‘Hoo, looks like this was the right answer after all.’

‘Damn, so this wasn’t the correct answer.’

‘What a relief. I just guessed, but it turned out to be right…’

‘The questions are easier than I thought.’

During the math session.

Han Seo-Jin first solved the problems on his own. Then, he used the power of his insight ability to review them.

While blindly marking answers based on what his insight told him was an option, he wanted to test his own learning progress first.

Fortunately, he seemed to have chosen over 90% of the answers correctly. Considering it had only been a few months since he started preparing for the exam, this was an impressive outcome.

‘I could use insight to score full marks in all subjects… but let’s avoid that.’

He didn’t want to draw unnecessary attention. He only needed to achieve a score sufficient to get into a top-tier university.

After all, what he sought wasn’t academic prestige. He wanted to broaden his perspective in a larger world, just as Jung Ji-Won had mentioned.

‘But how many questions should I deliberately get wrong? Too many would also be problematic.’

This was the dilemma that troubled Han Seo-Jin throughout the college entrance exam.

“Han Seo-Jin, has the results of the CSAT come out yet? It’s December, so it should be around this time.”

“Ah, they were released yesterday.”

“Really?”

Jung Ji-Won showed interest. The other team members, who had been occupied with their work, also turned their attention, clearly curious. Han Seo-Jin felt slightly embarrassed.

“What score did you get?”

“Well, I got a first grade.”

“Hooh, is that so?”

The team members all looked astonished. They knew that Han Seo-Jin had only been preparing for the exam for a few months.

“Cramming for a few months and scoring a first grade? Seo-Jin really is a genius. As expected of the Demon Dog developer.”

“These days, rankings aren’t released, right? You can only differentiate based on scaled scores?”

“I hope Seo-Jin joins our Yonsei University. That way, our team can outnumber the Korean University graduates.”

“Even then, it’d be 2:3.”

Han Seo-Jin, now at the center of a conversation he never imagined before, felt awkward.

“Sunbae-nim, come on, I might’ve barely made it into the first grade. I might not even make it into Korean University, let alone Yonsei.”

“What nonsense, you’re more than just your scores.”

“Huh?”

“A Semiconductor Engineering Certification—that’s not something just anyone can get. Even graduates from Korean University’s engineering program struggle with it. And what’s your current position? You’re a research team member in design at none other than H Semiconductor, aren’t you?”

“Does that even matter?”

“It does. You can get bonus points during the admission process. These days, which university selects students purely based on CSAT scores? A first grade, plus a Semiconductor Engineering Certification, and being an employee at H Semiconductor’s design team? If I were a professor, I’d definitely accept such an applicant into the semiconductor engineering department.”

When Kim Kyung-Gyu confidently declared this, even Han Seo-Jin began to think it might be true.

“Anyway, now that Seo-Jin is back to work, it’s a relief. We can finally relax.”

Deputy Choi Ji-Seok exaggeratedly acted as if he had been struggling, prompting Han Seo-Jin to ask curiously,

“Deputy, what’s the matter?”

“What do you mean? When one team member leaves for studying, the rest of us suffer. Seo-Jin, you’re not allowed to repeat this. No matter what, you must get into Korean University this time. If not… just come to Yonsei. Not because it’s my alma mater, but Yonsei is good too.”

“I’m not planning to retake anyway. How could I do that twice with the company watching?”

“What nonsense. As the Demon Dog developer, even if it’s a third or fourth attempt, or overseas studies, the company should accommodate you. Though they don’t know that, so…”

Section Chief Ha Jung-Tae, a junior alumnus of Jung Ji-Won, shrugged.

If the company knew that the Beagle processor design revisions were done solely by Han Seo-Jin, there’d be an uproar. However, the team members had kept it a secret, so the company remained unaware.

Jung Ji-Won spoke.

“Getting a first grade is impressive, but if you don’t get into Korean University, let me know. I’ll talk to the company so you can receive scholarship work benefits for another year.”

“Ugh, Team Leader! Does that mean we’ll have to suffer for another year?”

“Stop whining.”

Jung Ji-Won silenced the complaining team members with a single remark, then continued.

“The company should provide our team with that much consideration. So, if you miss out but want to prepare for another year, let me know.”

“Yes, sir.”

Han Seo-Jin didn’t decline. Jung Ji-Won seemed pleased with his attitude, smiling faintly.

“But these days, you seem extremely busy. What’s going on?”

“Oh, it seems Macfle has taken a deep interest in the Beagle. They even want to collaborate with our company on the next-gen AP chip development.”

“Really?”

It was known that the Beagle’s incredible performance and Macfle’s aggressive marketing had solidified its dominance in the market. But for Macfle, known for their pride, to seek joint development?

“Actually, there have been several scouting offers from Macfle for our team. I had to reject them with a heavy heart.”

“Why? That’s a great opportunity…”

“Kid, they’re only scouting us because of the Beagle. What would I do there? It wouldn’t take long for them to discover my lack of skill, and I’d get kicked out like a beggar.”

“…”

At Kim Kyung-Gyu’s playful reprimand, Han Seo-Jin chose to stay silent.

Jung Ji-Won chuckled and said,

“Anyway, Macfle seems smitten with the Beagle. That’s why they’ve shifted from scouting our team to collaborating with the company. They’re utterly captivated.”

“Captivated by the Beagle, huh…”

“That’s why, Seo-Jin, we need you. Wrap up your admission process quickly and get back to work, okay?”

Choi Ji-Seok’s plea ended the conversation.

When Han Seo-Jin called his younger sister, Han Ji-Hye, his voice was unusually bright.

“Going to university?”

“Yeah, I took the CSAT this time.”

“Why the sudden interest in university? How will you afford the tuition? And what about the company? Are you planning to quit?”

“The company has a scholarship work program, so I can attend school while continuing my job.”

“…Jinseong Electronics really is a great company. They even extend such benefits to production workers?”

Her comment made him feel a pang of guilt. It struck him how little communication there had been between them.

“To be honest, I switched jobs a few months ago.”

“Switched jobs?”

“Yeah, I’m now working at H Semiconductor. The work is a bit different too.”

“Did your salary increase?”

“It went up a lot.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Her relieved sigh was audible.

“Don’t worry. I won’t come asking you for money just because I lost my savings.”

“Who said anything? Just manage your money better in the future. Money is only yours when it’s in your hand.”

“How’s your relationship going?”

“…I’m hanging up. I’m busy.”

After a brief silence, Han Ji-Hye ended the call. He figured she must be dealing with some conflict with her boyfriend and didn’t think much of it.

‘I wonder how Seo-Young is doing.’

For a moment, he thought of his ex, Im Seo-Young.

The last time they spoke, she had mentioned getting married the following month, so she must be a married woman by now.

What was remarkable was that his heart no longer ached. Her shadow no longer brought him pain.

Instead, he felt a faint sense of superiority.

With 30 billion won to his name, he could make her happy now. If she had held on a bit longer, she could’ve enjoyed being pampered as a madam.

Of course, he quickly became embarrassed by his own thoughts and dismissed them.

“This isn’t the time for this. I have an interview tomorrow.”

He hastily opened his interview prep materials.

Even the omnipotent Insight couldn’t help in real-time oral interviews.

At the interview room of the Semiconductor Engineering Department at Korean University.

Applicants in school uniforms sat like a flock of chicks. To Han Seo-Jin, they were exactly that—a flock of chicks, each visibly nervous.

Of course, he wasn’t much different. This was his first university interview, and it was at the nation’s top university, no less. Standing out in his business suit amidst the uniformed applicants, he even felt a cold sweat down his back.

‘I heard there aren’t many female students in the engineering department?’

Contrary to what his seniors had said, nearly half the applicants were female. Was it the high employment rate that attracted them?

“Number 112, please come in.”

“Yes!”

Han Seo-Jin answered energetically and stood up, causing some female students to giggle.

Facing him were three interviewers seated in front of a single chair. Bowing politely, he took his seat.

The interviewers exchanged intrigued looks.

“A business suit… This applicant is a bit unusual.”

“He doesn’t look like a high school student. Let’s see… his age…”

“Ah, he’s 25 years old.”

“Judging by the age, he must have taken the CSAT late. Did you graduate from another university and decide to reapply?”

Han Seo-Jin responded confidently.

“No, I graduated high school and immediately started working. After four years of working, I felt increasingly thirsty for advanced knowledge, which led me to apply to the Semiconductor Engineering Department.”

“You work? Is it in the semiconductor field? Which company?”

“Yes, I work at H Semiconductor.”

“What’s your position?”

“I’m part of the design team.”

“Hooh, the design team?”

A young professor seemed impressed as he examined the application and asked in a somewhat surprised tone,

“You obtained the Semiconductor Engineering Certification last year?”

“Yes, I took the certification exam to improve my job performance.”

“And despite that, you prepared for the CSAT? You must be extremely passionate. Balancing work and studying can’t have been easy.”

“The company was very accommodating, which made it possible to prepare for the exam.”

Professor Park Hyo-San, one of the interviewers, let out a soft hum.

The CSAT score was honestly a bit lacking. But this applicant was currently an employee of H Semiconductor’s design team.

In sports terms, it was akin to a self-taught soccer player from a renowned professional team applying to a prestigious soccer school to learn the basics.

‘In that case…’

Professor Park decided to focus the interview on semiconductor design practices.

Han Seo-Jin answered smoothly without hesitation.

Despite his modest claim of being lucky to join H Semiconductor, his technical knowledge was extensive and well-articulated.

Han Seo-Jin thought to himself.

‘This really reminds me of the Semiconductor Engineering Certification interview.’

However, compared to that, the difficulty level of the questions here was much lower. It wasn’t because the interviewers were less competent but likely because this was a university entrance interview.

The interviewers exchanged whispers among themselves for a moment.

“From a practical perspective, there’s nothing to criticize… His answers are seamless, and he seems likely to adapt easily to the department.”

“The Semiconductor Engineering Certification is an impressive merit, but it’s unfortunate that his CSAT score is slightly lacking.”

“Still, his math section score is perfect. I heard this year’s CSAT math section was so difficult that fewer than five people scored full marks.”

“That’s remarkable.”

Professor Park Hyo-San, the senior-most interviewer, made up his mind.

“High CSAT scores don’t guarantee success in applied sciences. Let’s conduct one final test.”

Professor Park pulled out a piece of paper and began sketching something quickly. Although it was a simple drawing, it was instantly recognizable as a conceptual diagram of a semiconductor circuit.

“Applicant number 112, please come forward.”

As Han Seo-Jin sprang up and approached, Professor Park handed him the diagram he had just drawn.

“For this circuit to operate correctly, one section needs to be supplemented, and one section needs to be corrected. Identify those areas.”

Another interviewer, visibly flustered, interjected.

“Professor, this might even be challenging for graduate students…”

Before the sentence was finished, Han Seo-Jin picked up a pen and swiftly marked two points without hesitation. He perfectly pinpointed the two areas that Professor Park had mentioned, causing the professor’s expression to brighten.

But Han Seo-Jin’s pen didn’t stop there. As he continued to draw new lines, Professor Park’s expression froze slightly in surprise.

“Why did you mark this spot?”

“Well… it seemed like there were actually three issues, but you intentionally mentioned only two.”

It appeared that identifying the third issue, which hadn’t been mentioned, was also part of the test.

Why, then, did the interviewers look so stunned?

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