How To Survive Clichés

Chapter 19

‘That guy has potential.’

Professor Harpe observed Yoo Suho and licked her lips. His swordsmanship was smooth and flawless, to the point where she was entranced by it. However, despite the overwhelming strength and impeccable technique, Yoo Suho’s swordsmanship seemed somewhat confined.

‘Well, that’s something that can be addressed with time.’

She couldn’t believe that Yoo Suho was the only one with promise.

Professor Harpe took out a cigarette and began to walk around the students, puffing out smoke and counting with her fingers.

One, two, three, four…

‘Is this manageable?’

As she watched the students, seated on the grass with a bored expression, she noticed Damian.

‘Hmm.’

Though his swordplay seemed clumsy, his ability to control his body was remarkable.

“Stop.”

Ah, the last one was a bit disappointing, but not bad. It’s ambiguous.

‘Hmm. What to do?’

Professor Harpe pondered deeply, her focus intense, and finally decided to move her fingers. This level of concentration was rare for her.

As a result, she inadvertently spat out the cigarette she was holding and noticed the ember burning on the ground.

Professor Harpe looked at the ground with a blank expression.

* * *

After the swordsmanship class ended, the tired students returned to their dorms, while the members of the study group stayed behind in the training ground.

Of course, Rathio and his faction, who needed additional training, stayed as well. They deemed that additional training was far better than losing points.

They trudged around the training ground, their expressions grim, as they followed Professor Harpe’s commands. Meanwhile, the professor lay on the ground, burning a cigarette.

Yoo Suho glanced towards Professor Harpe with a curious expression, while Tio, admiring the professor, said in awe.

“Isn’t it amazing?”

…Why is he acting like this?

Was he interested in swordsmanship? Now that I think about it, he did seem quite skilled earlier. Maybe he took swordsmanship classes before becoming a fallen noble. I’m a bit envious of that.

I pretended to be nonchalant and replied.

“…What’s amazing?”

“Professor Harpe, despite being a commoner, carries herself with such dignity.”

Ah, that’s what he meant.

I said calmly.

“Well, that’s because her skills are outstanding.”

“…I want to be like that too.”

Tio sighed deeply.

‘Hmm?’

It was definitely puzzling and felt odd. I discreetly checked Tio’s status window.

[Status Window]
– Name: Tio Xfurogo
– Mana: B+
– Health: A-
– Strength: A-
– Agility: A+
– Intelligence: A-
– Talent: Willpower
– Trait: Beast Master
– Final Goal: Family Revival and Escape

Quite impressive.

The saying that those who have more suffer more was true in this case. The Beast Master trait, which could tame not just animals but also monster minions, was indeed rare. If it reached the legendary rank, taming even Rank 6 monsters would be possible. This was due to the significant importance of mental strength.

With Tio possessing both the talent and the willpower, if properly stimulated, he could potentially tame monsters up to Rank 5 or 4. However, the status window I saw on the first day didn’t mention anything about escape.

I couldn’t help but become serious.

The revival of the family could be inferred as receiving support through the creation of demons to restore the family, but escape had an ambiguous meaning. Additionally, there was the constant feeling of discord from him. It didn’t make sense that someone with such a status window and traits wouldn’t appear in “Dimension Slaughter.”

Was there some death I didn’t know about?

It was necessary to find out.

While I was lost in thought, Tio sighed lightly again and, as usual, spoke with a touch of nonchalance.

“How about we eat first and then study?”

“Sure, sounds good.”

“Let’s do that.”

The group nodded deeply, looking at me as if seeking permission.

“Alright.”

I nodded. It was definitely a good idea given the exhaustion.

* * *

Tonight’s dinner menu included fried chicken, stew, and a variety of dishes infused with mana. I picked at the fried chicken and glanced at Yoo Suho. He had a nostalgic look in his eyes but didn’t seem depressed.

That was a relief.

‘It must be a rare experience for him.’

Yoo Suho had deliberately kept his distance from others until now.

As for me… I had never eaten with other students in real life either. It was a bit awkward but not unpleasant.

However, Ian seemed a bit anxious, constantly looking around. Noble students who had previously troubled Ian would spot me with her and then quickly retreat with puzzled expressions.

Only then could Ian finally eat in peace.

I rested my chin on my hand and tapped the table. The more I thought about it, the more peculiar things seemed. Since I only had suspicions for now, I decided to finish my meal.

After the meal, Tio rubbed his stomach and asked, “I’m full. What should we study first?”

The group’s attention focused on me.

…This is a bit burdensome.

Did they expect me to make decisions every time?

Well, since I did start the study group, it might be expected.

I decided to go along with the situation.

It was important.

Without hesitation, I said, “I think it’s best to study in preparation for the practical training. The team hasn’t been decided yet, but there’s a possibility that we might end up on the same team. Even if we end up on different teams, what we study now will be helpful.”

It wasn’t just a bluff.

Yoo Suho and Ian.

They would indeed end up on the same team.

But how does one become a corrupted spirit mage?

Here’s the situation:

While the strongest member, Yoo Suho, is on a reconnaissance mission, the remaining team members on the opposing side will pressure Ian to leave her area, saying she’s of no help. Or they might force her to prove her worth through battle. On the other side of the border, students who had previously troubled Ian would be waiting for her to leave her area.

Eventually, the pressure and anxiety would drive Ian to lose her composure and become a corrupted spirit mage. Meanwhile, Yoo Suho would discover that students enchanted by demons in the reconnaissance zone were massacring their own team members and would rush to save them.

Before long, the professors monitoring the practical training would intervene, and the situation would be resolved, but Yoo Suho’s mental state would soon deteriorate.

The battlefield littered with corpses, a rampaging Ian, and quests for recruiting allies and destruction, all seemed to point to the start of an apocalyptic scenario.

‘It’s no wonder his mental state would break.’

From now on, the important thing was to ensure that “Yoo Suho prevents Ian from becoming a corrupted spirit mage.”

So, from now on, I had to find a way to keep them together.

“Practical training?”

“Oh, right. Practical training is reflected in the midterm evaluation,” Tio nodded in agreement.

I turned to Ian and asked quietly, “What did you do last year?”

This was to give Yoo Suho a hint, to let him get a general idea of what to do in practical training. Although the team members hadn’t been revealed yet, it wouldn’t hurt to know in advance.

Ian hesitated before answering, “Well, I couldn’t control the spirits properly, so everyone on my team ended up failing.”

As expected.

It was just as I knew. Ian had performed well academically at the beginning of the year and received good grades in combat training. Her team had been formed around her for practical training.

The problem was:

‘The team members were all nobles.’

The nobles, driven by inferiority complexes, pressured Ian to lead the team and subjected her to various verbal abuses. After months of gaslighting, Ian began to distrust herself, which caused her to lose control over the spirits from then on.

The atmosphere grew somber.

“Hey, don’t worry too much. We’re doing study groups and all!”

Tio was the first to speak, trying to lighten the mood with a cheerful laugh.

“Well, how about we each say what subjects we’re weak in and focus on those?”

He changed the subject while also gathering information. It was clear he wasn’t an ordinary person.

‘That could be problematic.’

I tapped my chin and said, “Since the teams aren’t set yet, it might be better to teach each other what we’re good at rather than focusing on weaknesses.”

Pointing out weaknesses was like revealing one’s flaws.

Tio seemed to take a step back, then nodded in agreement. “Hmm, that sounds good. How about we take turns teaching each other?”

I shook my head. “I think it might be time-consuming and complicated for one person to teach the other three.”

Given the different levels of proficiency, it would take a long time to cover all subjects before the practical training.

“That’s true. Progress might slow down,” Tio agreed.

“What do you think, Ian?”

I asked Ian, who looked surprised that I was asking her opinion.

“Well, um, how about pairing up in twos and helping each other?”

She spoke hesitantly as everyone’s attention was on her, nervously fiddling with her fingers.

“Oh, that sounds good.”

“Yeah, that seems like a good idea.”

With everyone nodding in agreement, Ian’s expression brightened.

“Let’s each say what subjects we should take on.”

And so, the subjects were assigned. Ian took Spirit Studies, Yoo Suho took Sword Magic, and Tio and I took Magic.

Once the situation was sorted out, I stood up and said, “How about we take turns?”

“Sure.”

“Hmm, how should we decide who goes first today?”

What to decide?

Whoever speaks first gets to go.

“I’d like to learn some magic.”

“From whom?”

“You.”

“Me?”

Yes, you.

“Actually, I’m better at…”

Just come on out.

Seeing me with a cold stare, Tio stood up and said, “We’ll handle it.”

Yoo Suho smiled and addressed Ian, “Then, I look forward to working with you.”

“Uh, yeah. I’ll do my best too.”

After finishing the meal, we moved back to the training ground. By the time we arrived, the sun was already setting. It was around the end of dinner, so the training ground was bustling with students.

Ian was looking around the training ground, while Tio and I headed in a different direction.

“We’ll train over here,” Tio said, choosing a spot not too far from Ian and Yoo Suho. As Tio followed me, he whispered once I stopped.

“Could it be… no, right?”

“…What?”

Tio glanced toward Ian and Yoo Suho and said, “It doesn’t seem like they’re into each other.”

What was he on about now?

Seeing my confused look, Tio stopped talking and scratched his cheek awkwardly.

“…Isn’t it?”

“No.”

“Hmm, never mind then.”

Tio shrugged.

“What’s up? Are you really asking me to teach you magic?”

“Yes.”

“Actually, it seems like I should be learning from you.”

“Learning from each other would be good.”

“What kind of magic do you want to learn?”

The conversation went something like this. While answering Tio’s questions, I kept glancing towards the direction of Yoo Suho and Ian.

Something seemed off. The faces of students who had approached Ian during the meal had changed, and most of them were first-year students.

Did first-year students, who had never even participated in practical training, come to harass Ian? It didn’t make sense, even for naive or ideologically-driven noble students.

Moreover, they all seemed to flee as soon as they noticed me, which was even more suspicious.

I wasn’t sure what would happen when only Yoo Suho and Ian were left alone, but it was worth investigating.

Fortunately, the opportunity came sooner than expected. In the distance, I saw a group clad in the blue robes of the Abyssal Sea Tower approaching Ian and Yoo Suho.