The Failed Swordmaster - Chapter 101

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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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Chapter 101 39. Keep Watch on Lumian Calard (3)

“This is Tarasan Academy’s training grounds.”

“Oh, it’s spacious.”

“It really is. It’s bigger than I thought.”

“There are many people too. Everyone’s working really hard.”

He could hear the two Rodisian squires muttering.

Lumian smiled inwardly. He felt a positive vibe from their tone.

Though he had been an academy cadet for less than a year, he still felt a sense of belonging, perhaps because his original memories remained. It was natural for a Tarasan person to feel good when hearing praise for Tarasan.

On the contrary.

“Hmm…”

“Well, shall we see what their skills are like?”

Seeing this kind of reaction inevitably made him feel uncomfortable.

Lumian grumbled inwardly as he looked at the two squires from Charlotte.

‘What kind of bastards have such terrible manners.’

It was absurd.

Actually, Lumian had roughly guessed it. The Charlotte Kingdom wasn’t particularly interested in improving relations with Tarasan.

They probably joined late because they wanted to form connections with the Kingdom of Jenas and the Kingdom of Rodisia. That much was understandable.

However, even if it was nominal, if they came for ‘improving relations with the Kingdom of Tarasan,’ they should maintain proper courtesy, but these guys’ attitude was consistently irritating.

It felt like they were constantly scratching at him without crossing the line.

‘Surely they don’t think I’m not listening?’

He wasn’t sure. He hoped that was the case.

But bad premonitions were never wrong.

The particularly obnoxious one of the two, Joel Cock, spoke loudly as if for him to hear.

“Well, it’s about what I expected.”

“Is that so? It’s much better than I expected.”

He didn’t openly disparage them.

However, anyone with sense could tell. Joel Cock was looking down on the knight cadets of Tarasan Academy.

The guy next to him was even worse. He wore a clear sneer on his face, and Lumian felt the urge to punch his protruding front teeth.

Of course, he shouldn’t do that.

‘Just endure it.’

If it were a personal matter, he might have secretly beaten them up later.

However, this involved entire kingdoms. Wasn’t he currently in the position of being Tarasan’s face, guiding the delegation?

Acting selfishly just because he felt bad wouldn’t make him a knight. No, it would make him worse than low-class mercenaries wandering the streets.

Therefore, Lumian didn’t engage in any threatening behavior like contorting his expression or releasing his aura.

Instead, he offered a slight defense for Tarasan Academy.

“This is the public training grounds. The Knight Department receives the most support in our academy, so the grounds are quite spacious. Even so, there are so many knight cadets using it that you can hardly find empty spaces.”

“It really seems that way.”

“Everyone’s working hard.”

The Rodisian squires agreed.

The two from Jenas also nodded silently. Both seemed to be the quiet type.

That was good.

Lumian, hoping the women would keep talking while the men stayed quiet, continued his explanation.

“Perhaps to the squires who will be responsible for each nation’s future, it might seem somewhat lacking. Some are young, and some cadets haven’t been learning swordsmanship for very long. But in terms of enthusiasm and fighting spirit, they’re proud cadets who will lead Tarasan, second to none.”

Whew, Lumian exhaled after speaking at length like giving a speech.

He had spoken quite courteously and clearly.

Though they may be lacking compared to you all, they’re still working hard, so don’t mock them. Don’t provoke them further.

‘This should stop them from picking more fights.’

It was a reasonably clean response. Thinking so, Lumian deliberately wore a pure smile as he looked at the people from Charlotte.

Then the face of the guy standing on the right turned slightly red.

It seemed he had recognized his mistake. Seeing how he couldn’t meet his eyes, he appeared to know what shame was.

Right. Since he’s at least a squire, his character isn’t completely trash.

Just as he was thinking that, the guy on the left burst into a snicker.

It was Joel Cock again. He looked straight at Lumian and spoke.

“Indeed, that’s how it is. I understand well. The talents who will lead the Kingdom of Tarasan, I’ve seen them well.”

“…Do you have more to say?”

“Ah, it’s just that… we’ve seen enough passionate knight cadets, so now we’d like to see the skilled ones.”

“What did you say?”

Lumian asked with an expressionless face.

His tone was sharper than before. Though he didn’t release his aura, it was clear enough that he was displeased.

However, Joel Cock remained the same. Maintaining his smirking face, he continued.

“Ah, my. I’m sorry. There was some room for misunderstanding in my words.”

“Misunderstanding? Which part are you referring to?”

“Well, what I meant was, um. I heard that Tarasan Academy has a space specially prepared for exceptionally skilled cadets, aside from the public training grounds.”

“…”

“Was it called the Scholarship Student Training Ground… isn’t that the name?”

“The exact name is the Black Griffin Training Ground. It symbolizes Tarasan… well, people do call it the Scholarship Student Training Ground.”

“I see. Anyway, could you guide us there? If possible, I’d like to observe the swordsmanship of stronger people.”

Though he used relatively polite expressions, perhaps due to his expression and voice, he still felt obnoxious.

Lumian answered in a dry voice.

“I fully understand your feelings, but unfortunately, the Black Griffin Training Ground is officially prohibited from external viewing.”

“Aw, but…”

“Moreover, there are currently many seniors participating in the swordsmanship competition in the Black Griffin Training Ground, and there are concerns about exposing their capabilities… I’m sorry, but I hope you’ll consider that point as well.”

“Ha, is that so? That’s disappointing.”

Phew, is it finally over? Lumian muttered inwardly.

Indeed, this kind of work didn’t suit him. Unlike his previous life, in this life where he wanted to live freely and enjoyably, he wanted to pass on such official duties.

But, truly persistently, the guy couldn’t keep his mouth shut this time either.

He muttered quietly to his colleague beside him.

And Lumian didn’t miss it.

“It probably wouldn’t make much difference whether they show us or not…”

“What did you just say?”

“Ah, sorry. It was just talking to myself…”

“I asked what you said.”

Lumian glared at Joel Cock with sharp eyes.

Only then did the guy stiffen his expression. He even made a somewhat apologetic face.

However, the words coming from his mouth were still insufferably annoying.

“I’m really sorry. I misspoke. I’ll keep my mouth shut from now on, so can’t we just let this slide?”

“What?”

“If word gets up that we had a dispute, it won’t be good for your side either.”

“…”

“Whatever the reason, you won’t be able to avoid the label of someone who caused conflict with foreign knights who came running for friendship. So let’s stop here.”

“Is that the attitude of someone making an apology…”

“Or, how about we have a clean sparring match?”

Lumian made an incredulous expression.

Looking at him, Joel Cock smiled again and said.

“Wouldn’t that be fine? Hot-blooded young knights were curious about each other’s skills, so they had a light sparring match. If we make that excuse, there won’t be any problem. Though we’d need the premise of not hurting each other.”

“…”

“Of course, I’m confident enough to stop before causing harm. What about you? If you’re also confident, it would be better to resolve complaints with swords rather than words.”

‘So this was his plan from the beginning.’

Lumian, who had maintained a stern expression throughout, let out a snicker.

That was it. The guy wanted to show off his skills in front of the two great powers. Using him as a sacrifice.

‘He received praise from the Sword Masters, but since he looks less impressive than expected, they probably wanted to crush him. That way, their praise would transfer directly to themselves.’

It was a childish way of thinking, but he could understand it well enough. There were plenty of people in the world who acted like children despite their advanced age.

And honestly, at 17, he was still a child.

Having thought this far, Lumian wiped away his smile and glared at Joel Cock.

‘Should I crush him?’

Several cadets were already looking in their direction.

If he asked those guys to testify, he doubted anything major would happen.

But on the flip side, he thought that minor troubles and annoying incidents could certainly arise.

He pondered with an expressionless face.

Should he mess with him?

Or not?

Should he just beat him to a pulp?

No, should he endure it after all?

While Lumian was struggling with this internal conflict.

Suddenly, the entrance to the training grounds became noisy. Everyone, including Joel Cock, turned their heads.

“Come on, how much space are we really taking up that you’re kicking us out?”

“Think about your size.”

“Right. And do you ever stay still in one place? You’re jumping around like an ogre with its butt on fire…”

“Of all the expressions you could use, why an ogre? Isn’t there something more handsome?”

“Nope. You’re the ugliest.”

“This bastard… Huh? Lumian.”

Bumer Simpson recognized Lumian and approached. Then he spoke in a booming voice.

“What? Did you get kicked out too… Oh, no. You’re giving a tour of the Academy.”

Realizing his mistake, he made an embarrassed expression.

He immediately bowed his head to the foreign apprentice knights and was about to leave when Lumian grabbed Bumer.

“Bumer, but why did you come here?”

“Huh? Oh, they said only 3rd and 4th years can use it until the Swordsmanship Competition ends. Tsk.”

“Ah, really?”

It was an understandable measure.

The Swordsmanship Competition had instantly transformed into a tournament with the Kingdom of Tarasan’s prestige at stake. So he thought it was natural to give the participants that level of privilege.

Lumian nodded and exchanged eye greetings, and Bumer also gestured before moving away to train.

“…Hmm.”

The atmosphere was suddenly broken. Joel Cock looked disappointed as he stared at the trio including Bumer.

‘Those guys too? Tarasan’s proudly boasted 2nd year cadet quartet.’

He smirked again.

Honestly speaking, it was laughable. He thought it made no sense for a small country like Tarasan to give titles like “genius quartet” or “future Sword Master quartet.”

‘If he was such an amazing guy, he would have immediately agreed to a duel.’

Joel Cock’s gaze turned back toward Lumian Calard.

He had heard that this guy was the most impressive among the four.

But no matter how he looked, he didn’t seem strong. He was just handsome, but felt like he was inferior to even mid-upper level apprentice knights from his own country.

That’s why the current situation was even more disappointing.

He should have kept pressuring to somehow make the duel happen.

‘No, should I try to create the atmosphere again even now?’

He clenched and unclenched his fists.

His blood boiled. The excitement that had been subsiding flared up again, heating his body.

He wanted to show off his skills right away. He wanted to display his abilities in front of the Jenas apprentice knights and the Rodisia women.

‘Good. Let’s try again.’

With that thought, Joel Cock began glaring at Lumian.

But then, enormous sounds began coming from somewhere.

Crash!

Craaash!

Clang! Claaang!

‘What!’

Startled, Joel Cock turned his head.

The others were the same. All six people with Lumian looked toward the source of the sound and showed surprised expressions.

Light was bursting from the swords of two of the three men who had just appeared.

“…They broke through the Lower Gate? Already?”

“Didn’t they say they were 15? That’s what I heard.”

“I heard that too… Excuse me, Mr. Lumian Calard?”

“Yes, Lady Violet Porter.”

When the beautiful knight with a refreshing figure spoke to him, Lumian’s face brightened.

Violet Porter also responded with a smile. She asked a question.

“By any chance, are those people them? Tarasan’s proudly boasted 2nd year cadet quartet…”

“Hmm. It’s embarrassing to say such things with my own mouth, but… that’s correct.”

“Then, all four of them are…”

“15 years old.”

“Wow!”

She burst out with an intense exclamation.

And she spoke to her colleague standing beside her.

“Did you hear that, Deiner? They’re 15. They’re 15 and two of them have passed through the Lower Gate…”

Whooooom-!

At that moment, light also emanated from Cal Krone’s sword as he trained alone.

Even more surprised, Violet Porter corrected herself.

“…Not two, but three. No, wait. Mr. Lumian Calard?”

“Yes, please speak.”

“From what I heard, Mr. Lumian Calard is the strongest among the quartet. By any chance…”

“Yes. Well, I can do about that much too.”

“I see! Whew, that’s really amazing. I was wondering why the respected Captain Kambahita praised you so highly, but now I understand.”

“You’re too kind. I’m just grateful that you view me favorably.”

Lumian’s smile deepened.

Being praised by a beauty felt like his heart was being purified.

After exchanging several conversations like that, he turned his body to look at one person.

It was Joel Cock.

The guy was looking at him and Bumer with a stupid expression, but when Lumian gave him attention, he showed a startled expression.

“Our conversation was interrupted for a moment. I apologize.”

“Oh, no. It’s fine.”

“Let’s finish what we were talking about. Right, if we do as you said, it should be fine… Shall we have that duel now?”

“Uh, well, that is…”

Joel Cock’s pupils shook back and forth.

His colleague knight who had been beside him was already far away. With nowhere to rely on, sweat poured down Joel Cock’s back like a bucket.

He thought to himself.

‘Damn it, this guy is stronger than those guys?’

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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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