The Diamond Extra

Wednesday's first class was Cadet Combat Training—a two-hour session where cadets simply paired up and sparred. Everyone used training weapons to prevent injuries and make grading easier. Saul Mayne sparred with Gareth Reinhold. Louis Hall paired with Den Garry.

"Uwoooh."

"Rank 930, Paul Wayne—get up!"

"I… I can't."

As for me, I wasn't paired with a cadet. Because there were no training guns available, I got stuck sparring with the instructor herself. A real gun could seriously injure someone, so this was the only option.

"What do you mean you can't!"

The female instructor barked at me to give it my all. Exactly two minutes later, she was the one going all out. Apparently, my Gift was more dangerous than she expected.

"Get up!"

She grabbed my collar furiously as a bullet grazed her hair. I instantly regretted spending my first two weeks in Belester loafing around. I should've been working out.

"I can't continue."

"Yes, you can!"

"My body won't move."

"It will!"

She yanked me back onto my feet like a woman possessed.

"Put your guard up and do something!"

She screamed, but the handgun in my hand felt like it weighed a ton. I fired half-heartedly. She blocked the bullet with her hand and tackled me to the ground. I couldn't resist—I just collapsed. A sharp sting lit up my side.

"I give up. I give up."

"You didn't move after shooting! I said do something!"

Chak! A sharp slap stung my cheek.

"GET UP!"

I was getting seriously annoyed now. Come to think of it… was she taking this more seriously than me?

"I said, GET UP!"

No way I was taking another slap. I caught her wrist mid-swing and—

"You little—!"

—I bit down on her pinky.

"AHH! What are you doing!? 930—Agh! Let go! Let go!"

I bit harder and yanked her hair like my life depended on it. The room fell silent, but I wasn't paying attention to any of that.

"T-This is your last warning! LET GO!"

I'll bite this hand off. I swear I will.

"Y-You…!"

Her fist blurred in front of my eyes. I don't remember what happened after that, but I somehow walked away with 30 SP.

---

Diamond Academy also had clubs. Despite Head Instructor Park Leon's claims that cadets wouldn't have time for youth or fun, it turned out Diamond wasn't entirely heartless. Killing monsters and dealing with phantoms was considered normal, but mental health was still a priority. Cadets were encouraged to have hobbies. Relationships weren't technically allowed, but faculty usually looked the other way.

The clubs worked like regular college circles. Promotions were held during the second and third weeks of first year. There were around a hundred clubs—probably too many, considering the academy had only 5,000 cadets. Still, clubs existed for nearly everything: hobbies like bowling, pool, VR; and academic pursuits like martial arts, study groups, and even dungeon expeditions.

I skimmed the club list with narrowed eyes. According to the system's database, certain names showed up on more than one roster. Saul and Gareth were listed under Traveling. Mira had both Traveling and Academics. Lila leaned into Hunting. Rachel chose Reading. Louis? Not in any. Go figure.

The Traveling Club stood out—not just because of who was in it, but because it had so few people. Less noise. More room to breathe.

Academics, on the other hand, looked like an SP goldmine. The kind of club where arguments broke out over textbook editions.

I wasn't joining for fun. I came to blend in. Study. Collect.

Hopefully without having to sing karaoke.

---

I sat on a park bench inside Diamond's Hero Park, watching cadets flood the area after classes. The place buzzed with energy. Everything felt surreal—almost too perfect.

I saw a VR booth that simulated dungeons. I saw a couple making out behind a bush. I frowned and walked away.

Then I busied myself collecting application forms from around the club zone. Four in total. The club leaders weren't exactly friendly, but I got what I needed.

"I'll definitely join the Traveling Club."

I wasn't just after the view. It gave me the easiest route to stay close to key cadets. Still, it only had 20 members across all years. Since third-years were busy with internships and guild interviews, the club actually functioned with about 14 people.

After confirming Traveling, I picked two more: Hunting and Academics. I dropped Reading.

Each club met on different days. Academic met Tuesdays, Hunting Thursdays, and Traveling on weekends.

I flicked the application papers with a satisfied nod.

The club leaders were definitely going to look at me weird.

---

The capital of Belester, Caelus, was the pulsing heart of the continent. The city was stacked with skyscrapers, major guilds, research labs, and technological marvels. Guilds like Starlight Guide, Desolate Moon, and Frozen Sanctuary had headquarters here. Caelus was the core of monster and phantom subjugation, magical innovation, and international deals.

"The guild visit is set for two Fridays from now."

Despite the towering skyline, one guild building stood out—not for its height, but for its design. An elegant geometric structure marked the home of Grace Guild.

Inside, the building's layout was far larger than it appeared from the outside. Arcane engineering enhanced its space, and its mana density maintained a consistent Grade B level.

"Mmm. Understood."

Rose Andrey, the current Guide Master of Grace Guild, skimmed her secretary's report with a focused gaze. As one of the continent's top-ranked heroes and leaders, she was fully invested in this year's Diamond freshman batch. Rumors said some cadets had Gifts strong enough to shift the balance of power. She couldn't afford to be late. Competitors were already circling.

With a flick of her wrist, Rose opened Diamond's internal footage from the opening combat drills on the guild intranet.

"Saul Mayne really is something."

She watched the top cadet in action. Saul's swordplay radiated grace and raw force. His style flowed like wind—impossible to pin down. He moved like someone tearing space itself with every strike.

"He doesn't seem aligned with any guild yet. Put him at the top of our scouting list."

"Yes, ma'am. Oh? Someone used a gun?"

Saul's clip ended, and another drew her interest.

"Yes. It made rounds in the guild community."

"Really? I've been too swamped to keep up."

"It was uploaded to the Diamond portal. He's on Mira Roodes's team—that's why it got so many views. People say he's… odd."

"Hmm. Odd?"

Rose played the video.

[Team 5 – Jake Hose, Izuki, Mira Roodes, Paul Wayne]

It wasn't jaw-dropping, but the ten-minute clip held her attention.

"He wasn't using an automatic rifle… and still fired fifty shots in 2.78 seconds?"

"Correct. A feat beyond normal physics. The gun shouldn't survive that rate. His Gift is definitely special."

"It says here he switched from sword to gun once he got into Diamond."

"…Early enlightenment."

"Looks that way."

Rose leaned back, thoughtful. Enlightenment at seventeen was rare enough. But switching weapons afterward? Even rarer. Cadets usually didn't even know their Gift until enlightenment. That's why Diamond's lower academy encouraged experimenting with various weapons. If a switch was ever needed, it'd be easier.

"Early enlightenment is impressive, but if all he can do is fire a gun, then..."

"He would've used a bow if his Gift allowed it."

Rose nodded, still mulling it over.

"We'll keep tabs on him. Any free recruiters?"

"No, everyone's tied up this season. Too many outstanding cadets."

Rose sighed. Hiring external scouts was a risk—they could sell info to rival guilds.

"…Let's hold off for now. If he's truly special, he'll stand out again."

Her secretary bowed slightly.

"Yes, ma'am."