"This is the list of top scorers from the first written exam! Students on the list, please prepare to take the first practical exam with your partner! We've also sent text messages to those listed, so make sure you're ready on time..."
-Ruuush...
The students swarmed toward the central bulletin board the moment the list went up.
The area was so packed it was impossible to make out individuals, but I wasn't particularly interested anyway. Most of those crowding around were probably nobodies who had nothing to do with the top scorers.
As the TA had just announced, the real top scorers didn't need to bother checking the board—they'd get a text.
-Bzzz.
"...Huh?"
Right on cue.
"Seon-ho."
"Yeah."
"What do I do...? I just got a message from the academy saying I'm a top scorer..."
"No way, really?"
I already knew, of course, but I played surprised and asked again. In the original story, Cha Eun-ju's strong written exam scores had been mentioned multiple times.
That's how she managed to stick around at Cheonmu Hunter Academy despite her weaker practical skills. And her group project scores with Lee Seon-ho were always solid.
"Nice. I had a feeling you'd make it, Eun-ju."
"W-what do I do...? D-does this mean I can't take the exam with you, Seon-ho...? I-I don't have confidence teaming up with anyone else..."
"Don't panic. Just read the rest of the message below."
"Okay...?"
I showed her the message about the 'first practical exam' rules, since she might not be able to partner with me. The moment she read the part underneath, Cha Eun-ju finally started to relax.
"Partners of top scorers can join them in the first practical exam even if they're not top scorers themselves. We've asked pre-paired examinees to avoid any mix-ups..."
"Thanks to you, I won't have to wait around forever either. Appreciate it, Eun-ju."
"Haaa... G-good. I get to take the exam with you, Seon-ho..."
She'd been panicking, unsure what to do, but now she patted her chest in relief with a big sigh. The practical exam hadn't even started yet, and her dependence on me had already reached this level.
Perfect sign. The more she leaned on me emotionally, the better suited she was to become an obedient slave.
I didn't plan to raise all my slaves to be purely submissive, but the first one? Better if she was. It made expanding the harem much smoother later.
That was why I'd prioritized targeting Cha Eun-ju over the other heroines.
-Bzzz.
"Hold on a sec."
"Yeah?"
We were discussing the practical exam when my phone buzzed with a message too. Checking it just in case, it was almost identical to Eun-ju's.
「Examinee Lee Seon-ho has been selected as a top scorer in the written exam. Please join the first practical exam on time...」
I hadn't thought I'd done that well on the written exam last time, but knowing the answers must've helped quite a bit.
⁎ ⁎ ⁎
"Examinee Cha Eun-ju from Magic Department support, and examinee Lee Seon-ho from Combat Support Department support—are the two of you teaming up?"
"Yes."
-Nod nod.
"Got it. The first practical exam starts in about an hour, so please wait in the first practical exam waiting room until then."
"Thanks."
-Nod nod.
Following the registration desk's guidance, Eun-ju and I headed to the waiting room.
She kept asking about it the whole way, clearly amazed that I was a top scorer too.
"S-Seon-ho's a top scorer too. It feels kinda surreal..."
"What, you think I look like I can't study?"
"N-no, not that. It's just... b-both of us being top scorers feels amazing. We trained together even before the results came out..."
"I'm kidding. Honestly, I didn't expect to make the list either. There were so many tough questions—I figured I'd barely passed."
Me acing the written exam wouldn't derail the original plot much. At worst, some kid who'd ranked around 100th would get bumped to the next round.
I mentally apologized to that nameless extra as we entered the waiting room, where an impressive lineup was already gathered.
-Swoosh.
"..."
-Glance, glance.
"...Ahem."
The other examinees shot us wary looks as we entered.
A few I recognized from the original story, but most were forgettable extras.
Hair colors and styles in every shade imaginable. Eun-ju's purple-black mix would've stood out in the real world, but among Surviving Hunter Academy's main cast, it was downright ordinary.
No need to cozy up to anyone else right now.
Today's targets were just Kim Isabel and Han Sora. Scattering attention to other heroines or characters would only complicate things.
With that in mind, Eun-ju and I took seats at a four-person round table in a quiet corner.
...Not a two-seater, because Han Sora and the protagonist's group might join later.
"They've got bread and snacks here. Looks okay to eat, right?"
"Y-yeah..."
"What do you want, Eun-ju? Croissants? Or cookies?"
"Cookies..."
"Cool, I'll grab some."
"W-wait, m-me too..."
I picked out a few light, fresh snacks from the refreshment corner, then set my bag on an empty seat like we were saving spots for friends. Waiting for the others to show.
Kim Isabel, the main character of this episode. Han Sora. And the protagonist.
Sitting side by side at the round table, killing time, the top-scorer waiting room gradually filled up.
-Bang!
"Yo, what's up! Everyone ready for the exam?"
"Shut your trap and get in here, you idiot!"
In barreled Park Cheon-ho, drawing every eye with his booming voice, shoved inside by his sister Park Hana, who looked mortified.
-Creak.
"..."
-Glance, glance.
"Isabel! Over here, here!"
"...Ah, Ye-won!"
Unlike the Park siblings, Kim Isabel slipped in quietly, scanned the room, spotted her partner Min Ye-won, and hurried over.
-Slam!
"Seo Woo-jin! Hurry up and run! The exam's about to start!"
"Hah, I-I'm running, hah..."
"How many times have I told you to work on your stamina?!"
Then, with only ten minutes to go, Han Sora kicked open the door, trailed by the panting protagonist, Seo Woo-jin.
Including the ones already there, pretty much all of Surviving Hunter Academy's mains were assembled.
One heroine was still missing, but she probably wasn't a top scorer and would take the second round.
Up close like this, you can really see they're all top-tier.
Not as hunters—as eye candy. The main girls' looks were off the charts.
Han Sora with her bold expression and wavy brown hair. Park Hana's prickly short blue bob. Kim Isabel's striking silver hair, face veiled but impossible to miss.
Each one made me wonder what faces they'd make in bed. Of course, Eun-ju beside me was just as cute and lovable.
Didn't expect Park Cheon-ho and Park Hana to be first-rounders, though.
They didn't seem like top-scorer types. Guess they nailed more than I thought.
A minor curiosity, but irrelevant. All that mattered was Kim Isabel and Han Sora taking this exam.
...Seo Woo-jin? Whatever.
Still, gotta admit, protagonist's got the looks.
Not that he could look average and still drive the story.
Fortunately, Han Sora still saw him as just a childhood friend. She'd only start developing real feelings after the incident in this practical exam.
And like childhood friends in every manga or novel, her treatment in the story wasn't great. She got early screentime, but later? Just 'first heroine' status.
As the protagonist awakened and stronger women piled up around him, she'd pine unrequited, too late to confess.
...But if she became mine, I wouldn't neglect her like that. She'd be way happier in my harem than orbiting that indecisive wimp.
"Mm..."
Han Sora crossed her arms, cautiously scanning the packed room of over a hundred examinees.
Seizing the moment, I cleared the bag from the empty seat and pretended to rummage.
"Whatcha doing, Seon-ho?"
"Putting my phone and wallet in my bag. No point carrying them during the exam—they'd just jingle."
"Oh... I should do that too."
Cutely mimicking me, Eun-ju tucked her phone into her crossbody bag.
Jackpot. Han Sora spotted the empty seat and headed our way.
"Mind if I sit here?"
"Go ahead. That cool, Eun-ju?"
"I don't mind..."
"Hey, Seo Woo-jin. Seats here."
"Yeah..."
Early story vibes—Seo Woo-jin trailed after Han Sora like a puppy.
Something about his handsome face paired with that spineless vibe rubbed me wrong.
"Fate brought us together, so introductions? I'm Han Sora, Archery Department."
"Lee Seon-ho, Combat Support Department."
"...Ch-Cha Eun-ju, Magic Department..."
True to her bubbly nature, Han Sora jumped straight into names after sitting.
I considered matching her energy but stuck to my usual calm tone, with Eun-ju right there.
Shy as she was, she followed my lead and spoke up softly.
"..."
One person stayed silent, uncomfortable with the vibe: Seo Woo-jin, sandwiched between me and Han Sora, lips sealed.
-Pop!
"Hey, Seo Woo-jin! You gonna introduce yourself or what?"
"W-what... We're Support and Magic—they'll forget after one look anyway..."
"We might have group classes later! And if you're that forgettable, why skip the hello?"
"...Seo Woo-jin."
"Sorry, he's not great with words."
"No worries. First meetings can be awkward."
Good—Seo Woo-jin was exactly as in the original. Clamming up around girls who weren't his childhood friend, just peeking nervously.
The story claimed it triggered protective instincts, drawing heroines. But honestly? No way women flock to a guy like that.
I dropped the novel midway, but if this was the protagonist, it'd probably end in some half-assed everyone-friends finale, too spineless to commit.
Heroines showering him with one-sided love forever. I'd cared about the story back then—no way I'd accept that crap ending.
"What department? Archery like Sora?"
"N-no... Swordsmanship Department..."
"Oh? Might run into you a lot then. Support teams up with Combat departments plenty."
"N-no, it's fine. I don't really wanna hang with Support kids..."
"Huh?"
"H-honestly, Support's just for people without real combat skills... I-I'm not into that..."
...Well, now.
This punk. Way cockier than I thought.