Chapter 40: Dominating the Intermediate Class
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 40: Dominating the Intermediate Class
The successful mission of Jin and the Youngest's Division naturally became the biggest topic of conversation in the intermediate class.
It was a result no one had predicted. While the general consensus was that the Youngest's Division would eventually succeed in the orc subjugation—even if a few cadets died in the process—no one believed Jin could actually return after assassinating the Secret Palace Master’s paramour in Mamit.
Everyone had secretly expected Jin to come back empty-handed. After all, no one would willingly throw their life away at the mere age of fifteen.
“Hahaha! Those Flagbearers who gave you that mission really got a taste of their own medicine. They must be absolutely fuming over this.”
The mission’s success was a surprise even to Zed.
He praised Jin several times in front of the other cadets, openly displaying his satisfaction. Each time he did, the Tona brothers looked dejected, and the atmosphere among the cadets shifted, acknowledging Jin as the new power player of the intermediate class.
He was, quite literally, the center of attention.
The Youngest’s Division also became the envy of the other cadets. Most now wished to join Jin’s division rather than becoming part of the factions led by Myu, Anne, or the Tona brothers.
However, one group of cadets watched this unfold with gritted teeth and utter disbelief.
“Word is, some mage just happened to terrorize the inn where the target was staying on the same day. Our dear Lord Jin certainly has the devil’s own luck.”
“It’s an unfair world, isn’t it? Not only was he born a Runcandel, but he’s blessed with divine luck too. Meanwhile, the rest of us have to claw and scrape just to stay intermediate cadets. Tsk.”
It was the faction of Myu and Anne, led by Kajin Romero.
Once the reigning predators of this jungle-like intermediate class, their influence had been subtly waning lately.
Cadets who used to avoid their gaze out of fear were now constantly hovering around the Youngest’s Division, trying to curry favor. It was an incredibly irritating sight.
“Whether it’s Lord Jin or those sycophants, I could at least respect them if they had the skills to back it up. But Lord Jin is a 4-star at best, and the rest are all 3-stars. Kajin, are you really just going to sit back and watch?”
Kajin let out a bitter laugh and shook his head.
“And what if I don’t? Even if he’s an annoying brat, he’s still a pure-blooded Runcandel. There’s nothing we can do until Lady Myu or Lady Anne gives us direct orders…”
Kajin trailed off.
He saw Jin, who had been sitting on the other side of the training ground, suddenly stand up and walk toward them.
“…What? Did he hear us?”
“No way. Not from that distance.”
“I hate to break it to you, but I heard everything, friends.”
As Jin approached and shrugged, the faces of Kajin’s group darkened instantly. Kajin seemed flustered for a moment, but he quickly masked it with a smirk.
“My apologies, Lord Jin. All we lowborns can do against someone like you is talk behind your back. I hope you can find it in your heart to be understanding.”
Kajin’s insolent tone surprised even his own followers. Other nearby cadets stopped their conversations and watched with wide eyes.
Jin, however, didn’t seem to think much of it.
“Well, there’s nothing to be ‘understanding’ about. I’m not a Flagbearer yet, so strictly speaking, I’m not your superior.”
“Strictly speaking, perhaps. But couldn’t you have someone like me flogged with a single word? Because you’re a Runcandel. I’ll gladly take the lashes or whatever else you have in mind.”
The situation had turned uncomfortable, but Kajin hadn't forgotten that he had the backing of Myu and Anne, both of whom outranked Jin.
“What makes you think I’d do something like that?”
“Because my attitude right now is extremely disrespectful.”
Eventually, the cadets began to murmur and gather around them. Since the day’s training had already ended, Zed and the instructors were nowhere to be seen.
“Hey! Kajin! How dare you speak to the Youngest Lord like that?”
“Knock it off while he’s being lenient. Are you crazy?”
“You lot are the ones who should knock it off. If anyone’s getting hit, it’s me, not you. You’ve certainly grown some backbone, considering you couldn't even look me in the eye a few days ago. Oh, did you all decide to join Lord Jin’s faction today?”
As Kajin glared at them, the cadets who had spoken up averted their eyes.
Before Jin’s arrival, Kajin had been the undisputed king of the intermediate class.
As a 5-star knight, his skills were the most outstanding, and with Myu and Anne backing him, he had nothing to fear. Not even the Tona brothers dared to treat Kajin lightly.
“This is unsightly, Kajin.”
“Yes, I suppose it is, My Lord. But seeing you get all this recognition for a mission you completed by pure luck isn't exactly a pleasant sight either. I suppose being pure-blooded really is everything.”
“You crazy bastard, how dare you…!”
Sshing!
Mesa, who had been watching, leaped to her feet and drew her sword. She looked ready to charge at Kajin in an instant, but Jin raised a hand to stop her.
“My Lord! I must kill that bastard today. Even if it costs me my life, I’ll take one of his arms!”
“Enough.”
Mesa huffed for a long moment before finally sheathing her sword.
“It seems there’s a misunderstanding, Kajin. When I said this was unsightly, I wasn't talking about you mocking the other cadets or being disrespectful to me.”
“Ha, then what exactly is so unsightly?”
“You’re a 5-star knight, one of the most skilled in the intermediate class. That means you might even be stronger than me. So why do you only resort to badmouthing me behind my back?”
Clang!
This time, it was Jin who drew his sword, pointing it at Kajin.
“You could have just said it to my face. Did you simply lack the courage to ask for a duel? I’m sure I said from the very first day that anyone is welcome to challenge me at any time.”
Kajin looked up and stared silently at Jin.
“…Are you serious?”
“I am. Stand up and draw your sword.”
Jin took a few steps back and settled into a stance. Kajin stared blankly at him for a moment, while the gathered cadets swallowed hard.
Why would Lord Jin do this?
That was the thought on everyone’s mind. While it was true that Jin was impressive, they still believed he lacked the strength to face Kajin in a one-on-one duel.
“No need to hold back. Give it your all.”
“That sounds like you’re suggesting we don’t restrict our Aura.”
Kajin stood up and drew his sword.
“You heard me.”
“You’re going to regret this, Lord Jin. Don't think you’ll be able to cut my arm as easily as you did back then. You’d better use every card you have.”
“If I used every card I have, you couldn't beat me even if you died and came back to life.”
“Your bluffs are excessive!”
Clang!
Kajin made the first move.
Closing the distance in an instant, he used his superior physique to launch a series of heavy, downward strikes. Each time the sharp, heavy clash of steel rang out, Jin staggered slightly.
His attacks are definitely heavy.
Kajin Romero. Twenty-four years old, a 5-star knight.
He was only an intermediate cadet because this was Runcandel; in the outside world, people would be falling over themselves to recruit him. Even if he left the clan right now, he could become a renowned knight and earn the admiration of the masses.
Among the swordsmen Jin had personally faced, including those from his past life, Kajin was one of the most talented.
But compared to the people I’ll have to fight in the future, he’s nothing.
Clang, clang!
With every exchange, Jin was pushed back, and Kajin pursued him like a predator. The look in Kajin’s eyes as he swung his sword was full of venom.
“Ugh!”
“What’s wrong already? Are you finally seeing reality? You’re simply not at a level where you can challenge me yet, My Lord!”
Kajin shifted his stance in a flash and gripped his sword with both hands. Simultaneously, he coated his blade in Aura and swung with all his might.
It felt less like a sword and more like a hammer, especially since he struck with the flat of the blade.
It was an attack meant to break Jin’s guard. Boom! Even though it was a glancing blow, the heavy impact echoed through the training ground, and Jin barely managed to keep hold of his sword.
His posture was broken. Kajin’s posture was also disrupted, but his had been intentional—he had anticipated the recoil and put his full weight into the strike.
Using the momentum, he delivered a powerful kick to Jin’s thigh. The iron greaves on his shins added even more destructive power to the blow.
Jin gritted his teeth as his thigh took the hit. He didn't even have time to groan. Kajin had already regained his balance and was swinging his sword again.
Swish.
Kajin’s blade grazed Jin’s bangs. If Jin hadn't pulled his head back, his forehead would have been split in two.
At that moment, Taimunt leaped to his feet, judging that Jin’s life was in danger and intending to intervene. But Mesa stopped him.
“Do you really think the Youngest Lord is going to lose?”
Taimunt, immediately convinced, scratched the back of his head and sat back down.
By then, the spectating cadets were certain the tide had completely turned. In contrast to Jin, whose breathing had become ragged, Kajin’s sword was still shrouded in a brilliant Aura.
But Jin…
He was focusing his mind on a single sensation.
Just like that day I was hit by the iron balls because of Heitona… I’m starting to see the trajectory of Kajin’s attacks.
It was that strange sensation he had felt during the Blue-Eye Stone training.
While a sword could sweep through the air in infinite ways, the trajectories a 5-star knight could utilize weren't actually that diverse.
Especially one consumed by rage like Kajin. Jin decided to end the duel in the next three exchanges.
He would provoke Kajin and force him to reveal any trump cards he might be hiding.
“I’ve read all your attacks now. You can't beat me.”
“You’re talking nonsense until the very end, My Lord.”
He only needed to dodge twice.
Kajin would likely stick to the patterns he had used so far. There was no reason to change a strategy that seemed to be working perfectly. Furthermore, provoked by the claim that his moves were being read, his pride would stop him from changing them.
However, if Jin dodged twice perfectly, Kajin would be forced to make a choice: use a different move, or launch an attack with such power that Jin couldn't block it even if he knew it was coming.
The exchange unfolded exactly as Jin predicted.
A horizontal slash followed by an unconventional upward strike. Jin didn't block those two attacks; he dodged them perfectly. He crouched low with his legs spread, then twisted his body before the next attack could even begin.
In that brief moment, confusion flooded Kajin’s mind. Setting aside the fact that Jin had evaded the difficult-to-dodge horizontal slash, he had dodged the second strike as if he could see the future, moving even before Kajin had raised his sword.
“Tsk!”
For the third attack, he poured all his Aura into the strike. Whether Jin had read the trajectory or it was just luck, a human body wasn't as fluid as water. Even if he dodged, any slight disruption in posture would create an opening. Kajin decided to unleash a level of power that could never be blocked by a 4-star’s Aura.
“This is the en—!”
—d!
The rest of the word never left his mouth.
Jin didn't use an unconventional movement to dodge Kajin’s third attack. Instead, he deployed his own Aura onto his blade and struck back head-on.
Boom!
When the two swords collided, the one pushed back was Kajin.
He had been overpowered. Even though he had held the upper hand every single moment until now.
Kajin’s eyes shook violently, unable to hide his shock. The Aura currently swirling around Bradamante was clearly that of a 5-star or higher.
“I thought it would take me a few more years to reach 5-star, too.”
Whoosh! Jin lunged into Kajin’s broken guard.
When you fight convinced your opponent is a 4-star, and they suddenly unleash the Aura of a 5-star or higher, it can only lead to disaster.
As the blade of Bradamante touched his neck, Kajin realized he had been careless.
The duel ended just like that.
“Did you… deceive me? 5-star… Haha.”
Kajin dropped his sword and asked in a hollow voice.
“No. You just didn't know me well enough. I don't pick fights I can’t win.”
“W-What’s going on here!”
The Tona brothers, who had rushed to the training ground after hearing about the situation from their faction members, were struck with horror at the sight before them.
He… he defeated Kajin? The youngest did?!
Jin turned around and sheathed his sword. As he walked slowly past the Tona brothers, he spoke.
“It’s nothing.”
Those two words alone were enough to make the hair on the Tona brothers’ arms stand on end.