The Failed Swordmaster - Chapter 72

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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 72 31. The Burden of Being a Handsome Man (1)

“Nice to meet you. My name is Irene Curtis. I’m 34 years old.”

“I’m Lumian Calard. You look much younger. I thought you were in your twenties…”

“Hahaha. I’m the one who should be looking good, but instead I’m receiving compliments.”

“Please speak casually, you’re a professor…”

“Hmm, you’re not going to harbor ill feelings toward Rhodesia just because I speak informally, right?”

“What do you mean by that…”

“Then I’ll speak comfortably, Lumian.”

Irene Curtis immediately dropped the formalities.

She seemed to have a naturally straightforward personality.

But it wasn’t just her personality that was straightforward.

Her chest, deeply revealed by the V-neck cut, was clearly visible before Lumian’s eyes.

It kept drawing his gaze downward.

He pinched his thigh hard to focus on her face during their conversation. Then Irene Curtis continued speaking.

“Since the Kingdom of Jenas came first, you probably know what I’m going to say, right?”

“You knew about that too. Yes, probably… you want to recruit me into your knight order…”

“That’s right. Actually, it’s awkward for me to say this, but I’m not expecting much. If even the strongest nation Jenas was rejected, what chance do we have?”

“…”

“But… still, I can’t not even try. That’s why I was dispatched. To spend a long time trying to persuade you carefully.”

“Haha…”

“If I try to seduce you, will you fall for it?”

She smiled provocatively.

Lumian looked troubled.

No matter how beautiful the female professor before him was, and despite his weakness for beautiful women’s words, he couldn’t do that.

Whether it was Jenas or Rhodesia, life would obviously be much stricter compared to the Academy.

Lumian politely expressed his refusal.

“I’m sorry, but I have no complaints about my current life…”

“Hmm… Still, let me at least tell you what benefits you’d get if you accepted the proposal. You’ll listen, right? I’d be disappointed if you refused without even hearing it.”

Lumian didn’t speak. Taking this as agreement, Airin continued her explanation in a cheerful tone.

She seemed to have thought about it a lot, as there were several points that differentiated from Jenas.

However, it wasn’t enough to capture Lumian’s interest.

He voiced his refusal again.

“I’m sorry. I like Tarasan.”

“As expected… Sigh, I understand. Still, just in case, I’ll try to persuade you whenever I get the chance. It’s my job, after all.”

“That’s…”

“Ah! Of course, I won’t pressure you to the point of being burdensome. That would worsen relations between Rhodesia and here.”

Airin smiled and took a sip of tea.

Lumian also felt thirsty.

As he followed suit and drank his tea, she spoke again.

“Actually, as I mentioned earlier, I knew persuasion would be difficult.”

“Is that so.”

“Yes. But even if we can’t draw you to our side, we at least want to maintain good relations. That’s natural, right? Since you’re a future Sword Master, possibly even a future greatest knight, we need to make a good impression early.”

“That’s too high an evaluation…”

“Come on. What should we do if someone who became a Sword Expert at 15 is so modest? Anyway, that’s why we want to form a long-term friendly relationship with Lumian. So we’d like to provide various support through the Rodisia Scholarship Fund…”

Airin began explaining again.

Besides basic financial support, she promised various help including political support. Lumian said it was burdensome, but Airin waved her hands saying there was no need for that.

“You don’t need to feel indebted. Just accept it as simple goodwill. What we want from Lumian Calard is just a bit of favorable feelings. That’s enough.”

“Hmm…”

Lumian fell into thought.

Though she said that, Airin probably knew that the receiving party couldn’t help but feel burdened.

However, Lumian decided not to worry about it.

‘I’ll just let them do what they want.’

If he were really a 15-year-old boy, he would have been swayed back and forth, but he had experience working at Jenas Palace for quite a long time.

He could certainly handle accepting things shamelessly while avoiding trouble.

‘It would be difficult if my skills were mediocre, but if they’re overwhelming, it’s not hard.’

“I understand. I won’t forget Rhodesia’s goodwill.”

“Haha, good! I can breathe easy now. I have something to report proudly to my superiors!”

Airin wiggled her hips slightly.

Her chest swayed slightly accordingly. Lumian’s gaze unconsciously followed, and he forced himself to appear composed.

Fortunately, Airin didn’t seem to notice.

With a much more relaxed expression, she asked Lumian.

“But I really can’t imagine it? How can someone become an Expert at 15? Could you show me here?”

“Uh…”

“Ah, of course if it’s burdensome, you don’t have to show me. This is just personal curiosity.”

Despite saying that, Airin looked quite disappointed.

Seeing this, Lumian quietly picked up a teaspoon.

He had decided to show her his Aura Sword.

‘I already made that scene at the tavern, so what’s there to hide?’

Thinking that way, it really seemed like nothing special.

Lumian drew up his aura and manifested an Aura Sword on the teaspoon.

But there was a slight mistake in the process.

He should have created an incomplete Aura Sword, but unconsciously he was drawing out a complete Aura Sword.

‘Damn it!’

No matter what, that was too much.

Coming to his senses, Lumian quickly controlled his aura.

Fortunately, he was able to stop before the aura materialized. Lumian wiped his sweat and said, stroking his chest in relief.

“Is this enough?”

“Wow… it’s real. Sigh… the level I reached at 26…”

26 was certainly great talent, but if he said such a thing, it would seem like mockery.

Lumian made an awkward expression and withdrew his Aura Sword.

He said.

“Well, if there’s nothing more to discuss…”

“Huh? Why? Are you leaving?”

“Ah, yes. My friends are waiting.”

“Hmm… I see. There will be many opportunities to talk in the future.”

Airin showed a bright smile and offered a handshake.

Lumian shook her hand and politely greeted her.

“Thank you for the conversation.”

“Thank you too. Ah, as I said before, Rhodesia’s doors are always open, so let me know if you change your mind!”

“Yes. Then I’ll be going.”

With those words, Lumian left the professor’s office.

Irene Curtis, who had been looking in the direction he disappeared for a moment, muttered to herself.

“He’s certainly impressive, but…”

He was definitely an amazing talent.

But perhaps because what senior knight Linnell had told her was so incredible.

She couldn’t help feeling slightly disappointed.

‘Well, it was an unbelievable report. A 15-year-old boy drawing an Aura Sword while drunk, and not only that, showing swordsmanship comparable to a veteran knight? Senior Linnell said she wasn’t confident she could win?’

If that were true, Lumian would be an existence for whom even the expression “greatest talent in history” would be insufficient.

The return of the Sword God? The reincarnation of the Sword God?

Shouldn’t he at least have such epithets attached?

However, from what Airin had confirmed, Lumian Calard’s skills weren’t quite at that level.

‘He did manage to create an Aura Sword, but it didn’t seem effortless. He was even sweating.’

Senior Linnell’s report must have been exaggerated.

Perhaps she too was in a drunken state, so she perceived the situation in an exaggerated manner?

‘And the part about being a womanizer…’

Airin slightly frowned around her eyes.

She hadn’t made a judgment on that part yet.

He did glance at her cleavage and swallow his saliva audibly, but…

‘That’s the kind of reaction even a virgin kid could show, right?’

Rather, since he didn’t seem worn and experienced, she found it somewhat cute.

She decided to reserve judgment on this part.

‘Anyway, I’m stuck here for one semester no matter what, so let’s observe slowly.’

Having finished her thoughts, Airin lowered her head to look down.

She gathered her chest with both hands and muttered with a bright smile.

“Still firm.”

* * *

After finishing his conversation with the beautiful professor, Irene Curtis, Lumian tried to return straight to the training grounds. Given those guys’ personalities, once they got fired up, they obviously wouldn’t stop training until late at night.

However, a thought that suddenly crossed his mind stopped his steps.

A rigidly hardened expression, wavering eyes.

Lumian, who had entered a serious state, sought out his dormitory to organize his thoughts.

Sitting in a chair and thinking deeply, he muttered in a serious tone.

“The Jenas Knight Order and the Lodigia Knight Order are… in completely different environments, aren’t they?”

Come to think of it, that was true.

Of course, having restricted freedom was the same.

Rather, in Rhodesia, he couldn’t reveal his true identity, and men were more socially disadvantaged. So there might be even more inconveniences.

But there was an advantage that more than made up for all those minor disadvantages.

‘The knight orders of the Kingdom of Rodigia have… way more women!’

The knight order Lumian could join was the Red Rose Knight Order, which received the best treatment in Rhodesia.

For reference, that knight order’s gender ratio was 9 to 1. Nine women, one man.

That meant colleagues would be women, seniors would be women, and juniors who would join later would also be women.

It was certain he’d be living all day in a flower garden!

‘Moreover, they’d all be beautiful too… Even Irene Curtis was quite a beauty. Because it’s Rhodesia!’

Lumian slowly closed his eyes.

And he spread the wings of delusion.

Himself, possessing talent incomparable to other worthless male knights.

He had even become more handsome than before. He also had the secret weapon called Aura Image.

Eventually, beautiful female knights enchanted by his charm would approach one after another. One, two, three…

‘Finally, all the women in the knight order would engage in a battle to claim me…’

“Hehe, hehehehe.”

Laughter came naturally.

Lumian made a sinister expression like a man in his 50s wandering red-light districts, continuing his lewd thoughts.

But that was only for a moment.

Lumian, remembering what he had said to his parents, made a forlorn expression.

‘Damn, how do I handle what I’ve already said?’

It hadn’t even been a month since he said he had a beloved girlfriend at the Academy, and because of this, he couldn’t leave for Jenas.

But if he suddenly said ‘I’ll go to Rhodesia, Father!’ what reaction would his parents show?

‘They’d ask if I’m crazy.’

Even he thought he seemed like a madman.

He was also concerned about his friends, including Teoro.

Though not as much as the Knight King or Morghen from his previous life, his friends from this life were also precious to him.

Thinking about growing distant from them made his heart ache slightly…

‘What nonsense! My love life is more important! I can meet friends anytime I want!’

I could write letters! They could come visit me too!

In the end, the important thing was persuading his parents.

Unless he was prepared to cut ties, he had to come up with a plausible excuse.

‘Should I say we broke up?’

So to forget the pain, I want to leave for another country?

It didn’t seem bad.

They’d definitely be bewildered if he said they broke up right after talking like he couldn’t live without her, but he couldn’t find a better excuse than this.

However, such thoughts were mercilessly shattered by a counterargument that arose shortly after.

‘Damn it, then it would make sense to go to Jenas, not Rhodesia!’

Logically, that was true.

Since Jenas still welcomed Lumian’s joining, ultimately Lumian was in a situation where he could choose between the two countries.

But choosing Rhodesia?

Why?

‘Is there a reason for that? Other than women? A reason my parents would accept?’

“Uuugh… grrrr…”

Lumian, holding his head with both hands, let out a pained groan.

It was so difficult.

He wanted to beat up his past self who had made such ridiculous excuses. He was serious.

‘What should I do? What should I do?’

In the end, Lumian couldn’t sleep a wink that night.

It wasn’t just that one day.

His worries continued for several days. Naturally, his training became neglected.

The trio, including Teoro, who were worried about such a Lumian, asked about his well-being, but he couldn’t reveal his inner thoughts. Because it felt somewhat trashy.

Eventually, he had no choice but to let the remaining vacation pass with a frustrated heart. During that time, Lumian’s mood became gloomy and lonely like autumn leaves falling from the sky.

And finally, the second semester began.

* * *

“Sigh, vacation is over too.”

A female student from the first year of the Magic Department sighed deeply as she walked around the Academy.

During vacation, she hadn’t returned to her family home. Instead, she spent exciting days with friends she had become close to during one semester.

Now, having to attend classes again and study those tedious magic formulas, she felt no energy.

It was natural for her shoulders to droop.

“Huh?”

But then, a man passed before her eyes.

Quite handsome, but somehow looking fragile and sad.

The moment she saw him, tears unknowingly formed in the female student’s eyes.

‘Does he have some kind of story?’

I want to know.

I want to grab the hand of him passing by me. I want to listen to his worries and comfort his sadness in my embrace.

Her delusions grew more and more intense.

What helped such a female student come to her senses was a purple-haired classmate she had become close to during the first semester.

“What are you doing?”

“Ah!”

“What is it? Were you looking at that person?”

“Huh? Oh, yes… Do you know him by any chance?”

The friend who heard the female student’s words made a bewildered expression.

She hit the shoulder of the female student who had been spacing out and said.

“That’s Lumian Calard. The co-winner of the first semester Swordsmanship Competition.”

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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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