The Failed Swordmaster - Chapter 47
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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 47 22. Transcending Past Lives (1)
While training, Lumian suddenly shouted.
“Ah, I want to have sex!”
“Don’t say that so loud, you bastard!”
“Why are you getting worked up over a joke?”
“You crazy bastard, who makes jokes like that outside? Even street mercenaries wouldn’t talk like that.”
“There’s no one around right now.”
Lumian replied nonchalantly to Bumer’s scolding. Teoro shook his head and swung his sword.
But unlike usual, his movements lacked strength.
It couldn’t be helped. It was difficult to show the same passion right after final evaluations ended.
They were only training because they were at that level – right now, not even an ant was wandering around the public training grounds.
Everyone was probably holed up in their rooms sleeping or gathered in small groups having fun.
Lumian shouted once more.
“Aah, sex…”
“Was this guy a eunuch in his past life? Why does he keep going on about sex when he has no dating experience?”
Flinch.
Lumian flinched at Bumer’s words.
Killing intent emanated from his body. Bumer realized his mistake.
‘This guy is sensitive about this kind of thing.’
He didn’t know why, but Lumian was particularly sensitive to the word ‘eunuch.’
Wondering if he really was a eunuch, he had secretly peeked in the public bathroom once, but fortunately that wasn’t the case. In fact, he was bigger than himself, which made him feel a bit dejected.
Though he wasn’t tall, Lumian was well-endowed.
‘I need to change the subject quickly.’
Anyway, thinking it was dangerous to continue talking about eunuchs, he tried to change the topic, but Teoro, who had been silently swinging his sword, suddenly spoke up.
“What’s better, being a eunuch or missing an arm?”
“…”
Bumer looked at Teoro with a bewildered expression.
Then he nodded with an expression that said, ‘Well, I guess so.’
Though he always acted cold and chic, this guy was no different from them. He was the same man, the same student.
It wouldn’t be strange for him to make childish and meaningless jokes like this.
‘Ah, whatever.’
Bumer gave up on changing the subject. It was already too late.
After thinking for a moment, Bumer quietly muttered.
“Right arm? Left arm?”
“Either arm would be better than being a eunuch.”
Lumian said with a serious expression.
Bumer nodded in agreement.
“Well… being a eunuch is just not right.”
“Then what if you had to choose between someone with no arms and a eunuch?”
“…”
Why is this bastard being like this?
While Bumer stared at Teoro with a blank expression, an immediate answer flowed from Lumian’s mouth.
“Obviously having no arms is better.”
“Hmm. Really?”
“Of course. Even without arms, you can do most things with your legs.”
‘I forgot. This bastard is the crazier one.’
Bumer shook his head as he looked at Lumian.
No matter how crazy Teoro might be, he couldn’t match this guy.
But it didn’t end there.
Despite seeing Lumian’s serious expression, Teoro asked one more question.
“Then what about having two arms but missing one leg…”
“Even with no limbs and being bald, it’s better than being a eunuch.”
“…”
“Anyway, it’s better.”
Lumian spoke sadly as if he had actually experienced being a eunuch.
Seeing this, Bumer clicked his tongue, but Teoro’s reaction was different.
He clapped three times loudly and looked at Lumian as he spoke.
“Good. You need that kind of mindset. That’s how you properly have fun during vacation.”
“What? Do you have some plan?”
“Huh, what? What is it?”
As the topic suddenly seemed to change, Lumian and Bumer’s eyes changed.
Teoro, enjoying their attention, opened his mouth with his usual expressionless face.
“No, I don’t have a plan.”
“But?”
“Usually after the first semester ends, there are lots of parties and balls. To enjoy all of that, you need proper mental preparation. Something like that. But it seems Lumian doesn’t need to worry.”
“There are many parties?”
“Well, not many students return to their families after the first semester ends.”
Teoro’s words were true.
Most students don’t go home even when vacation starts after the first semester ends.
Since going back and forth is troublesome, they think once a year is enough.
That’s why during the vacation between the first and second semesters when the weather is relatively good, there are many people and many parties. Sometimes people even come to visit from other regions.
However, Lumian and Bumer didn’t know this fact.
The original Lumian wasn’t interested in such things, and Bumer was the type to dutifully return to his family.
‘This time… I should enjoy myself!’
‘This time… I should stay!’
But having heard this from Teoro, both of their plans completely changed.
Lumian and Bumer’s eyes sparkled as they imagined what would happen during vacation.
It was when Teoro let out a chuckle watching the two.
“Already full of thoughts about having fun?”
“What?”
“Hm?”
“…”
At the sudden appearance of Cal Krone, the three showed displeased reactions.
Teoro’s expression was particularly bad.
He had the most recent experience of being defeated by him, and despite that, he was embarrassed to be caught looking so eager to have fun.
He added words as if making an excuse.
“Of course sword training is most important. Having fun is just for spare time.”
‘No, damn it!’
Lumian cried out inwardly.
He didn’t want to do that. He wanted to have all the fun and enjoy everything, then only train in his leftover time.
In the first place, swinging a sword in the training grounds wasn’t much help to him now. It would be better to build up his aura during that time.
He was only here to help Teoro and Bumer, but giving up opportunities to have fun with ladies for that was no small loss.
“Why did you come?”
Therefore, his gaze toward Cal Krone couldn’t be kind.
Meeting Lumian’s murderous eyes, he was startled.
“What? Why are you so on edge?”
“We weren’t close to begin with. What did you come here for?”
At Lumian’s words, Teoro and Bumer looked at Cal Krone.
Though they didn’t say anything, they had similar thoughts to Lumian.
However, Cal Krone had no intention of having a battle of wills with them.
He took a step back and spoke his honest feelings.
“Originally, I used to train together with the senior graduating class.”
“And then?”
“But during vacation, all the seniors go to the Knight Order for practical training. So I have no sparring partners.”
“So you want to hang out with us? You’ve got some nerve.”
“I’m not really the type to be considerate about these things.”
Cal Krone grinned and swung his sword through the air.
Even that simple movement looked cool.
Lumian felt inexplicably irritated.
‘Damn, that bastard has gotten even cooler since overcoming his slump.’
If the old Cal Krone had been merely flashy, now there was dignity added to it.
In crude terms, he was the type that would drive noble ladies crazy. It was also the image Lumian desperately wanted for himself.
‘…Still, it would be helpful for the kids.’
This gathering was absolutely right.
It was an excellent composition that would help Teoro, Bumer, and even Cal Krone.
Since each had different swordsmanship styles, thoughts, and aura temperaments, it would be even more helpful. Just exchanging ideas rather than sparring would be enough to help each other grow.
And Teoro and Bumer also vaguely understood this fact.
That’s why they weren’t driving Cal Krone away despite their uncomfortable expressions.
“…Hmm. Since everyone’s quiet, I guess I can take that as agreement?”
“Annoying bastard.”
“Haha. I’ve heard that a lot from guys. Women don’t usually say that though.”
“Fucking annoying bastard.”
“Son of a bitch.”
Following Teoro, Bumer and Lumian spat out curses. Among them, Lumian’s word choice was the strongest.
But Cal Krone still maintained his smooth attitude.
He said.
“Well then, shall we have a spar? Who wants to go first? Lumian?”
“Me.”
“Good. First time since the Swordsmanship Competition?”
Cal Krone pointed his sword toward Teoro Shutgarn. Teoro also took his stance.
It was a completely different level of concentration from when he was joking around with Lumian. A resounding battle cry came from his mouth.
Lumian, who had been watching their spar, suddenly turned his head.
Bumer flinched at receiving his gaze.
Lumian said.
“Shall we start too?”
“…”
Cal Krone would be better, Bumer Simpson muttered quietly as he picked up his sword.
That day, the four of them swung their swords for over three hours.
* * *
“No, that’s not how you do it there.”
“What are you talking about? Rather than dragging it out, it’s better to burst it all at once…”
“Hmm. I’m not sure about this one either.”
After finishing the unexpectedly intense training, the four naturally ate together.
They discussed swordsmanship and aura with even more heated attitudes than before the final evaluations.
And Lumian didn’t like this atmosphere.
‘I want to hear about what happened during last year’s vacation…’
Lumian’s mind was already in the future. Though there was still academic schedule remaining, there was no time more worthless to him than this.
Naturally, he could only participate halfheartedly in the current discussion.
But despite such an attitude, each of his words was helping Teoro, Bumer, and Cal Krone.
“Well… if I had to choose, I’d want to side with Bumer.”
“That’s right! Lumian said it well. I’m right, aren’t I.”
“No, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re right.”
“What? Speak clearly.”
“Um… so in general cases, Bumer’s words are correct, but since people are all different, the methods to reach goals are all different too.”
Lumian, who had twirled his cream pasta and gulped it down, continued speaking.
“No matter how right and convenient a method is, if it doesn’t match well with your own way, there’s no need to force yourself to do it that way. It doesn’t make sense to force someone skilled in defense to attack, and it’s also strange to force someone whose specialty is light swords to use heavy swords, right?”
“Isn’t that too obvious?”
“Why do you think obvious things are obvious? Because they’re the correct answer. What’s important is the reference point. You need to clarify up to what line you’ll stick to your own method. There are cases where you lose out by stubbornly insisting only on what’s comfortable for you.”
“Hmm…”
“In this case, Bumer, you’re right, but for reference, in most situations Teoro’s method is more stable and safe. Your temperament has a somewhat… fiery aspect, so stability drops significantly.”
Lumian provided additional explanation.
He didn’t give just one example. Situations changed depending on physical condition, a person’s swordsmanship and temperament, terrain, and various other factors.
Naturally, the choices that should be made also changed. Lumian didn’t explain every detail of that process. He was just laying the groundwork so the kids could think broadly about various things.
That alone deepened the kids’ thinking.
Cal Krone said with admiration.
“Your perspective is different. Your insight is also exceptional.”
“What? Why the sudden praise?”
“No, I’m just stating facts. How is someone like this my age? Are you perhaps living your second life?”
“…What nonsense is that. Ahem.”
Lumian coughed and turned his head.
It was an action because he felt guilty, but Bumer chimed in with Lumian’s words.
“Right, don’t talk nonsense. If Lumian were on his second life, he wouldn’t be crazy about women like now…”
“Stop.”
“Ahem. Anyway, well, it’s true that his insight in this area is exceptional. His thinking is deep, broad, and flexible, I’d say?”
“Hmm.”
Teoro and Cal Krone nodded.
Lumian was flustered as a sudden relay of compliments unfolded.
Fortunately, this atmosphere didn’t last long. Cal Krone threw a question at Lumian.
“But which side are you?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, the people gathered here each have their own styles. Teoro is soft like water, Bumer is fiery like fire. I’m… it’s awkward to say this myself, but I’m currently trying to follow movements that are light and sharp like a bird.”
“A sparrow?”
“You’re making jokes that even professors wouldn’t make.”
“That’s why he’s unpopular with women.”
Cal Krone and Teoro attacked Bumer. For this moment, they had good chemistry like decade-long friends.
Whether Bumer was fuming or not, Cal Krone continued speaking.
“If I had to say, well, birds of prey. Of course, I won’t stop here and will go further. Later, I want to give off the intimidating presence of griffons, wyverns, or even legendary dragons.”
“That’s a good goal. Having a concrete image helps.”
“So I’m curious about which side you pursue. I can’t get a feel for it yet.”
Following Cal Krone’s words, the other two also turned their heads toward Lumian.
Come to think of it, it was curious.
The other guys had clear personal styles that could be felt, but Lumian didn’t.
It felt like he adapted to whatever situation they were in at the time. That’s why even now, after a semester had passed, they couldn’t figure out what his essence was.
Of course, this happened because Lumian didn’t need to reveal his full power.
He also had a temperament that formed his foundation.
Precisely the one that raised Jenas’s great knights, that would allow him to have the solid mental strength that wouldn’t waver even against high-ranking demons…
‘Stone, no, an even bigger rock…’
“Huh?”
Lumian, who had been examining his own aura, suddenly made a stupid sound.
Question marks appeared in the three’s eyes.
After acting like he was going to answer, then freezing up in a daze, it was only natural for them to find it strange.
But at that moment, Lumian quickly sat down on the bare ground.
And he assumed the lotus position, which was the basic posture for Aura cultivation.
Seeing this, Bumer Simpson muttered as if dumbfounded.
“Don’t tell me, has enlightenment come to him?”
“He’s going to get even stronger here? Haha.”
Cal Krone let out a hollow laugh. Teoro also chuckled and looked at Lumian.
What a monstrous bastard.
That was the thought all three of them shared.
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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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