Chapter 15. King of All Weapons

***

A Class Training Ground in the Academy.

Several figures were now entering that place.

Royal High Academy.
Commonly known as ‘RHA’, almost every form of discrimination exists here.

The fact that training grounds are divided by class alone shows how detailed the discrimination is at RHA.

And the large scale of the A class training ground, along with its various facilities and equipment, showed discrimination down to the bone.

This was like a device to make students voluntarily work hard.

Showing severe discrimination to encourage improvement.

That’s why Chunsung was clearly taking in everything with his eyes now.

Entering the A class training ground, which he normally couldn’t access, to make the most of it.

“I thought there would be people visiting the training ground from the first day. But I didn’t expect such a diverse combination to come. I’m Avalanche, the training instructor in charge of the A class training ground.”

As a man with a sturdy impression spoke as they entered, his name sounded quite familiar.

“First, let me introduce myself. My Talent grade is Unique. Talent level 8, currently also serving as a member of the 6th Imperial Knight Order. That’s enough for introductions, feel free to look around the training ground or conduct your own training. The training ground is open until 9 PM. Besides that, if you have any questions during training, feel free to ask me for advice.”

At the instructor’s calm words, everyone who came together looked curiously.

And among them, what stands out most is the Talent level 8.

In this world, one’s Talent is their value, almost everything about them, and that’s no exaggeration.

Considering that the difficulty increases exponentially for each level up, a Unique Talent at level 8 was objectively a very high Talent level.

“Instructor. We came to this training ground for a match now. Could you perhaps oversee the match as an observer?”
“A match?”
“Yes. While we’re conducting a match, we’d like you to oversee it to prevent any unforeseen accidents.”

The one speaking so fluently.

…The fact that it was Grecia really left me speechless for a moment.

I felt it at the entrance exam site too, but Grecia wasn’t someone who couldn’t speak or stammered at all.

Anyone could see she spoke well.

Usually when conversing, she uses ambiguous speech. But when she needs to speak, she connects words better than anyone else, which just felt strange.

Is this a new form of discrimination? Such thoughts even crossed my mind.

“A match, that’s good. Observation is possible.”

Looking at Avalanche answering readily, I let out a small sigh inwardly.

‘We really have to do it.’

I felt like things had really blown up in the end.

With the instructor here. I thought we wouldn’t die during the match, but I couldn’t hide my complicated feelings.

An extra who has to fight the protagonist.

What is this…

“So which cadets are having the match?”

As the instructor looked curious, I quietly opened my mouth.

“Me.”
“Me.”

At the voices ringing out almost simultaneously with mine, I turned my head slightly. There was Leonhardt looking at me with a slightly surprised expression. I tried to maintain my composure.

The first match at the Academy is with an A class cadet.
And it’s the protagonist of this novel… It’s a gloomy situation, but I couldn’t avoid it.

Somehow, the situation had developed that way.

“An A class and C class cadet having a match. If this is a match leading to conflict between classes, the instructor cannot allow it. Even if it’s an unavoidable match, you clearly have the right to refuse. Cadet Han Chunsung? Answer properly.”

As the instructor asked with a cold expression unlike before, I calmly nodded.

“It’s not a match due to conflict. It’s a normal match with mutual consent.”

I was forced to agree to the match, but anyway, it was true that I agreed voluntarily.

“…Judging by your demeanor, it doesn’t seem to be a lie.”

As he met my eyes and seemed to gauge my true intentions, a faint smile appeared and I tried to stay as relaxed as possible.

So that Grecia’s interest in my current appearance wouldn’t fade.

She shows interest because she doesn’t understand me, but I had to do my best to keep that going.

Grecia is currently the best and last connection I can rely on.

It meant she was the biggest hope I could look up to while in C class.

So.
I, standing in front of her now, couldn’t show any weakness at all.

…

Under the instructor’s guidance, we were able to head to the match arena located in one part of the vast Academy training ground.

There were square outlines drawn, and the match area was slightly raised compared to the surrounding ground. Looking at the match arena, I felt really strange.

“Almost all weapons that cadets want are available in this match arena now. For matches, only weapons equipped in the training ground can be used. Cadets, keep that in mind.”

This was the only common point from A class to D class.

Combat classes have weapons suitable for each Talent, and the weapons required vary widely depending on the individual.

Moreover, there were grades for weapons too.

Weapons obtained from ordinary blacksmiths don’t even receive any grade. The iron spear I used in the entrance exam was typically like that.

But it was different inside the Academy. Weapons made in the Academy workshop all contain mysterious power. Well, that was inevitable since the blacksmiths making the weapons had high-grade Talents.

And those grades were the same as the grades of our Talents.

Grades ranging from Common, Rare, Unique, to Legendary.

And up to ‘Unique grade’ weapons that only special individuals who can’t be obtained in the Academy can possess.

Thinking that, Leonhardt and I moved our steps.

Step. Step.

Before long, we were each able to choose.

Since both Leonhardt and I had close-range Talents, swords and spears were basically right next to the weapon selection area.

Click.

The moment I grasped the spear made entirely of gray material, I immediately felt the item’s effect.

*
ーーーー
Training Spear
Grade: Common.
Item Effect: When equipped, Agility stat increases by 1.1 times.
*According to the item’s effect, Agility stat is adjusted to 11.
ーーーー
*

It was ridiculous that such unrealistic item stats were shown in detail, really like a world inside a novel.

“It’s good even though it’s for training.”
“Yeah. The sword I’m holding is quite nice too.”

I nodded lightly as Leonhardt answered right beside me.

‘Someone said, if you can’t avoid it, enjoy it.’

Even if I get utterly crushed in this match, I have to show my best.

I thought I should at least keep my ‘confidence’.

“Cadets should head to their positions.”

At the instructor’s words, Leonhardt and I slowly moved to widen the distance between us.

Like that, facing each other, we took deep breaths.

People had already gathered around.

Thinking it was a spectacle, besides Grecia and Yumia who came together, A class cadets were curiously taking their places around, which just made me uncomfortable.

‘Having to fight a match where defeat is predetermined.’

And having to show everyone my losing appearance.

Then I bit my lip and steeled my heart.

‘It’s okay. Don’t be scared. Just don’t make a disgraceful display.’

Although Grecia suddenly brought up the match, she probably didn’t mention it expecting me to win.

She clearly knows that I have a Common Talent while Leonhardt has a Legendary Talent.

So. I just needed to show a performance above my Common Talent grade now.

I didn’t need to be obsessed with victory.

“It seems both sides are ready for the match. Then before we begin, each cadet should state their name and Talent. First, Cadet Leonhardt.”

At Instructor Avalanche’s words, Leonhardt slowly nodded while raising his sword.

“Leonhardt Loraiant. My Talent’s name is Sky-Splitting Blade. The grade is Legendary and Talent level is 2.”

As soon as the introduction ended.

“Wow.”
“Legendary…”
“How strong could he be?”

Admiration could be heard from the various cadets who had gathered at the news of the match. My heart felt heavy.

Although I was calmly holding my spear outwardly, what on earth was this.

It’s not even some kind of humiliation play.

“Next, Cadet Han Chunsung.”

At the instructor’s words, I calmly opened my mouth.

“Han Chunsung. My Talent’s name is Spearmanship, grade is Common, and Talent level is 3.”

…Even as I uttered the words I would speak countless times in the future, I calmed my heart.

“Legendary and Common?”
“Is this really a proper match?”
“They say he just accepted it though.”

At the murmuring voices already starting, I now completely focused my gaze on the spear tip.

The difference between us is clear for anyone to see.

An unbelievable gap between Legendary and Common. Moreover, my opponent is someone who could be called the protagonist of this world.

In fact, Instructor Avalanche’s expression had sunk deeply.

Originally, he should announce the start of the match right after introductions, but his eyes were hesitating.

As the instructor subtly met my gaze, I just calmly received that gaze.

“…”
“…”

That look seemed to say I could give up even now, but instead, a small laugh escaped me.

I have no intention of avoiding it now.

If I say I’m giving up after coming this far, there would be no greater disgrace.

Regardless of skill level, my self-esteem. It would be completely crushed.

Even if this spear tip breaks as we clash blades. I didn’t want to give up before even crossing weapons.

‘Right. Even if I lose, I can’t avoid the match.’

I didn’t want to, first of all.

No matter how much difference in grade there is, I no longer looked down on my Spearmanship Talent.

The more I trained, the more I know that this Spearmanship Talent has countless advantages.

ー King of All Weapons.
The spear is considered the supreme weapon among close-range weapons.

Some say the sword is considered highest as the king of all weapons, but.

Having thrust a spear thousands of times over the past two months, I thought there was nothing more ridiculous than that.

The trajectory and direction a spear thrusts cannot ‘absolutely’ be matched by a sword against an equal opponent.

With the basic difference in reach and the difference in force concentrated on a single point, if the spear wielder is skilled, there was an enormous difference in weaponry that could finish an opponent in a single exchange.

In fact, the Spearmanship Talent has ‘overwhelming’ superiority among close-range Talents.

Although in this world, magic and various long-range Talents are highly valued, making close-range Talents like Spearmanship completely neglected, this was an exception.

If engaging in a match with a close-range Talent, it meant the Spearmanship Talent was in a completely different league regardless of grade.

Rustle.

As I slowly pointed my spear tip towards Leonhardt, I had not the slightest intention of losing easily.

“Match begin.”

With the instructor’s voice, the match began.

At the same time, Leonhardt suddenly opened his mouth.

“Han Chunsung. Feel free to attack first.”

At his voice tinged with apology, I involuntarily had a different thought.

This…

‘I might actually win.’