Chapter 48: The Iron Empress

Ruah started Juju’s training for the camp the very next day. She called Juju to the gymnasium as soon as classes ended, dressed in training clothes with a whistle around her neck.

“Wow, you look like a real sports coach.”

“I am a coach. Until you’re selected as a scholarship student.”

Although she looked more like a mascot than a coach, Juju didn’t point it out.

“Fighting, Juju.”

And there was even a beautiful manager. They had everything.

“We’ll put the aggro training on hold for now. This time, we’ll focus on solo play.”

“Solo? Do I have to enter a Gate alone?”

“Not exactly…”

Ruah trailed off. She thought it would be best to keep quiet for now, as telling Juju about the camp’s contents might change the future.

“Just do as I say. Then you can win.”

“…Yes, I believe you!”

Juju pumped her fist energetically. She was full of enthusiasm.

“You seem to be in good spirits. Did something good happen?”

“Hehe, actually, I looked up the ‘Nick’s Brothers’ Guild that’s offering the scholarship. I found out that someone I know is there.”

“Someone you know?”

“Someone called the ‘Iron Empress’.”

Ruah knew who Juju was talking about from that cheesy nickname.

“Hunter Kim Jiyeon?”

“That’s right!”

Juju nodded excitedly.

The Iron Empress was an important figure in this storyline. She was a high-ranking Hunter and the Guild Master of ‘Nick’s Brothers.’ Moreover, she was the head of the selection committee for this camp.

“How do you know her?”

“Hehe, I’ll tell you when I introduce you to her.”

Ruah tilted her head. She hadn’t expected Juju to have a connection with Kim Jiyeon.

‘Is this a good thing?’

She didn’t expect Juju to receive any preferential treatment just because they knew each other, but it would prevent Juju from being unfairly disadvantaged if something unexpected or unfair happened. It was probably best to consider it a positive development.

“Alright, then we need to hone your skills to impress her, right?”

“That’s right!”

—Clang! Clang!

Juju energetically struck her gauntlets together.

Training began immediately. They started with a warm-up jog around the gymnasium, followed by skill combo practice.

“Haa!”

—Thwack!

Juju activated her skills, striking the sandbag with her gauntlets. Ruah stood beside her, carefully observing her movements.

‘It seems like she’s almost mastered the [Wolf Fang Fist] and [Charge Strike] I taught her before…’

Juju had about ten combat-related skills. Of course, she couldn’t use all of them in actual combat, so she needed to focus.

‘Since one of the three skill slots has to be filled with the tank-exclusive passive skill [Iron Body], she can effectively only use two active skills.’

“Ha… ha… how was that?”

Juju stepped back from the sandbag, catching her breath. She tilted the water bottle Himari had handed her and waited for Ruah’s feedback.

“…”

Ruah pondered for a moment and then looked up.

“Which of your current skills has the highest level? Excluding passives.”

“[Wolf Assault]. It’s the first skill I learned, so I mastered it a while ago.”

Ruah recalled the sparring match between the protagonist and Juju in the game’s event. She remembered that one of Juju’s attack patterns dealt particularly high damage, so it must have been her mastered skill.

“Let’s use that as your main skill in the camp. Fill the other slot with the passive [Iron Body].”

“Understood. Then what about the remaining slot?”

“Leave it empty.”

“…Huh?”

Juju’s eyes widened at Ruah’s words. Himari, who was standing nearby, also looked at Ruah in surprise.

“So you’re telling me to fight with only one active skill…?”

“Yes, for now.”

“But deliberately leaving a skill slot empty…”

Juju bit her lip, looking troubled.

“Teacher, if I may offer my humble opinion, Juju’s specialty is linking skills. Wouldn’t it be better to activate multiple skills in a smooth sequence?”

“Yes, that’s right. I know.”

Of course, it would be difficult to understand. It was like deliberately entering combat with a handicap. It would be difficult to accept fighting with one less skill when she should be giving her all to become a scholarship student.

“But you have to do it this way.”

Because according to Ruah’s scenario, this was the path to victory.

“Trust me, Juju.”

“…”

That was all she could say for now.

“…Alright.”

Although Juju still looked doubtful, she nodded.

“I don’t think Teacher would intentionally try to make me fail. If you have a plan, I’ll follow it.”

“Thank you. I’ll definitely make you the winner!”

Ruah clenched her fist.

“Then let’s practice with [Wolf Assault].”

“Okay.”

Ruah set up the sandbag again and stepped back. Juju retreated and then charged towards the target, extending the spikes on her gauntlets.

—Swish!

—Boom!

Juju’s [Wolf Assault] was near perfect. It was a skill where she slashed sharply with the spikes on her gauntlets and then leaped into the air with an explosion. Its power was enough to almost destroy the tank-type sandbag. It was worthy of being her mastered, long-time main skill.

“Phew, how was that?”

—Clap, clap, clap!

Ruah applauded.

“Yes, perfect. Let’s move on to the next training.”

“Next training?”

Ruah led Juju to the walking path behind the dormitory. It was an area where a forest had been created on an artificial hill, allowing people to enjoy nature even on the artificial island.

“Here.”

Ruah handed Juju some twigs and a wooden board. Juju tilted her head, puzzled.

“We’re making fire with friction.”

“…Huh?”

“So like this…”

Ruah sat on the ground, holding the board down with her foot and rubbing the twigs together with both hands. It was the traditional method of making fire with friction.

“Huff, puff! I can’t do it! I give up!”

Of course, it wasn’t easy for someone with Ruah’s stamina.

“I know what it is, but… why are we practicing this?”

“It’s really necessary. Otherwise, you’ll be cold at night.”

“…?”

“Now, now, let’s start!”

Juju eventually started practicing making fire as Ruah instructed. It was difficult at first, but soon smoke began to rise, and she succeeded in lighting a fire.

“Is this… how you do it?”

“Good, good. Let’s move on to the next one.”

After that, Ruah had Juju practice hiding among the trees and building a shelter with branches to block the wind and rain. Juju, although puzzled, diligently performed the tasks.

“Teacher, are you preparing Juju for being stranded on a deserted island?”

Even Himari said that, but Ruah was certain that all of this would be necessary.

“You’ll see when we get there. You’ll see.”

“…?”

Time flew by, and Wednesday, the day the camp started, arrived.

Ruah finished her preparations early in the morning, put an “Out of Office” sign on the infirmary door, packed her bag, and headed to the parking lot. Suah and Himari were there to see her off.

—Buzz.

Her phone rang. She had saved his number immediately after the previous messaging incident.

“Hello, Chairman. This is Han Ruah.”

<Teacher Han Ruah, you’re leaving for the Scholarship Selection Camp today, right?>

“Y-Yes.”

<I’m calling to wish you a safe trip. How is student Yoo Juju?>

“She practiced hard. I told her to go to bed early yesterday, so her condition should be perfect.”

<That’s good to hear. Then, please uphold the honor of our Felix Academy.>

“Yes, I understand.”

<I’ve arranged transportation for you. Please use it.>

—Click.

As soon as the call ended, with impeccable timing, a luxury sedan stopped in front of Ruah. It seemed Chairman Pyo had sent it, as it bore the Felix Academy logo.

“Wow.”

Well, this was appropriate for a school representative.

“Teacher!”

Juju appeared from the other side of the parking lot, pulling a backpack and a carrier containing her gauntlets.

“Did you sleep well?!”

“Yes. How’s your condition?”

“Perfect!”

Juju punched the air. She was as energetic as ever.

“I’ll crush everyone and win that scholarship!”

“The scholarship is nice, but please don’t get hurt, Juju.”

Himari smiled and took the carrier, placing it in the car’s trunk. Juju excitedly got into the car, and Ruah, after putting her bag in the trunk, prepared to board as well.

“Unni, be careful.”

Suah also spoke to her.

“I wish I could go with you, but…”

“It’s okay. You have to prepare for the final exams. Study hard with Himari.”

“Yes, I will.”

Suah seemed disappointed but didn’t press the matter.

“Teacher, please forgive your unworthy ‘moon’ for not being able to accompany you.”

“Forgive you for what? You’re working hard.”

“Then, I’ll see you on Friday.”

“Come back soon, Unni.”

Himari and Suah each gave Ruah a tight hug.

“?!”

Ruah froze, surprised by the unexpected physical contact.

She didn’t recover until the car pulled out of the parking lot after she had settled into the back seat.

“What’s wrong, Teacher?”

“N-Nothing…”

The car, carrying the flustered Ruah and the oblivious Juju, left the Academy and headed towards the mainland.

After driving for over three and a half hours, the car carrying the two arrived at its destination.

The ‘Nick’s Brothers’ Guild had gathered the participants at a training center in the South Sea.

[Welcome to the 1st Scholarship Selection Camp, Academy Representatives]

As they passed through the main gate with the banner, they could see a considerable number of participants already gathered.

“…”

Juju, who had been chattering until just a moment ago, suddenly fell silent.

“What’s wrong? Are you nervous?”

“…A little.”

“It’s okay. You practiced hard.”

Ruah offered words of encouragement, but Juju shook her head.

“It’s not the test… I’m nervous about meeting her.”

Juju nodded. Come to think of it, she had said they knew each other.

“Just who is she?”

Juju took a deep breath, as if composing herself, and then answered.

“She’s the person who inspired me to become a Hunter.”