Chapter 40

Chapter 16: Intermediate Class Dominance

Jin and the youngest squad's successful mission naturally became the biggest topic in the intermediate class.

It was an outcome no one had predicted. While the intermediate class generally believed that the orc extermination mission, even if a few people died, would ultimately succeed, no one thought it possible for Jin to return from Marmot after assassinating the governor of the underground palace.

Everyone had secretly assumed that Jin would just return. After all, no one wanted to end their life at just fifteen.

"Ha ha, the squad leaders who assigned you the mission must have really been given a good lesson. This time, they must be seething with anger."

The successful mission was also a surprise to Jedd.

He praised Jin several times in front of the students, showing his satisfaction. Each time, the Tona brothers looked dejected, and the students began to acknowledge that Jin had become the dominant force in the intermediate class.

Literally, the dominant force.

The youngest squad also earned the envy of other students. Most of the students now aspired to join the youngest squad rather than align with the factions of Muna and the Tona brothers.

And as they watched this, a group of students felt a mix of jealousy and frustration.

"From what I hear, some mage happened to terrorize the inn where the assassination target was staying on the same day. Our damn young master Jin must have had some good luck."

"Truly, it's an unfair world. Not only was he born into the Runkandel family, but he even has such good fortune? Some people, despite using all their tricks, are still just intermediate students. Tsk."

It was the students of Muna and Ann's faction, led by Kajin Romero.

Originally, they were the predators in this jungle-like intermediate class, but recently their dominance has been subtly waning.

Previously, students who would have been wary of even making eye contact with them now cling to the youngest squad at every opportunity, which is incredibly annoying.

"Jin or those guys. If they were outstanding in skill, I could acknowledge them. But Jin is only a 4-star, and those guys are all 3-stars, right? Kajin, are you just going to stand by?"

Kajin shook his head with a bitter smile.

"Are you saying I shouldn't stand by? Even if he's just a brat, he's still a pure-blooded Runkandel. Until Lady Muna and Lady Ann give direct orders, there's nothing we can do..."

Kajin stopped speaking.

He saw Jin, who had been sitting on the other side of the training ground, suddenly approaching him.

"...What is it? Did you hear us talking about you?"

"You couldn't have heard from this distance."

"Unfortunately, I heard everything, friends."

As Jin approached and shrugged, Kajin's gang's faces darkened. Kajin himself looked quite flustered. He quickly changed his attitude and smiled.

"Forgive us, Young Master Jin. The likes of us can only gossip about you. Please be lenient."

Kajin's insolent tone surprised his gang even more. Other nearby students also stopped their conversations and stared with wide eyes.

But Jin didn't think it was a big deal.

"Well, there's nothing to forgive. I'm not a squad leader yet, so strictly speaking, I'm not your superior."

"Strictly speaking, that's true. But can't a word from you, as a Runkandel, easily have someone whipped? I'll gladly accept any punishment."

Despite the awkward situation, Kajin didn't forget that Muna and Ann, who were behind him, ranked higher than Jin.

"Why would I do that?"

"Because my attitude is very insolent right now."

The students began to gather around, murmuring. Since the training had already ended, Jedd and the instructors were not present.

"Hey! Kajin! What kind of attitude is that to the young master?"

"Be more respectful. Are you crazy?"

"You guys should be more respectful. If I get hit, it's me, not you. You guys have grown a lot since you couldn't even look at me before. Are you all joining Jin's faction from today?"

Kajin glared, and the students averted their eyes.

Kajin, who had been the dominant force in the intermediate class before Jin arrived, was a 5-star knight, one of the most skilled. With Muna and Ann backing him, he had no rivals. Even the Tona brothers didn't dare to treat him casually.

"You look terrible, Kajin."

"Yes, I look terrible, Young Master. But your appearance, recognized by everyone for a lucky successful mission, isn't very pleasant either. After all, a pure-blood is a pure-blood."

"How dare you speak to such a noble...!"

Swish!

Messa, who had been watching, jumped up and drew her sword. She was about to charge at Kajin, but Jin raised his hand to stop her.

"Young Master! I must kill this guy today. Even if I die, I'll cut off one of his arms!"

"Enough."

Messa huffed for a while before sheathing her sword.

"There seems to be a misunderstanding, Kajin. When I said you look terrible, it wasn't because you were mocking other students or being insolent to me."

"Ha, then what do you mean by looking terrible?"

"You are a 5-star knight, one of the most skilled in the intermediate class. You might even be stronger than me. So why are you only gossiping behind my back?"

Swish!

This time, Jin drew his sword and pointed it at Kajin.

"Why not just challenge me openly? I wonder if you lacked the courage to ask for a duel. I clearly said from the first day that you could challenge me anytime."

Kajin looked up at Jin.

"...Are you serious?"

"Yes. Stand up and draw your sword."

Jin took a few steps back and assumed a stance. Kajin just stared blankly, and the gathered students swallowed hard.

Why is Young Master Jin doing this?

Everyone was thinking this. While Jin is indeed remarkable, they still believe he is not ready to face Kajin in a one-on-one duel.

"There's no need to go easy. Do your best."

"It sounds like you're suggesting we don't limit our aura."

Kajin, who had stood up, drew his sword.

"You heard correctly."

"I'll make you regret it, Young Master Jin. Don't think you can cut off my arm so easily this time. You should use all your tricks."

"If I use all my tricks, you won't be able to beat me even if you come back from the dead."

"You're overconfident!"

Clang!

Kajin took the initiative.

He quickly closed the distance and launched a series of attacks, leveraging his superior physique. Each time a sharp and heavy sound echoed, Jin staggered slightly.

'His attacks are indeed heavy.'

Kajin Romero, 24 years old, 5-star knight.

A Runkandel, he is just an intermediate student, but in the outside world, he would be a highly sought-after figure. He could leave Runkandel and become a renowned knight, revered by the masses.

Among the humans Jin has faced in swordsmanship, even considering his past life, Kajin is the most skilled.

'But compared to the ones I will face in the future, he is nothing.'

Clang, Clang!

As the exchange continued, Jin was pushed back, while Kajin pursued like a predator. Kajin's eyes were filled with malice as he swung his sword.

"Ugh!"

"Why are you like this already? Are you finally seeing reality? You don't have the skill to face me, Young Master!"

Kajin quickly changed his stance to a two-handed grip and swung his sword with all his might, enveloping it in aura. It felt more like swinging a hammer than a sword, especially since he swung it sideways.

It was an attack meant to break Jin's guard. Even though it only grazed him, a heavy impact sound echoed, and Jin barely held onto his sword.

But his stance was disrupted. Kajin, too, was off balance, but for different reasons. He had anticipated this and used the momentum to deliver a powerful kick to Jin's thigh, the iron protection on his shin increasing the damage.

Jin gritted his teeth from the blow to his thigh. He didn't have time to groan. Kajin, who had already regained his balance, was swinging his sword again.

Swoosh.

Kajin's blade grazed Jin's forehead. If Jin hadn't pulled his head back, it would have split his forehead in two.

At that moment, Taiman stood up. He judged that Jin's life was in danger and was about to intervene. But Messa stopped him.

"Do you think Young Master will lose?"

Taiman, who immediately agreed, scratched the back of his head and sat down again.

By then, the students watching had realized that the tide had completely turned. While Jin's breathing was heavy, Kajin still had a bright aura enveloping his sword.

But Jin was...

Continuously focusing on one particular sense.

'Just like the day I was hit by the iron ball because of Heytona... I can start to see Kajin's attack trajectory.'

The strange sensation he felt during the crystal training.

While the direction a sword can take in the air is infinite, the trajectories a 5-star knight can use are not as varied.

Especially when Kajin is consumed by anger. Jin decided to end the duel in the next three exchanges and provoke Kajin to use any hidden tricks he might have.

"I can read all your attacks now. You can't beat me."

"You're talking nonsense until the end, Young Master."

I only need to dodge twice.

Kajin will stick to the patterns he has used so far.

There's no need to change a strategy that has been working well. Especially after being provoked into thinking it has been read, he will surely stick to it out of pride.

But if Jin perfectly dodges twice, Kajin will have to make a choice. Either use a different strategy or launch an attack that Jin 'knows but can't block.'

The exchange went as Jin had predicted.

A left slash followed by an unconventional upward strike. Jin didn't block these two attacks but dodged them perfectly. He crouched low and turned before the next attack could come.

In that brief moment, confusion found its way into Kajin's mind. Not only did Jin evade the difficult left slash, but he also seemed to see the future, dodging Kajin's attack before the sword even rose.

"Damn!"

So the third attack was launched with full aura. Whether Jin read the trajectory or it was a coincidence, a human body is not as free as water.

Even if you dodge, your stance will be slightly off, creating an opening. Kajin decided to use a power that a 4-star aura could never block.

"I'll end this!"

Clang!

The word "now" never came.

Jin didn't dodge Kajin's third attack with an unconventional movement. Instead, he enveloped his sword in aura and met Kajin's attack head-on.

Boom!

When the two swords clashed, it was Kajin who was pushed back.

He was overpowered. Just a moment ago, he had been in a continuous position of superiority.

Kajin's eyes shook wildly, unable to hide his shock. The aura surrounding his sword was clearly beyond 5-star.

"I thought it would take me a few years to reach 5-star."

Huff! Jin then pressed into Kajin's disarrayed stance.

If you are confident that your opponent is 4-star and suddenly face a 5-star aura, it can only lead to defeat.

As the blade of Bradamante touched Kajin's neck, he realized he had been complacent.

The match was over.

"Did... did you trick me? 5-star... Ha ha."

Kajin, who had dropped his sword, asked in a despondent voice.

"No, you just didn't know me well. I don't engage in fights I think I'll lose."

"What's going on!"

The Tona brothers, who had heard the situation from their faction members and arrived late at the training ground, were shocked to see Jin.

'Kajin... beaten by a junior?'

Jin turned around and sheathed his sword. He then walked past the Tona brothers slowly and said,

"It's nothing."

The Tona brothers felt their body hair stand on end just from that.