Academy's Silver Gatekeeper-Chapter 83

"Hey, have you heard about that?"

"Yeah. There's been a lot of talk about it lately."

"Honestly, I don't think it's such a big deal? It's what they wanted after all."

"That's true, but it's something that anyone could nitpick about if they wanted to."

A few days after Baek Seojin's return to the Academy. Whenever students gathered, they discussed one particular news item.

Starting with one Gold-rank student. Followed by a few more Gold-rank students who went to see Baek Seojin. The reason was obvious: they too wanted to take the Silver rank evaluation.

These were students who had already confirmed Gold rank, and didn't deserve demotion. Normally, rank evaluations would be impossible. They were already Gold rank, after all. It would be impossible unless they were demoted for reasons stated in the school rules.

But somehow, they took the Silver rank evaluation. And the result was, predictably, demotion to Bronze.

Most students who heard this news responded that it was to be expected. They weren't forced; they took the evaluation of their own free will. They had also promised themselves that if they failed the evaluation, they would accept demotion to Bronze.

But some students expressed negative opinions about the matter. One concern was how external support would be handled with fewer Gold-rank students. Another questioned why he allowed evaluations for those who shouldn't be eligible for Silver rank evaluations, calling it an abuse of authority.

A minority even wanted this issue to be publicized so that Baek Seojin would step down. Then the relatively easier Silver rank evaluations would return.

So they tried to spread the issue beyond the Academy, hoping to force the department to intervene.

Abuse of authority is extremely unpleasant from a department's perspective. When they realized that a low-ranking civil servant had done something unauthorized. What action the department would take was predictable.

But the response to these complaints was:

[Regarding the submitted complaint, we inform you as follows.]

[...As this was strongly desired by the parties involved, it is inappropriate to consider it a problem.]

The incident wasn't deemed problematic. Gold-rank students had wanted it, and they acknowledged it themselves. In that situation, it was difficult to criticize Examiner Baek Seojin for conducting the evaluation.

Thanks to this, attempts to file complaints or objections to the department fizzled out. Even attempts to publicize the issue failed since there was no clear problem.

Students who needed to take the Silver rank evaluation were actually pleased. They had felt a bit unfair that only they were struggling. In that situation, having Gold-rank students voluntarily join them was comforting.

"Honestly, being evaluated by Examiner Baek Seojin at his level is a blessing to be grateful for."

"True. He's become even more detailed in his evaluations lately."

"After correcting what the Examiner told me to, the moves I kept struggling with became so much easier."

The evaluation of the examiner was incomparably better than before.

The biggest influence was undoubtedly the recent fight with the Elder. If someone with such skills was serving as the examiner. More students thought they might gain something.

And responding to this, Baek Seojin also shifted from sharp evaluations. Now, rather than evaluations, he acted more like a professor overseeing practical training.

He pointed out the weaknesses of students taking the evaluation, advised how to correct them. Finally, he also precisely identified strengths that needed to be even sharper.

Of course, he still didn't allow a single student to pass beyond Silver. He was truly the Silver Gatekeeper, showing his determination not to let anyone through. But he also made it clear that he wasn't doing this with malicious intent.

Someone with a reason for acting this way. This was the view of most students looking at Baek Seojin now.

He had shared his story and proven his skills. As evidence, not only Gold-rank students but even Platinum-rank students had favorable views. With their positive outlook, even doubtful students set aside their suspicions.

Of course, students' ranks still remained at Bronze. They couldn't advance to Silver. The examiner wouldn't approve it. This occasionally made them feel uncomfortable.

But were they at a disadvantage because of it? Not at all. Rather, in lectures, especially in practical training and sparring with other students. Unlike before, they could feel themselves changing bit by bit.

And this wasn't just the students' imagination.

"Everyone. Lately, the overall level seems to have improved a lot. Very good."

The Bronze students in their groups, and the Silver students in theirs. The professors in charge of each rank were applauding, unlike usual. They said that if this continued, everyone could grow one more level.

These were words from professors with real-world experience. Not empty praise or mockery. They were genuinely impressed seniors offering encouragement.

Not everyone was like this. Some students were still at a standstill. And the common trait among these students was thinking "that annoying examiner will leave eventually if we wait." They were the ones who kept enduring, saying they didn't want to do such foolish things.

As time passed, one thing became increasingly clear.

Although annoying, tiring, and completely different from before, quite unwelcome. In the end, following Examiner Baek Seojin's words was beneficial.

And a few more days after that.

"Hey! Unbelievable! I just heard that a Bronze has been promoted to Silver rank!"

"Really? No kidding?"

"It's true. It just happened. A Bronze-rank promoted to Silver! And directly by Examiner Baek Seojin himself!"

"Who! Who is it! Who managed to satisfy that strict examiner!"

Who had been promoted, indeed? Who had received the Gatekeeper's permission? Several Bronze-rank students came to mind among the students.

Not only the existing Bronze and Silver-rank students were interested. Gold-rank students who had been gradually taking evaluations were also highly curious. Even Platinum-rank students seemed somewhat intrigued.

First, the most likely candidate was Hyunwoo, who had recently shown remarkable progress. He was known as a tremendous hard worker, even nicknamed the "training ghost."

Originally, Hyunwoo had no particular distinguishing features. Just someone described as "hardworking in everything," that level of recognition?

But then his skills improved dramatically while being evaluated by Baek Seojin. Recently, even Silver-ranks training alongside him were shocked. He was also the one who ignited the evaluation fever among other Bronze-ranks.

While a few other students were mentioned, most expected it to be Hyunwoo. If it were him, he could immediately rise to Silver and even aim for Gold.

And soon, the student who had earned the glory of the first Silver promotion was revealed. But the name on the Silver rank promotion list wasn't Hyunwoo.

"What is this? Kim... Suhyeon? Kim Suhyeon?"

"Huh? Wait a minute. Who? Kim Suhyeon?"

"It's not Hyunwoo? Why not?"

At first, there were expressions of confusion and surprise. The person was completely different from who they had expected.

But as time passed, the confusion and surprise faded. And in their place came disappointment with an "I knew it" sentiment.

"Kim Suhyeon is that one, right? Kang Minseong's granddaughter."

"Ah, shit. What the hell. Acting all high and mighty but in the end, he was just sucking up to Kang Minseong."

To everyone, this looked like Baek Seojin yielding to Kang Minseong and his family. Whether voluntary or forced, in the end, he had chosen Kim Suhyeon because of it.

Kim Suhyeon. Besides being Kang Minseong's granddaughter, she was an unremarkable female student. At least Hyunwoo had shown overwhelming growth recently. But Kim Suhyeon hadn't demonstrated anything special in her lectures.

She had the same mediocre skills as when she first enrolled. To the point where people wondered if she was really the granddaughter of that Kang Minseong, that Sword Demon.

"This isn't right. This really isn't right."

"Hey. Let's go now."

"Where?" freewёbnoνel.com

"To confront him. To ask if this is why he's been doing all this."

Some of the angry students took initiative. They united and rushed to Baek Seojin as soon as the lecture ended.

They wanted to ask if this was his intention all along with such strict evaluations. After making pretty speeches and putting other students through hell. The one who got promoted wasn't a hard-working student or a skilled student. But just a "silver spoon" student born into a good family.

"Examiner..."

Clang—! Clash—!

But their objections never materialized. Specifically, they were silenced by a duel taking place in the evaluation hall.

The student wielding a sword on the left was Platinum rank.

That was certain. Platinum-rank students were well-known figures at the Academy. Judging by the serious expression, they seemed to be earnestly engaged in the duel.

And the opponent of that Platinum-rank was none other than.

"Isn't that Kim Suhyeon?"

Kim Suhyeon, who at enrollment had been worse than even an ordinary Bronze. As a result, the students who had gathered upon hearing the news could only stare blankly at the scene.

She had been so incompetent it was hard to believe she was Kang Minseong's granddaughter. She was either too scared or couldn't even swing her sword properly. That was the cold assessment of Kim Suhyeon that students remembered.

But now, as if denying all of that. Kim Suhyeon displayed such cold swordsmanship. She was engaged in a duel with a Platinum-rank student, without giving an inch.

Yes. A mere Bronze-rank student was doing this.