Chapter 6: Combat Training (2)

"Ne~ Ne~ What do you think of that guy? The one who defeated that crimson-haired girl. Isn't he a hottie?"

Katherine smiled playfully, her sky-blue hair flowing gracefully as she swung her spear, easily defeating her opponents. Her pink blossom-colored eyes glimmered with mischief as she moved.

"Please… spare us…"

"Damn it! We ran into her team!"

"How unlucky!"

Leonis, a half-human, half-dragon with long green hair and two prominent horns on his forehead, calmly picked up the red flag in his hand, a cold look on his face.

"I don't remember weaklings. I don't have time for them."

"Tch, you're so cold, Leonis. Don't tell me you're jealous?"

Katherine's grin widened as she teased him, stepping closer.

Leonis barely glanced at her, his expression emotionless. "No, I'm not. I don't care about others. I came here for one reason—revenge. As long as I achieve my goal, nothing else matters. Even if it means teaming up with you, Katherine… and Raon."

"Hahahaha! You're fun to tease, Leonis." Katherine laughed, spinning her spear. "Relax, I have no interest in you. I only joined your team because you have something I want. Isn't that right, Raon?"

Raon, a lithe lizardman with green scales and sharp features, grunted as he swung his greatsword, his tail flicking behind him.

"Don't forget your promise, Leonis. That's the only reason I'm here."

***

We met up in the forest. Emma charged first, swinging her massive hammer. I sidestepped, letting it crash into the ground, then closed the distance with her.

CRASH!

I slashed at her side, but she blocked with the hammer's shaft. She countered with a quick swing. I dodged and took another step forward.

Sylvia shot an arrow aimed at Mirella, but just as it neared, Mirella raised an earth wall in front of her, blocking the shot.

Elysia fired an ice arrow, but Claire was already in motion. She dashed forward, her dagger slicing through the air.

Emma swung again, this time with a horizontal strike. I ducked, then swung my sword upward. She blocked with the hammer shaft, but the force pushed her back slightly. I moved in, aiming for her side again. She stepped back, raising the hammer high and bringing it down with a grunt.

I parried the attack, but the ground trembled. I quickly stepped aside, avoiding the downward strike.

Sylvia appeared from her stealth magic, firing an arrow straight at Mirella. She raised another earth wall in front of her.

Mirella gritted her teeth but barely avoided a fireball from Elysia. It grazed her shoulder, leaving a burn. She winced, her focus faltering for just a moment.

I was back on Emma. She swung the hammer again with both hands, but I stepped inside her guard, blocking the attack with the side of my sword. I pushed her back, then aimed for her legs with a low swipe. She jumped back to avoid it. She was starting to struggle, but didn't back down.

Just as Mirella recovered from the previous attacks, she shifted her stance and raised her hand. The earth beneath her rumbled. Sharp earth spears shot out of the ground, aimed straight for Elysia. The first spear barely grazed Elysia's shoulder as she dodged with a quick twist, but the pressure from the incoming attack made her stumble slightly.

In that moment, I saw it — Katherine's Thunder Strike, lightning crackling in the air, charging up behind Mirella. Elysia, stumbling, couldn't react fast enough.

Damn it!

Without hesitation, I disappeared from my spot, feeling my mana surge. In the blink of an eye, I was standing in front of Elysia, my back facing her. The crackling lightning bolt was milliseconds from hitting her.

CRACKLE!

With a swift, calculated motion, I swung my sword. The blade cut through the air, severing the flow of mana.

The lightning strike vanished without a trace.

Elysia blinked in shock, her body frozen for a moment. She looked up at me, her cheeks flushed, eyes wide in confusion.

I turned toward Mirella, Claire, and Emma, my eyes cold. "Stay out of my way," I said.

Just then, Katherine, Leonis, and Raon appeared. Leonis unsheathed his sword, his gaze calculating. Katherine grinned mischievously, her eyes sparkling as she stepped toward me.

"Well, well, what do we have here? Looks like we interrupted you…"

She walked closer, then stopped in front of me, smiling.

"Ah, hello," she said with a teasing tone. "I'm sorry for interrupting your fight. My name is Katherine White. Nice to meet you."

She thought to herself — This man... he's even more handsome than I thought.

Katherine charged at me, her spear flashing forward with lightning speed. "Let's go, Kaiser!" she grinned.

I deflected her thrust and sidestepped. She spun, her spear slicing through the air. I parried, the impact sending vibrations through my arms. Her playful smirk remained as she pressed the attack, striking at my head, chest, and legs with relentless speed.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Every strike was precise, aiming to overwhelm me.

Then, Raon appeared beside me.

His greatsword came down in a crushing arc.

BOOM!

I raised my blade, blocking the massive force, but the impact sent a sharp jolt through my bones. I spat to the side, gripping my sword tighter.

Katherine lunged again. Her spear aimed straight for my neck. I twisted, dodging at the last second. She was fast—but I had no time to focus on just her.

Leonis moved in. His katana flickered like a shadow. A cold, precise slash aimed for my neck.

I parried, but his blade barely missed my side. Katherine and Raon attacked again in perfect sync.

I had no choice.

The air around me twisted. A suffocating wave of red energy surged from my body.

Katherine's smile disappeared.

"W-What…?"

Raon hesitated.

Leonis' grip tightened.

I moved.

Like a meteor, I closed the distance between me and Katherine. My sword slashed through the air.

SLASH!

A deep cut appeared on her side. Blood splattered onto the dirt. She staggered back.

Another slash.

CRACK!

Her spear trembled in her hands as she collapsed to one knee.

Blood dripped from her mouth. She coughed, struggling to rise. "Tch… You're not fun anymore, Kaiser…"

She slumped forward, defeated.

Raon roared and swung his two-handed greatsword with full force.

CLANG!

The sheer impact sent shockwaves through the air. I blocked, but my feet scraped against the ground from the force.

Raon wasn't stopping. His attacks came heavy and fast, every strike strong enough to crush bones.

I dodged the next swing and countered.

SLASH!

A cut opened on his side. Raon gritted his teeth, refusing to fall. He swung again—desperate, wild. I sidestepped and struck his ribs.

THUD!

Raon dropped to one knee, panting. Blood seeped through his clothes. He was done.

Leonis stepped forward.

Unlike Raon and Katherine, he showed no frustration. His expression remained calm as he gripped his katana.

He exhaled. Then, he moved.

WHOOSH!

He closed the distance in an instant, his katana slicing toward my throat. I barely blocked in time. Sparks flew.

Leonis pressed forward, his blade moving with perfect precision.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

Our swords clashed in rapid succession.

He wasn't reckless. Every attack had intent, a calculated path toward my weak points.

But I wasn't losing.

I matched his speed. Our blades clashed with fierce intensity.

Leonis suddenly feinted left—then slashed at my shoulder.

I twisted my body and parried.

He smirked. "Not bad."

I didn't respond.

I attacked.

My sword crashed against his katana, forcing him back. He blocked—but my strength was overwhelming.

BOOM!

Leonis' feet dug into the ground as he struggled to keep up.

His breathing grew heavy. His defense was crumbling.

One final strike.

I stepped forward.

Leonis swung desperately—

I dodged.

SLASH!

My blade struck his ribs.

His katana slipped from his grip.

He staggered, eyes wide. Blood dripped from his lips. He clenched his fist.

I raised my sword, ready to end it.

But I stopped.

Leonis didn't move. He stood, chest heaving, staring at me.

Emma watched from the sidelines, fists clenched, her face twisted in frustration.

"Damn it… damn it! Are you holding back because you think I'm not worthy?!"

The fight was over.

Raon was on his knees. Katherine was unconscious. Leonis stood in silence.

Elysia and Sylvia spoke at the same time.

"Wh-Who are you exactly, Kaiser?"

Before I could answer—

The forest was nowhere to be seen. The surroundings shifted back to where it all began. The training ground of the White Tiger Academy.

"That's enough!"

"The winner of this combat training is Team Kaiser!"

"Meet me in my office later, Kaiser. I'll give you the appropriate rewards for the combat training."

"Also—medics! Bring this fool who doesn't know how to hold back."

A group of people in white coats appeared.

They carried the injured students to the clinic.

Some were unconscious.

Others stood still, as if everything was an illusion.

Leonis walked up to me, glaring.

"Why didn't you finish me off, Kaiser?"

"I don't need your pity. Sooner or later, you'll regret sparing my life."

I looked at him.

"Are you stupid? This is only a combat training. Is there any need for me to kill my own classmates?"

He was stunned.

Then, he clicked his tongue and left.

"I will win next time."

Tch. What an annoying bastard.

Looks like my school life will be full of arrogant, stupid people like him.

Elysia approached me.

She looked straight at me.

"Thank you, Kaiser. I will never forget this favor. Someday, I will repay you."

I raised an eyebrow.

"You don't owe me anything."

She shook her head.

"No. I do."

Then, she turned and left.

Sylvia walked up next.

She didn't ask anything.

She pulled out a silver key and placed it in my hand.

"Meet me tonight at 9 PM."

She whispered.

"I have something to talk about."

Huh?

A girl just invited me?

Me, someone who has no friends in this academy?

Well… she probably just wants to ask about what happened and how I defeated the top student like nothing.

After a long day, I went to Professor Grimgar's office.

I knocked.

"Come in."

I stepped inside.

Surprisingly, three people were waiting.

One of them was the dean of the White Tiger Academy.

"We were waiting for your arrival, Kaiser."

Professor Darius sat on the couch.

He gestured for me to sit.

I sat down.

There was tea on the table.

And cookies.

I grabbed one and took a bite.

"It's delicious…"

I still didn't know why these professors and the dean wanted something from me.

Professor Grimgar looked at me.

"Do you know why I called you here, Kaiser?"

He sipped his coffee.

Then, he put the cup down.

"To give rewards. Isn't that the reason? Or maybe something else."

He smiled.

"You're quick on the uptake. As expected from the disciple of the Sword Demon."

The dean suddenly laughed.

"That old monster really brought a monster here. Hahaha!"

He mentioned my master.

Does that mean he knows him?

"Dean, do you know my master?"

He looked at me.

His gaze pierced through me.

Damn.

He's a real monster, just like my master.

It felt like the abyss was staring back at me.

"Hey, old man. Don't scare the child."

Professor Darius glared at him.

"We didn't come here for trivial things like this. He's an important student in this academy. Someday, he will participate in the Lunar Moon Festival."

The dean laughed again.

"Hohohoho! It's been a long time since I was this excited. I can't help it, Darius. Now, back to the main topic."

He looked at me.

"Kaiser, my boy. What do you think about becoming a direct disciple?"

I froze.

"I know I have nothing to offer except my legacy. I already asked your master, and he said yes. That raven brat was my disciple. He was a cheeky brat, but he was the strongest among them. I already vowed never to teach anyone again. But after knowing that you're a once-in-a-century genius… I couldn't help it."

"I don't want to repeat the same mistake I made 20 years ago. So, I became the dean of the White Tiger Academy."

…What?

A direct disciple of the dean of the White Tiger Academy?

Isn't that something that only happens to a prefect?

Besides, I'm just a freshman.

Isn't this unreasonable?

The dean laughed.

"I know what you're thinking."

"But you're wrong."

"I don't choose my disciple based on talent."

"But based on the nature inside you."

"You see…"

"Every human has mana."

"And that mana has different colors based on their nature."

"For example, if a person is evil, they have dark, ominous mana."

"If they are good, they have white or yellowish mana."

"But you…"

"You are different."

"Your mana is pure colorless."

"I've only heard of it in legends."

"I never thought I'd actually see one."

"Being colorless doesn't mean you have nothing."

"It means you have everything."

"You can become anything."