I Was Kidnapped By The Strongest Guild
Chapter 277: Academy Test

Spy.

It sounded grand, but in reality, it wasn't much.

The plan was to attend classes at the Academy normally and report if I noticed anyone fitting the description.

"Gyeoul, what did your sister tell you?"

Yeoreum placed her hand on my slightly enlarged cheek.

It wasn't that I'd actually grown taller, just an illusion created by magic.

"Um... I should report if I see anyone discriminating against students or engaging in corrupt practices."

"Right. Other than that, just act like you normally would. Got it?"

"Yes."

The ring was imbued with magic from Jung Yu-na and the association.

They assured me it wouldn't be detected at the Academy, so I shouldn't worry.

"If you really can't do it, just attending classes is fine. They'll be helpful for you too."

"Okay. I'll do my best."

After gathering my supplies, I headed to the entrance.

Yeoreum and the children followed me, shuffling behind.

"King, when will you be back...?"

"Master..."

The children stood there with teary expressions.

They seemed to think I was leaving for a long time.

"I'll be back in the afternoon."

"You're coming back in the afternoon?!"

"Yeah. It's more like a cram school than a regular school."

"Hee hee, then have a good day!"

Realizing I'd be back soon, Levinas waved cheerfully.

Seeing this, Gaeul, though confused, also waved.

She seemed to understand it wasn't a bad situation since Levinas was happy.

"I should go now. Saebyeok, please take care of Levinas and Gaeul."

"Okay. Don't worry and have a good day. By the way, Gyeoul, you look really pretty."

Saebyeok said, stroking my hair.

I might not have noticed in my younger body, but this grown-up form was indeed beautiful.

A bit shorter than a first-year middle school student.

No beast-kin ears or tail, and black hair.

My appearance was like a grown-up version of my original self.

"I think Saebyeok is prettier."

"We look exactly the same, you know?"

"That's true."

I giggled as I opened the front door.

I pulled my hood down low to hide that I was coming from the guild.

Then I took a secluded path and got into a car.

The driver was Encia, who, like me, wore a hood and even sunglasses.

They'd even switched to an old, used car to conceal our identities.

"I'll take you there."

"Okay."

Chatting with Encia about various things, we arrived at the Academy.

Sadly, Encia left without even getting out of the car.

It was all to keep my identity secret.

'Now I'm really on my own.'

I'd better do my best.

I stepped towards the Academy bustling with people.

---

---

If you asked which guild adventurers admired most, it was undoubtedly Yeomyeong.

However, not every adventurer could join Yeomyeong.

Adventurers usually chose guilds that matched their abilities.

Sacred and Taesan were a notch below Yeomyeong, but still considered major corporate guilds.

Then there were mid-sized guilds like Legion.

At the very bottom of the ladder was the Academy.

It was the last resort for those who couldn't join any guild.

People called the Academy rock bottom.

The place where aspiring adventurers became most miserable.

Many knew this, which made success stories from the bottom even more impressive.

And there were those at the Academy who tried to take advantage of this.

Just as the rich stole from the poor, the skilled stole from the Academy.

An adventurer who started from the bottom and made it into a major corporate guild.

There was no better title to illuminate one's life.

'I'm sorry, but...'

The adventurer Baek Ihyeon surveyed the surrounding adventurers with narrowed eyes.

The 'true bottom-feeders' who would make him shine.

They were taking the skills test with tense expressions.

"Ugh...!"

A girl who looked like she'd just entered middle school grabbed a dumbbell.

Her delicate arms were trembling, but she couldn't lift the dumbbell.

That one's the bottom of the bottom.

Even the adventurers here should be able to lift that dumbbell.

Baek Ihyeon barely held back a sneer.

'She's still young, but not too young to see if there's talent.'

Middle school age was old enough to glimpse potential.

They say you can't predict the future, but Baek Ihyeon could tell.

That girl was finished as an adventurer.

'...What a waste of looks.'

If she just grew up like that, she'd surpass even Yeoreum, the idol of female adventurers.

Unfortunately, her qualities as an adventurer didn't even come close.

Well, no one has everything in this world.

Except maybe Kang Jinho.

Baek Ihyeon clicked his tongue, thinking of a guild he couldn't reach.

He waited for his turn.

'No need to show my skills from the start.'

What Baek Ihyeon needed was a success story of someone without talent.

He'd have to hit rock bottom with his first record.

Then slowly climb up.

That was Baek Ihyeon's plan, but an unexpected variable appeared.

It was that girl he had evaluated earlier.

"Ugh, uuugh..."

She barely managed one weighted pull-up.

One weighted sit-up, just barely.

In every strength test, she barely recorded one rep.

The Academy's standards were so low that even one rep was enough to pass, but this was the first time someone had done just one.

Even the worst of the worst were stronger than average people.

When even those who did ten reps with a weighted vest were considered terrible...

There's an even deeper abyss below rock bottom.

This ruins my plan to start at the bottom.

Baek Ihyeon was annoyed at the girl ruining his initial plan.

If she were older, he might have tried to mess with her.

'Well, maybe it doesn't matter...'

Baek Ihyeon glanced towards the Academy instructors.

Two instructors briefly made eye contact with him before quickly looking away.

Seeing this, the corners of Baek Ihyeon's mouth turned up slightly.

He might not get last place, but first was certain.

He had the skills to easily be first in a place like this, but you never know with people.

Baek Ihyeon decided to prepare everything thoroughly.

---

---

I massaged my sore forearms as I prepared for the next test.

I'd heard the Academy entrance exam was easy, but even one rep was difficult for someone with my weak strength.

Still, the next test was more manageable.

It tested agility, my specialty.

The test was to dodge balls coming from the front.

For me, who could see the world in slow motion, dodging balls was extremely easy, but I decided not to dodge them all.

To monitor the Academy, I needed to avoid standing out.

Dodging three out of twenty balls was enough to pass.

I decided to dodge five balls, just to be safe.

I acted like I was barely dodging, flailing my arms and legs.

"Hehe..."

Although the strength part was tough, I passed all sections.

Relieved, I sat on a nearby chair to rest.

'This is impressive.'

I'd heard the Academy was the last bastion for adventurers lacking in skill.

But that didn't seem to be entirely true.

Everyone here had at least one outstanding quality.

That person was strong, that one had good eyesight.

As I observed people, many passed by me.

"Looks like we'll be attending the Academy together. I look forward to working with you."

"Me too."

"Did you pass as well?"

"Yes. I got lucky."

Most people were genuinely friendly.

Of course, some weren't so welcoming.

"Ahem."

"Phew..."

Some couldn't hide their rising smirks, while others looked relieved seeing my scores.

Since my scores were the lowest, it was natural for some to react that way.

'Still, they don't seem like the type to engage in corrupt practices.'

Everyone seems pretty normal.

As I was thinking this and looking around,

A pair, a man and a woman, sat next to me.

"Hi there."

"Oh, hello..."

"Hehe, I think I'm older than you. Is it okay if we speak casually?"

"Sure, of course."

She was a friendly-looking girl with brown hair.

Even I, who wasn't good with people, felt comfortable around her.

"How old are you?"

"I'm twelve now."

"Ah, you haven't reached your Korean age yet?"

"That's right."

The Academy's admission requirement was first year of middle school.

That meant you had to be at least twelve years old.

"Entering the Academy at twelve is impressive."

"You're impressive too."

"Come on, don't be so formal. Just call me unni."

"T-that, unni is a bit..."

"Oh! Are you uncomfortable? Then just use my name. I'm Yoon Hyunseo, and this is..."

"Han Taehwi."

Yoon Hyunseo and Han Taehwi.

I memorized their names.

Then I revealed my new name.

"I'm Harang. Kang Harang."

"I see. So your name is Harang?"

"Yes."

"Harang seems like a really nice friend."

She smiled brightly and moved closer to me.

My tail, hidden by the illusion, swayed a little.

"Harang, want to team up with me?"

"Team up?"

"Yeah. I'd like to team up with a good person if possible."

"Um..."

I don't mind, but...

As I was thinking, Yoon Hyunseo whispered in my ear.

"If you team up with us, you could graduate in the top ranks."

"Top ranks?"

"Yeah. We've even got scout offers from the White Snow Guild."

"White Snow...?"

It was a guild I'd never heard of.

As I tilted my head in confusion, Yoon Hyunseo pounded her chest.

"It's pretty famous around here. You know Sacred Guild, right? We're planning to collaborate with them."

"Wow."

If they're collaborating with Sacred Guild, they must be an amazing guild.

There was no reason to refuse, but I did have one question.

"But my scores aren't that high, so why me...?"

"You remind me of my little sister. My sister is the same age as you. Taehwi here has a little sister too."

"Ah..."

So that's why they thought of family.

It's natural to be concerned in that case.

Now I really had no reason to refuse.

I decided to team up with the two of them.

---

6/6 (+2) Enjoy the bonus chappy!

Please give the book a rating and a review on NovelUpdates.