The Failed Swordmaster - Chapter 74

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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 74 31. The Handsome Man’s Troubles (3)

Before long, lunchtime arrived. Tania moved her steps to head to the meeting place.

She usually came out about 5 minutes earlier than the appointed time, but today she didn’t want to do that.

If she did that, it would somehow give the impression that she was extremely eager to see Lumian.

But the person who suggested the meal appointment couldn’t be late either.

Therefore, she adjusted her walking speed to arrive at the Clock Tower at exactly 12:30.

‘No, why am I going this far?’

Such doubts crossed her mind for a moment, but those thoughts completely disappeared when she saw Lumian waving from over there.

Reflexively putting on the expression of a dignified and reliable senior, she said.

“You came early?”

“I just arrived a moment ago too.”

“That’s good.”

“Then shall we go? Juma is fine, right?”

“Not bad.”

The two who quickly decided where to go walked side by side across the campus.

People whispered as they watched the pair.

“Did you see those people?”

“Yeah. That’s incredible.”

“They’re a perfect handsome man and beautiful woman.”

“They were wearing knight cadet uniforms… Are knight cadets originally that good-looking?”

“I don’t know. Anyway, they look great together.”

‘What’s this about, now?’

Tania’s face turned slightly red.

She happened to be enhancing her hearing at the time. She couldn’t help but be flustered by people’s reactions mistaking her and Lumian for lovers.

It was strange.

This was Tania Eloise, who managed various connections for her future.

Naturally, she often had meals or walks alone with male connections. Each time, she would receive similar misunderstandings due to her appearance.

However, back then she wasn’t shaken at all when hearing such comments.

She thought it was a natural happening that could occur in the course of work.

But now it was different.

Not only was her heart pounding, but the expression she had perfectly crafted before meeting Lumian was also beginning to crumble little by little.

She couldn’t understand the reason. The corners of her mouth just kept trying to turn upward.

‘No! Get it together!’

She was currently in a position to give advice about a junior’s troubles.

This meant she had to show the image of a cool and reliable senior.

If she showed a foolishly grinning face on such a topic, what would Lumian think?

‘Right, let me smile confidently instead. An adult’s smile that seems like it could solve any problem!’

Tania, who instantly came up with a solution, smiled brightly.

Then she looked back at Lumian. Her beautiful lips parted and her voice flowed out.

“Lumiaaah!”

“…”

“…Sorry, my voice cracked.”

Tania, whose face had turned beet red, walked ahead a little.

Of all times, her voice had to crack there.

She absolutely couldn’t look at Lumian’s face. Therefore, the two had no choice but to walk in silence.

Fortunately, their destination, Restaurant Juma, was right in front of them.

The two were guided by the waitstaff to an empty seat and placed their orders.

During that time, Tania had completely recovered her composure.

“This place would be about two-tenths of that time.”

“That’s all? The menu we just ordered is five times more expensive than back then.”

“There’s a consultation fee, you know?”

“Come on, would a senior take money for listening to a junior’s troubles? How heartless.”

“Taking money might be heartless, but getting a free meal is overflowing with warmth.”

“You speak well. Do you also study political diplomacy or something like that?”

“Stop beating around the bush and tell me your story. Your big sister will listen to everything.”

Tania smiled leisurely as she said this.

Seeing this, Lumian chuckled inwardly.

‘Doesn’t she have a younger brother at home? She really wants to be treated like a big sister.’

This time he didn’t show it outwardly.

Either way, Tania had come to this place for his sake.

He didn’t think her advice would be of practical help, but he was still genuinely grateful for her feelings.

‘And it’s true that just talking about it makes me feel much more at ease…’

In fact, in his previous life, he didn’t even have anyone around to listen to his problems, let alone solve them.

He couldn’t ask his lord Philip III for advice, and Morghen, who was most comfortable to be with, was hard to see often because he was always running around. His junior knights found his position and taciturn personality intimidating.

But now he was just a 15-year-old young man.

As a result, it was relatively easy to ask someone for help and share his troubles. He felt no burden at all.

‘Come to think of it, this situation isn’t bad.’

Lumian, feeling even more at ease, gazed intently at Tania.

Her eyes wavered slightly as she received his gaze.

Lumian didn’t notice this and began his story.

“I’m currently… in a situation where I need to make some kind of choice.”

“Hmm, a choice?”

“Yes. A very important… choice that will determine my future.”

“…It’s a more serious concern than I thought?”

Feeling the weight of the topic, Tania straightened her posture.

She never dreamed that the essence of Lumian’s concern would be more women and a more comfortable dating environment.

He also didn’t mention this directly. He just spoke in roundabout terms.

“Yes. Um… it’s hard to explain in detail, but to roughly compare it… I’m standing at a crossroads between challenge and complacency, I think that’s how I’d put it.”

“Challenge and complacency?”

“Yes.”

Tania showed interest. Lumian continued to unfold his story.

It wasn’t that he disliked complacency, that is, staying in his current situation.

He was living a fairly enjoyable life, feeling rewarded. He was feeling happiness because good relationships were with him.

On the other hand, challenge carried great risk.

Changing environments wasn’t a problem. He was actually looking forward to it.

However, his parents’ opposition would likely be strong. In fact, not just his parents, but anyone with common sense would absolutely never support him.

Having said this much, Lumian made a truly sad expression.

“The unfortunate fact is… I can’t think of a solid reason to persuade my parents, the people who oppose it.”

“…I see.”

Tania nodded and replied.

Just then, the food they had ordered arrived. Naturally, their conversation was interrupted.

However, Tania’s thoughts didn’t stop.

She made a serious expression.

‘Complacency and challenge…’

She couldn’t understand Lumian’s situation 100 percent.

It was natural. He had only given abstract metaphors instead of concrete details.

However, the expression he showed when speaking, the emotions that came through in his voice.

Looking at those, she could sufficiently grasp what he truly wanted.

‘What he really wants is the challenge side.’

That was exactly Lumian’s true feelings.

Lumian’s true feelings—fearful yet never able to give up.

‘Of course I should choose what I want.’

Tania Eloise was the youngest daughter of the Count Eloise family. Her parents, who only had two sons, loved Tania dearly.

This meant she had lived a life that no one could envy.

‘What if I had wished for comfort?’

It wouldn’t have been bad.

High status and excellent appearance, proper character formed from receiving abundant parental love, plus refinement.

She probably would have drawn everyone’s attention the moment she appeared in high society.

And she would have met a reasonably excellent spouse and lived a happy married life. Or she would be in the process of following such a path.

However.

‘I never could have obtained the sense of achievement I feel now.’

That was right. Tania Eloise had chosen challenge over comfort.

Living the life of an ordinary noble lady wouldn’t have been bad, but what she wanted wasn’t adequacy—it was excellence.

Therefore, she took up the sword despite her parents’ opposition and entered the Academy to become a knight.

‘Of course, it wasn’t easy.’

She was scared. She cried in secret many times. She had to face various other difficulties several times over.

Nevertheless, Tania didn’t regret her decision.

Because she had overcome everything and made it to where she was now.

‘Let me tell him to take on the challenge.’

Don’t be afraid. Don’t be buried by the fear that challenge holds.

In the end, these are all parts that can be resolved. If you truly want it, push forward.

Tania wanted to give him that advice.

Having directly experienced and overcome it in the past, she felt she could speak with confidence.

“Lumian.”

“Yes?”

“About comfort and challenge, I…”

However, the moment she raised her head to face Lumian, Tania couldn’t bring out the words she had been thinking.

Even though the waitstaff who had brought the food had left and only the two of them remained.

Because before her thoughts, the emotions inside her were rejecting this.

‘Challenge, and a different environment.’

Only one thing came to mind. That he would leave the Academy. It was a fact anyone with a little thought could understand.

And that fact—the fact that it would be hard to see Lumian Calard anymore—made her hesitate.

‘What is this? Why…’

Her current emotions weren’t cleanly refined.

They were just vague like fog. Although she had watched Lumian for a long time, she had actually faced him only recently, so it was inevitable.

Therefore, Tania couldn’t precisely understand her current hesitation.

She could only harden her expression at the inexplicable discomfort.

“Uh, are you okay? Senior?”

Lumian was extremely flustered.

Seeing Tania trying to speak then stopping and frowning her beautiful brows, worry came first. He couldn’t help but think he had made some mistake.

He fidgeted restlessly, even forgetting that he was the one receiving consultation.

Watching such a Lumian, Tania finally pulled herself together.

‘I don’t know why I suddenly acted like that, but…’

She had calmed down for now. She was okay now.

Seeing Lumian with a worried expression somehow made her feel good. Her complicated head felt clear again.

She let out a big breath.

“Phew!”

“What, are you okay now? Tania senior?”

“Ah, sorry. I suddenly saw the food and got hungry. I forgot what I was going to say.”

“…You scared me. So, do you remember now?”

“Yeah, I remember.”

Tania smiled brightly.

Then her beautiful appearance shone.

Her radiant face was enchanting enough to captivate even the men at other tables, and Lumian slightly opened his mouth. It was a sight that didn’t match his usual claims that he preferred bodies over faces.

Seeing this, Tania’s smile deepened.

She tried to bring out the advice she had intended to give while maintaining her bright expression.

But she couldn’t.

Screech—

Thud.

Perfect timing.

A woman sat down in the empty chair at the round table where Lumian and Tania were.

Then she gazed intently at Lumian.

She was someone with attractively upturned eyes.

“…”

No, that wasn’t the only attractive part about her.

Everything about her was beautiful.

Her bewitching eyes like poured red wine, her gorgeous blonde hair reaching down to her chest, her lively full lips. She made it impossible to look away.

That wasn’t all.

Her full chest leading to a slender waist, then beautifully spreading hip line. And the tight clothing that accentuated all of this.

Lumian couldn’t come to his senses.

He muttered without realizing it.

“Third-year history major… Leiton Wino?”

“Oh, you know my name? Thank you.”

Leiton Wino looked at Lumian and smiled brightly with her eyes.

Seeing her eyes curve like a crescent moon, Tania thought.

‘What is this bitch doing!’

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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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