I Became a Genius Swordsman in the Pretty Girl Game-Chapter 304: Team sparring (2)
Team sparring
The academy’s annual event, where freshmen are divided into groups and pit against each other based on their training results, is underway. Though it was usually just a measure of their skill level, Director Lina’s recent announcement added unexpected weight to the event.
[For this year’s group sparring event, I will allow the most outstanding cadet among the winners to select any party within the academy to join. The chosen party will have no right to refuse.]
Initially, there were minor objections to this decision. Even if a cadet was the most outstanding among the group sparring winners, suddenly inserting them into a party could disrupt the existing balance. A new addition could be problematic, especially if the cadet was too weak, or conversely, if they were too strong and posed a burden on the party. Most parties already had well-defined roles, so introducing a new member could be a sensitive issue.
However, the protests quickly subsided. After all, it was widely assumed that the winning cadet would most likely choose Utopia, the hottest party right now.
Se-hee Shin, representing Utopia, expressed an open attitude, saying, “It would be an excellent opportunity for us to strengthen our forces by accepting an outstanding freshman cadet.”
Murmurs spread through the crowd.
“Wow, Utopia, huh? They said it’s not a party you can just join by being a little skilled.” “Really?” “Yeah, my sister’s an A-rank hunter, and even she can’t get into their second squad. You need an ‘exceptional’ talent to get in.” “Hehe, so if I perform the best here, I might get into Utopia?” “Dream on. You don’t stand a chance.” “Hey, I’m not bad, okay? Huh? What’s that over there—a camera?” “Yeah, they’re broadcasting the sparring this time to ensure fairness.” “Wow, they’re really serious this time.” “Yeah, but this is also a chance for us.” “...A chance?” “A chance to raise our value.”
No longer just a casual event, the group sparring this time had something much bigger at stake. The opportunity to join Utopia fueled the freshmen's enthusiasm even further.
Meanwhile, on the broadcast screen, Se-hee Shin and Ga-eul Lim were seated as casters.
“Hehehe, broadcasting as a caster... it’s been a while.” “Hmm, I don’t know if I can do this well...” “Oh, we’re live now. Hello, everyone! This is Se-hee Shin from Utopia.”
At first, Ga-eul seemed awkward but soon adapted to the atmosphere and struck a pose.
“Oh, hello! I’m the one-eyed mastermind, Ga-eul Lim!”
Haha, the one-eyed mastermind!It’s been so long since I’ve seen her!Se-hee Shin! Why haven’t you been streaming lately?!Finally!
“Sorry, everyone. I’ve been so busy lately that I haven’t had much time to communicate. But it’s good to see you all again, right?”
Se-hee skillfully continued her conversation with the viewers.
“Well, I heard this year’s event is much larger. Isn’t that right, Ga-eul?” “Yeah! With 100 groups of 10, there are a total of 1,000 participants, which is almost three times the size of last year.” “Wow—50 matches simultaneously? Watching all of them will be impossible.” “We’ll have to focus on the most unique and extraordinary teams. Where could they be?”
Though Se-hee’s question seemed sudden, they had discussed it beforehand, so Ga-eul nodded and replied.
“It’s probably Yoo-ha Jin’s group, right?” “Yes, indeed. Our own Jin Yoo-ha is surprisingly stepping in as an instructor this time, leading a group of three special admissions students and seven male quota students.” “Ah, and don’t forget about the mana limit! Due to the irregularities some special admissions students bring, they’re matched to the average mana levels of their opponents.” “Oh, you went through that last year too, didn’t you, Se-hee? How was it?” “It was the worst! It felt like I was running underwater while everyone else was on land.”
Se-hee and Ga-eul’s words were just casual remarks, [N O V E L I G H T] but for those hearing this for the first time, it was a bombshell revelation.
Jin Yoo-ha as an instructor?
What... Jin Yoo-ha actually taught cadets? Is this for real?Special admissions students.Yeah, that’s impressive... But is he even capable of teaching anyone?Isn’t it worth a shot? Imagine Jin Yoo-ha telling you, “You suit a sword better than a bow.”
Indeed. A year ago, when Jin Yoo-ha first arrived at the Velvet Hunter Academy, everyone had their doubts.
A male cadet. A dealer. And an unsullied blank slate of a past.
Through sheer perseverance, he peeled away layer after layer of prejudice and now stands firm in his position. Today, almost no one doubts his skills.
Now, however, he faces another test—this time as an instructor.
“Wait, look! Yoo-ha’s coming on stage!”
The camera panned to the stage at Ga-eul’s exclamation.
Step, step, step.
With a calm, unperturbed expression, Yoo-ha, dressed in a suit like the other instructors, walked onto the stage.
Both Se-hee and Ga-eul were momentarily speechless.
‘He looks good in anything they put him in...’ ‘Jin Yoo-ha...’
The admiration wasn’t limited to just the two of them.
“Waaahhhh—!!”
A roar of cheers filled the space at Yoo-ha’s appearance.
It’s been ages since we last saw Jin Yoo-ha!Damn, he looks good in a suit...Look at those kids screaming.Every time I see him, he looks even more handsome.
“Well then, let’s begin the group sparring!”
Amid the mix of excitement and concern, the first match of the Velvet Hunter Academy’s group sparring event started.
‘Lina, you may not be known for setting limits, but this scale is no joke...’
I smirked, looking over the group sparring arena.
Fifty matches for a hundred groups.
It was ludicrous to think that it could be done within a single space. Yet, Lina defied spatial constraints with her magic. Entering one of the fifty doors led each group to a training ground where spatial expansion magic had been applied, and the matches were broadcast via hologram.
“Hmm, your lineup is quite interesting.”
“Ah, Instructor.”
It was the instructor of the opposing team, who was quite popular for her tactical training classes.
“You guys don’t seem to form a coherent team. Why do you only have nine members?”
She looked puzzled as she scanned our positions.
Tank (Iron Wall) - Dealer (Alice) - Dealer (Hwarang)
Our team, led by Yoo-ha Jin, was structured with three special admissions students in a triangular formation at the front. The remaining seven male quota members, looking unsure of themselves, clustered together at a distance.
“One was sidelined early due to injury, and as for the rest... honestly, they’re non-essential.”
“What? So you’re going 10 vs. 3?”
“Yeah, well... it seems so. They’re practically useless.”
I scratched my cheek as I replied.
“Hmm, I guess the male quota is like that. So, it’s an easy win for us? Last year’s win was largely thanks to you.”
The instructor laughed. Winning teams’ instructors also receive substantial rewards, so everyone was eager.
“Well, being limited to the opposing team’s average mana is a hefty penalty...”
I looked toward the screen showing our match.
And at the far end of my gaze,
“There’s always a key player who turns the tide—the Queen.”
A woman with snow-white hair and blue eyes stood, her presence signaling the inevitable shift in the tide.
