Chapter 124
Chapter 124
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 124
Chapter Title: Prepare for the Party
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The next day, Valkyrie received a call from Hero Headquarters.
"We got word this morning. How on earth did you pull this off? The Chinese authorities wrapped up all discussions yesterday and promised to compile and send every single document before the day is out."
It was so fast it felt unreal. Beyond fast—practically suspicious.
Adding sensitive national matters to a foreign training simulation? Opposition from within China wouldn't have been surprising at all.
"...So the Sword Saint stepped in and asked on your behalf? No wonder China moved this quickly."
Among nations worldwide, China had the most disciples of the Jin family.
A land of martial arts, they were captivated by the cool factor and beauty of those weapons.
Plus, they had plenty of their own Chinese martial arts to boast about—perfect match.
But back in his youth, the Sword Saint had shattered them all.
From that moment, the Jin family's influence in China became immense.
"Ugh. That old man's ego is gonna skyrocket again."
Maybe she should've just stepped up and said she'd handle it herself?
Valkyrie felt a twinge of regret, but shook it off with a sigh.
No matter how much of an S-Rank Hero she was, in China, the Sword Saint held more sway.
What to call it? An invincible powerhouse no one could defeat, perhaps.
'When you look at it this way, our country really is blessed.'
Monsters popped up in droves, villains too—but the heroes who rose against them were top-tier.
And now, a first-generation hero, the Sword Saint himself, was heading to the Academy.
"... "
A sudden wave of unease washed over Valkyrie.
Was this really okay? That old man at the Academy?
Not just a quick visit, but as a special instructor for the second semester?
To the unaware, he was just a kindly old gentleman.
A gentle yet strong swordsman, at most.
'As if!'
The Sword Saint was a first-generation hero who'd survived to this day.
An early S-Rank Hero, bestowed the moniker 'Sword Saint.'
He was strong. That strength wasn't just raw talent.
He'd trained at an insane, obsessive level.
Inspiring to many heroes, sure—but to the current students?
He was the old man who'd toss fledglings off a cliff!
'And then claim they won't get hurt because of low air resistance!!'
Please go easy on them. They're still kids.
She prayed fervently, but it probably wouldn't help much.
She'd seen it briefly over the summer—Jin Seo-ah's training.
Anyone not improving after that would've been the weird one.
But once he started? They'd regret it for at least a week straight.
"...Who knows!"
They were even adding the Great Collapse to the combat sim room. Whatever.
If the old man oversaw it, it'd turn out fine in the end.
The process might be brutal, but hang in there, kids!
Hero Academy Grand Auditorium.
As year representative, Jin Seo-ah stood at the very front.
Which meant she was the first to freak out at the sight before her.
"This semester, in a special capacity, the Sword Saint will be instructing those students present..."
What am I seeing right now? Am I dreaming?
No way, Grandpa? This is some hidden camera prank, right?
Why are you here? You can't be here!
"For reference, the Sword Saint serving as a hero instructor is an extremely rare occurrence. It will be an incredible opportunity for all you students, so look forward to it."
The faculty member's face beamed with excitement.
Seekers of his teachings overflowed from every corner of the globe.
And here he was, not just accepting but requesting the instructor role.
Nothing could be more thrilling!
'...That's what you'd think. But for us, this is a total disaster!!'
Jin Seo-ah's silent scream went unheard by all.
"Hero Sword Saint, do you have any words for the students?"
"Words, huh."
The Sword Saint pondered, then gripped the mic.
He cleared his throat and gazed over the auditorium packed with students.
Much younger juniors. But the future bearers of Korea's hopes.
"This old man came here wanting to offer even a tiny bit of help to you young folks. Some might call my ways outdated, but I hope you first recognize that old methods can sometimes be the best."
These days, training was systematic and scientific.
Optimal conditions tailored for heroes to shine.
Back then? Nothing like that. Just charge in headfirst.
Not even reliable comms—endless hardships.
"Let me say this upfront: I didn't come here to teach swordsmanship."
A few students let out disappointed 'Ah's.
Everyone assumed it'd be sword training, but no?
"Of course, if there's time, I might oblige. But I value something else far more."
The Sword Saint calling something more important than the sword.
What could it be? Curiosity lit up the students' faces.
"Ughhh."
Only Jin Seo-ah, who knew all too well, clutched her head.
No choice—she'd endured nearly two months of it!
"Stamina."
Stamina?
"This stamina I'm talking about encompasses everything. Strength, endurance, even flexibility."
Students exchanged glances, murmuring softly.
Stamina training was the basics of basics at the Academy, wasn't it?
The Sword Saint personally handling the basics?
"I acknowledge your talents. Great abilities, solid control. But in dire situations, everything boils down to stamina. That one extra fight, one extra attack, one extra block—that's what decides it."
I think I heard something like that before special training...
Jin Seo-ah stared blankly at the Sword Saint on stage.
She just hoped her classmates and seniors wouldn't misunderstand.
This stamina training wasn't comparable to what they knew.
They'd truly grasp the meaning of 'grueling.'
"My goal is simple. Stamina to battle monsters and villains for at least one full hour. So please, keep up."
"Everyone, applause!!"
The faculty clapped purely thrilled the Sword Saint was here.
Students, unaware of details, followed suit.
"...Seo-ah. This won't be your average training, will it?"
Louise, one of the sharper ones, whispered cautiously.
A senior who'd done the Sword Saint's training was right there, after all.
"Just so you know, Louise."
"Yeah, Seo-ah. I'm listening."
"Grandpa said that by the end of daily training, we'd crawl back to our rooms."
"...Crawl?"
"And for the first two weeks, I really did crawl back..."
Louise suddenly shivered, goosebumps rising.
Jin Seo-ah was scared. Jin Seo-ah.
A first-year touted as one of the Academy's top prospects.
Not just because she was the Sword Saint's granddaughter—that was minor.
Jin Seo-ah was exceptional. Sword and ability, across the board.
With real combat experience, even third-years praised her as superior.
And yet, just hearing the Sword Saint mention it made her tremble.
What kind of training could scare her like that...?
Louise's curiosity didn't last long.
Thanks to a group arriving at the Academy the next day.
Who are they...?
Men for male students, women for females.
Once assignments were set, the Sword Saint made his entrance.
"A hero's job is one thing: protect. People, the world—whatever. But to protect, you mustn't fall first. And to not fall, you need a resilient body above all."
Clang!
The Sword Saint struck the floor with his sword.
A deep hum vibrated outward.
"Strong will dominates the body? Nonsense. A weak body can't host true willpower. To hold more water, the vessel must be sturdy."
And from that day, merciless stamina training began.
The Sword Saint assigned individual monitors to every student.
No slacking. Absolutely not.
They say if you draw a sword, you must cut grass at least.
So as instructor, he had to leave his mark.
"By the way, second semester focuses on training and practice, not theory. Don't think you can skip my sessions for classes."
The Sword Saint's stamina training commenced.
Eeeeek! Haaaaack!
Soon, the training grounds filled with students' screams.
His training wasn't complex. That's what made it terrifying.
He drove them brutally with methods anyone could follow.
Without a word, he subtly prodded their pride.
It hit extra hard on awakened ones, not ordinary folk.
"Pick up the pace! You gonna be slower than this old man?!"
"You have cars! Abilities! Why run on foot?! Think monsters leave vehicles intact? Villains won't force ability waste?!"
"Don't forget! Every minute you hold the line saves one citizen! One minute early retreat, one dies! So endure! Grit your teeth and follow!"
The Sword Saint sweated alongside them on the grounds.
Watching, Valkyrie rubbed her face dryly.
He was really doing it. That brutally old-school stamina grind.
No word on end time or quota today.
Just roll them hard. Finish whenever, always arbitrary.
Seemed chaotic at a glance. But no.
Battlefields heroes face are like that. Unpredictable.
Strength to endure unknown durations.
'At least ease up a bit, you old coot!'
Human rights groups gonna complain again?
Sighing, Valkyrie checked the fresh official document.
Flip.
She turned to the next page.