New Talent, End-of-Month Evaluation, and Wu An Gong

Swish!

With a powerful momentum, the wooden stick fell gracefully along a clean trajectory.

"How was it?"

As I asked Nickel, who had been watching me, he nodded as if he was trying not to get angry, but he approved of it.

Although he had been my master before, and it seemed like my swordsmanship didn't please him, from my perspective, it was an incredible achievement considering I had only trained for about a month.

It was the third week since I started using recovery and regeneration potions.

I had been diligently training every day, feeling the effects of the potions.

And during my training, I acquired a surprising ability.

[Adrias Cromwell]

―Human

―Mana: 1620

―Traits: Dual Core, Evolution

―Talents: Dark Magic Command (General), Elemental Magic Water (Average), Potion Brewing Buff (Expert), Athletics (Prodigy)

―Skills: Dark Magic Details 〉〉 Elemental Magic Details 〉〉

―Dark Magic: Novice Command (3/100) 〉〉 Skeleton Summon LV4

―Elemental Magic: Novice Earth (9/100) 〉〉 Grease LV6, Rock Spear LV3, Earth Shield LV5

By continuously summoning Nickel, my command skill had advanced to the novice level. And more importantly, I gained a new talent.

Moreover, it was a prodigy-level talent.

"I never expected something like this to happen."

About a week ago, while I was practicing swordsmanship with Nickel as usual during potion breaks, it was not something remarkable.

Ding!

"The results of your endless efforts, part of Kim Jinhwan's talent is inherited."

"You have acquired the talent 'Athletics (Prodigy).'"

The sudden screen blocked my view during training.

And after checking the content, I was astonished.

First, the content and grade were impeccable, with nothing to criticize.

"Athletics."

It was an A-grade talent.

The shorter the content of the talent, the better.

If it were something like 'Athletics Running Series' within athletics, it would be a C-grade talent.

"I already knew I had talents from my previous life, but seeing it directly feels like an extraordinary ability."

Just a step away from evolving the talent in potion brewing, there was already a significant gap in the talents.

To think that I had a prodigy-level talent.

Well, I had to have at least that much to survive in the military.

It's not like I completed my military service without any disabilities.

Thanks to inheriting the talent, my swordsmanship skills improved drastically.

Even though it had only been three weeks since I started using potions, I could swing my sword quite convincingly.

"Now, if I just awaken the new mana..."

Those who had already awakened their mana would have different paths depending on the location where they first awakened.

Those who learn magic develop a mana storage in their hearts, while knights have a storage called the navel, also known as the Core.

Depending on this location, they would use either magic or a sword, and once the storage was created, there was no way to change its position.

However, I had the unique trait of the Dual Core.

"I can use both magic and a sword."

Of course, I wasn't the only one capable of it. There were those with a probability like a kind of mutation who could use both.

But most of those with such potential unknowingly specialized in one and ended their lives without knowing that they had a unique physique.

It was strange to try both in a world where it was questionable whether you should focus on just one.

Anyway, now I had high expectations that a Core would also be formed with a little more effort.

"I should stop here for today."

I finished my training earlier than usual.

Then Nickel approached me, shaking his head while stroking his chin.

"There will be a midterm evaluation tomorrow. I don't know what the test is, but you should take a break."

While other major subjects had evaluations next week, the Battle Magic Department, which was the first to announce, had their evaluation tomorrow.

I didn't know what I would do in the Knight Department, but I hoped it would be an easy task.

.

.

.

.

The grounds of the Rodren Academy were enormous, to say the least.

First, to the east was the Monas Academy, a subsidiary academy and a lower rank of the Rodren Academy, with a total of 1,000 students.

Various facilities existed, such as living spaces, educational spaces, training grounds, combat arenas, research buildings, gathering places, and even secret locations like the mysterious Rodren Matop, where various ecosystems thrived. There was even a mini mana train that operated only within the academy.

Due to the vast area, the physical distance between the Knight Department and the Magic Department, even though they were within the same academy, was inevitable.

The only chance for interaction was during non-class hours when students visited living spaces and recreational areas.

"Haah."

Yuri watched Dianne, who was sighing with flushed cheeks, like a girl lost in a dream.

"Is going to the Knight Department that great?"

"Huh? No, it's not a big deal."

"Clean your drool and tell me."

At Yuri's words, Dianne hastily wiped her mouth.

"It's just a joke. Do you really believe that?"

"You're bad."

"You should have seen your expression just now. I thought you were going to drool for real."

Diane pretended to be angry and turned her gaze out the window of the Mana Train. Yuri quickly apologized and extended her hand, trying to make amends.

In the end, Diane couldn't hold back her laughter, and the male students in the same compartment admired her and gave her playful looks.

"Oh, speaking of the Knight Department, didn't you say Carlos will be coming to the year-end event this time?"

"Yeah, he's definitely coming this time."

"Wow, Diane, you must be happy. You'll get to see the face of the guy you like after a long time."

"What nonsense. What do I like about that ogre?"

"Hehe, our Diane is not very honest."

"Argh, I can't hear you!"

Diane covered her ears and shook her head while Yuri teased her with a smile for a while. But Yuri's gaze shifted to the back of a male student.

"Diane, Diane."

"What now?"

"Have you heard the rumors lately?"

"What rumors?"

"They say there's a strange mage who's been exercising."

"Why is exercising considered strange? I exercise too. Professor Tolman said that as mages, we should not only focus on magic research but also improve our physical stamina so that we can handle dangerous situations."

"No, I mean, not just any exercise, but something more like what knights do."

"Really? If it's become a rumor, it must be something significant."

"Well, do you know who the protagonist of that rumor is?"

Diane glanced in the direction of Yuri's gaze, where a person with tousled hair was engrossed in a book, as if detached from the world.

"Adrias?"

"Ding-dong! Correct answer!"

"Sigh, stop talking. I'm not interested in him at all."

"Hehe, even our love expert Diane refuses him!"

"What nonsense. Why would he be a knight? Just because he exercises? If that were the case, there wouldn't be anyone in this world who isn't a knight."

Diane grumbled, but she tried to sneak a peek at the book Adrias was reading.

Fortunately, there were several books stacked next to him.

'Basics of Magic, Understanding and Defining Mana Arrangements, Practical Formulae? Why is he reading books like these?'

She tilted her head, wondering if Monas Academy covered such basic subjects.

"By the way, doesn't he seem different?"

"What do you mean? Adrias? I'm not interested."

"No, I mean physically different, you know, his body."

At Yuri's words, Diane unintentionally turned her gaze back to Adrias.

Indeed, it seemed like his body had become slightly more muscular.

Of course, Diane wouldn't have noticed if she hadn't heard about his exercise.

With his mage robe on, his body shape wasn't clearly visible before.

"Last time, he quickly concocted a new potion, and now he suddenly started exercising. Has he finally become stronger?"

"If you're interested, why not confess to him?"

"Me? Adrias? Hahaha!"

Suddenly, a loud laugh echoed through the train, causing all the students to look at Yuri.

Diane felt embarrassed, but she pretended to be nonchalant and looked out the window with grace.

"Ah, I'm sorry. I suddenly had a funny thought by myself."

Apologizing awkwardly, Yuri called out to Diane, who was looking out the window.

Diane nonchalantly adjusted her posture, as if asking when she had looked out the window.

"Diane, I didn't know you could make such jokes."

"It's not a joke. If you're so interested, why don't you date him? Our academy always supports healthy relationships between genders."

"Oh, come on. You think I would ruin someone else's chance? The moment rumors start spreading that I'm dating Adrias, my life as a woman would be over."

"But still, look at him. He's still reading books diligently. Maybe he has really become stronger, just like you said."

"Sorry, Diane. I won't tease you about this again. Please don't get involved with Adrias."

Just then, the announcement sound indicating the arrival of the Mana Train rang out.

"This station is Auckland Training Ground Station. We will make a 3-minute stop before departing for the next station, Rios Dormitory."

As the announcement ended, Professor Tolman, who was sitting in the front seat, stood up.

"Please prepare to disembark. We have arrived."

As soon as he finished speaking, a strange atmosphere began to fill the train compartment.

The students stiffened their expressions and tensed up, as if they were preparing for battle.

"Wow, the atmosphere is intense."

"It seems that way."

Knights and mages.

The debate over who is stronger between knights and mages has been a topic since the beginning of the world's history up until now.

Considering talent alone, becoming a mage was more challenging, which led mages to have a subtle sense of privilege, while knights often disregarded mages who lacked physical prowess, calling them "sorcerers" and looking down on them.

The rivalry between them was quite significant, not only within the academy but also throughout society, becoming the root of power struggles.

Finally, as the train came to a stop and the doors opened, Professor Tolleman led the third-year students of the Mage Department to disembark.

Already gathered there were the students of the Knight Department, exuding an imposing presence as if preparing for a battle.

The professor in charge of the Knight Department observed the approaching Mage Department with an arrogant expression, showing no intention of stopping them.

That's when it happened.

"Haha! Tolman! How have you been?"

"Your Highness Closh!"

An unexpected figure emerged from among the knights, shaking hands and patting the shoulder of Tolman.

"Long time no see, Tolman. It's been almost a year!"

"Your Highness, I hope you have been well."

"Of course. You seem healthy too, which is fortunate."

The Mage Department students, including Diane, were astonished to see the sudden appearance of Duke Closh, and even Diane herself couldn't hide her surprise.

Despite the intense rivalry between mages and knights, very few mages dared to disrespect a master like Closh.

"But why are you here...?"

"Oh, I came to meet someone briefly. I finished my business and thought of seeing Alben Inspiration, but I happened to hear that you were coming here, so I waited."

"I see. It's nice to see you after a long time."

Just as the conversation was about to start, Duke Closh's gaze shifted towards someone.

"Hmm?"

After examining the person for a moment, he started walking briskly towards them.

The students watched nervously as he approached, but they couldn't hide their puzzlement when they saw the student standing where he stopped.

Why him? Isn't it Diane Alben, the daughter of Bahart Alben?

Whether Duke Closh knew the thoughts of the students or not, he smiled and asked, revealing his understanding.

"Are you Adrias Cromwell?"

Countless eyes focused on Adrias as he received the question.

The atmosphere became tense as Duke Closh, who emitted an intimidating aura just by getting closer, stood before Adrias. People expected a fierce response from Adrias.

However, contrary to their expectations, Adrias calmly looked up at the giant standing before him and replied.

"Yes, I am Adrias Cromwell."