Chapter 54: Deserted Island Survival Training (1)

The weekend arrived after the written exams. Normally, I would have stayed in bed, lazily getting up around midnight, but this time I woke up at the same time as on weekdays.

The reason? Preparing for the Deserted Island Survival Training that was just a few days away. I decided to seize the opportunity to visit the library—a place I hadn’t stepped into in a while.

Sure, in an era like this, dominated by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, doing prior research with YouTube videos would have been more than enough. Yet, for some reason, I always felt more comfortable with physical books.

“The books I need to borrow are… How to Survive on a Deserted Island, Guide to Identifying Poisonous Plants, Survival Methods by the Famous Instructor Bear Galics, and… that should be enough.”

I murmured the titles I had noted in my phone’s memo app as I walked.

The training would take place over three days and two nights, starting next Wednesday, on Avalon Island.

The term survival training” might evoke thoughts of a blood-soaked, life-threatening event, but in reality, it was more akin to a recreational camp.

It was designed to give students, whose days were packed with study, a much-needed breather. In other words, it was something like a school trip.

This was evident in several aspects: groups could range from one to four members, depending on preference, and all students received detailed information about the training itinerary.

However, the term “survival” also had a double meaning. Despite its short duration of two and a half days, the event aimed to assess each student’s self-sufficiency.

Additionally, this event held significant importance in the game’s storyline, as it was here that the protagonist, Leon, obtained the hilt of Balmung, his main weapon.

It was also where the romantic feelings between him and the main heroine, Abel, deepened through a series of events.

“So, this is where Abel and Leon finally get together, huh?”

To be honest, that part didn’t make me jealous. Since entering this world, my outlook on romance had become somewhat cynical.

Besides, when Abel visited the Wolf Class with Rachel some time ago, she made it abundantly clear that she didn’t hold me in high regard.

With so many challenges weighing on me, it was hard for any feelings to blossom, no matter how attractive the other person might be.

The academy’s Council of Elders had targeted me, a mysterious instructor was lurking around, and I still needed to recruit the final member for my club.

In such circumstances, it was impossible to enjoy the warm early summer air.

Thinking about it left me with a slight sense of melancholy.

“Youth… maybe in the next life…”

However, as a swordsman, my attention inevitably gravitated toward Balmung.

As a former player of Miracle Blessing M, I knew exactly where it was located and was acutely aware of its impressive capabilities, which only made me desire it more.

Balmung. The only weapon of indeterminate class in the entire game narrative. A central part of the plot involved gathering the scattered pieces of Balmung.

As both a sacred and cursed sword, only those who had manifested a Divine Blessing could wield it, which effectively made it a weapon exclusive to the protagonist.

According to the game’s descriptions, if plunged into the ground, it would split the earth, and if swung, it could cleave mountains.

Later, it allowed Leon to completely dominate any enemy, making it an extraordinarily powerful weapon.

Compared to that, my current weapon was just a D-rank kitchen knife.

Of course, I carried a spare one from Daiso because you never know when you might need it.

“Could Balmung be reforged into a kitchen knife?”

With a tinge of bitterness, I licked my lips. Before I knew it, I had arrived at the library.

As soon as I entered, I headed straight for the available computers and searched for the books I planned to read throughout the day.

Despite having been a Japanese cuisine chef in my previous life, I had never indulged in hobbies like fishing or outdoor activities. Even for a two-and-a-half-day camp, surviving in an unfamiliar environment without prior knowledge would be difficult.

Furthermore, the tools allowed were extremely limited, making self-sufficiency essential.

Fortunately, the island didn’t harbor any magical beasts, meaning I could focus solely on survival aspects.

Still, recalling the events of the midterm exam, I couldn’t rule out unexpected occurrences. This time, however, instructors would accompany the students, marking a key difference from the game.

Additionally, possibly under orders from the academy’s director, Siegfried, the Sword Master, was among the instructors temporarily overseeing the Wolf Class.

The strongest hero of humanity leading first-year cadets on an excursion…

Although it deviated slightly from the original story, it was at least reassuring in terms of safety.

With these thoughts in mind, I began quickly skimming through books related to Avalon Island that I found in the legends section.

“Avalon is an island located far to the west, its geography constantly shifting. At its center lies an ancient lake known as the ‘Queen’s Lake,’ which dates back to the mythical era…”

“Hm, more or less what I already knew.”

Though with some added details, the information aligned with what I already remembered.

I knew it was an uninhabited island, without maps due to its shifting geography.

Still, I had come to the library that morning with a clear purpose: to uncover clues about something very specific on Avalon Island.

Immersed in my reading, time flew by. Before I knew it, the light of sunset was filtering through the windows, bathing the interior in a golden glow.

“Oh, Kang Geom-Ma, you’re here too?”

A calm, familiar voice echoed behind me. I instinctively turned around.

“…”

There he was—his golden hair shimmering in the glow of the setting sun, and his blue eyes sparkling like a clear sky.

“It’s been a while.”

Leon van Reinhardt greeted me with a smile and a slight nod.

***

The glow of Leon illuminated even the solemn atmosphere of the library, dominating the space with his presence.

When I glanced around, I noticed several female students peeking from behind the shelves, whispering excitedly as they stared at him.

Even the librarian, who was trying to reprimand them seriously, couldn’t help but steal furtive glances in his direction. He was the living proof that appearance speaks louder than words.

‘Damn, he’s absurdly handsome. Surely, his ego must be small to balance things out, right?’

…Although what caught my attention the most were the books he was holding. Judging by the titles, they seemed to be introductory texts on magic.

‘Why is he reading that?’

I let out a deep sigh as I watched him. It wasn’t exactly a reassuring sight—the hero protagonist flipping through basic magic books in the library.

Giving him the benefit of the doubt, I assumed he might be trying to learn more about magic and demons after the events of the midterm exam.

But considering the weight of the responsibilities he would bear in the future, seeing him engrossed in beginner-level magic books eroded my faith in him by leaps and bounds.

Noticing my furrowed brow, Leon, with a slightly awkward expression, tried to hide the books behind his back.

“…”

A somewhat tense silence settled between us until he attempted to break it with a smile.

“What are you reading?”

“I’m just researching Avalon Island for next week’s training.”

He seemed to be trying to ease the awkward atmosphere, so I responded half-heartedly.

“You’re incredibly diligent, Kang Geom-Ma.”

I wouldn’t deny it. Lately, my daily routine was probably one of the most disciplined in the world.

Every day was filled with training, dungeon explorations, and studying magical beasts.

But what other choice did I have? Knowing how grim the future was, I had no option but to give my all during these three years.

“I have to rely on myself.”

“Rely on yourself…”

When I said that, Leon murmured with a bitter expression.

“You’re different from me… And I’m different from you.”

Different, how? I remembered the first time I met him.

Leon had said something puzzling back then.

“Kang Geom-Ma, where are you from?”

It had been a direct question, almost as if he were speaking to someone familiar.

The warmth with which he greeted me that day didn’t align with the Leon I knew from the game.

There was something about him that didn’t add up. His radiant face always seemed shadowed by some hidden sorrow, and his demeanor was tinged with a certain unease. Despite that, his actions didn’t stray far from the original game’s storyline.

I didn’t know how to interpret the contradictions in his character.

I shook my head to dispel my thoughts. It didn’t matter whether I had faith in Leon or not—our priorities and methods were completely different.

“Do your best. Be careful on your way back; the library’s about to close.”

“Thank you, Kang Geom-Ma. You too.”

With a brief farewell, Leon turned and left.

I watched him walk away. The admiring gazes in the room contrasted with the eerie shadow the setting sun cast behind him.

It was as if the weight of humanity’s fate bore down on his shoulders, crushed by both light and darkness.

“…”

It wasn’t my place to console or encourage him. I turned away and refocused on my reading.

I had something to find before heading home.

***

…After spending the entire weekend in the library flipping through books, Monday morning found me back in the Wolf Class.

Resting my chin on one hand, I leaned against the desk, staring idly out the window.

Searching for clues about a power yet to be revealed in this world had been more complicated than I had anticipated.

I stretched my arms and, as I did, a faint smile appeared on my lips.

“The hard work paid off.”

Spending my precious weekend had borne fruit. I had managed to pinpoint what I was looking for on Avalon Island: the location of a hidden blessing.

With my main objective set, I planned to enjoy the training calmly once I found it.

Lighting a campfire, fishing with an improvised line, and preparing sashimi like in the old days.

“In my previous life, I never had the chance to enjoy such things because of work.”

As I imagined those scenes, a memory of Leon crossed my mind like a thorn lodged in my throat.

His strange behaviors still gnawed at me.

“…”

Scratching my chin, I tried to push the intrusive thoughts away.

It wasn’t my business to worry about someone who already had the world at his feet.

As long as he didn’t stray too far from the original storyline, I would just watch from a distance.

“…Maybe I should get some sleep.”

After staying up late reading, fatigue weighed heavily on my eyes.

With an important event approaching, I couldn’t afford to be exhausted.