Chapter 61

Combat Training with the 6th Training Ground

Buren had heard the rumor before. It was a story that came out of a tavern two months ago, and since then, there had been no further news, so he thought it was just a false rumor.

But tomorrow? Tomorrow?

Buren thought there must be something wrong with his hearing. Otherwise, he wouldn't have heard such crazy words.

"Sir Instructor."

"Hmm."

"Did you just say tomorrow?"

"Hmm."

"Don't be like Lu Nan. Please confirm clearly. Is it really tomorrow?"

"Yes, it is."

Rimer nodded casually, with a look of confidence that made Buren want to punch him.

"But this isn't just a sparring match; it's a full-scale battle, and tomorrow?"

"Since the numbers aren't that large, it's not a full-scale battle but more of a localized engagement."

"That's not the point!"

Buren stomped his foot.

"To tell us about a confrontation tomorrow, just today, where is the logic in that? Could it be that the rumor from the tavern was true?"

"Oh, you knew about that. That's a story between me and Metun."

"Damn it!"

If it were a one-on-one sparring match, it would be different, but a full-scale battle was a matter of pride for the training ground. To be told about it just a day in advance was ridiculous, and Buren couldn't keep his mouth shut.

"Hah, that's why you're still kids."

Rimer squatted and clicked his tongue.

"War and battles don't start with polite greetings like, 'Hello, we're about to fight. Be careful!' No, most battles happen suddenly, in unexpected situations."

He exuded a sharp, overwhelming aura despite his casual posture.

"Once a war starts, you have to jump into action, whether you're eating, sleeping, or even using the bathroom. You draw your sword first, without knowing who the enemy is or how many there are. Knowing a day in advance gives you plenty of time to prepare."

"Ugh!"

"That's..."

Buren and the trainees were speechless.

'It's true.'

Raon nodded.

'Tasks are often more sudden than expected.'

Assassinations are no different.

Naturally, the chances of success are higher when the target is outside rather than at home.

When the target leaves home and goes somewhere, it's common to plan and act then.

Formulating and executing an assassination plan on the spot is a crucial skill for an assassin.

"Besides, the 6th Training Ground was only informed last night. There's not much difference from you."

"Why didn't you say that earlier?"

"You got angry before I could explain. I haven't seen you this angry in a long time."

Rimer chuckled.

"Ugh! I'm sorry."

Buren blushed and bowed his head, embarrassed.

"Since you all understand now, I'll start the explanation."

Rimer stood up with his hands behind his back. He seemed to be trying to look authoritative, but it didn't quite work.

"The battle starts at 6 AM tomorrow. We have 43 people, and they have 60. The outcome is..."

"By the way, why do they have 60 people?"

"Almost 1.5 times more..."

The trainees perked up when they heard that the 6th Training Ground had significantly more people.

"I told you, war isn't about matching numbers. When you face a larger enemy later, will you say it's unfair because they're more numerous? No, you won't."

"Ugh..."

"It's true, but..."

The trainees scratched their heads and returned to their spots. They felt like they were being lectured by Rimer.

"I'll start the explanation again. Our 43 people and their 60 will move simultaneously. Victory is achieved by either incapacitating all the enemies or capturing the flag of the opposing formation. In a way, it's simpler than a sparring match."

He muttered that it was too easy and that he was glad he didn't tell them earlier.

"Hmm, thinking about it, it doesn't seem that difficult."

"Indeed, half of the 6th Training Ground's trainees are from other branches, so they don't have direct connections."

"Do you not know? A few months ago, Cain joined the 6th Training Ground."

"Cain Zighart? He's two years older than us! How can we beat him?"

"Don't worry. He was seriously injured and spent a year in bed. He probably hasn't fully recovered yet."

"Oh, then it's doable."

The trainees sighed in relief when they heard that Cain hadn't fully recovered.

"No."

Buren shook his head.

"Cain Zighart has fully recovered. Even while recovering, he continued aura training and sensory training. His current combat level is advanced sword user."

"Advanced sword user?"

The trainees' faces turned pale at his words.

"Hmph, so what? If you're scared, back out. I'll handle Cain."

"I'm not scared. I just gave you the information. And you can't do it alone."

"Ah?"

Marta and Buren's argument brought some color back to the trainees' faces.

"We have Buren, Marta, and Lu Nan. Oh, and Raon too."

"Honestly, it doesn't seem that hard to win. If those two can hold off Cain, we can sweep the rest."

"It's possible. We've beaten Owen Kingdom knights and completed our recent mission."

The trainees smiled, saying that the 6th Training Ground would be easy.

"Hmm, don't be too confident, or you'll regret it."

Rimer's lips curled into a cold smile.

"There's a training called Hell Week that significantly boosts a swordsman's skills. The 6th Training Ground's trainees completed it without a single dropout, all because of you."

"Because of us?"

"Recently, the 5th Training Ground has received the most attention. Those kids are determined to catch up to you. If you underestimate them, you might lose."

He gave them a rare piece of sincere advice.

"Hey! We've been through Hell Week every day."

"Even if the dropouts from other branches got stronger, it's about talent. Talent."

"True. We've never lost or failed before."

"If we can just hold off Cain, we'll definitely win!"

Even after the advice, the trainees' arrogance didn't wane. It seemed to grow even more.

"Your confidence is good."

Rimer chuckled and nodded, as if he didn't care if they lost.

"Lastly, a full-scale battle is like a small war. The leader's instructions are the most important. Follow Raon's lead tomorrow."

"Yes!"

"...Yes."

"Understood."

The trainees who usually followed Raon responded immediately, while those who followed Buren or Lu Nan were a beat behind.

'This is going to be a hassle.'

Raon frowned. Beating the 6th Training Ground wouldn't be hard, but controlling the trainees would be a nuisance.

"Today's training is self-directed. Plan your strategy or train as you see fit to prepare for tomorrow's battle."

Rimer returned to his usual light and playful demeanor.

"Chief Instructor. You forgot to mention the most important thing."

Buren raised his hand.

"What is it?"

"Where will the battle take place?"

"Oh, that."

Rimer snapped his fingers.

"Behind the main building, at North Peak Mountain."

He looked at Raon with a sly smile, as if saying, "You know North Peak Mountain well. It's up to you."

"Hmm."

Raon shook his head. It seemed Rimer was betting on their victory.

Creating the worst possible scenario and betting on the 5th Training Ground was truly remarkable. Or, rather, he was an elf.

'That's why he fails.'

There was a reason he always lost money at the gambling dens and racetracks.

"Then I'll go."

Rimer waved and left the training ground like a child going on a field trip.

"Form up."

Raon sighed and gathered the trainees in the center of the training ground.

"We'll start planning for tomorrow's team battle. Does anyone know information about the 6th Training Ground?"

"I, I know a bit."

Dorian, who had started his speech, swallowed hard.

"As you all know, the current head of the 6th Training Ground is Cain Zighart. He's 16, two years older than us, but he was seriously injured on a mission and spent over a year in bed before returning."

"Injured..."

"As you heard earlier, his combat level is advanced sword user, and he's well-liked, so all the 6th Training Ground trainees follow him. Especially the three from the collateral branches..."

Dorian, who had connections everywhere, smoothly provided information about the 6th Training Ground.

"If that's the case, we don't even need a plan."

"Of course, we can ignore everyone except Cain."

"Right. Two of the four strongest will hold off Cain, and the rest will sweep the others."

The trainees grinned and chattered, saying they didn't need a plan.

"Indeed, if we can just hold off Cain, it won't be hard to win."

Buren, who didn't think they would lose, suggested they act independently.

"Planning is a waste. We don't need to strain our brains; we can just overpower them. If you leave it to me, I can sweep them alone."

Marta raised her tightly clenched fist.

The two seemed eager to excel in this battle because they hadn't done anything in the mission two months ago.

"Hmm..."

Raon listened to everyone's opinions and nodded.

"In summary, the difference in strength means we don't need a strategy or plan. We just need to push through and hold off Cain. Is that right?"

"Right."

"Whatever we do, we'll win."

"Let's finish it in the morning and have lunch."

The trainees smiled as if they had already won. Only Lu Nan, who was usually quiet, and Dorian, who had already spoken his piece, remained silent.

"Right. Let's do that."

Raon looked at the trainees and nodded.

"Wow, that's refreshing."

"Will it be individual training?"

"Want to bet on how many we can take down tomorrow?"

The trainees grinned and moved to start their individual training.

-Idiots.

'Right.'

Raon nodded with a cold gaze.

'They don't understand the fear of someone chasing from behind.'

They'll have to learn the hard way, as Rimer said.

* * *

At the same time, 6th Training Ground.

Over a hundred trainees, covered in dust on their heads and clothes, gathered in the center of the training ground.

"You all endured the 70% dropout rate of Hell Week.

The stern voice of the 6th Training Ground's head instructor, Metun, made the trainees stand up straight.

"And you chose to do so. Do you remember why?"

"Because of the 5th Training Ground!"

The trainees shouted in unison, their voices loud enough to shake the 6th Training Ground, which was larger than the 5th.

"Right. The 5th Training Ground, which received the most attention from the family and was ignored by the Owen Kingdom, and which challenged the 5th Training Ground to a sparring match. You wanted to bring them down."

Metun looked at each trainee. Their eyes were much firmer than before.

"Now, that opportunity has come. You, who were ignored and not even noticed, have the chance to bring down the 5th Training Ground."

His voice echoed through the training ground, and the trainees' eyes sparkled.

"Even with 43 against 60, the entire family will predict the other side's victory. But I think the odds are even. Show me what you've built up tomorrow!"

"Yes!"

The trainees shouted so loudly that the training ground seemed to shake.

"Cain Zighart."

Metun called the only direct descendant of the 6th Training Ground. A blond, blue-eyed boy stepped forward from the center.

"I leave it to you."

"You can count on me."

The trainee called Cain bowed confidently.

"I will show everyone that the 6th Training Ground is stronger than the 5th Training Ground."

"That's not all."

Metun shook his head slightly.

"As the head of the 6th Training Ground, you must defeat the head of the 5th Training Ground, Raon Zighart."

"..."

"Why are you not confident?"

"No, it's not that."

Cain's eyes flashed fiercely.

"It's so obvious that I didn't say it. That guy can't beat me. My abilities are superior."

"Good confidence."

Metun nodded in satisfaction.

"It's not just Cain. Everyone, do your best so that your efforts don't go to waste."

"Yes!"

That day, the lights in the 6th Training Ground stayed on late into the night.

* * *

"Hmm..."

Raon nodded, looking at the map of North Peak Mountain, where the battle would take place the next day.

'I know this place well.'

He knew the terrain well because he had trained around the mountain after following Rimer there. Geographically, he had a significant advantage over the 6th Training Ground.

'However...'

The trainees' condition is not good.

The trainees are intoxicated by their continuous victories and achievements.

Especially, they mistakenly believe that their strength has increased just because they were present in certain situations, even though they didn't do much themselves.

'Of course, they are strong.'

Thanks to Rimer's training methods, the trainees are indeed stronger than similar-aged swordsmen or knights. However, they are not strong enough to dominate or ignore the opposition.

Children can grow significantly in a short time, and if they become complacent, they will lose.

-This is because they haven't experienced proper real combat. They need to face situations where they are weaker than their opponents to understand.

Las seemed to understand Raon's thoughts and sneered.

-Seeing these fools reminds me of when I was in the Demon Realm. I used to pull the horns of the arrogant high-ranking demons in front of me...

"Ah, it's starting."

-Las, you're interrupting my serious talk again...

"Y-yes."

-Grr! Raon Zighart!

Raon waved his hand and lay down on the bed, blocking his ears and closing his eyes.

Well, this guy isn't wrong.

It's a good method to make the 5th Training Ground trainees experience defeat and realize they are not special.

Rimer probably had this in mind to some extent. Of course, he wants them to win, but he also wants them to face a challenge.

'This will be interesting.'

Raon smiled faintly.

'It's a perfect opportunity.'

It was a chance to show the trainees who still didn't follow him what an excellent commander could do.

After the battle, every single 5th Training Ground trainee will follow his orders without question.

"First, I need to gather information."

Raon's eyes glowed softly like the moon in the sky.

* * *

The next day, on the eastern slope of North Peak Mountain.

Cain Zighart and 59 trainees from the 6th Training Ground gathered around the yellow flag in a circle.

"Let's go over the plan one last time."

Cain, looking at the map of North Peak Mountain, spoke in a sharp tone.

"The 5th Training Ground trainees are on the west side. They haven't yet united. They are divided into four factions: Raon, Buren, Lu Nan, and Marta."

He knew that the 5th Training Ground trainees were not yet united.

"They will definitely move separately. Marta will charge in alone. Dune."

"Yes."

At Cain's call, a large trainee beside him nodded.

"Take the 1st squad and block them as we practiced. If you engage them in a rotational battle, you can win."

"Understood."

"Buren uses sharp and systematic sword techniques. Decal!"

"Yes!"

A trainee with long arms and legs like a monkey raised his hand.

"You go. With the 2nd squad, who have mastered sensory sword techniques, you can defeat Buren. Move with the collateral branches and take the 3rd squad with you."

"Yes!"

Cain looked at the green-haired woman standing on the right.

"Karin, your opponent is Lu Nan. He's unpredictable, but he follows Raon's orders well. Wait here and move according to my instructions with the 4th squad."

"Got it."

"Finally, I and the 5th squad will wait here and block Raon."

Cain Zighart straightened up, holding the map.

"How will you track their movements? If the positions are wrong, everything will fail."

"It's fine."

He smiled confidently.

"I'll use Observation Eye."

Observation Eye is a skill that allows you to sense the location and aura of distant enemies. It's the optimal ability for such a localized engagement.

While one-on-one battles are different, in a localized engagement, information and detection are the most crucial. Cain was confident he could win even against other instructors, not just Raon, with his detection ability.

"It's time to show the resolve we built during Hell Week. After today, the 6th Training Ground will be the best in the Zighart family!"

"Uaaaaaah!"

Cain's powerful voice made the 6th Training Ground trainees cheer.

However, there was one thing that neither the tightly clenched fists of Cain nor the burning resolve of the trainees knew.

There were red eyes watching them from the trees above.