Chapter 27: Overwhelming Power (2)

─ And before we spar, I will set a condition.

Drawing out the suspense, Juyeon said she would reveal the condition during the afternoon class, and then proceeded with the theory lesson.

Many speculations and predictions circulated within Class 1.

And then, as the afternoon class began,

Juyeon appeared in the gymnasium, dressed in her usual suit.

As if sensing the gazes were more intense than usual, she offered a simple smile.

“Did you all have a good lunch?”

“““Yes!”””

They answered energetically, but no cadet was inconsiderate enough to eat their fill.

They just had enough to replenish their strength for the practical class.

“Sit down.”

As Juyeon’s voice clearly resonated in the spacious gymnasium, the cadets sat down, holding their respective weapons. Rohan had secured a standard-issue sword from the wall.

“You all seem to be looking forward to this sparring session. Even your focus seems better than during the practical classes I’ve prepared diligently.”

They knew it was Juyeon’s own way of making a joke.

The cadets of Class 1 had subtle smiles as they listened attentively to their instructor.

“Before we get to the main point…”

Juyeon placed the black educational journal she was holding on a chair.

“I exchanged opinions with the instructors in charge of the other classes during lunch. So I’d first like to explain a little about that.”

Rohan watched her quietly.

He believed that Juyeon was diligently fulfilling her responsibilities as an instructor, and there was no way to repay her other than to focus now.

“Some instructors felt that sparring among cadets is the best training method. However, since Orion Academy’s founding principle is to cultivate forces capable of combating Monsters, there are still many pros and cons to this training method.”

The cadets roughly understood what she was trying to convey.

Based on her actions so far, Juyeon seemed to be concerned about the conflicts that would arise from sparring.

Juyeon’s practical classes focused on the efficient use of Mana during prolonged battles, or tacit turns and formations to prevent attacks from overlapping when facing large Monsters as a group.

Everyone believed these were reasonable and professional aspects.

“I believe that killing Monsters and facing people are different, but after exchanging opinions with other instructors, I agreed on the efficiency of sparring classes.”

The next sentence was probably the decisive one.

All the listening cadets felt it.

“As Instructor Carrot said… there are indeed some human trash that are no different from Monsters. And once you delve into the world, you can’t avoid encountering such things.”

If you possess power, you are bound to be caught up in various incidents.

No further explanation was needed, so Juyeon took a step forward to start the class.

“Lastly, I’ll explain the condition I mentioned earlier. You can think of this as a simple game between me and the cadets.”

Noa’s tail curled into a question mark.

Likewise, many cadets had puzzled expressions.

“I will not use a weapon, nor will I attack. I will simply stand in place and use only the index and middle fingers of my left hand.”

Anyone who observed Juyeon teach would easily infer that she was right-handed.

While there was the hypothesis that she was ambidextrous, using only two fingers made that seem meaningless.

“Due to time constraints, each cadet will have 2 minutes. All attacks are allowed. And if you manage to make me take a step back or force me to use any other fingers, I lose. In other words, Class 1 wins.”

Juyeon emphasized that it was the class’ victory, not an individual’s.

“If I lose… hmm, nothing comes to mind. I’ll buy Class 1 something delicious.”

Noa, who was listening seriously, raised her hand.

As Juyeon looked at her, the girl moved her round ears and asked,

“And what if we lose?”

That was probably the point.

Juyeon, as if waiting, raised the corners of her lips and said,

“Noa Frozenheart as well as the rest of Class 1 should put effort into mastering not only the practical skills but also the theory.”

“Th-the theory classes…?”

Even though it was a lenient condition, Noa stammered in surprise.

Her tail lost strength and fell limp to the gymnasium floor.

“Is the condition too difficult? Just put in the effort. I won’t expect detailed results like scores.”

“…”

“You might even achieve the winning condition and just get the delicious treats. I will allow you to eat enough to deplete my entire fortune.”

At the instructor’s energetic words, Noa tapped the floor with her tail.

She glanced at Ichinose, who was sitting next to her and entering a state of concentration, and continued speaking boldly.

“Even if I lose to you, Instructor, don’t you think I’ll rationalize it with your words about effort and slack off?”

“You won’t.”

Hearing her assertive reply, Noa’s eyes widened.

Inwardly, Rohan and Ichinose admired Juyeon’s words while simultaneously feeling a bitter taste in their mouths.

“I don’t want to prepare for a situation where you don’t keep your promise. The conditions are vague, too… Noa, will you not keep your promise with me?”

“I always keep my promises!”

“Then I’ll trust you.”

From Rohan’s perspective, the situation looked like this:

Juyeon had already completely grasped Noa Frozenheart’s personality and even mastered how to handle her.

And just as Noa showed her confidence, even without special conditions, Noa would not break her promise with Juyeon after losing.

“Good. Then let’s start the class. Who will go first?”

“Me!”

Noa jumped up from her seat.

The girl walked out with large strides and stood before the instructor.

“You will have 2 minutes starting from your first attack. Show me your full power.”

“Is it really okay to do anything I want?”

“Yes. Don’t worry about damaging the gymnasium. If we were concerned about that, this wouldn’t be Orion Academy.”

Juyeon stared at Noa with her right hand in her pocket, and Noa was already smiling innocently, seemingly enjoying herself as she rotated her shoulders.

“You know, I think I understand why Dad told me to go out into the world.”

“Is that so?”

“Dad isn’t good at teaching, so I’m glad I met you, Instructor.”

“Thank you… but don’t expect me to sympathize so easily.”

The fact that Noa could speak so lightly about the Grand Emperor of Snow was because she was his daughter.

“The rest of the cadets move behind me. Maintain a safe distance.”

After seeing the Class 1 cadets move in a flurry and finish relocating,

Noa, having finished her warm-up, drew up her Mana.

Chwaaaaaaaa!

A hazy chill emanated from the girl’s entire body.

Her opponent wasn’t as strong as her father, but she still couldn’t fathom the difference.

And this time, Noa had no intention of going through the class barehanded as usual.

She would give it her all.

“Fimbulvetr.”

The ring on Noa Frozenheart’s right index finger began to change shape with a cracking sound.

What appeared in her hand was an ice axe.

Noa twirled and gripped the enormous axe, which should have required two hands, with just one hand.

“Haa.”

Then, the girl took a short breath.

And simultaneously, Kooong! The floor shattered, and Noa disappeared.

Puhwaaaaaaa!

The pure white cold air dispersed with the fierce wind of the clash, revealing the two figures.

Noa’s ferocious axe was caught cleanly between Juyeon’s fingers.

“Your destructive power already surpasses the average cadet greatly. And the release of your Mana is particularly excellent.”

“!”

“However, taking a breath before attacking is not good. It makes it all too obvious, starting from your tail to your muscles.”

Even as Juyeon pointed this out, she remained relaxed, while Noa, unable to pull out the axe even with all her might, used it like a horizontal bar and continued to kick.

“And your ability to react quickly without panicking is also excellent.”

“Ugh!?”

Juyeon shook the axe she was holding lightly, causing Noa’s kick to miss.

Noa let go of the axe, spun around, and landed on the floor.

She recalled the weapon back into its ring form.

And then summoned it again.

Boong! Bung! Hwung!

As Juyeon tried to catch the axe swung with her fingers again,

Noa jumped back and took a stance.

“…”

A low stance, like that of a quadrupedal beast, with the axe resting on her shoulder.

Noa’s gaze, fixed on Juyeon, deepened.

Her sharp canine teeth were visible.

“Like a wild beast.”

Noa didn’t respond to Juyeon’s observation and began to freeze the surroundings with a growl.

Crack crack crack!

Juyeon’s surroundings froze thickly, but the spot where she stood remained unaffected.

Noa, tensing her thighs, kicked off the ground and moved.

Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!

She ran around the gymnasium, a loud rumbling sound following her.

And while she moved in simple straight lines, the cadets struggled to keep up with her speed.

Frost formed and ice froze in Noa’s wake.

These trembled and transformed into sharp icicles, raining down on Juyeon like arrows.

Pabababak!!!

A chilling wind spread throughout the gymnasium.

Noa didn’t stop her attack, rushing in intermittently, swinging and throwing the axe.

Every time the axe moved, the gymnasium shook with a loud Kooong! Kooong!

Did she feel an opportunity as she moved around fiercely?

Landing behind Juyeon, Noa swung the axe violently.

“All your movements are dictated by instinct.”

“!!!”

Juyeon caught the axe Noa swung at her waist with her fingers.

The sharp blade almost touched her suit.

Noa didn’t consider this a waste.

It was just that it all happened according to Juyeon’s will.

“Grr!”

Transforming the axe back into a ring, Noa threw a punch and extended her leg.

The impact from her fist and foot shattered and scattered the ice, but Juyeon received Noa’s attacks leisurely, as if she were playing with a child.

“Your gaze remains fixed intensely on the point of attack. Noa, you need to learn how to use this as a feint.”

“…”

“You also need to consider whether you wish to develop your instinctual movements or to systematize them.”

With Juyeon’s words,

Ding ding ding ding!

The 2-minute alarm rang, and Noa stopped moving.

Juyeon placed her hand on Noa’s head.

“Noa, are you satisfied?”

“Yes!!!”

The girl let out a puff of cold air with a flushed face.

She seemed immensely pleased to have been able to run wild after a long time.

Seeing her tail swishing from side to side, it seemed she was more happy about that than the fact that she hadn’t managed to push Juyeon back a single step.

“I’ll work hard on the theory too!”

“Excellent.”

A cool acceptance of the results. Juyeon smiled and stroked her head.

Then, as she used her Mana to shatter and clear all the ice in the gymnasium, Juyeon’s gaze turned towards the cadets.

“Next.”