The Failed Swordmaster - Chapter 13

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 13 7. No, That’s Not It (1)

“Lumian, but do you have money?”

“Money? I have it. Why?”

“You eat at the free cafeteria every day… Never mind. If you have it, that’s fine.”

“Ah. I was thinking of trying other places too, but the free cafeteria suits my taste, so I just keep going there. Thanks for your concern.”

“Concern, what… If you have it, that’s fine.”

Teoro Shutgarn. And Lumian Calard.

Though until last year they wouldn’t even go near each other, let alone talk, they had become quite close in just a few days.

Many classmates in Class E were curious about this sight, but they couldn’t directly ask the two about it.

Teoro was difficult to approach in the first place. He would come to them if he approached first, but they were the type who felt scared to approach him. While that was part of his charm, he was quite a burdensome person to get information from.

Lumian’s case was equally difficult. If he had been in the same situation as last year, it might have been different, but now that his atmosphere had changed drastically, they still didn’t know how to treat him.

In the end, all the Class E cadets could do was just watch the two. And make baseless speculations.

“Definitely, Teoro must have acknowledged Lumian.”

“The swordsmanship professor needs to come quickly so we can see his skills.”

“Didn’t they say he’s on assignment? He’ll come next week, right?”

“Probably? I’m really curious. How good is he?”

‘Damn.’

Large Boy, who overheard the surrounding chatter, grumbled inwardly.

Irritation surged through him. He was angry that a guy who used to be treated as far beneath him was doing well, and he was even angrier because he could feel that some of the kids were looking down on him.

If it were up to him, he wanted to hide and attack Lumian from behind, but now even that was difficult.

Since Lumian had become friends with Teoro, the best student in Class E, he couldn’t do that even out of fear of retaliation.

‘Cunning bastard!’

Though Large Boy had been thoroughly beaten once, he still couldn’t acknowledge Lumian’s skills.

If he hadn’t underestimated his opponent, if his condition had been a bit better, if it had been a sword duel instead of bare-handed combat.

Various excuses boosted his confidence.

But it was an unavoidable fact that he couldn’t treat Lumian carelessly like before.

‘If it’s difficult for me to do it, I can borrow someone else’s hands.’

After all the day’s classes ended, Large Boy went with his followers to meet a student from Class F.

“Hup, hup, haah!”

‘Still like a monster.’

As usual, he was devoted to exercise.

He was believable enough to be Professor Arnold’s son.

Large Boy waited until his workout ended. The other person continued strength training for another 30 minutes and only acknowledged Large Boy after finishing his shower.

“Hey. Why are you here? Is there someone you want me to take care of?”

“Haha. Hello, Bumer. Let’s talk outside first.”

‘Ignorant fool!’

To talk about beating someone up openly in the indoor training facility. This guy had no sense.

Even though he was Class F’s top student and a promising talent who competed for 2nd and 3rd place with Teoro among second-years, he was too fearless.

‘Well, that’s why I’m asking Bumer Simpson for help. Guy’s like an ogre.’

It was fortunate that they had some friendship.

Large Boy, who had badmouthed Bumer Simpson inwardly, brought up the topic with a smiling face.

“You know Lumian, right? The scrawny guy who always walked around with his head down.”

“Huh? Lumian? So… ah, I know him. Isn’t he your lackey?”

“Lackey, what. He’s not even worth that much.”

“But why him? Did he snitch to a professor or something?”

“He did snitch. But not to a professor… he attached himself to Teoro.”

“What?”

Bumer Simpson’s expression twisted sharply.

His already ugly face became even uglier. Large Boy took half a step back and continued speaking.

“You know that guy’s personality is nasty. Annoying. But he stubbornly clung to him anyway. I was wondering what he was saying while sucking up, and I caught a bit of it – that bastard Lumian was badmouthing you to Teoro.”

“What! Those bastards were talking shit about me!”

Hot steam hissed out of Bumer Simpson’s nose. Large Boy made a pitying expression while laughing inwardly.

This guy extremely hated Teoro.

The reasons were that they were rivals competing for second place in their year, that Teoro was a pretty boy unlike himself, and because of that, he monopolized female cheers during inter-class competitions.

That’s why he got excited just hearing Teoro’s name. Before even hearing the reason, he exploded like a volcano about to erupt.

‘With this much, that bastard Lumian won’t even be able to pick up his bones.’

Probably Teoro would get caught in the crossfire too, but that didn’t matter. Bumer and Teoro fighting wasn’t a one or two-day thing anyway.

He’d be satisfied as long as Lumian’s back got broken in that whale fight. Large Boy’s inner smile grew bigger.

“That gigolo bastard Teoro, how dare he enjoy talking behind my back? This won’t do. This time I need to show him a proper bitter taste.”

“Huh?”

“That bastard, he’s going out this weekend, right?”

“Huh? Uh… probably. I heard that.”

But the situation became strange.

To be precise, it became much bigger than Large Boy had thought. Bumer Simpson continued speaking with an expression of unbearable anger.

“I need to properly mess him up outside. Outside there are many places to avoid eyes, so even if I beat him to death, there won’t be anyone to stop me.”

“Uh, huh?”

“Find out when that Lumian bastard goes out too. After Teoro, it’s that bastard’s turn.”

“Right…”

“And first, you get an outing pass for this weekend too. Your lackeys as well.”

“Yeah, huh?”

Large Boy made a flustered sound. Bumer Simpson asked him as if wondering why he was acting that way.

“Of course you have to keep watch. What, don’t tell me…”

“No, no! Of course I have to help. We’re taking down that annoying Teoro and that bastard Lumian.”

“That’s right.”

Bumer grinned wickedly.

It was like a threat saying he’d smash his skull right now if he didn’t listen. Large Boy smiled awkwardly.

“Haha…”

‘Shit, how big is he planning to go! Is he even thinking about the aftermath?’

He couldn’t tell.

All he could do was pray inwardly that he wouldn’t get caught in too much trouble.

* * *

“Hello, friend! My name is Adel Friedman. I’m not a knight cadet, I’m in humanities.”

“Ah, hello. I’m Lumian Calard. I’m in the same class as Teoro Shutgarn.”

When the weekend came and Lumian went outside the Academy, Teoro introduced him to a new person.

He seemed to be a friend Teoro hung out with whenever going to balls, but unlike Teoro, he felt like someone with a lot of enthusiasm. He also had a slightly sleazy side.

‘Somehow this guy seems like he’d have a lot of chest hair.’

While making completely baseless speculation, Adel looked at Teoro and Lumian curiously and said.

“It’s amazing that this taciturn guy has another friend besides me. Even I wouldn’t have been able to talk to him if it weren’t for our parents. His expression is scary.”

“Haha, well…”

“Stop the useless talk and let’s go look at clothes. Lumian, you brought enough money, right?”

“Of course. Shall we go over there?”

“Mm.”

“Wow, that place…”

A white building decorated with fancy ornaments. There were even magical devices here and there.

You could tell at a glance it was an expensive place. Teoro’s friend, Adel, said.

“Will it be okay, friend? This place is really expensive.”

“Still, since it’s my first time going, I think it’d be better to dress well.”

“Well, that’s not wrong thinking, but…”

“I really have enough money, so don’t worry.”

“Welcome, customers. What are you looking for?”

“Ah, I’m going to the ballroom for the first time, so I want to look at clothes, shoes, and gloves.”

“I see. Would you come this way?”

Lumian entered the building with a confident attitude, and Teoro and Adel exchanged glances.

They were slightly anxious, but what could they do when he said he was fine?

“Whew. Since we’re spending money anyway, we should at least help him pick out clothes that suit him.”

“Right.”

Teoro nodded.

There’s a misconception that people new to fashion often have – they think that wearing expensive clothes will automatically make them look stylish.

But this wasn’t true.

Body type, skin color, face size, harmony between clothes – there were far more important factors than price. Overlooking these could lead to spending enormous amounts of money only to become a laughingstock.

‘Since they’re high-end clothes, it won’t be a complete disaster, but…’

Still, it would be safer if he chose for him.

Teoro closed his eyes. It was to think about what style would suit Lumian.

Then, a bewildered voice flowed from Adel’s mouth.

“Friend, calm down!”

“Huh? Why?”

“You can’t just buy expensive clothes without thinking! You have to try them on first!”

“But I already bought it?”

‘What? He already bought it?’

Teoro’s eyes widened. It was rare for him, who didn’t show much expression change, to react this much.

He quickly approached the two and sighed. Then he looked at Lumian and spoke as if scolding him.

“Lumian.”

“Yeah.”

“These aren’t clothes that cost just a few coins – you should at least try them on once before buying.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

“Of course. The size might not fit, or it might not suit you. You should try on several clothes that seem okay and buy the best one.”

Teoro sighed once more. Then he glanced at the clothes.

Fortunately, it didn’t feel bad. It was the latest trendy design. The colors were a bit flashy so it would be selective about who could wear it, but it seemed like it would suit Lumian reasonably well.

But that didn’t mean it wasn’t a mistake.

Teoro hoped Lumian would acknowledge his error.

However, something completely unexpected came from his mouth.

“I don’t think there’s any need to try on this and that? How bothersome.”

“Hm?”

“I checked all the clothes available while coming in, and I eyeballed the size too. This fits my body perfectly.”

“…You looked at all the clothes?”

Teoro, Adel, and the employee all had blank expressions.

There were over hundreds of men’s clothes here, and he checked them all in this short time.

Honestly, it was unbelievable.

But Lumian didn’t look like he was lying at all.

“I wouldn’t know about sword training or physical conditioning, but I have a bit of trouble with the inconvenience of putting on and taking off clothes… Ah, but sorry. Regardless of size, my eye for clothes might be terrible. I should have asked you before buying. I did have a few other things I liked though.”

“…What are they. Tell me.”

Teoro asked, and Lumian moved.

As if his words about checking all the clothes in the store weren’t false, his steps were confident.

Lumian quickly moved around the interior, selected 4 more outfits, then said to Teoro.

“How about it? Are they okay? I picked them thinking they’d suit me reasonably well.”

“…”

Not bad.

Honestly speaking, it was excellent. Teoro had pride in his own eye for fashion, but Lumian’s choices were flawless.

Just in case, he had Lumian put on the clothes he purchased, and they suited him better than expected.

They were even better than the other four outfits he had chosen.

It was as if the clothes were made specifically for Lumian’s existence.

“Wow, that’s amazing? You have an excellent eye for clothes? Are you really going to a ball for the first time?”

“Hmm, it’s my first time.”

“Wow. You have a natural talent for fashion. No matter how much you teach them, people who can’t dress well just can’t.”

Teoro also nodded in agreement.

He praised Lumian with an expression that showed he saw him in a new light.

“You didn’t waste your money. You might even do better than me at the ball?”

“It’s nothing much.”

“You always wear only student uniforms, so I thought you had no interest in dressing up, but I was thinking wrong. Sorry for misunderstanding.”

“No, well…”

Lumian smiled as if embarrassed.

This was Lumian’s first time in his current life, but when he was Ryan Fromhart, he had participated in various balls. It was natural since he was a Guard Knight for royalty.

He just couldn’t think about wooing women because he lacked the equipment, but having seen the fashion of countless men, he had developed his eye for clothes.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————