Academy Hearing

The purpose of this hearing was to question and resolve any doubts surrounding suspicious incidents. Park Ji-sang’s act of asking Sungshik about the secret to his perfect score was essentially an attempt to dig into Sungshik's personal know-how.

At the point where the Light of Truth had already proven that there was no cheating, the hearing was effectively over. Thus, the chairman of the hearing turned to Sungshik and asked,

“Are you okay with this?”

It was a question loaded with multiple meanings. Was it really okay to reveal personal matters, such as the secret to his perfect score? And was it acceptable for Park Ji-sang to cross the line in this manner?

“Of course. Since I’m here, I don’t mind opening up to this extent.”

Sungshik’s straightforward response eased the chairman’s concerns. Smiling faintly, the chairman replied,

“Well, you’re quite an open person. In that case, we will proceed with just this one final question.”

[Wow, he’s really cool about this.]
[Seriously. I was upset earlier when that guy spoke so rudely to him.]
[He’s been straightforward from the start. The more I see him, the more I like him.]
[I’m curious, though. How exactly did he get a perfect score?]
└222, me too. LOL

Sungshik’s refreshing attitude left a good impression not only on the chairman but also on the onlookers.

“Then, I’ll tell you right away. The reason I was able to get a perfect score this time is because of my ‘trait.’”

The moment Sungshik spoke, the room erupted in noise.

[A trait?]
[There’s a trait that helps with test scores?]

Indeed, while many traits had been revealed up to this point, no one had ever heard of a trait that specifically helped with exam scores. It was an unexpected answer.

“A trait? Does that even make sense? What kind of trait is that?!”

“Park Ji-sang, please mind your manners. This is a hearing. This is your warning. Next time, you’ll be asked to leave immediately.”

Despite the warning from the chairman, Park Ji-sang, still flustered, raised his voice again.

“No, this doesn’t make sense. Prove it again with the Light of Truth. How can we believe such nonsense?”

“Park Ji-sang, you are hereby expelled from the hearing. Please leave the room.”

Unable to contain his agitation and ignoring the chairman’s warnings, Park Ji-sang was promptly escorted out of the hearing.

“It’s fine, chairman. Honestly, I’d like to show him the proof through the Light of Truth again. However, I ask for your understanding that I cannot disclose the exact nature of my trait.”

In fact, it was considered a kind of etiquette not to ask too deeply about someone’s trait. Traits were the foundation of a superhuman’s strength, and disclosing the details could expose their weaknesses.

The sensitivity varied depending on the type of trait, especially for elemental traits. For instance, someone like Kim Hoyun, whose trait was rooted in fire, could be easily countered if their trait was fully understood. However, even for someone like Kim Hoyun, it was customary not to directly inquire about their trait.

‘Of course, my trait doesn’t have that kind of vulnerability.’

In Sungshik’s case, his trait was what was commonly referred to as "flawless." While traits classified as flawless typically lacked any distinct features, they also had no counters. Sungshik’s trait was an exceptionally rare case where it only had advantages.

“Then, we’ll request one more verification from Mr. Yun Gardes.”

“Yes, let’s proceed.”

With a brilliant flash, the white light once again filled the hearing room! Soon, the light turned golden.

“No… no way. This can’t be real. A trait like that is just unfair!”

When the Light of Truth verified that Sungshik’s words were true, Park Ji-sang cried out in denial.

[Ah… embarrassing.]
└He really is embarrassing. Can’t even admit it at the end.
└I kind of understand his feelings, but it’s still a bad look.
[What kind of trait lets you get a perfect score? Something like ‘absolute memory’?]
└The Academy tests aren’t just about memorization. You can’t get a perfect score with that alone.
└Really? Then maybe it’s something like a miniature version of the Light of Truth, ‘Eye of Truth,’ that shows all the correct answers?
└There are essay questions, too.
└Then what kind of trait is it that lets him get a perfect score?
[Either way, a trait is a skill, isn’t it? It’s clear that Heo Sungshik got a perfect score without cheating through his own abilities.]
└Agreed.
└Same here. I agree.

Even those watching were unable to guess what kind of trait had allowed Sungshik to achieve a perfect score. For Park Ji-sang, who was still visibly upset, it was even harder to accept that the trait had been the key.

‘It’s understandable. Strictly speaking, it wasn’t the trait itself but rather my [EX] “One More Trait,” which allowed me to retain memories from before my regression. That’s how I got the perfect score.’

For this reason, Sungshik had felt slightly nervous during the Light of Truth’s verification, worried that his method of achieving the perfect score might not be acknowledged as legitimate.

‘Thank goodness. If things had gone south, I would’ve had to resort to Plan B.’

Of course, he had prepared countermeasures just in case.

“Ugh…”

“Mr. Ji-sang, do you require any further proof?”

With a sly smile, Sungshik’s question seemed to bring Park Ji-sang to his breaking point, as tears welled up in his eyes.

“Ah… I’m sorry. I pushed things too far. I sincerely apologize.”

Ultimately, Park Ji-sang lowered his head, tears streaming down his face, as he apologized to Sungshik.

‘No matter what, they’re still just kids—soft and impressionable.’

Compared to the cunning and seasoned awakened individuals Sungshik had dealt with in the past, Park Ji-sang’s actions seemed almost endearing. If he had kept pushing, Sungshik wouldn’t have let it slide, but seeing how quickly he apologized made the situation feel less serious.

“It’s understandable. I get it. But if you’ve done something wrong, you should take responsibility. Write a reflection paper, front and back, on A4-sized paper—10,000 pages.”

“T-ten thousand pages?”

Park Ji-sang’s tears dried up instantly at the absurd number.

“Well, ten thousand might be a bit much, but since you seem genuinely sorry, let’s reduce it to one hundred pages.”

“O-one hundred pages…”

Even if he’d started with one hundred pages, it would have seemed like an insurmountable task. But since the initial number had been ten thousand, the reduced figure actually felt merciful. Park Ji-sang momentarily felt grateful for Sungshik’s generosity.

“Yes… I understand.”

With swollen eyes and a conflicted expression, unsure whether to feel thankful or resentful, Park Ji-sang agreed. Thus, the long and eventful hearing finally came to an end.

The Trait of Heo Sungshik Might Be Related to Knowledge

To score a perfect mark in the academy exam, one needs not only a broad understanding of the relevant knowledge but also the application skills to utilize that knowledge effectively. Some people are claiming that Heo Sungshik relied entirely on his trait to ace the exam, but everyone knows that a trait is also part of one’s skillset, right? Additionally, attention should be given to the fact that he scored a perfect mark in the strategy subject, which requires a high level of understanding of strategic and tactical application, even though it was notoriously difficult this time.

In my opinion, Heo Sungshik has the potential to become a strategist who could surpass the genius German tactician, ‘Jun Kroff,’ in the future. Supporting Heo Sungshik might serve as a stepping stone for fostering strategists in our country, which is sorely lacking in this area. I believe the government should provide full-fledged support in this regard.

Honestly, I agree with the writer's opinion.

Shouldn't we also hear the opinion of the person involved?

└ If it’s a knowledge-related trait, he’d have no chance in physical combat. If they offer support, he should take it gratefully.

[Why are people talking about surpassing Jun Kroff after just one test? Let’s see how he performs in the field after graduation.]

└ Even so, he shows potential, doesn’t he? It’s true that our country lacks strategists and scholars. I think he’s worth nurturing.

‘Is this a case of people drinking kimchi soup before being offered rice cake?’

After the hearing, Sungshik, who had been requested to meet separately by Yun Gardes, waited for him at a café near the academy. While waiting, Sungshik skimmed through posts on the SASU community and smirked.

‘I have no intention of becoming a strategist. Hmm... If I really end up receiving government support, though, that wouldn’t be bad.’

The trait of consumption could absorb power not only from living beings but also from artifacts that possessed special powers. While additional traits or awakenings could originally be achieved through artifacts, certain conditions needed to be met, making it no easy task.

‘But for me… I can absorb their power directly through consumption.’

If government support could be obtained, it would open access to ancient ruins under their management. This would provide an easy route to explore ancient artifacts.

‘Not a bad idea. If they’re willing to support me, I could pretend to be a strategist.’

Of course, this was just speculation from a few people, and reality wouldn’t be that simple. Still, this incident had made it more likely that he would be selected as an exchange student at the Japanese academy. If he could secure the trait he sought at the Isonokami Shrine, it would greatly influence his future growth.

‘I must acquire that trait. The first step is critical.’

While resolving to carry out his plans, the café door opened, and a tall, bronze-skinned man with a striking presence entered. Yun Gardes, after scanning the interior, spotted Sungshik and walked straight over.

“Sungshik, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for responding to my request.”

“Not at all. It’s me who owes you a great deal. I should have arranged this meeting first, so I apologize.”

At Sungshik’s words, Yun Gardes smiled and replied.

“You would have proven the truth even without my help, Sungshik.”

Hearing this, Sungshik was momentarily surprised by Yun Gardes’ confidence. Before being informed by the principal that Yun Gardes might assist him, Sungshik had already prepared his own methods to prove the truth.

“Haha, you flatter me. Even if I had other methods, they wouldn’t be as definitive as your Light of Truth.”

“If you think so, I’m honored.”

Exchanging compliments made the atmosphere considerably lighter.

“By the way, while I did hear from the principal that you would be helping, I can’t help but wonder—do you have a connection to our country?”

Despite receiving Yun Gardes’ assistance, Sungshik had been curious. Why would a globally renowned figure come all the way to Korea to assist a mere academy student like him?

“I had a minor connection with the principal in the past.”

“Ah, so the principal must have gone to great lengths to ask for your help.”

“No, actually, I was the one who contacted him first to offer my help.”

“Pardon? Why? And how did you even know about this matter?”

At Sungshik’s surprised question, Yun Gardes smiled even more deeply and replied.

“What I’m about to tell you is the reason I wanted to meet with you personally.”

As humanity underwent great upheavals, numerous changes occurred. Among them, the transcendents remained enigmatic even before Sungshik’s regression. The little he knew about the goddess of the moon, Luna, stemmed from the fame of Kim Subin, who was once considered a candidate for the twelfth star of the Thrones.

Aside from a few well-known transcendents, there was little information about their origins or their reasons for lending power to Linkers.

‘That’s why there was a conspiracy theory that the transcendents were the ones who instigated the Night Trials.’

While this idea now seemed absurd, it underscored how little was known about the transcendents.

Through his experience before regression, Sungshik reached a single conclusion about the transcendents: their identities and goals might be unclear, but it was certain they sought to protect Earth from the Night Trials! This fact was verified through Linkers, if nothing else.

Thus, Yun Gardes’ words carried credibility as he spoke to Sungshik.

“In truth, I am linked to the transcendent known as Saint Peter, the first pope.”

Speaking with a serious expression, Yun Gardes continued.

“Saint Peter, who holds the Keys of Heaven, has always been concerned about the despair and challenges humanity will face. Recently, he mentioned that someone resonating with his key had finally appeared.”

“Hmm.”

The notion that humanity’s future despair had been foreseen surprised Sungshik. Seeing this reaction, Yun Gardes paused briefly before locking eyes with Sungshik and asking.

“Sungshik, do you happen to know the true meaning of the ‘Seven Nights’?”