I Became a Childhood Friend of the Middle Boss

Chapter 44

An instructor wearing a red badge labeled ‘Evaluator’ on his left arm.

The people following the instructor had green badges printed with ‘Assistant’.

Judging by their school uniforms, they seemed to be students.

They must have been selected from the students of Geumgang Academy to assist the evaluators and invigilate the exam.

“Is Sieun also wearing that badge and assisting with the exam?”

I recalled the recent contact I had with Doh Sieun.

She had been busy from before her inauguration, preparing for the role of the student council president and even becoming an assistant for this year’s practical exams.

Though she seemed to be absent here, she must be working somewhere like those assistants.

At that moment, the evaluator spoke up.

“Bring that over.”

At his words,

Several assistants went outside, and after some struggling, they pushed a cart inside, carrying something with a groan.

“A device?”

A small metal box.

With their strained expressions, it seemed like they had compressed the size while maintaining the mass, resembling a device.

Soon, more assistants joined to laboriously lift the cart.

“….”

It’s not like they were pantomiming.

Watching them move small boxes around was somewhat comical.

But no one dared to burst out laughing at the sight.

“Their gaze is fierce.”

The assistant officials standing behind them were wide-eyed.

Those who seemed to hold higher positions seemed to convey this message with their eyes.

“If you laugh, you know what will happen. You’ll be done for.”

“We’ll remember those who laugh.”

“Wait until you’re admitted, juniors.”

Their gaze was exactly like that.

As a result, for test-takers who didn’t want to be out of favor with their seniors even before passing, it was crucial to suppress their emotions desperately.

“Pfft!”

“….”

Then, someone burst into laughter.

At that moment, the threat that was directed towards all the test-takers shifted towards the one who had burst into laughter.

And what happened next was…

Bubbling.

The test-taker couldn’t withstand the threat, foamed at the mouth, and collapsed.

The evaluator clicked their tongue at the sight.

“To think someone who aspires to be a student at Geumgang Academy faints at this level of pressure, they must really underestimate us. Disqualified. Assistant! Take them away!”

“Yes!”

As if they had been waiting for that moment.

The assistant officials, answering with a resounding voice, dragged away the collapsed test-taker.

“I wonder if Saeun would be like that too…”

Saeun, being the student council president, probably wouldn’t be moving those boxes.

But she might still be acting like the assistant officials, eyes wide open.

Even though it’s hard to imagine the kind of threat the student council president would emit, I can’t help but think that there might be a high number of failures in the exam hall where she is present.

“Starting now, we will activate the device, so everyone please move back.”

Around that time, the evaluator infused mana into the small box.

Whoosh!

The small box reacted.

The box enveloped in light rapidly expanded in size.

Before long.

“….”

In the place where the small box was, now stood a massive iron gate.

It was about the size of a three-story building.

As I raised my head to inspect the gate, I noticed something peculiar.

“…The gate is divided.”

The massive iron gate had seams at regular intervals.

By observing this, one could deduce that smaller gates were connected above the small gate, and even larger gates were connected above those.

And so, the iron gate was made up of five doors.

It was the assessment officer who explained it back then.

“As you can see, this gate consists of five doors. Test-takers, you just need to open this gate with your hands.”

“….”

“If you can open even one door, you pass the first round of the exam. If you can’t open any, then pack up and go back. During your stay permitted in the Academy City, you can tour around the city. Travel agencies will be waiting for test-takers at the main gate.”

Was that supposed to be a joke?

No one laughed after hearing the assessment officer’s explanation.

Meanwhile, assistant officers were installing additional iron gates.

“Please choose a door you like. The assistant officers in charge will evaluate you no matter which door you choose. The exam will continue until the start of the second round, so feel free to try as many times as you want. Just make sure to follow the order.”

And so, the exam begins.

At that moment…

“Wowww!”

Numerous test-takers in the exam room rushed towards the iron gates scattered around, trying to secure a quick turn.

Iron gate-opening exam.

The iron gates were not only tall but also quite thick.

Hence, even opening one door seemed to be quite a challenging task.

“Ughhh!”

As the exam began, the test-takers who had rushed to claim the iron gates first were all struggling.

Even with their faces turning red, the iron gates remained shut despite their efforts.

“It’s been 1 minute. Please make way for the test-takers waiting behind.”

“Ugh….”

Ten minutes had passed since the exam started.

Not a single person had managed to open a door yet.

“Why won’t it open!?”

Those who failed to open the doors and got pushed back in line grumbled and vented their frustration.

The next person, and the one after that, were no less discontent.

“It’s not opening easily, huh.”

The line was just too long.

I, still not in line, watched from the back as the test-takers ahead struggled with the exam.

“Well, it’s understandable.”

Even the smallest door seemed to be at least 2 meters high.

Unless it was a business, opening that door required drawing upon bodily mana to enhance physical abilities.

“Open up, damnn!”

However, the test-takers trying to open the door were not doing it well.

The mana they manifested to enhance their strength seemed to be flying away into the air instead of staying within their bodies, the distribution of mana on their arms was far from uniform.

From that, one could speculate…

“Is this a test to see how well one can utilize internal mana?”

I muttered as thoughts came to mind.

Yeongha nodded in response.

“It seems not just about that. If it was merely about assessing control over internal mana, wouldn’t one iron door have been sufficient? Five seems excessive.”

“Then?”

“I think they might be evaluating comprehensive mana abilities. When that person just touched the iron door, I observed changes occurring, like measuring the amount of internal mana. Perhaps the iron door is measuring various elements as well?”

When it came to interpreting mana, Yeongha excelled more than me.

I nodded at her words and continued to observe the situation.

At that moment, the examinee who opened the iron door appeared for the first time.

Kugugu.

“Examinee number 6321, 1 piece. Pass.”

“Great!”

The examinee holding a grey admission ticket was delighted.

Although they only opened the first iron door, since no one had managed it until now, all eyes naturally focused on them.

Subsequently, more successful examinees emerged.

“Examinee number 282, 1 piece. Pass.”

“Examinee number 4389, 2 pieces. Pass.”

“Examinee number 3256, 1 piece. Pass.”

“Examinee number 1875, 2 pieces….”

Unlike the examinees who failed in their haste to open the door, those patiently waiting for their turn calmly opened the iron doors with confident faces.

“Don’t rush to open the door first! I knew it would be like this from the start. Well then, I’ll leave!”

The line began to shorten rapidly.

By then, Yongha and Sinna eagerly joined the line.

“Watching others open the door helped me figure out some tricks, and I can’t keep waiting, so I should try too. Gyounu, Haneul! See you next time!”

“We’ll go too!”

Goeunbi and the triplets also moved.

“Should we start lining up too?”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

Yeongha and I decided to wait and find a line that seemed about to move quickly.

‘Opening three doors is the current record.’

With that thought in mind,

I looked for Yongha.

Yongha, who had lined up before us, was about to have her turn soon.

Before long.

“Next! Examinee number 6666.”

“Yes!”

Yongha’s turn had arrived.

As if itching from waiting, he adjusted his joints with a crackling sound and walked toward the door.

“….”

With a background as a descendant of the Yisung clan and perhaps due to his black admission ticket.

The eyes of the test-takers were focused on Yonghaerang.

Even the invigilators showed interest in him, and the evaluators were about to step forward to assess his abilities.

“Hoo.”

With both palms pressed against the iron gate, Yonghaerang concentrated without being conscious of those gazes.

A moment later.

“Pasha!”

Letting out a loud shout.

Yonghaerang, who opened his eyes, finally began to push the iron gate.

Kugugu….

However, contrary to people’s expectations, the mere act of the first iron gate opening did not feel refreshing at all.

“That’s not it.”

But I realized belatedly.

Right now, Yonghaerang.

“Crazy….”

“You’re pushing it open with just your strength right now?”

He was showcasing a sight of opening the door purely with sheer force, without a hint of manifesting internal mana.

Sounds of amazement erupted from all around at Yonghaerang’s feat.

Kugugu….

At that moment, veins on his arms, visible outside his black uniform, twisted vividly and swelled up.

And the second gate shook.

Witnessing that scene.

“….”

I could see the evaluator, seemingly forgetting what to say, unable to close his mouth.

“Kkyuk!”

However, Yonghaerang encountered an obstacle at the third iron gate.

The third gate did not budge.

It was only then that Yonghaerang finally unleashed his mana explosively.

“Pasha!”

Wind blew around Yonghaerang.

It was the physical force exerted by the mana he manifested with strong determination.

That mana altered the current.

Kugugu.

“….”

With a smoother sound than before, the third gate trembled.

No, not just the third gate….

“Uh, it’s moving….”

“….”

Even the fourth iron gate was responding.

The eyes of the people widened at the muttered words filled with astonishment.

‘Impressive.’

I was no exception.

Indeed, could I be considered a person from the prestigious medical community?

The power of Yonghaerang was unparalleled.

And so.

“Examinee number 6666… 4 subjects, passed.”

Yonghaerang, for the first time in this examination room, opened the fourth iron door.

The evaluators, while acknowledging his abilities, wore expressions of disbelief.

“Sigh…. What a relief.”

Meanwhile, Yonghaerang wiped the sweat off his chin with the back of his hand, gazing up at the iron door he had opened.

His face seemed refreshed, as if he had exerted all his strength.

Then, he swiftly turned around.

In the direction his steps were taking him…

“Huh?”

For some reason, I was there.

Yonghaerang smiled at me.

Approaching me, he said, “You can handle this much too, right?”

“…”

“I’ll be counting on you.”

With those words, Yonghaerang lightly patted my shoulder and walked past.

“Is he considering me a rival? Even though I’m avoiding being his sparring partner with that guy….”

It was a completely uncomfortable situation.

As for myself, I could only earnestly hope for a strong competitor to appear quickly and divert Yonghaerang’s attention.

Since then, there were examinees who managed to open the iron doors up to the fourth.

Very rarely.

They all came from prestigious families, who had been training relentlessly since childhood to become hunters.

Thus, compared to other examinees, they were able to demonstrate sufficient skills.

“Talent is crucial for a hunter, but the environment and effort supporting it cannot be ignored.”

Moreover, those from prestigious families had a high likelihood of possessing talent.

Even if someone not born into a prestigious family had talent, it was nearly impossible to surpass their talent, time, environment, and effort to the same extent.

The difference between those from prestigious families and those who were not was thus established.

“In a way… that difference is determined from birth.”

Unfortunately, that’s how the world works.

Unfair and unjust.

Some are blessed without wanting it, while others desperately wish for it but never receive it.

Some have natural talent and environment, while others do not.

Those born into prestigious families continue to enjoy authoritative lives and rule, while those who are not live under their influence, supporting them, and also being exploited.

Especially in a world striving to create superior hunters.

“Now it’s Goeunbi’s turn.”

However, that doesn’t mean the world is completely blocked in that way.

Even though it’s very narrow.

There is a way up.

Depending on having a very special talent or compensating for the difference with one’s firm determination and effort.

Even if the skills of the prestigious family members are striking now, in three years, when they graduate from Geumgang Academy, the outcome could be different.

“Whoosh!”

A prime example of this is Goeunbi.

Not being from a prestigious family, she is currently just a ranger who is slightly better than average, but depending on the progression of the story and the player’s abilities, she was a character showing noticeable growth.

“So, it was quite satisfying to raise her.”

Such a girl was opening an iron gate.

Using her body’s mana to boost her physical abilities, she forcefully opened the iron gate.

And so.

“Ah, out of breath…”

Goeunbi, wearing a green exam badge, opened up to the third iron gate.

Considering she wasn’t from a prestigious family, her grades were quite decent.

“You did well.”

I silently praised Goeunbi.

Then I found the triplets opening the iron gates in succession.

“If the three of us join forces, it’s a piece of cake to open all the gates…”

The triplets achieved the same grades as Goeunbi side by side.

I roughly read their lips and clicked my tongue.

“Yeah, that’s cheating.”

Anyone would open all the gates if three joined forces.

Still, considering their coordination, three were much stronger than one.

It would have been nice if they opened up to the fourth, but evaluating the triplets as a group, it wasn’t all that bad that each of them opened up to the third.

Meanwhile, before we knew it…

“Next examinee! Please come forward.”

The people in front all disappeared, and it was my turn with Yeon Haneul.

The assistant called us without distinguishing the order.

I said to Yeon Haneul,

“Go on, Yeon Haneul.”

“Um, why do I have to go first? And am I supposed to be your Pokémon? Treating a person like a Pokémon…”

“Yeon Haneul, I’ve decided on you.”

“Sigh…”

She didn’t accept any refusals.

I lightly tapped Yeon Haneul on the back.

Finally giving up on arguing, she headed towards the creaky iron gate.

“…”

Just like Yonghaelan did a while ago.

The sounds in the exam room subsided.

The test-takers were so engrossed in giving their attention to Yeonhaneul that they almost forgot about the exam itself, and even the proctors glanced at her.

The evaluators swiftly turned their bodies and took steps towards her.

“Ugh….”

“Haneul, stay strong.”

Yeonhaneul felt burdened by all the attention she was receiving.

Unable to breathe behind me, she kept looking back at me or took deep breaths repeatedly.

I cheered for her.

Before long…

“I will take the test.”

Yeonhaneul, done with her deep breaths, reached out her hand to the iron gate.

“Hoo.”

Yeonhaneul exhaled evenly.

As her mana manifested in response, it swirled around her body.

Mana, spreading from the center of her palm, wrapped around the entire iron gate.

“….”

The density of the mana was evident just by looking at it with the naked eye.

People seemed astonished by its density.

I could hear the sound of people gasping around me.

“Ready.”

At that moment, Yeonhaneul pushed the iron gate.

Creak.

The first iron gate smoothly slid open without a creak.

Creak.

The second iron gate was no different.

Even though it seemed like she didn’t exert much force, it moved smoothly.

Creak.

“….”

The third iron gate was the same.

People’s eyes widened.

Even the evaluators had their mouths agape.

Creak.

In no time, the fourth iron gate was pushed open.

People’s faces stiffened.

“Hoo.”

Only then did Yeonhaneul exhale the breath she was holding and stopped pushing the iron gate.

But it didn’t end there.

“Hoo.”

“….”

After regulating her breathing, Yeonhaneul started opening the iron gate again.

The half-opened iron gate twitched and creaked.

The fifth iron gate responded.

Kugugu….

Though less smooth than before.

The fifth iron gate also moved.

From then on, she pushed the iron gate with each step, exerting force.

And thus.

“Huah.”

“….”

Yeonha opened all five iron gates successfully.

Having stepped beyond the iron gate, she turned back.

“I’ve opened the gate.”

“….”

With a shy face.

Yeonha spoke to the evaluator.

In response, the evaluator, who couldn’t gather his thoughts for a while, replied in a trembling voice.

“Testee 5,5784… 5 gates, passed.”

—