Chapter 12: School Life is Sick! (7)

“Ready for the next stage?”

Wiping off my sweat, an invigorating AI voice tickled my ears.

“Are you taunting me?”

Pressuring me for the next ‘challenge’? Trying to rush me? It might sound arrogant, but I’ve been waiting for it. Your push.

For me right now, this provocation to take on the challenge is just sweet music to my ears. So enticing.

I’m thirsty for combat.

“Challenge me all you want. Bring me the next enemy… a stronger enemy! Summon an adversary worthy of me!”

Zzzing.

The same spectacle repeated. As the lasers shot out, a holographic beast began forming from my feet up.

“Huh.”

My opponents this time were two Antazoras.

Two F-rank monsters.

“Playing it dirty now, are we?”

Well, it makes sense. Such creatures probably don’t wander alone. Weaker creatures tend to move in packs. Expecting a multiple enemy scenario is logical.

Thorough research, one could say.

The educational philosophy of Ares Academy stands out.

“Just because you come in twos doesn’t mean you can defeat me… Know your place, you wretched worms.”

I murmured, my spirit burning.

“Screeeeech!”

“Screeeeech!”

The two Antazoras raised their heads and waved their tentacles as they screeched. They might be holograms, giving off a sky-blue ethereal vibe, but their detailed appearance made them eerily realistic.

Disgusting creatures.

Let’s see.

Their moves were predictable. Run straight at me, then attack with their tentacles when close. Clearly, they weren’t very intelligent. With low intelligence… I probably don’t need to worry about getting surrounded.

It’s just a hypothesis, but let’s clash and see. After all, it’s just training; there’s no real danger. Facing such scenarios head-on will help me get used to them.

“Come at me!”

The very moment I shouted—

Woosh!

Both Antazoras charged towards me!

“As expected.”

No signs of them trying to surround me. They just ran side by side. Such an idiotic move. I can’t believe they’re considered my adversaries.

I timed my move to take them down!

Just as they were about to reach me—

Swish!

I sidestepped, dodging their charge.

“Screech!”

“Screeeech!”

Predictably, they both reacted the same. The moment they missed me, they began to slow down, preparing to turn around. Is their pattern so basic because of the AI? I wonder if real monsters would behave this way.

Well, no matter. I’ve already taken one down. Without hesitation, I dashed and plunged my blade into the slowing Antazora’s back.

“Strike!”

Boom!

“Screeeeech!”

Such a delightful sound of impact! Two strikes and they’re down. Earlier, I was cautious, striking them only once before retreating. No need for that now.

“It’s a combo, you bastard!”

A consecutive strike. He swung his blade again!

—Boom!

With that, the creature dispersed into a cluster of lights. At the same time, another one from behind charged at me. It had already turned its body in my direction.

“Squreeeeek!”

“Just dodge lightly.”

—Swish!

The moment the creature slowed down, showing its back to me.

“Die!”

I quickly delivered another double-strike to its back. I might not have formally trained in swordsmanship, but anyone can swing a stick swiftly twice.

—Boom!

—Boom!

And it was over.

“Yahoo!!!”

I can easily handle up to two of them!

Seems like an ordinary person with a weapon can deal with an F-rank monster.

“Are these guys weaker than deers?”

Honestly, when I was in the army, wild boars were a disaster, so I always avoided them. Never approached them, whether I saw one or knew one was nearby.

But occasionally, when I faced deer, I’d seriously ponder if I could beat one in a one-on-one.

“But these guys, they’re just weaklings.”

At this rate, even against a large dog, I think this creature would lose. Ah, but maybe I haven’t been hit by those tentacles yet. If those tentacles are dangerous, the combat ranking might change.

The familiar voice of the AI echoed again.

“Didn’t you hear? I’m training hard, Moonlight Sculptor style!”

I plan to grow stronger by beating these holographic monsters here.

“Bring it on! Summon the enemies for the next stage!”

And what was summoned…

—Whine.

“Three of these creatures, damn it!”

Stop copy-pasting the monsters!

*     *     *

“Haa… Haa…!”

Moonlight Sculptor style training is damn hard when done continuously.

“This is so damn exhausting.”

Damn it, I haven’t moved this vigorously in a long time; feels like I’m running out of breath.

“I can’t breathe, mayday.”

Anyway, I easily took down the three creatures. They charged at me with some distance between them. I just slid between them, held them from behind, and slashed twice. It worked like a charm.

That was Level 3 of Stage 1. From Stage 4, a monster called Kamphunia, an F-rank monster, appeared.

It looked like a chubby bug with a duck-like beak, almost the size of a pig, which was shocking.

I thought it was a weakling, but then it suddenly sprayed some kind of poison from its mouth. I dodged and managed to defeat one, but in Stage 5, when two appeared, I was caught in their crossfire. Seriously, I even danced trying to avoid them, but in the end, I got hit by both of them.

So, I was deemed “killed”, and the training ended. The holographic effects turned off, and the original training room returned.

“Phew.”

After catching my breath, I stood up.

“Very good.”

I was out of breath and it was extremely exhausting, but what I felt was a sense of accomplishment and joy. I managed to clear from the beginning to Level 5 of Stage 1. This can only be described as talent.

Moreover, I’ve gotten a bit of a grasp on things like swinging my sword roughly, or methods of attack. But that’s about it. It’s the kind of realization one has when they first dabble in martial arts.

In the future, if I expand on this, I’ll probably become a powerful superhuman. But even though I’ve trained, I’ve never really used this thing called mana, so I don’t really know how to use it.

I tried to use the Enchant skill, but it didn’t work.

Maybe I should ask Instructor Kawar about this mana stuff? Although she likes to tease and laugh at others, she seems capable as an instructor. Doesn’t seem like the type to turn away a student seeking help.

“But shouldn’t my stats increase?”

I’ve defeated a good number of hologram monsters, but there’s no sign of my stats increasing. Is the Moonlight Sculptor-style hardcore training not effective here?

“Well, at least it was fun.”

Honestly, it was a blast.

This combat training, I feel like I could do it every day. If something like this existed in reality, I’d probably do it daily just for fun. The experience was so realistic and engaging.

But doing all this running and moving about, it feels like I’m doing a lot of aerobic exercise but not really anything anaerobic. I wasn’t doing any kind of short-term power sprinting, after all.

“Hmm.”

With a swift motion, I removed my top and stood in front of the mirror to inspect my physique.

“…”

It’s just the body of an average high schooler. I haven’t really gained any muscles. To build them up, I’d need to focus on strength training… Alright.

“Let’s see.”

After school at 5 o’clock, I’ll come here. I’ll start with some strength exercises and then head to the training ground to slay some monsters.

Study? I’ll do that at school. I mean, is studying really crucial for a hero? All they seem to do is fight monsters all day. Physical prowess and technique seem to be the top priorities. Once I master how to use my body, I should excel at it.

“Hehehe.”

I feel overwhelmingly motivated. I’m so excited about starting tomorrow that I’m already making plans in my head.

“I’ll run a few more training sessions, hit the gym, and then head home.”

Today marks the day Kim Geun-chul evolves from an average person to a superhuman!

Who dares to stop me?!

—
Raei  Translations
—

“Sigh, seriously. Headmistress, please, just this once. I really didn’t know. I’m so sorry. I didn’t do it on purpose.”

I begged the foreign woman in front of me, dressed in a maid’s outfit.

“I’m truly sorry. It was just a one-time mistake, really.”

I apologized profusely, asking for forgiveness. Darn it. I was feeling so good after my workout, and now this mess?

“It’s not like I was out playing. It’s the beginning of the semester, so I went to the training ground to work hard.”

“You trained hard? That’s commendable.”

“Yes! See! I’m all sweaty!”

I quickly fluttered my shirt to show off how much I had sweated during the training.

“So, please, consider forgiving this hard-working student just this once. I promise not to be late again. Oh, and what’s in this bag… I didn’t eat because I was training… So I picked up something from the school store on my way back. Can you please forgive me?”

“I can’t. It’s a demerit.”

After all my pleading, she still gives me a demerit!

“No way! Superintendent! How can you give me a penalty point? If you had announced it clearly, I might have understood, but I had no idea!”

“You deserve the penalty. There are no exceptions to the dormitory rules. Even if you perform well in training, a penalty is still a penalty.”

“Please…!”

“One exception can break all discipline. Students need to learn that.”

Her argument was valid, leaving me unable to protest.

“It’s one penalty point for now. If you accumulate three, there will be consequences. That’s all.”

“Ugh!”

“The dormitory rules are available at the counter on the first floor. Please take one.”

Looks like I couldn’t escape the penalty.

How dare this woman give me a penalty point? It was so unfair I couldn’t contain my frustration.

“Sigh.”

But what can I do? It’s the dorm rule to be in by 11 o’clock. It was my fault for not thinking about it. But I couldn’t help feeling resentful.

I immediately entered the dormitory, picked up a copy of the rule book, and started ascending the stairs.

“Seriously, what kind of superintendent is this?”

I had such a fulfilling return from the training center on the 3rd floor, even enjoying the gym. But the foreign superintendent caught me. I should’ve just enjoyed myself till exactly 10 o’clock.

But she is pretty, like the principal. And Instructor Lee Sora. Leona too. And the superintendent. All these women are truly beautiful.

Lost in such thoughts, I looked at the rule book while climbing the stairs.

“- Bathhouse on the 10th floor is open from 06:00 to 00:00.”

“Oh!”

The bathhouse is open until midnight. And there seems to be a sauna too. Is it because it’s an elite academy? The facilities are pretty impressive.

I should try it sometime.

With that in mind, I arrived in front of my room.

From afar, I could see someone approaching. Holding a can of cola, he probably went to get a drink.

It’s someone I know.

“Hey! Isn’t that you, Si-hu?”

“Huh?”

It was indeed Lee Si-hu.

The ever-kind and amiable friend of mine.

“Geun-chul?”

Recognizing me, he approached.

But the more I look at him, the more androgynous he seems. He’s shorter and has a smaller frame than me. It’s fascinating how someone like him could be stronger than me.

“Your room is around here?”

“Yeah. Yours?”

“I’m at the very end.”

“Not much difference then.”

Well, we are in the same grade and class after all.

“Exactly. I didn’t expect to be near Geun-chul. But you just got in? The curfew should’ve passed by now?”

“I was caught on my way in and got a penalty. I didn’t know there was a curfew. Got caught right when I was returning from the training center.”

“You used the training center?”

“Yeah, it was fun. Haven’t you tried?”

“No…”

“Do you want to join me tomorrow?”

“Sure. Let’s do that.”

Great. I’ve got backup now. If there’s any issue, the two of us can handle it together.

“But have you taken a bath?”

“Huh? No, not yet. Why?”

“Well, I saw that there’s a bathhouse on the top floor of the dormitory. If you haven’t showered yet, want to go together?”

“What? A bathhouse?”

“Yeah.”

“Uh… No.”

“Hmm?”

He awkwardly placed his hand over his chest, looking down.

“No, I’m fine. I’ve got things to do. I planned to wash up in my room after handling that.”

“Oh, is that so?”

Guess I’ll use the bath alone.

“Then head on in. Let’s catch up tomorrow.”

“Sure. See you tomorrow, Geun-chul.”

He headed straight into the dormitory.

Should I give the communal bath a try?

—