The Failed Swordmaster - Chapter 11

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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 11 5. A Foundation for Growth (2)

Lumian swallowed dryly.

Honestly, he had thought about this a lot. The original owner of this body had quite disliked this guy.

Despite having the title of the class’s top student, he had resented Teoro Shutgarn, who not only didn’t help him but went beyond that to send looks of disregard and contempt.

Of course, the current Lumian didn’t feel that way. Not that Teoro had done well, but at least a knight should know how to protect his own body.

However, because of those old memories, he couldn’t help but instinctively feel repulsed by this guy.

‘Still, the reason I asked this guy to teach me about romance is…’

Because Teoro Shutgarn was among the most popular in their grade.

Looks? Decent. Height? Naturally tall. Even his voice was a low baritone. He had most of the qualities that women liked.

But his popularity went beyond even that, which couldn’t be denied.

This guy probably had tons of know-how for seducing women that he himself didn’t know about.

‘To reach higher levels, an excellent teacher is essential.’

The reason his past self had been able to become an excellent knight was also because the senior knights of Jenas had shown him the right path.

Romance was the same!

Lumian intended to rise to a higher level through this enviable yet annoying romance expert.

“Ha, haha.”

“…”

Teoro Shutgarn let out a hollow laugh.

He seemed completely unprepared for his own statement.

That was understandable. He himself hadn’t expected to so openly ask for help.

But having swallowed his shame to bring up the topic, he was determined to get what he wanted from this guy somehow.

‘He probably won’t just teach me for nothing.’

This was Teoro, who usually looked at him like he was some insignificant creature. There was no way such a guy would readily grant his sudden request.

But there was a way. Lumian concentrated energy into his right hand.

Wooooong!

With a faint sound, the aura within his body concentrated.

He absolutely had no intention of beating up Teoro. Rather, Lumian was thinking of bestowing teachings upon him.

‘If I reveal my true abilities and then offer to teach him aura utilization or swordsmanship, wouldn’t he show interest?’

It was lamentable.

The knight with the second-highest reputation after the Knight King, Sword Master Ryan Fromhart!

Knights who wanted to receive his guidance had been countless since ancient times. Whenever he visited various countries, knights requesting duels and teachings would form seas of people.

And here he was, pulling out that precious card just for ‘how to be good at romance.’

“How about it, won’t it work?”

Of course, Lumian had no such thoughts whatsoever.

Romance, and sleeping together. These were the most important things to him.

For those things, Lumian was prepared to do anything. He could bestow teachings several times over.

However, Teoro’s reaction was different from what he had expected.

“You suddenly drag me out here and then say what… Haah.”

“Of course I’m not asking you to teach me with just words. I have my own sincerity to show…”

“No. Stop talking nonsense. Ha, become a romance teacher, romance teacher, romance teacher…”

Teoro slightly lowered his head, stroking his chin while pacing around.

Lumian was impressed by that trivial action.

How does even that gesture have such atmosphere?

If he practiced at home, could he do it too?

While he was thinking such thoughts, Teoro suddenly stopped walking.

And looking at Lumian, he nodded his head.

“Fine. I’ll teach you.”

“Huh? Really?”

“What’s this. You ask for help, then why are you reacting like that?”

“Ah, no… I’m just so grateful. What kind of repayment should I…”

“Stop talking nonsense. What would I receive from you?”

Depending on how you heard it, it might sound slightly obnoxious, but Teoro’s tone fundamentally had goodwill underlying it.

It was definitely different from last year. Seeing Teoro finally treating him like a human being, Lumian felt puzzled.

‘Why is this bastard suddenly acting like this?’

There was nothing bad about it at all.

Rather, he felt like dancing because things were going so well. Lumian approached Teoro to shake hands, and Teoro slightly frowned and stepped back.

“I don’t like holding men’s hands.”

“Ah, right. Anyway, thanks.”

‘This bastard really is a player.’

But it made him even more trustworthy.

Lumian nodded and spoke urgently.

“So, when will you start teaching me? Is there anything I should prepare?”

“Hmm. Wait a moment. Let me think about it. I’ve never taught anyone this kind of thing either…”

“Well, you don’t need to feel too burdened. Just how to talk naturally with women, things women might like, how to set the mood, how to naturally make physical contact, how to make them feel attracted to me…”

“…”

While telling him not to feel burdened, Lumian poured out all his desires.

Teoro looked at him with a dumbfounded expression, but he was still in an excited state, spilling out everything he wanted.

Teoro raised his hand to cover Lumian’s mouth.

He shook his head and spoke.

“This won’t work. I can’t teach well with just words. I’ve never tried it either.”

“Huh?”

“I didn’t do romance or dating while thinking about it deliberately anyway. I just do it naturally… explaining and teaching this is a bit…”

‘This bastard! How annoying! Just because he has talent, he can do everything casually, is that what he’s saying!’

Lumian was furious inside.

But at Teoro’s next words, his expression brightened immensely.

“I’d rather just show you. Roughly how I do it.”

“What? Show me? How?”

“Let’s go to a ball together this weekend.”

“A, a ball?”

Lumian gulped.

He knew what kind of place a ball was.

Wasn’t it a fantastic place where beautiful ladies and handsome men gathered to chat and dance?

However, he had never thought that Academy cadets could go to such places.

He nodded his head vigorously.

“Let’s go. We’re definitely going!”

“Right. Since it’s your first time… don’t think about doing anything. Just watch how I have fun and remember any questions you have. I’ll explain later.”

Having finished speaking, Teoro chuckled.

This situation seemed amusing to him.

But Lumian didn’t find it amusing at all. He looked moved, like seeing a high priest visiting a rural village.

“Thank you. Really… thank you.”

“Stop it. It’s disgusting. Let’s go in now.”

“Ah, the next class is starting soon.”

“And if you don’t have clothes to wear to the ball, tell me. You don’t, right?”

“I don’t… have any.”

“I figured. Since I’m worried, let’s go shopping together before the ball. I’ll help you pick.”

“Really, really thank you…”

Lumian bowed his head at a 90-degree angle, and Teoro chuckled again.

Lumian also smiled slightly.

The two returned to the classroom side by side. The atmosphere was completely different from when they had left the building.

Lumian cheered inwardly. Things had been resolved more smoothly than expected, making him feel light as air.

He hadn’t learned anything yet, but he was already excited as if all the women in the world were his.

He glanced sideways at Teoro and thought.

‘This guy wasn’t as much of a bastard as I thought.’

After talking to him directly, he turned out to be more reasonable than expected.

He was prickly, but didn’t feel particularly arrogant either.

As he entered the classroom with these thoughts, the guy suddenly nudged him and spoke.

“Hey.”

“Huh?”

“Why didn’t you walk around this confidently last year too.”

“….”

“It doesn’t look bad.”

Teoro Shutgarn showed his usual cool smile and returned to his seat.

Lumian frowned slightly as he watched his retreating figure.

‘What’s he talking about? Didn’t I just beg him really pathetically?’

Or not? Did I ask him to teach me about romance somewhat confidently? But wouldn’t that make me seem a bit unreasonable?

After pondering briefly, Lumian shook his head and returned to his seat.

The important thing was that a new breakthrough had emerged in his stagnant love life.

Lumian wore a goofy smile, and the students watching him whispered among themselves.

“What? They went out looking like they’d fight, but came back on good terms?”

“What happened?”

“Could it be they acknowledged each other’s skills?”

“Lumian is on the same level as Teoro? No way, surely not….”

“Even if not that much, maybe he’s gotten strong enough for Teoro to acknowledge him?”

Lost in thoughts of the ball, Lumian didn’t pay attention to the children’s voices.

There was someone else who minded such talk.

Grind!

Looking toward Lumian, Large Boy ground his teeth. Freckled Boy and the surrounding children watched his mood.

But there wasn’t much they could do.

Nothing except glare at Lumian, who was just smiling like an idiot.

* * *

‘Clothes….’

After all classes ended, Lumian returned to his dormitory and fell into thought.

He knew he needed special attire for the ball too.

An elegant tailcoat, shoes suitable for dancing, and gloves.

‘They’ll probably be incredibly expensive.’

Lumian had no money.

It wasn’t that he never had any. Though a rural lord, his father was a noble after all.

But buying the poison had been the problem. As payment for that, Lumian had to give up most of the money he had. The reason he was still relying on the free student cafeteria was because of that.

However, Lumian wasn’t worried.

He recalled memories from before, from his previous life.

‘When I was young, I went on many external missions too.’

It wasn’t that he received little financial support, but when doing external missions, sometimes expenses would exceed expectations.

But could he return to the royal castle and ask for more money? He couldn’t.

In the end, the shortage had to be resolved by himself.

‘It’s not a difficult task.’

Lumian nodded once. Having made his decision, he grabbed a set of clothes from his wardrobe.

And he snuck out of the Academy without anyone knowing.

Swoosh!

Tarasan Academy had guards and many professors who were active knights. For an ordinary cadet to go outside without getting a pass was virtually impossible.

But Lumian wasn’t an ordinary cadet.

Though he had only recovered 1/10th of his previous life’s abilities, this much was a piece of cake.

‘They’re not even knights from Jenas, this is easy.’

Finally escaping the Academy safely, Lumian.

He put on the robe he had brought.

When he pulled the hood attached to the robe down low, he looked quite mysterious.

He was confident no one would discover his identity.

In that state, Lumian quickly headed toward the bustling district.

And he used aura to enhance his hearing.

“Damn it, is this how you treat us?”

“If you’re going to act like this, close your business. Actually, I’ll make you close it. I was already struggling with too many places to manage anyway, so this works out!”

“Please, brothers, why are you doing this? Our kid just doesn’t know better and….”

Crash bang!

“Ouch!”

“Don’t need excuses, have the money ready by next time we come. Boys, grab a few bottles of liquor and let’s go!”

‘Perfect timing.’

These city thugs were as terrifying as death itself to merchants, but in Lumian’s eyes they looked like walking money bags.

Lumian’s face under the robe brightened completely.

He secretly followed the thugs leaving the store.

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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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