The Duel and the Blooming Blade

“After conquering a gate and hunting the boss monster, if the core is not retrieved, the gate can be used for special purposes.”

“In cases where the terrain is stable, such gates are used as spaces for certain hunters.”

“For training or resource gathering, among other things.”

The professor’s explanation went on for quite a while.

‘The history of gates and hunters.’

Personally, it was the most boring subject among all the academy classes.

“Even now, countless hunters…”

Ding-dong—

“That’s all for today. Next time, we’ll learn about gate cores.”

“Thank you!”

“Finally, it’s over!”

“Let’s go eat!”

As the class ended.

The students stretched and got up from their seats.

I did the same.

‘I’ll probably suffer from this later too.’

A history book as thick as the introductory monster studies textbook.

Since it felt like a waste to spend points on studying, I was reviewing it little by little.

Even so, cramming before the written exam would be unavoidable.

As I stood up, a familiar face approached.

“Are you feeling okay?”

“Of course. I even went to the training hall right after being discharged yesterday.”

Yang Ji-hwan.

He was the one who spoke first.

“The training hall? Don’t tell me… the one who destroyed all the sandbags…”

“What? How do you know?”

“…There was a commotion because of a shortage of sandbags. Everyone thought Cha Seo-yeon did it.”

“It just happened that way.”

I didn’t expect Cha Seo-yeon’s name to come up here.

There seemed to be a misunderstanding.

Well, it didn’t really matter.

“The next class is practical, right?”

“The second sparring arena. …If it’s okay, may I go with you?”

“Follow me if you want.”

“Thank you.”

Yang Ji-hwan trailed behind me.

I wasn’t particularly keen on it, but there was no reason to stop him.

Soon after.

We arrived at a place equipped with simulators and sandbags.

“Been a while since I’ve been to the sparring arena.”

Hunters fight monsters, not people.

So there’s usually no need to fight each other.

Well, you never know what might happen inside a gate.

“You should be careful of Won Jong-hyo.”

“You too?”

“If something doesn’t sit right with him, he’ll ruin it to the end.”

It was the same warning Professor Han Tae-soo had given me.

Well, sparring class was one of the few legal ways for students to fight.

He might even challenge me the moment class starts.

“We’re here.”

Sparring Arena No. 2.

And there he was.

Won Jong-hyo, already there, staring at me with burning eyes.

“Among the monsters inside gates, what form do you think is the most common?”

“Humanoid.”

“That’s right. Goblins, orcs, ogres, trolls… even elves and dark elves that may turn hostile. There are countless humanoid enemies inside gates.”

The professor continued seriously.

The students listened in silence.

“Then how do we improve our ability to deal with them?”

“Simulators!”

“Good. Simulators are useful. But they have limits.”

I knew that.

Simulators could usually only recreate low-level monsters.

Goblins, orcs… at best.

Even when done well, there were limits.

Even the Cerberus the academy used for my final test was the same.

Though it was an A-rank monster, the simulated version wasn’t even half as strong.

“That’s why we need sparring.”

“Through sparring, you can build adaptability against various opponents.”

A clear explanation.

The professor wasn’t just making us fight—he was explaining why.

It made sense.

There are countless monsters in gates.

We can’t prepare for each one individually.

But if we improve adaptability through sparring, we can apply it in real battles.

“I hope you keep this purpose in mind.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Warm up first. You have 30 minutes before official sparring begins.”

“Yes!”

With that, the professor left.

Students warmed up in different ways.

Some swung swords in the corner.

Others cast spells into the air.

As I considered hitting a sandbag to get a feel—

“…If it’s alright, could you spar with me?”

Yang Ji-hwan spoke.

“Now?”

“I know I’m lacking. But it’s better than standing still and swinging alone.”

“You sure?”

“Please. Ever since I saw you fight the Minotaur, I’ve wanted to face you.”

“Well, I’d be glad to.”

A warm-up spar before the real thing.

Better than hitting sandbags alone.

No reason to refuse.

We stepped onto the arena and drew our wooden swords.

Naturally, nearby students began watching.

“Look, they’re about to fight.”

“Didn’t Yang Ji-hwan already lose to Woo-hyuk before? Like 17 to 1?”

Despite the whispers, Yang Ji-hwan didn’t care.

Instead, his gaze sharpened as he infused mana into his blade.

“I’ll go first.”

Tap!

He charged first.

Using sword aura and physical enhancement.

Fast.

But—

‘Slow.’

Nothing compared to the Minotaur.

And my agility had already exceeded 60.

This level was easy to dodge.

Whoosh!

Still, the power couldn’t be ignored.

Even after dodging, the pressure from his swing was immense.

If it had hit a vital point, even I wouldn’t be safe.

Wooooong!

As I evaded, I infused mana into my wooden sword.

A clear aura emerged.

Along with a faint plum blossom scent.

“…You couldn’t use sword aura before, could you?”

“Things changed.”

“You were bedridden for three days and came back stronger… unbelievable.”

“I worked for it too.”

My turn.

I let the sword guide me.

The aura moved like a living thing.

First form.

Plum Blossom by the Roadside.

Claaang!

Yang Ji-hwan raised his sword just in time.

Even so, my blade pressed forward, eating into his defense.

Tap!

“Not bad.”

“I’m confident in my swordsmanship.”

At the last moment, he deflected it.

Then—

Second form.

Plum Blossom Butterfly Dance.

“…Footwork? Impossible.”

Free movement like a butterfly.

Unpredictable.

Yet precise.

Clang! Crack!

I struck through his openings.

But—

‘Better than I thought.’

He wasn’t just tanking hits.

He was reading my blade.

Clang!

“Ghk!”

Still, he was reaching his limit.

He staggered.

‘Now.’

Boom!

From my tilted blade—

Flame-like aura burst forth.

The scent intensified.

And pierced through his opening.

Boom!!

Third form.

Plum Blossom Radiance.

A deafening explosion.

Everyone held their breath.

“…I thought that would finish it.”

But I knew.

He blocked it.

“It’s thanks to you.”

“What do you mean?”

“The moment I blocked the Minotaur’s attack for you… I gained a skill.”

“…Then congratulations.”

The tide shifted.

He rushed in.

‘Faster.’

He had grown too.

Slash!

His blade grazed me.

Heavy.

Like a blunt weapon.

He relaxed slightly—

And then—

“…!”

My body.

Flickered.

And vanished like smoke.

Only the scent of plum blossoms remained.

“Fourth form, Blooming Plum Guides the Blade.”

As I evaded—

I moved into his opening.

And thrust.

Guided by the scent.

Toward his neck.

Stop.

“I lost.”

Yang Ji-hwan lowered his sword.

Mine stopped at his throat.

‘Didn’t expect to use the fourth form.’

Yang Ji-hwan.

He had definitely grown.

At this level, he was above average.

And the reason was me.

Not sure how to feel about that.

“…What did we just see?”

“Wasn’t Yang Ji-hwan weak?”

“If he’s that strong, I might lose too…”

“No, the problem is Woo-hyuk’s swordsmanship!”

The students murmured.

They were shocked.

Not just by me.

But by his growth.

And they weren’t the only ones watching.

Clap. Clap.

“An impressive spar.”

A deep voice echoed from outside the arena.