The Genius Grandson of the Loan King - Chapter 12 (12/840)
< Academic Proficiency Test. >
#12
Academic Proficiency Test.
The years 1991 and 1992 were times of great change. The National Assembly, which had been dominated by the opposition due to the merger of three parties, returned to the control of the ruling party. Although the small Democratic Party, which had barely maintained its existence, produced a few star politicians, they had no real influence in the political arena. The Peace Party also became a minor opposition party, significantly losing its power.
Ultimately, it was a year of defeat in local elections and a year of intense preparation for the unification of the opposition. The 14th general election ended with the victory of the ruling party. During this period, the National Party, created by Song Young-ju, the head of Daehyun, made significant progress. Behind the scenes, Chairman Cheon planted his people and money in the two major parties, which would eventually become his strength.
Meanwhile, the war on crime entered its first anniversary with a major crackdown. Many gangsters who had been hiding by luck were arrested, and small organizations that had proliferated during the power vacuum left by the capture of large organizations were all dismantled. It was not until after the general election and the start of the presidential election season that things calmed down.
Amidst this chaos, I was focused on preparing for the academic proficiency test. There was nothing I, a mere child, could do, and it was something I should not do, so I waited with determination and patience.
The day of the academic proficiency test, which would later become the college entrance exam, was as cold as always. I arrived at the test site in Mr. Ha's car. Before getting out, Mr. Ha casually offered me a piece of candy.
I stared at the candy.
"Master, I hope you do well on the test."
"Yes, Mr. Ha."
Mr. Ha's gruff expression made me smile involuntarily.
I applied to the law department at Korea University. Myung-soo also applied to the law department at Korea University, following me, and Hyun-sung had already been accepted to Korea Sports University.
"Phew, it's cold."
White breath escaped from Myung-soo's lips as he got out of the car with me.
A while ago, Myung-soo had greeted Chairman Cheon.
I had never seen that smooth-talking guy so nervous.
The main gate of Korea University where we would take the test. It was a path I had walked before, but the nervousness was the same.
"Wow... I'm so nervous. Aren't you?"
"A little?"
"Come on, you're not a robot. Why are you so calm? It's boring. Let's go, we'll be late."
"We still have time."
"Still, what if we're late?"
"Alright, let's go."
Myung-soo and I passed through the main gate of Korea University.
It was time for the results of the past three years of effort to be put to the test. It was also the day the results of the bet with Chairman Cheon would be revealed.
The academic proficiency test for university admission, consisting of 320 points for the written exam and 20 points for the physical fitness test, totaling 340 points. The physical fitness test was a score that anyone without a physical disability could easily get 19-20 points, so the written exam was essentially everything.
The seemingly endless and boring test time finally came to an end.
"Mu-hyuk, did you do well on the test?"
"Yeah. How about you?"
"I made a few mistakes, but I think I'm in the passing range."
As Myung-soo and I left the main gate, Mr. Ha greeted us.
"Master, did you do well on the test?"
"Haha, now it's up to the heavens."
"It seems you did well. Let's go, Chairman is waiting."
"Yes."
We arrived at Pyeongchang-dong in Mr. Ha's car.
"Did you do well on the test?"
"I did my best."
"Hehe, that's my boy."
"I've done everything I can, so now it's up to the heavens."
"Let's eat."
Myung-soo and I had dinner with my grandfather. My grandfather didn't say much until the end of the meal.
When we returned to the room, Myung-soo let out a sigh as if he had come back to life.
"Phew... No matter how many times I see your grandfather, I can't get used to him. The atmosphere is just... so..."
Seeing Myung-soo's pale face, I couldn't help but chuckle.
Myung-soo glared at me.
"It's not funny. I'm so nervous, I don't know if the food goes into my mouth or my nose."
"We won't see each other much after we move, right?"
"What if you pass?"
"I have to bring my grandmother and find a place to live. What about you?"
"Me? Of course, I have to stick with you."
"Stay in a boarding house."
"Forget it. If I bring my grandmother, your house will be heaven. What boarding house? Get lost."
"Phew..."
What a nuisance.
"Besides, it's too early to celebrate. Haha."
"I'm confident, but you don't seem to be."
"Shut up. I'll score higher than you. This isn't a school test; it's the real deal."
"Mr. Myung-soo, always the third in the class."
"Ah... brat, don't you touch my sore spot. You're so full of yourself."
* * *
The academic proficiency test results, which are graded by each university, come out quickly.
Chairman Cheon obtained Mu-hyuk's results faster than anyone else. It was just a week after the test.
"Hehe, Myung-hoon."
"Yes, Chairman."
"Is that boy who lived like a wild child until he was 17 really the one who got a perfect score? A perfect score, and not just one, but the only one."
"Is that so?"
"Tsk, what a boring guy."
Chairman Cheon, who clicked his tongue at Mr. Ha, kept looking at the paper in his hand.
It contained Mu-hyuk's perfect score, the first in the history of the academic proficiency test.
"Feeling good, I bet."
"Of course. I feel good. Among my sons and grandsons, only one got into Korea University with a perfect score. The others all went to college with money."
"Congratulations."
"Still, what will this boy ask for? I have to grant his request, right?"
Saying this, Chairman Cheon smiled broadly.
Mr. Ha also slightly curled the corners of his mouth.
"Weren't you already planning to give him anything he wanted?"
"That's different. It's a bet. I have to hear what he wants."
Smiling, Chairman Cheon suddenly asked.
"By the way, can't he just live here while attending university?"
"I thought he planned to bring his grandmother to Seoul and live with her."
"Ah."
"Don't you know? His grandmother is his top priority. I think it will be difficult for him."
Chairman Cheon sighed regretfully.
"Right, I have to keep that. But why did he choose the law department? Is he planning to take the bar exam?"
"I don't know."
"I hope he doesn't waste his time. That boy's stubbornness is not ordinary. He doesn't follow my plans. It's frustrating."
Chairman Cheon, who seemed to have a headache, said.
"That's why you like him, right? He's not defying you but choosing his own path and walking it correctly."
"That's true. I wish he was a Cheon. It would have been so much better."
Mr. Ha pulled out the chair for Chairman Cheon, who was sitting down.
"Whether he's a Cheon or a Kim, he's your blood. And he doesn't have any other relatives besides his grandmother."
"Right, that's true. Since he thinks so poorly of his grandmother, I should meet his in-laws. Prepare it for me."
"Yes, I will. I'll let you know when it's ready."
"Ah, I hope you handled his school records properly. After all..."
"I've taken care of it without any problems."
"Good. You can go now."
Mr. Ha bowed and left the study.
Chairman Cheon continued to look at the paper in his hand with a smile for a while.
* * *
That evening, I heard from my grandfather that I had a perfect score.
Since it was a path I had already walked, I didn't feel much. Only Myung-soo couldn't close his mouth when he heard I had a perfect score.
Myung-soo and I returned to our home in Busan.
"My son, you've worked hard."
"Ah, worked hard? You drove me here. What's so hard about that?"
"Ah, right. Go take a shower. I've made dinner."
"I was planning to eat out today."
"Why waste money? My cooking is better. We'll go out later."
"Alright. I'll go take a shower."
After dinner, I talked to my grandmother in the living room.
"Grandma, let's go to Seoul together."
"..."
"What? I have to go to Seoul for university. How can I leave you here in Busan?"
"Mu-hyuk."
"Yes, Grandma."
"I have no plans to leave. I will continue to live in Busan."
"Grandma."
"You're grown up now, and I have friends and acquaintances here. What will I do in Seoul? It's settled. You go alone."
"Grandma..."
"Don't worry about me. I'll live and die here."
"Don't say you'll die!"
I raised my voice, feeling hurt.
Grandma patted my back with her hand.
"I'll see you get married before I die. Don't worry, and don't cause trouble at university. Do you know how much I suffered when you were young? Don't do it again."
"Really, are you going to stay in Busan?"
"Of course. This is where I was born and where I will die. If you keep asking, I might go, but... I don't know if I can live happily there."
"Alright. I'll visit often."
"Why are you already thinking about leaving? You still have a few months."
I tried to shake off my regret and spoke brightly.
"But Grandma, I got a perfect score. My grandfather already checked. The only one in the country. Kim Mu-hyuk! Your grandson Kim Mu-hyuk!"
"Oh! My son, you did well. You did well."
Grandma's touch on my face felt so good.
Time passed quickly.
The seniors who had already entered the job market no longer came to school. The students who took the academic proficiency test also came to school but spent their time idly without any classes.
On the day the academic proficiency test results were announced.
The cameras and reporters from TV stations and major newspapers arrived at the school faster than the school itself.
"I know it roughly, but Mu-hyuk is the top student in the country. The only one with a perfect score. Be careful what you say. Everyone, take your score sheets. Ah! Give Mu-hyuk a round of applause!"
When the word "perfect score" came out of the mouth of the teacher who had been my homeroom teacher for three years, everyone looked at me.
The applause followed. The sound of applause didn't stop for a long time.
It was the first time a student from a vocational high school, not a prestigious high school, had become the top student in the country.
The principal came over and gave a speech, praising my hard work.
* * *
Meanwhile, the TV cameras and reporters who were interviewing students as they left school were frustrated because the students they caught didn't answer their questions properly.
"Why is it so hard to see Kim Mu-hyuk's face? Hey, do you have any information? We're completely in the dark. Someone must be blocking us; it's so hard to get information."
"We're in the same boat. Even the seniors are like that. Is he from a prominent family?"
"Come on, would someone from a prominent family attend a vocational high school in Busan? I don't think so."
"I'm about to go crazy. Why isn't this guy showing up? And it's so cold..."
"Student, do you know who Kim Mu-hyuk is?"
A reporter caught a first-year student passing by and asked.
The student looked back and pointed at Mu-hyuk, who was walking by.
"That's my senior. Can I go now?"
"Ah! Thank you. Go quickly."
In an instant, reporters with cameras blocked Mu-hyuk's path.
Mu-hyuk's eyebrows twitched, looking a bit flustered.
Myung-soo and Hyun-sung, who were standing next to Mu-hyuk, were also captured by the cameras. Myung-soo and Hyun-sung tried to escape to the side.
"Mu-hyuk! Mu-hyuk!"
The senior reporter extended the microphone, and the other reporters waited.
"Yes, what is it?"
"Since the academic proficiency test was implemented, you are the first student from a vocational high school to get a perfect score. What do you think about that?"
"From a vocational high school? What's the difference between a vocational high school and a prestigious high school? The person inside is what matters. Don't you agree, reporter?"
The veteran reporter was a bit flustered by Mu-hyuk's response and couldn't answer.
While he was stuttering, the other reporters started asking questions in a chaotic manner.
Useless questions about his personal life were exchanged, and one reporter asked the most important question.
"Mu-hyuk! Do you have any study secrets? Where did you go for tutoring or cram school? What advice do you have for your juniors?"
Mu-hyuk tilted his head.
"Um... I've never been to tutoring or cram school. I studied only from the textbooks and got first place. And my advice to my juniors... studying was the easiest thing, kids."
...Silence fell.
"Anyway, I have to go home now. Thank you for your hard work in the cold, reporters."
Mu-hyuk quickly ran away from the reporters. The reporters, who had just realized what was happening, followed him.
But Mu-hyuk, who had lived in the area for over ten years, escaped through the alleys, and the reporters eventually gave up.
"Wow... these reporters are more persistent than the police."
Mu-hyuk stuck out his tongue and headed home through the back alleys.
That day, the main news of each TV station was all about Mu-hyuk's remarks.
It was an interview that would be remembered as a historic blunder.