Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Seo Hyun-woo entertained, if only for a brief moment, a thought he shouldn't have.

Taking the protagonist Kang Jin-ha's place and steering the story's flow himself.

With a formidable ability and the position of Miterich's Student Council President, it wasn't entirely impossible.

'But I can't do that. At the very least, I need to know what's coming next. That way, I can respond flexibly when variables arise.'

Seo Hyun-woo discarded even the faintest trace of attachment and looked squarely at the reality before him.

This world was progressing according to a set flow, but its center was gravitating toward Kang Jin-ha.

He himself was merely a mid-boss that Kang Jin-ha would eventually clash with—and nothing existed beyond that.

Above all, he didn't want to create unpredictable variables and incidents.

'I need to keep a clear line between Kang Jin-ha's path and mine. If I fuss over every little thing, there's no end in sight. I just need to focus on establishing my own position.'

Seo Hyun-woo gazed at Lee Min-sung and the Battle Suit being disassembled, conviction solidifying within him.

If he made good use of Lee Min-sung and the Battle Suit's technology alone, he could build a solid foundation for himself.

Going further, it would let him expand his network and make it far easier to resolve various incidents.

"At this rate, we can't really proceed with the performance test. Would you be able to make time again later?"

"If you coordinate the schedule with the Administrative Office, I'll come back whenever."

"May I take that to mean you'd be willing to help us multiple times going forward?"

Before the performance test had even begun, Lee Min-sung had admittedly looked down on Seo Hyun-woo somewhat.

Miterich was the nation's foremost Hunter training institution, but he had assumed it wouldn't be so different from others.

Yet Seo Hyun-woo had shattered that preconception with a single attack and demonstrated skill worthy of Miterich's Student Council President.

"As long as it's coordinated with the Administrative Office, I have no objections. Personally, I'd like to help, but since I'm a student, I can't act on my own."

Seo Hyun-woo subtly conveyed his intent and offered a faint smile.

He planned to approach Lee Min-sung personally once the time was right anyway.

Lee Min-sung was picking up on the hints on his own, which simply made things convenient.

"......I see. I understand what you mean. Deputy Team Leader."

"Yes, Team Leader."

"Please give my business card to Mr. Seo Hyun-woo. And don't forget to see him off on my behalf."

"Understood."

Seo Hyun-woo gave Lee Min-sung a light nod and exited the testing room with the deputy team leader.

Lee Min-sung watched Seo Hyun-woo's retreating figure before sinking into thought.

'He's willing to come anytime...... Not bad. Since he can copy abilities, he'd be useful for all sorts of tests. On top of that, the Student Council President position at Miterich carries considerable value. Could Seo Hyun-woo be interested in Battle Suits as well?'

***

Inside Miterich's indoor sparring room.

Seo Hyun-woo, dressed in combat gear, was facing the opponent before him.

Baek Seo-yeon was silently warming up.

She had abruptly requested a Training Battle, and Seo Hyun-woo had readily accepted.

"And yet you don't challenge me to a Rank Battle."

"......The probability of me losing is high. I'd rather not get demoted."

"I'm relieved to hear that. I can't afford to lose a capable colleague."

Seo Hyun-woo wasn't simply mocking Baek Seo-yeon.

He said it because there truly was no one who matched her caliber.

If Baek Seo-yeon set her mind to it, she could handle both the Student Council President's and Vice President's duties simultaneously.

That was why he absolutely refused to let her go until he completed Miterich.

"Are you looking down on me, or are you being sincere?"

"I'm being sincere. I don't have the confidence to lead the Student Council without you."

"You could manage just fine on your own."

"As you well know, I'm weak when it comes to administrative work. I need someone like you so I can have a little breathing room."

"......Hmm."

Baek Seo-yeon didn't easily believe Seo Hyun-woo's words, but she didn't press further.

It was an undeniable fact that she was assisting Seo Hyun-woo and handling the Student Council's core duties.

Besides, Seo Hyun-woo did occasionally ask her for help with administrative tasks, so it wasn't as though he was lying entirely.

"I'm grateful that you made time for this. I made my request fully prepared to be turned down."

"You're saying that based on the old me."

"The previous you would never have accepted a Training Battle. You insisted on Rank Battles only."

"Then I'll take it as a positive sign. It means some degree of trust has been built between us."

Seo Hyun-woo lightly clenched his right hand and generated golden electrical current.

He had already copied Baek Seo-yeon's ability.

Since Baek Seo-yeon had asked him to copy her ability as well, he intended to spar with a clear mind.

"Do you trust me, President?"

"I do. I could entrust my back to you."

"I'm not sure there'll ever be a need for that."

"Didn't I say before? I'm not a god. I'm just an Awakened with a petty thief's ability."

"But you utilize that ability better than anyone. I'd say you're closer to a phantom thief than a petty one."

"Phantom thief? That's an amusing way to put it."

Baek Seo-yeon quickly operated the Battle Watch on her left wrist.

Simultaneously, a signal tone burst from Seo Hyun-woo's Battle Watch.

[Vice Student Council President Baek Seo-yeon has requested a Training Battle.]

[Do you accept?]

'I don't think I'll lose, but I can't let my guard down. Baek Seo-yeon doesn't hold the Vice Student Council President title for nothing.'

Seo Hyun-woo operated his Battle Watch and accepted the Training Battle.

Baek Seo-yeon had earned the position of Transformation Department Head less than three months after enrolling at Miterich.

But she had suffered consecutive losses to Seo Hyun-woo, and each time, she had been demoted.

That was why she had concluded she couldn't beat Seo Hyun-woo in her current state and had pivoted to securing the Vice Student Council President position instead.

[Battle request accepted.]

[Barrier System deploying.]

When the signal tone sounded from the Battle Watch again, a pale sky-blue barrier materialized and expanded in every direction.

The Barrier System had been extended so that no one other than the battling students could approach.

In this state, even if they attacked each other, only pain would be inflicted—actual injuries wouldn't occur.

"Regardless of how this battle turns out, I want it to have no bearing on our relationship going forward. Do you understand what I mean?"

"I understand perfectly. However, if you lose, President, I won't hesitate to request a Rank Battle."

"An excellent answer."

Seo Hyun-woo let a faint smile show and released his ability.

Simultaneously, Baek Seo-yeon also released her ability and extended her right hand.

Silver-white tendrils intertwined chaotically and surged toward Seo Hyun-woo.

BZZZT—CRACKLE—!

Golden current and silver-white current collided, endlessly pushing against each other.

Both of them drew up their mana simultaneously, raising the intensity of the electrical current in one burst.

The thundering grew louder, producing flash after flash of blinding light.

'I wouldn't mind going into close combat, but there's no need. The attribute type allows for ranged attacks to begin with.'

Seo Hyun-woo shifted gradually to the left, never taking his eyes off Baek Seo-yeon.

Baek Seo-yeon was also adjusting her footing to mirror his movements.

The silver crown and silver wings seemed to have deepened slightly in color.

'She's gotten stronger in such a short time. She must have been training every single day. Her innate talent is quite impressive too. And yet she still hasn't managed to beat me?'

Seo Hyun-woo suddenly felt a spark of curiosity.

He knew he was strong, but he had never considered just how strong.

With Baek Seo-yeon right in front of him, perhaps it was worth confirming his capabilities, if only a little.

'The original Seo Hyun-woo possessed enough skill to draw with Kang Jin-ha. And even that result only came about because Kang Jin-ha used a technique that couldn't be copied. In other words, if you compare ability and mana alone, Seo Hyun-woo was stronger than Kang Jin-ha. Just how strong am I, exactly?'

***

"Hah...... hah......"

Baek Seo-yeon gasped roughly for breath, staring at the opponent before her.

Seo Hyun-woo still showed no sign of fatigue.

She knew she wasn't weak, but was the gap truly this wide?

'Just how far above me is the President standing? No matter how much I attack, nothing gets through. It's the exact same ability, so why am I the one being pushed back?'

Baek Seo-yeon gritted her teeth and drew mana from deep within.

Silver-white current poured forth in dozens of tendrils, coiling around her body.

Seo Hyun-woo, without so much as a twitch, produced an even greater volume of golden current.

'I've lost. This isn't a fight I can win. I gave it everything I had. And yet the President's breathing didn't waver once. How much mana does he have......'

Baek Seo-yeon unconsciously withdrew her current and stared blankly at Seo Hyun-woo.

He was watching her with a serious expression.

His gaze was sharp, but it held no hostility.

There was no trace of pity or mockery either.

'The President really has gotten stronger than before. That's why the color of his crown and wings changed. I thought I might pick up some kind of hint through fighting, but there was nothing at all.'

Baek Seo-yeon slowly backed away and operated her Battle Watch.

There was no point in continuing the Training Battle any further.

There was nothing she could do, and the only thing she had learned was that an enormous gap existed between herself and Seo Hyun-woo.

[Vice Student Council President Baek Seo-yeon has declared surrender.]

[Training Battle has concluded.]

[Barrier System deactivating.]

"You declared surrender rather quickly."

"......It was a fight I could only lose. You know that, don't you?"

"It wouldn't have been bad to keep going. But if that's what you think, I can't force you."

Seo Hyun-woo headed toward the chairs first and picked up a water bottle.

Baek Seo-yeon hung her head low and gradually steadied her breathing.

It felt as though she had come face to face with an insurmountable wall.

She had put in this much effort, and she still couldn't keep pace with even Seo Hyun-woo's shadow.

"Vice President, you seem to have a lot on your mind."

Seo Hyun-woo said that and tossed a water bottle to Baek Seo-yeon.

Baek Seo-yeon caught it deftly and lifted her head.

Seo Hyun-woo was watching her with a bittersweet look in his eyes.

"I lost without putting up any real fight, so of course I have a lot on my mind."

"I know. You fought really hard. That's why I tried to fight in a way that matched your effort."

Seo Hyun-woo kept a composed expression as he approached Baek Seo-yeon.

He was finally beginning to get a rough sense of just how strong he was.

He had only concentrated a little, and yet Baek Seo-yeon had been gasping for air, barely holding on.

"But unlike me, you looked completely at ease. That must be how large the gap in skill is."

"I respect your passion and your confidence. You've worked hard all this time. So don't give up. I'm not saying this to mock you or ridicule you."

Hearing those words, Baek Seo-yeon found herself momentarily at a loss for words.

She hadn't expected Seo Hyun-woo to say something like that.

His voice had settled to a calm tone, and she could tell he was being genuine.

"I'm aiming for your position, President. And yet you encourage me?"

"There's no need to connect the two. If it were up to me, I'd hand over this position right now, but that'd be a problem. It gets a little complicated to explain......"

Seo Hyun-woo sensed a presence and immediately turned his head.

Beyond the sparring room's glass wall stood a student with crimson hair tied back.

The moment their eyes met, the student stepped straight into the sparring room.

Then, words brimming with resolve were directed at Seo Hyun-woo.

"President, I'm requesting a Rank Battle. Name a time that works for you. I can fight right now."