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The day after entering the training camp, the instructors signaled the start of grueling exercises. Within just a week, the Northern Continent User Academy had already earned its notorious reputation. Out of 130 recruits, over 10%—17 individuals—had quit. Interestingly, 15 of them were from the melee and ranged combat classes.
To reiterate, the Northern Continent is under the jurisdiction of users from South Korea, a country with mandatory military service. As a result, it wasn’t uncommon to find users with military backgrounds among the recruits.
Perhaps that’s why the Northern Continent User Academy, the first of its kind across all continents, had a distinctly military feel. The training was rigorous, and even basic daily activities like eating and sleeping were strictly controlled, often stifling any sense of freedom.
If the training were merely difficult, one might endure it through sheer willpower. However, what truly overwhelmed the new recruits was the content of the training itself. The intensity was such that actual military drills seemed like child’s play in comparison. Many certified users couldn’t handle it, often vomiting on the first day and eventually giving up.
The highlight of the training was undoubtedly the special weekend exercises. The calendar in Hall Plain follows the same seven-day week as Earth, and the weekend training was the real reason many new users left the academy. This was particularly true for those in combat roles.
The weekend training involved one-on-one combat between users.
Of course, this excluded mages and priests. Mages needed to learn to harness and control their magic, a process that could take up to 13 weeks just to grasp the basics. Priests, primarily focused on healing and support magic, were naturally excluded from combat training.
If you think these battles were just friendly sparring matches, you’d be sorely mistaken. Users were given real weapons and instructed to inflict significant injuries on their opponents. While vital areas like the head and heart were protected, the rest of the body was left exposed.
Each battle was carefully monitored. Renowned users served as instructors, always ready to intervene, and skilled priests were on standby.
Despite these precautions, the mock battles were hard to accept. Many users cursed the training as insane. Yet, I valued it highly. It addressed the one concern I had about An Hyun and his group during the initiation rites.
In Hall Plain, danger lurks everywhere. Once you leave the city, nowhere is truly safe. You could fall into a trap or be attacked by monsters or bandits. Even in areas influenced by users, the risks are high, and in uncharted territories, they’re even greater.
Such situations demand quick thinking and reflexes. Your survival often depends on how swiftly you can react. Hesitating to strike an opponent could be fatal. This training was crucial for getting used to both inflicting and receiving injuries.
My only concern was that I couldn’t afford to get injured in these mock battles. This meant I had to win every fight. As a novice, no user could penetrate my defenses.
While I easily defeated weaker opponents, stronger ones posed a challenge. For instance, when I fought Woo Jung-min, I focused on defense, waiting for the right moment to counterattack and secure victory.
Given these circumstances, gaining some notoriety was inevitable. Although I was just a new user, the instructors and other users began to notice me. They remarked on the high caliber of this batch of recruits, singling me out as particularly promising. I accepted this recognition, as it was within acceptable limits.
There’s a saying: “A needle in a bag will eventually poke through.” It means that talent and skill will naturally stand out. Initially, I was obsessed with hiding my abilities due to past habits and fears.
“If things continue like this, you’ll act the same way in the same situations, and the outcome will likely be the same.”
“User Kim Soo-hyun, you can’t do anything alone.”
These words from Han Byul and Seraph shook me. I didn’t want to lose Yoo Hyun and Han So-young this time. I wanted to step into the light and be of help to them. I longed for a happy ending, not a sad one.
In Hall Plain, strength is measured by how many trustworthy comrades you have. History and my own experiences prove this. Even the most powerful user, with 101 points in strength, eventually fell to the might of an alliance. To gather such allies, one needs both ability and reputation.
I realized my perspective had shifted. Now that I was in Hall Plain, I was ready to do what was necessary. This change in mindset led to a change in my actions.
No matter how tough the training, I tackled it with enthusiasm and without complaint. I complied with even the strictest instructors and maintained a respectful demeanor. As my training results improved, I noticed the instructors looking at me with favor. (Incidentally, the user who was my initial dorm instructor became my go-to for cigarettes.)
As word spread about me, my relationships with other users improved. More and more users wanted to befriend me or establish a good rapport. I was slowly climbing the ranks, showing potential for growth. In other words, I was proving to be a promising individual.
Humans are adaptable creatures. While the time it takes to adapt varies, the fact of adaptation is significant. The survival rate of users who adapt is much higher than those who don’t.
In weeks two, three, and four, some recruits continued to drop out. But by weeks five, six, and seven, the numbers dwindled, and by week eight, no one left. The remaining users were the cream of the crop.
Of course, staying didn’t guarantee survival, nor did leaving mean certain death. The world of Hall Plain was too unpredictable for such absolutes. It was all about probabilities and possibilities.
So much so that when clans looked for new members, they often checked if the applicant had graduated from the User Academy. Some clans even gave extra points for graduates from the Northern Continent Academy.
Those who left would likely regret missing out on the four ability points they would have received after two years.
An Hyun and his group overcame my initial concerns with flying colors. Even Sol, who I worried might fall behind, completed the training without a hitch. Their experience with the grueling march after leaving the city seemed to have helped.
Contrary to my expectations, An Hyun chose the spear as his main weapon, becoming a Lancer. With his high physical stats, he could have excelled with any weapon, but I felt a twinge of regret.
When Sol was in danger, he had thrown a sword and severed a Deadman’s arm. I had high hopes for his swordsmanship. If he had chosen the path of a swordsman like me, I could have helped him become a Sword Master. But he was more interested in the spear, so there was nothing I could do.
Curious, I asked why he chose to be a Lancer. His answer was unexpected.
“When I thought you were dead, I couldn’t think straight. Honestly, those guys were infuriating. I kept asking about your condition, but they dodged the question, talking about user settings and other nonsense. One of them told me to be a swordsman, so I told them to shove it and picked the spear out of spite.”
An Sol, listening nearby, added that her brother initially wanted to be a mage, which surprised the angel. She laughed, recalling the angel’s flustered reaction. Their casual remarks made me sigh inwardly.
An Sol didn’t surprise me. As expected, she chose to be a priest. According to An Hyun, while it took him a long time to decide on a class, An Sol made her choice in no time. She was uncomfortable wielding weapons and hated the idea of hurting others, making the priest class a perfect fit for her.
Yujeong chose a pair of daggers as her main weapon, the kind used in initiation rituals. Interestingly, she opted for dual daggers instead of a single one. When asked about her profession, she proudly declared herself a Mercenary.
Given Yujeong’s balanced stats, including her magical abilities, she could excel in any close-combat role. While I might have suggested Assassin, being a Mercenary with access to a variety of weapons seemed like a solid choice too.
As new users became more familiar with their stats and abilities, it wasn’t uncommon for them to ask each other about their capabilities at the academy. I gathered my group and firmly instructed them never to disclose their detailed stats or abilities to anyone, including instructors.
I emphasized this especially to Sol, repeating it multiple times. She didn’t quite understand why but just smiled happily. After our encounter with the boss monster, I noticed a subtle shift in how the group treated me.
However, one person seemed to be drifting away from us. As I gained some recognition at the academy, Ahn Hyun, Ahn Sol, and Yujeong seemed quietly proud, even though they hadn’t done anything themselves. It showed they no longer saw me as an outsider. But Hanbyeol was different.
Hanbyeol was distancing herself from me and the group. When we first gathered after training, I asked her what profession she chose. She coldly replied, “Didn’t you just tell us not to share our information with others?”
I had only said not to share detailed stats, not professions, which are bound to be revealed. I forced a smile, but her words stung a bit. Sensing my discomfort, she later whispered that she had chosen a mage class, to which I simply nodded. I could have used my third eye to see, but I refrained, having a good guess based on her magical affinity.
Hanbyeol often skipped our meetings. While mages do have a lot to study and practice, other classes are similar. We only met once a week for an hour or two, yet Sol often mentioned how Hanbyeol found even that difficult to attend.
“Oppa, don’t worry about her. She doesn’t talk to me or Sol much either. Just let her do what she wants. Honestly, I never liked Kim Hanbyeol from the start.”
“That’s a bit harsh. Still…”
“Still what? I heard she’s been talking to that guy, you know, the one who explained things when we first arrived at the inn. People say they’ve seen them together. Traitor.”
I chuckled bitterly at Yujeong calling Hanbyeol a traitor. It seemed my initial hunch was becoming reality. Receiving an offer from the Golden Lion Clan wasn’t something to be criticized. By the eighth week, I’d received offers from over five clans, including the Golden Lion.
Yet, her distancing behavior was concerning. She rarely spoke during the few times she did join us. Once, she asked me what I planned to do after graduation. I brushed it off, saying I hadn’t decided yet.
After that day, I decided to separate Hanbyeol from Han So-young in my mind and stopped worrying about her. I wanted her to stay, but if she didn’t, so be it. I wouldn’t hold onto those leaving, and I’d thoroughly vet anyone new joining. I aimed for a small, elite group, not just numbers.
There’s a word, “connection,” which refers to the relationships between people. I believe connections aren’t just coincidences but something we can cultivate. That’s why I trust in connections. I’ve experienced the powerful bonds they create firsthand.
I decided to treat Hanbyeol as a connection. If we were meant to meet again, we would. If not, I’d let her go. I had the ability to form more connections, so clinging to uncertain ones seemed foolish.
Once I shed Han So-young’s shadow, I began to see things more clearly. Even objectively, it was more beneficial to recruit verified users from the first round than to rely on Hanbyeol’s potential. Besides, there were bound to be other new users with similar potential, even if they were rare.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Hello, this is Ro Yujin. How was your Monday, dear readers?
I addressed the issue of the author’s notes in the 39th episode, and fortunately, I was able to discuss it with Joara’s representatives. The conclusion was that attaching notes to the main content could be problematic, but writing them in the notes section is perfectly fine. I feel relieved.
However, I realized I need to be more careful with the content of the notes. I once mentioned previous content, which could spoil the anticipation for future developments. Thinking from the readers’ perspective, I would feel the same.
So, from now on, I won’t include any content related to the main story in the notes. I’ll also be more thoughtful with my comments and replies. I won’t comment on future developments or potential spoilers. I know it might be frustrating for some, but as you read the upcoming chapters, your questions will naturally be answered. If you’re really curious, feel free to message me. Just don’t share the information with others, okay?
After a sleepless night and much stress, I’m glad to have resolved this positively. Please continue to support Memorize!
『Reader Comments』
Yeookanolja: There are several ways to increase stats: training, potions, fortuitous encounters, and mission rewards. Equipment with stat boosts is extremely rare. Aside from training, the rest are like reaching for the stars. And yes, using Sol in that way could be interesting. :)
GradeDown: Honestly, I initially wanted the user academy part to resemble a school setting. I had lots of fun ideas related to personal scores and clan recruitment, like the English Premier League. But that would require about 200K-250K words, so I decided to skip it.
Aillilia: Wow, you’re revisiting from the first episode for better understanding? Your passion is truly appreciated. (I’m genuinely touched. Sniff.) I’ll strive to provide even more enriching content in return. Thank you. (__)
LattyDoll: That’s the basic rule. But as you can see from today’s content, the training is more intense than imagined. As a side note, the knowledge covers basic background and major knowledge about the whole plane.
ChicMackerel: Haha, what a unique dream you had. If it’s not too much trouble, do you remember your stats and profession from that dream? I’m curious. :)
CrossDie: They said there’s no issue with writing in the notes section. Honestly, I enjoyed writing this 40th episode. Yesterday, I struggled with revisions until 11 PM, but today I had a bit more time.
zjekfksqlc: Thank you for your valuable advice. It’s challenging to satisfy every reader’s taste, but I’ll try to move in the direction most readers want while considering minority opinions. Each reader is precious to me.
PersonLife: You’ve always been a great help to me. I’m always grateful for that. Comments like “This should be answered” or “Summarize only the curious parts” are naturally included in the notes, along with other small comments. I don’t want to miss any of them. :)
Like the Wind + Blami: It’s been a while! Did you have a good trip? Haha. It’s not about being humble but about listening more. Many have pointed out things I hadn’t considered.
dsdqwe: NO. I’m not upset at all. Really. The notes have been a recurring issue, so I wanted to address it in the last episode. I’m deeply grateful to those like dsdqwe who consistently offer valuable advice. I’ll pay more attention to the volume from now on. Thank you. (__)
Toranoanal: Hmm, the ranking is low. I thought being around the 20th place was good enough. Haha. I’m not well-versed in the best index calculation, but it seems the work is less entertaining or engaging than higher-ranked ones. I also have about five works I read on my smartphone first thing in the morning. The lack of continuous updates and fewer episodes might also play a part. These are challenges I need to work on. I’ll do my best not to betray your expectations.
yji5502: Writing such a long comment on your phone must have been tough. Thank you for your valuable advice. I learned a lot from your comment. As mentioned earlier, I’ll refrain from anything that might spoil or reduce immersion. Please look forward to it.
LoyalReaderC: Thank you? :)
hohokoya1: If you don’t mind spoilers, send me a message.
Kriasen: Yay! The final comment is from Kriasen. I had such a good laugh reading your comment today. Haha. You used to recommend Hanbyeol as the heroine, but it seems you’ve had a change of heart. :) Just to clarify, Hanbyeol isn’t a one-off character. We’ve got plenty of episodes planned for her in the future. I hope this latest chapter answered some of your questions. Of course, this isn’t the end. We’ve laid the groundwork, so we’ll make sure to tie up all the loose ends. :)
With that, I’ll take my leave for today.
I hope you always read my work with a relaxed mind.
Your support, recommendations, comments, critiques, and questions are always welcome.