I Became the Must-Have Character of the Academy City

Chapter 26

Rohan played the game with a newfound confidence, unlike before.

There was no need to waste energy now that the bridge with Clara had proven more solid than expected.

Stopping the clumsy “low-skill play” and fully enjoying the game made Rohan feel much more at ease.

[Clara: With minimum specs, this part usually requires a bit of trial and error! Just try cycling two skills in the first wave and surviving as a dodge-tank! ( ◜????◝ )]

‘Cute.’

As questions about the game settings or challenging parts came up, Rohan asked Clara while swiftly progressing through areas.

It didn’t take long for Rohan to realize why Clara had been so eager to share the storylines with him.

‘...It’s definitely fun.’

Once a chapter started, it was hard to stop midway because the plot was too engrossing.

It required considerable patience to stop playing once a session began.

Taking short breaks while studying, on the way back to the dorm after exercising, or even while eating at the academy cafeteria, Rohan used his time efficiently. As he breezed through stages like a blockage had been cleared, Clara was astonished.

Thanks to this, Rohan also learned how to truly enjoy the game.

When he mentioned how much fun he was having, Clara smiled warmly, clearly pleased.

Each step forward was a significant improvement.

Growing closer like this, Rohan wondered if the day would come when Clara would share aspects of her current life—details that weren’t visible in Abyss City.

‘Eventually, I’ll have to bring up my request for help.’

With these tangled, unresolved feelings swirling within him, Rohan stepped through the front gate of Orion Academy, slipping his phone into his pocket as he headed toward Class 1.

Creak!

Rohan opened the door and entered Class 1.

After a quick greeting with the classmates he had gotten to know over the past few days, he took a seat next to Gilbert.

“Rohan! It’s a strong and mighty morning!”

“Yeah. It’s the same as alw—...?”

Rohan stopped mid-sentence.

Unlike usual, Gilbert’s voice lacked its characteristic booming resonance.@@@@

Rohan paused mid-motion while unpacking his bag and turned his head.

Gilbert’s face was gaunt and hollow, a stark contrast to his usual robust and imposing appearance.

“Hey, your face looks wrecked.”

“It’s merely a noble badge of honor for resisting the unjust commands of a gorilla... Nothing happened.”

“?”

The “gorilla” Gilbert mentioned was probably his sister. Rohan had heard before that Gilbert’s older sister, a graduate of Orion Academy, had taken up a job in Academy City and was keeping a close eye on him.

“As a proud member of Caniat, I was merely flapping my wings in pursuit of freedom.”

“Didn’t go well, did it?”

“The attempt itself holds meaning.”

Based on the stories Rohan had heard about Gilbert narrowly surviving death out of sheer curiosity and his occasional bizarre antics, it was hard not to think there might be a good reason for his current state.

“The fact remains—this is a familiar sight from his time in flight school. He even made the incident report list nine times.”

Dick Wicketree announced his arrival, dropping his bag onto the desk.

“You’re here.”

“Yep, I’m here.”

Rohan exchanged a casual greeting, while Gilbert crossed his arms, seemingly recalling something from what Dick had mentioned.

“Ah, of course, I haven’t forgotten the past. I also won’t forget this humiliating moment as I dedicate myself to training and finally bring down the gorilla.”

“He used to say that all the time in flight school. Still hasn’t achieved that goal.”

“Ha! The golden spirit of perseverance matters more than the results! How could you focus only on outcomes?”

Gilbert, who seemed to regain his energy during his exchange with Dick, raised his voice back to its usual booming volume.

Feeling a sense of comfort in the familiar banter between the two, Rohan began preparing for class.

Shortly afterward, the class representative entered the room, opening the door for morning attendance.

“I’ll start taking attendance.”

“....”

“One of the quickest ways to lower your chances of survival is internal conflict.”

Contrary to expectations, the instructor didn’t lecture about the necessity of theory.

Instead, he began to persuade.

“In life-or-death situations, there are often cases where poor relationships or unresolved grudges prevent effective cooperation. Sometimes, it’s simply a lack of respect for each other’s abilities that causes arguments to escalate and plans to fall apart.”

Noah’s round ears perked up, showing her attentiveness.

Looking directly into her eyes, the instructor asked,

“Noah Frozenheart, when faced with a moment where a single decision could mean life or death, would you follow the orders of someone physically weaker than you?”

Noah shook her head firmly, as if the very thought was unthinkable.

The instructor seemed to have expected this.

There was an unyielding pride in her demeanor, something she clearly wouldn’t compromise on, perhaps inherited from her father, the Great Tiger of the Snow.

“Learning theory is much the same as that,” the instructor explained.

“Huh?”

The confused expression on Noah’s face prompted him to continue calmly.

“There are those who believe physical strength is the ultimate power, while others measure power by knowledge. Some groups value wealth or social influence instead.”

“....”

“There are also people who refuse to follow orders from someone incapable of reading the situation, regardless of their other strengths.”

Basic theoretical knowledge is the minimum requirement to even sit at the table of compromise on the battlefield.

Only then can other factors come into play.

“Since we’re on the topic of group conflict, let me address another question. Someone recently asked why cadets don’t engage in sparring matches.”

“That was me!”

“The cadets here are full of confidence and youthful vigor. It’s not uncommon for sparring results to be taken poorly or for emotions to flare during combat. This issue isn’t limited to cadets; it’s something even professionals often deal with.”

The instructor explained that students needed to mature mentally before sparring could become a productive part of their training.

Noah pouted slightly, clearly dissatisfied, and voiced a perspective shaped by her upbringing in Tigrova.

“Victory and defeat... I think they’re pure. Losing means losing, and winning means winning, that’s all...”

The instructor’s faint smile suggested Noah’s words reminded him of someone.

He lightly pinched her cheek and replied,

“Accepting results and finding purity in combat is admirable. It would be great if everyone thought like you, Noah. But reality doesn’t work that way.”

“....”

“In the end, unresolved grudges or poor relationships can lead to situations where cooperation breaks down, as I mentioned earlier.”

The instructor emphasized that repeated mental training was necessary before sparring could be introduced effectively.

“That’s why we’re not sparring yet and why theory is essential. Do you understand now?”

“Yes... sir...”

Noah nodded slowly, seeming to accept the explanation, even if reluctantly.

The instructor found her willingness to understand commendable.

Reflecting on his own past, he remembered the restless energy he had once felt—the urge to test his limits physically. Knowing how strong that instinct was for more active cadets like Noah made him consider his methods.

‘Am I being too stuck in old-fashioned ways...? Instructor Carrot already began sparring in her class.’

Even as he regretted the rigidity of his lesson plans, he acknowledged that no single method could work for such a diverse group of cadets, each with unique values and personalities shaped by their home countries.

“Very well. Since Noah Frozenheart has shown she understands my ‘boring lecture,’ we’ll have a simple sparring session in the afternoon. I’ll take on all of Class 1 and point out the issues as we go.”

“!!!”

Noah’s previously drooping tail shot up, wagging energetically.

Her deep blue eyes gleamed with a predator’s excitement.

The other cadets, who had been sitting and watching, also grew visibly excited.

This wasn’t just any lesson; it felt like a golden opportunity.

Sensing the rising anticipation, the instructor spoke again to command their full attention.

“Before we begin sparring, I’m going to set one condition.”