The cadets from the Swordsmanship Department, those of commoner birth.

Currently referred to as the "saplings" or the "sapling squad," they were different from the noble cadets who had been rebellious from the start. From the first encounter, they showed little resistance toward Ihan. This was partly because he came from a lower background than theirs, but also because they were drawn to his "strength."

The image of him overwhelming the vice-commander of a renowned sword-fighting family, who had insulted him, was burned into their minds. He was strong. That he could become so powerful despite his lower status than theirs was astonishing.

And later, when they got to know him more formally, they discovered that he had never learned the "Toughening Technique." In some ways, this was obvious. They’d heard that starting the Toughening Technique at the age of five was considered late.

Naturally, it was something out of reach for those of the lower classes. To begin learning the Toughening Technique, which involves acquiring life force, or combat power, one needs a master to guide them and the help of a priest to protect their young body from damage. It’s an expense that commoners can never afford.

…Some say it’s possible to train in the Toughening Technique safely as an adult, but how realistic is that?

Maybe for a genius or someone with a heroic fate, but, unfortunately, most people are neither. They’re simply struggling day by day to survive.

That’s why they respect their instructor. He became a knight without learning the Toughening Technique, born into a harsher environment than theirs. And he’s strong.

Strength—he achieved this treasure, one that everyone covets, through sheer effort. Who wouldn’t admire that?

So they resolved to follow their instructor’s orders to the best of their abilities, enduring any harsh regimen.

“–Trainee number two, fall out.”

…Or so they thought.

“Y-yes, fall out!!”

“Your voice is too soft! Are you trying to make the others work harder to wake up?”

“N-no, sir!!”

“Your response should be ‘Yes, sir!’ Does my command sound like a joke to you?”

“Y-yes, sir!”

“Why aren’t you answering? Do you find my commands amusing?”

“…Yes, sir!”

“You answered two beats late. All trainees will now do thirty repetitions of PT exercise number 8!”

–Th-thirty repetitions!!

“Your voice is too soft! Make it one hundred!”

–One hundred!!!

“Good. Now fifty body twists.”

The instructor—or rather, the demon—blew his whistle and began issuing orders. If they failed to move in sync with the whistle’s rhythm, that too would be grounds for punishment.

“Aaaaaargh!!”

“Guuuuh-!”

“M-mother…!”

Screams echoed all around. The moves were undoubtedly painful, but it was strange for cadets who never neglected physical training to be in such agony. Yet today, they weren’t in their usual condition.

After all,

“We’ve only been at this for seven hours! Keep pushing!”

–Aaaaagh!!

…Seven hours. They’d been doing this for seven hours already, and they were starting to lose their minds.

Two days prior, at dawn.

The training field was cloaked in darkness, untouched by the morning sun, with the cadets of the Swordsmanship Department gathered. Not all of them were present.

The day before, Ihan had only summoned the saplings.

…Though he hadn’t called for them, they still showed up.

“Kunta, this seems like it’ll be fun.”
“…No matter how I think about it, it doesn’t seem that way.”
“Yet here you are, young master, full of ambition, like the rest.”
“You wretch! Show some respect for your lord…!”
“Call me Roen, not ‘you.’”
“!!?”

The four Ihan considered different from others had appeared, along with one who seemed more fitting for an assassin than a knight. And then…

“W-why am I…?”

The cadet, who had just finished paperwork and was relishing a sweet sleep, was now resentfully dragged here against his will.

“Well, everyone’s here.”

Ihan finally appeared, gathering them all.

“Hmm, doesn’t seem like anyone ran off. Huh? You guys came too?”

The young masters and the chicks had been told they didn’t have to come, so why were they here?

Garand provided the answer.

“You said you’d teach us the [Techniques] properly during this ‘Special Intensive Training,’ so of course, we had to come.”
“…You could have learned it later, though.”

With their talents, they could learn whenever they wanted, so why now? Ihan looked puzzled, but they were serious.

“We could learn it later, but we don’t want to be treated as exceptions.”

They didn’t wish to slack off, despite their talents. If that were the case, they would have returned to their families or masters back home.

Seeing their determination, Ihan scratched his head.

“…Hmm, well, I did need extra hands, so this is convenient.”

If the extra hands fall right into his lap, he’ll make use of them thoroughly. As Ihan was inwardly pleased,

“Wait, we’re here too!”
“…Ah, hello, Instructor.”

“……Why are you here?”

Why were more people coming when he’d told them not to?

Irene Windler and Cadet No. 1, also known as Levi Folt, blended in with the other cadets in their light workout clothes, and Ihan blinked.

“Hmm, let me ask you first, Cadet No. 2, why did you come?”
“Well, this is somewhat my responsibility, so I thought I should take some of it.”
“Hmm, admirable.”

Irene Windler’s statement was reasonable. She wasn’t directly to blame, but her presence was indeed a factor in the events unfolding. Typical of a heroine in a romance fantasy.

She’d overcome Ihan’s ominous warning that “If you come, you might end up needing a year of recuperation.”

Irene Windler faced him with a determined look…!

“So, what’s your real reason?”
“I don’t want to end up like the professor who insists he’s twenty-eight. I thought I’d try some exercise, but doing it alone doesn’t motivate me, so, hehe…”
“…I appreciate the honesty.”

She wasn’t entirely admirable, it seemed.

[Irene, I can’t say I’m even embarrassed by your persistence anymore.]

‘…I’m starting to find my shamelessness terrifying too.’

Shifting his gaze from Irene, Ihan now looked at the girl with hair that shimmered like waves, Levi Folt.

“What about you, Cadet No. 1? Did Irene drag you here?”
“I, I can’t deny that Lady Irene encouraged me, but… I was interested too…”
“…Hmm.”

Upon reflection, Levi Folt seemed to be the most passionate among the noble ladies. A desire to grow, it appeared.

‘Such cases do happen.’

Ihan wondered if perhaps Levi Folt was more than just an acquaintance to Irene Windler. If this world really were a romance fantasy or a regression tale, there would surely be side characters too, each with their own distinct motives.

‘…Pointless thought.’

Ihan shook his head. Idle musings and misunderstandings aside, it’s a teacher’s duty to guide any student willing to learn.

Whether she’s a main character or a side character doesn’t matter.

Thus,

“A teacher always welcomes students willing to grow, Cadet No. 1, or rather, Levi Folt.”
“Ah!”
“But there will be no special treatment. Prepare yourself.”
“Yes, yes, sir!”

Levi Folt nodded with a beaming face, and Ihan was pleased.

“–Pack your bags.”
“…Yes?”
“We’re starting with a march. Just a light 30 kilometers.”
“……”
“For the record, it’ll be a full load march. Your gear should weigh at least 10 kilograms. But since you’re not as strong yet, I’ll let you off with 8 kilograms.”
“……”

…It didn’t take Levi Folt a minute to realize something was very wrong.

A march.

Simply put, it’s soldiers moving together. But for soldiers, it has a different meaning.

‘Marching while maintaining combat readiness.’

That’s a more accurate description.

During a march, troops carry numerous supplies—food, weapons, clothing, and various provisions—moving swiftly under heavy loads.

So,

“Your pace is too slow. From now on, we’re moving at a quick pace, not a jog! Do you hear me? No more dragging your feet like snails!!”

…It was grueling, torturous jogging, essentially.

“Ha… haaa… ha…”

The cadets all gasped for breath. They were moving in full armor, heavy swords in hand, along with additional gear, food, and sleeping bags. The ordeal was unbearable.

Thankfully, their armor was lighter than usual. If it weren’t, they would’ve been out cold already.

It had been pitch black when they began, but now the sun was rising, and the heat was building.

They could now truly feel the torture of walking 30 kilometers under the weight of dozens of kilos. They were on the verge of collapse.

“If you’re struggling, Kunta will carry you.”
“N-no! I’m fine, Kunta!”
“You look quite exhausted.”
“…Actually, I am. But, how are you holding up with more weight than us?”
“It’s still light. But I’m sweating a bit.”
“……Haha.”

Kunta, with a heavier load than the others, was still going strong. His backpack had two massive crates, filled with rations. Just thinking about it made their legs tremble.

The mysterious Barbarian race.

The [Mystic] strength they possess, with its indomitable stamina and willpower, was truly awe-inspiring when witnessed firsthand.

‘I, I too…!’

Yet Kunta, despite his unique strength, had never been lazy.

The sapling cadets, inspired, resolved to keep going…

Thump, thump!!

“Are you okay, cadet? Your breathing is off.”
“……”
“Hm? What’s wrong?”
“…Instructor, what are you carrying?”
“Hm? Cornmeal and potato sacks.”
“Why are you carrying that…?”
“The cadets need food for a month. Kunta’s load alone isn’t enough.”
“……”

…That’s not what I was asking, though?

The cadet was dumbfounded.

A backpack weighing dozens of kilos was already hard enough, but to carry a cart piled with sacks of cornmeal and potatoes alone… It was terrifying.

What is that man?

…Scary.

“…Instructor, I know it’s a strange question, but, are you really human?”
“Haha, I can guess what you’re thinking, but don’t worry. I’m just an ordinary human. And after this special intensive training, you could become like me too.”
“……”

…I highly doubt that.

The cadet swallowed his thoughts.

Then,

“Ah, I see it now.”
“See what?”
“Just beyond there, we’ll reach the training ground.”
“Where are you pointing?”
“There, see that peak where the snow hasn’t fully melted? Just climb that.”
“…Huh?”
“Haha, think of it as a light hike.”

The instructor pointed to a mountain, its peak towering at an altitude of 1,384 meters. And they all fell silent.

…They seriously wondered if it wasn’t too late to drop out right now.