Chapter 2
Chapter 2
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Unceasing Effort
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I spent the entire day searching the forest.
At last, I managed to find a cave.
It was cramped and shabby, but it was enough to shelter me from the wind and rain.
Jace Crodain.
This body had trained in swordsmanship since childhood.
Even though he could no longer use mana.
The physique he had built over more than ten years remained.
“…”
I’m a man of nature now.
I’ll just hypnotize myself into that mindset and live rough.
Thanks to my youth, I wasn't worried about getting sick.
‘Well, I should be able to last a month.’
This was a forest, so I wouldn't starve.
There were plenty of ways to survive, whether by catching rabbits or picking fruit.
Hygiene, too, would be boldly omitted.
What’s the point of staying clean when I can’t even attend classes?
A member of the Student Council might come to check on me occasionally, but generally, no one would venture in here.
It’s actually more comfortable this way.
I would have been overwhelmed if I’d been thrown among the students right after possessing this body.
One month… it’s a bit long.
But I’ll use the time to calmly organize my thoughts.
“…”
Memories from my past life surfaced.
But they were hazy, as if shrouded in fog.
Fragmented and imprecise.
I wasn’t particularly anxious, though.
The memories were gradually becoming clearer, so I knew it would resolve itself with time.
Possessing the body of someone in an unfamiliar world.
That mystery remained unsolved, but it didn't really matter.
I was more than satisfied just to have gained a young, strong body.
Of course, I intended to do my best to build a better life.
I reviewed the task at hand.
I had to manifest Sword Ki within a month.
In other words, I needed to change enough to be able to handle mana…
Realistically, that was impossible.
If it were possible, Jace wouldn't have fallen into despair.
‘In that case…’
I’ll solve it with an unrealistic method.
I opened the exchange tab in the system window.
[Mana Sensitivity]
[Required Achievement Points: 10,000]
[Current Points: 6,000]
Wow, that's so easy!
Can it really be this easy?
Not only was the exact thing I needed available, but the required points weren't that high either.
I’d already secured 6,000 points on the first day.
Gathering the remaining 4,000 shouldn't be too difficult.
“…”
No, wait a minute.
This might feel like a tutorial, but you never know. The reality could be different…
Mana Sensitivity was likely just what it sounded like.
It would only cure this body’s incurable condition.
I would still need to go through the process of sensing and gathering mana.
Nothing would be solved without effort.
Also, the fact that I received so many achievement points was just a stroke of luck.
Would the system really keep handing them out so generously?
It was best to abandon such expectations.
[Sub Quest]
[Physical Training: Complete 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and a 10km run daily.]
[Reward: Achievement Points +100]
Hmm, now that I look at it, the reward is incredibly meager.
Only 100 points for all that work?
[Repeatable daily]
Well, that changes things a bit.
I could secure a steady 100 points each day.
Still, that was only 3,000 points a month.
It wasn't enough to reach my current goal.
Considering the time I’d need to get a feel for mana.
It would be best to acquire the ability within a week.
[Sub Quest]
[Sword Training: Swing your sword 1,000 times without rest.]
[Reward: Achievement Points +100]
This was a one-time quest.
Even if it were repeatable, doing it every day would be tough.
If I pushed myself too hard, I’d just end up sore and miserable.
There were other quests, but.
Given the time constraints, I felt a little pressed.
“…”
Maybe I should just go find Ceria.
What if I just let my instincts take over and hit on her?
Like casting a wide net and hoping to catch something.
What if I could squeeze some achievement points out of that?
“Nah, forget it…”
That would just be a terrible look.
Breaking an engagement was already a devastating blow for a woman.
She must already be disappointed; I didn't want her to despise me too.
And more importantly…
I didn't want to rely on something so uncertain.
On the other hand, the sub-quests offered a twofold benefit.
Along with achievement points, my physical stamina would also increase.
Hard work never betrays you.
Now was the time to put those words into practice.
And so, the hard training began.
* * *
“Huff, huff…”
Sweat poured down like rain.
I lay spread-eagled on the ground, gasping for air.
Completing 100 reps of each exercise.
The process was much tougher than I’d expected.
I feel like I’m going to die.
But that’s precisely why I felt so alive.
“Ha, haha…”
A laugh escaped me without my realizing it.
To be honest, none of this had felt quite real.
But after sweating so much, every last bit of anxiety vanished.
My heart pounded violently in my chest.
The sensation was absolutely euphoric.
If this isn't real, what is?
In this mood, I felt like I could accomplish anything.
[Achievement Unlocked: Unyielding Will]
[Reward: Achievement Points +100]
An unexpected gain.
The system threw in a little bonus.
At this rate, I’d have more than enough to reach ten thousand points.
I’m just happy.
Is this what the joy of life feels like?
“…”
Jace, you foolish man.
Your limbs are intact, you’re still so young.
What were you so angry about that you became such a scoundrel?
Well, I understand to some extent.
I’ve experienced despair myself.
Anyway…
From my perspective, I could only be grateful.
Alright, I’ve decided.
Even if it takes a long time, I’ll restore your honor one day.
It’s the least I can do in return for borrowing your body.
The misdeeds Jace committed.
I’d have to endure people’s prejudices.
But all things considered, I was getting the much better end of the deal.
A sword genius rated S-Class.
If I played my cards right, I could even aim for the very top.
I don’t have any grand ambitions.
But if the opportunity dangles before my eyes, I won’t hesitate to reach for it.
* * *
Ceria’s heart was in utter turmoil.
“Huu…”
She ended up letting out a sigh.
It was, of course, because of her fiancé.
Kind, gentle, and dignified…
A man whose spirit was even stronger than his swordsmanship.
Jace had been perfect enough to be a role model for all.
‘That accident ruined everything…’
Being unable to wield mana was a devastating blow.
It was practically the same as losing his right arm.
No, it might have been even worse.
The Crodain family was one of the most distinguished noble houses.
They had produced outstanding talents for generations.
Their current prosperity was built on their bravery in the fight against the Demon King's Army.
But.
A problem had arisen with the family’s heir.
He might not be disowned, but he would certainly be stripped of his position as heir.
‘You never know…’
Given the multitude of wicked deeds he had committed as a scoundrel.
Disownment was a very real possibility.
He wasn't that kind of person.
Even without his abilities, he would have still been a wonderful man.
But he couldn't accept reality and was consumed by his despair.
“…”
It was too late to turn back now.
Even if he repented, his actions up to this point would remain as undeniable mistakes.
Regardless of what Ceria thought.
The family would proceed with breaking the engagement.
“…”
The young woman bit her lip gently.
She should have embraced her fiancé's pain.
She should have stayed by his side, even when he lashed out at her.
She had tried.
But Jace’s outrageous behavior had grown progressively worse.
At some point, she had simply stopped paying attention.
She regretted it.
The pain was so deep it pierced her heart.
And for good reason.
Jace was her first love.
And not just any first love.
For more than ten years, they had only had eyes for each other.
How could she simply erase the memories they had made together since childhood?
It was too great a trial for her.
There was no way to express the depth of her pain and sorrow.
She had dreamed of a future with her perfect match.
Finding a new love felt impossible.
Would things change with the passage of time?
Even so, could she endure until then?
She agonized over it again and again.
But it was already too late; it was all meaningless.
She had to create a clear distance.
She ought to treat him as a stranger.
She tried to resolve herself to do so.
But then, he had shown an unexpected side of himself at the informal trial.
‘He wanted a chance…’
The look in his eyes had changed.
He seemed to have returned, just a little, to his old self.
Had he truly repented?
Even so, the evil he had committed remained.
Furthermore, regardless of his punishment, he was unqualified to attend the academy if he couldn't wield mana.
Though it was a place of learning for students.
The Hero Academy was closer to a military academy.
Its founding purpose was to produce talents capable of standing against the Demon King's Army.
In other words, one needed a minimum level of skill.
The condition that his punishment would be rescinded only if he manifested Sword Ki meant exactly that.
‘It’s impossible.’
Jace’s dantian was destroyed.
There was nothing that could be done.
He had only been granted a one-month grace period.
His fate would ultimately lead to expulsion.
It was truly a shame, but she had intended to just let him go quietly.
She had simply wanted to hear one last thing from him.
She had hoped he would say something hopeful, even if it was a lie.
But.
She had heard something completely unexpected.
‘…Beautiful because I cannot have it?’
Was he hinting at an eternal farewell?
But for that, it was far too romantic.
The young woman didn't know how to interpret those words.
“Could it be…”
Suddenly, a hypothesis came to mind.
What if he had committed those evil deeds on purpose?
With his dantian destroyed, he was no different from a cripple.
Unable to bear the thought of his existence becoming a stain on his fiancée’s name.
What if he had pretended to be a scoundrel to provide a justifiable reason for breaking the engagement…?
“—!”
When her thoughts reached that point.
Ceria was startled.
It wasn't a baseless assumption at all.
Jace was the kind of man who would do something like that.
His kindness. His consideration.
So that she could give up on him without any lingering feelings.
He might have deceived everyone, acting the part of human trash…
“…”
It was frightening.
The thought of such an unbelievable sacrifice sent shivers down her spine.
At the same time, she felt a sorrow that was even greater.
He must have been in so much pain he wanted to die, yet even in that situation, he was looking out for his fiancée.
Who else in the world would go to such lengths?
She didn't want to lose him.
So what if he lost his abilities?
She could support him for the rest of his life if she had to.
“No, wait a minute…”
Jace hadn't just left.
He had requested a chance, as if he intended to do something.
Could it be that he had belatedly found a clue to fixing his dantian?
And yet, he had still hinted at a farewell.
That probably meant his chances were slim to none.
“…”
Ceria did not act rashly.
That hypothesis was nothing more than her lingering attachments taking form.
“I have to confirm it…”
She needed to talk to him.
To hear Jace’s true feelings.
Fortunately, there was still time.
She would have to calmly collect her thoughts and watch for an opportunity.
With great effort, she comforted herself.
The young woman tried her best to soothe her sorrowful heart.