The Failed Swordmaster - Chapter 122
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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 122 47. Fortune Favors the Bold (3)
‘Is this okay? It’s fine, right?’
Lumian examining his appearance in front of the mirror.
His appearance wasn’t bad. No, it was quite excellent.
His fashion sense had always been at an excellent level. It was natural, given that his past life’s refined taste cultivated in Jenas’s royal palace was combined with nearly a year of recent life, adding modern sensibilities on top.
On top of that, he had help from Teoro Shutgarn and Cal Krone. Even if he tried to dress poorly, it would be impossible.
‘The clothes hanger isn’t bad either…’
Though it sounded like self-praise, this was also true.
Honestly speaking, Lumian at the beginning of his second year first semester wasn’t particularly attractive.
He wasn’t tall, and his physique was mediocre for a knight cadet. His skin was good, but his face was ordinary, and even that looked worse due to his weak and unconfident expression.
The only thing above average was his manhood, but since there was no occasion to use it or show it, it might as well not exist.
But now was different. His appearance had changed 180 degrees in one year.
First, his physique. His height had grown by more than 5 centimeters, and his body had become solid through rigorous physical training, exuding masculine charm.
That wasn’t all. His face also showed a clear difference. By absorbing the Incubus’s demonic stone, his features had become more distinct.
Additionally, after gaining enlightenment following his battle with the Knight King, his body had been reconstructed. As a result, waste materials in his body were expelled, making his skin even better.
The part with the biggest change was his expression.
Unlike his previously weak appearance, Lumian now exuded an atmosphere like a young knight with lofty dreams – fresh yet strong-willed.
He was truly in a state where he possessed all the elements that would make him popular with women.
“Good. Let’s go.”
After taking a deep breath, Lumian left the dormitory.
He was nervous. Objectively and subjectively, there was nothing wrong with his condition. However, when he thought of today’s purpose, the confidence that was about to lift his head drooped again.
‘No. Lumian, get it together!’
He shook his head slightly.
He couldn’t shake it hard. It would mess up his hair.
Anyway, he had to steel his mental preparation.
He couldn’t show signs of being nervous or anxious. At least outwardly, he had to appear confident.
‘If you’re intimidated, even what could work won’t work. Puff out your chest and go, brother!’
Recalling Morghen’s words, he drew up his aura.
His aura image activated after a long time. A mysterious energy that strengthened his heart and naturally drew others’ attention enveloped his entire body.
“Oh my.”
“That person…”
The reaction was immediate.
Women on the street looked at Lumian. Regardless of age, they all did.
Some even passed by, then turned back to get a better look at Lumian’s face.
‘Good. I can do this!’
Though it was a materialistic thought, receiving all the women’s gazes made him feel slightly better. And his confidence, which had been about to drop, began to rise again little by little.
He could do it. He could do it. With his current appearance, Tania’s reaction wouldn’t be bad either!
While hypnotizing himself like this, the meeting place came into view before he knew it.
He could also see Tania with her back turned.
Even though it was just her back, she couldn’t look more beautiful.
“Ah… Huk!”
Lumian, who had been staring at her in a daze, suddenly came to his senses.
This wouldn’t do. Not on any other day, but today he absolutely couldn’t lose focus.
He had to show an overwhelmingly cooler appearance than the men around who were glancing at Tania.
After making this resolution, Lumian did a final check of his attire, then called out to Tania.
“Senior Tania!”
Hearing his voice, Tania slowly turned around. A gentle smile graced her face.
But that was only for a moment.
Her face stiffened. After showing a startled expression, she quickly turned her body around again.
‘What? What is it!’
Did he make some mistake?
Lumian’s heart sank. He felt like his insides would jump out of his mouth.
Fortunately, that moment didn’t last long.
After about 1-2 seconds, Tania turned around again and welcomed him. With her usual gentle smile.
“You’re here?”
“Ah, yes. Sorry for being late.”
“Late? It’s still 10 minutes early.”
“Ah, right? Hahaha…”
Lumian patted his chest. Thank goodness. Tania had returned to her usual self.
However, since the shock hadn’t completely subsided, his expression was still stiff. He let out an even more awkward laugh.
Watching such a Lumian, Tania showed an even brighter smile.
“Then, shall we go?”
“Yes, yes!”
Lumian Calard, who couldn’t hide his tense state, and Tania Eloise, who appeared relaxed at first glance.
No one at the ballroom noticed that her heart was beating much faster than usual.
* * *
“Wow, it’s beautiful!”
“Indeed. They’ve decorated it well.”
The two who entered the ballroom exclaimed in admiration.
The interior was incredibly splendid. Marble sculptures, glasswork, and beautiful flowers of unknown names decorated every corner.
With magical lighting and beautiful melodies added, a romantic atmosphere was created. Men and women immersed in it were dancing in the center or sitting at tables sipping drinks.
‘First… I need a drink.’
Lumian recalled Morghen’s advice.
Though frustrating and regrettable, Eujae’s assessment of him was accurate. When it came to romance, he was an undeniable coward and weakling.
Even now was like that.
Just the fragrance he felt from Tania beside him, just the smile she gave him every time their eyes met, made him feel dizzy. The words he had prepared only circled in his mouth, showing no intention of coming out.
It couldn’t be helped. Though he felt pathetic relying on liquid courage, without this method, today would obviously be just another same day.
‘That can’t happen. Today I’ll definitely confess. And succeed!’
Lumian, with a determined expression, turned his head toward Tania.
It was the moment words about heading to a table were about to come from his mouth.
“Senior, let’s go over there…”
“Excuse me, handsome young lord?”
“…”
Someone suddenly interrupted.
Lumian and Tania’s gazes fixed on the newly appeared figure.
It was a lady with somewhat excessive flower decorations in her hair.
She wore a daring dress with a deeply cut neckline, and she had an excellent figure to match it.
She deliberately turned away from Tania and continued speaking.
“Excuse me, I know you have company, and I know this is rude, but… couldn’t you dance with me just once?”
“Ooh!”
“Wow…!”
Whistle-!
At the Flower-Adorned Lady’s bold request, men around them whistled.
Since it wasn’t an era where relationships between men and women were as rigid as before, it wasn’t strange for a woman to ask a man to dance first.
However, it was certainly uncommon.
In such cases, it was proper etiquette for the man to accept the request unconditionally. Unless there was a very serious reason not to.
“Hmm…”
“It’s okay, Lumian. Go dance and come back.”
Tania said with a smiling face.
Lumian nodded with a stiff expression.
While it was certainly improper etiquette for the Lady to request a dance knowing he had a companion, refusing her would be an even greater discourtesy.
“I’ll be back quickly.”
“Okay. I’ll sit here and wait.”
“Shall we go, then?”
“Yes, let’s.”
The Lady extended her hand, and Lumian took it with clumsy words.
It was completely different from his attitude up until now.
Seeing this, a slight smile appeared on Tania’s lips before quickly disappearing.
She snorted and sat at a nearby table, taking a sip of wine.
“Lumian’s problem is that he’s too nice. Hmm, this tastes pretty good?”
She made a surprised expression.
The white wine tasted quite good. With an impressed expression, she took another sip.
Just then, a well-dressed man approached Tania’s table and spoke to her.
“Beautiful Lady? Excuse me, but would I have the honor of dancing with you…”
“If you know it’s rude, then don’t come over.”
“…”
The man looked bewildered at Tania’s sharp words.
He had said “excuse me” as just a figure of speech, not because he actually thought it was rude.
He thought to himself.
‘Why is she so prickly? Sitting alone at a table.’
Of course, she was beautiful enough to warrant such attitude, but he was confident in his own appearance and status that weren’t inferior to hers.
Composing his expression again, he spoke to Tania once more.
“Haha, the Lady certainly has a good sense of humor. I was quite surprised…”
“It’s not a joke, so please leave.”
“…”
“I won’t dance. Go away.”
Tania said while slightly drawing up her Aura.
Eek, the man made a startled sound and backed away. His courage was too small to handle the presence of a Sword Expert.
“Hmph.”
After chasing away the man, she sipped her wine again.
It wasn’t improper etiquette for a woman to refuse a man’s dance request. She felt not a trace of guilt.
“It really is delicious.”
Muttering to herself, Tania drank more wine.
Her gaze was directed toward the center of the ballroom, toward Lumian dancing with the Flower-Adorned Lady.
* * *
“I’m sorry.”
“Yes, yes?”
Did she mishear?
The Lady in the purple dress looked dazed.
But she hadn’t misheard. Words of refusal spilled from Lumian’s mouth again.
“I’ve left my companion alone too long, so I can’t. Please find another partner.”
“What? No, when a woman requests a dance and you refuse… Hey, hey you? Hey! Hey you bastard!”
The Lady’s shouting could be heard from afar. Along with it, her large chest naturally came to mind. It was a bounce that couldn’t be seen from Tania.
But Lumian wasn’t tempted by it. With a serious expression, he walked quickly toward the table.
‘Too much time has been wasted.’
It was unexpected.
When he danced with the flower-adorned woman and rejected her request to go outside together, he thought he could return quickly.
But that wasn’t the case. When she left, even more women swarmed toward him like moths to a flame. And they requested dances.
In his confusion, Lumian danced with 5 more Ladies.
All of them spoke seductive words after the dance ended, and he responded with rejection in a stern, solemn, serious expression. His tone was sharp as a blade, leaving no room for hope.
But it was useless.
The women truly endlessly, continuously flocked to Lumian.
Like lionesses courting the strongest male lion. Their momentum was so intense that the men nearby were overwhelmed. Lumian also couldn’t resist that flow and was swept away for a while.
‘This can’t go on any longer!’
But that atmosphere didn’t last forever.
Making a belated decision, Lumian risked impropriety and refused the Lady’s dance request.
“Damn, must be nice being so popular. Women requesting dances and he turns them away.”
“That’s right. That young punk getting all cocky… tsk.”
He could hear several jealous men badmouthing him, but he didn’t care.
Only Tania was on his mind.
Finally returning to the table, Lumian made an apologetic expression. And just as he was about to offer words of apology.
“Sorry, I’m really late… Senior?”
“Hm? Wow! It’s Lumiaaan!”
A bright smile bloomed across Tania’s face.
Lumian asked with a bewildered expression.
“Ta, Tania Senior… are you drunk? How much did you drink…”
“Huh? I’m not drunk. The wine just tasted pretty good… a little? This much? Just thiiiis much.”
‘No, you’re clearly drunk.’
She was definitely drunk.
Her face was completely flushed, her words were slurring.
On top of that, every time she opened her mouth, a sweet fragrance wafted out.
She had clearly drunk far beyond her limit.
‘This wasn’t part of the plan!’
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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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