Chapter 67
Chapter 67
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: I... I'm Sorry...!
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***
—Habit.
Forming a habit was far more important than one might think.
A set time, every single day. If you repeat what needs to be done, you'll eventually find yourself acting the same way without even thinking about it.
Whether it was something you really didn't want to do or something you were reluctant to do, the simple act of ingraining it as a habit held significance in that it allowed you to perform the action more naturally than anything else.
…
*Clang—!*
A spear wreathed in blue light repeatedly struck the steel scarecrow.
The training ground's scarecrow, made of 'mana-forged steel,' could never be pierced by ordinary iron.
Even with mana imbued in the spear, this was the decisive reason why it couldn't pierce the training dummy.
It definitely couldn't be pierced.
And yet, the spear striking the scarecrow with intense force did not stop.
The force of the spearhead, concentrated on a single point, and the power channeled through the long shaft were not completely nullified.
*Clang-clang-clang! Claaang!*
Even as the bizarre clang of iron meeting steel rang out again and again, I didn't want to stop.
"..."
The blue trajectory of the spear, relentlessly striking the scarecrow, endlessly embroidered the air.
It was as if I myself were mesmerized by that blue arc.
Even as I watched the scarecrow stagger on its support to disperse the continuous, powerful impacts, my hands only moved faster.
“...”
I held my breath as I hammered away at the scarecrow.
An addiction born from repetition. When a sense of exhaustion left my entire body limp, I would take a short break. After that, I would endlessly repeat the cycle of swinging my spear.
Compared to the two months I spent thrusting my spear into empty air, this was surprisingly bearable, since it at least had the satisfying feeling of impact.
And so, it was break time again.
“Hah... Hah...”
Exhaling ragged breaths as if my chest would burst, I dazedly sat down on a nearby bench.
*Plop.*
My whole body had long since been drenched in sweat, and even the arm holding the spear was trembling.
How long had I been absorbed in training? I had lost all track of time.
Only now, after being so engrossed in my training, did my mind seem to clear.
"...Hoo."
Even as I let out a deep breath, I felt refreshed.
The feeling was incredibly refreshing, clearing away the complicated thoughts about Adelia and Kalli.
"It's not like I have anything to do if I go back anyway."
Adelia may have sent me away, but honestly, even if I went straight back to the dorms, there was nothing for me to do.
It wasn't that there was no entertainment, but I just didn't find it that fun. I much preferred this refreshing feeling after training.
At the same time, I decided to take it easy.
“Those two probably sorted it out with a nice chat."
My worrying wouldn't change anything, so I just let it go.
I could still vividly recall it.
The frigid atmosphere I felt before leaving the infirmary. It wasn't just a figure of speech; caught between the two of them, I genuinely found it hard to breathe.
I didn't know why the two of them had suddenly created such a chilly mood, but all I could do was hope it would be resolved well.
Besides, Instructor Adelia and Instructor Kalli. From what I could tell, they were both good people. It didn't seem likely to escalate into a major conflict.
Lost in thought, I casually glanced around.
“...Ahem.”
“Ah, I think I'll... rest a bit now.”
“I'm tired.”
Most of the cadets, who had been keeping a certain distance from me, immediately averted their gazes.
They were suddenly saying they needed to rest or that they were tired—spouting words that were unnatural to anyone watching...
‘Do they really hate the idea of sparring with me that much?’
I wanted to spar rather than train alone, but I couldn't find a partner.
Of course, I understood the other cadets' reactions. I knew that even I would be very reluctant to face a cadet with a Level 4 trait.
After a moment's thought, I just sighed and gave up.
‘I guess I'll have to train alone for the time being.’
I had a conscience, after all. How could I approach someone who didn't want to spar with me and ask them to?
*Shhhk.*
While naturally shifting the spear's center of gravity to my left hand, I lightly wiped away my sweat.
After composing myself a bit, I focused my gaze on the empty air.
‘Status Window.’
As I thought the word, a transparent hologram, visible only to me, filled my vision.
*
--------------------
Name: Han Cheon-seong
Gender: Male (20)
Title: None
Height · Weight: 178cm 68kg
Current Continental Influence: 247
*Stats.
[Strength 14]
[Agility 21]
[Stamina 21]
[Mana 10]
[Luck 5]
*Owned Traits [1]
[Spearmanship Lv.4]
*Skills [0]
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*
“...”
The corners of my mouth curled up into a grin without me realizing it.
Worried that checking the status window too often would lessen the joy of seeing my stats increase, I had forced myself to wait a few days. Now, the increased stats entered my vision like a dazzling sight.
‘Strength and Stamina both went up by 1.’
An increase in two stats might seem modest, but the key point was that my stats had risen again after just a few days.
Just because my trait didn't evolve quickly didn't mean I was stagnating. Being able to see my growth in numerical form was incredibly satisfying.
These numbers served as a great motivator to pour more passion into my training.
"My Mana is a little disappointing, though."
It was definitely gratifying to see my stats rise. But it seemed Mana didn't increase so easily, which left a small sense of disappointment.
With this kind of training, my Mana would barely increase in the future. The only thing I could hope for was when my trait leveled up.
I could only hope my Mana stat would see a significant jump then.
*Click-clack.*
Then, at the sound of approaching footsteps, the status window vanished.
Just as I casually turned my head.
“...Han Cheon-seong.”
I heard a woman's peculiar voice call my name.
Striking pink twintails and an arrogant impression... it was Luna. And beside her, naturally, was Millia. I opened my mouth calmly.
“Oh. Luna. What's up?”
I no longer paid much mind to the rumors circulating about me and Luna.
With new things happening every day, it felt like past events were just being left behind.
“Um... it's not about anything in particular... Han Cheon-seong. You know... that...”
“...That?”
“No, not that... Are you... free for a moment... right now?”
She spoke with extreme caution and a stiff demeanor. I didn't know what was going on, but I nodded anyway.
Afterward, Luna sat down, leaving an empty seat between us. I wondered why she was being so hesitant.
Why would Luna, who always acted like she lived in a world of her own, now show such an awkward attitude? To me, it was strange enough to be puzzling.
*Shhh.*
Then Millia sat down in the empty space between me and Luna. I was surprised without even realizing it.
“Han Cheon-seong. Excuse me for a moment.”
Millia sat next to me so naturally. In its own way, this was also something I wasn't used to.
“Alright.”
“And I'm really sorry, but could you wait just a moment?"
As she repeated herself, I took it casually.
There must be some reason they came to see me.
*Shhh.*
Millia turned her head from me and looked straight at Luna.
“Luna. If it's really that hard to say, should I say it for you?”
“I'd appreciate that, but... Millia, is that really okay?”
“That will depend on how Han Cheon-seong takes it. But you came here like this to show your sincerity. It's just that if you keep being so vague, Han Cheon-seong will get very frustrated too.”
The two of them naturally continued their conversation. The topic was clearly me, yet I couldn't join in.
'Is this what Millia meant when she asked me to wait?'
I could only watch them in silence.
“Then, Millia. I'm really sorry, but please. I'm not... used to situations like this. The words just won't come out right.”
“It's okay. Luna, just making up your mind to do this was a great step."
As the strange conversation flowed between them, I found myself unconsciously gazing at Millia's profile.
She spoke kindly, her smile gentle as if coaxing Luna.
Just by looking at her, Millia had such a naturally feminine air about her.
She was cute yet kind, and very considerate of others. At the same time, she also possessed a femininity that prevented her from seeming merely cute.
“Then if I say it for you, you have to say it properly, okay?”
“Yeah. Okay. Hearing you say that, Millia... I feel a lot more at ease.”
Millia, who gently guided Luna, was certainly attractive as a woman, but her 'charm as a person' stood out even more.
The type of person you want to befriend for no particular reason. It was very rare, but there were people who gave off that feeling just by looking at them.
Someone who, regardless of whether they were attractive as a member of the opposite sex, made you want to be friends.
I suddenly felt a strong urge to hang out with her.
With Millia, it felt like I could be comfortable and spend time with her without any pressure...
“...”
“...”
Then, Millia suddenly looked at me, and as our eyes met, my train of thought was cut short.
For a moment, Millia's eyes widened, and I was just as surprised as she was.
But that was only for a moment. I feigned composure and opened my mouth.
“Sorry. Millia, were you very surprised?”
“No, more than surprised, it's just... Han Cheon-seong. I didn't expect you to be looking at me.”
As I exchanged awkward words with her, I felt a strange emotion.
Thinking about Luna's ridiculously overpowered trait, I had decided to focus on her and, just as Luna wished, not to get close to Millia.
But why then...
Did I feel such a great sense of regret right now?
“And Han Cheon-seong. I'm the one who should be sorry. I asked you to wait a moment, but I made you wait too long, didn't I?”
“No. It hasn't been long at all.”
“Well, the thing is... It's not anything else, really. Luna has something to say to you, which is why we came here together. But I was worried she might say something strange or get it wrong like she did just now, so I offered to relay the message for her. Is that okay?”
“Uh... that's fine.”
Amidst the calm conversation, my heart regained its composure.
Millia's words were full of consideration. And her eyes, looking directly into mine, were filled with goodwill.
The goodwill a person holds. Surprisingly, it's something that shows quite easily.
“Then, before anything else, Han Cheon-seong. Luna has something she needs to say to you first. Right, Luna?”
As Millia suddenly looked at Luna, I followed her gaze.
“...Yeah.”
Under our combined stares, Luna flinched but still nodded her head.
‘What on earth is she trying to say?’
Watching Luna, I couldn't understand it for a moment. Why was she acting so strangely?
“Han Cheon-seong. I'm... sorry.”
......*Thud.*
The moment I heard her words, I unknowingly dropped the spear I was holding.
“What?”
Her words were so unexpected that I couldn't help but ask again.
“I... I said I'm sorry...!”
In response, Luna squeezed her eyes shut and shouted.
For a moment, Luna's voice echoed throughout the training ground.
And.
Her voice certainly reached my ears as well.
“.......”