The Failed Swordmaster - Chapter 112

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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 112 43. Is Tarasan Academy the Best on the Continent? (2)

It was the voice of Swordmaster John Macart.

He couldn’t remain seated and had sprung up from his chair.

His trembling eyes spoke of his astonishment.

“This can’t be, am I dreaming? Am I having a dream?”

The surprise of Rodisia’s Swordmaster, Claire Cambahita, was no less than his.

She even pinched her own thigh with her hand.

It was that shocking of an event.

‘To reach Expert faster than the Knight King!’

He thought it was impossible.

If not that, he thought it was a record that wouldn’t be broken for at least the next 50 years.

Though this record had been overturned by the existence called Lumian, that didn’t diminish the Knight King’s greatness in the slightest. Even now, countless geniuses would realize the difference in talent and fall into despair.

But that tremendous record had been broken once again.

It wasn’t someone from the Knights Kingdom Jenas. Nor was it from the rising power Rodisia that was closely pursuing them.

Tarasan Academy, from a nation weaker than even the Kingdom of Charlotte, just one of many small-to-medium kingdoms.

Someone from that insignificant place had begun to take great strides.

“Wo, woaaaaaaah!”

“It’s an Aura Sword! An Aura Sword!”

“Hey, friend! That’s real, right? That’s really an Aura Sword, right?”

“…It seems right? You said earlier. An Expert’s Aura Sword looks like flames flowing and burning.”

It was exactly as he said.

Blue aura was flickering on the greatsword Tania was holding.

An enchanting sight, as if the blade had been oiled and then magically set ablaze with flames.

One spectator, his chest swelling with emotion, jumped up from his seat and shouted.

“Wooooh! Amazing! Tania Eloise! I believed in you!”

“That’s right! I believed in you! Tania Eloise!”

“Tania Eloise! Tania Eloise!”

As if the silence from moments before was a lie, the audience seating began to boil over.

The arena became hot enough to explode with voices cheering for Tania Eloise. It felt like eardrums would burst.

Nevertheless, everyone’s faces clearly showed excited expressions.

The one who had defeated knights from countries with dozens of times stronger national power and climbed up had shown a completely unexpected twist in the finals.

They couldn’t help but go wild.

Everyone except Joel Cock and a few others shouted Tania’s name until their throats were raw.

“Remarkable.”

“…”

“Were you hiding your abilities until now?”

Lucas Young asked. He too couldn’t hide his surprise at Tania’s Aura Sword.

However, his eyes held no vulgar envy, jealousy, or inferiority complex.

Instead, much more positive emotions like fighting spirit, competitive desire, and respect were melted within them.

This was right. There was no need to diminish oneself while celebrating others’ achievements. Lucas Young had faith in himself, so he could still stand proudly without falling into gloomy emotions.

‘Unlike Joel Cock.’

Tania smiled brightly.

She was the same way.

In the past, she would have felt an inferiority complex seeing people far superior to herself. She would have dismissed her own possibilities and settled for reality.

But now it was different.

Now she could believe in herself. She wasn’t swayed by her surroundings or others’ words.

She felt like she had finally risen to a broader world. It felt like her vision had widened.

“No. I had an enlightenment this morning. I was lucky.”

“I see. Well, it would have been hard to consider what you showed in the semifinals as fake. Congratulations on your achievement.”

“Thank you.”

Tania smiled even more brightly.

Seeing her smile, Lucas Young also showed a matching smile.

After swinging his sword stylishly once, he said.

“Please, would you give me the opportunity to cross swords with an Expert?”

“Of course. It’s the finals, isn’t it? Let’s have a match without regrets.”

“Good.”

Woooooong-!

Having finished speaking, Lucas Young drew up his aura even stronger. Accordingly, the dark gleam on his blade became deeper.

Of course, it couldn’t compare to Tania Eloise’s Aura Sword. An undeniable sense of pressure emanated from the aura flowing along the blade like waves.

“Hyaaaaaaah!”

Lucas Young, bursting with a fierce battle cry, charged forward quickly.

A sharp thrusting attack. It felt like the pressure of a battering ram flying forward. He thought.

‘If I engage in a direct power struggle, my sword won’t be able to withstand it, but if I succeed in attacking first!’

Then there was still a chance of victory.

Under normal circumstances, this would be nonsensical. Upon reaching the Expert realm, the scope of aura utilization changes, and physical growth occurs rapidly.

Someone skilled enough in swordsmanship to overcome this wouldn’t be at a lower realm, so it was natural that an Expert would win 100 times out of 100, even without an Aura Sword.

‘But the current opponent has only recently become an Expert!’

If so, there was a high possibility she hadn’t fully adapted to her current physical state!

With that thought, Lucas Young thrust his sword with all his might.

It was his full power that he had never shown before. It felt like he had been refining his sword until now for this one move.

However, unfortunately.

Clang!

Slash!

Tania’s efforts had been just as tremendous as his.

Clatter!

And this morning, thanks to Lumian’s surprise guidance, her aura manipulation had become much smoother.

Lucas Young’s sword couldn’t reach Tania Eloise’s body.

Before that, it was cut and split in two. The blade that fell to the ground told the outcome of the match.

“I’ve lost. A complete defeat. Cough!”

A trickle of blood flowed from Lucas Young’s mouth.

It was because he had suffered internal injuries. Nevertheless, his posture didn’t crumble at all.

Seeing him cleanly accept the result, Tania also showed her respect.

He was a wonderful person. Not as much as Lumian Calard, but still.

“It was a good match.”

“Match… over! 3rd Year Class A Tania Eloise, victory! The winner of the Tarasan Academy Swordsmanship Competition has finally been decided!”

“Waaaaaaaah!”

“Tania Eloise!”

“Tania Eloise! Youngest Sword Expert!”

“Tania Eloise! You’re the best! You’re the best!”

Clap clap clap clap clap!

The long-awaited finals had ended.

The winner wasn’t Jenas’s ace Lucas Young, nor Rodisia’s skilled Violet Porter. It certainly wasn’t Charlotte’s Joel Cock either.

A 3rd year student no one had expected, Tania Eloise.

It was the moment she made her name known across the entire continent.

* * *

“Ahem, hmm.”

The Academy Director cleared his throat. Then he slowly began to speak.

“Well, then, there will be an awards ceremony for the winner of the Tarasan Academy Swordsmanship Competition and the top participants.”

His cheeks looked ready to ascend to heaven. He should have used a solemn voice, but it wasn’t working well. Since his voice was naturally thin, it even felt frivolous.

However, no one found fault with this. Even students who usually thought of the Academy Director as an annoying old fogey withdrew their unpleasant gazes for now.

On such a joyful and historic day, such negative attitudes were inappropriate. The people of the Kingdom of Tarasan watched with one heart and mind as the winners received their prizes.

“Third place. Apprentice knight from Rhodesia, Violet Porter. Congratulations.”

“Waaaaaaah!”

“You were amazing!”

Clap clap clap clap, enthusiastic applause echoed from the audience seating. There were some intense reactions from several men, but it didn’t become a major problem. The atmosphere was just too good.

“Next, the runner-up of this tournament. Apprentice knight from Jenas, Lucas Young. Congratulations.”

“Waaaah!”

“Well done!”

This time the reaction was more subdued than before. However, Lucas Young didn’t take it to heart.

It couldn’t be helped. If he were the protagonist it would be different, but as a supporting character right before the protagonist’s turn, he had to endure this much.

‘As soon as I return, no, even before I leave this place, I need to rent the training grounds and practice.’

Next time we meet, I’ll face you on equal footing.

Lucas Young, making this promise to himself, held his prize and stood on the podium.

And finally, today’s protagonist was called.

“Then, lastly… the winner of this tournament and third-year knight cadet of Tarasan Academy, Tania Eloise! Please come forward!”

“Uwaaaaaaaaaah!”

“Kyaaaaaaah! Sister!”

“Amazing! The best!”

“Pride of Tarasan! Star of the continent!”

A reaction incomparable to the previous two combined erupted. The applause and cheers were so loud you couldn’t even hear the person next to you.

It wasn’t just the people of the Kingdom of Tarasan who were excited.

Those from Rhodesia, those from Jenas, and even people from the Kingdom of Charlotte showed passionate reactions.

This was the birth of a continental star. There weren’t many people petty enough to worry about nationality even at such an occasion.

The memories of suffering under demons were only 10 years old. The appearance of a young and talented knight was something everyone welcomed.

“The winner’s prize will be specially presented by Sword Master of Rhodesia, Sir Claire Cambahita.”

“Congratulations, Miss Tania.”

“Th-thank you! Sir Claire Cambahita!”

Tania answered with a nervous voice.

To shake hands with a Sword Master, of which there weren’t even 100 on the continent!

Her excitement wouldn’t stop. Her hands trembled.

To such a Tania, Claire Cambahita said with a smile.

“Don’t tremble, Miss Tania Eloise.”

“Y-yes!”

“You are a far more remarkable person than I am. Reaching Expert at 16 is much harder than becoming a Sword Master.”

“That’s too much praise…”

“Hahaha. Did I put too much pressure on you? Don’t mind it and continue to strive as you have been. Perhaps we’ll meet again soon.”

“What do you mean by that…”

Tania asked with wide eyes.

But the conversation ended there. Cambahita gave a gentle smile and returned to her seat. Tania had no choice but to step up to the podium.

‘She probably just said that casually. Anyway, it’s good that a Sword Master showed interest.’

While she was thinking this, the next part proceeded.

The Academy Director serving as host brought the magic microphone to his mouth again.

“Now we will hear the victory speech from the winner, Miss Tania Eloise. We ask the audience in the venue to please be quiet for a moment.”

As soon as the words came out, the venue became silent.

Everyone wanted to hear Tania’s speech. No one would disturb the words of a 16-year-old knight cadet with the continent’s greatest talent and even beautiful looks.

Even if there were such people, it wouldn’t matter. In that case, they would probably be beaten nearly to death by angry spectators and chased out of the arena.

“Uh, um…”

Tania, holding the magic microphone, showed a flustered expression.

Having been nervous about facing a Sword Master, she hadn’t thought about her victory speech. She remained silent for quite a while.

People waited patiently. Rather, the slight delay increased their anticipation and brought about deeper concentration.

Finally, Tania, having thought of what to say, opened her mouth.

“I’m not good with words, and I’m too nervous to speak at length. Please understand. To reach this position, I had help from so many people. The Academy Director who worked hard for the Academy, the Knight Department Head, Professor David Caren who never spared his teachings, Professor Irene Curtis…”

Contrary to her words about keeping it short, many people’s names flowed from her lips.

It couldn’t be helped. Even having become an Expert, Tania was still Tania. She didn’t want to waste the opportunity to strengthen her relationships with various people.

Fortunately, people didn’t dislike this.

At least here, at this moment, Tania was no different from royalty. People listened to her words with smiling faces.

“And lastly, there is someone who gave me the greatest strength.”

“…”

“This person gave me faith when I couldn’t believe in myself and was lost in confusion. This person also gave me courage. Without this person, I don’t think I would have become an Expert at such an early age. Therefore, I want to use this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude.”

“What?”

“Who is it?”

Murmuring sounds were heard from various parts of the audience seating.

And rightly so, because the level of sincerity was different from before. Unlike the people whose names she had mentioned ceremonially, this seemed to be someone she truly treasured.

‘Who could it be? Could it be me?’

‘Nah, surely it’s not me…’

‘Could it be me? Me? It could be me, right?’

‘Tania, it’s a bit embarrassing to say my name at an official event…’

Countless people assumed they would be named.

As mentioned before, Tania had very wide connections.

Therefore, people who were close to her made this mistake at this moment. Unintentionally, Tania had made people’s hearts flutter.

‘Idiots. Obviously it’s me.’

And among them was someone with the strongest conviction.

It was Tania’s older brother, Reymon Eloise.

‘You people, don’t get strange expectations and just stay still.’

No matter how he thought about it, it could only be him.

When there was an older brother who came all this long distance secretly, even defying their father’s opposition, to cheer for her every single day, what person would covet his position?

‘That’s ridiculous. Of course.’

He puffed out his chest and took a triumphant attitude.

And with a relaxed smile, he looked at Tania’s face. Even though she was his sister, he thought she was truly pretty and lovely.

Shortly after, a person’s name flowed from her lips.

“Lumian Calard. Thank you so much.”

“…”

“That is all. To everyone who cheered for me, thank you so much.”

“…Huh?”

Reymon Eloise showed a dumbfounded expression.

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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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