Chapter 11. The Training Ground

"These excitation pods enhance stamina output and fortify muscular and neural structures," the guide explained.

"Body Weavers push their limits constantly, so physical adaptation is just as vital as technique."

Licht paused as they passed one of the pods. A cadet floated inside, jaw clenched in deep concentration. Thin streams of blue light coursed along his skin—not healing, but sparking micro-surges that forced his cells to adapt. It was a forced evolution—controlled stress at the cellular level.

Licht narrowed his eyes.

It was all so… clinical, so efficient, and yet to him, it felt strangely invasive.

Like forging flesh into steel—less about care, more about optimization. Like tuning an engine, not nurturing a human.

As Licht was absorbed in thought, someone suddenly bumped into him from behind.

"Ah—sorry! Didn't see you there," the voice said quickly.

A short cadet with messy crimson hair and thick-rimmed glasses stumbled back a step, clutching a tablet awkwardly to his chest. He adjusted his glasses and looked up at the person he'd just run into.

"I was too absorbed in the magnificence of this technology. They say it feels like sinking into warm fog," he said, still catching his breath. "You go in hurting, come out like you've been asleep for a week. I can't wait to—"

He froze mid-sentence.

His eyes locked onto Licht's face.

There was a moment of silence.

"Oh," the cadet muttered. His voice dropped almost to a whisper. "You're… him."

The awkwardness flooded the air like static. The boy straightened his back slightly, suddenly unsure of what to do with his hands or where to look.

Licht didn't respond. He simply turned his attention back to the pod.

The cadet shifted uncomfortably beside him, unsure if he should apologize again, say something more, or just disappear.

"I—I didn't mean—uh, I should catch up with the group," he said quickly, already turning away.

As Licht, watched the strange kid run away he tried to remember if he had seen him in the game but nothing came to mind


'He's probably just a nameless npc' thought Licht 

Licht realised he had a habit of trying to see if he could recognise everyone he interacted with from the game.

But since this was his really life now that would be impossible for everyone he met to be some relevant game character.

"Let's move, cadets. The combat training room is up ahead."

Soon, the group continued down a wide corridor, their footsteps echoing softly off the polished stone walls. 

Mana-lights flickered overhead as the passage slowly curved and widened—until it finally opened into a vast chamber.

Below them, the training room floor shimmered with a faint hexagonal grid—its surface forged from self-repairing alloys and mana reinforced plates, capable of withstanding the destructive force of full-powered combat.

"This training ground can endure catastrophic damage," the guide announced, clearly relishing the moment. 

"Explosions, elemental discharges, raw mana blasts—you name it. The structure is equipped with internal dampeners and a fully automated repair system so there's no need to worry. If you've ever wanted to go all-out in a fight , this is where you do it."

As if to prove his point the guide quickly grabbed a training sword of a nearby rack and channelled his mana inside of the sword causing it to flash with a dazzling blue light 

He then swung out casing the air him as storm of wind and mana scarped across the floor 

Outside in the realms world such an attack would be enough to leave a deep gully on the ground but inside here it barely left a scratch Seeing this the other cadets were buzzing with excitement

There were very few places talented slayer cadets could truly go all out.

If they dared to do it they would be slapped with unbelievable property he fines 

Seeing the excitement son the faces of his cadets the guide chuckled as he spoke 

"You're all free to try out the training ground . Just be mindful of one another—no reckless attacks or unsanctioned duels."

 Licht walked towards a training sword but s he stepped forward onto the surface of the training ground, a thunderous voice echoed across the dome.

"Hey Licht!"

A beautiful woman with short blue hair and dazzling blue eyes stepped out from the crowd, her studded earrings catching the light as they sparkled with every movement.

"I've been waiting for a chance to test you, Licht," she said, cracking her knuckles. "How about a friendly duel? Or are you still worried your fake persona will be exposed?"

Licht's eyes narrowed as he looked at Charlotte standing in front of him.

"Your persistence is tiring Charlotte."

"You heard the instructor—no unauthorized duels."

Knowing Licht was trying to avoid her once again, Charlotte just chuckled.

"If unsanctioned duels aren't allowed, then we'll just need it to be sanctioned, won't we, Instructor?"

The instructor, who had been preparing to give the students a tour, looked at the two students. With a quick tap on his smartwatch, both of their profiles appeared in front of his eyes.

Licht D. Valtier – Cadet Rank 1

Charlotte Valemont – Cadet Rank 5

The Rank 1 Cadet versus the Rank 5 Cadet.

Given their rankings, a duel between the two would likely energize the rest of the students for the school year ahead.

'It should be a good thing. Besides… duels aren't encouraged within the academy

Though the instructor was inclined to allow it, he couldn't ignore the strange tension that had lingered between the two ever since the entrance ceremony.

His gaze shifted to Licht, who stood with his typical cold, unreadable expression.

Then he looked to Charlotte. She wore a calm, almost cheerful smile—but beneath that smile, he sensed something... off. A subtle undercurrent of intensity, quiet and unsettling, simmered just beneath the surface.

The instructor still felt that there was something he was missing between these two but after a brief pause, the instructor let out a soft sigh and relented.

"Fine. Since you both want a duel, it will be authorized."

Hearing the news that the duel was approved, Charlotte couldn't wait. She stepped forward and grabbed a training sword from the rack on the wall, her already eyes gleaming with anticipation.