A Daring Frontal Breakthrough
"A frontal breakthrough!"
Norton shouted in surprise as he watched Aleck charge straight at the hornet primal puppet. That hornet primal puppet's combat power was beyond what Aleck could handle right now. For a head-on fight to even be possible, he'd need to at least reach Maturity Stage where he could wield ether.
Reckless.
Norton rose from his seat, ready to intervene at a moment's notice.
Aleck's never overestimated his abilities before.
Aleck always maintained a thorough, objective self-assessment. No matter the situation, he made the best choice within his capabilities.
That's why this is even more baffling.
Was he underestimating the hornet primal puppet? If he lacked experience with the primal puppets installed in the mechanisms, he might make that judgment.
Maybe he's still just a kid.
He'd forgotten amid all the old-soul behavior, but Aleck was still in Juvenile Stage. He inevitably had far less experience.
This could be a good lesson for him—a big failure to learn from.
Norton nodded inwardly. This setback would fuel Aleck's future growth.
That was when it happened.
"Hm?"
Norton narrowed his eyes, staring at the tip of Aleck's sword as he rushed toward the hornet primal puppet. The blade trembled faintly, radiating an aura that seemed ready to pulverize anything it touched.
No way...
Norton's eyes widened like saucers.
What unfolded was utterly different from what he'd expected.
* * *
BOOOOM!
The explosion rocked the air as the hornet primal puppet's abdomen burst open.
Got it!
I cheered inwardly. Wood shards from the ruptured abdomen lacerated my body in several places, but the adrenaline surging through my brain drowned out the pain.
"Wh-what?!"
"What the hell?!"
"Insane..."
The trainees who'd just passed through the hidden weapon barrage gaped in shock at the sight of me blasting open the massive hornet primal puppet's belly.
I smirked to myself and dashed forward, dodging the hornet primal puppet's falling upper body as it plummeted from the air.
Shuuuuaak!
Tar antula and stag beetle primal puppets followed in the hornet's wake, lunging at me.
High Jump!
KABOOM!
I leaped fiercely, evading their attacks. I landed right in front of the crate.
Shyuuuuk!
I sensed the tar antula and stag beetle primal puppets closing in from behind.
Slash!
But I was a step faster. I swung my sword, slicing off the top of the crate and grabbing the red orb inside.
Ziiiiiing.
The lights in the eyes of the stag beetle and tar antula primal puppets, now right upon me, flickered out. They'd shut down.
That was close.
It had been a hair's breadth. Still, I'd succeeded in snatching the orb ahead of Norn's intentions.
* * *
"Wooooah!"
"He did it!"
"Aleck! Aleck! Aleck!"
"Ugh, damn it, I believed in him!"
The trainees erupted in unified cheers. Until the primal puppets appeared, they'd thought success today was impossible. But he'd pulled off an unbelievable one-man show to break through.
Though Aleck's final performance had been standout, he'd ultimately made the best call as team leader and succeeded.
"Ha! You really are something else, Aleck..."
Norn couldn't help but voice his genuine admiration.
But that guy... is he using ether?
Even thinking back, it was mind-boggling.
No. He might instinctively sense ether thanks to innate talent, but he's not wielding it directly.
The energy he emitted was far too faint for active ether use. Who'd believe a mere blood-clot kid without ether control had detonated a hornet primal puppet?
Looking closely, he didn't shatter the puppet itself. He pulverized the wooden frame holding it together.
The hornet primal puppet's abdomen was wood-framed with iron plating—a structure designed for launching stingers. Even if it was wood rather than iron, how?
That force that blew the wooden frame apart... it closely resembles the white ant clan's Pulverize.
Irregular.
On the Abian Continent, Irregulars existed not just among primal species but ordinary ones too. Not merely stronger specimens like primal Irregulars, but beings who could freely wield powers unique to specific clans.
They said Sama Battleground's first lord had possessed such Irregular power...
Could Aleck be an Irregular too?!
Norn swallowed hard. Now that he thought about it, the explosive leg strength in that final leap resembled the locust clan's High Jump.
Even if he trained aerial maneuvers, it explains his insane abilities since infancy.
This gave him even more reason to nurture and protect Aleck for the mantis species' future.
Ha, if only he weren't from the lesser mantis clan—if he'd been born shield or king mantis... or even orchid mantis.
He could've been an absolute powerhouse to elevate the mantis species to new heights.
No. Limits or not... if he inherits all my techniques, he'll at least reach my level.
Norn's eyes blazed hotter as he gazed at Aleck.
But Norn didn't know. Aleck wasn't some mere Irregular mimicking other clans' powers—he was on an entirely incomparable level.
* * *
After my shocking first training session as leader ended, the afternoon brought Theo's second one.
Theo didn't deliver a performance as flashy as mine, but as team leader, he showed competent command and steadily guided the team.
He'd succeeded in grabbing the orb too, even without me.
Of course, having experienced the hardcore run once helped them adapt. And with the hornet primal puppet destroyed, that section was easier.
Even accounting for that, Theo's leadership qualities were no joke.
"Wow, Theo's good too."
"Who should we pick between them?"
"Aleck gets my vote. Can't forget him shredding that hornet primal puppet."
"Aleck was great not just in personal skill but team tactics too."
"But Theo feels more stable, right? Aleck's a bit aggressive."
"Theo does seem steadier..."
I was standing a bit away, but my sharp ears caught their chatter.
If I didn't push like that, we wouldn't even place in Sama Battleground.
I clicked my tongue inwardly. This wasn't kids' play. They hadn't experienced Sama Battleground, so I got it... but overall, more seemed to favor me.
A few more days like this, and by training's end, I'd have a high chance of election.
"Hey, guys, have some of this while you rest."
"Oh, Theo! Thanks, it's honey water."
"Whoa, locust larva fritters too. Dig in!"
"No big deal. Taking care of resting teammates is part of a leader's role."
Look at this guy. Caring for resting teammates as a leader's duty? So I'd failed by leaving them be?
Sneaky bastard.
Maybe because I suspected him as a spy. Or the rivalry. I'd never noticed before, but Theo's actions grated more now.
Case in point: instead of competing on skill, he was bribing with food.
Hm, should I prepare something too?
I doubted bribes would sway them, but steady favoritism over the remaining training could shift things. A drizzle wets antennae, after all.
But I don't have the spare time.
I recalled my storm of shopping at Red Rose Merchant Guild recently. Feeling guilty for snagging the A-rank Origin Protection Rune so cheaply, I'd blown my B-rank budget on daily necessities to boost their sales.
No room for Theo-style "gifts."
What to do.
I was seriously pondering when...
"Everyone, this is from Team Leader Aleck. Grab one each!"
Robed arrived with Kind, hauling a big box. Inside weren't elixirs, but nutrient-packed supplements—one per person—plus fatigue-relieving honey elixir.
Whoa, how much did that cost?
I gawked at Robed. She turned, meeting my eyes, and winked with a playful wink.
She looked like an angel descended from heaven right then. I immediately thumbs-upped her.
She'd scratched exactly where I itched.
"...Tch."
I glanced at Theo. For a split second, his face twisted in clear annoyance.
Ha, true colors showing.
It reminded me of ancient human-faced spider primal puppets: pretty faces luring prey, then turning monstrous.
Definitely need to watch him closely.
Since yesterday, every little thing Theo did stuck out—even actions I'd ignored before felt like masks now.
First, I need to secure the team leader spot for sure.
Who knew what he'd pull with the Amar clan. My vigilance spiked again.
* * *
A palace-like grand hall soared endlessly into the sky—the most ornate and massive in Sama Battleground.
Sama Palace. The mantis lord's residence.
"...Is that so? Is this Aleck kid really that impressive?"
"Yes, my lord."
"Hm. No lesser mantis has ever lived up to expectations till the end."
Karimru, lord of the mantis species, stroked his chin with intrigued eyes.
About a month ago, he'd heard of a kid catching an island hornet in the survival exam. Karimru had been stunned.
An unprecedented feat in Sama Battleground history.
He'd assumed it was Ruslan of the shield mantis clan. The famed prodigy had drawn expectations before even entering.
But his expression soured. The island hornet catcher was a mere lesser mantis.
I'm no racial supremacist, but lesser mantises have innate growth limits...
He couldn't believe it at first. The trial was designed to be impossible, let alone for a lesser mantis.
Had it been shield or king mantis, he'd have seen a great talent to lead the species.
No other explanation than Sergei hiding a bypass method.
So he'd dismissed it. Yet Aleck's name kept cropping up over the past month—from survival instructors, Training Hall Director Monahan, even top warrior Norton.
Impossible to ignore.
And...
He glanced at the massive portrait on the lord's chamber wall. A girl with overwhelming beauty resembling his own features.
Robed.
His one and only daughter, precious as the apple of his eye. Aleck kept slipping from her lips.
Does Robed have romantic feelings for him?
His heart sank. Her interest was obvious even to him. He couldn't ignore Aleck now.
Whatever he did to catch her eye...
A chill emanated from Karimru. If not lord, he might've confronted Aleck already. Robed was his everything.
Sama Battleground.
He'd summon Aleck during the event. Time to see if he was worthy of standing by his treasured daughter.
If he falls short of my standards...
Aleck would never see Robed again. He'd abuse his authority to prevent it.
One month left.
Karimru murmured at the calendar.
* * *
Shiver.
A sudden chill made me tremble. Did I eat light last night?
"Aleck, you okay?"
Robed's soft, beautiful voice came from beside me, her eyes filled with concern.
"Nah, just a sudden chill."
"Pfft, even you get nervous, huh?"
"...?"
Nervous? I stared into her eyes, confused. She shyly averted her gaze, looking down.
Even as an orchid mantis, she couldn't win a staring contest with me... wait, not the point.
"T-today's the team leader vote."
"Oh."
Her words jogged my memory. Theo and I had alternated leading for the past week. Today was voting day.
"Don't stress. You'll do great."
"Of course! I think Team Leader Aleck will win for sure!"
Kind chimed in encouragingly.
"Not stressed."
I chuckled at them. Nervous? Not at all. Honestly, I figured it was inevitable.
From team tactics to personal prowess, Theo couldn't surpass me.
"Team leader's obviously me, right?"
"Ooh, confident!"
"Heh, naturally!"
Robed and Kind laughed, cheering me on. Two votes secured. I grinned back.
We chatted amiably as we reached the training ground.
Soon, all trainees gathered. Norn and Bardwin appeared before us.
"Everyone got your votes decided?"
"Yes!"
The trainees replied energetically.
"Then let's vote."
Voting was quick. Only 30 people. It wrapped in under 20 minutes.
And tallying began immediately.