Chapter 36:

Chapter 36:

When Abel disembarked from the Gigant after the two chases, he was pretty exhausted. He had to deal with many people, using various armaments and skills while still keeping his synchronization rate at the highest level, and just after that, he had to deal with a stronger opponent with a significant difference in strength.

‘If you don’t get tired after doing this, you’re just a monster...’

As he thought to himself, he suddenly remembered something and turned his head to his side.

“Huh? Why?”

Daniel asked a question with a bright smile.

“A monster.”

“Huh? What?”

“A monster.”

“Suddenly?”

“No.”

Abel took his gaze from Daniel’s bewildered face and looked towards Claire’s Gigant. She had gotten off the gigant and was talking to the engineer. He intended to talk briefly with her, but Claire walked towards the building shortly after. Just then.

“Come on! Class isn’t over yet! Everyone concentrate!”

Karl spoke in a loud voice, drawing attention to himself. As said, the class was still in progress. Everyone seemed exhausted physically and mentally except for Daniel, but Karl didn’t seem to mind and continued.

“Everyone except for these three is not tired, right? You all rested a lot while waiting.”

The three were Abel, Daniel, and May. The rest of the cadets hesitated, unable to answer right away. Then, Karl tilted his head and spoke again.

“Just out of curiosity, you guys aren’t tired, right? You all can go for a run on a gigant...”

“We are tired!!”

This time, Karl received a surprisingly loud reply. Karl opened his eyes wide and continued with a smirk.

“Yes, it must be difficult. Of course, it is. It is not fatigue that can be recovered by resting for 10 minutes. Some people in this class must have already gone through actual battle or something similar.”

Karl’s gaze flicked over Abel, Daniel, and some other cadets as he was talking.

“But most of you probably haven’t experienced it.”

Karl continued as if he wasn’t expecting any response.

“Real combat takes a lot of stamina. Anyone who’s ever experienced one gets exhausted after one. Why? Abel?”

“Because it’s not just about moving the body. It also consumes mental ability.”

“Exactly. When you go into battle, you get really nervous. Most of us are no exceptions, even those who have been on the battlefield for over a decade.”

Karl said with a serious expression that belied his playfulness.

“It was the same for me, too. My nerves were always on edge, and when I chewed and swallowed my food, it felt like it was stuck in my throat, and when I went to sleep, I’d wake up drenched in sweat serval times.”

As the exhausted cadets listened to Karl’s story, they were as engrossed in his story as ever. His account of having lived on the precarious battle line for decades had a lot of suction power.

“Pressure. It can destroy a person.”

Karl paused for a moment before speaking.

“That’s why the academy wants to teach more than just techniques. We want our cadets to learn.”

The Academy’s curriculum is a lot more than just training riders who are very good at handling a gigant. However, when it comes to making a good ‘gigant rider,’ there is no such thing as flimsy.

“A Gigant rider must have great stamina and great control. They must have a certain level of synchronization and maneuverability. And, of course, they must also fight well, but that’s not the most important thing.”

Karl concluded his long talk with a short one.

“You must be able to handle pressure. Do you understand?”

“Yes!” This chapter's initial release occurred on the n0vell--Bjjn site.

Unlike before, the Cadets reply came out loud, not forced, but genuine. Karl relaxed his stern expression and smiled.

“That’s what we’ve done today. I’ve distinguished winners from losers earlier, but what you learned from it is the most important thing. And don’t live in the past.”

Karl continued immediately.

“Because wins and losses always change. And there are plenty of opportunities to see how you stack up against each other, even if it’s not necessarily in tail-catching. Now, let’s end this boring conversation.”

After checking the time, Karl said something that would please the cadets.

“There’s nothing to think about too deeply. Hmmm... For example, if it’s defensive, pick defensive. If it’s offensive, pick offensive. Just those types of things. I’m sure you’ve learned some of them before.”

“May I ask you a reverse question?”

“Sure.”

“Then... In your opinion, in which aspect do you think I’m lacking?”

At Abel’s question, Karl stroked his chin, and then said.

“A lot.”

Karl said, briefly and shortly before elaborating.

“If we’re talking strictly about physical skills, I’m sure some versions are quite advanced, but I don’t think there are any physical skills that encompass the full body knowledge, is that correct?”

“Yes, I’ve only learned a few skills by sight or passed on a few versions briefly.”

“Hmm. I see.”

Karl seemed to understand immediately, perhaps because he knew about Abel’s background. A cadet who grew up orphaned and wandered around on the streets but was fortunate enough to be sponsored by Count Klein. It was a life very far removed from the systematic and structured world of martial arts. Instead of commenting on that, Karl returned to the topic at hand.

“I suppose you ask that because you’re not sure yet, which is understandable since you’re just starting.”

“Yes.”

Abel nodded cheerfully. He wasn’t entirely unsure, as Karl had said, but he’d been determined to do this from the beginning. The reason was simple, Karl is an expert in physical skills. Of course, he could have pointed out what he wanted to learn if he wanted to.

Like what skills should he get, etc. He needed to get some skills, get some armament, and upgrade his gigant, and... Abel already had such a grand plan in his head, but it was only a plan based on his knowledge of the game. He had to remind himself that this was not just a game but a living, breathing world. If you can get help from others, and if you can get help from experts, you should.

‘Because that’s how you get to the top faster.’

Abel waited for Karl’s next words with a serious expression on his face. After a long moment of silence, Karl spoke up.

“There is an easy way and a hard way.”

Karl spread out two fingers.

“The easy way is simple, you tend to be a very aggressive fighter but your defense level will have some set back so it would be beneficial for you to learn some techniques that specialize in that area.”

Folding one of his fingers, Karl continued.

“The second path is more difficult. It sharpens that aggressive side of you even more. The risk is high, and there will be difficulties in many ways until you become skilled, and it’s going to be hard to get good at anything else.”

With both his fingers folded, Karl smirked.

“If you pick the second one, it will be much more difficult than the physical training. To the point that you’ll regret choosing it. Think about it...”

“I’ll take the second one.”

Abel replied without letting Karl finish his sentence. Karl was about to say he was being too hasty, but then he saw the look in Abel’s eyes and shut up. There was a flame of intense conviction and passion in those eyes. It was a look that could never belong to someone who had made a rash decision. Karl looked him in the eye and spoke,

“It’s going to be difficult. When other cadets see it, they won’t see it as a privilege, but rather, they’ll see it as a pity.”

“I’m determined.”

Karl asked as if he couldn’t understand his answer.

“Why did you pick the second one? Is it because you’re more inclined?”

“You said the second one was more difficult, but.......”

Abel continued.

“If it was simply difficult and less effective, you wouldn’t have suggested two paths for me in the first place.”

He spoke as if he could see right through Karl.

“I suppose you thought the second one would suit me much better, didn’t you?”

Abel’s logical answer made Karl stare at him blankly for a moment, then smirked.

“Yes.”

His head moved up and down.

“Well, I won’t stop you if you put it that way. I’m looking forward to it.”

Abel replied, his eyes burning with passion.

“Yes, sir. I’ll do my best.”

[To be continued.]