The EX-Class Extra of the Academy

Chapter 108 : Chapter 108

Chapter 108. Even When Defeat Is Certain (4)

"I... I must have misheard you, right?"

"No. You heard exactly what I said. I have no intention of ending things like this."

At his confirmation, my face twisted in a grimace. My expression had not even faltered when Baek Ha-seong threatened the lives of the heroes I admired. But right now, I could not help it.

'At the very least, I can make sure his threats do not lead to actual harm.'

However, this was a different problem altogether. If I could not go to where the others were, casualties would surely follow. Consequently, the composed expression I had been maintaining to keep a good relationship with Baek Ha-seong finally crumbled.

It was then that he spoke again.

"Should you not listen until I am finished?"

He was speaking in riddles. What was there left to hear in a situation like this? However...

'I should probably listen.'

No matter how unpredictable Baek Ha-seong was, he would not say such a thing without a reason. This was not the kind of atmosphere where one would crack jokes. I accepted his point and asked a question.

"Are you saying there is a reason for this?"

"Do you think I am some mindless delinquent who would hold you back just for the sake of being difficult?"

Baek Ha-seong began to stare off into the distance. Before the question of 'why' could even fully form in my mind, he continued.

"From the looks of it, our current situation is being broadcast."

"What does that mean?"

"Exactly what I said. The academy has restored their drones."

I was caught completely off guard. That was something never mentioned in the novel.

'I did not notice it at all.'

Part of it was because I could not take my eyes off Baek Ha-seong. But if I had possessed that information beforehand, this would not have happened. The novel had only stated that Glory was helpless, so I had overlooked this possibility entirely.

'Has everything we talked about been leaked to the academy?'

This was bad. If the conversation between Baek Ha-seong and me was leaked, it would be a disaster.

'No, it would be more than just bad.'

It would become a massive incident. The events of this midterm exam would not even compare. This was a development I did not welcome at all. Sensing my thoughts from my expression, Baek Ha-seong spoke to reassure me.

"You do not need to worry too much. It is only the video feed that is being transmitted."

"What?"

"Do you really think I would have let them be if they were recording our voices as well?"

That was a relief, but a new question immediately arose.

"Did you know from the beginning?"

"Well, they were not connected from the moment we met, but if you are asking if I noticed them, then yes."

"...Then why did you not just destroy them?"

"Why should I?"

Baek Ha-seong turned his gaze back to me.

"That drone will serve as evidence. Why would I destroy it?"

"Evidence?"

"Yes. Evidence that there is no connection between us."

He did not elaborate further, but I understood exactly what he meant.

"Are you saying... you cannot let me leave in one piece?"

"You are quick on the uptake."

I let out a silent sigh. I should have known things were going too smoothly for someone like me.

'I guess I am not walking out of here on my own two feet.'

"Was this your plan from the start?"

"Hmm, not exactly. I am not particularly fond of playing a role on a stage."

Baek Ha-seong continued as he looked at me.

"But the more I thought about it, the more I realized it was not a bad idea."

"..."

"I am a villain, after all. It would raise eyebrows if I just let you walk away, would it not?"

"I do not think your treatment of me has been particularly kind so far."

"Sending you back alive is a kindness in itself."

It was absurd, but I could not deny it. Surviving an encounter with an S-Rank villain was a miracle in its own right.

"So, I gave it some thought. How can I let you go alive while avoiding suspicion?"

"..."

"And this was the method I came up with. I just have to fight you and then let you go because I happen to find you interesting, right?"

Villains were notoriously inscrutable, after all. Baek Ha-seong looked at me as if asking for my agreement. Looking into his eyes, I...

"That does make sense."

I had no choice but to agree. People tend to believe what they see more than what they hear. Would it be faster to explain that Baek Ha-seong spared me because he liked me? Or would it be faster to let them see it through a video feed? The latter was obviously more effective. That was simply how human psychology worked.

'Still, this is not exactly pleasant.'

As Baek Ha-seong said, this would avoid suspicion. If they saw me being struck down by his attack, any doubt that we were in league would vanish. But even so, I was not happy. Why?

'Because I know what is about to happen to me.'

Who would be happy about being beaten up and left rolling on the ground? It would be weirder to enjoy it. However...

"I understand. Then the promise we made at the start still stands, right?"

I might not be happy, but I could endure it. For the sake of a better future, this fleeting moment of pain was nothing.

"I like your spirit."

"I know this is the better path."

"That is what I mean by having spirit. There are plenty of people in the world who know the right path but cannot bring themselves to take it."

Baek Ha-seong frowned slightly as he spoke, but it was only for a fleeting moment. He soon returned to his usual expression.

"And since this will also be helpful to you, that spirit of yours is quite alright."

"Helpful?"

"Yes. People like you usually end up in one of two ways: you either live a very long life or you die very young."

"..."

"I am not trying to insult you; it is just the truth. That is the nature of trying to achieve the impossible."

"So, are you saying you want me to come to my senses by giving me a beating?"

"No. I want you to realize exactly where you stand. If you can understand your place, your life might last a little longer."

He was not wrong.

'Honestly, even I do not have a perfect grasp of my own strength.'

My talent varied wildly depending on the number of points I spent. It was nearly impossible to gauge it accurately. In that sense, this was a great opportunity.

'I can test myself against Baek Ha-seong.'

I gripped my sword tightly once more. At that, the dense clouds began to settle around us again. Just looking at them made a chill run down my spine.

'It is an incredible talent, truly worthy of being Baek Ha-seong's identity.'

He could create wind or clouds to obscure vision and move instantaneously to anywhere the clouds reached. Knowing the full extent of that power, it was only natural to feel a sense of dread.

'He probably gathered information on me using that ability as well.'

Combat, infiltration, intelligence gathering—it was a talent that could do it all. That was why Baek Ha-seong was a terrifying enemy.

'But he is incredibly reliable as an ally.'

I steeled my resolve. Even if it was conditional, he was now an ally. I raised my sword toward him.

"Please try not to make it too painful."

***

About thirty minutes had passed. I could not be sure of the exact time. I did not have the luxury of checking a watch.

"Hah, hah... hah..."

My breath came in ragged gasps from the frantic movement. If I had not used artifacts to boost my physical stats, I probably would have collapsed from respiratory failure long ago. That was how merciless my opponent was.

'I thought he might go easy on me, but not a chance.'

When I had asked him to make it painless, I finally understood why he had responded the way he did.

—That would not serve any purpose. If we want this to look like a real fight, we have to treat it like one.

I thought he was just trying to keep me on my toes, but he was one hundred percent serious. Thanks to that, forget it being painless—I felt every ounce of agony imaginable. Every single one of Baek Ha-seong’s attacks was top-tier.

'It might have been better to just get knocked out in one hit.'

Yes, that probably would have been for the best. My current condition was terrible. But I did not give up. No, I could not. Why?

'Because that would achieve nothing.'

I am human, and naturally, I hate pain. But what if I just gave up and took the easy way out?

'I would be helpless in a real combat situation.'

The path I am taking is, as Baek Ha-seong said, anything but easy. On that path, will there be more enemies weaker than me or stronger than me? Obviously, there will be countless powerful foes. If I were to run away instead of getting used to fighting the strong, I would never make it.

So, I gritted my teeth and endured...

'But this is not easy at all.'

I truly felt the weight of the words: 'Baek Ha-seong is on a different level, even among S-Ranks.' Even after pouring everything into my talent and the Blood Wish Sword, I had not even managed to graze his clothes. It was a predictable outcome, but honestly, it was disappointing. I had hoped I could land at least one small scratch.

'Well, there is nothing I can do about it.'

I have no one to blame for my own weakness. Still, it was not all bad. At the very least, I gained an objective understanding of my current level. Knowing that I still have a long way to go was a significant gain in itself. At least I would not fail by being overconfident.

'I would like to try a bit more since I have come this far, but...'

That was impossible. Unfortunately, my time was up.

'The penalty will start soon.'

Ryu Jin-oh’s Declaration of Domain had reached its time limit, and the penalty for the Blood Wish Sword was about to hit. Once that happened, regardless of my desire to continue, I would barely be able to stand.

'I suppose it is time to wrap this up.'

I prepared for one final strike. Of course, I did not expect to land a clean hit this time either. But would it not look better to go down fighting Baek Ha-seong rather than just collapsing on my own?

'That would be better for several reasons.'

Even though the villains had breached the defenses through sheer will, the academy was ultimately at fault. In the midst of that, a cadet fighting an S-Rank villain until he collapsed? That could only be viewed in a positive light. Steeling my resolve one last time, I spoke to Baek Ha-seong.

"It looks like this will be the last one."

"Is that so? Well, you have done well to hold out this long as a cadet."

"Then the promises we made... they are still valid, right?"

"I told you. I keep my word."

I knew that. But given how important the matter was, it was only natural to ask for confirmation. I had received his word, and that was enough. Now, all that was left was to finish this in the most fitting way possible.

"Then please, make it as flashy as you can."

"Did you not ask me to make it painless earlier?"

"Is it not a bit strange to say that now, after you have already beaten me to a pulp?"

"I suppose I had no choice."

Baek Ha-seong revealed himself slightly. He did not show his full form, but that small glimpse was enough to feel his overwhelming presence. It was not the small sparks of electricity he had shown so far; intense lightning was now surging all around him. Even a child could tell that something extraordinary was happening.

'I asked for flashy, but I did not expect this much.'

I trusted Baek Ha-seong to control it, but I could not help the fear rising within me. But the die was cast. I squeezed out the last of my strength, aimed my sword at him, and lunged.

"Then, I will see you again later."

At his words, I charged forward. It was my final strike, born from the very last of my energy. But unfortunately, I fell just short. The powerful gale surrounding him blocked me with everything it had. And since my attack failed...

"Do you have any last words?"

It was now my turn to receive Baek Ha-seong’s attack. Staring into his purple eyes, I spoke my final words.

"Please take care of the kids."

"You are consistent. I mean that in a good way."

With that, our conversation ended. Or rather, he ended it. As soon as he finished speaking, he unleashed a bolt of lightning at me.

BOOM!!!

The pain was so great I could not even scream. A searing agony that threatened to tear my consciousness apart. It was a level of pain that left me just barely on the side of the living. As my awareness began to scatter, I sank to my knees, leaning on my sword.

"You do not need to worry about what you asked. I happen to like fools."

Reassured by the faint sound of Baek Ha-seong’s voice, I allowed my eyes to close.

My consciousness faded into darkness.