Chapter 5
Chapter 5
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Worlds Apart
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***
“...”
“...”
Inside the café, we both sipped from our cups.
As I watched Glacia, a multitude of questions filled my mind.
‘What in the world possessed her?’
Glacia’s approach had been completely unexpected.
I was honestly surprised when she said she wanted to talk to me directly, especially since I’d assumed she would dislike me.
After a moment of being stunned, I had quickly agreed.
If I could get on good terms with someone who had a Unique Trait, it would be a huge advantage. There was no reason for me to refuse.
However.
For someone who had requested to speak with me first...
Glacia’s attitude was quite strange.
She would respond if I said something, but she wouldn’t reveal her reason for starting the conversation.
Our talk just drifted aimlessly.
*Clink.*
Setting my cup down, I spoke first.
“Glacia, I have a feeling, but it seems like our acceptance is already guaranteed, don't you think?”
“Our acceptance is certain.”
“Right... I wonder what our class assignments will be. I hope we get placed well.”
Glacia nodded as if she agreed with me, but she remained silent.
“...”
Watching her blue hair sway with the small nod, I felt a sense of unease.
Was this woman just bad at conversation, or did she find me that unpleasant?
It felt off, even for a first meeting.
It was nice of her to approach me and strike up a conversation, but…
‘Why is she acting so strangely?’
I had no idea how long this pattern—me initiating and Glacia giving one-word answers—had been going on.
It felt like it had been at least twenty minutes.
Anyone watching would think I’d dragged Glacia here against her will.
“From what I can see, Glacia, I think you’ll definitely get into A-Class. The way the examiners were looking at you was no joke.”
When I kept bringing up the academy, our only common topic, she at least reacted.
“I think so too.”
...Hey, now.
If you cut the conversation short like that, it can’t continue.
As Glacia casually sipped from her cup, I began to doubt if she truly wanted to talk to me at all.
Despite that, I pressed on.
“I don’t expect to be placed in A-Class like you, but I’d be happy if I could at least get into B-Class.”
The chances of me being in the same class as Glacia were extremely low. It was safe to say they were nonexistent.
Still, I really wanted to be assigned to B-Class.
There were many benefits that came with being in B-Class.
“...B-Class?”
When Glacia tilted her head in response to my words, I answered with an awkward smile.
“Haha. Glacia, do you think even B-Class is a stretch for me?”
“Yes.”
To hear her say ‘Yes’ so bluntly... it really stung.
Even as her attitude, telling me to my face that I’d be placed in a lower class, hardened my heart, I didn’t let it show.
Contrary to how I felt, I smiled and opened my mouth.
“Even if it’s C-Class, well, it’s not... bad. I can always move up to a higher class if I work hard.”
As I continued to speak, Glacia stared at me for a moment before nodding.
“There probably won’t be many with Level 3 Traits in C-Class, at least.”
“I... guess so.”
I wanted to ask if she was trying to comfort me, but I swallowed the words.
I had to be patient.
Once I entered the academy, there would be countless people with Traits superior to mine.
Rare, the grade just one step above mine. Then Unique, the grade after that. And even the Legendary grade that Leonhardt, the protagonist of this novel, possessed...
So, it wasn't as if Glacia's attitude was a sign of a particularly bad personality.
In this world, it was natural for those with high-grade Traits to look down on those with lower-grade ones.
There was even a saying that appeared ad nauseam in *Grand Royal Academy*.
‘The grade of one's Trait determines their status within the academy.’
In a world where the grade of one’s Trait dictated their life, having a high-grade Trait was like belonging to a different social class.
From the moment one became an adult, the world decided for them.
—This is your worth.
At least the protagonist, Leonhardt, was kind-hearted and didn’t discriminate against people with lower-grade Traits...
But Glacia’s current behavior was likely the average for most students I would encounter. Or perhaps even below average.
“...”
Even now, as Glacia looked at me, she didn't seem to have any intention of hiding her sense of superiority.
And right now, I was the one in a tight spot. I couldn't afford to be cold to her.
“Han Cheon-seong.”
“Yeah, Glacia.”
When Glacia called my name first, I immediately smiled and replied.
“I’m a little curious... Why are you trying to get into the academy?”
“...What?”
“Your Trait is Spearmanship. It’s a Common-grade, isn't it? I'm not asking out of malice. I'm genuinely curious.”
Her sudden, serious tone left me speechless for a moment.
As I met Glacia’s eyes, her gaze felt incredibly... peculiar.
It didn't seem like she was looking down on me; rather, it felt like a pure curiosity, as if she was genuinely asking.
She expressed a curiosity that seemed to say she purely couldn't understand me... and for a moment, I was at a loss for words.
Nevertheless, I maintained my composure.
Ever since I realized my Trait was Common-grade Spearmanship, I had anticipated conversations like this.
“Glacia, I know my Trait’s grade isn’t good. But that doesn’t mean... I want to give up on the academy and live an ordinary life.”
...I continued, speaking as calmly as possible.
It was the first time someone had essentially told me, ‘Your Trait is trash,’ but I didn’t want to show that it bothered me.
I felt like doing so would be admitting defeat.
“You don’t want to live an ordinary life... Is that the only reason?”
“The only reason? Is my answer strange?”
“To be honest, I don’t quite understand. At the academy, there will surely be people with Traits higher than mine, not just you. Frankly, if you enter the academy with a Common-grade Trait, you won’t be treated very well.”
As Glacia, who had only been giving short replies until now, stated her thoughts, I paused for a moment.
...What could I say to end this conversation on a good note?
The right words wouldn’t come to me.
I felt like I was about to say something harsh, so I bit my lip and forced myself to hold back.
A pure curiosity, devoid of malice.
And I knew how painful those words could be to the person hearing them.
Only after calming myself down was I able to speak again.
“Before I answer, Glacia, isn't it also true that there's no reason for me *not* to go to the academy?”
“...No reason not to go?”
“That’s right. Even if I don’t go to the academy, my life won’t get any better. With a Trait like Spearmanship, it's hard to be treated well anywhere.”
I turned the question back on her.
There was no reason for me not to go to the academy. Furthermore, without the academy, I had no future.
The moment I gave up on the academy, my life would be over.
As the title of the novel I now lived in suggested, all major events took place at the academy.
That’s how important the academy was in this world.
Those who failed to enroll in the academy were treated miserably.
If my Trait had been related to production or a non-combat field, I might have seriously considered giving up on the academy.
But the Trait I received was ‘Spearmanship,’ so even that was meaningless.
Spearmanship was one of the most extreme combat-related Traits. In other words, I never had a choice to begin with.
“So you’re saying you’re trying to go to the academy because it’s hard for you to be treated well elsewhere?”
“...That’s not entirely wrong. But the biggest reason is that I don’t want to live an ordinary life, and I believe that if I work hard, I can shine, even with a Common-grade Trait. That’s why I’m going to the academy.”
...Of course.
In the world of *Grand Royal Academy* that I knew…
There was not a single person who had ever made a name for themselves with the Spearmanship Trait.
But.
Even so, I couldn’t just wallow in despair.
The only knowledge I had about this world was related to the academy.
Everything I could possibly use was tied to the academy.
Unless I wanted to spend the rest of my life doing menial chores at an inn, I had to get into the academy, no matter what.
“If you work hard, you can shine...”
As Glacia repeated my words, my brow furrowed, a reaction I could no longer hide.
Her voice was calm, but something about it... made me uncomfortable.
It sounded as if she was saying there was a clear limit to what effort could achieve with Spearmanship. That it had no future.
It felt like she was constantly hammering reality into me.
I let out a short breath and asked.
“Glacia, are you done asking me what you wanted to know?”
I wasn't going to tolerate everything.
If she kept talking like this, there was no point in being with her.
“Yes. My biggest question has been answered.”
“Your biggest question... Does that mean you have others?”
When I replied, dumbfounded, Glacia nodded as if it were obvious.
“...”
For a fleeting moment, I considered storming out... but all that came out was a hollow laugh.
‘If I knew this was what she meant by 'talking', I wouldn't have agreed.’
I felt a small pang of regret, but I was also curious.
What else could Glacia possibly want to know about me?
“Han Cheon-seong, how can you have such... confidence?”
“Confidence?”
The unexpected question made me ask back blankly.
What was she talking about now?