Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: The Direction of the Heart
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All eyes in the vicinity were on Glacia and me. No, it was more accurate to say they were focused mainly on Glacia.
The light of blessing surrounding her entire body was just that special.
—!
Glacia's form, moving with ceaseless speed, continued a high-intensity training session that resembled actual combat.
And that sight itself seemed alien to me.
‘What on earth did she realize?’
I had watched her from the start, but I couldn't understand it at all.
Glacia must have had a great epiphany for such a light of blessing to envelop her, but what could have possibly been the catalyst?
In the world of Groa, it wasn't unheard of for someone to emit a light of blessing while engrossed in training. But it was literally just 'not unheard of'—it certainly didn't mean it happened frequently.
It was extremely rare.
Moreover, for this early stage of the academy, Glacia was at a high level.
—Unique Trait, Level 3.
If she evolved her trait now, she would reach Level 4...
*Gulp.*
As I swallowed hard, I felt a sudden chill.
...It was even more astounding than Leonhardt, the protagonist of this world, reaching Level 3 in a single go.
It was an unbelievable miracle.
It meant Glacia possessed a talent that surpassed even his.
“...How?”
“I know this is Class A1, but is it really filled with nothing but monsters?”
“If Glacia evolves, she’ll be Trait Level 4, right...?”
Hearing the disbelieving voices of the cadets who had gathered nearby, my own heart, paradoxically, grew calm.
The light of blessing was merely a precursor, a sign of impending evolution. It didn't guarantee it would happen.
Whether Glacia could achieve such absurd growth remained to be seen.
—!
————!!
As if oblivious to the attention fixed on her, Glacia rode the ceaselessly surging winds, leaping through the space again and again.
And in that moment.
Glacia's brow furrowed, and I felt a deep sense of disappointment.
“Ah.”
“......”
As the surrounding cadets also let out sighs filled with disappointment, the gale that had been raging through the area gradually subsided.
Glacia's sword, which had been swinging relentlessly, was lowered.
The light of blessing enveloping her faded, and just like that, everyone's anticipation ended in vain.
*Tuk.*
Watching the silent Glacia stand in place, I thought it was to be expected.
‘If she had reached Level 4, Glacia would have surpassed Leonhardt.’
Raising a trait's level was always difficult.
Moreover, it was known that higher-grade traits leveled up faster than lower-grade ones.
But that statement contained a clear contradiction.
It wasn't that cadets with high-grade traits had an easier time leveling up; rather, it was that a large number of cadets with low-grade traits simply gave up on growth and fell behind.
While it was true that, on average, high-grade traits developed faster than lower-grade ones, the reality behind it was almost laughable.
It was simply because cadets with high-grade traits strived to advance further and put in far more effort.
“Han Cheon-seong.”
Then she suddenly called my name, and I calmly met her gaze.
‘She must be disappointed.’
But there was no other emotion beyond that.
“From your perspective... how did I look?”
“It was good. There was nothing unnatural about your movements or the way you utilized your trait."
I didn't know if I was in a position to evaluate her, but that's how Glacia appeared in my eyes.
Her movements were fluid, and her ability to ride the gales to move swiftly was a power unique to her, one that other cadets couldn't handle.
“Nothing unnatural. Is that all?”
“If I go into specifics, there were other impressions. But Glacia, what part do you want me to elaborate on?”
Watching Glacia approach me, I felt it was strange.
From what I could see, she seemed to be progressing well on her own.
She seemed to have a grasp on how to train to properly understand and evolve her trait.
It was actually puzzling.
Why was she seeking the answer from me?
“I’m not asking about a specific part. I want you to tell me everything you felt while watching me.”
But when she spoke so directly, I found myself hesitating.
“...”
Seeing the other cadets gasp in surprise, I was momentarily flustered but forced myself to regain my composure.
Before I knew it, Glacia was standing before me, only a single step away.
"..."
She demanded an answer with an utterly pure gaze. But I truly couldn't understand why she was looking for that answer from me.
The nature of our traits was different, so I had no suitable advice to offer.
Would my advice or impressions even be meaningful?
“Glacia. Even if you say everything... I can't control the wind. Wouldn't it be better to ask a cadet with a similar trait? That would be far more meaningful.”
In the end, I spoke with practical help in mind rather than my own feelings.
But for some reason, Glacia shook her head.
“Han Cheon-seong. Even the smallest thing is fine. To me, your impression is far more important than any other cadet's.”
As Glacia spoke with such firm insistence, the stares from the surrounding cadets felt even more intense.
Nevertheless, I shared my impression.
“If you insist, I’ll just talk about your movements. You controlled the wind, your trait, and imbued your sword with its energy. You also used the wind to move... Your movements are very natural, but. They felt a bit monotonous. Your attacks flowed like calm water, very consistent. It made your next move predictable.”
“...Monotonous, and predictable.”
“Yes. Of course, that can be an advantage. Maintaining a steady, unwavering offense can be a strength. But isn't the essence of wind freedom?”
I answered cautiously, applying one of the principles of the spear in reverse.
The spear was a weapon whose greatest advantage lay not in varied changes but in a consistent, linear offense.
The sharp spear tip. The power concentrated on that single point was stronger than anything another weapon could muster.
It pierces the opponent, dealing a fatal blow.
However, 'wind' was entirely different from spearmanship.
Wind is inherently free, without any constraints. This was evident in how Glacia could use the wind even without wielding her sword.
In that case, the trait of wind should be capable of infinite variations.
Wouldn't change suit Glacia better than a consistent offense?
“The essence of wind is freedom....”
Watching Glacia mutter blankly, I didn't think my words were the definitive answer.
I couldn't control the wind, nor was I certain my understanding of its nature was correct. I simply said what I felt.
Because that's what Glacia wanted.
*Whoosh—*
Suddenly, a gentle breeze swirled around Glacia's form, causing both our hair to flutter naturally.
It was a cool and refreshing wind.
Not the fierce, sharp gale that had raged through the area moments before, but a wind that put those around her at ease.
“Han Cheon-seong, thank you.”
Suddenly, Glacia smiled softly and met my eyes, and I inadvertently looked away.
"...I’m glad if it helped."
The sight of Glacia's blue hair fluttering in the wind was special.
When beauty was graced with purity.
I realized again just how different she could look.
As I averted my gaze, the other cadets came into view.
It seemed I wasn't the only one who felt that way. Many of the cadets watching the training were staring at Glacia as if mesmerized.
“...”
“......”
Seeing that, a small laugh escaped my lips.
So, it wasn't just me.
For my heart to flutter, even for a moment, while facing such a radiant Glacia...
...was only natural.
…
In that moment.
Cheon-seong didn't realize.
That the smile he wore for a fleeting moment as he avoided her gaze had caused Glacia, in turn, to look away from him.
***
—!
A sword imbued with a brilliant blue light.
It was different from mana, alien in nature, and felt even more beautiful.
And Yumia, watching the sword's master, felt a sense of disappointment.
The feeling of being together, yet not together at all... how disappointing it was.
“...”
Now, as we took turns watching each other train, as if checking on one another's progress, I felt my spirits sink.
Leonhardt, engrossed in his training, would occasionally glance toward one place.
The spot where Glacia and Han Cheon-seong were. And there, I could see Han Cheon-seong, now brandishing his spear.
Having reached the absurd level of Trait Level 4, the spearmanship he displayed looked threatening even to me.
But more than that.
I didn't like the look in Leonhardt's eyes.
“Is it that hard to focus?”
The words slipped out before I could stop them.
“Ah... sorry.”
“It’s not something to be sorry for. But if you can’t keep focusing, why not take a break from training for a bit?”
At my words, Leonhardt gave an awkward smile and sheathed his sword.
It was strange, watching him with his blond hair stuck to his face and his uniform in disarray.
Leonhardt was clearly struggling to focus, but he wasn't slacking off in his training.
...That's why I found myself saying something I didn't mean.
“Leonhardt. Should I ask again? That we train together, starting now."
And if he wanted... I could ask for him.
It really wouldn't be a big deal.
“...No, I can't do that.”
“Why? You can’t even focus right now. When we first mentioned it, even Han Cheon-seong seemed willing to accept us, and if it’s just a matter of convincing Glacia...”
“Yumia. I’m really okay.”
Leonhardt, who always listened attentively to what I had to say, suddenly cut me off.
His blue eyes, meeting mine, looked firmer than ever before.
And yet, within that firm gaze, I could clearly sense... he was deeply shaken.
And so, a laugh escaped my lips.
“...Really? Then alright.”
Even as I smiled and replied, a corner of my heart... ached with a stinging pain.
‘Not yet....’
You're not over her yet.
I thought that after last night, Leonhardt had completely lost interest in Glacia, but that wasn't the case.
Because for a moment, I saw the wavering and lingering attachment in his eyes.
Leonhardt still hadn't... completely let go of Glacia in his heart.
"I’m sorry, Yumia. You’re spending your precious time on me, after all.”
"No. It’s okay."
...As I replied, I really was okay.
My heart ached, but I could endure it.
Because Glacia had absolutely no interest in Leonhardt.
Because I had feelings for him, I had a sense of what Glacia was feeling right now.
—!
———!!
The man on the other side of the training grounds, powerfully thrusting a spear wreathed in blue light.
—Han Cheon-seong.
Watching Glacia, whose eyes were still fixed on that man, I could be certain.
Glacia's heart was already turned toward Han Cheon-seong.