I Became a Troublemaker at the Academy

The academy looked like a combination of a real university campus and a small city. 

As Kim Baram walked past the main gate and looked around, he saw various buildings, convenience facilities, a large and beautiful lake in the center, and a wide training ground. 

As a seven-year avid reader of Muwheplay, Kim Baram’s heart began to pound after witnessing the academy, which was the main setting of the novel’s early chapters.

“New students participating in today’s entrance ceremony, please follow the arrows to Building B Auditorium! Receive your smartwatches in front of the auditorium and then enter.”

While Kim Baram was looking around the academy like a country bumpkin who had just arrived in Seoul city, he heard the voice of a staff member guiding the students.

‘Finally, I get to see the characters from Muwheplay.’

Trying to calm his excited heart, he followed the hovering magical arrows to Building B Auditorium. 

In front of the auditorium, dozens of cadets were lined up. They received something from the staff before entering the hall.

While waiting in line like the other cadets, he recalled an event that would happen during the entrance ceremony. 

It was the ‘entrance ceremony rite of passage.’

The current academy principal was a famous character in the story. 

His name was Ma Dong-cheol. He was also known as the Fist King. 

Ma Dong-cheol was one of the few SS-rank players in Korea and a hero of the previous generation. 

Having retired from active player duty, he now focused on nurturing the next generation as the academy principal.

Ma Dong-cheol had a unique hobby. He tested new students’ abilities right after his entrance ceremony speech. 

Many graduates and current students had experienced this. They collectively referred to it as the ‘entrance ceremony rite of passage.’

Although Ma Dong-cheol’s tests varied each year, the test in the novel was fixed for the year 2045. 

The problem was that even knowing the test details, he was too weak to pass it. 

In the original work, most cadets, including Kim Baram, failed the test. 

However, as a seven-year avid reader of Muwheplay, he knew a trick that might help him pass.

‘Though I’ve never tried it, it was mentioned in the novel, so it should be possible. The issue is finding the right object needed for the trick.’

Passing the rite of passage would not only earn him VP for his unique ability, [Irregular], but Ma Dong-cheol also rewarded students who passed his tests with small prizes, which were immensely helpful for growth.

‘What he considers small rewards would be incredibly beneficial for my growth.’

As Kim Baram thought about the rite of passage, his turn arrived. 

In front of him was a slightly weary-looking female cadet. She glanced at Kim Baram, masked her tired expression, and spoke to him with a sales smile.

“Hello. What’s your name?”

“Kim Baram.”

“Alright, one moment. Kim Baram… Kim Baram…” 

She looked for his name in the student register.

“Ah! Here it is. Kim Baram, you’re in Class 1-3. Your student code is [KA045033]. Here’s your smartwatch, and please sign here.”

Kim Baram took the smartwatch and a pen labeled ‘2045 Korean Player Academy’ from the senior, and signed the student register.

“Congratulations on your admission. Once you input your student code into the smartwatch, you can use various convenient functions within the academy. You can also view academy announcements and use it as a payment method at convenience facilities.”

“Thank you.”

Listening to her mechanical explanation and insincere congratulations, Kim Baram looked at the multiple pens on the desk. 

Pointing to the pen he was holding, he asked her,

“Can I keep this pen as a memento of my admission?”

She probably thought Kim Baram was a cute junior when he showed his earnest appearance, so she chuckled lightly and replied.

“Yes. Of course. These pens were made to give to new students as mementos, but no one has asked for one, so we didn’t bring it up.”

“Thank you senior!”

After thanking her, Kim pocketed the pen he had acquired, put on his smartwatch, and entered Building B Auditorium. 

The first thing that caught his eye inside the auditorium was the wide podium and the hundreds of chairs beneath it, along with signs indicating seating arrangements.

Looking up, he noticed various guild representatives scattered throughout the upper levels, likely there to scout talented new students. 

This year was particularly notable for its promising cadets. In the novel, many of this generation’s cadets went on to achieve significant feats.

[1-3]

He headed towards the sign marked [1-3], which had two rows of chairs placed in front of it. 

Some seats were already occupied, while others were still empty. 

He chose to sit in the very front, knowing it would be advantageous during the entrance ceremony’s rite of passage.

As he moved forward, he carefully observed the seated cadets. 

Han Suyeon, the protagonist, was also in Class 1-3. 

However, he didn’t see anyone with those signature red hair, indicating she hadn’t arrived yet. 

Even without Han Suyeon, there were a few notable characters among the seated cadets.

‘Majin Seok, Ko Joo-yeon, and Lee Do-hyeok.’

Though some characters from the novel might be unrecognizable to him, he could easily identify those three. 

The first was a short-haired boy sitting in the center with his arms crossed and eyes closed. His large build made it clear he was Majin Seok. 

As the grandson of Academy Principal Ma Dong-cheol, Majin Seok was a righteous and bold character who loved fair fights and respected strong opponents. He was much like his grandfather.

The second was a girl with long black hair. She sat second from the front. She had a cold demeanor and an expressionless face which sharply contrasted with her cute, rabbit-like features. Her distinctive longbow next to her confirmed her identity as Ko Joo-yeon. 

Despite her indifferent and quiet nature, she was skilled and particularly loyal to Han Suyeon. She became her ally in the story.

The last was a boy with comma-shaped hair. He sat arrogantly in the back row with his legs crossed. 

‘He looks annoyingly handsome with that smug expression as mentioned in the novel.’ 

Surrounded by admirers, both male and female, he was Lee Do-hyeok, the only son of Lee Seong-hyun, the current president of the Korean Players Association and an SS-rank player. 

Although talented, Lee Do-hyeok had a conceited and authoritative personality. He always wanted to get what he desired. 

Notably, he had a crush on Han Suyeon since childhood, but she saw him as nothing more than a childish friend.

After discreetly observing the main characters, Kim Baram took his seat in the front row. 

To ease the awkwardness of being alone, he turned on his smartwatch, entered his student code, and explored its various features.

‘Oh, it even has the lunch menu. I remember the novel mentioning that famous chefs prepared meals at the academy, making it popular among students. I’m looking forward to this.’

While he was distracted by the smartwatch, a commotion spread throughout the auditorium.

“Han Suyeon is here. The daughter of Korea’s great heroes, Han Si-hyuk and Jung Se-bin. She has the same red hair and eyes as Han Si-hyuk. She looks stunning in person…”

“Hmph! Is being pretty all she has? I heard she doesn’t have the same level of talent as her parents.”

“You never know what will happen. Even Han Si-hyuk wasn’t initially recognized for his talents.”

Kim Baram hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but the conversation of the cadets from Class 1-2 next to him was loud enough to hear.

‘So Han Suyeon has arrived.’

Upon hearing the news of Han Suyeon’s arrival, Kim Baram finally turned his head back to see her—the main character. As he did, he met the ashen eyes of Ko Joo-yeon, who was sitting behind him. 

‘Is she really that indifferent to everything? It’s so noisy yet she doesn’t even glance around.’

He wasn’t sure if Ko Joo-yeon had been looking at him or if their eyes met by chance while she was looking ahead. 

She gazed at him for a long time before lowering her eyes, seemingly deep in thought. 

Distracted by Ko Joo-yeon’s cute appearance, he calmed himself and looked at Han Suyeon, who was walking gracefully towards them. Her red hair and eyes, indifferent expression, and a mysteriously dark and sharp aura stood out. 

Despite her smaller stature, some features were notably eye-catching, so it was hard to miss her, especially for men.

‘After all, her charm stat in the initial status window was as high as 87.’

Han Suyeon didn’t seem to care about the attention and whispers directed at her. Maintaining a neutral expression, she walked straight to a seat in front of Majin seok, who was seated in the center. 

At that moment, Lee Do-hyeok, who had been watching her, jumped up from his seat and approached her.

“Suyeon. Long time no see. Why did you come here? Sit next to me.”

“Don’t talk to me.”

Lee Do-hyeok spoke to her warmly with a smile, but Han Suyeon coldly brushed him off. She folded her arms and closed her eyes as if she didn’t want to hear more. 

‘Wow! It’s just like in the novel.’

“Haha. I get it. You must be in a bad mood today. See you after the entrance ceremony. I was just happy to see we’re in the same class.”

“……”

Lee Do-hyeok tried to talk to her again with a smile, but Han Suyeon remained silent. Feeling hurt by her lack of response, Lee Do-hyeok’s smile faltered and he turned back to his seat.

“The great Lee Do-hyeok actually held back. Normally, he would have caused a scene. Must be because he likes her. Hehe…”

Watching the amusing development that he had only seen in novels, he chuckled quietly. 

Then he suddenly felt a gaze from below. Looking down, Kim Baram saw Ko Joo-yeon staring blankly at his giggling face. 

When their eyes met, she appeared slightly startled and subtly averted her gaze.

‘What’s this? Did she fall for me at first sight?’

Indulging in pointless fantasies due to Ko Joo-yeon’s strange behavior, he quickly remembered his unimpressive charm stat and turned back to the front with a gloomy feeling.

“Ahem! Ahem… The entrance ceremony will begin shortly. Freshmen, please take your seats.”

With the host’s announcement, the noisy atmosphere began to settle down. 

As Kim Baram absentmindedly fiddled with a pen in his pocket, the host took the microphone on the stage again and started speaking.

“Now, we will begin the entrance ceremony for the 25th class of the 2045 .”