After Returning, My Abilities are Infinite
chapter-59

Graduation (1)

“You Analysts make mistakes too, you know.”

“Aha.”

“No, really. There are times when you are too emotional and do reckless things.”

Yoo Ji-yeon looked at me with a smile.

“Well, you might be right. I was quite overwhelmed this time.”

“It’s normal when you are in the thick of it. You want to protect the people around you. But is that a bad thing?”

“As I analyzed the situation, I was quick to announce that I would save everyone. Because of my reckless actions, more people died.”

“We have to get rid of that hot-headedness of yours. Sometimes I wonder if you’re a Tank or an Analyst. An Analyst shouldn’t charge headfirst into the enemy.

Of the five heroes, she was the one who talked the most.

She wasn’t wrong, however.

I avoided her gaze.

“… Are you sure you’re not mad?”

“I need to analyze the Rift now, please leave.”

“That has time. Let’s go grab something to eat.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Aren’t you? And it has nothing to do with the fact that I’m your sister?”

“… Ah.”

I woke up from my dream. I pinched my cheek to make sure I was awake and slowly rose from the bed. It was an old memory, but some of it applied to my current situation…

‘If I can’t make use of my specialty, I’m no different from just the third-class hunters.’

Even though I had more exceptional powers than the others, I couldn’t save the world alone. The dream had hit home. When I was fighting, I often forgot that I had a special ability. If I didn’t learn to use that in combat, then I wasn’t any different from myself in my previous life.

‘The Akashic Records chose me for a reason.’

As a hunter, Jeong Si-woo was no match for the overlord. But as the Analyst Jeong Si-woo, I would stand a chance. I mustn’t forget my strength.

“Yes?”

Someone had knocked on my door, instinctively I responded.

“Cadet Jeong Si-woo, get ready for the Ceremony,” the Instructor’s voice said from outside.

‘Right. That’s today.’

‘I’m about to graduate.’

* * *

Everyone stood there with their immaculate cadet uniforms.

“Wow.”

I stood at the rear, and once everyone had taken their place, the Instructor started to speak.

“I am sure you are aware that scouts and guild officials are going to be attending the ceremony.”

“…”

“You are also aware of why those people will be here?”

‘Because the Hwayeon Academy produces the best hunters?’

“After the years of training and numerous evaluations, today is your last opportunity to impress the guild officials.”

“…”

“Assuming you graduate, after today, you will no longer be students. The guilds might start offering you contracts as hunters as soon as tomorrow.”

Some around me audibly swallowed. As the Instructor had said, this was a special day for the cadets. For some, this would be a great opportunity.

“If you make yourself look good today, they might forget all the bad grades you received before. If you manage to look bad, they might forget all the good grades you received before.”

“….”

“Today is the only test that truly matters.”

The Instructor said in a serious tone.

“You don’t have to participate if you don’t want to. It’s completely voluntary. Not taking part, however, will mean that other students may take the place you have already thought safe. More importantly, if you’re so afraid to show yourself today, can you really call yourself a hunter?”

“…”

“A single mistake can cost a hunter their life. Those who make mistakes may cost other people their lives as well. At the same time, the opposite is true. With a single action, you can save the lives of millions.”

“…”

“I hope you remember why you decided to join the Academy. Participation is voluntary, I cannot force you.”

He said the last words in a very light tone. However, none of the teachers changed their serious expressions.

“Those who join the guilds can secure a stable future for themselves and their families. Still, 30% fail this test.”

“….”

There was absolute silence.

The Instructor was quiet for a few moments.

And.

“Cadet Jeong Si-woo, I support you.”

I remembered why I had joined the Academy.

This time I wanted to participate in this final test.

It was a simple reason.

* * *

“Hihi, that uniform looks so silly on you.”

Not even today Han Yeon-soo could stop herself from laughing at my uniform.

I looked a bit worse than usual because I didn’t have time to wash it.

“Aren’t you busy? What about the Third Wave?”

“Oh, we’re done with most of the monsters. The cleaners are taking care of the rest.”

She said casually as she tidied up my clothes.

“And I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

“…”

“Ah, there it is again. Hehehehe.”

I don’t know what was so funny. I continued walking down the corridor, with Han Yeon-soo at my side, who couldn’t stop smiling for some reason.

“Uh, Si-woo. Are you graduating today? Congratulations!”

While walking down the hallway, I ran into Yoo Ji-yeon. She had a broad smile on her face and was waving at me.

“Thank you.”

“Hehe, it feels like just yesterday we took the test together. Now you’re graduating before me…”

“Your day will come soon.”

“That’s right…”

We talked for a little while longer before she took a selfie with me and left.

If Yoo Ji-yeon had graduated faster, she would have formed the Jeong Si-woo division with me. It was a little sad to have to leave her behind for now.

“I’m surprised you didn’t say anything.”

“Yeah?”

“You are always jealous of the strangest things. Last time you slapped her when she shook my hand.”

“Oh, I didn’t hit her on the cheek, I only slapped her hand slightly. Also, today is your graduation ceremony, I didn’t want to upset you.”

Did she hold herself back? It was a miracle.

“And honestly, I’m prettier than her.”

“…”

I sighed at her words. She kept walking next to me with unwavering confidence.

‘Even now, she has more fans than me.’

I kept greeting other cadets I ran into.

“Oh, wow!”

“Jeong Si-woo, just one quick photo…”

“…”

Some of the first graders said strange things.

I felt like a celebrity, but I had had many experiences like this in my previous life, so it was easy for me.

“You’re a real celebrity now,” Han Yeon-soo said.

“Cadet Jeong Si-woo, to the auditorium.”

It was finally time for the ceremony.

* * *

“He’s kind of like that.”

“What is so urgent?”

I could hear the scouts talking behind me.

“I have a good ability…”

“It could be worth using only interpersonal skills against small monsters….”

“An executive position would be acceptable.”

The cadets were fighting a fierce battle at the center of the arena, and the scouts were evaluating them. There were many promising cadets. Some could join the armies right away, others after a little more training.

“Hmm, he’s a little…”

“No, traveler. Can’t you see that? He is lifting his index finger of his left hand before casting the spell. That delays the cast by 0.2 seconds.”

“…?”

“His sword stance is worse than hers? Oh, yes. He’s holding it in the wrong position, slowing down his attacks. It would be much more stable if he put his foot a bit further back…”

“He keeps blinking. Uh… Yeah? Me too? Hahaha.”

I could hear one voice much more clearly than the other scouts’ voice.

Listening to them talk, I suddenly remembered all my faults much more clearly. They would notice every little mistake I made.

I had heard that there was an outstanding talent named Lim Seong-Hyun as a professor at the Academy. Still, I had no idea he had such keen insights…

Analysts and scouts turned their heads towards me.

It didn’t look like they had expected me here. My cap partially obscured my face, but they still seemed to recognize me.

Only

Some were laughing at my appearance, but those working as scouts know who they were looking at.

“Cadet Jeong Si-woo, these seats are reserved for scouts and guild officials. Follow me this way.”

“Ah. Sorry.”

I stood up and followed the Instructor to the cadets’ seats.

Some of the scouts couldn’t take their eyes off me.

“Cadet Jeong Si-woo, please come to the center of the auditorium.”

Now, all of the scouts’ eyes rested on me.