*
__Si-woo-ya! Fighting!!
__Ju-won-ah, hwaiting!!
"Quiet."
Kang Ju-won checked his surroundings with an awkward expression.
Whenever there was a sparring match like this, most of the female cadets were on his side, and he took it for granted.
But now that his opponent was Kim Si-woo, some of the female cadets were cheering for Kim Si-woo.
He felt awkward, perhaps because it was his first time experiencing this.
'Aren't I better than Kim Si-woo?'
Kang Ju-won silently examined Kim Si-woo's face.
He had improved after his second awakening, but he still felt lacking compared to himself.
'Hoo... that's not what's important.'
This sparring match was an important opportunity to determine the team leader.
He wanted to win the match and let Kang Min-ji know that he was better than Kim Si-woo.
Kang Min-ji had started to bother him since the one-on-one sparring match before the vacation.
'Right. I was too confident back then.'
It was a time when he had just undergone his second awakening, gained a unique ability, and was full of confidence.
In a situation where he never thought he would lose, he was thoroughly defeated by Kang Min-ji.
Her ability to calmly respond without panicking even in unfavorable situations, and her guts to fight back without being intimidated by his attacks.
Even from a man's perspective like Kang Ju-won, she was a cool figure that made his heart flutter.
In addition, unlike the simple Lee Da-eun or the cute younger sister-like Jeong Soo-ah, she had a healthy beauty that stimulated men's hearts.
She had a strong charm that made him forget about his family situation.
'Plus, she's completely different from the other girls...'
Most girls would easily open their hearts if you were just a little kind to them.
But Kang Min-ji was different. She didn't talk to any men and even ignored him.
Maybe that's why he was more drawn to her.
He knows that she doesn't have the luxury because of her family situation right now, but he still can't control himself.
'I messed up too much at the beginning...'
He approached her thinking she was the same as the other girls, and it seems like he got on her bad side, leaving no room for him.
In comparison, Kim Si-woo was getting close to Kang Min-ji because he was her partner.
He was ashamed to admit it, but he was feeling jealous.
'Right. I'm starting over.'
This time, he wanted to show her a cool side without making any mistakes.
He wanted to show her that he was different from the other guys.
To do that, it would be advantageous to become the leader.
"Then, begin!"
He kept his distance for reconnaissance and glared at Kim Si-woo.
Even though the battle had started, Kim Si-woo still stood there with a relaxed expression.
There were so many openings that he didn't know where to start pointing them out.
'I'm not going easy on you.'
He had heard that Kim Si-woo was growing rapidly after his recent awakening, but that was the same for him.
'Yeah, I guess it would seem like I can do anything.'
He had won against Yoon Seo-ah in sparring, and earlier, he had completely shattered the Hongryuseok.
Plus, he even had people cheering for him, so it was enough to fall into self-admiration.
Kang Ju-won, having finished his reconnaissance, rushed at Kim Si-woo.
The moment he aimed for an opening and thrust his sword, Kim Si-woo, who had seemed defenseless, reacted immediately.
Kang Ju-won was flustered by the attack that failed so easily and widened the distance.
'Heavy...'
Kang Ju-won felt a heavy impact on his wrist.
Kim Si-woo, still standing with a relaxed expression, even taunted him by flicking his sword.
It's important to control your emotions. You can't get excited here.
Kang Ju-won, having composed himself, adjusted his stance.
'If you're so confident, then block this!'
He moves forward and swings his sword.
From right to left, from left to right, striking the wrist area, then towards the head, aiming for the head and then the shoulder, a series of attacks.
Kang Ju-won's attacks continued seamlessly like flowing water.
Kim Si-woo was too busy defending, unable to launch any counterattacks.
Seeing that, the cadets began to cheer.
__As expected, Ju-won is at an advantage.
__Ju-won-ah, hwaiting!
Kang Ju-won, who was repeating his attacks in a trance, suddenly noticed something strange.
He realized that his attacks had never succeeded even once.
Unlike himself, whose breathing was gradually becoming rough, Kim Si-woo still stood there with a relaxed expression.
'What is it?'
It was as if Kim Si-woo was above him.
The attacks that had been flowing like water gradually began to falter.
Kim Si-woo was still only defending with a relaxed expression.
A relaxed attitude as if telling him to try everything he wanted.
'No!!!'
The anxiety started to grow.
Kim Si-woo, who had seemed full of openings, now began to look like a huge mountain.
No matter where he attacked, he defended with ease.
This wouldn't do. He mustered all his strength to shake off the anxiety in his head.
He charged as if throwing his whole body, aiming for Kim Si-woo's heart.
It was a final attack that gave up on defense.
However, it was useless.
"Huh?"
When Kim Si-woo moved, the trajectory of his sword had somehow been diverted in a different direction.
Before he could even understand what had happened, Kim Si-woo was holding his sword and waiting with a relaxed expression.
His body was pushed forward by inertia because he had thrown his whole body into the attack,
When he belatedly stopped, Kim Si-woo's sword was touching the bottom of his neck.
Kim Si-woo's sword was less than 1cm away from his Adam's apple, as if he had calculated everything.
"Ah..."
"I think I won. What do you think?"
This can't be happening, it's strange.
"Want to try again?"
Kim Si-woo's attitude suggested that he didn't mind doing it as many times as necessary.
His pride was hurt, but he couldn't understand it.
"C-can I really?"
Okay, if he calmly does it again, he can do it.
He won't lose this time.
Yeah.
That's what should have happened, but why did it turn out like this?
As if intentionally done, Kim Si-woo's sword was touching Kang Ju-won's neck.
Unlike the first time, the reactions of the surrounding students began to tilt towards Kim Si-woo.
__What... did Si-woo win?
__I don't know what happened...
__Wow... he's not hitting him on purpose... that's so cool...
"Want to do it more?"
"...Yeah."
He will never let his guard down this time.
He will keep his distance and try to figure out what happened.
With that resolve, he entered the match.
Once again, Kim Si-woo's sword began to move like a snake.
The moment the swords collided, the trajectory of his sword was diverted as if being sucked to the side.
'Again?'
Kim Si-woo's wooden sword gently passed by the end of his neck.
It was the same defeat this time.
__Wow...
"How do you want to do it?"
Still with a relaxed expression and a kind voice. Looking at that, an unbearable anger surged up.
"Can I do it one more last time?"
"Sure."
He will never lose this time.
What should he do? How can he win?
His head throbbed and his heart beat rapidly.
Is this meaningful?
'No, I can do it.'
He will win this time. He steeled his resolve.
"Then shall we start?"
"Yeah!!"
The moment he tried to rush forward, he felt his heart sink.
Surprised, he stepped back, and Kim Si-woo's sword narrowly brushed past him.
This time, Kim Si-woo moved first.
Kim Si-woo's sword moved relentlessly from right to left, from left to right.
With strong blows that made his wrists tingle, Kang Ju-won continued to retreat without being able to do anything.
The movements were so familiar. It was almost the same as the attacks he had done.
"Keuk!"
This time, he touched his wrist, then lightly hit his head, and even stabbed his shoulder.
There was no major impact. That's because Kim Si-woo deliberately reduced his power before the sword touched him.
Even if he belatedly swung his sword to counterattack, it didn't reach Kim Si-woo.
"Ugh!!"
With a strong impact, the wooden sword fell from his grasp, and once again, Kim Si-woo's sword was under his neck.
Yes, he had been completely defeated.
It was such a complete defeat that he couldn't even think of feeling regretful.
"I...I lost... Thanks."
"Yeah. It was a great match."
Kim Si-woo definitely smiled and extended his hand.
He was definitely smiling, but somehow it seemed like he was mocking him.
'Ha... let's not be pathetic, Ju-won-ah.'
He was completely defeated by Kim Si-woo without being able to lift a finger.
Kang Ju-won, acknowledging his defeat, grabbed Kim Si-woo's hand and stood up.
"Thanks for giving me a good experience."
Kang Ju-won's hand was subtly trembling.
*
Lee Da-eun heard that Kim Si-woo had been decided as the team leader this time.
Lee Da-eun had hoped that Kang Ju-won would become the team leader, but since they had made that decision between themselves, she decided to follow it.
"I wonder if Ju-won is okay?"
She had heard that it was decided through the sparring match in swordsmanship class, and the cadets who had witnessed the duel were all talking about it.
__When did Ju-won's skills improve so much?
__Honestly, I was surprised when I first saw it.
She knew how much he had worked during the vacation, so she felt good that Ju-won was being recognized, but the main character of the story was not Kang Ju-won.
__Wow... Si-woo was really cool~
__Yeah, even while watching, I don't know how he did it!!
__Seriously, when did he get so strong?
The winner of the sparring match was Kim Si-woo, and many cadets were praising Kim Si-woo's swordsmanship.
Since his opponent was Kang Ju-won, who had high recognition in the Academy, the rumors started to spread quickly.
'He seemed a little tired...'
His expression seemed somewhat dark, as if the shock of the defeat was great.
Lee Da-eun headed to the training room to comfort Kang Ju-won.
"Ju-won-ah?"
When she pressed the call button, Kang Ju-won, soaked in sweat, walked out. His breathing seemed rough, as if he had done some intense exercise.
"Are you okay?"
"Huh?... Oh, I'm okay."
With a slightly cold attitude, Lee Da-eun entered the training room feeling intimidated.
It seemed like he had been hitting the sandbag hanging in the center to suppress his anger.
Was he that upset about losing the sparring match? Lee Da-eun felt suffocated looking at Kang Ju-won.
"Then... shall we take a break from training today?"
"No... I have to do it... I can't rest. I'm going to win next time no matter what."
He seemed to be in a bad mood with his rough breathing.
"O-okay..."
Right, Lee Da-eun had felt similarly when she first lost to Yoon Seo-ah.
She thought it was a problem that would be resolved over time.
"Da-eun-ah, let's finish quickly. I need to do personal training."
"O-okay."
The training that started like that, the atmosphere was like walking on thin ice.
Every time Lee Da-eun, who was clumsy, made a mistake, Kang Ju-won let out a deep sigh, and every time that happened, Lee Da-eun felt like she had committed a sin.
Perhaps frustrated by the repeated mistakes, Kang Ju-won finally burst out in anger.
"Why can't you do that?"
"O-oh... I'm sorry..."
"Let's try again... I'm sorry for getting angry..."
No matter how many times they tried, nothing changed.
It's hard to teach others. Isn't it said that many couples break up while teaching each other how to drive?
Watching Lee Da-eun fail repeatedly made him feel like his insides were boiling.
Perhaps he couldn't control his emotions after losing the match against Kim Si-woo, he finally exploded.
"Ah, seriously!!! Why can't you do it!!!!"
"S-sorry, Ju-won-ah... I'll go first today..."
"Ah... ah, that's..."
Lee Da-eun, who had never seen Kang Ju-won get angry like that before, ran out of the training room as if fleeing.
It was the first time she had seen him get so angry since she met Kang Ju-won.
"A-am I not good enough after all?"
But if she thought about the future, she couldn't give up like this. She needed someone's help.
Looking at her smart watch, there was one person who came to mind.
"If it's Si-woo... wouldn't he help me?"