Chapter 153
Chapter 153
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 153
Chapter Title: Test: Leonhardt
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The next day, Friday.
The A1 classroom.
On average, classes let out between 3 and 4 p.m., regardless of the section. An instructor could end class earlier at their discretion, but that was the general rule.
The time was now past 3 p.m.
For Class A1, it was typical for the lecture to end right at 3 p.m., but it was extremely rare for any cadet to get up and leave immediately.
“Cadets who wish to continue training may do so.”
And for good reason. Gebel, the instructor for Class A1, always left them with a curious remark at the end.
The words, "those who want to do more may do so," were quite peculiar for the cadets to hear.
“...”
“...”
A quiet stillness filled the classroom. Some cadets glanced around, gauging the reactions of others. They wanted to get up, but the atmosphere that had formed was not something to be ignored.
Now, two months after entering the academy, simply being among hardworking cadets naturally made them want to conform to the atmosphere.
And that was precisely the 'atmosphere' Gebel had aimed for.
If he created an environment where some cadets would stay for additional training from the start, others would naturally follow their lead and remain as well.
Just as Gebel was looking on with inner satisfaction at the cadets, nearly all of whom had remained in their seats.
*Rustle.*
A cadet suddenly rose to their feet.
*Click. Clack.*
After packing their things, they walked straight out of the classroom. Although Gebel had no reason to say anything, his gaze followed them with a strange feeling.
The cadet with distinctive blue hair. It was Glacia. While Gebel had grown accustomed to her leaving the classroom, he still felt a sense of disappointment.
*‘Especially since I heard Major Anastasia is visiting the academy.’*
He nodded, understanding the situation, but his eyes wavered for a moment.
*Rustle.*
*Rustle.*
As if Glacia's departure were a signal, Leonhardt and Yumia also rose to their feet, causing Gebel to flinch.
*Thump, click.*
“Instructor. Thank you for today's lecture.”
“...Yes, Leonhardt. Good work.”
As Leonhardt passed by with a kind smile, Gebel nodded, but he couldn't shake the bitter feeling.
As the exceptional cadets he had been keeping an eye on rushed to leave, the atmosphere in the room instantly dissipated.
It was incredibly disappointing for him to see the atmosphere he had worked so hard to create vanish so easily.
…
Meanwhile, after leaving the classroom, Leonhardt immediately approached Glacia, and Yumia, feeling a bit strange, walked alongside him.
“Glacia. Wait a moment.”
“Why?”
Glacia, who had been striding forward, slowly turned her head. Leonhardt faced her with a friendly smile.
“Are you on your way to meet Major Anastasia right now?”
He asked as if he already knew her destination, and Glacia narrowed her eyes.
“I am. How did you know?”
“It was just a guess. If it's not too much trouble, could you introduce us to Major Anastasia? I heard Han Cheon-seong has already met her. I was hoping we could be considered your friends by now... Major Anastasia is someone I deeply admire, and I'd love the chance to greet her, even if just for a moment. Right, Yumia, you said you admired her too, didn't you?”
“Uh, yeah. I also really admire... her.”
As Yumia reluctantly chimed in, Leonhardt looked at Glacia with eyes full of expectation.
Glacia gazed steadily at the two of them, her lips hesitating.
“...Are we friends?”
she uttered in a peculiar tone.
To Glacia, among all of Leonhardt's words, the word 'friend' sounded particularly strange.
They often spoke during lectures and partnered up for group activities, but as for whether they were friends, it felt ambiguous to her.
More than anything, she felt they lacked the same connection she had with Han Cheon-seong, something that truly resonated with her heart.
Compared to the boy she considered her first friend, the two people in front of her now seemed to have a truly vague relationship with her.
Simply put, it felt like they were hanging out just for the sake of it.
“Glacia. Weren't we friends...? I was sure we were.”
Leonhardt questioned her hesitation with a look of confusion, and Yumia's lips curled into a smirk.
“No. We *are* friends. We hang out so often. You don't have to be incredibly 'close' to be called friends, right?”
As she cleverly twisted the meaning and emphasized the word 'friend', Glacia finally understood.
The idea that you didn't have to be extremely close to be friends. That was something she could comprehend.
"Hearing you put it that way, I get it. We are friends, then."
In contrast to Leonhardt, who seemed slightly relieved by Glacia's calm reply, Yumia watched her with quiet, downcast eyes.
“So, Glacia. Like Leonhardt said, we'd like you to introduce us to Major Anastasia. Otherwise, we wouldn't want to hold you up like this. You're busy, and so are we.”
Asked in a casual tone, Glacia nodded without much hesitation.
They certainly weren't friends she could boast about like Han Cheon-seong, but she felt they were decent enough people to introduce.
Besides, they were in the same class and often spent time together, and both possessed traits and talents incomparable to most cadets.
“Alright. Let's go together.”
“Really!? Thank you, Glacia!”
While Leonhardt seemed genuinely grateful, Yumia's acceptance came with an awkward nod, as if she were displeased by the outcome.
“Glacia. Thanks for agreeing.”
And so, they headed off with Glacia.
***
Soon after, Glacia met Anastasia at the arranged café and introduced the two who had come with her. Anastasia looked at the two cadets before her with interest.
*‘Indeed.’*
The cadets who enrolled this year are of a high caliber.
Just as Cadet Han Cheon-seong had displayed an innate talent that defied his low trait and his placement in Class C, these two—who could be called true Class A cadets like Glacia—exuded a unique aura befitting their high traits.
-A refined aura.
-The distinct air of someone from a historic family.
Above all, the cadet named Leonhardt was said to have a Legendary trait, so it was impossible not to be interested.
“...It is a great honor for me to meet you like this, Major Anastasia. I have heard countless stories of your incredible achievements on the front lines.”
“I've also heard a lot about your exploits on the front. I think you're truly amazing.”
“You don't have to flatter me so much. And since you're Glacia's friends, feel free to just call me Anastasia.”
While responding lightly, she naturally glanced at Glacia.
*‘She’s doing even better than I thought.’*
To think she was getting along with so many different cadets... it made the worries I had on my way back to the capital seem pointless.
“So, you two. You said you're in the same class as Glacia?”
“Yes, that's correct. We often spend time with Glacia, and I'd like to say we are growing together.”
“...As Leonhardt said. I suppose you could say we're growing together.”
Compared to Cadet Leonhardt, who answered with confidence, there was something a bit odd about Cadet Yumia.
Cadet Leonhardt's eyes shone as he spoke, conveying sincerity, but that feeling was sorely lacking from Cadet Yumia.
Then, seeing her glance at Leonhardt beside her, it naturally clicked.
*‘So she likes him.’*
I got the strong impression that the reason she was here was also because of Cadet Leonhardt.
Finding that oddly interesting...
Just then, I felt Glacia's gaze from beside me.
“Sister. If this is uncomfortable for you….”
“No, why would I be uncomfortable? Meeting the cadets Glacia spends time with is a meaningful occasion for me.”
I gently stroked Glacia's hair, immediately dismissing my sister's concern.
I was on a rare break, and spending my time like this wasn't bad at all. This was by no means a meaningless moment.
Just as Glacia was the most important person to me, the people she associated with were naturally important to consider.
When I eventually returned to the front lines, these were the people who could fill my absence, so it was only right that I paid them more attention.
“It might be sudden to bring this up after we've just met, but if you two wouldn't feel burdened, I'd like to give you a simple test and some guidance. What do you think?”
“A test from you, Anastasia...!”
“That's a gracious offer. A test and guidance from the one and only Anastasia. What cadet would refuse?”
Looking at the two who had responded in slightly contrasting ways, I turned my head to the side.
“Glacia. I'm thinking of coaching you along with them. Is that okay?”
“Yes. It's fine.”
With Glacia's bright reply, we immediately moved to a new location.
Not long after we set off, we entered the same training room where I had tested Cadet Han Cheon-seong just yesterday.
I had originally booked it to spend some quality time with Glacia, but I figured this situation wasn't so bad either.
“Everyone, relax. This is just a light test and an opportunity for some advice.”
“Yes, ma'am! I gratefully accept this test.”
“...Yes. Me too.”
Taking in Yumia's awkward reply, which contrasted with Leonhardt's energetic one, I turned my gaze to Glacia beside me.
“Then, Glacia, would you like to go first?”
“Okay! Sister.”
…
The subsequent testing period felt quite different from yesterday.
Unlike the admiration I felt for Cadet Han Cheon-seong's innate talent, here I was witnessing skills that befitted their traits, as if I were observing an expected outcome.
As a result, the advice I offered wasn't particularly special.
However, that wasn't to say their traits and talents were in any way lacking.
*‘In fact, this is probably what’s normal. And even for Class A, their level is remarkably high.’*
For cadets who had only been enrolled for two months, the fact that they could properly manifest and fully utilize their traits was impressive enough.
Glacia, who went first, demonstrated a surprisingly adept use of wind, attempting to break through the ice wall from various angles. The next cadet, Yumia, possessed a fire-element trait, which was a direct counter to my own.
But when traits are diametrically opposed, the difference in level becomes overwhelmingly apparent. So, despite Cadet Yumia's valiant effort, she eventually gave up.
...Even that wasn't something to blame the cadet for.
In fact, I rated her a bit higher for trying to put up a good fight while being conscious of Cadet Leonhardt throughout the test.
And now, during the final test….
“...!”
The brilliant blue aura that sliced into the ice wall in a single stroke forced me to change my assessment.
*CRASH! CRASH!*
The ice wall began to crumble with a thunderous roar. The strength of the ice wall I had manifested was identical to the one I used to test Cadet Han Cheon-seong yesterday.
Glacia and Yumia couldn't even dream of reaching the level Cadet Han Cheon-seong had shown yesterday when he half-destroyed the wall.
But the cadet named Leonhardt was different.
*CRASH!*
Even the way he moved with a bit more speed, trying to channel immense power into his sword, looked exceptional.
*‘It looks simple, but he isn't just attacking mindlessly.’*
His sword path was generally linear.
But he would momentarily create distance, then shroud his entire body in a brilliant blue energy before accelerating and delivering a slash at an unimaginable speed.
It was a level that seemed impossible for a cadet who had just enrolled this year.
Even the fighting spirit in the cadet's eyes was extraordinary.
*KRA-KOOM!*
I could see the brilliant blue light shatter spectacularly against the ice wall.
The energy was neutralized in an instant.
“Stop. That's enough.”
So I, too, had to stop there.
He was a completely different type of cadet from Han Cheon-seong, yet strangely, the feeling he gave off was very similar.
The fighting spirit, the willpower... knowing he couldn't break the ice wall with his sword, yet continuing to confront it.
“...Hah.”
A laugh escaped me as I watched him take a deep breath and compose himself.
“You're completely different from Cadet Han Cheon-seong, yet it's surprising how similar the feeling is.”
"So Han Cheon-seong also... took a test from you."
I nodded at his intrigued gaze and continued speaking.