I Became the Academy’s War Hero-Chapter 17 : Do You Really Have to See Blood? (2)

Chapter 17: Do You Really Have to See Blood? (2)
It wasn’t until midday, when the sun was blazing high, that I finally recovered enough to move again.
Even now, if I closed my eyes, the sequence of earlier events unfolded like a panoramic reel.
The strike I barely managed to take on—by mobilizing every ounce of my experience and instinct.
For a brief moment, I succeeded in matching her blow, achieving the best possible outcome.
But the aftermath was utterly devastating.
“…Did I push myself too hard from the very start?”
Still, I couldn’t just ignore the opportunity when it appeared.
Anyway, I spent the entire morning knocked out in the dormitory and barely managed to get up around lunchtime.
The dominant thought in my head was that I needed to refill my energy somehow.
“Ugh…”
From my shoulders down to my heels, there wasn’t a single place that didn’t ache.
‘It’s great that I can now use one of the Empire’s strongest secret techniques… but my body’s a total wreck.’
At least I’d managed to roughly settle Francia’s training issue, which had been the most urgent matter. So, for a while, I could afford some breathing room.
During the remaining time, I’d have to focus solely on improving my physical specs.
There were still many things about this “Eugene Carter” that I hadn’t yet verified.
Especially the full story of that incident seven years ago—it was something I absolutely needed to dig into.
The records from that time, numerous testimonies, and above all, the incurable curse all proved it.
The problem was that Eugene Carter’s memories were littered with noise.
Especially the closer they got to that incident.
I knew well enough that human memory wasn’t something to be trusted easily.
Still, it was better to have it than not, and clearer was better than blurry.
That way, it was easier to cross-reference with historical records.
‘For now, I should assume it’s some form of memory loss caused by drug addiction.’
Or perhaps… it was a kind of defense mechanism.
Not wanting to accept a miserable reality, his subconscious had shut those memories away.
Either way, that incident had made Eugene Carter live a completely different life afterward. In a bad way.
“If it’s one of those two, that’d actually be a relief…”
Still, something nagged at me.
There was definitely something I didn’t know.
Something that completely defied my expectations.
“…That must be the key, in the end.”
If I followed the faint traces of memory and traced time backward, I’d eventually reach it—
The miraculous path that would lift the incurable curse and restore me to full strength.
Resolving myself, I stepped outside.
[Regular Schedule Status: Physical Training (11/200), Academic Research (1/100), Mock Battle (0/80), Faculty Meeting (0/120), Mock Battle Practice (1/15), Great Beast Tactical Training (0/15), Second Semester Lectures (0/?)]
[Non-Regular Schedule Status: Orientation (1/2), Imperial-Sponsored Conference (0/1)]
I deliberately ignored the status window filling my vision and quickened my pace.
On the way to the campus cafeteria, I came across a familiar face.
“……”
It was Chairwoman Michel Bernhardt.
Despite her petite frame and height barely over 160 cm, her presence was as imposing as a giant like Frederick.
I hesitated for a moment, debating whether to greet her—but the moment our eyes met, I gave a crisp salute.
Michel smiled faintly and walked toward me.
At a mere wave of her hand, the guards on either side immediately stepped back to a distance.
“It’s been a while, Colonel Carter.”
“Ah, should you call me “Instructor Carter” now?”
“Either one’s fine.”
Her gaze swept over me with keen interest.
Those cold eyes felt as though they could strip me down to the bone.
“It hasn’t even been a few days, and already you’re the talk of the academy. As expected of Instructor Carter.”
“It just sort of happened that way.”
“For someone who claimed he’d focus on living quietly, your actions seem rather… bold.”
“…I was actually thinking of holding back a bit from now on.”
Unbothered by the many gazes around us, Michel continued speaking.
“I’ve read the lesson plan you submitted to the Academic Office.”
“Ah… you’ve seen that too, I see.”
Why would the Chairwoman herself review a class plan that even the Academic Office usually just skimmed through?
‘Maybe I should’ve gone along with them back then, even just a little?’
No. If I had, my relationship with the Imperial Family would’ve become far more complicated than it already was. For now, this was the best course of action.
Until the conference was held, I’d just have to improvise according to the situation.
Michel touched her lips and smiled brightly.
“As expected of a war hero who’s even received the Medal of Honor—your ideas are truly on another level. I found them quite fascinating.”
“…I appreciate your kind words.”
“Of course, given the nature of the proposal, some backlash is inevitable. But I, for one, am fully in favor.”
All I could do was return her smile with a strained one of my own.
‘Should I be pleased about this… or not?’
Gaining the support of someone as notoriously tricky as Michel among the main figures was something to welcome—
—but it also meant drawing even more unwanted attention.
Still wearing that pleasant smile, she suddenly changed the topic.
“Have you received the letter from the Imperial Family?”
…She must mean the envelope Frederick gave me yesterday.
“Yes.”
I hadn’t checked it yet, but I could more or less guess what it contained.
It was surely about the Imperial-Sponsored Conference.
“I did think it might be too harsh a measure for someone who’s just returned… but since it’s you, Carter, I suppose I can trust you.”
“Of course.”
She nodded, then glanced off to the side.
“I’ve been taking up too much of your time, Instructor Carter. How shameless of me.”
“Not at all.”
“Then, I wish you another successful day.”
“I hope you have a pleasant day as well, Chairwoman.”
Just like that, Michel melted into the crowd in an instant.
Her guards hurriedly followed after her.
“……”
Left standing alone, I quickened my pace toward the cafeteria.
I didn’t have the energy to care about people’s stares or the sound of chatter around me.
At any rate, I was starving.
14:50.
The classroom for Eugene Carter’s second course, Great Beast Tactical Training, had been changed to the main lecture hall at the instructor’s request. Maximum capacity: 420 seats.
The hall was already crowded with people. At a glance, there were easily more than 300 cadets.
They were looking down at the podium in the center of the room, each with different expressions.
‘Let’s see how good he really is.’
That had been the dominant sentiment just a few days ago.
But within merely two days, his reputation had changed considerably.
Most of the cadets seated were lower years, but there were a few upperclassmen scattered among them.
Some had even applied to audit the class despite already completing their coursework for the day.
The busiest person in the room was, of course, the teaching assistant assigned to the lecture.
SCREEECH—!
At exactly 15:00, the tightly shut main doors opened with a loud noise.
Eugene Carter strode down to the podium with light steps.
After glancing around the hall once, he rapped the massive blackboard and spoke.
“Everyone, quiet.”
As the murmuring died down rapidly, Eugene immediately began explaining.
“The name of this course is Great Beast Tactical Training. The goal of this class is to analyze the combat patterns of great beasts, understand and practice corresponding tactics and responses for real combat situations.”
With more than 300 students, one would expect noise to leak out from all corners—but the hall was deathly quiet.
Eugene smiled faintly in satisfaction and continued.
“There will be three theory sessions including today. The remaining twelve will all be practical sessions. There will be no separate tests; completion will be determined solely by your performance during the practicals.”
No written exams, no academic grading.
After covering all such basic details, Eugene finally moved on to the main point.
“Everyone, open your textbooks to page 4.”
The sound of pages turning filled the room in unison.
“The essence of great beast subjugation lies in the destruction, extraction, or neutralization of the core…”
Right then—
“I have a question, Instructor.”
A clear, bright voice rang out from the front left side.
Eugene turned sharply toward the source of the voice.
“Name and class.”
“Fourth Year, Class 2 — Lea Bronte.”
The girl who stood up confidently met Eugene’s gaze with a self-assured expression.
Her short brown hair stood out above a spotless cadet uniform.
Her deep blue eyes shone vividly, without a hint of hesitation.
“Keep your question short and simple.”
“I’m curious how you intend to conduct the practical sessions.”
“…I see what you’re getting at.”
Eugene slowly began walking toward her.
“What did I say the goal of this course was, Cadet?”
“To analyze the combat patterns of great beasts, and to understand and practice the corresponding tactics and responses in real situations, sir.”
“Correct. Understanding the beasts’ combat patterns comes first. Without that, there are no tactics or countermeasures.”
“Which means…”
“Exactly what you’re thinking.”
A faint smile appeared on Eugene’s lips.
“All practical sessions will be conducted through actual beast subjugation.”
At Eugene Carter’s bombshell statement, the once-quiet lecture hall erupted in an uproar.
“Did he just say beast subjugation in a practical class, not a deployment?”
“What, does he plan to use beast tamers for help or something?”
“That kind of thing only makes sense in Beast Ecology class. This is real subjugation.”
“Yeah. You think they’d just hand over the beasts they’ve been training as teaching materials? No way—they’ll definitely oppose it.”
“If he’s really doing hands-on training with beast subjugation, that’s insane.”
“But isn’t this class mostly taken by underclassmen? You think those kids can handle that?”
“Come on, it can’t be actual subjugation. From location selection to safety management—where’s he going to get all that manpower?”
As the cadets’ voices grew louder, Eugene slammed his hand down on the desk in front of him.
KA-BOOM!
Even so, the noise didn’t die out completely.
“Have none of you found that strange?”
Unbothered, Eugene continued speaking.
“Karbenna is a military academy—a place that trains soldiers.”
And by “soldiers,” he didn’t mean ordinary people serving in the army.
“Those capable of subjugating great beasts. That’s what Karbenna defines as a ‘soldier.’”
If you can’t do that, then you don’t deserve to be here.
“……”
“Great beasts continue to grow more ferocious by the day. For you, who must stand against the Empire’s greatest threat, this practical will be an invaluable experience.”
Eugene’s tone was so resolute that the cadets gradually fell silent.
Even Lea, who had asked the question, quietly took her seat again.
She had realized that anything more she said would only sound foolish.
“My answer ran a bit long. The schedule for the practicals will be announced next week through your assistant, so check the bulletin board.”
Now then, let’s resume the class.
After finishing his statement, Eugene immediately returned to reading the contents of the textbook.