From the very beginning, the commoner cadets of the Swordsmanship Department—which was now called the sprouts—weren’t a rebellious bunch, unlike the nobles.

    They had two reasons for acting so. First, because of Lee Han’s background as someone who came from an even lower class than them. Second, because they were fascinated by his strength.

    The image of him overwhelmingly winning against the vice-captain of the swordsmanship family who insulted him was particularly engraved in their mind. He was strong. It was awe-inspiring for them that someone from a lower class could become so strong.

    And when they finally met him, they found out that he had never learned ‘Combat Technique’. In a way though, this revelation wasn’t really surprising for them. After all, they themselves had heard from countless people that it was too late to learn Combat Technique even if they started at the age of five.

    His social status also made it impossible for him to learn it even if he wanted to. To learn a Combat Technique, one needed to learn about life force or combat strength. It wasn’t something that one could just learn arbitrarily as they at least needed a master to help them feel their own life force, and at least a disciple of the master to help out, just in case the learner’s young body got hurt. The cost of hiring such people was already expensive enough.

    As a lower-class citizen, that was something Lee Han could never afford, even if he wanted to learn so badly.

    …Of course, there were those who believed that someone could steadily practice Combat Technique even after becoming an adult, but that was just impossible for an average person.

    It would be one thing if they were born as a genius or someone who bore a heroic destiny, but most people weren’t either of those; they were just mayflies who struggled to survive every day.

    That was the reason why the commoner cadets in the Swordsmanship Department respected their instructor. Because, even though he didn’t learn Combat Technique and was born into an environment worse than theirs, he was still able to become a knight. On top of that, he was also extremely strong.

    Then again, who wouldn’t admire him after seeing his power; a treasure that everyone wanted through his own efforts?

    That was why the cadets were determined to do their best to carry out the instructor’s orders and to endure no matter how harsh the training was.

    “Trainee number 2. You are exempt!”

    …But that was that, and this was this.

    “E-Exempt!”

    “Your voice is too small! Are you only gonna come to your senses when other trainees suffer even more than this?!”

    “N-No sir!!”

    “I told you to answer only with ‘Ah’. Do you think my words are a joke to you?!”

    “A-Ah!”

    “Answer me! Do you think my words are a joke?!”

    “…Ah.”

    “That answer came two beats late! All trainees, PT 8 thirty times!”

    -T-Thirty times!!

    “Not loud enough! PT 8 a hundred times!”

    -A hundred times!!!

    “Good. Now, do full-body twists fifty times.”

    Their admiration only lasted after the instructor, or rather the devil, began to blow his whistle and command them. If they couldn’t move together with the rhythm of the whistle, they would be punished by him.

    “Ughhhhhhhhh!”

    “Keeeeeuukkkkk-!”

    “M-Mother…!”

    Screams erupted all over the ground.

    Even though the movements they performed were painful, it was still strange for them—who had never slacked off in their physical training—to scream in so much pain like that. The reason for this was that they weren’t in a normal state.

    Because…

    “We’ve only exercised for ‘7 hours’ so far! All of you need to work harder!”

    -A-Ah!

    They had been doing it for 7 hours, and all of them could feel that their sanity left them.

    **** * ****

    Two days ago, at dawn, the cadets of the Swordsmanship Department gathered in the dark training ground. However, not everyone gathered there, as Lee Han only made it mandatory for the sprouts to come, not the rest of them.

    However, there were some of them who still gathered here without even being told to.

    “Kunta think this will be fun.”

    “…No matter how much I think about it, I don’t think it’ll be fun at all.”

    “Seeing as you’re here too, I guess you’re quite a greedy guy, huh, young master? Of course, that applies to the rest of you guys too.”

    “You bastard! How dare you treat my lord so rude—!”

    “I have a name. Call me Roen.”

    “!!?”

    Among those were the four people who Lee Han thought to be better than others, and one guy who was more suited to be an assassin than a knight.

    Also…

    “W-Why do I have to…”

    The assistant, who had finished his paperwork and was enjoying a sweet sleep. Lee Han had forcibly dragged him here. He whined with a sad face, but it wasn’t like there was anything he could do about it.

    “Everyone’s here it seems.”

    When everyone arrived at the training ground, the one who was responsible for gathering them all finally appeared.

    “Guess none of you ran away, huh? Hm? Why are you guys here?”

    Lee Han asked Roen and the others.

    I thought I told them that all the young masters and the chicks won’t need to come, why are these guys here?

    The one who answered Lee Han’s question was Galand.

    “Didn’t you say that you would teach [Martial Power] properly in this ‘special intensive training’, Instructor? Of course, we’re gonna come after hearing that.”

    “…You can just learn it later, though?”

    These brats could just learn it anytime they want with their talent, why are they like this?

    He could see a trace of doubt in their expressions, but their expressions mostly looked serious.

    “Indeed, we can just learn it later, but I don’t want to feel like I’m receiving special treatment.”

    In short, they had no intention of being lazy just because they had some talent. If they do, then they’d rather return to their hometown where their family or teacher was instead of coming to the Academy in the first place.

    Seeing how determined they were, Lee Han could only scratch his head.

    “…Whatever, I’d need some help anyway, so it’s good that you’re here.”

    Since they all came here on their own, I’d just use them to the best I can.

    Lee Han thought in satisfaction. At that moment…

    “W-Wait a minute! We’re here too!”

    “…H-Hello, Instructor.”

    “…Why are you guys here too…?”

    The people who aren’t supposed to come keep on coming one after another…

    Lee Han blinked as he saw Irene Windler and Chick Number 1—no, Levy Fault, mingled among the cadets, wearing light tracksuits.

    “…Let me ask Chick Number 2 first. Why are you here?”

    “…Everything happened because of me in the first place, so I think I should take some responsibility for it…”

    “Mhm, that’s an admirable reason.”

    Her words made sense. Though it wasn’t intentional, she was indeed the source of all this.

    As expected of a transmigator in a rofan. Even though she was just minding her own business, trouble still could find its way.

    However, her strong sense of responsibility pushed her to overcome the harsh warning that Lee Han gave the cadets yesterday.

    ‘If you want to come, you can come. However, this training will be harsh. Just a single mistake could send you to recuperate for a whole year, so for your own sake, don’t just mindlessly join.’

    With a determined face, Irene Windler—

    “So, what’s your real reason?”

    “…I don’t want to become like the professor of the Magic Department in my 20s, so I was thinking about exercising a little. But, when I do it alone, I just can’t feel the motivation to do it… Hehehe…”

    “…At least you’re honest.”

    As he had expected, she came because of something like this.

    [I can’t even feel embarrassed by this side of yours anymore, Arin…]

    ‘…I’m also scared of how shameless I could get these days.’

    Moving his gaze from Irene—who was making a mysterious expression—Lee Han turned to face Levy Fault, the girl with wavy hair that suited her well.

    “What about you, Chick Number 1, why are you here? Is it because Chick Number 2 asked you to come with her?”

    Honestly, it isn’t surprising that Irene Windler decided to come, but why did this girl also come here?

    “I-I can’t deny that Young Miss Irene invited me to come… B-But I’m also interested…”

    “…Hmm.”

    Now that I think about it, this noble young miss was the most passionate one among the other chicks. This one actually has the passion to grow stronger.

    Guess, there are cases like this, huh?

    Lee Han couldn’t help but wonder if Levy Fault was fated to be entangled with Irene Windler. If this world was really a rofan or a regression, there would be supporting characters that supported the main characters. Those supporting characters usually had their own distinct personalities, circumstances, and goals.

    Maybe she’s one of those guys…

    …Pfft, what kind of nonsense am I thinking about?

    Lee Han shook his head.

    It was a pointless thought to dwell on.

    If there was a student, no, a disciple, who wanted to be taught, then it was the teacher’s duty to teach them.

    It didn’t matter whether she was a supporting character or whoever. Right now, she was just a disciple who wanted to be taught by him.

    Lee Han didn’t know about others, but at least for him, this world was a ‘reality’, none of these guys were supporting characters or whatnot.

    That was why…

    “I will always welcome anyone who wishes to become stronger. Chick Number 1—no, Levy Fault. Welcome.”

    “Ah!”

    “However, I won’t give you special treatment. So, prepare yourself well.”

    “Y-Yes!”

    Levy Fault nodded vigorously with a happy face. Looking at that, Lee Han just smiled happily.

    “—Pack the luggage.”

    “…Pardon?”

    “We will start with a march. It will be a light 30km march.”

    “…”

    “For your information, every one of you will need to wear all your combat gear. The weight of the pack should be over 10 kg. But since you still lack stamina, I’ll let you have a 8 kg backpack instead.”

    “…”

    …It didn’t take Levy Fault a full minute to realize that things would only go downhill from here.

    **** * ****

    A march.

    Simply put, it was the act of soldiers moving in groups. However, what it actually meant was a little bit different.

    ‘The act of walking while maintaining combat power.’

    That would be a more accurate definition of it.

    This was why soldiers would carry a lot of luggage when they were marching.

    Food, weapons, clothing, and many other supplies; soldiers had to move while carrying those things.

    And this was why…

    “Why are you guys so slow?! We’ll need to increase our pace from now on, hurry up! Do you understand me?! Stop walking like a snail, quickly, move faster, faster!”

    …It was really really hard.

    “Hah, hah, hah, hah—!”

    All the cadets were gasping for breath.

    Not only were they carrying heavy iron swords, they were also moving while wearing their armor. On top of that, they also had to carry spare weapons, food, and sleeping bags, adding it to their burden. Fortunately, they all wore light armors, otherwise, they would have lost their minds a long time ago.

    When they started marching, the sky was still pitch dark, but now the sun had already risen, and with it, the heat was also rising.

    Now the cadets knew how painful it was to walk 30 km while carrying dozens of kilos of luggage. It made them crave the sweet release of death.

    “If it’s hard. Want Kunta help?”

    “Oh, no! It’s okay, Kunta!”

    “But, you look tired.”

    “…Yes, but don’t you have more luggage than us, Kunta? Are you okay?”

    “This light! I’m sweating a little!”

    “…Haha.”

    Kunta, who carried even more things than them, was still fine.

    On top of Kunta’s backpack, there were two huge boxes stacked. Just imagining the amount of food inside it already made the cadet who spoke to him trembled.

    The mysterious Barbarian race.

    People said that their [mystical ability] was their indomitable physical strength and mental power.

    He knew that much, but seeing that ability in person was something else.

    The cadet even felt respect towards Kunta.

    I… I also—!

    However, even though Kunta had such a mystical ability, he never showed any signs of laziness.

    That was why, the sprout cadet vowed to himself that he would try his best as well…

    Thump-! Thump-!

    “Are you okay, Cadet? Your breathing is out of control.”

    “…”

    “Is something wrong?”

    “…Instructor, what are you dragging with you?”

    “Huh? Just some cornflour and potato sacks.”

    “B-But why…?”

    “What do you mean why? We need this much food for the whole month. Do you think what Cadet Kunta is carrying enough food for all of us?”

    “…”

    …But, that’s not what I was asking about, though?

    The cadet was dumbstruck.

    Kunta carrying a backpack weighing tens of kilos was shocking enough, but seeing the instructor carrying a cart filled with tens of sacks of cornmeal and potatoes all by himself just straight up turned the cadet’s mind blank.

    What is he…?

    …I’m scared…

    “…Instructor, I’m sorry for asking this question again, but are you really human?”

    “Haha, I know what you’re thinking, but don’t worry, I’m a perfectly normal human. And you, too, will be able to become like me after this guerrilla—no, this special intensive training.”

    “…”

    …No way that’s gonna happen…

    The cadet swallowed those thoughts.

    At that moment…

    “Ah, there it is.”

    “Sorry?”

    “If we climb over there, we’ll finally reach the training grounds.”

    “Training grounds…? Where…?”

    “There. See that peak where the snow hasn’t melted yet? That’s where we’re going to go. We’ll only need to climb there.”

    “…Huh?”

    “Haha, just think of it as a light hike.”

    “….”

    Seeing the instructor pointing to a mountain with an elevation of 1,384m, all the cadets fell silent.

    Along with that, they started to seriously consider whether they should actually drop out of the Academy right there and then.


    0 Comments

    Heads up! Your comment will be invisible to other guests and subscribers (except for replies), including you after a grace period.
    Note
    // Script to navigate with arrow keys