Chapter 31: Basic Physical Training

"Ugh."

Standing on my hands, I increased the weight of the rings with gravity magic, putting a strain on my body.

Crack. Crack.

I can hear the sound of my muscles tearing and splitting.

The divine sleeping within the Great Sky Dancing Divine Mantra awakens, sending mana throughout my muscles.

As a movement technique, the Great Sky Dancing Divine Mantra accumulates energy while moving.

Though the internal energy gained this way is extremely minute,

My Great Sky Dancing Divine Mantra gathers only the purest internal energy, so it can't be helped.

'Still, I made it automatic.'

It's a martial art created by combining it with a magic formula.

Therefore, it accumulates mana through breathing without me doing anything.

That's why it's a martial art—an internal art that grows with me.

It's not without its drawbacks.

Unlike other martial arts, the accumulation of energy is slow.

And.

'Except for me, there are hardly any people who can learn it.'

In other words, if you exclude these two drawbacks, there are no downsides.

It's like the principal's elixir. The only downside is that only I can use it.

A martial art made only for my benefit.

That is the Great Sky Dancing Divine Mantra.

'I think I'll be able to use it soon.'

A martial art used together with the Great Sky Dancing Divine Mantra.

Heaven-Surrendering Martial Arts.

I closed my eyes and began to concentrate.

Just as I was about to do so, I sensed a presence.

"Master, it's almost time for class. Where did you go…"

It was Yoo Eunchae.

"…"

"What are you doing?"

"…Th-th-this, what are you doing naked!"

Yoo Eunchae quickly covered her eyes with both hands.

Then, she peeked at my body, spreading her fingers slightly.

I had only taken off my top because I didn't like sweat sticking to me, but naked?

"Wow, this is…"

Feeling annoyed, I shook off the sweat with telekinesis and got dressed.

"No, what was with your reaction just now?"

"It's unpleasant."

"No, if someone as pretty as me is looking at you…"

"More importantly, are you done preparing?"

"I've finished preparing for the class. But I'm busy too, why did you have to specifically ask me?"

"If you took supplies bought with the budget, you should at least do that much."

"…You noticed?"

"Yeah. You were quite good at sneaking them away."

If it weren't for my experience as the Purple Tower Master, I might have missed a few because of how secretly it was done.

'This kid really…'

Rather than learning martial arts or magic, it seems like she's more inclined to be a thief…

"No, why are you looking at me like that?"

"It's nothing."

She's quick-witted. It seems like she'd really succeed in that field.

Since she wants to take advantage of me,

'I have to teach her a lesson.'

But something else comes first.

"Listen."

"…This is?"

Yoo Eunchae's expression noticeably hardens.

She's looking at the black iron ring I made last time at the forge.

It is noticeably lighter than mine but still made with care.

"Here, take it."

"Huh?"

"What?"

"Why do I have four? Judging by the number, it seems like the others wear one or two."

"I was going to give you just two, but I was annoyed because you secretly took supplies."

"…Ha, can't you let it slide just once?"

Yoo Eunchae said, lowering her eyes.

She looks like a puppy that's lost its spirit.

I gave her a slight smile.

"Do you think that'll work?"

She's really crazy.

"…I-I have other classes to attend?"

"If my class is more valuable than theirs, then it's not a problem."

"Hiing."

Yoo Eunchae made a sad face.

"So what did you come here for?"

"…Was it that obvious?"

"Yes."

Even though she clearly wanted to give away some information, she was pretending otherwise.

"Soon, there will be a unity gathering and an exchange event."

"A unity gathering and an exchange event?"

"Yes. The unity gathering is where our class students and professors join forces to fight, and the exchange event is where a professor leads students to visit other schools."

"Really?"

"And this exchange event starts in the United States."

Yoo Eunchae's face darkened.

"In this exchange event, some rather formidable players will appear. It's like the game is telling you that this is the world you'll be playing in now."

"Hmm."

"Probably, many will die."

"…"

I pondered.

An exchange event, huh.

"When will it be held?"

"In about 3 months?"

"There's also the summer vacation in between."

"… The summer vacation you're talking about doesn't even last for more than 20 days."

"Well, that should be enough."

If Yoo Eunchae said someone was going to die, a lot might indeed die.

Then, I need to maximize the kids' abilities as much as possible.

"That's not the problem."

"So, what is it then?"

"Originally, students who shouldn't have gathered are all here."

Yoo Eunchae looked at me and said,

"Maybe, if we meet the hidden conditions, most of the first-years will end up fighting."

"Really?"

Well, the level of my students is quite high, after all.

'There are many talented ones.'

Seon Woohyeon and Nam Hyerin. Wi Gunak and Abel, who is said to be a descendant of the Progenitor.

None of them are ordinary.

"Well, it's not a problem for us. But it might be a problem for the teacher."

"What do you mean?"

"You might have to fight with the professors."

"…?"

I looked at Yoo Eunchae with a puzzled expression.

Yoo Eunchae looked back at me.

"Why is that a problem?"

"No, it's just that you have to fight with the professors…"

Yoo Eunchae stopped there, looking at me as if realizing something.

"Even if they're professors… they're not exactly competition by your standards, are they?…Right?"

"Then there's no problem."

It might be a bit of a problem right now, but my body is slowly nearing completion.

"Even if all of those guys attack at once."

"…"

Yoo Eunchae looked at me with an expression that said she had nothing more to say.

Why is she constantly so surprised?

As their teacher, this much is the bare minimum.

It's class day.

Having taught a few times, I'm starting to get the hang of it.

'To what extent these guys are capable.'

And how I should teach them.

So, this time, I decided to have an outdoor class.

Originally,

"Alves. Attendance?"

"Perfect."

Fantastic.

No matter how hard it might be, missing my class was out of the question.

I looked around.

If last time I had separated the magicians, this time I excluded the martial artists.

'The term martial artist really doesn't sit well with me.'

In my past life, there you were either a martial artist or a knight.

But calling them martial artists just sounds lame…

'I don't know who came up with it, but their naming sense is the worst.'

And those who keep calling them that are also a problem.

Anyway, I decided to proceed with the class.

Today's lesson was simple.

Basic physical training.

"Is it going to be similar to last time?"

"Well, yes. The focus is just on building physical strength."

"Ah."

"Do you see that flag over there?"

"…I don't see it?"

The one who spoke was Seo Boram, carrying a giant sword on her back.

Ah, is she like those fools from the Peng and Hwangbo Clans?

If that's the case, I understand.

Those idiots think all they need to do is train their bodies instead of focusing on anything else.

In that case, I should focus on teaching her something else.

"Go over there."

"Huh?"

As I pointed with my finger, Seo Boram turned her head.

Krrrrung!

Lightning struck right near the flag that Alves had planted in advance.

"Ah, over there."

"Yes."

"…"

Some just stared with their mouths agape at what was shown moments ago.

Seon Woohyeon and Shin Yura.

And Yoo Seolrang and Yoo Eunchae.

"What-what was that just now?"

"I didn't see anything? And you didn't use mana around you either."

They say, confused.

Of course.

This is lightning created by me utilizing my original attribute, Heaven.

"Cool…"

Wearing a mask that left only half of her face visible, Jo Gaeun appeared.

She wore a garter belt and twin pigtails.

Should I call her a menhera? Or is she more like a jirai joshi?

[A/N : メンヘラ (menhera) is a Japanese term that can be translated to "mental health girl" in English. It is a subculture of Japanese fashion that is characterized by a dark and edgy appearance, often with a lolita or gyaru aesthetic. メンヘラ girls typically wear black or dark colors, tattered clothing, and accessories with skulls or other dark symbols. They often have pale skin and dark circles under their eyes.]

[지뢰계 (jirai joshi) is a Japanese term that can be translated to "landmine girl" or "minefield girl" in English. It is a subculture of Japanese fashion that is characterized by a sweet and innocent appearance, often with a lolita or gyaru aesthetic. 지뢰계 girls typically wear pastel colors, frilly clothing, and accessories with kawaii (cute) characters. They often have large, doe-like eyes and pale skin.]

Anyway, that was the style of her clothes.

Thinking about it, all members of the Five Great Families of Korea were here.

Originally, there was no one from the Iron-Blood Sword Family, but I was here.

There's Shin Yura from the Magic Shin Clan and Yoo Seolrang from the Mysterious Yoo Clan.

From the Shadow Jo Clan, Jo Gaeun, and the Mighty Seo Clan, Seo Boram.

'Aren't their nicknames Dark Flower and Mad Blade?'

I sat down and talked about today's lesson.

"Today's lesson is really simple. Just go around the flag I mentioned earlier and come back here."

"That sounds easy?"

Seon Woohyeon said, and Yoo Eunchae looked at him as if she wanted to kill him from the side.

"No, why…"

"Don't you know, after all you've been through."

She spoke with a voice filled with resignation.

I smiled at her as a form of repayment.

"Before we depart, there's something you all must do."

"What is it?"

"Abel."

"…Professor, it seems you really don't know, but I'm actually high-class personnel?"

"Because you're high-class personnel, that's why I'm entrusting you with something important."

"Exactly."

As Professor Alves nodded, Abel wore a bewildered expression.

"Anyway, you all will wear this and run."

He took out an iron ring that had a dark hue.

To demonstrate its weight, he dropped it from the air.

Kwoong!

It heavily slammed into the ground.

"…You can't be serious."

"It's the unlikely things that will kill you. All of you will wear this and run. Shin Yura, Yoo Seolrang will wear two each. The rest will wear four each."

"There are also magic users, right? Are you sure this is correct?"

"Yes. Just because you're learning magic doesn't mean you should neglect physical training."

Even magicians must undergo at least the minimum physical training.

Those who merely chant spells without understanding them often die in real battles.

I don't want the ones I taught to die so meaninglessly.

"During this time, shouldn't the mages be researching magic or something?"

Yoo Eunchae raised her hand and spoke.

My lips curled to a smirk.

In other words, I scoffed.

"You, who can barely walk?"

"…"

"Even those who research and delve into magic don't dare to speak like that in front of me. Because most of them aren't superior to my magic."

Eventually, that's something that needs to be addressed, too.

I don't want to create a lesser version of myself.

But that time is quite far from now.

"I'm an assassin, though?"

Jo Gaeun raised her hand and spoke.

I smiled lightly and said.

"Does an assassin not die if hit?"

"…I understand."

Everyone frowned as Jo Gaeun lowered her hand.

"Professor."

"What is it?"

"When I wear this, it seems like my magical power doesn't circulate properly?"

"It's effective, isn't it?"

"…"

Seeing their struggling faces made me feel good.

"And it wouldn't be fun if you just ran around, would it?"

"…It seems like it would be fun."

"I wouldn't find it fun."

Everyone's expression soured at my response.

I clapped my hands with a smack and summoned magic.

Glacial Heavenly Moon.

Ice Pillar Spikes.

Creak crack.

Dozens of spikes appeared out of thin air. Each one was a thin spike over 1m long.

"I'll attack those who lag behind."

"Hahaha, you won't really do that right?"

Seo Boram laughed heartily and asked me.

I just smiled.

"No?"

Grin.

"…Devil."

Han Seojin's response reminded her who she was dealing with.

Just as it's not good for a person to only be whipped, they should also be given a carrot.

"Alves."

"Yes."

"Take it out."

Alves took a wooden box out of his pocket.

Three brilliantly sparkling elixirs revealed themselves.

"I specially ordered this medicine. I will give these prizes to the top three in this competition."

Everyone's eyes shone at my words.

"Third place. As long as we place within the top three…"

"It's a medium-quality item. At the very least, if converted into internal energy, you can gain up to 30 years of cultivation."

Good, good.

This kind of passion is what makes one stronger quickly.

"Ah, and anything except life-threatening attacks is allowed."

"…"

Everyone looked at me with pale faces at my words.

Puzzled, Wi Gunak asked.

"Is that a rule?"

"Yes."

"I'm just thinking, but if there's no threat to life…"

"Ah, don't you know?"

It wouldn't be a disqualification.

So, to summarize, that's it.

From now on, actively interfere with each other.

Everyone will fight.

I gave a refreshingly bright smile.