[{"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-16":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},1531723,1990,"Chapter 16 : Do You Really Have to See Blood? (1)","i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-chapter-16",16,"\u003Cp>Chapter 16: Do You Really Have to See Blood? (1)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Francia Brida suddenly left her seat, I—Eugene Carter—headed toward the academy infirmary with Eric Halenber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Billy Gray and Philip Petra, who had been in the spectator seats, also rushed out in a hurry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Glenn Schneider briefly declared Francia’s victory and immediately began preparing for the next sparring match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t seem particularly interested in Instructor Carter’s interference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The remaining cadets were too busy chattering about the duel between the two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…So you’re saying Halenber used to win against her?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Four wins and one loss. It’s from their first year record, though.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s way too much of a gap… Did she get some kind of special enhancement procedure over the break?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If it was an enhancement, it wouldn’t have stopped at that level. That’s probably Francia’s real skill.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then why did she hide it until now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How would I know that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t a fully convincing conclusion, but it was at least the most reasonable one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, saying ‘she suddenly became a different person after training with Eugene Carter for a few hours the day before’ sounded far less realistic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it was clear that Eugene Carter had, in one way or another, been involved in her growth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, there wasn’t a single person who could deny that he had proven himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But that sword earlier… do you think it was really an Aura Blade?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first topic had come to a close, so naturally, the second one began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come on, no way. It must’ve been an artifact.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s the most plausible explanation, but still…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“An artifact that draws out a sword from a broken blade? Is there even such a thing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not sure. I’ve never taken a class about that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the doubtful gazes, one man shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m an Artifact Studies major, and the activation mechanism was different. It definitely wasn’t an artifact.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…If it’s not an artifact, then maybe magic? Like a Flame Sword or an Ice Blade?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I doubt it. The mana’s form was completely different. If it had been elemental magic, the aura would’ve wrapped around the blade.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their tone suggested the conclusion had already been reached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, one of them waved his hands in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait, hold on. Are you guys saying she has the Swordmaster’s factor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No one can use an Aura Blade with just the factor. That means she’s already awakened it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, I guess Halenber can’t complain. Getting beaten by the Swordmaster’s heir isn’t exactly shameful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right. It’s not like it erases his past record anyway.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the cadets continued their excited chatter, their attention quickly returned to the stage once the next match began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A blue-eyed girl sitting in the front row of the stands was still savoring the afterglow of the earlier duel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As expected, she’s incredible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of the people here were probably fixated on that final Aura Blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that was understandable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, seeing a user of the Aura Blade in this day and age was exceedingly rare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what had truly caught her eye was what came before that—their final exchange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘She neutralized a strike that could only be blocked by a perfectly identical stance, and she did it with a mere practice sword…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A perfect understanding of Illusion Swordsmanship, and the ability to reproduce it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither was achievable without reaching the peak of mastery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each one alone was an astonishing accomplishment—and to possess both simultaneously? Perhaps that “legendary-level talent” evaluation hadn’t come out of nowhere after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With light steps, the girl exited the training arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that the second match had begun, she had no more business here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A smile kept tugging at her lips, and she brushed her fingers against them to hide it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Still, I should confirm it, just in case.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There might have been some connection between the two families that she didn’t know about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If there wasn’t, her hypothesis would become even more credible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…And if it moves beyond speculation—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Eugene Carter truly was the very man she had been searching for all this time…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she couldn’t allow him to die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This might be her last chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, I doubt someone who blocked the Swordmaster’s strike would fall to some third-rate assassin from Bernhardt.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After carrying Eric Halenber to the infirmary, I waited in the anteroom for the medical officer to come out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Billy and Philip were sitting across from me, huddled together, taking up three seats between the two of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Um… Instructor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Billy hesitated for a long time before finally speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eric’s going to be fine, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How would I know? I’m not a medical officer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that, the two instantly deflated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let out a quiet sigh and continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’ll probably get away with just full-body bruising. Don’t worry too much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, there might be a few fractures, though.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Especially his right hand—it’s going to take quite a while to heal…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn’t even finished my sentence before the two were already grinning again as if nothing had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving the two big oafs to their own cheerful chatter, I shifted my attention elsewhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Copy Slot [Growth Contributor]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>※ Copies an ability and stores it in the slot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>※ Only abilities from those you have contributed to the growth of can be copied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>※ Currently unlocked slots: 1\u002F2\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Well… this is both fortunate and unfortunate.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In MAGA, the “copy” ability ranked around Tier 2. The consensus was that it was a lesser version of the undisputed Tier 1 ability, “Devour.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Abilities obtained through Devour became truly one’s own, while Copy merely replicated another’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the ability wasn’t inherently mine, I couldn’t improve or develop it further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, there was no potential for growth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Normally, that would be true.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After digging deeper into the status window, I couldn’t help but grin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Growth Contributor S [Rare]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>※ By contributing to the growth of a specific individual, you gain multiple benefits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>※ A higher class exists. [Great Mentor]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Growth Contributor.” One of MAGA’s rare-tier classes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By aiding in someone’s growth, I could utilize a portion of their abilities. Viewing their status came as a bonus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Depending on the class rank and how much the target had grown, the strength of the abilities I could use increased exponentially.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, while the “Copy Slot” itself held no potential, the “Growth Contributor” did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Then the answer’s simple.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Character development was what I excelled at more than anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The medical officer came out about fifteen minutes later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All procedures are complete. He just needs rest now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Full-body contusions, plus fractures in the shoulder, ribs, and wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as I expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Does he need to be hospitalized?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s fine if he’s discharged right away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can I proceed with class as scheduled?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s a bit uncertain. While it won’t interfere with your daily activities, it’d be best to exclude you from training for about a week. Just take it easy for today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he seemed overshadowed when compared to Francia, he was still quite sturdy in his own way. He’d recover soon enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging from how he performed during the previous spar, there was still room for improvement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that was the case, it wouldn’t hurt to build a connection now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Since I’ll be crossing paths with Halenber quite often from now on.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After fulfilling my duty as his supervising instructor, I left the infirmary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, I headed back to the training grounds once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were still plenty of cadets I had yet to observe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first sparring day of the new semester concluded successfully at exactly 18:00.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most instructors only paid attention to the 5th and 6th-year cadets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They didn’t have the luxury to concern themselves with fledgling students who hadn’t even faced a single beast yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, there were a few exceptions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some observed only the lower-year duels, while others made a full round from 1st to 6th year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them, the second match at the 4th Training Hall was already the talk of the academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A clash between the two rival houses — Brida and Halenber — continuing their bitter feud through generations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Francia Brida, the first user of the Aura Blade to appear in 32 years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Eugene Carter, the 3rd Practical Tactics Instructor, who actively intervened between the two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was becoming more and more of a hot topic with each passing day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, there were quite a few who weren’t pleased with his growing fame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walter Clark, the professor in charge of Herbology Practicum, was one of the prime examples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump, thump.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unable to suppress the force in his steps, he muttered under his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everywhere I go, it’s Carter this, Carter that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was enough to make his ears fall off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face was filled with irritation as he walked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon reaching the main building’s Academic Affairs Office, Walter marched straight to the Director’s room without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This—! Does this make any sense, Director?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Confronted with an unfamiliar sight, Walter was momentarily at a loss for words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? Never seen embroidery before?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frederick Lake, the Director of the Academic Affairs Office, was doing cross-stitch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had a large embroidery hoop balanced across his thighs and deftly threaded a needle through the fabric.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear at a glance that this wasn’t his first or second time doing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…That’s quite an odd hobby you have there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What kind of hobby I have isn’t your concern.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lack of denial to the “odd” comment was telling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still keeping his hands busy, Frederick asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, what brings you here? It’s already past work hours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s about that bastard Carter! Don’t you think he’s gone too far this time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frederick’s response was unexpectedly indifferent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Too far? In what sense?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He blatantly interfered in the cadets’ sparring match!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And why are you complaining to me about that? This is the Academic Affairs Office, Clark. Seems like you’ve come to the wrong place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I already went to the Training Support Office. Instructor Glenn was in charge, apparently.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did he say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walter sighed and waved his hand in exasperation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He said it wasn’t a violation of regulations. Just a difference in teaching perspective, so he didn’t care either way…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If the supervising instructor said so, then that’s that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Setting the embroidery hoop on the desk, Frederick crossed his arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyway, why do the 16th Class idiots get along so poorly? Belfor, you, all of you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s only that psychopath Carter that no one gets along with.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walter Clark asked once more,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, you’re just planning to watch for now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No answer came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silence was practically an agreement, and Walter turned away in disappointment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thought if anyone would give me a proper answer, it’d be you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Here’s a bit of advice, Instructor Clark.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he was about to leave, a firm voice stopped him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t do anything unnecessary. Stay put for now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When the time comes, I’ll crush him myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Weren’t you the one who said picking on the weak was pointless?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…That was then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with that, the conversation ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walter’s steps as he left the Academic Affairs Office were heavier than before.\u003C\u002Fp>",1861,"2026-06-06T06:11:51.613Z",1,"novelbin.me","ef0e54b007313df1127895c956a51db4716d55825f50dfec116ad8bb2a388e3b","i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-chapter-17","i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-chapter-15",163,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-cover.jpg"]