Chapter 17

Episode 17. Mental Training (2)

A few days had passed since I started researching the Holy Mark Amplifier with Professor Jade.

As I immersed myself in the research, the weekend flew by in the blink of an eye, and Monday arrived.

There was only one class on Monday.

It was the day of the most important mandatory course for all third-year candidates, regardless of their department: ‘Combat Training.’

This course had the most significant impact on the overall ranking of candidates and was the first step toward activities as a ‘Hero.’ Therefore, ‘Combat Training’ had several unique characteristics.

First, it had absolute priority over other classes.

This meant that if the schedule for ‘Combat Training’ changed or extended, missing other classes would be considered a legitimate absence.

Second, the professors were not held responsible for any injuries or deaths that occurred during the class.

Of course, minimal safety measures were in place, but even if an accident resulted in casualties, the responsible professor would not face any punishment.

This was not an educational institution for scholars or professionals but a place to train ‘Heroes’ who would fight on the front lines after graduation.

The third characteristic was that the class was long.

Unlike other classes, which typically lasted 2-3 hours, ‘Combat Training’ took up the entire day on Monday.

Even lunch or break times were at the discretion of the professor, so in the worst-case scenario, like during the last outdoor training, there might not even be time for lunch.

In other words.

“The theme of today’s class is ‘Mental Training.’ If anyone fails the test after the morning session, they will continue straight through the afternoon without a lunch break, so keep that in mind.”

Even amidst the busy schedule of the past few days, I had been secretly looking forward to it.

To have a cozy lunch with Iris, I first had to overcome the obstacle known as Professor Lucas.

‘At least give us time to eat, you jerk.’

I stared at Professor Lucas standing at the podium and let out a deep sigh.

“No lunch break and a full day of classes from morning to afternoon…”

“That’s not something a human should do!”

“We suffered so much during last week’s outdoor training!”

I wasn’t the only one sighing at the news of no lunch break.

The candidates glared at Professor Lucas, thinking, ‘Other professors give frequent breaks, so why only our class!’

“What, any complaints?”

“N-no, sir!”

“No complaints, sir!”

Of course.

Not a single word was effective.

“Tsk tsk. I have no intention of starving you brats while pushing you.”

“Huh? But during the outdoor training…”

“Back then, I didn’t starve you; you just didn’t bring any food. Am I wrong?”

“……”

The candidates bit their lips at the heavy truth.

In the ensuing silence.

Albert raised his trembling hand.

“U-um, didn’t you just say that if we fail the test, we won’t get a lunch break?”

“That’s right.”

“Then isn’t that the same as starving us…?”

“I said I wouldn’t give you a lunch break, not that I’d starve you.”

Professor Lucas smirked and pulled out a transparent container from his pocket, placing it on the podium.

Inside the transparent container was an unknown green liquid.

“It’s a special juice I made myself. This alone will keep you full from lunch until dinner.”

“……”

The ominous green liquid.

Even though it wasn’t on a fire, the green liquid was bubbling for some reason, and the candidates’ faces turned pale as they looked at it.

“Um… Professor… what is that?”

“Huh? Didn’t I just say? It’s a special juice I made myself.”

“No, I get that… but what’s it made of?”

“Hahaha.”

“No.”

Please stop laughing and tell us.

“Candidate Albert. Are you curious about what the juice is made of?”

“Ah… yes. I, I am curious.”

“Then come up here and try it.”

“Huh?”

Albert’s face stiffened.

“N-no! I’m not curious at all, Professor!”

“You just said you were.”

“No! I’m not curious!”

“Alright, then let’s vote fairly. Raise your hand if you think Candidate Albert should try the juice.”

All the candidates in the classroom raised their hands.

Of course, I did too.

“Y-you bastards…!”

Albert trembled as the unanimous decision was made.

Professor Lucas walked step by step toward the trembling Albert.

“Eek!”

“Don’t make a fuss. You won’t die from drinking this.”

“Ugh…”

“Well… you ‘probably’ won’t die.”

“Kyaaaah!”

Professor Lucas grabbed Albert’s shoulder as he tried to run away screaming and forced the juice into his mouth.

“Ugh, ugh, ugh!”

Albert’s eyes widened as he was forced to drink the special juice.

“Ugh! Ugh!”

“Hey. Don’t throw up.”

“W-what… ugh! What is this made of…?!”

“Do you know what ingredient is made entirely of protein, Candidate Albert?”

“Chicken breast… isn’t it?”

“Haha! There’s a high-protein ingredient that can’t even be compared to chicken breast!”

“……?”

Professor Lucas pulled out another container from his pocket.

Albert, barely holding back his vomit, looked at the container.

What was wriggling inside was…

“Bugs…?”

“Tsk tsk, bugs? They’re edible mealworms grown with Republic farming technology.”

“So they’re bugs, right?”

“Once they’re in your stomach, they’re the same nutrients.”

“…Ah.”

Thud.

Albert slumped into his chair with a look of despair.

He seemed to have barely held back from vomiting, but it wasn’t hard to guess how terrible the ‘special juice’ tasted from his pale face.

“……”

“……”

Silence fell among the candidates.

An intense determination to never drink that juice filled the classroom.

“Good. You all have good looks in your eyes now.”

Professor Lucas smirked and stood back at the podium.

“As I said earlier, today’s class is about ‘Mental Training.’ It’s an element as important as physical training in actual combat.”

No matter how strong your body is, if your mind collapses, you can never defeat the enemy, Professor Lucas continued, glancing at the classroom door.

“Today’s class will be conducted with a special guest from the Magic Department, Professor Morpheus.”

“Professor Morpheus…?”

“The master of illusion magic?”

Professor Morpheus.

A hero from the Holy Kingdom known for freely using all kinds of illusion magic.

-Click.

The classroom door opened, and a young man with thick brown hair entered.

He looked young enough to not be much older than the candidates, but since heroes generally age slowly, it was hard to guess his age just by appearance.

“Hello, candidates. I’m Morpheus, here to assist with today’s Mental Training class.”

Professor Morpheus bowed gracefully with a gentle smile on his face.

From his first appearance, his demeanor was completely different from the jerk (Professor Lucas) standing next to him, and the candidates’ faces brightened.

“The class is simple. One by one, come forward and endure the illusion magic I cast for one minute.”

“…Just endure?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

The candidates tilted their heads at the simpler-than-expected condition.

Even if the illusion feels real, knowing it’s an ‘illusion’ beforehand reduces its fear.

Moreover, it’s not like they have to fight the illusion; they just have to endure it for one minute.

-Well, it seems easier than expected, right?

Such thoughts inevitably crossed the candidates’ minds.

“Phew… that’s a relief.”

“Ugh, I was so scared I’d have to drink that mealworm juice for lunch.”

The candidates sighed in relief, patting their chests.

“Heh heh heh.”

Professor Lucas twisted his lips into a sinister smile as he watched the candidates.

“Professor Morpheus, how about demonstrating the illusion magic on one of them?”

“Sure. Any candidates who want to experience the illusion magic?”

“Candidate Albert wants to experience it.”

“Huh? N-no! I never said… Aah!”

Albert, grabbed by the back of his neck by Professor Lucas, was dragged toward the podium.

“Don’t be too scared. It’s just an illusion after all.”

Professor Morpheus spoke gently to the trembling Albert.

“Now, sit here, close your eyes, and relax your body.”

“Ah… yes.”

Albert sat in the chair as instructed.

Professor Morpheus placed his hand on Albert’s forehead.

And then.

“Ah, uh. Uwaaaaaaah!!!”

Thud!

Albert screamed and fell backward from the chair.

It hadn’t even been 10 seconds, let alone a minute.

“Gasp, gasp! T-this is…!”

“Are you okay?”

Professor Morpheus reached out to the fallen Albert.

“G-go away! Go away!”

Still not fully recovered, Albert pushed the professor’s hand away and curled up like a ball.

“S-save me… I, I don’t want to die.”

Albert trembled and sobbed.

Professor Morpheus shrugged and took a few steps back, waiting for Albert to regain his composure.

About a minute later.

Albert, who had been sobbing on the floor, stood up with a red face.

“Have you regained your senses?”

“Ugh… s-sorry.”

“Haha, it’s okay. Most candidates react similarly when they first experience my illusion magic.”

“……”

The candidates’ faces, which had relaxed thinking it was nothing, stiffened again.

“Now… who’s next to experience the illusion magic?”

Professor Morpheus smiled as he looked around at the candidates.

His smile, which had seemed friendly at first, now looked like the smile of a grim reaper.

“Let’s see… ah, the candidate with gray hair over there.”

Professor Morpheus’s gaze, which had been scanning the candidates, turned toward me.

“Would you like to give it a try?”