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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 6
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An Uncommon Man with a Common Trait
***
In this world, one does not know their 'true talent' until they undergo a trait evaluation.
While some might show aptitude in certain areas from a young age, it was often unrelated to their actual talent.
That's why even high-ranking noble families didn't delve too deeply into specific fields when educating their children.
They would accumulate mana, consistently engage in basic physical training, and acquire various knowledge.
They would acquire 'fundamental abilities' across numerous fields.
For most, this meant they weren't specialized in any particular area before adulthood.
That's why the 'Grand Royal Academy,' where one could enroll only after confirming their trait, was special in itself.
...Because there was a massive difference between knowing your trait and beginning to learn, and not knowing it.
In short, life truly began after one's trait was confirmed.
And precisely for that reason,
everyone couldn't help but feel 'anxious' until they became adults and underwent the trait evaluation.
—Their future was unknown.
The path forward.
What they should do next, all of it was unclear.
Even with a fully formed sense of self as an adult, not knowing one's future caused great anxiety and worry for anyone.
...
"...Myself?"
Glecia gazed calmly back at Cheon-seong, who looked at her blankly in response.
The reason he wanted to attend the Academy with such an insignificant trait, which she couldn't comprehend—that question was somewhat resolved upon hearing his answer.
Then, next.
Yet, possessing a mere Common trait in spear mastery, how could this man strive with such 'confidence'?
How could he push forward?
That question still lingered.
"I happened to overhear your words in front of the training ground. You said you'd 'go confidently.'"
"...You overheard that?"
"It just so happened. I overheard it."
Even as she answered, Glecia felt a little embarrassed.
Since she had arbitrarily eavesdropped on someone else's words. Conscious of the man's bewildered gaze, she didn't deliberately avert her eyes.
She needed to know.
Why could this man possess such confidence and push forward?
He conversed casually with someone possessing a higher trait than himself and maintained a composed demeanor.
'This attitude' itself was extraordinary.
And I felt it was something I needed as well.
I already knew that 'monsters' possessing something beyond my own trait would be enrolling in the Academy.
A prime example was Leonhardt, widely rumored to possess a Legendary rank.
Besides him, there were also several individuals among the enrolled students who possessed high-ranked traits.
In front of them, even my Unique trait would fade in comparison.
I believed this man had something to teach me.
"But... that's too abstract a question."
"I just want you to tell me how you can be so confident."
When I spoke again, the man, Han Cheon-seong, let out a short laugh.
"What I mean is, that question itself is too abstract. Confidence isn't something someone can just teach you, is it?"
"...That's true, but."
"It's not 'but'—that's how I feel. If you have high self-esteem, confidence naturally follows."
The man's subsequent words were absolutely correct.
"Glecia. Let me ask you directly: Do I look nervous to you right now, interacting with you?"
At his confident voice, I blankly shook my head.
This Han Cheon-seong was the man who had confidently presented himself in front of various examiners during the test.
Even facing me now, he showed no signs of tension or hesitation, nor did he try to gauge my reaction.
"...You don't look like that."
"Right? I'm not intimidated by you, and we're simply meeting to have a conversation. Regardless of the traits we possess, that's just how I see it."
As he spoke, looking directly into my eyes, my mind became muddled.
'Regardless of traits?'
How could that be possible?
With a Common trait in spear mastery, this man seemed so composed.
In this world, one's trait is akin to their entire being.
Through their trait, they devise their path forward, their way of life.
Therefore, the rank of a trait was synonymous with a 'person's worth.'
Han Cheon-seong clearly possessed a Common trait.
And the lowest rank at that.
"..."
In my confusion, I found myself scrutinizing the man.
His black hair, styled in a peculiar way, and his dark eyes. Even his name, Han Cheon-seong—every single detail felt unconventional.
Yet, even as he met my gaze, a Unique Trait holder, this man was at ease.
"Judging by your expression, you don't seem to understand my words at all."
"To be honest, I don't know. Han Cheon-seong, how you can be so composed when dealing with me. Or how you can put in so much effort with a spear mastery trait..."
"The former I can concede, but the latter, in my view, is different. Effort is 'fundamental'."
At his words, I blinked blankly.
"Effort is fundamental?"
"Since you have a Unique Trait, it must be hard for you to understand. Even if someone with a Common Trait puts in effort, their efficiency is low, and their level rises slowly. So, even if I say effort is fundamental, it might sound strange to you."
At his subsequent words, I nodded blankly.
It was as if this man was reading my thoughts.
'Because effort is meaningless for a Common Trait.'
Generally, the higher the trait rank, the faster the leveling speed.
High-ranked traits provide a more detailed and intricate understanding of concepts. Conversely, low-ranked traits offer a shallow and superficial understanding. Thus, their growth rate was also much slower.
It was surprising that a man with a Common Trait was at the same 'level 3' as me, but that gap would surely widen significantly in the future.
"Glecia. That's why I said it: for me, effort is fundamental."
At the man's composed answer, I let out a small breath.
Now, I found myself understanding this man even less than before.
"But even with effort, you'll only struggle more in the future. Because my effort and your effort are 'completely' different."
This man said effort was fundamental, but he and I started from entirely different lines.
My starting line was several times ahead of his.
And our running speeds would also be completely different.
Even if I were to walk, for this man with a Common rank, it would be like I was sprinting, and the gap would widen to an unbridgeable extent.
"...That's true. As you said, it will definitely be different."
The man chuckled and nodded at my words, seemingly composed even as he understood them.
"But that's not everything, is it?"
"Not... everything?"
"Of course, I'll be slower than you. Several times the effort. Considering the difference in rank, I'd have to put in at least 4 to 5 times the effort. But even so, it's possible if I make the effort."
Even acknowledging the significant difference, this man was telling me:
—It's possible.
If effort backed it up, closing that absurd gap...
Gulp.
...Unconsciously, I found myself looking at this man again.
'He's different.'
He was definitely different from anyone else I had seen.
Anyone else would have despaired over being Common, realized the disparity, and given up on entering the Academy early on.
Because it's hard to bear watching others with even higher traits, with brilliant talents, right beside you.
That's why everyone knew.
The difference between themselves and those they would face later.
And the wall of reality.
Yet this man, despite saying he knew all of it, remained confident.
He said that if there was a difference, he'd try to bridge it with even greater effort.
Even if his rank was low, it was possible...
Unconsciously, I found myself anticipating the man's next answer.
"..."
Watching the man lost in thought after his last words, I didn't utter a sound.
How long did I wait for his answer?
The man spoke again.
"Of course, I also wished I had received a higher-ranked trait. Even now, I can't say I don't feel that way. But this is my reality now, isn't it?"
"Reality..."
"The spear mastery trait I received, I can't change it now, nor can I get something else even if I wish for it. Because 'reality' doesn't change. So I've simply accepted it. All I can do is my best in the current situation."
The man's composed demeanor as he continued to speak struck me as even more extraordinary than his display of skill during the examination.
He had been granted a low, Common trait.
Yet, his thoughts and mindset were those of someone far beyond that commonality.
It was as if he understood a great deal.
And suddenly, my sister's image seemed to overlap with the man's.
—Glecia. You'll gradually come to understand why you must choose, and why you must comprehend. Sometimes, 'reality,' even when known, cannot simply be rejected.
The time I spent with my sister.
My sister, who occasionally spoke words I couldn't understand.
My sister, who must now be on the front lines, suddenly flickered before my eyes.
'That... this man?'
Even as I thought this, I understood even less.
That a man with such an insignificant trait could evoke the words my sister had spoken to me.
"Well, that was a bit long-winded, but anyway, the conclusion is that I don't deny reality. I simply accept myself as I am and put in the effort. It's natural that you find it hard to understand me right now. We're different."
"...That's right. You and I are very different."
I answered, thinking again.
Because there's no way I could be like someone with a Common Trait.
Even as I thought this to myself, I couldn't take my eyes off Han Cheon-seong.
This man seemed to hold a secret I didn't know.
His appearance, his personality. Even his actions and his name were far from ordinary.
A man whose only low point was his trait.
Because everything else about him, aside from his trait, was extraordinary, I felt something that clearly set him apart from others.
—Uniqueness.
"But you still want to understand me, don't you? That's why you wanted to talk to me."
At his slightly lighter tone, I simply nodded.
"Yes. I wanted to understand you. That's why I wanted to talk."
"Then what should I do... It seems difficult to explain it in words. But there definitely is a way for you to understand me."
I blinked at his unexpected words.
"There's a way to understand?"
"There is."
My heart pounded at the man's confident answer.
Thump.
'There's a way.'
And it seemed to have a significant connection to my sister.
It was as if he was telling me he held the key to reaching my sister, whom I couldn't see now.
"Glecia. Are you curious about the way?"
Even with the man's peculiar way of asking, I found myself answering.
"...I'm curious. Tell me."
So, unlike before, I couldn't help but change my attitude towards the man.
Setting aside his spear mastery trait, this man possessed something I lacked.
Therefore, I had to learn 'that'.
"The way is simple."
But... at the man's immediate words, I unconsciously tilted my head.
"Simple?"
It didn't seem simple at all.
Yet this man spoke as if it were incredibly easy.