Chapter 30: Advancement, Initiation (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 30: Advancement, Initiation (3)
As Jin soaked in the warm water, he took a moment to organize his gains from the mission.
First and foremost, he had solidified the respect and trust of the cadets. Who else in Runcandel would risk their life to save a single cadet? It would be one thing for a hundred cadets to risk their lives for a Runcandel, but the reverse was unheard of.
Many of the beginner cadets possessed high potential. This was true for Mesa and Vellop, as well as most of the others who had accompanied him.
They would never forget this rescue for as long as they lived.
‘I didn’t do it just to earn their respect and trust, but things certainly turned out well.’
Saving Mesa hadn’t been a purely calculated move.
He had lived a total of forty-three years across two lives. He was old and capable enough that he couldn't just stand by and watch a young girl meet a terrible fate right before his eyes.
A renewed sense of pride washed over him. Had he failed to save Mesa today, Jin might have been plagued by self-loathing for a long time. He hadn’t regressed just to witness such things again.
He had felt more than enough helplessness in his past life.
Now, it was time to enjoy something else.
“Hmm.”
Whoom!
A pitch-black sphere formed over his soap-covered palm.
‘So this is 4-star Spirit Energy…’
There wasn't a significant visual difference from its 3-star version, but its weight was another story. The Spirit Energy tingling at his fingertips felt much heavier, its power more substantial.
4-star Spirit Energy possessed destructive power equivalent to 6-star Aura or Mana.
It was on a different level from ordinary power. Since Spirit Energy also held a natural elemental advantage, Jin had already surpassed his past self in terms of pure destructive capacity.
‘However, since my swordsmanship is still at 3-star, it’ll be difficult to fully unleash the power of this Spirit Energy.’
Spirit Energy was most efficient when channeled through a sword. This effect was maximized when using specialized swords forged specifically for it, such as Bradamante or Barisada.
Solderet was the God of Shadows and the God of Swords.
Naturally, magic and Spirit Energy didn't pair particularly well. Even so, mages still yearned for Solderet’s power due to the inherent superiority of Spirit Energy as an energy source.
‘Just because they don’t pair well doesn’t mean it’s useless.’
It was ultimately a matter of efficiency.
And since Jin could use both sword and magic, he could always choose the more efficient path.
‘I need to reach 6-star swordsmanship within the next five years.’
6-star swordsmanship.
Generally, 1- and 2-star were considered novices, 3- and 4-star were average knights, 5-star were skilled knights, and 6-star were elite knights. The same scale applied to mages.
From 7-star onward, one entered the ranks of “masters.”
Still, there were quite a few masters in this vast world. It was only natural, considering the continental population exceeded two billion.
To commoners, a 7-star was a transcendent being, but among warriors, one was only considered “extraordinary” at 8-star and above.
From 8-star, the number of people who reached that realm dropped significantly.
It was a common belief that even if one searched every corner of the world for hidden eccentrics, there wouldn't be more than a hundred 9-stars. And 10-stars were practically mythical.
And then, there was the one and only.
The singular realm: Creation. It was the domain of a demigod, a state that transcended human limits.
‘In this life, I’m going all the way there. No, even beyond.’
To do that, he first had to fend off the full-scale interference from his siblings, which would begin the moment he advanced to the Intermediate Class.
Earlier, Myu, Anne, and the Tona brothers had been scheming while he was away.
However, Jin had already predicted how the Tona brothers would act. After spending twenty-five years at the bottom of the Runcandel barrel in his past life, there was no way he wouldn’t know.
He had failed out of the beginner class in his previous life, so he had never experienced the Intermediate Class firsthand. Nevertheless, he was well aware that its atmosphere was no different from a wild jungle.
In that sense, the Intermediate Class was not a place where logic applied.
The same was true for an actual jungle. While one might occasionally find clever beasts using their wits, they were usually in the middle or lower tiers of the food chain.
So, what kind of beast reigned supreme in the jungle?
‘The Intermediate Class is conquered through strength.’
The beast with overwhelming power and savagery.
*
February 1795.
The cadet performance results had been announced.
From the beginner class, Jin and everyone who had gone on the mission with him were promoted to the Intermediate Class. As the representative of the beginner class, Jin received a plaque and words of encouragement from the Runcandel elders, and the promoted cadets were moved to new dormitories.
The Second Butler, Petro, also suggested that Jin move to a new room. Rosa had offered Jin a large room located in the center of the mansion.
It was the room that Joshua Runcandel, Jin’s eldest brother and the firstborn of the family, had used as a child. It was also a room that no one else had been allowed to use since.
“Petro, tell Mother that I’m fine. I’d rather just keep using this room.”
“Young Master. The room Master Joshua used is not only one of the finest in the Garden of Swords, but it also carries great symbolic weight. It is a room permitted only to the eldest son of the family.”
“I’m aware, but I like it here. Please explain it to her carefully so she isn't offended. Understood?”
Over the past few years, Petro had come to understand Jin’s personality. The Young Master he served had never once gone back on a decision.
That was why he felt it was such a shame.
She’s offering him a room that symbolizes the heir, so why refuse it? It’s a room the other siblings can only dream of!
“Young Master, please reconsider just once more.”
“I appreciate the thought, but I've already said I don't need it. If you think it's such a waste, why don't you take it?”
“Young Master!”
“Haha, it’s just a room. You may go. I’m not fond of rooms that are excessively large and burdensome anyway.”
Petro bowed his head as if he had just realized something.
The Young Master he had been observing possessed an insight that was unbelievable for a fifteen-year-old.
‘He realized that the Madam's offer wasn't a reward, but a test!’
Petro immediately returned to Rosa and informed her of Jin’s decision.
“Jin refused?”
“Yes, Madam.”
Rosa rested her chin on her hand and hummed softly. She seemed pleased that Jin had rejected Joshua’s room.
‘Jin, our youngest… sometimes it’s hard to tell if he has no greed at all, or if he has far too much.’
The reason Jin had refused the room of the great Runcandel heir was simple.
The room had remained empty ever since Joshua moved out. It was implicitly reserved for the child who would one day “take responsibility for the family.” Entering that room meant accepting the support that came with it.
Jin had instantly recognized the sweet bait on the hook. The moment he moved into Joshua’s room, he would become a target for every sibling who had ever been denied it.
‘Mother is quite mischievous.’
Click.
Jin strapped Bradamante to his waist and left his room.
He was going to check on the cadets who would be joining him in the Intermediate Class tomorrow.
“You’ve arrived, Young Master!”
“Scut. Gather all the cadets who were promoted this time.”
“Yes, sir.”
Nine cadets, including Mesa and Vellop, immediately rushed out and gathered in Scut’s room. They tried to hide it, but nervousness was plain on their faces.
“The Intermediate Class starts tomorrow. Are you all prepared?”
“Yes!”
“As you know, from the Intermediate Class onward, all sorts of factions are formed under the guise of ‘cliques.’ You’re aware of this, right?”
The cadets nodded. They knew better than anyone that they were Jin’s only faction.
They also knew they would be subjected to all sorts of hazing and harassment for it.
It was only natural. While no cadet would be crazy enough to openly attack Jin, a pure-blooded Runcandel, that didn’t mean they couldn’t touch his followers.
“Don’t be too afraid. I came here to tell you that.”
“Yes, sir!” the cadets answered, their faces determined. Jin thought they were rather cute.
It was obvious who would be threatening these kids starting tomorrow.
‘First, the Tona brothers.’
They were completely intimidated by Jin for now, but they had surely cooked up some kind of scheme.
‘And someone is helping them keep me in check. It’s likely Myu or Anne. Or perhaps my brother, Vigo.’
Regardless of who was backing the Tona brothers, Jin planned to establish dominance right from the start.
“I’ll see you tomorrow. Oh, and even outside of training hours, make sure to move in groups of at least three. Until I have completely pacified the Intermediate Class, individual actions are strictly forbidden.”
“Understood!”
*
From the Intermediate Class onward, training was handled directly by a Runcandel elder, not an invited instructor like Garon Altemiro.
The duty of training the Intermediate Class fell to elders who had served as 8-star knights or higher—flagbearers who had not become the Patriarch.
The current Intermediate Class consisted of about 150 people, and the elder in charge was Zed Runcandel. A man who had once gained fame as an 8-star knight, he was Cyron’s younger brother.
“Attention.”
“Attention!” the cadets gathered at the training ground repeated Zed’s command.
“Ten newcomers joined this year, and twenty-seven failed out.”
Zed stood on the platform and looked down at the cadets with a dissatisfied expression. He was displeased that more had dropped out than had joined.
“Newcomers, you will learn everything about life as an intermediate cadet from your seniors. My role is solely to teach and evaluate swordsmanship. You are to handle any incidents or accidents yourselves, as long as it doesn't involve murder.”
“Understood!”
“I ask the seniors. What is the point I always emphasize?”
“Runcandel has no need for the weak!”
“Runcandel has no need for the weak!”
Suddenly, the intermediate cadets began chanting in unison, their voices rising as one. They all stared at the newcomers, their hostility palpable.
The pressure of their voices was so immense that Jin's cadets struggled to even keep their heads up.
Anyone subjected to such a sudden initiation would feel suffocated.
Among the crowd shouting that the weak were not needed were the Tona brothers. Standing near them were half a dozen 4-star and 5-star knights—Myu and Anne’s faction.
‘Quite a racket. The Tona brothers are over there… and those are some nasty-looking guys beside them. Anne’s faction, I presume.’
Runcandel has no need for the weak!
Runcandel has no need for the weak!
The chant continued without pause. It seemed the intermediate cadets would keep shouting until the newcomers bowed their heads.
Suddenly, Jin began to walk toward the Tona brothers. His gait was light and calm, as if he were taking a stroll.
‘Wh-Why is he suddenly coming this way?’
‘Don’t flinch! We just have to focus on crushing the brat starting today!’
The Tona brothers exchanged a look and shouted even louder. Zed stroked his beard, a look of intrigue on his face as he watched Jin’s movement.
It looked like Jin was going to walk right up to them, and just as the eyes of the intermediate cadets shifted from the newcomers to him—
Shring!
Without a word of warning, Jin drew Bradamante and slashed.
“Aaaagh!”
The hostile chanting stopped instantly. Cadets stared, mouths agape, stunned by the shocking turn of events.
The Tona brothers were frozen like stone statues. Even Zed stopped stroking his beard.
What Jin had slashed was the arm of the cadet standing next to the Tona brothers.
A member of Anne’s faction, he was a 5-star knight, placing him at the top of the Intermediate Class food chain.
But there was no way to prepare for a surprise attack in a situation like this.
Even for a pure-blooded Runcandel, who in their right mind would draw their sword on the very first day of advancement? Especially during an initiation encouraged by Zed himself?
As blood gushed from the cadet’s arm and the Tona brothers stood there, paralyzed with shock, the charged atmosphere in the training ground vanished.
The gazes of all 150 people were fixed on him. Yet, Jin offered no explanation for his actions and calmly sheathed his sword.
Instead, he simply spoke in a composed voice.
“Call a medic.”
Jin thought to himself.
They were the ones who needed an initiation, not him.