Judy’s training was progressing smoothly.

…Or so it seemed from Lee Shin’s perspective.

Manager Bang Jin-ho, however, couldn’t help but be puzzled as he watched Lee Shin and Judy’s so-called training right next to them.

“Just remember what I taught you.”

“Your judgment isn’t needed.”

“Empty your mind. Erase yourself from your head so that only my words remain.”

With those kinds of words, Lee Shin’s extreme rote teaching method even bordered on madness.

‘Is he trying to turn her into his avatar or what?’

Calling it education was almost misleading—it was closer to brainwashing.

But what was even more absurd was that this insane brainwashing method was actually producing results.

In eSports, there is a term called APM.

Actions Per Minute.

It indicates the number of commands a player executes per minute. A higher number means faster hands.

Most professional players had APMs ranging from the low 200s to as high as 700, depending on their playstyle.

While APM wasn’t directly linked to skill, Judy’s previous APM of around 190 was undeniably slow.

Yet, under this rote training, Judy’s APM had skyrocketed to 250.

And there were no wasted actions.

“If you are fully aware of what you need to do at every moment, there is no wasted movement.”

Lee Shin had proven his own words through Judy.

By playing exactly as he instructed, like an avatar under his command, Judy no longer hesitated over what to do in any given situation.

Since she only had to follow his teachings without deviation, her gameplay flowed without delay. Naturally, her APM increased.

But not just anyone could achieve results through this kind of training.

Judy had a particular strength that had caught Lee Shin’s eye.

Meticulousness.

She was extremely precise, never letting a single unit slip through her control, making her particularly strong in long-term management play.

‘Thanks to that, she’s developed solid fundamentals in a short time, but she won’t be able to reach the top like this.’

Manager Bang Jin-ho was concerned that Judy’s style had become too predictable and rigid.

So he called Lee Shin aside for a conversation.

“It’s fine.”

Lee Shin stated firmly.

“What do you mean it’s fine? Her pattern is too obvious. A standard build and playstyle—anyone can predict her moves.”

“I’m aware that it can be a weakness.”

“Then?”

“There are no other options.”

Lee Shin continued his explanation.

“I agree that she lacks creativity, but that’s not because of my training—it was never there to begin with.”

“……”

That was true.

Even back when he first saw her in the amateur league, she had only been copying Lee Shin’s playstyle.

“Creative play comes from a desire to destroy the opponent at all costs. But Judy lacks that aggression. No matter how much I teach her unit control, she remains at an average level.”

Since her control wasn’t strong enough, he couldn’t teach her his signature fast-paced harassment playstyle.

“So, you’re saying you’re doing the best you can within her limitations?”

“Yes.”

“But can she even make it to the first team like this? Usually, people call that a lack of talent.”

“She doesn’t have the talent to achieve great results in individual leagues. She might pass the qualifiers and make it to the main tournament, but her predictable patterns make her weak in multi-game series.”

“……”

“However, in the pro league, she can consistently maintain a win rate of over 50% every year. Even with just a one-pattern standard playstyle, Judy can achieve that.”

“So, you’re saying you can turn her into a player who consistently maintains a 50% win rate every year?”

“Yes.”

To eSports fans who loved flashy plays, she would be an unpopular player.

But to a pro team manager, there was no player more valuable.

Having a player who consistently performs well in matches makes it easier to devise strategies.

Manager Bang Jin-ho preferred players who could maintain steady performances over time rather than ace players like Shin Ji-ho, who had fluctuations in their form.

And while Judy might be considered an unexciting player, the fact that she was a pretty foreign girl would undoubtedly captivate countless fans.

It seemed that the goal Lee Shin had in mind when he recruited Judy as a trainee was being achieved.

‘This brat looked like he was just acting recklessly, but he’s actually accomplishing his objectives step by step.’

Since Lee Shin said so, Manager Bang Jin-ho became curious about Judy’s current skill level.

“When will Judy be ready for matches?”

“I’m aiming to have her debut in the latter half of this year’s pro league.”

“Isn’t that too soon?”

“I’ve focused on teaching her defense and management. Humans who excel at those two rarely lose.”

“Then shall we test her?”

“Sure.”

Lee Shin nodded readily.

And so, Judy’s impromptu test was arranged.

“Alright, everyone, listen up!”

The players paused their practice and turned to Manager Bang Jin-ho.

He wrote “Judy Levelin” in large letters on the whiteboard and then added a “VS” next to it.

The players immediately recognized that this was a trainee test.

Just like how there was a promotion system in the pro league that allowed second-division players to rise to the first division, there was also an internal system where trainees could move up to the second team, and second-team players could be promoted to the first team.

This was that very test.

Manager Bang Jin-ho then listed the names of ten second-team players by race next to the “VS.”

“The players listed here will take turns facing Judy. No holding back, understood?”

“Yes, sir!”

The players responded in unison.

The only one caught completely off guard was Judy, who blinked her large eyes in confusion.

Lee Shin explained to her, “This is a skill test for you. If you pass, you’ll earn a semi-pro qualification and be eligible to sign as a second-team player in the draft.”

“A player contract?”

“Yeah.”

Judy’s face brightened, but she soon hesitated and asked gloomily, “Do I have to win all of them to pass?”

“No, just three.”

“Huh?”

“You just need to win three out of ten.”

That might sound like needing only a 30 out of 100, but in reality, it was far from easy.

Even though these were second-team players, they had all made it through the amateur league, earned their semi-pro qualifications, and had been drafted into the team.

Among trainees, this test was often referred to as “throwing an egg at a rock.” Winning even one match, let alone three, was considered a success.

Many trainees failed all ten matches in a row, had their confidence shattered, and gave up on their dreams of becoming professional gamers.

“Do you think I can pass?” Judy asked anxiously.

“You can win at least three.”

“…Really?”

“Yeah. This is just to see your skill level, so don’t stress over it. Losing is fine, and winning is just a bonus.”

“Okay.”

Finally reassured, Judy took a seat in front of the PC.

And so, the test began.

Manager Bang Jin-ho leaned in and whispered, “How many do you think she’ll win?”

“About seven.”

“What?”

A 70% win rate? Manager Bang Jin-ho looked at him in disbelief.

Judy had only been a trainee for a month.

“Except for a few promising prospects, most of the second team lacks boldness and plays too safely. That’s why they’re stuck in the second team.”

Lee Shin speculated that they would be even less likely to take risks in a test match that wasn’t particularly important to them.

“If both sides play predictably, the one who is more meticulous wins.”

“My God.”

Manager Bang Jin-ho stared in shock as he marked a “Win” next to the final tenth second-team player’s name.

Win, win, loss, win, win, win, win, win, win, win.

Lee Shin’s prediction of a 70% win rate had been off.

9 wins, 1 loss!

Far exceeding expectations at 90%.

The defeated second-team players looked stunned, while the first-team players and other trainees stared blankly at Judy.

“Coach!”

Judy, flushed with excitement, ran toward Lee Shin.

“Well done.”

He gently patted her head.

Judy, overjoyed, subtly leaned in for more, prompting Lee Shin to keep patting her absentmindedly.

‘I didn’t expect her to do this well.’

Even though Lee Shin had forced her growth through extreme rote training, he hadn’t anticipated such remarkable results.

In fact, there was an unexpected synergy effect even he hadn’t foreseen.

It was Judy’s past experience of imitating Lee Shin’s playstyle.

She had mindlessly copied him without understanding the meaning behind it.

But when that imitation met Lee Shin’s rote training, it finally transformed into Judy’s own true skill.

“Lee Shin.”

Manager Bang Jin-ho beckoned him over with a wave.

Lee Shin patted Judy’s shoulder before walking over.

“Let’s have her take the first-team test after a short break.”

“That’s too much.”

The first team was on an entirely different level.

For the second team, the first-team test was the equivalent of throwing an egg at a rock.

First-team players had their own distinct styles and knew when to take risks.

“She had a 90% win rate against the second team, man. If she does well, she might win 30% against the first team too.”

Manager Bang Jin-ho was excited for the first time in a while.

He had all but given up on this year, but now, there was a player he could immediately use in matches.

‘Lee Shin trained her. Now I can trust him.’

As a coach, Manager Bang Jin-ho now had faith in Lee Shin’s ability to train players.

‘It’s true that young players sometimes experience rapid growth, but to raise someone to a 90% win rate in just a month…!’

Judy’s performance was impressive, but even more so was the coach who trained her—Lee Shin.

“Hmm, let’s test her against five first-team players instead of ten. She’s so happy right now, I don’t want to ruin her confidence.”

Lee Shin wasn’t optimistic, but after Judy’s unexpected performance, he held onto a sliver of hope.

And then…

“I’m sorry.”

Judy’s voice was barely a whisper, her expression crestfallen.

Loss, loss, loss, loss, loss.

Manager Bang Jin-ho, who had been so excited, scratched his head awkwardly. It was too much for her after all.

Lee Shin reassured her, “This result was expected. Passing the second-team test alone is already a huge success.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“…Then, um…”

“Hmm?”

Judy hesitated before mustering the courage to ask, “C-Can I ask you for a favor?”

“What is it?”

“Can we… take a photo together?”

She fidgeted with her smartphone, looking shy.

Lee Shin frowned slightly at the mention of a photo but eventually nodded.

“You did well today.”

“So, if I do well, I get to take photos?”

“…Yeah.”

Judy excitedly snapped a selfie with him and then started taking a bunch of solo shots of him.

Her usual shy demeanor had vanished, replaced by excitement.

‘The foundation is set.’

Watching Judy fiddle with her phone camera, Lee Shin thought to himself.

She might not have beaten the first team yet, but if she covered her weaknesses and refined her strengths, things would change.

That was when Judy would become the complete version of the player Lee Shin envisioned.

The playstyle he had planned for Judy…

It was a machine built for slaughtering the weak!

She wouldn’t be able to defeat top-tier players, but against mid-tier opponents, she would dominate like a fish in water.