Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Chapter 325: Hands-on Training (5)

The hands-on Training in the Heavenly Dragon Academy isn’t particularly special.

Since they taught how to defend yourself against Demons, the hands-on training served to test whether students had fully grasped their lessons and could apply them in real combat.

As I suspected, it was most likely that students were going to be made to hunt Demons and as I expected, that indeed happened.

However, a few things took me by surprise.

Is this where the entrance exams took place last time?

The range of the hunting ground was far larger than I had imagined.

The same two mountains from the entrance exams were now being utilized for this hands-on training.

Not that those mountains were small to begin with—they were colossal.

Moreover,

I wasn’t sure how this test was going to be held, but if the instructors intended to grade us individually, they could have simply observed each student fight a Demon one-on-one.

I couldn’t understand why they bothered using such a big field for this test.

Not only was it a hassle for them to clean up Demons that were released afterwards, and I doubted whether the instructors could prevent danger effectively, despite their presence.

“You have until sunset. Instructors will be watching you from everywhere, so I suggest that you don’t do anything stupid.”

After Cheol Hwanho’s warning, nervous expressions crept onto the students’ faces, but the reality was it wouldn’t be as dangerous as they feared.

There was no need for them to fear battling Demons at their current skill level, and it was most likely that only green and barely a few blue Demons were released.

While fighting alone could be perilous, that wouldn’t happen with so many instructors around.

If anything, people were more dangerous.

With more than a few unhinged individuals present, the instructors warned students not to fight each other.

Some of them were dangerous, unable to control their tempers once provoked.

Of course, most of them held back their anger since they didn’t want to ruin their clan or Sect’s image.

But, as I mentioned before, there were still a few bastards who didn’t care about such things.

For example,

Like me.

It’s only natural for me to return the favor when someone is being irritating.

I can hold back once or twice, but that’s where my patience ends.

Maybe that’s why?

It felt like Cheol Hwanho’s gaze was locked on me as he spoke those words.

“You are forbidden to fight each other. You will be punished if we catch you doing such a thing, so be warned.”

It must’ve been a coincidence—our eyes meeting like that.

“You better… be warned!”

…Maybe not?

It truly seemed like his warning was directed at me.

But it was probably just in my head.

Mhm.

But what’s with this test all of a sudden when we barely learned anything?

I went along with it because it was mandatory, but it still felt absurd.

We were being tested after just two months of training—I couldn’t wrap my head around it.

Sure, many of us had previous experience hunting Demons, but it was different now because we had to use the methods taught by the Heavenly Dragon Academy.

I heard that this test was going to affect our grades a lot.

Everyone will probably try their best because of that.

But in my opinion, the Academy’s techniques weren’t all that effective.

To put it positively, they focused on the basics.

Or should I call it the most standard way?

They only taught the most basic methods for these scenarios, but I’m certain the instructors knew it wasn’t the best approach.

Rather than teaching us how to properly defeat different types of Demons, they stuck to the bare minimum. Even the instructors seemed aware of this.

They were only doing it since the higher-ups told them.

That’s why there is no growth.

I understood that they wanted us to gain real-world experience after mastering the basics, but that made attending the Academy feel pointless.

Every day I thought about it, I arrived at the same conclusion.

What really mattered were the connections you forged and the reputation you built.

The education offered here wasn’t what held value.

It’s fucked. Seriously.

The Murim Alliance’s premier military institution was now surviving on reputation alone.

People flocked here because of the name’s prestige, but they were all swept away when the calamity hit, thanks to the broken system.

What were the Ten Sect Alliance, the Four Noble Clans, the Murim Alliance, and the Orthodox Faction, really?

Idiots drunk in peace.

How can we ever expect hope to grow from such rotten roots?

Without the Celestial Sword, they would have perished in an instant.

From my past life’s experience, I had lost all hope in the Orthodox Faction.

I knew the demons that lurked within their corrupted core.

I don’t even want to lay my hands on them, but I’ll have to get rid of them if I want to live.

I had to get rid of those nasty bastards one by one starting soon.

Only then, it would make my future a bit easier to deal with.

“Brother.”

“Hmm?”

Pe Woocheol spoke up suddenly as we walked.

“What is your plan for the summer?”

“Summer?”

Summer, out of the blue? Was something big important happening during the summer?

“Do you plan to go back to your clan?”

“…The clan…? Oh.”

I realized he was talking about the upcoming Academy break, where students could either use the training facilities or return home.

During the break, students would either train in the enclosed rooms or regular grounds, while some would return home.

I…

“…It might be a bit difficult for me to go back home.”

It was obvious that the clan was informed about the trouble I caused with the secret vault here. Facing punishment from my father was a possibility, so it seemed safer not to return just yet.

Ideally, avoiding the trip home altogether was the wisest choice.

I’m not sure about others though.

Gu Jeolyub and Gu Yeonseo would likely return when the time comes.

Especially Gu Jeolyub—he’d have to deal with Gu Sunmoon, so returning was almost certain for him.

If he doesn’t go though, I’ll make sure to make him work this time.

Seeing him get completely crushed by Yung Pung last time, it really made me think that I needed to go harder on him.

I had planned to be brief since it was such a hassle, but remembering his stupid, nervous expression made my teeth grind.

It might’ve been a different story if he had no potential in the first place.

He had learned everything I taught him, and he had talent, so why did he always act that way?

Back in my days, I had to figure it all out on my own since there was no one like me to teach me.

Of course, the Second Elder used to push me to my limits, but I fled because I genuinely thought I’d die if I kept up with his training.

Anyway, he should be grateful and work hard if there is someone willing to teach him.

I really wasn’t fond of him.

Kids these days… tsk, tsk.

I couldn’t help but frown whenever Gu Jeolyub crossed my mind.

Pe Woocheol flinched when he noticed my expression.

Why is this bastard flinching?

“So what?”

I asked, my tone slightly irritated, and Pe Woocheol scratched the back of his head as he answered.

“It’s nothing special… but if you don’t have any other plans, how about you come with me to my clan?”Nôv(el)B\\jnn

“Your house?”

Pe Clan was based in Sichuan.

Isn’t that where the Tang Clan is?

“…Sichuan, huh.”

Going back to my house wasn’t an option, and I thought about looking for the White Demonic Stone if I really couldn’t overcome my wall in tim-

…Wait, isn’t that in Sichuan?

It wasn’t exactly in Sichuan, but it was in the same direction.

The White Demonic Stone was formed centuries ago when white Demons went berserk, and it was hidden deep beneath a lake.

“Hmm…”

Since it’s in the same direction, if I haven’t broken through by then…

“I’ll think about it.”

“Oh…! Thank you.”

“Why are you thanking me? You’re the one who invited me.”

I should be the one thanking him.

I replied, somewhat speechless, but Pe Woocheol just smiled brightly.

“My father would love seeing you.”

“It’s not exactly confirmed yet you know.”

I had to consider it carefully—it would be risky to go before breaking through my barrier, especially with that dangerous bastard guarding the area.

It would be much more effective to consume the White Demonic Stone after reaching the Fusion Realm, but I had to question whether I could handle that ‘monster’ at my current level.

And there was another potential problem.

…Though I’m sure he wouldn’t do such a thing.

My father might come after me directly and drag me away.

If that happened, I’d have no choice.

Surely he wouldn’t go that far*.*

It was rare for my father to leave Shanxi unless there was an emergency, like the incident with Gu Huibi, or if a True Gate of Demons had opened.

He wasn’t called the Tiger Warrior, the guardian of Gu Clan and Shanxi for no reason.

But me not going is also a problem.

I, who was destined to become the Young Lord, running off with Pe Woocheol instead of returning home because of a little trouble—well, that was an issue in itself, but what could I do?

They shouldn’t have made me a Young Lord in the first place then.

I’m sure they would be more lenient with me now.

WIth that thought and a smile, I spoke to Pe Woocheol.

“You should start going too. I think it’s about to start.”

“Yes, understood.”

Pe Woocheol bowed his head and left quickly after hearing my words.

I had only one reason for sending him away like that.

We were told that we couldn’t cooperate with each other.

We had been told to keep our distance, and now the students were spreading out.

Moreover,

It’s a problem if Pe Woocheol is involved.

Even without that rule, I would have sent Pe Woocheol away, so it worked out for me.

It gave me a convenient excuse.

I looked around.

Everywhere I looked, I saw a mountain thick with trees.

Focusing my senses with Qi, I could detect several presences scattered around—probably other students.

Some of the bigger presences I felt in between were probably the instructors who were hiding.

Two near me.

In addition to that, there were Demons scattered all around the area.

Just seeing this was fascinating.

How could the Orthodox Faction release Demons in a perfectly fine mountain like this?

And how did they even capture demons to begin with?

Was no one questioning this?

Or perhaps, the Alliance got rid of the people that asked these questions?

That sounds probable.

-Whoosh!

Arrows were shot up high in the air as I glanced around.

It wasn’t just one or two.

It was just like during my entrance exams.

The arrows were infused with Qi, and as they reached their peak height,

Pop!

They burst with a faint sound, and the Qi within them dispersed.

It was a signal for students to begin the test.

I watched for a moment before slowly beginning to move.

I sensed Demons with each step I took, but I didn’t bother heading toward them to hunt.

It was obvious.

After all, the Demons weren’t the objective of this training for me.

Shortly after, I began leaping through the trees.

I concealed my presence using my Qi.

I noticed a few people around me growing confused when I concealed my presence.

It seemed like some instructors had been watching me, but they reacted this way because they lost track of me.

After shaking off the instructors, I reached the highest point of the mountain.

“…Ugh, my joint.”

I sat on a nearby rock and began massaging my knees.

It didn’t make sense for my body to feel sore at this age, but my joints had been aching lately due to the mental exhaustion I’d been facing.

“Is it going to rain tomorrow or something?”

With that idle remark, I glanced up at the sky.

The weather was clear and beautiful, with no sign of rain.

I watched the clouds drift by.

The scene was beautiful, with a few clouds dotting the otherwise clear sky.

“Why is it so frustratingly slow?”

But I wasn’t the type to be mesmerized by scenery like this.

I was only watching because there was nothing better to do.

“I wonder when he’ll show up.”

I’d climbed all the way up here to make it easier for him to find me, so it would be a problem if he couldn’t.

It’d be pretty pathetic if I had to go to him after all this effort, you know?

After a while, I considered plucking a leaf to play a whistle with,

Rustle.

But then, sensed a presence approaching from one direction.

I shifted my gaze toward it.

It wasn’t to check who it was.

That much was obvious.

It felt like the right time to unleash my frustration, after holding it in for so long.

“I almost thought you weren’t coming.”

I smiled as I spoke, but the bastard who appeared wore a disgusted look.

The pleasant smile he usually displayed around others was gone, replaced by a foul aura that cloaked him entirely.

I wondered how a person could change so drastically in an instant, but I welcomed this side of him.

That was the side of him I’d been waiting to see.

He fixed his gaze on me and started speaking.

“…You were waiting for me?”

“Not for long. I just came too.”

I greeted him like an old friend, but this bastard—no.

Jang Seonyeon’s expression only darkened further after that.