Gallen

Gallen is cadet 670, a reluctant participant in the twelfth group's betrayal of Bakgi who later becomes the leader and trainer of its surviving members.

Biography

Betrayal and surrender

Gallen begins the yellow-tag struggle under Wu Penghak after the twelfth group ambushes its former leader, Bakgi. He doubts both parts of the bargain: selling out a teammate feels wrong, and Penghak's promise to protect the remaining cadets does not match the limited places available in the group that commissioned the attack. Gallen nevertheless participates, leaving him unable to meet Bakgi's eyes when the betrayed cadets return. Once Penghak is thrown aside, Gallen accepts that continued resistance will only add injuries and declares the group's surrender. He then tells Bakgi that Chun Yuchan arranged the scheme. (Chapters 71–72)

The revelation that Yuchan promised more recruits than his group could take turns the twelfth group's anger away from one another and toward the prince who treated them as expendable tools. Gallen leads the survivors into an alliance with Chun Yeowun's smaller faction. He offers their numbers despite understanding that Yuchan's master-level cadets remain dangerous, and he joins the confrontation instead of trying to escape the consequences of the first ambush. After Yeowun wins, his decision to distribute spare yellow tags impresses Gallen because it sacrifices an immediate competitive advantage. Gallen begins considering Yeowun a leader worth supporting rather than another prince buying temporary obedience. (Chapters 73, 77–81)

Leading and teaching a new group

Yeowun gives Gallen a tag and leadership because the former twelfth-group cadets already listen to him. Gallen accepts responsibility for people who have just survived the collapse of their previous command structure. During later training, he competes with Bakgi and Ko Wanghur over who can teach a sword skill most efficiently. He insists on using his own method and brings his group to competence in nine days—slower than Wanghur's seven, but fast enough to establish that his leadership can produce more than tactical survival. (Chapters 84, 87–88)

Appearance and personality

No consistent physical description is given. Gallen is cautious, ashamed of his role in Bakgi's betrayal, and more willing than Penghak to acknowledge when a fight is lost. His loyalty centers on the ordinary cadets around him rather than rank. Once he understands that Yuchan used them, he commits the group to a dangerous reversal and grows into the responsibility he had initially tried to leave to someone else.

Martial arts and abilities

Academy swordsmanship

Gallen fights with the academy's wooden sword and is experienced enough to lead cadets in a group battle. The supplied chapters do not name his personal sword art or assign him a formal martial realm. His caution around Yeowun and Yuchan reflects accurate recognition that he cannot overcome their master-level power directly. (Chapters 71–78)

Instruction and group command

His clearest specialty is teaching. When given the same sword-training challenge as Bakgi and Wanghur, Gallen uses his own method to train his teammates in nine days. The result places him behind Wanghur's seven-day performance but ahead of Bakgi's ten, demonstrating practical communication and correction rather than innate superiority. As group leader, he also recognizes defeat, negotiates surrender, discloses the hidden patron behind an ambush, and later coordinates the same cadets against that patron. (Chapters 72–84, 87–88)

Relationships

• Chun Yeowun: Victor who gives Gallen's group a route forward.
• Ko Wanghur: Fellow academy trainer whose teaching speed surpasses Gallen's.
• Bakgi: Former group leader whom Gallen helps betray, then faces with shame and eventually supports.
• Wu Penghak: Temporary leader whose bargain with Yuchan collapses under scrutiny.

Items

The supplied chapters do not consistently identify a named signature item for Gallen.