I Became the Only Non-mage in the Academy

TL/Editor: looloo

Schedule: 5/Week Wed-Sun

Illustrations: Here

Join the discord! Here

"Did we... lose?"

Hong Yuhwa scanned the list.

She and her followers had earned 9 points.

Yet, they were only in second place.

First place: Team Lee Seoha - 30 points.

Third place: Kim Seohyun - 8 points.

.

.

.

30 points. Can such a score be real?

They had said 10 points was the highest possible, but 30?

"We gave it our all."

"How do you squeeze 30 points out of 10? What sort of nonsense... is this?"

Hong Yuhwa's followers sighed. Instructor Seo Woojoo was famous for his stubbornness.

Even among the assistant instructors, something seemed off.

Rumors were spreading that Lee Seoha, Ersil, and Kim Ara had snared a massive monster.

"A-are you okay, Miss Hong Yuhwa?"

A blue-haired follower asked Hong Yuhwa, concern in his voice.

Hong Yuhwa held her head high.

"We'll be fine. We'll do better next time."

"Yes, that's just like you, Miss Hong Yuhwa!"

"You're always so admirable..."

"You all did well, too. Go get some rest today."

Hong Yuhwa turned her back to her followers and headed to her penthouse.

She scanned the area out of habit. There was no one else around.

Thunk.

Hong Yuhwa sank onto her bed.

"I... I'm in second place?"

Her teeth gritted together.

Hong Yuhwa felt wronged. After all their effort!

Only two or three people in the school's history had scored a perfect 10. But 30 points? Was this some sort of joke?

"This is a scam!"

Tears welled up in Hong Yuhwa's eyes.

She was confident this time.

She and her followers had corralled the monsters into one area, then wiped them out with magic. It was a simple plan, but Hong Yuhwa, confident in her firepower, had already claimed first place in her mind.

The proof was that she'd surpassed Kim Seohyun.

But it was unjust. Second place, her, in second place.

---

Raei Translations

---

"Once upon a time, only science advanced. But about 70 years ago, strange phenomena started happening all over the world. As you all know, when elements from other worlds overlapped with ours, a power called 'mana' emerged," said the white-haired professor, tying his hair back as he spoke.

"We know a lot more now than we did back then, but many things in this world are still undiscovered. Towers, dungeons, gates... this world is still full of mysteries. Plus, there are races and transcendent beings from other worlds."

His pen spun between his fingers as he listened to the professor's lecture. It wasn't that he knew all this already, rather, he couldn't focus.

Recently.

More specifically, from yesterday, he felt someone watching him.

An intense gaze.

Its source was to his right.

When he discreetly glanced in that direction, he saw Hong Yuhwa.

Hong Yuhwa was staring intently at the lecturing professor.

[Master, that woman has been staring at you for some time.]

The Black Heavenly Demon Sword, attached to his side, spoke.

[Ah, is it because of yesterday's test?]

The ranks from the monster hunting test were announced. Hong Yuhwa, with her strong competitive spirit, would naturally be aware of him.

Hong Yuhwa had an incredibly intense desire to win.

"So, you all... Ah, it's time. Let's end the class here today. Remember to have a good lunch."

The professor ended the class. As he packed his books and left, the students quickly got up and headed to the cafeteria.

Observing the scene, they really did seem like children.

"Let's go, Seoha."

"Alright."

I headed to lunch with Kim Seohyun. The cafeteria had quite a few open seats. It was a large space, and each grade had its own section.

"But what monster did you catch yesterday? The TAs were all raving about it."

"I caught a good one."

I responded vaguely to Kim Seohyun's question as I made my way to the Korean food section.

I picked up some kimchi, stir-fried pork, seolleongtang, and pork cutlet, then found a spot to sit.

"....Pork again?"

"You always have tteokbokki, don't you ever get tired of it?"

"No, tteokbokki always tastes good."

Kim Seohyun responded with a bright smile and sat across from me.

I glanced at the food Kim Seohyun had brought over. There were spicy-looking tteokbokki, fried food items, dumplings, and Vienna sausages. Next to them, cream pasta and bread for dipping.

"Can you really gain strength from eating that?"

"Huh? Yes, it's not much, is it? Ha, haha. A man should eat a bit more, right?"

At my words, Kim Seohyun laughed awkwardly and stood to fetch some additional ice cream and bread.

"Heavens! Hong Yuhwa, can you really eat all that?"

"Hong Yuhwa is indulging in commoner's food?"

I turned my head at the surprised exclamations. At the source of the commotion were Hong Yuhwa's followers, with Hong Yuhwa herself in the center.

Upon closer inspection, she had the exact same items as me.

Stir-fried pork, tonkatsu, seolleongtang with rice, and kimchi.

"......"

Wasn't this a bit too much?

I hadn't expected her to be this aware.

As I stared at Hong Yuhwa in disbelief, our eyes met.

Her gaze was full of intense determination.

Feeling uncomfortable under her intense stare, I quickly looked away, only to see Hong Yuhwa give a satisfied smile.

"......"

This was really beyond belief.

After class ended, I headed to the training ground to exercise.

The training ground was crowded. There were those showing off their muscles, lifting 500 kg like it was nothing, like Park Woonhyuk, or already soaked in sweat like Seo Gayeon.

"There really are a lot of people."

"But this training ground is nice. There's hardly any smell of sweat. All the equipment is top-notch."

Kim Seohyun hummed in agreement.

"I felt like I was going to suffocate from the smell of sweat at my previous school."

"That sounds extreme."

I did some light stretching while observing Seo Gayeon. I wished she could find the fun in magic.

'I can't force her.'

I suppose I should help her awaken her magical abilities after the events in the original work happen.

"Should we just do a light workout for two hours today?"

"......Let's do that."

Kim Seohyun replied with a broad smile.

I really wasn't up for it, but I had to endure.

"Let's start simply with 50kg."

I inwardly pleaded for mercy.

Contrary to my feelings, Kim Seohyun cheerfully added weight to the bench press.

Damn it.

I felt a gaze on me.

When I looked to the side, Hong Yuhwa was there.

"Hong Yuhwa? You're suddenly doing bench presses?"

"Yes, I've realized the importance of basic strength."

Hong Yuhwa responded confidently.

Her followers looked puzzled, but quickly started to help her get into position.

"Keep your back straight, and the bar slightly above your chest… ah, since your chest is large, Hong Yuhwa, you can just line it up with your chest."

Even when lying down, Hong Yuhwa's sizeable chest didn't flatten much, causing her follower to speak in embarrassment.

"What, Yuhwa is also doing bench press? That's a good idea. Even as a magician, it doesn't hurt to exercise."

"You, how much weight are you lifting?"

"What do you mean how much weight am I lifting? I'm 5... ah, you're talking about the weight that Seoha is lifting. This is 50kg, right?"

"Increase it to 55kg."

At Kim Seohyun's words, Hong Yuhwa's follower looked baffled.

"Doesn't Yuhwa avoid strength training?"

"I thought so too."

"Hmm."

Kim Seohyun whispered into my ear, and when I whispered back, her cheeks turned bright red.

...Things got a bit weird.

I quickly turned my gaze to Hong Yuhwa. She raised the weight to 55kg and, with difficulty, lifted the bench press.

"Urggh."

She made strange noises.

"Unng...huuh...hnng..."

Her face had long turned beet red. She gritted her teeth, lowered the bar to her chest, then raised it back to its original position.

Hong Yuhwa, gasping heavily, looked at me.

"Huff...huh, ha, hah, you...you saw that, right?"

Then she gave a triumphant smile and moved on to other exercises.

"...It seems like Yuhwa is fiercely competitive."

"That certainly appears to be the case."

Watching Hong Yuhwa, who was grinning triumphantly, I was left speechless.

You're supposed to do that at least five times.

---