Breaking Up With the Heroine in an Otome Game

12 – Main Episode Performance Evaluation Begins (1)

013

The day of the performance evaluation had come.

The trainees moved to the fourth training room.

After about ten minutes of traveling using the campus shuttle bus, they could see a large dome-shaped auditorium.

The auditorium was very spacious.

Numerous lights filled the ceiling.

The seats seemed to number in the thousands, including the first and second floors.

Various state-of-the-art facilities were installed, as it was designed to be a multi-purpose gymnasium or training room.

“Wow, it’s so spacious.”

“The facilities seem to be good.”

“It’s the Union, after all.”

The kids glanced around the training ground with admiring expressions.

I was quite impressed myself.

I had only seen this place in a game.

Quite interesting.

“Now, let’s stop the pointless chatter.”

Hong Daye’s voice drew the children’s attention.

“We’ll start the first test in 25 minutes.”

Some of the kids swallowed nervously.

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They seemed a little tense.

Of course, Yoo Seolhyun and Seonari were not among them.

Seonari even let out a loud yawn.

Yoo Seolhyun appeared bored, only half-listening.

‘…Am I the only one that’s nervous in our team?’

I smirked inwardly.

Although my thoughts were complicated about whether things would go as planned, seeing their carefree appearance somehow eased my tension.

As it was their first match, even if things went wrong, their abilities alone would be more than enough to cover for it.

So they shouldn’t be too nervous.

“Both teams will wait at the ends of the training field, and once the game starts, whoever takes the flag and places it in their own territory wins.”

As Hong Da-ye pointed at the training field with a gesture, they could see a flag placed right in the center.

“Only the training equipment provided by the academy can be used, and there are no special restrictions on the use of special abilities.”

The equipment provided by the academy is non-lethal, with safety features in place.

“However, it is forbidden to inflict fatal injuries on opponents. If that happens, the match will be halted immediately based on the judgment of the school authority, and you may be disqualified. So bear that in mind.”

It would be quite difficult to truly deal a fatal blow using the training equipment, unless something went seriously wrong.

“And even if you get severely injured, don’t worry, as the health instructor and healer, Kang Yeon-ah, will be on standby.”

“Kids, don’t get hurt, okay? Your teacher would like to slack off a bit.”

The health instructor, who appeared to be in her late twenties, had a decadent air about her.

With a single dot under her eye, she looked very attractive.

It was true that she deeply cared about the students, but her usual laziness was a part of her character as well.

“Kang Yeon-ah is one of the best healers in South Korea if she’s a hero.”

“Hey, I’ve seen her heal someone during practice, and it was really amazing.”

“Oh, so gorgeous.”

In the game, the existence of healers is extremely rare.

Moreover, even more so for those who can heal moderate to severe wounds.

“Then we’ll distribute the protective uniforms for the match, so go to the locker room and change. You have exactly 10 minutes.”

With that said, the students headed to the locker room in groups.

As I arrived in the spacious locker room, I immediately began changing my clothes.

While slowly changing, I glanced to the side and saw Lee Si-woon.

Lee Si-woon was also changing, and his abs were no joke.

No wonder he is the main male character.

Wow, those are real six-packs.

No wonder he captures the girls’ hearts.

“Lee Si-woon.”

I quietly spoke to Lee Si-woon.

“It’s our first match, and we’re up against Kang Dae-han. You think we’ll be okay?”

“Sure.”

With a nonchalant expression, Lee Siwoon nodded as if it was natural.

“Oh, confidence. Since you’re going to face each other anyway, show Soyeon a cool side of you.”

“……”

I patted Lee Siwoon’s shoulder once and moved my steps.

I personally hoped that the final match would be against Lee Siwoon’s team.

It wasn’t that they seemed easier, but it was because Jin Soyeon was on Siwoon’s team.

Soyeon needed to experience the incident that would happen in the finals first-hand.

Considering the numerous events that would occur later, it would be a good lesson.

“You too.”

“Huh?”

“You too, cheer up.”

At Siwoon’s words, I chuckled lightly.

He was at least the better-main character among the others.

In terms of personality, I mean.

Not a ragtag like Kang Daehan.

“Okay.”

I stepped out of the changing room.

Several trainees had gathered, chatting.

They seemed to be discussing what to do next.

“Hmm. Everyone’s here. Good. I guess it’s about time, Team 1 and Team 2, come forward.”

“Yes.”

At Hong Da Ye’s words, the members of Team 1 and Team 2 raised their heads.

Soon, they each stepped up onto the training ground.

I watched Jin Soyeon from afar, slowly moving her steps.

Soyeon nervously played with the ends of her hair for no reason.

As it was her first match, she seemed to be feeling uneasy in one corner of her heart.

“Cheer up, Siwoon!”

“Kyak! Kyak! Lee Siwoon!”

“Show me the skills of the top student! Siwoon!”

What a surprise.

The girls watching the game started cheering loudly.

Anyone would think they were spectators who came to support the game.

Hey, hey. Those guys are your competitors.

I stared at them for a moment before turning my head away.

Cheering, cheering…

Should I give it a try?

Just to help Soyeon relax a bit.

She can’t fail just because she’s too nervous and unable to show her true skills.

Ideally, Jin Soyeon’s team should make it to the finals.

“Jin Soyeon, fighting!”

I wondered if my voice had reached her ears as Jin Soyeon’s shoulders flinched slightly.

She slowly turned her head to check out the stands, and our eyes met.

Jin Soyeon moistened her lips for a moment before suddenly raising and waving her hand gently.

“You’re too nervous! Just do it like you usually do.”

“I’m not nervous!”

Jin Soyeon smiled faintly, seemingly somewhat relaxed.

She looked the same as usual.

“…”

Ee Siwon’s gaze shifted towards me.

Our eyes met for a moment.

I couldn’t read the emotion in his eyes.

…No.

It was just a cheer, that’s all.

So don’t look at me like that.

“What’s with him?”

“Isn’t he Jin Soyeon’s ex-boyfriend?”

“They say they’re childhood friends, but they still get along well even after breaking up.”

The girls’ slightly buzzing voices.

“But they say Jin Soyeon dumped Lee Jinyeok to get closer to Ee Siwon.”

“Huh? Really? But they seem to be on good terms despite that.”

I had doubts about my relationship with Jin So-yeon.

“Stop making such a fuss.”

Hong Da-ye suppressed the gradually escalating noise.

“Now… both teams are ready, right?”

Switching her gaze between Team 1 and Team 2, Hong Da-ye soon covered the entire training field with a protective barrier using a remote control button.

It was resistant to physical, magical, and anomaly attacks, so it wouldn’t flinch from the students’ level of offense.

It wasn’t just the students’ attacks.

Even if it were Hong Da-ye, without proper equipment, it would have taken a considerable amount of time to break through this barrier.

It was a safety measure put in place since buildings could be destroyed or spectators could be harmed due to supernatural abilities.

…But this episode became a problem because of that.

“Then let’s get started.”

Anyway, along with Hong Da-ye’s words, the first performance evaluation and main storyline officially began.

Alright, the dice have already been thrown.

Might as well do our best since it’s come to this.

***

“…”

Silence enveloped the interior of the training field for a moment.

Neither team recklessly charged to snatch the flag.

They stole glances at each other’s team leaders, Lee Shi-woon, and Kang Da-han.

“Stealing the flag in such a boring way… huh?”

It was genuinely unintentional.

What Lee Shi-woon swung his sword horizontally with a whoosh.

Swish!

“Whoa?”

“What, what is this?”

“Could it be that thing?”

A single strike.

From far away, only swinging his sword, a pale blue magical force hit Kang Da-han like a flash of light.

Kang Da-han fended off the magic-imbued attack by twirling his spear around with his beast-like reflexes.

“…Hmm.”

It was Sword Qi injury.

It was a technique that allowed one to harm others with sword qi alone in the game settings, boasting an extremely high level of difficulty.

Even among the current heroes, only about the top 10% could use Sword Qi injury.

A trainee used that technique.

A trainee who had just entered the Academy.

…Ah, but the power seemed to be significantly weaker.

“Wow, that’s amazing. Seriously, cool!”

“The top class is really different.”

“Siwoon, I didn’t even know I swung the sword!”

” He is a disciple of a swordsman… But wow, is he not even his official apprentice?”

The children gasped in surprise.

It was understandable.

They might never be able to learn that technique even if they became active heroes.

‘Is this the difference in talent?’

I can’t help but feel quite envious.

“Sword Qi injury, huh? This is the first time I’ve seen it among this year’s freshmen, other than Baek Yurin.”

Hong Da-ye murmured with a slight hint of surprise.

“…He must know that it won’t work at this distance. Is it a provocation? Interesting. He looks like San too.”

Kang Daehan did not get intimidated and raised the corner of his lips, as if finding it amusing.

He realized that the proficiency of Sword Qi injury was not very high.

Moreover, it consumed a lot of mana, so it was difficult to use frequently.

“Alright, let’s fight!”

Kang Daehan dashed forward with a pat!

His teammates followed him closely.

Lee Siwoon raised his sword high to face Kang Daehan.

At that moment, the only one who could hold down Kang Daehan was Lee Siwoon.

Clang!

Bang!

The loud sound of clashing metal.

Sparks literally flying.

While those two were fighting, the rest of the team members had to determine the outcome of the match.

Essentially, the outcome of the game would be determined by the rest of the team members.

On Lee Shi-woon’s team were Jin So-yeon and Yuliya Troyanova.

On Kang Dae-han’s team were Kim Tae-o and Park Soo-jin.

Apart from Jin So-yeon, all of them were honor students ranked within the top 100.

“Park Soo-jin, I’ll take on Yuliya, so you mark Jin So-yeon.”

“Okay. I’ll finish it quickly.”

With a confident expression, Park Soo-jin approached Jin So-yeon and swung her whip.

She seemed sure she would never lose in a one-on-one match.

“Shi-woon is aiming for a quick win, huh? Where do you think you’re going?”

“…Well, I won’t deny it.”

Jin So-yeon calmly replied, blocking the whip.

Every time the whip made contact, a “bang! bang!” noise echoed.

However, she couldn’t block all the attacks.

Her shoulder, outer thigh, arms, and more took several hits.

Along with a speck of blood, welts formed on her skin.

Nevertheless, Jin So-yeon focused diligently on her defense.

“Hey! Park Soo-jin, how long are you planning to drag this out? Finish her off and help us!”

“Quiet! She’s stubborn as hell!”

Feeling pressured by Kim Tae-o, who was slowly being pushed back, Park Soo-jin twisted her body in an attempt to land a decisive blow.

With a full swing, she aimed to break through Jin So-yeon’s defenses.

However.

“What? Impossible!”

As if she had been waiting for that moment, Jin So-yeon quickly repositioned her foot, dodging the whip when Park Soo-jin hurriedly swung at her.

Jin So-yeon, who had seemingly already anticipated her move, slightly lowered her head to avoid the whip, then jammed the hilt of her sword into Park Soo-jin’s vulnerable spot.

“Ugh! F-f*ck!”

Oh, critical damage.

Properly struck in her weak spot, Park Soo-jin clutched it and staggered, while Jin So-yeon seized the opportunity to deliver a hard blow to Park Soo-jin’s jaw.

“Gah?!”

That was the end of it.

It seemed that she had passed out from the concussion.

“Hey, hey! Damn! Park Su Jin!”

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“Oh my. Impressive, So Yeon.”

“Damn! You won’t let me go?!”

“So Yeon, I’ll hold onto it, so take the flag.”

“Okay!”

Jin So Yeon quickly ran and pulled out the flag that was stuck in the middle.

Kim Tae Oh, who had been watching the situation, tried to stop her somehow, but it seemed overwhelming enough just to withstand Yulia’s tenacious attack.

In the end, Jin So Yeon, who had not been hindered at all, placed the flag in her own field, and the match ended.

The duel between Lee Si Woon and Kang Dae Han was a draw, but the victory was determined by their teammates.

“Is it over already? Team 1 wins.”

At the instructor’s words, the mood of Team 2, excluding Kang Dae Han, became gloomy.

It seemed that they were embarrassed to have lost in the first match.

Kang Dae Han muttered, “Damn, that’s boring. Let’s settle this next time,” and walked down the training ground.

‘By the way, So Yeon did a great job as I advised.’

He had advised to focus on defense against Park Su Jin and aim for a counter when her moves got too big.

But he didn’t expect her to execute it so well.

As expected, the protagonist is a protagonist.

“Phew….”

Jin So Yeon wiped her sweat and then looked at me and smiled.

“I’ll take the first win. Come up to the finals. I want to try fighting against you, Jin Hyuk-ah.”

“….Alright. Just wait. I’ll show you what I’ve got.”

I chuckled and responded to Jin So Yeon’s provocative, yet not provocative statement.

“Next, Team 3, Team 4 …..”

“Next, Team 9, Team 10 …..”

“Next, Team 12, Team 14 …..”

How much time has passed?

“Finally, Team 15, Team 16, step forward.”

At last, it was my turn.