Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Training (2)
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"Alright, everyone. I'm sure you all remember yesterday's final spar."
Serin Arjen's voice echoed through the classroom from the podium.
"Before the spar began, Student Lea suffered a humiliating insult, but she ultimately claimed an overwhelming victory in the match that followed, making her provocateur pay the price."
Serin was drawing everyone's attention to something she needed to address before starting the lesson.
Her face was slightly furrowed, as if recalling yesterday's events still left a bad taste in her mouth.
She's probably about to talk about the punishment for Hardin and his gang.
"However, Student Hardin, unable to accept his defeat, led his cronies in ambushing Student Lea while she was alone, sorting through her thoughts. If Student Rowen hadn't shown up to help, it surely would have turned into a major incident."
For a moment, the air in the classroom grew heavy.
No one could have imagined someone attempting private revenge within the academy grounds.
Honestly, getting caught means instant expulsion—who in their right mind would try something like that?
The problem was that the idiot in question happened to be in Class D.
As I was lost in thought, murmurs started rippling around me.
"Rowen? You mean the guy who got in as the overall bottom rank?"
"I thought he was just lucky. Guess I was wrong about him..."
"Tch... For a commoner who beat me, he better have that kind of guts."
Suddenly, gazes filled with all sorts of emotions turned toward me.
Ugh... It's embarrassing, but it feels kinda nice too.
I didn't help Lea for this kind of attention, but seeing all those dismissive looks flip in an instant was pretty satisfying.
"Ehehe~ Rowen, you must be super weak to praise, huh? Your face is beet red!"
"It's not that—it's just hot...!"
"Hmm~ Sounds like a lie, but... whatever, you're cute, so I'll let it slide!"
Now even Lea's joining in...
Lea, who had been watching my embarrassed reaction, grinned mischievously and teased me.
She looked like she might yell "Come here!!" any second.
Guess she wasn't called a prankster for nothing.
"Alright, everyone, focus. As you all know, violence is strictly forbidden at Avillon Academy. Breaking the rules will result in penalties ranging from grade deductions to expulsion—none of them light. In the case of Student Hardin and his gang, their actions were particularly egregious, so they were expelled immediately."
That explained why Hardin was nowhere to be seen—he'd been kicked out.
Attacking in a group out of revenge, then trying to cover it up? Yeah, par for the course.
Glancing beside me, Lea finally looked relieved.
She must have been worried Hardin might come back for revenge later.
This academy deals with demons and the Demon King's Army every day, but it's ridiculously strict about stuff like this—no need to worry.
"If any conflicts arise between students, don't act rashly. Talk it out, or come to a professor for an official spar—that's what I recommend."
The class, sobered by Hardin's example, nodded in agreement.
"Anyway, back to the main topic. Let me explain what you'll be learning over the next year as first-years."
The rest of the lesson was straightforward.
It wasn't just about building strength—it was about how to use it properly.
She added that, given Class D's lower skill level, they'd cover basic theory and spars to help everyone grow stronger.
Seemed like consideration for students still searching for their own path.
And honestly, for someone like me fighting mostly on instinct, it sounded like a huge help.
"After all this, your ultimate goal is to perform well in the year-end ranking tournament and advance to a higher class."
After midterms and finals, before the first-year term ends.
The grand finale where all students from D to S Class gather to show how much they've grown over the year.
Higher-class students defend their spots against challengers.
Lower scorers get a chance to prove themselves again.
In the game, Rowen beats a top A Class student and challenges the overall top, Arien.
But after a fierce battle, he loses.
'That's when the corruption started.'
Rowen had become a top-tier powerhouse through grueling effort.
But failing to surpass the Hero sprouted a seed of darkness deep inside—one even he didn't notice.
Jealousy toward the Hero, self-loathing at feeling that way.
Inferiority complex amid all that shining talent.
These factors caught the Demon King's Army's eye.
Eventually, demonic whispers led him to become the Demon King's sword, turning against the Hero.
He could have rivaled the Hero if he'd grown steadily.
But his obsession with proving himself choked him—an unfortunate character.
Of course, I'm not crazy enough to join the Demon King's side.
Knowing Arien's personality, he'd probably blame himself, thinking it was his fault.
I hated seeing that, but meeting Lea and Estelle, getting close to them, started changing my mind.
I'd planned to coast safely along the game's plot.
But when Lea was in danger, I couldn't hold back—that says it all.
'Guess I just can't stand seeing others suffer.'
Stronger enemies will come, harsher trials will hit this world I love.
I'm no saint who can just watch it all.
So I'll get way stronger and make everyone happy.
To do that, climbing to at least S Class for the perks and growth is key.
Not that I'm ruling out targeting Arien.
I need the reward for topping the year-end rankings.
Access to the Dimensional Library, where all the world's knowledge converges.
It's the only clue to uncovering the EX-rank trait glaring from my status window—I can't miss it.
Anyway, no matter what it takes, I'll get as strong as possible.
My goal: beat Arien in the first-year year-end tournament and end as top rank.
What if I lose to the Hero?
Never even crossed my mind.
But if it happens, I'll cling to her pants leg and beg—whatever it takes.
Worrying about year-end now is ridiculous anyway.
The demon showing up at midterms soon is the priority.
The one that suddenly appears, kidnaps students, causes massive damage.
I know its spawn point—I have to stop it.
Call the professors? Sure, but there's an item we must grab in its domain.
It's not an unbeatable boss for academy students—with prep, we can take it.
Though getting stronger myself matters most.
Thinking of all I had ahead, I sighed inwardly and refocused on the lesson.
After that, nothing much happened.
Too short for spars or lectures, so it was about the mindset and conduct of a true powerhouse.
Short and light, but packed with lessons too weighty to dismiss—and just like that, class ended.
Serin tapped her teaching materials on the podium to wrap up.
With a "good work, everyone," the long-yet-short class concluded.
"Ahhh... My whole body's stiff from sitting through class after so long... Right, Rowen?"
"Haha, Professor Serin's lessons are really helpful. Wasn't boring at all."
"Tch, so I was the only bad student? You don't get me at all—too mean."
She pretended to cry with "boo-hoo."
Doing that with her face is straight-up foul play...
A beauty like Lea looking up pitifully—even knowing it's a joke, guilt hit me hard.
"Hehe, just kidding~ I knew you'd enjoy it, Rowen. You're always so considerate of others."
"Thanks, even if it's empty flattery, Lea."
Her teary expression vanished, replaced by a bright grin as she said it was a joke.
Harmful to my Serin-fan heart, for sure.
Lea pouted, mumbling "It's not empty..." while scuffing her shoe on the floor.
Her super kind nature meant she said it to cheer me up.
"Anyway, Rowen, class is over—wanna grab food together?"
"Um, Student Lea, that might be a problem. Student Rowen already has plans with me."
I was starving and about to say yes.
But Serin had slipped between us.
"It was supposed to be yesterday, but... that unfortunate incident delayed it."
"...Eek! But dragging Rowen off out of nowhere?!"
Lea, excited to hang out, looked baffled as Serin tried to take me.
Like a puppy growling "Arf...!" at her.
"Sorry, Student Lea. But letting Rowen go will definitely help him a lot."
"Fine... Then tomorrow, you promise to eat together, Rowen?"
Maybe finding Lea cute, Serin—who'd normally command—spoke gently to persuade her.
Lea relented too, since it was a big opportunity for me.
Feeling bad leaving her bummed, I approached for contact info and grabbed her wrist.
She blushed, whispering "...You're not doing this on purpose, right?"
"Rowen, you're gonna have a tough time with girls later..."
With Serin giving me a knowing look, we left the classroom.