Sparring Victory and a Secret Pact
Kim Ara said, “Oh, what’s this? The top student’s gonna throw down with someone?”
“Park Unhyeok? He’s nothing special without a weapon, right?”
Lee Seoha climbed onto the training grounds at a leisurely pace. Standing opposite him was Park Unhyeok.
A height over 190cm. His muscular frame, honed since childhood, looked far more intimidating than Lee Seoha’s slightly over 180cm build.
“Park Unhyeok’s still a physical fighter, though. Rumors say the top student’s more into magic. And he picked up a pretty decent crescent blade at the weapon selection, so it might be scary.”
“Really? So Park Unhyeok wins?”
“Hard to say. The top student’s such a mystery.”
Seo Gayeon nodded in agreement at the last remark. The opponent she’d faced in the entrance exam was an orc warrior. Its high-grade strength, centered on a sturdy physique, still made her shiver just thinking about it.
Lee Seoha must have faced someone even stronger.
Mages have a hard time beating warriors.
It was a common saying. Mages were versatile, their power seemingly focused on raw firepower. Yet Lee Seoha had taken one down in an instant and arrived.
And in the dungeon exploration afterward, he’d moved through it like it was his own living room. Seo Gayeon had been there too, but she still couldn’t grasp his true nature.
Maybe I’ll catch a glimpse in this spar— she thought with anticipation.
“No weapons for a true sword fight. No mana allowed. And wear these bracelets. They suppress mana. If I see any sign of you using it, your instructor steps in immediately.”
The instructor repeated warnings about accepting defeat gracefully and no using talents—glancing at Lee Seoha as he did.
“Whoa, Instructor Park Jeonji really has connections at Park Unhyeok’s company, huh? The rumors are true.”
“Poor Lee Seoha.”
Lee Seoha nodded lazily. Park Unhyeok made a dissatisfied face, mouthing something quietly to the instructor, who told them to prepare for the match.
“Begin.”
At the instructor’s word, Park Unhyeok moved.
I’ll end it quick.
Park Unhyeok thought as he eyed Lee Seoha. That guy was some weirdo who’d dropped out of the sky. His real goal had always been Kim Seohyeon—the one always ranking above him, someone he’d never beaten.
But this was different. This guy had shown up out of nowhere, and suddenly Kim Seohyeon, who’d never even glanced his way, was burning with fighting spirit just looking at him.
Honestly, it scared him. Even with all these restrictions from the instructor, he couldn’t shake the feeling he wouldn’t win.
Thud!
He kicked off the ground. The weapon he’d gotten from the arsenal was a crescent blade. He swung it wide.
Lee Seoha dodged to the side.
His movements are too big.
The top student clearly wasn’t used to close combat. He’d already shown weakness in endurance training—no physical conditioning.
Park Unhyeok twisted his wrist, flipping the crescent blade from below upward.
Clang!
A black sword blocked it. Park Unhyeok pulled back and thrust. It wasn’t a spear, but the length gave him an edge.
But the top student dodged again.
Specialized in evasion?
He couldn’t have zero close combat experience. Park Unhyeok’s mind raced. He swung, slashed, thrust. Every attack missed.
It was like his opponent had mana, moving so fluidly. But that couldn’t be—the instructor or bracelets would’ve reacted.
Clang!
Crescent blade met black sword. Park Unhyeok smirked, then froze. His blade was being pushed back. Polearms didn’t transmit force as well as swords, yet it was losing.
Still, he was a martial artist. Not like the mage top student.
Change of plans.
Park Unhyeok grinned confidently and flicked his sword away. If strength was the issue, he’d win with skill. That’s what he thought.
……
What the hell?
As the fight intensified, the top student’s hair grew slick with sweat. Proof he was tiring. Drag it out, and Park Unhyeok’s odds went up.
What is this guy?
Yet he still couldn’t picture winning. Close combat was his domain. He’d trained with the spear since age five, treating it like a limb. That effort hadn’t been wasted.
But the top student—Lee Seoha—was adapting to his moves. They clashed weapons. Grappled. He was clearly pressuring him.
Yet it felt stagnant. Like victory was just out of reach, the image of beating Lee Seoha blurring.
Lee Seoha’s eyes locked straight on his blade.
Whoosh.
The crescent blade swung. But a slight head tilt dodged it—like he knew it was coming.
Attacks grew smoother. Defense more refined. Footwork less amateurish. Like he had a master at his side, growing by devouring Park Unhyeok himself.
No, not quite growth. More like recovering strength—
Clang!
Swords collided. As Park Unhyeok recovered, Lee Seoha moved. Low, bending at the waist. He swung the crescent blade.
Lee Seoha’s black sword swept from inside to out. It met the blade, sending pain through Park Unhyeok’s hands as it flew outward.
I’m actually beating this guy.
I felt absurd. I’d beaten Park Unhyeok. Even in the whole Korea Hero School, he was top-tier.
If he’d used mana, I wouldn’t have lasted 30 seconds.
Strange. He’s decently skilled with weapons, but no one grows that fast.
The Black Heaven Demon Sword floated in the air, puzzled. Maybe because it was spiritual power—no one else could see it.
I ignored the Black Heaven Demon Sword and looked at the instructor. Talking to it now would just make me look crazy.
“Victory… to Lee Seoha!”
At the instructor’s declaration, the students’ blank stares turned to shock.
“What? Did anyone record that?!”
“Growth talent? Crazy, he’s doing it all solo!”
“If that’s growth-type, what the hell kind is it? That defies logic…”
They were all misunderstanding. I’d just circulated Reverse Heaven energy internally and followed the Black Heaven Demon Sword’s advice for power and speed.
It’s partly thanks to me, but you did well too, Master. Seems you’ve got some interesting talent.
I shot it a look—you said I had no talent for weapons.
The Black Heaven Demon Sword chuckled.
No talent doesn’t mean you can’t fight. You’re not genius-level, but prodigy-tier.
I stepped down from the training grounds. Kim Seohyeon was waiting, sky-blue eyes sparkling.
“Seoha, that was insane.”
“Eh, just this much.”
“I was so nervous at first, but you adapted instantly and overwhelmed him! But how’d you get that strength? Talent? Technique? The bracelet didn’t react, so maybe high base stats or always-on talent…”
Kim Seohyeon was great and all, but once hooked, he talked too much.
I nodded vaguely until Kim Ara and Seo Gayeon appeared.
“…When are you gonna teach me?”
Kim Ara sidled up and muttered. Right, I’d negotiated with her. A way out from Paewang.
“Later. Not here.”
She nodded. Beside us, Kim Seohyeon was like, “What’s that about? You two are weird?” eyes twinkling.
Don’t say scary shit. Date the guy who rips off a mountain mid-fight and throws it? I’d die.
Paewang was terrifyingly strong. Not from building a faction alone, but a world-shaking freak of power.
Put differently, he had no real organization. He had ‘followers’ who revered his strength, but that’s all they were—followers.
Paewang was complicated. Not good, not evil. Neutral. And he despised demons.
That made him seem righteous, but there was more. Anyway, setting that aside.
“Getting away from Paewang is simple.”
Really simple.
“Kill Paewang.”
“…”
Kim Ara stared at me like I was insane.
“Paewang?”
“Yeah.”
In the story, she actually succeeds that way. But then Kim Seohyeon dies too, so it’s pointless.
“Kidding. There’s another way.”
She glared murderously, so I backpedaled fast.
“Why do you think Paewang’s obsessed with you?”
“…Because I’m his only heir.”
I chuckled. Truth is, outside fighting demons, Paewang was just charismatic. And a doting dad.
He’d already picked an heir—his eldest son, not her. Competent enough, ambitious enough, self-aware enough.
“Super simple. Get stronger.”
“Me?”
“You can barely control your power now, right? Even sparring kids, you hold back to avoid killing or maiming them.”
“…”
“I’ll help. Teach you how to use it properly too.”
“Thanks, but what’s that got to do with Paewang?”
“His power’s hereditary. And you inherited it fully—stronger, even.”
“…Me?”
“Yeah.”
Really simple. Once Kim Ara realizes her power and walks a righteous path, Paewang can’t suppress her.
Why suppress? He has tons of enemies. Not ordinary numbers. He pushes demon extermination, killing anyone linked to them on sight.
If he judges his daughter can protect herself, he’ll just check in occasionally.
“So grow here at Korea Hero School on your own.”
“…”
Kim Ara pondered. I watched her. Purple bangs hid her expression, covering half her face.
She was pretty cute in the illustrations. Not as much as my favorite second-year, though…
“I’ll help you grow from now on.”
I smiled and offered my hand. Bonus: I’d snag Kim Ara as an ultra-fast ‘bus driver.’ With her power, most dungeons were clearable. I’d make sure she wasn’t shortchanged on rewards.
“…Fine. I’ll trust you once.”
Kim Ara quietly took my hand. I grinned wide.