“Next.”
“Wooooo!!!”
Noah Frozenheart’s turn was followed by Gilbert stepping up.
Now that they were allowed to use their personal weapons, Gilbert transformed the bracelet on his wrist into a shield.
‘What a ridiculous guy.’
Rohan only found out today that this guy’s main weapon was a massive shield.
During practical lessons, he always swung around a standard-issue blunt weapon, claiming it was just because he felt like using a blunt weapon that day.
Thanks to that, Gilbert got scolded by Juyun even before the match started.
“Kyaaa!!! Shield push!”
“Bold spirit is good. But you don’t need to shout out the action itself when it’s not even a skill activation phrase.”
“Down with gorillas!!! Golden spirit!!!”
“···?”
Gilbert, infused with mana, charged at Juyun like a bull, but the result was no surprise.
Even with his shield and massive body combined, Juyun didn’t budge an inch and continued to deliver sharp critiques.
After 2 minutes.
Gilbert, who had used all his mana, collapsed exhausted and twitching.
The finale was Rohan dragging him away.
“Next.”
“Instructor, it’s my turn next.”
Next up was a character from Abyss City who had a decent reputation as an A-rank tank.
Pavel Harris, a male beastkin from Tigroba.
Pavel seemed inspired by Gilbert’s shouts and reckless actions.
Rohan had never raised him, but the cadet had a reputation in the community as “good for emergency use in Party 2 if you’ve maxed out transcendence.”
He then received similar critiques from Juyun for 2 minutes.
A few more went by, and Dick Wikitree ended up in an awkward spot in the lineup.
“The instructor won’t get hurt even if you stab with a spear. Be bolder and act without hesitation.”
“Yes···.”
“If hesitation creeps into your attacks, the critiques lose their meaning.”
Dick, scolded by Juyun, trudged back to his seat with his short spear.
Meanwhile, Ichinose Yui, having finished her meditation, stood up.
“I’ll take my turn.”
The girl gripped her beloved sword, Yoru (Night), and stepped forward.
Noah and the rest of Class 1 watched with keen interest.
*Click. Click.*
Ichinose took graceful steps and stood in front of Juyun.
Juyun repeated the same instructions she gave to the other cadets.
“Same as before, 2 minutes for the attack.”
“Yes.”
*Clang!* Ichinose gripped the hilt and lowered her stance.
The girl mobilized all her heightened senses, trying to find an effective opening.
“···.”
About 10 seconds passed.
Ichinose remained frozen, as if time had stopped, without drawing her sword.
‘…There’s no opening.’
The opponent had no gaps. No attacks to dodge or deflect.
No path to extend her sword.
“Totally different vibe from my dad.”
How am I supposed to swing my sword against someone who just stands there like a statue?
I couldn’t even imagine scratching them, let alone cutting them down.
—
“Ichinose Yui. Unlike Noah, you think way too much.”
Juyun smiled at Ichinose, who was trying to read her movements.
—
“Such dazzling talent.”
She’s a brilliant girl, no doubt.
But that’s exactly what’s poisoning her now.
Her ability to read situations is so sharp that she’s more aware than anyone of the unbreakable wall in front of her.
—
Now that she’s fully realized that swinging her sword won’t reach her target…
Can a girl who strives for efficiency really draw a meaningless sword?
That’s what matters.
—
“The instructor said she wouldn’t attack, so why hesitate?”
“…”
Out of nowhere, Ichinose drew her sword.
*Swoosh—!!!*
Juyun’s fingers stopped Ichinose’s blade mid-air.
Even though it was caught, a deep slash mark was left on the gymnasium wall.
—
“She’s sharp.”
Rohan watched Ichinose with pure admiration.
The moment she attempted her first draw, she opened her eyes, which had been closed.
She cut off her own overly sensitive nerves and turned her gaze away from the suffocating wall.
If Juyun had known Ichinose’s unique skill, she might’ve genuinely praised her.
—
“Your speed and mana control are top-notch. You’re way above the average academy cadet.”
Ichinose didn’t thank the instructor for the compliment.
Instead, she spat out her blade and hurled the empty scabbard at Juyun’s neck.
Juyun, with a satisfied smile, blocked the scabbard by lowering Ichinose’s blade.
—
“Hmph!”
Ichinose, with her petite frame, used a martial arts move to retrieve her sword.
Unlike Noah Frozenheart, Ichinose’s attacks have a clear system.
—
“I guess I can give it back now.”
After struggling, Ichinose successfully reclaimed her blade and *click*—sheathed it.
Then, she took a unique stance.
Holding her sword upright in front of her, she closed her eyes.
—
“Hoh.”
Juyun, who had served as a general in Samhwakuk, recognized that sword style.
—
“The Dream Phantom Slash Style, huh?”
The sword style used by Ichinose Yui’s father, Ichinose Jun, the chairman of Cheonwaecheon Corporation.
Juyun wanted to praise Ichinose for even attempting such a tricky style.
—
“Her future looks promising.”
A mental-type sword style that’s a nightmare to face as an opponent.
But.
The gap between Ichinose and Juyun wasn’t something an incomplete sword style could bridge.
—
No matter how she swung it. No matter where she swung it.
No matter how much mana she poured into her illusions.
Ichinose’s skill couldn’t shake Juyun’s rock-solid mind.
—
No matter what she did, it was useless.
Was the pressure too much?
A drop of sweat rolled down the girl’s jawline.
“You look frustrated. When using that type of sword, you need to act calm. Don’t let your face show impatience.”
“Ugh!”
Ichinose, who had been silent until now, let out her first sigh.
Juyun smiled warmly at the girl’s immature flaws.
“The Instructor knew about that sword, so it was easier to handle. Don’t be too disappointed. You did great.”
*Ding ding ding!!!*
Along with the praise, the 2-minute alarm rang.
“…Good work.”
“Yeah. Go take a break.”
Ichinose, with a reluctant expression, walked back, and the next round began.
Rohan still hadn’t gotten up from his seat.
“Next.”
“Yes!”
“Start the attack. Two minutes.”
“Understood!”
Rohan watched as Juyun faced the next cadet.
*Hmm.*
He observed intently, as if his eyes might pop out.
But there was no progress.
“She’s a real monster.”
Rohan kept watching Juyun until the very end.
But he couldn’t spot any habits or openings to exploit.
“Next.”
The turn came without much gain.
Rohan stood up abruptly, holding his longsword.
“Last is Rohan, huh?”
“That’s correct.”
“Attack starts now. Two minutes.”
“Yep!”
Rohan answered loudly and drew his sword.
*Swoosh—!*
A sharp sound.
Rohan doesn’t use a scabbard. He casually tosses the empty sheath onto the floor.
*Huuuu…*
He took a stance and exhaled deeply.
With time to spare, he smoothly channeled his mana, strengthening his body as Juyun had taught him.
*’Blazing Blade.’*
Rohan’s mana flowed over the cold steel.
*Sizzle——!*
The sound of heat boiling over the blade.
The sword turned red and began radiating heat.
“…!”
Juyun, who had been watching Rohan’s preparation, widened her eyes.
Her emotions were clear. It wasn’t just surprise—it was closer to shock.
It was definitely a first-time expression, and even Rohan felt flustered.
*’What’s this? Is it because we share the same attribute?’*
But that couldn’t be it, since there’s a cadet who uses a crossbow and handles fire.
Blazing Blade isn’t a high-grade or unique skill that would make Juyun react like this.
Anyway, this might be an opportunity.
Rohan kicked off the ground and thrust his sword.
*Clink!*
It was caught, as expected.
Juyun seemed completely unaffected by the heat Rohan had generated.
*’It’s not budging.’*
Everyone must’ve felt this and been flustered. The sword stuck between her fingers wouldn’t move.
It looks like a giant beast is showing off its fangs, biting down hard.
Rohan immediately pulled out the standard-issue pistol hidden at his waist.
And without hesitation, he pulled the trigger right in Juyun’s face.
**Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!**
The thick smell of gunpowder stung his nose.
Juyun, who had blocked all the bullets with her fingers, stared at Rohan with an enigmatic expression.
Rohan, though puzzled, didn’t stop moving.
He tried to jab at her eyes and even attempted a stomp to crush her foot.
He even tried to grab and twist her blocking fingers, but they didn’t budge, as if they were made of steel.
Finally, Juyun, who had been watching Rohan struggle, spoke up.
“…Practical, I see.”
Her voice sounded like she had just woken up from a dream.
Juyun snapped out of her sticky memories and began focusing on the lesson again.
“Your versatility is commendable. But aside from the sword, your depth is shallow.”
Rohan used all the standard-issue weapons he had hidden on his body.
He twisted his entire body, employing every technique he had learned in his past life.
But he couldn’t even touch Juyun.
“Without infusing your projectiles with magical power, guns pose no threat to an Instructor. You should know that there wasn’t even a need to block them.”
An expected critique.
Rohan’s eyes flicked to the clock.
‘Two minutes left.’
Rohan had been pondering while waiting.
What would happen if he used Weakness Affliction on Juyun?
‘There’s no way I have enough magical power.’
Considering the amount of magic consumed relative to his ability, the answer was simple.
He didn’t have enough magic, so it would probably fail.
But this was still just speculation.
Rather than stopping at predictions, he had to try it at least once.
What would happen if he used a skill on an opponent with such a vast gap in strength?
‘I thought making contact itself would be the problem.’
But Juyun, who took on the role of accepting cadets when they resorted to physical techniques, surprisingly allowed contact quite easily.
Could there be a more appropriate and safe situation to test the skill?
Rohan pretended to try twisting her fingers again.
‘Weakness Affliction.’
He channeled his magic.
