Rank 0 of the Awakener Special School - Chapter 60

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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 Rankings, Position Zero
Episode 60
Moon Yu-jin was an only child from a prestigious political family.
His father, a former judge turned Minister of Justice, had been the chief architect of that famous national Awakener control legislation.
A wealthy household. He had inherited the refined features of his mother, a celebrated actress, along with outstanding qualities as an Awakener.
It was a position that could only draw the concentrated expectations of everyone around him.
His parents spared no support for their exceptional son, and Yu-jin in turn grew up always meeting their hopes.
Dozen-odd tutoring sessions that began before he could even understand the world, admission to Gaon’s Special School, and even a sudden study abroad in Germany.
In none of it had Yu-jin’s own will played any part.
Yet it didn’t trouble him.
He had nothing else he wished to do, and he simply believed this was his path.
He never skipped a single tutoring session, and from the moment he entered Gaon, he always brought home the top grades in his year.
When his parents decided on his German study abroad without consulting him, he obediently followed their wishes.
– How can he be so well-behaved? Yu-jin doesn’t seem like a child at all.
– He takes after his father. Blood will out, they say.
Everyone praised Yu-jin.
Other parents hurried to push their children forward, saying “be friendly with Yu-jin.”
Before them all vying to win his favor however they could, his parents stood with hands on Yu-jin’s shoulders, smiling with dignified grace.
The teachers at Gaon were hardly different.
– Yu-jin, is there anything uncomfortable about school life?
– If anything happens, feel free to talk to me about anything. Understood?
To this, Yu-jin only ever gave brief replies.
– Yes, I will.
He felt no particular response to their kindness directed at him.
The reason the teachers were particularly protective of Yu-jin was surely because of Gaon’s director—his uncle.
– Uncle, I’d prefer if you kept the fact that I’m your nephew secret from the other students.
When he said that, Orion jumped back, but…….
He simply disliked growing tired.
He’d never felt revulsion at the favorable circumstances surrounding him. That was undoubtedly an advantage others didn’t possess, and he wasn’t naive enough to feel disillusioned by such things.
But there was one thing, precisely one.
The noise grated on him.
– Yu-jin, have you decided on a club yet?
– Want to team up with me for the group project?
– Yu-jin, you don’t have a girlfriend, right? A senior girl is interested in you, and if you’re okay with it…….
– Ah, Yu-jin! Did you mention to your parents that your teacher got you this? Not that there’s any particular meaning to it, but next time you see them…….
– Moon Yu-jin! Want to play soccer? Bring Han-gyeol too. We win with you guys around.
– Yu-jin, is it true you gave your number to that senior girl? Why won’t you give me one?
– Me too, me too!
Yu-jin.
Yu-jin.
Yu-jin, Yu-jin…….
‘…So loud.’
It was common knowledge that the more powerful an Awakener, the more developed their senses.
Yu-jin was particularly sensitive to hearing among his senses, and as a result he suffered accordingly.
By the time he realized it, wearing earphones had become a habit.
But even that sole barrier was imperfect.
Even deliberately wearing his earphones, they invariably pursued him all the way to his back.
When he was in Germany, it seemed bearable enough.
But returning to Korea in time for high school enrollment, the noise surrounding him had grown worse than before.
– Wow, Yu-jin, you’ve grown so much taller.
– Now that you’re a high schooler, you look even more like your mother. You could debut in entertainment right now.
– Don’t be silly. Yu-jin is supposed to go into politics like his father.
– How are your parents? Mom wants to bring you along next vacation.
In the midst of that overwhelming noise,
there was that girl.
– …Hi.
A bland greeting—no praise, no judgment, not even a hint of approval mixed in.
It was Seol Ji-hyo from the seat next to him.
They had been in the same class back in elementary school once.
Because they were distant enough that he barely remembered her face, he didn’t even register that her appearance had changed.
Somehow they’d ended up in the same group for a class project, and friction arose.
– Did you… get first place that way?
– …What do you mean?
– Just as I said. You ignore anything unrelated to yourself and just live caring only about your own grades.
Seol Ji-hyo grew angry, and Yu-jin replied.
– Is there something wrong with that?
Because living that way was natural to him.
Walking steadily along the path his parents had prepared.
With excellent grades and the title of belonging to the special program, graduation from Gaon would make entrance to a prestigious university virtually guaranteed.
Then Yu-jin would major in the field his father recommended, and after university he would naturally begin learning the work under his father’s guidance.
When the appropriate time came, he would marry the companion his parents had chosen…….
After that, like his parents, he would have a child or two appropriately, flowing through life that way.
A life flowing smoothly without any rough edges.
A life that required only following along.
A life called “perfect” even while looking only forward and walking, without needing to regard those around him.
For the first time, doubt arose about such a life.
Because of that girl. Because of Seol Ji-hyo.
That he had recently begun following her with his eyes was perhaps for that very reason.
When he learned that Seol Ji-hyo and Nam Rae-in were betrothed, he was struck with shock—startling even to himself.
But then.
“You’re already caught by your uncle, man.”
…What did he catch him at, exactly.
That slick expression looked like Orion was teasing a nephew experiencing first love.
“…That’s not what you’re thinking, sir.”
“What? Don’t tell me you’re unaware?”
“…….”
Whether the feeling he held toward Seol Ji-hyo was what people called “romantic love,” he had…… no certainty.
Yu-jin had no experience in such matters, but his knowledge was sufficient.
Wasn’t it said that the heart races madly before the person you love?
Yet with Seol Ji-hyo it wasn’t like that. His heart had never once wavered when he was with her.
No, it was rather serene. Being beside Seol Ji-hyo, he didn’t need his earphones at all—not once was it loud.
And yet…….
Did I have that kind of feeling toward Seol Ji-hyo?
“I’m not sure.”
In the end, he could only answer that.
Not yet.
Not yet was he sure.
* * *
The final exam: Contaminated Environment Endurance.
The format was simple. Simply stand in an assigned room for one hour, then exit. That was all.
But this exam had the worst reputation of all seven events.
Colloquially known as Chemical-Biological-Radiological Warfare.
The room the students had to endure for one hour was filled with the Toxic Miasma from within Narak—a Contaminated Environment.
Of course, Awakeners did possess resistance to Toxic Miasma.
But while the rate of poisoning was slower than in ordinary people, the Toxic Miasma was still harmful to the human body. Especially the Toxic Miasma from the depths of Narak was far more severe.
「The Contaminated Environment Endurance exam will now begin. Test takers, please stand before your designated entrance.」
「In ten seconds, the doors will open in sequence. Prepare for entry.」
Hearing the announcement through the speaker, Ji-u steadied his ragged breathing.
At last it was the final exam.
If he could only finish this well…….
「Room A-7, test taker: High School Year 1, Class 1, Song Mi-na, Class 1, Ha No-eul──.」
「Room A-8, test taker: High School Year 1, Class 1, Choi Yu-rim, Class 1, Lee Do-hyeon──.」
In Ji-u’s hand was gripped the Ointment he had received from Rim-sa.
Not even aware of how tightly he was squeezing it, Ji-u stared at the closed Examination Hall entrance.
Presently, the door opened.
「Room A-12, test taker: High School Year 1, Class 2, Seol Ji-hyo, Class 2, ──.」
「All entrants confirmed.」
「Closing entrance.」

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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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