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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Mod7
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“Honestly, I saw it as an opportunity. No one says it out loud, but Seok-hyun’s influence on the first-years is immense.”
Lee Hyun-su, the first to voice a complaint, continued, recalling the events.
“When he asked what my complaint was, I told him that sparring with the instructor seemed to be missing from the training program. A first-year who not only survived but won against a high-rank demon… The thought of sparring with someone like that, just imagining it, is thrilling, isn’t it? Besides, Seok-hyun is officially recognized as one of the strongest. I really thought I could learn something from him.”
Lee Seok-hyun’s sparring feedback sessions had been a revelation, not just for Lee Hyun-su, but for all the students present.
For those with vague aspirations of getting stronger, he’d provided a concrete model to follow.
“I’m sure many students shared my opinion. In fact, as soon as I stood up, Woo Do-hyun, Mijuran, Bellos, and Benras all followed suit.”
Lee Hyun-su’s face beamed with pride at having taken the first step.
But that pride was short-lived. His expression darkened, and his head, held high just moments ago, slowly drooped.
“Lee Seok-hyun seemed completely unfazed. Despite having suffered worse injuries than us and undergoing the same grueling training… He didn’t even flinch at the prospect of more sparring.”
Leading hundreds of students and then having to spar with each of them would be exhausting for anyone.
Yet, Lee Seok-hyun simply nodded, accepting the challenge without hesitation, and called Lee Hyun-su to the center of the training grounds.
“The rules were simple. This training focused on building foundational strength, so no mana or skills allowed—purely physical combat. This applied to everyone, Magic, Other Studies, Martial Arts, no exceptions.”
So the number of volunteers decreased a bit, he added.
Everyone knew how formidable Lee Seok-hyun was in hand-to-hand combat.
“But the Martial Arts students thought they had a chance. The later their turn, the more confident they became. After all, human stamina has its limits, no matter how strong someone might be.”
It was a cowardly thought, perhaps, but after a hundred spars, wouldn’t even Lee Seok-hyun show signs of fatigue? That had been their hope.
Until the sparring began.
Lee Hyun-su instinctively rubbed his chest, still feeling the phantom pain.
“The last student in line, the night owl… he was supposed to start. He was a Magic student, so he knew how to use signal flares.”
The moment the signal flare went off, Lee Seok-hyun reacted instantly.
While everyone had different reaction times, Lee Seok-hyun was in a league of his own.
Bang!
The sound of the flare was immediately followed by a thump as he closed the distance, a straight right aimed directly at Lee Hyun-su’s solar plexus.
It wasn’t just a matter of reacting; simply seeing Lee Seok-hyun had become the greatest challenge.
“For those unfamiliar with sparring, it felt like they heard two flares. Bang! followed instantly by thump! It was like a perfectly timed rhythm, two fingers tapping a table.”
Only Woo Do-hyun and Mijuran could even begin to react to Lee Seok-hyun’s speed.
Everyone else was utterly overwhelmed.
They couldn’t believe a body not enhanced by mana could move like that.
How could he achieve such explosive speed without using anything at all?
Like a testament to the saying “Adversity breeds strength,” Lee Seok-hyun systematically dismantled each complaint, one after another.
The students who had initially worried about Lee Seok-hyun’s stamina realized their folly only after facing him themselves.
“I heard we get a week-long break due to the Death Meteor incident… but I think most students will participate in Seok-hyun’s combined training during that time.”
It’s incredibly effective, you see.
He seems to have a perfect understanding of his field, and it really helps build strength, endurance, and most importantly, grit.
Gainard, who had listened patiently to Lee Hyun-su’s account, nodded slowly, thanking him for the detailed explanation.
“It was my duty,”
Lee Hyun-su replied. He deeply admired Gainard, the once-renowned Golden Knight, and was flustered by his gratitude.
“Ah… it’s almost training time… May I be excused?”
“Of course. I apologize for keeping you so long.”
“Not at all, sir. It was my pleasure. Then I’ll take my leave.”
“Thank you.”
“Yes, sir!”
With that, Lee Hyun-su sprinted back to the training grounds as if his feet were on fire.
Gainard watched him go, finally understanding the extent of Lee Seok-hyun’s influence over the first-year students.
‘He really is like their leader.’
A first-year leader.
Some might dismiss it as nothing more than a playground king, but the scale of this “playground” was on an entirely different level.
‘The complaints are all similar, too.’
He had been both impressed and concerned when Lee Seok-hyun proposed the combined training.
Such a position of authority could corrupt a young mind, tempting them to prioritize personal gain over the group’s well-being.
However, every student Gainard had counseled so far, including Lee Hyun-su, had given similar responses.
They expressed genuine satisfaction, describing the training as beneficial and fulfilling. They claimed it had washed away the despair and hopelessness they’d felt after the Death Meteor attack.
‘This is… unusual.’
While the second, third, and fourth-year students were still struggling with the aftermath of the incident, grappling with feelings of helplessness and despair…
The first-years, considered the most inexperienced, were demonstrating remarkable resilience and adaptability.
Not just Gainard, but all the professors at Mirinae Academy were amazed that a single student had managed to achieve this.
‘Lee Hwa-ryeong and Kerrar must be thinking the same thing.’
The counseling sessions continued, with Gainard interviewing students from each discipline, asking about their difficulties and their training progress.
He hadn’t compiled all the reports yet, but he already had a strong sense of what they contained.
‘As long as Lee Seok-hyun is there, the first-years will remain strong.’
This wasn’t just wishful thinking, it was an undeniable truth.
Lee Seok-hyun was their pillar of support.
Gainard closed the counseling log, impressed.
‘I’m looking forward to seeing what they accomplish.’
Until the end of the first semester, first-year students were strictly prohibited from interacting with other years or participating in inter-academy events. This was a time for them to build bonds and strengthen their camaraderie within their own class.
However, in Mirinae Academy’s history, this period had never truly fostered unity.
Students formed cliques, nobles clashed with commoners, and in some cases, even violent altercations erupted.
‘But this time is different.’
With this level of unity…
Gainard could hardly contain his excitement, imagining how they would perform in future inter-academy competitions and exchanges with other years.
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A week after the break, as Mirinae Academy returned to its normal routine…
A sense of calm focus, rather than the usual post-break restlessness, pervaded the first-year Class S classroom.
Thirty minutes before morning assembly.
Every student, except for one, was already seated, quietly waiting. There was no boisterous chatter, no idle gossip.
Conversations were hushed, laughter subdued—they maintained an air of decorum as if it were second nature.
Thump, thump, thump, thump.
Footsteps echoed through the hallway.
With a steady rhythm, the sound grew closer, its destination clear: Class S.
Gulp.
Even the sound of someone swallowing was amplified in the near-silent room.
Thump, thump, thump. Thump.
Lee Seok-hyun entered.
“Attention! Salute the class president!”
“Sir, yes, sir!”
Woo Do-hyun barked the command, springing to attention, and the rest of the class immediately followed suit.
Without prompting, they executed the drills and movements flawlessly.
Lee Seok-hyun, who hadn’t anticipated this level of obedience, looked momentarily surprised before composing himself.
“At ease.”
“At ease!”
Lee Seok-hyun, the unwitting architect of Class S’s transformation into a miniature army, realized the situation had spiraled beyond his control.
He decided to embrace it.
‘Well, at least this will make things easier when I need to ask for favors later.’
Putting aside any concerns about future disciplinary issues or organizational challenges, Lee Seok-hyun focused on the positives.
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