The World After the Bad Ending - Chapter 16

The mock battle is conducted based on the first-year students’ grades.

In the first match, you will face an opponent with a similar statistical performance.

If you lose here, you will fight against a student with a lower grade than your own previous victory.

Conversely, if you win, you will face a student with a higher grade.

If you lose three times in total, your score is recorded, and the mock battle ends immediately.

Additionally, if you are deemed unable to continue during a match, your ranking will also end there.

On the other hand, there is no limit to the number of victories.

In theory, if you keep winning, you could face the top student, even if you started at the bottom.

However, once a victorious student loses even once in a match, it’s over for them.

‘One way or another, in the end.’

The goal of the mock battle is singular.

To elevate the strongest to the top ranks.

Before my eyes, I could see the auditorium of Zeryon Academy.

Enhanced with spatial magic, the vast auditorium was filled with students.

Students from all subjects had gathered.

Naturally, it was bound to be packed with students.

“I’m nervous.”

“This time, I’m definitely going to raise my mock battle score.”

I could hear the students murmuring.

Of course, none of them were talking to me.

Instead, I felt the piercing gaze on my back.

When I glanced back, I saw Isabel glaring at me.

She had declared that she would crush me in the mock battle.

So, she’s fired up with determination.

‘Well, let it burn as hot as it can.’

It won’t die out anytime soon.

“Ah.”

Just then, the second-year martial arts professor, Beganon Mercia, stepped up onto the platform.

Today, she appeared to be in her normal state.

Seeing her dressed in uniform, I could hear a first-year student behind me gasp in admiration.

Beganon’s melancholic beauty easily captured the hearts of the students.

Our professor does have good looks.

However, the second and third-year students know very well that there’s nothing admirable about her.

She’s just depressed because she couldn’t drink yesterday.

She’s practically dependent on alcohol.

“I’m Beganon, in charge of overseeing this mock battle. Since the mock battle scores are significant in determining team assignments later, I expect all students to give their best effort.”

Since she hadn’t had any alcohol, she was quite normal today.

But I knew better.

Who knows what absurd words will come out of her mouth next?

“Let me tell you in advance, don’t settle for a half-hearted win against an opponent you can beat.”

At her next words, the students were puzzled, not understanding what she meant.

The third-year martial arts students sighed, and the second-year martial arts students quietly covered their faces.

“If you drag it out to three losses, the mock battle gets unnecessarily long. It delays my time to go home.”

She was a professor whose only concern was getting off work.

Not that going home isn’t important.

“Alright then, that’s it. Assistants, guide the students.”

With that, she stepped down from the platform.

Already familiar with Professor Beganon, the students swiftly followed directions.

The areas for the first, second, and third years were quickly divided.

There are 48 members in the second-year martial arts class at Zeryon Academy.

Originally, the full capacity was 50.

However, in the first year, three students, including the protagonist, Lucas, were wiped out, reducing the number.

Thanks to my arrival, the number has stayed at 48.

In other words, the mock battle rankings for second-year students range from 1st to 48th.

My goal is to be in the upper ranks.

At the very least, I must break into the top 10.

‘The problem is.’

I transferred to Zeryon Academy in my second year.

Which means my grades aren’t reflected anywhere.

‘Currently, my mock battle ranking is.’

48th.

Dead last.

“Heh, it’s a fight for last place.”

“Might as well let the transfer student lose, right?”

“Seems fitting for you to stay in last place.”

The sharp words of the girls reached my ears.

Ever since I fought Isabel head-on, their gossip about me has gotten worse with each passing day.

Isabel, at first, was too busy getting mad at me to care, but recently, she’s begun to flinch, realizing how much worse their gossip has become.

No matter how upset Isabel was, she raised her hand, trying to stop the girls from saying such harsh things.

Her gentle heart probably couldn’t stand seeing her friends bad-mouthing someone on her behalf.

“Don’t worry.”

So, I made sure Isabel wouldn’t have to step in.

As soon as I opened my mouth, the girls’ sharp gazes instantly focused on me.

In response, I simply raised the corner of my lips.

“I’ll make sure you’re all ranked below me.”

“What? You’re seriously rude.”

“Go ahead, try it!”

“Hah, your arrogance knows no bounds.”

They hurled insults at me, triggered by my blatant provocation.

If they hate me, I might as well give them a reason to.

“Short, and yet, so foul-tempered.”

Sorry, but remarks like that don’t affect me at all.

“Ha, bet you’ve never had a girlfriend in your life.”

Oh, wow, that’s low.

Taking shots like that is against the rules.

Whoever said that, I’m not holding back next time I face them.

Just as I was solidifying my resolve, I locked eyes with Isabel.

She looked startled at first, but then her eyebrows furrowed angrily.

She was probably trying to stop the girls from insulting me, only to be shocked when I took the lead in provoking them.

“Isabel, you too.”

So I threw a cheap provocation her way as well.

She stared at me for a moment, then relaxed her eyebrows.

Seriousness settled in Isabel’s eyes.

“If you lose to me today, you will retract the harsh words you said to Lucas and apologize.”

Hearing that, I snorted.

“That won’t happen.”

The girls’ insults grew louder, but Isabel remained silent, simply watching me.

Her gaze quietly shifted to the scars on my hand.

Even if the others didn’t realize it, Isabel knew.

She had figured out that I wasn’t as easy an opponent as they thought.

“48th place, Airei. 47th place, Mirizen Aventi.”

Just then, I heard the assistant call my name.

As I responded and headed over, a student from the opposite side also approached.

He was also a second-year martial arts student.

Mirizen.

His uniform was a bit loose, and his timid demeanor earned him the nickname ‘Perennial Last Place Mirizen’.

Where there’s a first place, there’s also a last place.

If it weren’t for Zeryon Academy, he might have been able to excel somewhere else.

But at Zeryon Academy, where only geniuses gather, mediocre talent leads to this kind of bitter outcome.

“This time, I’ll get out of last place.”

Mirizen looked at me, determination burning in his eyes.

He had finally escaped from being in last place, now ranked 47th.

His desperation to hold onto that spot was evident.

“Begin the match!”

As soon as the assistant signaled the start, Mirizen drew his sword.

With firm resolve, he charged at me.

Here he comes.

I tilted my head, dodging the sword that thrust straight toward me.

The blade that barely missed my face was pretty nerve-wracking.

Even though he’s ranked last in martial arts, he’s still a talented student who got into Zeryon Academy.

The trajectory of his sword was quite stable.

The sword followed me, one strike after another, like a tail chasing its prey.

Each strike carried a considerable weight.

I focused solely on dodging.

The steps I had mastered long ago naturally unfolded at my feet.

My eyes followed his body and the handle of his sword, allowing me to predict the exact moments I needed to evade.

“All he does is dodge like a rat.”

“Ew, how pathetic. Is this the kind of guy who boasted about winning?”

I heard the jeers of the girls who disapproved of me.

The assistant shot them a look, causing them to quiet down quickly, but the mockery lingering on their faces didn’t disappear so easily.

Of course, I didn’t have time to worry about that.

‘I’ve sparred with Aisha before, but…’

This is my first battle where I must win.

That’s why I needed to get used to fighting.

As I move forward, I’ll have to face even stronger opponents.

So, I need to make the most of my past experiences.

‘Starting from the bottom is an opportunity for me.’

Dodge.

Dodge again.

Keep dodging.

As my footwork became more refined, the intervals between my movements shortened.

The body of Vikarmern was exceptionally suited for agility.

I wasn’t even out of breath.

Having endured grueling morning training sessions every day with the iron-willed Aisha had produced great results.

It combined with the naturally strong stamina of Vikarmern’s body, creating an incredible synergy.

“Hah, huh!”

On the other hand, Mirizen was already swinging his sword with a face that looked on the verge of tears.

Sweat poured from his face like rain, and his sword wobbled in his hands.

No matter how skilled you are with a sword, it’s meaningless if you can’t land a hit.

“I…”

Desperation filled his eyes.

“I must win!”

Once again, Mirizen’s sword moved.

“I’m going to rise!”

Mirizen’s desperation to escape last place burst out with intensity.

The students watching our fight started to frown one by one.

“Pathetic.”

“At least put up a real fight!”

“There’s clearly a difference in skill. What is he even doing?”

Even though the assistant tried to give them a warning, the students couldn’t help but shout.

“When did our class become filled with such fools?”

Amidst the jeers, a voice suddenly spoke up.

As the students turned to look, there stood a man who clearly didn’t fit in with his peers.

He had a rough, burly build, but his face was quite refined.

With his arms crossed, he watched the battle between Mirizen and me.

That was Gaidon, ranked third in martial arts.

“That guy just declared he’s going to rise up.”

It seemed he had figured it out.

“This fight is as good as a statement that he’s aiming for a top ranking.”

He spoke to the students with a sharp tone.

“And yet you say things like ‘fight properly’ or ‘there’s a skill gap.’ What nonsense.”

This academy is where people come to grow stronger, one way or another.

Telling them not to look down on the weak?

That’s just empty talk.

What Zeryon Academy values are strength and the ability to wield it.

In a real battlefield, begging for mercy because you’re weaker doesn’t work at all.

“Anyone who talked trash now will have no excuse when they get beaten by that guy later.”

With that understanding, no one criticized me.

Even Isabel, perhaps wary that I might rise through the ranks, silently watched the battle unfold.

“Hah!”

Mirizen swung his sword again.

But there was no longer any strength behind his swings like before.

The sword he had swung so many times to win was now betraying him, pushing him closer to defeat.

I understood his desperation.

Being called ‘perennial last place’ completely destroys one’s self-esteem.

But, sorry.

No one is more desperate than I am.

‘If I don’t rise up…’

This world, which has already headed straight for a bad ending, will only lead to an even worse one.

‘That’s why I must win.’

My feet moved forward.

Thud!

I stomped down, finally stopping my evasive movements.

Mirizen’s faltering sword brushed past the side of my head.

At the same time, I stepped in close, invading Mirizen’s space.

His stamina was already drained.

And because I had only been dodging until now, he had grown used to it and couldn’t react to my sudden attack.

In that brief opening, I didn’t miss my chance and drove forward.

My arm, strengthened through physical training, struck with all its might.

Even without a weapon, it could serve as one.

Crunch!

My fist, like a spear, slammed directly into Mirizen’s abdomen.

“Ugh?!”

With a groan, his body bent forward into the shape of a letter ‘C.’

At the same moment, I pulled back my right arm and swung my elbow.

Smack!

My elbow connected squarely with Mirizen’s face.

As he staggered, blood gushing from his nose, I hooked my right foot behind his legs.

The fluidity of the motion caused Mirizen to tumble to the ground.

Just as he tried to get up again, I mercilessly drove my knee into him.

Thwack!

My knee struck his head as he tried to lift it.

With a crushing blow, Mirizen collapsed backward.

Though it was my first time in a no-rules fight, my body moved more easily than I expected.

Thud-

Mirizen lay still on the ground, unmoving.

At some point, the students had fallen completely silent.

In the midst of that silence, I glanced over at the assistant, and he gave me a nod.

“The winner, now ranked 47th.”

I had moved up from 48th place.