Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: How Am I Supposed to Believe That?
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Korea Hero Academy. 1st-Year Training Ground.
"Upper stance! Upper stance! Again, lower stance!"
"Uwaaaah!"
Kang Yuna had suddenly found herself gripping a sword and undergoing swordsmanship training.
If one had to classify her Ability, it could be considered physical enhancement.
There was no reason for her to hold a sword. No need to train in swordsmanship either.
Kang Yuna had her own way of fighting.
So why was she exchanging blows with a sword...?
'Past me! Why did you do that!!'
It just had to be with the person standing right in front of her.
She had left a good impression on this sword-obsessed maniac.
"Excellent, Cadet Kang Yuna! Outstanding! You've never trained in swordsmanship before, right?! You're following along perfectly!!"
"Th-that's because I'm using my Ability! It's not like I'm absorbing swordsmanship skills!"
"No need to worry! If you have heart for the sword, anything is possible!"
She had drawn Jin Seo-ah's interest by saying the sword looked really cool.
Praising her soulmate had skyrocketed her favorability.
It might have ended there, but they had fought together during the Academy monster incident.
They saved people and charged relentlessly at the monster.
Though they got surrounded midway and holed up in a cocoon, her resolve had been confirmed.
And Kang Yuna had even woken up before Jin Seo-ah!
That was when Jin Seo-ah seemed to have thoroughly misunderstood.
Thinking she might become a far greater swordmaster than herself.
That Kang Yuna might truly possess the soul of the sword!
Kaang!-
"Kriii!"
"See? You're enduring even this! Incredible. Truly incredible!"
Ah, she kept saying it was all thanks to her Ability?!
With legs strengthened to firmly withstand the pouring weight and force.
With hands gripping tighter, she held the sword upright without letting the hilt snap.
That was all. Not the swordsmanship Jin Seo-ah was talking about.
She absolutely wasn't doing swordsmanship!
Chaeng!-
"Good! That's enough for today!"
The clashing swords parted, and Jin Seo-ah stepped back.
Even after nearly an hour of training, she showed no signs of fatigue.
Her face looked refreshed, as if she'd just woken from a good sleep.
"Heek!"
At the training end declaration, Kang Yuna collapsed on the spot.
No exaggeration—this was harsher than basic training.
It briefly reminded her of the hellish prep days for enrollment.
Exhausting. So exhausting. And yet, truly admirable.
Jin Seo-ah's Ability wasn't anything about wielding swords well.
Even so, she was at that level. Passing instructors had even applauded.
Training that honed body and mind beyond relying on Ability.
A sword gripped with upright flesh and unyielding spirit was undoubtedly impressive.
"Haa, haa... ."
That the process was grueling was unavoidable fact.
That she insisted on swordsmanship despite having an Ability was baffling.
But she certainly understood what could be gained from it.
"Here. Drink some."
Jin Seo-ah handed her cold water, and Kang Yuna gulped it down gratefully.
"So? Your impressions of the sword. It's still just the basics of basics, though."
"Hm... ."
After a moment's thought, she decided honesty was best.
"It's heavy. Not just the physical weight, but the fact that this weapon in my hand can easily take lives."
"I see."
"And chilling. The moment you let your guard down even a little, it could hurt not just others, but yourself."
An honest answer. Jin Seo-ah inwardly admired it.
She'd claimed to be a complete novice, yet pierced straight to the sword's essence.
After all her talk of how beautiful and noble it was.
She'd half-expected some matching flattery, but no.
This was the true posture of a swordmaster—and a hero's mindset.
A sword was like an Ability. A power that harms all if mishandled.
One that demanded constant refinement to become both serene lake and raging storm.
"Cadet Kang Yuna. I'm asking this very seriously. Would you ever consider learning the sword for real?"
"I don't know anything about swords... ."
"One doesn't become a swordmaster just by knowing swords or techniques. It's about understanding yourself and the sword. Seeing it not as a blade, but as an extension of will. That's more than enough."
She wouldn't understand now, but if her mind changed, come find her anytime.
The Jin Family's sword gate was always open. Always welcome.
Kang Yuna ended up answering that she would, if she ever changed her mind.
She still wasn't sure if she'd ever take interest in swords.
"Lunchtime soon. Enjoy your meal, Cadet Kang Yuna."
"Not eating together?"
"I have prior plans with the 2nd-year seniors today."
"Ah... ."
Jin Seo-ah's "prior plans" were 90% sword spars.
She'd probably squeeze in another round before lunch.
Linger too long, and she'd get dragged back.
Kang Yuna quickly left the training ground toward the main building.
'Ha-eun's probably still there, right?'
Seo Ha-eun had been camped out in the records archive lately.
She only left for classes and training.
Whatever she was searching for, it must be important.
So Yuna had been careful not to disturb her.
But Koreans always worried about meals above all else.
Her first close friend since enrolling.
It was inevitable to worry if that friend was eating properly.
'Records archive... this way?'
As she opened the door, her eyes met a man's.
"Oh. A new visitor. Welcome to the records archive."
"Is Cadet Seo Ha-eun still here by any chance?"
"Let me check. ...Ah. Yes. She's been here since morning. Head inside to Section B, then fourth table on the left."
"Thank you."
"Hahaha! It's my job!"
He seemed to tackle what looked like a boring, tough job with cheer.
She thought he'd excel at anything as she entered.
Soon, she spotted Seo Ha-eun intently researching something.
"Ha-eun?"
"...Yuna."
"Working hard every day. What are you investigating? Need help if it's too much alone?"
She remembered a firm refusal last time.
But friends should keep offering.
So she spoke up again today—and Seo Ha-eun's reaction was different.
"Mind helping a bit?"
The materials Seo Ha-eun sought were unexpected.
"Uh... looking up hero seniors' files?"
Strange. Kang Yuna tilted her head inwardly.
At first, Seo Ha-eun had been investigating the Smiling Man.
Now suddenly, heroes.
Just the visible list had at least twenty names.
Different ages, genders, Abilities. Not even teams that worked together.
"...First off, Ha-eun. Eaten lunch?"
"Not thinking about it."
"You can't do that. Instructors said don't skip meals unless it's dire."
High-intensity training. Far tougher classes than expected.
Without proper nutrition, the body wouldn't hold.
Body breaks, no normal cadet activities.
Instructors always warned cadets.
"Don't skip meals for anything short of emergency. Especially you female cadets! No dieting nonsense!!"
Body management as crucial as training and classes for cadets.
Kang Yuna pressed the point, and Seo Ha-eun grumbled.
She couldn't refute a word.
Finally, she surrendered and agreed to lunch.
Victorious Kang Yuna grinned and led her friend out.
But first, sign out at the entrance log.
Heading to the staffed desk.
"...Excuse me?"
"Ah. Leaving already?"
"Yes. Um, is something wrong? Your expression... ."
Kang Yuna remembered his smiling face moments ago.
Now, the staff's face was coldly hardened.
To the point of sending chills.
"Ah. Well. Take a look at this first."
Beyond the staff's phone screen. News ticker appeared.
"Smiling Man?"
"Smiling Man?"
At Kang Yuna's words, Seo Ha-eun, logging out, approached in surprise.
She glanced at the bulletin and unwittingly muttered.
"...Impossible."
"Ha-eun?"
"You've never done anything like that before... ."
Seo Ha-eun bit her lip, Kang Yuna stared piercingly at the phone.
And the staff gazed blankly at the ceiling.
The two cadets left the records archive, leaving the staff alone.
He fiddled with his phone, taking in the news bulletin.
"Hahaha."
"This is something. I just want to kill them all."
Aaah. This is awkward. I shouldn't feel this way.
Those friends are good experience for our cadets.
If I monopolize them, my build gets messed up, you know?
And charging alone is too burdensome.
No matter how rotten, Union is Union.
Above all, the villain label isn't easily shaken off.
Even if I wiped out the Seven Evils, they'd suspect some scheme first.
"So. I'll play along. Seven Evils."
Alone it's tough, but with heroes backing? Different story.
A foe becoming an ally shouldn't be declared by oneself.
The kingly way was making the opponent think it themselves.