Swish!
A wooden staff imbued with intense energy descended in a clean trajectory.
It didn't even waver at the tip, as if it had been trained for years.
"How is it?"
I asked Nickel, who had been watching, and the guy who was stroking his chin nodded in response, although he didn't seem very impressed.
Even though he had once been my master, and it seemed like my swordsmanship didn't please him, from my perspective, it was an incredible achievement considering I had been training for just under a month.
It was the third week since I started using the recovery and regeneration potions.
I felt the benefits of the potions, so I dedicated myself to training every day.
And during my training, I acquired a remarkable ability.
[Adrias Cromwell]
―Human
―Mana: 1620
―Traits: Dual Core, Evolution
―Talents: Dark Magic Command (General), Elemental Magic Water Branch (Average), Potion Crafting Buff (Expert), Physical Training (Gifted)
―Skills: Dark Magic Details → Skeleton Summoning LV4
―Elemental Magic Details → Earth Branch LV6, Rock Sphere LV3, Earth Shield LV5
By continuously summoning Nickel, my command of skeleton summoning improved to a general level.
But more importantly, I gained a new talent.
[Adrias Cromwell]
―Physical Training (Gifted) acquired.
Suddenly, a screen appeared and blocked my view while I was training.
And after confirming its contents, I was astounded.
First, let's start with the content and rank; there was no other talent that could rival it.
"Physical Training."
It was an astonishing A-rank talent.
The shorter the description of a talent, the better.
If, for example, it was something like 'Physical Training, Running Branch,' it would be a C-rank talent.
"I knew I had a talent from my previous life, but seeing it firsthand feels like having an incredible ability."
Not long ago, about a week ago, I was practicing swordsmanship with Nickel as usual during my potion training.
It wasn't something particularly noteworthy or an achievement.
Ring!
[As a result of your endless effort, a part of Kim Jinhwan's talent is inherited.]
[Talent 'Physical Training (Gifted)' acquired.]
The unexpected screen appeared and blocked my view while I was training.
And after confirming its contents, I was astounded.
First, let's start with the content and rank; there was no other talent that could rival it.
"Physical Training."
It was an astonishing A-rank talent.
The shorter the description of a talent, the better.
If, for example, it was something like 'Physical Training, Running Branch,' it would be a C-rank talent.
"I knew I had a talent from my previous life, but seeing it firsthand feels like having an incredible ability."
Not long ago, about a week ago, I was practicing swordsmanship with Nickel as usual during my potion training.
It wasn't something particularly noteworthy or an achievement.
Ring!
[As a result of your endless effort, a part of Kim Jinhwan's talent is inherited.]
[Talent 'Physical Training (Gifted)' acquired.]
A sudden screen appeared and blocked my view while I was training.
And after confirming its contents, I couldn't believe my eyes.
First, let's talk about the content and rank—it was an extraordinary talent without any rivals.
"Physical Training."
It was an astonishing A-rank talent.
The shorter the description of a talent, the better.
If, for example, it was something like 'Physical Training, Running Branch,' it would be a C-rank talent.
"I knew I had a talent from my past life, but actually seeing it makes me feel like I have an incredible ability."
Even the evolution of my talent in potion crafting revealed the tremendous gap between talents that are just one step apart.
And yet, I possessed a gifted-level talent.
"I never thought something like this would happen."
About a week ago, during my usual potion training with Nickel, I suddenly encountered it.
It wasn't something particularly extraordinary or an accomplishment.
Ting!
[As a result of your tireless effort, a part of Kim Jinhwan's talent is inherited.]
[Talent 'Physical Training (Gifted)' acquired.]
The screen that appeared abruptly blocked my view while I was training.
And after confirming its contents, I couldn't help but be astonished.
First, let's start with the content and rank—there was no talent that could rival it.
"Physical Training."
It was an impressive gifted-level talent.
The shorter the description of a talent, the better.
If it were something like 'Physical Training, Running Branch,' it would be a C-rank talent.
"I knew I had a talent from my previous life, but actually witnessing it feels like having an incredible ability."
As my talent in potion crafting evolved, I had already realized the significant gap between talents that are just one step apart.
And now, I possessed a gifted-level talent.
"Well, I should have expected something like this."
During my time in the military, I survived thanks to having this level of talent.
It wasn't just a coincidence that I managed to complete my service without any obstacles.
Thanks to inheriting the talent, my swordsmanship skills improved significantly.
Even though it had only been three weeks since I started consuming the potions, I could wield my sword quite skillfully.
"Now, all that's left is to awaken my new mana..."
For those who had already awakened their mana, the path diverged based on the location of their initial awakening.
Those who learned magic had a mana storage space in their hearts, while knights had a storage space called the nasal cavity, also known as the core.
Depending on the position of the storage space, they would use magic or a sword, and there was no way to change the position of the storage space once it was established.
However, I had the unique trait of dual cores.
"I can use both magic and a sword."
Of course, I wasn't the only one with this ability. Some individuals, with a probability similar to that of a mutation, could use both.
But those who possessed such potential mostly focused on mastering just one ability and ended their lives without realizing they had the unique physique to learn both.
It was already strange in a world where one could focus on just one ability, whether they had prior knowledge or an empty head like mine, to attempt both.
In any case, now I was looking forward to the days to come, as I felt that the core awakening was within reach.
"I should stop here for today."
I finished my training earlier than usual.
Then, Nickel approached me, waving the staff around, and said, "There's a mid-term evaluation tomorrow. I don't know what kind of test it is, but you should take a break."
While other major subjects had evaluations next week, the Battle Magic Department, which announced the evaluations first, was having theirs tomorrow.
I had no idea what I would be doing in the Knight Department, but I hoped it would be a simple assignment.
The grounds of the Raudhren Academy were massive, to say the least.
First, to the east, there was the Monas Academy, a subsidiary academy and a lower tier of the Raudhren Academy, with a total of 1,000 students.
It required living and educational spaces for over 1,000 students, as well as various facilities such as training grounds, sparring arenas, research buildings, gathering halls, and animal husbandry facilities.
And within the main Raudhren Academy, which was almost ten times the size of Monas, there were even larger facilities.
In addition to educational and living spaces, there were entertainment areas, diverse ecosystems ranging from lively forests to the secretive Raudhren Mountain, and even mini-mana trains that operated exclusively within the academy.
With such a vast area, the physical distance between the Knight Department and the Magic Department was inevitable, even though they were within the same academy.
The only opportunities for interaction were the living spaces and entertainment areas during non-class hours.
"Haha."
Dianne sighed, blushing like a girl lost in a dream, as Yurie watched her with a tongue-in-cheek expression.
"Is going to the Knight Department that great for you?"
"Huh? No, I'm totally fine."
"Then wipe the drool off your mouth and speak."
Yurie's words made Dianne hastily wipe her mouth with her sleeve.
"Just kidding. Do you really believe that?"
"You're bad."
"I wish you could've seen your expression just now. It really looked like you were drooling."
"Agh! I can't hear you!"
Dianne covered her ears and turned her gaze out the window of the mana train, trying to ignore Yurie's teasing.
Meanwhile, Yurie's gaze shifted to the back of a male student, whose messy hair was as bothersome as ever, engrossed in a book as if he had disconnected from the world.
"Hey, Dianne, Dianne."
"What now?"
"Have you heard the rumors lately?"
"What kind of rumors?"
"They say there's a peculiar mage who exercises a lot."
"Why is exercising considered peculiar? I exercise too. Professor Tollman even said that as a mage, I should not only study magic but also improve my physical fitness to be able to handle critical situations."
"No, it's not that kind of exercise. Apparently, this mage does exercises more befitting of knights."
"Really? Well, if it's become a rumor, it must be quite something."
"Yeah, it seems like it's not at an ordinary level."
"But do you know who the subject of the rumor is?"
Dianne followed Yurie's sidelong glance with her gaze.
There, she saw a figure with messy hair, still as absorbed in his book as ever.
"Adrias?"
"Ding dong! Correct."
"Sigh, just say it. I don't have any interest in that guy."
"Hehe, even Dianne, the knight enthusiast, rejects him!"
"What are you talking about? Why is he a knight? Just because he exercises doesn't mean everyone who exercises is a knight in this world."
Dianne grumbled, and she sneaked a glance at the book Adrias was reading.
Fortunately, there were several books piled up next to him.
"Basics of Magic, Definition and Understanding of Mana Arrays, Utilization of Basic Spells? Why is he reading those kinds of books?"
Her head tilted at the basic books that seemed more appropriate for Monas Academy.
Last time, he seemed to be reading something more challenging. What's this all about?
"Anyway, leaving that aside, doesn't he seem different?"
"What? Adrias? Well, I don't care."
"No, I mean physically. His body seems a bit more muscular. Maybe it's because of the exercise."
"Even if you say that, it's not like I'm interested."
"Well, maybe he has become more physically fit due to the exercise. Look at him, he's still reading books and working hard."
"If you're so interested, why don't you confess to him?"
"Me? Adrias? Haha, ahahaha!"
Dianne burst into laughter, and all the students on the train turned to look at Yurie.
Dianne felt embarrassed, but she tried to play it off by pretending to be unaffected and looked out the window with a dignified gaze.
"Ah, ah. I'm sorry. I suddenly had a funny thought and laughed to myself."
Yurie apologized with a smirk and called out to Dianne, who was looking out the window.
Dianne, trying to hide her embarrassment, casually readjusted her posture and turned her gaze away.
"Dianne, you know how to make jokes."
"It's not a joke. If you're so interested, go ahead and date him. Our academy always supports healthy romantic relationships."
"Yeah, but look at that. He's still reading books and seems to be working hard. Maybe he has become more physically fit."
"Well, sorry, Dianne. I won't tease you anymore. Please don't mention Adrias to me again."
Just then, the announcement sound indicating the arrival of the mana train played.
"The next stop is Oakland Training Ground Station. We will stop for 3 minutes before departing to the next stop, Rios Dormitory."
After the announcement ended, Professor Tollman, who was sitting in the front seat, stood up.
"Please prepare to disembark. We have arrived."
As Tollman finished speaking, a strange atmosphere began to fill the train.
The students had hardened expressions, and their bodies were tensed as if they were preparing for a battle.
"Oh, the atmosphere is intense."
"It seems so."
Knight and mage.
The question of who is stronger between the two has been a subject of debate since the beginning of the world's history.
In terms of talent, becoming a mage was more difficult, so mages had a certain sense of privilege, while knights often disregarded mages who lacked physical training and called them "saints."
The rivalry between them was significant, both in the academy and in society as a whole, often becoming the starting point for power struggles and factionalism.
As the train came to a stop, the third-year students of the Magic Department, led by Professor Tollman, began to disembark.
Already gathered there were the students of the Knight Department, emanating an intimidating aura as if they were preparing for battle.
The professor who led the Knight Department showed no intention of stopping them and observed the approaching Magic Department with an arrogant expression.
At that moment,
"Haha! Tollman! How have you been?"
"Your Highness Closhe!"
An unexpected figure appeared from between the Knight Department students, waving his hand and approaching Tollman.
The students, and even Professor Tollman himself, were taken aback and hurriedly approached him.
A man with fiery red hair, with a beast-like build and extended in all directions, shook hands with Tollman and patted him on the shoulder.
"It's been a while, Tollman. It's been almost a year!"
"Your Highness, I hope you have been well."
"Of course. You look healthy too, Tollman."
The sudden appearance of Duke Closhe caused the Magic Department students to stare in surprise.
Even Dianne, the favored daughter of the Duke, couldn't hide her astonishment and looked at him.
Rarely were there mages who could dare to disregard the Masters, especially in the presence of a member of the Closhe family.
"But why are you here...?"
"Oh, I came to meet someone briefly. I finished my business, and while I was here, I heard that you were coming, so I waited for you."
"I see. It's good to see you after such a long time."
As the conversation seemed about to start, the gaze of Duke Closhe, who was standing still, turned towards someone.
"Hmm?"
He scrutinized the person for a moment and then approached them with determined steps.
The students, with anxious hearts, watched him closely, unable to hide their curiosity about the person he stopped in front of.
Why him? It's not Dianne Alven, the daughter of Bahart Alven?
The students, even Dianne herself, couldn't contain their surprise at the unexpected attention from a member of the Closhe family, who rarely disrespected mages.
"Are you Adrias Cromwell?"
Numerous eyes turned to Adrias as he was asked the question.
Adrias, facing the towering figure before him, remained calm and looked up at him.
"Yes, I am Adrias Cromwell."