Episode 40
Chapter 16: Dominating the Intermediate Class
Jin and the youngest squad’s mission success naturally became the hottest topic in the intermediate class.
No one had predicted such an outcome. While the general consensus was that the youngest squad’s orc extermination mission would succeed even if a few died, no one believed Jin could assassinate the governor of Bigunju in Mamite and return alive.
Everyone secretly thought Jin would just come back ‘as is.’ After all, no one wants to end their life at just fifteen.
“Hahaha, the seniors who assigned you this mission really got a shock. This will definitely get under their skin.”
Even Jed was surprised by the mission’s success.
Several times, he praised Jin openly in front of the cadets, showing his satisfaction. Each time, the Tona brothers looked deflated, and the cadets gradually accepted that Jin had become the dominant force in the intermediate class.
Literally, the trendsetter.
The youngest squad also gained the envy of other cadets. Most now wished to join the youngest squad rather than align with the factions of Miu, Ann, or the Tona brothers.
Watching this, a certain group of cadets ground their teeth in frustration.
“I heard a rumor that some mage coincidentally bombed the inn where the assassination target was staying on the same day. Our damn Jin young master sure has luck on his side.”
“This world’s so unfair. Born in Runcandel and blessed with fortune too? Some of us are just lowly intermediate cadets no matter how hard we try. Tch.”
It was the faction led by Kazin Romero, Miu, and Ann.
Once the apex predators of this jungle-like intermediate class, their influence had quietly been waning lately.
Those who used to intimidate others with just a glance were now annoyingly clinging to the youngest squad whenever they got the chance.
“Jin young master or those guys, I’d respect them if they were truly skilled. But Jin’s only a 4-star, and those guys are all 3-star, right? Kazin, are you just going to stand there and take it?”
Kazin gave a bitter smile and shook his head.
“If we don’t stand up? Even if he’s the unlucky youngest young master, he’s pureblood Runcandel. Until Miu and Ann give direct orders, there’s nothing we can do…”
He stopped mid-sentence.
That was because he saw Jin, who had been sitting across the training ground, suddenly approaching them.
“…What? Did he hear us?”
“No way. Not from this distance.”
“Sorry to disappoint, but I heard everything, friends.”
Jin shrugged as he got closer, and the faces of Kazin’s group darkened instantly. Kazin himself looked quite taken aback but quickly changed his tone, smirking.
“My apologies, Jin young master. For lowly scum like us, all we could do was talk behind your back. Please forgive our insolence.”
Kazin’s disrespectful tone shocked even his own group. Nearby cadets stopped their chatter and stared wide-eyed.
Jin, however, seemed unfazed.
“Well, there’s nothing to forgive. I’m not even a senior yet, so technically, I’m not your superior.”
“That’s only technically speaking. But whipping someone like me is as easy as a word from you, since you’re Runcandel. I’ll take whatever punishment you dish out.”
The situation had become awkward, but Kazin reminded himself that Miu and Ann behind him outranked Jin.
“Why would I do that?”
“Because your attitude is very disrespectful right now.”
The cadets began murmuring and gathering around them. Training was over for the day, so Jed and the instructors were nowhere to be seen.
“Hey! Kazin! What kind of tone is that to the young master?”
“Take it easy when you’re letting it slide. Are you crazy?”
“You guys should take it easy too. If anyone’s getting hit, it’s me, not you. You’ve grown a lot since you couldn’t even look me in the eye before. So, are you all joining Jin young master’s faction starting today?”
Kazin glared, and the cadets quickly averted their eyes.
Before Jin arrived, Kazin was the undisputed ruler of the intermediate class.
With his 5-star rank and the backing of Miu and Ann, he was untouchable. Even the Tona brothers dared not cross him.
“Pathetic, Kazin.”
“Yes, I’m pathetic, young master. But seeing you, who’s only been lucky with one successful mission, suddenly gaining everyone’s respect isn’t much better. Purebloods will be purebloods.”
“You crazy bastard, how dare you speak to—!”
Srrrk!
Mesa, who had been watching, jumped up and drew her sword. She was about to charge at Kazin, but Jin raised a hand to stop her.
“Young master! I have to kill that bastard today. Even if I die, I’ll cut off one of his arms!”
“Enough.”
Mesa huffed for a moment before sheathing her sword.
“Seems there’s some misunderstanding, Kazin. When I said you were pathetic, I didn’t mean because you mock others or disrespect me.”
“Hah, then what do you mean?”
“You’re a 5-star knight, one of the strongest in the intermediate class. That might even mean you’re stronger than me. So why do you only talk trash behind people’s backs?”
Sshhk!
This time, Jin drew his sword and pointed it at Kazin.
“You could just say it to my face. I want to ask if you don’t have the courage to fight. I clearly said from day one that anyone could challenge me anytime.”
Kazin looked up and stared at Jin quietly.
“…Are you serious?”
“Yes. Stand up and draw your sword.”
Jin stepped back a few paces and took a stance. Kazin just stared blankly, and the gathered cadets swallowed hard.
Why would Jin young master do this?
They all thought so. Jin was impressive, but they still felt he wasn’t ready for a one-on-one duel with Kazin.
“No need to hold back. Let’s do this properly.”
“That sounds like you’re saying no limits on aura.”
Kazin stood and drew his sword.
“You heard me right.”
“You’ll regret this, Jin young master. Don’t think you can cut off my arm as easily as last time. You’d better use all your cards.”
“If I use all my cards, you won’t beat me even if you come back to life.”
“That’s quite the boast!”
Clang!
Kazin struck first.
Closing the distance in an instant, he launched a series of downward strikes, using his superior build to his advantage. Each sharp, heavy clash made Jin stagger slightly.
‘His attacks are definitely heavy.’
Kazin Romero. Age twenty-four, 5-star knight.
Though only an intermediate cadet in Runcandel, he was the kind of person who would be sought after anywhere outside. Even if he left Runcandel, he could become a celebrated knight.
Among all the people Jin had ever sparred with, including in his past life, Kazin was the most formidable.
‘But compared to those I’ll face in the future, he’s nothing.’
Clang, clang!
As the exchange continued, Jin was pushed back, and Kazin pursued like a predator. His eyes gleamed with deadly intent.
“Ugh!”
“Why are you struggling already? Finally seeing reality? You’re not skilled enough to take me on yet, young master!”
Kazin suddenly switched stance, gripping his sword with both hands. He swung it with all his might, enveloped in aura.
It looked more like a hammer than a sword, especially since he swung the blade sideways.
It was an attack meant to break Jin’s guard. Boom! Though Jin barely deflected it, the heavy impact echoed, and he barely held onto his sword.
But his stance faltered. Kazin’s did too, but intentionally. He had anticipated the imbalance and used the momentum to deliver a powerful kick to Jin’s thigh. The iron greave on Jin’s shin amplified the force.
Jin gritted his teeth, unable to even groan. Kazin, already regaining his balance, swung his sword again.
Shhhk.
Kazin’s blade grazed Jin’s bangs. Had Jin not pulled back his head, his forehead would have been sliced in two.
At that moment, Taimant suddenly stood up, judging Jin’s life was in danger and trying to intervene. But Mesa stopped him.
“You think the young master’s going to lose?”
Taimant scratched the back of his head and sat back down, conceding.
By then, the watching cadets realized the tide had completely turned. Jin’s breathing was heavy, while Kazin’s sword still blazed with aura.
But Jin was focusing on one sense alone.
‘Like the day I got hit by that iron orb because of Heitona… I’m starting to see the trajectory of Kazin’s attacks.’
That strange sensation he’d felt during the sapphire training.
Though a sword can sweep through infinite paths in the air, a 5-star knight’s attack patterns aren’t that varied.
Especially when consumed by rage like Kazin.
Jin decided to end the duel in the next three moves.
He also planned to provoke Kazin a bit, hoping to draw out any secret trump card he might be hiding.
“I’ve read all your attacks. You can’t beat me.”
“You’re still spouting nonsense, young master.”
Just dodge twice.
Kazin would stick to the patterns he’d used so far.
There was no need to change a move that seemed to work perfectly. Especially since he’d even been provoked, told he’d been read like an open book—there was no way Jin would give in and switch tactics out of stubbornness.
But if Jin flawlessly dodged twice in a row, Kazin had to make a choice: either use a different move or unleash an attack so powerful that Jin couldn’t block it even if he knew it was coming.
The exchange unfolded exactly as Jin had predicted.
After a single left slash, Kazin followed with an unorthodox upward strike. Jin didn’t block either attack; instead, he perfectly evaded both. Spreading his legs wide, lowering his body completely, he twisted away before the next blow could land.
In that brief moment, confusion clouded Kazin’s mind. Even putting aside the difficulty of dodging that left slash, Jin had somehow avoided the attack before Kazin even raised his sword—almost as if he’d seen the future.
“Tch!”
So Kazin unleashed his third attack with full force, pouring all his aura into it. Whether Jin dodged by reading the trajectory or by sheer luck, the human body isn’t as fluid as water.
Even a slight falter in posture creates an opening. That’s why Kazin decided to unleash a power no four-star aura could block.
“End it!”
But the words never came.
Jin didn’t evade Kazin’s third attack with another trick. Instead, he met it head-on, channeling his own aura into his blade.
Bang!
When the two swords clashed, it was Kazin who was pushed back.
He’d been overpowered. Up until that moment, he’d held the advantage without fail.
Kazin’s eyes darted wildly, betraying his shock. The aura now swirling around Bradamante was clearly above five stars.
“I thought it’d take me years to reach five stars,” he muttered.
Hoo!
Jin pressed into the opening left by Kazin’s faltering stance.
Kazin had been certain he was fighting a four-star opponent. Suddenly facing an aura beyond five stars was a disaster waiting to happen.
As Bradamante’s blade touched his neck, Kazin realized he’d let his guard down.
And just like that, the match was over.
“…You tricked me? Five stars… haha.”
Kazin dropped his sword, his voice hollow.
“No, you just didn’t know me well enough. I don’t fight battles I think I’ll lose.”
“What… what’s going on?!”
The Tona brothers arrived late at the training ground, having been briefed on the situation. They couldn’t hide their shock when they saw Jin.
“Did… did he just beat Kazin? The youngest one?!”
Jin turned away, sheathing his sword. Passing by the Tona brothers with slow steps, he said simply,
“It’s nothing.”
That alone sent a chill down their spines, making every hair on their bodies stand on end.