Chapter 286

The Last Athletic Competition (5)

The two crown battle was, unfortunately, not much to see. Because Kang Shin-hyuk's ability had grown excessively, and Baek In-ha and Eleanor, the only talented people who could fight him on an equal level, were driven to the Knight Crown, he steamrolled the competition. Not to mention that the Magic Department's talent was poor this year after the death of Nathan Bodin, the prior Mage Crown. Perhaps it was the most pitiful Two Crowns battle in history, Kang Shin-hyuk thought to himself.

However, Claire didn't seem to think so.

"It was really cool!"

"I didn't even show anything worthwhile."

"You're the only one thinking that way."

"That's right, dad. It was enough to appeal to people. Especially..."

Vita smiled faintly and pointed to the sword still in his hand.w

"Because everyone knows that it's an ordinary iron sword."

"Oh, they were looking at it."

Up to two artifacts were allowed to be brought into Shinyoung's competition. That was because it was important for a superhuman to find supporting artifacts that matched their trait and skills. However, because Kang Shin-hyuk couldn't create an appropriate artifact before the competition, he was forced to participate with an ordinary iron sword. The soul connector had to be left behind, too, due to its connection with Shin Eun-hyuk, so he went without any artifacts.

"I had no idea."

"Everyone must've realized you could defeat an elite from each grade with just that iron sword."

"Yes, it was cool."

It was something he hadn't done in the rookie game last year, but he had stood out for taking the rookie king titles with two C-class artifacts. Kang Shin-hyuk looked at his sword and thought it was lucky; without those conditions, the value of this battle would've declined.

"Then, what are you doing now?"

"It's time for the finals for the rookie of the year. Oh Hye-na will come out."

"Are you worried?"

"No. If she makes a mistake, I'll correct it."

Claire burst into laughter at his ominous words. She thought it was cute how he spoke so strictly despite how he really felt. She wanted to hug and kiss him, but unfortunately, too many people were around. She wished that he would graduate in various ways, and, after glancing around, she gently grabbed his hand without anyone noticing. Vita smiled a little and moved into a position to cover the two of them. She was a clever daughter.

"Aren't the sports competitions over?"

"Yes, the final of the rookie matches is the last stage."

Kang Shin-hyuk, a bit embarrassed by holding Claire's hand, immediately remembered last year's athletic meet and answered vaguely.

"Aha, that's why all the interest was on the finals of the rookie match."

"If there's more to see, it's the Two Crowns final, but this year..."

Well, all the matches Kang Shin-hyuk fought ended too quickly. It was because he wanted to see Oh Hye-na's match, so he defeated his opponents in a hurry.

"You are a good master."

"No..."

Eleanor and Karen joined the trio as they headed toward the gymnasium.

"Oh."

"Hi."

"Hand..."

"Oh, yes."

There were so many people around, so it was difficult to hide with only Vita. Claire regretfully let go of his hand, but Eleanor squeezed his empty hand.

"Huh? Yes?"

"Vice-captain, escort your captain."

"When did that happen?"

"I also wanted to hold hands."

"You don't even hide it anymore, honey."

Claire laughed shyly as she grabbed his other hand again, and Vita stood on her other side.

"Then, I want to hold it too."

"Yes, yes, do whatever you want."

"..."

Kang Shin-hyuk gave up. Claire was clearly a little relieved, while Eleanor and Karen's eyes narrowed. Vita was quick to grab his now free hand.

"So, Shin-hyuk, who is this pretty noona? Where did she come from?"

"You were there yesterday, but what the hell...?"

"You don't have to know."

Eleanor held back from a fight while Claire kept Vita in check. He thought it was fortunate that it ended without attracting attention, but by the time he was surrounded by four beauties, he was already at the center of that storm. It was easy to see them even in a crowd.

"Shinyuk!"

"Ah, Baek. You haven't gone in yet?"

"I was talking to the student council. Senior, then later."

Baek In-ha was talking with members of the student council in front of the gymnasium, but he quickly turned to Kang Shin-hyuk upon discovering him. The student council members pulled at his sleeves to get his attention again.

"In-ha, are you coming today?"

"If you don't go, I won't either!"

"I'll be waiting, senior."

The three women threw out messages that sounded more appropriate for a game, and Baek was quick to answer them appropriately. Kang Shin-hyuk started to wonder if they were all programmed robots.

"They are people."

"Stop reading my mind, Vita."

"It's because I thought the same thing."

Was it because she was born of his spiritual power? But that felt more like the administrator.

"Shinyuk, what is this harem?"

"That's what I want to ask... Ah."

After realizing that he was still holding Eleanor and Vita's hands, he immediately let them go.

"So, when will you introduce me?"

"I said I wouldn't."

"Noona, your boyfriend is trying to cheat, is that okay? Yeah?"

"Don't worry. And you, don't approach Vita."

"Ah."

They pushed Baek away and entered the gym. Both players were up on the stadium stage, but the game hadn't started yet. A gorgeous blonde girl, elegant and charming like a princess, stood opposite of Oh Hye-na. Despite the fact she wore the same uniform as everyone else, she had an aristocratic atmosphere and a sharp gaze. Kang Shin-hyuk had no idea who she was, but she seemed familiar...

"Who's that?"

"She's from the Magic Department."

"I know that from the uniform, but she looks like an international student..."

"You're one to talk."

The answer came from someone else. Looking back, Lee Na-hee stood behind him.

"Adelaide Bodin, a French student he entered this year."

"...No?"

"Yes."

Lee Na-hee sighed with a nod.

"Nathan Bodin's sister."

"Holy sh-."

"I'm French."

"Crap."

"Yes, yes, I think you will do well in France."

Lee Na-hee laughed happily at his French before continuing.

"I heard about it in the Magic Crown war; she fought there too. Of course, I won."

"Hey, Rookie of the Year and the Magic Crown?"

"Isn't it natural? The only schedules that overlap are the Two Crown and the rookie matches."

Kang Shin-hyuk tilted his head as Lee Na-hee continued to puff out her chest proudly.

"What?"

"I won?"

"You won?"

"The Magic Crown."

"...Eh?"

He couldn't believe it, but he decided to confirm.

"You say that my senior is the Magic Crown?"

"Yes."

"Okay."

"No, motherfucker."

Lee Na-hee tried to curse Kang Shin-hyuk, but she turned her gaze away after receiving Claire's piercing gaze.

"Nathan Bodin is dead."

"He's dead."

"And honestly, I've grown a lot over the past half-year, right?"

"Right."

However, he thought it had been limited to runes, but it seemed that wasn't the case.

"Shinyuk, you too. She's the weakest of the Masked Bacchus, but her magical power has increased tremendously while fighting on the front lines."

"Baek, you're back. Anyway, there was that."

Lee Na-hee glanced at him, and Kang Shin-hyuk immediately realized that she had always been receiving his buff.

"Is that why you became the Magic Crown?"

"Well, I was lucky in many ways... Anyway!"

"Congratulations on joining the Royal class."

"Although I only have one year... Heh."

Lee Na-hee had a clear smile as Kang Shin-hyuk gently offered his congratulations. Claire was still narrowing her eyes.

"Na-hee, you know that Shin-hyuk shouldn't sneak into your room?"

"Of course, my unnie is correct."

"Royal class, I can monitor them all."

"Unnie did that..."

Adelaide Bodin could only be discussed after they sat down.

"Somehow, I felt like I had seen her before because she was Nathan Bodin's sister. She's been well received here."

"Well, her brother became a traitor, but she's very talented."

"You mean..."

Kang Shin-hyuk sighed as he watched Adelaide face off against Oh Hye-na. In a way, she was in a similar situation to her. Like Oh Hye-na, maybe she hated Shin Eun-hyuk who killed Nathan Bodin on that day...? But what was surprising is that he hadn't heard her name before.

"This year, things were so noisy, and it seems that she had been quiet. Until now."

"So, do you think Oh Hye-na will lose?"

"Well, I think it'll be a close win."

Lee Na-hee looked grim as they spoke since she didn't have the confidence she could beat Oh Hye-na. He thought she had only greed as an artifact crafter, but he was a little surprised to learn that she was also greedy for fighting ability.

"You will be stronger."

"Don't soothe me so gently; I want to hit you."

Her eyes were sincere, forcing Kang Shin-hyuk back.

"I really hate this person."

"It's okay; I'll take care of it."

"Unnie? Unnie, joke, wait a second?!"

But it was then. It was just for a moment, but he felt like Adelaide Bodin's eyes were right on him. Did she recognize him? Did she realize his identity? No, she couldn't. He thought that couldn't be, and it wasn't from the start. The final stage of the rookie match finals, the moment when the match started, in that place where all of Shinyoung's teachers and students, as well as superhumans from around Korea and the world, gathered...

A massive gate that hadn't ever been seen in Earth's history now opened.