Chapter 180
Chapter 180
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 180
Chapter Title: Genius to Genius
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***
“...Phew.”
A satisfied smile slipped out even as I gasped for breath.
"……."
It felt surreal, facing a dazed Glacia who stared blankly at me.
Heh.
When Glacia’s gaze fell upon the spear pointed at her chest and she let out a soft laugh, I felt a sense of relief wash over me.
“That's enough for this spar.”
At Instructor Avalanche's announcement, I gave a slight nod and slowly lowered the tip of my spear.
“Glacia, you were incredible.”
It felt strange saying this after winning, but honestly, when faced with the storm's torrent, I wasn't sure I could block it with my spiral current.
It was a gamble—a tentative move born from a vague hunch, a sliver of hope, and the comforting thought that Avalanche was there, so I wouldn't actually die. I was intensely curious to see if I could pull it off by manifesting the blue spiral at maximum power without overburdening my body.
And in the end, I succeeded without placing too much strain on myself. The spiral current had been able to completely neutralize that immense power.
‘It works similarly to how I first imagined.’
It wasn't just about piercing and twisting a single point. The ability to neutralize an opponent's power using the concept of a spiral was a massive breakthrough for me.
It meant I now had a power I could use to protect myself, and to protect others.
“...Isn’t that what I should be saying?”
As Glacia spoke with an incredulous tone, I slowly shook my head.
“It was a close call for me.”
I could see Glacia still gasping for breath.
Her face was flushed, her breathing ragged, yet she was already trying to compose herself. I found myself looking at her in a new light.
‘To think she reached Trait Level 4 at this stage.’
Just as expected of Anastasia's sister. Glacia's growth rate felt like it was in a league of its own.
“Enough… There’s no such thing as a close call in a spar. A win is a win. Han Cheon-seong, you beat me.”
She stated the outcome with a finality that seemed to correct my earlier words, and I didn't argue.
The truth was, I hadn't even fully demonstrated the true power of Trait Level 5.
‘Compared to the power that neutralized Leteia's clone…’
The blue spiral I had unleashed didn't even possess half the power from back then. But once I perfected the skill, the spiral's force would become far greater, so there was plenty to look forward to.
*Swish.*
As I scanned my surroundings, I noticed a large crowd of cadets had gathered, so many that I wondered when they had all arrived. The crowd was nearly in the triple digits, and... among them, one person stood out.
“...No way.”
The word escaped my lips before I could stop it.
My joy at the simultaneous growth Glacia and I had achieved was short-lived. I couldn't help but be astonished.
I could see a special light, the light of a blessing, fading around him. Even among the sea of cadets, Leonhardt's presence was overwhelming.
‘Don't tell me he did it just by watching our spar?’
Even for a protagonist, I wondered if that was even possible. Just then, my eyes met his.
He flashed a brilliant smile, looking utterly refreshed. His eyes, filled with their characteristic kindness, were sharp and intelligent, and I realized it in an instant.
He had truly reached Level 4.
And just from watching a spar, no less…
‘So this is what they call a protagonist's privilege.’
It was a stark reminder of what it meant to be the world's protagonist.
I knew Leonhardt had been training hard since our first spar. I could feel he had grown stronger each time we crossed paths.
'But still...'
I mulled it over but decided to just let it go.
It was better for me that he was growing stronger like this.
I had my own crises to deal with, but he would soon face a great one of his own. I had to see his newfound strength, his ability to overcome that crisis himself, as a positive thing.
And yet... there was a definite sense of unfairness. It wasn't quite envy or jealousy; I didn't resent him or anything.
‘...It's just... absurd.’
It felt like I was witnessing firsthand how Leonhardt was blessed by the world.
*Thump.*
Then, a sudden soft touch on my body made me turn my head reflexively.
“...Glacia?”
“Just a moment…”
Glacia murmured, leaning her head blankly against my chest. My train of thought came to a screeching halt.
“I'm just a little... a little tired, that's all.”
Glacia gently lifted her head from my chest and gave an awkward smile. I couldn't bring myself to push her away.
So I supported her by the shoulder, allowing her a moment to recover.
*Rustle.*
As I did, I noticed how slender her shoulders felt. At that moment, I felt the gazes on me intensify to a frightening degree.
...But looking down at Glacia, breathing softly in my arms, I was frozen.
After taking a few breaths to compose herself, Glacia carefully pushed herself away from me and stood straight.
"……."
As she slowly distanced herself, I felt as if I’d been caught in an ambush.
I understood the situation perfectly.
Glacia was exhausted after using so much power and had leaned on me for support. That was why I couldn't push her away.
But regardless of the circumstances, it felt like I had just embraced Glacia in front of a huge crowd.
“...W-well then, Han Cheon-seong. Let's call it a day.”
“Uh... right.”
Even for someone like Glacia, that act must have been truly embarrassing. She even stuttered as she turned to leave, making my own mind feel fuzzy.
If she had acted as nonchalantly as usual, it might have been different.
'When you act like that...'
When you act so flustered, it's impossible for me not to feel awkward as well.
I started walking to leave the training grounds myself, but the intensity of the stares was unnerving.
My senses, heightened by the massive stat boost from reaching Trait Level 5, made their gazes feel even more piercing.
“……Wow, he’s really bold.”
“Tell me about it.”
“Was Glacia that kind of girl?”
Overhearing the whispers of a few cadets, I felt an indescribably strange mix of emotions.
‘I have a bad feeling another weird rumor is about to start.’
Amidst this awkward atmosphere, Glacia practically fled the training grounds.
“That concludes the observation spar.”
When Instructor Avalanche suddenly left with a satisfied smile, I cautiously bowed my head... but that only made me feel even more awkward.
‘Why is he looking at me with that satisfied smile?’
I knew exactly what that smile implied, which only made me feel more uncomfortable.
*Step.* Just as I was about to make a quick exit myself.
“Han Cheon-seong!”
Leonhardt suddenly approached, forcing me to stop in my tracks.
“Uh... Leonhardt.”
“That spar just now... It was incredible. I was in awe the entire time.”
He said it with a bright smile, and I could only give a hesitant nod in return.
“...Is that so.”
“Wait a minute. Does that mean you’re at Trait Level 5 now, Han Cheon-seong…?”
Yumia, standing beside him, asked with uncertainty. I simply nodded.
I had already revealed it, so I couldn't deny it, nor did I want to.
Thanks to that spar, I had finally reached it—the Trait Level 5 I had so desperately longed for.
“That's right. Level 5.”
“...That’s amazing, but I can hardly believe it. How are you already at Trait Level 5? Are you sure it’s not something other than a Common Trait? Your growth rate is just too fast.”
Yumia asked with an expression mixed with shock and disbelief, and to be honest, it hadn't fully sunk in for me either.
It had been the same when I reached Trait Level 4 over a month ago, and now, having reached Level 5, it was simply astonishing.
My growth seemed to perfectly match my expectations of what was possible. It was more than just luck; it felt like various circumstances were aligning perfectly.
After a moment's thought on how to reply, I answered nonchalantly.
“...After facing the apostle last time, I had something of an epiphany.”
That life-or-death battle against Leteia was the biggest catalyst for me. I pushed past my limits and even risked my life to save Karite.
*Flinch.*
“I-If that’s the reason… then I understand. Sorry. I guess I asked a thoughtless question.”
Was my answer unexpected? Seeing Yumia apologize so sincerely—a rare sight—I chuckled and shook my head.
“Don’t be. You don’t have to apologize.”
I replied coolly, glancing to the side.
Leonhardt was listening to my conversation with Yumia with keen interest. Thinking about him again, it really made no sense.
‘Come to think of it, I'm a higher level than him.’
My growth was even faster than this overpowered guy who leveled up just from watching a spar.
Considering the gap between Level 4 and Level 5, it was no exaggeration to say that the difference was overwhelming.
...Thinking about it that way, I felt even more out of place.
‘Then what in the world am I?’
The reality that I—neither the protagonist nor a supporting character in this world—was growing faster than the protagonist... It felt bizarre to even acknowledge it.
It was true that I had desperately strived and struggled to grow.
First, to save Karite, and then to prepare for the crises to come. I hadn't rested easy for a single day.
And yet.
That wasn’t to say Leonhardt’s efforts in the original story were any less than mine. He was described as being at the training grounds every day; the guy was practically obsessed with training.
“...You really are strong.”
Leonhardt's earnest words made me let out an involuntary, dry laugh.
“What's that supposed to mean?”
“Watching you, I can tell you're incredibly strong. And from what I’ve seen of you, it’s only natural that you’d become so powerful. I heard you faced the apostle to protect the other cadets.”
I blinked at his unexpected words, a wave of embarrassment washing over me.
I hadn't realized that rumor had spread, and hearing it directly from him was awkward.
“That’s… it wasn’t so much about protecting them as it was about not dying myself if I didn’t fight back.”
As I trailed off evasively.
I saw Yumia let out a soft chuckle.
"You know, I’ve noticed this before, but you’re really not honest with yourself."
"……."
I was momentarily speechless, the irony utterly lost on me.
Coming from the girl who’s been hiding her crush on Leonhardt for years.
To think she’d be the one to call *me* dishonest…