The Angel in Training (2)
Rusa's attacks were ferocious. She moved like an invisible wind, struck like a pouring downpour, raised her defenses like an unyielding mountain, and her fighting spirit burned like fire itself.
'The term "war god" suits her perfectly...!'
Even more astonishing was that this overwhelming force was just her playing around lightly against a student.
'Ugh, I can't counter...'
Rusa's silhouette began to flicker continuously. It was due to the Fairy Fighting Method's footwork, 'Deep Forest Steps'.
'Hard to perceive. Probably...'
Humans recognize a person by the shape of their head and shoulders connected. That's why shooting ranges and training grounds just lay out plain panels shaped like heads and shoulders without any decorations.
Deep Forest Steps exploits that human habit. Refri had heard as much in his previous life.
'So this footwork deliberately blurs the head and shoulder form. Then the real one is right here...!'
Bam— Refri's fist struck Rusa's left arm. But she immediately deflected it.
"You figured out the principle of this footwork in an instant? Impressive!"
"...Luck."
Refri had no choice but to approach Rusa defenselessly, following his deflected fist. It almost looked like he was throwing himself into her arms.
"Gotcha, kid."
"Ugh."
Of course, Rusa didn't miss the opportunity. Refri struggled in her grip, but the spec gap was too wide for it to mean anything.
"P-Professor...!"
"You guys have a technique called a bear hug in your world, right?"
Squeeze— Refri could only flail against the pressure of her flesh enveloping him.
"Become my direct disciple."
"W-Wait a sec!"
"Hard to breathe? If you say you'll be my direct disciple instead of those other punks, I'll let go. Say it...!"
'Professor... her eyes look crazed...?'
Refri couldn't understand why this guy, who seemed annoyed to death dealing with other students, was like this with him every day.
Whether Refri thought that or not, Rusa hugged him even tighter, as if she'd never let go.
"That's not the issue!"
It's said that elf skin carries a floral scent. And right now, Refri was inhaling that scent—intensely thick, almost overpowering...
"Professor, stop tormenting that kid and face me instead."
He escaped her embrace only after a new challenger arrived. The challenger's name was Yumari—the top scorer of this entrance exam, the girl said to carry noble dragon blood.
Not even Rusa could ignore her outright.
"Aah. What a pain..."
But losing her enthusiasm immediately was inevitable. She waved her hand lazily, as if annoyed.
"Why are there so many students?"
And so, the half-dragon's lightning-charged fist clashed with the war god's callus-covered fist.
Rusa handled her half-heartedly out of annoyance, while Yumari infused killing intent into every punch as she struck.
"Your angry face is at least entertaining."
Indeed. Yumari was furious right now. Only she knew why she was so enraged.
"Ugh... I'm dying..."
Refri crawled out of the ring and collapsed in front of the other students. They immediately offered him water, candy, and various snacks, regardless of gender.
"Refri, good job!"
"Man, you really suffered."
In truth, Refri was practically the mascot for the Martial Arts Department's first-years. His angelic pretty-boy looks were a plus, and he always stepped up first for the weak. Plus, most first-year entrants had received his help during the entrance exam. The Martial Arts Department, in particular, shared a tight bond due to the misfortune of having Rusa as their homeroom professor. Think of it like boot camp—get drilled hard together, and you bond fast with your comrades.
So the first-years gazed warmly at Refri, who lay there munching snacks handed to him.
"Hold on, my turn to give this time."
"Nah, you gave earlier. It's my turn."
"Guys... I'm not a pet..."
As time passed like that, the student Refri had saved earlier bowed his head.
"Refri. Thanks."
"...Wait, you're hurt here. Why didn't you say anything?"
"Oh, this... it's fine. I'll go to the infirmary now..."
Infirmary? Dare the infirmary steal my precious Angel Power?
Refri quickly placed his hand on the student's swollen injury.
Healing the wounds of future heroes is the angelic thing to do!
Refri felt every time like coming to the Central Superhuman Academy was the right choice. Its students were mostly aspiring heroes, after all.
'Just my guess, but... this might be the easiest place on Earth to earn Angel Power.'
Anyway, to survive the next class, Refri needed Angel Power desperately. He couldn't let even a speck go to waste. Absolutely not.
But to the other students, his actions looked different.
'The infirmary's healing is pretty slow. He'd miss the next class, and skipping classes means repeating the year...'
So, to keep them from flunking, he'd used his precious holy power to heal them.
The Martial Arts students rushed to Refri.
"You're too kind, it's killing me!"
"Aww, so cute!"
"Come here, let big sis hug you!"
Refri flailed and screamed.
"Guys! S-Stop!"
At that moment of Refri receiving affection from the others, a pseudo-bloodbath unfolded on the ring above. Simple fist clashes sent shockwaves staggering people, and mere leg strikes shattered the ring like glass.
A battle between a young monster and a matured one. The students couldn't help feeling various emotions watching it.
After class ended, while cleaning up, the students muttered.
"Hehe, Refri was cute today too."
"Did you see Refri earlier? He got all flustered when we called him angelic."
A warm, fluffy atmosphere. Obviously, only the first-years could create this in the Martial Arts Department. Its students were all elite martial artists and assassins raised from childhood by nations, organizations, guilds, or families—people who knew only combat. That they could foster this vibe was largely thanks to Refri.
"Oh, right. Did you hear?"
"...The Magic Department guys are badmouthing Refri."
"What? Are those damn nerds insane? What the hell are they saying?"
"That he's got no roots and struts around relying on professors."
"Whoa... those fucking bastards."
They glanced around briefly. Confirming Refri had left for the next class, the atmosphere shifted instantly.
The fluffy warmth vanished, revealing their true selves—weapons for humanity, raised as killers.
"If they pull any crap on Refri..."
"Yeah, we know. Blood will spill."
A killing intent thick enough to make the timid wet themselves spread subtly through the training hall. And the one emanating it most intensely...
"...Just try touching him."
Yumari muttered as she wiped sweat and blood.
* * *
Next was swordsmanship class. Famous for Park Jinho demonstrating personally, handled by the Swordsmanship Department.
The top superhuman in Korea teaching directly... The students gazed at the podium with sparkling eyes.
"Cadets! Glad to see you! As announced last time, today we'll resonate with a sword matching your attributes! Any superhuman swordsman must wield an attribute sword!"
Park Jinho's booming voice filled the sword hall. The students stared intently, hiding their tension and excitement.
"I assume none of you who entered our academy don't know what attribute swords are or your own attributes. Right?!"
The students shouted in unison: "Yes! Correct!"
Park Jinho's charisma was incredible.
"Then let's begin. Assistants, to your positions."
The assistants prepared like soldiers, swords of various colors laid out below the podium, with lighter, smaller ones lined up in front.
"Your task is simple. Go grab the sword you can hold. How long you hold it will determine my evaluation."
An evaluation was at stake. The students eyed the swords tensely.
'Grab the sword you can hold?'
Refri got the gist. Those were mana-filled magic swords. Resonating with them as a class... insanely difficult.
'Attribute swords... magic swords... without resistance, your body breaks instantly. Worse, your mind shatters, turning you into a madman wielding the sword...'
Even among regular superhumans, many ruined their lives grabbing magic swords. But this was the Central Superhuman Academy. A place raising only the best, not the weak. By their standards, this was baseline for cadets.
And look—right after Park Jinho spoke, students resonated with the front swords.
Refri was honestly worried.
'Can I endure with my Angel Power?'
Then one white sword caught his eye. Unlike the others, it stood alone.
"Assistant instructor."
"Cadet. Problem?"
"Is that white sword off-limits?"
The assistant looked amused, then explained indulgently, finding him cute.
"Cadet, that's a holy sword equivalent. As you know, holy swords are the strongest among attribute swords, and very few can wield them."
"...Can I try?"
"Resonance failure with a holy sword has severe side effects. Could be instant death."
Refri barely held back from saying, 'That's true for the other magic swords too.'
'I somehow passed the holy barrier last time.'
Plus, he even leveled up there. He might not do it again, but he survived and returned.
Refri steeled himself.
"I'll try."
"Cadet! I understand the appeal of famous swords if you aspire to be a great superhuman swordsman, but this is foolish!"
The assistant mistook it for the boy overreaching to become a strong swordsman fast. But for Refri, the holy sword seemed safer than the magic swords.
"Grant the cadet a chance."
A voice from the podium. Park Jinho nodded.
"A true superhuman swordsman should challenge stronger, riskier attribute swords. Excellent."
And Park Jinho fell for the same misconception.
'Uh oh, seems like a misunderstanding...'
Refri could only chuckle awkwardly. All this attention just to draw one sword...