Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Training Battle.

As the name implied, it was a battle conducted purely for training purposes.

It wasn't a fight to earn points like an Advance Battle or to wager promotions like a Rank Battle.

It was simply about accumulating combat experience in advance to prepare for real engagements.

Of course, since the Barrier System was active, actual injuries were exceedingly rare.

'Where is Kang Jin-ha......'

Seo Hyun-woo carefully surveyed the area around the Transformation Department's indoor training grounds.

Training could be conducted within the Transformation Department itself, not necessarily outdoors.

Besides, hadn't Kang Jin-ha used his ability here for the first time after enrolling at Miterich?

'Kang Jin-ha's ability belongs to the transformation type. The subject he transforms into is a nine-tailed fox. Since it isn't an animal or magical beast that actually exists, he'll attract a great deal of attention.'

Transforming into a nine-tailed fox didn't end at simply being a rare trait.

Kang Jin-ha hadn't realized it himself yet, but many abilities lay hidden within the nine-tailed fox.

Beyond the enhancement-type ability that was fundamentally included in transformation-type abilities, he would eventually be able to use abilities from every other type as well.

In other words, Kang Jin-ha wasn't a transformation-type Awakened but a special-type Awakened.

'Because of that trait, the chairman will make contact with Kang Jin-ha later on. Establishing Miterich is connected to this as well. The chairman's goal is to find an Awakened with qualities similar to that person.'

Seo Hyun-woo knew that person's identity all too well.

At some point, they had vanished without a trace, yet there wasn't a soul who didn't know of their existence.

They were a legendary Hunter whom even the Setinos Hunters—the highest grade—couldn't defeat, and the first Awakened capable of using abilities from every type.

'Even the chairman can't beat that person. No—there isn't a Hunter alive who can beat them. They didn't earn the title of strongest in history for nothing. Kang Jin-ha will be chosen as that person's successor.'

Seo Hyun-woo spotted a gathering of students and immediately fixed his gaze on them.

As expected, the Transformation Department's members were conducting a Training Battle among themselves.

The one who stood out above all others was Kang Jin-ha.

"Shall we stop by and watch for a moment? That friend happens to be here too."

"That friend? Who do you mean?"

"I'm talking about the freshman who was with the Attribute Department Head."

Seo Hyun-woo raised his right index finger, pointing in one direction.

There, Kang Jin-ha could be seen using his ability.

Baek Seo-yeon and Min Ha-young simultaneously turned their gazes and began observing Kang Jin-ha.

"Oh, that kid? He does have a striking look. He's so good-looking that the girls mention him all the time."

"I remember now. The Attribute Department Head said he was a student she ran into by chance."

"His ability looks quite unique too. Hmm....... I'd say that's a nine-tailed fox."

Seo Hyun-woo steered the conversation with a tone as though he were merely speculating.

Kang Jin-ha's black hair had already turned silver, and his crimson eyes seemed to radiate an even more intense glow.

On top of that, two fox ears had sprouted atop his head, and nine silver tails emanated a peculiar aura.

"I thought so too, right? Didn't expect you to show interest in that kid though, President."

"His looks are eye-catching, that's true, but I'm not sure about his actual skill. Types like that are often all flash and no substance."

"If you ask me, I think that friend's going to win. I've got a feeling."

Seo Hyun-woo stepped inside the indoor training grounds, going so far as to make unnecessary remarks.

The surrounding students recognized him at once, but Seo Hyun-woo casually raised a hand to signal them to carry on with what they were doing.

The outcome of the Training Battle was all but decided.

He simply wanted Baek Seo-yeon and Min Ha-young to take notice of Kang Jin-ha's existence.

"I didn't know the President said things like that."

"It seems this freshman has caught your eye."

"Not really. There's nothing to be impressed by. He's just so unusual that my eyes are drawn to him."

Seo Hyun-woo replied flatly while keeping his gaze fixed on Kang Jin-ha.

The Full Member facing Kang Jin-ha was struggling to catch his breath.

It had started from a trivial dispute, yet he was fighting with an excessively serious intensity.

That pride of his—unable to accept defeat—would cause his feral instinct to run wild.

"Hah...... hah...... I can still keep going."

"It's already over."

Kang Jin-ha answered while looking down at the Battle Watch on his left wrist.

A signal tone sounded from the Battle Watch, and the Barrier System deactivated.

Since the allotted time had elapsed, the Barrier System had calculated the accumulated damage to determine the winner.

"No way...... Why would I lose to a bastard like him......"

"Don't interfere needlessly from now on. There's a limit to how much I'll overlook just because you're a senior."

"Ugh......"

Kang Jin-ha deactivated his ability and turned his back without hesitation.

However, the Full Member couldn't contain his boiling rage, his eyes wide open.

The focus in his eyes blurred, and the muscles throughout his body began to swell.

His feral instinct was about to run wild, causing him to lose reason and ambush Kang Jin-ha.

"Everyone, get back! His feral instinct is going to run wild!"

"What?"

"There's no way his feral instinct would run wild over something like this......"

"GRAAAAAH!"

The Full Member let out a roar, stripped of all reason.

Kang Jin-ha reactivated his ability as the students in the vicinity scattered rapidly.

The Full Member seemed to glance around for a moment before suddenly charging off in a direction.

'Hm? What? Why is he coming at me instead of Kang Jin-ha?'

Seo Hyun-woo furrowed his brow and instinctively took a stance.

The Full Member who should have ambushed Kang Jin-ha was charging straight at him.

At the same time, Baek Seo-yeon and Min Ha-young moved first, bracing themselves against the sudden attack.

'......Everything I do goes sideways somehow. I didn't even do anything this time.'

Seo Hyun-woo immediately copied an ability and extended his right hand.

In a situation like this, Min Ha-young's ability would be more effective than Baek Seo-yeon's.

No matter how violently the opponent thrashed, he couldn't just kill him outright.

'Security Department won't be able to get here right away. I'll have to restrain him and knock him out first.'

Seo Hyun-woo's eyes were slowly being stained crimson.

His skin grew paler and paler until it had turned completely white.

His canines seemed to have grown slightly longer, but there was no need to worry about that now.

'So this is what it feels like to become a vampire. I don't particularly feel any urge to drink blood, though.'

A crimson wave traced the movement of Seo Hyun-woo's hand and surged toward the Full Member.

The crimson wave spread rapidly before clamping down on the Full Member's limbs.

Following that, it bound his upper and lower body, completely sealing his movement.

'Nothing personal, but I can't afford to waste energy on you.'

Seo Hyun-woo concentrated and gave his hand a light twist.

Another crimson wave materialized and began to rotate slowly.

Then it crashed into the Full Member's abdomen, striking him squarely.

"HURK—!"

The Full Member seemed to gasp sharply before going completely limp.

Seo Hyun-woo confirmed that the Full Member had passed out, then finally withdrew the crimson wave.

The Transformation Department members rushed over and quickly carried the Full Member away.

"Transformation Department Head, it appears the feral instinct control training for your members isn't being conducted properly."

"That...... Can't you let this one slide? Feral instinct isn't something you can fully control no matter how much you train. You know that too, don't you, Vice President?"

"I wouldn't know. I've never been ruled by my feral instinct."

Min Ha-young wore a flustered expression, glancing between Seo Hyun-woo and Baek Seo-yeon for their reactions.

It wasn't exactly her fault, of course, but since she represented the Transformation Department, she couldn't entirely escape responsibility.

Hadn't there been an uproar both inside and outside the department not long ago because of a feral instinct incident?

If this matter got reported upstairs again, an official notice would surely come down.

"We'll have to file a report. But separately from that, I'll need to request an improvement plan. The current feral instinct control training has far too obvious limitations. It's also an issue that the Student Council and Transformation Department alone can't resolve. The Chancellor and Administrative Office are probably well aware of this."

Seo Hyun-woo straightened his collar and added a clear explanation.

Any transformation-type Awakened would gain unique combat techniques through their feral instinct, but the risk of it running wild was ever-present.

That was precisely why a separate training system had been established to control feral instinct.

However, the current training methods couldn't fully control it, so an improvement would have to be found.

"President, even so, the higher-ups won't just sit still. They'll definitely push the responsibility onto me."

"Your responsibility is my responsibility too. And you and the Secretaries alone can't perfectly train every member of the Transformation Department. I'll handle it, so just focus on your own work."

"Huh? Oh...... Got it."

Min Ha-young agreed almost reflexively, puzzled.

It was an answer that showed both responsibility and a glimpse of genuine character.

No matter how much Seo Hyun-woo had changed, could he really say something like that?

'What...... That's actually kind of cool. Is this why the Vice President is interested in the President? I guess if someone with that face is also considerate, girls can't help but have their hearts swayed.'

Min Ha-young gazed at Seo Hyun-woo in his vampire form and felt an indescribable emotion.

He was already good-looking to begin with, and with the vampire traits added on top, he appeared somewhat mystical.

On top of that, he had perfectly replicated her own abilities, which couldn't help but stir a renewed sense of awe.

"......"

Baek Seo-yeon glanced sideways at Min Ha-young before approaching Seo Hyun-woo.

She brought her lips close to his ear and spoke carefully.

"You're not wrong, but wouldn't it be better to pressure the Transformation Department Head a bit more? There are no issues with her work, but I believe her usual conduct needs improvement."

"You're right about that. But there's no good that comes from pressuring her too much. I'd prefer to wrap things up amicably rather than forcefully."

"......Understood. If you say so, I'm sure you have your reasons."

Baek Seo-yeon raised no further objections and stepped back.

Had it been her former self, she would have pressed until she got a thorough explanation and a clear answer.

But there was no reason to pry needlessly, and perhaps it was fine to observe a bit longer.

'Should I have stayed out of it after all? But it wasn't a situation where Kang Jin-ha could've stepped in. The timing was just terrible.'

Seo Hyun-woo frowned faintly as he looked at Kang Jin-ha.

Kang Jin-ha had returned to his normal appearance and was staring back at him.

He was probably viewing Seo Hyun-woo as a goal to surpass while mulling over various thoughts.

"Vice President, are there more places left to inspect?"

"The department head's office and the equipment storage room remain."

"Let's check them quickly and head back. I want to finish the report and leave on time."

"Understood."

Seo Hyun-woo walked away with Baek Seo-yeon, exiting the indoor training grounds.

His intention to connect Kang Jin-ha and Baek Seo-yeon had been completely derailed.

But why had that Full Member attacked him instead of Kang Jin-ha?

'I can't make sense of this. There weren't any variables to speak of. And yet this is the result? Hmm......'

***

Inside the Student Council President's office.

Seo Hyun-woo had finished inspecting all the departments and had belatedly completed his report.

Now he was resting while reviewing a cooperation request notice that had come down from the Administrative Office.

The contents of the notice weren't directly related to Kang Jin-ha, yet it was a matter that couldn't be easily dismissed.

Above all, it would bring about many changes to this world going forward, making it something he absolutely had to accept.

'A Battle Suit performance test with me as the subject...... The time has finally come. Depending on how I handle this, the future of this world could change.'