“You will learn honor.”
“Strength in the heart, justice in the soul.”
“And the noble deeds of your predecessors…”
The dean’s speech at the entrance ceremony was incredibly dull, and the new students couldn’t help but yawn one after another.
Except for me.
I didn’t have the luxury of yawning. Even this boring speech was unnerving to me.
“What the hell is going on…?”
A few cadets glanced at me. It seemed no one could answer my question.
“Top of the incoming class, step forward.”
At the announcement, two male students stood upright in front of the podium.
With perfect eight-head proportions, defined facial features, and flawless hairstyles that looked like they had been styled in a luxury salon in Cheongdam-dong, they were jaw-dropping.
“Is this for real…”
I muttered, and a cadet next to me chimed in agreement.
“Seriously. How are we supposed to compete when they’ve got genius and looks like that?”
No, that’s not what I meant.
I know those two very well. To the extent that I could confidently say I know them better than they know themselves.
No exaggeration—I’ve been through this hellish scenario almost a thousand times.
“The joint top scorers of the entrance exam, Cadet Han Taepyeong and Cadet Shin Ohyul.”
The expressions of the two cadets who received their awards were starkly different. It was exactly as I remembered from the game’s opening.
The one smiling casually was Han Taepyeong.
Good-natured, handsome, skilled in combat, highly intelligent, and diligent. Although primarily a swordsman, he excelled in magic and archery—or anything he tried, really. Because he’s the protagonist.
On the other hand, Shin Ohyul, frowning slightly, was the complete opposite of Han Taepyeong. While Han came from a humble background, Shin hailed from an elite noble family. And he wasn’t just any rich brat—he was the epitome of an arrogant, spoiled heir.
Not just arrogant—he was the ultimate spoiled heir, embodying every cliché of a third-generation chaebol. But, unlike the typical incompetent heirs, Shin was blessed with extraordinary talent, as if the gods were playing a cruel joke.
He’s like a “Malfoy +12” version.
Naturally, his core personality as a Malfoy-type character led him to clash with Han Taepyeong at every turn.
“Ranked cadets, step forward.”
Following the top-ranking cadets, the ranked cadets with high scores on the entrance exam gathered below the podium.
They stood in a line as if drawing a boundary.
The perfectly aligned ranked cadets looked as solid and unyielding as a wall.
“Look at them showing off. So annoying.”
“Right? What’s so great about them anyway?”
Grumbles of discontent spread among the cadets. It was likely due to the ranked cadets’ gazes.
The wall they formed exuded arrogance. It was like a visual representation of the gap in talent.
This is the Superhuman Academy.
Its official name is the Ultimate Foresight Training Institute: Superhuman Academy.
“Ultimate foresight”… An institution established to prepare for the end of the future—a grandiose title befitting the academy.
The students admitted here were all exceptionally talented youths. Even the grumbling cadets around me were elites in their own right.
But the ranked cadets standing there were in a league of their own.
Children of superhumans, second-generation superhumans. Modern-day royalty from noble families. Geniuses cultivated in research facilities.
These weren’t just no-name extras. They were at least supporting characters.
“Phew.”
It hit me. I was definitely in Superhuman Chronicles now. The problem was…
“Who am I?”
Superhuman Chronicles was a brutally difficult world. It didn’t discriminate between main and supporting characters—everyone could fall.
If even those destined to rise to greatness could fall, then what about me?
Me, who was just a live streamer until recently?
[Name: Kim Seungtae]
[Age: 17]
The cadet ID in my pocket clearly displayed my name and face.
Kim Seungtae, 17 years old. What on earth did I do to get into the Superhuman Academy?
Fortunately, there was a hint on the cadet ID.
[Entrance Rank: 1111th]
Apparently, I wasn’t exactly a prodigy…! I managed to get in somehow, so I must have some talent. But with a rank like this, it seemed impossible to assist Han Taepyeong or anyone significant.
Next, there was something as important as rank: my department—the area of study I’d be trained in.
My department, decided based on the abilities I displayed during the entrance exam, was…
[Department: ◈◈◈]
◈◈◈…?
Obviously, no such department existed in the Superhuman Academy.
It was censored, as if deliberately concealed.
I tried scratching at it and even squinting, but nothing worked.
“…Is this a bug?”
Probably not.
I’d find out soon enough, whether I wanted to or not. The entrance ceremony always concluded with that.
I scanned the surroundings.
The Superhuman Academy’s entrance ceremony wasn’t attended by just parents.
Like the pair standing in the distance—a weary-looking middle-aged man and a younger woman. Even from their murmured lip movements, I could tell what they were saying.
- Col. Lee Baek: “This year’s batch at the Superhuman Academy has some promising candidates.”
- Maj. Baek Seol: “Especially Cadets Han Taepyeong and Shin Ohyul—the rumors weren’t exaggerated. Their physiques alone are extraordinary!”
- Col. Lee Baek: “Major, focus. Get good shots of the ranked cadets. We need to secure at least five of them, whether by persuasion or force.”
- Maj. Baek Seol: “Yes, sir…”
Col. Lee Baek and Maj. Baek Seol were from a national investigative agency. But they weren’t the only ones.
‘Han Taepyeong is probably out of reach, so focus on Yoo Eunha.’
‘Marie Caulfield only ranked 6th despite her noble lineage?’
‘I heard some bad rumors about her from her middle school days.’
‘Interesting. I hadn’t heard that.’
There were guild scouts, academy faculty, ambitious recruiters targeting Han Taepyeong, and those who had already shifted their focus to the ranked cadets.
The competition was so fierce that some gave up even before it started.
That’s the kind of genius Han Taepyeong was.
It was a brilliant opening designed to fill the players with admiration.
And here ended the “sweet” part of Superhuman Chronicles. Everything beyond this was pure spice.
From monsters and beasts to evil demons, secretive religious cults, shadowy organizations, and underworld criminals—this was a world filled with challenges.
In some ways, it was a relief that I wasn’t the protagonist destined to face all that… but—
“…Well, that’s it for the speech.”
Finally, the dean signaled the end of the long entrance ceremony.
“Please gather by your departments for orientation. Attendance isn’t mandatory, but we encourage you to join…”
As soon as the dean finished, some students began leaving the hall—about 10% of the total.
Among the ranked cadets, only Marie Caulfield left, walking confidently out of the hall.
Despite likely being advised to attend, she showed no hesitation, striding out like a runway model.
Wow. Incredible.
Even Yoo Eunha, another ranked cadet, seemed impressed by Mari’s audacity.
A hole had formed in the ranked cadets’ seemingly impenetrable wall, and although some professors’ gazes darkened, no one stopped her.
After all, Marie Caulfield was from a noble family. Even the professors bowed their heads to her.
“Well then~ let’s gather by department!”
Senior cadets, who had been waiting, called out.
With 12 departments in total, they spread out like the numbers on a clock, gathering the new cadets into groups.
“The Healing Department is this way!”
“The Department of Mysticism, gather here!”
“The Martial Arts Department? It’s over there.”
The new students each went off to find their respective departments. And before long—
Whoosh
As the students scattered in twelve directions,
only one male student was left standing in the middle of the auditorium.
It was… me.
How awkward.
“Huh?”
The dean, who was approaching the center of the auditorium, noticed me and asked,
“Hm, who might you be?”
“I’m Kim Seungtae…”
“I see. Are you feeling unwell? It’d be best if you could head to your assigned department for orientation.”
I might come across as a dimwit, but there’s no choice.
Honesty is the best policy here.
I don’t know my department!
“Uh, Dean, well… actually, I’m not sure which department I belong to.”
“Hmm… Kim Seungtae, is it? Kim Seungtae. Kim Seungtae…”
The dean tilted his head, tapping his temple. For a few seconds, his bald spot gleamed.
“Aha! Cadet Kim Seungtae?”
“…! You know who I am?”
“Of course!”
No way.
If the dean remembers me, I must be noteworthy.
Could it be?
Seventeen-year-old Kim Seungtae… am I kind of a big deal? My expectations were rising.
“Why, your department is that one, isn’t it? A name more memorable than even the special admits.”
Zap.
The dean’s comment drew sharp glances from the special admits. Their eyes practically shot daggers.
“I see, Dean! So, which department am I in…?”
“There was some debate among the professors during the entrance exam.”
“Oh, really? So…”
“In the end, you were assigned there.”
“Oh… really? So where is that?”
“Some faculty even protested the decision, but it was concluded that your talents could only be nurtured there.”
“Ah, I see~ So, where is it…?”
“Of course, for you, this might be both good news and a tragedy.”
“No, seriously, where is it?”
Just as I was about to lose patience—
“Hey, you there! Escort this cadet to the Necromancy Department!”
The Necromancy Department?
“The Necromancy Department?”
“Of course. That’s what was decided during the entrance exam, wasn’t it?”
“Oh… right. Sure, that’s right.”
I glanced at my student ID.
[Department: Necromancy]
It’s clear now. The blurry dots has lifted.
But another problem has surfaced. The Necromancy Department?
That’s not a normal department.
Even after 900 playthroughs on hell difficulty, I’ve never been tied to the Necromancy Department.
Necromancy.
It means summoning spirits—
The 13th department of the academy, now a shadow of its former glory.
Its members are so scrawny that it’s joked to be the “Ghost Department.”
The numbers are so few it’s also called the “Phantom Department.”
“Everyone, adjust your positions. We need to make room for the Necromancy Department.”
The departments, which had spread in twelve directions, began shifting to make space.
Magnificent.
An empty space was created just for me in the auditorium.
But hold on.
Just for me?
This feels a little strange….
“…? Dean, by any chance, are there other Necromancy Department cadets this year…?”
“Didn’t you know? You’re the only one, Cadet Seungtae.”
I clenched my teeth and suppressed a scream, forcing myself to feign composure.
“Ah~ right, right. Silly me. Then, why don’t I see any upperclassmen from the Necromancy Department? Are they busy today?”
But the Necromancy Department? Busy? That’s impossible.
Still, it wouldn’t be polite to insult my department.
That would just be spitting in my own face.
“Well, you see… including Professor Seirin, all 11 members of the Necromancy Department recently performed a necromantic ritual.”
What now?
The dean continued explaining.
Stagger.
I nearly collapsed but managed to steady myself and ask again.
“They… failed the ritual?”
“Regrettably, yes.”
“Regrettably?”
Is that all you’ve got to say?
The fact that the department only has 11 people is shocking enough.
If even one gets injured, they can’t even play a soccer match….
And those 11 people? They all performed a necromantic ritual and are now—
in temporary comas.
And by “temporary comas”?
It means their souls have been dragged into the spirit realm due to the ritual’s failure.
“Professor Seirin managed to send a telegram from the spirit realm, but it was brief. It read: Dean. Sry. Us. Est’d stay. ~6. And then it cut off.”
“Six? Six days, right?”
“Well…”
The dean wore a troubled expression.
“An expert in necromancy was consulted, and they said it would be… six years.”
Thud.
I genuinely fell over this time.
Six years?
Not six days. Not six weeks. Not even six months.
Six years.
That’s after I graduate!
This is completely unprecedented. Something is seriously wrong here.
…Is this game even playable?
A question no one could answer.
The dean, looking down at me sprawled on the floor, pulled something out.
“So, Cadet Seungtae, take this for now.”
“What is it? This…”
I got up and received a golden key glowing brilliantly.
“This, you see…”
(To be continued)
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