Chapter 23: Training (1)

Chapter 23: Training (1)

After a satisfying lunch, we returned to the main building.

Unlike the morning theory lessons, the afternoon was set aside for practical training.

However, as Marlboro had mentioned, the practical training had been converted to autonomous training until the day of the duel.

While technically autonomous, in reality, they only had morning classes. That's why some students didn't come.

Do the wizards mostly use their training rooms?'

I followed Luna into an autonomous training area. Kara had briefly stepped away to change into her training uniform.

The autonomous training area I'd seen in real life was considerably large. It was much larger than an average gymnasium.

There were various exercise machines placed around for improving physical abilities, and a simple training field as well.

Moreover, even spaces for private training were arranged, making it an excellent facility.

"Umwhat should we start with?"

While I was looking around the training area, Luna murmured these words with a trace of apprehension.

Normally, she would train alone. However, today I was with her.

She couldn't leave me idle while she trained, but also, she didn't know what exercises we could do together.

I need to concentrate more on my skills.'

My physical specs were already at their maximum. What I urgently required now were skills.

I didn't even have the basic' related skills that the starter character is supposed to have. This was a serious issue.

How serious, you ask? I needed to put in extreme effort to acquire even the basics. It was hard to grasp even the most fundamental skills in general.

"I'm here."

"Ah. You've come"

While I was contemplating how to train, a familiar voice caught my ear.

Luna turned her head towards the direction of the voice and stopped mid-sentence. She slowly turned around to look.

"Aren't you changing? After all, the uniform can be uncomfortable, especially for Sivar."

It was Kara. She stood confidently in her cool attire.

A fitting black bra top combined with short shorts. A comfortable outfit to match her refreshing mask.

Also, there were large and small scars on her abdomen, arms, and legs which gave her a strong impression.

It was proof of how many real battles she had fought.

"I'm fine. I plan to focus mainly on swordsmanship training today. What about you, Kara?"

"I usually concentrate on physical strengtheningbut I've won a few."

She gave me a contemplative look after she said those words.

I had been observing Kara's form all this while. She seemed even more remarkable outside of her uniform.

From her bronzed skin to a searing set of 11-pack abs, she was a true representation of a healthy beauty.

She's from a desert country, so they're more open about skin exposure?'

Since the weather in their country is hot, they don't shy away from revealing clothing.

That's why, whenever there are no classes or over the weekends, I see her dressed in such attire.

There are many charming characters in the Soul World, but Kara is one of the most distinctive.

"What's he going to do? It's too ambiguous to leave him alone."

While I was momentarily distracted, Kara pointed at me and asked.

Even from Luna's point of view, it seemed a bit awkward to deal with as she cautiously replied.

"To be honest, I also worry about that. I feel uneasy just leaving him be, but it's tricky to decide on a suitable training."

"Then, can I take him with me?"

"Pardon?"

Luna was taken aback by Kara's proposal. Her face seemed to ask what Kara meant.

"Ahjust to be clear, this isnt for competition or anything like that. I just have some curiosities."

"What are you curious about"

"Things like strength, or reaction speed. For now, Im most curious about his spear-throwing. During the competition, his spear skills weren't ordinary."

During the competition with Elvin, I pressed hard on him with my spear. If I had thrown it a little more forcefully, Elvins head would have been skewered.

I did not use any magic, just pure strength. Thats what Kara was curious about.

"Arent you curious too?"

"I guess we don't need to see his strength. He clearly broke the leg of a monkey with a stone axe."

"Thats cool. But I'm curious, so let's check it out. You should observe too."

"Why should I?"

"I'm curious if he can exert power from such skinny arms."

"Are you starting a quarrel because of the competition?"

While they were engaging in their so-called discussion, I started looking elsewhere.

Then, I noticed the competition field. Some students were competing, and around them, other students were gathered.New novel chapters are published on

Curiosity got the best of me and I slowly walked over. Luna and Kara were too busy with their disagreement to notice.

Thwack!

When I arrived at the competition field, I could see a scene where a female student holding a spear rapidly tried to stab her opponent.

The male student avoided the stab just by moving his head and slashing his sword from below to above.

Evading and attacking at the same time. The female student was able to effortlessly block it with the back end of her spear as if she had foreseen this.

The male student did not flinch when blocked by the sword and went on to use his shoulder to charge.

With a spear, it is most efficient when using it from a distance, so he seemed to be trying to nullify that advantage.

Swish!

Yet his plan was neutralized when the female student smoothly twisted her body.

If things continued this way, the male student would be in danger, but he quickly swung his sword, preventing a follow-up attack.

All of this occurred in less than a second. Both students knew the strengths and weaknesses of their weapons.

"I think we'll stop here."

"Youve worked hard."

Although I wanted to see more, the session seemed to end.

The students responded to the impressive competition with applause.

I just stood there, wondering if I should also clap when a student in front of me turned around.

The student seemed surprised to see me behind him, looked up, and exclaimed.

"Eek?!"

""

Thats quite a unique shriek he has.

The male student let out a unique shout as soon as he saw me. At the same time, all eyes turned to me.

Everyone had the face of Why is he here?'. Well, I did sneak here.

Moving without making a sound has become a habit of mine. It's necessary to increase the success rate of the hunt as much as possible.

No wonder my stealth skill was marked as Ex.'

Anyway, the competition was over, and it seemed best to go back now.

There's nothing I'm going to do being here, it's a waste of time.

"What were you doing here?"

"Do you expect a response from him?"

"Be quiet."

Luna, who happened to notice my disappearance', found me. Kara's tackle happened to be a bonus.

I followed Luna as I looked around the disorganized competition field.

Not much further, I heard the sound of a competition starting.

Looking back again, other people were striking their weapons against each other in defense and attack.

"Sivar? Where are you looking at?"

As I stopped walking, Luna also looked at the competition field in wonder.

Then, as if thinking about something, she asked me in an uncertain voice.

"Do you want to compete?"

"What? Really?"

I dont know about Luna, but why do you have that expectation?

Regardless of Kara's sparkling eyes and question, I shook my head firmly.

I wanted to write words on Luna's palm, but unfortunately, I didnt know the word for skill'.

"Shibal."

So, I pointed to the students in the middle of the competition, striking their weapons against each other, and then mimicked a sword-holding posture.

Seeing my gesture, Luna blinked her eyes and opened her mouth in an Ah' exclamation.

"A sword? Do you want to learn how to use a sword? Like this?"

She showed me the swordsmanship with the training sword hung on her waist.

From light slicing to stabbing and upper blocking, it was basic swordsmanship.

Despite being basic, it was all clean and without any flaws enough to attract the interest of Kara.

"So you are talking about this?"

"Shibal."

I nodded my head.

But what needs to be understood here is that any weapon turns into a disposable one the moment it fits into my hand.

I asked for it because I thought I should know a little more than knowing nothing at all.

Luna seemed puzzled at my answer and scratched her cheek.

"Well I'm sorry. It's going to be hard. Im not capable enough to teach someone."

"Shibal?"

Why? Youre the protagonist!

" "

" "

The noisy training ground became quiet instantly.

It seems everyone was unintentionally paying attention to this side.

"I'll go and fetch it."

"Oh, uh, from now on, Let's choose our words carefully."

"It's it's not your fault, Kara. It's just"

After trying to go towards the clock where the training sword was stuck, Luna looked at me; she stared at me with a complicated expression for a while, and then she said, laughing.

"Let's just say that it happened."

I felt slightly sorry.

******

Luna walked helplessly towards the clock with the training sword stuck in it.

Although she could hear the whispering from the surroundings, she did not pay any attention to them.

The burst of Sivar's eccentricity was shocking. Still, the choice he made before that weighed on her mind.

Why didn't he choose me?'

This was Luna's biggest question. Why did Sivar choose Kara instead of her?

She was the one who first met him with Ellie, and she was the one who got familiar with him by acting as his protector.

She was willing to teach him wholeheartedly when he wanted to learn swordsmanship. But Sivar chose Kara.

Why on earth?'

She never expected Sivar to know about hand-to-hand combat. He would not have known what it even was.

What was lacking? Luna had this question in mind while she glanced back.

Kara was talking to Sivar about something. Sivar was just standing there, blankly listening.

Kara was quite large, not less than any adult man, but Sivar was even bigger. He was tall enough to be called a giant.

Hold on.'

Then she noticed something. It was Kara's ample chest.

Though not as voluptuous as Ellie, Kara was certainly on the larger side.

On the other hand, Luna was not small but there was a distinct difference when compared to them.

Could it be that he's especially obedient to Ellie too?'

In terms of looks, she didn't fall short at all. If there was any difference, it would only be their figures.

With this oddly persuasive hypothesis, Luna frowned. It was a feeling of her female pride being crumpled.

Yes, now I understand.'

That's what her master said.

Men, especially when they're big, have genetic boyish features that can trigger strong instincts.

So, it's entirely normal for a man to be attracted to a woman with a superior figure.

Especially for Sivar, who was raised in the wild, he would be more faithful to instinct'. That may be why he chose Kara.

Whats so great about that lump of fat.'

As everything felt like a puzzle fitting perfectly, Luna pursed her lips.

If it weren't for the cave painting, she wouldn't have claimed to be his protector.

But she still planned to continue the role of protector, considering he might get into trouble later.

It was strictly to prevent Sivar from getting into accidents, and not for any other mixed reasons.

"Hmph."

Luna turned her head and walked towards the clock, with a snort.

As she reached the wall where Sivar had struck the sword, she realized that the clock hung quite high.

It's about 5 meters.'

Luna activated her magic within and jumped high. In an instant, she was at eye level with the clock.

Surprisingly, even the hilt of the sword was deeply embedded. It had great power and precision for something simply thrown.

Swoosh!

She drew out the sword and simultaneously grabbed the clock with one hand. It would be problematic if it fell and broke.

Luna gently landed back down on the ground and checked the clock. It was stuck firmly due to the sword.

This design is unusual?'

The design of the clock was rather unique. At a glance, one could mistake it for a magic circle.

Overall, there was no color and it was drawn only in black and white.

Luna looked around and then focused on the clock for a closer inspection.

If it was a magic circle, she wanted to understand its structure.

[Colorless Magic Circle: ???]

[This magic circle was created without any color]

[This magic circle was created for a special purpose. Only one faction does not use color.]

[Special Effect: ???]

"?!"

Luna's face turned with shock as she read the message.

Her mouth gaped open and her eyes widened. She was so surprised that she nearly dropped the clock.

There are various colors in the world, and it's not a day's work to express the beauty of life through these colors.

However, there is one existence that lost all colors, the devil' as stated in Godin's lecture.

Colorless, not black and white'

The devils lost all colors due to being defeated in the war with God.

As a compromise, they somehow managed to maintain their form, albeit only in black and white.'

But even this black and white is a color, and thus, devils are largely heterogeneous.

The magic circle may seem drawn in black and white, but upon close inspection, it becomes blurry.

So it was true that the devil invaded the academy.'

With a hardened expression, Luna removed her gaze from the clock and glanced around.

Kara was drawing something on Sivar's hand. It seemed like she was teaching him words.

Could it be? No, it's a coincidence right?'

Did Sivar know that this was a magic circle created by a devil and threw the sword? Or did he throw it because he did not have a proper target?

Going further, was he the one who drew the mural? If true, did he know the future'?

Nothing was clear, but one thing was certain.

The devils were targeting the academy.

""

Luna looked at Sivar with a complicated look.

The deeper she delved, the more doubtful about his identity she became.

She was able to communicate with him, so it might be time to ask about the identity of the mural.

"Your muscles are really firm? There's no need for stamina training, you can just learn techniques."

""

Apart from that, this is a little irritating. Luna's eyes twitched at the sight before her.

Kara was evaluating Sivar's body, touching him all over with her hands.

She started with his firm thighs and moved upwards, to his abs, chest, shoulders, etc.

Despite such bold physical contact, Sivar remained still.

All he did was idly gaze around with his face devoid of any expression.

Why is he standing still?'

Could they have already become that close to each other? Just from the conversation that seemed like no conversation during class.

Sivar, who lived in the wild, is extremely sensitive to sudden physical contact.

Yet the fact that he is standing still shows that he considers Kara to be safe.

I'll have to talk about the wall painting when we're alone.'

To do that, she has to separate him from Kara.

Again, it's to ask about the wall painting, not because of any personal feelings.

There's no way she would have feelings for a guy she met less than a month ago.

Even though he does have a handsome face, it's not enough yet.

I should throw away the clock for now.'

Luna threw the clock with the magic circle drawn on it into the trash can.

If she threw it into the incinerator immediately, she might be suspected by the possible devils.

It is necessary to show that all of this is purely coincidental'. Otherwise, it could be dangerous.

"I'm here."

"Ah, you're here? What about the clock?"

"It wasn't usable. So I threw it away."

"Shouldn't you have asked before doing that?"

" Ah."

Damage to school property is completely the student's responsibility. And Sivar is still in the adjustment period.

In other words, full admission could be a problem.

If the Principal hears about this, he might grab the back of his neck and chuckle.

" Sivar."

"?"

"You Nevermind."

It feels like the future is getting darker.