Sword Master With One Strike Kill - Chapter 76

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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One-Strike Kill Swordmaster Episode 76

Episode 76. Wintershield Magic Academy (1)

Wintershield, the Magic City.

One of the “four great cities” located southwest of the continent, with Middle Temple as the reference point.

This place was the cradle of magic and the continent’s foremost center of learning and knowledge.

Built in a region where magical power had flowed abundantly since ancient times, Wintershield had developed around a magic academy with hundreds of years of history.

As talented mages gathered from all across the continent, safety from monsters was naturally guaranteed.

Accordingly, ordinary citizens also began settling in the nearby areas.

Clatter, clatter-.

And now.

The carriage we were riding was crossing through the center of that great city.

“Wow…”

Adelia pressed her face close to the carriage window and gazed at the city’s scenery.

[Porok!]

The Mini Sea Serpent also poked its body out from her inner pocket.

‘Hmm.’

Speaking of which, it would be troublesome if the Sea Serpent revealed itself so carelessly at random times.

Swish-.

I rolled up “Tristan’s Cloak” and covered the creature with it.

Then I thought to myself.

‘Don’t reveal yourself until I give you a separate command.’

Ding-!

〔The life dwelling in the ‘Easter Egg’ helps communicate with the divine beast.〕

The Sea Serpent immediately became docile.

“…?”

Isaac Beriloff, who witnessed this scene, wore a rather bewildered expression.

He seemed displeased that I was using “Tristan’s Cloak” without permission.

But true to his cowardly nature, he only moved his lips a few times without being able to say anything.

Snicker-.

Letting out a small laugh, I looked out the window again.

A unique landscape where distinctive architecture harmonized with cutting-edge magical engineering technology.

For Adelia, who had only seen the sacred and lofty architecture of the Holy City, Wintershield’s avant-garde appearance seemed to come as a fresh shock.

Of course, she wasn’t the only one overwhelmed by this spectacle.

‘It’s even more magnificent seeing it in person.’

Seeing the scenery I had viewed hundreds of times in the game unfold vividly before my eyes made my heart race.

Especially the Magic Tower visible in the distance was a spectacular sight.

A massive tower rising high beyond the city’s buildings. The central area of Wintershield occupying a vast site that took up half the city’s area.

That place was our destination, Wintershield Magic Academy.

“…”

I silently stared at the top floor of the Magic Tower.

Someday I would have to meet the ‘being’ secluded in that place…

‘…Let me deal with the situation at hand first.’

While I was having such thoughts alone.

“Isn’t it quite a magnificent city?”

Just then, Isaac Beriloff began explaining about the city. As if he had become our tour guide.

“Wintershield is the continent’s only academy city. Politics, economics, society, culture… Everything else is under the influence of the magic academy.”

Of course, having memorized all the Lost Elder settings, this was content I already knew completely.

‘Wintershield is largely divided into two districts.’

The Outer Tower.

And the Inner Tower.

The Outer Tower was an area where ordinary citizens resided, mixing commerce and housing.

In contrast, the Inner Tower was the magic academy’s proper campus grounds, a space where students, professors, and researchers mainly operated.

“Ordinary people who aren’t mages cannot enter the Inner Tower district without special permission. Even if permission is granted, they must undergo extremely rigorous entry screening.”

Swish-.

Isaac Beriloff, who looked between the two of us alternately, continued speaking.

“However, since you two are visiting under the professors’ invitation for the ‘Tolong subjugation’ commission, you should be able to enter the Inner Tower district without any particular problems.”

Isaac Beriloff finished speaking with a meaningful smile.

The reason he particularly emphasized ‘Tolong subjugation’ was simple. It meant the officials at Wintershield Magic Academy knew us as simple adventurers.

In other words, the moment my identity as a Sword Master was revealed, it would cause a major stir.

‘It seems he doesn’t want unnecessary commotion.’

Of course, I felt the same way.

My purpose in visiting the magic academy was solely to make contact with the Shadow Sect.

But would it be possible to contact a secret organization while people’s attention was focused on us?

‘Obviously impossible.’

Therefore…

“Don’t worry too much. What you’re concerned about won’t happen.”

“Thank you for your understanding.”

I planned to play along with Isaac Beriloff and the Shadow Sect’s tune for the time being.

Yes.

At least for ‘the time being.’

* * *

“Your identity has been confirmed.”

Just as Isaac Beriloff had promised, we were able to smoothly pass through the checkpoint leading to the Inner Tower.

“Welcome back to the main tower, Assistant Berillov.”

The guard immediately opened the gate upon checking our identification, and our carriage began moving smoothly again, proceeding along the street.

Clatter, clatter-.

The Inner Tower scenery visible through the window was distinctly different from the Outer Tower district.

Instead of the commercial district’s lively atmosphere, calm and orderly buildings lined up. Magical devices floating in the sky were visible here and there between them.

“We’ve arrived.”

Creak-.

Before long, we were able to reach our destination.

An elegant stone building.

Complete with magnificent pillars and an ornate main entrance carved with elaborate reliefs.

It was the main building of Wintershield Magic Academy.

“I’ll guide you this way.”

Isaac Beriloff, who got off the carriage, took the lead. Entering the main building, we followed behind him up the stairs.

“For now, we’re heading to the research office of the professor in charge of joint research on ‘Labyrinth Village specialty cultivation.’ After brief greetings, I’ll guide you to your personal quarters…”

“Isaac Beriloff!”

Halt-.

Just then, a sudden shout rang out.

A short, wrinkled old man came striding down from the upper floor.

The old man with a full beard was glaring at us with sharp eyes.

Isaac Beriloff faced him with a slightly flustered expression.

“P, Professor Biyolf…?”

Biyolf.

An 8th-tier mage and full professor at Wintershield Magic Academy.

Among Lost Elder users, he was an NPC called ‘Chihuahua.’

Because his behavior was exactly like a chihuahua.

“Are you out of your mind right now!”

Professor Biyolf approached right up to Isaac Beriloff’s nose and started shouting.

Due to his short stature, he had to stand three steps up on the stairs to barely match our eye level.

“Where the hell have you been wandering around without a word!”

“Th, that’s…”

“Don’t you know how the research lab runs when even you’re gone? I’m already dying from being busy with research, and now I have to manage people too!”

Professor Biyolf’s face was flushed red with anger.

Swoosh-!

His sharp gaze soon turned toward me and Adelia as well.

“And what are you two! What business do outsiders have crawling into the main building?”

Isaac Beriloff hurriedly interjected.

“Professor, these people are adventurers who took on the dragon subjugation request from Labyrinth Village. Professor Servich invited them to help with the final stages of the ‘Labyrinth Village Specialty Cultivation’ research…”

“Damn it! Professor Servich?”

Biyolf screeched.

“What right does that fox bastard have to keep sticking his spoon in? ‘Labyrinth Village Specialty Cultivation’ is my research! I did everything from start to finish!”

“…”

“That bastard only helped a little with the final experiments! But he got his name listed as co-author on the paper? And yet he dares to…!”

“What on earth is all this commotion about?”

Click, click-.

The sound of heels echoing across the marble floor cut off Biyolf’s agitated words.

A woman was descending from the upper stairs with an elegant gait.

As the fireplace light illuminated her face, delicate features were revealed.

Reddish hair flowed softly over her shoulders, and her brilliant green eyes held a calm composure.

“Selena… Servich…”

Professor Biyolf growled in a fierce voice.

Regardless, the woman replied leisurely without concern.

“Biyolf, those two are guests I invited. Even if it’s you, I can’t let you continue being rude to them any longer.”

“That’s because you stuck your spoon…!”

“And I stuck my spoon in? Let me say this again – dismissing the person who solved the core challenge of the research as simply ‘sticking their spoon in’ is a very childish attitude for a scholar.”

“What! Childish?”

Biyolf’s face grew even redder.

“Research I devoted 5 years to! From one to ten! Research I designed and experimented with myself! You only participated in the last stage and now you’re trying to steal my credit!”

The woman descended the stairs and stood beside Professor Biyolf with a composed expression. Biyolf’s height didn’t even reach her chest.

“Listen, Biyolf. Without that ‘last stage,’ your research would have remained incomplete forever. Research is ultimately about results.”

“How shameless! Just like someone who took my research assistant without a word!”

“Your research assistant…?”

“That’s right! Isaac Beriloff belongs to my research lab! Got it?”

The woman rolled her eyes and sighed.

“Haah. Assistant Beriloff isn’t assigned to any specific professor – he’s a department-wide assistant. Anyone can request his help if needed for research.”

“But right now he’s working on my research…”

“I merely asked Beriloff for help with the official welcoming procedure for important guests who successfully completed the dragon subjugation request. Are you really going to interfere with every little thing?”

“That’s exactly it! Why are you inviting guests related to the dragon subjugation request! That’s my research! My research!”

Biyolf raised his voice even higher.

“I racked my brains for 5 years, but you pondered for just five days and think it makes sense to publish as co-author?”

The woman didn’t back down and replied clearly.

“Conversely, I helped an incompetent researcher who spent 5 years struggling alone with a problem that could be solved in five days. If I hadn’t intervened, those 5 years could have easily become 50.”

“Wh, what did you say…?”

Professor Biyolf’s mouth opened and closed repeatedly. Unable to find words and stammering, he finally clenched his fists and spun around.

“Damn it all!”

Unable to contain his anger, he stomped down the stairs with heavy steps. The sound echoed off the marble floor, gradually fading away.

The woman shook her head with an expression of exasperation.

“I apologize. We put on quite a scene in front of our guests.”

“…”

“Professor Biyolf is as stubborn as he is passionate about academics. Please understand this uncomfortable situation…”

“Interesting.”

I cut off the woman’s words.

“Even as the world races toward its end, these mages are holed up in corners of such grand towers, arguing over the order of authors on papers.”

Flinch-.

Adelia glanced at me with a flustered expression. She looked worried about how the other party might take such a rude comment.

But instead of showing displeasure, the woman smiled meaningfully. She seemed rather pleased by my remark.

“An interesting opinion.”

She gracefully extended her arm, offering a handshake.

“Let me introduce myself properly. I’m Selena Servich, full professor at Wintershield Magic Academy.”

I grasped the woman’s hand and shook it lightly.

“Well, there’s no need to talk standing in this corridor. Shall we go to my office? We can share some warm tea and have a detailed conversation.”

I nodded silently and followed behind her.

Click, click-.

The sound of heels echoing on the marble floor felt strangely intimidating.

【Lv. 94】

Overwhelming power hidden beneath a youthful appearance.

The magical power of a 9th-tier mage was subtly vibrating the surrounding air.

Revealing such tremendous aura so casually was itself a confident display.

Well.

If she was the leader of a secret organization in the heart of Wintershield, she would naturally need that level of boldness.

‘Finally, we meet.’

I slightly raised the corner of my mouth.

‘The leader of the Shadow Sect, the Crimson Empress.’

* * *

“…”

Inside the professor’s office.

Selena Servich looked at Gaon sitting across from her with interested eyes.

Before long, the corner of her mouth curved upward.

‘Interesting.’

Gaon had already noticed that she was the Crimson Empress.

This was evident just from recalling the words he had spoken on the stairs earlier.

Gaon had come to the magic academy as an adventurer who had subjugated the dragon. But his remarks about the world’s end were definitely not something an ‘adventurer’ would say.

In other words…

‘He addressed me not as a professor of the magic academy, but as the leader of the Shadow Sect.’

He must have judged that there was no need to hide his identity in front of the Crimson Empress.

Above all, Gaon’s gaze strengthened her conviction. His sharp eyes seemed to see through everything about his opponent.

‘He’s truly an extraordinary man, just as I heard.’

Having finished her thoughts, Selena lightly placed her hands on the table.

Then she began the conversation with a gentle voice.

“First, I would like to express my gratitude for the Tolong subjugation. The research on Labyrinth Village specialties can now enter its final stages….”

“Cut the useless formalities.”

Clatter-.

At that moment, Gaon interrupted by setting his teacup down on the table.

“We don’t have time, so let’s get straight to the point.”

“…Pardon?”

“Hand over the leadership of the Shadow Sect to me, Crimson Empress.”

Freeze-.

The air in the room turned ice cold.

Adelia looked at Gaon with a face filled with shock, while Isaac Beriloff’s eyes widened greatly.

After a long silence, Selena Servich opened her mouth.

“What did you say…?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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