The Failed Swordmaster - Chapter 34

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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 34 17. Beyond Expectations (1)

“How is it? Quite impressive, wouldn’t you say?”

“…Indeed it is. Excellent.”

Sir Bucal, a high-ranking knight of Jenas, nodded his head.

He was usually blunt and unadorned in his speech. His word “excellent” was sincere, not mere flattery.

He spoke with admiration.

“Both are on par with Jenas’s knight cadets. Especially that blonde boy is quite coveted.”

“Hahaha, I could grant any other request, but that one is impossible. Cal Krone will become Tarasan’s greatest knight someday.”

The Knight Department Head spoke without hiding his proud expression.

Surely the great nation of Jenas wouldn’t try to poach talent from a small country. Considering diplomatic issues, it was absolutely impossible. So his words could be taken purely as praise.

My word, a high-ranking knight of Jenas praising their own nation’s cadets!

‘Not only Cal Krone, but Teoro did well too!’

Cal Krone’s success was expected. He was the Academy’s acknowledged strongest swordsman.

But he never dreamed Teoro would show such skill. Perhaps he had some enlightenment right before the Swordsmanship Festival began.

It was good news. If the Academy’s prestige rose from this incident, trust from above would deepen as well.

The Department Head, still smiling, spoke to Sir Bucal.

“Though not quite at this level, the next match should be worth watching as well.”

“Is that so? Are there more talents of their caliber?”

“Yes. There’s a boy named Bumer Simpson with quite outstanding skills… I think you can look forward to it.”

“Understood. I’ll keep an eye on him.”

Sir Bucal nodded and turned his gaze to the stage.

He didn’t bother asking about the other one. If it wasn’t mentioned, the reason was obvious. It meant the skill wasn’t worth his interest.

Of course, he wasn’t disappointed. No, rather he was satisfied.

Two alone were impressive enough, and there was one more talent. It was hard to believe for a small nation’s academy.

Sir Bucal cracked his neck with a popping sound and smiled slightly.

What had been an utterly bothersome schedule now felt more interesting than anything.

* * *

“Don’t be too careless.”

“Hm?”

From behind Cal Krone as he descended the stage first, Teoro’s voice could be heard.

He glanced up at the air.

Since the match had ended, the magical projection was turned off.

He asked more comfortably.

“What are you talking about now. You don’t think Bumer will beat me, do you?”

“Are you crazy? That bastard is below me. Until now, now, and in the future.”

“Then what?”

Cal Krone looked at Teoro with an expression of complete bewilderment.

Seeing that, Teoro let out a snicker. Then he glanced toward the waiting area.

Following his gaze, Cal Krone made a ‘no way?’ expression. He burst into laughter as if absurd and said.

“You’re joking, right?”

“I’m not joking.”

“You were talking about Lumian? How disappointing, your skills improved but your eye got terrible.”

“You’re the one. Your skills might be great, but your eye is lacking. Don’t let your guard down and get surprised in the finals, listen carefully. Don’t think too lightly of Lumian.”

“Hah…”

Cal Krone remained the same. An expression of ridicule.

Teoro said nothing more and descended the stage before him. With an expressionless face, he thought.

‘What a pathetic sight I’ve become.’

Not with his own skills, but bragging with someone else’s abilities. No, it wasn’t bragging at all, but the very fact that he borrowed someone else’s strength to deliver a jab was eating away at his pride.

But even accepting that, he wanted to see it.

That guy’s nose being smashed. The genius who maintained first place being tripped up by the perpetual last place.

Before sitting in the waiting area, Teoro looked at Lumian’s face once more.

Still a serious expression. That guy too seemed shocked by Cal Krone’s hidden abilities.

‘It’s okay. You can do it.’

Teoro had felt as much frustration with Lumian as the despair he felt toward Cal Krone. Though it wouldn’t be easy, he thought there wasn’t zero possibility of Lumian winning.

‘Of course, only this time. From next time…’

I’ll break both of you with my own hands.

Teoro quietly steeled his resolve and closed his eyes tightly.

Behind him, Bumer whispered quietly to Lumian.

“Lumian, Lumian.”

“Ah, what.”

“You remember, right? You need to go easy on me appropriately. Give me enough time to show off a bit. Got it?”

“I told you I got it how many times, man.”

At Lumian’s prickly response, Bumer pouted.

Actually, he had no intention of beating Lumian in this match. Honestly, he lacked confidence.

So he had been making requests since before entering the arena. To match his pace enough for him to show off his skills properly.

‘If I perform well fighting Lumian, and Lumian beats or matches Cal Krone, my evaluation will improve greatly!’

Fortunately, Lumian wasn’t a stubborn guy. Bumer had promised him two adult magazines for readily agreeing.

But this guy was acting strange.

From the moment he watched Teoro and Cal Krone’s match, his expression had been poor like a puppy needing to poop, and now he was even being irritable with him. His mood soured as well.

‘Ah, surely not. He wouldn’t break his promise, would he?’

He wouldn’t. Though he was originally prickly toward him, he wasn’t the type to break promises.

Especially with adult magazines at stake. Bumer sniffled and dismissed the useless thoughts.

“Next! Bumer Simpson, Lumian Calard. To the stage!”

“Alright, shall we go!”

“…”

The two whose names were called headed to the stage. Bumer Simpson looked energetic, while Lumian Calard seemed somehow deflated.

Of course, even amid this, his image projection through aura continued to be maintained. Several women called out encouragement to him.

“Lumian Calard! I believe you’ll win!”

“Please beat down that brutish bandit!”

Then some vitality returned to Lumian’s expression.

He concentrated a bit more. Then the image he wanted to express emanated even stronger.

If his first round self was a single wildflower, his current self was intense enough to be called a wreath woven from wildflowers. It was thanks to diligently building aura and practicing during the Swordsmanship Festival period.

Moreover, since his opponent was Bumer, notorious for being unpopular with women, all the ladies’ cheers belonged to Lumian. His face brightened further.

But only briefly.

Thinking of tomorrow’s finals, he lost energy again.

Lumian’s shoulders drooped as he glanced toward Cal Krone and thought.

‘If I face that guy tomorrow, I’ll be reduced to a similar state as Bumer.’

Probably so.

No, it would be worse than that.

Just look at Teoro.

By his cold analytical ability, currently Teoro’s visual appeal and his own aura image could earn similar levels of favor from women. Having observed female audience reactions throughout the Swordsmanship Festival, the margin of error wouldn’t be large.

Yet Teoro, who had similar strength to himself, was completely defeated by Cal Krone. He was miserably crushed in the popularity battle.

Even when Teoro went on the offensive, curses spilled from some ladies’ mouths.

That felt more terrifying to Lumian than a large magical beast’s acidic saliva.

“Are you both ready?”

“Yes!”

“Yes? Ah, yes!”

While lost in thought, the match had approached right before him.

However, Lumian still couldn’t pull himself together.

What was his reason for participating in the Swordsmanship Festival?

It was precisely to gain popularity with women. His goal was to have easier romantic relationships through high recognition, to make more beautiful and charming women show interest in him.

Winning the Swordsmanship Festival itself wasn’t his real objective.

Even if he defeated Cal Krone and won, if he received criticism instead of cheers from women, it would be worse than not participating at all.

‘Hmm, is it okay to start? It should be fine, right?’

Of course, whether Lumian was having such concerns or not, time flowed on. The referee looked at both participants and nodded.

Though Lumian Calard looked somewhat absent-minded, they couldn’t delay the proceedings. Having already received answers from both sides, showing too much consideration for one party’s circumstances would be unfair.

The referee who had made his decision raised his hand high. Bringing down his right arm forcefully, he shouted in a booming voice.

“Match begin!”

“Uryaaaaaaah!”

The moment it started, Bumer charged at Lumian.

His large frame rushing forward created tremendous pressure. Even the distant spectators were startled by his presence, so it was impossible to imagine what feelings Lumian, with his relatively small build, might experience.

Of course, the spectators’ worries were groundless.

Lumian was still not paying attention to Bumer, lost in his own concerns.

Bumer unleashed a powerful attack at such a distracted opponent. It was a brutal vertical slash that seemed to tear through space itself.

Whoooooong!

Lumian stepped back with one foot and twisted his body. That light movement alone achieved perfect evasion.

But that wasn’t the end of Bumer’s attack.

As if he had just gotten warmed up, he swung his greatsword even faster and stronger.

Whoong!

Whong!

Whiooong!

Merciless attacks filled with the determination to crush his opponent!

The spectators held their breath as they watched the stage and magical projection. Bumer’s explosive power and increasing speed felt even more thrilling than Teoro’s performance.

But it was still a story from another world to Lumian.

He dodged Bumer’s attacks while still thinking with a gloomy expression.

Whong!

‘What should I do?’

Whoong!

‘How can I resist that guy?’

Whooong!

‘Should I show an incomplete Aura Sword? No, that alone won’t be enough!’

Lumian let out a “tsk” and groaned.

If he could activate his Aura Image while simultaneously drawing out an Aura Sword, then there would be a possibility. That much could compete with Cal Krone’s ridiculous attention-seeking power.

But that was impossible. With his woefully insufficient aura reserves, he had to give up one or the other. And that alone would never achieve what he desired.

Of course, the cadets and those knowledgeable in swordsmanship would be shocked just by him drawing an Aura Sword without an Aura Image, but…

Who cares about that?

The absolute majority of women wouldn’t react well!

Whooooong!

‘What do I do? What do I do?’

His worries wouldn’t stop. No matter how much he searched for a solution, only a hopeless future came to mind.

For the female fans who had already become Cal Krone’s captives, swordsmanship skill no longer mattered.

Even if he defeated that guy, it was obvious they would only send him cold stares. Like a third-rate villain who had defeated humanity’s savior, he could clearly see them pouring out all kinds of criticism and curses…

Whooooooong!

‘Wait, but what is this thing that keeps bothering me!’

Surge!

Something rose up from within Lumian.

He was having the worry of a lifetime that felt like it would make his hair fall out, yet some fly-like thing kept targeting him and buzzing around.

It was even hard to ignore. Getting hit would probably be quite shocking. That’s why he kept dodging, but now even that was annoying.

Wooong, a stream of aura rose from Lumian’s dantian. The rapidly shot aura followed the pathways in his body and reached Lumian’s right hand.

Clench! Tremendous strength dwelt in his hand gripping the sword.

Lumian released that power all at once. Along with his irritation.

And that was the end.

Kwaaaaang!

Whiiiiii…ing!

Clatter!

“Keuuk!”

“Ah, right.”

“…Ma, match over. 2nd Year Class E Lumian Calard, vi, victory.”

A sword that had flown outside the stage.

Bumer clutching the hand that had held his sword, looking at Lumian with an aggrieved expression.

And Lumian, who showed a slightly flustered expression before awkwardly scratching the back of his head.

All the spectators watching this were left speechless.

Most people couldn’t even understand the situation. Lumian’s sword had been far too fast for that.

Of course, even amid this, there were several who confirmed Lumian’s skill with accurate eyes.

Sir Bucal, a high-ranking knight of Jenas, and the Department Head of Tarasan Academy’s Knight Department.

And Cal Krone, the finalist who had ignored Lumian throughout the entire Swordsmanship Festival.

There were others as well, but their surprise was the greatest.

Cal Krone, who had been sitting in the waiting area, shot up from his seat.

‘What kind of nonsense is this!’

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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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