No Lies, Just Extra

School Life is Freakin’ Spectacular #10

Damn it, just when I tried to feel the mana by tensing my thighs and calves, I got a cramp!

“Meoooooooow!!!”
(TL/N: Meow is on purpose)

Extreme pain! My tears are trickling down! How many seconds have passed since the cramp hit? Just 3 seconds, damn it! Rolling around screaming during class and all!

“Hey, this shit!”

—Whoosh!

“Just stay still!”

A clear voice pierced through to my ears.

“Y-you’re Le-ona!”

“Don’t call me ‘Le’ as if it’s my last name! Anyway, stay still!”

Leona rushed over like a protector, lifted my legs up onto hers, took off my shoes, and pressed on the soles of my feet to stretch out the tightened muscles!

“Ugghh!”

“Seriously?! Really! After all that fuss, I should have expected it! Kim Geun-chul, you’re really not coming to your senses!”

“Shit, it hurts so damn much…!”

Could this be? She’s actually helping me! She must have come to take care of me as soon as I was struck with a cramp!

—Press. Press.

That’s how Leona held my cramp-stricken leg and gave me a massage, loosening my muscles… Who is this woman? An angel?

“It’s okay, it’s alright. Just stay calm, okay?”

“Hoo… Hoo…”

With Ms. Leona pressing on the soles of my feet, the pain gradually subsided. I was sweating cold beads, but now it started to feel refreshing.

“Ah… Aaah… it’s all better now.”

Soon enough, my leg had recovered. The extreme pain that enveloped my leg dissipated like smoke, all thanks to class president Leona. Looking up, her beautiful face came into view.

—Whoosh!

Even a halo seemed to shine from her head…! Holy Mother! She’s a saint! How can someone be so kind!

“Thank you! You saved my life! I’m really grateful…! I thought I was dead just now! You’re a lifesaver!”

Heartfelt thanks were conveyed.

“Don’t say that over just a cramp…”

Leona looked down at me with a face that couldn’t believe it.

“It hurts a lot, but it’s not like you’ll die from it. Anyway, is your leg okay now?”

“Oh, yeah. It’s fine now. Thanks a lot. Wow, it doesn’t hurt at all anymore. Leona has healing hands.”

The peace that came after the intense pain put me in the best of spirits. I couldn’t feel happier.

“Now get up, Scream Man.”

“What, Scream Man?”

“The nickname suits you. Why are people so shaky like that? You don’t seem to have your head on straight?”

“No, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. I was just tense trying to feel the mana… I should have seen this coming.”

It was just a mistake trying to feel an unfamiliar sensation. Everyone here probably makes this mistake. I bet they cry out with cramps in their legs too.

I’d even bet on it.

“Stop making excuses. Kim Geun-chul, you’re definitely a person to watch.”

Although she scolded me, there was concern in her words. She must have a naturally kind nature and takes good care of others. She’s really an angel.

“In contrast, you’re really dependable. Like an emergency responder, a real angel, an angel. I’m so grateful, seriously. Can I call you Angel Leona from now on?”

“Angel my ass. Don’t overdo it.”

“Then, I’ll just express my gratitude. I’m really thankful. I’m writing in my gratitude journal, and I must definitely record today’s incident.”

“Just thank me once, okay? Once. Also, stop talking nonsense and get up quickly, won’t you?”

“Yeah…”

—Crack.

I took the hand Leona offered and stood up.

As I dusted myself off.

“…Kim Geun-chul.”

The instructor was looking at me.

Her gaze was intimidating.

“Ah, instructor. The thing is, I didn’t do it on purpose, it was just a mistake in tensing and—”

“It’s fine, stop. A cramp, huh… Yeah, that can happen.”

“Wha! So you understand?”

“Why wouldn’t I? Of course, it can happen if you suddenly tense up.”

“Instructor!”

Touching! To think I’d receive such understanding! I had thought she was just cold-hearted, but does she have a kind side too!

“So don’t be too embarrassed… Cough!”

“Ah?”

“Cough, cough…! A cramp, anyone can get it. It can… cough!”

“…”

Instructor Lee Sora turned away, her shoulders shaking as she covered her mouth.

You’re a bad person, instructor.

“That’s right, instructor. If you want to laugh, feel free to. Even if my heart shatters into pieces. They say laughter brings fortune, so please laugh to your heart’s content.”

My heart feels like it’s breaking.

“I’ll return to the ranks now. The only thing that can heal my heart are the warm gazes of our fellow cadets—”

I turned away and at that moment.

“Pffft, hahaha!”

“Kuhuhuhuhu!”

“Uha! Uahaha!”

The fellow cadets I trusted grabbed their stomachs and burst into laughter.

That’s right! Laugh, laugh!

You bastards!

“Ah shit, what are you laughing at now… A friend is in pain and you laugh about it? Ah? Guys, I’m disappointed. Let’s not do this to our fellow cadets. It hurts people’s feelings.”

“Scream Man.”

“Ken?”

“Your face is red. Pfft, pffft! Ha! Hahahahaha!”

“Laugh. Go on, laugh all you want. You heartless prick. Don’t you know that love amongst colleagues is love for the country? Just you wait.”

“Sorry! So sorry! Hahahahaha!”

If Ken makes a mistake later, I’ll be sure to laugh and gloat about it.

“Huff.”

With that, I returned to my place.

“Cough… Geun-chul, are you okay?”

Even Sihu, trying to hold back his laughter, was asking if I was all right!

“Are you laughing too, Brutus?!”

“Hahahah!”

“I’m so disappointed! I never imagined you’d be someone who laughs at a friend!”

“Laugh! I’m not laughing! Cough, hahahaha! It’s a misunderstanding, Geun-chul! Hah!”

I can’t stand it anymore!

At times like this, I should study and soothe my mind!

“Instructor! Please proceed with the lesson! I’m so eager to study, the slow pace is making me anxious!”

“Kim Geun-chul… a diligent cadet indeed. Alright. We’ll continue with the lesson. Just be careful not to over-tense your legs and get a cramp like before.”

Good.

Let’s focus on the class.

“Leona? You did well. As expected from a class president.”

“What’s the big deal? It’s only natural for a leader to take care of a lagging friend, right?”

—Swoosh.

Saying so, Leona proudly tossed her hair with one hand, reveling in her own leadership. Acknowledged!

“I acknowledge you, Leona! You are the true leader of this era! Please lead our class to greatness!”

“Kim Geun-chul, be quiet! You scream man!”

“Understood!”

Better listen well to Leona!

“Now then. It would be good to demonstrate a good case next. Leona? Would you demonstrate? You can do it, right?”

“Of course. This is easy for me.”

—Crack.

Leona went forward, took a stance to dash.

And then.

—Whoosh!

She performed a simple short-distance fast movement and returned. It was a neat and swift action. Watching her, I felt like I was learning something. Originally, I am someone who observes and learns properly. Yeah, just like that. There’s nobody as eager to learn as I am. But my face is still hot. Save me, for real…

“Wow… as expected of the Kainaros family.”

“Not bad.”

“It’s clear why she’s top rank.”

Even the ones who laughed at me were impressed.

I’ve memorized your faces.

“Well done, Leona. Setting an example. Anyway. Everyone, try to dash on your spot now.”

Now it’s time for individual practice.

“Your goal is to be able to freely manipulate mana. You don’t think about or move to blink or point a finger. It comes naturally. Mana should be the same. It should be controlled as naturally as moving your arms and legs.”

Listening to the instructor, we took stances and practiced dashing. Some looked to be doing it somewhat okay, and some like me, not so much.

—Whoosh!

Ken seemed capable of manipulating mana to some extent.

—Whoosh!

And Sihu as well. No. To say he was just ‘as well’ would be an understatement. He was good at it.

“Hey, Sihu.”

“Yeah?”

“How can you do that so well?”

After getting a cramp like that, I’m too scared to do it alone. I sort of feel the sensation… But it’s difficult.

“Hmm… I’m not good at teaching, but think of it as transferring mana.”

“That’s not very helpful advice, Sihu. Do you have time after school?”

“Time after school?”

He seemed sensitive at the mention.

Got something going on?

“I do have something.”

“Is that so? Then teach me how to use mana. I’ll treat you to the snack bar. Got time?”

“I’m not good at teaching… but I’ll take a look.”

“Yes! That’s the spirit! You’re my true friend, Sihu!”

“True friend, huh…”

It seemed as though that phrase struck a chord, and Sihu appeared visibly pleased. The poor guy’s a sucker for the phrase ‘true friend.’