B-rank...? The measurement result is B-rank? I thought I had misheard. My goodness, does this make any sense?
'But you fought an Elder!'
I thought the examiner must be joking. Right. It must be a joke. How could it possibly be B-rank?
...Wait. Is the examiner the type to make jokes ?
'No. The examiner isn't that type of person.'
Right. The examiner wasn't the type to joke about something .
I could see it in his expression. I understand what you don't understand. But this is the truth. The re-measurement result really is B-rank.
"Um, Examiner. Is there a possibility that the measurement result is wrong...?"
"That's why we did the re-measurement three times? Or maybe four times. I think that's about how many times we checked."
Ah. So that's what happened. Well, someone who works in the Ability Measurement Department would naturally be the first to raise an objection if the measurement result seemed strange.
'Then that means he really is B-rank.'
Does this make any sense? How can a B-rank fight an S-rank, an Elder?
I still can't forget that day. The image of the examiner fiercely swinging his sword against the Elder is still vivid in my mind. Even while bleeding, he never backed down.
My father also said that Examiner Baek Seojin would become a new S-rank. That Chairman Kang Minseong's eye was never wrong. That it was a cause for celebration for South Korea!
But the result was B-rank. He didn't even receive an A-rank.
'If there had been a problem, the examiner would have been the first to be displeased.'
I studied the examiner's face. He looked extremely calm. Like someone who had expected this all along. That's where I felt a bit confused.
Given all the effort the examiner had put in and the results he had shown, I thought his measurement record would be unusual. Naturally, I thought he would be unhappy. But he was just wearing a relaxed smile.
Before I knew it, I had asked such a question. I immediately worried that I might be disturbing the examiner who was just managing to compose himself. But the words had already been spoken.
As I worried whether I had done something rude, the examiner replied:
"Why? Because my rank came out low? Not at all. There's nothing wrong with having a low rank. It doesn't erase the fact that I fought an Elder. And there are witnesses like student Kang Hana."
There's nothing wrong with having a low rank. At the examiner's words, a part of my heart stung.
All ability users in the world stake their lives on their rank. Even I did the same.
With a higher rank, you receive greater benefits and better treatment. With a lower rank, you must be prepared for ridicule and contempt regardless of age or gender. That's why people constantly strive and try to achieve more feats and merits.
They say rank supremacy is a problem, but in the end, that rank is everything. I thought criticizing that idea itself was absurd.
That they have a low rank because they don't put in the effort. That it's just the last struggle of those who aren't up to the standard. I recalled how I used to just ignore such remarks in the past.
"Rather, I've found my limit in advance, so I just need to work harder. Isn't that good? If even a B-rank puts in their utmost effort as if their life depended on it, they can fight with an S-rank!"
Instead of saying "if your rank is low, just live according to your status," He was saying "if your rank is low, work harder. Then you might surpass your limits." The possibility he presented was very impressive.
'...I see. He means, don't be bound by 'rank'....'
I felt like I'd been hit on the back of the head with a club.
When everyone in the world was obsessed with 'rank,' the examiner was looking further ahead! He was wary of the situation where the means becomes the end!
That rank is merely a line dividing skill and shouldn't become the goal. Not striving for a higher rank for its own sake. But having the skill to overcome any situation after painstaking effort. Rank follows as a secondary consequence, that's what he seemed to be saying.
I heard he went through a difficult time in the past. I envied the examiner who could maintain such a composed attitude despite that.
At the same time, a silly thought crossed my mind. I'm so envious of Suhyeon, who seems very close to Examiner Baek Seojin.
"I heard the news. The result came out as B-rank."
When I nodded, Ma Hakjun nodded with an "Hmm." I wonder if this person also thinks I'm hiding something?
'...The probability is probably high.'
From what I heard, Ma Hakjun knew Kwak Hyuk well. He was apparently a junior with excellent skills who would be responsible for the future.
The problem was that while his skills were excellent, his character and humanity were flawed. A man full of arrogance and pride who was defeated by Irina, who was a high school girl at the time.
Naturally, Kwak Hyuk went completely insane and fell into the path of corruption. And then he quit being an ability user and appeared as an Elder.
"Are you disappointed?"
To say I wasn't disappointed would be poor expression management. As they say, don't tell a lie that will obviously be discovered.
So when I answered honestly, Ma Hakjun smiled with a "pffft."
"Is that so? Well, yes, I suppose you would be."
The way he nodded while saying that made it seem like he knew something. Ma Hakjun probably doesn't know about my trait. He might be making a slight misunderstanding about something else.
"Sometimes there are people like that. Those who show overwhelming strength in actual combat."
Yes. Like that. Well, that's a harmless misunderstanding. At that level, I can just go along with it. "You're saying I'm that type of case."
"In my view, you're 100% that type. Otherwise, how could you fight an Elder like that? Kwak Hyuk, the Water Ghost. Even if he's arrogant, he's definitely not the type to be careless."
That was certainly true. Even though there was still an air of looking down on me. He never showed signs of carelessness or arrogance. The defeat by Irina must have been truly painful for him.
"Natural talent for actual combat. That alone is enough. What does it matter if you're B-rank or another rank? Actually, it's better this way. If your rank had come out higher, they would have bothered you a lot. If that happened, it would even be difficult to maintain your examiner position."
Having said that, Ma Hakjun gestured. As if signaling me to come closer. As I took a step forward, he handed me a file folder from the table.
The first page showed the words 'Academy Related Regulations.' I looked at Ma Hakjun, wondering why he was suddenly showing this to me. Had I done something wrong again? Was there a problem?
Following Ma Hakjun's instruction, I obediently opened the file folder. Inside were several A4 papers filled with small dense text.
He must have handed me the file folder with the intention that I read the contents. So as Ma Hakjun wanted, I slowly read through the text...
"What do you think? As you can see from those regulations, you can hold the position of Academy examiner even if you're not affiliated with a dispatched government agency. If you 'want to,' that is."
In short, he meant I should move to a permanent Academy examiner position. His intention to save me from the troubles of being tied to a civil servant position was clear.
"If you have an attachment to that position, there's nothing I can do, but as you know, being a civil servant is more strict than one might think. Going forward, that position might actually cause you more trouble when performing your examiner duties."
Certainly, I had been feeling those aspects bit by bit.
From simply having to focus completely on evaluations, To the tension of potentially facing another complaint if I slipped up, And even to the lack of belonging due to being from outside.
"From what I can see, Examiner Baek Seojin, you consider that position your calling. I'm guessing you plan to stay as long as possible, until all the Academy students get their 'Silver'."
"...That's pretty much the case."
"Then move your affiliation to the Academy. It'll be more convenient. You won't need to be mindful of your department, and you can also get closer to the Academy faculty."
And even if I become closer to the students, It would be less problematic than when I was in my previous civil servant position. Ma Hakjun spoke as if he knew about my relationship with some students.
I fell into contemplation. Honestly, it's a bit funny to even be contemplating. This isn't a disadvantageous proposal for me. Rather, it's entirely for my benefit.
I could just say, "Yes! I'll quit this damn civil servant job and transfer to the Academy!" It's not like the Ability Measurement Department would collapse without me. Instead of building good memories, I honestly just wanted to escape as soon as possible.
'Yet, the reason I find myself unconsciously contemplating...'
It's probably due to the influence of the original owner of this body, whom I don't remember.
Thinking about it now, I'm not sure what Baek Seojin's thoughts were when he became a civil servant. At first, I thought he chose it because it was the only way to make a living. But as time passed, I began to think that might not have been the whole story.
The moment I thought, 'Let's quit the civil servant job,' my body and mind hesitated. This hesitation, which even I can't explain, might be evidence of that.
"Have you decided? Speak freely. You can follow my suggestion, or you can do as you wish."
Yes. I've decided. Despite the hesitation that keeps rising for unknown reasons. Taking everything into account, I organized my thoughts and answered Ma Hakjun.
"...Please move my affiliation to the Academy. I would be grateful."
"Yes. The truth is, being a civil servant is too hard."
It's a sorry thing to do to the past Baek Seojin, the original owner of this body. It feels like I'm erasing even the last trace of his existence in this world.
But now, I am Baek Seojin. Baek Seojin is me. And for me, the current Baek Seojin, the position of Academy Silver rank examiner is more fitting than being a civil servant.
"By the way, before I quit, there's something I want to resolve."
There's this annoying old-fashioned superior I want to torment.