[{"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-36":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},1531743,1990,"Chapter 36 : The Accusers (4)","i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-chapter-36",36,"\u003Cp>Chapter 36: The Accusers (4)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The physical training we did on the first day?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, it was tough. Everyone was completely exhausted by that evening, and even I had passed out within minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…Or so I’d thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least, until an hour ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling every muscle in his body twist in pain, Eric barely managed to exhale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haah! Haah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he stomped his dirt-covered feet and glanced around, he saw that more than half the group had collapsed and were sprawled across the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only four of them were barely managing to stay standing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And among those four, only Francia was still maintaining perfect posture and continuing her movements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If I’d known it’d be like this, I should’ve at least gotten some rest….’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d thought the first day’s training was just to set the tone and discipline the cadets, but I hadn’t imagined there would be another day like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Eric wordlessly sighed, a calloused hand reached out over his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Eugene Carter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eric grasped his hand and struggled to his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tactical capability, military knowledge, quick thinking — all are important qualities.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking down at the half-conscious cadets, Eugene spoke in a calm, detached tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But what’s even more important is endurance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While continuing his explanation, he even took the time to correct the postures of those who had faltered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The body grows weary and wants to collapse at any moment, yet the mind is under so much pressure it can’t even rest properly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To continue carrying out missions in such a battlefield, one needed the tenacity to endure any circumstance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After saying that much, Eugene immediately moved on to the next drill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Prepare for Exercise 6 — Jumping Jacks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ready!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ll do just fifty. How many?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fifty!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Satisfied with the cadets shouting the count with whatever strength they had left, Eugene smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ll skip the final shout. Begin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The training, which had seemed like it would go on forever, finally ended after another thirty minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Eugene declared a break, most of the cadets sighed and dropped to the ground in exhaustion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He instructed those who were still somewhat capable to help line up the rows and columns for proper rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While everyone except Francia gasped for breath, savoring their well-earned rest—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. This wasn’t a reasonable training, that’s true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eugene spoke with a regretful expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But that’s the battlefield you’ll be sent to — the very definition of unreasonable. If your opponent were human, negotiation might be possible. But with beasts, such things don’t work.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their shoulders drooped, but their eyes remained sharp and focused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eugene nodded in approval.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Remember — in the end, the only thing you can rely on in your final moments is your own body. Understood?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, sir!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging that they’d rested long enough, Eugene ordered all cadets to stand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, with the four in the front row, he moved toward the training supply storage beneath the platform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next lesson shifted into camouflage and concealment training for beast warfare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though initially flustered by the unfamiliar drills, the cadets soon adapted rapidly — no amount of repetition and punishment ever failed to produce results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the end of the session, everyone could perform the six basic maneuvers flawlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eugene ended the class precisely at 11 o’clock sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From next time, training will take place at the Beast Combat Training Grounds. Dismissed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Instructor!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Eugene disappeared from sight, the cadets supported one another and headed toward the cafeteria.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only two people walked alone — one refused help, and the other had no one to offer it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eric…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Eric Halenber trudging ahead, Billy tried to run after him, but Philip grabbed his arm sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, are you insane?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? I’m just trying to help him walk—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My family told me explicitly not to even get involved with Eric Halenber, remember?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know, but at least we could find out why—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When did we ever hang out with that guy because we wanted to? We did it because our families told us to stay close!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That wasn’t true for me though…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words nearly escaped Billy’s mouth, but he had the sense to stop himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the two argued, Eric had already disappeared from sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, someone else had been watching in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Francia Brida observed the scene for a while, then abruptly turned and started walking away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She planned to finish her meal quickly and spend the remaining time in the library.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Back then, I was so blinded by revenge that I didn’t even think to question anything….’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, everything was different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Responding half-heartedly to her friends as they approached her with cheerful chatter, she strode forward with firm steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling her last conversation with him at the training ground, she clenched her teeth in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that same time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Room 203 of the Mage Studies Hall, Professor Walter Clark from the Department of Herbal Studies was passionately lecturing on the dangers of certain medicinal herbs — spittle flying with every word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Haa.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, none of it was entering Lea Bronte’s head at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her mind was preoccupied, sorting through countless possible scenarios.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘All that effort finally paid off, at least….’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had obtained definite information that Eric Halenber had broken through Karbenna’s outer barrier and left the premises without authorization in the middle of the night — a significant find indeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, she herself had snuck out of the dorms, which would be a mark against her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem was that even this witness report wasn’t decisive evidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The likelihood of Eric Halenber being a Hokhma Broker had risen to over ninety percent, but that alone wasn’t enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I need a bigger move.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether by raiding the scene and securing evidence, or making the man confess himself — she needed a decisive blow, one way or another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…No matter how I think about it, I can’t do this alone.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She could report the truth and ask for her Master’s direct assistance, but that wasn’t what Lea wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her own wellbeing didn’t matter — but she refused to let her Master’s reputation suffer because of her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, continuing the operation alone like this was starting to look hopeless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, as soon as class ended, she headed straight for Eugene Carter’s private office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She briefly wondered if she should have thought it through more carefully, but dismissed the thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Dragging it out won’t change anything anyway.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arriving in front of the office, Lea took a few steady breaths before knocking on the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment she heard movement from inside, she flung the door open and stepped in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eugene, who was sitting with one leg crossed over the other, didn’t even glance at her as he spoke indifferently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re late, Lea Bronte.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You knew I was coming?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’d come in the morning, you might’ve witnessed something amusing. A shame.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not sure what you mean….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she looked puzzled, Eugene still didn’t bother to look at her and continued speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We don’t have much time, so let’s get straight to the point.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After organizing her thoughts for a moment, Lea cautiously asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why did you save me that time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still trying to test me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I have my own circumstances, that’s all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, I could pretend it never happened, but… I’m a little interested this time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alright, I guess that’s as good a place as any to start.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Eugene turn his body to face her directly, locking his gaze on her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lea gritted her teeth, refusing to back down as she met his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had spent all day preparing for this — weighing countless possibilities and variables so that she could answer any question he might throw at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was her chance to determine whether this man was someone who could truly be of use to her Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Lea’s resolute expression, Eugene smiled faintly and asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who is your master, Lea Bronte?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that question, Lea quite literally lost her words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn’t asked it because I was sure, but there was nothing for me to lose by asking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether she denied it violently, tried to dodge the question, or feigned ignorance — all I needed was her reaction to make my next deduction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long silence, Lea finally spoke again, this time with hostility in her voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How much… do you know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She tried to sound strong, but the faint trembling of her lips betrayed her unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s make one thing clear first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I placed a firm hand on the desk and spoke decisively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whoever your master is, at the very least, there won’t be any hostility between them and me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the moment I’d questioned her during the Great Beast Combat Tactics class, something about her had felt familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I’d decided to look into her more seriously after that encounter near the Cadet Commander’s office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since then, I’d been quietly gathering bits of information about her whenever I could.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, the Hokhma incident and the field training matters were far more important, so I couldn’t devote too much time to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her student record revealed nothing unusual — except for the fact that she had taken a one-year leave of absence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While digging around the Dean’s Office about that, I managed to hear an interesting piece of gossip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“An anonymous sponsor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve heard about the Bronte family’s situation, haven’t you? Even with the financial aid they received, they barely avoided bankruptcy. There’s no way they could’ve kept up with Karbenna’s tuition fees.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…So that sponsor paid her tuition and took Lea away for a year.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s just a rumor, but something definitely happened during that year. Otherwise, there’s no explaining how much she’s changed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Changed? In what way?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not just changed — she became a completely different person! That timid girl now asks questions in class, for one….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see. Makes me curious what kind of sponsor could’ve done that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…This part’s just a rumor too, but.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They say the sponsor was someone from the Imperial Court.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Summarizing only the key points of what I’d heard, I laid them out evenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lea had stayed silent at first, but by the end, she was clearly showing signs of nervousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let out a quiet sigh and continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I had intended to make an enemy of you, I wouldn’t have told you any of this, don’t you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And I wouldn’t have saved you, either.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From that alone, you should realize that at the very least, our interests are aligned.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, she didn’t agree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaning back slightly, I nodded to myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alright… I’ve scared her enough. Now let’s apply some real pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you plan to stay silent, that’s fine too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Normally, I’d have no reason to refuse sharing information, but… things have changed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s been a whistleblower.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the word whistleblower, Lea flinched, though she quickly forced her expression to relax.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paying it no mind, I continued calmly with my proposal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For your master’s sake, don’t you think it’s about time you made a decision?”\u003C\u002Fp>",1857,"2026-06-06T06:11:51.613Z",1,"novelbin.me","c17e1a7c35c787821e2bb0c378ed9d9f6065535a1ede3e548c90ced3f2ab4264","i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-chapter-37","i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-chapter-35",163,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-cover.jpg"]