Chapter 65
Chapter 65
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: Sparring Class
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Arriving at the academy with a send-off from the Emperor, I could immediately feel the eyes on me.
"You okay?"
"That must've been a close call."
I was getting attention from cadets I'd never dreamed of before. Even cadets from the foreign branches, not just the Korean one, occasionally struck up conversations.
"Oh, Si-heon?"
"Hi. I saw you in the news."
It was more attention than I deserved, but maybe it was only natural.
I'd been through three incidents already, and not even midterms were over since enrolling. It was enough to make me the cadets' punching bag.
Of course, it didn't all work in my favor.
The achievements I'd built—or others had—sometimes got burned up as mere gossip fodder.
-That guy's such a show-off.
-Hey, but he minimized casualties in that dungeon outbreak, right?
-Yeah, 152nd place~
-Then go fight him and win.
-We can in the tournament.
Maybe Si-woo or the others had dealt with it too.
Back when I had nothing, even hearing curse words would piss me off. Now? If they wanted to curse, go ahead.
Who in the world doesn't get cursed at once?
It wasn't physical harm, so I decided to let it slide.
I ignored the glances mixed with envy and jealousy and sat in my spot, which hadn't gathered dust despite the long absence.
Then Bead, in the seat next to me, snickered.
"Si-ha~ Sounds like you had a real ordeal."
"Don't even mention it. But you never texted back till the end?"
"Eek... I was busy. Sorry."
Bead clasped her hands like she was praying and stuck out her tongue. She was still someone whose favor I couldn't gauge.
"But man, the rumors about you are wild."
"Huh?"
"Didn't you hear from the others?"
I had gotten texts from Se-young, Si-woo, Azalea, and the rest. Thanks to swapping numbers at that drinking party last time.
I'd put off replying since I was tired, but had more rumors spread in the meantime?
"Check EveryDay. There's tons about you."
"Oh yeah?"
"Look at this. It's a bit old, though."
Bead tapped her smartphone and shoved the screen in my face.
📰 Post — Author: Anonymous (Posted: 3/xx) I got caught up in that incident last time. Does anyone know the guy who helped me? He was wearing a mask and a bit burly ㅠㅠ Could I at least treat him to a meal as thanks? 💬 Comments (12) — Anonymous1 Isn't there only one guy at our academy who walks around in a mask? ↳ OP Whoa, really? Who is it? I'm so grateful ㅠㅠ — Anonymous2 So you're dating? So you're dating? So you're dating? So you're dating? — Anonymous3 Why don't I have someone like that? — Anonymous4 But he was ugly as hell. ↳ Anonymous5 Why bring that up now? Don't say that about a kind person. ⭐ Top Comment — Squishy Cornus The masked guy is my friend. ↳ OP Whoa, who is it? ↳ Anonymous6 You didn't go anonymous. And Cornus, stop impersonating. You'll get caught. ↳↳ Squishy Cornus What's anonymous mode? What the hell was that Cornus doing there?
Her cluelessness shone through between the lines—it was hilarious.
"Who's this?"
"Beats me."
After pondering like a guessing game, I remembered one guy I'd befriended from that incident.
"Se-young?"
"Nope~ I dunno either. Just showing you weirdos exist. Puhihihi."
Surprisingly, quite a few people had benefited from my actions.
It hit me anew. Come to think of it, even when resolving things with Cheon-do, I'd seen my good deeds spread online.
Rare human cadet or whatever—ad offers leveraging that rep came occasionally too.
I chuckled along with Bead's goofy laugh, but then she spotted another post and muttered bitterly.
"Not all of it's good, though."
She shoved the screen at me again. It was packed with hate and envy toward me.
Stuff like why a low-ranker was blowing up, or idiots falling for obvious image management with money.
Below that, tons of anonymous trash-talk on my looks and skills.
Anyone else would call it too much.
But honestly, until recently, it all rang true.
"I dunno why I'm famous either."
"Puhuhuhu. You're hilarious."
Bead burst out laughing, then got serious.
"Hey. Still, you gotta prove it once, right?"
"I know."
The chance would come soon enough.
This was the academy—only skill proved everything.
-Thud!
A door slam from the front.
Se-young, in instructor uniform, met my eyes and flashed a sly fox smile.
"Alright~ Eyes front. Studying heads up. Grades won't budge anyway."
Now pretty chummy with the cadets, Se-young started roll call in her cheeky tone.
"First off~ You know, that recent commotion's mostly wrapped up. Details are classified, so figure it out yourselves. And don't grill the guy involved too much."
She opened with manual-like lines, drawing attention just right.
Scattered glances came my way, but I ignored them.
"That's all for today. Oh right. Arbor Day's coming—prep properly if you're up to no good."
"Teacher, what?!"
The class cracked up.
Probably thanks to the high school-college mix.
Se-young wrapped roll call with innuendo and kicked the door open on her way out.
Quests were piling up too. Wonder if that blind date she set up was still on.
Kidnapped mid-setup—maybe text her?
As I reached for my pocket, it buzzed.
-Savior: Blind date's on as planned. Buy an outfit.
No need. I smirked.
Se-young really was my savior.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Today's a joint sparring class, so we'll train with the Japanese cadets."
Instructor Man Se-jeok rested his sheathed sword like a baseball bat on his palm as he explained.
We donned the translation earpieces on our front desks and placed our weapons beside them.
Cadets' swords and staves lined up like a procession on the grass.
"Use your own weapons or the practice gear up front. Only pre-registered items count."
Weapon registration prevented unchecked lethality regardless of skill.
Material checks, safe engravings—experts had to approve.
Scanning the weapons, the instructor paused at mine.
"Cadet Lee Si-heon. No weapon? Need a loaner?"
"No. I'm good."
He tilted his head skeptically, sized me up, and chuckled.
"You've bulked up nice."
"Yeah... sorta."
Looking closer, this was the instructor from my first bout with Si-woo.
The sharp one who'd switched rules on realizing I had no mana.
Yeah, I'd changed a ton since then. Like a total rebirth.
Declaring no weapon drew murmurs.
-He's not using one?
-Who? Lee Si-heon? He changed recently. Saw him fist-fighting in that dungeon clear.
-Oh yeah? Fists are trash-tier. Heh.
Obvious shade, but I'd thought the same pre-Baek-do.
How could fists beat swords?
I'd scoffed at first, but it worked.
Training under Cheon-do and Baek-do broadened my horizons.
[Lee Si-heon : Shin Hyun-seong] Time passed, and the board assigned my opponent.
A Korean with a soft-looking face.
Joint class with Japanese, but it overlapped nicely.
"Please go easy."
He bowed first.
I glanced at the distant cadet crowd.
First match vibes—tons of eyes on me.
Like they were sizing up my skills.
Some stroked chins, others eyed eagerly.
Could seem arrogant, but nah. Some matched pros.
Even if reps dipped, El Academy alumni weren't pushovers.
"Please go easy."
I nodded back politely.
Cadet spars didn't start full throttle.
Unspoken rule and courtesy.
Crushing with overkill from jump was rude.
Light exchanges to gauge, then ramp up? Fine.
Safety first—trend amplifying lately.
[Beep!] Single beep: ready.
Tougher wooden sword tip came at me.
Slightly off-balance—novice or minor style.
I extended one fist, shifting the other to my hip.
Slowly tilted my center.
[Beep beep!] Double beep: engage.
-Thwack!
He gripped reverse, mana on legs, charging.
Hard first swing.
Even if I dodged, his commitment was beyond most cadets.
-Tap!
Speed I could easily counter.
I measured angles leisurely.
Twisting to the cadets, phone screens flashed.
How to take this?
⚡ LIGHT DEFENSE ⚡ As light as possible. Flash is excess.
Shhh.
Thin mana coat over body, one step back.
Not fast retreat—distance closed instantly.
Sword tip pierced toward me.
Not Si-woo or Su-yu level, but nimble enough.
Sword a breath from my chest, I stood casual.
'I've grown a ton.'
Overwhelming someone purely with skill...
-Tap.
Self-mocking my hubris, I advanced.
Twisted torso dodged, swept his leg mid-lunge.
His confident face crumpled instantly.
Gently shoved his back, toppling his balance.
-Thud!
Falling cadet. As he rolled to rise...
"Ugh."
My foot hovered over his collarbone. He raised hands in shock.
"I-I yield."
Done.
Seconds-long exchange.
Shocked cadet faces filled my view.
"Thanks."
First practical after the incident—boring yet thrilling in its own way.