Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 325 (Part 1)



325 (Part 1)

<Chapter 326> Practical Training. (5)

The practical training I undergo at the Shinryong Hall isn’t anything special.

It’s primarily about educating us on how to deal with demonic beasts and the theories behind it.

Ultimately the practical training is about how to confront demonic beasts.

To be precise

it means assessing whether we have properly understood the education taught within the Shinryong Hall

and whether we can implement it in real situations.

From what I can see the practical training is likely just a demonic beast hunt.

In reality the main reason for the training was indeed to hunt demonic beasts.

If there’s anything different

‘Is this the place where we took the entrance exam last time?’

The first thing is that the area is much larger than expected.

The two mountains where we previously took the entrance exam encompassed the entire training region.

These two mountains weren’t just small hills.

While they weren’t as massive as Mount Tai they were quite large making the area considerably expansive.

‘Moreover.’

I’m not sure how the practical training will proceed

but if the instructors are going to grade each of us individually

it would make sense for them to observe us as we confront demonic beasts one-on-one.

The fact that such a wide area has been designated for the training

is not something I can easily understand.

If they’ve released demonic beasts for the training

dealing with them later would be troublesome.

Even though instructors are assigned I wonder if it would really be easy to prevent unexpected accidents.

“The time is until sunset. There will be instructors watching from various places so it would be best not to do anything foolish.”

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Cheol Hwan-o’s warning tone echoed.

The other students wore expressions filled with tension

but honestly it wasn’t that dangerous of a schedule.

There were no students who would be afraid to confront demonic beasts.

At most there would be a few green and blue demonic beasts scattered around.

While it might be dangerous alone the risk is lower with several students around.

What we should be cautious of is rather the people.

There are plenty of crazy individuals in this world.

The instructors would be most concerned about conflicts among the students.

Since each of us is a martial artist they are dangerous individuals who might do anything if they lose their temper.

Of course if they are normal individuals with the names of powerful clans or sects

they would likely hold back knowing the potential backlash from unleashing killing intent and fighting.

Most would endure considering the consequences.

However as I mentioned earlier

the problem is that there are those who do not.

For example

like me.

It’s only natural to repay someone who treats you poorly with the same measure.

Enduring is only possible a few times.

How can a person live by just enduring?

If you’re wronged you must repay it.

Is that why?

I felt like Cheol Hwan-o was particularly looking at me when he spoke.

“Fighting among students is prohibited. If discovered severe punishment will be imposed. Be cautious.”

It must be a misunderstanding. If my eyes keep moving I might just be meeting his gaze occasionally.

“I will definitely… be cautious!”

•••Or not?

It really feels like he’s talking to me.

It must be a misunderstanding.

What could it be?

‘What have I learned that this is practical training?’

I’m just going through the motions.

But inside I couldn’t help but feel quite blunt about it.

What kind of practical training can you do after just two months of learning? It’s baffling.

I can understand that those who have caught demonic beasts before might feel that way.

But using what we learned in the Shinryong Hall is a different matter.

I heard that this practical training is worth a lot of points.

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Thinking about that everyone would be working hard.

In my view the techniques aren’t particularly efficient.

‘To put it nicely I guess you could say they are faithful to the basics.’

You could call it orthodox.

They teach the most fundamental methods for various situations.

Even the instructors teaching this know that.

It’s not about the most basic countermeasures.

It’s more about teaching effective responses suited to the situation and they probably know that well.

They must be doing it because they are told to from above.

‘That’s why there’s no growth.’

We learn the basics.

The rest is meant to be learned in real situations after graduation.

If that’s the case what’s the point of learning here?

No matter how many times I think about it the answer remains the same.

The value of the Shinryong Hall’s name and the connections formed there are what truly matter.

The education received there is in reality not important.

‘It’s rotten. Anyway.’

The claim that it’s the best swordsmanship training institution in the murim world

is just a name left behind.

Everyone likely desires that name

but with this kind of situation it was quickly pushed aside when bloodshed occurred.

What is the Gu Pae Il Bang?

What are the four great clans?

What are the Murim Alliance and orthodox sects?

Fools soaked in peace.

What hope can be found in a rotten root?

If it weren’t for the divine sword they would have been wiped out without a word.

My expectations for the orthodox sects

have dwindled to almost nothing after experiencing my past life.

I know how filthy they are.

While they outwardly seek righteousness and cooperation

I was aware that demons lurked within them.

‘I don’t even want to touch them but if I want to survive I have to remove them.’

So I must eliminate such individuals one by one in the near future.

To make it a bit easier to deal with the events that will unfold ahead.

“Hyung-nim.”

“Hmm?”

As I was moving Pae Woo-cheol spoke to me.

“By any chance what will you be doing around summer?”

“Summer?

Suddenly summer? Was there something in summer?

“Are you planning to return to your clan?”

“…To my clan…? Ah.”

I wondered what Pae Woo-cheol was asking and it seemed he was referring to the period when we would temporarily stop training at the hall.

During that time I would either train in the isolated training area created within the hall

use the regular training grounds

or return to my family home.

I…

“•••Returning home might be a bit difficult.”

It was obvious that news of the incident regarding the Vigor would have reached my clan.

This could very well lead to my father scolding me properly.

It would be best not to go during the summer or any time soon.

If possible I’d prefer to avoid going altogether.

‘Other kids might not know but.’

When the time comes Gu Jeol-yeop or Gu Yeon-seo might go.

Especially Gu Jeol-yeop might go because of the matters concerning Gu Seon-mun.

‘If I’m not going I need to make sure to roll them properly this time.’

Seeing how I was treated by Yeongpung last time I felt I really needed to roll them properly.

I was trying to avoid trouble but

thinking back to how I was tense and looked foolish even after rolling around

I couldn’t help but grit my teeth.

‘If they’re just incompetent that’s one thing.’

If they roll they learn from it.

But I really don’t understand why someone who seems to have talent would act that way.

‘In my time there was no one like me so I had to learn desperately on my own.’