I’m the Main Villain but the Heroines Are Obsessed With Me

7 – 4. Well, This is the Beginning

As time passed, when the students living in the dormitory were heading to school, Ian left the classroom and walked down the corridor.

After going to the classroom with great effort and then coming out again, Neltalion became puzzled.

“Ian, why did you suddenly come out? Is something wrong?”

“I have to report to the squad leader; we have to go to the smoking area.”

“The smoking area? Reporting? Are you going for a fight or something?”

“Where did you learn those words?”

He almost coughed at the sudden question.

“Recently, Neltalion, your way of speaking has become quite vulgar…”

The child who used to speak hesitantly when they first met. He had started reading diaries, and suddenly his tone had changed strangely.

I should probably snatch that diary at some point.

In the meantime, Neltalion seemed to be happy for some reason and smiled broadly.

“I saw it in the diary! Ian, you said you met my father at the smoking area! I’m worried! Don’t you have to go?”

“I’m not going to fight; I’m going to talk. Communication is our squad’s rule.”

Squad leader Kayen emphasized communication.

That’s why he called the squad leaders to the smoking area every day before starting class to gather information.

“Just because they emphasize communication doesn’t mean they’re doing anything significant. At best, they ask about the current status of the squad members.”

How’s this guy these days? Are the kids training well? That’s about it.

Sometimes they provide information about the training, but most of it was about the recent situation.

“However, this time might be a little different. There are new recruits, and my position has changed.”

With the change in combat unit assignments, it was time to talk about that.

Heading towards the smoking area behind the main building, two men and two women stood behind Kaien, who was sitting on a bench, smoking.

They probably came straight from the dormitory without visiting the classroom.

Ian stood next to them, and only then did Kaien speak.

“Is everyone here?”

“Yes, Captain. Second Lieutenant. Third Lieutenant is also here.”

In response to Alan Keegan’s words, who had been promoted from second lieutenant to first lieutenant this time, Kaien faced the lieutenants.

“You probably know, but there have been significant changes in platoon assignments this time. Platoon leaders have changed, and new recruits have joined.”

Cigarette smoke wafted into the air with heavy breaths.

Kaien stared blankly at the smoke before continuing to speak.

“Some are from Vichy, and I heard some are even from rural areas… This makes it a bit tough for the platoon leaders.”

New recruits coming in wasn’t a welcome development from the platoon leader’s perspective.

Managing the existing soldiers was already challenging enough. Now, they had to look after even more.

“And we have to revise our tactics too. The officers aren’t just prejudiced against the new recruits for no reason.”

That’s why the platoon leaders had put in extra effort to take in fewer new recruits, and Kaien was no different.

He had aggressively asserted himself during the meetings where nobles flaunted their influence using the title of “Instructors appointed directly by His Imperial Majesty.”

Fortunately, his efforts paid off.

“Originally, each platoon was supposed to take in eight, but we managed to cut it down to three for our platoon.”

“Thank you, Captain!”

“That’s enough. Anyway, each platoon will take in one new recruit. Ian should know who it is, and the 1st and 2nd lieutenants should get to know them as soon as they join.”

“Understood.”

“Yes, 1st Lieutenant. What do you think I’m going to say next?”

In response to Kaien’s question, Alan, who had been promoted from second lieutenant to first lieutenant, confidently replied.

“Since new recruits have joined, it seems we need to train even harder.”

“That’s right. Taking in fewer new recruits doesn’t mean it’s a good thing. It means there are more enemies we need to analyze.”

The tactics they had used so far had become ineffective due to the newcomers.

Furthermore, they were scheduled for a mid-term examination and full-grade tactical training in April, which was pressing. They had to start preparing quickly.

The officers had to come up with tactics. The training of the personnel was the responsibility of the platoon leader.

“Because the deputy platoon leader is leaving, I won’t have much time to help you all. So you have to help me well, I’m sure you’re all worried too. But still, try your best. Understood?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Since there’s training soon, make sure the kids train hard… Now go.”

Kaien flicked his hand as if annoyed. The two platoon leaders headed to the classroom with a short bow.

It was when Ian was about to leave after the bow.

“Oh, right. Ian.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I forgot to tell you something. Another person might join your platoon.”

Someone else is coming?

“Who will be joining, sir?”

“The decision hasn’t been made yet because the meeting hasn’t ended. Just be aware that there might be additional personnel.”

Someone else is joining?

‘Is that okay?’

It wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. They would just be additional members of the platoon. Besides Igor, there was no one else, right?

‘We do need more people.’

Even if the tasks of the 3rd platoon were not significant, it wasn’t something that just two people could handle.

‘And it doesn’t make me uncomfortable even if the platoon members increase.’

There wasn’t anything to worry about.

After finishing his thoughts, Ian asked politely.

“Can I go back now?”

“Sure. Take care of this guy named Igor.”

“Yes, I understand. I’ll try to recruit someone before the training.”

With those words, Ian turned and headed towards the main building.

As Ian gradually moved further away, a wry smile crossed Kaien’s lips.

“I thought he was an unlucky guy… but it seems like the gods haven’t completely abandoned him.”

When Igor came to the staff dormitory in the early morning asking to be assigned to the same platoon as Ian, Kaien was puzzled.

He wondered what Igor had done to want to become a platoon member like him.

On the other hand, he also felt relieved.

“So, he already has a good subordinate.”

It was the first time Ian, who had fought alone all his life, had found a comrade who could sincerely support him. Now his task was to raise them both well.

Kaien put a cigarette back in his mouth.

“…The weather is nice.”

Today, the taste of the cigarette pleased him.

***

“Well, let’s finish the class here today. Thank you all for your hard work.”

The instructor in charge of the humanities left after the class ended. The students rose one by one from their seats and headed outside.

Since it was the first day of school, they would probably go out and have fun.

But Ian and Igor headed straight to the training room.

Originally, the training room could only be used after all the scheduled classes were over in the afternoon.

But during the early days of the semester, there were no classes, only orientations. So it could be used in the morning as well.

Igor, who was not familiar with the geography, followed anxiously.

“It’s definitely big and the facilities are nice… I’ve never seen a place like this in Bizan.”

“Don’t just admire it, remember the way. It’s a place we will use consistently for two years.”

“Remember the way? We won’t be taking the same classes anyway, right? If I stick with you, it’ll be fine.”

Stick with him? Ian was dismayed by the sudden and horrible remark.

“I’ll tell you in advance, I don’t have that kind of preference.”

“You suddenly bark like a dog. Sorry, but that’s what I have to say. Unless I have an apprentice who has a rich taste, I don’t pay attention. And by the way, I don’t even look at anyone who’s not at least ten years younger than me.”

‘I didn’t ask you, you asshole…’

As a passionate and hot-blooded person from the southern region, Igor’s words shook Ian mentally.

When Ian touched his forehead, Igor, who had broken his curiosity, spoke cheerfully.

“So, what martial art are you going to practice this time? I would prefer it if you could teach me the same combat technique you used back then.”

“Boxing?”

“Oh… was it called boxing? Then teach me that.”

Igor seemed quite fond of boxing.

Of course, Ian could teach him. However, there was something he had to do before that.

“First, I want to check your condition.”

“Condition?”

“To be precise, I want to test the martial art you know. If there are any similar movements, you should try to incorporate them as much as possible so that it’s easier for you to learn.”

But it was too tight to do so given the time constraints.

For the sake of improving Igor’s skills, there was no choice.

As we talked about Igor’s preferences that I didn’t want to know, we suddenly arrived at the training room in the basement of the dormitory.

Igor, who laid his outerwear on the floor, began to stretch as if he was ready.

That must mean he was ready. Ian looked at Igor with bright eyes.

“Now, show me all the martial arts you know. Don’t miss a single one.”

“You mean without leaving anything out?”

“Yes. Use all of them.”

Igor reluctantly took his stance at Ian’s words.

***

“The most important thing in boxing is taking away the power.”

However, it doesn’t mean you should throw punches without power.

“To be exact, it’s taking away the power from the shoulders.”

Most people throw punches by putting a lot of shoulder strength into them, thinking they will have a strong punch.

Eventually, when they succeed in a strike, they don’t just bring the punch, but continue to push it until the end.

“Do you know why that’s wrong? Do you not know? It’s the difference between someone who has learned and someone who hasn’t.”

How do you deliver a strong punch?

Ian knew the method.

“The most important thing is using the lower body. You have to turn your waist and fully transfer your weight into the fist to produce a powerful punch.”

Can’t do that? No matter how much you throw punches, you won’t be able to hit with strength.

The teacher who taught boxing in a previous life told him this.

“You have to break it off. You have to take away the power. It may not make sense at first, but you have to feel the importance of it.”

As he thought of those words and looked at Igor’s figure, a sigh escaped him.

“Ah…”

To be honest, he thought Igor had only one problem.

The fact that he swings his fist until the end even when it reaches the opponent. He thought that fixing that alone would be enough.

But Igor far exceeded Ian’s imagination.

“At the time, I didn’t see it properly, but there are significant problems. The fact that there is too much strength in the shoulders… and the fact that he is grounding his feet like they are fixed.”

If he continues like that, not only will his center of gravity collapse, but he will become a sponge fist.

Where should he start from… It wasn’t easy to grasp, even though he tried to salvage as much as he could.

“Still, I guess my feet are useful, luckily…”

Even if the sky collapses, there is still a hole to escape from. Despite Igor’s terrible fighting skills, there was one advantage.

“My kicking technique is decent. However, the problem is that it lacks practicality because they all assume that I will use my head.”

If the problem is having too high of a scoring rate, then lowering the score would solve the problem. Ian decided not to meddle with Igor’s kicking technique.

First, he decided to focus on his punches.

He intended to discard the original Bichon-style martial arts and adopt boxing.

“Of course, boxing steps don’t go well with kicks, but…”

That can be figured out later.

“Alright… Let’s get started.”

Ian, who stood up from his seat, approached Igor without hesitation.

Then, he drew a cross on the floor where Igor was standing.

Looking at Igor’s expression, who seemed puzzled at what he was doing, Ian calmly continued his explanation.

“Stand diagonally in line with this line.”

“Is- Is that right? What comes after that?”

When Igor asked for the next step after taking his position, Ian nodded lightly.

“You just have to run. Start by running back and forth. Three minutes of practice and then 30 seconds of rest. If your feet are not properly positioned after running, do it again. Do you understand?”

“Run? Hey, Ian. I came here to learn boxing, not to learn how to run.”

“Stop joking and start running. It’s the basics of boxing. I can’t guarantee you’ll succeed right away. If you succeed, I’ll teach you how to use your fists.”

“Hmph. So you think I can’t even do this? You underestimate me.”

Igor was annoyed by Ian’s reaction, which seemed to mock him.

Where on earth did he see this as basic?

“Just jumping back and forth is considered basic? Do you think I can’t succeed at this?”

He had been called a genius his whole life. He was supposed to be the best talent in every martial art he encountered, and he had confidence in using his body.

Was he unable to do something as simple as jumping in place?

“Make him succeed this time.”

I’ll definitely flatten his pride! Igor immediately started moving.

After a while, two hours passed.

“Huff… Huff…”

“Hey. Your back foot keeps going back, right? Didn’t I tell you not to do that? Do it again.”

“Th-this can’t be… Help me, Ian… I did something wrong…”

“I want to learn it again,” Igor muttered, caressing his burning calves as he stood up.