Practical Class (2)

Thursday morning, it's time for another session of practical training.

Among the various curricula, today's lesson is virtual monster training. We get to face monsters created with magic power, either in one-on-one combat or as a team. The training assigns opponents that match our levels.

"I'm sure you all know, but let me explain one last time."

Kim Jinhyuk, the professor in charge, began his explanation while using hand gestures to guide us.

"First, go up to the measurement magic circle over there and follow the instructions given by the assisting instructor. Once the measurement is complete, you'll enter the training ground that suits your level. Those who already have pre-arranged teams will head to the training area on the left, while those who prefer one-on-one combat will go to the right."

It only been three days since the semester began, so I had no clue how they managed to arrange teams beforehand, but some sociable students just naturally found their groups.

Luckily, I knew Lumi, so we teamed up. Kim Yeonghan already had a group, so I naturally made my way to the one-on-one training area.

As I stepped into the training ground, a large measurement magic circle appeared before me. I followed the instructions given by the guide and climbed onto it.

"You're Lee Hoyeon, a student from Class A, right? Put your hand over there."

In the center of the magic circle, there was a spherical magical device emitting a blue light.

I placed my hand on the sphere, and a humming sound resonated as mana flowed through my body. After a few sensations of mana passing up and down, it gathered and returned to the magical device.

[Battle Power measurement in progress. Please wait.]

And then the number 5 appeared above my head.

"5 points? Are you really in Class A?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Well, um. Please go to that corner."

The average score of the Class A first-year students was 7. Except for me, the lowest-scoring student had 6 points, and I had broken the record for the lowest score. My pride took a hit.

Kyeeeeeeeee–!

As I looked around the training ground, everyone was engaged in battles with strange-looking monsters.

"Dieeee!"

Whaaam!

A tiny girl delivered a punch that sent a massive weapon flying, crashing into the wall. It was pretty darn fascinating. It reminded me that I was in a game.

Among the Class A rookies, I was the only one assigned to the Level 5 training area.

Let's stay positive. At least I don't have to wait in a long line. Those Level 7 students have a queue of over 10 people.

As I stepped onto the training ground, the number 5 appeared above my head again.

"Level 5? That's lowest score in the history of Class A."

"Well, I knew it from the moment he decided to become a mage."

The students who finished their exams early gathered and started murmuring among themselves. Their opinions didn't really matter. They were just extras anyway. But something felt off.

The original protagonist received a score of 5 as soon as he entered the academy, relying solely on the Battle Sense skill, his unique ability. But then, me, with the Battle Sense skill and additional perks, still scoring 5. It seemed like the system couldn't recognize my perks.

[Preparing suitable opponents for Level 5 difficulty. Three C-rank monsters, Ice Platters, will be summoned.]

The Ice Platters, flat creatures made of ice. Their primary attack method involved emitting an ice beam from the crystal in their center. Fortunately, these monsters were favorable opponents for me.

[Commencing the exam.]

Bleep!

As the mana barrier that was blocking the monsters and me disappeared, the Ice Platters emitted cute sounds and unleashed their ice beams.

But I had already devised a strategy.

The ice beams from the Ice Platters spread widely, making them quite challenging for close-range combatants. However, as a mage, I was prepared.

I unleashed thin waves of fire, a skill I had practiced during the level test at the training ground.

The fiery waves expanded, engulfing the ice beams and reaching the Ice Platters.

Startled by the intense heat, the Ice Platters scurried around, shooting ice beams in all directions. While they might have overcome the heat if all three of them concentrated their beams, expecting such intelligence from C-rank monsters would be unrealistic.

The stage was set, and it was time for action.

One by one, I dispersed the buzzing Ice Platters, burning them with fire.

Knowing that the gem at the center, where they emit the ice beams, was their weak point, it was an easy task to target it with the appropriate amount of fire magic.

Bleep!

If this was Level 5, I believe I could handle something more challenging.

[The exam has ended.]

"What? He won. Well, there might have been an error in the measurement."

"Even though he's in Class A, does level 5 make sense?"

The device used to measure skills was not infallible. It could only provide a rough assessment of skills and characteristics, unable to account for other factors or synergistic elements. Consequently, it might underestimate one's abilities. However significant the difference, it was still just one level.

"We'll see what he can truly do."

According to the regulations, with the supervising professor's approval, students can challenge difficulty levels up to two levels higher.

"I would like to attempt Level 6."

"Level 6 challenge for student Lee Hoyeon. Approved."

***

"You passed Level 9. Well done."

Phew.

As Alice neatly tucked her blonde hair behind her collarbone, a sigh of disappointment escaped her lips.

Another 9. Despite her consistent practice since her days at the talent development institution before entering the academy, she couldn't break through the barrier of Level 9.

Nam Daeun, on the other hand, was different.

"Did you hear about Nam Daeun? She effortlessly crushed Level 10 in just 30 seconds!"

"Wow, even though she may not have the attitude, her skills are truly exceptional."

Thud.

No matter how hard Alice tried, the gap between her and Nam Daeun remained wide. What frustrated Alice even more was that she considered Nam Daeun her only rival. No matter how much effort she exerted, Nam Daeun always stood a step ahead, as if taunting her.

"It's alright. I can do better next time."

She didn't allow herself to be consumed by such emotions. Alice consoled herself and headed away from the training ground.

"Hey, what's up with Lee Hoyeon? I heard he made it to Level 7."

"Who's Lee Hoyeon again?"

"Oh, you know, that cute guy who switched from being a swordsman to a mage."

"Oh, him? Turns out he breezed through Level 5 and now he's taking on Level 7?"

The exam was almost over, yet people were flocking to the Level 7 test area.

Under normal circumstances, Alice would have paid no attention and continued on her way. But today, she felt somewhat perturbed and gloomy.

Pushing her way through the crowd, she found herself in the midst of it all, gazing at the handsome male student standing in the training ground.

"Lee Hoyeon…?"

To be honest, she didn't have much interest about it. The guy supposedly switched from being a swordsman to a mage as soon as he entered the academy. The students here had been striving for over ten years to secure a spot in the academy. However, achieving that and then suddenly switching specialties was beyond her comprehension.

'Is he aiming to graduate as a mage and pursue a managerial role or something?'

Typically, after graduating from Victoria Academy as a mage, most individuals would delve into administrative work for guilds or associations.

'Of course, preparing differently would be more efficient if that was his intention, but who knows what's going on in someone's mind?'

"Lee Hoyeon, challenging Level 7. Approved."

[Preparing suitable opponents for Level 7 difficulty. An A-rank monster, Scrap Golem, will be summoned.]

On the far side of the training ground, mana swirled, animating mechanical parts that merged together.

"Oh, a Scrap Golem. It's game over."

"Yeah, no chance whatsoever."

Creak, creak, clank, clank…

Gears and scraps of metal combined, taking the form of a towering golem. The colossal body, weighing over 3 metric tons, displayed rust and emitted an unpleasant squeaking noise with every movement.

"Well, that settles it."

The Scrap Golem was considered the most formidable opponent encountered at Level 7. Honestly, it could easily pass for a Level 8 challenge.

"What a waste of my time."

[Let the exam begin!]

Creak, creak, clank, clank!

Thud! Thud!

As soon as the exam commenced, the Scrap Golem shifted its massive body.

The golem's body was composed of accumulated scrap metal, possessing unique properties. Even if it was broken into pieces, it somehow regenerated and rebuilt itself through a mysterious force.

The weak point lied in attacking the golem's joints to hinder the formation of its body.

However, due to its firm and sturdy composition, it absorbed most external impacts.

Ultimately, exceptional mana control was required to infiltrate the gaps between the scrap metal that formed its body. It was no easy task for a rookie to achieve such precise control over mana.

That's why many suggested promoting the Scrap Golem to Level 8, given its clear weakness. Yet, it remained at Level 7.

The vulnerability lay in its attributes, making it susceptible to attacks targeting the gaps between its joints, such as water or ice.

If Lee Hoyeon were a water or ice elemental mage, the Scrap Golem might have been an easier opponent. However, he was a fire elemental mage.

Crackle!

The Scrap Golem raised both hands high in the air, preparing to slam them down. Since the movements were significant, quick evasion was necessary. But Lee Hoyeon decided to utilize magic instead.

Flickering flames resembling gentle waves extended from his hands towards the golem.

"It's over."

It seemed like an attempt to exploit the gaps in the golem with those thin flames, though the idea was good, the output fell short. Perhaps taking a gamble with a more powerful advanced spell would have been better.

Just as Alice's interest in Lee Hoyeon completely waned, and she prepared to walk away…

Thunk!

Unlike the expected sound of failure, a completely different noise echoed in the air. As Alice turned around, an unimaginable scene unfolded before her eyes.

The Scrap Golem, in the midst of swinging its fist, had stumbled and ended up in a comical position. Its left leg was severed, cut cleanly around the knee.

"What? What kind of magic was that, cutting off its leg?"

"It didn't look like a cut. It seemed like the knee joint just melted in an instant… I don't understand."

'What is going on… Did he really melt the Scrap Golem with that magic? To melt a Scrap Golem with fire, you would need a firepower of at least 1000 degrees, but emitting such thin flames would never generate that kind of intense heat.'

Kikikiki-

The Scrap Golem struggled to rise, using its remaining arms and right leg. Although its movements were awkward, it approached Lee Hoyeon at a noticeably slower pace.

Lee Hoyeon slowly retreated while casting another spell.

"It's the same form as before."

His magic gradually expanded its range but suddenly started converging into a single path.

"What is that?!"

Some people glanced at her in surprise as Alice blurted out her thoughts, but she paid no attention to her surroundings.

He released flickering flames, spreading them thinly. The spell's design had intentionally been set up that way from the beginning. But that man was forcefully condensing and manipulating the magic.

The flames overlapped and continued to multiply. Eventually, a fully concentrated flame was formed, even though it appeared thin.

The flame thread snaked its way through the gap between the golem's two arms and one remaining leg, penetrating the opening in its right leg.

Swish!

As the right leg was also sliced off, the golem's unstable posture crumbled, and dust rose into the air. Gradually, the light faded from the golem's eyes.

[The exam has concluded]

It was an unexpected outcome for everyone.

The man who had been underestimated as level 5 had managed to subdue the Scrap Golem with that magic. It was an unbelievable sight, and everyone stared in astonishment at the training ground. The professors who had witnessed the entire process couldn't contain their amazement.

"That… mastery-level mana control?"

"This is absurd…"

The magic Lee Hoyeon used originally took the form of rippling flames. Naturally, each individual flame was small. Thus, he dug into the gap and compensated for the lack of firepower by gathering and accumulating the flames.

The concept was good, but in the eyes of the professors, his delicate mana control ability was almost miraculous.

Alice, having passed level 9, naturally noticed his mastery of mana control. She heard murmurs and chatter around her, but they didn't register in her ears.

The idea of using small fire particles to attack the Scrap Golem wasn't important to her. What mattered was his mana manipulation.

Drawing out flames as thin as threads and inserting them into gaps—that level of mana control was beyond that of an ordinary mage.

'If I focused, I might be able to produce threads like that. But overlapping and using them together is an entirely different story.'

Alice realized that his talent was genuine, and without Lee Hoyeon even realizing it, he had caught her attention.

***

"It's a bit disappointing that we can only challenge up to Level 2 according to the regulations. I feel like you can handle Level 8."

"Haha, no way."

After wrapping up the exam, I descended from the training ground. I had zero mana left in my tank, so talking about Level 8 seemed like a hilarious joke.

"Man, that was rough. Seriously."

Today's virtual monster training was a real struggle. I still haven't quite mastered those advanced magic techniques to exploit the Scrap Golem's weak spots.

Since I didn't know any useful spells, I ended up using the same magic I used against the Ice Platters.

I tried to forcefully tweak the mana properties of the spell, but I ended up burning through way too much mana.

If you're not clever, your body pays the price.

I definitely need to learn a wider range of spells. But hey, at least things turned out alright.

"Hey, what's on the menu for lunch?"

"I think it's steak. Wanna grab something outside?"

"Isn't there that awesome handmade burger joint near the main gate?"

Chatter of students filled the air.

After wrapping up the morning classes, it was time for lunch. I headed over to the student cafeteria. Some students preferred eating out, but I needed to be mindful of my expenses. Saving money was kinda important for me.

Luckily, Victoria Academy had a free "student cafeteria" for our well-being.

"One steak, please."

As I received my lunch steak and looked around for a seat, I spotted Moon Soorin in the distance. She was sitting alone behind a pillar, cutting her steak.

As I gazed at her, somewhat mesmerized, she also noticed me and looked up.

Our eyes met for a moment, and her pupils slightly dilated. Then, she tapped the seat in front of her with her finger.

"Huh?"

Does that mean she wants me to join her?

I pointed at myself with my index finger, and Moon Soorin nodded.

Alright then. Eating with a beauty would definitely make the food taste better than eating alone.

"Hoyeon? You're here!"

I turned my head at the sound beside me and saw Kim Yeonghan waving his hand at me.

"Oh? Yeah."

"You're alone? Let's eat together. I came alone today too."

"Sorry, actually, I already have someone to eat with…"

As I declined and turned towards Moon Soorin's seat, she had already disappeared.

"Huh? But there's no one there though? Come on, Hoyeon, let's eat together."

"Yeah, alright."

Well, I understood why Moon Soorin left. After all, she's the popular student council president.

Slightly disappointed, I sat down with Kim Yeonghan and cut into the steak. I took a bite and was pleasantly surprised by how delicious it was.

"Why would anyone choose to eat outside when we have this amazing cafeteria?"

But no matter how good the cafeteria food was, it's hard to resist the unhealthy temptation of eating out.

"Aren't you excited for the one-on-one duel in the afternoon? I spent the whole day at the training ground yesterday because of that."

"Well, kinda?"

The afternoon class was a training session for one-on-one combat. It's held in a safe dueling arena.

I'm a bit curious to experience one-on-one combat, so I have some expectations. Well, it's not like anything major will happen, right?

"…"

"Hoyeon, what's up?"

"Oh, I just suddenly got a chill. Why am I feeling like this all of a sudden?"

Goosebumps suddenly formed on my arm. Did I miss something…? Hmm…