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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Yuziro
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The most important aspects of the academy were combat, and heroic spirit… or so they said.
Therefore, classes related to combat skills were supposedly intense.
So, the instructor for the Basic Combat class declared that he would make full use of the allotted time, despite it being the first day.
Well, maybe that was just this instructor’s style.
Rain, who taught the Introduction to Hero Studies, a class about heroic spirit, had ended her lecture early.
“I am Germain Mirgul. We’ll skip the chit-chat and proceed directly to the combat skills evaluation. Each of you, grab a weapon you’re comfortable with and stand before me.”
“Will you be evaluating us individually?” someone asked.
“No, all at once. Make sure you have enough space between yourselves.”
I picked up a random weapon from the pile scattered on the floor.
Anything would do.
The only ones left were daggers.
It seemed longer weapons were more popular.
‘Well, I used daggers the most, but even I learned that just because something’s convenient for everyday life doesn’t mean it’s good for combat. Length is king.’
It was a bit funny that I was thinking this now, right after I had decided that any weapon would do.
What could I do? This was all that was left.
So, I stood awkwardly in my spot, holding a rusty dagger whose blade was so worn that it looked like it might snap at any moment.
“You can show me moves you’ve learned in the past, or demonstrate your own unique movements. Even just swinging it around is fine. Do whatever you can to showcase your abilities.”
As he instructed, I swung the dagger a few times.
I felt a slight thrill, perhaps because I hadn’t wielded a sword since entering Hidin.
Recalling old memories, I began sparring with an imaginary opponent, just like I used to do.
My target was Odros.
The warrior, who possessed monstrous strength, capable of wielding a greatsword with one hand, always held a shield in the other, achieving both offensive and defensive prowess.
But before I could even exchange five blows with the imaginary Odros, I stopped.
The outcome of the spar was clear: my body split vertically in two.
Of course, I doubted Odros would actually do that to a comrade.
Germain Mirgul, after observing the students’ movements, began calling out names.
“…And… Bandages, you.”
Since I hadn’t written my name on the application, he simply called me Bandages.
He looked me up and down before pointing with his index finger.
I glanced in the direction he indicated.
It was a group of students who seemed to possess mid-level skills.
‘So, I guess I’m at least average.’
It seemed Germain was a generous evaluator, considering he placed me in this group despite my lackluster performance.
Or maybe he was just taking into account that we were freshmen.
The groups were divided, and we began sparring as instructed by Germain.
Tolman was assigned to the strongest group of four, and standing before me was…
“Haha, I didn’t expect the time for your re-education to come so soon.”
It was Prion.
“Weren’t you the second top student? Are you not good at combat?”
“…My specialty is magic. You insolent commoner.”
“Ah, is that so? Anyway, let’s just spar. They brought in a healer from outside, so we can go all out.”
“Very well, attack first. I’ll allow you the first strike since I’m clearly stronger.”
‘Thanks.’ I replied internally.
Then I immediately lunged forward, my rusty dagger gripped in a reverse grip, aiming for his heart.
But Prion, being the second top student, gracefully dodged my thrust and declared, “First, I’ll remove those bandages!” as he swung his rapier at me.
‘Come on, who falls for that kind of bluff?’
I twisted my body, narrowly avoiding his blade, and launched a counterattack.
I grabbed his outstretched arm, switched the dagger to my other hand, and aimed for another thrust.
Prion dodged again.
The back-and-forth continued between Prion, with his surprisingly decent movements, and me, a retired hero.
The spar ended with my defeat.
It seemed my heart had gone soft after all this time, lulled by the combination of sparring, non-lethal weapons, and the presence of a healer.
Perhaps I could also blame it on being too engrossed in observing Prion’s movements.
I momentarily lost focus due to a lapse in concentration and stumbled, disrupting my stance.
Prion seized the opportunity, and his rapier pierced my shoulder.
I gritted my teeth at the dull pain, a sensation I hadn’t felt in a while.
Prion looked down at me and said, “So you were all show after all. To think you lost to me without even using magic.”
The rapier was blunt, so it hadn’t pierced through, but it still hurt like hell.
But it wasn’t enough to make me scream or writhe on the ground.
More than the pain, I was simply happy to be sparring again.
I glanced at Prion, who was staring down at me with a smug expression, and then got back on my feet, gripping the dagger.
“Hey, let’s go again. That was fun.”
“…Fun? This is a spar. Take it seriously.”
He seemed displeased with my words.
But I replied, “Why should we stress our minds when our bodies are already working hard? Let’s enjoy ourselves.”
It was something I always told myself during battles.
But Prion, as if he couldn’t comprehend my words, looked at me with disgust.
“You have a rotten attitude to match your lack of talent. I’ll fix that for you.”
Prion began chanting.
It wasn’t a particularly long incantation, but perhaps because of his strong magic power, the flames that erupted were quite intense.
Even with my blurry vision, I could see the red glow emanating from his blade.
“…Prion Colson.”
Germain approached and placed a hand on Prion’s shoulder, stopping him.
It was too early in the spar to be using magic.
“I apologize.” Prion said, obediently extinguishing the flames.
But he was still visibly annoyed, and the rest of the spar was filled with aggressive and sharp attacks.
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The Basic Combat class was over.
Prion, without even looking at me, left the classroom with a frustrated huff, tossing his sword aside.
I got up, dusted off the sand, and followed him out.
Germain, as if waiting to see me leave, stood there, watching me intently.
“Big Guy”
I called out to Tolman, who had returned to our room first, after I had washed off all the dust and grime.
“What?”
“It was fun moving my body again. Can I join you when you work out?”
“…Haha! Finally discovered the joy of exercise, have you? But you’re not allowed to slack off halfway through, got it?”
I nodded at his hearty words.
I wasn’t one to quit easily.
‘Actually, you should be the one to worry.’
‘Don’t get burned by my passion.’
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“Help me,” I gasped.
“Just one more! Just one more rep— Heave ho—!”
“Help me, please…”
“Don’t talk! Hold your breath! Tighten your core! Going down—! I’m helping you! Don’t bend your back! Don’t talk! Be careful!”
“I’m serious, help me…”
‘I’m dying…’
“There— See? You can do it. Nothing is impossible! Now take a breather—“
‘I’m alive…’
“Done resting? Let’s start.”
“Wait a minute. I’m done with squats…”
“A good posture comes from a strong lower body! Next, we’re doing lunges!”
‘What are lunges? He said something weird about squats earlier too… He’s torturing me…’
‘Even fighting wasn’t this exhausting…’
‘Wait, muscle monster, don’t come near me—!!’
“Big Guy, I’m seriously about to die. Are you sure this is okay?”
“You know, when you’re really about to die, you’re too busy breathing to talk.”
“Oh… Thanks for the info.”
“You’re welcome! Now let’s begin.”
“Help me…”
My escape plan had failed.
After enduring more torture, I finally managed to break free from Tolman.
My legs were shaking like a newborn calf, and I could barely stand.
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