I Became the Only Healer in the Academy - Chapter 24.1
The majority of the students in the class believed that the victory in the recent inter-class battle was largely because of Inhwan.
It was a well-known fact that Inhwan possessed the power of fire, and they believed it was his ability that rendered the opponent’s key sniper incapacitated.
“Alright, everyone did well!”
The homeroom teacher, wearing a broad smile, praised them.
“The next interclass competition is next week. Since the opposing team is still competing, let’s watch the footage together and prepare accordingly.”
The homeroom teacher seemed already satisfied.
He didn’t appear to have high expectations for going out as the grade representative; he seemed content with the fact that they had won against Professor Kim Hwang-gi’s class.
“Seonghyun, are you going to the library again today?”
Inhwan seemed unconcerned about the curiosity of his other friends.
His interest was solely focused on the interclass competition scheduled for the next week.
“No, let’s take a break today. It’s important to match our steps and improve our proficiency, but we’ve never had a day off until now, right?”
As Seonghyun suggested, Inhwan and Seonghyun spent every day from last week until today, the day before the interclass competition, at the gate.
Their proficiency had indeed increased, but it was only natural that fatigue had accumulated accordingly.
“Instead, let’s go tomorrow.”
“Well… it’s the weekend tomorrow.”
“We only have a week left, we have no choice. And tomorrow, we’ll go to a different gate.”
“A different gate? Where to?”
In the capital region, there were a total of three open gates.
The gate Seonghyun and Inhwan had been frequenting until now was a Grade 5 gate, suitable for beginner hunters to hunt..
“Right above.”
“There…?”
The place Seonghyun mentioned was a gate located in a dark area between Grade 4 and Grade 5.
It was an area where wolf-type monsters appeared right from the entrance, and relatively experienced or highly skilled hunters often ventured to hunt them.
The difference between Grade 4 and Grade 5 gates was quite significant.
The monsters that emerged from the Grade 5 gate were at a level where a few ordinary adult men could still manage to defeat them if they charged in. However, the beasts from the Grade 4 gate were beyond handling, even if you brought in a whole truck.
“So, what time should we meet tomorrow?”
“Let’s have lunch first then enter one. Is that okay with you?”
“I don’t mind. Even if I become the grade representative, I might get specialized equipment.”
“Ahem, um… you know…”
While making plans for the next day, Koo Sang-yeon approached with a cough.
“What? If you’re going to talk, speak up.”
“Um, when you go to that gate tomorrow…”
Inhwan, frustrated by Sang-yeon’s hesitant words, sighed softly and said,
“What, you want to come along?”
“Oh, no, it’s nothing. If we win the next interclass competition, we’ll become grade representatives, and you guys might need a front-liner when you go to a gate.”
“Is that so? What do you think?”
Inhwan looked at Seonghyun.
“It’s up to you to decide.”
“…It doesn’t matter. Whether you like it or not, we’re a team.”
Currently, Koo Sang-yeon’s expression wasn’t particularly bright.
However, the gaze seemed to express an absolute determination, as if reluctantly accepting the necessity of working together for their respective goals.
“…See you tomorrow, then.”
Since Seonghyun wasn’t the kind of person to hold grudges against others for using each other for their goals, he didn’t take it too much to heart.
“Heh, that guy is still the same.”
“Don’t pay too much attention to it. I don’t care much either.”
“He’s fast.”
“Enough. Let’s watch the footage.”
Seonghyun and Inhwan reviewed the footage of the upcoming opponents in the next interclass competition.
‘…It’s the same as last time.’
The situation was unfolding similarly to before his return.
‘They’ll probably win…’
Indifferent to the outcome, they decided to focus on the footage.
The problem lay in their abilities.
A class comprised purely of brute force.
Individuals who, based on overwhelming physical capabilities, not only restrained their opponents but also nullified attacks.
‘It might actually be easier.’
Seonghyun’s ability, Stigmata, was nearly flawless, excluding the constraints of range and the lack of lethality.
Moreover, Stigmata was a superior ability that completely ignored all resistance.
The session today was even more challenging.
As there was someone with a longer range ability than Seonghyun.
‘For now, let’s try not to use stigmata too much.’
If he only relied on Stigmata Ability, it would undoubtedly be easy to climb to the position of grade representative.
However, the representation in the national competition was an uncertain matter.
Furthermore, Seonghyun’s ability only inflicted pain.
While resistance was impossible, it was unknown how the pain itself would affect someone who was congenitally adept at enduring it.
Hence, Seonghyun considered the team’s coordination crucial.
That’s why he hadn’t opposed Koo Sang-yeon’s decision to join them at the gate.
“It’s over.”
With Inhwan’s words, who had been focused on watching the footage, the second interclass competition for the 1st-year Representatives came to an end.
As Seonghyun predicted, the team with overwhelming physical prowess won by inducing close-quarters combat.
“But to face them, Koo Sang-yeon will have to use some strength, right?”
“You don’t need to worry about Koo Sang-yeon.”
Looking at Seonghyun, who spoke rather firmly.
Until not long ago, or rather, just a moment ago, the thought of getting along well had never crossed his mind.
“Why?”
“What was the reason he opposed me from the start? Was it just because our abilities are polar opposites? No, if it were something else, I wouldn’t have cared. But because the position of grade representative is at stake, such extreme…”
“Extreme?”
“No, it’s nothing. Anyway, Koo Sang-yeon will do his best. The problem is just that our abilities don’t match.”
Nevertheless, since they planned to coordinate over the next week, there shouldn’t be any major issues.
Also, by participating in today’s interclass battle, they roughly understood how Koo Sang-yeon dealt with opponents. Even though they had only a short week, aligning their tactics shouldn’t be too difficult.
“See you tomorrow.”
