I Became the Academy’s War Hero-Chapter 16 : Do You Really Have to See Blood? (1)

Chapter 16: Do You Really Have to See Blood? (1)
After Francia Brida suddenly left her seat, I—Eugene Carter—headed toward the academy infirmary with Eric Halenber.
Billy Gray and Philip Petra, who had been in the spectator seats, also rushed out in a hurry.
Glenn Schneider briefly declared Francia’s victory and immediately began preparing for the next sparring match.
He didn’t seem particularly interested in Instructor Carter’s interference.
The remaining cadets were too busy chattering about the duel between the two.
“…So you’re saying Halenber used to win against her?”
“Four wins and one loss. It’s from their first year record, though.”
“That’s way too much of a gap… Did she get some kind of special enhancement procedure over the break?”
“If it was an enhancement, it wouldn’t have stopped at that level. That’s probably Francia’s real skill.”
“Then why did she hide it until now?”
“How would I know that?”
It wasn’t a fully convincing conclusion, but it was at least the most reasonable one.
After all, saying ‘she suddenly became a different person after training with Eugene Carter for a few hours the day before’ sounded far less realistic.
Of course, it was clear that Eugene Carter had, in one way or another, been involved in her growth.
In the end, there wasn’t a single person who could deny that he had proven himself.
“But that sword earlier… do you think it was really an Aura Blade?”
The first topic had come to a close, so naturally, the second one began.
“Come on, no way. It must’ve been an artifact.”
“That’s the most plausible explanation, but still…”
“An artifact that draws out a sword from a broken blade? Is there even such a thing?”
“Not sure. I’ve never taken a class about that.”
Among the doubtful gazes, one man shook his head.
“I’m an Artifact Studies major, and the activation mechanism was different. It definitely wasn’t an artifact.”
“…If it’s not an artifact, then maybe magic? Like a Flame Sword or an Ice Blade?”
“I doubt it. The mana’s form was completely different. If it had been elemental magic, the aura would’ve wrapped around the blade.”
Their tone suggested the conclusion had already been reached.
Then, one of them waved his hands in disbelief.
“Wait, hold on. Are you guys saying she has the Swordmaster’s factor?”
“No one can use an Aura Blade with just the factor. That means she’s already awakened it.”
“……”
“Well, I guess Halenber can’t complain. Getting beaten by the Swordmaster’s heir isn’t exactly shameful.”
“Right. It’s not like it erases his past record anyway.”
While the cadets continued their excited chatter, their attention quickly returned to the stage once the next match began.
A blue-eyed girl sitting in the front row of the stands was still savoring the afterglow of the earlier duel.
“As expected, she’s incredible.”
Most of the people here were probably fixated on that final Aura Blade.
And that was understandable.
After all, seeing a user of the Aura Blade in this day and age was exceedingly rare.
But what had truly caught her eye was what came before that—their final exchange.
‘She neutralized a strike that could only be blocked by a perfectly identical stance, and she did it with a mere practice sword…’
A perfect understanding of Illusion Swordsmanship, and the ability to reproduce it.
Neither was achievable without reaching the peak of mastery.
Each one alone was an astonishing accomplishment—and to possess both simultaneously? Perhaps that “legendary-level talent” evaluation hadn’t come out of nowhere after all.
With light steps, the girl exited the training arena.
Now that the second match had begun, she had no more business here.
A smile kept tugging at her lips, and she brushed her fingers against them to hide it.
‘Still, I should confirm it, just in case.’
There might have been some connection between the two families that she didn’t know about.
If there wasn’t, her hypothesis would become even more credible.
“…And if it moves beyond speculation—”
If Eugene Carter truly was the very man she had been searching for all this time…
Then she couldn’t allow him to die.
This might be her last chance.
“Well, I doubt someone who blocked the Swordmaster’s strike would fall to some third-rate assassin from Bernhardt.”
After carrying Eric Halenber to the infirmary, I waited in the anteroom for the medical officer to come out.
Billy and Philip were sitting across from me, huddled together, taking up three seats between the two of them.
“Um… Instructor.”
Billy hesitated for a long time before finally speaking.
“Eric’s going to be fine, right?”
“How would I know? I’m not a medical officer.”
At that, the two instantly deflated.
I let out a quiet sigh and continued.
“He’ll probably get away with just full-body bruising. Don’t worry too much.”
Well, there might be a few fractures, though.
“Especially his right hand—it’s going to take quite a while to heal…”
I hadn’t even finished my sentence before the two were already grinning again as if nothing had happened.
Leaving the two big oafs to their own cheerful chatter, I shifted my attention elsewhere.
Copy Slot [Growth Contributor]
※ Copies an ability and stores it in the slot.
※ Only abilities from those you have contributed to the growth of can be copied.
※ Currently unlocked slots: 1/2
‘Well… this is both fortunate and unfortunate.’
In MAGA, the “copy” ability ranked around Tier 2. The consensus was that it was a lesser version of the undisputed Tier 1 ability, “Devour.”
Abilities obtained through Devour became truly one’s own, while Copy merely replicated another’s.
Because the ability wasn’t inherently mine, I couldn’t improve or develop it further.
In short, there was no potential for growth.
‘…Normally, that would be true.’
After digging deeper into the status window, I couldn’t help but grin.
Growth Contributor S [Rare]
※ By contributing to the growth of a specific individual, you gain multiple benefits.
※ A higher class exists. [Great Mentor]
“Growth Contributor.” One of MAGA’s rare-tier classes.
By aiding in someone’s growth, I could utilize a portion of their abilities. Viewing their status came as a bonus.
Depending on the class rank and how much the target had grown, the strength of the abilities I could use increased exponentially.
In other words, while the “Copy Slot” itself held no potential, the “Growth Contributor” did.
‘Then the answer’s simple.’
Character development was what I excelled at more than anyone.
The medical officer came out about fifteen minutes later.
“All procedures are complete. He just needs rest now.”
Full-body contusions, plus fractures in the shoulder, ribs, and wrist.
Just as I expected.
“Does he need to be hospitalized?”
“It’s fine if he’s discharged right away.”
“Can I proceed with class as scheduled?”
“That’s a bit uncertain. While it won’t interfere with your daily activities, it’d be best to exclude you from training for about a week. Just take it easy for today.”
“Understood.”
Though he seemed overshadowed when compared to Francia, he was still quite sturdy in his own way. He’d recover soon enough.
Judging from how he performed during the previous spar, there was still room for improvement.
If that was the case, it wouldn’t hurt to build a connection now.
‘Since I’ll be crossing paths with Halenber quite often from now on.’
After fulfilling my duty as his supervising instructor, I left the infirmary.
Then, I headed back to the training grounds once more.
There were still plenty of cadets I had yet to observe.
The first sparring day of the new semester concluded successfully at exactly 18:00.
Most instructors only paid attention to the 5th and 6th-year cadets.
They didn’t have the luxury to concern themselves with fledgling students who hadn’t even faced a single beast yet.
Of course, there were a few exceptions.
Some observed only the lower-year duels, while others made a full round from 1st to 6th year.
Among them, the second match at the 4th Training Hall was already the talk of the academy.
A clash between the two rival houses — Brida and Halenber — continuing their bitter feud through generations.
Francia Brida, the first user of the Aura Blade to appear in 32 years.
And Eugene Carter, the 3rd Practical Tactics Instructor, who actively intervened between the two.
He was becoming more and more of a hot topic with each passing day.
However, there were quite a few who weren’t pleased with his growing fame.
Walter Clark, the professor in charge of Herbology Practicum, was one of the prime examples.
Thump, thump.
Unable to suppress the force in his steps, he muttered under his breath.
“Everywhere I go, it’s Carter this, Carter that.”
It was enough to make his ears fall off.
His face was filled with irritation as he walked.
Upon reaching the main building’s Academic Affairs Office, Walter marched straight to the Director’s room without hesitation.
Clack!
“This—! Does this make any sense, Director?”
“Hm?”
“……”
Confronted with an unfamiliar sight, Walter was momentarily at a loss for words.
“What? Never seen embroidery before?”
Frederick Lake, the Director of the Academic Affairs Office, was doing cross-stitch.
He had a large embroidery hoop balanced across his thighs and deftly threaded a needle through the fabric.
It was clear at a glance that this wasn’t his first or second time doing it.
“…That’s quite an odd hobby you have there.”
“What kind of hobby I have isn’t your concern.”
The lack of denial to the “odd” comment was telling.
Still keeping his hands busy, Frederick asked,
“So, what brings you here? It’s already past work hours.”
“It’s about that bastard Carter! Don’t you think he’s gone too far this time?”
Frederick’s response was unexpectedly indifferent.
“Too far? In what sense?”
“He blatantly interfered in the cadets’ sparring match!”
“And why are you complaining to me about that? This is the Academic Affairs Office, Clark. Seems like you’ve come to the wrong place.”
“I already went to the Training Support Office. Instructor Glenn was in charge, apparently.”
“What did he say?”
Walter sighed and waved his hand in exasperation.
“He said it wasn’t a violation of regulations. Just a difference in teaching perspective, so he didn’t care either way…”
“If the supervising instructor said so, then that’s that.”
Setting the embroidery hoop on the desk, Frederick crossed his arms.
“Anyway, why do the 16th Class idiots get along so poorly? Belfor, you, all of you.”
“It’s only that psychopath Carter that no one gets along with.”
Walter Clark asked once more,
“So, you’re just planning to watch for now?”
No answer came.
The silence was practically an agreement, and Walter turned away in disappointment.
“I thought if anyone would give me a proper answer, it’d be you.”
“…Here’s a bit of advice, Instructor Clark.”
Just as he was about to leave, a firm voice stopped him.
“Don’t do anything unnecessary. Stay put for now.”
“……”
“When the time comes, I’ll crush him myself.”
“Weren’t you the one who said picking on the weak was pointless?”
“…That was then.”
And with that, the conversation ended.
Walter’s steps as he left the Academic Affairs Office were heavier than before.