I Became a Swordsmanship Genius at the Academy

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The training method of Suragong (修羅功) is very simple.

Tear the muscles repeatedly to create openings for mana, then run as if your lungs are about to burst, absorbing a large amount of mana from the air.

If you repeat this process infinitely, a strong body will be forged proportionately to the number of repetitions.

It’s a martial art that allows for significant achievement even without understanding mana manipulation.

Currently, I’m training under Kim Il-shin’s guidance, but in the future, once I grasp the essentials, I’ll be able to train alone.

This martial art exhibits greater efficiency in places with high mana density.

The problem is that the process of achieving mastery is extremely grueling.

“Fwoof! Fwoof! Huuu…!”

“Uweeeek!”

Three hours into training. The only remaining survivor is an only fool.

All the other trainees are lying on the ground, unable to regain their senses.

Most of them passed out within the first hour of training.

Only Rohan, whose talent is exceptional, managed to hold on a bit longer, but he couldn’t last beyond two hours.

“Next is log number 8. Breathe… Go!”

“Urrrgh!!”

“Do squats!”

“Let’s gooo…!!”

“Good. Put it down. Two laps around the training ground. Run!”

“Runnn!!”

Kim Il-shin knew that the fool’s stamina was at its limit.

But since their willpower was still alive, he didn’t stop the training.

‘This is more than I expected.’

The persistence seen here was hard to believe for someone who just came out of a vague dream.

The reason Kim Il-shin chose the fool was that he saw their desire for the outside world.

He didn’t expect them to follow along so well.

‘Hmm, something…’

Kim Il-shin momentarily lost himself in thought, but his contemplation didn’t last long.

“What are those kids doing?”

“I don’t know. They said they’re training.”

“Training?”

People passing by whispered to each other.

They intentionally built the training ground near the road, so they didn’t react.

“What are they doing…?”

“Is there really nothing else to do?”

Their eyes reflected the curiosity of seeing something strange. Recruiting more trainees appeared to be a challenge.

However, Kim Il-shin remained calm. Soon everyone’s perspective would change.

“Stop! Rest.”

A few minutes later, just before the fool collapsed, the training ended.

After giving them a short break, Kim Il-shin gathered the trainees in one place.

“I feel like I’m going to die.”

“I saw my grandma earlier. She passed away three years ago.”

“Ugh…”

Everyone had expressions devoid of life. Their eyes were vacant.

If they continued any longer, it seemed like they would hold a funeral today.

“Good work. See you again tomorrow morning. Feel free to join the evening training if you’d like.”

There was no response. It was expected.

“Dismissed!”

With that, the trainees got up from their spots and trudged away without even saying goodbye.

After sending them off, Kim Il-shin headed home with the fool.

As they walked, the fool hesitantly asked.

“Do you think the kids will come back tomorrow?”

They were just kids who said they’d flee immediately if today didn’t suit them.

Starting off this hard, it seemed unlikely they would come back tomorrow.

“They will.”

However, Kim Il-shin answered firmly without a hint of waver.

Before the fool could ask again, Kim Il-shin swung his sheathed sword.

Thwack!

“Ugh!”

The fool raised their arms, reflexively blocking the sheathed sword. A tingling sensation flowed through their entire arm.

“Wh-why did you suddenly…?”

The fool instantly looked pitiful. Kim Il-shin smiled and asked.

“Does it hurt?”

“Of course… huh?”

Only then did the fool realize they had hardly felt any pain just now.

Despite being hit quite hard, there had only been a brief tingling sensation.

“Wow. That’s amazing.”

“In the beginning, the growth rate is fast.”

Since all that’s required is to widen the previously empty space just a little to allow mana in, the growth happens quickly at first.

“Other kids would’ve also benefited, even if not as much as you. So they’ll have no choice but to come back tomorrow.”

“That makes sense!”

Of course, that peak period would pass in a few days, and what came after would be the real beginning.

But there was no need to mention that hardships were awaiting ahead.

After all, once the trainees tasted growth, they would never be able to quit training.

“Just take a short break, then come outside.”

“…Huh?”

That sounded like thunder to the fool.

With their legs feeling like lead and their body drained of energy, more training?

“I just want to do some light stretching. I think we overdid it today.”

Thankfully, it wasn’t as intense as before. The fool sighed in relief internally and agreed to that.

Once he let the fool into the house, Kim Il-shin looked up at the sky and thought.

‘I wonder if the kids are doing well.’

While nurturing the trainees was important, the tasks assigned to Hanarin and Hazuki were also crucial.

Though he wasn’t overly worried. The two would manage perfectly well.

*

In the only blacksmith workshop in the fortified city, the sound of metal striking filled the air, but today, angry voices echoed repeatedly.

“Looks like you didn’t run away! I’ll acknowledge your guts!”

The owner of the shield workshop and the city’s best craftsman, Wales, shouted.

“Ha! What good is a blacksmith with only a big mouth! Anyone could think you eat with your mouth!”

The one challenging him was Hanarin.

In front of the two, there was an object covered by a tent, and a crowd of spectators surrounded them.

“What? Just a big mouth? Let’s see if you still say that after seeing what I made!”

“Why don’t you focus on yourself! After seeing mine, just kneel and beg to be accepted as my apprentice!”

This situation started a few hours ago when Hanarin entered the shield workshop.

Hanarin’s mission from Kim Il-shin was to convince the blacksmiths at the shield workshop to make weapons.

To alleviate the fears of the outside world, warriors who could fight against the monsters were needed, as much as weapons and defense facilities.

But Hanarin had doubts.

She wasn’t asking them to make weapons; she was supposed to persuade them to do so.

[Can’t I just teach them how to make weapons?]

When she inquired about this, Kim Il-shin replied.

[They have a tradition of not making weapons there.]

[What?]

Traditionally, the shield workshop does not make weapons.

Specifically, they don’t create weapons designed solely for the purpose of harming others.

The decision of the then workshop leader came from witnessing citizens fighting with weapons created to defeat monsters.

At present, it was a stumbling block for their plans.

Thus, Kim Il-shin decided to send Hanarin to persuade them.

To explain their plan and that it was time to break the tradition.

The issue, however, was that the blacksmiths here had pricked at Hanarin’s pride.

[Hey! You’re not supposed to be in here! … What? A blacksmith? You?]

[Hmm. Given that hammer, you seem to have quite a bit of experience. Your skills… should be about average.]

The blacksmiths in this place dismissed Hanarin’s abilities based solely on her appearance.

Afraid they would be surprised, Hanarin showed only her hammer instead of other tools, and they immediately underestimated her.

Finally, unable to endure any longer, Hanarin began her retaliation.

She pricked at their pride as blacksmiths, just like them.

[Hey, you made a mistake while hammering. You should’ve hit harder. How can someone who can’t even do the basics be working here? Is there no talent…?]

[If you heat it like that, look at all the impurities coming out. Dispose of it and reforge it. This time, turn the rod more slowly.]

[Wait! Don’t hammer it yet! Just… now! Angle it to the right! Okay!]

Hanarin roamed around the workshop, giving pointers, and the blacksmiths could do nothing but tremble in humiliation.

They were being pointed out by an external blacksmith, and all her corrections were correct.

Moreover, since her instructions were disguised as advice but were of high quality, they couldn’t help but let her delve deeper.

All of them were busy practicing in their own spots.

They had to grasp it quickly before the advice became a distant memory.

[Here! Here! This one too! Ugh, why are there so many issues?]

As she roamed around the workshop, Hanarin finally reached the back where the workshop owner, Wales, was located.

And,

[This connection here is off.]

She fired advice at him as well.

[I intended to do that.]

[I know that too. But the angle is too wide. This will break before long.]

[…….]

What started as a discussion soon got heated, and these events eventually escalated to this.

After a debate with no room for retreat, they agreed to a wager to test each other’s skills.

The wager was to each craft a crossbow and decide who made the better one.

What was on the line was the pride of the two artisans.

At the point where they were to decide what to make, Wales insisted he would not create weapons.

[Are you perhaps not confident?]

At Hanarin’s comment, he immediately accepted the challenge.

Since it wasn’t meant to kill someone, it was fine after all.

As the time passed, they each took to the judging stage with their crafted crossbows.

It was soon time to reveal each other’s creations.

“I’ll go first.”

“No? I’m going first.”

But right from the start, they were at odds.

Just like in poker, where the more confident player shows their hand first, both wanted to unveil their work first.

“I’m showing mine first to save you from embarrassment. After seeing mine, if you’re still unsure, just bow out. Appreciate it—take it with grace.”

“No. I won’t accept favors from someone weaker than me.”

In that aspect too, they stoked each other’s pride.

Crack.

A thick vein bulged on Wales’ forehead.

“Hey, but seriously, who the heck is this little bean to keep talking back…? How old are you, you punk!”

“What does it matter!”

“I need to have a conversation with your mother! Why did you raise this brat so unruly?!”

“I don’t have a mom! Go ahead and try if you can!”

“……Huh.”

The atmosphere began to stir.

The moment Wales fell silent, scolding gazes hit him from all around.

“Gap!”

Hanarin seized the opportunity, rushing forward to lift the tent.

Flap!

When the tent was lifted, revealing the crossbows, the crowd around them, including Wales, was taken aback.

It was far too gigantic to be simply called a crossbow.