"Heuryaaaaa!!"
Good spirit, but having a loud battle cry doesn't make everything work.
Just look. Coming while exposing all your weaknesses - how is this an attack?
This is nothing more or less than a new type of suicide, rushing in saying 'Please kill me.'
"Kkeuk!"
After lightly deflecting the attack, I strike the abdomen directly.
If this situation had been real combat, there would have been a wind hole punched right through.
"Kkeueueu..."
The female student sprawled in front clutches her stomach and whimpers.
Still, she doesn't scream in pain like the previous student.
I don't know about skill or growth potential, but her grit is certain.
"I've told you repeatedly, student Jeong Sujin. Attacking recklessly isn't the answer, and even if you do attack, you should first eliminate your own weaknesses, or if that's not possible, hide them."
"Y-you said that."
"It's the same today. You're not covering your openings at all. This way, you're just rushing in asking to be killed. What if what was in front of you wasn't me but a villain or monster?"
What would happen? You'd die. Very miserably and painfully at that.
She seems to think the same, getting goosebumps and shuddering.
Seeing her get up while still clutching her aching stomach.
"If you doubt your efforts, think about that future."
Gate rampage and monster upheaval. Both are disasters for humanity.
For those who had grown accustomed to the present, there could be no worse nightmare.
However, that change sometimes works as a positive element like now.
'The reason they must absolutely become stronger, the instinct to survive at all costs, and perhaps the desire to become much more famous than now.'
When I first served as a Silver rank examiner, student resistance was severe.
So much that I seriously wondered if doing this job was really right.
But not now. The situation has completely changed from before.
Now conversely, students want to be treated even more harshly.
So they can fight better in real combat, so they can survive.
And if they're a bit luckier, they dream of becoming famous like others.
"Review the examination process that just happened carefully. The hints are all already there."
"Ah, understood! Thank you for your hard work, Examiner!"
The hint I mentioned. Probably Lee Hyunwoo or Suhyeon would have noticed it already.
The path I dodged will conversely become your best attack route.
The counterattack I delivered will become a path you must absolutely block.
I hope that student realizes and supplements that herself.
Spoon-feeding accomplishes nothing. You must be able to do it yourself.
Only then can you become a hero, not a burden, when you go to real combat later.
"Now, next student."
The next male student in line was about a head shorter than the others.
Already short, and with a small build too, I can't shake the feeling of frailness.
An appearance that doesn't suit not just ability user work but physical work at all.
"It's been a while, student Lee Dongheop."
"Yes, Examiner."
Still, the reason I evaluate this student very positively.
His current skills are terrible, but there's the part where he absolutely won't stop.
It's not simply grit. That's having confidence and faith in himself.
Though he's currently struggling to even take one step forward,
Unlike others who just repeat marking time, he's moving forward even if just a little.
"How about what I mentioned last time - has it changed somewhat?"
"I think I've supplemented it, but I'd like to hear the Examiner's judgment."
"Good. Being able to say that is proof you made the effort."
Led by Suhyeon and Lee Hyunwoo, all the decent skilled ones have risen to Silver.
What remains in Bronze now are those with average immediate skills but can't grow.
And the other type shows growth potential but lacks basic skills to support it.
My goal is to somehow make all of them rise to Silver.
Whether lacking skills or not knowing the path to achieve their growth,
Whatever the reason, I'm determined to make them overcome it.
So they can pull their weight and not die meaninglessly.
"Now, let's work hard today too, student Dongheop."
"I'm going! Heup!"
Though frail, his ability is definitely martial arts type.
Therefore, in examinations, I need to treat him more harshly.
The sweat shed today will substitute for the blood shed tomorrow.
---
◎ Number Blocked: 774 (774 / ???)
"Hmm."
The question marks still haven't disappeared. They don't tell me the exact number.
If this had been shortly after learning about the trait, I would have been extremely anxious.
How painful it is to run toward a goal that isn't clearly visible.
I might have done all sorts of crazy things to try to erase those question marks by any means.
But now it's okay. I try not to mind it much.
Whether those question marks change or not, I'll continue to be in this position.
And I'll continue doing this work, and eventually there will be change.
'Now isn't the time to focus on this.'
The more urgent matter is the problem of 'what to do with the remaining Bronze students.'
The students I've sent to Silver rank each have their reasons.
Either they had good basic skills from the start, or just needed a little polishing.
Or they were literally just unlucky to remain in Bronze.
But unfortunately, the students remaining after that don't fall into those cases.
Either their basic skills are terrible, or they've already hit their growth limits.
Or they're those without much will or thought to make serious efforts.
I prefer the latter - they'll be eliminated naturally anyway.
The Academy isn't just about entering and being done - you must constantly stay tense even after entering.
Right now I talked with Ma Hakjun to stop penalties for Bronze ranks,
But there's no reason to maintain that for those who won't make efforts to change.
Such people can be kicked out immediately. Ma Hakjun probably wants that too.
No need for those who can't conduct themselves properly in a tax-funded place.
'The problem is the first and second cases.'
This is quite a troublesome part no matter how I think about it.
"What are you thinking? Looking at it, students capable of rising to Silver have all risen. What's left are those who were originally Bronze, or students who were Silver but had poor performance."
Ma Hakjun, who was drinking tea, also seemed concerned about that part.
At least being able to enter the Academy means they're definitely decent ability users.
But that one screening isn't enough. That only passes the admission standards.
Here, becoming stronger and improving skills is much more important.
"Examiner Baek Seojin, you can't conduct Silver rank examinations forever. The Academy won't have only Bronze and Silver - shouldn't you start preparing for the next examination soon?"
"The next examination..."
"Gold rank examination. You need to teach better things to students who came to Silver."
From Ma Hakjun's position, it's a situation where he can't help being greedy.
With an S-rank personally looking after students, he wants to take those who can grow.
"Of course, I'm not trying to abandon lagging students. They too need people to guide them. But there's no reason for you to stay there longer, is there?"
Not entirely wrong. I understand Ma Hakjun's thinking.
Rather than continuing to hold onto students who might not grow,
Taking students with guaranteed growth to higher places.
He wants to foster more excellent juniors that way.
"Dean."
But no matter how I think about it, that doesn't seem right.
"I want to take complete charge of that matter."
"How do you mean?"
"First, Bronze students lacking growth potential or talent - I'll have student Lee Hyunwoo handle them."
"Hmm? He's still a student - use him as a teaching assistant?"
No way. He's literally still a student - what teaching assistant?
I just need someone beside them to set the mood and wield the whip.
"No. I'm just going to have him train together with them."
"Make them fill talent gaps with effort?"
"Similar. No matter how lacking, if they practice and practice again, they should reach average."
Academy students should naturally do that. It's not a place that accepts just anyone.
If results are disappointing even when eating meals and training with Lee Hyunwoo, that's insufficient effort.
"Conversely, students with poor immediate skills but showing some potential - I plan to pair them with student Kim Suhyeon and other personnel. They'll also be good stimulation."
"Also reducing the feeling of being isolated from other students for being Bronze, right? Am I wrong?"
Ma Hakjun nods as if understanding up to that point.
Still, is there one part he can't easily accept?
Crossing his arms while keeping his gaze on me, he continues.
"Leave Bronze students and take Silver students. Isn't it time we need a Gold gatekeeper?"
At Ma Hakjun's words, I shook my head.
If I intended to do that, I wouldn't have been this tough on the kids.
"Gold rank examinations will be done by others."
"Others?"
"Student Lee Hyunwoo and student Kim Suhyeon. These two."
At my words, Ma Hakjun's expression slightly distorts.
Not because he doesn't like it, but because he doesn't understand well.
"Though the two students are A-rank, they're still students. There's never been a case of students handling students. Moreover, they're first-years, so how..."
"Not immediately. Next year, when they're second-years should be sufficient, right? And if they receive S-rank instead of A-rank, students won't be able to say anything."
Then Ma Hakjun's expression becomes serious and he asks a question.
Are the two students really at that level? Of course, from his perspective they're excellent too.
But are their skills tremendous enough to discuss S-rank already?
"They'll do well. And students at that level already have basic self-management and skills as a base. It would be better for those two, who spent the same time making efforts, to handle it than me."
I'll remain here as a gatekeeper for the section transitioning to Silver until the end.
And I'll be there until the moment the last Bronze finally becomes Silver.
That's the significance of my trait, the driving force that brought me this far,
And above all, the path that will make me stronger.
"My goal is one thing. Make everyone, down to the last person, able to 'pull their weight.'"