After the quiz, the atmosphere at Huweol High shifted to excitement for the annual sports club trials. Students could participate in multiple clubs — basketball, swimming, track, and gymnastics — to showcase their skills and potentially earn leadership roles.
Hwang Siyeok walked calmly toward the gym, Shy Suya following at a safe distance. "Are you joining?" she asked softly.
He shook his head slightly. "Just observing. But I might participate if necessary."
Inside the gym, chaos reigned. Students ran, jumped, and practiced drills. Coaches shouted instructions, some students tripped, others argued over space. Hwang Siyeok scanned the environment, noting strengths, weaknesses, and timing for every movement.
Kang Jae-Hoon had signed up for basketball, clearly hoping to prove something. He noticed Hwang Siyeok's presence and smirked. "Let's see if he can handle a challenge he can't calculate," he muttered.
When the trial began, Hwang Siyeok quietly joined a relay event. At first, students underestimated him, assuming his calm demeanor meant he wouldn't compete aggressively. But the moment the race started, his movements were precise and efficient. Every step was calculated, every turn smooth, and every handoff flawless.
Shy Suya watched, impressed. Even amidst the chaos, Hwang Siyeok maintained balance and speed without seeming to exert effort. His green eyes scanned the course continuously, adjusting subtly to avoid collisions or delays.
Kang Jae-Hoon tried to block him during the relay, moving aggressively. Hwang Siyeok barely reacted outwardly — a slight sidestep and a small change in stride allowed him to pass unharmed, keeping the baton steady and his pace unbroken.
The crowd noticed his seamless performance. Whispers spread: "How does he move like that?" and "He's unreal…"
After completing the relay, Hwang Siyeok didn't celebrate. Instead, he calmly stepped aside, helping a younger student who tripped over a cone. He adjusted their balance, whispered encouragement, and moved on. No one realized that the same hands that completed the relay flawlessly also prevented an accident.
Shy Suya scribbled notes furiously in her notebook. "He… he's perfect at everything. And he's still kind."
Hwang Siyeok's gaze flicked to Kang Jae-Hoon, who scowled, frustrated that brute force and aggression could not match subtle precision. Hwang Siyeok's abilities weren't just physical; they were observation, control, and timing, applied flawlessly.
As the trials ended, medals were given, but Hwang Siyeok received no special attention. He blended back into the crowd, calm and collected, quietly observing the environment while others focused on victory and pride.
Shy Suya fell in step beside him. "You're extraordinary… but no one even notices how much you do."
He smiled faintly. "Extraordinary is relative. My goal isn't recognition — it's understanding and influencing subtly. That is enough."
For Huweol High, the sports trials ended. But for Hwang Siyeok, it was another day to observe, adjust, and act with precision, mastering every challenge without revealing his full abilities — all while keeping his identity hidden.
---