Summer vacation had arrived.

If you would imagine the summer vacation in the fantasy romantic comedy dating simulation academy genre, everyone anticipated a beach trip event regardless of any situation.

Even in ‘Aether World Online,' there was a summer vacation beach event.

Certainly, it existed, but...

One word was omitted in the above genre.

That word was 'Reverse Harem.'

Aether World was mostly enjoyed by male gamers, but its fundamental genre was a female-oriented reverse harem.

In the game, Edna alone led a group of guys and rented a luxurious villa somewhere for a festival, and the subtle competitions between the male leads or the secret scuffles which occurred there... apparently had a certain charm for the girls.

That was what the girls said.

Baek Yu-Seol hadn’t watched it, so he didn’t know.

Anyway, that was not important.

Summer vacation was the only time Stella's students could stay outside for an extended period, assuming they were not taking seasonal classes.

Students like Baek Yu-Seol who had no hometown or disliked their hometown would stay at the academy, but most would return home.

After all, since Baek Yu-Seol had to stay in the academy to study, and since there were no episodes any time soon, he planned to wander around a bit outside.

There was plenty to do like dungeon exploration, hunting, training, sub-events, and so on.

Of course, the most important thing was the upcoming Eight Episode [Dark Mage Corruption] and the 'Academy Battle' at the end of this summer vacation.

The Academy Battle.

It was an event where players who learned 1v1 magic battles in the first semester would get used to PVP.

Ranging from 3v3 tournaments to as large as 100-player survival.

He intended to participate in the 100-player Battle Royale Survival.

A simple yet rigorous survival game where 100 mages were dropped randomly on the field. They had to farm magical equipment, fight enemies, and strive to be the last one standing for victory.

Such Battle Royale games had been released in various genres on Earth and had gained popularity each time, so this event had a lot of participants.

Of course, there were no players in this world, but as it was an 'Academy Battle,' elite magic warriors from various prestigious magical academies were undoubtedly going to participate.

"Yu-Seol, are you applying for that too?"

As they read the notice about the 'Academy Battle' on the class bulletin board, Mayuseong approached and asked.

"Uh."

"Is it not hard for first-year students?"

That was correct.

There were very few first-year participants who had combat experience, and that was the case everywhere.

But once again, the protagonists were planning to show off their spirits by participating in the first year.

It was the same for Mayuseong, who just joined the conversation.

"You're going to join too."

"Well..."

"Yeah?"

However, Mayuseong gave a completely unexpected answer.

"Suddenly, my father called. I think I need to go back to my home."

"What? No way. I was planning to participate with you."

"... Really?"

He smiled regretfully and just stared at the bulletin board.

‘Going back home…’

‘Why all of a sudden?’

‘Is there some unforeseen variable?’

Last time when he went back home, it was by his own choice.

But this time, it was different.

He mentioned his father's call directly.

Perhaps he might have mentioned it casually, assuming Baek Yu-Seol didn't know about his family situation, but he was quite well-informed about it.

Mayuseong at home... wasn’t treated well.

You could say, ‘Isn't he treated as the heir to the Dark Mage King, a prince?’

But that treatment was limited to the 'external dark mage forces.'

Within, Mayuseong was referred to by various derogatory nicknames - a hybrid, a traitor, a lowborn mixed with disgusting blood, and more - and faced disdain.

In the Dark Mage Empire, only pure lineage and strong power mattered, and since Mayuseong met neither criteria, it couldn't be helped.

Moreover, his mother was rumored to be an imposter in her youth, and even his father didn’t acknowledge him, and treated him more harshly...

Without witnessing it firsthand, it was obvious how much he would suffer upon returning to home.

"Uh, well... Have a good time."

It would be strange to say ‘Good luck’ as he mentioned going home, so he gave an appropriate comment instead.

"Thank you."

Watching him smile brightly as he spoke, a heaviness settled in Baek Yu-Seol’s chest, but there was nothing more he could do.

To participate in the academy competition, certain conditions and an evaluation process needed to be met.

Basically, you had to rank within the top 600 and achieve a high win rate in duels among applicants to showcase combat abilities.

The strict demands caused many first-year students to drop out.

Most participants were second or third-year students, making it challenging to defeat them.

Fortunately, he had some confidence in this aspect.

With the derived skill 'Mana Concentration' from Mana Accumulation Retardation and Ha Tae-Ryung’s Divine Arts, he could easily break through Class 4 mana shields.

It required considerable concentration, and he had to fight desperately with the intention to kill, but what could be done?

He was eager to participate in the academy competition.

The prize for winners was enticing even though he wasn't dreaming of victory.

It was an event which gathered all sorts of demons threatening even the protagonists from various regions across the country.

Simply participating provided a significant opportunity, so he needed to find a way to get involved no matter what.

"First-year, Class S, Baek Yu-Seol; Second-year, Class C, Jio Duen. Please come up to the arena."

The Stella Dome was bustling with applicants undergoing evaluations for the Academy Battle.

They engaged in duels on the spatially arranged combat arenas.

Baek Yu-Seol’s first opponent was a senior from the second year, likely around the 400th rank in Class C.

He wasn't a tough opponent.

"Ugh..."

It seemed his notoriety had spread everywhere.

Upon meeting Baek Yu-Seol, the senior's expression didn't look too favorable.

He realized he couldn't win.

There was no need to be scared like that.

Baek Yu-Seol lacked defense skills, but if given even a momentary chance, he could win with a single strike.

Baek Yu-Seol wins!

Of course, it wouldn’t be easy to seize an opportunity from Baek Yu-Seol.

"How annoying..."

The senior, who was defeated, left the arena with slumped shoulders.

Since Baek Yu-Seol’s skills were exaggerated a little… Well, a lot, he wouldn’t be ridiculed for losing to a first-year student, but it would still feel pretty bad.

"Hmm..."

Around that time, Hong Bi-Yeon, Edna, and Eisel must be enjoying a triumphant moment, astonishing the crowd.

In the sky of the Stella Dome, the top-ranked students' win rates and names were displayed, surprising everyone as the ranks were filled with first-year students—a classic plot twist from the original game, albeit predictable, but clichés are usually fun, right?

But then...

‘They're not there?’

Despite searching high and low, their names weren't there.

Hong Bi-Yeon, Edna, Eisel.

None of them were visible.

‘What's going on...?’

According to the original storyline, by now, they should have overwhelmed the seniors with overwhelming strength... Could they have lost to the seniors?

No, that's unlikely.

If anything, they had become stronger than the original
story, never weaker.

They were not at a level where they couldn't make it to the leaderboard.

‘Did they not participate at all?’

‘Where are these guys now?’

Next!

First-year, Class S, Baek Yu-Seol; second-year, Class B, Vemilea.

Please come up.

However, since he had to proceed with the evaluation immediately, he didn't have time to search for their whereabouts.

"Look over there. They say that's Baek Yu-Seok."

"Wow..."

An underling of Dark Knight infiltrated the Stella Academy as an exchange student.

It was Anella, a woman in her 40s.

She was currently at the Stella Dome with teenage girls who could also be called her peers...

"Incredible... how can a first-year accomplish that?"

"Unbelievable."

Due to the absence of Mayuseong, Hong Bi-Yeon, Eisel, and Edna were destined to recieve most of the attention among the first years.

However, all that attention fell solely on Baek Yu-Seol.

"The first-year surpasses second and third years."

It was not possible to win against every opponent.
Occasionally, when facing third-years or Class S second-years, he suffered defeats, but the match were so close that people couldn't help but be astonished.

Swoosh~!

"Wow...!"

"Ohh..."

The exchange students exclaimed in admiration as they watched Baek Yu-Seol vanish like the wind and swiftly swing his sword towards the enemy.

There was a saying: 'If you become an exchange student at Stella during summer vacation, make sure to watch the Academy Battle!'

The academy’s prestigious tournament was quite renowned. The students of Stella showcased exceptional skills not typically seen in other academics.

Since most of the exchange students were from mediocre backgrounds, they were a bit embarrassed by their somewhat average origin, so such scenes weren't easily witnessed.

"How can a first-year...?"

"I can't believe we're the same age..."

Even the exchange students, who had mastered Class 1 as first-years, were considered prodigies wherever they went.

Some had reached Class 2, and received exceptional treatment within the academy.

However, the first-years at Stella who mastered Class 2 were considered mediocre.

Even Class 3 students existed, and top-ranking first-years in the Class S had achieved Class 4, making any comparison futile.

Unfortunately, most of the first-years from Class S didn't appear at the tournament venue.

Witnessing Baek Yu-Seol battle in real-time was truly a stroke of luck.

"I've never heard of someone being able to control a Flash before."

"I expected him to present a Flash spell at this year's Aslan, but..."

"Yeah. Maybe it's a family secret or something like that?"

"Possible."

Baek Yu-Seol's combat style focused on outwitting the opponent, and ignored the terrain with instantaneous use of Flash.

Although the Flash didn’t have an explosive effect, it certainly captivated people's attention.

Anella silently watched Baek Yu-Seol, lost in thought.

'That might not be all of Baek Yu-Seol combat abilities.'

She received information about him in advance.

It was said that he possessed abilities comparable to a Level 6 Dark Mage, so she was cautioned to be careful.

Currently, although it seemed like he was losing against some third-years, his true strength might be hidden.

"Oops."

"It's a pity. After all, it’s really tough against Class A third-years?"

"It seemed like he’s fighting desperately."

"Still, isn't it more impressive for a first-year to fight that well against third-years?"

‘Desperate? That's funny.’

Anella snorted softly.

'It's all an act, you fools.'

While other novices were unaware, it was crystal clear to Anella.

Baek Yu-Seol was deliberately pretending to be weak to conceal his abilities.

That made him even more fearsome.

Her mission was either to completely exclude him or, if impossible, eliminate him.

Honestly, her pure combat ability was only at a Level 5, and most of her dark magic was sealed, rendering her nearly powerless.

If a proper fight were to happen, defeat was inevitable.

But that was okay.

She had the ultimate trait, [Rebirth of Nightmares.]

No matter how powerful a mage was... if they were trapped in dream, they wouldn't be able to resist at all.

"Hey, look at Anella. You're totally engrossed in watching Baek Yu-Seol, aren't you?"

"Are you interested in him?"

"Huh? What? Oh, no, I'm just..."

"Hey, come on. Let's be honest. He’s kind of impressive, right?"

"He’s too cute. Not my type for a guy though."

"These kinds of kids cause mess when they grow up, don't they?"

"Uh, well..."

Anella tried to make excuses, but her friends offered her some juicy information.

"Oh, come to think of it, I heard from my friend here that Baek Yu-Seol frequents a café around here every weekend."

"Really?"

"Yeah. So, paparazzi are always waiting there. But despite that, he goes. The coffee must be good there, huh?"

"Could we see him if we wait there?"

"Well, yeah, but... he might find it annoying if we approach him."

"That's true."

A chance!

Before the conversation shifted elsewhere, Anella hurriedly asked, "Um, where's that café...?"

"Huh?"

They started to giggle maliciously. "Hehehe."

"Heh, heh, heh."

"You pretended not to care, but you were curious after all?"

"No, no, I... that's not it..."

"No? Then we won't tell you."

"Well, it's true, but, I mean..."

"See? We were right, weren't we?"

"Ugh..."

Anella felt terribly unfair, but she had no way to explain herself.