“All right! It’s the dawn of our second week! Everyone, heads up… and, oh, we’ve safely passed the first week. That’s great news. They say well begun is half done, so let’s continue to grow well!”

Inside the dawn-lit classroom of Ipchun, Liana stood by the podium conducting the morning roll call.

“Although you all have seen the academic schedule and were informed on the first day of the first week… still, I shall announce it again!”

Instead of the casual attire she donned on the weekend, she was now clad in a robe-like garment that resembled a mage’s attire.

‘…Could that also be an artifact?’

A change since my introduction to mana.

Before, I wasn’t able to read mana in much detail, let alone the magical formulas that made up spells – I could only glimpse at those inscribed on household products at best.

Now it’s different. I’m able to read through the formulas inscribed on household products entirely, and I can make out what before appeared as mere clumps of mana.

Liana’s robe was the same. I had thought it was just a robe doused in mana, but upon closer inspection, it turned out to be woven with innumerable and complex formulas.

It was likely a high-ranking artifact.

That’s when Liana’s gaze turned toward my direction.

Her green eyes blinked, and the corners soon softened into a gentle curve.

– Hmm.

I sensed a short resonant sound. A faint ripple of mana emanated from Liana’s body. I was taken aback by the exquisite manipulation of mana that formed a thin thread of mana flying towards me.

– Hello?

I flinched at the voice that seemed to enter my mind.

At first, I thought it was a hallucination until I realized it was Liana’s mana that had reached me.

‘Telepathy… This is my first time experiencing it.’

It’s a technique used occasionally by superhumans who are adept at manipulating mana. A downgraded version of the telepathy-type unique abilities.

Something currently beyond my ability, but with my mana affinity, it should be possible someday.

I straightened my shrugging shoulders and nodded my head.

Satisfied, Liana, with a smile on her lips, scanned the crowd.

“…….”

Hong Yeon-hwa shot me a side glance. She turned her head as if to ask why, but when I did, she looked away as if it was nothing.

“In the third week, as you all know, we have the dungeon raid schedule! To be precise, it will be conducted over two days, Monday and Tuesday, of the third week.”

Dungeon raids.

An obligation that’s hard to evade once you start operating as a hero.

The Tower of Growth is an educational institution aimed at nurturing heroes. Therefore, the majority of academic schedules are related to hero activities.

“The type is a periodic and simple subjugation of a Grade 4 dungeon. We included three combatants and two supports within each team. I’d like to clarify that the teams were balanced taking into consideration positions and scores!”

In the past, dungeons were objects of terror.

Appearing out of nowhere and gradually devouring territories, eventually causing collapses that contaminated the surroundings and scattered waves of monsters.

And now?

High-level dungeons are still objects of dread and caution. Upper-tier dungeons… messing with a Grade 2 or 1 dungeon could instantly shatter the vicinity.

Yet, low-level dungeons aren’t such a crisis these days.

What was it again? From what I heard, armed with guns, about tens of soldiers can subjugate a Grade 4 dungeon.

Of course, if it’s full of traps, it’s a different story. But if it’s simple and ejects only low-tiered monsters, like the eighth grade, they said it’s manageable.

Right after the Great Cataclysm, lower dungeons were a threat due to the lack of competent human resources and their sheer numbers,

but these days, they’re basically money pits.

They’ve become so manageable that even farms have sprung up. Would the heroes of the chaotic period flip if they saw this?

“The team members will be announced right before the strategy. The intention is to foster cooperation with random teammates in case of emergencies!”

I nodded at Liana’s explanation. Indeed, temporary teams and the assembling of parties occurred frequently on the front lines.

“Now! That concludes the explanation! Let’s all prepare well and have a great week!”

With that, the roll call ended, followed by the general lecture.

. . .

Perhaps because the dungeon raid schedule was next week, the morning general lecture was crammed with theories related to dungeons.

There were settings commonly featured in the original work, and some not mentioned or entirely different.

I had been thinking, and it seems that the knowledge from the original work isn’t particularly useful in this area.

Even if there is a setting that matches, it’s only superficial knowledge, and the in-depth content wasn’t included in the original work to begin with.

Of course, it’s not completely devoid of content related to the metanarrative of the world.

For example, content related to Baek Ahrin’s ‘mask’…

But that, whether in the original work or here, if spoken aloud, would lead to disastrous consequences.

I had experienced it myself during the 11th round.

Back then, I was a character in the latter half with a wildly growing curve, so I could reverse the situation and kill Baek Ahrin and escape, but now, I could only see myself being utterly destroyed.

Regardless, since the dungeon is involved in obtaining the Necklace of Confession in the near future, and also as a means to release a curse, I focused on remembering dungeon-related theories.

While doing so, my body was also put through the motions. Training with Atra was still as challenging as ever.

Was she intent on introducing every existing weapon to me? On Monday, she handed me a long battle-axe, then on Tuesday, a metal gauntlet, and we fought.

Apparently, she’s caught on to Jack-of-all-Trades. She’s probably thinking it’s a combat-type unique ability.

Thanks to her, my proficiency in Jack-of-all-Trades has been increasing rapidly. With all the variety I’ve been exposed to these days, the growth rate has exceeded expectations.

And so, Wednesday arrived.

Unusually, there was also a swordsmanship subject today. The previous two days were filled only with dungeon-related theories.

“The sword has always been a favored weapon across all ages. It was the primary weapon of humanity for thousands of years in the ancient history before the Great Cataclysm, and even in the era that used gunpowder instead of mana, swords were still utilized.”

During the first-year general subject “Fundamentals of Practical Swordsmanship.”

Instead of the old-fashioned training ground that Atra and I frequently used, I stepped into a training hall painted in blue and light gray with a near-futuristic design.

The Ipchun class had a capacity of about 80 if I remember correctly. Despite that many students entering the hall, it still felt spacious.

After having the students stand, the professor in charge of practical sword techniques began with a brief introduction to the history of swords with a stern expression.

He was a middle-aged man with solid facial features, reminding one of rock. His well-groomed beard and combed-back hair were striking.

Although he appeared stoic, the aura he exuded was enough evidence of his skills.

“The fundamentals of practical sword techniques are about observing and practicing the real combat sword techniques spanning from ancient times to the present, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each.”

Practical sword techniques. It was a lecture I was familiar with.

The subject generously provided swordsmanship proficiency relative to time, so it was essential in any round that included handling swords.

I even had a bit of knowledge about the professor.

According to the main storyline of Part 1, he was Nam Kyung-joon, a hero ranked around the 1,120th for individual combat.

He was affiliated with ‘Yukgwang,’ the villain eradication department of the association.

The protagonist who suffered a severe injury to one arm during a villain subjugation and retired, became a professor at The Tower of Growth—was that his story?

That’s as much as I remembered. The main reason for my memory was that he was a professor of a swordsmanship class and a character who shone rather brightly without much background.

“First, I will personally demonstrate the basics of sword forms. Afterwards, each cadet is to analyze and practice the forms physically. Sparring between cadets will also be allowed during this process.”

The professor drew his sword from his waist. The sharp blade caught the light, emitting its characteristic cold sheen.

“The sword technique to be analyzed is the Daesam Swordsmanship which consists of three basic stances and six sword forms.”

The professor ended his explanation and assumed his position. Then his sword traced the air.

He employed six sword forms that began with three foundation stances.

The caster was skilled, and even the basic sword technique seemed sharp.

He had one injured arm, yet could he really make such movements?

The execution of each sword form was clear, making it easy to absorb.

I concentrated my mind, scrutinizing every movement. Each one was going to be carefully stacked up as sword proficiency.

“Haam…”

Hong Yeon-hwa, who had been standing nearby with her arms crossed, let out a small yawn. She had a bored expression earlier and now seemed to be fighting sleepiness.

I pondered for a moment, then rummaged through my pocket. I took out something I had saved beforehand and offered it to Hong Yeon-hwa.

“Huh?”

Hong Yeon-hwa blinked, stopping midway through covering her mouth with her palm, and turned her gaze towards my outstretched hand.

“Oh…”

Her pupils quivered in surprise.

What I held out was a piece of candy. It wasn’t as fancy as the upscale candy that Hong Yeon-hwa had been giving me lately, but it was said to help wake you up.

The flavor was supposedly lemon… but I wasn’t certain. In any case, it’s a bestseller and the reviews say it’s tasty, so maybe it isn’t bad without any bold claims.

“Are you giving this to me…?”

I would have liked to throw up a hologram, but as one hand was extended, it was impossible.

Instead, I just nodded, and Hong Yeon-hwa’s lips quivered. She hesitatingly took the candy I offered with trembling hands.

“…Thank you.”

She then gingerly patted the candy held in her fist. Gratitude dripped from her voice.

…Her reaction was a bit extreme. Compared to the one I gave, which costs less than 2,000 won, the candy I received from her individually cost tens of thousands won with that insane pricing.

They say it’s the thought that counts in a gift, but with such a price difference, I was the one feeling embarrassed for offering it.

The professor’s demonstration had ended. After receiving the sword techniques on my smartwatch as a text, we had time to practice them on our own.

While Hong Yeon-hwa disappeared after being called by a friend, I read through the Daesam Sword Technique manual.

‘Complicated.’

I thought it looked intuitive when the professor demonstrated it, but the written content was impressively extensive.

Why each stance was developed, how it connects with the sword forms, how to execute and counter such sword forms, and so on…

Although it was quite detailed and looked quite difficult to read it all, understanding it thoroughly would be helpful.

I skimmed through the manual for the time being.

– Clack, clack.

Footsteps approached. It was inevitable. Numerous people were moving inside this training hall, so of course, I’d hear something.

The footsteps echoed near my ears because they were heading straight for me.

Via Spatial Awareness, a male cadet strode toward me.

“?”

I don’t know him. He wasn’t hulking, but he was robust. Seeing the muscles on his body, he seemed to be specialized in combat.

[Do you have any business with me?]

As I typed the query on my smartwatch, the male cadet’s eyebrows twitched. His gaze shifted between the hologram, my eyes, and then my mouth.

Hesitating for a moment, he then spoke with a decided expression.

“I request a sparring match with Cadet Lee Hayul.”

“……?”

My mind froze for a moment. He was requesting a spar. With me…

Do I know this person? Racking my brain, I found no memory of him. We’re just from the same class. And come to think of it, we’ve never even greeted each other.

I felt like a question mark hovered over my head.

Then, a female cadet looked our way, panicked, and rushed over. Splat – her palm struck the male cadet’s back.

It was such a crisp sound that it made me flinch.

“Ouch!”

“Yaaak! Are you insane? Why the sudden madness? Ah, sorry about that. This friend here is a bit dim-witted and lacking in sense, a poor child really…”

“No, wait a minute…”

The commotion caused by the arguing couple drew everyone’s gaze.

Hong Yeon-hwa, who had been chatting with her friend, also looked this way. Her expression soured, and she strode over.

The girl who had been yanking the boy’s hair looked at the approaching Hong Yeon-hwa and squealed in terror.

“This fucking… Hey, knock it off with your nonsense─”

[I’ll do it.]

“─Just… huh?”

The girl’s face turned ashen with confusion.

Hong Yeon-hwa, who had quickly walked a few steps closer, tilted her head to the side as well.

Realizing my words were too brief, I tapped on my smartwatch again.

[I accept the sparring request.]

Silence fell around us.