Training (1)
Throw out the unnecessary furniture, rip up the floor and ceiling. Demolish the walls to widen the space.
"Looks good enough."
Connecting three rooms in a row like that created a pretty decent space. It wasn't particularly difficult. Just hack away roughly with a sword and clear the debris with magic.
Of course, while rearranging furniture in Tianis might be fine, modifying the dormitory on your own whim is forbidden. That might fly in the workshop or assigned lab, but allowing it would harm other students.
But I got permission easily. Apparently, this dorm is slated for demolition in three years. No manager, tucked away in the corner of the academy—it's useless. So they told me to use it however I want.
My status as a reserve saint played a big role there. Ever since the trial, anything related to me has been treated like a sacred cow that no one dares touch.
Yesterday, when I went to the student cafeteria, my usual seat was left empty as my "dedicated spot." I let out such a deep sigh at that sight...
Anyway, with permission granted, I started work right away today. I pulled out the auction items I'd swiped from the auction house in my subspace.
Each one packed powerful abilities. Selling them would net a fortune.
But right now, they're just expendable tools to grow Evan.
"First up..."
Artifact with severe side effects. Proportional curse on the user based on usage time.
The Illusory Hand Mirror was an artifact with heavy drawbacks. It inflicts a curse on the user proportional to usage time. Can't use it as-is, so I planned a little modification.
I ignited mana at my fingertip.
"Narrow the range... and tweak the curse..."
Impose restrictions on the ability to reduce backlash. After fiddling for about thirty minutes, I minimized the side effects.
Then I installed the modified artifact in the center of the room. Next, connect mana sources and support magic tools and materials for ability enhancement. Finally, draw the magic circle to control it all.
This finishing and organizing stage took quite a while. After about three hours of heavy labor, it was done.
"Whew..."
I wiped the sweat beading on my forehead. My sleeves were soaked through.
Normally, I'd hand this off to someone else. Doing it all myself from start to finish was a pain in the ass.
"Kyle, all done?"
"Hyungnim, I brought lunch!"
Just then, Rana and Evan returned from the student cafeteria, arms loaded with food. The clock read 1 p.m. I guided them in, and we started eating.
"But Kyle, what kind of training are you planning that you built this separate setup?"
Rana asked, clearly puzzled why I'd go to such lengths.
"Simple—monster hunting training."
Evan chimed in with his own question.
"We have that in the training grounds too."
"True enough."
Monster hunting was a knight department perk, available even in the state-of-the-art training grounds. Not real monsters, but magically simulated ones so realistic they were indistinguishable—basically real combat.
"Evan, how many monsters have you actually fought?"
"Monsters? If I had to say, almost none. Our village was so rural, not even one showed up. The most I've done is here in Tianis... and even adding it all up, it's under 300."
Including lectures and practice—that was it. Evan's hunting experience was minimal.
"What about hordes or strong individuals?"
"Hordes aren't possible in the training grounds, so zero. Strong ones? A few in the grounds."
I nodded. The knight department's training grounds could handle most setups, but not everything.
"That's what this is for."
"Huh? In this cramped space?"
Even connected, the rooms were narrow for hunting. Blame the tiny lowest dormitory.
"No issue. It's all set. Just think of entering a sphere."
"Uh... hyungnim, I just remembered something urgent..."
"No joking around—sit."
"Yes, sir!"
As we finished lunch, someone approached.
"Eating, I see."
"Why do you show up every day lately?"
"Can't a little brother visit his big brother?"
"Sigh..."
It was my brother Veil. He'd been dropping by almost daily since the trial. A total nuisance—now one more person demanding my attention. I preferred occasional visits.
"Hehe, hi Veil junior."
"Good to see you, Lady Rana. I hope you slept well."
Veil greeted her politely. He'd been even more courteous since hearing she'd helped me.
"Eaten yet?"
"Yes, on my way back now."
"Oh yeah?"
Evan paused eating and approached Veil, slinging an arm over his shoulder.
"Must be bursting with energy then."
"Plenty."
Evan's lips curled into a grin.
"Veil, we're friends, right?"
"What else would we be?"
Veil answered innocently, though suspicious.
"Exactly—friends. And friends help friends in need."
"What's the issue? As long as it's not weird, I'll help."
Satisfied, Evan smirked.
"Nothing tough. I'm training under hyungnim. Wanna join?"
"Training? With hyungnim personally?"
"Not exactly, but close."
"Hmm..."
Veil pondered briefly, then nodded.
"My growth has stalled lately—frustrating. Hyungnim's training sounds perfect."
"Sweet, you're in?"
"Yeah."
Evan looked at me pleadingly.
"Should be fine. Number of people doesn't matter."
As long as mana held, any number could enter.
After eating, I had them lie by the Illusory Hand Mirror.
"Hyungnim, this'll really work for training?"
"Told you—it does. Shut up and close your eyes."
Veil obeyed; Evan fussed. Once settled, I activated the magic.
Woooong—
The magic circle by their heads hummed to life, resonating with the artifact and tools. The activated power enveloped them.
Evan and Veil's breathing evened out, like they'd fallen asleep.
"Do your best."
I tapped the window that appeared before me.
Flicker. Evan and Veil snapped awake, eyes flying open.
"Ugh, my head..."
"Where..."
They clutched their dizzy heads and scrambled up, assessing the situation.
"Uh..."
"Hm..."
But they were speechless, dumbfounded. Barren ground without a blade of grass, sky with no sun—just drifting clouds. A bizarre space, nothing like their world.
At least their clothes, weapons, and mana were intact.
They extended their senses to scout.
Nothing.
Evan and Veil panicked.
"Hyungnim said monster hunting training..."
"What kind of training in a lifeless place like this?"
Hunting monsters with no life around? Absurd.
"Hyungnim? Hyuuungnim?"
Evan shouted skyward, searching for me. A voice echoed in their minds.
Awake? Head clear?
"Ah, hyungnim! Where are we?! No, where are you speaking from?!"
"An explanation is needed."
They demanded from the familiar voice. I ignored them.
Doesn't matter. Shall we begin?
Text floated in the air.
Remaining Monsters: 200
Two hundred? What the—
No time to think. Something began manifesting around them.
Light warm-up: 200. 20-minute break after. Oh, death resets you—so careful. Good luck.
The voice cut off.
"Wait, what?! Hyungnim? Hyungnim!"
Evan called futilely—no response. No focus anyway.
"Incoming! Get ready!"
"Damn it!"
Hordes of monsters swarmed from all sides. Thus began Evan and Veil's hellish training.
"Arrrgh!!"
"Wonder how many times they'll die at first."
I watched them swing desperately on the screen, pondering. Their skills were top-notch, but lack of experience meant early struggles. Adapt after 2-4 deaths? Or their talent might shine from the start.
Anyway, this transferred their minds to a magic-simulated virtual space—great for training. No physical movement, but linked magic accumulated experience in the body. I'd used it often myself.
"Oh? Wanna watch too, Rana?"
"Yeah!"
Rana peered at the floating screen, fascinated. We enjoyed their suffering for a bit. Confirming no issues, I stood.
I planned to join too—just separately. Next episode would be tough; needed prep.
I lay elsewhere.
"You too, Kyle?"
"Made it for that."
"Can I join?"
Rana wanted in, but...
"Probably not."
"Why?"
"Mages can, but summoners can't."
Fine for regular mages. But summoners? Familiars were living beings—needed individual links, and capacity limits.
"Sorry."
"Nah, can't be helped."
She took it well. I handed her the screen.
"Talk through this."
"Got it!"
Quick rundown, then activate. Consciousness sucked in. Blackout, then eyes open in the same landscape as theirs.
Prep before monsters: Drew my manifested black sword, Carsa, adjusted gear.
"Gotta regain senses first..."
Manipulated admin screen, spawned monsters.
"A thousand should suffice."
"Kraaak—!"
"Grrr..."
They appeared, charging. But this many? No threat. Just warm-up to shake off rust.
Slash—!
"One down."
Soon the virtual space filled with rending flesh and monster cries.