The Failed Swordmaster - Chapter 29

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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 29 14. Greatest Talent of All Time (1)

The 2nd year knight cadets who heard news of the Swordsmanship Festival couldn’t hide their excitement.

These were cadets who had watched their graduating seniors’ performances last year, thinking that someday they too would have their chance to show off their skills on that stage. However, there were also a few who wore dejected expressions, thinking it was still too far in the future.

But the opportunity came much earlier than expected.

And with the burdensome competitors of 3rd and 4th years excluded!

“They said they’re selecting 32 people including 1st years, right?”

“I wonder if I can barely make it in…”

“I heard that from the quarterfinals onward, veteran knights from the Royal Knight Order will observe… If I make an impression there, wouldn’t it be advantageous later?”

“Just getting on stage wouldn’t be bad.”

“Alright! Special training starts today!”

Usually everyone becomes lazy right after midterm evaluations, but this time was different. The 2nd years entered intense training to prepare for the approaching Swordsmanship Festival. The top-tier 1st years also did their best to grasp this slim opportunity.

And among them, those who pushed themselves most harshly were.

“Huff, haa.”

“Huuu…”

None other than Teoro Shutgarn and Bumer Simpson.

“Crazy, those are 2nd years?”

“I’d believe it if you said they were graduating seniors.”

The monsters became even more monstrous.”

“Sigh, if I unluckily face those guys from the start…”

The 2nd year cadets watching their sparring let out deep sighs.

The 1st years couldn’t even close their mouths. They were shocked by skills that were on a completely different level from theirs.

Both Bumer, who poured out powerful attacks like a raging firestorm, and Teoro, who dodged and blocked everything while showing fluid movements like water, were all terrifying beings.

Moreover, they weren’t the end.

The unshakeable 1st place Cal Krone.

And even Lumian Calard, who had recently emerged as a new powerhouse, so making it to the top 4 would undoubtedly be harder than threading a needle.

And the cadets split into two groups.

‘This won’t work. Rather than go out and just embarrass myself, I should just lay low.’

‘Even if I participate, I won’t make it to the top ranks anyway, so let’s just give up.’

People who realized their limits early and gave up.

‘…Still, let’s try. Even if it’s impossible right now, I’ll gain something by clashing with them.’

‘Lumian did it too. What’s stopping me? If I work hard, results will follow someday!’

People who burned with even more determination to overcome their limits.

In the latter case, the proportion of 2nd Year Class E and Class B cadets was overwhelmingly high.

The effort that he, who had never missed being last place until last year, had shown this semester, and the sweet results that came from it.

That had provided great motivation to them.

Of course, there were also those who envied him for suddenly rising to the upper ranks.

“Lumian Calard? Didn’t he just get lucky somehow?”

“I heard there were rumors he bribed a professor.”

“I don’t know. I won’t believe it until I see it with my own eyes. Not just anyone, but Lumian… what nonsense.”

There were those who didn’t believe in Lumian’s growth at all, and those who believed but pretended not to and spoke ill of him. Among the 1st years, there were still some who hadn’t heard the rumors.

Watching this chaotic situation, Bumer and Teoro chuckled.

“They’ll be shocked when the Swordsmanship Festival starts.”

“Well, probably. It’s hard to believe without seeing it directly.”

“Honestly, I still can’t believe it. How can someone get that strong so quickly? Does it make sense to awaken like that all at once?”

“…I don’t know either.”

Teoro muttered as if annoyed.

Unlike the simple-minded Bumer, he didn’t forget past events so easily.

The fact that the guy who had even tried to secretly attack him was now acting so friendly was more absurd than Lumian’s awakening.

If he weren’t a useful sparring partner, he wouldn’t even respond to his words.

In fact, even now he was only half-listening.

He suddenly brought up a different topic.

“But what’s Lumian doing? Is he still in the dormitory?”

“Seems like it? He hasn’t been coming to the training grounds much lately.”

“Hmm. That’s not like him…”

Lumian used to practically live at the Training Grounds to catch women’s attention and to imprint his diligence on them.

Since that guy was suddenly not showing himself, they couldn’t help but find it strange.

However, Bumer’s thoughts were different.

As if he understood something, he spoke with a sinister smile.

“Hehehe, no wonder he’s not coming out.”

“Why.”

“The gift I gave him must have really pleased him. Seeing how he won’t even think of leaving the dormitory.”

“…”

“From now on, he’ll pay more attention to me than to you, right? Don’t be too disappointed. I made this decision after accepting considerable losses myself…”

“Just shut up. Pick up your sword.”

Teoro wiped his sweat with a towel and picked up his sword.

Rather than continue talking with this guy, sparring until exhaustion seemed much better.

* * *

As Bumer expected, Lumian was indeed in his dormitory.

But he wasn’t looking at lewd books.

Sitting cross-legged on the floor, he had entered Aura training.

Wooooong!

The atmospheric mana was sucked into his body at high speed. This was quickly converted to Aura under Lumian’s guidance and accumulated steadily in his core.

With his eyes closed, immersed in his inner world, he now looked more like the old knight from his previous life than a young man.

‘Everyone is working hard. Much harder than I thought.’

This was a peaceful world. It had been over 10 years since the Demon King of the Demon King’s Castle was defeated, and most of his subordinate demons and demon people had also been defeated.

Therefore, he thought the young people of today wouldn’t have the passion or skills of the past.

Sharpening oneself without great trials and motivation was never an easy task.

But that was a misconception.

Watching the Academy cadets full of enthusiasm for the Swordsmanship Festival, Lumian realized his thoughts were nothing but unnecessary worry.

‘They’re not lacking compared to 10 years ago. Both their passion and skills are excellent. Considering this is a small kingdom, it feels even more impressive.’

It was a welcome thing.

He didn’t know exactly what driving force moved them.

It could be worldly things like honor or ambition for advancement, or grand ideals like the kingdom’s peace and the people’s happiness.

Whatever it was didn’t matter. As long as it wasn’t malicious intent, it was fine.

The more earnestly they built up their strength, the weaker the invasion will of the demon kings underground would become. The continent would become safer from the still unexterminated demon remnants, bandit groups, and monsters.

‘To protect oneself, family, country, continent, and future, the foundation is military power… not bad.’

Lumian smiled slightly.

Seeing his juniors who continued to strive and strive again, his own motivation surged as well.

Though he had an aged soul, entering this young and fresh body felt like new sparks were igniting.

This caused side effects like his personality becoming light and frivolous, but at least not now. He focused on Aura training while possessing both youthful passion and elderly wisdom.

Continuously, endlessly.

Wooooooong-!

An even greater vibration arose from Lumian’s body as he fell into a trance. Accordingly, the atmosphere felt from his body gradually changed.

It wasn’t a major change.

Just like a few sprouts growing through a solid, massive rock. Even Lumian himself didn’t notice this change.

But regardless of awareness, the sprouts continued to grow, gradually covering the barren surface of the rock.

* * *

Time passed and finally the day of the Swordsmanship Festival dawned.

The participants, consisting of 7 first years and 25 second years, were composing themselves in the waiting room, anticipating the matches that would soon unfold.

Their expressions were varied.

Those matched against strong opponents were desperately racking their brains to somehow increase their chances of victory, while those who drew relatively easy opponents waited comfortably for the opening with peace of mind.

Teoro and Bumer belonged to the latter group.

Especially in Bumer’s case, he was extremely excited at the thought of taking charge of the opening match.

No match drew as much attention from the audience as the first one.

While some cadets disliked this due to excessive pressure, Bumer was an exception.

It was because he had confidence.

“Hehehehe. Time to properly show off my skills!”

“Damn it.”

Lumian, who had been watching the excited Bumer, muttered a curse under his breath.

He too had confidence. Confidence that he could put on a more spectacular opening match than anyone.

But that spot had gone to Bumer. The match assigned to him was in an awkward mid-to-late position.

Lumian closed his eyes and let out an angry snort.

‘Nothing’s been going right since the preliminaries.’

In fact, he hadn’t even participated in the preliminaries. All second-year cadets who ranked in the top 8 in swordsmanship evaluation received seeds and went straight to the tournament stage.

However, for Lumian, that was the problem.

He had planned to make a stunning appearance from the preliminaries onwards, dramatically boosting his recognition, but that had all gone to waste.

“Hehehe, hurry up and start. Hurry, hurry!”

“…Keep it down. Before I crush you in the semifinals.”

“…”

Scolding the overly excited Bumer, Lumian looked toward the waiting room entrance with a displeased expression.

Just then, someone burst through the door and appeared.

Tarasan Academy’s greatest talent of all time, Cal Krone.

He had finally shown himself.

“…”

“…”

The waiting room instantly fell silent.

There wasn’t a single second-year or first-year who didn’t know him.

Dozens of pairs of eyes filled with various emotions—irritation, envy, anxiety, admiration—fixed on Cal Krone. It was such intense attention that most people would have flinched.

However, Cal Krone simply let out a small laugh to acknowledge everyone’s attention. Then, as if nothing had happened, he found an empty seat and sat down.

Watching the confident expression of the guy running his fingers through his brilliant blonde hair, Lumian thought.

‘He’s not that special, is he?’

Of course, he was decent enough.

Tall stature, neat appearance, confident atmosphere. He seemed to have all the elements that would make him popular with women.

It was somewhat interesting how he managed to focus attention just by appearing, just by showing a slight smile.

But that alone didn’t explain the fanatic fans he had met at the restaurant before. Honestly speaking, he didn’t feel that level of charm.

‘Teoro seems better actually…’

“Hmm.”

He didn’t know. Maybe there was something that men couldn’t see.

Lumian soon lost interest.

It wasn’t a match scene, and he had no intention of obsessively observing some guy just sitting there.

The moment he turned his head to scold Bumer again.

A mysterious aura flowed out from Cal Krone’s body.

Whoooosh—

Energy that instantly spread throughout the entire waiting room.

It was like an assassin moving through darkness and seeping behind one’s back. The participants exposed to that secretive aura each showed different reactions.

The first group felt nothing at all.

Even though an assassin’s blade was moving back and forth under their chins. For them, the same world continued to flow as before.

The second group was slightly different. They couldn’t hide their discomfort, as if a blade had touched their backs.

The skilled fighters who had advanced directly to the main tournament belonged to this group. They had stiffened their expressions in the suddenly changed atmosphere.

“…”

“That bastard…”

Teoro and Bumer were different from them as well. The moment they were exposed to the energy, both drew up their aura to heighten their senses and accurately identified who was behind the mischief.

Cal Krone smiled slyly as he received their sharp gazes.

“It’s true. The rumors about your skills improving a lot were real.”

“…”

“Starting trouble from the beginning?”

Teoro turned his head with an unpleasant expression, while Bumer continued to glare at Cal Krone.

In the suddenly tense atmosphere, the participants’ gazes focused on the two.

Cal Krone offered an awkward apology.

“Sorry. I thought you wouldn’t notice.”

“That guy really…”

“Stop it. Before you get disqualified.”

“…Tch.”

At Teoro’s restraint, Bumer turned away with a displeased face.

Seeing this, Cal Krone showed a surprised expression once again.

To think that the relationship between these two, whom he thought were bitter enemies, had improved this much.

‘Did their rivalry have a good effect?’

It wasn’t certain, but it probably seemed like that.

He let out a small laugh while looking at the back of Bumer’s head.

It seemed like the tournament would be more interesting than he had thought.

‘Though there seems to be one exaggerated rumor mixed in.’

Cal Krone’s gaze now turned toward Lumian Calard.

Unlike the other participants who were murmuring in confusion, his calm appearance with closed eyes seemed peculiar.

Indeed, several participants were looking at him with curious eyes for maintaining his composure even in this confusing situation.

But to Cal Krone, it only looked ridiculous.

If he had felt his energy, he could never show such an appearance.

He would have shown a startled expression like Teoro or Bumer, then glared at him. Even if not that, he would have reacted in some way.

‘Teoro in the semifinals, Bumer in the finals… Same as usual. I just need to worry about these two.’

Having finished his thoughts, Cal Krone crossed his arms and quietly closed his eyes.

It was a posture similar to Lumian’s. An attitude that showed no concern for the people still stirring around him.

And then.

A stream of aura flowed out from Lumian’s body, who had been quiet until now.

It was energy ten times more secretive than Cal Krone’s.

Swooosh—

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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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