Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: EP.14 – Berserk? (2)
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...A strange silence hung over the swordsmanship department's training ground.
"Ahem... "
"Hmm. "
"Wh-what is this? "
It was hard to even come up with a proper greeting, let alone say anything.
These were his classmates from the department, returning after a full 29 days.
In the swordsmanship department, where everyone was essentially a rival, camaraderie was a faint emotion at best. Still, it had been a while since they'd seen each other, so there was a bit of gladness mixed in.
They wanted to exchange well-wishes or ask how each other had been, but looking at them now, even that felt difficult.
And for good reason.
'Why, why are they wearing bear hides?'
'Those look like they hunted them themselves... '
'Their bodies are insanely bulked up. What the hell did they do? Hmm. '
Eighteen people draped in bear hides.
They had been the frail sprouts mocked as rookies.
Just 29 days ago, they were nothing more than ordinary cadets you could find anywhere. Now, they stood out like sore thumbs.
The most noticeable change was their overall impression.
It had sharpened.
There was no trace of their previous delicate air, and now they even exuded a sharp edge, as if ready to slice through anything at a moment's notice.
But what truly captured attention was their bodies—at least three times more robust.
Riiip...!
The academy cadet uniforms were on the verge of tearing.
Not from fat, but from overall larger muscles and frames.
Yet it wasn't just bloated muscle; they'd grown only where needed, retaining sleekness—a level of perfection that drew admiration.
Their aura, their physiques, even their poised stances without a single flaw.
They evoked images of warriors—no, combatants ready to charge into battle at any second.
At that moment.
"L-Levy Polt? Is that Lady Polt?"
"Yes, Lady Luno. I hope you've been well."
"I-I'm fine, but Lady Polt, you've changed so much."
The noble lady called Luno stared wide-eyed, scanning Lady Levy Polt from head to toe in one unabashed sweep.
An rude breach of etiquette.
Something no noble, who valued manners above all, should dare do. But right now, it couldn't be helped.
It was just too hard to believe a person could change this much in less than a month.
And the other ladies felt the same.
"G-Goodness, haven't your hands gotten too rough?"
"Heavens, those scars...! Y-You need treatment right away!"
"But why is your face and skin elsewhere so moist and pretty? Lady Irene too... "
Levy Polt had been the most petite among the ladies.
Not fragile, just slimmer than most.
But not anymore.
Still slim, but with a body now unmistakably toned—far from fragile.
Yet it wasn't brutish; it shone with healthy beauty.
She'd even grown taller.
From 150cm, now she looked at least 160cm.
A full 10cm growth spurt...
Even in puberty, did people really grow that much in under 30 days?
'Wh-why did the chick suddenly turn into a swan?'
To borrow the instructor's words, the girl who had been mere chick had transformed into a swan.
She even carried an extraordinary aura and a hint of maturity, so the watching ladies stole glances at Levy Polt with faintly flushed cheeks.
An alluring woman could inspire envy even in her own sex.
"...These stares are a bit burdensome."
Perhaps embarrassed by the burdensome gazes, the girl showed a shy expression.
That confirmed it was indeed Levy Polt.
Just no longer the timid, frail-voiced girl.
There was now a resolute strength in her, able to voice her opinions confidently.
"Compared to the seniors, I'm nothing."
"Seniors...?"
"We formed master-disciple bonds four days ago. I'm the youngest since I'm the least experienced."
"I... see."
"...By the way, Lady Polt, if it's not rude, why are they wearing those hideous things?"
"You mean this?"
Levy Polt gave a wry smile, as if she'd expected the question.
The young lords and rookies, hesitant to speak up, quietly tuned into the ladies' conversation, and Levy Polt answered as if addressing their curiosities.
"Hmm, it's hides from monsters we encountered during the return march."
"M-Monsters!?"
"Yes. Seemed like variants. You know how it happens sometimes? Animals that eat monster flesh mutate."
"Goodness... "
They knew it well.
Humans or animals ingesting unpurified monster flesh or blood was no different from swallowing poison.
Instant death was the norm upon consumption.
But occasionally, hardy lifeforms endured the toxin, transforming into violent, cruel monsters.
This process led to monster outbreaks, the calamity territory folk feared most.
And yet, such monsters...
"They looked headed for a village, so the instructor ordered the seniors to hunt them all."
"...The instructor and others didn't step in?"
"Nope. You know how strict he is. Even Prince Roan and the skilled ones were told to stand by."
"......"
So, those bear-turned-monsters were taken down by them—the frail lowborn rookies who'd been mocked?
...Without help from the instructor or other experts?
"Exactly eighteen bears, eighteen seniors—perfect match. The fight shredded their clothes and gear, so they had no choice but to wear the bear hides back. Not to intimidate you all or anything."
"...Why wear them with cadet uniforms now?"
"Our armor broke too. These hides are thick and tough—great as substitutes."
"......"
"What's wrong? More questions?"
"N-No."
...This girl seems a bit off too.
No, if they lost their armor, they could just request replacements from the academy. Why keep wearing bear hides?
'Their way of thinking is weird, but Lady Polt's changed too.'
A slight shift in common sense?
They'd all become irrational.
"-Don't misunderstand. Those hides are genuinely tough as hell. Twice as good as academy-issued armor. Even artisan guilds struggle to make something that sturdy."
"Instructor... "
The instructor appeared midway.
He'd been summoned to the dean again over the bear hide fiasco.
"Nobles should know—the price of top-grade armor."
"...It's steep."
"Exactly, even you call it pricey. Think lowborns like them can afford good gear easily?"
"Ah... "
"There, got it?"
A straightforward explanation. They marveled, finally grasping the hides' superior quality.
...At the same time.
'So they beat mid-to-high-grade monster bears with defenses rivaling top armor?'
'One-on-one, but how?'
'That's at least mid-upper tier... '
The fact that 'they' had defeated such beasts was impressive.
Their growth was evident from outlines, but reaching one-on-one victories over mid-to-high-grade monsters was shocking.
Intensive training.
Not just talk—it was clear they'd achieved tremendous results.
In such a short time, no less—!
'Should've forced my way along?'
'Regrettable.'
Cadets stuck at the academy for unavoidable reasons felt envy, regret, jealousy.
Jealous of their rapid growth, no doubt.
However.
"Ah, still, no armor until class. You're back now—quit it."
"...I-It's fine. We're comfortable like this."
"It bothers me and onlookers. Go change."
"......"
"-Defying me?"
"Ah, ow! Ch-changing now!"
Education was fearsome.
At Lee Han's low growl, all defiance vanished, and they instantly shed the bear hides.
And then...
"......Bald?"
"Huh? Why are they bald?"
"Did they not have hair before...?"
-......
The sprouts—no, the baldies—teared up.
They hadn't wanted others to see them like this...
Especially not the girls.
Their eyes grew misty, and Lee Han continued by way of excuse.
"Ahem, just a minor side effect. Those who learned Fighting Technique were fine, but the ones who only learned Aura lost their hair. Not permanent—grows back later."
"Th-then Lady Polt...?"
"I taught her gently, so she's good. The 'harsh' ones ended up like that. Minor mistake—won't happen next time, haha... "
"......"
"...Sorry. Foot in mouth."
"......Better not apologize—we can hate you properly then."
The baldies sniffled sadly, while the rest shot them sympathetic looks.
Also.
'Glad I didn't go.'
Those who'd stayed behind breathed relief, thankful beyond words.
The swordsmanship department disbanded early.
No classes or anything—tomorrow was finally the war game.
Conditioning mattered, and they needed to recover from the grueling journey, so free time was granted.
He worried some might exhaust themselves on 'that' after returning.
'Forced celibacy on young bucks for a month—figures.'
Harsher than temple stays, daily torment—no wonder they'd seek release. He'd understand.
...But if they showed up wrecked tomorrow, not just lightly refreshed, he'd make them pay.
Roll them relentlessly as punishment!
'Not because I'm frustrated myself.'
Others doing what he couldn't.
He clearly wasn't acting out of petty jealousy like that.
...Though he couldn't deny 1% personal grudge.
"Lucky bastards... "
Lee Han ground his teeth inwardly.
As if vowing no mercy if they lost tomorrow.
Before long, he burned with irrational fury toward the cadets and headed to harass the assistants handling his piled-up duties.
"Knight sir!"
"...Maid?"
Leira Winter.
She came running with her signature peppy, nasally voice.
'...If she runs like that.'
Slam!
...Predictable.
The maid delivered a perfect slapstick fall, true to expectations.
An admirably bone-crunching impact.
Well.
"Are you alright?"
"Hehe, yep. Doesn't hurt."
"...Impossible not to."
"Huh?"
"......Nothing."
Our unscathed maid.
Impressive.
Truly legendary durability.
'What is she, really?'
Despite considerable time together, she remained an enigma.
More mysterious than reincarnators or possessors.
Lee Han hid his thoughts and asked why she'd sought him so urgently when they'd meet at home anyway.
"What's up?"
"Nothing major—the princess is coming!"
"I know."
"Really!?"
"Heard from the dean when I got chewed out."
News he'd overheard while getting scolded by the dean.
Isis, that sister of his, was visiting the academy to watch the war game.
Lee Han felt irreverent thoughts toward royalty—'Got nothing better to do?'—but she did as she pleased often enough, so whatever.
'She comes, she comes. Why should I care?'
To academy staff and cadets, it was like a three-star general inspecting. To him, just an annoying acquaintance dropping by.
Others would handle the work anyway.
'I'll hide.'
Cadets were fighting—no role for him.
"Not a big deal. We'll just do our thing... "
"But the duke's coming too!"
"......?"
"Duke Galahad—he's coming to watch too?"
"......Pardon?"
He thought he'd heard wrong.
Ears faulty?
Lee Han opened his mouth to respond, but...
"Oh, and not just the duke—Grand Duke Lionel too! I heard it clearly at the palace today!"
"...Pardon?"
"With all those big shots, even His Majesty might show! Hehe, tons of guests!"
"......Pardon?"
...He kept repeating himself with a dumbfounded look.