[{"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-9":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},1531716,1990,"Chapter 9 : Physical Strength Is National Power, You Idiots (1)","i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-chapter-9",9,"\u003Cp>Chapter 9: Physical Strength Is National Power, You Idiots (1)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The news of Eugene Carter’s return was stirring up the entire Karbenna Academy, but the most intense reactions came, of course, from the cadets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially after it was confirmed that both of the subjects he was assigned to teach were second-year recommended courses, every dormitory lobby of the second-year classes was buzzing with noise late into the night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Maybe back then, sure, but he’s basically a has-been now. I don’t get why everyone’s making such a big deal about it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You’d better start studying Karbenna’s history again, you dimwit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At least around here, he’s still a legend. The man was the top cadet of that infamous 16th class.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard he got into a fight with that Frederick on his very first day back—at the Academic Affairs office.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, I saw it myself. That guy’s guts are insane. He went straight up and dropped Dellowell’s name! Basically said he’s got nothing to lose!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re behind the times. No one’s told you about the welcoming ceremony yet?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Welcoming ceremony?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ooh, what’s that about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They say he fought a beast on the spot. Completely crushed it! The Headmaster had to step in to stop the match!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the middle of the chatter, a boy with narrow, sharp eyes smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still, don’t get your hopes up too much. My older brother’s in the Special Task Force, so I know this for a fact—he was declared permanently unable to recover mana seven years ago.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For real?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah. He’s fine in theory, but he can’t exactly teach combat anymore.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then what about the earlier story?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who knows? Probably exaggerated. Maybe he barely managed to subdue it, but they’re saying he crushed it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But why lie about that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why not? Gotta manage his image somehow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s gonna fall apart the second someone checks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m telling you, this must be part of some royal—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a loud noise, the door to the Class 3 dormitory swung open, and every cadet in the lounge instantly fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing in the doorway was a short-haired girl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over her white training gi, she wore her cadet uniform jacket like a cape, with a thick belt fastening a wooden sword at her waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Karbenna Academy, Year 2, Class 3, Candidate No. 12 — Francia Brida.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her overall evaluation rank was C, and she had finished 34th in her first-year rankings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her burning red eyes swept briefly over the group before she headed toward her room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mocking voice stopped her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah~ the mood was just getting good, and now some random chick had to barge in and ruin it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Francia froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she glared with a fierce expression, the boy who’d picked a fight looked around nonchalantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come on, you know it’s true. Watching a talentless idiot flail around trying to survive—how do you think we feel having to watch that pathetic sight, huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The talentless idiot you’re talking about… wasn’t she the one who beat you, Halenber?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The jab, lined with truth, made the boy spring to his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re lucky I went easy on you before, and now you’re getting cocky…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stomped up to Francia, glaring down at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, bastard child of a fallen noble—during the sparring match the day after tomorrow, you’d better drop to your knees the second it starts. Unless you’ve got a death wish.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Francia narrowed her eyes, a faint smile curling her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That won’t happen. Sorry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ll see about that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their confrontation ended there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lounge, which had been buzzing moments ago with talk about Eugene Carter, went dead quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cadets soon split back into their groups, chatting idly until lights-out, when everyone returned to their assigned rooms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next morning, 7 a.m.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chirp, chirp—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gentle sound of sparrows filled the entire sword training ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Human-shaped wooden posts, uneven terrain with steep rises and dips, various obstacles, a circular sparring ring inscribed with magic circles, and large iron barrels filled with worn wooden swords.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In one corner of the training ground, Francia stood alone, swinging her wooden sword over and over again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whish! Whish!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once, twice, again and again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every time the arc of her swing shifted even slightly, she recalled her late father’s teachings and adjusted her grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— Only when you can swing a thousand times and maintain a single, unbroken arc will you truly touch the basics of Phantom Swordsmanship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The joints of her fingers were covered in calluses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some parts of her skin, unable to endure the pressure, had torn and peeled, blood trickling down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each time, Francia steeled her resolve anew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pain that doesn’t kill me only makes me stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As always, she finished her personal training precisely before class time and left the training ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she spotted a familiar face approaching from afar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A girl in a cadet uniform was running toward her at full speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Francia!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Chloe, the Class 3 representative.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s going on?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I came to tell you—the class location’s changed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where to?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The parade ground, Building D.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the mention of the parade ground, doubt flickered across Francia’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Let’s run. He’s not the kind of man to forgive lateness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, the two arrived at the parade ground three minutes early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cadets who’d already gathered were grumbling about the sudden summons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t the first class supposed to be orientation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Never had one on the parade ground before.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Maybe he’s trying to act all tough?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What, afraid of being ignored as a has-been?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh… this is already annoying as hell.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The murmurs grew louder and louder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Francia shot them a blank glance, then shifted her eyes toward the platform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At exactly 8 a.m., a frail-looking man walked up onto the platform with firm steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, quiet. He’s here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a few muttered warnings, the noise quickly died down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing before them, Eugene Carter, the 3rd Combat Tactics Instructor, slammed his cane onto the ground and barked out—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone down! Face the ground, you worthless trash!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thirty minutes after the group had been ordered into push-ups, Eugene Carter finally spoke again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve never seen cadet candidates this flippant and oblivious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’re going to gossip, at least have the decency to do it quietly. What, did you think I was deaf?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“NO, SIR!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eugene stepped down briskly from the platform and began circling around, looking down at the cadets one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The name of this course is Mock Battle Practicum. The objective is simple and clear — to enhance your command and control ability during wartime situations, your tactical application in all aspects of combat, and your adaptability in unforeseen circumstances.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To expect that kind of tactical capability improvement from those who don’t even have the bare minimum of physical strength… Don’t you think that’s a bit too generous?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After circling once and returning to his original spot, Eugene continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By now, you should have an idea why I called you all out here to the parade ground.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint smile appeared on Francia’s lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So, it’s a physical fitness test.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as she expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone, on your feet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“On your feet!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the cadets straightened their posture, Eugene pointed toward the opposite end of the parade ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Starting now, we’ll begin endurance running drills…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sharp gaze swept through the ranks of cadets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Some of you look unhappy about that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was both a provocation and a threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A provocation to speak up if anyone had complaints—and a threat to stay silent if they lacked the courage to do so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most cadets stood rigid under Eugene’s open intimidation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Except for one — Eric Halenber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He snorted inwardly, staring at the instructor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Hmph, look at them—completely terrified.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he thought he’d assert dominance by running them into the ground? Pathetic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d already mastered basic stamina long ago. He didn’t mind taking part in the exercise—but he couldn’t overlook a shallow, outdated training method from an instructor whose actual ability was doubtful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That’s what a member of the prestigious Halenber family should do.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who cared about past achievements?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you couldn’t prove your strength now, there was no way you’d survive here. He would make sure to show that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a confident look, Eric glanced at his sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As always, two bulky cadets who followed his lead—Billy and Philip—stood beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A short silence passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’ve got something to say, then speak, Cadet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Eugene’s prompting, Eric began,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seven years away from duty, and it seems you’ve gotten a little too full of yourself, haven’t you, sir? You should know when to go easy on the kids.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that, Eugene’s expression suddenly brightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes glimmered with excitement, as if he had just found something truly amusing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Name and rank.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Second year, Class 3, Candidate No. 17 — Eric Halenber.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Halenber, huh… interesting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eugene sneered, half incredulous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone else—you’ve got three minutes to run to the shelter entrance over there and back. Go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the cadets, except for the three, bolted into a sprint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eugene turned his stern gaze on the remaining trio.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why aren’t you running?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A physical test isn’t necessary for me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Disobeying orders is a disciplinary offense, Cadet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wouldn’t you say an unreasonable order doesn’t need to be obeyed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you think basic physical training is unreasonable, you have no right to remain in Karbenna.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now Eugene’s expression was one of open disdain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The battlefield doesn’t suit weaklings like you. If it were up to me, I’d recommend you withdraw voluntarily.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eric scoffed in defiance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Me, weak? Maybe you don’t know my rank.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Previous term overall evaluation: B-Rank. First-year overall ranking: 9th place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What good is a high ranking when your mindset is rotten?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twitch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What, you think that damned Halenber bloodline will protect you on the battlefield?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now, that’s enough—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unable to take it anymore, Billy shouted and lunged forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that instant, Eric saw it clearly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eugene’s right fist pierced through six vital points of Billy’s massive frame in a blur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guh… guhahk…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Billy collapsed, clutching his body, while Philip flinched and hurried to catch him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eugene let out a quiet sigh as he looked down at them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Insulting a superior is grounds for immediate judgment… but since this isn’t a battlefield, I’ll let you off with this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By then, Francia and the other cadets had returned to their starting positions, but Eric’s focus was entirely fixed on Eugene Carter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t even think about the stares surrounding him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mind was overflowing with countless thoughts—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>but above all else, one emotion dominated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, Candidate No. 17.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he heard his number called, Eric snapped his head down in response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Y-yes, sir!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eugene pressed down hard on his shoulder and spoke firmly, one word at a time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whether you need a test or not—that’s for me to decide, Cadet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, sir!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“On the battlefield, what saves your life isn’t rank or family name—it’s stamina, Cadet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, sir!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And one last thing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eugene grabbed Eric by the collar and yanked him forward until their faces were almost touching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you ever feel like this instructor is a bastard or wonder why you’re being treated this way—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>go ahead and tell the Academic Affairs Office.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Karbenna will gladly celebrate your withdrawal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Understood, sir.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eugene smiled in satisfaction at Eric’s humiliated, strained reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From now on, I’ll cut by groups of five based on who finishes first. Run.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Run!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one dared to protest further.\u003C\u002Fp>",1913,"2026-06-06T06:11:51.613Z",1,"novelbin.me","a48e32361177f2590b2b666d0d112205f23e277b4c3053ab9da13e1da79d7277","i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-chapter-10","i-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-chapter-8",163,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-became-the-academy-s-war-hero-cover.jpg"]