Chapter 24
I Became an Academy Overpowered Growth Genius – 24
EP.24 Position (2)
Exactly at 8:30, a woman dressed in office attire entered the classroom. She is a character that Kang Seo-jun has seen countless times while playing [Grand Hunter Academy].
She was Kim Ju-hee, the homeroom teacher for 1st grade A-class at the Korean Hunter Academy. She was also an A-class hunter, with specs similar to Park Seo-yoon and Seo Eun-ha.
Kim Ju-hee briefly introduced herself upon entering the classroom and presented today’s schedule.
The schedule for today was simple. New students had to choose the weapons they would use during training and then select their positions. Following Kim Ju-hee, class A moved to the auditorium. It was literally an arsenal.
“Wow.”
“Oh, wow.”
A subdued sigh spread among the students amidst the massive scale.
“When I call your number and name, step forward, choose your weapon, and sit in the seat on the opposite side.”
Kim Ju-hee, consulting the students’ records, Called out the number of the first student.
“Number 1, Kang Seo-jun.”
Coincidentally, the first number was Kang Seo-jun. He stepped forward, proclaiming.
“Yes, number 1, Kang Seo-jun.”
As he was standing quite far back, he had to navigate through the students.
– Shuffle, shuffle! –
They, as if reluctant to touch him, slowly moved away from him, creating a path like the miracle of Moses parting the sea.
“Ugh…”
“Don’t touch me…!”
“I’ll move away, so…”
“Eek!?”
Even a girl whose clothes grazed him screamed as if she had encountered something terrifying. Thanks to this, Kang Seo-jun could move forward without hindrance.
“Choose your weapon.”
What Kang Seo-jun would choose had already been decided a long time ago. He walked confidently towards the predetermined location for the weapon he had in mind.
It was a magic staff.
Without hesitation, he lifted it in his hand.
As Kang Seo-jun stepped forward with the magic staff, everyone whispered lowly.
“A magic staff? Is he a wizard?”
“No. Last time during measurements, he got a grade F.”
“What? Then why did he choose a magic staff?”
“Wasn’t it just for walking?”
“Pfft! That makes sense.”
“Pity those who end up in the same team with him.”
“You might become one.”
“No way.”
“…….”
Even Kim Ju-hee, after checking Kang Seo-jun’s magic power grade of F, tilted her head.
“Student Kang Seo-jun, did you choose correctly? Confirm the weapon you selected.”
Originally, the Korean Hunter Academy was a selection institution, and a student’s mistake was solely their responsibility.
Kim Ju-hee’s favor was quite unusual. It was because Kang Seo-jun’s choice left both instructors and students bewildered.
Holding a magic staff without usable magic power was akin to having a gun without bullets.
Was he planning to use it like a blunt weapon, or did he genuinely need a staff for his walking style? However, Kang Seo-jun’s confident answer left no room for doubt.
“Yes. That’s correct.”
Kim Ju-hee didn’t inquire further at his resolute response. With an A+ grade in willpower, he wasn’t likely to act recklessly. She assumed he had his own thoughts on the matter.
“Alright, next. Number 2. Kim Gun-mo!”
The main weapon selection continued swiftly. Swords, spears, bows, magic staffs, and even minor weapons like daggers, crossbows, staffs, and whips were chosen.
The variety of weapons in Class A was quite extensive. Jin Se-rin chose a spear, Park Shin-hoo went for a massive greatsword, and LLim Chae-Won chose a longbow.
The last student in Class A chose a sword and shield, concluding the main weapon selection.
“Now, onto position selection.”
When Kim Ju-hee pressed a small remote control in her hand, the students’ wrists vibrated with a faint hum. It was a smartwatch that matched their student uniforms.
“Check your smartwatches, everyone. Positions will apply in team missions or class battles, so take note.”
Upon pressing the smartwatch, the position selection menu appeared. Fighter for close combat, tanker to protect the team, mage for casting spells, shooter for long-range shooting, supporter to assist the team in various ways, and a jungler specializing in solo actions and reconnaissance…
And the all-rounder position that encompasses every role.
– Beep, beep, beep.
–
The numbers below each position fluctuated up and down. As positions remained the same even in class battles, the composition ratio of positions within the class had to be considered.
Students who could handle various positions would ponder their choice while those specialized in one skill would pray that their position’s balance would luckily match. However, among them, no one chose the all-rounder position, except for one.
– Beep.
– –
“Uh…?”
As the number that shouldn’t go up went up, one student made a surprised sound. Then, they glanced around.
The reactions of the surrounding students were similar. Everyone was trying to figure out who had chosen the all-rounder.
“Who is it?”
“What a weirdo. Change it quickly.”
“Oh. It’s a real test, don’t joke around.”
No academy student dared to choose the all-rounder. Not even Park Shin-hoo, who was considered a top candidate, or promising individuals like Jin Se-rin and Lim Chae-Won.
Choosing the all-rounder meant that the student’s position would be randomly assigned in every test.
Of course, in return, they would receive a considerable additional score. However, no one chose the all-rounder with that aim in mind. The reason was obvious.
There was no one who excelled in both sword and magic, ranged combat, team protection and support, as well as scouting and espionage. Even more, if someone chose the all-rounder position, they would not only bear the risk themselves but also impose it on their team.
As positions were always randomly assigned, they could end up with the most vulnerable position, and the team’s position balance could easily be disrupted.
The students of Class A staffering around and searching for the culprit was for this reason. Someone was attempting to troll.
The all-rounder position was essentially a position designed for the genius of the century or a trap position existing only in formality.
“Silence.”
Kim Ju-hee quietly silenced the noisy students. She looked around at them and spoke.
“Make sure there’s nothing unusual in your position choices. Check it yourselves.”
She, too, had spoken about the all-rounder position.
However, she knew who had chosen the all-rounder position is Kang Seo-jun. Ironically, he was leisurely enjoying himself without checking his position selection.
Kim Ju-hee strengthened her voice and warned once again.
“Check your positions, everyone. I won’t warn you again.”
However, there were no further changes in the positions. In the end, Kim Ju-hee sighed and looked at Kang Seo-jun.
“I will check from number 1. Kang Seo-jun, the student.”
“Yes.”
“Is there anything unusual with your position selection?”
“Yes. All-rounder. Nothing unusual.”
He admitted that he had chosen the all-rounder position. The expressions of the students turned into shock at his words.
“Wow. What?”
“Ha… Damn…”
“Is he joking? Isn’t this insane?”
As the murmurs intensified, Kim Ju-hee took control of the situation.
“Silence, silence!”
Then, with a solemn gaze, she looked at Kang Seo-jun and spoke.
“Our academy is a selection institution, not a nurturing one. You must bear full responsibility for your choices. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
“Do you understand that your choice may harm other students?”
Kang Seo-jun spoke with confidence.
“Such a thing won’t happen.”
Kim Ju-hee silently observed Kang Seo-jun.
She was trying to gauge whether he was joking or serious. In fact, she had already heard from senior instructors about him, an impressive gem in his group during the entrance exam.
Although all his stats were poor, they expected that with such strong willpower, he would undoubtedly show something impressive.
‘He does show something, indeed.’
Kim Ju-hee thought. However, in her eyes, it seemed more like audacity than determination.
“Finally, I’ll ask one more time. Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
With his firm response, muted sighs were heard here and there. These small sighs appeared before Kang Seo-jun like chat logs.
“Ha… Such a lucky bastard.”
“Who the hell…?”
“I guess I’ll have to give up on at least three practical exams…”
“If I end up on the same team as that crazy guy…”
“Not even choosing a proper weapon, and now the position…”
“Is this person just messing around with the teams?”
“Don’t worry. Looking at it, he’ll probably fail before the end of the first semester.”
“I wish that would happen…”
More than 90% of the reactions were expressions of resentment.
[The Constellation, 《Compassionate Hermit》 sponsors dimensional currency as a gesture of comfort.]
Although he didn’t think he would receive much comfort, he didn’t openly express it.
– Murmurs.
–
Kim Ju-hee decided not to ask any further.
“Alright.”
As mentioned, this was a selection institution, not a nurturing one. He had already been given more than enough opportunities.
‘If he had used his willpower as a specialty and become a supporter or a jungler, there might have been at least a slim chance…’
If he had chosen a supporter or jungler position, Kang Seo-jun’s current specs could be quite useful.
Searching through the muck or acting as a human ward in one place for a long time.
‘These people really lack trust.’
From Kang Seo-jun’s perspective, observing the real-time reactions around him was nothing but regrettable.
‘I have a plan, regardless.’
Honestly, even if he didn’t choose the all-rounder, Kang Seo-jun would have been a burden in any position. Even with his current specs, he might barely make it to the middle ranks if he chose a position where he could contribute. However, that wasn’t Kang Seo-jun’s style.
By doing so, he wouldn’t obtain the Fruit of the Sun.
This time, the concept was the extreme jack-of-all-trades.
High risk, high return.
The position couldn’t escape that risk either. Of course, he didn’t choose the all-rounder position without any plan, just to fit the concept.
‘For the Korean Hunter Academy exam, I memorized everything through repeated practice.’
He was already an expert who had tackled every test with every position. For Kang Seo-jun, the all-rounder position practically existed for him.
‘Prepare according to whatever position I get in any test.’
Whether he became a fighter, shooter, or supporter, he had the ability and information to fulfill the corresponding role and duties.
After just the first semester, the evaluation of Kang Seo-jun would likely change significantly. Of course, as he prepared for the exams, his specs would progressively become stronger.
And after completing all the academy exams…
‘Eat the Fruit of the Sun, confirm the extreme jack-of-all-trades. A happy life in this world.’
While everyone was immersed in sighs and regrets, only Kang Seo-jun was smiling with anticipation.