As soon as Lee Soo-dok finished the lesson and left, the classroom erupted into a buzz of chatter.

Everyone was eager to finalize their six-member teams as quickly as possible.

If they couldn’t fill all six spots, they’d have to take the final exam with random teammates. And if those teammates ended up losing the cheese boxes, the resulting point loss would be devastating.

Of course, from my perspective, gathering enough members wouldn’t be difficult.

From both sides, Go Hyeon-woo and Seo Ye-in approached me.

Then, after glancing at Seo Ye-in’s expression for a few seconds, Go Hyeon-woo spoke in a concerned tone.

“You look even more exhausted than usual today, Miss Seo.”

“Just one of those days...”

Even after sleeping so much over the weekend, her sloth-like battery still hadn’t fully recharged. And to make matters worse, she had fallen victim to an Inferno Cookie right after breakfast.

For someone usually considered a lucky charm, today just wasn’t her day.

Maybe that was why Seo Ye-in quietly grabbed my arm.

“Kim Ho pillow.”

“Right now?”

“Mhm.”

Was she really so sleepy that she was already asking for a pillow?

But then, a thought crossed my mind.

“You’re just going to cuddle up and sleep once we go inside anyway.”

“Mhm.”

“Then wouldn’t it make more sense to recharge later?”

Seo Ye-in slowly shook her head from side to side.

“I need to do it now.”

“Why?”

“Because I want to.”

“You only get this talkative at times like this.”

Feeling a bit mischievous, I gave her nose a light pinch. A few seconds later, she hesitantly shuffled backward.

I wonder if she really recharges this way.

Would sleeping on a Kim Ho pillow really recharge her sloth-like battery faster and restore her luck?

It seemed highly doubtful.

Still, if there’s even a chance, it’s worth trying.

Since we’d be moving together throughout the final exam, the more energy she had, the wider our range of activity would be.

On top of that, if her lucky streak returned, it would be helpful for navigating the labyrinth, finding items, and locating enemies.

So once again, I had no choice but to cooperate.

“But before that, let’s take care of the important stuff first.”

She could sleep all she wanted afterward, but we had to fill our six-member team first.

While we were at it, we might as well come up with a strategy too.

Just then, I happened to glance around and noticed Shin Byeong-cheol hovering nearby.

When all three of us turned our attention to him, he spoke in a solemn tone.

“I may be a man who was once abandoned, but I have returned to uphold my loyalty.”

“You, my friend, are a true man of honor.”

Go Hyeon-woo nodded deeply in admiration.

Shin Byeong-cheol was a master of traps. He must have received plenty of offers, yet he still chose our party first.

Of course, it wasn’t purely out of loyalty. The fact that every practical exam he had taken with us had resulted in high scores likely played a major role.

Not to mention, he had caught a glimpse of my hidden skills.

Still, whatever his reasons were, as long as he pulled his weight, I had no complaints.

With that, I paired up Shin Byeong-cheol and Go Hyeon-woo to complete the second group.

Shin Byeong-cheol then asked,

“What about the last members?”

“I already have someone in mind.”

There was someone who had been asking if we had an open spot every chance they got.

I had always felt a little bad for turning them down, so this time, it wouldn’t hurt to extend the offer first.

So, I sent a message.

[Kim Ho: There’s an open spot in our team.]

[Kim Ho: You in?]

[Hong Yeon-hwa: I’m in.]

[Hong Yeon-hwa: (Panting puppy emoji)]

[Hong Yeon-hwa: (Running puppy emoji)]

Before long, Hong Yeon-hwa burst into our classroom. She was panting just like the emoji she had sent.

Without paying any attention to the other students’ stares, she rushed straight toward us.

“Hah... I’m here...”

“There was no need to hurry that much.”

“Still...”

She must have been worried that I’d change my mind in the meantime.

At that moment, Hong Yeon-hwa and Seo Ye-in’s eyes met in midair.

“......”

Seo Ye-in immediately distanced herself with wariness, while Hong Yeon-hwa still looked apologetic.

It seemed like this awkward tension between them would persist for a while.

After sharing a few more minor but useful tips, we wrapped things up and went our separate ways.

And now, I was acting as the Kim Ho pillow in the Mana Cultivation Room.

“......”

Seo Ye-in was sound asleep, clinging to me as if I were a pillow.

After glancing at her briefly, I sent a message.

[Kim Ho: Knock, knock.]

[Song Cheon-hye: Who’s this?]

[Kim Ho: The wish ticket.]

“......”

There was no reply from Song Cheon-hye for a long time.

She was probably feeling a sinking sensation in her chest.

It was like a long-forgotten debt collector suddenly showing up at her door.

Even though it was just a message, I could almost picture her letting out a deep sigh.

[Song Cheon-hye: Go ahead.]

[Kim Ho: I’m planning to use a small one this time.]

The large wish ticket I won from the magnifying glass bet felt too valuable to use just yet.

The small wish ticket I won from the mentoring bet would be enough for now.

But Song Cheon-hye clearly wasn’t too happy about that.

[Song Cheon-hye: When are you going to use the big one?]

[Song Cheon-hye: You just keep hoarding it.]

[Kim Ho: Don’t rush me.]

[Kim Ho: If you keep pushing, I might start having bad ideas.]

“......”

Again, there was a long pause before her reply.

She was probably imagining what kind of “bad wish” I was referring to.

As expected, she quickly backed down.

[Song Cheon-hye: Take your time to think it over.]

[Song Cheon-hye: ^-^;;]

[Song Cheon-hye: So, what’s the small wish?]

[Kim Ho: Final exams.]

[Kim Ho: I’m planning to challenge the Control Room.]

[Song Cheon-hye: Perfect timing.]

[Song Cheon-hye: We were planning to do it too.]

Since they were part of the Disciplinary Committee, it was only natural for them to take on the challenge.

They always had to prove they were the most skilled.

And as top students, they probably wanted the personal satisfaction of excelling.

[Kim Ho: Since you were going to do it anyway, does that mean I don’t have to use my wish ticket?]

[Song Cheon-hye: No take-backs.]

[Song Cheon-hye: But how are you planning to join us?]

[Kim Ho: I have my ways.]

I exchanged messages with Song Cheon-hye for a while, discussing the details.

Just as I was about to contact the next candidate, a message arrived first. As if by coincidence.

[Jang Moo-geuk: Be careful.]

[Kim Ho: Why?]

[Kim Ho: Did senior Mak Dae-woong do something again?]

[Jang Moo-geuk: Yeah.]

That senior really holds a grudge.

I had clashed with the Black faction of the swordsmanship club once before.

Because of that, my relationship with Mak Dae-woong who was a second-year senior wasn’t exactly great.

I thought things had improved somewhat after dealing with the Assassin Duo and Ghost Dance, but if he was making moves now, that clearly wasn’t the case.

Maybe he’s been waiting for the right moment all along.

An ambush is most effective when the target least expects it. When it’s been forgotten.

This kind of persistent grudge felt very fitting for the Black faction.

Of course, my response wouldn’t be any different from before.

If he comes, I’ll just beat him up and send him back.

Hopefully, he’d at least bring a cheese box or some items with him.

I expressed my gratitude and asked a question.

[Kim Ho: Thanks for the heads-up.]

[Kim Ho: But can you help?]

[Jang Moo-geuk: It’s something the seniors decided.]

[Jang Moo-geuk: I can’t interfere.]

[Kim Ho: No, not that.]

[Jang Moo-geuk:?]

[Kim Ho: Against the teacher.]

Wanna run the raid together?