The supervising instructor led the cadets assigned to Class 5 for this term, along with me, toward the training grounds.
'I think there were around 20 of us in total.'
Walking at the very back, I observed the cadets ahead of me.
"Damn it, Class 5? Can we even graduate from here?"
"What am I supposed to tell my father…?"
"There's no way I belong in Class 5. Those main house guys always have such ridiculously high standards…"
Like the young boys they were, they couldn't hide their emotions, their faces twisted in frustration as they grumbled among themselves.
"I heard Class 5 has a ton of repeaters. What if they start picking on us?"
"As long as they don't beat me up, I'll be fine…"
Their slumped shoulders and defeated murmurs made them look like nothing more than losers.
'Pathetic.'
I couldn't help but frown at the sight.
I let out a quiet sigh as I observed the complaining cadets.
"Um… Excuse me."
At that moment, someone approached me and spoke softly.
It was a boy I had noticed earlier—his features were gentle, giving off a warm impression.
He was either my age or a little older, but his frame was quite small.
"You're the youngest son of the main family… right?"
"Yeah, that's me."
"I-I knew it! I really wanted to introduce myself. My name is Kim Han. I'm 14 years old, from Kim's Ironworks. Ah, but you probably wouldn't know it by name. It's a small forge that takes subcontracting work from the Soongmu family. Hehe."
Kim Han scratched the back of his head with a sheepish smile.
'Kim Han… Doesn't ring a bell.'
Since he had a single-character name like mine, I felt like I should remember him, but nothing came to mind.
"As you already know, I'm Lee Cheol, the youngest of the main house. Looking forward to working with you."
"Y-Yes! Likewise!"
"So, what is it that you wanted to say?"
"Oh, nothing really. I just really wanted to have a conversation with you, Young Master Lee Cheol."
"With me?"
He should know I'm illegitimate. Yet, he still wanted to talk to me? That was… unexpected.
"Well, you're quite the talk of the town, aren't you? The direct descendants of the main family are always accomplishing amazing things, but you're the only one who's done such extraordinary things at such a young age."
I glanced at his face to check for any hint of sarcasm, but his eyes were shining with sincerity.
I studied him for a moment before speaking.
"You said your name is Kim Han, right?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"What do you think about being placed in Class 5?"
"Huh? Wh-What do you mean?"
Surprised by the sudden question, Kim Han widened his eyes.
"Exactly what I said. Class 5 is known as a trash heap."
"W-Well… that's true…"
Kim Han visibly deflated.
But then, with his characteristic innocence, he smiled again.
"But that just means that right now, I'm at a Class 5 level. No one knows what'll happen in the future, right?"
For a brief moment, there was something unusual in his gaze—a flicker of something deeper.
"Hehe, though I might still be like this in the future."
Then, just as quickly, he covered up that flicker with another timid smile.
Seeing this, I smiled back at him.
"You pass."
"…Huh?"
The entrance exam for the academy isn't something a mere subcontractor's son can easily pass.
I recalled the palms of Kim Han's hands—the ones I had caught a glimpse of when he scratched the back of his head.
His palms were rough and unevenly calloused. The scars of countless blisters that had burst and healed over time.
* * *
The atmosphere in Class 5 was quite different from what the new cadets had feared.
"Welcome!"
"Looking forward to working with you!"
The cadets who had been waiting for us in formation at the training grounds greeted us with warmth and kindness.
Their expressions showed genuine joy, as if they were happy to welcome their adorable juniors.
"Now that introductions are done, everyone, pay attention. We'll begin with a brief orientation."
Lee Jung-ho, a Rank 5 martial artist.
At just 30 years old, he had already earned his Rank 5 certification. He gave a concise explanation of the rules, regulations, class structure, and schedule before wrapping up.
"…That's all. Since this is the first day for the new recruits, we'll end things here. Any questions?"
Perhaps due to his young age, Lee Jung-ho exuded an energetic passion.
It was clear he was eager to guide the cadets of Class 5 to the best of his ability.
'He even tutored me personally in my past life when I couldn't keep up.'
In my previous life, I had already lost the ability to use magic by this point.
When everyone else had given up on me, he was the only one who tried to help—though, in the end, the results had been disastrous.
"No questions? Alright, In-ha, you were last year's class leader. Teach the newcomers the rest. Let's start by electing a new class leader."
"Yes, Instructor!"
A boy with a gentle face responded loudly to Lee Jung-ho's instructions.
"That's all for today. Be sure to assemble at 06:00 tomorrow."
With that, Lee Jung-ho stepped down from the platform.
As soon as he left, the boy who had answered earlier turned to face the new cadets.
"Alright, newbies. Hey there. Embarrassing as it is to admit, I've been held back twice, so this is my second year as class leader. I'm Choi In-ha. Oh, and you guys must be tired from standing so long—feel free to sit if you want."
With an easygoing smile, In-ha gestured to the group.
The cadets hesitated at first but eventually began sitting down.
I remained standing, leaning against the training hall wall with my arms crossed.
"Though we're cadets, there are times when we'll be sent on actual missions. In that sense, the class leader is practically the captain of a martial squad."
Choi In-ha. I remembered him.
Fifteen years old. Specialized in longsword combat.
He was from the Soongmu Orphanage.
The Soongmu Orphanage was a social welfare initiative run by the main family.
His parents had been warriors of the Soongmu clan and died in battle. Left as an orphan, Choi In-ha had been raised in the orphanage.
Despite such a past, he was always kind and gentle, which made him beloved by the other cadets.
Since the academy's course lasted three years, this year would likely be his last.
"Because of this structure, the instructors only handle the scheduled training and lessons. The rest is mostly up to the class leader. That's why we need to choose one first. Any questions?"
"Um…"
The one who raised his hand was Kim Han, the boy I had spoken with earlier.
"Yes, go ahead. What's your question?"
"How do we decide the class leader?"
"Oh, I forgot to explain that. I'm not sure how other classes do it, but here, we have a light sparring match, then we vote."
"We don't decide purely by sparring?"
"Nope. If we just chose the strongest person, that wouldn't be fair, would it?"
"Oh, I see…"
Kim Han scratched the back of his head, looking thoughtful.
I observed Choi In-ha as he kept his bright smile.
He had always been a kind person. Regardless of skill, he respected all cadets.
That was why I had followed him in my past life, too.
And because of his experience, he had led the class well.
"Anyone else have a question?"
"…"
"No? Alright then, let's begin the sparring matches! These will be one-on-one duels to test each other's strength. Magic use is strictly prohibited! Also, no consecutive fights—everyone must rest between matches!"
And with that, the duels began.
Choi In-ha, who had received the list from the instructor in advance, began calling out the names of those who had been held back.
— Clang!
The sound of weapons colliding echoed through Class 5's training grounds.
The first duelists wielded a spear and a sword. Without using magic or lethal strikes, they clashed purely through skill and strength.
— Boom!
The boy with the spear took advantage of his weapon's reach and overpowered his opponent.
"Stop! Hey, Young-ha, you've improved a lot!"
"Thanks. You fought well, too."
The boy with the spear extended a hand and helped the swordsman to his feet.
A friendly rivalry. A scene that was pleasant to hear and heartwarming to watch.
I glanced at Choi In-ha, the one responsible for fostering this kind of atmosphere.
He was, at his core, a good person.
People like him were rare in Soongmuiga.
That was why I could say with certainty—
He was wrong.
"Alright, next up—"
"Are you serious?"
I stepped forward, cutting off Choi In-ha's words.
He turned to me with a surprised expression.
"…Young Master Lee Cheol, is there something that displeases you?"
"Everything. What you're doing, what you just said—are you being serious?"
Every cadet's eyes turned toward me.
As the atmosphere grew colder, I spoke again.
"To me, everything happening here looks like nothing more than a child's game of pretend."
"…What do you mean by that?"
Even Choi In-ha, usually so gentle, began to harden his expression.
"Wake up. This is Soongmuiga. If you wanted to play student, you should've enrolled in some safe civilian school instead of coming to the academy."
"That's too harsh. I think you're misunderstanding something. This is simply a way to elect a class leader without unnecessary conflict. If you wish, Young Master, you have more than enough qualifications to—"
"Choi In-ha."
The moment I called his name sharply, his face twisted.
"What is the Soongmuiga family motto?"
"…'Endless struggle.'"
"Then do you think this ridiculous farce I'm looking at right now lives up to that?"
"…What exactly are you trying to say?"
"You really don't get it, huh?"
I stepped onto the training grounds.
Looking over the gathered cadets, I declared:
"Come at me, one by one. I'll take on every single one of you."
* * *
One of the repeaters stepped forward, gripping a sword.
Thanks to the Soongmuiga's naturally gifted physique, the difference in our ages didn't result in much of a gap in size.
"I already know I can't win against you, Young Master."
That was an undeniable fact.
His stance, the way he held his sword, the amount of magic radiating from him—I surpassed him in all aspects.
"I'm sure that applies to all of us. So what, are you just trying to show off your strength against weaker opponents?"
I stared at him coldly.
"So you've spent your whole life resigning yourself to being weaker than others?"
"…What?"
"Shut up. You're wasting your breath."
I lunged without warning, swinging my sword.
"Hngh!"
— Clang!
The cadet barely managed to raise his sword in time to block.
His form was clean—evidence of years of training.
Which only made me angrier.
For someone who had trained this much to have such a weak mindset…
I closed the distance between us.
From the side, Choi In-ha called out in a panic.
"Excessive force is forbidd—!"
— Crunch.
A sickening crack came from the cadet's arm as my blade struck him.
"Aaagh!"
I looked down at the boy who had collapsed, clutching his broken arm.
"I'll say it again—if you want to keep spouting nonsense like that, leave Soongmuiga."
Then I gestured toward him.
"Take him to the infirmary."
The watching cadets' faces twisted with anger.
'So this is what the main family's direct descendants do? Just flaunt their strength?'
'Beating down weaker cadets—is that what being Soongmuiga means? I actually had some expectations…'
Ignoring their expressions, I slowly walked back to the edge of the training grounds.
I readied my stance and looked straight at Choi In-ha.
"Next."
"Are you serious? You've already completed one duel, so why don't you rest for a—"
Without hesitation, I turned my gaze back to the cadets.
"I let it slide for the first match. But if anyone else fights like the one lying over there…"
The tension in the air grew heavier.
With absolute sincerity, I finished my sentence.
"I'll cut you down."
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