The New Recruit and the Test of Strength
Long ago, there was an era when countless races lived in their own respective homelands. In those days, humans could travel freely across the lands, regardless of where they went, provided they were territories inhabited by friendly races. But those days are now nothing more than a past recorded in ancient texts. For the last few hundred years, the appearance of beings known as Witches has led to the destruction of the lands of many races and the sacred artifacts that once purified the world.
To humans, the world has become a place teeming with Mana and the monsters born from it, making it impossible to roam freely outside the barriers erected to block that corruption. Nevertheless, humans have developed magical tools to suppress and purify Mana in certain zones, constantly risking their lives to pioneer the dangerous regions beyond the barriers. They do this to find land for growing food, to secure resources for a more comfortable life, and to defend against the powerful monsters that invade from the Mana-choked outer regions at the very front lines of the border.
The unit tasked with this role is known as Astrape. As the place that takes on the most dangerous missions in the most dangerous locations, it is a unit only the elite heroes can join. And it was here that Yoon Siwoo, having just been appointed as a hero, was assigned.
If you were to ask people of this era who the strongest hero is, you would get a different answer from everyone. Some would say Leon Lionil, the hero who is faster than anyone else—the one called "The One Followed by Sound"—because speed is power. Others would shout, "You don't know how powerful magic can be! It’s obvious that Martina Ivanova, the greatest elemental archmage of this era, is the strongest!" If they weren't limited to individuals, some might say the Eloise couple, with their perfect balance of offense and defense, are the strongest heroes, noting that it was truly phenomenal how they endured the attacks of an upper-class monster for hours without taking damage.
And right now, most of those who are always ranked in the top five when people list the strongest heroes were gathered in one place to discuss a proposal that had come down from the higher-ups.
Leon Lionil, captain of Astrape’s 1st Division, held the document on the table, furrowing his brows as he muttered, "Yoon Siwoo. Early graduation shortly after entering the academy as a first-year. Appointed as a hero for his contribution in defeating the monster that was manipulating people, and now, joining Astrape immediately..."
As a captain of Astrape, welcoming a new recruit was always a cause for celebration, but this case was different. Even with an early graduation, he was still an academy first-year. Furthermore, rumors were circulating that he was a special appointment made solely to appease the public's dissatisfaction. The sword strike of light seen in the video was indeed astonishing, but it was hard to judge whether it was just for show without seeing it in person. Was this student truly a talent worthy of this unit?
He held a slight sense of unease, but the moment he read the warning written on the document, his face twisted in frustration.
[Citizens are enthusiastic about him, so do not let him fall into danger under any circumstances.]
What kind of nonsense was this, putting him into a unit that never knows when or where a monster might attack? The heroes of Astrape are always prepared for death.
Just as his face contorted, one of the people gathered at the round table for the meeting let out a scoff.
"Ha, what a load of crap."
It was Martina Ivanova, captain of Astrape’s 4th Division, who was reading the document with her legs propped up on the desk in a slouching posture. For her, it was a situation where she couldn't help but curse. She was already annoyed enough at being called in for a 'meeting' during such a busy time, and seeing such an absurd requirement, how could she not swear? Martina tossed the document behind her and vented her complaints.
"The higher-ups have clearly lost their minds. Even if it's for propaganda, I don't like that they forced such a young kid into Astrape, but what? 'Do not let him fall into danger'? Are they telling us to let our own people die instead while we babysit him? Ugh, I hate it. I absolutely hate it. I refuse to take charge of looking after a kid who hasn't even been verified."
"Hmm, 'not verified'? Does that mean Martina doesn't trust the eyes of Eve, the teacher who graduated him?"
At that moment, Natalia Eloise, captain of the 3rd Division sitting across from Martina, muttered in a relaxed tone, as if chiding her. Martina, who respected Eve because she had been taught by her at Aegis Academy during her school days, flinched at Natalia's remark and shouted.
"No, it's not that! Anyway, it's just that I'm uneasy about taking on a kid like that! By the way, are you guys going to take him? If so, I'd be happy."
To Martina's question, asked with a gleam of joy at having offloaded a troublesome task, Natalia twirled her hair with her fingers and answered lazily.
"Hmm, I don't want to. We don't really want to create extra work for ourselves either."
"Then what is it? I'm already annoyed enough, why are you picking a fight?"
"Just... I haven't seen you in a while, so I wanted to tease you?"
"Wow, is she actually insane?" Martina muttered, looking dumbfounded.
Natalia looked at her with a joyful expression and muttered, "Come to think of it, the kid joining this time is the same age as my daughter. I wonder when time flew by so fast. Meanwhile, our Martina is still an old maid."
"...Cut it out."
"Oh my, I'm just stating facts, don't get so angry. If you get that angry, you'll never find a partner for the rest of your life, you know?"
"...Fine. I'll make your husband a widower today."
The two had been like cats and dogs since their school days. However, one had married someone she clicked with—even if it was a shotgun wedding back in their school days—and already had a child entering the academy, while the other hadn't even had a proper relationship yet. Stung in the area she was most sensitive about, Martina flushed with rage and emitted a deep orange Mana, the color of her hair. Watching this, Natalia also floated droplets of water with a bluish tint, matching her own hair color, into the air.
If the two people called the greatest heroes were to clash, it was clear that the surrounding area would be blown away—a situation on the brink of disaster. Leon, who had been observing the situation, sighed at the two and muttered.
"...Both of you, if you want to talk about marriage, I'd prefer you do it when I'm not around."
They weren't the type to stop just because someone told them to, but the moment Leon said that, the murderous energy that had filled the surrounding space vanished as if washed away. Natalia and Martina looked at Leon with expressions of having made a mistake, bowing their heads. Even they weren't the type to argue while bringing up such topics in front of a man who had lost his wife a few years ago and become a widower.
"...I'm sorry. I haven't seen Martina in a while, so I got excited and..."
"...I'm sorry for touching on a painful memory."
To the two who were apologizing with their heads bowed, Leon gestured for them to stand up and said, "...Well, never mind. Anyway, since none of you seem to want to take the new recruit, let's just decide by drawing lots. The situation in each division is about the same, after all."
"...Can't we just dump him on the 2nd Division?"
"We can't put more burden on the old man. I told him to get some rest, but he's still out there cutting down monsters even today, giving up his vacation. Let's handle this among ourselves."
At Leon's words, the two nodded quietly. They prepared the lots, and when they all drew from the container, their fortunes diverged.
"Argh! I have so much on my mind lately, why are you doing this to me!"
"Martina, just accept your fate quietly. Who doesn't have things on their mind these days?"
"You... please, just shut up..."
It was Martina who drew the lot marked as the 'winner'—or perhaps the 'loser'. It was just as Martina was muttering that, feeling frustrated at having to take on Yoon Siwoo against her will.
"Excuse me... I was told to come here..."
The very person who had been worrying everyone just moments ago, Yoon Siwoo, opened the meeting room door and entered hesitantly. Martina asked the white-haired boy who had walked into the room.
"...Are you Yoon Siwoo?"
"Yes. As of today, I've joined Astrape."
"...He is handsome, though."
He seemed a little—no, a lot—more handsome than he looked in the videos and documents. But other than that, he didn't feel particularly strong, as if he had been picked as a hero just to be a pretty face, so Martina's face twisted. Ugh, I'm so annoyed. 'Do not let him fall into danger,' my foot. If I make him realize that Astrape isn't such an easy place, wouldn't he leave on his own? It wouldn't be a big deal if I wrecked one meeting room, right? Thinking this, Martina activated her magic and shouted.
"Hey, rookie! It's an entrance test. If you can't pass this, you won't be able to survive here, so you might as well go back."
With those words, glowing magic circles unfolded from the ceiling and walls of the meeting room, and Natalia's voice rang out, surprised by Martina's sudden outburst.
"Hey, what are you going to do if he gets hurt!"
"Ah, I don't know about that. I adjusted it so he wouldn't die, so we can just treat him. Besides, if he can't even endure this much, he's below standard."
Of course, since she said she adjusted it so he wouldn't die, he might get hurt quite a bit. Would it count as passing if he lost a limb or two? Thinking this, the moment Martina looked at the boy, who was flustered while watching the various spells pouring down from the magic circles, he said,
"...Excuse me, do I pass if I cut all of these down?"
With that question, the boy drew a sword from thin air, and his aura changed completely. Martina's magic, known as the best elemental magic, was significantly faster than other mages'. But the boy's sword was even faster. In just a few seconds, he had cut through all the spells raining down like rain from the magic circles and stood there calmly. He picked up one of the documents that had been scattered on the floor. Reading the warning written on it, he said,
"Hmm... it says here not to let me fall into danger, but you don't really have to worry about that."
He said it so naturally, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"I'm strong enough that, for the most part, that won't happen."
And watching the boy, Martina felt her heart racing for some reason, and her face flushed red. She thought: His appearance was as excellent as it could be. And to have this level of skill at that age... if just a few more years pass...
Having finished the calculation in her head, Martina muttered in a somewhat excited voice.
"...Pass."
For reference, Martina's ideal type, having never been in a relationship at her age, was a man stronger than herself.