Chapter 123: Quest After a Long Time

The Orion Academy curriculum reform, announced by the Dean with his impressive, perpetual snow-like beard.

It arrived along with the Academy Uniforms that had thinned in proportion to the warming weather.

Now, the cadets were no longer just preparing for the monsters that threaten humanity.

Anti-personnel combat, designed to deal with malicious humans and compiled based on data gathered by powerful nations, had also officially begun to be incorporated into the curriculum.

As some cadets had wished, theory underwent a process of selection and reduction, and the proportion of practical classes, involving physical engagement and movement, increased.

And today was the day Juyeon would provide focused, one-on-one instruction to each cadet from Class 1.

While other cadets continued their training in their respective places, awaiting their turn.

Rohan, holding an Academy-issue sword and gun, was facing Juyeon.

“Phew…”

Rohan exhaled deeply, his body relaxing like flowing liquid.

The tip of his sword pointed downwards.

A bead of sweat trickled down his jet-black bangs.

The moment the sweat drop hit the floor.

Rohan’s body moved like lightning.

“Hup!”

A thrust utilizing elasticity, at the instant his body shot forward with explosive power.

Sparks flashed.

Claaang──!

Juyeon parried Rohan’s blade with a wooden sword.

And she was impressed.

Rohan’s growth rate was like bamboo in a downpour.

An excellent thrust. It even contains rotational force generated by mana.

Moreover, its speed was outstanding among the swordsmanship Rohan had shown.

As she had observed through repeated instruction recently, the changes as his proficiency increased were extraordinary.

If he can minimize the preparatory motion and use this thrust consecutively… it will become a fine weapon.

Juyeon could see.

She could see how much effort and practice Rohan had put in, in places unseen.

Someone of equal skill would find it difficult to receive Rohan’s thrust unscathed on the first exchange.

Even someone a notch more skilled would only have about a fifty percent chance of parrying it cleanly.

“Your stance preparation is still too long. As you well know, enemies won’t wait for you to prepare like an Instructor does.”

“Kuhk!”

Rohan gripped the sword that recoiled with strong resistance and aimed the Handgun in his left hand.

“Focus on compacting your movements. Even though it’s better than before, it’s not yet at a level to be used in actual combat.”

He pulled the trigger without hesitation at Juyeon, who continued her advice.

Bang!

Juyeon showed curiosity towards the bullet imbued with an unusual mana.

This was probably what had changed Omega on the Uninhabited Island.

She briefly considered taking the hit out of curiosity, but the dignity and responsibility of an Instructor suppressed her martial artist’s instinct, and she chose to deflect it.

Juyeon reminded herself that this was an Academy class.

A time for teaching Rohan, she reminded herself again.

The trajectory of his shooting is flawless. Using a gun and sword together doesn’t seem awkward for him at all.

Instantly deciding the muzzle’s direction wasn’t something that could be achieved through verbal explanation.

It was a realm where instinct and experience harmonized.

Rohan seemed to have definitely found the weapons that suited his hands.

In Juyeon’s memory, the Rohan who had suffered mana exhaustion during their first sparring session in the past vividly came to mind.

Even then, he had definitely used a gun and sword.

Back then, he didn’t imbue his bullets with mana. I thought he couldn’t do it.

Was the period when he only carried a sword, from a certain point onwards, a time of indecision?

Even with talent for imbuing bullets with mana, handling blades alongside them isn’t easy. It’s true that many focus on a single weapon.

Juyeon suppressed the praise that was about to escape her lips.

The current Rohan needed the whip.

Clang! Claaang! Bang! Bang! Piiing─!

Juyeon parried Rohan’s sword and bullets with her wooden sword, continuing her stream of advice.

“Of course, the direction your swordsmanship aims for might not be this. However, to use it in actual combat, you need to refine your stance to be more compact.”

“Yep…!”

“If the Instructor’s advice conflicts with the principles of your Swordsmanship, you’ll need to find a compromise. It’s right to prioritize the form your sword style pursues and consider the Instructor’s words as a secondary option.”

At Juyeon’s instruction to try again, Rohan prepared his Third Sword once more.

After his full-power thrust was futilely blocked.

He received corrections for the slight disarray in his stance and had the imperfections in his mana circulation pointed out.

Beebeep! Beebeep!

An alarm rang, signaling the end of Rohan’s turn.

“That’s all. Go back and practice.”

“Thank you!”

After the last class ended and the Academy day was over.

Rohan, heading to the Academy’s shower room, stopped when he saw a girl in front of him.

It was Ichinose, and on this rare occasion, Noa was not by her side.

“Good work today.”

“You too, Ichinose.”

If there weren’t any cadets passing by, the nickname Aeng-ae Nose would have slipped out right then.

“Ahem…!”

“What? Need help with something?”

Seeing Ichinose clear her throat as if about to say something, Rohan’s lips curved into a smile.

The fact that she wasn’t aiming for cuteness but trying to appear serious was particularly endearing.

“Do you remember what I told you before? When I said I’d treat you to a meal separately…”

“Of course, I remember.”

Since she hadn’t mentioned it for a long time, it was a topic Rohan hadn’t bothered to bring up either.

“How about this evening? Are you… busy?”

“Sounds good to me. I don’t have any plans.”

When Rohan readily accepted, the corners of Ichinose’s mouth and her cheeks twitched.

“I’ll just take a shower and come. I can’t go out like this.”

“I’ll shower at the Dormitory and come out too. I sweated too much.”

“But you only smell good?”

“Eek…! Stay away!”

As Rohan playfully approached, Ichinose, startled, took a step back.

“Anyway, contact me when you’re done. I’ll get ready and wait.”

“Yes. See you later.”

Ichinose moved away with graceful steps.

Rohan, watching her go, started walking, thinking of quickly finishing his shower.

While climbing the stairs, he took out his phone.

Because in cases like this, he had promised to send Shion and Clara a message beforehand.

Rohan quickly finished his shower. Of course, just washing up wasn’t the end of it.

He changed into a clean Academy Uniform and also made sure to equip his weapons, Radiance and Brand.

To finish things off, he ordered a large iced Americano from the Franchise Cafe in front of the Academy and started drinking it.

“Mm.”

Rohan drank quickly.

He emptied the coffee in an instant and stirred the remaining ice with his straw.

While contemplating opening the lid to chew on the ice, a message came from Ichinose.

Unexpected.

The place Ichinose suggested they meet wasn’t a bustling downtown area.

When he got out of the taxi at the shared location, it was a quiet street, much like the alley where he had first met Ichinose.

There she is.

Ichinose could be seen standing demurely, dressed in pretty casual clothes.

She still held a sword in her arms. Excellent.

As Rohan approached, her head, eyes still closed, turned.

“I’m not late, am I?”

“I just got here too.”

“Where’s Noa?”

“She said she’s busy today. Apparently, it’s an important day where she has to decide the alley boss among the Academy City cats…”

Ichinose trailed off, as if finding it hard to understand even as she said it, but…

For Rohan, it was an easily imaginable scene.

Because he had seen Noa in the park, giving harsh discipline and training the stray cats.

“That’s unusual. You two not sticking together.”

“Days like this happen. Rohan, do you prefer it more when Noa is around…?”

“Why would Aeng-ae Nose think that?”

“…”

Ichinose pouted her lips and took the lead.

There was no sign of sulking in the girl’s figure as she looked back, urging him to hurry.

Rohan walked, taking his place beside Ichinose.

“Is there a good restaurant around here?”

“Yes. It’s a shop only those in the know know about.”

“Am I one of those ‘in the know’ people now?”

Ichinose chuckled at Rohan’s words and asked.

“Rohan, you like meat, right?”

“I do like meat. But I eat vegetables well too. I’m not particularly picky.”

“Then you’ll be satisfied. It’s a steak specialty restaurant that only sells a limited amount per day.”

“Ooh!”

“The meat is good, and the portions aren’t small either. The sides are excellent too.”

“My mouth is already watering.”

Rohan could tell. She had chosen the restaurant considering his appetite.

Wasn’t Ichinose the type who preferred to eat lightly?

Since she had respected his preferences, it was best to react as enthusiastically as possible.

“After the meal, you can also enjoy dessert inside…”

“…”

The two, walking down the quiet alley, stopped.

Because of a black stone monument that had suddenly appeared in their vision.

Monolith!

By the time he realized, it was already too late.

Ruuuumble───!!!

The jet-black monument exuded an ominous aura, its characters glowing.

Mana surged wildly, twisting the space around them.

“Ichinose! Come here!”

“…!”

Rohan pulled the frozen Ichinose and held her tightly in his arms.

They absolutely must not get separated inside.

A new notification window, encountered for the first time in a while.

Rohan’s eyes widened in horror.

Mongma? Succubus!?

The title was so shocking that the reward didn’t even register.

In that brief moment.

The Monolith swallowed the two of them.