Chapter 80
As soon as Suhyeok finished speaking, one student raised a hand in the now-quiet training hall.
"Instructor, is it true that you defeated the chief instructor?"
Before Suhyeok could even answer, more questions poured in.
"I heard you didn't use your ability either. Is that true?"
Others followed.
Were you really only a B-Rank Hero?
How exactly did you win?
The questions kept coming.
Then Suhyeok spoke.
"Who gave you permission to ask questions?"
The entire room instantly went cold.
Even the students who had been about to speak froze.
"W-Well...."
"Unless an instructor gives permission, refrain from asking questions."
His voice was utterly cold.
"If you cross that line, you'll be disciplined."
The students' shoulders flinched.
For some reason, none of them could bring themselves to speak again.
They instinctively understood.
They shouldn't push any further.
Suhyeok naturally swept his gaze across the students.
Seong-a, as a transfer student, wouldn't be joining until the afternoon classes.
She was probably meeting with the president right now.
Nothing to worry about.
For now, they won't be able to try anything against her anyway.
"Let's get to the point."
"Today's lesson is basic swordsmanship."
"This is the first stage of what you'll be learning, so I expect all of you to pay attention."
Suhyeok raised a wooden sword.
"There are eight primary characteristics of swordsmanship."
"Fast Sword."
"Piercing Sword."
"Variable Sword."
"Heavy Sword."
"Dominating Sword."
"Strong Sword."
"Illusory Sword."
"And Flowing Sword."
He demonstrated one technique for each type.
The distrust in the students' eyes quickly changed.
What they were seeing was on an entirely different level from the mediocre swordsmanship they'd experienced until now.
"There are many different characteristics a sword can possess."
"Each has its own advantages and disadvantages."
"And depending on how well they're used, even those relationships can be overturned."
He paused.
"But."
WHOOSH!
Suhyeok brought the wooden sword down.
A powerful gust exploded outward, strong enough to make everyone's sleeves flap.
"The foundation supporting all of them is the basics."
"A castle built on a strong foundation does not collapse."
"This is the first of those foundations."
"The downward strike."
At that moment, someone raised a hand.
"Instructor, are you seriously planning to teach us downward strikes?"
There was open mockery in the question.
Naturally, it was Kang Rahee.
Suhyeok already knew who she was.
Before coming here, he'd reviewed the names and identities of every student.
"Kang Rahee."
"Did I give you permission to speak?"
She smiled leisurely and walked forward until she stood before him.
"No."
"But as a student, don't I have the right to object if a lesson is inappropriate?"
"It's written in the academy rules too."
"..."
Most of the students looked used to this kind of situation.
A few even seemed to agree with her.
What kind of development is this now?
Kinda my type though hehe
The cold rich girl who thinks she's the best, then turns super soft after opening her heart ㅇㅇ
What the hell are you talking about, weeb ;;
Stop writing fanfic in your head hahaha
[Constellations who enjoy clichés excitedly prepare popcorn.]
[Several Constellations beg for a satisfying payoff, saying sweet cider is best after frustrating moments.]
"Honestly, I think swordsmanship is outdated."
Kang Rahee smirked.
"If you can't even get close enough to your opponent, it's useless."
She clearly enjoyed having the situation unfold exactly as she wanted.
"Well, I suppose it might still be useful."
"For people with worthless abilities."
"But for anyone who isn't mediocre, especially superpower users, something like a ‘downward strike’ is completely unnecess-"
"Do you really believe that?"
The sudden question cut her off.
Kang Rahee had no intention of backing down.
She had always believed swordsmanship was inferior to superpowers.
"...Yes."
"Of course."
"Because it's true."
"And I'm proof of that."
Suhyeok silently walked into the sparring area with the wooden sword in hand.
"Come inside."
"If you're that confident."
The two stepped onto the training ground.
The other students gathered outside and whispered among themselves.
"Are they really going to fight?"
"He looked pretty skilled earlier."
"So what?"
"You think he can beat Rahee with one wooden sword?"
"He'll probably get cocky and embarrass himself like the last instructor."
Before the match began, Suhyeok calmly explained the rules in front of everyone.
"The rules are simple."
"I'll defeat you using only the basic downward strike."
"You may use anything you want."
"Try to beat me."
Kang Rahee let out an incredulous laugh.
He was speaking as though she were the weaker one.
There's disrespect, and then there's this.
He seriously thinks he can beat me with just that?
As the second daughter of Kangjin Group, she had received elite training from childhood for the purpose of becoming a hero.
Theory.
Combat.
Weakness correction.
Everything.
She clenched her teeth.
That gaze looking down at her.
For some reason, it kept reminding her of someone.
She had disliked it from the moment she first saw him.
"Are you really sure about this?"
"I think fighting me with just that wooden sword is reckless."
"And you're seriously saying you'll only use downward strikes?"
Her expression sharpened.
"Isn't that just insulting me?"
Suhyeok said nothing.
He merely raised the wooden sword and waited.
That look again.
"...Fine."
"If that's what you want."
"Don't regret it."
Cold air gathered around her hands.
In an instant, freezing energy spread across the entire training hall.
CRACKLE!
The moment her hand touched the floor, ice covered every inch of it.
The surface became so smooth that even taking a single step would be dangerous.
Anyone using a sword eventually had to get close enough to attack.
So she had blocked his movement first.
Same as always.
Unless I let you close the distance, there's no way you can attack me.
A snowstorm swirled around her body.
Then a massive spear of ice formed in the air.
Yeah, she's definitely good. That's beyond student level.
Oh, taking that head-on might actually be dangerous.
She thought this through. She even froze around his shoes so he can't move properly.
