Category: BJ Swordmaster

Subscription.

Henry Hamilton could finally grasp the meaning of that word. He was at a loss for words. A sense of wonder engulfed his entire body.

So this is what it was!

Was this what mana truly was?

Unbelievable… I had this right beside me and never realized it.

There was no visible change, yet he could feel it—the presence of mana filling the space around him.

It’s like being submerged in water. What a strange sensation.

Something surrounded his body. Something soft and harmonious. Water would resist movement, but mana did not. His breathing remained free. As he inhaled, mana entered his body; as he exhaled, it flowed out again.

This is what they were talking about in class…

Breathing in and not exhaling—that was the basic principle of mana training. After that, one had to refine the mana taken in and make it their own.

[Lol, what’s with this guy again?]

[Isn’t this a subscription reaction?]

[You react like this to a subscription???]

The conversation continued, but Henry, lost in his awe, waved his arms around wildly. He could feel the flow of mana responding to his movements.

This is unbelievable.

Now, he finally understood the reactions of his instructors. Those who had already reached a higher level. The trainees who followed their path. To those who could already sense mana, his swinging must have seemed utterly ridiculous.

If only I could harness this energy…

Even imagining it, he could already tell. No matter how skillfully one swung a sword, it would be useless against even a child’s strike imbued with mana.

“Thank you.”

A belated expression of gratitude escaped his lips. ‘Subscription’ was a blessing from the mages, and he had received that blessing.

“This is a kindness I could never hope to repay.”

If he could sense it, he could accumulate it. Any lack of foundation could be overcome through training. Just as he had honed his swordsmanship, with enough effort, he could surely master the use of mana as well.

[Lol, what kindness???]

[Isn’t he being way too dramatic??]

The baffled reactions. Henry understood them. To the mages, offering such help was no big deal. But to Henry, it meant something entirely different.

“Thank you for subscribing. No words could ever fully convey my gratitude…”

A mix of embarrassment and deep emotion. It was so far beyond his common sense that he didn’t even know how to react.

[LOL]

[This is insane, this was actually a reaction to a subscription???]

[I’m losing it lololol]

Even as Henry stood frozen, the mages’ reactions were surprisingly positive. In fact, it didn’t stop there.

[‘DirtyHorde’ has subscribed!]

[‘BeetleBeetleBeetle’ has subscribed!]

Two more mages had subscribed.

“My god.”

That was all Henry could manage to say. The density of mana thickened. He could feel it. The once barely perceptible energy had become slightly clearer. And then—

[Subscribers: 3]
[Perception increased by 3.]
[Subscriber goal: 10]

Bonus rewards will be granted upon reaching the goal.

Even a system message had appeared, making it all the more real. Clearly, this was the work of a great mage, an act of consideration for someone like Henry, who knew nothing of magic.

They’re doing all this for me?

Henry’s mouth hung open. The mages, meanwhile, looked pleased.

[He’s completely losing it lol]

[I’ve never seen anyone react to a subscription like this]

[This is crazy generous lol]

Their satisfaction was noticeable. To them, it must have been gratifying to see a knight trainee—one who previously couldn’t even perceive mana—finally catch a glimpse of another world.

“Once again, thank you. I will do my utmost to walk the path you have opened for me.”

[LOL what path?? Like a tree-lined street??]

[Hahaha]

[Doesn’t this just mean he wants to make money from streaming? lol]

[Honestly, with this much dedication, he might actually make it big one day]

[This concept is pretty fresh though lol]

If they hadn’t been mages, he might have even saluted them. But their generosity didn’t end there.

[‘BeetleBeetleBeetle’ has donated 1,000 won!]

[“You got this lol!!”]

“…!”

A bright, overly cheerful voice rang out. Henry stared at the screen, dumbfounded.

“Did… did the mage just speak?”

[Huh???]

[What’s he talking about now lol]

“I-I heard a voice just now. ‘BeetleBeetleBeetle has donated 1,000 won’… and also ‘You got this, lolol.”

Henry remained in shock. He had never heard such a voice in reality. No, it wasn’t even a human voice to begin with.

[LOOOOL]

[He’s actually insane hahahaha]

[I’m dying, this is too funny]

Judging by their reactions, he was right. The voice had indeed belonged to a mage, and they found his shock hilarious.

“I-I apologize. This is my first time conversing with mages, so… I only now learned that you can send messages from afar.”

[Far away, indeed lol. How far is Seoul from Busan again?]

[This is seriously killing me lol]

[Wouldn’t it be easier to just talk instead of typing?]

“Hmm, that does make sense.”

Henry nodded for a simple reason. One had to actively read text, but a voice could be heard even while doing other things.

The viewers were impressed.

[Wow, he’s really committing to the act.]

[I can’t believe how well he’s guiding the conversation lol]

[Look at that expression. He really looks like he knows nothing lol. His acting is insane.]

The flow of this conversation was completely unpredictable.

“By the way… when a voice is sent through magic, does it usually… change slightly?”

[Does the voice change??]

“Yes, I was just curious.”

[???]

[Anyone understand??]

[?????]

A flood of question marks filled the chat. No one seemed to understand, so Henry was about to explain again when—

[BeetleBeetleBeetle has donated 1,000 won!]

[“LOL, no way! This? Like this??”]

That same voice echoed once more. Henry widened his eyes and nodded vigorously.

“Yes, this was it. I was curious if you had transformed this voice using magic.”

[Wow, the buildup was insane LOL]

[Wait, was he talking about the robotic voice? LOL]

[Looks like it LOL, omg]

So much for the stereotype that wizards were reclusive and gloomy. Who would’ve thought they’d be such a lively bunch?

Rumors really couldn’t be trusted. Henry watched their conversation with amusement. He didn’t understand half the expressions they were using, but so what? Until just moments ago, these wizards had looked at him as if he were a monkey in a cage, yet now, they were people who had given him an incredible gift.

[But do you have any weapons?? Are they in your quarters?]

[Maybe he stored them in his inventory?]

“Oh, if you mean weapons, there are wooden swords in the training hall. We’re only allowed to use real swords in certain lessons.”

[Then what’s in your inventory?]

“Apologies, but I do not understand what an ‘inventory’ is.”

[Yeah, we should just give up LOL]

[Can you at least show us some swordsmanship??]

[You have skills, right?]

“Skills… I apologize once again, but I do not know. However, I can demonstrate my swordsmanship.”

[LOL please show us some swordplay!!]

[At this point, we should assume he doesn’t understand any gaming terms LOL]

[Alright, let’s respect the roleplay LOL]

Respect the roleplay. That meant they were willing to accommodate his perspective. They would only ask things that a knight trainee could reasonably understand.

What a peculiar bunch… But if all oddballs were like this—

Honestly, he was deeply grateful.

“I shall move to the training hall.”

Determined to give them a proper demonstration, Henry left the parade ground.

---

[The graphics are absolutely insane LOL]

[Seriously, the training hall looks so realistic]

[This medieval vibe is hitting just right LOL]

The training hall was still empty. Henry calmly prepared himself. He grabbed a wooden sword from the rack and strapped on additional sandbags—just enough to match the weight of his armor.

[Is there no weight penalty?]

[No, if you phrase it like that, he won’t get it LOL]

[Aren’t those sandbags too heavy?]

[LOL yeah, you gotta word it right]

So ‘weight penalty’ must refer to discomfort caused by heaviness.

Having learned yet another wizardly phrase, Henry shook his head.

“It is heavy. However, as a knight, I must grow accustomed to this weight.”

[So does that mean stat increases compensate for it??]

[Oh, so training with them boosts his stats LOL]

[Too bad it’s just a wooden sword… The effects won’t look as cool]

[Yeah, we need some flashy visuals for it to be fun to watch]

That stung a little. It was true that real swords were only allowed in certain lessons, but that rule applied mostly to Henry and a handful of other trainees. From B-rank and above, students were allowed to use real swords during personal training. The restriction on lower-ranked trainees was meant to prevent accidents due to lack of experience.

Though, of course, that wasn’t the real reason.

The real purpose was motivation. The privilege of using real swords outside of lessons was enough to make the top trainees fight to maintain their rank, while those in lower ranks struggled desperately to climb up.

“I shall begin with the basics of swordsmanship.”

It was unfortunate that he couldn’t use a real sword to meet the mages expectations, but that only strengthened his resolve to give it his all. Gritting his teeth, he took his stance. The wooden sword sliced through the air.

[Did the wooden sword just make a sound?]

[Was that just him making the noise himself??]

[Guys, what even is this stream LOL]

The screen didn’t matter to him. The moment he gripped the sword and began swinging, Henry focused solely on executing his swordsmanship properly. Then—

“……!”

Henry felt something. He was swinging his wooden sword as usual, yet something about it felt different. New.

He concentrated. He did not resist—he accepted it.

This is…

It was mana. With each breath, mana entered his body and spread to every corner. Normally, it would just flow back out, but this time, something had changed.

「Mana that enters the body will always escape again. Unless it’s ‘your’ mana, stored in your heart, you cannot hold onto it.」

Instructor Alex’s voice echoed in his mind. Henry had memorized his lessons word for word, despite their apparent irrelevance to him.

「But you can change its exit route. It’s an incredibly simple technique. Focus. On your fingertips, your toes, even the fork you hold at dinner—it doesn’t matter. The place where you concentrate your will, that becomes the outlet for your mana.」

That was how Alex had explained it. A method to increase mana efficiency, entirely dependent on concentration.

And when it came to focus during swordplay—

[Huh?]

[Did something just shine?]

No knight trainee could match Henry Hamilton.

[Yeah, something definitely flashed LOL]

[That actually looks sick??]

[Aren’t we still in the tutorial stage??]

[How does a wooden sword already have effects like that??]

The sword traced an arc through the air. A sensation he had never felt before. Thrilled by the rush, Henry’s blade cut through the air again and again.

“Huff.”

With a final horizontal slash, he lowered his sword. The basic swordsmanship of the Ballaran Royal Academy. The demonstration was over.

Henry stared at his trembling hands. They weren’t shaking from pain or exhaustion. He simply couldn’t contain his pounding heart.

This is mana!

With this power, everything could change. No—it would change. Three failures? That restriction now felt trivial. He felt confident he could overcome it.

[Damn… Is this really VR?? Has technology advanced this much already??]

[What’s the name of this game?!?!]

[This is insane LOL the quality is next-level]

Fortunately, the wizards seemed satisfied. And their satisfaction—

[‘Horololololo’ has subscribed!]

[‘asuu1337’ has subscribed!]

[‘paruin’ has subscribed…]

…translated into numbers.

[Current viewers: 23]

[Subscribers: 10]

[You have achieved Stage 1 objectives!]
[An additional reward has been granted!]

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!!

The Royal Knights Academy of Ballaran! A prestigious institution with a history of producing distinguished knights, where simply graduating guaranteed a solid future as a knight. Surprisingly, the admission requirements weren’t strict. Status. Talent. Wealth. Having just one of these was enough to gain entry. However, while getting in was relatively easy, graduating was not.

“Henry Hamilton.”

“Yes, sir!”

The young man responded with a firm voice, exuding an upright and noble spirit.

“You’ve failed. Wait at the back.”

“…Yes, sir.”

His second reply lacked the vigor of the first. An upright and noble spirit had nothing to do with talent as a knight.

“As expected of Henry Hamilton. Another failure.”

“He’s hopeless.”

“At this point, even he must know he has no talent with the sword.”

The murmurs pierced Henry’s ears. His chest ached, but he didn’t respond. Nothing would change even if he did.

“Enough. Have you forgotten the virtues of a knight?”

At the instructor’s words, silence fell over the group. But their gazes remained the same—sharp, mocking stares that stabbed into Henry.

“Rexar.”

“Yes, sir!”

“From the next class onward, you’ll move to Class A.”

“Thank you, sir!”

“McCree, you’re in Class B.”

“Thank you, sir!”

“Lucia will…”

With each name, emotions fluctuated. The academy used a tiered class system based on skill. Naturally, Class A was for the most outstanding students, while the lowest was Class F. And Henry Hamilton’s group? He had none. He wasn’t even qualified to be placed in Class F. Failing three times over three years meant he lacked even the bare minimum talent to wield mana.

Damn it. This time too…

He had trained relentlessly. While others rested, he swung his sword. Even on the one free day each week, he ran laps alone at the training ground. His efforts weren’t entirely in vain—beneath his uniform, his body had become solid and well-trained. But no matter how hard he tried, Henry Hamilton could not even sense the existence of mana.

“Lastly… Loki, you’re in Class C.”

“Thank you, sir!”

The students’ expressions fluctuated between joy and despair. Those who advanced looked pleased, while the few who were demoted stared at the ground in misery. But for Henry, there was no such change. Moving up was impossible, and there was no lower place to fall.

“Starting tomorrow, you’ll have a one-week break. For some, it will feel short; for others, long. Use this time well. Dismissed.”

“Thank you, sir!”

As soon as the instructor finished speaking, the trainees scattered. They didn’t forget to glance at Henry as they passed, most with smirks on their faces. A few gazes were indifferent or even sympathetic, but they were rare.

What are they thinking?

Some would use this time to improve their skills. Others would enjoy the break. Some might even return home. Soon, the training grounds emptied, leaving only Henry and the instructor.

“Henry Hamilton.”

“Yes, sir.”

The instructor spoke, unable to conceal his regret.

“…We need to talk. Follow me.”

---

The head instructor Russo’s office was orderly. Everything was placed exactly where it needed to be, without a trace of extravagance—a simple, dignified space in shades of deep brown.

“Henry.”

Instructor Russo looked directly at Henry, who avoided his gaze.

“Yes, sir.”

“You know what failing for the third time means.”

“…It means I have one year left.”

The academy’s training program lasted four years. Failing four times meant that while his peers graduated, he would still be stuck in the first year. At that point, the academy would deem him talentless and expel him.

“I’ve been watching you for the past three years. More than anyone here, I’ve taken an interest in you. You know that.”

“I’m always grateful for that.”

“I know how hard you’ve worked. I also understand the weight of your family’s expectations. But Henry, it’s time to—”

“Instructor.”

For the first time since enrolling, Henry interrupted Russo.

“I have to become a knight.”

“You have one year left. If you fail again, you’ll be expelled.”

Russo was genuinely worried for Henry. He was diligent, sincere, and more passionate than anyone. If anything, he embodied the spirit of knighthood more than any other student.

“If this continues, all that awaits you is disgrace, Henry. Fortunately, you’re not the first case like this. The academy can help you find another path.”

“Instructor Alex told me the same thing.”

“So you’ve considered it.”

“I’m sorry. But I must become a knight, Instructor.”

His voice was firm and unwavering. But Russo could hear the desperation in it. He couldn’t ignore it—he was the only one in the academy who had ever paid attention to Henry.

In the end, Russo swallowed his words.

“…I’ll do my best to guide you next year as well.”

“Thank you.”

“Let’s go. We need to move quickly.”

With a slight bow, Henry departed, leaving Russo alone to let out a deep sigh.

Move quickly, huh…

What an utterly meaningless piece of advice. Among all the students in the academy’s history, there was likely no one who had lived more fiercely than Henry Hamilton.

Talent truly is cruel.

Feeling this anew, Russo ran a hand over his face.  The Hamilton Viscounty. Once, generations ago, it had been a fairly reputable knightly family, but after repeated decline, it now barely clung to its noble title.

When Henry Hamilton was a child, he didn’t even know that nobles were granted land and lived off the taxes collected from it. His father, the Viscount Hamilton, had taken up a plow instead of a sword, and his mother was no different.

A viscount… it’s just a title, nothing more.

That had been Henry’s belief until the year he turned nine. That year, he overheard a conversation between a royal administrator and his father. He hadn’t fully understood it at the time, but Henry had always been an sharp child. The Hamilton family had failed in its duties as nobility. Henry Hamilton would not inherit the title.

It was the first time Henry had ever seen his father so furious.

“That was the first time I heard the term ‘fallen noble’ too.”

The words had come from the administrator’s mouth. His father’s fury didn’t shake the man in the slightest. Instead, when the administrator mentioned Henry’s name, Viscount Hamilton lowered his head in defeat.

“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry, Henry. My incompetence has brought you to this.”

“You must become a knight, Henry. That is the only way. Grow stronger. Strong enough to reclaim the honour I failed to pass down to you.”

That memory had never faded. Sweat trickled down his back, soaked from training.

“Hmm.”

The air was crisp and cool. Henry inhaled deeply, letting the chill settle into his lungs. The cold sensation seemed to freeze his body, but it also cleared his mind.

Arriving at the training hall, he pushed open the door and stepped inside. Unlike the outside, the air here was warm.

“As expected, no one’s here.”

The hall was empty. It was only natural—hardly any students continued their training until the very last day of the year. But Henry Hamilton was there.

Tight. He strapped sandbags to his arms and legs. It was to familiarize himself with the weight of armor in battle. Gripping a wooden sword, he exhaled.

“Huuh…”

The weight felt reassuring. It always did. Whenever he trained, his mind felt as though it had been wiped clean, emptied of all distractions.

He began swinging his sword. A basic technique from the Royal Academy—slash, thrust, and slash again from below. The movements flowed as smoothly as water, the result of endless repetition.

“The last time.”

For some reason, he couldn’t empty his mind completely today. Usually, he would ignore the mockery thrown his way, but now, those words slowly surfaced in his thoughts.

“I’ve always known. That I have no talent.”

Everyone in the academy knew it. And Henry himself had realized it more painfully than anyone. His lack of talent was utterly despairing. Simply swinging a sword and building stamina wasn’t enough to become a knight in this world.

That was why he had always been so conscious of others’ perceptions. He had worked tirelessly to present himself as the ideal knight-in-training, to avoid conflicts, to swallow his pride daily.

“I know there are other paths besides knighthood, but…”

The image of Chief Instructor Russo came to mind—his shadowed expression filled with regret. Henry was grateful to him, and he knew the concern was genuine. Even so, he couldn’t accept Russo’s advice.

“……”

His sword sliced through the air. Had it been real steel, anything in its path would have been severed. He cut through his deep sense of powerlessness. He cut through his shattered self-esteem.

Faces of the family members who had pinned their hopes on him surfaced in his mind. Again, he swung. Again, he slashed.

Only then did his mind finally empty.

Sweat trickled down his face in beads. It was only when he reached this point that Henry finally lowered his sword.

“Huuh…”

Taking a deep breath, he glanced around. Still, no one was there.

Then, he froze.

Henry had seen something… strange.

[‘xmtn1877’ has entered.]

“……?”

Letters appeared in midair.

It was a script he had never seen before.

And yet, to his astonishment, Henry could read it.

“Entered?”

A short phrase in an unfamiliar script—he could read it, but understanding it was another matter entirely.

But that wasn’t the end of it.

[Live Stream: Medieval Knight Trainee!]

More text appeared above.

[Current Viewers: 1]

And below.

Confused by a situation he couldn’t begin to comprehend, Henry furrowed his brows and stood frozen.

[What kind of game is this?? Is this a new release?]

“Game? New release?”

Medieval. Game stream. Viewers. Game. New release.

Out of all the words listed, Henry understood only one—knight.

Henry was a knight-in-training, and based on that alone, this text might have something to do with him.

“If not, then…”

The other possibility was obvious.

“A high mage’s prank… or maybe even a mistake.”

A perfectly reasonable conclusion. Hadn’t a legendary archmage once said it himself? That high-ranking mages were all madmen.

“Are you a practitioner of magic?” Henry asked.

[What’s magic?]

This time, he not only read the words but understood their meaning.

“Are they mocking me?”

The thought crossed his mind for a moment, but he dismissed it.

This person was a mage. They weren’t asking because they didn’t know—they had to be toying with him.

“It must be some kind of profound, philosophical question.”

The one speaking to him had to be a being whose intellect had long since surpassed human comprehension.

“I apologize. I do not understand your question.”

He responded with the utmost politeness. Their fields of expertise may have been different, but it was clear that this person was an accomplished master in their own right.

However—

[This guy’s boring lmao]
[Alright, I’m out. Have fun~]
[‘xmtn1877’ has left.]
[Current Viewers: 0]

“So that’s what a ‘viewer’ meant.”

The number of mages currently speaking with him.

The previous mage had likely been disappointed with his foolish response and left.

“It can’t be helped.”

He couldn’t wield even a shred of mana. He had never expected to hold a deep conversation with a mage.

But then—

“Why won’t this disappear?”

[Live Stream: Medieval Knight Trainee!]

The strange text remained. The messages left behind by the mage remained. The “current viewers: 0” text remained.

The mysterious window hovered in midair, completely unshaken.

“I have no idea what’s going on…”

Just as he was about to give up and pick up his wooden sword—

[‘GimbapHeavenForever’ has entered.]

A second mage had appeared—one with a bizarre name.

---

TL : This novel has images in almost all chapters so if some images don’t load in the chapters please mention it in the comment.