Chapter 5
âHuff.â
Wiping the beads of sweat from her forehead, Uriel stepped out of the indoor training hall.
Today, she had swung her weapons exactly ten thousand times. Strictly speaking, âexactlyâ was a bit misleadingâshe had only counted swings executed with perfect form. Everything else wasnât counted at all.
In other words, the total number of times Uriel had swung a weapon today far exceeded ten thousand.
A true testament to her effort. A training fiend.
Yet, her practical combat performance remained at rock-bottom.
Her endurance and willpower were unmatched, but she lacked the one thing that truly mattered: talent. She was, in short, untalented.
There was a reason the instructors and teachers at the academy had given Uriel such a label.
Still, she neither grew angry nor despaired. She trained, tirelessly, day after day.
She believed that one day, she would reach their levelâor rather, she would.
âNow, back to the dorm⊠hmm, so much to review.â
The Teresia Academy didnât just teach swordsmanship, hand-to-hand combat, or magic.
There were lessons in the Imperial language, literature, politics, history, engineering, and mathematics.
And then there were horseback riding, swimming, even golfâall taught systematically and professionally.
It made sense. This wasnât just a military training groundâit was an academy for noble cadets. Naturally, the curriculum reflected that.
âIf I want to avoid academic probation, I have to rank well in theory at least.â
Her practical skills might be the worst, but luckily, her theoretical knowledge was top-tier.
She couldnât afford even a moment of negligenceâeverything demanded her utmost effort.
As Uriel walked, lost in thought, she noticed something unusual.
ââŠ?â
The training hall seemed noisier than usual.
Was there some kind of quarrel during sparring? A fight breaking out?
Childish, yet surprisingly common, especially among noble students whose duels were about more than personal prideâthey carried family honor.
âWait a moment. Iâll just pass through.â
Curious, Uriel moved toward the center of the hall, weaving past spectators.
âHuff⊠huff!â
She spotted a male student panting heavily.
A closer look made her eyes widen. It was⊠Erich?
Erich Lanstat! Without a doubt.
One of the academyâs top students, a prodigy in both theory and combat. Every instructor who had tested him had praised him with a fond smile: âPerfect.â Uriel remembered this clearly.
And now⊠he was sent flying backward in a single blow.
âUgh!â
Thud! He rolled across the floor, dust and dirt covering his pristine appearance in an instant.
âSomewhat⊠disappointing,â
Uriel instinctively turned her gaze toward the one who had sent Erich sprawling.
It was none other than Instructor Deusâthe very same one who had been subtly defied yesterday.
âDeus sparring with Erich? All of a sudden?â
She paused. Even an instructor⊠could they really act like that? Erich was, after all, a noble heir. Surely some warning would come from above.
âUriel Reich.â
âY-Yes?â
Her name called suddenly, she snapped to attention.
âPerfect timing. Come up here.â
âMeâŠ?â
âYes. You.â
Her heart sank. A sparring match with an instructor. The outcome was already decided.
And judging by what she had seen moments ago, there was no intention of holding back.
Then why call her?
ââŠCould it be⊠some kind of punishment for my attitude yesterday?â
That seemed likely. Yes. Deus calling her here now must be a consequence of her insolent behavior.
Uriel gritted her teeth, forcing herself to take heavy steps toward the center of the training hall.
Before sparring Erich, she had worriedâher body and mind might not sync, she might lose control and cause injury.
Moments ago, she had been someone else entirelyâa mere gamer, a video-maker, accustomed only to light exercise.
Would she, suddenly possessing this body, fail to control her strength and endanger others?
ââŠ.â
In the end, her fears were unfounded.
This body was hers.
All the past battles, all the bloodshed, all the desperate fights for survivalâthey were hers. Every skill and reflex belonged to her.
A few touches, and Erich went rolling across the floor.
He was a B-rank student, absurdly skilled, but here, she realized she could handle him without breaking a sweat.
âSomewhat⊠disappointing,â she had said of him before. That comment had to be retractedâcompared to Uriel, Erich was far superior in skill, but the contrast in their preparedness was clear.
Finally, Deus turned to her.
âUriel Reich.â
âYes?â
âPerfect timing. Come up here.â
She stepped forward, gripping the swords at her waist.
âThe weaponsâŠ?â
âUse whatever youâre most confident with.â
Uriel drew her swords, nervous but resolute.
ââŠIs that all?â
âYes. Iâm ready⊠huff⊠ready.â
She was ready. Urielâs lack of performance became clear instantly.
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Name: Uriel Reich (E-rank)
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Traits: Unyielding will, romantic, dual swords, understands darkness, magic swordsman
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Growth Potential: Catastrophic
Her E-rank and fragile growth potential could be fixed; her traits, however, were fixed. Dual swords were essential. One sword halved her potential.
Magic? She had barely studied it. Madness.
Uriel had to experience this sparring, to discover her own weaknesses firsthand.
She launched her first attack with a short kiaiâa simple thrust.
Deus lightly deflected it, shifting her balance.
âIf this were a demon, that side wouldâve been sliced off already.â
She needed both swords. She needed magic. There was no alternative. Failure meant death.
âOne more time.â
Urielâs strikes grew clumsy, her face reddened from exertion. Her stamina waned, yet Deus continued, sparing her from finishing blows.
Eventually, the scenario Deus had envisioned unfolded: Urielâs left hand empty, but ready to learn.
She paused, breathing heavily, exhausted yet burning with determination.
âUriel, you know your weaknesses. That will serve you far more than my praise.â
ââŠYes, Instructor.â
âBut your will to fight to the end is commendable. With that, one day, you will reach the level you aspire to.â
Later that day, Deus was summoned by the academy president.
âDeus, my boy.â
âYes, sir.â
âI hope you didnât push her too hard in front of everyone.â
Ah. The Erich match. Deus protested, explaining he had only followed protocol, allowing Erich to request the sparring.
The presidentâs reaction, however, was strange.
âI meant Uriel, not him. Talentless students must be pruned carefully, or rumors will spread.â
ââŠSomething about this seems off.â