The gossip of the entire military camp was in regards to the visit of the Magician Stranger. The soldiers were thrilled at the opportunity to see a Magician, who are rarely seen outside normally. Not to mention that the origin of this Magician was a Stranger, which invoked even more interest.
Naturally, the Strangers could not help but avert their attention to the visit of the Magician as well. Although they have never shared small talk amongst one another, they still were comrades that had once trained alongside each other in the boot camp. As such, all the soldiers and Strangers waited in anticipation for the glorious appearance of the Magician.
"Who knows? She might look upon us favorably since she came from the same world."
"I don't know about that, but I'd be glad if I could use this opportunity to get closer to her at least."
"Well, it makes sense. Since when would an opportunity to ever meet a noble face to face pop up. It would be beneficial to us for her to remember our faces."
Seeing Jungtae and Soo Hong like this, Sunhyuk couldn't help but secretly sigh.
Although they had trained together with her, they had not talked to her once, not to mention that they didn't even know her name. But for them to have so many expectations, it was truly incomprehensible.
If the Magician young lady were to have adapted to even half of this world, then none of their expectations would be fulfilled. She was a promising Stranger who had received the rank of Advanced, not to mention that she was a Magician, who could be compared to a higher being to the foolish peasants below.
But he did not reveal his feelings. Rather, he quietly rose from his seat.
"Oh, you're going?"
"Yes, my body is still recovering so."
"Sigh. Why did you even go out into the typhoon at that time…? Go and rest."
The nuance of the rumor that I was the main victim of the typhoon has become quite awkward. It was annoying to explain, so I roughly gave my farewells before I heard Jungtae call for me in a low voice as he greeted me.
"Tch. Looking at him again, he's quite pitiful. If he had received an ordinary class, he wouldn't have to suffer so much. To be given such a ridiculous class as that…"
"It could be a hidden class or something. Hearing him work so hard, I really like Sunhyuk Hyung."
The conversation that was riding the wind made it seem as if he was listening right next to them. Such hearing could not have been possible before, but Sunhyuk wasn't surprised. He was aware that all of this was due to the growth of his attribute expertise.
"So that's why you're saying we should comfort him? Did you not hear what the instructor had said? The last known dragon was discovered over a thousand years ago, and how that fascinating discovery has remained a legend to this day."
"But if… if he were to use his strength in another way, not necessarily riding a dragon…"
"Arthur… Arthur… Don't say such words in front of him. That's not comforting him, but basically killing that Sunhyuk boy twice. As someone who's without hope, it's a terrible thing to make him strive for a strand of hope.
But the side effects of the attribute expertise were not all good. Hearing the rumors and conversations that he didn't want to listen to, it rather troubled his heart even more.
"Swordsmen can only use skills when they wield a sword, and Shield Soldiers are only in an advantageous position when they grab their shields. So how about a Dragon Rider? He must ride a dragon, must he not? Seeing him ask so much here and there, it seems that he hasn't leveled up even once yet. I pity him."
Even Park Soohong who had an inclination of superiority and victory couldn't help but hide his sense of inconvenience and sympathy in the conversation as the words flowed into his ear.
Sunhyuk looked back briefly, as the group of Strangers scattered before him.
What? You filthy scum? Normally, they would not mince their words as they glared at me.
This was not too surprising. Recently, the soldiers had been clumsily cheering him on, but a majority the of people were still belittling him, as they looked down on him.
A Stranger that was born with the wrong class, a Rider that couldn't ride a horse. The perfect person to bully in the 24th Regiment. All kinds of negative comments had always followed behind him.
But what about it.
Looking at the place where the Strangers were, he smiled and chuckled.
Just like how Jungtae had said - how the Swordsmen could only utilize their strength when they held their swords, it also applied to all of the other classes. But those kind of stereotypical beliefs were nothing more than the beliefs of the ignorant. The thoughts of the other Strangers would probably be no different.
It was only Sunhyuk that knew that such a truth was incorrect.
He could not ask for anyone's advice, nor could he learn from someone else, but Sunhyuk wasn't feeling sorry for himself at all. The fruit at the end of this toiling, difficult path would not be given to anyone but instead be his for the taking.
For now, work on the attribute expertise.
Until the day the true potential of the Dragon Rider is revealed, he will wait patiently in anticipation of the future before him, and he began his own training once again.
A week had passed, and the day that the Regiment Commander would return had finally arrived. Normally, he would return quietly, but because of his companion, it seems that his return was a bit more boisterous than before.
"Magicians are truly amazing it seems."
At the entrance of the military base, there was a large crowd of people that had been mobilized to welcome the incoming party.
As if he had struck a wall, his attribute expertise did not rise any further and was stuck right before 30. Although he felt that he might reach a new world once he achieved it, for some reason, his attribute expertise did not rise any further from 29.
However, that increase alone had already changed a lot. His hearing had expanded, and the aura of the wind that would temporarily be in his palm before disappearing was now encompassing his whole body. Thanks to that, his body has become much lighter, and the injuries that should have recovered in a few months have already been healing at an astonishing pace. Now, with the exception of his broken arms, there was no hindrance to walking.
Thanks to that, he was able to participate in the welcoming ceremony that he might have missed.
He wanted to see the Advanced class as early as possible, just like the other Strangers. They each had their plans in place as they pulled their necks towards the front, waiting for the Magician to appear.
"They will be arriving soon!"
"Men, to your positions. Hut!"
With one of the scouts reporting, the men at the entrance of the garrison straightened their stances as they placed their spears next to themselves, aligned in a parade formation.
"For the Regiment Commanderrrrrrrrr!"
At that precise time, the Regiment Commander, accompanied by the heavy cavalry appeared. From Frederik's shouting, the soldiers straightened their backs and raised their arms firmly.
"Salute!"
The salutes of the soldiers pierced the sky, as the infantrymen pounded their chest and they shouted as one: "Forward!"
"You've suffered a lot. I will receive the report once we go inside."
With a normal expression, the Regiment Commander lightly tapped the shoulder of Frederik as they entered the camp. Beside the Regiment Commander was a Magician whose robe was finely coloured blue..
That ordinary looking woman had a completely different appearance from the last time he had seen her. Despite being saluted by so many soldiers, without any awkwardness, she received it as if for granted.
"Wow, damn. Advanced are sure as good as the rumors say. To receive a salute and bow like the Regiment Commander."
From the admiration of one Stranger, Sunhyuk nodded in agreement. From what he could tell, the Stranger was standing side by side with the Regiment Commander as dignified and confident. So much so that Frederik, that had a grudge against Strangers for their cheat-like abilities, had to maintain his expression in front of her.
It was hard to imagine that a woman that was training with them in the mud only a while ago was now in the same stratosphere as the Regiment and Squadron Commanders.
The Strangers did not dare call out, but they were aching as they watched in envy of their comrade. As if their gazes had affected her, she turned towards them.
However, that gaze was only temporary as she soon turned back and entered the headquarters together with the Regiment Commander.
"Disperse!"
With the command of dispersing, the large group that had been waiting for the Regiment Commander and the Magician scattered within a few minutes.
"Ah, she definitely must have seen me. In order to make sure we had eye contact, I had even taken off my helmet."
Although he had taken off his helmet to symbolize the same black hair and show that they were both Strangers, the woman did not even bother glancing back.
He had expected this situation, but Sunhyuk still felt somewhat disappointed. The reason being due to the brief moment that their eyes had made contact. But despite that brief meeting, she shook her head and headed for the barracks.
"Do you have a Magician or Elementalist here?"
Before arriving at the barracks, the Regiment Commander shook his head from the Magician's question.
"If we were to have had one, we wouldn't have escorted oh honorable Magician to this place. Regrettably, our 24th Regiment does not have such resources."
The lady looked up. She looked as if she was about to say something, before soon closing her mouth.
"Although our base lack the luxuries and amenities to accommodate you, we have prepared for you a friendly, warm-hearted welcome. Please do not reject our invitation, and join us during your stay. We will do whatever we can to aid in your relaxation"
From Frederik's words, the Regiment Commander stepped forward and spoke.
"Our Squadron Commander is a man of his word."
"He said that he had already made preparations in advance, so it would be impolite to refuse."
With the lady accepting the offer without much resistance, Frederik expressed an overjoyed face unlike his usual self. Well, it is true that, with his Advanced Knight promotion right before him, she was a significantly influential person as a Magician, so it made sense that he was happy.
Moreover, this woman, with her somewhat unusual name of Lee Eunse, was a promising Magician, so much so that there were rumors that she was nominated to be the Royal Court Magician. As someone who was receiving the full support from the Royal family, her influence could not be neglected.
"Ah, and maybe…"
And so Frederik cautiously proposed a suggestion.
"There are a few Strangers in the 24th Regiment like you, Ms. Magician. If you were to be willing, could I include them in the welcoming ceremony?"
Since she was originally a Stranger, it seems that he was trying to curry favor with her, but after briefly pondering, she rejected the offer.
"There's no need too. Although we are both Strangers, I do not know any of their names, and they will forever be strangers to me."
"If that's what Ms. Magician wants…"
Frederik withdrew his statement, agreeing with her, before Eunse added another remark.
"But, about that Stranger that had a cast around his arm…"
"Ah, he's someone that's part of our heavy cavalry. Although he lacks much, he is a friend with lots to expect of in the near future."
With Frederik praising the Strangers that was truly unlike himself, he didn't refrain from complimenting them as he spoke in a honey-like tone.
"But what about that friend… could it be that you two know each other?"
Hoping that there was a connection between the two, Frederik looked up with anticipation, but Eunse shook her head.
"Nope. He's just on my mind, so…"
Why an Elite such as herself would be interested in a Stranger like him, Frederik couldn't understand at all. But, whether he was curious or not, Eunse was already lost in her thoughts.
When she had entered the military base, she sensed a faint aura, so she did not pay attention, but it was definitely similar to that of a magician's aura. And when she tracked that aura, it led her to that black-haired boy with the cast.
Could it be that he was an Elementalist or Magician that was of the Advanced classes?
It's impossible that such a possibility could exist in such a place without resources such as here, so in order to confirm, she had asked, but it definitely seems that it was not so. This mysterious person caused her to ponder for a while, before calling for the Squadron Commander Frederik once more.
"Could you invite him for the welcoming dinner?"
TL Afterword:
When Magicians and Elementalists are categorized as honorable positions, and Swordsmen and Riders as Basic, LOL.
Comment: Dragon Poor Chapters incoming. Sorry, Green Skin, you'll have to wait a bit.
Notice: I had updated my status on Discord, but for those that were rooting me on for my finals, Thanks! Finished and ready to go. Also, welcome BM to the PR club! Yay!
PR Afterword:
Sai101: Well - she was quick to forget her roots… (re: Magician)
Border: Waifu material?
Translator: Calvis
Proofreader: Sai101,Borderline Masochist