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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 58
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58. Practical Class - Sparring Between Cadets
***
Monday morning.
Rustle, rustle.
Cheon-seong, changing into his black cadet uniform, was getting ready to go to the Academy.
...
He stared blankly at the morning sunlight brightly illuminating his room, feeling as though his mind hadn't quite settled.
Perhaps it was because Sunday had been so chaotic.
...He let out a small sigh, then shook his head.
'I really need to train.'
He felt that only by taking up his spear and swinging it would he be free from such distracting thoughts. He'd rather his body be tired than his mind be complicated, which felt like wandering through a maze with no exit.
"Becoming complacent can happen in an instant."
Thwack.
Having finished getting ready to leave, he lightly patted his cheek.
"Let's get it together."
Even as he told himself this, he tried to suppress the thoughts of the two people that had filled his mind moments before.
That would be Cali and Glessia. Because of them, he'd even lost sleep.
Even one person alone was enough to cause him great confusion, but yesterday, several things had happened with both of them at once, so his worries were truly immense.
"It's not like I'm starved for women..."
He needed to think a little more lightly and let things go.
And he once again faced his current situation. It wasn't as if he had time to spare. The further ahead he got, the more he needed to dedicate himself to training.
Even though he was currently ahead of other cadets at Level 4, he could be caught up to in an instant.
Swish.
After equipping his spear to his back, he opened the door.
Thud.
As he left the dormitory, he saw cadets emerging from their rooms, even though it was still early morning.
And among them, there was a familiar face.
"David."
"Oh? You're out early?"
His gaze met David's, and he was a little surprised.
"It just happened... So David, do you come out this early every day?"
He naturally fell into step with David, feeling a sense of wonder.
They were staying so close, yet this was the first time they'd run into each other in the dormitory.
"For me, I feel more at ease if I leave early. So, did you have a good weekend?"
"So-so... I had a decent time."
"Decent, huh? Well, for you, I bet you were in the training grounds with your spear even on the weekend."
"I trained, but I did rest fully on Sunday. But resting like that, I felt like I was becoming complacent."
"Complacent, my foot... If you're complacent, what does that make the other cadets?"
A laugh escaped him at David's absurd retort, and he nodded.
...
As they left the dormitory and headed towards the Academy, they exchanged various small talks. It wasn't a conversation of great significance, but rather a flow of words between them.
The topic soon turned to today's practical class.
"It's practical training starting today..."
"David. Why aren't you confident?"
"No, it's not that I'm not confident... but I'm still aware, so I'm a bit nervous. We're going to get roughed up today, aren't we?"
"What's wrong with that? We grow by sparring and getting knocked down."
"When I look at you, I realize something. You talk a good game. Han Cheon-seong, you're saying this because you're a Level 4 Trait user, right? It's not your problem."
"Not my problem, my foot. Even I'm not entirely confident I'll win all the duels."
Even as he replied, he genuinely wasn't confident.
While being a Level 4 Trait user would give him an advantage in sparring against other cadets, there was no telling how compatibility would play out.
He might even be easily defeated by a cadet with a long-range trait.
"Alright. As you said, I guess I'll have to get thoroughly beaten today and grow a bit."
As David seemed to steel his resolve, Cheon-seong liked his attitude.
Regardless, one shouldn't be afraid of losing in a spar.
In the future, he would face countless more intense real battles. Considering the world of Groa as he knew it, sparring between cadets was truly nothing.
'The spar with Leonhardt was truly significant.'
The experience of clashing with this world's protagonist had given him a tremendous boost in confidence.
Thud.
Then, before he knew it, the lecture hall came into view.
...
He felt nervous, but for an entirely different reason than David's anxiety.
'I hope Cali sees me in a good light.'
He hoped she would properly understand that he wasn't in a relationship with Glessia. Cali wouldn't misunderstand him easily like before; at the very least, she would listen to him first.
He still believed he had a chance.
***
Rustle.
As cadets entered the C1 class one by one, they soon found their seats. And all of them had formed into several groups.
"Seriously... I hope Instructor Cali is in a good mood today."
"I also want to attend class comfortably today."
"Last Friday was truly suffocating, I tell you. Even now, I don't know how I got through it."
Cadets who had already grown close gathered in small groups, chatting. Among them, there was one rather peculiar group.
A peculiar group that surrounding cadets observed cautiously but dared not approach.
It was a space occupied by three men, as if an invisible wall separated them.
It was the group to which Gerard Jeadri belonged.
"...Spear mastery, huh?"
Gerard muttered a single word, twisting his lips.
A strange madness glimmered in his narrow blue eyes, framed by his light blond hair.
The biggest reason other cadets couldn't approach them was Gerard himself.
"Gerard. Are you really sure about this?"
"Melden's right. Still, Han Cheon-seong is a Level 4 Trait user. Don't you think it might be too much?"
Even as Melden and Durn, who formed the group with Gerard, expressed their concerns, Gerard nodded as if he had no worries.
"It's fine. He's just a commoner who got lucky. Today, I'll properly crush that guy."
"Gerard, there's no need to overdo it."
"As Durn said, there might be some exaggeration in the rumors. But if he really fought Leonhardt... it might be better not to push it."
Despite their repeated expressions of concern, Gerard's mind didn't change.
Today was the practical class.
'I'll call him out and publicly crush him.'
Being humiliated by Cali on the first day was one thing. But even after that, Cali's attitude towards him was utterly displeasing.
He had suffered such harsh treatment for merely asking a question out of good will, yet Han Cheon-seong was receiving absurd attention just because he'd managed a lucky draw with Leonhardt.
To make matters worse... when he tried to reach out to Luna, whom he had been interested in for a long time, Gerard simply couldn't tolerate it.
He couldn't just stand by; it felt as if his stomach was twisting.
'How dare a mere commoner... not know his place and covet someone?'
Even if the rumors were widespread, they were just rumors. The guy's rank was Common. While Level 4 was quite concerning, at most, a commoner with a Common Trait had clear limitations.
He was simply being overvalued due to sheer luck.
"Don't worry. Spear mastery is a close-range armament anyway. And a close-range trait means it's fine as long as you don't allow them distance. If the compatibility works out, even a Level 4 can be dealt with."
He confidently expressed his opinion, looking at Melden and Durn.
Commoners were just commoners, and Common was just Common. These guys were just worrying too much.
A commoner was someone who would simply be crushed if pressed down firmly.
"...Well, that's true too."
"If he doesn't allow distance, then Gerard might be able to handle it."
"Exactly. So, don't you two worry too much. I'll properly crush him today."
And with that, he felt a sense of anticipation.
Crushing Han Cheon-seong while simultaneously showcasing his true worth and reversing his reputation.
The mere thought made his heart swell with excitement.
Rustle.
Just then, the door opened and Han Cheon-seong entered, bringing a smile to Gerard's face.
It was simply amusing to see him enter with another commoner by his side.
'Was the guy next to him David?'
A commoner with orange-colored hair.
Although he was assigned to the same class as these people, that was only because their traits hadn't developed yet. In the future, there would be an overwhelming difference between him and such riff-raff.
Thud.
As he approached, his chest filled with fervor.
In a few hours. No, it wouldn't be long before he could crush that guy.
When their gazes met, Han Cheon-seong, for some reason, didn't avert his eyes.
"...Pfft."
Then he twisted his lips and turned his head, which utterly exasperated Gerard without him realizing it.
"That guy's lost his mind..."
If a commoner had shown such disrespect when he was at the Marquisate, it would have been an insolence severe enough to warrant immediate execution.
To think he'd dare to act so presumptuously here in the Academy, not knowing his place... it was truly...
Rustle.
The moment he began to rise.
Clack!
The lecture hall door opened once again.
...He paused and looked, seeing Cali entering the lecture hall.
Click. Click.
As her red hair, like a blazing flame, softly swayed, he managed to calm his mind.
"...I can just crush him in the practical class."
He forcibly composed himself, determined to make Cali see him in a new light as well.
Absolutely not. He wasn't a cadet who deserved such treatment.
***
A vast open ground within the Academy.
Fifty cadets from Class C1 were all lined up in neat rows.
...
...
With such a large number of people, it would normally be bustling, but everyone maintained a calm silence.
This was because Cali, with her cold expression, stood directly in front of them.
"First, before we begin practical training, I will explain the practical class. The practical sparring between cadets is fundamentally focused on 'understanding the opponent's capabilities.' If you can accept a spar with an opponent, you may accept it; otherwise, you are free to refuse. That choice rests entirely with the cadet."
Cali paused for a moment, then swept her gaze over the cadets before her, continuing in an even colder tone.
"However, there are times when unavoidable situations arise. I hope you will accept all spars if possible. Still, I will not force it. Unlike future evaluation sessions, for now, cadets may challenge any cadet they wish to spar with, and you may proceed with your individual spars. All of you must be aware that these are spars, and while exerting your full strength, you must also consider your opponent. If you believe you might inflict a fatal injury during a spar, you may call an instructor and proceed with the spar under their supervision."
Once Cali calmly finished speaking and authorized the sparring.
Most of the cadets hesitated.
The Academy entrance exam had only evaluated the potential of one's trait, their developmental possibilities, and the effort represented by their level.
It had not assessed practical combat.
Therefore, this occasion was to be considered the first time most cadets would engage in practical combat after receiving their traits.
And then, anomalies occurred simultaneously.
"Cadet Number 16, David."
"Cadet Number 17, Han Cheon-seong."
"Cadet Number 36, Gerard Leodri."
Three cadets simultaneously called out names and looked at Cali.
At that moment, the attention of those around them also focused on them.
Cali, looking intrigued, alternated her gaze between the three cadets, then turned her attention to David, who had spoken first.
"Cadet David spoke first, so I will hear his request."
"Yes. I would like to request a spar with Cadet Number 36, Gerard, under your supervision, Instructor."
At David's calm demeanor as he finished speaking... Cali naturally shifted her gaze to Gerard.
"Cadet Gerard. Will you accept a spar with Cadet David?"
As she had stated earlier that they had a choice, Cali first inquired about the willingness to spar.
Gerard paused for a moment, then a smile played on his lips.
"Yes. I will accept, Instructor."
"Good. Then both cadets, please step forward."
At Cali's call, David and Gerard each stepped out of their respective rows and moved forward, their gazes meeting.
Compared to David, whose expression was coldly hardened, Gerard wore an arrogant smile.
Gerard, frankly, was dumbfounded.
He had originally intended to challenge Han Cheon-seong, but instead, he had been challenged first.
However, Gerard actually thought that was even better.
Before challenging Han Cheon-seong.
'Crushing David would be fine too.'
Thud.
Thud.
As David and Gerard took their positions facing each other, Cali watched them with an unreadable gaze.
And she noticed the strange tension between them.
'Is this a spar fueled by personal feelings?'
Spars requested because of mutual dislike. This was quite common within the Academy.
And instructors didn't prevent it during classes.
As long as accidents could be prevented under supervision, such intense emotions could even become a stepping stone for growth.
"Spar, begin."
As Cali's calm voice resounded, David immediately pushed off the ground.