Chapter 113: End-of-Term Report Card (4)
k9QPUMThe Kaizen Swordsmanship Academy.45Z4ZCF
054FSituated in the capital of the Kingdom of Thormia, the Kaizen Swordsmanship Academy, boasting a history of 200 years, has produced many knights of great achievements.seeqYa
xHBFbThere were more than ten certified Grade-1 swordsmen, among whom three had even been honored with the title of Sword Saint.vdm
fCdSymbol of courage. Embodiment of unwavering belief.VcFu9
x5S3qA7Anyone in Thormia dreaming of becoming a knight aspired to enroll in the Kaizen Swordsmanship Academy.ABCi
pDC5gn3However, there was no entrance exam for this academy. Instead, a one-month probationary period was conducted, during which the aptitude of the trainees was assessed before finalizing their admission.rqfiBMY
cenfbNA staggering 300 trainees applied each semester, but only 30 were admitted.qw8xOjJ
ir50Among these 30, Rian proudly belonged, currently attending classes at the Kaizen Swordsmanship Academy.GLsqEz
gWcSPghUrban Combat Training Ground.RTR
LV0lIThe training ground, replicating the landscape of an urban area, was a pride of Kaizen.uE7zT
l5Q7jA teacher with cheekbones protruding like a skull sat on the stairs, glaring at the first-year students.Qk26z
MmtiN0“Today’s practical subject is Movement. Specifically, you first years will be assessed focusing on shifting your center of gravity.”XYqF
PMGT1zThe teacher’s name was Parca Kuan.v9GzZ
rvvAhsuA certified Grade-6 swordsman, he was a master of the blade known as the ‘Death Magician’ before injuring his leg in war.LkWsp
tPEl“Shifting the center of gravity is a crucial ability for a swordsman. It’s where the sword’s three rhythms: speed, strength, and accuracy, begin.”0R2sR3
2J56Kuan limped up the stairs, then pointed to a robust boy.G6rxP4
TCu“You. Where is the swordsman’s center of gravity?”jJE
vM9“Sir! It’s the navel!”cxFCX
yxmUM“Wrong. You, speak.”R26j8VO
gxgDKuan pointed at a trainee with eyes wide like a shark. The trainee quickly stood up, knowing any hesitation would invite a scolding, exam or not.KolH
m8IS“Sir! It’s the soles of the feet!”dJfQl
lVGHjP“Wrong. You.”JeDYav
5tvFaK“T-The sword!”rB3
Trch“Drop and give me 200 push-ups.”tQBeqcM
VW5u“Sir!”pFQ6Z
F7SrThe trainee stepped out of the line to start the push-ups. Draining stamina before a test was dreadful, but the teachers at the swordsmanship academy hardly cared.gUw
7Ujd8IyKuan drew his longsword with a fan-like tip and a comparatively slender blade.wTC
DZkEs“Where is the swordsman’s center of gravity? The answer is external. In Schema terminology, this is called ‘external gravity.’ Repeat after me, external gravity.”D7Ng8f
0i70R1c“External gravity!”cy7Y4k
dsIRghDThe trainees shouted, seething with anger. They were being introduced to a term they had never heard before, just before their examination.8WJk
HbDph6‘I really want to do something about this. What kind of teacher is he?’co1D8gz
8xgPVoI“I’ll demonstrate just once. Watch closely and apply it to your evaluation.”TAiXs
AtJIcWThe Colosseum, usually quiet, was enveloped in silence.TY1Eekp
THIIODf“Advance while striking, and retreat while cutting.”emiT0
bUniRj1Kuan demonstrated advancing and retreating cuts. Despite his limping leg making the display less elegant, the sound of his blade slicing through the air was formidable.uDNLrg
DnHZLCs“This is the typical movement of swordsmanship. The body’s strength shifts the center, and this shift amplifies the sword’s destructive power. Moreover, enhancing muscular strength through Schema can exponentially increase this destructive power.”kBhI1tE
yWI5NyKThe trainees swallowed hard. It was a familiar lecture, but their tension was palpable with the exam looming.jWLOzcB
yjhWN“You’re probably thinking of something as lowly as that. But approach actual combat with such a notion, and you’ll be dead in three seconds.”rKYOeS
mFRlKQiThe trainees’ eyes blazed even more fiercely.hsU
RId4x“Remember this: no matter how powerful your strike is, if you’re outmatched in movement, the fight is as good as lost. Therefore, swordsmen use their center of gravity in movement according to the situation. For example, like this.”vOTOo
K1yKuan stomped his foot down, then lifted one leg, causing his body to tilt towards the ground.f3A
EYkThe trainees gaped in astonishment. Kuan’s axis was tilted over 70 degrees.OwB
koPWas this even possible? Without being tied to something, maintaining such a posture seemed impossible for a human.fSSJEd0
02biF“The power amplified by Schema maximizes the shift in the center of gravity. My center is currently outside my body. This is called external gravity.”U0be
ZnFjhKuan sprang up as if he were a pop-up toy.UW3
92sPv“Utilizing external gravity expands the possibilities of movement infinitely. For instance, this is also possible.”XwFS
wSKEscqKuan stomped the ground again and fell backward, his body tilting until his back nearly touched the ground, then spun around like a top.QREP
iUVQoi“External gravity isn’t an actual gravitational force. It’s just extremely strong inertia. Therefore, when rotation is applied to external gravity, the body also rotates.”2nU8
kS4RzAs Kuan extended his sword outward, the rotation slowed. However, as he straightened up, centrifugal force accelerated his motion.YIC6MNc
8iKTakwSsssss!EreLLXL
grhKohStanding vertically, Kuan spun at an incredible speed, then abruptly stopped in a graceful, well-poised stance.vozM1j5
b7Y1BrKThe trainees looked at Kuan with astonishment. If they had been in his place, what would have happened? Their ankles would have been severed first, and then they would have been diced into dozens of pieces by the accelerating blade.eKT7BLc
V4lmDefense was impossible. It was akin to a human being unable to stop a tornado caused by atmospheric pressure differences.VPyexWO
DBfiDZ0Such explosive external gravity. It was akin to a blade attached to a rotating mechanical device.gvjlu0O
7Z7A‘This is the Death Magician.’HC74x
Kt6tA nickname earned for causing death without the opponent even realizing how it happened.lupu
f1f1FaZ“This is today’s practical evaluation. The first is obstacle navigation, and the second is urban combat movement.”cZS3gL
GK0“Instructor, I have a question.”qL1
Fwb“Drop and give me 200 push-ups.”v46QDV
8kUwThe trainee stepped out of line. While doing push-ups, he wondered, what did I do wrong?dsvjrU
0f3M“Always remember, you need to overpower the opponent to get the answer you want. An instructor is not your parent. Don’t look at me with those eyes full of desire for praise. It’s disgusting. Understood?”FzBk70
pMKtAJ“Yes! I will correct it!”rSKrAQh
uvgj“Try again.”lTz
dzQ0ikHaving finished the scolding, the trainee raised his hand with a shout.QfvJ
K7vaR“Instructor! I have a question!”sRDT
BHuUKt6“Speak.”kAXvq
DuSZpu“What does the urban combat movement evaluate?”Ia0wrre
c1JgqZh“I’m about to explain that.”3MZCLQ
5nOThe trainee was embarrassed. He had asked the question wanting to impress Kuan, but Kuan thought even respect was a sign of weakness.6il
YKRmq“Urban combat movement. I’ll keep it short and end it.”AAA
YySNKuan entered the building. The open front made it easy to listen to his explanation.UAG
emZoW“External gravity shines in complex terrains, especially in urban combat where space is limited. The outcome can depend on the level of movement.”6lK
t0KKmKuan stomped the floor but did not attempt external gravity.wSQ
PSY“Stomping the ground generates force to shift the center. This is called the first impact. Of course, there’s no time for such madness in real combat, but rookies like you should definitely stomp the ground.”ltc9
YYcziDespite the mixture of contempt and ridicule, the students, awed by Kuan’s prowess, were no longer angry.0kO
qyet“However, I dont stomp the ground for the first impact. If I use my full strength, I would shatter this floor. In the Schema of external gravity, there are various ways to execute the first impact. I’ll use the basic muscle vibration.”FKZd
GJhnIjdKuan contracted his upper body muscles, generating a vibration. Then, jumping up and touching the wall, he bent his elbows to control inertia, creating an extended moment of suspension in the air.TC29cX
BskXd“Wow!”15jh
QhhKOdnThe trainees exclaimed in amazement. It was a situation that normally would warrant a ‘Drop down!’ command, but Kuan, seemingly too bothered, continued his explanation.bGI
PN0u“Using the first impact to create external gravity, leap. Of course, in such a case, external gravity will act in the direction of the wall. By applying this, movements like this become possible.”PFIW5
RY9Kuan walked along the wall. The trainees, slowly raising their heads in disbelief, looked up vertically. Kuan was upside down, his feet against the ceiling.E2U0n
btk2“External gravity essentially uses the power of inertia to negate gravity. Therefore, there is currently no gravitational force acting on my body.”Ffw
i1JwCKuan walking on the ceiling was beyond wondrous, almost bizarre. But this was no magic trick.9CiH
vBVTo some extent, wall running was possible even for circus performers without Schema. Kuan, however, had maximized inertia with stronger and more precise power.NlikC
5d7yEWAs external gravity dissipated, Kuan’s body fell with gravity. Stepping outside after the demonstration, the expressions of the trainees had completely changed.ezva
jIJiC“Everyone, drop and give me 200 push-ups.”Cw43vPo
piQ“Sir!”fYiy7
nJLThe trainees reluctantly lay down. As official students, most could handle Schema, so 200 wasn’t an impossible count. But for first-year students with limited enhancement capabilities, 200 push-ups were a strenuous punishment.DG4
zKz“While doing that, listen. The first practical is horizontal obstacles, getting lower with each level. The last stage is impossible without using external gravity. You have 20 seconds. The obstacles are made of real swords, so severe injuries or even death could occur. Of course, I trust no one will be foolish enough to dodge the obstacles. If injured, you’ll be treated by Instructor Kaina.”tgc7
WX9gOj9Kaina was the best surgeon at the swordsmanship academy. If mages had healers, swordsmen had surgeons who conducted operations. The problem was the extreme pain of the surgery, especially for amputees, where nerve connections could cause fainting during treatment.qBqhVTu
2WY‘Damn! Hearing that makes it even scarier!’ORo5
ORKHT“Urban combat movement is simple. Create external gravity and lean against a wall. The longer you last, the higher your score. Understood?”unu
gnwo7C“Yes!”5yQ
3GSWith faces full of resolve, the trainees watched as Kuan gathered his assessment papers and moved on.YWqCd
Qr7X“Starting with number one. I wont call names, so come up when ready. Those waiting, take a break.”RHXS1wL
SvzZNaRian leaned back in his seat, chin propped on his hand. With each person taking at least three minutes, there was ample time.v4GN
pYKK9jr“How about it, think you can do well?”nuyDFz
zAHRzIt was a rare female voice in the swordsmanship academy. But Rian just turned his gaze away, seemingly unbothered. The woman was a beauty with flowing blonde hair, tall and slim with long limbs, giving a refreshing impression.xiFMs
mgVtRElzain Tess.c1O
zsoThe only daughter of the prestigious Elzain family in the kingdom, she had enrolled in the swordsmanship academy to follow in her father’s footsteps, the colonial commander.D7WK
XkuhQGHer face could look cute or fierce, but her character was always fierce. Exceptionally skilled and unmatched among first-year students, she stood out even among many boys, a natural warrior at heart.fS8Qck1
eKuau“Sit down quickly. If the instructor sees us, it’s execution.”COU2nQ
v9rs“Oh, the great Rian is afraid of the instructor? Hes too busy grading to notice.”z0JJJ4l
3Bu1l“What do you know? He’s got eyes on the back of his head. Besides, why did you suddenly move here?”N0jijJj
p3x4QZE“I wanted to cheer you up in case you were nervous.”OCQ3iqT
EHaKGn7“When have you ever seen me nervous?”Udsm
UJSweZ“Haha. Right, there’s no further bottom for you to hit, so why be nervous? You’re comfortably at the bottom.”LHka
UwKroAlthough such words might upset a typical trainee at the swordsmanship academy, Rian merely pursed his lips in response. Tess smiled. His non-reactive nature was definitely a trait that set him apart from other kids.I7UeOH8
P2TAKVWhy did such a boy consistently end up at the bottom?Gpy
b8qkbqAmong the first-year students, Rian was undoubtedly the most diligent in training. In fact, his training regimen was so harsh it bordered on overwork. He tackled it day after day.2kjE1N
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