The Eighth Training Ground of the Royal Knights Academy of Ballaran.
Normally, this place would be bustling with trainees engaged in their daily drills. But today, it was unusually quiet. A short one-week break had begun. Officially, the break started tomorrow, but in reality, as soon as today’s classes ended, the trainees were free from their training.
Except for one.
Henry Hamilton stood alone in the training ground, repeatedly confirming the situation unfolding before him.
“Are you saying… I’m broadcasting?”
[Yeah, that’s right?? This concept is absolutely hilarious, lol.]
“You mean anyone can watch me?”
[Lol, yes.]
“Even if they aren’t a mage?”
[That’s right~!!!]
[As long as they know how to use a computer, anyone can join, lol.]
The second mage, GimbapHeavenForever, was surprisingly kind—an unusual trait for a mage. Thanks to them, Henry was able to grasp the situation, at least roughly.
I am broadcasting right now. The viewers are the ones watching this broadcast, and they don’t necessarily have to be mages.
The ‘viewer’ mage had explained it that way.
Mages can share what they see with those around them. And, just like this, they can even start a conversation with me.
He thought he understood now. Some mage—one of the great ones—had taken an interest in him. That mage had set up this “broadcast” as a means of communication, and other mages could access it as well.
“Thank you for your kindness. Thanks to you, I was able to understand the situation.”
[Lol, what do you mean you understood~~!!]
“…That was an arrogant way to phrase it. I merely meant that I was able to at least infer what is happening. Once again, I appreciate it.”
Right! It had been a mistake to claim that he had understood a mage’s thoughts.
As the mage fell silent, Henry felt uneasy. Then, after a brief pause, GimbapHeavenForever spoke again.
[Lol, so is this where you say, ‘Please like and subscribe~~~’?]
“What are ‘like’ and ‘subscribe’?”
[No way~~!!!]
[Forget it, lol.]
By now, Henry had learned that such expressions indicated laughter.
What’s so funny?
[‘GimbapHeavenForever’ has left the chat.]
[Current viewers: 0]
It seemed he had been mocked.
Henry wasn’t disappointed. After all, they were mages. He never expected an easy conversation with them in the first place.
Still, that one was rather kind.
Thanks to them, he had learned a lot. Or, to borrow the mage’s words, he had at least grasped the general idea. Of course, what Henry knew was likely just the tip of the iceberg. But at least now, he could make some guesses about why this situation was happening.
No one else is coming in?
Henry, who had been crouched down watching the “broadcast screen,” finally stood up. He had expected a third mage to appear, but interest in him seemed to have disappeared.
Don’t let it get to you.
If he was being honest, he had been a little hopeful.
Unlike knights, who used mana as a tool, mages were beings who coexisted with mana.
At best, I was just a passing curiosity. A brief amusement.
Henry knew his place well. He also knew how he must appear in the eyes of a great mage.
Hadn’t his own training in knighthood already taught him this? That one should never rely on luck?
Not that I’m one to go around preaching chivalry… but damn those bastards. What do they think I am?
His grip tightened around his wooden sword. For a talentless trainee, the only way to stave off despair was obvious.
Thwack!
The wooden sword sliced through the air. No matter how much he trained in swordsmanship, there was no end to it. He was confident that, when it came to pure swordplay, he wouldn’t lose to any student here. But that didn’t mean anything.
“Would you make the same request in an actual battle? ‘Let’s fight honorably, without using mana!’”
That was what Instructor Pike had once said. The entire training hall had burst into laughter at those words.
As a first-year student, Henry had flushed with embarrassment and faced his opponent. The result was obvious.
He was right. Not that he said it for my sake.
Even if he couldn’t wield mana, at least his swordsmanship should be the best.
Back in his first year, Henry Hamilton had been a naive child with that foolish belief.
Years had passed.
His once lively personality remained, but only in his private thoughts. In front of others, Henry was nothing but calm and composed. His confidence had been utterly shattered. All that remained was the bare minimum pride required to continue as a knight-in-training.
Through relentless effort, he had barely managed to avoid giving up. His sword had grown sharper and more refined.
Perhaps, if he pushed himself further, he could one day bridge the gap created by mana.
But expectations were always crushed.
“Today… feels particularly exhausting.”
His thoughts wouldn’t leave him alone. Just when he thought his mind was clear, something new would rise to torment him again.
Carefully putting away his wooden sword, Henry made his way to the training field.
No one was there either.
The quiet, empty space suited him.
Still wearing his weighted sandbags, Henry started running.
This is better.
In addition to swordsmanship, he never neglected his physical training.
By now, he could run endlessly across flat ground without tiring. Of course, that didn’t contribute much to his actual combat strength as a knight. But if he lacked even that, he would have no place here.
“Good.”
He ran and ran. The wind against his sweat-soaked skin felt refreshing.
At last, his mind was clear.
Nothing worked better to empty his thoughts than moving his body.
And because of that…
[‘UltimateSwordDance’ has entered the chat.]
[‘YouGuysArentReady’ has entered the chat.]
[Is this some kind of fitness game??]
[????]
[‘UltimateSwordDance’ has left the chat.]
[‘OneLetterAway’ has entered the chat.]
[????? What is this guy even doing??]
Henry didn’t even notice.
Viewers entered and left, over and over.
And after some time…
Huff. Huff.
When Henry realized that the surroundings had darkened and stopped, he finally understood what was happening.
[Wow lol finally stopped lol]
[You’re working out way too hard??]
[Is this that slow-content thing??]
[Slow-content lololol]
[This really makes me want to work out fr]
“……?”
The conversation was flowing rapidly.
[Current viewers: 7]
A total of seven viewers were watching him.
When did this happen?
He thought their interest had faded. But maybe, this was what they had wanted to see all along.
Did they leave because I wasn’t showing them my training? Ah, maybe even that question about the path of magic…?
The pieces fell into place in his mind. That question about the path of magic—perhaps what the mage wanted wasn’t some half-baked explanation but a demonstration through action.
“Greetings.”
[He finally speaks lol]
[Patience pays off!!]
[Lol what game is this? Are you working out??]
[Fr, VR workouts seem like the best way to exercise]
[Wait, this person is talking??]
The response was explosive. Henry instinctively knew his guess had been correct.
“Training… Yes, I was doing physical training.”
[Wow, it was real lol]
[What’s the name of the game? Never seen this before.]
[How much weight have you lost?]
Game. He still didn’t fully grasp what that term meant.
“If you’re referring to excess fat, I’ve never had any since entering the academy. And as for the word ‘game’…”
[Academy?? Is that the game’s name??]
[How long have you been playing?]
“This is the Ballaran Royal Knight Academy. I have been enrolled for three years.”
[Wow… You’ve been doing this every day for three years??]
[Ballaran? Never heard of it. Is this a closed beta?]
[Lol the commitment to the bit is insane]
His head was spinning. Henry, overwhelmed by the confusion, remained silent for a moment.
Were mages always this talkative?
He had never seen one in person, so he had no way of knowing. But seven viewers… That was promising. Mages were rare beings, and archmages were coveted by every nation. They were known for isolating themselves in magic towers, endlessly researching spells. The easiest way to move them was to present them with magical curiosity.
Could it be…?
A thought struck him like lightning.
Is that why they’re interested in me?
A body incapable of holding even a speck of mana. Someone with less talent than even ordinary people—Henry himself. He was a perfect research subject.
It’s possible. It’s more than possible. I’m worth more than just a passing curiosity.
He wasn’t exactly thrilled about it. But it was also a glimmer of hope.
[Did the screen freeze for just me??]
[No, it didn’t freeze]
[Lol I thought it stopped because it got dark. Hey, you there~~~]
If these mages were interested in him as a research subject, then maybe—just maybe—they’d try to find a way for him to gain power.
That was far more promising than struggling alone.
“…Mages.”
[Why so sudden lol]
[What is this? Is he foreshadowing something?]
[Is he implying we’re all virgins until thirty?]
[Wait, is he that kind of mage? Lololol]
As the “viewers” burst into laughter, Henry cut straight to the point.
“What do you want from me?”
The academy was dark after sunset. So was the training ground. With no special requests for its use, only a dim magic lamp cast a faint glow.
In that darkness, Henry Hamilton was solemnly recounting his past.
“The Hamilton Viscounty wasn’t always in this position. Up until my grandfather’s time, we had some standing in the royal court…”
Anyone watching would have thought Henry Hamilton had finally lost his mind. But he was dead serious.
A fallen noble. Lacking the talent required for admission. Lacking the honor expected of nobility. Henry’s father, Viscount Hamilton, had scraped together what little remained of their wealth to barely get Henry into the academy.
“…And so, three years have passed. If I still cannot sense mana by next year, I will have to leave.”
[Lol this guy memorized the entire backstory]
[Respect fr lol Are you a developer? Is this a promotional stream?]
[So that means that’s where the tutorial ends?]
“I am Knight Trainee Henry Hamilton, and I do not know what a tutorial is. I apologize.”
[Lolololololol]
[Ah, his commitment to the bit is insane lol]
[Absolute fortress of a man lol]
[But the game looks fun… I love academy settings, and this is right up my alley lol]
As expected, the language of mages was cryptic. Henry could not grasp any of it. He blankly stared at the flood of messages.
“Apologies, but could you explain what ‘concept’ means?”
[Concept? Lol]
[Lol aren’t you a knight?]
“I am a knight trainee.”
[That’s the concept lol Knight trainee concept lololol]
Oh, I see! Henry understood immediately. A concept referred to one’s identity or role at that moment.
“I understand now. I am in a knight trainee concept. Ah, I have taken on the knight trainee concept. My goal is to attain the full knight concept.”
Even Henry could apply knowledge once he grasped it.
Concepts are something you ‘take on.’
It must be a term used by mages, and his guess was right.
[Finally, he acknowledges it lol]
[Ah, that’s so satisfying to hear lol]
[How long is this stream going to last today??]
“I am not sure. Until the mage who opened this for me decides to close it…”
[Lol, all-nighter confirmed~~]
[So, what’s the next content?]
“Content… I apologize. That term is also difficult for me to understand.”
[Okay, this is just undeniable now. Respect.]
What exactly are they acknowledging?
Perhaps they liked his honesty.
And then, a notification popped up.
[‘OneBiteChung’ has subscribed to the channel!]
Still bewildered by the unfamiliar terms, Henry barely had time to process it when—
“Subscription… What is that…? Huh?”
A change occurred in his body.
TL : DO NOT JUDGE MY EDITING SKILLS!!
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