Chapter 89 - A Man Growing Too Fast (6)
Chapter 89 – A Man Growing Too Fast (6)
A Man Growing Too Fast (6)
The rumors that Kang Shin-hyuk had demolished the Magic Crown in a duel quickly spread through the school. It spread so badly that if Kang Shin-hyuk had been in Nathan Bodin’s position, he would’ve dropped out. Of course, Shin-hyuk’s popularity was ascending with enough speed to pierce the sky. It had done wonders to boost the entire Knight Department as well, putting them above the Magic Department. Douglas Payne, the Knight Crown, who had a favorable opinion of him after the advice he had received, even sent him a message saying well done. However, he had no memory of telling Douglas his email address.
There was one other person who was elated at the fact that Kang Shin-hyuk defeated the Magic Crown.
“Whoahahahahahaha!”
“It’s the first time I’ve seen someone laugh so intensely, senior.” Lee Na-hee was doubled over the desk in the club room, laughing hard enough to start crying. The image he had of her so far was completely destroyed.
“I, Nathan Bodin, was defeated by being clubbed in the head with a wooden sword! Hahaha!”
“What should I do…?” Seeing Lee Na-hee laugh so hard confirmed that she wasn’t, in fact, Nathan’s fiancée. As soon as he brought that up, her smile vanished from her face without a trace.
“Listen. Who would like such a guy?”
“He did accuse me…”
“Are all men like that? Clinging so annoyingly and pretending to be my boyfriend. A fiancée? What? I told him not to talk to me, and he was doing that behind my back?”
“I’m guessing that he was mistaken that he could have everything he wanted because of his power. But to be sure, guys like that aren’t common.” Lee Na-hee shrugged in response with a strange expression.
“I’m originally from an all-girl middle school. It’s only after entering Shinyoung have I gotten any experience with guys.”
“Oh.”
“You know Jihwa Girls’ Middle School in Seoul? I’m from there.”
“…Jihwa Girls’ Middle School? Isn’t that a private middle school?” From what he knew, it was a private school that allowed only exceptional students born to exceptional families. Most of their graduates ended up in places like Shinyoung. There were similar private schools for men, but Kang Shin-hyuk had no experience with them being an orphan.
“…Are you actually a rich daughter?” No, if you thought about it, wasn’t that natural for the granddaughter of the Great Chief? Still, it must mean that both her parents must be incredible superhumans as well.
“Well…something like that.” However, Lee Na-hee, who had been speaking energetically, suddenly closed her mouth at his question. Watching her face distort, he realized it would be best not to ask any questions about her family.
“But anyway, there was no problem with that senior.”
“Don’t lie. I hear you smacked him in the head then kicked him.” In the end, they had to mobilize Shinyoung’s world-class treatment facilities for the Magic Crown, but he was so hurt he couldn’t attend school for three days. However, it was officially done in a duel, and the 3rd year was taken down without any handicaps by a 1st-year.
“Actually, I could’ve fit in eighteen more combos in the meantime.”
“How’d you win so easily? Your opponent was the Magic Crown.”
“Would you believe me if I was honest?”
“Yes, though I might not understand it.” Lee Na-hee looked at him silently. As he caught her gaze, she tilted her head in concern.
“You’re in good condition, with good abilities and excellent metallurgy. Now you’re even handsome.”
“That’s just flattery.”
“No, it was just my sincere judgment. You’ll become very annoying in the future. All the women will run up to try and catch you.”
“Like how the Magic Crown bothered you?” She nodded frowning.
“This school…it’s like a paradise for beasts in human skin. They’re supposed to be building their strength to fight monsters, but all of them are immersed in useless things.” Kang Shin-hyuk didn’t disagree with her, having thought similarly to the school. In Shinyoung, power was revealed physically, and as the students were young, they couldn’t skillfully hide their desires.
“The same goes for popular voting. Why does that even matter for a school that raises superhumans? Because of that last year, Nathan Bodin began to chase me in earnest, and this year…”
“Senior, please calm down.” It was clear that she wasn’t happy about winning the top vote for the past two years in a row.
“He won’t be able to do so in the future.”
“I’m glad then…anyway, I apologize for the trouble.” Lee Na-hee brushed off her clothes and bowed her head to Kang Shin-hyuk. He decided to ask her something that was worrying him.
“Do you know why Nathan Bodin came at me this time?” He gave her a brief rundown on what he had said to him, as Lee Na-hee seemed to be genuinely sorrowful about it. His eyes narrowed as she confessed what had happened.
“Well, I jokingly told my classmates that I had a junior who pampered me…”
“I see!” At least 50% of it was her fault! Because she had said it so provocatively, Nathan had come to hate him!
“No, I was just talking to my class friends! Besides, you can pamper me as much as you want…”
“Reflect on it.”
“Yes, I will reflect on my actions. Sorry…” Lee Na-hee had no choice but to back down against Kang Shin-hyuk, who had access to materials she wanted.
***
Time passed quickly as Shinyoung’s trials continued. At the same time, election activities were beginning to take place. Baek, who was participating in that as well as preparing for exams, was looking more and more exhausted each day.
“No matter how I look at it, you seem to be the worst off. Are there any problems with the election itself?”
“I just need to back the president, so I don’t need to bother with all the public stuff…”
“That’s not what I meant.” The most important position in the election was the president. The rest of the executives were determined by the president.
“Cheer up. Tell me if there’s anything I can do to help.”
“Please introduce me to a woman.”
“Do that by yourself.” Baek In-ha stretched his arms out with a resentful expression to grab onto Kang Shin-hyuk and shake him.
“You! I’m also close with the Empress! You’re also hanging out with Algiers, and Lee Na-hee alone in the club?! Are you kidding? Switch with me! SWITCH WITH ME!”
“Because of that, Baek, you’re not popular…” Kang Shin-hyuk stared at Baek, who was shaking him with a sad expression. Baek looked embarrassed at his serious mood and backed off.
“No, I wasn’t really angry…Shin-hyuk?”
“I’m not angry, I just had an idea.” Kang Shin-hyuk recalled his conversation with Lee Na-hee the day before, about the popularity vote.
‘What about Baek…?’ Baek was a handsome man, with considerable ability. But now his popularity had hit rock bottom, as every time he opened his mouth, it would drop. Was that what he had intended from the start? Did he reduce people’s opinion of him so he could move around easier?
‘It’s something he would do.’ Kang Shin-hyuk looked at Baek with astonishment he couldn’t hide. It would be great if that were his plan from the start. He would have to re-evaluate him.
“You…”
“No, I won’t tell you to introduce a girl to me now!” Baek drew close to Shin-hyuk, lowering his voice.
“So…” It might’ve been the first time he heard Baek being sincere.
“After the exams, let’s go hunting for a sister of my own, eh? Ouch!”
“…” Without a word, Kang Shin-hyuk reached out and slapped Baek.
A week later, the final exams began.
Kang Shin-hyuk passed his writing classes with ease. All that was left for him was the official battle that awaited him in the practical exam.