Chapter 77
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Swordran Training Camp, Enlistment (5)
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Roin passed all the training camp entry tests with flying colors, in the simplest way possible.
Though hed been assigned number 123, practically at the tail end, which meant a late start, he finished first by a mile.
Especially his time cutting the Etronium rodit was the fastest of all.
Jerka Tayla had sliced through his Etronium rod in a pretty quick time too, but he had to cede first place to Roin by the slimmest of margins.
Roin and Jerka Tayla.
In stark contrast to their standout performances, the other applicants were still grunting their way through the third trial.
Roin clicked his tongue and shook his head at the sight.
Theyre struggling with something that easy? Back in my day, that wouldve gotten their Mid Knight qualifications revoked on the spot.
Then, from one corner, a massive shout erupted, drawing everyones attention.
Urraaaagh!!!
Everyones eyes turned toward the source.
It was Luem.
Luem was also struggling with the third test.
Like chopping wood with an axe, he kept hacking at the middle of the Etronium rod with his Aura-infused sword.
It was chipping away bit by bit, but it would take quite a while to cleave it in half.
The rule was simple: cut it in two by any means necessary.
But there was a time limit.
Thirty seconds remaining.
The moment he heard how little time was left, Luems face hardened.
What to do? How should he handle this?
Those thoughts flooded his mind.
Meanwhile, Roinwhod come over to watch Luems predicamenttossed out a casual solution.
Hey. The instructor said any method goes, as long as you snap it in two. So just break it with whatever youre best at.
Break it...?
Yeah.
That was the last hint Roin could offer.
Focusing on Roins phrasingnot cutting, but breakingLuem nodded.
Then he did something astonishing.
He sheathed his sword.
...?
Applicant 124. What do you think youre doing?
The test supervisor asked, looking flustered.
Luem replied,
Im trying what Im good at.
With that, he gripped both ends of the Etronium rod firmly in each hand.
Hup!
He let out a short grunt and started applying pressure.
Then...
Crack!
The Etronium rod began to bend at a 90-degree angle.
The instructors couldnt hide their shock.
Luem was trying to snap something that wouldnt even yield to a small Aura bladeusing sheer strength alone.
Even Roin, who hadnt used Aura Blade at all, was impressed, but Luem delivered an equal shock.
No one had ever tried breaking the Etronium rod with their bare hands.
It was already bent 90 degrees, but
Its not enough.
Roin clicked his tongue and shouted,
Use your head, you idiot. Just use Aura.
Oh! Thats the way!
Aura wasnt limited to swordsmanship.
It was used in hand-to-hand combat too.
Roin himself often employed Aura for body enhancement to overcome the limits of his childs physique.
If Luem could wield body enhancement as freely as Roin, hed grow even stronger.
But,
Hes fumbling around.
The Junior Knight training only taught how to form Aura Blades with Aurait never covered enhancing ones own body, like Roin did.
Not knowing the method, Luem was struggling.
Dont panic. Focus. Think of your body itself as the weapon, not the sword.
Got it!
Thanks to Roins live coaching, Luem gained confidence.
Grahhh!
A blue glow began to envelop his arms.
His Aura-enhanced muscles bulged like they might explode.
Wielding tremendous strength, he poured in more power.
Then...
Crunch!
Unable to withstand it any longer, the Etronium split in two.
Having expended so much strength in that instant, Luem collapsed to the ground with a thud.
The instructor whod watched Luem snap the Etronium rod barehanded was dumbfounded.
But what could he do?
A pass was a pass.
...Pass.
Now Luem could join Roin without issue.
By the time the entry tests wrapped up,
The sun was already setting.
Before dinner, Training Commander Siren assembled the successful applicants separately.
A total of 53.
More than half had been eliminated.
Your names and room assignments are posted at the barracks. Go find your rooms based on that. Understood?
Yes!
Theres no dinner assembly. Head to the mess hall on your own during dinner hours. However, while youre here at this training camp, drills can happen anytimeday or night. Stay alert at all times.
It was a profoundly ominous warning.
But Roin paid more attention to the part about heading to his room to rest than Sirens caution.
He still had work to do.
Work that might be even more important than the entry tests.
Entering his room, Roin pulled something from his bag and hung it on the wall.
A thermometer.
Room temperature 17 degrees... Shouldve set up some heating ahead of time.
Or maybe they considered this environment part of the training?
Training or not, Roin would never allow such room temps for his skin.
He stuck one thin, paper-like sheetpalm-sizedon each of the four walls.
The thermometers reading began to climb.
Works great.
It was a gift from Belb.
An item made from Fire Stone powder, effective for at least ten days, and thin enough to carry plenty.
Along with raising the temperature, he needed proper humidity too.
Recommended level: around 40.
Low humidity robs skin of moisture, causing itchiness, flaking, and dryness.
Maintaining proper temperature and humidity.
That was step one of skincare.
For humidity, Roin now stuck up blue sheets.
Another of Belbs creations.
Stick a few on, and add more if its still low.
Hed added that it was a prototype, so not fully perfected.
But so far, no issues.
Worst case, like at the academy, Ill make a portable humidifier with a Fire Stone.
No matter the hardship, Roin would always find a way, as he always did.
To preserve this handsomeness, he had to do it, hassle or not.
The first morning after enlisting at the training camp dawned.
Still before dawn, the 53 applicants gathered at the parade ground.
Training Commander Siren pointed to a bell at the far end of the grounds.
It hadnt been there yesterday.
As announced beforehand, just in case: trainees at Swordran Training Camp can drop out anytime. If you think you cant keep up, or lack the ability, ring that bellday, night, dawn, whenever. Then,
Siren paused for a beat, then emphasized,
You can leave immediately.
In short, anyone wanting to quit midway just had to ring the bell.
The 53 trainees showed no such inclination yet.
Throwing away a once-in-a-lifetime Swordran enlistment chance? Unthinkable.
Just to check: any trainees who want to ring it, raise your hand.
......
......
As expected, no one did.
None?
Yes, none!
Good. Then Ill make one preemptive declaration right here.
Siren addressed the trainees.
By the end of today, your numbers will be halved.
Today, Sirens expression felt even icier.
Training began without breakfast.
Right after waking.
First up: running.
Just reach that mountain peak and return here.
The trainees paled at mountain peak.
It looked dozens of kilometers away at a glance.
Too far to see clearly.
But Siren didnt care.
She raised one hand.
Index, middle, ring finger.
Holding up three fingers, she said,
Top three finishers.
With that, the trainees bolted.
A hellish mission: scale that peak and return within the day.
On day one, they finally understood why zero Mid Knights had made Swordran last year.
The trainees vanished in an instant.
Two stood out with overwhelming speed.
Roin and Jerka Tayla.
Watching their distant figures fade, Siren pondered.
Just as rumored.
Swordran Training Camp and Loud Swordsmanship Academy had frequent exchanges.
Many Swordran alumni, including Lepid, served as instructors there.
Once all trainees had left,
Siren started toward her office.
But then,
Hello, Siren.
An unannounced visitor arrived at the camp.
Seeing her, Siren immediately bowed.
Captain.
Knight Captain Ilya Shult.
Beaming, she spoke first to Siren.
Hard work already this early.
Its my job. What brings you here?
She was supposed to be on a kingdom mission.
Crossing the border to Baot with other knights.
Had a guest coming. One Id rather keep from other eyes. So I set the meeting here.
I see.
Mind if I borrow your office?
Siren nodded at once.
Understood. Ill tell the instructors to stay clear too, just in case.
Thanks. Youre the best, Siren.
Leaving those words,
Ilya headed to Sirens office.
Moments later,
Creeeak.
The door opened.
Ilyas guest finally appeared.
A pale-skinned man with hair as long as Ilyas: Aker.
Ilya smiled brightly at him.
He was the guest shed come to meet.