I Became the Academy's Disabled Student-Chapter 300: Crossdressing? Contest (3)

At some point, I realized that my unique ability had stagnated in its growth.

It’s only natural. Unlike physical abilities, mana, or skills, the growth of a unique ability is tricky.

Hoping for rapid growth like when I first awakened would be an indulgent thought.

This chapter is updat𝓮d by freēnovelkiss.com.

More importantly, the speed I think is "slow" is, to others, probably fast enough to make them jealous and want to beat me.

'What is this?'

While descending from the stage to the assigned dressing room, I was preoccupied with assessing the vibrations coming from inside.

'This... it's a jack of all trades.'

Although the growth of my unique ability had slowed, it was still steadily progressing. I touched my stomach awkwardly, feeling the multiple facets of my unique abilities within me.

'Why has it grown?'

There was a noticeable sign of growth in my unique ability that had been stagnant. But the situation in which this change was happening was oddly strange.

Jack of all trades.

The name of my unique ability, as I understood it. It had both good and bad connotations. The good ones were two-fold.

A person proficient in many fields. And, someone beautiful from any angle.

The functionality I mostly considered for my "jack of all trades" was the first—becoming proficient in various areas.

Though I denied it, the second possibility might be true as well.

Even when others flatter me, I used to think they were just being polite, but recently, I’ve started to feel something about my appearance.

'...Now that I think about it, even in the Fire of Fear family...'

As I followed the instructions given by the servants, dressed in the traditional attire of the Fire of Fear family, and participated in the banquet, I felt like my unique ability had grown.

At that time, I didn’t realize it, but now that I think back, that was the jack of all trades.

'I don't know why.'

But the important thing is that my unique ability showed signs of growth.

My unique ability is a crucial element for my strength, almost like the pillar of my power. If there's a chance to grow it, of course, I should take it.

To kick away such an opportunity just because of a little shame would be the kind of mentality that would burst from being too full.

I’m not in that kind of comfortable situation. I need as much power as possible.

A trembling sigh escaped me.

There was only one choice.

"Ha-yul doesn't seem to have much to prepare..."

[Keek...]

Elia's innocent words pierced deeply into my chest...

The transformation time wasn’t long, and the competition quickly started.

"...Cross-dressing contest, participant number 39... Baek Sang-hyun, third year."

"Ugh, Baek Sang-hyun is so ugly~"

"Shut up!"

The 39th contestant, a cadet, stepped onto the stage. At the same time, the audience jeered from the stands, and a cadet shouted.

Ahahaha! The event hall was filled with laughter. The cadet, blushing in shame, tore at his wig.

"Ahh! That's Syoram's supplies! Don’t break it!"

"Is it okay for that Syoram cadet's dignity to hit rock bottom?"

"The participation wasn’t mandatory, was it?"

"Ugh."

The people sitting in the audience laughed even harder.

The cadet’s appearance on stage was truly ridiculous.

Wearing loose clothing over his muscular, burly frame and a long wig on his short-cropped hair, his face had an expression of clear embarrassment over the thin makeup he wore.

"Baek Sang-hyun! Have some confidence!"

"Baek Sang-hyun, our pride! Baek! Sang! Hyun!"

"Shut up!"

Those who came just because of rumors chuckled, while those close to the cadet on stage clutched their stomachs and laughed with tears in their eyes.

"Let’s go down and see..."

Syoram's third-year cadet. Even though he was still a prominent cadet, treated as an elite, he was now nothing more than a condemned prisoner on the execution stage.

"Cross-dressing contest, participant number 19, Hong Yeon-hwa."

"Ooooh..."

Not everyone became a laughingstock. There were cases where people shone even in harsh conditions and limited resources.

There was a gasp as Hong Yeon-hwa stepped onto the stage under the spotlight.

She wasn’t overly dressed up or made up. Her chest was bound with a bandage, and she wore a loose shirt and pants to hide her body’s contours.

Even though it was just that, there was a certain charm to it. Even with a rag on her, she shone brightly due to the inherent quality she possessed.

"Ugh! Is that really cross-dressing? You just changed clothes!"

"Yoon-ha, you can tell who’s speaking."

"Ugh!"

The reactions weren’t bad. Hong Yeon-hwa, confident in her appearance, had expected it.

Thus, she didn’t feel any shame as she submitted her form and went on stage.

"Cross-dressing contest, participant number 20, Baek Ah-rin~"

"Wow!"

Baek Ah-rin had a similar outfit. Her hair was still tied back, and she wore a loose suit. She waved her hands, adorned with white gloves, and smiled brightly.

There was even more enthusiastic cheering than for the previous contestant. Regardless of appearance, Baek Ah-rin’s reputation and likability were much higher than Hong Yeon-hwa's. More people cheered for her.

Meanwhile, Hong Yeon-hwa, who had just finished her turn and stepped off the stage, smirked. Yoon-ha had been mocking her earlier, but now was cheering for Baek Ah-rin...

"Hoo, did you see that? This is the difference in usual behavior."

"Tch."

Baek Ah-rin, who had finished her turn, approached with a casual remark. She had introduced herself on stage and performed a quick trick before stepping down.

Contestants could show a simple talent in addition to their disguised appearance and self-introduction.

Hong Yeon-hwa snorted and crossed her arms, letting out a sigh as she noticed the lack of weight in the applause.

"You’re probably making Ha-yul uncomfortable."

"...I suppose."

Baek Ah-rin chuckled at her own words. Hong Yeon-hwa didn’t argue and made a strange expression.

Even though it was just bandages wrapped around her, I wondered if Ha-yul might be shocked. It was a silly thought that crossed my mind.

"Still, the reputation’s not bad, huh? Maybe it’s because she’s been behaving quietly lately."

"What’s wrong with my reputation?"

"You’re not really asking, are you?"

"..."

As Hong Yeon-hwa remained silent, Baek Ah-rin turned her gaze back to the audience, scanning the darkened seats.

There had been more applause for Hong Yeon-hwa than expected.

"Her reaction is calm. Did she really improve her personality?"

"She told me to kill the hostage... That’s probably true at the Tower."

"I never thought Hong Yeon-hwa would be controlled... I couldn’t imagine it."

"...Aha."

Listening to the whispers, Baek Ah-rin nodded slightly.

It seemed that the rumor of Hong Yeon-hwa’s improved behavior had spread to outsiders as well. After all, nearly a year had passed, so it made sense it had spread.

"Is she coming out soon?"

"Yeah, they said she’s number fifty-something, so she should be coming out soon."

A significant portion of the audience was waiting for the one responsible for the rumor that had "calmed" Hong Yeon-hwa.

Even those who weren’t originally interested were drawn in by the rumors.

'...It’s going well.'

Baek Ah-rin scanned the audience with an expressionless gaze.

This was the kind of scene that fit the purpose of the event. People laughing, talking, and leaving memories for the future.

It also matched the ulterior motives behind it.

This world, no matter what, was centered around superhumans. Superhumans are the nobility, the powerful.

Even low-level superhumans are superior to ordinary people and receive benefits. In many regional laws, superhumans are held to different standards.

That’s the natural phenomenon of the strong holding power, but it also creates a thicker barrier between ordinary people and superhumans.

A thick barrier breeds jealousy and can easily turn into hostility.

Thus, the ongoing policy is the idolization of superhumans, and these light events serve that purpose.

"Yeon-hwa, I know you're excited, but can you stay still?"

For a moment, Baek Ah-rin, lost in thought, glanced at Hong Yeon-hwa, who was moving restlessly next to her as the next contestant approached.

Hong Yeon-hwa, her eyes sparkling as the next turn approached, fidgeted with excitement.

"Ugh."

Despite the restraint, Hong Yeon-hwa remained restless, and Baek Ah-rin shook her head.

They had been friends since before Hong Yeon-hwa had gained her curse, but there was no denying she had many unusual traits.

At that moment, the lights went out on the stage where the cadet had just finished. It was now the turn of the next cadet.

"Alright, next up."

The announcer’s familiar voice echoed again. But at that moment, the lively chatter died down, and Hong Yeon-hwa, who had been looking around restlessly, stopped.

They were now informed of who would be next.

All eyes turned toward the stage entrance connected to the waiting room.

Some knew who was coming, and others, who had come without prior knowledge, had grown curious.

The familiar cadets, of course, and the drones silently flying above all focused on the entrance.

The footsteps echoed down the quiet hallway, and the light trembled lightly in the air. The sound of someone swallowing in nervousness could even be heard.

Even the commoners, who had heard nothing but praise for Ha-yul’s appearance, knew exactly what to expect.

If asked whether Ha-yul was a man or a woman, most would have no answer, but if asked whether he was handsome, they would all nod blankly.

Additionally, just the day before, Ha-yul had shown an incredible growth rate and skill that had surpassed even the highest levels.

It was only natural that, at an event right after his ascent, people and attention gathered tightly.

The footsteps were getting closer.

Finally, someone emerged from the entrance and stepped onto the stage.

The dim stage was immediately illuminated.

The lights were off, but everyone could clearly recognize him.

He was white. That was the common thought that came to mind.

From head to toe, he was drenched in white.

His snowy white hair sparkled like stars, and the ceremonial robe he wore covered his legs in a pristine white.

Even the skin that wasn’t covered by clothing was white.

His skin was so clean and pale that even white paper would seem dark in comparison.

Like several cadets before him, he hadn’t done anything special to his appearance.

His hair had simply grown, and he wore ceremonial robes. And, he was awake, his eyes open.

"......"

Some gasped.

Many had already seen photos of him and were impressed, but seeing him in person was a completely different experience.

Ha-yul’s wide-open eyes were a dull gray, as if wrapped in a stormy cloud.

But rather than gloom, an aura of mystery surrounded him. His eyes, though open, seemed not to perceive anything before him.

It was as if he didn’t belong in anyone’s sight, yet his gaze, mysterious as it was, made that sentiment believable.

As I continued to stare into his eyes, it felt as if I might drown in that cloud.

Feeling that, it almost seemed like his avoiding direct sight wasn’t arrogance but a form of consideration.

The lights came on late. The bright lights bathed the stage, but compared to the white light that had been shining from below, it was far too dim.

"......"

"......"

"......"

Even the usual playful cheers were absent. Everyone either closed their mouths or stared blankly at Ha-yul.

‘On his own accord,’ ‘with his appearance enhanced,’ Ha-yul’s unique ability, the jack of all trades, actively assisted him.

[Unique Ability "Jack of All Trades" is growing.]

...

[Unique Ability "Jack of All Trades" is growing.]