Chapter Forty
After parting ways with Sylvia, I quickly headed toward the academy's training facility—but what truly amazed me was the building's exterior.
The first thing that caught my eye was the massive glass façade reflecting the sky like a giant mirror. The design was simple yet elegant, resembling a beautiful glass cube.
As I approached the automatic door, it slid open, revealing what was inside.
"Welcome to the Training Facility."
A small panel appeared on my watch before disappearing slowly.
I walked through the long corridor before entering the reception hall.
I stepped into the reception hall and was immediately surrounded by cool, clean air and a faint scent of disinfectants and plants. The floor was polished gray marble, and the ceiling was high with warm white lights hanging down. On the right side, there was a reception desk where a quietly smiling staff member stood. On the opposite side, a few trainees sat on black leather chairs—some chatting, others silently lost in thought.
I walked toward the reception desk and glanced at the employee.
"I can never get used to this world…" I muttered in confusion.
The staff member before me was wearing short shorts that barely covered his thighs, along with a crop top that only reached his navel. He also had lipstick on and light makeup across his face.
I need to cleanse my eyes after seeing that.
"Hi, is there an empty room?" I asked.
The staff looked at me with suspicion before replying, "Yes… but are you sure? You know only girls usually use the private training rooms."
"Yes," I replied, my voice slightly embarrassed.
Honestly, it would be strange for a guy to come to train in the gym, especially since men in this world only follow the path of magic. But how can I use magic when my mana is still only 33? Even a small child has at least 52 mana. That's why I can only improve my physical strength.
"Alright, take this card. It's valid for one hour," the staff member handed me a beautiful red card and pointed toward the door.
As soon as I passed through the door, I noticed a small sign indicating different sections. I followed the arrow pointing to "Sword Training." I walked through a short hallway and then entered through a plain metal door—only to suddenly find myself in an entirely different world.
The sword training room was surprisingly spacious, its floor covered in gray rubber with white lines precisely drawn to mark the combat zones. The walls were padded with safe materials, and large mirrors above them reflected every movement inside. The lighting here was much brighter, focused on the main areas, as if creating a stage for every move.
In one corner, there were long racks holding various training swords—some wooden, some polished metal. Beside them were helmets and protective gloves, neatly lined up as if waiting to be used. I saw a coach guiding a trainee—their movements fast and synchronized, and the only sound in the room was the light clash of swords and the steady rhythm of footsteps.
"Alright, let's begin," I grabbed a wooden sword from the rack and headed toward the magic scarecrow.
I gripped the wooden sword and stepped toward the scarecrow, which began moving the moment I entered the circle. Its joints made faint creaking noises as it raised its wooden sword vertically and stepped forward.
I attacked first—a quick strike toward its shoulder—but it leaned away and dodged easily. It raised its sword and tapped my wrist. I stepped back, my breathing already growing heavy.
I advanced again and swung a diagonal strike toward its neck. It swiftly raised its arm and blocked the blow, then shoved me with its elbow into my chest—I fell to the floor.
"Ugh…" Was it this hard in the game? I couldn't help but frown.
I got up immediately, rushed toward it, and launched a series of attacks—right, then left, then a downward slash. But it moved as if it knew every strike beforehand. It blocked everything, then suddenly spun and hit my thigh, followed by a kick to my stomach that sent me crashing to the ground again.
I stood up with difficulty, still holding my sword. I lifted it high, shouted, and charged at it with full speed—a direct thrust to its torso.
The scarecrow didn't move.
The sword struck it—but nothing happened. No scratch, no dent, not even a bend.
It raised its head and knocked the sword out of my hands with the back of its hand. Before I could retrieve it, it struck me with a quick sideways blow to my shoulder, then pushed me backward.
My feet slipped—I crashed onto the floor. The scarecrow stood over me, its sword aimed at my throat—motionless, silent.
"Is the training over?" Each session with the scarecrow continues until you either defeat it or it defeats you—so the chance of injury isn't low, it's non-existent.
I glanced at the sword lying far from me and reached for it—but before I could grab it, came the shock.
[Warning: Lower your head!]
I ducked quickly just as I felt a strong wind behind me. When I turned around—I saw the scarecrow, now pitch black, slowly approaching me. But what terrified me wasn't that—it was the sword in its hand.
A real sword…
If I get hit by that thing, I'll die. I realized how stupid I was to come here.
Even though I want to grow stronger, my life is still more important.
"Damn it…" I clenched my teeth and rushed toward the sword on the ground, pointing it at the scarecrow.
"Show stats!"
[Confirmed]
[Advanced Dummy]
Type: First-grade Advanced
Strength: 70
Agility: 77
Intelligence: 12
Mana: 60
I clenched my teeth after seeing the stats. While it's far weaker than the monsters from the exam, back then I had a hidden item—the gun. Now? I had completely forgotten it at home.
"I don't need a hidden item to crush you into pieces, you pile of trash."
A wide smile spread across my lips as I stared at the monster before me in fear.
Cold sweat flowed heavily down my spine.
"Has anyone ever told you it's rude to attack from behind?"
The wooden dummy looked at me—then suddenly charged, this time faster than before.
"Goodbye, my beautiful harem-filled life…"
________________________________________________
I know it's rude of me to ask you to wait two days for a single chapter, but I really have no choice right now. As a small reward, I'll try to publish an extra chapter tomorrow.
And because I decided to make the novel free, I've lost the promotion opportunities—so now I have to put in three times the effort of a regular author. Please consider donating generously to support the novel!
Also, as I update every two days, I've added a new system:
Bonus Chapter System:
💎20 Power Stones → 1 Bonus Chapter
💎30 Power Stones → 2 Bonus Chapters
💎50 Power Stones → 3 Bonus Chapters (currently impossible)