Academy's Silver Gatekeeper

"Examiner Baek Seojin. I'm sorry, but just one more time..."

Look, Mr. Lim Jae-woo. I work at the measurement department, so I know. This is all taxpayer money disappearing, and the limit is two measurements per person. I've never even heard of an ability rank measurement having an error.

"Really, really, really sorry, but just one more time..."

...At this point, it's beyond sorry and just pitiful. How much expectation must they have from above, what picture are they painting? For a mid-level employee like this man to be so anxious.

"Let me ask for the last time. This, this can't be right..."

Yes, yes. Go ahead. You can do it, but the result will be the same.

[Measurement Result: B-rank]

The man, after receiving the fifth measurement result, was in absolute despair mode. Like someone who thought they had a first-prize winning lottery ticket only to realize it was from last week. He had the face of someone with a terribly sad story.

"W-What is this... Could it be an error...?" 

"That's unlikely. Just looking at that measurement device, it's completely new."

The Ability Measurement Department is my workplace, so I know it too well.

The way to determine rank is for another ability user to use measurement devices like that.

After all, it's about finding the total amount of magic power as an ability user and the limit they can handle. And the part where both can endure simultaneously. The measurement result comes out accurately unless in an extremely unusual situation.

Even if there was a mistake once, the next result would be correct. The money to make that machine, and the people operating it, are all from taxes. A single mistake would waste tax money and could also cause problems in ability user operations. That's why measurements must be all the more thorough and perfect.

"This doesn't make sense. This, this can't be right. Examiner Baek Seojin..." 

"You mean fighting with an Elder? Yes, I fought fiercely. But if you look at the end, I nearly died and the Elder just walked away leisurely." 

"Ah..." 

"Just from that part alone, it's clear who had the upper hand."

It feels bitter to depreciate my own value like this, but what can I do? This is the truth. What I'm saying now is what really happened that day.

I broke Kwak Hyuk's spear, created an X-shaped wound on his chest. Beyond that, he had injuries everywhere and his left arm was completely broken. Although he was seriously engaged in combat and also had intense emotions.

In the end, I was the one who reached my limit. Kwak Hyuk could still fight. While my body couldn't even move anymore, the Elder was still moving fine.

If Han Jiyoon and the other Elder, Hyeon Sujin, hadn't arrived... I probably would have been completely destroyed by the enraged Kwak Hyuk.

"But, even so..." 

"Yes, I understand. Fighting an Elder is impressive in itself. But, there's also research that shows people can exert superhuman strength in truly desperate and life-threatening moments." 

"Ah... Y-Yes. Come to think of it, there have been such cases..."

Indeed, there are such cases. People who exert tremendous strength in critical moments. Some call it a miracle, and others call them heroes.

"I was really desperate at that moment too. The students were exhausted, villains surrounded us from all directions. And in front, an Elder appeared saying he would harm the students." 

"So what you're saying is... that it was just you gritting your teeth and fighting with a desperate heart?"

Of course, that's not all. Not at all. I have a strange trait that others couldn't even imagine. Thanks to that, I could engage in a fierce battle with an Elder and even inflict damage.

But I can't talk about the trait. Because this is a weapon and privilege exclusive only to me. It was only natural not to reveal all of my secrets.

"Yes. That's what I remember." 

"...Looking at it that way, the current measurement result does make sense, but."

"I agree it seems a bit low even to me. I expected at least an A-rank."

Lim Jae-woo nodded as I casually went along with the atmosphere. Both him and those upstairs must have had really high expectations. I didn't expect him to show such a disappointed look so openly.

"What should we do? Should we try one more time?" 

"For now... I'll end the measurement here. Thank you for your hard work." 

"No, not at all. If anything, I feel sorry for disappointing you." 

"There's no need to apologize. In any case, we've confirmed that the Examiner is a somewhat important force."

Is that so? But your expression doesn't look fine at all? No matter how hard you try to hide it, the emotion of extreme disappointment is all over your face.

"Then, I'll be going now. Thank you for your work."

After ending the measurement, I headed to where the car I came in was waiting.

Glancing back, I could see Lim Jae-woo still with a dazed expression. He stood there for a moment, then started making a phone call somewhere.

'I wonder if he'll get a lot of scolding. I suddenly feel sorry.'

That man is innocent. He's done nothing wrong.

He just did as he was told, and is just reporting the results as they came out.

But that's the tragedy of middle-rank positions. Getting scolded for doing exactly what was asked, getting scolded just for reporting.

Perhaps a life harder than even a lower-rank position.

Well, all I can say is to hang in there. Being in a middle-rank position, struggling more and getting more scolding. But you also receive more in return. So you have to work hard for what you receive.

'But... where did all these people go?'

As I looked around, it seemed the suit group hadn't returned to their positions yet. When I got out of the car earlier, they said they would wait somewhere until the examination was over. No matter how much I looked around, the suit group was nowhere to be seen.

Maybe, because the result wasn't what they expected. Did they think I wasn't worth escorting and withdrew everyone?

'It's a petty thing to do... but a fairly plausible prediction.'

They expected S-rank, but the result was not only not S-rank but not even A-rank, just B-rank. It's possible that as soon as they heard that news, an order like 'Pull all escort personnel!' came down.

Of course, B-rank is by no means ordinary, but that's just how people's hearts work. If you expect 1st place but get 3rd, the 3rd place feels like nothing. As much as the expectation, the disappointment is also great. This is why there's a saying not to have expectations.

...But, did they really all leave? Then how am I supposed to get back? I was thinking about going back to Lim Jae-woo to ask about the situation.

"...Yes. Yes, I'm sorry. ...No. There was no mistake..."

Hmm, he's already weathering a fierce storm. Even if I go there and ask about my situation, a positive answer doesn't seem likely.

I was about to open the map app to check the nearest subway station. Suddenly, the window of a car waiting nearby rolled down with a swoosh.

"Did the measurement go well?"

No, wait a minute. Why are you there?

"I-Irina?" 

"Yes. Super-strong, super-beautiful Irina! Ta-da!"

Why do you have to add that ridiculous sound effect?

"Hmm. Our Seojin oppa's eyes seem to be saying, 'Why are you coming out of there?'"

I've been really curious about this since before, but is this woman's ability mind reading? According to her, my expression management isn't perfect.

But I'm someone who's had a fair share of social life, and I'm definitely not the type to blatantly show my emotions.

Yet Irina talks as if she can see right through me. At this point, it's reasonable to be suspicious.

"But that's not the important thing. Come on, get in." 

"Um... into that car?" 

"Yes. This car. What else were you planning to ride?"

The reason for my hesitation? Because of the seat Irina is sitting in. Why is this woman sitting in the driver's seat? Why?

"I have a driver's license." 

"You do?" 

"Of course. What do you think I am, a student? Would a Korean adult not have a driver's license!"

It's a bit strange to hear a blonde, blue-eyed woman talking about being a "Korean adult!"

By the way. I'm sorry about this. That license everyone supposedly has, I don't have one.

"Hmm. Perhaps our handsome but single and extremely defensive Seojin oppa? Are you trying to say you don't have a driver's license?" 

"I'm genuinely curious, is your ability mind reading?" 

"Ahahah! How could there be such an ability!"

Who knows? There really could be. There's even a Silver Gatekeeper here, you know.

"But how can you not have a driver's license?" 

"I didn't have time to get a driver's license." 

"I heard people call that an excuse?"

It is an excuse. It is, but it's not like I'm making up something that doesn't exist.

On weekdays, I'm harassed by my boss, confronted with work, troubled by people. On weekends, I lie down like a corpse to rest a bit, and before I know it, Monday is upon me.

You might say, "Just give up your weekends and study to get it!" But I want to say, try being in my shoes. How could I use my precious weekends like that? Does that make any sense?

"Then that's even better. Get in!" 

"...W-When did you get your license?"

Yesterday, or maybe a few days ago. That's what I'm worried about. If that's really the case, I'm planning to run away right away saying, "I'll pass."

"I got it right after I got my ID card."

Damn it. Now I don't even have an excuse to escape.

"Hurry and get in. The measurement seems to be over. I'll give you a ride." 

"How do you know where I'm going?" 

"As if I wouldn't know our Seojin oppa. You're going to the Academy, right? Aren't you? Oh, hurry up. Those guys are catching on. If you waste time, they'll bother us saying, 'It's our job.'"

What are you talking about, I thought as I looked around, and saw the suit group in the distance. Only then could I understand the situation. Those suits didn't disappear because I was B-rank.

It was because Irina suddenly appeared, took over the driver's seat, and told them all to leave. They were like poor puppies who had lost their job and were anxiously waiting.

"...Sigh."

I had no choice. I opened the passenger side door and sat down.

All I can hope for is that this crazy woman drives properly. If her faint madness that appears at random times comes out on the road, it'll be a big problem.

'I wonder if I'll end up on Moon Han-cheol's black box.'