[{"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-7":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},1531714,1990,"Chapter 7 : If You Want to Resort to Force (2)","i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-chapter-7",7,"\u003Cp>Chapter 7: If You Want to Resort to Force (2)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pusshk!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the middle of a blood-soaked stage, I — Eugene Carter — stood tall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kieeeek!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beast writhed in agony beneath the stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sudden and overwhelming display caught everyone off guard, and the spectators’ reactions grew even louder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“W-what was that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How did he do that?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t even see it happen….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Was it because we’re too far away?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No. It must be because of that sword. Probably the unique ability of a top-grade artifact.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm… it looks ordinary though.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, can’t you tell? The real power’s always hidden behind something that looks plain!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some brushed it off that way, but the cadet commander — who had witnessed my movement up close — couldn’t deny what he saw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For those with sensory or tracking abilities, reading and predicting movements was the most basic of basics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was exactly why the sight before him was all the more shocking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…The motion itself was just an ordinary upward slash. Nothing more, nothing less.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Except that there had been absolutely no preparation for the strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, one would plant their stance, align their arms and sword according to the intended trajectory, focus all nerves from the tips of their toes to their fingertips — and then, in a single breath, swing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was through that entire sequence that a proper cut was delivered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that pitiful-looking man before them showed none of those intermediate steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if he already knew exactly where and when the beast would halt its movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Is that even possible?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the beast’s ferocity had been tempered through training, it was still a beast. Its innate animal instincts were intact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could easily shift its center of gravity on instinct alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That response was purely reflexive — but also perfectly logical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless one analyzed the fight after it was already over, there wouldn’t be even five people in the entire Empire capable of detecting such minute changes mid-battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet this man not only detected that change beforehand, but even exploited that fraction-of-a-second opening to strike at the beast’s weak point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…It’s hard to believe that’s the reflex speed of someone who’s been in seclusion for six years.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, before his isolation… just how fast had he been?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the cadet commander stood frozen in astonishment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grrrr….\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Red Wolf, which had been thrashing in pain, finally stopped and straightened its posture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blood that had been dripping down moments ago had already stopped flowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From behind, the beast tamer Nigel swallowed hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…The strike was weak.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No ordinary swordsmanship could pierce through the thick hide of a mana-coated beast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Usually, one would rely on an artifact to compensate — but even that wasn’t always enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In such cases, condensing internal mana into the weapon to create additional cutting power was the norm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eugene Carter’s strike had been perfectly aimed at a vital point, and the timing had been exquisite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But because the cutting force was lacking, all it managed to do was tear through the wolf’s skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…So the rumor that he never recovered from that incurable curse was true after all.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he had been able to use all his mana freely, his beloved beast would’ve been cleaved clean in two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a stroke of luck for Nigel — but the situation wasn’t turning in his favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop! That’s enough! Come back!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite his desperate shout, the wolf didn’t move. It only emanated a killing intent so dense it made the air tremble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No way…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing danger, Nigel immediately pulled out his beast-taming whip and wrapped it around the wolf’s torso—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rrrrip!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the beast shredded it with its claws and glared solely at Eugene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its eyes brimmed with murderous intent, its claws gleamed sharper, and drool dripped from its exposed fangs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s worse, it now regarded its master’s commands as restraints and openly rejected them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the textbook sign of a beast that had gone completely berserk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…I have to stop it!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he came to that conclusion, Nigel leaped toward the center of the stage— but he was already too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kyaaahhh!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beast, which had been waiting for an opening ever since its first wound, lunged straight at Eugene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nigel shouted frantically, reaching out his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in that instant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beast, which had seemed ready to tear its target to pieces, froze right before Eugene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Nigel realized what had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…How…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My apologies. You rushed in so suddenly that I might’ve reacted a little harshly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My gaze followed the dark, heavy traces of mana lingering in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At some point, Eugene Carter’s eyes had turned crimson, burning with a fierce glow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beast, meeting that gaze head-on, immediately lost consciousness and collapsed onto the floor—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its mouth foaming red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I didn’t really mean to attract this much attention.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My plan for the first week was just to test the waters, maybe stir things up a bit after that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, it felt a bit unfair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn’t done anything, and yet somehow they were throwing this kind of “welcome party.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, getting worked up over every little thing would only hurt me in the end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I just had to chalk it up to Eugene Carter’s karma and deal with it as it came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once I’d sorted my thoughts, the only thing left on stage was the beast — and before I knew it, my body moved on instinct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where my body lacked, ten years of veteran experience and the instincts of a war hero filled in the gaps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If the cadet commander himself had come at me, that might’ve actually been tough.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to pit a beast against the Beast Slayer?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even for a washed-up has-been like me, wasn’t that just insulting?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Well, not that I’m complaining.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, this whole thing worked in my favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more they underestimated me, the better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, it’s always the underdog’s performance that leaves the biggest impression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s also a good way to weed out the small fry early on.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that conclusion, I didn’t hesitate any longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I used the beast’s combat patterns against it to land a single blow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would’ve been nice if that had finished things, but with this frail body, I couldn’t even kill a D-rank beast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So in the end, I had no choice but to use my innate ability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My consciousness wavered for a moment, and I braced myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘To think I’d be struggling this much from using just a single ability.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still a long way to go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked up at the information window hovering above and gave a bitter smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, Eugene Carter’s third unique ability was displayed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eye of Intimidation: Great Beast EX\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unleashes a glare that overwhelms the enemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who witness the glare fall into a temporary abnormal state. [Fear, Delirium, Tremor, Fainting]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The effect increases in proportion to the following stats: [Anti-Magic B, Leadership S, Insight EX, Causality EX]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>※ This ability only activates against beasts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Eye of Intimidation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the eleven Magic Eyes of MAGA — and among them, one of the more common types.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its effect was simple: intimidate the target. That’s it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Usually, it merely dulled the opponent’s movements slightly. But starting from SS-rank, it could induce severe abnormal states.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I didn’t expect it to be this potent, though.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed the fact that my Insight and Causality ranks were both EX had played a major role.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the beast fainted, I immediately moved to achieve my intended goal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This should be interesting.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let’s see what kind of ability I’ll obtain this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— Activating “Mana Devour.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mana Devour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A skill that consumes the target’s mana and converts the devoured mana into an ability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The type of ability gained was random, but one could roughly infer it based on what kind of beast was devoured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this case, I’d likely gain an ability related to physical enhancement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, there was no guarantee that I’d always acquire a new ability each time I used it — sometimes, I could end up with nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, the total amount of mana I possessed would always increase, regardless of success or failure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That alone is enough.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right now, Eugene Carter could only use 10 percent of his mana due to an incurable curse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if his total mana pool was 100, only 10 was actually usable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since there was no known way to lift the curse, the only way to increase usable mana was by expanding the total pool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I wanted to use 100 units freely, I’d have to raise the total to 1,000.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, given how broken the ability was, the conditions for using Mana Devour were rather strict.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two biggest prerequisites: the target must be a beast, and the target must be incapacitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how fast, the process of devouring mana took at least one minute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the target was a strong beast or possessed massive mana reserves, it could take up to 30 minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, the standard practice was to kill the target first, then use the skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, all devour-type abilities shared the same cooldown — roughly one day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, even if I possessed multiple devour skills, I could only use one at a time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was not only due to the mechanism of the ability itself—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was also due to the mental and physical limits of a human being.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If you binge on mana recklessly, your body won’t survive it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, proof of that fact showed itself in the barely perceptible tremors rippling through my entire body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, a flood of negative emotions surged into my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ghh….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of them were killing intent and rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An uncontrollable urge to rip apart everything in sight rose from deep within me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wave of emotion was so fierce and alien that it was impossible to suppress, no matter how hard I tried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Good thing my Mental stat is SS-rank…!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it were my current self from reality—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d probably have gone insane already.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even thinking that much was already too much luxury for me right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All I could do was focus everything on enduring the emotions crashing into me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, one minute passed — though it felt like thirty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huff… Huff….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, the ordeal didn’t last long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As proof, a new ability appeared before me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regen Stock E\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regenerates a portion of physical damage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>※ When all stock is consumed, the trait disappears. [Remaining Stock: 8]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…A shame it’s a consumable ability.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, what mattered most was that I gained a new ability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The effect wasn’t bad either — good enough to compensate for my lacking early specs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A true veteran made use of even the most worthless powers at the right time and place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Anyway, that wraps up my first devour.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I approached the neck of the wolf, which had fainted with foam dripping from its mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tamer standing nearby clearly knew what I was about to do, but kept his mouth tightly shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gave him a slight nod and adjusted my grip on the sword with both hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For a beast that’s lost control, there’s only one proper way to handle it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I raised my sword high and was about to bring it down with full force—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s far enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something invisible gripped my hands firmly, halting me in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Startled by the familiar voice from afar, I turned my head sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There stood Michel Bernhardt, wand raised and aimed directly at me.\u003C\u002Fp>",1937,"2026-06-06T06:11:51.613Z",1,"novelbin.me","cb3fd01725fa5eca669c7b3003183b1944450d3cfd95ddc9c1c45aa72a78b158","i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-chapter-8","i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-chapter-6",163,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-cover.jpg"]