Chapter 8
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Practical Combat Class (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
After leaving the mock battle training room, I headed straight to the practical arena with Wol Ha-yeon, where the practical combat class was underway.
"Who are you planning to fight?"
"Me? Probably just some close-combat student in the top 200. You?"
"I might end up facing a summoner around the same rank."
When we arrived at the arena, around 500 students were already there, chatting to shake off their pre-battle nerves.
"Come to think of it, can you even handle the class? Didn't you burn yourself out in that last spar?"
Ha-yeon finally voiced her concern, wondering if I'd be able to fight properly in the practical session.
'Good grief... She sure worries fast.'
"Should be fine. No big issues."
I shrugged lightly, gesturing that it was all good.
Well... The original Kang Hyun-sol might've been in trouble, but with the Book's buffs inflating my stats and Sophia's special lecture under my belt, I wouldn't lose unless it was against a top-tier student.
And honestly, I was more curious about who Ha-yeon would fight than whether I'd do well myself.
According to the practical combat class rules, higher-ranked students could only challenge lower ones, and Ha-yeon had never once picked the protagonist.
To be precise, in the game, no one could even fight her.
Of course, the reason was simple.
Ha-yeon's combat prowess had surpassed student level two years ago—she was stronger than most active S-Rank Hunters.
'Thinking about it now, it's kinda weird. Usually, lower ranks challenge the top, not the other way around, right?'
The thought crossed my mind briefly, but no one could answer now anyway. I shook my head to clear it.
To satisfy my curiosity about who she'd picked, I turned to her, standing blankly beside me, and cautiously spoke up.
"Who are you naming for this practical fight? Got anyone you want to face?"
"..."
I tossed the question out naturally, and Ha-yeon pondered silently for a moment before replying flatly.
"...Well, there wasn't anyone worth my time, so I was planning to ask the professor for permission to skip. But..."
She trailed off, glancing at me.
"Now there's someone I want to fight seriously. Curious how I'd fare at full power."
"Oh... Really?"
'Reality's not the game, huh? Ha-yeon's acting way different from what I knew.'
I wanted to ask who had caught the eye of this world-topping powerhouse right then.
But class was starting soon, so I'd check it out gradually. I spoke to Ha-yeon, still staring at me intently.
"Whoever it is, getting the Moonlight Princess's attention is impressive."
"..."
I'd casually used one of her nicknames to get closer, but the timing must've been off.
Ha-yeon turned away sharply, muttering curtly.
"...I ditched 'Moonlight Princess' three years ago. Don't call me that."
"...Uh, got it."
'Damn, this solo-player vibe... Read the room, dude. Wait, no—'Moonlight Princess' suits her perfectly. Why drop it?'
I was tempted to pry, but she was already scanning the arena impassively.
I'll aim for another chance. I followed her gaze to the arena.
That very moment.
"Quiet down, everyone!!"
A middle-aged man had appeared on the platform above the arena, bellowing down at the students in a booming voice.
His shout instantly quelled the lively buzz, silencing the chatter.
"I'm Choi Min-hyuk, the professor in charge of practical combat class. Nice to meet you all."
"Hello, sir!"
"Good. No beating around the bush—this is your first practical session. Rules are simple: Higher-ranked students name lower-ranked ones for 1v1 spars. Avoid lethal strikes that could cause fatal wounds. Got it?"
"Yes, sir!!!"
The professor skimmed his roster and pointed to the first student.
"First up: #34, Park Yun-ho. Name your opponent."
"Yes, sir!!"
"Yun-ho's got insane competitive drive... Wonder who he'll pick?"
"Probably #35 right below him. Too big a gap hurts your eval and score."
Amid the murmurs, Park Yun-ho named his foe, and their duel began. The clash of wooden swords echoed through the arena soon after.
I pretended to analyze the competitors' skills, but my eyes kept drifting to Ha-yeon beside me.
'Hmm, who the heck is she picking...? Should've just asked.'
Several more bouts followed, and as top students named opponents one by one, the atmosphere heated up.
And finally, the moment everyone awaited arrived.
"Next: Top rank, Wol Ha-yeon. Name your opponent."
The professor announced her turn from the roster, and the arena fell deathly silent in an instant.
Everyone thought the same.
Ha-yeon would obviously pick #2, Kim Do-yoon.
But defying expectations, she slowly turned her head.
Her serene, unreadable gaze fixed on Kang Hyun-sol.
"...I'll name #998, student Kang Hyun-sol, as my opponent."
"...Pardon?"
Ha-yeon ascended to the arena impassively after her choice, and the students erupted.
"Wait... Did I hear that right? #1 picks a freshman dead last?"
"Does Ha-yeon have a hobby of bullying the weak...?"
"As if. Don't be ridiculous."
"Then why pick #998 over anyone else?"
Frozen from the shock nomination, I felt my throat parch as I finally croaked out.
"...For real? You're fighting me? Why?"
"Didn't I explain earlier? I want to see you go all out."
Ha-yeon replied curtly, beckoning me up impatiently.
All eyes snapped to me at her gesture.
"..."
'I'm screwed...'
Of course, no right to refuse.
Once named, I had to fight Ha-yeon.
Against the terrifying woman who'd just thrashed me with a wooden sword minutes ago.
In a last-ditch hope, I gazed pleadingly at the professor watching the scene, eyes wide and sparkling.
"Duel starts in one minute. Cadet Kang Hyun-sol, get up here pronto."
"...Yes, sir."
Why did Professor Choi Min-hyuk look so entertained? He urged me on with gleaming eyes.
Realizing escape was impossible, I trudged up like a cow to the slaughterhouse, half-resigned.
"Do-yoon, you okay?"
A female student watching from the sidelines glanced around cautiously before asking.
"Huh? With what?"
Kim Do-yoon smiled warmly as always, kindly prompting her.
"Well... Ha-yeon should've sparred with you, her equal, but some dead last cuts in..."
"Ah, hurt pride since she didn't pick me?"
"...Yeah."
Do-yoon shook his head slightly.
"Pride? Not at all. Wouldn't get hurt over something like that anyway."
"Oh... I see."
"Besides..."
He glanced at Ha-yeon stretching on the arena, then continued.
"It's not like #1 has to pick #2. It's Ha-yeon's choice, whoever she names."
The students nodded in agreement, murmuring 'True enough.'
Do-yoon's expression stayed relaxed, no hint of upset in his tone.
"Do-yoon's so cool, as expected."
"No wonder he's the academy's top heartthrob~"
Praise flew around him, and he just flashed a gentle smile.
But for a fleeting moment, something other than jealousy or indifference flickered in his eyes.
Of course, no one noticed.
"Both sides ready?"
The TA acting as referee's voice boomed across the arena.
I gripped the real sword—enchanted with protective magic for sparring—two-handed and took a deep breath.
Ha-yeon stood opposite, expressionless, but her eyes gleamed sharply, as if piercing right through me.
"Begin."
Tak—!
With the start signal, Ha-yeon kicked off the ground and lunged.
Her movement flowed like moonlight.
In a blink, her sword was before my eyes.
"Urk!!"
I poured more mana into my mana barrier, expanding it instantly.
The transparent shield unfurled, blocking Ha-yeon's strike.
Bam—!
"What?! Isn't he melee? How's he using magic...?"
"Forget that—blocking Ha-yeon's hit with a 1-circle mana barrier?!"
The students buzzed in disbelief.
Honestly, I was shocked too.
Even without much aura, my crude mana barrier shouldn't have held against Ha-yeon's strike—but it did.
Ha-yeon narrowed her eyes intriguingly, then reset her stance.
She lowered her body and charged again, her sword slicing toward my side.
"Mana Bullet."
I saw it coming but didn't dodge—instead, I thrust my hand out, forming a mana bullet and firing it back at her.
Was she even human?
She tracked the bullet—too fast for normal eyes—and flicked her sword up to bat it away.
Clang—!
"Whoa... Insane. How fast do you have to be to parry a mana bullet with a sword?"
"Gotta be that level to awaken an SS-Rank Trait..."
The students stirred again at Ha-yeon's feat.
Cold sweat beaded on me as I raised my fingertips once more.
'World-class powerhouses are nuts... But I can't stop now.'
"Wind Cutter!"
Whoosh—!
A razor-sharp blade of wind mana hurtled at her.
But Ha-yeon sidestepped a single pace, then swung her sword through the air, cleaving the wind.
Bam—!
The air tore with a crack, and the Wind Cutter vanished completely.
"Haah... Can't you go easy? Seeing my spells shredded like that hurts my feelings."
"No mercy."
I half-pleaded for leniency, but Ha-yeon ignored it and pressed harder.
"This is bad..."
I re-raised my mana barrier and leaped back, shouting.
"Ice Spear!"
Frost gathered in the air, forming a small ice lance.
It shot straight at Ha-yeon.
"Come on... If you have any conscience, take this one!!!"
Bam—!
But just before it hit, Ha-yeon's form shimmered like a mirage. The spear pierced empty air and dissipated.
And then.
"Good work."
"...You're too much."
I came to with her sword at my nape.
"Woooaaahhh!!!"
"No way—he held out that long against Ha-yeon? Who is this guy?"
"How's #998 fighting like that? Something's off, right?"
Amid the gasps and cheers, I raised both hands high.
"...I forfeit."
At my concession, Ha-yeon silently withdrew her sword and descended without a backward glance.
Well, halfway down, she glanced back at me, still dazed atop the arena.
Her lips quirked ever so slightly, as if more intrigued than expected.
"Master swordsmanship, and you'll be really fun."
"..."
Her words pierced my ears, and my heart skipped a beat.
'...What? Why the sudden chill...'
Seemed like a cold was coming on, my whole body prickling.