.”
Joo Gwang-sik again put his hands behind his back and pushed his face forward.
Kim Seo-jun chuckled and lightly tapped his palm with his own.
“You be the boss.”
Then he brushed past him.
Joo Gwang-sik’s eyes narrowed.
“This bastard thinks who’s an idiot?”
The big guy moved like the wind to block Kim Seo-jun again and threw a punch at his face.
His boxing stance was precise.
Unlike ordinary hunters, Joo Gwang-sik had trained extensively in various martial arts even before awakening.
His fist aimed directly at Kim Seo-jun’s face.
But Kim Seo-jun didn’t move a muscle.
Whoosh.
Joo Gwang-sik stopped his punch just an inch before Kim Seo-jun’s nose.
The gust swept over Kim Seo-jun’s face, but he didn’t even blink.
Joo Gwang-sik squinted.
“How did you not dodge this? Or… did you try and fail?”
Kim Seo-jun pushed Joo Gwang-sik’s fist away with his finger.
“No point dodging if I’m not going to hit.”
He saw that Joo Gwang-sik had no real intention of striking, so he deliberately didn’t dodge.
Joo Gwang-sik smiled again.
But his expression hardened as he muttered quietly.
“If you don’t dodge this time, you’re screwed.”
As his expression darkened, he swiftly turned his right foot and unleashed a fierce spinning kick—