The Academy's FFF-Class Summons are SSS-class Hunters

“All students who have remained – you have plenty of potential.”

The Academy’s principal, Rikal, stood on the podium and looked down at the playground. The field that started with a crowd of students was now bare. The non-existent horror of the Orc Forest had made many students give up.

“Having entered the Orc Forest was a lie. The Academy does not expect such tests from those who have not received any education, especially from commoners.”

What matters is the unshakeable mind. Those who are educated in the Academy grow strong even if they do not graduate – It would be the worst for such people to have a gap in their hearts and become evil spirits or demons.

Not that this prevents evil spirits or demons from appearing, but it minimizes the likelihood. In other words, this test was a blessing of potential for commoner students with low self esteem.

“Therefore, for those students who have persevered through the worries in their heart, you are fully qualified to be an official student at the Academy. Believe in your potential, my students! ”

Rikal’s words called for a roar of cheers. Some students were in tears – whether it was because they found out that the Orc Forest was a lie, because they successfully admitted, or because they were touched by their own potential.

Jinhyuk looked around in the midst of such students. He wanted to make sure Leira had remained here as well.

‘Not that she would have given up.’

As expected, he found Leira rejoicing not far away. For someone who went head on against a King Goblin despite knowing they were much weaker, giving up did not fit in their dictionary.

But besides that, Jinhyuk was disappointed that they didn’t get to enter the Orc Forest.

‘It was a chance to super boost Lillil’s magic power before she entered.’

He was annoyed.

That annoyed emotion was transmitted to Lilil, as the summoner of Jinhyuk. Lilil could tell out why he was unhappy.

‘Are we really not going into the Orc Forest?’

It felt like she could directly hear Jinhyuk’s heart. Lilil pondered what she could do for him, then nodded before raising her hand.

“Principal, I have a question.”

“What is it?”

“Are we really not entering the Orc Forest?”

Every student’s eyes focused on Lillil. It was embarrassing to get all that attention, but she wanted to make sure she was putting effort for Jinhyuk, as he did for Lillil. She thought the worst kind of summoner would be the one that stood still while their summon struggled.

“You are not. Does it look like I am lying? ”

Rikal was confused as to what was going on in Lilil’s mind. Was she worried that she’d be sent into the forest after calming them down?

If that was the case, it is admirable that she stayed so far, but her fear will be a disadvantage. It was obvious that those with a lot of fear would fail in the exam even after admitting to the academy.

“So are we only allowed to hunt orcs after admission?”

But the direction of her questions was strange.

It was as if she was disappointed that she didn’t get to hunt orcs.

Rikal was intrigued by the unexpected direction of questions.

“For the safety of our students, we don’t hunt monsters before admission. If you don’t pass the safety assessment afterwards, you won’t be able to hunt monsters and end up taking supplement classes endlessly.”

“But why do you ask? Are you disappointed that you aren’t hunting orcs?”

Rikal looked at Lillil with judgmental eyes. There was fear in her expression, but she didn’t show it and embrace it naturally. Not that she would have intention to reveal any magical power, but the magical power felt from her surface was low enough to guess that she’s weak.

“Yes, it’s a shame.”

Where on earth did she get the courage to be disappointed to not hunt orcs?

Rikal was curious, but right now, he had no way of learning more about Lillil. The only way was to read the instructor’s interview notes and watch how she does in the future.

He decided to keep her name in mind and spoke.

“Once you officially admit, you may be able to do what you want then. But that is not now. Give yourself some rest for the week. ”

 “……Yes, sir.”

Lillil replied with disappointment. She knew that she had no chance in the first place, but she spoke to latch on to any strand of possibility as his summoner.

Jinhyuk smiled at Lillil.

“Thank you, summoner lady.”

“Wh-what do you mean? I couldn’t do anything. ”

“But you tried to do something as my summoner, didn’t you? Continuing to live with that kind of mindset will help you achieve your goals.”

“I, I guess?”

Goals.

To take revenge on the Cruel One.

The best revenge was to keep any evil spirits and demons from appearing ever again in this world. For that, Jinhyuk’s Flame of Zhuque was necessary, and it was important for Lillil to at least develop enough magical strength to use it.

“By the way, I can take the academy classes too, right?”

Jinhyuk enjoyed getting to learn new things. Taking classes at the academy was surely going to help him learn something new, and make it more enjoyable for Lillil to study with together, rather than alone.

“Summoners can also take classes together, as far as I know.”

“Then there’s no problem.”

“They also say many classes in the Academy assume the students can use their magic.”

“Well, let’s spend the week practicing it.”

 “……Sorry?”

Jinhyuk had one hypothesis.

How come did he not consume Lilil’s magic as he went about his daily routine or do exercises like push-ups?

He could ignore the daily routine part. It would be quite inefficient if daily activities consumed mana.

But it was hard to understand for exercises like push-ups. It was obviously intended to develop physical strength through exercises, something that would consume mana – but it did not.

Then there was one conclusion to be drawn.

‘Actions that use spiritual energy consume mana.’

Simple physical exercises, such as push-ups, barely used spiritual energy. The physical improvement did come from the passive effects of spiritual energy, but they are less dependent than when using a technique.

On the other hand, techniques such as weaponry, martial arts, and magic all were highly dependent on spiritual energy. They were skills that couldn’t be used without Jinhyuk’s brilliance, all of which uses spiritual energy that is supported by the system.

He wasn’t sure why the System applied in this world, but he was certain that it was different from the magical powers of this world… It seemed that there was no choice but to use mana  to use spiritual energy.

‘And if I can use magical powers,’

That might still consume Lillil’s magical power, but possibly less than he does now. It was an unconfirmed hypothesis, but worth a test. There’s pleasure in mastering something new.

“So how do you intend to master magical powers?”

“You might have to suffer a bit, summoner lady.”

“I do?”

Magical powers is a power that comes from the mind, and starts from the heart.

But the imagery of it must be created from the head. It starts with knowing yourself, and naturally converting that knowledge to a force.

People of  this world had naturally repeated the process since birth as the same as breathing, but not Jinhyuk. Therefore, it was necessary to habituate the process using his intelligence.

‘But such a brilliant head needs the assistance of spiritual energy.’

In other words, in order for Jinhyuk to use his head to get the magical power, Lillil must continuously consume magical power. After sharing that with Lillil, she was excited.

“That means I can help Mr. Jinhyuk as a summoner, right? Feel free to try!”

“What are you two talking about? I want in, too! ”

Once the admission ceremony ended, the students were told to head to their assigned dorm rooms. Suddenly Erina jumped between Jinhyuk and Lillil.

Of course, Jinhyuk put his hands together and prayed.

‘Please, at least let us use separate rooms.’

The dorms were made to fit two people by default. It was because loneliness was effective in making gaps in the mind, but Jinhyuk didn’t even need a bed anyway, as someone who was used to sleeping on the floor.

He just thought it would be great if Erina wasn’t their roommate.

‘With how introverted the master lady and I are, we’d go crazy if someone like her shared a room with us.’

Fortunately, Erina was not their roommate.

“How come?! How dare you interfere with my love for Lillil, you cruel fate!”

Erina howled desperately as she headed to her dorm. She stayed in another building, giving less chance to encounter. Perhaps Lillil secretly was relieved as well – her lips were forming a smile.

‘Master lady was having a hard time with her too, I see.’

But they couldn’t be complacent. You know what they say, you avoid a fox only to meet a tiger. Erina was more like a tiger than a fox, but it wasn’t impossible to have a worse roommate.

As they anxiously opened the door of the room, a room spacious for two people stood before their eyes.

He was imagining a room too cramped for two, but it felt good to have a room that exceeded his expectations. He could almost feel the Academy’s effort in trying not to minimize even the slightest gap in one’s mind.

In the center of the room stood a girl. Her sky-blue hair was neatly cut, and he could see her sky-blue eyes beyond the glasses. However, unlike the color of her eyes, he felt dullness from her dark circles. It wasn’t giving off pure vibes.

“The room’s just for two, as far as I know.”

The girl said bluntly as she looked at Jinhyuk and Lillil. Lillil, overwhelmed by the cynical mood, simply mouthed without saying anything. Jinhyuk spoke on her behalf.

“I’m a summon. A pet, in a way.”

“M,Mr. Jinhyuk? Calling yourself a pet is a little… ”

“I’m not wrong.”

After staring at Jinhyuk and Lillil, she walked to the left as if she didn’t care too much. There were beds, desks, and bookshelves furnished along each side of the room.

“Since you have brought a pet, you wouldn’t mind if I choose my bed first, do you?”

It seemed like she was trying to decide which bed to use once her roommate came in. Though it seemed she was going to decide by talking over it. And now decided she had the right to choose since Lillil brought a pet.

“It doesn’t matter as long as you keep your pet well. Just don’t be noisy. I hate noise. And if you have anything to say, please tell me. ”

“W,What’s your name?”

 “……Neve Yif. ”

“Yif…?”

Lillil was lost for words after hearing the surname ‘Yif’. Regardless of the graduation from the Academy, Yif was a surname given by the emperor’s to someone who had accomplished great things.

“Is Yif that amazing?”

“It’s a surname originating from Yif, the mythical hero who nearly got rid of the Cruel One. It’s like a medal given by the Emperor. ”

“Hmm, that’s amazing.”

Jinhyuk and Lillil whispered. Neve started unpacking her suitcase without much care. Jinhyuk was happy that she might be the best as a roommate, and unpacked his luggage as well.

“The bookshelf is spacious to fit all your books in.”

“You’re right. I wouldn’t have been able to bring them if it wasn’t for you, Mr. Jinhyuk…”

Lillil laughed cautiously. He petted Lillil’s head and completely organized after unpacking their luggage.

“Then, shall we try it now?”

Jinhyuk put Lillil on the bed, just in case she collapsed, and he sat on the floor. He closed his eyes with calmness and meditated.

That’s how Jinhyuk’s training for the use of the magical power began.