Chapter 158
Chapter 158
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 158
Chapter Title: Stay Still for Just a Moment
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***
*Click.*
Even as she personally fitted Ellimiang's Consideration onto Cheon-seong, Kalli was lost in another thought.
It was the question of whether anything had happened today that would require her to collect her emotions.
She had clearly felt her heart waver significantly today.
She couldn't deny that her emotions had shifted drastically during the midterm evaluation just a few hours ago.
‘Why did I feel such a major shift in my emotions?’
Her current life as an academy instructor wasn't particularly difficult, not even in the slightest.
The difference between her hectic days on the front lines and her position as an academy instructor was so vast it was almost incomparable.
Her assistant helped with nearly all the lecture preparations, and the schedule was already set. In truth, her days were scheduled in such a way that she could start a lecture without any prep and still be fine.
...But today.
My heart suddenly wavered.
My mood had soured to a strange degree at the end of the midterm evaluation.
So it bothered me.
That was... not like me. The thought wouldn't leave my mind.
The higher one's trait level, the more one must control their emotions. I knew all too well how much damage and how many accidents whimsical feelings could cause.
—With great power comes great responsibility.
It was a truth she was subtly aware of in her daily life.
Great power was never just given, and she even held the conviction that if one possessed great power, it must be used correctly.
The lives people led in the empire today were built on the convictions and efforts of countless individuals.
‘That's why. I felt I had to control my emotions thoroughly, but….’
The deeper she thought, the more questions arose.
No matter how much she pondered why her emotions had been so shaken, the reason just wouldn't come to mind.
To say she was tired from just watching a cadet's evaluation was a ridiculous notion, and it wasn't because she was displeased with the cadet's performance either.
In fact, the last two groups had shown quite satisfactory results.
‘Where exactly did my mood sour?’
As her thoughts deepened.
“Instructor Kalli…?”
At the cautious voice, she became aware of the person standing blankly before her.
“Ah, sorry.”
She apologized immediately, an awkward smile forming as she attached Ellimiang's Consideration to his other ear.
She had gotten too lost in thought.
*Click.*
As she finished fastening the earring, her eyes fell on Cadet Han Cheon-seong, who was calmly accepting her touch.
‘...His concentration was astonishing.’
He was, without a doubt, the cadet who had shown the most overwhelming performance in today's midterm evaluation.
Ironically, the cadet with the lowest trait grade among nearly fifty students had achieved such a result.
A growth that surprised even her.
Even now, his neat and tidy appearance and, more so, the pure gaze with which he looked at her captivated her attention.
*Ssk.*
...She hesitated as she gently pulled her hand away.
The strange emotion she had been pondering for the past few hours. Oddly, it felt similar to what she was feeling right now.
An indescribable feeling that tickled her chest... as if it were teasing her...
“Let’s catch our breath for a moment before we start the spar. You said you just came from training, so you should rest a bit.”
“Instructor Kalli. I’m fine.”
Seeing his faint smile, she paused for a moment and shook her head.
“Cadet Han Cheon-seong. Just... listen to me.”
A firm tone, surprising even herself, escaped her lips before she realized it.
“...I understand.”
As Cadet Han Cheon-seong became visibly flustered, her heart wavered once more.
“You, you shouldn't overexert yourself. I... I just wanted you to take things a bit slower, Cadet Han Cheon-seong.”
She added quickly, inadvertently putting some distance between them.
“I... see. Yes. I understand.”
As Cadet Han Cheon-seong began to calmly catch his breath, she tore her gaze away from him and stared at an empty space.
While staring blankly, she too began to steady her breathing.
‘What on earth is the problem…?’
Cadet Han Cheon-seong hadn't done anything out of the ordinary during class, yet she suddenly understood it instinctively.
The reason her mood had soured hours ago, the reason her heart was wavering.
It was all because of Cadet Han Cheon-seong…
*Ssk.* She blankly clenched and unclenched her fist as her heart gradually calmed.
“...”
Frowning, she began to erase the burgeoning thoughts from her mind entirely.
She needed to focus on the spar and guide him. She didn't want to be a fool and neglect Cadet Han Cheon-seong by getting lost in her own thoughts.
“...”
She slowly placed a hand on her chest, consciously breathing in and out.
And with each deliberate breath, her heart regained more of its composure.
‘...How ridiculous.’
Then, she found her own actions utterly ridiculous.
To think she was performing an action meant to calm her heart on the battlefield or maintain composure in urgent situations... it was absurd.
Even if she didn't know the proper reason, she was being swayed by a mere cadet.
Still, she didn't turn away from or deny this reality.
*Ssk.*
She swept her hair back with a grand motion, a slightly hollow smile on her lips.
‘I’m such a fool….’
Perhaps her heart had softened in the peaceful atmosphere of the academy, and her emotional control had slackened a bit.
When she thought about it, it wasn't an emotional shift worth being so wary of in the first place.
It had already been well over a month since the tension of the front lines that had bound her entire body had disappeared, so it was natural for her heart to relax.
As she thought this and glanced at Cadet Han Cheon-seong, she found herself slightly surprised.
“...!”
The moment their eyes met, Cadet Han Cheon-seong looked startled and averted his gaze, which felt strangely... a little suggestive.
His flustered expression was so clear, it was as if he had been staring at her.
Even his faintly flushed face felt strangely new and fascinating.
So much so that it made her self-conscious.
She cleared her throat and spoke.
“...Well then, Cadet Han Cheon-seong. Shall we begin the spar?”
She felt strangely nervous as she spoke.
‘In fact….’
Perhaps Cadet Han Cheon-seong was still unfamiliar with the opposite sex. She had personally felt during their last spar that he was quite innocent in that regard.
So, it was possible that looking at her might stir some strange feelings in him....
Her thoughts trailed off, and she shook her head.
*Thump!*
Suddenly, her heart was pounding.
‘What a ridiculous thought….’
There was no way Cadet Han Cheon-seong would have strange feelings for her.
They were strictly instructor and cadet.
Yes, such a thing... could not happen, and it must not happen.
“Yes. Let’s begin.”
Cadet Han Cheon-seong's calm voice helped her shake off the thought.
*Thud.*
*Clack….*
As they walked toward the familiar sparring area, her gaze drifted to his side.
“...”
For some reason, she felt a strange... heightened awareness of Cadet Han Cheon-seong today.
***
*Clang!*
The spear blade and sword clashed, sending brilliant sparks flying.
“...!”
Without a moment to catch my breath, I spun and thrust my spear forward again.
With Ellimiang's Consideration, and deliberately not using my spiral mana, my body was overflowing with vitality.
*Swoosh!*
The spear's trajectory was straight and true. But Kalli's sword moved a step faster, as if predicting my attack.
‘She’s so fast.’
*Claaang!!*
As soon as the thought crossed my mind, the spear I thrust was sent flying by her sword.
Still, the recoil I felt in my hands was markedly less than before. The power of the mana now cloaking my body lessened the strain and raised my fundamental physical class in wielding the spear.
It gave me a comfort completely different from the power of the spiral.
Now, returning to the basics to re-examine myself.
This mana, which I could handle as naturally as breathing, was incredibly comfortable and cozy.
*Swish-swish-swish-swish-swish!*
As I unleashed a frantic barrage of thrusts, brilliant sparks decorated my vision.
*Clang-clang-clang-clang-clang-clang!!*
Even as our exchange of blows, constantly blocked and deflected, went on for dozens of clashes, I felt satisfied.
The heavy resistance I felt in my hands each time brought a smile to my face.
‘This is true….’
Sparring, and training.
For the first time in a while, I could clearly feel what it meant to match blows.
The more I faced Kalli's power as she sparred with me, the more I realized how immense and profound her strength truly was.
Every spar was new, bringing a fresh shock.
That's why I could thrust my spear without hesitation, even feeling a sense of happiness.
The primal pleasure one could feel from brandishing a weapon and manifesting power.
‘...Yes, this is like pleasure.’
To be able to unleash my power to my heart's content, and to have an opponent who could receive it, felt like a blessed reality.
*Claaaang!*
Then, as a greater force sent my spear flying upward, I momentarily felt my own body lift off the ground along with it.
*Ssk!*
I immediately took a step back, rotating my body smoothly to dissipate the immense force.
And as I thrust the spear even faster, my gaze naturally fell upon Kalli.
“...?”
For a moment, I felt a sense of doubt.
I hadn't noticed before, having been focused on her sword, but Kalli's condition today was definitely strange.
It wasn't that she seemed to be taking the spar lightly, but her expression, her demeanor, her whole atmosphere was off.
“...”
Even now, her eyes weren't focused.
Did she have some worry or something to think about? Come to think of it, she hadn't been her usual self since she put Ellimiang's Consideration on me earlier today.
*Clang!*
As I smoothly retrieved my spear after it was sharply parried, I spoke.
“Instructor Kalli. Is something troubling you?”
“...Hm?”
Her response was a beat too late, prompting me to lower my spear completely.
I had already sparred to my heart's content, and my body had reached its limit. Now, I was more concerned about Kalli than the spar.
“Throughout the spar, you seemed to be troubled, Instructor Kalli. I can’t say I can be of any real help to you... but I can at least listen.”
I didn't presume to offer my help.
Instead, I offered what I could do. That I could listen to her....
“I’m so sorry. I’m just a bit out of it today...”
“If it’s alright, I want to be of help to you too, Instructor Kalli. You’ve done so much for me, so if there’s anything I can do, please tell me.”
As I slowly spoke, I couldn't help but think that the most I could be was a conversation partner.
‘I doubt Kalli would ever need me for anything….’
Honestly, objectively speaking, I was a nobody.
Just as I thought that.
“Cadet Han Cheon-seong. Do you... really mean that?”
Surprisingly, Kalli asked me in a serious tone.
“...Yes. If there’s anything I can do to help, I want to do it.”
As I answered, bewildered, Kalli slowly reached out her hand.
...I glanced at it but, of course, did not refuse her hand.
It was Kalli, after all.
Anyone could see she was like an ally to me.
"Then just for a moment. Cadet Han Cheon-seong, stay still for just a moment."
But as Kalli, breathing in a strangely flushed way, slowly approached....
“...”
It felt as if my thoughts had come to a complete halt.