episode_0084

Chirp chirp!

Tap tap.

Hiking after lunch always feels refreshing.

The place we’re heading to isn’t your typical hiking route, but if you think about it, climbing a mountain is still considered hiking.

“Sian, where are we going?”

“Just follow me for now.”

Already feeling tired, Hedy panted heavily as she followed behind me.

We were heading towards the peak behind the academy.

It was the same place I had gone to before to break into 5 stars.

The path was relatively flat with fewer obstructive trees and thorns compared to the current hiking trails.

Although Hedy seemed fatigued from the long climb, there was no time to relax.

“I will make her a 3-star within a month.”

A condition set to Iris as part of the mission.

Realizing this, Hedy, though showing signs of exhaustion, obediently climbed the mountain following my lead.

It was a moment when her desire to become stronger was clearly evident in her mindset.

…Some time passed.

“We’re here. This is it.”

“Pant pant….”

We arrived at the place where I had previously broken into 5 stars.

As Hedy, who was about to take a rest, looked around, she was taken aback by the surroundings.

“What… what’s all this? Did you do this, Sian?”

“Not all of it was me.”

Massive rocks cleanly split in half due to the sword clashes, with the ground bearing marks of intense battles.

The destroyed surroundings resembled utter chaos.

Hedy stared blankly at the scene.

Of course.

Ordinary inspectors could never leave such traces from their fights.

After becoming a 5-star, I had clashed swords with Iris, resulting in this wreckage.

“Rest for a minute. We’ll start training right away.”

“What kind of training are we doing in a place like this?”

“There are various methods. Just follow along.”

It wasn’t a time to relax and admire the surroundings.

The given period was one month. I had to make Hedy a 3-star inspector as soon as possible.

I took out a few Ondan leaves and potions containing sacred power from my backpack.

“What are these for?”

“They will push you to your limits and keep you from dying.”

Confused, I handed Hedy a sword from the scabbard and thought to myself.

She would experience a whole new world today, starting with the Hell Training route that guarantees pain for the seasoned warriors.

She would have become a Sword Master eventually in the story, even without my intervention.

There shouldn’t be any issues.

She would break through to higher levels eventually; I was just expediting the process.

“Hedy, what I’m about to do is an investment in you.”

An investment in her becoming a Sword Master.

“You need to get stronger. Stronger than anyone else, as strong as you want to be, standing in front of me.”

“Yeah….”

This way of speaking would also alleviate some of her pressure.

If we weigh the pros and cons, it wouldn’t be mentally taxing for her either.

Handing her the sword, I continued, “Hell Training starts now.”

***

“Swish!”

With each stroke of his sword, Cain cut through the air fiercely.

After many events, training was the only way he could clear his mind refreshingly.

Cain was on the verge of reaching 4 stars soon.

– Hwah!

He had reached a level where he could use Aura freely now.

However…

“…Still not enough.”

Compared to his peers like Aria and Sian, he lacked the strength to compete.

That’s not to say Cain’s level was low.

Most academy graduates graduated as 3 stars, so Cain’s achievements were remarkable.

The issue lay in the inferiority complex that had recently developed within him.

Clang! Thud! Boom!

Cain found himself able to crush the iron reinforcement targets of the training ground one by one, yet he couldn’t shake off the feeling of inferiority compared to Si-an, who was clearly superior.

If that were the case, he could sweep away these iron reinforcement targets in one go.

Cain felt utterly pathetic compared to him.

Comparison. Comparison. Comparison…

Why did he keep comparing himself like this?

Perhaps it was because Si-an had been tormenting him, and seeing that tormentor surpassing him by leaps and bounds.

Cain’s pride might have been crushed.

Constantly belittling himself, what if the tormentor who had plagued him excelled beyond him?

Naturally, it would fuel his sense of inferiority.

In that sense, Cain… was on the verge of losing his mind.

-Clang! Roar!

“Not enough…!”

Despite being pushed to the edge of a cliff, he pushed himself even further to his limits.

Avoiding Aria and Lucy, who were close to Si-an lately.

Except for meeting Elise, he seemed to devote all his time to training.

“Pant, pant… Huff…”

Drained, Cain collapsed to the ground, feeling his strength and magic depleted, experiencing dizziness.

…The havoc he wreaked.

After lunchtime, it seemed like he had destroyed at least 2000 training targets.

Targets were scattered around, the surrounding terrain in disarray.

It looked like the Academy janitors would have their work cut out for them.

“…Had enough rest. Again…”

“Are you the acknowledged Cain of the Varbo family?”

“…?”

Just as Cain, who hadn’t rested for a minute, tried to get up, someone approached him in the training grounds.

“They asked if you are Cain, the son of the Varbo family.”

“Yes, but who… are you?”

Feeling disrupted in his training, Cain concealed his discomfort as he faced the newcomer.

A stout figure.

A nose buried in fat.

Freckles and tiny eyes.

…He bore a strange resemblance to Si-an from the past. …No, perhaps it was just that chubby people tended to look alike.

The first impression wasn’t favorable.

“Well, nice to meet you. I am Prince Verdiosi of the Western Empire.”

“The West…? Are you referring to the Bahadra Empire?”

“Yes.”

Verdi adjusted his protruding belly while assessing Cain.

“I see. What brings the prince here?”

“Oh! They say nobility has no manners, but seems like the same goes for ranks, doesn’t it?!”

“…?”

Cain furrowed his brow.

Why was there talk of rank etiquette at the Academy?

In Ariel Academy, which promoted equality, there was no need for special treatment based on rank.

After a few exchanges, Cain assessed the newcomer and returned to his training.

-Roar! Crash! Roar!

“Huh, huh… Huk….”

Exhausted, Cain sat down, feeling drained of both physical and magical energy, experiencing vertigo.

…The carnage he caused.

It seemed like he had destroyed at least 2000 training targets after lunch.

Targets lay scattered, the surrounding area in chaos.

It looked like the Academy janitors would have their work cut out for them.

“…Had enough rest. Again…”

“Are you the acknowledged Cain of the Varbo family?”

“…?”

Just as Cain, who hadn’t rested for a minute, tried to get up, someone approached him in the training grounds.

“They asked if you are Cain, the son of the Varbo family.”

“Yes, but who… are you?”

Feeling disrupted in his training, Cain concealed his discomfort as he faced the newcomer.

A stout figure.

A nose buried in fat.

Freckles and tiny eyes.

…He bore a strange resemblance to Si-an from the past. …No, perhaps it was just that chubby people tended to look alike.

The first impression wasn’t favorable.

“Well, nice to meet you. I am Prince Verdiosi of the Western Empire.”

“The West…? Are you referring to the Bahadra Empire?”

“Yes.”

Verdi adjusted his protruding belly while assessing Cain.

“I see. What brings the prince here?”

“Oh! They say nobility has no manners, but seems like the same goes for ranks, doesn’t it?!”

“…?”

Cain furrowed his brow.

Why was there talk of rank etiquette at the Academy?

In Ariel Academy, which promoted equality, there was no need for special treatment based on rank.

After a few exchanges, Cain assessed the newcomer and returned to his training.

-Roar! Crash! Roar!

“Huh, huh… Huk….”

Exhausted, Cain sat down, feeling drained of both physical and magical energy, experiencing vertigo.

…The carnage he caused.

It seemed like he had destroyed at least 2000 training targets after lunch.

Targets lay scattered

“No, this person! I didn’t come here to pick a fight. Let’s put down that sword and talk!”

“….”

Cain lowers the sword he had aimed at Verdi.

“Well, it’s not just me who has suffered at the hands of Cyan Gongja. When I heard there was another victim like me, I thought I should look into Cyan Gong a bit… I felt like there might be something I need to tell you.”

“Something to tell?”

“Yes!”

Verdi hits his chest with his fist and continues speaking.

“I heard rumors that Cain Gong’s friends have been hanging out with Cyan lately, despite his misdeeds spreading far and wide!”

“….”

Upon hearing this, Cain could immediately discern.

Two figures came to mind right away.

Lucy Amelia.

And Aria Silvesta.

“How could this happen? Cain Gong is a victim of his torment, isn’t he? Yet his friends are associating closely with him. What kind of disrespect to Cain Gong’s dignity is this!”

“…He has changed.”

Cain turns his head and says somewhat indifferently.

“He even bowed his head and apologized to me. At first, I thought he was just acting again, but seeing his recent actions, he seems genuinely reformed. …As for my pride, I’ll handle it myself. It doesn’t seem to concern you.”

“Oh! How can that be! Cain Gong, I am a prince from the west, a prince! Although my current actions may differ from my past, I once had a close relationship with Cyan Gongja!”

Verdi continues, clicking his tongue.

“Do you really think he has changed? I know him well! He is someone who lusts after women through unsavory means. From what I’ve heard, he even laid hands on slaves!”

“….!”

“Do you understand now? With such a shady past constantly resurfacing, how can one completely change. Your friends are in danger now, do you understand?”

Seeing Cain increasingly affected by his words, Verdi relaxes and subtly starts mixing informal language.

It was a habit that emerged unconsciously due to his habit of subconsciously looking down on Cain, a lower noble viscount.

“Surely Cain’s friends are just being influenced to try it out once. Aren’t Cain’s friends some of the most beautiful women at the academy?”

Cain’s expression starts to become more serious.

From the moment the word “slave” was mentioned, he felt as if a weight had been placed on his head.

Right, Verdi, who had caught on to his weakness, continued to press on.

“From commoners to slaves… It’s uncertain whether such a corrupt person can truly reform. Cain, shouldn’t you save your friends? Even if they are friends causing you betrayal by associating with those who have tormented you, aren’t they childhood friends you’ve been with since you were young?”

In truth, Verdi had only heard rumors about laying hands on slaves.

He himself did not know for sure if Cain had done such a thing, but for now, that was enough.

“How do you suggest I save them?”

Cain asks, and Verdi chuckles.

Here we go.

He took the bait.

The current Cain was no different from a hooked fish for Verdi’s deception.

“Just do as I say from now on. Then you’ll be able to save your friends.”

“I’ll listen to your plan first before deciding.”

“Very well. I abhor despicable acts too.”

Verdi said.

“In a few weeks, I heard that Cyan Gongja will be absent from the academy for field training. So for now-“