novelraw Chapter 11 : Chapter 11
Chapter 11 : Chapter 11
Chapter 11: Special Training (2)
“Ugh……. My arm……!”
“My leg……!”
The area around the arena already resembled a battlefield.
Over a dozen cadets were groaning on the floor, clutching parts of their bodies.
Hojin’s skill was overwhelming.
He had played with all the cadets as if they were nothing more than toys.
The body of one cadet flew through the air in an instant.
Hwoong- sent flying by a single blow, he rolled out of the arena.
His pale face and hair, soaked in cold sweat, spoke of his powerlessness.
“In the first place, this condition is impossible…….”
He muttered weakly while sprawled on the ground.
The surroundings were quiet.
The initial expectation of receiving a letter of recommendation from ‘The Virtuous Saints Guild’ had long since vanished.
Only two things remained: the pained groans of the cadets who had challenged and been knocked down, and the anxious eyes of the cadets still waiting for their turn.
In the heavy atmosphere, Hojin looked around the hall with a blank expression.
“Next, Seol Hayun, come up.”
As Hojin called her name, Seol Hayun stepped onto the arena.
It would have been natural to be intimidated by the pressure Hojin exuded, but she did not shrink back at all.
Regardless of being beaten by Hojin and sent tumbling, everyone’s anticipation was focused on the sparring match.
“You said anything goes, right?”
“Well, yes. You don’t need to hold back your power. The academy has high expectations for you.”
At the words ‘high expectations,’ a faint shadow crossed Seol Hayun’s face.
“……I’ll have to make sure not to disappoint.”
She replied shortly, composing her expression and posture.
“I’ll yield the first move. Get ready.”
Hojin’s image was captured in Seol Hayun’s retinas.
Right before entering combat, Hojin didn't even take a ready stance.
Despite that, an opening was nowhere to be seen, a relaxed attitude.
However, a sense of unease, as if a hidden dagger was concealed, made her hesitant to attack.
Seol Hayun recalled the image Hojin had shown in the previous battles.
The movement that had instantly found the blind spots of the previous challengers.
He was undoubtedly a type that prioritized speed.
‘Binding his movements will be the priority.’
A scorching heat began to rise from the arena.
“Hoh.”
Hojin, who had been following the aura emanating from Seol Hayun’s body with his eyes, made an interested expression.
Soon, Seol Hayun’s fingers moved gracefully as if sweeping the air.
Hwa-reu-reuk-!
Flames rose up, following their trail.
In contrast to her cool expression, the flames enveloping her surroundings burned fiercely.
At the sight, Hojin stroked his chin as if interested.
Hwa-ak-!
In an instant, a massive flame shot up around Hojin, meeting above his head to form a hemisphere.
“Woah-!”
“Isn't this over?”
The crowd’s cheers, mixed with admiration, added to the heat of the match.
As if in response, the flames intensified, and Hojin’s figure was hidden by the curtain of fire.
Subsequently, the previously calm flames explosively swelled in size.
Her silver hair, emitting a soft glow, fluttered in the heat.
The flames reflected in Seol Hayun’s red eyes, making them shine even more vividly.
Devouring the surrounding oxygen, the hemispherical curtain of fire became even thicker and more ferocious.
At the intense heat being transmitted, the cadets were busy taking a step back from the arena.
Completely sealing his movements.
No matter how much of a Zero instructor he was, he wouldn’t be able to break through this curtain unscathed.
Seol Hayun was certain.
‘No matter if he's an instructor, yielding the first attack so openly was arrogant.’
It was a checkmate.
Would he take damage breaking through the flames, or would he remain inside and suffocate from the depleting oxygen?
At this point, Seol Hayun was convinced of her victory.
Until she noticed something was strange.
Woong-woong-.
With a strange vibrating sound, the curtain of fire was trembling finely.
Seol Hayun narrowed her eyes and watched the curtain.
At the same time, she drew up more magic power.
What on earth was he trying to do?
“Don't tell me…….”
In that moment, she realized it instinctively.
Because the fine tremors had, before she knew it, become rough, showing a clear rise and fall in their movement.
“Ugh-!”
Her hand, which had been controlling the curtain of fire, began to tremble violently.
The fierce flow of the shaking curtain had, at some point, surpassed the range she could control.
The vibration was canceling out her control over the curtain.
Woong…… woong……!
Peong-!
In an instant, the entire curtain of fire vibrated violently and then exploded outwards with a loud bang.
“Whoa, damn-!”
Just as the surprised cadets were about to evacuate as large fragments of flame flew towards the outside of the ring.
Woong-!
The flames, hitting the magic field generated above the arena, naturally died down.
With the commotion caused by the cadets, thick smoke covered the hall.
“Haa…… haa…….”
Seol Hayun, drenched in sweat, gasped for breath.
Her gaze wandered anxiously through the dispersing smoke.
A moment later.
“An excellent attempt, Seol Hayun.”
With a compliment in a flat tone, Instructor Hojin walked calmly out of the smoke.
“No…… way.”
Seol Hayun had a look of disbelief.
And that would be the same thought for everyone present.
A fine barrier of magic power had formed around Hojin, and the surrounding smoke was faintly convecting.
He was merely dusting off his shoulders.
“The judgment to block movement first, the bold execution, and the strong output. You are indeed worthy of being the successor of Fire of Annihilation.”
At the words ‘successor of Fire of Annihilation,’ Seol Hayun’s shoulders tensed slightly.
“I think you’re the one with the more amazing bold execution, instructor.”
Unlike her usual calm tone, there was a faint edge to her voice.
“A blade shows its true value when it is hidden. For example…….”
Taang-!
Before he could finish his words, a condensed bullet of fire grazed past the spot where Hojin’s head had been.
He had dodged the bullet fired at him with a nod of his head.
“Like now.”
Seol Hayun bit her lip and jumped to the left.
Although the curtain had been broken, Seol Hayun knew.
That she couldn’t allow Instructor Hojin even a moment’s opening.
A round flame was forming at the tips of her fingers, aimed at Hojin.
Tang! Tang!
Bullets made of fire drew a gentle straight line and rushed at Hojin.
“Repeating an attack that doesn't work is an inefficient method.”
As Hojin lightly waved his hand as if shooing away a fly with a blank expression, the fire bullets were easily deflected and scattered into the air.
“Hoo-.”
It was as Hojin said.
It wasn't working at all.
Seol Hayun’s mind spun rapidly.
Her gaze turned to Hojin's hands.
The calluses on his palms and the muscles optimized for withstanding the powerful output of a sword.
It probably meant he specialized in close combat.
Therefore, close combat was not a good move.
But there was a limit to long-range attacks.
‘In that case.’
Seol Hayun, as if having made a decision, took a deep breath while constantly moving.
Flames began to rise around her.
An intense heat, incomparable to before, covered the arena.
Hojin’s eyebrow shot up.
An unusual aura.
Hojin kicked off the ground and shot forward in an instant.
He, who had closed the distance in the blink of an eye, thrust his palm towards Seol Hayun’s side.
In that fleeting moment, Seol Hayun twisted her body and dodged the attack.
Just the force transmitted as it brushed past made her body tremble.
The brief opening created by that.
As if not to miss the opportunity, Seol Hayun’s arms moved swiftly.
Crossing in front of her chest in a plus sign, a strange hand gesture passed once.
[Flower of Flames: Fire Horse]
The moment she infused her will into her magic power, the space before her eyes shimmered as if being torn, and a red light exploded.
Before long, a massive flame shot up.
From within the flame, the form of a horse slowly revealed itself.
A majestic, large body; every time its muscles moved, flames flickered, and a heat haze rose from the rough heat.
A burning mane and a mouth from which smoke billowed.
The creature, with flames as its outer skin, was reminiscent of a living furnace.
Hiiiiing-!
As the beast’s roar shook the arena, everyone watched the scene, mesmerized.
Seol Hayun continued her hand gestures quickly, infusing her will into the Fire Horse.
Kwang-!
The Fire Horse’s front legs kicked the ground, creating an explosive sound.
At that moment, the body of the massive horse, burning like a volcano, charged toward Hojin.
Dudududu-
Hojin’s brow narrowed as he saw the massive horse charging, kicking up sparks.
But he soon stepped forward with one foot without a word.
He raised both his arms, building his stance.
He extended his arms forward, crossing them diagonally.
His palms were wide open, facing the front.
And at that moment, the Fire Horse charged in with a deafening roar.
Kwang-!
With an explosive sound, dust rose up and scattered in all directions.
The moment the Fire Horse’s head touched Hojin’s hands, a tremendous impact was transmitted along with the scorching heat.
Despite that, Hojin did not waver.
His hands swiftly and firmly gripped the Fire Horse’s nose.
Ihihiing-!
Was it my imagination that the Fire Horse’s cry sounded somewhat bewildered?
“Hoo-.”
But it was a formidable force.
A furrow was created on the floor by the Fire Horse’s driving force, and Hojin’s feet were slowly pushed back.
The Fire Horse did not lose its momentum and continued to push Hojin, breathing heavily.
Seol Hayun’s aim was clear.
A ‘ring-out victory’ achieved by pushing Hojin out of the arena with the Fire Horse.
The Fire Horse continued to push forward.
Hojin’s feet were getting closer to the edge of the arena.
The moment of victory was at hand.
It was then.
The feet that had been pushed back stopped firmly, and Hojin’s voice echoed.
“This is as far as it goes.”
A blue aura rose from his hands.
Hojin, who had sharpened his hands that were gripping the Fire Horse’s nose, thrust them straight into the Fire Horse’s face, pu-uk-.
Kihiing-!
The Fire Horse's short, final cry followed.
Hojin, in that state, gathered magic power at his fingertips and released it outwards in an instant.
Kwang-!
That was the end of it.
Eventually, the form of fire split, and the warhorse born from the flames slowly scattered into the air.
“An excellent blow. I was able to clearly see your level.”
Hojin said, dusting off his gloves.
“The creativity and boldness of your attack, if you continue to polish them, you will have good results. In that case, shall we see how you defend this time?”
Seureuk-.
As soon as he finished speaking, his figure disappeared for an instant.
‘What?’
Seol Hayun’s eyes widened in surprise.
In the blink of an eye, Instructor Hojin had literally disappeared.
Not even a trace of his presence could be felt.
At the strange phenomenon, Seol Hayun sharpened her senses.
Before long, a faint flow of air was detected behind her.
The moment she reflexively tried to turn.
“Too late.”
Hojin’s voice was heard softly.
His fist was already rushing toward Seol Hayun’s side.
“Chiit-!”
Seol Hayun, sensing the crisis, wrapped her body in the magic of fire.
A red protective barrier shimmered over her skin.
Jjeok-!
“Heuk-.”
Seol Hayun was struck in the side and pushed back, her body bent like a bow.
Wajangchang-
With the sound of thin glass breaking, Seol Hayun’s brow furrowed.
‘Strong.’
Her body shook from the impact that had penetrated her protective barrier.
‘If I allow a combo now, it’s over.’
Seol Hayun, sensing the crisis, extended her palm toward Hojin.
A sphere of fire appeared on her palm.
It wasn't a threatening size, but the condensed heat within it shook the air.
As Hojin lightly took a defensive stance, Seol Hayun flicked her hand to the side.
Peong-!
The flame exploded, emitting an intense light and heat.
And with the recoil of the explosion, Seol Hayun’s body was flung to the opposite side.
She had created distance from Hojin in an instant.
“You still have more to show.”
Hojin immediately chased after Seol Hayun.
A chase across the arena began.
Peong- peong-
Seol Hayun constantly set off small explosions to maintain the distance, and Hojin, as if unconcerned, followed closely, cornering her.
“Running away won’t end it.”
At Hojin’s taunting words, Seol Hayun began to draw a complex shape in the air with her finger.
As she brought the backs of her hands together and cleverly twisted her fingers, the shape of a squirrel appeared in the air in red light.
[Flower of Flames: Squirrel]
Totototok-!
With the sound of air bubbles popping, numerous red-light squirrels began to pour out from the air.
Each squirrel was small but moved nimbly with a red flame wrapped around its tail.
They circled around Seol Hayun as if they were real creatures.
As Hojin took a step forward, the squirrels’ eyes turned to him in unison.
Following that, dozens of squirrels charged toward Hojin in perfect order like a commanded army.
“An interesting technique.”
Peong-!
Before Hojin could finish his words, the first squirrel exploded at his feet.
Flames and smoke scattered in all directions.
Then the second, the third, a chain of explosions followed.
The scale of the spell is small, but with precise control, it continuously inflicts damage on the same area, and the gradually accumulated impact eventually leads to ruin.
This was the essence of ‘Flower of Flames: Squirrel,’ inspired by Water Droplets Pierce Stone.
Eventually, Hojin’s figure was hidden by the thick smoke.
Seol Hayun held her breath and waited for the result.
By the time the smoke cleared, a sigh, hoo-, escaped her lips.
Hojin was still standing in the same spot.
He was merely straightening his disheveled clothes.
“A bold and creative attempt. But.”
Hojin pointed to Seol Hayun’s legs.
Her body was trembling weakly.
“You must know by now that this is your limit. It seems your magic power has bottomed out.”
Seol Hayun looked at her trembling hands.
She bit her lip as if in frustration.
The word ‘limit’ was unfamiliar to her.
Because in her position as the successor of Fire of Annihilation, she had always strived for perfection.
Hojin slowly approached her.
“Don’t be disappointed. Your talent is certain. It’s just that you still lack time.”
Seol Hayun’s gaze sharpened.
The word ‘still’ had clearly pierced the very center of her pride.
But further rebuttal was impossible.
As frustrated as she was, she had to admit it.
That her magic power had reached its limit.
As Seol Hayun blinked, Hojin’s figure disappeared once again.
“I hope you will continue to strive diligently.”
Hojin’s voice came from behind her.
She wasn't even given time to turn around.
Peo-eok-!
A fist struck her side.
It was the same spot as before.
It didn't hurt that much.
It was closer to a push than a punch.
But sometimes, there is a pain more bitter than physical pain.
Seol Hayun was feeling it.
Her body floated and flew outside the arena.
“Hayun-ah!”
Seol Hayun, flying through the air, heard Do Haru’s shout.
Frustration, injustice, relief.
With a mix of complex emotions, Seol Hayun’s eyes slowly closed.
And soon.
Teo-eop-.
With a soft sensation, Seol Hayun’s fall stopped.
In her faint consciousness, a warm body temperature was transmitted to her.
“Jinwoo, thank you! Hayun, are you okay?”
Do Haru’s worried voice was heard.
Her usual playful tone was nowhere to be found.
Seol Hayun faintly opened her eyes.
She saw Ryu Jinwoo’s face.
‘Ryu Jinwoo.’
As she softly repeated the name in her mind, her eyes began to close again gently.
For some reason, it felt comfortable.
***
The battle between Seol Hayun and Hojin was over.
The result was simple.
Seol Hayun’s defeat.
“What happened to Hayun? Is she okay?”
“I think she lost consciousness.”
I had caught Seol Hayun who was flying towards me by chance.
Beneath Seol Hayun’s peacefully closed eyes, her eyelashes were wetly lowered.
This incident is quite significant for Seol Hayun.
Because she, who had lived without knowing failure as the successor of a prestigious guild, had tasted a helpless defeat for the first time.
How she will accept this defeat and how she will overcome it is entirely up to her.
If things get twisted, she could just ‘collapse.’
‘That would be a bit troublesome.’
In any case, there’s nothing I can do right now.
As I laid Seol Hayun down in a corner of the training ground, Do Haru began to check on her frantically.
“I think it’s magic power exhaustion. Well, after using so much magic power……”
Do Haru bit her lip and looked at Seol Hayun’s hands.
Traces of numerous wounds that had been inflicted and healed.
They were the marks of the numerous training sessions she had gone through.
It was a defeat that no one could mock.
“She always overdoes it……”
The corners of Do Haru’s lips trembled.
Even in the midst of that, Hojin continued the test as if nothing had happened.
The challenges continued.
Intense currents of electricity flashed, and ice crystals scattered in the air.
All sorts of things happened on the arena, but Hojin was still going strong.
And so, everyone was knocked down.
Everyone.
Most of the cadets were lying collapsed around me.
Or leaning against the wall, gasping for breath.
Naturally, it was all Hojin’s work.
And there was still one person who was fine.
“Now for the last one. Ryu Jinwoo, come up.”
Hojin’s voice was heard.
His gaze was fixed precisely on me.
Like a snake watching a rat in a trap.
I guess I can't avoid it.
I gathered my breath and steeled my resolve.
If I can't avoid it anyway, I have to make it a fight where there's something to gain.
Because the greater the risk, the greater the reward.
I met Hojin’s gaze head-on.
And slowly, I stepped onto the arena.