Finally, the first Silver promotion has been granted. The first step in showing possibility to the students.
But I can't just turn around and say "That's it, we're done!" Rather, this could lead to even bigger misunderstandings.
Kim Suhyeon, who was just Bronze, can now somewhat fight even with Platinum rank. Perhaps the students are focusing only on that aspect. Or, as if suggesting that without this level of skill, don't even dream of promotion.
"Everyone. I have something to say."
So, before such misunderstandings could grow, I clearly conveyed this message to the students.
"I don't want you to misunderstand. That Kim Suhyeon can duel with Platinum rank—don't fixate on that part. What I'm looking for isn't simply the end result."
What's important now is potential. And the will to reach that potential. Kim Suhyeon's objective level? I don't expect that. That might even be excessive.
What's valued in evaluations is simply the step forward, that's all. That's why I'm being so meticulous with the students, giving them all the advice I can. To help them even a little more, I'm treating them with an almost apologetic strictness.
Don't view this as just an evaluation, but as a wall that must be overcome. A wall that must absolutely be surpassed. So that when you finally climb over it, you can feel the exhilaration. Don't stop there, but clearly remember how you overcame the wall. And use that memory as a stepping stone to overcome the next, higher wall.
I will continue to evaluate strictly, in the same way. So, students, show me your potential. Let me feel your determination. You can do it. Just like Kim Suhyeon, who was Bronze rank, D-rank until recently, and just like me."
It wasn't difficult. The students were already dazed thanks to Kim Suhyeon.
Until recently, she had been Bronze rank, one of the slowest to develop among the students. Besides being Kang Minseong's granddaughter, she had nothing to boast about.
And now, it's said that Kim Suhyeon can fight even with Platinum rank. In the eyes of the students, everything would naturally appear grand and special.
'Kim Suhyeon's effort and talent, along with her originally hidden trait, certainly played a significant role...'
What the students see right now, the thought that comes to their minds is just one thing: This new examiner, the damn examiner who wouldn't allow even Silver, Now appears to be able to offer them something new.
Actually, that's part of why I chose Kim Suhyeon to be the first. To casually suggest, "The Examiner's evaluation has something special!" For that kind of role, Kim Suhyeon was perfect.
'Now, the next thing to do is...'
I've convinced the students. Then next is the professors' turn.
Why suddenly mention the professors? Well, this is subtly important. It wasn't just dispatched examiners who handled all the evaluations.
The professors also conducted student evaluations when they had time. Especially from Gold rank upwards, the professors handled all the evaluations.
But in this situation, the professors' evaluations could be questioned.
If someone asks why they didn't conduct evaluations as thoroughly as I did. If they ask about the Gold ranks who were demoted back to Bronze despite being passed by professors. From their perspective, I'd be more detestable than the students who asked such questions.
This part is already somewhat covered by my future evaluations.
The evaluations the professors conducted were truly just about pass or fail. And my evaluations are slightly 'different' from the existing ones.
The previous evaluations weren't wrong. It's just that the approach is different. I kept emphasizing this point to the students to ensure that the blame wouldn't shift to the professors.
'It's the same everywhere. I need to carefully mediate so that I don't get crushed by the conflict between the two sides. If two sides fight, the one in the middle—me—ends up taking all the damage.'
I also diligently explained this to the professors whenever I had the chance.
The professors' evaluation method isn't wrong. Looking at it objectively, it might even be more correct. But sometimes, instead of just sharply cutting the line of passing, What's needed is an evaluation that helps students see beyond just passing. Isn't that better? That's what I told them.
"I'll handle the professors appropriately, so don't worry too much."
Did he notice that I was concerned about friction with the professors? Ma Hakjun alleviated my concerns, saying he would help too.
"There's no need to worry too much, Seojin. Actually, the professors will likely be pleased. Thanks to you, the students are greatly stimulated, working harder, and growing more. In the end, it's beneficial for the professors and the entire Academy."
Han Jiyoon even encouraged me, saying it was an unnecessary worry, a mere apprehension.
Isn't it overstepping for someone who's not even Academy staff? When I asked what if the professors had such concerns, she merely chuckled.
"Seojin? Who did you fight recently?"
Ah, that's right. I did have a proper bout with an Elder.
"With that in mind, do you think professors would dare to raise objections against you?"
The battle with the Elder, which must have been a burden to the students, Conversely, became a significant advantage for the Academy staff.
'Good. Now the stage is perfectly set.'
I don't plan to drag the entire Academy down to Bronze.
This is definite. Students who are doing well? They don't need to come. I already have too many students to oversee, it's overwhelming. I'm grateful if students in those positions just do their best where they are.
...Well, of course, that's just talk. It would be good if they came. The more exceptional individuals I face, the more cards I gain on my side.
But my initial feelings, my plan, have not changed.
Some intervene in this new world unfolding before them because they want the protagonist to succeed, or because they don't want the heroine to fall. Various reasons like these.
But I was different. I wanted something very simple, yet extremely challenging.
'In the worst-case scenario, those nameless individuals who were hastily deployed and swept away. Those who perished helplessly. Since no one cared, it was all the more miserable and tragic. I want to prevent that with my own hands.'
I won't be able to save everyone. After all, their fate is to all die. I just hope that in that cruel future, even one more person can survive.
A dark space with only dim lighting. Something stirs in a corner, then takes the form of a person. Shortly after, Hyun Sujin, emerging from the shadow, glanced around.
A familiar voice. Hyun Sujin spoke without even giving a glance.
"Aren't you going to treat that? It looks hideous."
"I don't plan to. I'll leave it as it is, so it scars."
"What nonsense. I don't understand. Kwak Hyuk."
Then, a ghost that had been lurking in the darkness slowly rises.
"Because I can't forget. Because I mustn't forget."
He gestures across his chest once, then twice.
"I'll do the same to him. On his chest. Better yet, his heart."
Kwak Hyuk grins with a chilling smile. In response, Hyun Sujin lets out a short "Hiya" of admiration, followed by:
"You're fucking sick. Truly insane."
She spat out those words.
"What about the others?"
"Don't know whether they've come or not."
"What's with the sudden collective summons? Have they all gone mad?"
"How many sane ones are there among us anyway?"
Like echoes carried by the wind, very faint voices can be heard. Shortly after, a black woman appears on the opposite side of where Hyun Sujin and Kwak Hyuk are.
"It's been a while. Yellow monkeys with small eyes."
A blatantly provocative tone. Directed at none other than Elders. But the opponent was qualified to speak in such a manner. That black woman was also an Elder, just like Hyun Sujin and Kwak Hyuk.
"Seems like your eyes have gotten even smaller? How about I find you some eye-enlarging medicine?"
The provocations grow increasingly severe. At this point, it's almost like asking for a fight. But Hyun Sujin responded to the provocation with remarkable calmness.
"Hey. You know what I hate the most? 'Racial discrimination' and 'black people.' Please, would you kindly go back to your home, be it a sugarcane field or a cotton field? It's disgusting to see you every time."
Extreme provocations without a moment's hesitation. The saying "what goes around comes around" seems perfectly applicable here.
"...Do you want to die?"
The two women reveal their killing intent towards each other without backing down. Kwak Hyuk, standing behind, maintained a stance of "you two fight, I don't care." If one of them died, it wouldn't be any problem for him.
[Would you all calm down? Are you having a contest to see who's more of an idiot?]
From a dark corner of the space, a screen with static appears. Following that, multiple screens showing men's and women's voices start to appear everywhere.
[Why must we be summoned again? So annoying.]
[Hurry up and finish. I need to get back to what I was doing.]
And responding to that, numerous figures appeared from the opposite side as well.
"What the hell? Hey, all of you have managed to keep your heads? I thought at least one would be dead by now."
"W-well... but saying that might make the others feel..."
"He's not wrong. Why would we ever ask after each other as if we're a loving community?"
Figures of all kinds: a severely distorted young man, a woman who seems terribly frightened, And even a man with half his face melted beyond recognition.
"...What's going on? Did everyone really gather?"
After checking all their faces, Hyun Sujin speaks with a slightly surprised voice.
For good reason, never before had everyone gathered . Every one of them, not right in the head. Missing a screw, and missing it hard. And yet, each possessing terrifying powers, truly deserving of the label 'monster.'
Elder. Once humanity's hope, but now traitors who turned their backs for their own reasons. Now feared by all of humanity, and also hated, branded as betrayers.
[Since these madmen can have seizures if we waste time, I'll get straight to the reason for the summons.]
Calamities of unprecedented scale have gathered in one place.