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'Ugh… How can I refuse…! How could I say no…?'

Sophia's eyes, looking down from the high ground, were as dark as night.

She couldn't bring herself to refuse Jin Yuha's request.

During this time with him, Sophia had already endured countless trials and tribulations, enough to make her sick of it all.

How many times had she told herself that she would firmly refuse when he asked for something unreasonable or demanded training that seemed beyond her capabilities? She had vowed to be a woman who could say 'NO!' without hesitation, to be strong and assertive.

But all her attempts had failed miserably.

Unlike in the past, when they were separated by the solid barrier of the Academy, she was now blessed to be living by his side, a dream come true for a fan like her.

Before actually meeting him, she could maintain some distance, thinking, 'Wow, a guy with such looks actually exists.' But now that she had seen him in person…

His appearance was truly unfair. It was always fresh and thrilling.

Even after spending 24 hours together on this deserted island, devoid of the conveniences of civilization, instead of becoming accustomed to his face or seeing unflattering sides of him that would shatter her illusions, it was only herself who seemed to become more disheveled with time.

Jin Yuha's appearance remained untouched by the harsh island life, and every moment of his continued to strike her heart relentlessly.

When he woke up from sleep, he looked as adorable as a fluffy kitten. When he focused during training, he exuded the dignified aura of a noble wolf. And when he cracked lame jokes that weren't even funny, she found herself giggling not because of the joke but because of his face.

And when he made unreasonable demands, like he had just now…

The combination of his lethality, cuteness, and the air of a bad boy with a decadent charm, all mixed together, grabbed her heart by the collar and pummeled it relentlessly.

Haaww…

Sophia couldn't help but swallow her drool every time she saw his face, and it was truly a shame that there were no cameras around.

'My heart can't take this. He's an incubus, the very definition of one…'

Once again, it was that face that pushed her to take on the significant responsibility of 'placing 3rd in the mid-term evaluation.'

'…Can I really get 3rd place?'

Of course, our incredibly capable Yuha would do most of the work, but the fact that he made this separate request meant that he truly needed her power.

'Okay, let's give it a shot.'

Click.

Sophia had captured the image of Jin Yuha pleading with her a moment ago and stored it deep in her heart. With a firm nod, she took a step forward, raised her bow, and pulled the bowstring back.

There was no arrow nocked to the bow, but as her gaze intensified…

Wooooong…

The brilliant golden mana, resembling her blond hair, gathered at her fingertips and took on the form of an arrow as it condensed.

Thud…

As she released the bowstring…

Swwwwwwwwwwwwish!

The golden arrow shot forward in a straight line.

.

.

.

"Hmm, you're doing well."

I smirked as I watched Sophia begin shooting her arrows from the top of the hill.

'Now that Sophia has started, I guess it's time for me to make my move as well.'

Waaaaaaaah!!!

The battlefield was filled with ear-piercing battle cries and the hot, blood-boiling heat of the combatants.

This situation was perfect for me. I could blend in with the chaos of the melee and move freely without regard for friend or foe.

'Undercover.'

I moved stealthily, slipping unnoticed among the fighting students.

"Die!!! You lackeys of civilization!!!

"Damn these beastly brats…"

"Hyaaaaaah!!!!"

They fought as if they were in a real tribal war, with all their might.

And while they were focused on their battle with each other…

I kicked off silently.

Swish…

Crunch.

Crunch.

"Huh!?

"Eek!"

The sword I swung easily sliced through the necks of two students, one dressed as a primitive and the other in modern clothing. They fell to the ground.

Sssssssssssssss…

Their bodies began to fade as they were summoned to the airship. Only then did they turn to look at me, their faces filled with confusion and panic.

But.

'It's for your own good, so you can understand, right? And I'm taking the coins as a service fee, so you shouldn't feel wronged.'

And so, regardless of whether they were on Yoo-ri's team or Se-hee's team, I started swinging my sword.

With each flash of my blade, a primitive or modern-dressed student fell.

Thus, I stepped into the midst of this chaotic battle.

.

.

.

Meanwhile…

"...Kill! Yeah, kill them all!"

A healer with freckles all over her face, Go Eun-jeong, was shouting from the back, dressed as a primitive.

"Is she on her period or something? Why is she acting like this?"

A dealer frowned, recalling a recent encounter with a group of students they had just defeated.

"She said she met Jin Yuha at the store. She asked him if he needed a healer, and he said he didn't need one. He said healers were just freeloaders who ate up their food."

"What…!? Did Jin Yuha really say that?"

The dealer, unable to hide her disbelief, asked the tanker again. The tanker nodded.

"Yeah, so she told him that if student-on-student combat was ever allowed, she'd show him. She threatened him."

"Oh…"

The dealer, who had initially scowled at Eun-jeong's behavior, now looked at her with newfound respect.

And Eun-jeong was inwardly rejoicing.

'Hahaha, I'm glad I stepped up back then. As expected, when you deal with a celebrity, the fame rubs off on you, huh?!'

Of course, Go Eun-jeong had only said those words to Jin Yuha because she knew that student-on-student combat was not allowed and that there were other students watching.

The healers and supporters present were all offended by the notion that Jin Yuha had found a better healer than them.

As a result, Go Eun-jeong, filled with arrogance, had spoken up to Jin Yuha, who had apparently retreated with his tail between his legs. The public opinion had shifted, and Jin Yuha was now seen as a coward.

This was, however, far from the truth. Who cares?!

'Anyway, in this chaotic situation, there's no way that brat will come looking for me.'

Initially, she had resisted wearing such shabby, primitive clothing, but now she didn't mind.

Embarrassment was only temporary, but fame lasted.

After this mid-term evaluation, her standing would undoubtedly rise even further.

'Later, if that brat comes looking for me and says something, I'll just say it was a misunderstanding, that other people were spreading rumors.'

There was no way that the dealer, a male student, would come looking for her, a female healer, after the test was over and intimidate her.

Just then…

Kwaang!

A pillar of fire rose from a spot not too far away.

Followed by a torrential downpour of fire from the sky.

Kwaaaaaaaaang—!!!!

'Whoa, it's Se-hee! Let's move to the side and avoid her!'

If they got caught by that monster, there would be nothing left of them.

"Everyone, let's go that way! Target the right side!!!"

As Go Eun-jeong shouted, the group of primitives shifted their formation to the right.

But she didn't know. As they tried to evade the monster that was Shin Se-hee, an even greater monster lay in wait, its jaws wide open.

Drip.

Drip.

The sword, dripping with blood.

There were so many bloodstains around him that it was hard to tell how many he had taken down.

Those slashed by his sword had been summoned away, leaving no one around him.

'…Ji, Jin Yuha!? Why is he here!!!?'

Before she could even think of retreating, he slowly lifted his head, and his indifferent gaze locked onto her.

"You're next… Hmm? What? Hey, where have I seen you before?"

Jin Yuha furrowed his brows as he spoke.

At his appearance, those who had been startled now turned their heads to look at Go Eun-jeong.

Go Eun-jeong's face paled instantly.

"Uh, well…"

As she stumbled for words, Jin Yuha snapped his fingers as if he had just remembered something.

"Oh, right! You! You're that bitch who ignored our Sophia!"

"I, I ignored who!? I, I never ignored anyone…"

Who was this Sophia he was talking about, and when had she ever ignored anyone?!

To be honest, she didn't understand what he meant, but she knew that the current situation was extremely unfavorable.

Gulp.

Go Eun-jeong swallowed dryly.

'Should I bow my head and apologize now?'

As a healer, she was unlikely, no, definitely unable to withstand even a single blow from him.

'No! It's the same whether I die here or there. And it's not like we're actually dying anyway.'

'If I'm going to die anyway, I might as well stand up to him and make a deep impression on the other students.'

Having made her decision in an instant, she clenched her teeth and raised her voice.

"It was you who ignored the healer!!!

"What? I ignored a healer?"

"That's right! You said you didn't need us! That you were fine on your own!"

She could feel the gazes of those around her slowly changing.

'Yeah, I'll just clarify later that it was a misunderstanding! It's just a matter of enduring a moment of pain!'

"What the hell are you talking about? I never ignored healers. I just said that I already have my healer. If anything, it was you who was being stubborn."

As the surrounding students murmured, the situation seemed to turn unfavorable for Go Eun-jeong. She clenched her teeth.

She needed a clever move, something to turn the tide.

Her eyes, scanning the area around Jin Yuha, lit up.

"Ha! So, where is that healer of yours, then?! There's no one here but you! It's the same as saying you don't need a healer!"

That would do it.

To be honest, if the healer Jin Yuha had mentioned was actually with him, it would have been a disaster. But now, there was no one around him.

"If that healer really exists, why don't you show her to us?"

With newfound confidence, Go Eun-jeong smirked and spoke to him.

Then…

Thud…

Jin Yuha, with a calm gaze, kicked off from the spot where he stood.

"He's attacking! Block him! Attack!!!!!"

Go Eun-jeong closed her eyes and screamed instinctively.

Thud!

Thud!

Thud!

At the sickening sound of flesh being pierced, she opened her half-lidded eyes and then widened them in disbelief at the sight before her.

"Huh…?"

It was, indeed, Jin Yuha.

The swords and spears that the students had inadvertently thrust at him were embedded all over his body.

"…"

Jin Yuha, with weapons stuck all over him, remained as motionless as a corpse.

"Is this… Is this for real? Did I really take down Jin Yuha…!? Really!?"

"Jin Yuha talks big, but he's nothing much!"

"Wow, we actually took down Jin Yuha!!!"

The onlookers cheered and celebrated.

"Ah, ha… Ahahaha!!! So, Jin Yuha isn't all that after all!? As expected, one person can't take on a multitude!"

Go Eun-jeong, with a face full of euphoria, joined in the celebration.

To think that they had taken down Jin Yuha here! It was probably because he had let his guard down due to her provocation, but this was a result beyond what could be called a miracle!

However…

"Hah. It's annoyingly exhausting to take hits on purpose like this."

Jin Yuha slowly lifted his head and spoke in a low voice.

"Sophia. Heal."

Swwwwwwwwwwwwish!

A golden arrow, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, embedded itself in him.

Thud.

Thud.

Thud.

The muscles that had been pierced by the spear in his abdomen pushed it out, and the wounds from the weapons instantly healed.

"Now, who among you can do a heal like this?"

With an innocent smile, he asked a question that left everyone speechless, staring at him in awe.