The sparring was swiftly prepared. The reason being that the professor approached in person to understand the situation and began readying the facility.

Since I was a special admissions student, I suppose this sparring match required extra attention.

Cadets who had been swinging their swords individually also began to gather subtly. It was certainly a sight to see.

The sparring would make use of one of the designated sparring arenas in the training hall.

As I checked the condition of the sword provided to me and strapped it to my waist, Hong Yeon-hwa stealthily approached.

“Hayul, are you really sure you’re okay?”

[Yes. I’m fine.]

“If you’ve accepted reluctantly, just let me know. I’ll settle it for you.”

And she added that she could settle matters if I wasn’t really okay.

Worry was dripping from her eyes. Looking anxiously over at me, then menacingly across at the male cadet on the opposite side of the sparring arena, and back at me with concern…

…One thing I was certain of was that asking Hong Yeon-hwa to ‘settle’ this might lead to bad results.

Perhaps due to her nervousness, Hong Yeon-hwa seemed unaware of her friend looking at her with a shocked expression from a moment ago.

“Given your current situation, accepting a spar from that guy is crazy. You really don’t have to accept it.”

[It’s fine. I accepted it because I think it’s necessary for me.]

I repeatedly reassured Hong Yeon-hwa, waving my head and telling her I was okay.

It wasn’t just flippant reassurance.

I truly felt that kind of sparring was necessary.

Training with Professor Atra.

It’s not divided into distinct levels, but rather, from beginning to end, it all leads to sparring, leaving me unclear about my own level.

I’m certain that I have grown. I can confidently say that if I were to fight against myself from the first day of running, I could knock myself out in a single hit.

But against other cadets? I’m not sure. I can read their movements through Spatial Awareness. I can predict their next moves to some extent.

Compared to my own movements, I can see that I’ve grown considerably.

But if you ask me whether that means I can win in a fight… I don’t know.

There are few absolutes in a fight. Professor Atra always emphasized this.

She would say that the strugglings of the weak could sometimes inflict fatal wounds on the strong, meaning one should never let down their guard.

Cadets’ movements are readable. Those who I presume to be from the advanced class are daunting, but still within my perception. The ones below them are quite readable.

But I haven’t actually fought them yet. The outcome is unknown. That’s why it’s necessary to face them head-on.

I had wanted to try this before and after entering The Tower of Growth, but it’s not too bad to try it now.

“From now on, the friendly sparring will commence. Each cadet, take your positions!”

The professor shouted once the preparations were complete.

Leaving behind a worried Hong Yeon-hwa, who looked as if she was watching a child play by the water’s edge, I stepped up to the sparring arena.

The arena was vast. It was several times larger than a UFC ring I had seen on MItube. It wasn’t civilian-standard but rather superhero-standard, which made sense.

The male cadet climbed up from the opposite side, a sheathed sword in hand.

The confusing part was that he looked very tense, despite being the one requesting the spar. He was even sweating profusely. It made one wonder why he requested the spar in the first place.

Constantly glancing to one side, curiosity got the better of me so I looked in the same direction to see Hong Yeon-hwa with a fearsome expression staring at the male cadet.

Ah, now I understand.

After confirming that both the male cadet and I had ascended to the arena, the professor operated a mechanical device near the arena with a hologram keyboard.

– Vroom!

Mana embedded beneath the arena stirred and shot up in a definite shape around the perimeter.

The mana rose rapidly to form a rectangle that enclosed the sparring arena. Despite my shallow knowledge, it seemed to be a protective magical formation.

“The rules are in accordance with those of a friendly sparring match! Both robust body techniques and Qi are permitted, and the overseeing professor reserves the right to stop the spar at any time on their judgment!”

Srrrng, I pulled the handle I had been gripping. A chilly sound of appreciation accompanied the drawing of the sword.

As it was issued for training, it was a practice sword with a blunted tip and edges.

The male cadet, who looked unnervingly tense, also assumed his stance.

“Combat major, Aidan Reynolds. Please take care of me.”

‘…Ah.’

Was I supposed to introduce myself too? Amidst growing tension, my lips involuntarily parted.

After a brief silence, I switched the sword to one hand and tapped my smartwatch.

[Special admissions, Lee Hayul. Pleased to meet you.]

Being a special admissions student, I had neither a major nor a class ranking. Consequently, my self-introduction felt shorter compared to my opponent’s.

Seeing me produce a hologram… Aidan twitched and trembled. Soon after, he got his emotions under control and took his stance.

Even to me, a beginner, the balance of his posture was readily apparent.

I, too, firmly grasped the handle of the sword.

Attention was converging on us. Intermittent whispers could be heard, but overall, everyone was silent and concentrating on this spot.

It was similar to when we had our self-introductions.

The surroundings were filled with silence, and everyone was looking here. Everyone’s attention was on this side, creating a moment tense enough to cause jitters.

I was nervous during the self-introduction. My fingertips trembled, and I made the foolish mistake of mispeaking.

‘……’

I settled my consciousness. Letting the gazes around me flow away, I balanced my breathing. Naturally, I gripped the handle more firmly.

Tension. A feeling entirely useless in a spar, as I learned from Professor Atra. It was the same now. Setting aside the unnecessary, I focused on the opponent before me.

“Then, both parties get ready!”

‘Hoo…’

I exhaled deeply and manipulated my Spatial Awareness. I narrowed the excessively wide range I had set compared to the arena and focused my attention on the opponent.

Dismiss unnecessary information. Collect the essential information with increased density.

“Begin!”

The moment the professor finished speaking, I kicked off the ground. My body moved with a different speed than before, thrusting my sword towards Aidan in front.

– Clang!

The sword was knocked upwards. Aidan’s eyes widened in surprise, seemingly shocked by the greater rebound force than he expected.

Quickly regaining his composure, Aidan’s sword thrust forward. Matching his movement, I swung down my raised sword.

– Clang! Clanging! Clatter…!

Sword blades scraped and clashed, sparking with each contact. The exchanges multiplied.

Responding to the incoming blows, I blocked and dodged. I seized the opportunity that arose to thrust in my sword.

The sparring took shape. It wasn’t going to end in a single blow, at least.

I assessed the situation.

‘I’m slower.’

I was the one being pushed back. Both in sheer specs and in technique. Gradually, I was forced one step back after another.

Aidan’s sword followed closely as if not to miss this chance. The more I swung and blocked, the more strain accumulated in my body.

But.

‘It’s manageable.’

It’s more doable than I thought.

First-year at the Tower of Growth. A newbie who hasn’t even entered The Tower of Growth, in my second week.

The current 121st batch at the Tower of Growth has a reputation as a golden generation. Right away, Hong Yeon-hwa and Baek Ahrin are among them, and the overall average is higher compared to other batches.

Based on the content of the original work, they’d at least be of a lower hero rank.

Is Aidan like that too? He probably possesses a unique ability. Before entering The Tower of Growth, he must’ve sweated and toiled in a fiercely competitive academy.

– Sssshhh! Clanging!

Despite the opponent’s higher specs, the fight was holding up.

Of course, there were parts where he was taking it easy on me. Even now, with him going easy, his specs were much higher, and he likely had plenty of leeway.

Despite looking somewhat dissatisfied, his hesitant reactions suggested no real malice.

Indeed, even in the midst of the current spar, it seemed he was being moderately restrained.

But that’s his business. Just because my opponent is taking it easy doesn’t mean I need to do the same. From the start, I’m at a disadvantage. I just need to focus my efforts on seeking victory.

‘So.’

While reacting to Aidan’s constant attacks, I racked my brain.

Professor Atra always said it. A fight is an exchange of cards. It’s advantageous when the opponent doesn’t know your cards, and such cards should be used at an unexpected moment, at a critical moment.

I asked myself. What would I look like from an outsider’s perspective?

An unprecedented special admissions student.

But also blind and mute. Physically frail. In other words, a disabled person, less capable than average.

The reactions around me proved it. The current back and forth makes it clear as well. Although robust body techniques and Qi were permitted, Aidan didn’t use them.

Because I didn’t use them. Because he didn’t expect me to.

For me, this is an opportunity. Even though I can only use it now, this was undoubtedly the critical opportunity that Professor Atra always emphasized.

– Clang! Clanging!

I was being pushed back. I had been forced back to just a few steps away from the protective barrier. I made it look like blocking the sword was becoming difficult.

– Clang! Crunch!

Finally, a solid sensation was transmitted to my heel. At that moment, Aidan gripped the handle tightly.

‘Caught.’

He took the bait. Aidan’s offensive intensified, confident of victory. It was exactly what I wanted.

My defense gradually became shaky. That’s how I wanted it to appear.

– Crack!

Suddenly, I twisted the sword. One hand, unable to cope with the shock, let go of the sword. The other hand, still clutching the sword, was flung away.

The defense opened.

Aidan, certain of victory, lifted his sword. From above to below, a powerful downward strike.

He probably thought the system of the arena would block the impact just before it happened.

– Whooooosh…

The sword descended. The sound of the blade slicing the air was very clear.

As I am now, I cannot respond. My arm was thrown off, and I was too slow to dodge.

I had to time it just right. Concentrating all my nerves, the world seemed to slow down.

– Woosh…

As the sword came closer, leaving about a palm’s width above me, I pounded the core. Bursting out with vigor, mana spread throughout my body.

– Vroom!

Energy surged from the core. In contrast to the slowed-down world, my body accelerated in a twist.

“What─”

Qi. A very basic reinforcement of the body through mana.

The descending sword brushed past my cheek. It was a razor-edge margin. Aidan’s face turned to astonishment.

The opening after an attack. The opportunity for a counterattack.

He hadn’t used Qi. I did. For the first time after the sparring had begun, my specs became comparable to Aidan’s.

I pulled the sword that had been flung to one side. With Qi activated in my body, it performed differently than before. The sword approached with a speed that seemed several times faster.

Aidan, panicked, pulled back his sword.

– Clang!

“Ugh…!”

The sudden strike and his rushed defense were sloppy. For a moment, Aidan’s feet were dragged back across the floor by the force that now rivaled his own.

His eyes widened in disbelief. He was visibly taken aback.

I did not give him the chance to regain composure. I immediately kicked off the ground.

Bang, a different sound exploded. Propelled by the force gained from the leap, I thrust the sword’s tip carrying the momentum. The sword, now filled with mana, slashed through the air.

Aidan gritted his teeth as a surge of Qi rose above his body. It was Qi. The belatedly exerted mana activated his body.

With this, the specs reversed again. If this strike were to be blocked, the situation would revert to what it was before.

Aidan made several misjudgments.

First, he misread my level of skill.

He was unaware of the training I received from Professor Atra. Lacking information about me, he made a wrong judgment. He erred in thinking I would not be able to predict his movements.

Second, he assumed I wouldn’t be able to use Qi.

Although it was a sensible assumption, he did not account for the possibility. That’s why he left such an opening.

There wouldn’t have been a major problem if it had stopped there. The upper hand in specs shifted back to him. His skills were also superior. He would likely have blocked this attack and turned the tide once again.

If it had only gone that far.

– Vroom!

Mana pulsated once more. The sword blade, greedily feeding off mana, trembled with it. The mana contained within the sword transformed.

Although crude, it took on a definitive shape. Unrefined in essence, but still, an aura that had the basics laid down.

– Crackling…!

The tip of the sword quivered. A strong sense of recoil transmitted through my arm. Nevertheless, a faint smile formed.

“……”

Aidan’s expression kept changing.

At the time of the spar request, an unsure expression that seemed to ask, ‘Is this right?’; an expression of surprise when the spar started; and one of shock when I used Qi.

Now, a completely blank expression. A look of doubt as to whether what he had witnessed was real.

– Clink.

The sword that spun in the air fell to the ground. The handle was gone. The cross-guard was likewise missing.

All that was tumbling on the ground was the blade with the handle missing. The handle remained clutched in Aidan’s hand.

My sword was stopped just in front of Aidan’s neck. It wasn’t my doing. The tip was blocked by a protective barrier.

My sword’s tip, however, wavered with a blue energy. A distinct color and shape from the blue protective screen.

A technique that every hero in an advance position must master.

It was the manifestation of Qi.

Aidan’s third misjudgment.

He miscalculated that I would not be able to use Qi techniques.

In other words, cheers for mana affinity.