Episode 45: The Exchange Program (3)
In the deep hours of dawn, thick clouds blanketed the sky above the open training grounds.
Moonlight seeped through the gaps in the clouds, barely pushing back the darkness.
Beneath that sky,
Rhythmic sounds echoed across the training ground’s floor.
— Swoosh.
— Whip.
Crash!
The tip of a spear cut through the air.
It accelerated momentarily before adjusting its flow.
“…”
I took a deep breath and withdrew my spear, slamming it down onto the ground.
Scattered around me were countless weapons.
Before the the Exchange Program, I needed time to reflect.
After obtaining Fragments and using the Harpe, I had come to a clear realization.
My combat style needed to change.
Fragment (片鱗).
This was something that had nothing to do with me initially.
Since my possession, I had devised a method of compressing mana into a single point and striking at vital spots.
Even against demons or high-ranking demonic humans, if I could condense my mana to the extreme and precisely pierce their weak points, I could stand a chance.
Perhaps, in the future, I would develop my own unique path,
But for now, this was the best method to contend with high-ranking demonic humans or demons—
A survival technique.
However, Fragment had altered the very nature of my mana.
— Vwoooom—
Mana surged from my hand, vibrating.
A deep ash-colored energy, tinged with jade green, quivered in the air.
Now, my mana carried the attribute of Demon-Slaying (滅魔).
Aiming for a single point to deliver a fatal strike was no longer the best approach.
For them, this attribute was like super-high heat.
The moment it touched them, it would begin to burn as if melting them.
Thus, rather than targeting vital points,
It was far more effective to inflict widespread wounds across a larger area.
Compressing mana into a single point was now the least efficient choice.
— Clang!
Another weapon was thrown to the ground.
I had tested numerous weapons.
One by one, I examined each of them, searching for the most suitable weapon for my new combat style.
First: The Sword.
A weapon with a broad blade, specialized for slashing.
Not a bad choice, but as I had noted before, swords were difficult to use in this world. Their reach was short.
Though my Whole Being (全人) trait would allow me to learn swordsmanship, it would take time.
Second: The Spear.
A weapon primarily used for thrusting. It could slash as well,
But the spear I wielded was structurally designed for piercing.
That meant it was incompatible with my new approach.
Third: The Halberd.
A polearm, a hybrid of a spear and a blade.
It could both slash and thrust.
This meant I could retain my spear techniques
While also gaining the reach advantage over a sword—
All without needing extensive adaptation.
I could maintain my spear-based fighting style while incorporating my new combat methods.
“…”
I grasped the halberd with its crescent-shaped blade.
My instincts told me—
This was the most logical choice.
And my Whole Being trait naturally guided me toward the best option.
I swung it with full force.
— Wham!
A shockwave tore through the surrounding air.
A broad slash of energy cut through the training dummies.
“…Not bad.”
I ran my fingers along the halberd’s blade.
Besides, my previous spear had already started corroding due to exposure to demonic energy.
I had been meaning to acquire a new weapon anyway.
“This will do.”
Murmuring softly, I tightened my grip around the halberd.
Then, once more—
— Boom!
I swung it with all my might.
***
The Exchange Program Opens
Not long ago, a major incident had occurred, yet the academy proceeded with the event as if nothing had happened.
This was an annual event, alternating between the academies each year.
This time, it was Gaon’s turn to host.
A vast plaza.
‘There are a lot of people.’
On the left side, the first-year students of Kalos stood in formation, while on the right side, Gaon’s first-year students lined up.
Gaon’s plaza was large enough to accommodate such a massive gathering.
On the elevated stage, the chairpersons and principals of both academies were seated.
As the academy representatives rose from their chairs, the murmuring students in the plaza momentarily fell silent.
“Now, we shall begin the Exchange Program.”
A calm yet authoritative voice resonated across the space.
The students responded with polite applause as the exchange officially commenced.
And from that moment—
Students, who had initially been sneaking glances at each other with awkward smiles, finally started moving toward the opposing group.
“I’m heading over!”
“See you later!”
The exchange had begun.
Students parted ways with their friends, waving their hands in farewell.
Some were beaming with excitement, while others wore somber expressions.
At that moment—
The Kalos students parted like the Red Sea.
From within the opening, a single figure emerged.
Golden hair that seemed to reflect light.
Under the sun, its soft, shimmering strands stood out even more.
With an indifferent expression, she walked through the crowd.
There was no hesitation in her movements.
Beside her, another figure strode forward.
A handsome young man with a gentle yet strong presence, exchanging brief greetings with his peers as he walked.
‘Yoon Chae-ha. And Joo Seo-jun.’
The two of them were heading toward Gaon.
And I was watching them from the stage above.
On either side of me sat Cheon Yeoul and Yu Hana, while beyond them, the principals and chairpersons of both academies were seated.
Gaon and Kalos’ chairpersons and principals were constantly exchanging remarks over our heads.
They were busy throwing veiled jabs at each other.
The Gaon side boasted about Yoon Chae-ha and Joo Seo-jun choosing their academy, subtly provoking Kalos.
Meanwhile, Kalos countered by bringing up the recent demonic human attack, aiming to get under Gaon’s skin.
And we were stuck in the middle of it all.
‘This is exhausting.’
The reason we were here was simple.
Only two students had managed to defeat Moras on their own—Cheon Yeoul and Yu Hana.
And I had slain Medusa.
Today’s event was meant to reward us for our achievements.
I was seated between Cheon Yeoul and Yu Hana.
Judging by the fact that they were handing out rewards during the Exchange Program—
‘It’s as if they’re showing off, saying, “Look at the talented students we have at Gaon.”’
Honestly, I just wished they had managed things better before boasting.
—Yawn.
Beside me, Cheon Yeoul covered her mouth with her palm as she let out a quiet yawn.
She had been chatting non-stop at the beginning of the event, but now she seemed sleepy.
Yu Hana, too, appeared restless, shifting her posture frequently as if feeling stiff.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small candy wrapped neatly in paper.
Unwrapping it, I spoke.
“Want one?”
In an instant, both of their gazes locked onto my hand.
A small brown candy.
Their eyes widened slightly.
Truthfully, it wasn’t just a regular piece of candy.
It was one of the elixirs I had obtained while exploring dungeons during the academy’s break.
Nothing too special—
It simply helped improve circulation.
Though for women, it was said to have beauty-enhancing properties and various other beneficial effects…
I didn’t really know. I’m a guy, after all.
I had already eaten one.
As for Kang Arin… she already had access to plenty of good stuff, so she didn’t need something as minor as this.
“I-I’ll have one.”
—Swoosh.
Without hesitation, Yu Hana reached out and took a candy.
“Crush it with your teeth and—”
—Suck, suck.
She didn’t even let me finish before carefully placing it in her mouth.
Then, as if savoring some kind of medicinal tonic, she let it slowly dissolve.
It would taste pretty bitter if she let it melt.
As expected, she lightly bit her lip at the bitterness.
Yet, she didn’t stop sucking on it.
I turned to Cheon Yeoul.
She also looked interested. But instead of reaching out, she did something else.
Slowly, very naturally—
She parted her lips slightly, exhaling a faint breath.
Her gaze flickered downward for a moment before returning to me.
Then, she pointed to her lips with her finger.
“Feed me.”
She didn’t say a word.
She just looked at me with her lips slightly parted.
“…”
I remained still.
Then Cheon Yeoul smiled playfully and—
Very slowly, almost teasingly—
She stuck out her tongue.
Little by little. Just barely enough to be noticed.
—Plop.
I placed the candy in her mouth.
Her eyes lowered.
Her lips gently moved as she rolled the candy inside her mouth.
Her lips parted slightly, then pressed together again.
And then—
—Suck.
A soft sound as she drew in the candy.
Her lips barely opening and closing.
I turned away.
She was getting too comfortable. This was her true nature.
Even in the original story, after overcoming her initial hostility toward men and growing closer, she would act like this.
At that moment, the announcer at the podium spoke.
“Now, we will proceed with the awards ceremony.”
Someone from the back brought out certificates. I lifted my gaze toward the stage.
We stepped forward.
A speech followed.
—Tap.
The principal handed me the certificate.
I accepted it with a small bow.
Cheon Yeoul and Yu Hana also received their awards in turn.
The actual rewards would be distributed later.
Then, a quiet whisper came from the event staff.
“Please return to your seats below the platform.”
Finally, it was over.
I folded the certificate and stuffed it into my pocket as I stepped down.
Cheon Yeoul and Yu Hana followed beside me.
At that moment, the principal of Gaon took the microphone.
His voice resonated across the plaza.
A few words of advice.
Encouragement for students to bond with one another.
And then, he said—
“With this, the exchange program comes to an end.”
The students erupted in cheers.
“Until the upcoming exchange matches, I hope you all learn and grow in this new environment and showcase your progress.”
—Clap, clap, clap!
Applause echoed.
The dignitaries on the platform stood up one by one.
The students also began to leave in an orderly fashion.
At that moment, I felt a gaze.
I turned my head.
Golden hair, shimmering as if soaked in sunlight, swayed gently in the breeze.
Yoon Chae-ha.
She was quietly watching me.
Under her long lashes, her amber-colored eyes glowed with an intense yet calm radiance.
For a fleeting moment, our gazes met.
And then—
Swish.
As if nothing had happened, she turned away naturally.
Her movements were smooth and unhesitant.
Yet, even in that brief exchange, I was certain.
I got her.
Yoon Chae-ha had stepped into the flow I had created.
And where that flow would lead—
That was up to me to decide.