"First place is going to Class F?"
"Why on earth?"
"What is he, seriously?"
As the students murmured, the instructors were flustered as well.
The instructors quickly sent Yohan down from his place and proceeded with the next turn.
From second place onward, just as the instructors and students had expected, they entered in order starting from Class S.
After everyone received their class assignment, Pluton Academy's entrance ceremony came to an end.
***
During the entrance ceremony, the instructors had pretended to stay calm so as not to confuse the students, but in the emergency meeting now convened, none of them could calm their excitement.
"The top entrant entering Class F? This is wrong, terribly wrong!"
As soon as Chairman Lee Seong-tae and the instructors gathered, one instructor raised his voice.
"That is correct, Chairman! This is an action that defies precedent. How can the top entrant enter Class F?"
Since Pluton's founding, there had never been a case of the top entrant voluntarily entering Class F.
At Pluton, a prestigious Hunter Academy, whenever the top entrant chose a class, they all chose Class S.
As the instructor had explained in the auditorium, that was because everything operated under a differential system.
The dormitory, the quality of education, even the treatment received....
Rejecting all of that and choosing Class F was unprecedented.
If the media learned of this, they would rush in to put Pluton under the spotlight.
Even without seeing it, the article title was obvious.
The instructors clutched their heads as they thought of the reporters they would have to deal with in the future.
"What exactly is that student's identity?"
When one instructor asked the others, a junior instructor hurriedly operated his device and displayed information about him on the screen.
<Yohan, branch-line origin from the Hangeom Family.>
Seeing his information appear on the screen, the instructors let out hollow laughs.
"Is that the end of the information?"
"Yes.... It seems so. He graduated from an ordinary middle school as well.... There is no separate information that could determine his qualities as a Hunter."
The junior instructor continued searching for information, but nothing about Yohan came up.
"Instructor Seong-hyeon. What were you thinking when you gave that student a perfect score?"
"I simply graded him exactly as I saw him."
"Do not lie! The Bakma Family's scion! The Hangeom Family's scion! Even the Baekgwon Family's scion, who is called the next Fist King! None of them received perfect scores!"
"I have nothing to be ashamed of regarding the evaluation I gave. The skill I saw from Student Yohan far surpassed theirs."
At Seong-hyeon's words, the dumbfounded instructor let out a short breath.
"Ha, so someone that capable has never once been brought into the spotlight until now?"
"That is the truth."
The instructors could not believe Seong-hyeon's words.
"Looking at the exam results, it says he cleared the S-grade Dullahan's Gate alone.... Do you think that makes sense?"
"I do not think it does."
"Of course! Naturally! The S-grade Dullahan created by the Academy's Gate is an existence a team of B-grade Hunters might or might not be able to catch if they all charged at it. You know that!"
"Yes. I know."
Because Seong-hyeon knew that, he all the more did not lower his evaluation of Yohan.
That was because he had personally witnessed Yohan suppress the Dullahan as if handling a baby and clear the Gate.
However, those who had not witnessed it could only be suspicious.
"Someone who knows that gave him a perfect score.... Be honest. You conspired with the principal and pulled this stunt to attract the media's attention, did you not?"
"Instructor! Watch your words, saying that someone used such a trick in sacred Pluton!"
"But without that, I cannot understand this!"
The other faculty members also began agreeing with that statement.
Pluton's principal was a person who would do anything if it was related to money.
Everyone thought that if it was him, he could certainly do it, and that he would profit through the media.
"Quiet!"
When Seong-tae's voice rang through the meeting room, the instructors closed their mouths.
"Pluton respects only a student's skill. Is there anyone who objects to this statement?"
The instructors each wore rotten expressions and could not open their mouths.
The fact that Chairman Seong-tae was letting this pass meant that it did not matter whether there had been the principal's scheme as the faculty said, or whether Seong-hyeon's words were true.
"Is there anyone who wants to discuss this matter further?"
"Uh... no."
"Then the emergency meeting will end here."
As Seong-tae was about to rise, Seong-hyeon raised his hand.
"Chairman. I have a request."
"What is it, Instructor Seong-hyeon?"
"I would like to be in charge of Class F."
"Instructor Haru, the Mana Specialist Instructor, should already be the homeroom instructor there, should she not?"
"Please."
Seong-tae stroked his neatly trimmed white beard.
Since Seong-hyeon had never been in charge of a class until now, his request felt unfamiliar.
"I can grant you that much."
"Thank you."
Because it was a request from none other than him, an S-grade Hunter, the Chairman readily accepted it.
Deep down, Seong-tae had hoped he would want a higher class, but he seemed to be volunteering because he had great interest in the student named Yohan, so he said nothing.
With Seong-tae rising from his seat, the emergency meeting ended.
The remaining instructors each said one thing to Seong-hyeon as they left the meeting room.
"You really are something."
"Try hiding it until the end. Let us see whether it stays hidden."
Even under the instructors' criticism, Seong-hyeon, who knew the truth, did not change his expression in the slightest.
That was because what he had seen was not false.
"They will know the truth before long."
***
While the meeting room was holding a heated discussion about Yohan, the person in question had arrived home and was sitting in the living room.
Unlike him, who was sitting there calmly, Mi-suk was stamping her feet.
"Yohan!"
"Why are you calling me noisily again?"
"No, how could you enter that Pluton as the top entrant and then think of entering Class F?!"
"That's praise, right?"
"Do you think it is praise?"
Mi-suk let out a large sigh at Yohan's attitude.
"Yohan, what was our objective?"
"‘Creating the finest assassin group.’ That is our one objective."
"That is correct. But you are deliberately entering Class F and trying to associate with the weak. Do you know what that means?"
"A model of excellent judgment?"
"Haah.... Were you not supposed to enter Class S and recruit them?"
"Listen, Mi-suk. Sit here."
Yohan pointed to the sofa across from him.
Mi-suk went to the place he indicated and sat down.
"What is the standard by which Pluton divides ranks?"
"Ability and qualities as a Hunter."
"Right. That is why I did not enter Class S."
"Could you explain a little more specifically?"
"Now, think about it. A Hunter's qualities. What are those?"
As if there was no need to think, Mi-suk answered immediately.
"Do you think I do not even know that? It is hunting magic beasts."
"Exactly! It is hunting ‘magic beasts,’ no more and no less. But what are we going to do?"
"Face Hunters.... Ah! People suited to facing people...!"
"Yes. Class F is the foundation for that."
"But why Class F of all places...."
Yohan raised one corner of his mouth and spoke to her.
"It's the same as giving food to a hungry animal. It becomes tame."
***
The next day.
At Pluton, before the students entered their classes, their Unique Ability Evaluation was held.
It was a custom carried out after the entrance ceremony.
As on the previous day, the students were gathered in the auditorium.
On the stage, a crystal orb had been placed, and just like the day before, many instructors, the Chairman, and K were there.
"Oh, K! To think you would be here!"
As soon as Seong-tae saw K, he approached him with a pleased expression.
K brushed away the hand he offered.
"Cold as ever. K, I thought you had no business left at the Academy after yesterday's greeting. What brings you here?"
"Mind your own business."
"It seems there is a student who has caught your eye as well."
K gave no reply to Seong-tae's words.
"There was much talk on our side yesterday as well. Because of that student Yohan, I mean."
"Who is that?"
"What? You did not come to see Student Yohan?"
"I have no interest in small fry like that."
Seong-tae nodded slightly.
"Then... you must have come to find your next prey."
"...."
"Do not run too wild. The Twelve Families have begun paying attention to you now."
"Unnecessary meddling."
"As for me, well, I would be saddened to lose one capable graduate."
While Seong-tae and K were talking, all the students gathered.
At that, an instructor went up onto the stage and took the microphone.
"Looks like it is beginning."
SCREEEE.
Microphone noise rang through the auditorium.
Then the instructor's voice followed.
[I am Haru, the Mana Specialist Instructor. Today, following the entrance ceremony, we will conduct the Unique Ability Evaluation before you enter your classes.]
When she placed her right hand on the crystal orb, the crystal orb began to shine.
Before long, the light from the crystal orb explained her ability.
<A-grade Unique Ability: Mana Recovery. Recovers 10% of used mana.>
Seeing the hologram floating in the air, the students could not hide their admiration.
[Starting with the students entering Class S, you will come forward in order and place your hands on the crystal orb. Then you will learn what your ability is. There are five colors that emerge from the crystal orb. Green, brown, blue, and red, which symbolize each element, and white, which symbolizes light.]
Then she continued explaining.
[Some of you may already be using yours unconsciously. Using a Hunter's Unique Ability is something close to instinct. It does not change and is fixed. Learning how to utilize it is what the Academy is for. Are there any questions?]
When she removed her hand from the crystal orb, the light faded.
No student asked a question.
Instead, the students wanted to learn their Unique Abilities as quickly as possible.
"Now then, we will begin. First in order, Class S, Student Bakma Mi-yeong. Please come up."
Short-haired Mi-yeong walked proudly onto the stage.
The air around her was so cold that several students felt a chill.
When Mi-yeong stepped onto the stage and placed her hand on the crystal orb, the crystal orb began glowing red.
WHIRR.
<S-grade Unique Ability: Ifrit's Blessing. A curtain of fire protects the user's body and heals wounds.>
As if this result was only natural, Mi-yeong descended from the stage.
At that, the students began murmuring.
"As expected of Class S."
"Ifrit's Blessing...."
"Isn't that a broken ability?"
After Mi-yeong, Haru continued calling people up.
Each of them checked their Unique Ability and came down from the stage.
Every time people checked, the crystal orb shone with its own light.
[Next, Class F, Yohan.]
Yohan yawned as he went up onto the stage.
[Place your hand on it.]
Yohan looked at Haru once, then indifferently placed his hand on the crystal orb.
Various colors of light mixed inside the crystal orb, then it took on a black light.
Mana Specialist Instructor Haru looked at the color of the crystal orb and thought.
‘The crystal orb turned black? What is this?’
<F-grade Unique Ability: Predation. Absorbs 1% of consumed nutrients.>
Looking at his ability, the instructors and students stirred.
"If it is nutrient absorption, does that mean he is good at eating?"
"I thought he was impressive because he caught an S-grade, but he is nothing special!"
"That is trash among trash!"
Amid the stirring faculty and students, K frowned as he looked at Yohan's ability.
Standing beside him, Seong-tae began laughing heartily.
"This is quite amusing. Amusing indeed!"
The reason he was laughing like that was nothing else.
It was because Yohan's ability was the same as the Unique Ability of K, who was called a hero.