Ch.45EP.13 – The Fair Instructor (4)

# The delicate noble lady, Levi Jeanne d’Arc, successfully performed “Gyeong,” causing an uproar among the cadets.

They were amazed that such an incredible technique could be performed by someone other than an instructor.

They admired that a girl who had only been training for a short time could accomplish it.

They felt hopeful that they too could do it.

They were overflowing with desire to learn Gyeong.

However.

“Urrrgh…!”

“G-Grandmother…? Why are you here?”

“Snap out of it, you fool! Your grandmother is healthy! She’ll outlive you!”

…At the moment, they weren’t so sure.

The cadets were all collapsed on the ground, clutching their stomachs.

Those who had eagerly volunteered when the instructor offered to let them experience Gyeong were now rolling in the dirt in agony, some even experiencing something like a near-death experience with their consciousness fading.

What was this familiar scene?

It was an extreme situation they had experienced several times since coming to Vulcan.

They had only wanted to learn, but they couldn’t understand how they ended up in such a state.

“Next. Come quickly.”

“……”

“Why are you just standing there? Don’t you want to learn?”

“…Instructor, why are we being treated differently from Levi Jeanne d’Arc?”

“Different treatment?”

“I’m asking why you’re hitting us without explanation.”

When he said he would let them experience “Gyeong,” they thought he would simply place his hand on their backs like he did with Levi Jeanne d’Arc.

Instead, the instructor delivered a direct strike to the center of their stomachs without warning.

Afterward, the cadets ended up rolling on the ground, feeling a vague sense of terror.

‘What’s going on?’

‘Did we do something wrong?’

‘Did he find my diary where I wrote bad things about him?’

Not wanting to end up like a split log, they wondered if they should kneel down and apologize immediately.

They worried if they had somehow offended him.

It was pure survival instinct.

The submissiveness they had learned while struggling at Vulcan.

“You’re talking nonsense.”

He snorted.

“In Levi Jeanne d’Arc’s case, her physical endurance is significantly lower, so the instructor guided her energy more gently. But you’re different. Your level of training is different, and your physical abilities have improved considerably in a short time. So I’m using a more efficient method to let you experience Gyeong.”

“D-Do we really have to get hit?”

“I need to pound Gyeong into your bodies. Through that, you’ll fully feel Gyeong and reach what’s called an awakened state. Be grateful—this is a technique that only I can do right now. It requires delicate skill.”

Internal Force Striking Method.

Experiencing Baltar Grace’s technique had been a great help.

It allowed him to develop such a convenient method.

“W-Will we die?”

“Don’t worry. You’ll feel pain like your insides are being torn apart, but I guarantee no one will die.”

This was a fact he had confirmed through experimenting—no, helping—Jake Farman, his only friend in the Order.

There were side effects, like feeling your groin being squeezed and bursting with pain for over two hours, but…

Wasn’t that more bearable than being water-tortured all day by a spellcaster?

“…Kunta thinks this seems like a very barbaric method.”

A barbaric comment from someone of a race called barbarian warriors.

The others shared the same opinion.

But Ihan Turtle was resolute.

“Just try it. This is the fastest way.”

“Th-This is gender discrimination!”

“No, it’s fair. How can I treat beginners and experienced people the same way? I believe in your physical strength.”

“…Please treat us a little unfairly instead.”

That was their honest wish.

However.

“Stop talking nonsense and hurry up. The sun is setting.”

“……”

They had no other choice.

* * *

-Thud.

“I-I feel like I’m dying…”

“Urrrgh!”

“……”

Some collapsed and rolled around, while others fainted.

It felt like they were using up a lifetime’s worth of fainting at Vulcan.

Yet even as they complained of pain, they felt a burning sensation spreading from the center of their stomachs.

It was rougher than the pulsation Levi Jeanne d’Arc had felt, but it was definitely there.

A powerful energy that had been with them since birth, but they had never known about.

Now that they felt it, they realized the true nature of Gyeong was…

“Manipulating ‘mass’… It’s incredible.”

The Fighting Spirit technique amplifies the “life force” or “energy” in the body for a moment.

With practice, depending on the practitioner’s skill, it can guarantee a 10 to 20-fold increase in ability, making it an extraordinary technique that’s difficult to explain.

…In contrast, the Gyeong they newly awakened to was closer to an “enlightenment” technique.

Rather than amplifying physical abilities, it was a method of handling the “mass” that every human possesses.

Arno de Ophen nodded in admiration at this different approach.

‘I see, so that’s how such an impossible feat was possible.’

Splitting a log?

It had seemed amazing just moments ago, but approaching it theoretically, he realized it wasn’t entirely impossible.

Take Levi Jeanne d’Arc, for example.

‘Now that she’s awakened to Gyeong, even that young lady could do it.’

Assuming her weight is 39kg, it should be possible.

Some might question how such a frail body could manage it, but the key is in how the mass is used.

‘Gyeong is a technique that freely transfers the body’s mass to various parts. That’s what it is.’

A 39kg object isn’t light, but when applied to a person, it’s quite light.

This is because the body’s mass isn’t concentrated in one place but is distributed throughout the human body.

But what if all that distributed mass could be focused on a fist, foot, or leg?

‘Being hit by a 39kg iron ball would be like being hit by a lethal weapon.’

Add to that the average grip strength × 39kg of mass, multiplied by the acceleration of the fist, and what would the force be?

‘A 39kg sling-shot… it would have enough power to pierce walls.’

Even Goliath died instantly from a stone.

If realized, there could be no more terrifying technique.

“Theoretically, even Levi Jeanne d’Arc could split a tree. However, such a technique would put tremendous strain on the body. Enough to self-destruct if used carelessly.”

“I understand why the instructor acted that way. This can’t be used unless the body is solid.”

“If used incorrectly, the chicks and sprouts would all burst like balloons. Kunta thinks caution is needed.”

“…Still, it’s efficient. If you know the trick, you can become stronger. The potential for development is endless.”

“……”

It was an unusual comment from Roen Dmitri de Lionel, who rarely joined their conversations, and it was a valid opinion that silenced them.

Yes, as he said, the power of “Gyeong” would continue to increase depending on how diligently the practitioner trained and developed their physical abilities.

Weight itself would naturally increase with good eating and training.

Moreover, Gyeong doesn’t just handle weight but even converts heartbeats into energy.

With mastery, one could properly distribute all the mass that makes up the body.

In the end.

“In terms of ‘utilizing’ the energy of the body, this is similar to the Fighting Spirit technique. Although the process is more arduous and requires more effort. If one can reach the endpoint of this path, they might be able to reach it.”

“…Are you talking about becoming superhuman?”

“You already know the answer.”

“Hmm!”

The opinion that both Fighting Spirit and Gyeong were paths for humans to become superhuman.

They couldn’t deny it.

And if their thoughts were correct, then this meant…

‘Ha, are we facing the founder of a [school of martial arts] right now?’

‘How ironic. To think there would be someone like this besides our old man.’

‘A great warrior?’

Each had their own thoughts and couldn’t hide their astonishment.

They looked at the instructor with fresh eyes.

“…You’re all having fun with this.”

However, Ihan Turtle, who had heard all their conversation, just shook his head and sighed.

His expression seemed to ask when they would ever grow up.

Why were they overinterpreting and making such a fuss?

“It’s just an inferior version of the Fighting Spirit technique. It’s not a technique worthy of recognition in the world.”

“B-But for the creator himself to say that…”

“I’m evaluating what I created, what’s wrong with that?”

“……”

The creator’s assessment was strict.

“What you’re talking about is just a fantasy and theory. I continue to practice this, but I still can’t give a definitive answer, so superhuman? What imagination! Why don’t you write a script?”

“……”

“This is why you’re still children, already getting ahead of yourselves. If those sprouts show off and die, will you take responsibility?”

“…Hmm.”

A scathing criticism.

But it wasn’t entirely wrong, as there were quite a few who were showing interest and sparkling eyes after hearing their conversation.

…Though they quickly dimmed after Ihan’s rebuke.

And so Ihan sternly scolded those who had gotten ahead of themselves.

“Don’t seriously listen to such nonsense. Even someone who’s been called a genius since childhood and mastered the Fighting Spirit technique in a day can’t reach the level of an ‘Aura User’ until they die of old age. Don’t try to be a sparrow following a heron, or you’ll split your legs.

He was particularly strict and somehow extinguished their expectations.

But why?

All the cadets paid attention to his words.

They felt a rough but unadorned truthfulness.

Because they knew it was a scolding solely for their benefit.

“Gyeong has more disadvantages than advantages. Why? The moment you neglect training even for a day, you weaken. After all, it’s a method based on physical ability, so that’s something to consider.”

“Not only that, while Fighting Spirit matures to some extent even as you age and adapts to your physical abilities, Gyeong will inevitably become a great burden on the body once you pass your physical prime. It’s the fate of a technique that relies on physical ability.”

“…As you use it more, your bones will break and muscles will tear more frequently. So you must always consider how to distribute your strength. If used recklessly, it’s perfect for self-destruction.”

It was relentlessly harsh.

A series of statements that made them anxious about their learning and future, dropping their motivation.

Nevertheless.

“But if there’s one clear advantage.”

They brightened their eyes because the single, unique advantage he mentioned would compensate for all those disadvantages.

“I can guarantee that even if you lack talent, as long as you have the ‘talent’ of ‘effort and perseverance,’ results will surely follow.”

The end of a sincere, plain speech.

Sometimes, such unadorned eloquence could touch the heart.

At least it gave them the belief that he wouldn’t deceive them.

“It doesn’t shorten your lifespan like the Fighting Spirit techniques used by guilds or mercenaries, right? That’s enough for me.”

“I’m deeply grateful.”

“There’s an opportunity, a chance to become stronger someday… Just knowing this is enough for me.”

“Thank you, Instructor!”

All the cadets bowed deeply with sincerity, their heads almost touching the ground.

Although the learning process was arduous and painful, he had given them a chance to at least catch up to those far ahead.

That alone made them happy and grateful.

—Sincerely.

“These kids…”

A ticklish warmth.

He unconsciously rubbed the bridge of his nose.

Had he become more sensitive with age?

Seeing the kids bow their heads in gratitude made his heart ache.

‘This is why I hate getting older.’

…Wasn’t he becoming more tearful?

So Ihan decided to express his emotion in his own way.

The best he could do for them was none other than…

“Now you need to get used to it, right?”

“…?”

“For the next 10 days, I’ll give you 18-to-1 sparring sessions every day. We’ll continue until you get used to Gyeong!”

“……”

Crash!

Even though there was no glass nearby, they heard a sound like a light bulb breaking.

The sound of their hearts shattering beyond their collapsing spirits.

Their eyes, which had almost reddened with emotion, now deadened.

What?

Wasn’t the mood different just now?

“……”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“…You know why.”

“What?”

“…You lack empathy.”

“Is there any empathy more certain and efficient than making you stronger?”

“……”

“Come on! Before we spar, let’s just do a light 100 laps!”

“…Ugh.”

Instructors, or professors, were creatures that didn’t understand human emotions.