EX rank supporting role's replay in a prestigious school

Chapter 895

After leaving the sports field, Yeom Jun-yeol headed toward the building designated for contestants in the finals.

Yong Je-geon, walking beside him, mentioned that the announcement had been made confirming that both Yeom Jun-yeol and Ju Su-hyeok would be the selected members for the exchange competition, but the words barely registered in his ears.

After his duel with Ju Su-hyeok, he couldn’t help but feel down, thinking about Jo Eui-shin, who had been the first to cheer and clap enthusiastically.

‘...I lost again in front of my master.’

Although he had fought with all his might, Yeom Jun-yeol had lost.

He wasn’t feeling humiliated just because of the loss itself.

It was the fact that, having gained a new power through the Inungpa link and excited about the possibility of Hongryonghwa, he now felt ashamed.

‘I still can’t fully handle the Inungpa link, and I failed at Hongryonghwa. Yet, I acted like I had gained immense strength.’

There were many around Yeom Jun-yeol who doted on him excessively.

For the sake of his family and himself, Yeom Jun-yeol had always tried to view himself objectively.

He was aware that he grew up in a blessed environment and had been born with great potential.

Just as there were people like Ma Jin-seung, who relentlessly chased after him every day, trying to defeat him.

However, he also knew that he wasn’t the best.

A year ahead of him was Do Won-woo, in his grade were Cheon Dong-ha, and among the underclassmen were Ju Su-hyeok, Anda-in, and Jo Eui-shin.

Today’s loss had made this fact all too clear, and it was hard for him to shake off the feeling.

‘If I handle the Inungpa link... and Hongryonghwa better, will things change?’

The Inungpa link was a powerful force that not just anyone could control, and Yeom Jun-yeol was growing rapidly.

He wasn’t unaware of this, but his mood remained unchanged.

If Jo Eui-shin had to choose someone to fight alongside, he’d probably pick Ju Su-hyeok or Anda-in over Yeom Jun-yeol.

Those two were stronger, and they didn’t have critical weaknesses like Yeom Jun-yeol, whose vulnerabilities were linked to Yongsal or the source.

Yeom Jun-yeol’s anxious feelings only grew stronger.

“Jun-yeol.”

Yeom Jun-yeol snapped out of his thoughts at Yong Je-geon’s voice.

Looking at Yong Je-geon, who seemed far more cheerful than before the match, Yeom Jun-yeol noticed that the students had fled, leaving the area empty.

Feeling gratitude toward Yong Je-geon in his heart, Yeom Jun-yeol tried to sound cheerful.

“Hmm? Oh, I should clear the waiting room. I’ll be ready soon.”

“Take your time. I’m not rushing you. A guest came and called for you.”

A guest? Given the timing, it was likely someone from the press club.

Yeom Jun-yeol felt a little tense, wondering if it might be Jo Eui-shin.

He didn’t feel ready to face his master again.

Yong Je-geon, observing Yeom Jun-yeol’s reaction, hesitated before speaking.

“Su-hyeok, come in.”

The person who came to find Yeom Jun-yeol was Ju Su-hyeok.

Ju Su-hyeok had changed into a fresh outfit, looking neat.

Considering the time, it seemed that he had just finished changing and came straight to find Yeom Jun-yeol.

“Hello, and I see Teacher Yong Je-geon is here too.”

“Yeah, I watched your match. You’re strong.”

“Thank you.”

Meeting the junior who had just defeated him in the match felt awkward, but Yeom Jun-yeol thought it was still better than facing Jo Eui-shin.

He realized with a bit of shock that he had even considered who would be better to face.

While he was lost in thought, Yong Je-geon and Ju Su-hyeok continued their conversation.

“I think Su-hyeok has something to say to Jun-yeol. Should I leave? But I’d like to stay and listen. Is that okay?”@@@@

“Of course. You probably know about Eui-shin already.”

Yong Je-geon thought that Su-hyeok might hesitate or bring it up later, but Su-hyeok seemed fine with him being there. He even seemed welcoming.

“Eui-shin doesn’t think that’s enough?”

“I haven’t asked him yet, but even if I’m still lacking, it doesn’t matter.”

Yong Je-geon teased him, but Ju Su-hyeok responded earnestly.

“There will be more chances to prove myself.”

It seemed that Ju Su-hyeok was eager to show more of his strength in the Korea-China-Japan Youth Exchange.

Even after showing his immense strength, he still wanted to prove himself, which sparked a fire in Yeom Jun-yeol’s chest.

It felt like embers reigniting in the sunlight.

Yeom Jun-yeol shook off his downcast mood and responded brightly.

The idea that there were still opportunities gave him strength.

“Alright, I’ll prove myself too.”

Upon hearing Yeom Jun-yeol’s response, Yong Je-geon smiled broadly, almost squinting his eyes in joy.

Yong Je-geon was certain that he had spent the most enjoyable moment of the day here.

The next day.

The whole school buzzed with talks about the duel between Ju Su-hyeok and Yeom Jun-yeol.

Not only the students, but also those who witnessed the fight had strong reactions.

Scouts who saw the fight were so eager that they immediately suggested the two join professional player teams, but it was rejected respectfully by their families, making the proposal fall through.

‘With the Jo-Dragon Group and the Red Lion Team behind them, they couldn’t force them anyway.’

It wasn’t just the scouts.

Officials from the exchange competition from other countries had strong reactions as well.

Some reportedly returned to their countries immediately to come up with new strategies.

Others started investigating whether the two truly met the requirements to participate in the exchange competition and whether there were any disqualifying reasons.

They were either planning to adjust their strategies to defeat them or were thoroughly checking and planning to exclude them if needed.

‘There can’t be any disqualifying reasons for them. Descendants meet the qualifications, so it should be fine.’

Though descendants were generally stronger than humans, there were still humans stronger than a descendant, like Ju Su-hyeok.

Also, worldwide, no one would dare to discriminate against descendants following human laws, so they were eligible to participate in the competition.

In fact, while the regulations technically allowed even the ancient dragon race to participate, age restrictions applied.

It was impossible for someone like Hwang Ji-ho, who was old but disguised as a younger age, to participate.

Since it was a youth exchange, only actual youths could participate.

‘The newly born ancient dragon race could participate, but I doubt they will.’

Even if the ancient dragon race wasn’t involved, there were schools without any descendants who would argue that sending one would be unfair.

But, well, what can you do?

As Jeokho put it, if they’re upset, they can admit descendants into the school.

“Hey, suspicious vice-president. Is the article done?”

“Yeah, I’ve finished the first draft.”

“Can I see it?”

Moon Saeron, who had run into me on my way to school, asked.

The article I had written was an analysis of the duel between Ju Su-hyeok and Yeom Jun-yeol.

Whenever there was a battle between strong students, some would struggle to keep up with their moves, and the newspaper club would often ask for an analysis.

I’d written several articles in the past for similar requests, so it was no surprise I was tasked with this one as well.

“No, I also analyzed it using my intuition and the recording device, but how did I miss this part? Can you explain it to me?”

“This time, Hongryong moved to deceive Ju Su-hyeok. That’s why he got out of the audience’s sight...”

As I was explaining to Moon Saeron, a message arrived on my device.

It was from a sender I saw every morning, but this time, I felt a bit heavy.

The message was from Yeom Jun-yeol.