Chapter 38 : Swordsmanship Training #5 - No Kidding, I’m an Extra

In any case, I joined my friends in watching our classmates spar. ㅡPang! ㅡThud! "Aaahhhhh!" "Hey, hey! Hold on!" "Ahhh!" With the crack of weapons, the sound of our classmates' cries echoed through the air. Despite everything, it seemed that about half of them, though awakened, had no combat experience, which made their attempts look clumsy. "Was I like that?" The sight of someone stumbling and yelling might seem awkward, but it wasn't laughable. That's the definition of a 'beginner.' How skilled could high schoolers be when they're just starting to learn? Like me, all I managed to do was fall while screaming. Everyone starts like that. Expecting too much from beginners is heartless. Even soldiers undergo a month of basic training, and despite being awakened, there's no way a high school freshman can be adept at interpersonal combat. The extent of my sword-fighting experience was holding a broom with friends in elementary school. I'm not some prodigy destined for martial supremacy, instantly becoming a sword master. "Exactly. It's natural for beginners to be awkward." "Geun Chul, convincing yourself that screaming is normal doesn't erase the fact that you did scream." "Hey, you jerk! Are you really going to tease me like that?" "Heheheh." Si Hoo was laughing, poking fun at the situation. Regardless, I got a general sense of the level of my classmates. There were those who were skilled, those who were not, and the average ones. As for my own level... I'm not at the bottom. Above the lower ranks but below average? Alright. I'll work hard to reach the average level by the end of the first semester. I might be terrible at studying, but when it comes to physical efforts like this, I'm willing to give it my all. "Don't worry, Geun Chul. I'll show you bit by bit. As you learn swordsmanship, you'll improve." "Of course. Right now, I'm eager to learn... I'll absorb everything I don't know and turn it into knowledge." "Yes, that's a good attitude. You need that kind of mindset to get stronger." Nodding with satisfaction, Leona chimed in. "Well, it's commendable that our Kim Geun Chul has the drive to improve. As class president, I encourage you to aim for the upper ranks. Let's see results that match your enthusiasm." "Hehehe, that's my plan." Really. "I'll give it my all." "Hm?" "I have a goal." "..." "Hmm?" "...A goal, huh." Leona ran a finger across her lips. "Is it that sort of thing?" "What?" "No... Nothing." "Why start a sentence and stop?" "It's nothing." Leona turned away. "Being consumed by revenge... wouldn't be good." "What? Revenge?" Leona must have misunderstood again! I get that she has a misconception about my parents, but they're alive and well! Sigh. Trying to explain every time is exhausting. Reacting each time would never end. I'll just brush it off with humor. "Hey, Leona." "What?" "If I ever reach the goal I strive for." "What?" I said jokingly, with a manly flair. "Would you accept my meal ticket?" I struck a pose and lowered my voice. "Ah, no! This isn't a proposal, why do you sound so cheesy, you public confession-loving Geun Chul! Stop doing ridiculous things, it's embarrassing!" "Who said it’s a proposal! And you're so angelic that even approaching makes me go blind!" So divine that I can't even get close! "Hmph! Angelic, my foot! Don't be so absurd!" "Do you even know what happened to Icarus who tried to touch the sun?" "Why are you bringing that up! For someone like Kim Geun Chul who probably doesn't know any Greek myths besides Artemis' bath scene, where do you get off quoting Icarus's fall?" "Who told you to say such harsh things!" Honestly, I preferred the scene of Hercules being nursed! But while talking to Leona all this time, I've realized something. "Hey, Leona. Speaking of how we talk, don't you think your speech mannerisms are a bit unusual?" "What do you mean by that? Are you saying communicating with screams like the weird Geun Chul is better than normal conversation?" "Am I some bat communicating with screams! Anyway! Leona, are you really from Europe? Your Korean is way too good." I've always been curious about this. "Well, I am from Europe. I come from the Kynace family, one of the pillars dominating Europe. Hmph." ㅡShrr. Leona placed a hand on her hip and swept her long, silver hair with the other, speaking with pride. "Does that have anything to do with Korea? You're way too fluent." I'd like to make an Avatar joke with Jake Sully and Neytiri, but I don't know if that exists in this world, so I'll hold back. "Of course it does. My mother is Korean." "What?!" She's mixed?! "A half-blood?! Then did you spend a lot of time in Korea?" "Kind of, yes? I spent about half my life in Europe and the other half in Korea. Though my mother seemed to prefer living in Europe... Ah." Leona suddenly covered her mouth with her hand. No way. "Uh, Leona?" "Mi." Mi? "I'm sorry. I carelessly talked about your parents...!" "Hey, hey! Don’t cry! Don't let those angel tears fall!" Tears were welling up in Leona's eyes! This orphan story is hitting hard! "Telling me not to cry just makes me want to cry more! You've suffered a lot, Kim Geun Chul...!" "Who's teasing! I'm telling you, I'm okay!" “You can't possibly be okay, Geun Chul, you pretender! You tear-inducer!” How many nicknames do I even have?! “Le, Leona! Calm down! Geun Chul's fine!” “Si Hoo! Please take care of him as a friend...! Ugh! I can’t take this anymore! I need to go wash my face!” ㅡZoom! With those words, Leona dashed off the ground. “I told you, I'm fine...!” “Uh, Geun Chul.” “Yeah, Si Hoo, what?” “If it gets tough... you can always talk to me.” Even you, Si Hoo! --- Anyway, the sparring session ended, and it was time for Lee Sora's individual evaluations. She explained that they had us spar randomly to observe and analyze our performances. Lee Sora made sure to give each student proper feedback. Truly, adults are adults for a reason. She takes great care in considering the students' thoughts and is excellent at teaching. If there were anyone worthy of admiration, it would surely be Instructor Lee Sora. “Kim Geun Chul.” “Yes! Instructor Lee Sora!” “Are you ready to receive feedback?” “Absolutely! Think of me as a sponge from now on. Whether it’s feedback or advice, I’ll absorb everything and make it my own.” “First, reduce the screaming.” “Why such harsh words!!!!” Too much! “Gah...! Geun Chul! Please!” Si Hoo snickered from behind. “And you exaggerate too much. You’re overly afraid of your opponent’s attacks. Of course, no one likes getting hit, but you need to control it a bit, Kim Geun Chul.” “Ugh... Yes. You’re right. I’ll work on that.” “It’ll take more than a day or two, so make sure to work hard. You’re clearly a novice at swordsmanship, so I won’t offer any specific advice until we start training.” Makes sense; she won’t give advice on something I haven’t learned yet. Reasonable. “Yes. I will keep that in mind.” “Well, your eyes have spirit. Since Kim Geun Chul has the will to improve, there’s no need to be disappointed in your skills. Everyone starts somewhere. You’ll get stronger soon.” “I’ve never been disappointed. I’m just enjoying learning more about myself.” “You do talk a lot... Try to tone down the bravado. Next.” Sure thing. So the sparring session passed by in that manner. The next basic class was uneventful as well. Afterwards, came the best time of the day – school ending. “Ah!” Now, to hit the gym, go to the training hall, practice some sword moves while watching videos, do some meditation, and then sleep. School life is intense. Why is there so much to do? Even my military service wasn’t this demanding. “Si Hoo, are you going to the gym today?” “Yeah. I have to. But Geun Chul, how about we train together today?” “Swordsmanship? Sounds great!” Looks like Si Hoo’s going to help me out today. “Ah, but I feel bad about learning swordsmanship too.” “I’ll take your meal ticket as payment.” “That’s expensive! Too expensive! I’ll have to take out a loan!” The lesson fee is too high! “Geun Chul, you might not realize it, but learning from ‘Si Hoo’ is worth that much.” “I guess it is. How many tickets?” “Heheh, but since you’re a friend, I’ll do it for free. I wouldn't actually take your precious meal tickets.” “Th!!!an!!!k!!! yo!!!u!!!” “Quiet! Quiet, quiet! Geun Chul, quiet! That’s an outburst!” Joyful outbursts are always encouraged. So we skipped the gym and headed to the training hall with Si Hoo. “Alright, Geun Chul. First, watch me and try to mimic my stance.” “Sure.” ㅡSwish. Holding a sword, I mimicked Si Hoo's stance, stepping forward and pointing the sword straight. It resembled a basic kendo stance. “The enemies our heroes will face include... creatures with carapace-like limbs or tentacles. Monsters that behave like humans. And actual human villains. Since the enemies are so diverse, typical swordsmen learn standardized sword techniques and adapt them to match the opponent during combat.” “Hmm... I see.” Of course, each enemy would require a different approach. “That’s why basics are crucial. Understanding the fundamentals of sword usage ensures you can find a solution in any situation.” “Just hearing that sounds amazing, Si Hoo! I feel like I’m gaining martial arts insight right now!” “Stop overreacting! You shouldn’t be agitated learning swordsmanship! Calm like a mirror-still lake is essential!” “Okay. I just calmed down right away.” The excitement of learning surged briefly but subsided quickly after listening to Si Hoo. “But Si Hoo.” “Yeah?” “We’re going to learn swordsmanship, right?” “Why?” “Doesn’t swordsmanship have names?” “Names?” Si Hoo tilted his head. “Like a school of thought. You know, this swordsmanship belongs to this family! This school’s style!” Here, it seems like such things exist. “...Ah.” Si Hoo reacted strangely. It felt like he froze for a moment. What’s this? Did my question almost lead him to reveal his family's secret sword technique? “Si Hoo, just asking, but is there a rule against revealing family’s secret techniques?” “What, what, what, what?!” Could it be true? “No! It’s not like that! We’re just starting with the basics! Stuff you can even learn on YouTube first!” “In that case, okay.” Reassuring. “Let’s go, Si Hoo! Towards the path of a swordmaster!” “...Swordmaster.” Si Hoo froze again at the word. There’s definitely something up with his family! * * * ㅡTap tap tap. Logging in, I opened the email inbox. "It's here." I had made a simple inquiry around the end of the sparring session. I wanted to find out who exactly Kim Geun Chul was, to put it simply. I looked into his background. Which schools he attended, when he awakened, that sort of thing. "..." Truthfully, requesting such a background check just to learn about someone is a bit abnormal. For someone like me, the heir to the "Woo" family, it's a simple matter, but it’s still abnormal behavior. But still. — I have a reason I need to become stronger! That statement lingered in my mind, so I couldn't help but look— "Ugh. Saying nonsense to me was his mistake. If this guy turns out to be some weirdo, I'll make sure he doesn't dare say a word." Woo Yoori opened the email and skimmed through the investigation details. But then. "What, what?" Woo Yoori was stunned. [Enrollment: Hanbit Orphanage Elementary Department] [Enrollment: Dreamtown Orphanage Elementary Department] [Enrollment: Dr. Chaplin's Orphanage Elementary Department] [Graduation: Beautiful Orphanage Elementary Department] [Enrollment: Good Heart Orphanage Middle Department] [Enrollment: Ancient Batista Orphanage Middle Department] [Graduation: Light Yard Orphanage Middle Department] She was taken aback. "O-orphanage...? Why so many transfers. Wait." An overwhelming track record of moving between orphanages. This means... "He really was an orphan...?" The words I had spoken suddenly came back to me.