Rank 0 of the Awakener Special School - Chapter 53

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Awakener Special School, Rank Zero
Chapter 53
Gaon was no ordinary school, so it lacked the conventional concept of midterm and final exams.
There were two exams total—one per semester.
The first semester focused on practical skills.
The second semester focused on written knowledge.
The second semester’s written exam resembled what ordinary high school students would call a typical test.
The crucial part was the first semester’s practical exam.
Grades were determined by performance across seven disciplines, each designed to showcase each student’s Core abilities.
Some called this testing format the “Ironman Heptathlon.”
– Everyone gets pretty busy around this time. The school stops regular classes a few days before the exam and lets us train on our own. They’re doing that now, right?
Tae Ga-yeong’s words were true.
Starting the very next day, all classes were replaced with self-study periods.
The students dispersed to various locations—Practice Rooms, the Athletic Field, the Auditorium—and began their training.
“I’m thinking of renting an empty research lab over in the Research Building.”
After finishing breakfast at the Dormitory Cafeteria, Rim-sa spoke up.
“You’re training in a research lab?”
“Yeah, there are lots of insects there, and my parents work at the facility too.”
Right—Rim-sa’s parents were researchers at Gaon.
“What about you, Ji-hyo? What’s your plan?”
“Still thinking about it.”
“You could ask the Special Division seniors for personal training. They’d probably help. And you’re close with Tae Ga-yeong anyway, right?”
Actually, I had already received an offer.
– If you’d like, I could train you one-on-one myself. What do you say?
– I’ll have to decline.
– Why? That’s a rare opportunity. I’ve never scored anything less than top marks in every event of the practical exam. Of course, Do Min-gi always comes first in the written exam.
I could vaguely picture how Tae Ga-yeong dominated the practical exam.
It didn’t seem like empty boasting.
Tae Ga-yeong’s fame and reputation were formidable. Since entering the Special Division, I’d heard even more rumors about her.
So why did I refuse?
‘Couldn’t I manage first place even without putting in much effort?’
It was confidence.
After more than a month attending Gaon, I’d come to the conclusion that my abilities were quite high-ranking—no, exceptionally high-ranking based on what I’d experienced.
Which meant I didn’t need anyone’s special training.
Not even the Special Division commander’s.
“I’m just going to take it easy until the exam and focus on recovering my stamina.”
“Right… you mentioned your health hasn’t been great lately?”
“Yeah, but it’s getting better.”
Ever since that day I first entered Narac on the Special Division mission.
I’d been struggling with poor condition.
The wound on my left shoulder from Do Min-gi had healed long ago. There was no pain left.
Yet the splitting headaches and dizziness persisted.
If I had to name the cause, it was probably…
‘Have I been overusing my Core since coming to Gaon?’
No matter how much I thought about it, nothing else came to mind.
Meanwhile, Rim-sa spoke with concern as she observed my darkened complexion.
“Shouldn’t you go to the Medical Wing and get checked out?”
No, absolutely not.
If they ran any detailed tests there, my identity might be exposed.
“It’s just something like a cold.”
“You have a Regeneration Core and you still catch colds?”
“There’s been a big temperature swing lately.”
After glossing over it, Rim-sa thankfully didn’t bring up the checkup again.
“Anyway, I hope you feel better soon. If it affects your performance on the exam, that’d be a problem. Besides, your grandfather seems like a pretty strict person…”
Grandfather?
At the unexpected word that suddenly emerged, my expression stiffened slightly.
“Why are you suddenly bringing up my grandfather?”
“…Huh? Isn’t he coming?”
Rim-sa tilted her head, confused.
“The practical exam is set up as a Parent Observation event, right?”
In that moment, I went rigid with cold shock.
* * *
“I’m nervous. It’s been so long since I’ve seen my parents.”
The morning of the exam.
Han-gyeol, who’d come to Class 2, muttered while sitting in an empty seat near Mun Yu-jin.
“It’s been almost two years. I’ve grown so much—what if they don’t recognize me?”
“Didn’t you go home during breaks?”
“I started working part-time in middle school. I kept missing breaks. I just send money home…”
Han-gyeol’s family circumstances were difficult for a Gaon student.
Gaon’s tuition was roughly ten times a university’s enrollment fee.
To somehow cover it, Han-gyeol worked after classes on campus and during breaks at various sports organizations off-campus.
“If I can land a big sponsor this time, I might finally catch my breath. I’ll just have to do my best.”
At Gaon’s high school exam, not only the students’ families attended but also major figures from various industries.
Their purpose was to scout future Korean Awakeners early and invest in or support them.
In other words, posting strong results impressive to investors here could mean a golden opportunity for a smooth path after graduation.
“Speaking of which, are your parents coming, Yu-jin?”
“They will.”
Mun Yu-jin replied with a face devoid of excitement or tension.
There was no anticipation whatsoever at the prospect of meeting family again.
The relationship wasn’t actually bad. It just wasn’t good either.
But Mun Yu-jin wasn’t the only one whose atmosphere felt different from the others.
“……”
He glanced to the right.
By the window at the back of the classroom.
Seol Ji-hyo, standing beside the snow-white curtain, gazed outside with an expressionless face.
Was she looking for something? Or waiting for someone?
‘…Could it be family?’
But her expression seemed too rigid for that.
While Mun Yu-jin’s relationship with family wasn’t particularly affectionate either, something more pronounced emanated from Seol Ji-hyo.
‘Does Ji-hyo have a strained relationship with her family?’
Now that he thought about it, all he knew was that she was an only granddaughter of Seol Hwa Pharmaceuticals.
Just as Mun Yu-jin was sinking into thought.
A broadcast came through the speaker: “Attention. First-year high school students with waiting numbers 50 to 100, please proceed immediately to Building A. Repeating the announcement…”
The moment the announcement came through, the expressions of the students gathered in the classroom changed.
The parents had arrived.
The school had graciously arranged for students to meet with their families first before the exam to catch up.
That meant going to ‘Building A’ now would allow them to meet their families.
Some left the classroom ecstatic, while others departed with stiff, nervous demeanor.
“Yu-jin, let’s go.”
“…Yeah.”
Yu-jin rose from his seat, his gaze drifting toward the window.
Following his line of sight, Han-gyeol spotted Ji-u.
“Ji-hyo, aren’t you going?”
“…I have to.”
I slowly released my hand from the curtain I’d been gripping tightly.
The students who arrived at Building A moved to the waiting area.
When their waiting number was called, they would stand and find the room with their corresponding number.
“Waiting number 57, present?”
“Oh, over here!”
“Waiting number 58, you’re up.”
“Yes, yes…!”
Students with flushed faces disappeared one by one.
And finally, my turn came.
“Waiting number 86?”
“…Yes.”
I rose from my seat.
I felt several eyes following me.
The guide led me down the corridor and up to the second floor.
“This way.”
The door bore the number ’86’. After confirming my waiting number, the guide left.
Left alone, I didn’t open the door right away. I stood there, staring at the handle.
…Beyond this door, could that person be there?
My grandfather?
– A nuisance of a child, sharp as a nail. It must be pulled out before it causes a stumble.
My fingertips trembled faintly.
‘It’s fine.’
It’s fine.
…It’s fine.
After repeating this to myself several times, I finally opened the door.

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