Rank 0 of the Awakener Special School - Chapter 98

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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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Rank 0 of the Awakener Special School
Chapter 98
Every year, the moment the Exchange Event schedule was set, the air in school shifted noticeably.
“If soccer has Korea versus Japan, then Gaon has the Exchange Event.”
Leonhardt was Gaon’s long-standing sister school, yet also a rival at the same time.
It was the kind of pride that said: *I may lose to anyone else, but never to you.*
Most students had coordinated to wear white T-shirts printed with the Gaon school emblem.
They fashioned Cheer Sticks and Picket Signs—the sort of things you’d see at famous idol concerts—making and decorating them by hand.
Beyond that, groups of them would gather to place secret bets, or track down students known to be in the Special Task Force to engage in mild intimidation tactics, and so on.
In any case, everyone enjoyed the Exchange Event in their own way.
Why such fervor, you might ask?
The answer was simple.
With outings forbidden, Gaon students were normally cut off from the wider world—whether it was the World Cup or the Olympics, it all belonged to some other realm.
But the Exchange Event was different.
More than a mere friendly match.
It was pride, it was the school’s honor, and it was the only large-scale rush of dopamine they could enjoy.
In fact, during the two years since Tae Ga-young joined the Special Task Force, they’d been riding the miraculous wave of two consecutive victories.
“Come to think of it, you had that accident around the time of the Exchange Event last year, didn’t you? So you might not remember. Gaon was absolutely dominant back then.”
“If we win this Exchange Event too, it’ll be the first Three Consecutive Victories in the history of both schools. That’s why this year is such a critical moment.”
Rim-sa explained it in those terms.
But then.
The Special Task Force captain, Tae Ga-young, vanished.
What now becomes of Gaon’s fate in this year’s Exchange Event?
Can they truly claim the Three Consecutive Victories?
After school, on the first floor bulletin board of the High School Building.
An article from the Newspaper Club about the Exchange Event was posted prominently.
Standing still, staring at it quietly, Rim-sa approached.
“What are you looking at?”
As Rim-sa drew closer, she caught sight of the Newspaper Club article and her face grew troubled. “Ah…”
She hesitated, darting glances at Ji-u’s expression before speaking carefully.
“It’s just… since Ga-young was such an ace, everyone thought that with her, the Three Consecutive Victories were as good as ours.”
“…”
“But, but still! Even without Ga-young, there are incredible people in the Special Task Force, so I think… I think it’ll be fine. Surely she can be replaced…”
*Replaced?*
If someone were to take the captain’s place, would it be the vice-captain Do Min-gi? Or perhaps—
“Someone who protects everything precious with her own hands, achieves justice beautifully, and earns the trust and admiration of everyone around her. That’s why she’s a fictional character, I suppose. It’s rare to find someone truly that perfect in reality.”
“She’s not a real person, but I admire that character tremendously.”
Tae Ga-young had laughed a little shyly, saying that she wanted to become someone like that.
A warrior who would not betray the hopes of those around her, who knew how to achieve what needed to be achieved with grace.
Had Tae Ga-young not vanished that day, she surely would have returned to school and secured the Three Consecutive Victories for Gaon.
But now she could not.
Because she had made the sacrifice that day to protect Ji-u and the ordinary people.
*Then…*
The moment the thought reached that far, Ji-u’s eyes changed.
“Rim-sa, let’s leave school together another time.”
“Huh? Ji-u?”
“I have somewhere to go. Sorry.”
Ji-u hurried out of the High School Building.
Her destination was the Annex Building.
She needed to meet Do Min-gi.
* * *
Inside the Lobby, with the fireplace lit.
“…Do Min-gi, are you serious?”
Unexpectedly, a visitor had come to this place.
Orion, the headmaster of Gaon Special School.
Standing opposite him was Do Min-gi, his expression resolute.
“You’re truly saying you’ll compete in the Exchange Event?”
“Yes, sir.”
“…You’re well aware that’s not a particularly efficient strategy, aren’t you?”
Orion’s face showed clear reluctance.
“This Exchange Event is a very significant occasion. If we achieve the Three Consecutive Victories for the first time in the history of both schools, Gaon will truly become the world’s most superior Awakener Special School.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Then you also understand that not just I, but the entire Board of Directors and the entire faculty are betting everything on that title?”
“…I do understand that you view my Core unfavorably, Headmaster.”
“…”
The headmaster did not deny it at all.
Yet his pride was not wounded in the slightest. The fact that Do Min-gi’s Core was unsuited for combat was simply true, no matter what anyone said.
“However… you yourself said it, Headmaster. With that one gone, the only one who can lead the Special Task Force is the vice-captain—me.”
“That was not said with the Exchange Event in mind.”
“Yet you granted me the Acting Captain Position. Even if it’s temporary, if the captain doesn’t step forward, it would be a stain on the Special Task Force itself.”
“…You know better than anyone that the participation of a captain or vice-captain is not necessarily required for the Exchange Event.”
During the two years since Do Min-gi joined the Special Task Force, he had never once competed in the Exchange Event.
The reason was singular: his Core was not built for combat.
Yet now, the reason he sought to enter the Exchange Event so recklessly was clear.
He intended to do what Tae Ga-young would have done.
“That sentiment is admirable, but you must understand my position as well. This year’s Exchange Event has far too much riding on it.”
Orion was certain that if he had bent to favor his own student, Gaon would never have come this far.
So he had to make cuts where necessary.
He had to draw the line and say what was not, plainly.
“Min-gi, as you know, most of our operatives are currently out in the field. Losing more hands now, even if we compose the team with three members who offer the best win probability, it’s a precarious situation.”
In fact, Orion had discussed with the Board of Directors a plan to gradually call back some of the operatives currently on field assignments.
But for now, it was impossible.
Even if they completed their current missions and returned immediately, they could not make the Exchange Event schedule.
Only three competitors could participate in the Exchange Event.
Which meant the team had to be composed solely from those remaining on campus.
‘The visiting team from Falke this time has a total of five members. I don’t know which three will ultimately compete, but… they’ll likely compose their best three as well.’
Since the school’s honor and prestige was on the line, it had to be so.
Them, and us alike.
“Had Ga-young been here, well, I might have even placed you second. After all, there would be the expectation and trust that Ga-young would claim victory in the end. But as things stand now?”
Without Tae Ga-young, even packing the three slots with only the strongest would barely guarantee success.
“Can you truly bring Gaon the Three Consecutive Victories? Can you make that oath to me?”
“I will do my utmost—”
“Doing your utmost won’t suffice.”
Orion cut off Do Min-gi’s words cleanly.
“This is unlike you. It’s as if you’re burning with the will to succeed where Tae Ga-young vanished—to carry on her legacy.”
That was likely because the two had been close since childhood. Do Min-gi must have watched Tae Ga-young handle her duties as captain from closer than anyone.
But.
“You and she are different. Your Cores are different, and what you’re strong at versus what you struggle with are starkly unlike. This isn’t what I expected of you.”
“…”
“You intend to fill her place in the Exchange Event, but I ask you: is that not simply your own desire?”
Do Min-gi fell silent.
It was the reaction of one struck at a vital point.
“Min-gi. What matters most in competing in the Exchange Event is not such will or sense of duty.”
Orion offered this with a small exhale.
“One hundred percent.”
His humorless silver-gray eyes fixed directly on Do Min-gi.
“Do you have one hundred percent confidence that you will claim the Three Consecutive Victories? Is that a promise you can make to me?”
That was when.
“If I can make that promise?”
Creak—
The door opened.
“May I step forward then?”
Through the opened door emerged a girl with deep blue hair.
It was Ji-u.

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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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