I walked forward, gripping my sword.
Even through my boots, the coldness of the floor seeped in. It made my heart race with unease. Hundreds of eyes watched me from the stands above, and one pair of eyes, belonging to the instructor, stared at me from across the arena.
"You look incredibly tense."
"...Yes!"
"It's alright. Just relax. I only want to test your abilities."
How am I supposed to relax, you idiot! Under the gaze of so many people, staying calm was impossible. Besides, his intimidating physique said the exact opposite of his words. I could see the signs of a man who had been forged by countless battles, his large hands covered in scars and his face sharp and marked.
"In that case, the training..."
"...."
I could hear my own heartbeat.
"Begin!"
"Here I come!"
"!!!"
The instructor moved with terrifying speed, his long sword swinging toward me. It was faster than I expected, an arc of power that felt like it could shatter my bones. It was too dangerous.
I have to get away!
I took a strong step back to create distance.
"You're too quick to make a decision," he said.
"What!?"
In an instant, the instructor shifted to my left. That powerful swing appeared again. This time, I had nowhere to run. My only choice was to block.
Please, let my bones hold...
"Heup!"
The horizontal swing drew closer. I held my sword with both hands, hoping to absorb the impact and minimize the damage. But it seemed fate was playing a trick on me. The blow was far too heavy. It sent me hurtling toward the corner of the field.
"...Are you serious..." I muttered.
I looked at my shaking hands and weak legs. My breathing was already ragged. At this rate, I was nothing more than a punching bag. As I struggled with my thoughts, the sound of laughter from the stands pulled me back to reality.
"Pfft, look at him. What is that cadet doing? He hasn't even attacked once, he's just standing there."
"Right? I mean, why is he even in Class D? With those skills, he shouldn't have even been admitted to this school."
"Ah! I remember now! He's the one who challenged Sir Ronie!"
"You're right! He's the one Sir Ronie humiliated in that duel!"
"...."
Their words stung, making me grimace.
"Are you going to keep standing there? Cadet Edward?"
"...No, sir!"
"Good. At least your spirit is still intact."
Spirit my foot. I'm just trying to block out the insults that shouldn't even be mine to hear!
"Fiuh..."
I exhaled and settled into the Imperial stance.
"In that case... I'm coming!"
"Go ahead," the instructor replied calmly.
The Imperial stance was the only way I knew how to defend myself. As I lunged forward, the instructor sighed, identifying every opening I left.
"The Imperial sword technique, huh..."
"...?"
With just a small step back, my swing hit nothing but air.
No... no way... I whispered to myself.
"The Imperial technique is reliable in a duel, but..."
"...!!!"
I saw the instructor's powerful swing coming once more. Startled by the sudden pressure, I moved to block again, but reality disappointed me once more.
"Against an improvised technique, it still falls short."
The blow struck my sword, sending me spinning through the air until I crashed onto the ground. I nearly hit the arena wall. If I had, my bones would have certainly cracked. I lay there, unable to focus, staring up at the bright sun and the clouds. My breath was heavy, my body soaked in sweat, and my hair was a mess.
"....."
The instructor looked down at me with a serious expression.
I can guess what he's thinking.
He was probably wondering why a student like me was ever admitted to Ardenfield. I didn't know either. I had no physical talent and no mana. All I knew was that I had drowned in that lake. I used to think this body had some secret potential, but I was wrong.
'I really have no talent at all...'
[ SYSTEM SYNCHRONIZATION STARTING.... 0% ]
"....??"
In my daze, a woman's voice whispered in my ear.
"Cadet Edward, have you given up?" the instructor's voice called out, snapping me back.
Realizing I was still in the middle of training, I chose to ignore the strange voice.
"I... am not... finished..."
My legs shook, and I could barely grip my sword. The instructor's strength was far beyond what I had imagined.
"...We should stop here. Your condition won't allow you to continue."
"...No..."
"Cadet Edward, do not push yourself."
"..."
I had to find a way to stay in this.
"Please, give me one more chance!" I shouted firmly.
"...."
The instructor looked at me with a mix of pity and admiration for my persistence. The crowd, however, thought differently.
"Look at that loser, still trying to act tough just to get a good evaluation from the instructors."
"It's ridiculous. His technique is so sloppy, it looks like something he just learned overnight."
...How did they know? My mind raced at how accurate their guess was.
"What do you think, Instructor Flora?"
"Hm... I think he's reached his limit. Wouldn't it be better if he just withdrew?"
"Yes, I agree."
"...."
Their opinions stabbed at my heart like knives. If everyone wanted me gone, there was nothing I could do. I could only wait for the lead instructor's decision.
"..."
The silence made me deathly nervous. His gaze determined my fate. But I wouldn't leave it to chance.
"Please, instructor!" I shouted again.
The instructor finally made his decision. "Alright. But this time, I will use the same Imperial sword style as you. I will show you one movement that you must learn."
"....Understood!"
It was a miracle he didn't kick me out. No matter what, I had to meet this challenge.
"The Imperial technique I will show you is the 'Strong Swing.' It is used to deliver a fatal blow to your opponent."
He sheathed his sword and took the same stance I had practiced. He spoke one last time before attacking.
"Block or avoid this attack while remaining conscious. Do that, and you pass."
"..."
His footwork was perfect, his gaze sharp. This was the moment that would decide my life at the academy.
"..."
The arena fell into a heavy silence. Even the cadets who were mocking me stopped talking.
Just one strike. I have to block one strike!
I focused everything on one point: the instructor's sword. I had to follow its path. I noticed that when his foot moved slightly, it was the sign that he was about to strike.
As I predicted, he lunged forward. He was faster than before, much faster.
But I could see it.
The sword.
The direction.
'I can block this!'
[ SYSTEM SYNCHRONIZATION.... 99% ]
'Eh?'
The voice made me lose focus for a split second, ruining my reaction time. But it was too late.
"!!!"
The sword was right in front of me. All I could do was raise my own weapon with half-hearted strength. I expected a heavy impact, but instead, I felt something strange. It felt as if I was being lifted into the air.
My body flew backward. I caught a glimpse of the instructor's shocked face.
...You've got to be kidding me...
That was my last thought before I slammed into the arena wall with enough force to shatter the stone.
"CADET EDWARD!!!"
"...."
My head throbbed. My vision blurred. Dust filled the air, making it hard to breathe. I felt blood trickling down my face. Is this what death feels like? I lay there among the ruins, unable to think.
[ SYSTEM SYNCHRONIZATION COMPLETE ]
'...That voice again...'
[ IDENTIFYING HOST... ]
'...'
________________________
[ IDENTITY VERIFIED ]
Host: Edward
Gender : Male
Age: 18
_________________________
The voice continued even though I couldn't hear anything else.
[ CHECKING HOST CONDITION.... FATAL!!! ]
[ SKIPPING NAMING PROCESS... ]
[ SKIPPING INTRODUCTION PROCESS... ]
[ ACTIVATING HIGH-LEVEL SECURITY PROTOCOL... ]
'...Just let me rest...'
As my last bit of consciousness faded, I heard one final command.
[ SECURITY PROTOCOL ACTIVATED! ]
[ INITIATING BODY TAKEOVER.... COMPLETE! ]
[ SLEEP WELL, HOST. ]
__________________________________________________________
As the instructor called for medical assistance, he rushed toward the rubble to check on Edward. But before he could reach him, the sound of shifting stones echoed through the silence.
"...Cadet Edward..." the instructor called out, his voice filled with worry.
There was no verbal reply, but the sound of footsteps began to emerge from the dust.
"....Cadet—" The instructor stopped mid-sentence as he saw Edward walking out, holding his broken sword.
His eyes were empty. Blood ran down his forehead, but his expression was eerily calm, showing no signs of pain.
"...."
"..."
The instructor stared, his concern turning into something else. Before he could take another step, Edward raised the broken blade and pointed it directly at him.
"...Cadet Edward... that's enough. You've passed..."
"...."
Still, there was no answer.
A strange sensation began to crawl over the instructor.
'This familiar feeling...'
He gripped his own sword tightly. He shifted into his strongest combat stance. In his mind, he knew he couldn't afford to be careless this time.
There's no mistake...
For the first time in years, the veteran instructor felt a sensation he hadn't felt in a long time.
"Come then!"
From the moment Edward pointed his sword, a cold, unmistakable killing intent radiated from his broken body.