Overwhelming Power -Part 2-
Before the sparring begins, the instructor lays out one condition.
Juyeon teases us by saying she'll reveal it during afternoon class, then dives straight into the theory lesson with razor-sharp precision.
Inside Class 1, all sorts of guesses and predictions swirl around.
And just like that, afternoon class begins.
Juyeon appears in the gym in her usual suit, and she flashes a plain smile, sensing the stares burning hotter than normal.
"Did everyone eat a good lunch?"
"""Yes!"""
We shout back with energy, but no cadet here stuffed themselves silly. Lunch was just enough to fuel us for the practical session ahead.
"Sit."
Her voice rings clear through the vast gym.
The cadets settle down, cradling their weapons. I grab a standard-issue sword from the wall rack.
"You all look excited for this sparring. More focused than for my usual practicals that I prep so hard for."
I know that's her idea of a joke.
Class 1 cadets show faint smiles, leaning in to her words.
"Before we get to the point..."
Juyeon sets her black instructor's log on the chair.
"I had lunch with the other instructors handling different classes and swapped opinions. I want to explain a bit about that."
I watch her quietly.
She's taking her role seriously, pouring her heart into it. Right now, the only way to repay her is to focus.
"Some instructors say sparring between cadets is the best training. But since Orion Academy's founding principle is building forces to fight monsters, opinions on that method are still split."
The cadets roughly get where she's going.
From her actions so far, Juyeon seems worried about conflicts from sparring.
Her combat classes have focused on mana-efficient usage for prolonged fights.
Or things like unspoken rotations and formations to avoid tangled attacks against massive group monsters.
All of it feels rational and expert.
"I believe killing monsters and facing people are worlds apart. But after talking with the others, I agree sparring has its efficiencies."
The next words are probably the clincher.
All the listening cadets sense it.
"As Instructor Carrot said... there are human trash out there no different from monsters. You can't avoid running into them if you dig into the world's underbelly."
If you have power, you get dragged into all sorts of messes eventually.
No more explanation needed, so Juyeon steps forward to start class.
"Finally, about that condition I mentioned. Think of it as a simple game between me and the cadets."
Noah's tail curls into a question mark.
Lots of cadets wear puzzled looks.
"I won't use weapons or attack. I'll stand in place, using only my left index and middle fingers."
From how she teaches, you can guess she's right-handed.
Maybe ambidextrous, but using just two fingers—what's that mean?
"Time-wise, two minutes per cadet. Attack however you like. If you push me back a step or make me use anything but these fingers, I lose. Class 1 wins."
She emphasizes it's the class's victory, not individual.
"If I lose... hmm, nothing comes to mind. I'll treat Class 1 to something tasty."
Noah shoots her hand up at that.
Juyeon glances over, and the girl twitches her round ears as she asks.
"What if we lose?"
That's probably the real point.
Juyeon smirks like she was waiting.
"Starting with Noah Frozenheart, Class 1—work hard not just on practicals, but theory too."
"Th-theory classes too...?"
Even a soft condition like that leaves Noah stammering in shock.
Her tail droops limp against the gym floor.
"Too harsh? Just effort—that's all. No need for detailed scores."
"..."
"You might even nail the condition and score treats without trying. Feel free to drain my savings."
Noah thumps her tail happily at the instructor's cheerful offer.
She glances at Ichinose, who's already focusing, then presses on boldly.
"Even if I lose to you, Instructor, don't you think I'd slack off and rationalize it away?"
"I don't."
Noah's eyes go wide at the firm tone.
I and Ichinose inwardly admire Juyeon, swallowing hard.
"I don't want to prepare for you breaking it. The condition's vague anyway... Noah, you won't keep your promise with the instructor?"
"I'll keep it no matter what!"
"That's why I believe you."
From my view, Juyeon has Noah Frozenheart's personality nailed down perfectly.
Just like Noah's confidence shows, even without special clauses, she'll honor the promise after losing.
"Alright. Class starts. Who's first?"
"Me!"
Noah bounces up.
She strides out confidently and stands before the instructor.
"Two minutes from the first attack. Go all out."
"Really okay to go wild?"
"Yes. Don't worry about gym damage. Nitpicking that wouldn't be Orion Academy."
Juyeon slips her right hand in her pocket, eyes on Noah.
Noah rolls her shoulders, already grinning innocently like she's having fun.
"Y'know, I think I get why Dad told me to see the outside world."
"Do you?"
"He's no good at teaching. Lucky I met you, Instructor."
"Thanks... but I won't presume to agree."
Only Noah could toss off "Snow Fang Emperor" so casually—as his daughter.
"Waiting cadets, move behind the instructor. Keep a safe distance."
Class 1 shuffles into place.
Once they're set, Noah finishes warming up and draws her mana.
Chuuuwaaaah---!!!
White mist chills pour from the girl.
Her opponent isn't quite Dad-level, but a powerhouse whose gap you can't gauge.
Noah has no plans to half-ass with bare hands like usual.
Full power.
"Fimbulvetr."
Noah Frozenheart's right index finger.
The ring cracks with a creeeak, shifting form.
In her grip: an ice axe.
A massive two-hander, but Noah spins it one-handed effortlessly.
"Swoop."
She sucks in a short breath.
Thud! The floor shatters, and Noah vanishes.
Fwoooosh---!!!
Pure white chill clashes with gale-force wind, revealing them both.
Noah's savage axe is caught between Juyeon's fingers.
"Destructive power way beyond cadet average. Especially your mana burst."
"!"
"But sucking in breath as a tell before attacking? Your tail to muscles scream it."
Juyeon points it out casually.
Noah treats the axe like a barbell, kicking relentlessly despite not budging it.
"Handling it without panic, quick response—excellent."
"Eek!?"
Juyeon twitches the axe slightly, and Noah's kick whiffs.
Noah releases, spins to land, recalls the axe to ring form.
Then summons again.
Whoosh! Whish! Fwoom!
As Juyeon reaches with fingers for the split-second swing,
Noah leaps back into stance.
"..."
Axe over shoulder, low quadruped beast pose.
Noah's gaze on Juyeon sharpens.
Her fangs glint prominently.
"Like a beast incarnate."
Noah doesn't reply to the praise, growling low as she ices the area.
Craaaack!
Thick frost encases Juyeon's surroundings—but not her stance.
Noah tenses her thighs, kicks off.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Thunderous roars as she bounds wildly around the gym.
Straight-line dashes, but cadets can barely track the insane speed.
Frost blooms in her wake, ice piling up.
It shudders, forming spear-like spikes.
They rain arrow-like on Juyeon.
Papapapow!!!
Chill winds sweep the whole gym.
Noah charges mid-run, swinging and hurling the axe nonstop.
Each motion shakes the gym with booms!
Savage zigzags—spotting an opening?
She lands behind Juyeon, axe whipping viciously.
"All instinct-driven motion."
"!!!"
Juyeon snags the waist-level swing with her fingers.
Edge hovers razor-close to her suit.
Noah doesn't lament the miss.
Just Juyeon making it happen.
"Urgh!"
Axe to ring, Noah punches and kicks.
Fist and foot ripples shatter nearby ice, but Juyeon toys with her like a kid.
"Your gaze lasers the target. Noah, learn feints first."
"..."
"Decide: refine instinct, or build a system around it."
With that,
Ding ding ding!
Two-minute alarm blares; Noah stops.
Juyeon rests a hand on her head.
"Noah. Satisfied?"
"Yesss!!!"
The girl pants frost, face flushed with joy.
Thrilled from letting loose after so long.
Tail wags side to side—seems not pushing her back matters less than the fun.
"I'll study theory hard too!"
"Good."
Clean acceptance of the result. Juyeon smiles, pets her head.
Then shatters and cleans all gym ice with mana.
Juyeon's gaze turns to the cadets.
"Next."