[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero":3,"chapter-i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-chapter-13":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","I Became the Academy’s War Hero",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1531720,1990,"Chapter 13 : The Successor of the Sword Saint (3)","i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-chapter-13",13,"\u003Cp>Chapter 13: The Successor of the Sword Saint  (3)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After spending quite a while comforting Rubia in the dormitory lounge, I was finally able to wrap up the day’s schedule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment I arrived at Room 403, I collapsed onto the floor without even making it to the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What a long day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I crawled over and barely managed to pull myself onto the mattress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lying flat on my back, I took a deep breath to steady myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I focused inward, trying to gauge the amount of mana circulating within me once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Weak.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far too weak, considering it was flowing through my entire body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My head throbbed, my vision blurred, and everything appeared hazy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even my neatly placed hands trembled uncontrollably, as if afraid of something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn withdrawal symptoms….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought I had managed to get a lot done today, but there were still mountains left to deal with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duties to fulfill, lessons to attend, personal training, and caring for the heroines on top of that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If only I had one more body.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, if I handled this matter well, I should be able to take a breather until the Imperial Conference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I closed my eyes and sank into thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had, of course, expected Eric Halenber to make a move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the game, there were plenty who tried to keep Francia in check, but among them, Eric was the one most often entangled with her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arrogant, blind to his own limits, yet holding impossibly high standards for himself—a character who always acted desperate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t a hard worker like Francia, nor was he exceptionally gifted, so he constantly sought shortcuts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as he achieved results by any means necessary, Karbenna would acknowledge it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After being completely crushed by me in the morning and then humiliated again during physical training, his pride must’ve been shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, his self-proclaimed rival Francia didn’t seem to care one bit and was focusing solely on her training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That contrast must have weighed heavily on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, as always, he must have concluded that he had to trample his opponent by any means necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was also the pretext of preserving the honor of the Halenber family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘In this situation, there’s nothing better than a Replica Artifact.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were standard classroom teaching tools—easy to obtain and with minimal side effects due to their lack of power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d probably prepared more than just the Stone-Eye—other artifacts as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All replicas, of course.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as usual, Karbenna wouldn’t impose any restrictions in this kind of situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a rule stating that “only pre-approved artifacts may be used,” but the Training Support Department didn’t have the manpower to check every applicant’s belongings one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Except for official dueling events like those during the Festival, there was almost no direct intervention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this world, artifacts were simply considered equipment—rare, but still tools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who would complain about someone bringing a sword to a sparring match?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anything, Francia would be treated as the odd one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People would probably say, “What’s with her? Why doesn’t she use any artifacts?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, I had actually thought quite a bit about this part too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it really fine to just sit back and watch while the opponent resorted to cheap tricks?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The outcome of this duel was crucial for Francia’s growth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Win or lose, the last thing I wanted was for her to break because of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Depending on how things played out, Eric could very well defeat Francia and stunt her progress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So originally, I had considered strategies like supplying her with an artifact or informing her of her opponent’s weaknesses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as soon as the special training began, I realized something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what underhanded tricks that brat tried, the result wouldn’t change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced at the small floating status window beside me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>※ You are [Francia Brida]’s [Growth Contributor].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>※ You have acquired the following authority: [Status View].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>1 a.m., inside the dormitory of Class 3, Year 2.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Eric Halenber’s private room, the three friends were holding a small meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All right, everyone. Take them out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three began laying out the artifacts they had hidden in their uniforms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Is this all you’ve got?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other two scratched their chins awkwardly and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In front of Billy and Philip were two artifacts each.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eric glanced at the five in front of him and sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What am I supposed to do if you two together can’t even match me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The distance was too far to get more….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“M-Me too….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eric didn’t even have the energy to sigh anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You two have duels scheduled for tomorrow too, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then let’s pick in order. There are nine in total, so three each.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Got it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They each began choosing the artifacts they needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eric selected three:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Talisman of Anti-Magic, Shadow Shackles, and Stone-Eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their primary effects were curse resistance, binding, and petrification respectively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Billy cautiously spoke to Eric, who was smiling with satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We don’t really care if we use ours or not, but… isn’t this a bit much for just Francia?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is just insurance, that’s all. She’s probably made some preparations of her own too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard she even went to personally request special training today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With who? Eugene Carter, that bastard?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eric snorted and waved dismissively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No matter who trains her, that walking training machine won’t change.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nodded to himself, recalling memories from his first year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had fought five duels last year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Win rate: eighty percent. Eric had won four of the five matches by decision, losing only the first one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘She’s not just uptight—she’s practically a machine.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mindless cog repeating the same process over and over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was how Eric defined Francia Brida.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But because her process was so predictable and straightforward, no matter how much she refined it, her limit was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite possessing top-tier stamina, agility, strength, and defense, she still failed to break into the single-digit rankings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All because of her predictable combat style.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To have such overwhelming physical talent—something Eric could never obtain no matter how hard he tried—and yet produce only that level of result.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That inexplicable unfairness was what drove Eric to pick up his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gripped it, and swung down mercilessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Just submit. Give in, and follow their way.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had expected things to turn out this way ever since I came to Karbenna.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could a fallen noble’s dropout possibly stand against an entire family?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would he really throw away the life he barely managed to keep, all for the sake of revenge?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…This time, I’ll completely break that stubborn pride of hers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then I’d never have to get tangled up with this damned Halenber name again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And maybe, someday….\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Eric drifted into thought, the orb on his desk caught the glint of his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it understood his mood or not, the sky outside was clear—without a single cloud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>March 2nd, 9 a.m.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crossing the Plaza of Glory at the heart of Karbenna, I was heading toward Building F.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Building F was commonly known as the Martial Studies Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most sparring sessions, duels, and tournaments took place there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Vena Ribenia!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Vena Ribenia!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough already—just get going, you bastards!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cadets passing by kept saluting so relentlessly that I could barely focus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A quick glance around told me there were at least three hundred people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of them were heading inside the Martial Studies Hall, while some split off toward the outdoor arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a sigh, I followed the ones going inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Karbenna, one day every two weeks was designated as Duel Day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially early in the semester, most cadets filled the spectator seats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instructors were no exception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They all wanted their names listed as the supervising teacher of promising students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cadets with high duel win rates were usually placed in key positions after graduation, so being their instructor or mentor was a credential that could be leveraged later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was also currently registered as the instructor for Class 3, Year 2.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The large bulletin board in the main lobby listed the day’s duel schedule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Francia and Eric were set to face off at 10 a.m. in Indoor Duel Arena 4.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I climbed the long spiral staircase to the second floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was still a bit of time left, so before entering the arena, I exchanged a few jokes with some of the other instructors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, look who it is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An unwelcome voice cut in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The instructor of Practical Tactics III who overworked his cadets from the very first session, isn’t it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A low, heavy voice accompanied by a solidly built frame and a towering height well over 190 centimeters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smiled smoothly and gave a salute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, Director Frederick. It’s been a while.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tone was sarcastic enough for anyone to notice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instructors beside me also saluted, but Frederick waved his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Could you give us a moment? I have something to discuss with Instructor Carter alone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then we’ll head in first. See you later, Professor Eugene.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the other instructors had left one by one, only Frederick and I remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, Carter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You could at least use some form of respect. We’re both teachers, after all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“An instructor and a Director are not equals.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That damned authoritarian attitude again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I didn’t bother to hide my indifference, Frederick sighed and continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With that shabby body of yours, you somehow managed to keep those cadets in line. What, did you swallow some miracle tonic or something?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stayed silent. There was no need to dignify that with a response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What were you thinking, pulling that stunt on the very first day? I’m genuinely curious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This one, however, didn’t warrant silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I lifted my gaze, locking eyes with Frederick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…It was just a preliminary fitness test before getting started properly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You call running them ragged for three hours a test?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s the Karbenna I remember.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re the one who established that system, aren’t you, Frederick?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His lips tightened at the sharp retort, and for a moment, he simply rubbed at the corner of his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, he didn’t look the least bit offended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anything, he looked intrigued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, I suppose I understand your sentiment. In the end, it was your own poor stamina that held you back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twitch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You probably don’t want other cadets meeting the same fate, do you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, take it easy, Carter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There are plenty out there who aren’t happy about your return.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You included, Director?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh, think what you will.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frederick turned to leave but then suddenly stopped, as if remembering something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, I almost forgot to give you this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pulled out an envelope from his inner pocket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I wish you success, Instructor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The red wax seal bore the Imperial insignia.\u003C\u002Fp>",1803,"2026-06-06T06:11:51.613Z",1,"novelbin.me","314f6199a73736e2cf12cde4950b58fdd02cf88d1a22c8b5ef6754206a029a2b","i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-chapter-14","i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-chapter-12",163,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-cover.jpg"]