Chapter 63

"Do you know why you lost?"

At Raon's low question, the trainees couldn't bring themselves to speak.

"Was it strength? Numbers? Judgment? None of those. While it's true that they had more people, we had the upper hand in strength and combat experience. We shouldn't have been overwhelmed so easily, so why did we lose?"

"...Information?"

Burren slowly spoke up.

"You're right."

Raon nodded at Burren.

"Training Ground 6 had already gathered information on our individual personalities, strength levels, and the terrain of Bukmang Mountain, and formulated strategies for each of us. On the other hand, we didn't prepare at all. We just assumed we would win easily."

"But, but the time…."

"There wasn't much time, but the same was true for them. Honestly, a day is enough to gather at least some basic information. Instructor Rimer deliberately told us a day in advance to help us develop that ability."

Raon scanned the trainees and snorted.

"Besides, you didn't give up because of the lack of time; you were too confident that you could win easily. Time is just an excuse."

"Ugh!"

"That, that…."

The trainees, unable to find words, bit their lips.

"Even if each individual in Training Ground 5 is strong, there isn't an overwhelming difference between us and them. Losing to Training Ground 6, who had prepared their strategies in advance, was inevitable."

"Then what should we do? It's already over…."

"It's not over! Shut up."

"Ah!"

Marta frowned, and Dorian, who was trembling, closed his mouth.

"Some of you have already been hit, and you've lost a lot of stamina and aura. It's true that we're at a disadvantage. However…."

Raon looked at where the Training Ground 6 trainees were preparing to attack, his eyes gleaming.

"We're not the only ones with information."

"You knew something?"

"Kain Zighard has been giving all the orders so far. Assigning you opponents that you're not well-suited against was his doing."

"Kain Zighard? How did he…?"

Marta gritted her teeth.

"Kain Zighard has excellent vision and senses. After determining your movements from a distance, he sent trainees who were well-suited to counter you."

"Ugh, Kain Zighard…."

Burren, whose pride was hurt, groaned.

"He sent a swordsman who could withstand attacks to Marta, who is strong and has good endurance, to drain her aura. To Burren, who is honest and uses systematic sword techniques, he sent a swordsman skilled in sensory sword techniques to neutralize him."

Raon accurately explained why Training Ground 5 had no choice but to be overwhelmed.

"Then how can we win? It's simple. We need to change our opponents. If Burren and Marta switch their opponents, we can win easily."

"That's not possible! Winning that way would be unbearable!"

"…I agree. A victory obtained by running away is meaningless."

Marta, Burren, and the other trainees clamped their mouths shut.

"Right. Then let's go with the second plan."

Raon nodded as if he had expected this.

"Change the way you attack."

"Change the way we attack?"

"Marta, the swordsman you faced is undoubtedly strong, but his aura movement is inadequate. If you open your senses and strike where his aura movement ends, you can easily break through."

He turned from Marta to Burren.

"Your pursuit of perfection and system makes you a good target for a sensory swordsman, who relies on instinct."

"Hmm…."

Burren frowned and nodded.

"Sensory sword techniques rely on instinct, so they often fall for fake moves. Wait for the right moment when the opponent jumps at the feint you throw. You can do it."

The trainees stared at Raon with wide eyes.

"What, what?"

"You were here the whole time."

"How did you know all of this?"

"Exactly…."

The fact that he had been sitting quietly and yet had a grasp of the entire battlefield was more shocking than their defeat to Training Ground 6.

"What are you, anyway?"

"What kind of senses…."

Marta and Burren were also surprised, their mouths agape.

"But what if their strategy changes?"

Dorian raised his hand and asked, his many fears evident.

"You have a point, but their strategy won't change."

"Why not?"

"Because they've already tasted success. The ones who know the sweetness of it will repeat the same strategy to achieve a more perfect victory."

The trainees' heads perked up at Raon's confident gaze.

"But what if Kain, with his good senses, quickly reacts and sends reinforcements to the center or the top?"

"It's fine. My senses are better than Kain's."

Raon smiled, sensing Kain's presence in the center.

"And he will come to us."

* * *

Metun, who had come to the Training Ground 5 base after checking on the Training Ground 6 trainees, frowned.

"Arrogant child."

He had been a little worried about Raon Zighard, who was known for being calm and composed, but it seemed unnecessary.

'He claims to have better senses than Kain. How ridiculous.'

Kain Zighard's greatest strength wasn't his excellent sword skills or the vast amount of aura he possessed.

It was his senses.

His ability to read the opponent's presence and condition, and his vision, were exceptionally good.

He could even find the location of a hidden instructor, so it wasn't an exaggeration to say that his senses were beyond the level of a trainee.

Raon claimed to have better senses than such a Kain. Honestly, it only made him snort.

"It will be over soon."

Judging from Raon and Training Ground 5's attitude, it seemed they would win more easily than expected.

'I should prepare a feast for the children.'

The victors deserve a proper reward. As Metun was about to leave, thinking about organizing a delicious feast for the Training Ground 6 trainees, a light, breezy voice came from behind him.

"Who's arrogant here?"

Metun, unperturbed, turned around. An elf with red hair was grinning mischievously.

"You're the one who just showed up."

"No, I've been here watching since before."

"You're still making excuses for being late."

"I'm not."

Metun frowned at Rimer's light tone.

"But what did you mean by that?"

"What I just said?"

"You called me arrogant."

"Oh, that."

Rimer scratched his neck and chuckled.

"You said the fight was over before we even drew our swords. It's only natural to call that arrogance."

"We didn't even draw our swords? You clashed head-on and were already defeated. Your stamina and aura are far more depleted than ours. There's no hope."

"That's just your opinion."

"You and that child are the same, putting on a show of bravado."

Metun shook his head, looking at Raon and Rimer, who were giving orders to the trainees.

"Kain has such good senses that he can even detect the presence of instructors. No trainee can come up with a better strategy than him in this small battlefield. They won't even be able to detect the presence, let alone win."

"Detect the presence of instructors…."

Rimer smiled slyly, drawing out his words.

"Raon has detected the presence of instructors, and even mine."

"What?"

"That Raon Zighard, whom you called arrogant, found where I was hiding."

"Lie!"

Metun's eyes wavered for the first time.

'It can't be.'

Even if Rimer was injured, he was an elf. It was hard enough for him to find someone who could hide their presence, let alone a young trainee.

"I don't lie."

"Stop barking. It would be faster to find the truth in what you say."

"Alright, I'll correct that. I don't lie about those children."

Rimer nodded and smirked.

"Hmm…."

Metun swallowed and looked down.

"Even if Raon Zighard has better senses than Kain, as you say, it's too late. The outcome is already decided."

"Well, it is difficult. Four have been eliminated, and most are exhausted. But Raon has never disappointed me."

Rimer smiled at Raon, who was giving orders to the trainees.

"If your students are as relaxed as you, they'll be devoured in an instant."

* * *

The Training Ground 6 trainees, who had experienced one victory, were gathered in a circle as they had in the morning, with Kain and a map of Bukmang Mountain at the center.

"Here is the flag of Training Ground 5."

Kain pointed to the western end.

"Just hit there, and it's over."

"Really defeating Training Ground 5, it's worth all the effort."

"After this, everyone will see us differently."

The trainees smiled as if the battle was already over.

"I told you not to celebrate yet."

Kain rolled his eyes to gather the attention of the excited trainees.

"Raon Zighard and Lunan Slier are still standing. Raon is the strongest in Training Ground 5. If you let your guard down, you'll be defeated."

"But Burren and Marta have used a lot of energy, and four of their trainees have already been eliminated."

"While it's true that we have the advantage, don't be complacent."

"Kain, if you detect their movements and give orders like before, we can win easily."

"Yes, we trust you!"

"Hmm, that's true…."

Kain nodded slightly at the trainee's words. Despite his calm facade, his immaturity was evident.

"Still, don't be complacent. Fight with all your strength until the end."

"Understood!"

The trainees answered loudly and stood up.

"Then there are two ways they might move… Hmm?"

Kain, who had been pointing at the map, looked west and widened his eyes.

"They're coming."

"Excuse me?"

"The Training Ground 5 trainees are moving again."

"How?"

Kain closed his eyes without answering. He opened his senses to feel the approaching trainees and smiled faintly.

"The same as before. Marta in the center, Burren at the top, and the rest at the bottom."

"They haven't recovered yet."

"If they beg to lose, we should let them."

"Can't Raon control Burren and Marta?"

"It's over."

The trainees laughed at the approaching Training Ground 5 trainees.

"Let's stick to the original plan. Burren Zighard and the side-line trainees will be handled by Dekal and the 2nd and 3rd teams. Marta will be handled by Dune and the 1st team. Below, we have Puyon. Karin and I will deal with Raon and Lunan."

"Understood!"

The Training Ground 6 trainees answered loudly and ran to face their assigned opponents.

"Let's prepare to finish this."

Kain stood up and glanced behind him. Karin nodded and drew her sword.

"Then, who will be the first… Hmm?"

He frowned, looking down.

'Lunan is moving too.'

He sensed a cold presence from below. It was Lunan Slier.

"Karin."

"I'll take care of it."

Karin nodded and ran down in the direction Lunan was moving.

'Karin can handle it.'

Karin, like Lunan, was a successor of a high-ranking noble family. Knowing Lunan better than anyone, she wouldn't be easily overwhelmed.

Bang! Boom!

A heavy sound, like rocks colliding, came from the center. It was the sound of Marta and Dune clashing again.

Clang!

Soon, a sharp sound of Burren and Dekal colliding came from above.

"Let's see."

Kain stood with two guards and closed his eyes, opening his senses wide.

If any of them were overwhelmed, he would send reinforcements. He spread his aura to the top, center, and bottom to monitor the battle.

What?

Kain's eyes widened as he checked all three directions.

"What, what! Why are we losing everywhere!"

Whether it was the top, center, or bottom, they were all being overwhelmed by Training Ground 5.

"How can this be?"

Fighting the same opponents as in the morning, being overwhelmed so one-sidedly was unbelievable.

'Raon Zighard.'

What did you do!