Chapter: 114
For some reason, the special instructor today, Martina Ivanova, seemed quite displeased even before the class started.
As soon as the class began, she declared that they were all in for it today, making the students internally sigh.
“Oh no, we’re doomed today,” they thought.
These were the students who had experienced harsh teachings from Natalia, who appeared kind on the outside during the last special class, but made them feel like they were dying.
Given that the instructor already looked so upset, they could only guess how grueling the class would be and hoped they could just survive through it.
With that tension, they began their lesson,
“Hey you fool! Is the enemy a scarecrow? When you attack, you have to always keep the opponent’s counterattack in mind! With concise movements! So that they don’t interfere with your next move! Do it again!”
“Um… like this?”
“Yeah! It’s better than before! But there’s still room for improvement, so go practice over there!”
They were dazed by the surprisingly moderate intensity of the class.
Martina’s teaching method was like this.
She would make the students attack her with all their might, respond appropriately according to their level, and after the sparring, she would explain their shortcomings in detail—a rather standard teaching style.
Of course, since it was the extraordinary hero Martina giving the lesson, it was indeed quite a tough class that required the students to give their all.
However, to those who had recently undergone teachings that hammered lessons into them physically for their shortcomings, Martina’s class felt far more bearable.
And while conducting the class, Martina herself thought,
“Haha, look at those clueless expressions! They seem really troubled! …Maybe I should be a little kinder.”
She was actually contemplating whether it would be better to lower the intensity of the class.
Though she thought of herself as quite strict, Martina was basically a rather soft-hearted person.
She was even softer with those weaker than herself.
If Natalia raised plants with care, stomping on the sprouts from the very beginning to make them strong, Martina was more the type who would nurture them carefully with water and nutrients while grumbling.
Since becoming a hero, one would inevitably have many bad experiences, so she thought it would be more beneficial to strengthen the basics rather than go through overly tough training from the get-go.
“Are you not able to focus? Are you just going to dodge the incoming attacks and ignore what’s behind you? The demonic beast would love to see your back!”
“Ugh… I’m sorry!”
“But you’re quick to react to visible attacks, so don’t lose confidence! Not just your sight, but using other senses will help too. Next!”
What she said about them being doomed today was just a customary phrase to encourage the kids to take their studies seriously.
Of course, it was a statement infused with a bit of emotion.
She was definitely annoyed by Yoon Si-woo’s gaze wandering over at the girl next to him, who was occasionally stealing glances at him and looking dazed.
However, Martina was not a person who couldn’t distinguish between business and personal matters just because of that.
If she were that kind of person, no matter how strong she was, she wouldn’t have been able to rise to the position of captain leading a unit.
Besides, aside from that incident, Martina was actually in quite a good mood.
“I know you have great talent. But if you waste your magical power like that despite being skilled, you could find yourself in a dangerous situation during real combat. For example, the fire magic you just used to counter my attack—if you change the structure of the magic circle like this—”
“Hmm, by doing that, the mana consumption would definitely decrease. If I do it this way… I could apply it to other forms of magic as well.”
“Oh? Did you understand it just by seeing it once? You’re quick on the uptake. Then let me show you how to apply it, so practice that.”
She had discovered tons of talented kids that surpassed her expectations.
Every child was shining uniquely, from those who could withstand most attacks without issue to those who could absorb almost any magic just by seeing it once.
Since Martina had to eventually pass on her position, she couldn’t help but feel happy to see the future sprouts growing so wonderfully.
And while she might not have publicly displayed it, Martina was teaching the kids with a spirited attitude, when finally the girl appeared before her.
A girl with red hair who had the nameplate Scarlet Evande written on it.
Seeing Yoon Si-woo staring blankly at her confirmed to Martina that this girl was indeed her rival in love.
Of course, she had no intention of treating her unfairly.
She would only evaluate her a bit more strictly.
With that thought in mind, as she sharpened her gaze and stared at the girl, she noticed an unusual physical trait on her body and quietly asked,
“What’s with that arm?”
“Ah… um, that’s from when I was fighting a demonic beast…”
At that answer, a story she’d heard before flickered through Martina’s mind—the tale of the girl who lost her arm while protecting people from a demonic beast.
‘Is this the girl? …How commendable. No, don’t soften your heart over that, Martina.’
Shaking her head to stop herself from looking at the girl with soft eyes, Martina glared at her again and said,
“Regardless of your physical condition, I won’t go easy on you. You have no complaints, right?”
As the girl nodded, Martina waved her hand toward her.
A gesture that meant to come at her anytime.
Without hesitation, the girl charged at Martina.
With surprisingly superior agility, she closed the distance in an instant.
To deter her, Martina released magic along the path the girl was running.
Flames shot forth in a wide range, making it difficult to avoid.
However, the girl bent low and used minimal magic conjured from her fist to negate the spells aiming to block her path, keeping her speed up as she approached.
If she wanted close combat, it was the optimum decision.
Praising the girl’s remarkable abilities more than she had expected, Martina deployed a magic circle in front of her.
Then, the pre-prepared spells erupted forth from the magic circle, shining brightly.
But not a single one was enough to slow the girl down.
She dodged the numerous spells with precision, as if she had a path visible only to her.
A movement that couldn’t be shown without countless experiences and arduous efforts.
Yet, more than her movements, what caught Martina’s attention was the girl’s eyes as she charged forward.
The eyes that focused on her, unwavering even amid intense movement.
Those eyes were infinitely earnest and firm, burning with an intense fire.
Martina felt a shiver.
Eyes that looked only ahead.
No matter how great her talent or the situation, those with such eyes would ultimately grow stronger.
Martina realized that the girl likely hadn’t received much instruction on how to fight.
Thus, until she discovered her talent, perhaps the girl had thought of herself as just an insect.
Yet now, the girl was undoubtedly shining.
If she was an insect, she was definitely a firefly.
An insect burning with the flames of effort and passion, glowing brightly.
That’s why it was impossible for Martina to take her eyes off her.
The light she emitted, while burning herself, was dazzling.
Martina murmured.
“Impressive.”
In an instant, the girl had closed the distance to only a few steps away, her fist engulfed in flames.
With such heat that sent adrenaline racing through those watching, Martina halted the spell she was casting.
Wrapping her own body in magical energy to fend off the flames, she opened her mouth.
“However, your gaze is too honest.”
Martina slightly tilted her head to evade the swung fist.
Simultaneously, she tripped the girl to throw off her balance.
“Your attack is too straightforward too.”
The girl, losing her balance, attempted to retaliate with a kick, but Martina’s hand slammed down first, pinning her to the ground.
Martina’s fist came crashing down toward the girl’s head.
“Come back once you learn a bit more.”
Bang! The sound echoed.
Martina retracted her fist and dusted it off.
Then laughed heartily as she noticed the girl, who hadn’t blinked an eye during the confrontation.
“Ahaha, this kid really has guts! You’re something else! Where did you find such a fearless one? Now, get up.”
Extending her hand to help the fallen girl, Martina asked the girl, who was staring at her in a daze.
“Why, are you surprised that a mage is throwing punches?”
The girl, who hadn’t flinched at the attack, flinched slightly at the question and slowly nodded her head.
Seeing this, Martina chuckled and replied.
“Do you know what people call mages? ‘Those who prepare.’ They are the ones who thoroughly prepare for every situation.”
Typically, it was said that they were prepared to address any situation using magic, but for Martina, it was a bit more than that.
“However, I’m called the best among mages, right? So I’ve prepared even for situations where I’ve run out of magic. That’s why I’ve learned unarmed combat as well. If I could do nothing just because my mana was depleted, I’d feel a bit miserable about it.”
As she said this, Martina ruffled the girl’s hair.
“Anyway, I still see some shortcomings, but you did well. If you improve on the things I mentioned and try to infuse intention into every movement, you’ll see great results. I guarantee you’ll grow stronger.”
As she praised the girl and looked at her with pride, Martina felt a strange sensation.
‘Wait, I feel like I forgot something.’
Tilting her head for a moment, Martina suddenly flinched.
Her smiling face distorted.
She had just remembered this girl was her rival in love.
At that moment, feeling flustered for suddenly praising her love rival, Martina heard the girl’s tiny voice.
“…Um.”
“Huh? What did you just say to me?”
Thinking perhaps the girl had just spoken ill of her, Martina asked, but the girl’s response was not what she expected.
“No… um, I said you were cool…”
“…Cool? Who’s cool?”
At that question, the girl seemed slightly embarrassed and looked at Martina.
Then, stammering, she said to her,
“Um… I think it’s cool that you’ve prepared yourself so you wouldn’t be left helpless… I wanted to be like that too.”
Cool? Wanting to be like her?
As she reflected on those words, Martina slowly nodded her head.
Then, trying to appear calm, she opened her mouth.
“Is that so? Ahaha, you have quite the discerning eye. Hehe!”
But it was futile.
Martina couldn’t suppress the rising excitement within her.
Confident in her abilities, Martina was not the same when it came to matters of the heart.
Having been teased and ridiculed by Natalia every time, she had felt insecure about herself.
Yet hearing the new rival in love confess she wanted to be like her, her forgotten confidence surged back up.
‘What… what is this? This girl might be better than I thought?’
Thinking that, as she smiled slyly, Martina slowly shifted her body and spotted Yoon Si-woo still staring at her in a daze.
Her good mood plunged back down.
Just then, Martina’s eye caught the girl looking at her.
Impulsively, she called out to the girl.
“Hey, come here for a second. Do you remember what I just told you?”
Then she pointed to Yoon Si-woo in the distance.
“Fight him, keeping that in mind. Think of it as a real battle.”
‘Go on and have a wildly intense fight.’
Strictly speaking, this time it was laden with personal feelings.
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