After finishing our meal, Shin Se-hee and I returned to the training ground.

“Wow…”

“Huh…”

Swish, swish—

Swoosh!

A sword swung gracefully in the air, creating elegant curves.

Sharp, dazzling, and beautiful.

At the same time, the sword strikes were ruthless, aiming for the opponent’s vital points.

In the center of the training ground, the instructor was wielding a sword alone.

‘Ah, the instructor specializes in swordsmanship.’

I could tell just by looking. This person was a skilled swordsman, even better than me.

Clack.

The instructor noticed our arrival and sheathed her sword.

Then, with a stoic expression, she spoke.

“The others aren’t here yet.”

“Ah, Do-hee is on her way.”

The instructor glanced at her watch.

“From 12 to 6 pm, it’s individual position training. Those who don’t show up on time will face the consequences.”

It seemed the two quota students were being treated as non-existent.

“Jin Yuha.”

“Yes.”

“You’ve successfully kept up with the special admission students’ basic training.”

“Thank you.”

“To be honest, I didn’t expect that. I really didn’t think you could handle all the training.”

“Tha, thank you?”

From the start, this person had a dry, straightforward way of speaking.

“Originally, I didn’t plan to assess the quota students’ skills separately, but… After seeing your performance this morning, I’m curious.”

The instructor picked up two wooden swords lying on the ground.

Then, she threw one of them at me.

Clack.

The wooden sword landed securely in my hand.

“Male quota student, Jin Yuha. Your position is dealer, and you use a sword, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“I also use a sword. So, this time, let’s have a duel without using magic. Is that okay with you?”

It was a timely proposal.

If I could show my true skills here, I might be able to erase my male quota label from Kang Do-hee’s mind.

I nodded.

“Yes, please.”

“Let’s begin when you’re ready.”

The hilt of the sword felt good in my hand.

Of course, it didn’t have the same appeal as the Moonlight Sword.

But this was still a sword, even if it was made of wood.

Unconsciously, a smile tugged at my lips.

As I held the sword, it felt like the world around me had become sharper, clearer.

I could sense things I hadn’t felt during the basic training.

“Then, I’ll ask for your guidance.”

“Hmm.”

Thud!

I lunged at the instructor.

.

.

.

Swish!

Jin Yuha’s sword gracefully carved through the air.

Slice, stab, and strike—his movements were fluid and natural.

The sword danced with a soft flow, but it was also fierce and relentless.

Swoosh!

The sound of the wooden sword cutting through the air sent a chill down the spine.

“…”

Instructor Baek Seol-hee, the personal secretary to the Velvet Academy’s chairman, was not usually a trainer.

Her main job was to assist the chairman, and her true duty was to work in the shadows to eradicate the scum and monsters that threatened the academy.

However, this time, the chairman had used her authority to ask a favor of her.

-Seolhee! Are you ready for the basic training speech?

-Yes.

-There are some truly amazing students entering this time, right? I think their names were Cheonhwa and Fighting Dog or something like that. Can you keep an eye on them during the basic training?

-I’m busy.

-Come on, I’m asking you because I think you’re the only one who can properly test them! Please? And also, the male quota students!

-I’ll go on a mission.

-Seol-hee, Seol-hee! No, no!!! If you don’t pay attention to the male quota students, those old hags will make a fuss! Who else can I trust but you!!

-I’ll go on a mission.

-Alright, so you’re going to be like this? Then, I’ll use the chairman’s authority!

So, she had been forced to take on this task.

Indeed, Cheonhwa and Fighting Dog lived up to their names.

Cheonwha’s magic had the potential to wipe out large numbers of regular monsters, and Fighting Dog’s attacks, when it came to close-quarters combat, were on par with her own.

But they didn’t surprise her as much as Jin Yuha.

She had expected their performance based on their achievements, but this male quota student…

She had honestly had zero expectations for him. She thought the male quota system was a ridiculous policy created by incompetent people, bringing in unqualified individuals.

That’s why she had only assessed the special admission students’ skills on the first day.

But…

‘Huh, what the hell is this guy…?’

She was truly surprised.

Her usually expressionless eyes widened in shock.

Thud!

Tic!

She twisted her neck, impressed.

First of all, his physical strength, willpower, and mental fortitude were all impressive.

He had not only kept up with the special admission students’ training schedule but had even outperformed Shin Se-hee, a magician, in the basic training.

That alone was enough to make her remember his name and take notice of him. If they could find someone like him through the male quota system, it might not be such a bad idea after all.

However, this was too… well, strange.

Clack.

Thud, thud, thud!

Every time she swung her sword, he seemed to read her moves and countered with precision.

He would strike, then step back, only to immediately launch a flurry of attacks.

It was as if he knew exactly where to attack and defend, as if he had already memorized a swordplay manual.

‘Each of his movements is precise.’

His swordplay was like a textbook, each motion perfectly executed.

And now that she had physically sparred with him, she could tell.

‘This guy… He wasn’t using his body to its full potential during the basic training.’

Jin Yuha seemed to be unable to fully utilize his superior physical attributes.

Of course, even if he had, he wouldn’t have been able to beat Kang Do-hee in the basic training, but he could have at least kept up with her.

‘That’s probably due to a lack of experience.’

He had superior physical attributes, but he didn’t know how to use his body.

He had never used his body before, yet his swordplay was precise and rigid.

He had never used his body before, but he had a natural talent for swordsmanship, and he could perform such intricate swordplay without any prior experience.

That’s what you call a ‘genius’.

‘What a ridiculous guy.’

A bitter smile escaped her lips.

However, he was different from the perfect, complete geniuses from birth.

She could see the flaws in his technique.

‘His breathing is unstable. His posture is unnatural, as if he’s not used to holding a sword. His movements are precise, but too rigid and inflexible. And…’

Before she knew it, Baek Seol-hee was imagining ways to correct his flaws and improve his swordsmanship.

What would happen if Jin Yuha fixed all these issues and truly mastered the sword?

Shiver!

Baek Seol-hee shuddered at the thought she had conjured up.

Clack.

“That’s enough for now.”

She deflected his thrust aimed at her face with the side of her sword.

She had seen enough.

Huff, huff…

Jin YuhA panted heavily, wiping the sweat from his face.

Shin Se-hee and Kang Do-hee were still in shock, unable to believe what they had just witnessed.

‘I was surprised too, but…’

What she was about to say would probably surprise them even more.

Baek Seol-hee felt a sense of anticipation as she wondered how these proud special admission students would react.

“Jin Yuha.”

Baek Seol-hee locked eyes with him.

“Huff, yes.”

“Have you ever held a sword before?”

At her question, Jin Yuha’s eyes widened in surprise, and he flinched.

‘As I thought.’

“Well, there are no calluses on your hands, and your body and will are misaligned. Your movements are unnatural, as if you’re not used to holding a sword. You know what to do in your head, but your execution is awkward.”

“Ah…”

“That doesn’t mean your physical specs are lacking. In fact, they’re quite impressive. However, your innate sense for swordsmanship is superior and your body can’t keep up.”

“…”

“It seems like you don’t know how to use your body either. You haven’t used your body much, have you?”

“…”

Baek Seol-hee smiled, feeling oddly pleased.

“Hah, this is really interesting. I never thought I’d want to be a trainer, but this is a tempting prospect.”

.

.

.

Wow, crazy.

It seemed like the Velvet Academy instructors weren’t chosen lightly.

I had assumed that my sword, with its S-grade specialization, would prove my skills, but…

The instructor said that it looked like I had never held a sword before.

And she was right.

My body’s specs were not something I had trained for but were instead a result of a lucky starting package that he had used and they had suddenly inflated my abilities overnight.

‘But, damn, this guy… Who is she?’

My original plan was to show off my skills in front of Kang Do-hee…

In close-quarters combat, I could match Kang Do-hee, and my sword, with its S-grade specialization, was more than enough to handle her.

I hadn’t really been curious about the instructor before, but now I was.

‘She didn’t appear in the game, did she?’

Her short, black hair and pale face, along with her cold, expressionless demeanor, left a strong impression.

She definitely stood out, and as I stared at her, she spoke.

“Starting tomorrow, I’ll arrange a separate basic training schedule for Jin Yuha.”

A separate basic training schedule?

Was she going to give him an easier schedule because he couldn’t keep up with the special admission students?

“Don’t worry. It will be as challenging than the special admission training, if not more so.”

The instructor chuckled, as if reading my mind.

Indeed, she wasn’t just an extra.

“What’s your name, Instructor?”

I asked, hoping that knowing her name might give me some insight.

“…Baek Seol-hee.”

It was a name I didn’t recognize.