Chapter 152
Chapter 152
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 152
Chapter Title: A Secret Time
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***
Why did Glacia approach a cadet named Han Cheon-seong?
It was surprising enough that the shy Glacia had approached someone first, but the fact that it was a man was truly astonishing to Anastasia.
And so, she too became intrigued.
That was why she had readily accepted his unbelievable proposal. Now, as she tested his talent firsthand, Anastasia felt she was beginning to understand Glacia.
------------!!
The mana forming the spiral property was radiating a brilliant light.
For an officer, a unique change in mana properties was not a particularly difficult feat.
But for a cadet, it could be called a remarkable transformation.
*Clang!*
The spear, striking the ice wall that had formed in mid-air, was advancing, little by little.
It wasn't just blocked like before; it seemed determined to pierce the ice wall. The spiral mana scattered brilliantly, emitting an intense light.
‘Indeed.’
Even considering his Common trait grade, Cadet Han Cheon-seong had reached a high level.
She had heard there was a Legendary-grade cadet among this year's new students, but his talent shone so brightly that it transcended traits, making her wonder if even that cadet could match the power Han Cheon-seong was displaying now.
*Crack!*
Her heart remained calm even as she watched the ice wall, being chipped away by the spear, slowly get pierced.
She had deliberately lowered the ice wall's strength, so this was an entirely possible outcome.
‘And this is a test, after all.’
There was no need to forcefully block the cadet's spear.
She watched the spear continue to pierce and advance for a moment. After penetrating about a third of the ice wall, the spiral mana completely dissipated.
‘Is this the end?’
Just as she thought that.
Cadet Han Cheon-seong, having retrieved his spear, caught her eye as he was still suspended in mid-air.
He was supporting himself by grabbing the damaged part of the ice wall he had pierced with one hand, and she wondered what he intended to do.
In that moment.
*Grab!*
While supporting his body with one hand, the cadet began to channel spiral energy into the retrieved spear in his other hand once more.
“...!”
She found herself momentarily surprised.
It couldn't be easy to maintain his position in mid-air, yet he was trying to form the spiral mana again in that situation.
And when he thrust it forcefully toward the ice wall again with all his might, her surprise grew even greater.
*CRACK!*
Watching the ice wall get chipped away even faster than before, a pure sense of admiration escaped her.
What she had manifested was a test, to put it nicely. In truth, for a cadet, it was like facing a great wall.
No matter how much she had lowered the ice wall's strength, the difference in their levels was more than enough to be keenly felt.
And yet, Cadet Han Cheon-seong didn't flinch or hesitate.
His will to confront reality, no matter what, stood out.
*Szzzzzzzt!!*
As the spiral mana raged fiercely, piercing nearly half of the ice wall, the smile on her lips deepened.
‘I see now why Medelpen and Major Kalli spoke so highly of his talent.’
When she first met him with Glacia, she had only heard about him and couldn't quite grasp it, but facing his power directly like this, she saw that beyond his talent, his strong will to move forward was what truly stood out.
He didn't stop in the face of the reality before him, but tried to overcome it somehow.
Considering most people never realize how crucial that seemingly simple mindset is, no matter how much it's emphasized, his talent could be described as extraordinary.
After all, a wall usually only feels like an insurmountable reality when you face it head-on.
*Fwoosh…!*
As the spiral mana completely faded, she noticed Cadet Han Cheon-seong's condition.
“Hah... hah...”
A face completely flushed red, breathing heavily.
He even seemed to be retrieving his spear to imbue it with spiral mana once more, and she decided it was time to stop him.
“Stop. That's enough.”
As she spoke, she gently lowered the ice wall from mid-air to the ground.
“...!”
He seemed startled by the sudden descent, and finding his struggle to keep balance rather cute, she showed him some consideration.
*Swoosh….*
A smile kept escaping her as she slowly lowered the half-shattered ice wall.
“Let's end the test here.”
“I... can still do more.”
He said urgently as he landed, but she immediately shook her head.
From her perspective, any more would be overdoing it.
The spiral mana Cadet Han Cheon-seong had unleashed was certainly astonishing. It was understandable how it displayed destructive power far beyond the mana he possessed.
The fact that he had applied such a unique mana property to enhance his spear's destructive power was, for her, more than enough.
“I've seen enough of your talent and will, Cadet Han Cheon-seong. I don't ask for anything more.”
As she then made the ice wall disappear entirely, the cadet looked at her with an expression of great disappointment.
“Is... that so. If you say so, then I understand.”
His inability to hide his disappointment, even as he continued to gasp for breath, made his resolve all the more apparent.
It made her feel a sense of urgency, that she needed to caution him even more.
“Cadet Han Cheon-seong. Catch your breath and listen to me.”
“...Yes.”
Watching him take a deep breath, she slowly began to speak.
“Your will is truly remarkable, Cadet Han Cheon-seong. Any other cadet would have lost their fighting spirit the moment their spear was first blocked. But you refused to give up.”
"...I just thought that was the natural thing to do."
Seeing him reply as if it were nothing, she slowly shook her head.
“Even if it seems natural, most people can't do it. Knowing something in your head and putting it into practice are two different things. But Cadet Han Cheon-seong, a strong will alone isn't enough. You clearly seem to know how to control your power. A moment ago, you were about to push yourself even harder, weren't you?”
The cadet nodded very awkwardly.
“Yes. That's right. However, I wasn't planning on overdoing it by much.”
“I'm telling you that the thought itself is dangerous. It's a tightrope walk, attempting to reach the very limit of your control. Before you know it, you're already looking past that limit. The moment you decide to do that, your self-control is already gone.”
She spoke somewhat coldly, sincerely hoping he would take her words to heart.
Whether he was trying to impress her in the test or not, a training method that strained the body could lead to a major breakdown at any moment.
Training to push one's physical limits was one thing, but trying to walk the line while handling mana was a far more dangerous act.
“......”
Seeing Cadet Han Cheon-seong hesitate, she softened her expression slightly.
He was a bright cadet; he would understand even if she only said this much. She wanted to admonish him a little more gently.
“Ambition. The desire to move forward. Your will, Cadet Han Cheon-seong, is an admirable mindset that all cadets should have. But too much of it isn't good. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?”
“...I understand. Thank you for your advice.”
“The test was meant to be instructional, too. Don't thank me too much.”
She spoke calmly as a smile escaped her lips.
‘He doesn't even resist accepting advice.’
Usually, talented geniuses are arrogant and assertive.
But Cadet Han Cheon-seong wasn't like that at all.
That made her like him even more.
She thought he was a fine cadet to be by Glacia's side. His upright character and ambition to move forward were, above all, excellent qualities.
His ability to control himself with a strong mind was another fine aspect.
Those aspects of him would surely be a great stimulus for Glacia, helping her move forward as well.
And yet, a part of her felt a little regretful.
‘It would be best if he could just remain Glacia's friend….’
If Glacia's feelings for Cadet Han Cheon-seong were to grow, they might even develop into a romantic relationship.
That was what she regretted most right now.
“Lady Anastasia.”
As he spoke to her mid-thought, she cleared her mind and met his gaze.
“Speak.”
“I know this is incredibly presumptuous of me, but there's something I'd like to say.”
“Presumptuous? Do you have another request?”
Wondering if that was the case, she furrowed her brow, but Cadet Han Cheon-seong carefully shook his head.
Seeing him like that, she relaxed a little.
She had just formed a good impression of him; it would have been a shame to think ill of him.
“No. It's not another request... It's something I personally wanted to say to you, Lady Anastasia.”
“If that's the case, feel free to speak. I think quite highly of you, Cadet Han Cheon-seong.”
She replied lightly. Cadet Han Cheon-seong looked at her with an expression of great resolve.
Seeing his determined gaze, she wondered what on earth he was about to say. Then, Cadet Han Cheon-seong's lips parted.
“Lady Anastasia……”
***
Outside the training hall where the two were.
Biting her lip, Luna hid behind a wall, fidgeting restlessly.
‘What in the world is going on?’
Even though she hadn't heard the specifics of their conversation at the cafe, she had been relieved that it seemed to have taken place in a serious atmosphere.
It was only natural. She hadn't thought Major Anastasia and Han Cheon-seong were in any kind of relationship to worry about.
But now that she was tailing them, strange thoughts kept filling her mind.
“...”
[Instructor-Only Training Room. Authorized Personnel Only]
Looking at the sign, a truly ridiculous thought crossed her mind.
Why did they go into a place only the two of them could enter? Why were they hiding…?
The recent scenes of an instructor named Adelia doing strange things to Han Cheon-seong came to mind, fueling her suspicions even more.
'Could it be... he's being subjected to something weird again?'
The ridiculous suspicion grew endlessly with time, leading her to have absurd thoughts.
While she was fidgeting like that.
*Click!*
Startled by the sound of the door opening, she quickly hid herself.
“Lady Anastasia. Thank you so much for your time today.”
“Not at all. I didn't mind spending time with you either, Cadet Han Cheon-seong.”
Hiding from view and focusing only on their voices, she couldn't properly grasp their meaning.
"...."
Very carefully, she peeked out. She could see the two of them already some distance away.
‘What just happened?’
What on earth did they do inside to be talking like that? As strange thoughts continued to swirl.
Han Cheon-seong turned his head, and she saw his profile.
A flushed red face, ragged breaths... even beads of sweat on his forehead.
'Why does he look like that….'
Then, her breath caught in her throat as Major Anastasia casually reached out to his forehead.
“Was it really that difficult for you?”
That gentle voice... was more than enough to spark even stranger thoughts.
The officer as cold as ice.
Apostle Executioner Anastasia.
…
The sight of her now was so gentle it made the epithets she'd always heard about her seem meaningless.
*Glance.*
"..."
Then, her gaze met hers. She felt her body freeze without realizing it.
Major Anastasia's eyes showed she had clearly recognized her, and as Luna instinctively shook her head as if to deny it.
*Flick.*
Her gaze shifted away from her again.