Climbing the Tower with Multidimensional Avatars - Chapter 80

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 80. Galaxy Martial God Hall – First Ranking Tournament (4)

Rank 36 Student instantly reinforced his body with inner energy, closed the distance, and swung his sword at me.
The strength difference between me and Rank 36 Student was nearly twofold at this point.
Naturally, Rank 36 Student, who had reinforced his body with inner energy, possessed greater strength.
However, he still hadn’t properly mastered control over his enhanced physical capabilities.
As a result, his sword swings followed a simplistic trajectory.
It was exactly like watching myself wield a sword when I was three years old.
I stepped back to the side, evaded Rank 36 Student’s vertical slash, and thrust my shoulder forward sharply like a counter.
After his large motion left an opening, I pierced his flank, and Rank 36 Student couldn’t react properly before my blade found its mark.
“Ugh!”
As his right shoulder was pierced, Rank 36 Student stumbled back considerably.
“Cheon Ji-woo, three points.”
“No! That was carelessness, ugh!”
I slashed at Rank 36 Student’s exposed side as he complained.
A textbook case of inexperience and lack of focus.
“Cheon Ji-woo, five points.”
As expected, the school uniform is ridiculously durable.
Even though the practice sword had no sharp edge, it would be strange if bones didn’t break—yet the damage amounted to little more than a light bruise.
My current physical stats displayed on the status window averaged in the low twenties overall.
Rank 36 Student’s baseline physicality appeared to be in the mid-to-late tens.
A martial artist’s physical growth was nearly dependent on inner energy.
Without inner energy, the limits of body training became painfully clear.
In my world, modern athletes who underwent extreme training still only reached physical stats around ’15’ by the status window’s standards—precisely because they lacked what was called qi or mana.
Mana was essentially like protein or steroids without side effects.
Or rather, wasn’t the risk of qi deviation itself the side effect?
Though Rank 36 Student possessed far superior innate talent than me, the reason our basic physical abilities differed was thanks to the inner energy I possessed.
I was born with abysmal talent efficiency, but by accumulating inner energy to the point my body could barely handle it, I managed rapid growth.
Of course, the result was that I had to seal my inner energy now.
While my basic physical ability surpassed his, Rank 36 Student’s inner energy reinforcement—which he could still use—brought his stats to approximately thirty.
Without inner energy to defend myself, I was physically fragile enough that a single solid hit would spell my defeat.
But as long as I didn’t get hit, that wouldn’t matter.
Overcoming physical differences—that’s what skill and experience are for.
“I wonder who the real fool is here.”
“You bastard!”
Rank 36 Student fell for my provocation and swung his sword with full force once more.
His horizontal slash, delivered with such force that it produced a “whoosh” sound, I evaded by crouching down in place.
The instant his blade passed over my head, I rose and thrust my sword toward his chin.
I knelt down to build momentum for my thrust!
My sword was blocked by the Vice Principal’s index and thumb.
As expected. I knew it would be blocked.
Why would they assign a referee during a sparring match?
To make fair judgments?
No. It was to prevent serious injuries from occurring during the match.
Knowing this, I deliberately held back my strength and thrust my sword without hesitation, and the Vice Principal blocked it.
Seeing that my sword carried little force, the Vice Principal looked at me and smiled faintly.
“Cheon Ji-woo, ten points. Winner: Cheon Ji-woo.”
My weak attack should have been worth three points at best.
But the Vice Principal, noticing that I’d deliberately held back, awarded me five additional points for a total of ten.
At the Vice Principal’s declaration, I sheathed my sword.
There was a reason Cheon So-yeon had recommended Rank 36 Student.
He was simple-minded and hot-blooded, easily excited by minor provocations and made large, exaggerated movements.
Most first-year students had virtually no real combat experience, and even during sparring matches they prioritized safety above all else, making it far too easy to exploit their openings.
Of course, this was only possible because I possessed the minimum physical capability to evade, but still.
Fighting against second-rate opponents would be quite challenging.
“No! He used a foul!”
Rank 36 Student, frustrated and bitter at being ignored by me without landing a single blow and suffering a one-sided defeat, resorted to making excuses.
His excuse-making was exactly like a seven-year-old child’s tantrum.
“What foul are you referring to?”
At the Vice Principal’s question, Rank 36 Student’s pupils wavered as he fidgeted nervously.
“That was! That was… that was…!”
Realizing he was making baseless excuses, he began to whimper.
I asked the Vice Principal.
“Since the match is over, may I leave?”
The Vice Principal, who had been trying to console Rank 36 Student, nodded.
I bowed respectfully to the Vice Principal and left the Training Hall.
“Not bad, even without inner energy.”
When I returned to Class 1, the students applauded, apparently having watched my match.
“Ah, it was nothing special—I’m embarrassed.”
I laughed awkwardly and returned to my seat.
Cheon So-yeon and I bumped our fists together.
Day one of the ranking tournament had only just ended.

* * *

On the first day of the ranking tournament, there were shifts in the standings.
Cheon Bo-bae, who had been Rank 21, lost to Cheon Hu-geon, who was Rank 18, and then faced a challenge from Rank 43. Unable to overcome the fatigue from consecutive battles, he suffered another defeat.
The student who had been Rank 43 climbed to Rank 21, while Cheon Bo-bae plummeted to Rank 25.
The newly ranked Rank 21 student then faced a challenge from the student who had been Rank 41 and lost, also falling to Rank 25.
With one additional person above him, Cheon Bo-bae’s rank naturally dropped further to Rank 26.
The students in Class 1 came to understand the dangers of fighting consecutive battles through Cheon Bo-bae’s situation, realizing that being the one to challenge first could work against them.
In Class 1, it wasn’t just me and Cheon Hu-geon who received challenges.
Even Cheon Gong-hu, who was usually timid, received a challenge from Rank 26 and won, managing to preserve his position.
Those who faced the most intense challenges were clearly students like me who were solidly in the third tier—Rank 7 and below.
Those Rank 6 and above, who were firmly in the second tier at the top, received challenges from only one or two students.
In particular, no one challenged Cheon So-yeon.
I had considered challenging Cheon So-yeon and losing deliberately so I could go home early, but Teacher Kim Do-hwa warned that intentional losses would result in disciplinary action. So I had to quietly conduct personal self-training in the Club Room until the ranking tournament ended.
Those Rank 10 and above mostly maintained their positions, but those below Rank 10 experienced quite significant ranking changes.
What stood out was Cheon Myeong-tae from Class 2, who had reached the second tier, defeating Cheon Hyo-jun who was Rank 8 and becoming the new Rank 8.
Cheon Hyo-jun, who had been Rank 8, dropped two ranks to Rank 10.
Besides that, Cheon Jo-seo from Class 2 newly became Rank 11.
Later, I learned that Cheon Myeong-tae and Cheon Jo-seo had both received top evaluations in the aptitude assessment during the entrance exam.
With some students pushed out and others settling into the rankings, the second day of the ranking tournament arrived.
The atmosphere in Class 1 on the second day was somewhat subdued.
Five students had already been pushed outside the top 20, and if this continued, they would be transferred to Class 2 next year. To return to the top 20, they would have to challenge their former classmates.
So everyone couldn’t help but be cautious around each other.
It could be called harsh for children so young, but this was the nature of the martial world, so there was no helping it.
If they disliked it, they could abandon the family’s support and transfer to another school.
Unless they received a top evaluation in the aptitude assessment like Cheon So-yeon, the family wouldn’t force them particularly.
Martial arts wasn’t necessarily the only answer to life, but young children could only see the path laid out by the family elders.
As they grew older, they would come to understand that other paths existed.
At least, that’s what I hoped.
“The eager courtship has begun again today. Being popular is exhausting.”
As the second day started, Rank 36 Student, who had lost yesterday, announced the beginning of the courtship.
Was he trying to avenge yesterday’s humiliation?
Because he had lost so easily yesterday, he paradoxically hadn’t exhausted his stamina and had successfully defended against the challenge.
Of course, as long as the right to challenge existed, re-challenging was not a problem.
However, continuously challenging only one opponent was restricted by the rules.
“Challenging the same opponent… during the ranking tournament period, it’s a maximum of two times, right?”
As students advanced to higher grades, the number of challenges they could make per day increased.
Of course, a student who had already fought once after receiving a challenge could refuse subsequent challenges without issue.
Otherwise, there was a risk it could turn into harassment.
“I was wondering if I could keep milking the same opponent, but that’s unfortunate.”
At my disappointment, Cheon Ga-ryeong spoke up.
“Don’t say that in front of him. He’ll be upset.”
“Ah, is that so?”
Then today’s provocation will use that!
I chose Rank 36 Student as my opponent again this time. And I won.
Despite losing repeatedly, I had to acknowledge his relentless spirit, but it was a shame that today would be the last.
I conveyed my true feelings and thanked him for all the losses he’d given me, and Rank 36 Student went berserk and lunged at me.
The supervising teacher forcibly restrained Rank 36 Student, and since he attacked his opponent even after the match ended, he received disciplinary action—a three-day revocation of his challenge rights.
In the ranking tournament, revocation of challenge rights was the most severe punishment, and the school publicly announced the disciplinary reason to all grades as a warning.
Though his name was hidden, since the match was public, he became branded as a coward.
Now Rank 36 Student’s ranking was confirmed at best as Rank 36.
I received a warning for my provocation too, but since I hadn’t used vulgar language or thrown any attacks, no particular measures were taken against me.
That’s why you should watch your mouth.

* * *

Day 3 of the ranking tournament.
The class atmosphere had become distinctly divided.
Students still in the safe zone, those who’d fallen below Rank 20, and those who’d fallen but climbed back into the top 20.
The atmosphere created by these three groups was gloomy, bright, and tense all at once.
Since this was the first time anyone had been ranked by hierarchy, it was only natural.
Cheon So-yeon hadn’t received a single challenge by day 3, but later when I asked Teacher Kim Do-hwa, she said rumors had spread that Cheon So-yeon had defeated a sixth-year senior in the first semester, so no one dared challenge her.
Cheon Gong-hu, who was Rank 3, seemed easy prey and received countless challenges, but somehow managed to win them all.
Cheon Ga-ryeong, who was Rank 9, barely won on days 1 and 2, but lost to Rank 21 on day 3, dropping two ranks to become Rank 11.
However, she immediately used her challenge right for a rematch and reclaimed Rank 9.
The one who was originally Rank 21 lost to the challenge from Rank 11, so he became Rank 10.
“Not many challenges today?”
Since I’d fought Rank 36 Student twice and won both times, people seemed to think my victories weren’t flukes, so the number of challenges decreased.
Only three people challenged me this time.
“Hmm… none of them are easy opponents.”
Cheon So-yeon fell into deep thought upon seeing the names of those who’d challenged me.
Looking at them, unlike Rank 36 Student, all three seemed to be in the upper tier of the third rank.
Or wait, didn’t one of them drop to Rank 41 after failing to defend against a challenge yesterday?
Once challenge rights disappeared, they still had to participate in ranking matches if challenged.
“It’s fine if I lose…”
“No way! You have to win today no matter what!”
For the ten-minute time limit, Cheon So-yeon analyzed my opponents as if she were my coach.
“Rank 27 Student! Choose Rank 27 Student. Just keep in mind that Rank 27 Student has long arms so his range is wide, and since his lower body is weak, you can definitely win without inner energy if you exploit that!”
“Ahem! Cheon So-yeon. Keep your advice moderate.”
Teacher Kim Do-hwa cautioned Cheon So-yeon.
True, others entered the Training Hall knowing almost nothing about their opponents, so receiving analysis created a fairness issue.
Of course, I’d choose Rank 27 Student anyway.
Cowardly? Not my concern.
Whether I’m in Class 1 next year or not doesn’t matter, but winning still feels good, doesn’t it?
I headed toward the Training Hall.

(To be continued in the next chapter)

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————