The Failed Swordmaster - Chapter 33

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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 33 16. That Wasn’t My Full Power.

The semifinals of the Swordsmanship Festival were held at a different location.

Since high-ranking officials would be observing and many more civilians would come to watch, the original venue couldn’t handle the capacity.

The new arena had a wider stage and more audience seating. Magic projection was also planned to support those in distant seats so they could watch the matches more vividly.

In fact, there was no intention to make such a large investment for a Swordsmanship Festival targeting only 1st and 2nd years.

However, since the level of participants who made it to the top 4 was so high, this decision was made to widely promote the Tarasan Academy Knight Department.

Moreover.

“Hmm, it’s been a while since I’ve watched matches of cadets who aren’t even formal knights yet…”

“Haha, you certainly won’t be disappointed.”

Even Sir Bucal, a high-ranking knight from Jenas, which could be called the strongest nation on the continent, was observing.

There was no reason not to pay attention. The Department Head continued speaking with a smile across his face.

“Though they’re just children, their level is quite high. Today we have 2 semifinal matches, and tomorrow we’ll have the 3rd place match and the finals…”

“Tomorrow is fine. I’m a bit tired to observe consecutively…”

Sir Bucal said while slightly shaking his head.

Anyway, with 2 semifinal matches, he could see all four participants’ skills, so he thought there was no need to come out here tomorrow as well.

In fact, he didn’t particularly want to come out today either. It was just that his schedule happened to align, and it wouldn’t be polite to flatly refuse the Department Head’s request, so he came.

He looked down at the stage with a tired expression.

‘Even if there are talents in a small country like Tarasan…’

They would fall far short compared to Jenas’s prospective knights.

Of course, he didn’t voice that thought.

He just smiled awkwardly and exchanged trivial conversation with the Department Head.

* * *

‘I am.’

Teoro Shutgarn warmed up his body. While doing so, he looked toward his opponent, Cal Krone.

He still had a relaxed expression. Relaxed enough to occasionally send eye smiles to the female fans casting glances toward the waiting area. That attitude was displeasing, but his current self wasn’t qualified to say such things.

‘I wonder, how close have I gotten to Cal Krone.’

It was unknowable. Cal Krone hadn’t shown his true skills throughout the previous matches.

Of course, the same was true for himself, but that absolutely didn’t mean their skills were equal.

Sweat seeped from his hands.

His chest felt tight from tension.

‘…Lumian doesn’t look comfortable either.’

That guy was probably also nervous about Cal Krone’s skills.

It was completely understandable. Both were monsters, but still, the weight had to lean slightly toward Cal Krone for now.

‘No, don’t get weak already.’

Teoro slowly closed his eyes.

He had changed. He was different even from right after learning the unique aura utilization method from Lumian. His skills that had grown through sparring with Bumer were sufficient to take pride in.

‘Even if I can’t win, let me at least grab his ankle.’

“Cal Krone, Teoro Shutgarn. To the stage!”

Flash, Teoro opened his eyes. His complicated feelings settled and composure came.

Cal Krone stepped onto the stage first, and Teoro followed behind him. In a state as calm as the surface of a windless lake.

Cal Krone didn’t like that.

So he threw a stone. To create ripples.

“You seem confident? You’re different from usual?”

“The audience can hear voices because of the magic projection.”

“Oh, really? But why does that matter?”

“It means stop talking nonsense and draw your sword.”

Teoro shot back coldly. Cal Krone made a surprised “oh” expression and whistled.

That was the end. The two no longer spoke any words.

The referee asked the two who were just glaring at each other intently.

“Ready?”

“Yes.”

“Yes.”

“Good. Match start!”

Swoosh!

As soon as the referee finished speaking, Teoro rushed forward. The eyes of the spectators watching the match widened.

For Teoro, who had always shown a calm demeanor and fought focusing on defense, evasion, and counterattacks rather than offense, to charge first. It didn’t suit him. Some thought he couldn’t withstand Cal Krone’s pressure and was making a desperate move.

However, that was a mistaken thought.

Teoro wasn’t being reckless. He wasn’t acting out of character either.

He was simply showing the cards he had kept hidden until now.

His form had somehow gotten close to his opponent.

Cal Krone aimed for the middle section and thrust his sword.

Swish-

A thrust so smooth that even the sound of wind couldn’t be heard. It was a well-timed attack that would skewer most people who couldn’t overcome their momentum.

However, Teoro was no ordinary talent. Smoothly, he rotated as fluidly as water flowing along the ground and took Cal Krone’s left side.

Cal Krone, slightly impressed, moved his sword. It was futile. Teoro continuously evaded his attacks and finally obtained the proper timing to attack.

Sword strikes poured down like fire bursting forth.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

Once, twice, three times! Powerful attacks never seen before exploded from Teoro. Sword clashed with sword, and the spectators made surprised expressions.

His rough and fast pressure on his opponent seemed like watching Bumer Simpson.

Someone muttered.

“It’s like flames exploding in succession.”

Cal Krone didn’t agree.

His movements were still like water. His motions flowed so smoothly that no gaps were visible, and it was difficult to land effective hits.

However, if there was one difference from before, it was that he was applying water’s properties to offense as well, not just defense.

‘Like a waterfall.’

Heavy and fierce attacks continuously pouring from top to bottom!

That’s right. This was definitely not fire.

Teoro had created another weapon while not losing his own style and embracing all his existing advantages. It was amazing. A faint smile began to appear on Cal Krone’s face.

‘This is interesting?’

He was definitely different from last year’s Teoro. The pressure felt when sword clashed with sword, and the feel of cutting through empty air were very fresh.

Cal Krone exchanged dozens of moves while caught up in this fresh shock. It was the first time a fight with a classmate had been this enjoyable.

But that thought didn’t last very long.

When the 99th sword clashed, Cal Krone’s expression returned to normal again.

Now he was bored.

He thought with eyes that had grown coldly indifferent.

‘Still, it was pretty good.’

He hadn’t expected to feel this much fun in a Swordsmanship Festival where 3rd and 4th years weren’t participating. Therefore, he was grateful to Teoro. Enough that he wanted to hug him after the match if possible.

But now he had enjoyed enough. To keep chewing the same food any longer, the taste was starting to become tiresome.

Fortunately, the meal wasn’t over. Tomorrow’s match with Bumer remained. Since Teoro had shown a side that exceeded his expectations, that guy would surely entertain him as well.

‘So, let’s end this now.’

Cal Krone glanced at the audience seating.

He saw countless fans worrying about him.

He liked it. Having many people absorbed in him was a very pleasant thing.

It was partly because of them that he had matched moves with Teoro.

The direction of dramatically reviving from a crisis situation was a typical cliché, but it works well for that very reason.

Having finished his thoughts, Cal Krone smoothly drew up his aura.

At the same time, a mysterious energy completely different from aura also flowed throughout his entire body. It felt like an enchanting fragrance was being layered on.

Whoosh!

Teoro’s sword cut through the air.

It wasn’t anything special. A waterfall continues to flow. If you don’t hit, just swing once more, twice more. That’s all. Teoro thought so.

However, the situation gradually began to flow differently from his thoughts.

Cal Krone, who had been desperately blocking, stopped defending at some point. Sword didn’t clash with sword. He began to evade all of Teoro’s attacks using only evasion.

It was so leisurely, like flowing along a river. Teoro could no longer keep up with his opponent’s movements.

“Grgh!”

The frustrating situation was expressed through a groan. Of course, he hadn’t given up.

More roughly, more quickly! Teoro struggled desperately to catch Cal Krone who was swaying here and there. He didn’t care that his Aura was running out or that his muscles were screaming. A fighting spirit close to killing intent could be felt in his eyes.

But it was futile.

The river had dried up. The stream had grown thin.

A single flower petal rode up the greatly weakened waterfall. That petal, which hadn’t received even a single wound, instead left traces on the waterfall with its own rich fragrance.

Swish, slash!

Two sword strikes split the front of Teoro’s clothes.

Though it was merely a graze, everyone knew. That it was due to Cal Krone’s mercy.

The referee’s shout echoed throughout the entire arena.

“Match over! 2nd year Class A Cal Krone, victory!”

“Kyaaaaaaah!”

“Cal Krone! Cal Krone!”

“As expected! I believed in you!”

The women who saw Cal Krone’s victory confirmed cheered for Cal Krone in high voices.

Teoro was also popular with women due to his handsome appearance, but he couldn’t surpass Cal Krone’s stronghold. No women paid attention to him in his defeat.

Of course, Teoro didn’t care about such things at all.

He was just annoyed by Cal Krone, who was still in a distant place, and by himself who was only at this level.

He said.

“You were hiding much more strength than I thought…”

“You too. Whew.”

Cal Krone playfully exhaled and added a comment.

“Don’t be too disappointed. Among recent opponents, you were the most interesting.”

* * *

‘That guy must be quite heartbroken.’

Lumian looked at the stage with a serious face.

Teoro was always expressionless. It was the same now. No particular emotion was showing on his face.

But Lumian, who had been by that guy’s side for quite a long time, could tell. That his mental state was very poor.

“Hmm, Cal Krone… he really is strong, huh?”

“…”

“Well, it’s not like that guy being strong is news. I just need to do well myself. Friend, you’ll help me, right?”

“I got it, so be quiet.”

Lumian scolded Bumer. His expression remained stiffly hardened.

But actually, his discomfort wasn’t because of Teoro.

Lumian already knew. The fact that Teoro’s skills fell far short of Cal Krone’s. Though it was regrettable that he was defeated one-sidedly, since he had already expected it, there was no shock.

What was unexpected wasn’t the match’s outcome or Cal Krone’s skills.

Lumian squeezed his eyes shut and thought.

‘I kept feeling uneasy…’

Sadly, what Cal Krone had been hiding wasn’t just his skills.

Lumian could feel it. The longer the match continued, the more people’s attention focused… the stronger the aura surrounding Cal Krone became.

It peaked when he slashed Teoro’s chest.

At that moment, he was emitting an ecstatic floral fragrance that was, with a bit of exaggeration, like a drug.

Cal Krone’s terrifying attention-seeking power that even overwhelmed Teoro’s sculpture-like appearance.

Lumian, who witnessed this, made an endlessly sad expression.

‘That bastard… wasn’t going full power until now!’

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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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