novelraw Chapter 2 : Chapter 2
Chapter 2 : Chapter 2
Chapter 2: The Second Heart
On the first day of training, the preliminary cadets numbered 200.
Starting from that day, the number steadily decreased.
And today, when the virtual combat training was first implemented.
The graph took a sharp plunge.
56 people.
That was the number of preliminary cadets whose will had not broken.
‘Still a long way to go.’
I guessed.
It will decrease further.
The eyes of my peers, which had sparkled with resolve, faded into a blur.
‘They must have realized it.’
The fact that the path they will walk is more terrible than they can handle.
Among them, there might be some who awaken while pulling their wavering hearts together, but….
‘Whatever happens, it’s none of my business.’
Honestly, I’m not interested.
It was more appropriate to say I didn’t have the luxury to give them my attention.
The desire to grow more.
Only the ambition to survive here and reach high places filled my head.
Sufficient rest was given to the preliminary cadets immediately after the virtual combat training.
Never before had such a long rest period been allocated.
It must be because the training difficulty today was high, so the instructors were being considerate.
I heard that some peers were undergoing psychiatric treatment.
“Yawwn.”
I got up from the bed while stretching.
I took quite a satisfying rest.
How is this bed so soft like silk?
It’s like lying on top of a cloud.
As expected, the academy’s facilities are the best.
‘Why are they getting psychiatric treatment?’
I couldn't understand.
Recovery is sufficient with just a sweet, deep sleep.
“…I’m hungry.”
I stroked my hungry stomach.
After tidying my clothes, I left my private room in time for the meal.
***
The meals provided were top-notch every time.
Just like the luxurious beds.
In particular, meat comes out every day.
Not some cheap mixed meat, but real meat.
‘In the slums, even mixed meat was precious.’
The ration amount is also unlimited.
If I ask for more, they give as much as I want.
They don’t even give me looks for it.
I piled steaks like a mountain on my tray.
I have to eat like this to endure.
The academy must have known that fact, which is why they didn't limit the ration.
“Mmm.”
As I savored the taste of the steak, my expression loosened naturally.
The juices filling my mouth.
It feels like I’m being compensated for all my hardships.
‘To think all of this is free.’
The empire bears all costs necessary for nurturing cadets.
Not only room, board, and education fees, but even the expenses spent on purchasing uniforms and equipment—everything.
If I formally become a cadet, I will receive much better treatment than now.
‘I heard they even get a dignity maintenance allowance.’
I heard the amount is quite significant.
‘So it’s no wonder applicants overflow every year.’
The fact that Redstone Academy is an exceptional institution that doesn't care about the background of the applicants must have played a part too.
“Hey.”
I raised my head.
One of my peers was scowling while looking back and forth between me and my tray.
“Can you actually swallow that down your throat right now?”
The only person having a proper meal was me.
The rest of my peers, to a man, could not touch their food.
They looked like their appetites had completely vanished.
It makes sense.
In the virtual combat training, they watched the process of their own limbs being ruthlessly severed.
The fishy smell of blood didn't just vibrate; it was enough to make them want to throw up.
Having seen such things, there’s no way food would go down.
Nevertheless, the reason everyone came to the cafeteria was because of the instructors' coercion.
Eating well and sleeping well is also a soldier's duty.
I pushed a piece of steak into my mouth.
After chewing the piece of meat thoroughly and swallowing it, I opened my mouth wide as if to show off.
So that the inside of my throat could be seen clearly.
“How is it? It went down well, right?”
“Who said they were curious about that?”
“Weren't you asking because you were curious?”
“This bastard! Are you playing with me right now!?”
“Is that a question too?”
“Eeeek!”
“It is a joke. You realized that difficult fact quite well. You’ll become a pillar to carry the empire in the future.”
“Why you…!”
Unable to suppress his anger, the peer threw the fork he was holding.
I easily snatched the flying fork.
With this, there are two forks.
He stabbed a piece of steak with each fork.
“You gave me your fork so I could eat like this, right?”
“I’ll kill you!!”
The guy who lost his reason rushed in like a buffalo.
The two of us did not get tangled up.
It was because the surrounding peers held him back just before that.
It wasn't that they stopped the fight out of comradeship.
Every mishap that occurs at the academy is a collective responsibility.
If the fact that peers had a fistfight leaked out, the instructors wouldn't leave them alone.
“…Damn it. Fine, just go to the corner and stuff yourself. The smell of meat is disgusting.”
The guy who barely calmed down retreated while huffing.
“I appreciate the consideration, but I’ll pass. I don't prefer moving seats while eating.”
“…It’s not consideration!”
The peer’s eyes flared with anger.
That was only for a moment.
As if trying to suppress his anger, the guy took a deep breath.
Soon, he turned his back.
So forcefully that the sound of wind could be heard.
“Lowborn things, honestly.”
It was a mutter close to talking to himself, but it was clearly heard by my ears.
He probably spit it out on purpose for me to hear.
That guy is a noble.
I heard his father is an administrative official of the empire.
Even though I heard the insult, there was no change in my expression.
In fact, it can't even be seen as an insult.
Because it’s true that I’m a lower-class citizen.
‘For now, you’re right.’
It won't be like that soon.
‘Because I will rise to a higher position than that guy, at the very least.’
Staying in the same space and rubbing shoulders for a long time makes it so you naturally find out.
Should I say I can see his potential?
The guy won't last long.
‘Before long, he’ll leave the academy as if running away.’
Around the time I had eaten more than half of the rationed steak.
I felt someone else's gaze.
It wasn't that peer who almost had a fight a while ago.
A blonde boy.
He was standing with his back leaned against the window where sunlight was leaking in.
Perhaps because of that, his high-saturation hair was even more dazzling.
White and clean skin, as if he had never experienced hardship.
He is the typical image of a young nobleman.
‘Lensis Lindewald.’
The Lindewald family is a prestigious one.
Even just the number of Prominence that family has produced exceeds double digits.
I had heard much about the Lindewald family.
If one's future dream is to be an elite soldier, it’s a name they’ve likely heard at least once.
‘Hm.’
I had zero interest in my peers.
Lensis, despite being the child of a prestigious family, is no exception.
…However, I was conscious of Lensis's existence.
Because the guy boasted unrivaled grades in the training so far.
Is it that the blood of a prestigious family is different?
A solid background.
Even natural talent.
Lensis's future will be bright.
‘He probably only has the task of going up left.’
Maybe that’s why there were many flies buzzing around him.
The peers who approach him, trying to say even one word to him somehow.
There were also many cases where female peers threw advances at him.
Even though Lensis himself didn't give even a shred of interest to anyone.
‘A guy like a noble wolf. And an opponent I must definitely surpass someday.’
That was my personal evaluation of Lensis.
Regardless of that mindset, there had been no contact with Lensis so far.
Peers of the same class.
A relationship nothing more and nothing less than that.
‘Come to think of it, I haven't even exchanged a word with him.’
Why did such a Lensis suddenly?
Even now, surrounded by peers, Lensis's gaze was fixed solely on me.
A look whose intention I couldn't know.
‘…I don't know.’
I ignored his gaze and finished eating the rest of my steak.
If I hesitated more, the precious steak would have gone cold.
***
“Why do you go that far?”
A question where the subject was omitted.
Anyone would be bewildered.
If a person they’ve never exchanged a word with suddenly comes to their room and spits out such words.
“Then why are you being like this?”
I scratched my head and stared at Lensis.
Between the two of us, a wall called social status existed.
Normally, it would have been proper to use honorifics toward Lensis.
However, social status doesn't pass here.
Before being commoner and noble, we are equal peers.
That is the rule of Redstone Academy.
“Normally, wouldn't a greeting come first?”
“I see.”
Whether Lensis was convinced, he belatedly offered a handshake.
“I am Lensis.”
“Is there anyone here who doesn't know your name?”
“Then that’s enough. Returning to the main point, why do you go that far?”
The conversation returned to square one.
“I became interested in you.”
Lensis added a word.
He is a figure overflowing with presence.
Should I say he’s the type where people gather around even if he stays still?
His handsome appearance must play a part too.
Even at this moment, the number of peers glancing at Lensis in the hallway was not few.
It’s a situation where I’ve become entangled with Lensis unintentionally.
The moment I saw the female peers whispering with peculiar expressions, I sensed that the situation was flowing in a strange direction.
“I like women.”
“I see. Thanks for the information. Though it might not be worth remembering.”
Lensis nodded his head.
I said it half-jokingly, but to think he would react so seriously.
“If the eyes watching are uncomfortable, let’s finish talking inside.”
Lensis gestured with his chin beyond my room door.
“I can come into your room, right?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Then, in my room….”
“Why don't you know that the act itself of two men entering one room is a problem?”
I wanted to prevent at least the situation where peers let their terrible imaginations run wild.
“Follow me.”
I took Lensis and left the dormitory.
Only after reaching the center of the training ground did I finally stop walking.
If it’s here, where it’s wide open on all sides, there won't be a risk of receiving disgusting misunderstandings.
“You’re interested in me, what does that mean? And what’s with the ‘why go that far’ thing?”
I asked as if demanding an answer.
I hope to God Lensis isn't gay.
If he is, I’ll turn him into a pulp right here.
“If you had moderately given up and fainted, it would have been comfortable.”
Lensis babbled nonsense again this time.
As the conversation continues, I feel like I’m wandering in a labyrinth.
‘Has this guy never had a conversation before?’
Lensis's way of talking had parts that were hard to understand.
‘…Wait. Fainted?’
Now I get it.
Lensis is mentioning what happened in the virtual combat training.
“Are you perhaps the type who enjoys pain?”
“I’m starting to think I want to pull out your tongue soon.”
“The purpose of the virtual combat training was not to annihilate the enemy.”
It’s an obvious story.
I furrowed my brows.
The virtual enemies exceeded several dozen.
It means it’s not a number a mere preliminary cadet, who has not yet been reborn as a Prominence, could handle alone.
“Simple experience must have been the main goal. There must have also been the intention to weed out preliminary cadets who aren't resolved enough by inflicting pain within a reasonable limit.”
“Is there anyone who doesn't know that?”
Whether I was being sarcastic or not, Lensis continued his reasoning.
“In other words, the most ideal option was to moderately endure and give up at the point where the instructors were satisfied. There was no reason to bear pain beyond what was necessary.”
I recalled the scene right after the training ended.
At the time, Lensis was in a fainted state.
…Now that I see, I get the thought that this guy might have pretended to be fainted on purpose.
‘In short, you’re asking why I made an irrational choice instead of a comfortable path, right?’
I was starting to find the guy annoying.
“Fine. I lose. I’ll tell you.”
I raised both hands to show my intent to surrender.
Because Lensis didn't show any sign of backing down easily.
“‘Moderately’ is not allowed for me.”
As I gave him an honest answer, Lensis's eyes sparkled.
“Lensis. You’re a gifted one. You can fall down a few times in your life. Because your great family will guarantee a brilliant future. But I’m different. I’m an orphan from the slums, so all I have is my body.”
In other words, if I slip once, it’s over.
“So you’re saying you have no choice but to be desperate every moment? Enough to endure pain that hurts to death? Indeed. For the lower class, the once-in-a-lifetime opportunities themselves must be few. So that must be why the majority flounder at the bottom.”
Lensis seemed lost in deep thought.
“That’s exactly the right kind of talk.”
“Was my expression appropriate?”
“No. I mean it’s the kind of talk that’s perfect for getting stabbed to death in the slums.”
“Did I make an unpleasant remark?”
Lensis asked back nonchalantly.
I couldn't feel a single drop of mockery from him.
In his own way, he spit out a pure impression without malice.
“Anyway, you crawled out from that bottom. Unlike the majority of the lower class.”
“I’m still in the middle of crawling out. The test is ongoing.”
Suddenly, a hint of playfulness mixed into my expression for a moment.
“Were you that curious about the reason I’m desperate? Did you get impatient?”
“There is no case where I feel impatience toward a being inferior to me.”
Just hearing up to there, I know what Lensis wants to say.
“You don't have friends, do you?”
“Having many friends around is proof of a personality that has strong dependency and is not independent.”
“You don't have any.”
Why is a guy who is so self-centered being like this now?
‘Was the sight of a lowly guy struggling interesting to him?’
Well, in the world he lives in, the chance to have a conversation with a lowborn from the slums must be rare.
‘It might have been a new stimulus for the great young master.’
***
It’s been a full year.
The time it took for the hellish training schedule to end.
‘It was longer than I thought.’
Still, it was a sufficiently meaningful time.
The peers who survived until the end were exactly 14 people.
Including me, it was 15 people total.
‘That great young master is included too.’
My gaze reached the back of Lensis's head as he stood in the front row.
Regrettably, the peer who particularly found the smell of steak disgusting could not stay until the end.
Actually, it’s a lie to say it’s regrettable.
“You’ve endured well during that time.”
Verdo smiled broadly toward the preliminary cadets.
“And you will have a lot of hardships ahead of you.”
The complexions of the preliminary cadets became noticeably pale.
It’s the line I heard at the first meeting with Verdo on the day I passed the exam.
A picture of hell unfolded right after that.
“It’s a joke. You won't have to taste hell, so rest easy. At least not under me.”
“I almost peed myself.”
“I already leaked a little….”
“Haha. My apologies.”
Verdo laughed heartily.
It seemed the reaction of his disciples was quite fun.
The instructors and preliminary cadets became in a relationship where they exchanged light jokes.
That much time has passed.
“Everyone’s eyes have become worth looking at.”
Verdo had a satisfied expression.
The past year will remain as a precious asset for the preliminary cadets.
They have been reborn as elite soldiers.
The academy’s curriculum is 4 years total.
Even though just 1 year has passed, their combat power was already at a level surpassing ordinary soldiers.
***
A one-week vacation was given to the preliminary cadets.
Everyone scattered to their respective hometowns.
Using the episodes they experienced in the meantime as a side dish, they will share their feelings with their relatives and families.
Things that were painful enough to die from also become memories after they pass.
Whoosh!
I swung the practice sword.
I didn't even submit a vacation request.
I remained in the empty dormitory after everyone left and devoted myself to personal training.
‘There’s no reason to miss this good opportunity.’
The opportunity to get further ahead than my competitors.
Resting when others are resting?
There wouldn't be anything as foolish as that.
***
A week passed in an instant.
“Did you guys rest well? When I went home, everyone was shocked to see me.”
“That makes sense. Since the weakling returned as a muscle monster.”
The peers who returned from vacation were busy talking about the anecdotes that happened in their respective hometowns.
“Ered.”
I turned my head at the voice calling me.
It’s Lensis.
I thought he wouldn't approach anymore after I answered his questions.
Contrary to my expectations, Lensis would often talk to me first.
“I guess you ate well and played well during that time? Seeing as your face is dripping with oil.”
“Long time no see. Did you have a good vaca….”
Lensis trailed off in the middle.
I didn't look like a person who had returned from vacation by anyone's standards.
Hair soaked with sweat.
Vivid heat is rising from my whole body.
“Did you give up your vacation?”
“While you were playing around, I repeated fierce training. Very desperately, that is.”
I looked at Lensis triumphantly.
Since I’m taller than Lensis, it naturally became a composition where I looked down at him.
“The talented young master should start getting nervous too.”
Lensis blinked silently at the sudden declaration of war.
I felt like the corner of his mouth twitched for a moment.
‘This guy, did he just smile?’
It was so subtle and faint that I couldn't call it a smile, making me tilt my head.
“Your expression is annoying. You weren't mocking me, were you?”
“Hm. I didn't smile.”
Lensis's twisted lips returned to their original state in an instant.
“Young master. Didn't you hear me say to get nervous?”
As soon as my words ended, his mouth corner twitched minutely again.
This bastard, he did smile after all.
“Long time no see, gentlemen.”
Around that time, Head Instructor Verdo visited the preliminary cadets.
“Did you have a good vacation?”
“Yes!”
Perhaps because they shared their pent-up feelings, everyone was full of energy.
“I can tell just by looking. Seeing as your complexions have brightened.”
After finishing the brief greetings, he went straight to the main point.
“Today, I’ve brought good news for you all.”
Curiosity dwelled in the eyes of the preliminary cadets.
“You must be ready to harbor a second heart, right?”
My heart pounded.
Harboring a second heart.
That meant becoming a Prominence.