Chapter 4: Train to the Academy (2)

Chapter 4: Train to the Academy (2)

The cabin door opened again and a female student walked in.

She was a beauty comparable to Seo Ye-in, but her cold and stern appearance made her seem unapproachable as if it would be difficult to even strike up a conversation with her.

Her light brown hair was neatly tied up, and she wore an armband that read disciplinary committee.

Outside the door, a large man, a noble-looking young man, and a smiling female student took their positions beside her and they were all wearing similar armbands.

Ive gotten involved with the disciplinary committee right from the start.

The disciplinary committee.

This student organization manages the law and order within and outside of Dragon Slayer Academy.

Traditionally, first-year council members are admitted early. They get acquainted with the basic guidelines and are then immediately deployed onto the train.

Just like now.

This is because the train heading to Dragon Slayer Academy, attracting vigorous youths from all over, serves as an excellent stage for the new council member to gain experience.

And it seemed that Shin Byeong-cheol was about to become a part of that experience, the reason for which would soon become apparent.

The female student glared at Shin Byeong-cheol and extended her hand.

Please give it back. Thats something you shouldnt have.

However, Shin Byeong-cheol didnt seem inclined to give up the item.

He maintained a playful expression, while his eyes kept darting over the girls shoulder, likely plotting a possible escape route.

The female student asked him,

Whats so funny?

Nothing, just thinking youre a bit too clingy. With such a pretty face but acting so strict, you wont be popular with the boysugh!

Fzzt!

A brief electric current struck Shin Byeong-cheol.

It was the simple lightning magic spell, [Zap].

Lightning attribute mages are rare.

Initially, my plan was to avoid getting involved and just observe, but this development changed the scenario.

Since my [Copy-Skill] slot was empty, perhaps this was an opportunity to intervene and acquire a new skill?

In the brief moment when Shin Byeong-cheol was hit by the lightning, I finished my calculations.

And first, I apologized to Seo Ye-in in my mind.

Sorry.

Shin Byeong-cheol seemed to have fallen into a mild state of paralysis, trembling as he nearly fell sideways but managed to stay upright by leaning on the cabins table.

The full weight of his body bore down, so when he leaned on the table, the recoil hit my elbow.

Thud!

Now.

The handmade cookie I was slowly enjoying slipped from my hand and rolled across the floor.

When the train jerked slightly, the cookie rolled further away from me.

It was too late now.

Any food that falls on the ground and stays for more than three seconds is no longer edible.

Ive created a pretext.

Now, all that was left was to find the right moment to step in.

Shin Byeong-cheol struggled to his feet, shaking off the paralysis that had gripped his body.

His hand subtly moved towards the back pocket of his pants.

Ah, this is getting tricky. Im not confident in a head-to-head fight

It seems you have no intention of surrendering willingly. I will have to subdue you.

The female student slipped a dark-blue glove onto one hand.

It appears to be a fairly high-quality artifact as it is embroidered with golden embroidery and has topaz studded here and there.

As she flicked her finger, the glove began to emit a strong light and electrical currents.

The crackling electricity took the form of a small hummingbird and darted towards Shin Byeong-cheol.

[Hummingbird]

Fzzzt!

However, the Hummingbird failed to inflict any damage on Shin Byeong-cheol.

It was intercepted mid-flight by my outstretched hand.

A small explosion of electricity erupted from my palm and sparks were sent flying around the place.

Feeling the impact firsthand, I was certain.

It looks like a D-rank, but its E-rank.

I shook the tingling sensation from my hand.

The female student slightly furrowed her brows at the unexpected interference.

She stared at my face for a moment, as if trying to recall something, then slightly tilted her head.

Are you in cahoots with him? I havent seen you on the watch list.

Not really. Just had some unexpected business to attend to.

What business?

My cookie.

Excuse me?

I pointed to the half-eaten homemade cookie still rolling back and forth on the floor.

It fell because of you guys. Thats something you cant buy even with money.

Youre interrupting the disciplinary committees club actions over a mere cookie?

It might just be a cookie, but to someone who was enjoying it, its quite annoying.

The female student looked at me as if I were an illogical guy.

However, she seemed to find some reason in my words and hesitated before taking any immediate action.

Meanwhile, the noble young man of the disciplinary committee entered the cabin.

He looked ready to draw the golden sword at his hip at any moment.

Youre picking a pointless quarrel. Why dont you step aside while youre being asked nicely? If not, youll taste something much hotter than a cookie.

I advise you to think carefully and act wisely.

Go Hyeon-woo slowly stood up from his seat.

If you intend to draw your sword, know that you wont be the only one taking action.

.

The gaze of the young nobleman was fixated on Go Hyeon-woo.

Upon noticing he was dressed in martial arts clothing, the nobles eyes shifted to the sword sheath in his hand.

Realizing it was a cheap iron sword, a sneer spread across his face.

With that, he vanished out of the room like the wind.

Heh, quite a lively fellow, isnt he? Dont you think so, Kim-hyung?

Indeed.

I quietly turned my gaze to Seo Ye-in, who had been silently watching us.

Sorry. The cookie was really tasty.

Ill make more.

Really?

Mhm.

I had inadvertently received a promise for cookies.

Seo Ye-in seemed to be slowly getting tired again, and after saying that, she slumped down on the table.

And she became motionless.

..

..

Perhaps due to the whirlwind of events that had just swept through, the quiet atmosphere of the afternoons parlor was quite pleasant.

Go Hyeon-woo and I were just looking out the window without saying anything.

After a while, Go Hyeon-woo broke the silence.

By the way, Kim-hyung, may I ask you something?

What is it?

Did you really get involved just for the sake of the cookie?

I agree that getting your snack time interrupted angers you but it seemed like there might be more to the story.

Hes sharper than I thought.

Despite his appearance of a well-mannered young man, his mind was quite astute.

It was an unexpected side of Go Hyeon-woo that I had seen.

Feeling somewhat refreshed by this revelation, I began to explain.

The primary reason was to meet the conditions of the [Copy-Skill], but even excluding that, there was another reason.

Its rare to see a lightning-attribute mage, so I just wanted to casually check out her abilities.

Hmm But all Kim-hyung did was to counter Miss Songs move, right?

All I had done was to interrupt in the middle, catch the Hummingbird spell, and then leave. This was hardly enough to assess someones capabilities.

I asked him back.

How much do you know about the Hummingbird spell?

I saw it for the first time just now.

So, what did you think of it at first glance?

Hmm

Go Hyeon-woo closed his eyes for a moment and was lost in thought.

He seemed to be recalling the scenes he had witnessed.

Its extremely fast, hard to follow with the eye, and the technique seems more focused on controlling the enemy, like causing paralysis or stiffness, rather than inflicting damage.

Youre half right.

Whats the other half?

Watch closely.

I created a hummingbird on my palm.

It was the size of a fly so it was different from Song Cheon-hyes hummingbird.

Since the mana power source, the [Core], has not yet been created, I couldnt properly manifest even low-level spells.

Still, this size was enough to demonstrate its movements.

The hummingbird took flight from my hand.

Following my control, it formed a figure 8 in the air and moved irregularly in a zigzag pattern.

Its called a hummingbird because it was made to imitate the flight of a hummingbird.

Indeed, such movements would be quite tricky to counter.

The performance varies greatly depending on the practitioners skill level.

Go Hyeon-woo tilted his head, still not quite understanding.

But what does that have to do with Miss Songs abilities?

Think of it in reverse. If the hummingbirds movements change depending on the skill of the practitioner

Ah! Then one could gauge skill level by the hummingbirds movements.

Exactly.

If Song Cheon-hye had been a truly skilled mage, there should have been some change in the hummingbirds movement the moment I intervened.

For instance, it could have flown around my hand, or it could have retreated briefly before flying again.

However, Song Cheon-hyes hummingbird had plunged straight into my palm.

This was evidence of either poor control of magic or a lack of experience in actual combat.

So much information was contained in Miss Songs single move.

But thats not all.

From what I had personally discerned, although it was E-rank, it was so powerful that it could actually be considered a D-rank.

Either she had learned a powerful trait to assist her magic, or she was born with an enormous amount of magical power.

Either way, it indicated high potential.

The granddaughter of the Thunder Lord. She certainly lives up to her name.

I added Song Cheon-hyes name to my list of heroes to be recruited someday.

While I was pondering this, Go Hyeon-woo nodded his head and smiled pleasantly.

It hasnt been long since I met Kim-hung, but Ive learned so much. It must be fate.

Theres no need to call it fate. I can teach you at least this much.

Kim-hyung is indeed generous. I think I chose well for my first friend. My judgment isnt too bad, it seems. Haha.

Go Hyeon-woo was someone who always interpreted things positively.

Suddenly, Go Hyeon-woos expression turned serious.

If you ever need my help, just let me know. Ill do my best to help you.

Really? Well, since its come up.

Theres a saying, Strike while the iron is hot.

I stood up from my seat.

Lets go somewhere together.

Just to pick up one hidden piece.