Chapter 29
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Beyond Imagination
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“Whatever you imagine, I’ll show you something even greater.”
Scarlett’s clear laughter rang out across the training grounds at Abel’s words.
“Hahaha. I like that attitude.”
It wasn’t just empty words—Scarlett even clapped him on the shoulder before adding one more thing.
“Then I’ll prepare a reward beyond even your expectations, so make sure you claim it.”
“Yes!”
“Alright, then. I’ll be off. I’ve still got work to do.”
With that, Scarlett slowly left the training grounds.
Only after confirming she was gone did Abel turn back to face Lupus.
“Hmm.”
Two days.
In two days, he’d be riding Lupus into battle against the Blade Tail.
It’d be a lie to say he wasn’t worried at all, but the fight itself didn’t trouble him much.
He’d just had a real battle riding Tito a week ago, after all.
‘The Blade Tail might be trickier.’
Still, it couldn’t compare to that life-or-death struggle from before.
What actually stirred his tension was the observers who’d be there that day.
‘I decided to lay low for a while, but this is an exception.’
Avoiding attention at the cost of bad grades would be putting the cart before the horse.
Besides, fighting well wouldn’t raise suspicions on its own.
‘They can’t call you a spy just because you’re talented and good at fighting.’
What he had to watch out for were truly “suspicious” actions.
Like using game knowledge to gain secret advantages no one else knew about.
That was the kind of thing bound to draw suspicion.
He planned to hold off on overt gains like that for the time being.
For the time being.
“Alright.”
Abel sorted his thoughts and approached Lupus.
Quite some time had passed since Scarlett’s unexpected visit.
It wasn’t just today—he needed to wrap up and head back. He had early training tomorrow, too.
As Abel drew near Lupus, he placed a hand on the cold metal and spoke.
“In two days, you won’t just be teasing around like today. We’ll really cut loose.”
He was speaking to Lupus, but no reply came.
Its consciousness had probably sunk with shutdown.
Abel finished what he had to say and turned away.
* * *
Standing at one edge of the wide drill field, Abel stared blankly up at the sky.
The sky was as blue as ever today.
“Abel!”
Just then, Daniel came running up, calling his name.
He’d just finished physical training, when he should’ve been exhausted, but Daniel looked full of energy.
Abel lowered his head and asked,
“How are you always so full of energy?”
“Huh? We finished earlier than usual today!”
“That’s not what I... Never mind. Let’s go.”
Continuing the conversation would just drain him, so Abel started walking first.
Daniel immediately fell in step beside him and spoke up.
“We’re heading straight there, right?”
“Yeah. They said it’s fine to come early and check the Gigants and arena.”
“Right. Oh, May! Over here!”
Mid-conversation, Daniel suddenly raised his hand and shouted.
May, who’d been staring blankly into space off to the side, flinched at his call.
Daniel dashed over and dragged her back by force.
Abel wasn’t all that close to May yet, but awkwardness wasn’t an issue.
Daniel was chattering enough for all three of them.
“This is better than yesterday, where I was just swinging wooden swords the whole time...”
By the time the urge to shut his nonstop mouth hit,
“Abel! Daniel!”
Hena came running up, her red hair flying. Only when she got close did she spot May and greet her too.
“May! You’re here too!”
“Yeah...”
“You look even more energetic today!”
“Yeah...”
Of course, her arrival didn’t improve things.
Hena was almost as chatty as Daniel.
May’s face growing paler was probably related.
Abel walked as fast as he could. Fortunately, today’s practical session wasn’t far.
‘That must be it.’
Special classes changed venues depending on the day’s content.
Today, it was the same spot as last time’s mock battle.
“You’re early.”
As they approached, Jacqueline, in charge of the special class, welcomed Abel and the other cadets.
The others hadn’t arrived yet.
Abel bowed politely and replied.
“Yes. We wanted to come ahead and check the Gigants and arena.”
“Excellent attitude. The engineers are inspecting the Gigants over there—go take a look.”
“Yes.”
“Got it!”
“Yeah!”
Abel and the others moved toward them.
There was no need to wonder where the Gigants were.
Eight Miles-grade Gigants lay lined up in a row, impossible to miss even from afar.
Up close, the engineers around them came into view.
They usually only emerged from the hangar after inspections for class, so this was Abel’s first time seeing them up close.
“From here, check your own Gigants.”
“Yeah.”
“Okay.”
Of the four, only Abel and Hena had personal Gigants.
But the others needed to inspect theirs too, so they hurried off.
Abel headed straight for where Lupus lay.
No need to search—Scarlett’s gifted armament made it unmistakable.
“Hello.”
Abel approached the engineers inspecting his Gigant and greeted them first.
“Here to check the machine?”
“Yes. Could I get a rundown?”
“Understood. One moment.”
It was common to get a status report before mounting up, so the engineer promptly called someone over.
Probably an assistant engineer.
As Abel waited idly, he heard quick footsteps approaching.
He turned toward the sound and widened his eyes.
The runner was a woman with blue hair and thick glasses—someone who felt oddly familiar.
‘No, she might just look similar.’
To confirm, Abel addressed the arriving assistant engineer.
“Hello. I’m Abel.”
“Oh, y-yes! I’m Temarin! You’re Lupus’s master, right?”
“That’s right.”
As he answered, Abel’s eyes sparkled.
Tamarin. Exactly the name he’d expected.
‘Didn’t think I’d run into her so soon.’
Abel was surprised to see Temarin because she was one of the top engineers in the game.
To the point where, in just a few years, she’d stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Vulcanus.
‘I was planning to seek her out later, but this is perfect.’
He already had ties to Vulcanus, but he still needed to build a connection with Temarin.
Their specialties differed.
Vulcanus was specialized in “crafting,” like a blacksmith.
Tamarin, on the other hand, was more of an inventor.
She had a heaven-sent talent for inventing new gear and improving existing ones.
“Um, Mr. Abel? May I give the report now?”
Abel snapped back at Temarin’s voice. He’d been lost in thought with her right there.
“Ah, sorry. Please go ahead.”
“Yes!”
Tamarin briskly explained Lupus’s inspection status.
Nothing unusual in the report. They’d only done classwork and personal training—no real combat yet.
“That’s all.”
“Thank you.”
Abel replied, paused in thought, then spoke up.
“Ms. Temarin.”
“Yes?”
Tamarin, who’d been turning to leave, stopped awkwardly at his call.
Abel said to her,
“From a personal standpoint, is there anything that could be improved?”
“P-personally?”
Tamarin glanced around in surprise.
As if worried the other engineers might hear.
Not an odd reaction. She was just an assistant, after all. Though her timid nature probably played a part too.
“Yes. Ah, of course, if it’s inconvenient, no need to say.”
Abel had no intention of forcing her, so he stepped back.
Tamarin hesitated, mumbling, then seemed to muster her courage.
“Actually... there is something.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. But it’s hard to explain briefly.”
Abel replied without hesitation.
“Then could we meet separately later to discuss it?”
“S-separately?”
“Yes. I have a personal training ground. I hear the engineers’ workshop is right next to it.”
Tamarin blushed at his offer, hesitated, then nodded.
“Understood.”
Seizing the moment, Abel set an exact date and time right there.
He couldn’t keep her forever, so he let Temarin go and inspected Lupus himself with his own eyes.
By then, the other cadets had started arriving one by one.
Abel confirmed even Jun and Rian had come, then walked back and called out loudly.
“Everyone, gather up!”
At his shout, all the cadets came over without complaint.
Abel made eye contact with each one before speaking.
“We’ve got about thirty minutes left, so let’s review the plan once more. Everyone remembers it, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Sure.”
They’d already mapped out how to fight, so Abel simply refreshed the details.
“The most important thing in battle is formation. The Blade Tail is incredibly agile, and its tail moves freely—if you’re not careful...”
Even though they knew it already, the cadets listened intently to Abel.
It went without saying.
Showing weakness now would only hurt them.
Even May, with her half-lidded sleepy eyes, stayed awake and attentive to the end.
“Alright, any questions?”
Abel scanned them after finishing, but no one spoke up.
He nodded.
“Good. Then let’s execute it flawlessly, no mistakes.”
“Alright, class starts now! Fall in!”
Right on cue, Jacqueline clapped to signal the beginning as Abel’s words ended.
Abel and the cadets quickly formed ranks in front of her.
“The professors observing today’s class will arrive soon. When I give the signal, go stand by your Gigants.”
“Yes—!”
Jacqueline smiled satisfactorily at their response and glanced to one side.
Soon, figures who looked like professors approached from the direction she was watching.
Scarlett, Abel’s sponsor, was among them.
She was chatting with the other professors when she spotted Abel and gave him a bright smile.
“Everyone to your machines!”
As the professors drew near, Jacqueline ordered the cadets.
They all headed to their Gigants.
Abel walked at a steady pace to stand beside Lupus’s cockpit.
Just as he was ready to climb in at any moment.
-Awooooo!
A sharp cry rang out as the Blade Tail was transported in behind bars.
Abel glanced over casually—then his face stiffened.
Thump-.
A sudden hot surge welled up in his chest.