The Failed Swordmaster - Chapter 104

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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 104 40. Discussing the Continent’s Best (2)

“Tania Eloise!”

“You’re amazing, sister!”

“That’s right! We can’t just keep getting beaten every time!”

“Good! Well done! That’s exactly it!”

“Tarasan is the best! Long live Tarasan Academy!”

The atmosphere in the audience seating immediately brightened. All the people of the Kingdom of Tarasan, regardless of age or gender, cheered Tania’s name.

Such magnificent swordsmanship and results that made up for all the defeats so far in one stroke!

No one could remain still after seeing this. The people became united in heart and mind, throwing words of encouragement and sending thunderous applause.

The reaction didn’t come only from the audience seating.

The waiting area where the swordsmanship competition participants were gathered was the same. Especially the reactions of those from foreign countries who lacked information about Tania were intense.

“Did you just see that? Deiner?”

“Uh… That’s incredible? Fast yet heavy. Even though we’re far away, I can feel the pressure being transmitted directly.”

“Moreover… it seems like she broke through the Lower Gate.”

“Right. Looking at how her sword turned blue, it’s certain. Those four second-years weren’t the end.”

Violet Porter and Deiner Selly, both from Rodisia, exchanged conversation. Undeniable amazement was revealed on their faces.

‘Considerable skill.’

Lucas Young also looked at Tania Eloise with gleaming eyes.

The skill was impressive, but the swordsmanship style was even more surprising.

Despite being a woman lacking in physical strength, to have such heavy swordsmanship.

It didn’t seem lacking even compared to the knights of Jenas.

‘I don’t know exactly what kind of training she’s been doing, but it feels comparable even to the Rock Training Method. It’s natural that Joel Cock couldn’t withstand it.’

He recalled the tournament bracket.

He had thought that Violet Porter from Rodisia would be the one to advance from the opposite side, but now he wasn’t so confident about that.

‘This will be more interesting than I thought.’

A smile appeared on Lucas Young’s face, which had been expressionless the entire time.

“Wow! Magnificent!”

“Indeed. Such magnificent swordsmanship…”

“Breaking through the Lower Gate is impressive, but the swordsmanship is even more striking. That child, was she said to be a third-year?”

“That’s correct, heh heh heh!”

The Knight Department Head, who had been maintaining silence, answered with delight.

Due to the continued defeats, he had been secretly receiving the Academy Director’s sharp gaze.

In such a situation, Tania’s victory was like sweet rain during a drought. The Knight Department Head ceaselessly moved his mouth, listing off boasts about Tania Eloise.

“Hooo…”

“Is that so?”

John Macart and Claire Cambahita showed interest, even turning their upper bodies to the side.

A reaction on a completely different level from when the fourth-year top student appeared. Seeing this, the Academy Director made a proud expression.

To think that even the Sword Masters of the continent’s strongest nations are showing interest in a talent who is a student of our Academy!

He couldn’t contain his overwhelming emotions.

“This is reassuring. There was one more talent to support Tarasan’s future. To think there are so many gifted young people besides Lumian Calard, I’m envious.”

“Indeed. We had a good view. I’m looking forward to the rest of the swordsmanship competition as well.”

“No, no. Compared to the children from Jenas and Rodisia… eh heh, eh heh heh heh…”

Laughter continuously flowed from the Academy Director’s mouth. He departed from his appearance as a seasoned politician and became like a grandfather intoxicated with joy after a drink.

Only one person, Adam Harper, the representative of the Kingdom of Charlotte, kept his mouth shut with an uncomfortable expression.

‘Damn it, what kind of humiliation is this!’

If he had lost to someone from Jenas or Rodisia, he wouldn’t have felt this humiliated.

But Tarasan of all places.

Moreover, for the match to be decided in a single strike!

He wanted to kick back his chair and stand up immediately.

He wanted to rush onto the stage and beat up that Joel Cock subordinate who was standing there with a stupid expression.

‘That subordinate, he didn’t even train properly after arriving… Let’s meet tonight!’

Having finished his thoughts, Adam Harper forced himself to smile.

He too was a politician and diplomat. Making insincere compliments, he rejoined the conversation.

* * *

“You were cool today.”

“Right? It was okay, wasn’t it?”

“Of course. And it was even better because it was that subordinate. His expression was worth seeing.”

“Ah, that guy was completely obnoxious. He kept spouting nonsense the entire time he was sitting there, making people irritated…”

“What kind of nonsense?”

“Huh? Oh, it wasn’t anything special…”

At Lumian’s question, Tania’s face reddened as she trailed off.

She remembered the lie she had told.

Although she hadn’t said it outright, it was undeniable that she had spoken while assuming Lumian as her boyfriend.

She forcibly changed the topic. Lumian accepted her words without particular suspicion, and the conversation soon shifted toward swordsmanship.

After chatting like that for a while, dinner had ended before they knew it.

Tania patted Lumian’s back as she left the restaurant.

“That was delicious! Now about 4 times left?”

“You’re really annoyingly milking this.”

“What’s this much? If I put my mind to it, I could only go to the student cafeteria from now on. Then instead of 4 times, I could mooch about 40 times, couldn’t I?”

“The student cafeteria is free though.”

“Well, that’s not bad either. Then with the feeling of being treated by you for life…”

Tania, who had been speaking with a smile, closed her mouth.

And she glanced sideways at Lumian.

‘Did I go too far? Being treated for life, that’s almost like…’

It’s like confessing that I want to always be with you!

Whoosh!

Her face rapidly turned red.

Was it because she had received so many people’s cheers?

Tania’s heart was in a very excited state, and therefore her words flowed more lightly than usual. As a result, her inner thoughts were revealed more openly.

Of course, it wasn’t really a big deal.

Honestly, for him to notice her feelings from that level of content was nonsense. Rather, it was stranger that she was thinking so deeply and worrying so much about it.

But recently, as her feelings for Lumian had grown rapidly, she couldn’t help it. She kept watching Lumian’s reactions.

“What? You started talking then stopped.”

“Huh? No, no. Suddenly… uh, I’m worried about tomorrow’s swordsmanship competition.”

“What’s there to worry about… Tomorrow’s opponent is also from Charlotte. He’s weaker than Joel Cock.”

“Still, my goal isn’t just passing the second round, is it?”

“That’s right. You have to win.”

Lumian said, and Tania nodded her head vigorously.

Seeing that, Lumian smiled broadly.

“Why, why?”

“Nothing. It seems like your confidence has increased a lot compared to before.”

“Really?”

“Yes. It’s good to see.”

It was sincere.

If it had been the old Tania, she would have already been half in a state of giving up. Saying Jenas and Rodisia, she would have aimed for advancing to the semifinals.

But now it was different. Regardless of how strong her opponents were, she believed in herself. If 100 percent wasn’t enough, she tried to exert 120, 150 percent of her strength.

It was the same now. Tania said she planned to return to her room immediately and devote herself to Aura training.

‘If she can break through the Middle Gate before the finals are held, she might really be able to win.’

Lumian thought of the apprentice knight from Jenas, Lucas Young.

He wasn’t an easy opponent, but if it was Tania, there was definitely a possibility.

Having finished his thoughts, he turned to look beside him with a smiling face.

A face that looked even prettier than usual came into view.

It was the moment he was about to draw up his aura image and offer words of encouragement with even stronger trust.

Ziiiiing-!

Thud, Lumian’s footsteps stopped.

His expression also hardened stiffly. Tania asked with a puzzled expression.

“Lumian? What’s wrong?”

“Ah, nothing. I just suddenly remembered something I had forgotten.”

“Really? Do you need to go somewhere?”

“Yes. But it’s not urgent… I can go after walking you to the dormitory.”

“Huh?”

“Come on, let’s go.”

Suddenly, Lumian grabbed Tania’s hand.

It was a somewhat rough action. He moved toward the female dormitory with slightly quick steps.

Several female students who saw the two of them showed surprised expressions.

“Oh my, what’s that?”

“That looks like Lumian Calard and Tania Eloise, right? What’s going on? Could it be…?”

“Are they dating?”

‘What! This situation!’

Tania’s face turned red as if it would burst.

She was utterly flustered. She couldn’t understand Lumian’s thoughts at all as he suddenly grabbed her hand.

‘His expression doesn’t seem like that though…’

She kept glancing at Lumian’s face.

An expression that seemed serious beyond just being earnest. Unfortunately, it looked like his mind was occupied with something else rather than her.

However, that didn’t mean her heart wasn’t racing.

Rather, his rough behavior, which was rarely seen normally, left an even stronger impression.

It felt like an older boyfriend was walking her home.

Therefore, she obediently held Lumian’s hand and walked with him. As the murmuring around them grew louder and they got closer to the female dormitory, her embarrassment increased, but she absolutely wouldn’t let go of his hand.

“We’re here.”

“Ah.”

But that time wasn’t long.

When they arrived in front of the dormitory, Lumian let go of her hand. A sigh unconsciously escaped from Tania’s lips. She felt regretful.

But she couldn’t hold onto him any longer.

She said.

“Thank you for walking me back.”

“It’s nothing. Please go inside, senior.”

“Yeah. See you tomorrow.”

Tania, who had given her farewell greeting, entered the building. With a face full of regret, embarrassment, and excitement.

Lumian continued to watch her.

Until the moment she disappeared up the stairs. Until he thought she had entered among people and was safe. Until he judged she was completely away from the gaze that was watching him.

‘That’s enough.’

Lumian nodded and moved his steps toward a secluded part of the Academy.

And the moment he realized the students’ gazes had moved away from him, he moved at a terrifying speed.

Swoosh!

It was as fast as a hawk gliding through the sky.

No one noticed him moving by stepping on the rooftops of buildings. It was natural. He was a person who was advancing toward a realm beyond Swordmaster, surpassing his previous life’s level.

No, to be precise, there was one being.

The gaze he had felt since finishing his meal with Tania and coming out.

He could feel the owner of that gaze chasing after him. Lumian let out a sigh of relief.

‘Thank goodness. Their interest has completely moved away from Tania.’

Just before, he had been overprotective in preparation for any possible danger.

Having finished his thoughts, he stopped moving.

Before he knew it, the surrounding scenery had completely changed. Dim moonlight was shining down on the plains outside the city.

Swish.

Lumian drew his magic sword from the subspace backpack he was carrying.

And the blade reflected in the moonlight glowed blue. When sharp momentum was added to it, he transformed into a more fearsome being than the demons of hell.

“Come out.”

Lumian spoke to the empty air.

An action that would seem like that of a crazy person to someone who didn’t know. However, there was certainty in Lumian’s voice.

‘It wasn’t just hostility I felt. This time I also felt persistence.’

A gaze that conveyed the will to definitely settle things today, though he didn’t know what the intention was.

Having grasped that, Lumian was about to shout sternly once more when a figure revealed itself from behind a large tree growing alone on the plain.

No, he couldn’t be certain yet. Given the appearance of wearing a loose black robe with a hood, the possibility that it was a demon hiding its identity couldn’t be ruled out.

“…”

“…”

One minute.

It was a time when silence had descended.

Normally it might be different, but one minute in such a tension-filled situation feels long enough to seem like eternity. Long enough to be difficult to endure even for someone with strong patience.

Lumian was the same. He hardened his expression and spoke.

“I don’t know exactly why you’ve been watching me, but…”

“…”

“It seems you have no intention of resolving this through dialogue, so I’ll have to demonstrate my skills.”

Ziiiiing-!

Aura rose from Lumian’s magic sword.

An Aura Sword that took on a brown color, having absorbed plenty of the energy from the land that forms the center of mountains, grew to 13 meters before gradually shrinking.

When fighting humanoid opponents, there’s no need to maintain a long blade. Rather, it’s better to shorten the length and increase the aura’s density.

Seeing this, the black robe’s eyes gleamed. It was an intense light that couldn’t be hidden even by shadows.

But then.

Something that broke the current heavy atmosphere fell from the sky.

Swoosh!

Flutter flutter flutter…

“…”

“Huh, huh? Ah!”

Lumian let out a bewildered voice.

He had forgotten.

That this magic sword, while of very good quality, had magical effects that didn’t suit the situation.

As he stared blankly at the shower of flower petals falling from the sky, the black robe trembled.

It looked as if it felt insulted.

Clang!

Ziiiiing-!

The unidentified being also drew its sword. And unleashed a completed Aura Sword.

But surprisingly, its length extended endlessly.

10 meters, 11 meters, 12 meters… 13 meters!

The exact same length!

Lumian’s eyes widened like a full moon.

Meanwhile, the black robe’s Aura Sword shrank again. It seemed to be for increasing density, just like his.

“You bastard! How dare a demon who has sneakily infiltrated the human world try to humiliate me!”

“Eh?”

“From observing you for several days, I’ve clearly realized that you’re not human! Obediently receive my sword!”

Those were the last words.

Swoosh, the unidentified being who had thrown off their robe rushed toward Lumian at lightning speed.

Like a golden dawn sweeping away the night sky.

Only then did Lumian, who had grasped his opponent’s identity, show a flustered expression.

‘Why is Sinsieo Ainsworth here? And calling me a demon?’

He wanted to say ‘Wait!’

But he couldn’t. To stop her who had already approached right before him, he needed a sword, not words.

Tsk, Lumian let out a groan through his teeth and drew up his Aura even stronger.

On the empty plain, with only the moon in the night sky floating as a spectator.

Kwaaaaang!

A battle between legends had begun.

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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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