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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 15
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The Class A training ground within the academy.
Currently, several individuals were entering the area.
The Grand Royal Academy.
Commonly known as 'Groa,' it was an institution rife with discrimination.
The mere fact that training grounds were segregated by class was enough to show how meticulously Groa implemented its discriminatory policies.
And this discrimination permeated every bone, extending to the vast scale, numerous facilities, and abundant supplies available in the Class A training ground.
It was a kind of mechanism designed to make students strive voluntarily.
A brutal form of discrimination, meant to encourage ambition.
That's why Cheonseong was now clearly observing with his own eyes.
Entering the Class A training ground, a place normally inaccessible, he intended to make the most of it, even if just a little.
"I expected some students to seek out the training ground on the very first day. But I didn't anticipate such a diverse group. I am Avalanche, the training instructor in charge of the Class A training ground."
As the man with a determined expression spoke upon their entry, his name sounded quite familiar.
"To introduce myself, my Trait Grade is Unique, and my Trait Level is 8. I also serve as a member of the Imperial Sixth Knights. That's enough for introductions. Feel free to look around the training ground or conduct your own training. The training ground is available until 9 PM. If you have any questions during your training, you may seek my advice."
At the instructor's calm words, the accompanying group all looked on with curiosity.
And what truly stood out among them was his Trait Level of 8.
In this world, one's Trait was synonymous with their worth, almost their entire being.
Considering the exponentially increasing difficulty of advancing to the next level, a Unique Trait Level of 8 was objectively an extremely high Trait Level.
"Instructor. We've come to this training ground for a spar. Would you perhaps be able to oversee it as an observer?"
"A spar?"
"Yes. We intend to spar, but we'd appreciate it if you could supervise to prevent any unforeseen accidents."
The one who spoke with such eloquence.
...The fact that it was Glecia truly, for a moment, left me speechless.
I'd noticed it even during the entrance exam, but Glecia was by no means someone who couldn't speak or stammered.
Anyone could see she was articulate.
She typically used an ambiguous way of speaking in casual conversation, but when it truly mattered, she could articulate her thoughts better than anyone. It just felt strange to witness.
Was this a new form of discrimination? The thought idly crossed my mind.
"A spar, excellent. I can certainly observe."
Watching Avalanche readily agree, I let out a small sigh inwardly.
'So, it's really happening.'
Ultimately, I felt like the situation had truly blown up.
With the instructor present, I likely wouldn't die during the spar, but I couldn't hide my complicated feelings.
An extra, forced to fight the protagonist.
What in the world…
"So, which students will be sparring?"
As the instructor looked on with curiosity, I subtly opened my mouth.
"I am."
"I am."
My head snapped around at the voice that echoed almost simultaneously with mine. There was Leonhardt, meeting my gaze with a slightly surprised expression. I forced myself to feign indifference.
My first academy spar was against a Class A student.
And not just any student—the protagonist of this novel... It was a grim situation, but unavoidable.
Somehow, the situation had simply come to this.
"A spar between a Class A and a Class C student. If this spar stems from conflict or dispute between classes, I cannot permit it. Even if it's a spar that one is forced to participate in, you have the clear right to refuse. Han Cheonseong? Answer properly."
As the instructor's expression grew cold, unlike before, and he asked, I calmly nodded my head.
"This is not a spar due to conflict or dispute. It is a legitimate spar, entered into by mutual agreement."
Though I had been semi-forced into agreeing to the spar, it was technically true that I had consented willingly.
"...Judging by your demeanor, you don't seem to be lying."
As he met my gaze and discerned the truth, a faint smile escaped me, and I tried my best to maintain my composure.
I needed to ensure that Glecia's interest in my current state wouldn't wane.
She showed interest in not understanding me, but I had to do my best to keep that interest from fading.
For me, Glecia was the best, and perhaps the last, lifeline I could rely on.
It meant she was the greatest hope I could look to while being in Class C.
Therefore.
Standing before her now, I couldn't show even the slightest weakness.
…
Under the instructor's guidance, we proceeded to a sparring arena located on one side of the vast academy training ground.
It had a square outline drawn on the ground, with the sparring area itself slightly raised compared to the surrounding floor. My feelings were truly strange even as I looked at the arena.
"This sparring arena contains almost every weapon a student could desire. However, for the spar, students must only use weapons provided by the training ground. Bear that in mind."
This was the only rule common to all classes, from A to D.
Combat classes possessed weapons suited to each Trait, and the required weapons varied wildly depending on the individual.
Furthermore, weapons also had grades.
Weapons acquired from a common blacksmith received no grade whatsoever. The iron spear I used in the entrance exam was a prime example of this.
However, within the academy, it was different. Every weapon crafted in the academy's workshop contained a mysterious power. This was only natural, as the weapon makers were blacksmiths with high-grade Traits.
And these grades mirrored the grades of the Traits we possessed.
Grades that ascended from Common, Rare, Unique, to Legendary.
And even 'Exclusive Grade' armaments, which only special individuals, unobtainable within the academy, could possess.
As I pondered this, Leonhardt and I moved forward.
Thud. Thud.
It wasn't long before we could each choose a weapon.
Both Leonhardt and I possessed close-combat type Traits, so swords and spears were virtually right next to the weapon selection area.
Clack.
The moment I gripped the spear, which was entirely made of gray material, I instantly felt the item's effects.
*
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Training Spear
Grade: Common
Item Effect: When equipped, Agility stat increases by 1.1 times.
*Due to the item's effect, Agility stat is adjusted to 11.
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*
It was amusing how, true to a world from a novel, even such unrealistic item stats were displayed in detail.
"It's just for training, but it's good."
"Right. The sword I picked up is pretty decent too."
I gave a light nod, looking at Leonhardt, who replied from beside me.
'Someone once said, if you can't avoid it, enjoy it.'
Even if I were to be utterly crushed in this spar, I had to show my absolute best.
I decided to at least preserve my 'confidence.'
"Students, proceed to your respective positions."
At the instructor's words, Leonhardt and I slowly moved, putting distance between us.
Facing each other, we both took a deep breath.
People had already gathered around.
Perhaps seeing it as a spectacle, Class A students, excluding Glecia and Yumia who came with us, had gathered around with curious expressions. To me, it was simply uncomfortable.
'Because I have to fight a spar where defeat is already predetermined.'
And because I would have to show everyone my losing form.
Then, biting my lip, I steeled myself.
'It's okay. Don't be afraid. Just don't make a fool of yourself.'
Even though Glecia had brought up the spar out of nowhere, she probably hadn't done so expecting me to win.
She clearly knew I had a Common Trait, while Leonhardt possessed a Legendary Trait.
Therefore, all I needed to do was display abilities that surpassed my Common Trait grade.
There was no need to desperately cling to victory.
"It seems you are both ready for the spar. Before we begin, each student will state their name and Trait. Leonhardt first."
At Instructor Avalanche's words, Leonhardt slowly nodded, holding his sword aloft.
"Leonhardt Lorent. My Trait's name is Sky-Piercing Blade. Its grade is Legendary, and my Trait Level is 2."
As soon as the introduction finished.
"Wow."
"Legendary…"
"Just how strong must he be?"
Exclamations of awe rose from the many students who had gathered at the news of the spar. My heart grew heavy.
Though I outwardly held my spear calmly, what exactly was this situation?
This wasn't some kind of humiliation play, was it?
"Next, Student Han Cheonseong."
At the instructor's words, I calmly opened my mouth.
"Han Cheonseong. My Trait's name is Spearmanship. Its grade is Common, and my Trait Level is 3."
...As I uttered words I would undoubtedly repeat countless times in the future, I calmed my mind.
"Legendary and Common?"
"Is this really a proper spar?"
"They say he just accepted it, but…"
With the murmurs already starting, I now completely focused my gaze on the tip of my spear.
Anyone could see the clear difference between us.
The absurd gap in grade: Legendary versus Common. Moreover, my sparring opponent was a being who could be called the protagonist of this world.
Indeed, Instructor Avalanche's expression had grown somber.
Normally, he should have announced the start of the spar immediately after the introductions, but his eyes showed hesitation.
As the instructor subtly met my gaze, I simply met it with a calm demeanor.
" "
" "
His gaze seemed to say that I could give up even now. But instead, a small laugh escaped me.
There was no thought of avoiding it now.
To come all this way and then say I'd give up—there would be no greater humiliation than that.
Regardless of skill, my self-esteem. That would be utterly crushed.
Even if the tip of this spear were to break against his blade, I didn't want to give up before our weapons even clashed.
'Right. Even if I lose, I can't avoid this spar.'
And I didn't want to, myself.
No matter the difference in grade, I no longer underestimated my Trait, Spearmanship.
The more I trained, the more I realized that this Trait, Spearmanship, possessed countless advantages.
—King of All Weapons (萬兵之王).
Among close-combat weapons, the spear was considered the foremost armament.
Though some might claim the sword as the highest among all weapons.
Having swung and thrust a spear thousands of times over the past two months, I found that claim utterly ridiculous.
The trajectory and direction of a spear's thrust could *never* be matched by a sword against an equally skilled opponent.
The fundamental difference in reach, coupled with the concentration of power into a single point, meant that if a spearman was skilled, they could finish an opponent in just one strike—an enormous difference in armament.
In reality, the Trait of Spearmanship held an 'overwhelming' advantage when it came to close-combat Traits.
Although in this world, magic and various ranged Traits were highly valued, and close-combat Traits like Spearmanship were completely neglected, this was an exception.
If a spar were to be held against a close-combat Trait, it meant that the Trait of Spearmanship was on an entirely different level of grade.
Swish.
Slowly, I aimed the tip of my spear towards Leonhardt, with not the slightest intention of losing easily.
"Begin the spar."
With the instructor's voice, the spar began.
At the same moment, Leonhardt suddenly spoke.
"Han Cheonseong. You may attack first."
At his apologetic tone, another thought inadvertently crossed my mind.
This...
'I might actually win.'