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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 19
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19. King of a Thousand Blades - (5)
***
"..."
"Wait. What is that?"
"No way..."
"Is this even possible?"
"This is absolutely insane..."
Simultaneous gasps of astonishment enveloped the dueling arena.
And at its center were two figures.
An overwhelmingly powerful blue light manifested. It shone with unprecedented brilliance, dazzling everyone and drawing all eyes.
Among them were Yumia and Glesya, who had descended into the arena together, as well as Instructor Avalanche himself.
The trait's level rises and evolves.
For anyone in the world, a trait's level increasing was a momentous event, and while there were sometimes precursors, there were also times when there were none at all.
A massive explosion of blue light erupted.
And simultaneously, a being manifested an overwhelmingly powerful blue light.
—Leonhardt Lorient.
If Han Cheonsung had subtly emitted a light of blessing, showing signs of reaching Level 4, the blue light erupting from Leonhardt was utterly sudden.
Leonhardt, who had calmly maintained his position and solidified his defense until now, suddenly thrust his spear forward with force, and then a massive blue light burst from his body, enveloping him.
And in an instant, he reached it.
Trait Level 3.
'What utterly insane talent...'
Instructor Avalanche, who was observing the training, barely managed to... swallow those words.
For a student, 'trait' and 'talent' seemed similar yet were vastly different terms.
A trait was bestowed,
while talent was innate.
Though only a few words different, they meant vastly distinct things.
The former was granted after an adult underwent a trait examination, while talent referred to something one was born with.
Indeed. Talent was innate.
It was something one was born with, tied to family and bloodline, and thus strictly speaking, different from a bestowed trait.
However, traits and talents usually 'correlated'.
If one was high, the other was often high as well.
But in the case of the latter, talent, unlike a trait, was a word not to be easily spoken aloud.
Especially in a situation like the present, with other students observing…
"Hmph!"
As student Han Cheonsung stumbled back, reeling significantly, Leonhardt suddenly froze.
'Should I stop the duel?'
The outcome of the duel was already as good as decided.
Student Han Cheonsung had shown a struggle that surpassed expectations, even beyond mere valiant effort.
He had launched endless attacks and even possessed the shrewdness to maintain the upper hand; despite his low Common trait, his innate talent itself was quite remarkable.
But. He could not reach student Leonhardt.
He couldn't reach him. The difference in bestowed traits wasn't something that could be easily bridged.
It wasn't for nothing that countless students experienced frustration at the academy.
...Then, student Han Cheonsung's appearance caught his eye.
He still hadn't let go of his spear.
The student, who momentarily couldn't even properly control his body, held onto the spear in his hand until the very end.
So, he couldn't step in immediately.
At that moment.
The sword, shimmering with brilliant blue light, slowly lowered.
"Han Cheonsung."
Leonhardt's subdued voice merely called out to the opposing student.
That sight astonished him once more.
"...How."
He unconsciously uttered those words.
The evolution of a trait level. Simultaneously, the student no longer threatened or attacked the opposing student.
It had been that way even before the trait evolved.
The student's eyes, which had held both calm and a hint of impatience, no longer contained those emotions, and he had entered a state similar to Han Cheonsung's, as if enjoying the duel itself.
And now.
Student Leonhardt. He knew it himself.
At this moment.
That the outcome of the duel had been decided.
And that he should not face the opposing student with his sword any further.
'He's a genius, yet utterly devoid of arrogance. He has every reason to be elated, but he knows how to control himself thoroughly...'
Considering how sluggishly the duel had dragged on, it wouldn't have been strange at all if he had tried to end it immediately.
Yet, even in this situation, Leonhardt wasn't thinking only of himself. That, more than anything, set him apart from the countless geniuses I had observed until now.
...That student is already complete.
Among the students admitted this year. Surprisingly, Leonhardt was not the only student with a Legendary trait.
But why this student was able to enter as the top-ranked student. It was clearly felt in various aspects of this duel.
He was often called 'the Axis of the Empire.'
A being who would wield immense influence over this empire in the future.
A glimpse of that potential already seemed visible in Leonhardt.
Whether that composed demeanor was due to the Sky-Rending Sword trait or not was unknown.
But even if it were, Leonhardt was already a qualitatively complete talent.
As the end of the duel was thus hinted at, I naturally felt a sense of pity looking at the other student.
Neither traits nor talents were ever fair in this world.
Even the time allowed for effort was a mere two months, not long at all.
And that was it.
Just two months after being granted a trait.
After that period, the opportunity to enroll itself was not given. Meaning, all one could show was limited to that brief time.
Yet, student 'Han Cheonsung', despite having a Common trait, had not lost himself and was engaging in this duel.
To the extent that the basis of his confidence and his effort shone brightly.
But this was the end of it.
He faced a being with even more brilliant traits and talent.
What feelings could student Han Cheonsung possibly be experiencing right now…?
I couldn't begin to fathom his state of mind.
Even showing this much struggle, this much valiant effort, he couldn't reach him even a little.
The colossal wall of trait and talent.
Those two things coexisting would shimmer before that student's eyes.
"..."
Even knowing that in this world, it was nothing to be pitied, such a feeling involuntarily arose within me.
Ultimately.
This was the end.
Only that thought repeatedly came to mind, tinged with pity.
"Leonhardt."
At that moment, student Han Cheonsung's mouth suddenly opened.
He looked utterly exhausted, as if he could collapse at any moment, yet he still wouldn't let go of the spear he held.
Even so, he was expected to.
He thought the student would concede defeat just like this.
He himself, having clashed weapons, would know better.
That this duel was over. And how vast the difference in trait and talent was.
But.
"Raise your sword."
As the resolute voice echoed... he couldn't help but stare blankly.
'That student…'
He wasn't broken by this reality.
***
'Just as I thought.'
Even as I watched him, that was the only thought in my mind: 'Just as I thought.'
He truly is the protagonist of this world.
He possesses traits and talent, everything, and even has outstanding looks and an impeccable character—there's nothing to fault him for.
—A munchkin.
That's what excessively strong protagonists were often called.
And Leonhardt perfectly fit that description.
Seeing how complete he was even mentally, the word 'munchkin' felt insufficient.
So... I had no choice but to acknowledge it.
I didn't particularly feel any inferiority complex facing Leonhardt.
To feel an inferiority complex towards the protagonist, my trait was Common from the start, so even though I didn't think my spear-fighting was bad, I knew there was an unbridgeable gap between him and me.
Perhaps if my trait had been Unique grade, I might have felt pity and envy.
So, I just... slowly looked at him.
"..."
Leonhardt, standing proudly before me, his sword shimmering with brilliant blue light, lowered.
The more I looked, the less bad it felt.
I didn't feel a shred of regret about participating in this duel. No, it was even satisfying.
I was glad my first duel opponent was the protagonist.
I had approached the duel with confidence, and I believed I had shown my full strength.
But in a corner of my mind, I had anticipated fear and a crushing defeat. And even the various cynical glances I would receive afterward.
It would be a lie to say I hadn't thought about it.
But now, it wasn't like that.
There was no doubt, just as there was no cloud in the clear sky.
I felt it in my body, having continued my offensive for over a hundred exchanges.
Leonhardt was strong, composed, and crucially, not arrogant. I had thought I might be able to find an opening even for a moment, but that thought itself was arrogance.
'Really. I wouldn't have been able to do that.'
If I had possessed a Legendary trait, I would naturally have looked down on an opponent with a Common trait and tried to end the duel in an instant.
But Leonhardt didn't do that.
How could I not acknowledge him?
"...Han Cheonsung. You know it too. This duel is already over."
Looking at Leonhardt, who still didn't raise his sword despite my words, I could feel the concern in his eyes.
And the dazzling blue light clinging to the sword he held also caught my eye.
The immense power that the Sky-Rending Sword could unleash only upon reaching Level 3.
Even though it was a duel, Leonhardt was worried that I might get hurt by his sword.
He had only blocked my attacks until now, and even when he finally had the chance to land a proper blow on me, he didn't.
It was simply amazing.
Moreover, it truly felt like he wasn't being fake or putting on a show, to the point where I almost laughed.
"I told you to raise your sword. Because I haven't given up yet."
So I could speak even more resolutely.
This duel had to end properly.
Ending it by vaguely conceding defeat held no meaning.
By his sword,
my spear blade had to be blunted.
Even if this spear blade were to break.
I couldn't concede defeat with my own mouth.
As I steeled my resolve, a strange laugh escaped me.
A good defeat. The words 'you lost well.'
I had always thought those were truly amusing words. In a world where the victor takes all. The second-place or the loser was always in a pathetic position compared to the victor.
What they gained, the attention they received, none of it held much significance compared to the victor.
Whether it was a competition or not, everything I had observed was like that.
'But why don't I feel bad?'
To not feel bad even when I clearly knew I would lose. It was strange.
"..."
As Leonhardt hesitated, looking at me with a subtle gaze, I spoke even more forcefully.
"Raise your sword. I won't say it again."
The moment I uttered those words.
It was but a single moment.
Suddenly, my body felt strangely light.
My whole body had been heavy, feeling as if I could collapse at any moment. But now, all of that vanished as if it were a lie.
It even felt refreshing.
Wielding my spear towards Leonhardt also wasn't particularly difficult.
The moment I realized that. I had to feel an even greater sense of bewilderment.
"...!"
Why were Leonhardt's eyes so wide?