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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 98
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98. Week 3 at the Academy: Resolve
***
—The battlefield and the academy.
Though the two words carried a vast difference that couldn't even be compared, Kallie felt quite a bit returning to the academy after being on the battlefield.
It was commonly known that officers who had been on the battlefield were sent to the academy for rest and peace of mind, but Kallie, for her part, was feeling something a little different than stability and relaxation.
The ability to feel emotions by facing others like this, rather than looking at someone based on their strength…
*Thud. Thud.*
As Han Cheon-seong slowly walked away, his footsteps sounded particularly loud to Kallie.
"..."
With the night deepening, as she saw Student Han Cheon-seong off, her heart fluttered, yet she felt a pang of regret at their parting.
Today, a day that was long if you considered it so, and short if you didn't.
During that time, through deeper conversation, she learned more about Student Han Cheon-seong.
And she knew her judgment hadn't been wrong.
He was even more upright than she thought, and he strove to do what was right.
Moreover, what was most satisfying was getting him to promise not to overdo his training.
'Because I gave him mithril for that.'
A small smile escaped her as she thought about it.
"It's certainly an extravagant gift, if one could call it that."
She didn't feel much regret.
The mithril ore she had given was top-grade mithril, even among mithril. In terms of value, it could easily fetch well over 10 gold.
But when Student Han Cheon-seong's expression, as if he had never seen mithril before, flickered before her eyes, she truly didn't regret it at all.
'How can Student Han Cheon-seong give off such a different impression, even at the moment of receiving a gift?'
Even now, watching his retreating figure slowly disappear, she found it astonishing.
While other students would have anxiously accepted the mithril right away, fearing she might take it back, Student Han Cheon-seong visibly hesitated and even struggled to accept it.
And only after she called it a 'debt' did he belatedly accept it.
She clearly saw a flicker of greed in his eyes at the mention of mithril, but the fact was, Student Han Cheon-seong had even suppressed that greed.
"...I'm left with a lingering regret for no reason."
In her heart, she wanted to have a spear forged by her family and gift it to him directly, but that would be too much. She couldn't go that far.
Even if it was favoritism, it would inevitably lead to gossip.
A weapon forged by the Ishtar family carried an entirely different meaning, so she had to suppress that urge.
As Student Han Cheon-seong completely disappeared from her sight, she, too, turned around.
*Click.*
Entering the mansion, she saw Raymond, the family butler, waiting for her.
"Lady Kallie. You seem to be in a particularly good mood today."
"Do I?"
"Yes. He seems to be a student you care for deeply."
She chuckled softly at Raymond's benevolent smile and nodded.
"Indeed, he truly appeals to me. I never thought I'd meet a student who pleased me this much."
Even as she spoke, her encounter with Student Han Cheon-seong felt like fate.
From the moment they first met during the entrance exam, to now, her being his instructor, it felt... peculiar.
Then, Student Han Cheon-seong's voice suddenly echoed in her mind.
—Instructor, I will do anything you ask of me.
The words he uttered after finally accepting the mithril.
The earnest tone of his voice was somehow... a strange resonance to her.
—Perhaps. Is there anything you wish for me to do, Instructor?
When she hesitated, and he asked again, she had vehemently shaken her head for a moment.
What she had thought then... even now, when she thought about it...
"...Lady Kallie?"
"Ah, it's nothing."
Her face suddenly felt hot.
Perhaps it was because she thought she was showing favoritism towards Student Han Cheon-seong, but sometimes, strange thoughts seemed to cross her mind without her realizing it.
Thoughts an instructor should never have about a student...
Her hands fidgeted, and her lips faltered.
'Because then it would be like...'
It would be like using her position as an instructor to demand something from Student Han Cheon-seong. That was absolutely unacceptable.
No matter how much Student Han Cheon-seong told her it was fine...
"Yes. So... I shouldn't."
She spoke, steeling her resolve.
She was an instructor, and Student Han Cheon-seong was just a student.
Yes, that was all... it was.
…
*Click.*
Kallie slowly made her way to her private room.
Raymond, the Ishtar family butler who had known Kallie since her childhood, couldn't help but be a little surprised.
She had a completely unfamiliar expression.
So, he unconsciously had to recall Han Cheon-seong, whom he had met today.
'Is he truly someone Lady Kallie would care about to such an extent?'
He might be someone to watch carefully, Raymond, a high-ranking knight of the Marquis Ishtar's family, inwardly solidified his thoughts.
***
The start of the third week at the academy.
Monday.
"..."
Han Cheon-seong woke up earlier than usual and quickly got out of bed.
When he stretched widely, his body felt refreshed, almost to the point of soreness. Yet, it was completely different from the pain he felt when he woke up the day before.
"Still, it's a good thing my recovery rate is fast."
As if his body had thoroughly enjoyed its much-needed rest, his condition today was the best it had been in days.
It had been so long since he felt this refreshed while loosening up.
Even as he stretched, the tasks he had to do today came to mind.
"...I need to rest until the afternoon."
In his conversation with Kallie, he had agreed to rest completely at least until today.
And he had decided to... outwardly accept her words.
He truly felt sorry for Kallie, but as soon as midnight passed tonight, he planned to resume training his skill.
Even if he set a deadline, he had to complete the skill by Wednesday at the latest, meaning by tomorrow.
'There's no time left.'
Yesterday, he had a very good time and even received an unexpected gift from Kallie.
His gaze still fell on the mineral on the table that glowed on its own.
The mithril ore, shining even more brilliantly under the sunlight. He unconsciously reached out his hand and felt the rough, hard texture of the mineral.
"At least the amount of money I need to raise has significantly decreased."
Of course, he would have to cover the cost of refining the mithril himself, but just acquiring the mithril was a huge step.
He caressed the mithril for a moment, and a small laugh escaped him.
"Is there nothing I can do for Kallie?"
He started to feel apologetic for simply receiving so much.
Kallie had called it a debt yesterday, but he knew it was only a debt in name. He wondered if he should properly show his sincerity to her.
He thought for a moment, then shook his head.
"First, after the matter with Karitte is resolved. I'll think about it then."
Above all, protecting Karitte safely was paramount.
…
C1 Class Lecture Hall.
It was already the afternoon lecture, and he was concentrating on the class.
"...People often think the mind and body are separate. But I can tell you this for certain: they are absolutely not. If the mind is struggling, it will surely affect the body, and conversely, even if the mind is fine, if the body is struggling, it will have a great impact. Trying to divide the two is..."
Kallie's calm voice gently echoed through the lecture hall.
He certainly agreed with her words.
The influence of the mind on the body, and also, if the body is unstable, the mind inevitably becomes anxious.
But.
He had completely ignored that for the past few days.
No matter how strongly he desired the skill, his body clearly couldn't keep up with his will.
It struggled, expressing direct pain. It was like a powerful signal from his body, delivering intense pain.
Yet, he had forcibly ignored it and tried to push through his training.
Even though his mind and body were out of sync, he forced himself to continue, feeling the repercussions.
And yesterday, for the first time in a while, he accepted that signal and took a rest.
Now, thinking about it, he could truly feel how reckless he had been.
"...Usually, it's the student's will that can't keep up with the body. Even when they can try harder and make progress, weakness and laziness prevent them from moving forward. Training is very difficult and arduous. That's why consistent training is absolutely necessary for everyone. If the body is prepared, the mind will naturally develop the will..."
As Kallie continued speaking, he was setting his mindset straight.
*Click.*
Footsteps sounded right nearby. Kallie, who had been lightly circling the lecture hall, was now close to him.
As he noticed Kallie, neat in her uniform.
"..."
"..."
Their eyes met by chance, and he didn't avert his gaze.
But then, Kallie's eyes softened into a gentle curve.
"However. Sometimes, the will can be too excessive."
When she looked directly at him and continued speaking, he flinched.
"Cases where one overworks oneself, trying to force training to continue even when the body can't keep up. It's very rare, but there are occasionally students like that. However, that's not a good situation. Appropriate rest is beneficial for both the mental and physical aspects..."
She said it as if telling him to take it to heart, then walked past him. He could only remain still, his lips faltering.
Then, he saw David's gaze.
He was looking at him strangely. Why is he looking at me like that again?
…
"You all worked hard listening to the lecture today. That's all for today's lecture."
At Kallie's words, students began to get up one by one.
And David was among them.
"Han Cheon-seong."
"Oh. David."
"I'd like to ask you to watch my training today, but do you have a prior engagement?"
At his words, he blinked blankly, then nodded.
"...How did you know that?"
"Just. I had a feeling."
As he lightly tidied his belongings at the playful remark.
"Your prior engagement is with a girl, isn't it?"
At the following words, his hand unconsciously stopped. He looked at David, momentarily unable to understand.
'Did I mention I had a meeting with Karitte?'
He definitely didn't remember saying anything, but he didn't know how David knew.
"Your reaction confirms it, I guess. Han Cheon-seong. You really are... amazing."
"What's so amazing? So how did you know?"
"Just. Sigh... I really should live like you."
"What are you suddenly talking about?"
"Anyway, that's just a figure of speech. Well, I'm off to train. You have a tough day too."
"What tough day... *you're* the one who has to suffer."
Even as he saw David off, he couldn't understand.
'What kind of suffering do I have to go through...'
He soon got up from his seat.
Normally, today would be a day to spend in Kallie's training room, but he had already discussed that with Kallie.
She herself wanted him to rest, so there could be no training today.
*Thud.*
As he walked, the spear, no longer strapped to his back, once again felt empty.
'The training spear can only be used in the training hall...'
He exhaled briefly and continued walking to meet Karitte.