The Failed Swordmaster - Chapter 113

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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 113 43. Tarasan Academy is the Best on the Continent? (3)

‘Ah, how embarrassing.’

Tania Eloise, who had given her victory speech, let out a small sigh. Her cheeks were already dyed red.

She was already dreading the looks from the kids tomorrow.

Of course, she hadn’t made a public love confession, but students at this age were the type to make up stories even when there weren’t any.

They would definitely pair her with Lumian. They had been sticking together constantly even before the Swordsmanship Competition.

But she didn’t regret what she had said just now.

It wasn’t like she intended to fuel rumors to get closer to Lumian.

While such impure thoughts weren’t entirely absent, more than that, she truly wanted to express her gratitude. She wanted to show more honestly how grateful she was.

‘Lumian, thank you.’

Tania looked at Lumian Calard sitting in the audience seating. And she conveyed her thanks to him once more in her heart.

If he hadn’t been there, how far could she have gone in this Swordsmanship Competition?

She wasn’t sure. If she had been unlucky, she would have lost to that unlucky bastard in the first round, and even if she had won, the quarterfinals would have been her limit. After all, another knight from Jenas was her opponent.

‘No, forget the Swordsmanship Competition – becoming an Expert itself was all thanks to Lumian.’

Tania truly thought so.

Of course, he would disagree with this opinion.

‘He would say that my becoming an Expert was entirely my own doing. That it was because my talent was outstanding, my effort was tremendous, and I believed in myself.’

Then she wanted to ask the opposite.

Who was the person who instilled confidence in her when no one believed in her, not even herself?

Would it have been possible for her to become an Expert all by herself without that person?

‘He even bought me the vessel, didn’t he?’

Tania let out a small laugh.

After breaking through the Lower Gate, there were words Lumian had drilled into her ears.

The walls that block you are things to be broken, but a ‘vessel’ is absolutely necessary. The two are completely different concepts, so don’t get confused, he had said.

‘As long as you walk the path of the heavy sword, you must completely forget your previous aura usage. Even though it’s the same water, you and other people are completely different. For water that doesn’t flow but focuses on mass, weight, and pressure, the vessel is important.’

‘Vessel?’

‘Yes. A vessel. Without a proper vessel, water tends to scatter everywhere. You need to make an excellent vessel to avoid wasting power, and use it to become accustomed to concentrating weight and strength into each strike, each sword.’

‘Hmm…’

‘Of course it will be difficult, but if you master this, you’ll be able to rise to Expert in one go.’

After hearing these words, Tania had worked throughout her training period to create a vessel suitable for herself. And last night, she suddenly gained enlightenment and instantly rose to the realm of Expert.

‘It was just as Lumian said. When I gathered my strength through the vessel to attack the gate, it was much easier than before. So much so that I almost laughed in disbelief.’

But that wasn’t the important part.

The point was that what formed Tania’s vessel was the mountain, which could be called the foundation of Lumian’s aura.

She closed her eyes and drew the image in her mind.

She could feel the shape of a large, solid mountain, as reliable as Lumian himself.

Tania’s aura was at its peak.

Water contained like a crater lake of a volcano. Thanks to this, she had been able to split Lucas Young’s sword.

It was a technique she couldn’t have even imagined before.

It was a sword strike she couldn’t have even attempted without Lumian.

‘Lumian, thank you.’

She called Lumian’s name once more.

It wasn’t just said in her heart. She looked at Lumian, who had been making eye contact with her, and moved her mouth widely. So clearly that he couldn’t fail to notice.

‘Ah, he’s avoiding it.’

“Hahaha.”

Lumian’s flustered appearance as he averted his gaze seemed cute to her.

Right now, Tania couldn’t have been happier.

“Wow, the atmosphere is nice, isn’t it?”

“Right? Lumian, say something.”

Around that time, Bumer and Cal Krone, who had been listening to Tania’s victory speech from the audience seating, provoked Lumian.

Teoro didn’t open his mouth. But just seeing him smile and look on, you could tell he was thinking similar thoughts.

Actually, this kind of thing hadn’t just happened now.

Since he started giving guidance sparring to Tania, they had teased Lumian whenever they had the chance.

Asking if he had feelings for his senior, saying that his senior seemed to think well of him too, suggesting he should try dating her.

Every time they said such things, Lumian would shake his head.

Saying it wasn’t that kind of relationship. That he was just helping because she seemed unaware of her talent, and he felt sorry for her.

‘There was also something I needed to apologize for.’

But now, he could no longer make such excuses.

The emotion he was feeling now was definitely not something he would have for a talented junior.

He had realized it this morning, and was certain of it at this moment. He had probably felt the same way for a long time.

‘I like Tania.’

Until now, Ryan Fromhart, Lumian Calard, had made romance and sex the purpose of his life.

For this, anyone would do. As long as they had looks that matched his taste and a reasonable personality.

But now it was different.

He could say it clearly. He liked the person called Tania, and he wanted to date her. He wanted to share love with her.

He wanted to spend each day for ‘Tania’, not days for ‘romance’.

Following Leiton Wino, the second real love had come into his life.

Realizing this, Lumian quietly muttered.

“You’re right.”

“Huh?”

“What did you just say?”

Cal Krone and Bumer asked. Teoro also looked at him with shining eyes.

To such friends, Lumian said once more.

“I think I do like her, Tania.”

Everyone’s mouths fell shut.

And so the day of the Swordsmanship Competition was coming to an end.

* * *

16 years old, the youngest Sword Expert appears!

At this amazing news, the entire Kingdom of Tarasan was stirring.

It wasn’t just Tarasan. Through the people who had watched the Swordsmanship Competition, Tania Eloise’s name was spreading throughout the entire continent.

“Hey, does that make sense? Some girl from such a small country broke the Knight King’s record?”

“That’s nonsense.”

Of course, since it was something that transcended common sense, there were many who objected, but the Kingdom of Tarasan didn’t care about such reactions.

The truth would be revealed when the time came anyway.

Sword Master John Macart, Claire Cambahita, and countless knights from other countries had witnessed it. If their testimonies continued, such words would disappear, and instead praise and shock would follow.

There were tens of thousands of people in the Kingdom of Tarasan alone who anticipated this.

The citizens of Tarasan had infinite pride in Tania Eloise, who would become their country’s greatest source of pride. Stories about her and her swordsmanship never ceased anywhere.

However, only one person focused on something other than the fact that Tania had become an Expert.

It was her big brother, Reymon Eloise.

“I’ll keep it secret from Father.”

“…It’s not like that.”

“It’s okay. I understand everything. What’s wrong with a grown woman liking someone? It’s actually a good thing. I was worried about what to do if you were only interested in swordsmanship and success, and remained an old maid even past thirty.”

“Sigh…”

Tania gave up making excuses.

Her big brother wasn’t stupid, and there was no way he would be fooled in this situation.

She said carefully.

“Do you really have to keep it secret from Father?”

“Of course. If he finds out you have a guy you like, he’ll come to the Academy right away, won’t he?”

The possibility was 100 percent.

Although they had been in a slight cold war since Tania entered the Knight Department, Father was basically a terrible daughter-fool.

The reason he had opposed her entering the Knight Department in the first place was because he was worried his youngest daughter would have a hard time and get hurt. Even now, he just didn’t visit the Academy, but at home he treated her better than a princess.

‘If Father knew about this fact….’

He would probably stop everything that very day and fly to the Academy.

And then he would sit Lumian Calard down and try to kill his spirit with alcohol. That was certain.

“Anyway, I absolutely won’t tell him.”

“Yes. I’ll trust you.”

Tania let out a sigh of relief.

She too knew her father’s personality. That’s why she could feel at ease with her eldest brother’s words.

However, what came next made her tense again.

“Then, shall we plan a strategy to win over Lumian together?”

“Th-that’s not necessary! I can handle it on my own….”

“Come on, it would be quite helpful though? With your personality, you probably haven’t consulted anyone about this kind of thing.”

“….”

“Are you really okay? Don’t you need any advice at all?”

“Then, just a little….”

Tania shyly opened her mouth.

Seeing her like that, Reymon grinned widely. His hand patted Tania’s head.

She didn’t feel at all like the youngest Expert who had shaken the continent. She just looked like a pretty and cute little sister.

That’s when it happened.

Three people approached near the bench where the two were having their conversation.

They weren’t ordinary people.

It was Sword Master Claire Cambahita, his aide, and Professor Irene Curtis.

“I’m truly sorry to interrupt your conversation, but could we have a word, Miss Tania Eloise?”

“Yes, yes! Of course!”

Cambahita spoke with a kind smile. Tania straightened up like a soldier and stood from her seat.

Reymon, reading the situation, stepped aside. And he made a surprised expression.

‘For Rhodesia’s Sword Master to personally approach her….’

Even his father, who was a count, wouldn’t be able to achieve such a thing. He gulped.

Only now was it starting to sink in.

His little sister had climbed to a height that was unimaginably high.

Reymon Eloise felt both happy and frightened by this.

* * *

A few days later, the delegations from various countries that had visited Tarasan Academy returned home.

Until the moment they left, they didn’t let go of their interest in Tania Eloise and Lumian Calard.

The Charlotte Kingdom was the same. Adam Harper, the delegation representative who belatedly realized Tarasan’s potential, showered them both with praise until his mouth went dry.

“Phew, that’s exhausting.”

Of course, Lumian had no desire whatsoever to receive praise from old men.

Gatherings with people he wasn’t close to were just tiring. He never wanted to do anything as an Academy representative again.

But the farewell with Knight King Philip III and Sinsieo Ainsworth was a completely different story.

The day after the delegation left, they met outside the Academy and exchanged farewell greetings.

“I committed too great a discourtesy and received too great a help. I will never forget Sir Lumian’s kindness for the rest of my life.”

“Please don’t worry about what happened then. I’ve already forgotten it. Moreover, thanks to Sir Sinsieo’s story, I too gained much. I want to express my gratitude once more.”

“I hope good fortune will accompany Sir Lumian’s future.”

Sinsieo and Lumian exchanged well-wishes with each other. It was a heartwarming conclusion.

Next was naturally the Knight King’s turn. With a broad smile on his face, he hugged Lumian tightly just like when they first met.

“I’ll come visit often from now on.”

“No. I will visit you first, Your Majesty.”

“Haha. That would be good too. Even if not, if you have anything to say, tell Sir Bucal. I gave him a communication magic crystal.”

“I will do so.”

Receiving Lumian’s gaze, Bucal bowed his head.

He would not return to his country with the Knight King.

He decided to remain at the Academy as a dispatched professor, both to strengthen friendship with Tarasan and to serve as a messenger between Lumian and the Knight King.

‘The Academy’s prestige has increased tremendously in an instant.’

Following Rhodesian knight Irene Curtis, even Jenas’s high knight Bercal Garcia had joined the faculty.

Now most academies wouldn’t even be able to present their business cards. Though this was limited to the Knight Department.

“Well then, let’s meet again next time. It was also nice to meet you, Sir Sinsieo. I never dreamed I’d see Rhodesia’s greatest knight here. Hahaha.”

“It was an honor for me as well, Knight King.”

Sinsieo, who politely showed respect, departed first. Though she was approaching seventy, her movements were incredibly light.

The same was true for Philip III. After exchanging greetings with Lumian once more, he shot off at tremendous speed. He was probably concerned about leaving his kingdom empty for too long.

‘Still, it was a meaningful time.’

He had reunited with the reincarnated Sir Lian Fromhart and helped with his growth. Not only that, but he was able to receive some help himself.

Moreover, he had come to know the prodigy Tania Eloise, which could also be considered a gain.

‘The only regrettable thing would be that I couldn’t pursue a marriage between my daughter and Sir Lumian….’

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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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