Chapter 11. That Person Seems to Have Come to See You

***

“…I will now conclude the congratulatory speech. Thank you to everyone who listened.”

As Leonhardt’s long speech ended, the strange gaze directed at me also disappeared.

Earlier when I met Grecia’s eyes. She immediately turned her gaze away.

However, even after that, I could feel Grecia’s gaze on me intermittently. Once I became aware of it, I could clearly feel that she was looking at me.

‘This is strange.’

I don’t know why Grecia is looking at me, but maybe our few meetings yesterday and the day before left a strong impression on her. Or perhaps my statement that she would need to spend time with me to understand me greatly piqued her curiosity.

…

The entrance ceremony that followed was mostly brief statements. It was mainly about the mindset needed for cadets.

Mostly common talk.

Using one’s power to help the weak, contributing to the Empire with one’s abilities, and hoping that everyone can shine in their own way…

“Cadets who have entered the Royal High Academy! As you are all like shining jewels, please have great pride in your hearts…”

And at the words that followed, I couldn’t help but smirk.

‘Everyone is a shining jewel, huh.’

Is that really true?

As far as I know, entering the Academy was just the first hurdle. After entering, countless people were hit by the reality of the differences in their Talents.

It’s commonly called ‘being weeded out’.

Even within a semester, many cadets fall into a state where they can’t move up anymore and see no hope even after graduation.

So how many cadets spend their days just staying in their class, wasting time day by day?

Right now, the number of cadets in this vast grand hall is about a thousand from what I know. Each class has about 250 students, and in the detailed classes within a class like A1, A2, about 50 students are classified per class.

This many cadets are only for the ‘combat class’ entering this year.

Besides that, in other spaces within the Academy that are separated, there are clearly upper-class cadets who entered in other years.

In addition, there are Academy instructors who will teach us, facility staff in charge of various areas, and various knights and mages stationed at the Academy in case of potential dangerous situations…

There were countless people in this Academy that could hardly be counted.

A place where it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say all the Empire’s power was concentrated.

Right here at the Royal High Academy.

“…Then I will now conclude the entrance ceremony.”

As the president’s words ended, the entrance ceremony came to an end.

“It’s finally over. Do you know any cafes nearby? There’s one with really delicious apple pie.”
“Apple pie? I love apple pie!”

As if they had already become friends during the entrance ceremony. Watching several groups gathering and moving, I also got up from my seat.

‘I should make some friends.’

Even as I muttered inwardly, I felt somewhat complicated.

Given my Talent and thinking about the Academy, I couldn’t just live alone.

Sociability to get along well with everyone was important.

But there was something that bothered me.

Although I was assigned to C class, the average Talent of most people would be ‘Rare Talent’. Since with a Common grade, almost 99% enter D class on average. As someone with a Common Talent, there was something strange about approaching others first.

Step.

As I was walking like that.

Tap tap.

As someone suddenly tapped my shoulder, I turned my head to see a man with short orange hair.

With a quite cheerful impression and bright smile. For a moment, I wondered what he wanted.

“Are you also finding it difficult to adapt to the Academy?”
“Uh… well, I guess so.”

I was surprised by the sudden approach but wondered what it was about.

“Then you and I are in the same boat. As you can see, I’m also in C1 class. Let’s see, your name is… Han Chunsung? Quite an interesting name. My name is David. Call me whatever you like.”

As he looked at the name on my nameplate and spoke quite amicably, I found myself nodding reflexively.

“Okay. David…”
“Han Chunsung. You don’t have any other plans after this, right? I was thinking of looking around the Academy a bit and then going to the dormitory. If you have time, it would be nice to look around together.”
“I don’t have any plans. If you say so, I’d be grateful.”

As I answered, things seemed to be going more smoothly than I thought.

I was thinking I’d have to spend time alone until the first lecture. But someone who seemed nice approached me.

‘Judging by the fact that I’ve never heard the name, he’s probably an extra.’

Well, I didn’t think that was so important for getting along.

“Wow. I had heard about the Academy’s reputation, but I didn’t know it would be this grand and splendid from the entrance ceremony. To be honest, I find it a bit amazing.”
“That’s right. It’s rare to see so many people gathered in one place.”
“Nah, compared to that, Han Chunsung. You seemed quite calm? To be honest, I was looking for someone to become friends with, and you immediately caught my eye, but throughout the entrance ceremony, you were calmly looking around here and there.”
“Well, that’s… I’m just not easily intimidated by nature.”

As I was heading towards the exit while agreeing appropriately. I saw Luna and Milia walking not far away.

They seemed to be chatting excitedly like fish in water.

“…?”

As our eyes met by chance again.

Whisk.

Luna immediately turned her head away, and just from that action… I felt that becoming friends with her was already impossible.

“Hey, Han Chunsung.”

Then as David called with a strange tone, I turned my gaze back.

“Huh?”
“You bastard. Are you already looking at female cadets?”
“No. It’s not like that…”
“Come on. Why try to hide it between us? You were just looking at that pink-haired girl, right? She seems to be in the same C1 class as us, but from what I heard her say earlier, she seemed to have a really fierce personality.”

As he asked with a sly voice, I couldn’t help but laugh at how ridiculous it was.

‘Me, interested in that woman?’

Even if someone I like appears later. Luna was definitely not it.

My ideal type was a woman with a good personality and gentle nature.

“No. I just happened to see her. I’m really not interested.”
“Really? To be honest, I thought she was the prettiest in our class, so my eyes were drawn to her. Well, with such a fierce personality, who would approach her?”

I completely agreed with David’s somewhat regretful words.

Luna Vermont.

Objectively quite pretty looks along with a hair color and hairstyle that stands out to anyone were quite popular.

Even now, people nearby are glancing at her as they pass by, but no one actually approaches…

In a way, she’s the heroine role that inevitably gets involved with the good-natured Leonhardt.

Luna’s personality was the worst of the worst.

‘But. Me getting involved with that woman…’

Even if we live in the same class from now on, I thought I should avoid Luna to prevent any unnecessary trouble.

“By the way, Han Chunsung. Come to think of it, what’s your Talent?”

As the expected question came up in my conversation with David, I hesitated inwardly but maintained my composure outwardly.

“…Spearmanship.”
“…Spearmanship?”
“Yeah. It’s a Common Talent.”

I continued speaking as if it was nothing.

Although I thought it would be nice to become friends with someone who approached me first and spoke kindly, I honestly didn’t have too high expectations.

If he shows a strange attitude after hearing my Talent, that’s the end of it.

As I naturally looked at David, sure enough, I could see him blinking as if surprised.

“You find it a bit strange too, right?”

I spoke with a smile, thinking this might be the end.

“Uh… to be honest, it was really unexpected. I thought for sure you’d have a Rare Talent. A Common grade and Spearmanship… and it’s even a close-range type.”
“That’s right. It’s a close-range type.”

As I answered the specific question, I felt it again.

In this world, there’s a clear hierarchy among Talents.

Not only are there four grades of Talents – Legendary, Unique, Rare, and Common – but they’re also divided into close-range and long-range.

Usually, close-range types tend to be looked down upon compared to long-range Talents, and in that sense, my Talent could be considered truly insignificant.

‘It’s Common, and even a close-range type at that.’

Even now, as I met David’s eyes looking at me in surprise, I gauged his reaction.

If he looked down on me after hearing my words, we couldn’t get along even if we tried.

But.

David’s reaction was a bit different from what I expected.

“Wow, Han Chunsung. You’re really amazing.”
“I’m… amazing?”

At the unexpected exclamation, I looked at him, and David calmly nodded.

“You said you’re Common grade and close-range, right? But you’ve still entered C1 class? Then how strong must you be?”
“What do you mean I’m strong… I’m just a Common Talent.”
“That’s exactly it. From my perspective, that’s even more amazing. Usually, Common Talents go to D class, right? But you’ve entered C1 class, the highest of C class, with a Common Talent. Doesn’t that mean you’re that strong?”

Far from looking down on me. He brightened up with admiration and smiled.

Even looking into his eyes, I couldn’t feel any sense of him looking down on me at all.

Bewildered by this reaction I’d never seen before from someone who heard my Talent, I blankly asked back.

“It’s the first time I’ve heard that, it’s really strange. So David, what’s your Talent?”
“My Talent is… a Talent called Focus Amplification.”
“Focus Amplification?”
“To be specific, it’s Rare grade, and simply put, I have the power to amplify anything. Simply, from my body parts like arms and legs, to applying it a bit more, I can amplify various tools I hold in my hand. Actually, I’m still not very skilled so tool amplification is difficult for now…”

As he trailed off with an awkward smile at the end, I was even more dumbfounded.

“Isn’t that a really good Talent?”
“Nah. What do you mean I have a good Talent? Compared to those with truly good Talents, I’m nothing.”

As David joked and shook his head, I couldn’t understand even more.

ー Focus Amplification.

Unlike its name, as soon as I heard the explanation of its contents. I saw the limitless potential of that Talent.

It can be seen simply as body enhancement, but it’s a ability several levels above that, you could say.

He can amplify while handling any weapon, or amplify tools.

That means it’s good for direct combat, or equally good for a support role.

And…

‘With such an overpowered Talent, he doesn’t look down on me?’

As I was finding his gaze even more incomprehensible.

Thud.

David’s steps suddenly stopped.

“Han Chunsung.”
“Yeah. What?”
“…It seems that person over there has come to see you.”