In the original, the route by which Ya-hwi obtains 'Shadow-Stepping' was on the difficult side. Because he barely receives it only after being put through the wringer like a dog and then drawing up a contract — this too was a Phantasm — stating that he would absolutely never harm the boss.
In other words, Shadow-Stepping was a Phantasm that was not supposed to be here. At least not in this time period.
'But this is the Shadow-Stepping from the original, for certain.'
How such a variable arose, I do not know. But my whole body, the senses 'Ya-hwi' had left me, was shouting with one mind and one purpose.
That this is that Shadow-Stepping. Not even a same-species individual, but really that one I know.
『Enviable.』
『I envy it.』
But right up to the moment Shadow-Stepping melted into my shadow, I strangely did not feel that I had contracted.
I could not say it was simply because it was a Temporary Contract. By that logic the contract I formed with the Twin Dragon Swords is also a Temporary Contract, so I should have felt nothing then either.
But at that time I had the feeling that something had touched spiritually. It was not like now, with no feeling at all.
'Is it because of the Grade difference?'
Shadow-Stepping's Grade is Folktale-Grade. And even among those it was an individual belonging to the very lowest.
In practical terms it was a truly insignificant Phantasm, no different from an ordinary object. It would not be strange for the difference from the Twin Dragon Swords to be severe.
'But the function hidden in Shadow-Stepping is.......'
They say a tool's usefulness changes depending on whose hand it is held in.
In that respect Shadow-Stepping, at least the Shadow-Stepping held in 'Ya-hwi's' hand, was not a Phantasm to be evaluated as a mere Folktale-Grade.
Shadow-Stepping was an object-type that as a supporter practically ran at the very top.
"Cadet Ya-hwi. Is there a reason you chose those shoes?"
Of course, others including Instructor Seo Ha-shin did not know that fact. Because they did not know, they took an interest in my choice.
Instructor Seo Ha-shin, holding the Phantasm list as the cadets did, smiled faintly.
"As it says in the description, that individual is a Phantasm acquired not long ago. No same-species individual has ever been captured, so there is little information. It made the selection list because the power lodged in it is too small and it is not the sort to harm the wearer, but......"
Tap. The instructor lowered the hand holding the list to his waist.
"I am curious about the reason you boldly chose an individual whose abilities have not even been grasped."
The capybara eye mask he was wearing somehow felt chilly.
"......The Twin Dragon Swords recommended it, sir."
"Hm?"
『Hm?』
『Hm?』
"So I chose it, sir."
The Twin Dragon Swords' taciturnity was broken for a moment, but since I am the only one who can hear their voices anyway, it is fine.
Deciding to apologize later for having used them as an excuse, I smiled brightly. Instructor Seo Ha-shin drew out a long "Hmmm."
"In that case I have nothing to say. However, keep in mind in advance that a request for cooperation may come to you later."
"Sir?"
"It is a common occurrence when a Phantasm whose interpretation is incomplete gains a contractor. Have you not experienced it with the Twin Dragon Swords matter as well?"
"Ah."
Is he talking about the experiments to check the Twin Dragon Swords' reactions. They were mostly trivial experiments so I had simply not thought of them, but I was convinced quickly enough.
"What is everyone doing? Dawdle too much and you will not even get dinner. I will not tell you to choose boldly, but do not take it too easy either!"
The moment I showed a sign of assent, Instructor Seo Ha-shin also withdrew at once. That the gazes gathered on me all scattered at the instructor's scolding was a bonus.
"Wow, so you can outsource choosing a Phantasm to another Phantasm?"
But one person did not.
It was Pyo Do-seok.
"I'm rea-lly jealous. Some of us have to run around until our feet sweat to find a good partner."
The face grinning suavely was truly different from his own twin, who looked like seriousness molded into a human. So was the voice. Being twins the voice itself was similar, but the manner and tone were so different that even the register felt different.
"I wish I had a partner like that too, right? Then I wouldn't have to check antiques one by one."
Separately, what do I really do about this guy.
While Pyo Do-seok was spitting out words I deliberated a little, and then a little more.
And I reached a conclusion.
Do I really have to deal with him? The many mass media and internet posts I encountered in the hospital room said that 'dealing with a provocation is itself a loss.'
"I see."
At times like this they said you just have to not give the response the other party wants. Chewing that fact over, I smiled as gently as I could.
I saw the other party flinch.
"But I don't think it's something to envy that much. From what I saw earlier you looked even more popular than me. At that rate you'll be chosen by a Legend-Grade before graduation too. As if a celebrity like you wouldn't receive a choice."
Good. That should have been a fine job of not feeding him.
After saying that much, I whipped around before Pyo Do-seok could catch the tail of my words.
Whether it was bad luck or what. Before I had gone even five steps I ran into Pyo Do-hyeok.
"......Would you move aside?"
"......"
At first I wondered whether he had blocked me on purpose.
But Pyo Do-hyeok made way without a word. And even as he did, the face like a black-and-white portrait looked only at the Phantasms on the display stand.
"One minute until the Selection Ceremony ends. Apart from the Phantasms whose contracts were deferred, you cannot meet these Phantasms until next semester, so hurry and finish choosing."
That Pyo Do-hyeok broke off his deliberation and moved was a thing that happened right before the object-type Selection Ceremony ended.
***
【Major Hong Seong-hwa (Mobile Force): The orphanage?】
【Major Hong Seong-hwa (Mobile Force): Ah, did I not pass on the news?】
【Major Hong Seong-hwa (Mobile Force): They went in with an audit last time and the whole place got turned over】
The hour when not only the Selection Ceremony but dinner too was finished.
During the free time given from 20:00 to 22:50, I fiddled with my smartphone. The recipient of my messages was Major Hong Seong-hwa, who had looked after me now and then until enrollment.
【Major Hong Seong-hwa (Mobile Force): Everything you reported turned out to be right】
【Major Hong Seong-hwa (Mobile Force): We dug into those bastards and they really had joined hands with some nasty types】
What wind had blown to make me contact her? That was of course because of 'Shadow-Stepping.'
What I obtained I obtained, but I felt I had to find out why it was here now.
【Me: Then does that mean there too?】
【Major Hong Seong-hwa (Mobile Force): Of course we turned all of it over】
【Major Hong Seong-hwa (Mobile Force): Wow they really had stockpiled a full haul it had been a while since I'd seen that many Phantasms outside】
The answer was not hard to obtain.
I was the cause. Because I was not dragged off by them and instead enrolled in the military academy. And as a result the information about that group was delivered to the military early.
That was why Shadow-Stepping was at the academy.
【Major Hong Seong-hwa (Mobile Force): Anyway thanks to your report one of our country's risk factors is gone the informant payment has been deposited in your account so check it】
【Major Hong Seong-hwa (Mobile Force): Wait but the money should have gone into your account a good while ago?】
【Major Hong Seong-hwa (Mobile Force): You haven't checked it once this whole time?】
I did not know because I had no occasion to look at my account. I opened the banking app for a moment. Soon a number with a very different digit count from what I remembered appeared.
So how much is this. One, ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand, hundred thousand, million, ten million.......
【Me: Is it all right to receive this much???】
【Major Hong Seong-hwa (Mobile Force): That's on the small side because it wasn't a direct report? And damage compensation was left out】
......The reward money is far too sweet.
The Hwadam Military Academy was basically a place that provided free education and even paid out a dignity allowance on top. Meaning there was almost no occasion to spend your own money.
And on top of that reward money was added? At least while attending school there would be no money worries. And after graduating I would enlist immediately and receive a salary, so money would hardly be a problem then either.
My heart suddenly grew well-off.
【Major Hong Seong-hwa (Mobile Force): Anyway, are you doing well?】
【Me: Of course. Just today alone......】
For the record, there was nothing much after that. The Major and I shared small greetings and news and then wrapped up the conversation.
『Do you intend to sleep?』
『Is it bedtime now?』
The Twin Dragon Swords, who had generously let slide the blame I had dumped on them in the afternoon, asked. After a little deliberation I shook my head.
"It's only ten, so it's a bit early to sleep."
I had organized all of today's class notes and finished a light review too. But wouldn't it be a bit of a waste to end my free time with that and go to sleep?
With the Twin Dragon Swords on my back and earphones in my ears, I left the room. Stamina is better the more you have, so I meant to at least jog.
The military English audio file distributed in class flowed out through the earphones.
"Ha."
It bears saying again, but a body that can run is truly a good thing.
I left the officers' quarters and ran toward the cadet dining hall located on the southern grounds.
The section where the religious facility, the cadet hall, the library, the club building, and the cadet dining hall are clustered soon came into view.
'There are a lot of people at the cadet hall.'
The cadet hall was where the bank, the food café, the stationery shop, the household goods shop, the post office, and other convenience facilities were all gathered. Since the cadets' free time is practically only in the evening, it also operated quite late.
So the cadet hall was still bustling with people.
Tap tap tap.
I gave that cadet hall a wide berth and gradually turned direction.
Once I started running northwest, after some five minutes the cadets' dormitory came into view. It was Hwaso Hall.
'The kids must live there.'
Hwaso Hall had five buildings in total, from Hall One to Hall Five. The structure was by year, and the one used by first-years was Hall One.
My legs ran along the walking path laid out behind the dormitory building.
"Hm?"
Had I been looking, as I ran, at how many room lights were on? There was a floor where the light was off but a person was out on the balcony.
Vivid cherry-red hair, recognizable even in the darkness, whipped in the night wind.
"Seong——"
Regrettably, Seong-gwon going back into the room was faster than my voice reaching Seong-gwon. I felt a bit sheepish.
"She won't hear you at that volume. There's a soundproofing barrier between the building and the rear garden."
"Whoa."
What, why is a voice coming from beside me.
"What?"
"Ah, sorry. I didn't know you were there."
There were benches placed here and there along the walking path. But because I had my eyes on the building, I had missed the fact that a person was sitting there.
Even I thought it was a rather foolish mistake.
I took out my earphones and apologized.
"Riiight."
At my excuse the other party let it go with dubious eyes. The face I checked thanks to the streetlight was Yi Hoe-uk, from my squad.
A body far smaller than even Homeroom Instructor Seo Ha-shin sat on the bench with legs crossed.
"That had better not be a roundabout way of saying something."
"Hm? Saying what in a roundabout way?"
"......Never mind."
More to the point, I had thought this during the introduction time too, but his voice really is something else.
Bending my knees so as not to feel too much like I was looking down at him, I checked Yi Hoe-uk's face briefly.
With hair and eye color both gray, his looks were extremely pretty. Once you put a layer of prejudice over your eyes, it went beyond being unsure of his sex to the level where you would conclude 'that's a girl, isn't it?' When in fact he is male.
"More to the point, were you jogging?"
"Yep."
"Diligent."
His voice, by contrast, was of the sort described as a 'cave bass.'
The tone was really low and the vibration was deep. I wondered whether expressing the thrum of a bass guitar in a human voice would come out exactly like this.
"What about you, Yi Hoe-uk?"
"The kids were too loud, so I evacuated."
"Aha."
So the incongruity was really enormous...... but at least it made his impression easy to memorize, which was good. He was also one of the few cadets who did not look at me with hostility.
"Is Hwaso Hall not soundproofed well?"
"It's less that the soundproofing is bad......"
Yi Hoe-uk trailed off for a moment.
His gaze slipped from me for a moment and looked at the back of his own hand. On the back of Yi Hoe-uk's hand, the Phantasm he must have contracted today was wriggling. A Phantasm in the form of a slender caterpillar.
"My roommate doesn't suit me. And there are a lot of kids running wild in the hallway because they got a Phantasm."
"I see."
Just hearing about it sounds bustling. It was also a scene I would have no occasion to experience in the officers' quarters where I stay.
"It might be a bit off to say this, but I envy you. The place I'm in is so quiet it makes you wonder whether people live there."
"......Is that so."
Well, being able to move about outside this freely is already something.
I straightened the legs I had crouched on. To go all around the academy grounds and return to my quarters I had to get moving soon.
"I'll be off. Don't stay out in the cold too long. See you tomorrow."
"Sure. Don't overdo it either."
"Yeah."
After saying goodbye to Yi Hoe-uk, I ran on. The winter night air was cold but refreshing.
***
"Good to meet you, chicks!"
The second day dawned. Today's first and second period subject was a class conducted outdoors without textbooks, 'Live Combat.'
"Well now. Look at those faces. Everyone's overflowing with expectation?"
The place where the Live Combat class was held was the training zone, which took up half the academy grounds. The enormous bulkhead wall surrounding the training zone looked like a fortress.
"I suppose with only 'Live Combat' written as the subject name your hearts must be thumping away? Wow, will I learn some badass technique too? Can I fight alongside my Phantasm firing beams and whatnot? And so on."
And the instructor standing with his back to the bulkhead was a very hearty person.
The instructor, who had been sitting on a military jeep, came down to the ground the instant the bell rang. Only one person got off, and yet that huge jeep rattled.
"Wake up from the dream, chick bastards. Actual combat against Otherworld Creatures is conducted in the style where the Phantasms do all the tanking and all the attacking while the humans cravenly fire guns from the rear."
The instructor circled slowly once around the two platoons lined up. The gaze that looked us over in the process felt just like someone appraising goods.
"Of course, there are soldiers who fight directly, at close range. Most of them just make it a supplement, not the main."
I had the feeling my eyes met the instructor's for a moment.
But it was truly no more than an instant, so whether it was a deliberate look or not I could not tell.
"Probably you will end up the same. You will do one-on-one wrestling with Otherworld Creatures only when you are just about to die, and otherwise you will just go bang-bang with your guns."
Clap.
The instructor, having gone all the way around, clapped his hands to clear the air.
"So the practical know-how you must learn is effectively only one thing."
Beep.
And when the instructor operated a remote, the sealed bulkhead door began to open.
Rrrrumble. The heavy door parted left and right, revealing the interior it had hidden away.
"Run, you chick bastards. Don't think of standing against Otherworld Creatures with the Phantasms you've only just obtained."
Beyond it was one of the training zones that had appeared in the original too, the artificial forest.
The enormous forest of over 2,000,000㎡ that the Hwadam Military Academy created artificially for cadet training.
"Ah, and the kids who survive until the end of class get bonus points. Though there hasn't been a single bastard who's succeeded so far. Try it if you think you can."
It was the start of the first and second period 'Live Combat' class.
Tab 17