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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 20
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"...You're kidding, right?"
"This isn't a joke. How could both of them..."
"Didn't they say his trait was level 3 during the introduction? So now... it's level 4?"
"Even after seeing Leonhardt, his spirit wasn't broken..."
"A student reaching level 4 on the day of the entrance ceremony, is that even possible?"
"Even if it's a Common trait... No, isn't it harder to raise a Common trait's level?"
"Unbelievable."
Voices filled with even greater astonishment echoed from all directions than when Leonhardt's trait evolved.
To that extent, the sight before everyone's eyes was alien, an unbelievable reality.
An intensely bright blue light enveloped Han Cheonsung's entire body.
It shone vividly, as if caring for Han Cheonsung's body, forming strange blue ripples.
The Blessing of Light, said to only be visible upon reaching 'Trait Level 4', was in the process of healing Han Cheonsung's body.
The majority understood it, yet at the same time, couldn't believe it.
—Unprecedented.
No one among them had ever heard of a student reaching Trait Level 4 at an entrance ceremony.
And among them, Glacia stared blankly.
"..."
Gazing at Han Cheonsung, enveloped in blue light—she was now experiencing a complex shift in her heart.
Ever since the sparring match began.
How greatly Glacia's heart had wavered...
No one present knew.
Glacia.
Not even she herself...
…
—Han Cheonsung.
A man from C-Class with the Common trait of spearmanship.
Yet, he was a man I couldn't understand at all, which is why I took an interest.
Because I sensed an extraordinary quality that didn't fit his trait grade.
That's why I readily accepted the suggestion, even the mention of spending time together.
Because I was curious about him.
And even when I brought up the sparring match with Leonhardt, I hadn't given it that much thought.
It was something I said, intending to calmly accept it even if Han Cheonsung refused the match. I knew very well how unreasonable my suggestion was.
Still, I watched with a glimmer of hope.
With the absurd expectation that this man might show something different from others.
And then, unbelievably, Han Cheonsung responded beyond my expectations, as if fulfilling them.
—Alright. Leonhardt, let's spar.
He replied in a calm yet confident voice.
His confident voice remained unchanged, even during the entrance exam and in front of Leonhardt, who possessed a Legendary trait.
Standing in the sparring arena like that, Han Cheonsung showed everyone gathered there.
That with a Common trait, he could face Leonhardt, who possessed a Legendary trait, without avoiding the match, proudly engaging in the duel and demonstrating his abilities.
And by displaying a performance beyond expectations, he far exceeded everyone's anticipation.
Even then, I could watch the sparring match with a sense of anticipation.
Even feeling pure admiration, thinking, 'He can show this much strength with a Common trait?'
As the sparring match progressed, my thoughts gradually changed.
About Han Cheonsung,
And about Leonhardt.
First, Leonhardt. The reason for his confidence was so clear that I hadn't found him interesting.
Because I thought it was only natural.
However, Leonhardt's demeanor during the match couldn't be considered natural. Despite the overwhelming difference in traits, he approached the sparring match calmly and earnestly.
He neither looked down on Han Cheonsung, who had a Common trait, nor did he disregard this sparring match.
Seeing Leonhardt's completely changed gaze, I naturally realized how wrong my previous thoughts had been.
Leonhardt, calmly demonstrating his abilities.
And he and Han Cheonsung were truly very different.
I realized even more clearly that I didn't understand him at all.
Then, although the two seemed similar at first glance, they felt like they possessed opposing natures.
Han Cheonsung, relentlessly launching offensives despite being greatly exhausted.
Leonhardt, calmly and restrainedly focusing on defense.
And the admiration I felt while watching the sparring match soon shattered.
"...!"
The moment Leonhardt evolved his trait without any prior indication, manifesting a mighty blue light.
Among the students who had been expressing various exclamations, I couldn't say a word.
My heart sank, heavier than ever.
Leonhardt had directly shown it, radiating a brilliant light.
The enormous difference that existed between himself and Han Cheonsung.
Legendary and Common traits.
The difference in innate talent.
How severely that difference could manifest. He imprinted it upon everyone present.
I had to feel a shiver of dread at that sight.
"..."
It was then. Because I realized.
How absurd a thing I had done, only at that moment could I realize it.
Perhaps I had created this situation under the guise of curiosity.
Han Cheonsung fought valiantly, showcasing his abilities to everyone present.
As a C-Class student, he showed such an incredible performance in a sparring arena usually reserved for A-Class students that he drew admiration from everyone.
But such a person...
Had to face it right before his eyes.
—An overwhelming trait.
—Immense talent.
How vast a difference someone who possessed everything could display.
And it wasn't just a single wall he was made to feel.
Wouldn't Han Cheonsung have seen too many walls?
Had it been anyone else standing before Leonhardt, their spirit would have crumbled.
The academy was a place where only those who possessed both traits and talent could enroll. But right after enrollment, he had to face an insurmountable, massive wall.
And for Han Cheonsung, with his Common trait, it must have hit even harder...
When the pushed-back Han Cheonsung gasped for breath and lowered his head, my heart felt as if it had frozen solid.
"..."
My heart was so heavy that it felt as if my thoughts had stopped entirely.
I had no idea how I should have acted.
Like an idiot, I just stood there, watching the sparring match.
Unable to comprehend the sense of loss he must have been feeling, I brazenly remained in my spot, merely observing.
And soon, I anticipated.
Han Cheonsung's spirit crumbling right there...
Countless thoughts filled my mind.
Perhaps this moment would stay with Han Cheonsung for a lifetime, and it might have blocked all the infinite possibilities for him to move forward.
Only negative thoughts filled my mind.
Then, suddenly. When Han Cheonsung raised his head again.
"Ah..."
I felt the greatest relief I had in years.
I was simply grateful that Han Cheonsung's expression wasn't tinged with despair, and that he wasn't frustrated.
Because I had greatly felt what kind of outcome my single word could create.
At the same time, the thought of immediately apologizing to Han Cheonsung came to me.
Severely blaming myself for standing there foolishly and brazenly just watching him, I intended to approach Han Cheonsung immediately after this sparring match ended.
—Leonhardt.
But then, his resolute voice.
Made me unable to do anything.
—Raise your sword.
He uttered words no one had expected.
At that moment, when everyone failed to understand his words, I too didn't understand them.
Nevertheless, I thought this sparring match had to end immediately.
The sparring match was over now. Any further sparring would be nothing but recklessness and stubbornness.
So I immediately turned my head.
Instructor Avalanche, whom I had asked to observe the match. I believed he could bring this sparring match to an end.
But I realized belatedly.
—!
The intense blue holy flame residing in the instructor's left hand. That meant the instructor had been preparing for a contingency from before.
'Then why...'
Why isn't the instructor stepping in immediately? The sparring match needs to end. There was absolutely no sign of him intervening.
—...Han Cheonsung. You know, too. That this sparring match is already over.
At that moment, Leonhardt's calm voice was heard.
An extremely calm voice. I felt relieved that Leonhardt wasn't swayed by emotion.
If he had swung his sword imbued with that immense blue light, Han Cheonsung would have been finished.
So, if he had been seriously injured, I wouldn't have known how I could face him afterward.
I felt as though I had committed a grave mistake.
—I told you to raise your sword. Because I haven't given up yet.
Despite that, Han Cheonsung continued in a resolute voice.
He spoke as if everyone else knew the outcome of this sparring match, but only he didn't.
That's why I couldn't understand him even more.
'Why...'
Could his spirit remain unbroken, allowing him to face Leonhardt?
The blue light gathered above Leonhardt's sword was so vivid it was hard to gauge its destructive power.
Han Cheonsung, too, was looking directly at it.
Yet, he spoke without hesitation.
To raise his sword, and to aim that sword at him.
From that sight, I belatedly realized.
Han Cheonsung knew now.
The end of this sparring match. He wasn't saying those words without knowing.
'He knows he'll lose this sparring match.'
He was clearly speaking with full knowledge now.
And he was facing that reality, not trying to avoid it.
Even if he were to directly realize the difference in class with his own body, he intended to accept it as it was.
—Raise your sword. I won't say it again.
Along with his words that followed.
—!!!
Suddenly, an immense blue light enveloped him.
The Blessing of Light, which they had thought disappeared, enveloped him so immensely that it was hard to believe even while watching.
'A miracle...?'
I shook my head strongly at the thought that instantly crossed my mind.
This couldn't be called a miracle.
This was purely Han Cheonsung.
It was a reality he had achieved. A reality that no one else could have achieved, only he had.
Therefore, I shouldn't disparage or belittle this reality by calling it a miracle.
"...Han Cheonsung."
I murmured his name blankly, taking in his figure enveloped in blue light.
His severely exhausted body regained vitality, returning to its complete state, and his expression held surprise.
His expression, appearing greatly surprised despite having achieved that feat himself, strangely made me smile.
Suddenly, I thought.
'Can I truly understand that man?'
He said that if I spent time with him, I could understand him.
But I had no idea.
Just how much time would I have to spend by that man's side...
For me to... understand that man.