Chapter 35
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: Choice and Concentration
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Glancing at the students returning, I closed the book.
Even with the visible toll on their nerves, it was still progressing faster than expected.
That was proof their minds were wearing down.
Radia, standing before me, hesitated.
A far cry from the bold confidence she'd shown earlier.
“Professor Aiden.”
“A break? You already rested earlier. You're taking quite a few.”
“That's...”
“Or is this the end for today?”
Resting wasn't the issue.
Progress could stall, or things might not go according to plan.
In fact, considering how rarely plans unfolded smoothly in the field, there was no real fault to find.
What bothered me was that Radia had hesitated.
“Look at me.”
“…Yes.”
Her shuffling steps revealed a gaunt appearance, her face darkened by a loss of mental composure.
‘She's grown much thinner.’
It was noticeable all over.
While the others had shown relief when I told them to rest, irritation flickered in Radia's eyes.
That was the line dividing leader from followers.
‘Normally, I'd say she's doing well...’
When I'd asked before if she was good at selection and concentration, she'd vaguely said yes.
It stemmed from shallow confidence, like assuming she'd handle it well since she'd rarely hit her limits.
That wasn't confidence—it was reckless bravado.
‘Vague words like "probably" have no place. To build true trust in her choices, I have to shatter that shallow belief first.’
Only then could she face a real crossroads of conflict.
True selection and concentration emerged from such limit situations.
The salt-scented empress on the open sea, wielding her blue sword.
The protagonist who seemed made for rough waves, unbothered by cracked skin from sea winds or chapped hands.
The bold woman who offered her hand to the blue ocean, eager to tango with its churning waves.
To become the one shining brightest in the vortex, she had to overcome this hurdle.
For a moment, I recalled Admiral Radia's CG from deep in my memory.
Her relieved expression upon finding herself amid the whirlpool that seemed ready to devour her.
The moment after tasting despair in the tunnel, shedding her shell and gaining conviction.
After wandering, agonizing, and regretting, she had to learn to trust herself.
Only by seeing that choice through would Radia's talent bloom.
‘Until then, I have to keep shaking her.’
“How did it go?”
“…It's harder than I thought.”
“Was there a reason you couldn't progress more?”
“Everyone's unfamiliar with this environment...”
“I thought half a day would get you halfway through. Didn't you boldly assure me of that?”
Radia trembled quietly.
Not from fear, but from bubbling frustration.
That was proof the environment was cornering her.
“If I recall, I asked you this morning: Are you good at selection and concentration?”
“Why bring that up...”
I met her question with a flat smile.
A sign I wouldn't entertain anything beyond the query.
“…Yes, I am.”
“Then why this result?”
“This is just a simple practical...”
“Really just a simple practical?”
The conversation stalled again.
Suppressing her rising irritation at my languid attitude, Radia denied it.
“No. I think I know what you're getting at, Professor. The 'hothouse flower' comment.”
“Good that you realized, but that's not an answer to my question. You knew early on there were no major threats here. Yet this is the outcome. Tell me, was your choice right?”
“I prioritized safety.”
“Then results don't matter?”
Radia's eyes widened.
As if rebuking me for even asking.
“Does that mean we should ignore safety for results?”
“Results and safety aren't opposites. It's not about sacrificing one for the other. And wasn't that 'safety' of yours not true consideration, but just a convenient excuse?”
“Since it was our first time...”
“You know excuses like that are worse than none.”
“……”
“First time” certainly sounded good.
As if admitting a mistake now but promising better later.
Paying tuition to the harsh teacher of experience might be fine, but not if paid with someone else's life.
And “first time” didn't fly in real combat.
“I'll ask again. Was there no better way?”
“…….”
No answer came.
When none came, that was answer enough, so I let Radia go.
I could guess what she was harboring beneath the surface.
Across the way, Elin stared at me intently.
While Radia struggled, Elin was steadily becoming the pillar supporting the practical group.
‘Purifying and healing toxins from magic beasts, spotting enemies, supporting attacks.’
Just holding the front line made her an able mage handling her teammates' support.
Her contracted spirits weakened in the magic-tainted environment, so she relied heavily on Elise's opposing power, but that was only a matter of time.
Soon, she'd awaken her incomplete awakening on her own.
Elin approached with quick steps, glaring at me displeased.
“Professor, you're mean.”
Mean?
‘Well, rice-taste and all.’
“You keep piling pressure on Senior Radia. Is it revenge for her trying to use you?”
They were bonding through shared trials.
Another good sign.
Elin and Radia needed to stand back-to-back against one enemy.
No harm in strengthening ties now.
“I opposed Senior Radia's participation, but since you approved it, Professor, it's not right to nitpick her command like that.”
“You think I'm out for revenge?”
I tried to brush off the nonsense, but Elin's face was utterly serious.
“I don't think you'd complain about poor results, or tell us to ignore safety. To me, it looks like bullying for no reason.”
‘A reason...’
I glanced at Elin.
Her cheeky face glowered yellow at me.
Pouty gaze, protruding lips.
Trembling brows spoke volumes, but my answer remained the same.
“It's necessary.”
The faint trace of Elise within Elin was growing.
Forced out in urgency, she was getting used to it.
‘Practice makes perfect, huh.’
No full awakening yet, but constant growth.
That meant Radia could accelerate too.
Why I braced for the hate.
“I don't waste emotions without reason. Nor indulge pointless ones. If I'm doing this, there's cause.”
“Sure, whatever.”
Elin turned away, her disappointment plain.
Day one of practicals, and friction everywhere—progress would be a miracle, but results weren't bad.
Elin was growing on her own; Radia was cornered into self-awareness.
“Good signs.”
Still just day one.
Plenty of time.
* * *
Panting breaths spread like fog.
Legs trembling like a sick patient's, yet she pressed on.
Step, slash.
Repeating the cycle, Radia let out a ragged yell.
Her vision cleared after the exhaled breath.
Purple-tainted nature dizzied her anew, but she sensed the tiny creatures stirring within.
Subtle movements.
Catching them keenly, she drew a deep breath again.
Inhale.
Hold, move on the held breath.
Pivot on back foot, power into extended front...
“Hah!”
Slash.
Kkirririiriek.
The dismembered magic beast screamed and fell.
Deeper in the forest, grotesque magic beasts appeared.
Still repulsive.
But shedding life's form bit by bit, like five-headed snakes.
As time passed, magic beasts accumulated mana, growing tougher.
‘Those are real magic beasts.’
Yet none reached true threat level.
Notorious ones lurked decades to centuries.
No reaching that in days.
“…Everyone okay?”
“Probably.”
“Two more ahead. No chit-chat.”
Elin shut down the talk, forming water droplets in her hand.
Pure spring water, holy in purging foul energies.
Even unmoving, its reflective light via droplets cowed the beasts.
In that brief span, a gray-haired student charged fiercely.
No mercy in her strikes, no second glance at severed corpses—she moved relentlessly.
She'd flash an awkward smile after a flashy sword arc and sheathing, but upon drawing, she leaped without hesitation, her valor unmatched.
‘Isel, was it?’
Second-year runner-up, nothing else notable.
‘Beyond second-year level.’
Isel's prowess stood out.
While proud students floundered against combat's wall, Isel's skill drew every eye.
Even inspiring the others.
Unknowingly, she became a core pillar.
Elin and Isel too.
Radia wasn't purely pleased.
“All thanks to Professor Aiden's eye...”
She'd wondered about a master, but aura wasn't easily produced.
Grueling effort, breaking against mind-body walls.
She'd achieved it herself, but aiding others was different.
Surprised at an aura user from his class initially...
‘Dismissed as luck.’
But now, she had to acknowledge it.
Professor Aiden was deliberately awakening the unremarkable.
That shifted her view of him.
Lazily reading from afar, occasionally glancing.
Untrustworthy at first glance, yet his distant presence always surprised.
Radia pondered.
‘The Empire's Sword Duke was overwhelmingly mighty.’
Professor Aiden just seemed bored.
Seeing Mage Emperor Oshua's untouchable will felt similar—masters exuded incomprehensibly auras.
Making Aiden all the odder.
He looked like any idle loafer.
Initially dismissed as low-rank, now she doubted.
‘He's hiding it.’
Such a master kept pressing her.
“Choice.”
Was your choice right?
Has it been, will it be?
Radia didn't know what he demanded.
Only that he awaited something from her.
Something even she didn't know.