Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: King of All Weapons (5)
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***
"..."
"Wait. What is that?"
"No way..."
"Is this even possible?"
"This is insane..."
A simultaneous wave of astonishment swept over the training grounds.
And at its center were two figures.
The manifestation of an immensely powerful blue light. It was more brilliant than ever before, shining with a dazzling radiance that captured everyone's attention.
Among them were Yumia and Glacia, who had come down to the training grounds together, and even the instructor, Avalanche.
A Trait evolves as its level increases.
For anyone in the world, a Trait leveling up was a major event. Sometimes there were precursors, and other times, there were no signs at all.
A massive eruption of blue light.
And at the same time, the one who had manifested that immensely powerful blue light.
—Leonhardt Rorient.
If Han Cheon-seong had shown signs of reaching level 4, faintly emitting a blessed light, the blue radiance bursting from Leonhardt was utterly sudden.
Leonhardt, who had calmly maintained his position and solidified his defense until now, suddenly struck out with his spear and advanced. A great blue light erupted from his body, enveloping him.
And in an instant, he reached it.
Trait level 3.
‘What insane talent…’
Avalanche, the training instructor who was observing, barely managed to swallow those words.
For a cadet, ‘Trait’ and ‘Talent’ were similar yet vastly different terms.
A Trait is something given.
Talent is something one is born with.
Though only a few words apart, their meanings were profoundly different.
The former was granted after undergoing a Trait examination upon becoming an adult, while talent referred to something innate from birth.
That's right. Talent was something you were born with.
It was inherited from one's family, bloodline, and so on from birth, making it strictly different from a granted Trait.
However, Traits and talent were mostly ‘proportional.’
If one was high, the other was often high as well.
But in the case of the latter, talent, it was a word that, unlike Trait, should not be uttered lightly.
Especially in a situation like this, with other cadets present...
"Keuk!"
As Cadet Han Cheon-seong staggered back, Leonhardt suddenly came to a halt.
‘Should I stop the duel?’
The outcome of the duel was already as good as decided.
The cadet named Han Cheon-seong had fought valiantly, exceeding everyone's expectations.
He had launched an endless assault and demonstrated the shrewdness to not let go of his advantage. It was to the point where, despite his low-grade Common Trait, his innate talent itself had to be considered quite high-level.
But. He couldn't match the cadet named Leonhardt.
He couldn't reach him. The difference in their granted Traits was not something so easily bridged.
There was a reason so many cadets experienced despair at the academy.
...Then, my eyes fell on Cadet Han Cheon-seong.
He still hadn't let go of his spear.
The cadet, who momentarily couldn't even steady himself, had not let go of the spear in his hand until the very end.
That's why I couldn't step in immediately.
At that moment.
The sword, shimmering with brilliant blue light, was slowly lowered.
"Han Cheon-seong."
Leonhardt's subdued voice merely called out the other cadet's name.
I was once again taken aback by the sight.
"...How."
The word escaped my lips unintentionally.
The evolution of a Trait level. And with it, the cadet no longer threatened or attacked his opponent.
It had been that way even before his Trait evolved.
The cadet's calm yet impatient gaze no longer held that emotion; he had entered a state similar to Cadet Han Cheon-seong's, as if he were enjoying the duel itself.
And now.
Cadet Leonhardt. He himself knew.
At this moment.
That the outcome of the duel had been decided.
And that he should not clash his sword with his opponent any further. All of it.
‘He's a genius, but not the least bit arrogant. In a moment that should stir his emotions, he maintains complete control of himself…’
Considering how the duel had dragged on, it wouldn't have been the slightest bit strange if he had tried to end it immediately.
Yet even in this situation, Leonhardt wasn't thinking only of himself. That, more than anything, was different from the many geniuses I had seen.
...This cadet is already a complete package.
Among the cadets who entered this year, it was surprising that the one named Leonhardt was not the only one with a Legendary Trait.
Yet, why this cadet was able to enter as the top student was keenly felt through the many facets of this duel.
They often speak of the 'Pillar of the Empire.'
A being who will one day exert a massive influence on this empire.
It seemed a fragment of that could already be glimpsed in Leonhardt.
Whether that composed demeanor was due to his Sword of the Azure Sky Trait or not, I couldn't say.
But even if it was, Leonhardt was already a qualitatively complete talent.
As the end of the duel was thus implied, I naturally turned to the other cadet and had to feel a sense of pity.
Neither Trait nor talent was ever fair in this world.
Even the time to strive was not long, only a mere two months.
And that was it.
Just two months after receiving a Trait.
After that period, the opportunity to enroll itself was not given. It meant that all one could show was limited to that short time.
And yet, the cadet named ‘Han Cheon-seong,’ despite his Common Trait, had not lost himself and was engaged in this duel.
To the point where the basis of his confidence and his efforts seemed to shine.
But this was the end of it.
He faced a being with a more brilliant Trait and talent.
What kind of feelings must the cadet named Han Cheon-seong be experiencing right now...
I couldn't even begin to imagine his state of mind.
Even after fighting and struggling to this extent, he couldn't come close.
The colossal wall of Trait and talent.
Those two coexisted, shimmering before that cadet's eyes.
"......"
Even though I knew it was not something to be pitied in this world, I couldn't help but feel that way.
In the end.
This is how it ends.
A sense of pity made me think that over and over again.
"Leonhardt."
Then, Cadet Han Cheon-seong's mouth suddenly opened.
His exhaustion was palpable, looking as if he could collapse at any moment, yet he refused to let go of the spear in his hand.
Still, I had an idea of what was coming.
I thought the cadet would concede defeat.
He who had crossed weapons with him would know better than anyone.
That this duel was over. And just how vast the gap in Trait and talent was.
But.
"Raise your sword."
As the resolute voice echoed... I could only stare blankly.
‘That cadet is…’
He had not been broken by this reality.
***
‘As expected.’
Watching him, that was the only thought that came to mind.
He really is the protagonist of this world.
He possessed everything—Trait and talent, even handsome looks and a good personality—not a single flaw to be found.
—Overpowered.
That was the common term for a protagonist who was too strong.
And Leonhardt fit that description perfectly.
Seeing how he was mentally complete as well, I felt that even the word 'overpowered' was insufficient.
So... I had no choice but to acknowledge it.
I didn't particularly feel any sense of inferiority or the like facing Leonhardt.
My Trait was Common from the start, so feeling inferior to the protagonist was pointless. While I didn't think my spearmanship was bad, I knew an unbridgeable gap existed between us.
Perhaps if my Trait had been Unique-grade, I might have felt regret and envy.
So I just... calmly watched him.
"..."
Leonhardt, standing majestically before me, his sword lowered, its brilliant blue light still clinging to it...
The more I looked, the less I disliked it.
I didn't have a single regret about participating in this duel. No, in fact, I was even satisfied.
I was glad my first opponent was the protagonist.
I had intended to enter the duel with confidence, and I believed I had shown my full strength.
But in a corner of my mind, I had anticipated fear and a crushing defeat. And after that, the many scornful gazes I would receive.
It would be a lie to say I hadn't thought of that.
But it wasn't like that now.
There were no doubts, like looking at a clear sky without a single cloud.
As I continued my assault for over a hundred exchanges, I felt it with my body.
Leonhardt is strong, composed, and crucially, not arrogant. For a moment I thought I could exploit an opening, but that thought itself was hubris.
‘Really. If it were me, I couldn't have done that.’
If I had a Legendary Trait, I would have naturally looked down on an opponent with a Common Trait and tried to end the duel in an instant.
But Leonhardt didn't do that.
How could I not acknowledge him?
"...Han Cheon-seong. You know it too. This duel is already over."
Looking at Leonhardt, who still wouldn't raise his sword despite my words, I could feel the concern in his eyes.
And the dazzling blue light clinging to the sword he held also caught my eye.
The power that held immense might, one that could only be unleashed once Sword of the Azure Sky reached level 3.
Even though this was a duel, Leonhardt was worried I would be injured by that sword.
He had only blocked my attacks so far, and even though he had a rare chance to land a proper blow on me, he wouldn't.
It was just amazing.
I could genuinely feel that his words weren't a pretense or a formality, to the point that a laugh almost escaped me.
"I told you to raise your sword. I haven't given up yet."
So I was able to speak more firmly.
This duel had to have a proper conclusion.
Ending it by vaguely conceding defeat held no meaning.
Against his sword,
my spearhead had to be blunted.
Even if this spearhead were to break.
I couldn't concede defeat with my own mouth.
As I steeled my resolve, a strange laugh escaped me.
A good loss. To have lost well.
I had always thought those were ridiculous words. A world where the winner takes all. The runner-up or the loser was always in a shabby position compared to the winner.
Compared to the winner, what they took, the attention they received, none of it held much meaning.
Whether in a competition or not, everything I had seen was like that.
‘But why don't I feel bad?’
It was strange. To know I was going to lose, yet not feel bad about it.
"..."
At my words, Leonhardt hesitated with a subtle look in his eyes, and I spoke even more forcefully.
"Raise your sword. I won't say it again."
The moment I uttered those words.
It was just for an instant.
Suddenly, my body felt strangely light.
My whole body had been heavy, as if I could collapse at any moment. But now, all of that vanished as if it were a lie.
It even felt refreshing.
Even aiming my spear at Leonhardt didn't feel that difficult.
The moment I realized that, I had to feel an even greater sense of wonder.
"...!"
Why were Leonhardt's eyes so wide?