Chapter 33
Chapter 33
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Episode 10: The Knight Diligently Works His Side Hustle (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"I told you to aim for 10,000 reps, but I didn't set a deadline for when you have to finish. What I want isn't just hitting a number—it's for you all to build the stamina and endurance to stably swing that rope 10,000 times. And that doesn't mean 'blindly' grinding it out! I've told you a hundred times not to obsess over the count, you idiots! Feel the stimulus, understand how your muscles move, how your limbs work!"
Lee Han didn't hold back in scolding the ones marked red—the so-called young masters.
"Is it because you're all spoiled brats? Do I have to wipe your asses one by one before you'll listen? Why can't you get it through your thick skulls?"
"...We're not young masters."
"Like hell you're not. It's written all over you that you were raised with kid gloves. Oh, wait—did you not even realize you were pampered brats?"
"You...!"
"Mad? If you're mad, then do better. Why are you so pathetic that a demoted knight like me has to chew you out? Tsk tsk."
"Just you wait! Someday I'll shove a sword in that face of yours!"
"Oho, I hope you do."
"!!?"
His taunting skills had reached divine levels.
With his tongue, he ground them down. Lee Han smirked inwardly, inviting them to curse him all they wanted.
'Curse me all you like. It'll make you live longer.'
His mentality was far too ironclad to be shaken by mere insults.
Lee Han didn't skimp on the scolding, constantly hounding them.
But he didn't focus solely on the young master cadets. He made an effort to pay attention to everyone.
First, the yellow-marked ones.
The so-called chicks.
Mostly women, none of whom knew the first thing about Fighting Techniques, not even basic swordsmanship.
And so...
"For now, you chicks aren't ready to hold even a wooden sword, let alone a real one. So what's crucial for you right now is basic strength and stamina. Oh, and don't worry about suddenly bulking up from exercise. Muscles don't form that quickly, and this level of training won't build them anyway."
He was kind to them.
Not because they were women, but because even sprout-level newbies were too precious to waste. How could he bully someone who didn't even know how to work a treadmill at the gym?
Kindness was the way to go.
"I-Instructor, sir... does jumping rope really build stamina?"
"Good question, Chick Cadet No. 1."
"C-Could you just call me Levi?"
A sincere question from Levi Polt, whose impression from yesterday had been quite favorable.
Excellent.
Now that he was in the teaching role, he understood. How invaluable it was to have earnest students asking questions like this.
Suppressing the urge to reward her with extra points, Lee Han continued in an even gentler tone.
"Jumping rope doesn't just build stamina. It boosts muscle endurance, strengthens your cardiovascular system, improves balance and athleticism. It won't show instant results, but if you do it consistently every day, one day you'll feel your body moving on its own."
"Ah..."
"It's also the best exercise for dieting, by the way."
"!!!"
At those words, every female cadet snapped her head up like a meerkat, eyes wide with interest.
Motivation.
Lee Han gave the chicks a solid reason to work hard.
"And that's not all. If you follow this instructor's training regimen diligently, you'll start enjoying getting dressed in the future. Those of you into fashion know this—sometimes even perfectly fitted clothes look off on you. That can happen if your body's too skinny or lacks tone. But when your whole physique gains elasticity and firmness, even outfits that never suited you before will start looking great."
"R-Really?"
"This instructor doesn't lie. And here's something even more enticing. Maid!"
"Yes!"
Leira Winter appeared instantly at his call.
A new face to them.
But upon seeing her in full royal maid attire, the women gawked, eyes round as saucers. Becoming a royal maid was a dream job for most noble ladies.
To them...
"Maid, demonstrate for us."
"Yesss."
Her drowsy tone and expression screamed zero trustworthiness, but the moment she performed a curtsy, the women's eyes changed in an instant.
Shock rippled through their gazes!
"Wow, perfect."
The honest words of a lady from an old noble house, and everyone agreed.
It was truly flawless and beautiful.
"As you can see, the maid's posture is elegant. It's thanks to her perfect balance and upright stance. And to achieve that straight, graceful posture, back and glute strength are key. So, does that make you want to train hard now?"
"......Yes."
"I heard that. I promise. If you chicks follow this instructor's schedule, I'll ensure every one of you develops a posture so stunning that anyone who sees it will think you're beautiful."
"Yes, yes!"
With that, the female cadets—no, the chicks—pledged their loyalty like devotees to a god.
Indeed, what moves people is fundamental desire.
Lee Han inwardly chuckled at himself for going this far, but newbies deserved kindness.
On the flip side...
"Listen up, you green sprouts."
"...A-Are you talking to us?"
"Yes, you."
"...Doesn't sound like an insult, but it feels off."
There was something particularly strict about how he treated the green-marked rope holders.
They weren't total newbies, just middling types, so they needed extra toughness.
"You've learned some swordsmanship already. Not Fighting Techniques, but you probably trained diligently since childhood. That's why your base stamina is decent. Better than those red young masters over there."
"...We'd prefer 'sprouts'."
"Work hard enough to be called weeds."
"Th-That's not great either."
"Anyway, this instructor has some serious advice. If you really want to become knights, you shouldn't be at the academy. Drop out right now."
"......Wh-Why?"
After a brief silence, they asked.
They'd seen he didn't spout nonsense without reason.
And as expected...
"Because you haven't learned Fighting Techniques."
"...Ugh!"
The moment Fighting Techniques came up, their faces darkened as if confronting a reality they'd ignored.
"Those in the know already get it. Yeah, there's a massive gap between those who know Fighting Techniques and those who don't. Like an adult fighting a child—totally unfair."
Even burly adult men famous for their village brawls get crushed by kids who've mastered Fighting Techniques.
And knights were those who'd honed Fighting Techniques to the extreme—that's why they were both admired and feared.
"Of course, as academy enrollees, you'll learn the basic Fighting Technique the academy provides. But the academy's version is fundamentally low-grade. Like a sandwich with just bread and veggies—no ham, cheese, or sauce. Sure, if one of you is a freak genius, you could take that basic stuff to the limit."
"...Haha."
Just a pipe dream, sweet as it sounded.
Anyone that talented would've been scooped up by nobles as knight trainees already—not sent to the academy.
"True, the world has no absolutes. But this instructor doesn't see staying in the swordsmanship department as a smart choice. You'd have been better off joining a top mercenary band or a warrior/swordsman guild to learn proper Fighting Techniques... even if it means risking your life daily."
"That's why we came here instead."
One sprout's reply.
Lee Han nodded in understanding.
Mercenaries were a death trap, guilds were clannish, ruthless, and did anything for profit.
Places to avoid unless desperate.
But Lee Han knew.
'By second or third year, most commoner swordsmanship cadets drop out for mercenary bands or guilds. The gap with noble young masters is just too wide.'
That's why the remaining second- and third-year swordsmanship cadets were all nobles.
The academy's reality laid bare the world's inequities.
Funny thing.
They scouted talent, yet the ones thriving were mercenary bands and guilds, not the kingdom.
At this rate, in 20—no, 10—years, knights orders might end up subordinate to mercs and guilds.
Numbers don't lie, and those groups' power only grew.
'Not my problem, though.'
By then, he'd either beat Baltar Grace or the old man would retire. No stopping him.
'...No way the guy's still around after 10 years.'
The geezer would age too.
...Surely.
"Instructor?"
"Ah, sorry. Even this instructor's thoughts got complicated."
"...Thank you. For thinking of us that way."
"Uh, well, it's the instructor's duty."
Might be a misunderstanding, but let it slide.
Misunderstandings could be beneficial.
"Ahem, anyway, this instructor doesn't view you sprouts positively just because you're at the academy."
"......"
"But my duty is to teach you well, and as the swordsmanship department instructor, I must make you strong. With that in mind, I'm thinking of teaching you sprouts this."
"?"
"Watch closely."
Lee Han picked up a stray branch from the ground.
Snapped but sturdy-looking. He lightly pressed his fist against it and stood still.
But then...
"You saw it yesterday, right? The 'Rigid' technique."
Crack!
-!!!?
In an instant, the branch pulverized, shocking them.
Not surprising the branch broke, but he hadn't moved at all.
Zero distance.
No swing, just pressed his fist, no motion—and it shattered.
What else could shock you if not this?
"I named it 'The Rigid Method.' Some of you heard about it yesterday. This isn't a Fighting Technique. It's purely harnessing the collective power of your bones, muscles, and tendons. A skill learned through effort, with endless applications once you grasp the sensation."
"Y-You're going to teach us such a valuable technique!?"
They were stunned.
Even as their instructor, handing over something this precious was unbelievable.
They'd seen it.
His skill overwhelming a genius they'd never beat, even twice revived—using just a wooden sword.
And knowing that 'Rigid' was the key? Unthinkable he'd share it.
But of course, nothing in the world is free.
"Obviously, I'm not teaching it for nothing."
As expected.
Was Lee Han a total pushover, handing out everything?
His techniques were hard-won insights from battlefields and training—his 'intellectual property.'
Just giving them away would be a loss.
However...
'Even pro fighters teach techniques after retiring to make a living.'
He needed retirement plans too.
Something solid, like a pension lottery.
Lee Han concealed his ulterior motives and gave a lengthy explanation.
"First, if I teach you this technique, you must all revere me as your 'Grand Master.' After you start earning from jobs, you'll pay this Grand Master—instructor—a monthly fee for 15 years. You can't teach my technique to others freely either; you need my explicit permission."
15-year long-term pension? Irresistible.
"And if you learn from me, we'll form a master-disciple bond. That doesn't mean just buddying up. You'll monitor each other, strictly guarding the technique from leaking. If someone misuses it, you punish them yourselves. If someone steals it, you deal with them too."
Extra pension was precious. And if he had kids someday, he'd need inheritance.
No forgiving thieves.
"Of course, no need to decide now. Think it over. It could be a life-changing crossroads. But this instructor will say this: If you want to get strong, don't you need the resolve to stake your life on it?"
—That was it.
"......"
Silence fell.
It had been that shocking a proposition.
'Strict, but... doable!'
The conditions were harsh, but feasible.
The instructors who'd taught them swordsmanship had similar terms.
His were just stricter and longer-term.
But learning a technique unavailable anywhere else? Worth more than enough.
Still, they had to deliberate.
As he said, steeling themselves with life-staking resolve.
Decide after careful thought to avoid regrets...
"Kunta! I want to learn it! Instructor, I'll take you as my Grand Master!"
"What if disciples fight or cause issues? Any set rules?"
"No more 'Instructor sir'—just call me Grand Master from now on?"
"Lucky us. I wanted to learn it anyway."
"They say the haves are greedier..."
Four cadets had gathered in a flash—who knew how long they'd been listening?—leaving Lee Han dumbfounded, tongue clicking.
These talented, well-off types—why so greedy?
But seeing such promising folks eagerly step up, the sprouts decided.
"...Life's short—gotta take the shot."
Enough to banish hesitation.
"-By the way, Knight."
"What is it, Maid?"
"So you've formed your own faction? What's it called?"
"A name?"
"Yeah! Every group has a name!"
"A name, huh..."
He hadn't thought about it much. Sharp observation. It was improvised, but a name mattered for belonging. After a moment's thought...
"One Hundred and Eight Arhats sounds good."
"Unique name."
"Means I want to gather 108 elite warriors someday. Haha."
"Nice meaning!"
The innocent maid, oblivious, praised him brightly, making Lee Han wince a bit.
Sometimes that purity stabbed deeper than anything.