The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 433
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 433
I swallowed hard as I watched Glen and Lectar, who had each climbed over the right and left walls respectively.
‘What is this situation?’
Both of them seemed startled, their eyes widening in surprise—whether they hadn’t known of each other’s presence or simply hadn’t expected to emerge at the same moment and speak similar words.
“What are you both doing right now?”
I called out to Glen and Lectar, who stood there awkwardly, but neither of them looked my way.
Glen glared at Lectar with an irritated expression, while Lectar met his gaze with a furrowed brow.
“Head of House! Lectar!”
When I called out their names loudly, both of them turned their attention toward me simultaneously.
“Well, I came looking for you since you mentioned heading out for dawn training. I was curious about what kind of training you do, and we did make a promise, after all.”
Lectar stepped forward first. His eyes grew serious as he explained that he had come to help with my sword training, just as he had said yesterday.
“I see.”
I nodded at Lectar’s explanation.
‘He certainly did say that.’
On the way to the Annex Building, he had mentioned wanting to continue teaching me swordplay, and when showing me to the Dormitory, he had even asked if I trained at dawn. His appearance here made perfect sense.
“Head of House.”
I murmured that it made sense and turned my gaze to the right.
“But why did the Head of House suddenly come here…?”
Unlike Lectar, I had no idea why Glen had come to this place, which made me slightly uneasy.
“Ahem.”
Glen cleared his throat and brushed back his disheveled hair. The bewilderment in his eyes froze over as if struck by a bitter wind.
“Did I not tell you yesterday? I have a different reward in mind for you.”
“Ah….”
“Instead of the Martial Arts Manual, I will teach you swordsmanship directly.”
He declared that a reward befitting the gold badge was not some dusty manual, but living swordsmanship itself—and that he would personally instruct me from this day forward.
“Uh….”
I alternated my gaze between Glen and Lectar, swallowing hard.
‘What is this?’
A dream?
Two swordsmen, second to none on the Continent, had both arrived simultaneously to offer me instruction in swordsmanship. It felt surreal.
“So… you’re both saying you came to the 5th Training Ground at this ungodly hour to teach me swordsmanship?”
“Yes.”
“Indeed.”
Lectar and Glen nodded in unison.
Yet rather than focusing on their purpose as instructors, they locked eyes with each other, their gazes sharp and cutting.
‘This is frigid.’
Though moments ago I’d been wielding my blade with rising heat, the glacial atmosphere radiating from Glen and Lectar sent a chill through my entire body as if I’d plunged into the Northern Sea.
I bit my lip, watching the empty space between them crackle with tension.
‘What am I supposed to do?’
If either Glen or Lectar had come alone, it would have been a blessing beyond measure. But with both of them here at once, it was overwhelming.
My mind couldn’t process what I should do or how to handle this.
….
After a brief silence among the three of us, Glen was the first to move.
“Lectar.”
Glen lifted his chin while keeping his hands clasped behind his back.
“This boy is a swordsman of Zigheart. It seems only right that I teach him directly.”
He reaffirmed the position of the Head of House and his household members, which held superiority above all else, and his expression grew stern.
“You speak truly.”
Lectar nodded slowly. I thought he would withdraw, but he didn’t take a single step back, instead offering a faint smile.
“However, Raon and I have a prior agreement. Just yesterday. We agreed that I would assist with his sword training for some time. This dawn is no exception.”
It was true that we had agreed on training assistance, but not dawn training. He added words he had never spoken, asserting that his claim came first.
“I’ve also received permission from Raon’s master, the Sword Ghost. In such circumstances, wouldn’t a prior agreement take precedence?”
“Hmm….”
Despite his bewilderment, Lectar remained composed and calmly recited his reasons for having priority.
When the epithet “Sword Ghost” was mentioned, I could see Glen’s fists tighten with force.
“Regardless of any prior agreement, Raon is a member of the Zigheart household. Family matters should take precedence.”
Glen seemed to think he couldn’t back down now, his lips pressing into a thin line.
“That depends on the circumstances, does it not? Raon hasn’t been granted leave, has he?”
Lectar refused to yield either, pressing his point to the very end.
The two of them stood their ground without retreating an inch, their cold gazes proclaiming their intent to teach Raon right then and there.
“…This won’t end.”
“Indeed. If this continues….”
Glen and Lectar engaged in their composed yet frigid debate before simultaneously turning their gazes toward Raon.
“I think it would be best to ask Raon directly.”
“That’s right.”
Two pairs of piercing eyes that had been fixed on their opponent suddenly turned toward me.
“What do you want to do?”
“Hmm….”
I met the sparks flickering in Glen Zigheart’s and Lectar’s eyes and gripped my wrist tightly.
‘This pressure is no joke.’
Despite their minimal aura and lack of overt momentum, the pressure they exuded was terrifying. It felt as though my heart might shatter from their gaze alone.
‘How am I supposed to handle this?’
Since their teachings were priceless treasures that no amount of gold could buy, I didn’t want to lose the instruction of either Glen Zigheart or Lectar.
My mind trembled, but I had to find a way out of this somehow.
Yet looking at the current situation, it seemed that no matter what I did, if I chose one person, I would lose the other.
No, that wasn’t even the real problem—if I wasn’t careful, these two might fight and blow the entire Training Ground to pieces.
“Ugh….”
As I bit my lip in contemplation, the presence the two of them radiated grew increasingly oppressive.
-Mmm. My belly is full. I shall share this.
Wrath, with only his mouth sticking out from the ice flower bracelet, suddenly started talking in his sleep. It seemed he was dreaming about eating while asleep.
“This guy is really useless…”
She stopped herself from flicking Wrath’s mouth with her finger.
“We’re sharing it?”
That’s right. There’s no need to eat it all at once right now.
When I reconsidered the situation, I realized that this moment—where both of them were competing to teach me—was actually a golden opportunity.
“It’s true that I agreed to train with Lectar, and it’s also true that the Head of House offered me a reward.”
I nodded and met both their gazes. My eyes no longer wavered.
“So let’s do it this way.”
“Hmm?”
“This way?”
Both of them leaned forward slightly, clearly surprised by my unexpected proposal.
“The sword techniques I’m confident in are the Heavy Sword, the Medium Sword, and the Swift Sword. Conversely, the techniques I haven’t yet mastered are the Variable Sword, the Circular Sword, the Flowing Sword, the Severing Sword, the Chained Sword, and the Explosive Sword.”
I listed each of the sword techniques I still lacked mastery in, meeting their questioning eyes.
“Why don’t you each choose three techniques and teach me, and then we can see who taught better?”
“Uh….”
“Huh?”
Both of them dropped their jaws simultaneously, clearly not expecting me to turn this into an outright teaching competition.
“Ha.”
Glen exhaled sharply as he looked at me.
‘This brat…’
Aside from whether Lectar would approve, I was curious how I’d navigate this situation, but I never expected me to set up a stage for them to compete outright.
Whether to call it bold or audacious, I wasn’t sure.
‘But…’
The situation was constructed so skillfully that there was no way to avoid it.
“Hmm….”
Lectar also smacked his lips as he met my calm gaze.
‘Edgar. You’re nothing like your son.’
Unlike my son, who had always been rigid and straightforward, my grandson knew how to exploit situations to his advantage.
Watching Glen, who was called the Northern Destruction King, struggle and hesitate in the face of this predicament, I couldn’t help but laugh inwardly.
‘That’s why I prefer your son.’
Realizing I couldn’t escape my grandson’s scheme, I decided to dive in headfirst.
Raon watched Glen and Lectar’s eyes ignite with fervent intensity, and he clenched his fists.
‘This should be the right answer.’
For reasons unknown, the two were competing, so it was only fitting to set the stage for them to clash in earnest.
They would likely think his approach was audacious, but they wouldn’t be able to refuse.
‘I can control my own training progress.’
By adjusting the pace of advancement so that neither of them felt slighted, I could continue learning from both. It was like an inexhaustible spring of swordsmanship.
“Do you dislike it? If anyone objects, I can exclude them….”
“No!”
“I will do it!”
The moment Raon muttered that they could leave if they didn’t like it, Glen and Lectar shook their heads simultaneously.
“I shall teach you the Changing Blade, the Flowing Blade, and the Linked Blade!”
“Then I will take responsibility for the Returning Blade, the Severing Blade, and the Explosive Blade.”
Glen and Lectar instantly divided up which sword techniques they would teach.
“Very well.”
Raon smiled faintly as he watched the two men’s competitive spirits ignite.
“I’m currently on leave and made a prior appointment with Sword Ghost, so I’ll receive instruction from him until lunch, and then I’ll receive sword training from the Head of House in the afternoon.”
I decided to train first with Sword Ghost, whose temperament I hadn’t fully grasped yet, and made Glen wait—the man whose merits were certain and who would inevitably inflict injury.
This was the only way I could learn the swordsmanship of both men I had in mind.
“Huff!”
“Hmm….”
Sword Ghost lifted his chin as if he’d won, while Glen furrowed his brow and clenched his fists.
The expressions of victor and vanquished were clear. Yet even Glen couldn’t argue further, understanding his point to some degree.
“Then the Head of House should come after lunch. From now on, this is my time.”
Sword Ghost frowned, seemingly disappointed he couldn’t spend the entire day together, but managed a smile nonetheless.
“Then I’ll come at noon.”
Glen’s voice came out rough, as if grinding his teeth.
“Noon? Isn’t that too early?”
“Lunch at noon is natural, isn’t it?”
“We’ve always trained until two o’clock.”
“This household eats lunch at noon without fail.”
“Then you must provide a separate lunch period….”
Glen and Lectar’s second battle had begun. Watching the Northern Destruction King and Sword Ghost quarrel over lunchtime, I found myself questioning reality once more.
I seriously slapped my own cheek as I watched the two of them argue for an entire hour.
‘This isn’t a dream.’
Then what in the world is this….
*
*
*
In the end, Glen—who insisted on noon—and Lectar—who insisted on two o’clock—reached a compromise at one o’clock in the afternoon before training could finally begin.
“You’ve wasted quite a bit of time.”
Lectar approached with a sigh.
“Let’s begin at once. It’s already far too late.”
“Yes.”
I nodded in acknowledgment. As I observed Lectar, now composed once more, the events of moments before felt like a fleeting illusion.
“Transformation Sword, Flowing Sword, Chain Sword, Phantom Sword, Severing Sword, and even Explosive Sword. It seems you wish to accumulate Ten Thousand Swords at a higher level than others.”
Lectar nodded slowly and continued speaking.
“What is it that you truly desire?”
“I wish to become a swordmaster who bows to no one.”
I spoke the same words I had once declared to Rimer and Sylvia. That conviction remained unchanged within me.
“I see. So that is why Ten Thousand Swords….”
Lectar smiled faintly and released his hands from behind his back.
“First, infuse only the essence of Phantom Sword into Savage Fang Sword and demonstrate it.”
“Understood.”
I bowed respectfully and drew Heavenly Celestial Sword. I suppressed the ferocity, speed, and intensity inherent in Savage Fang Sword, channeling only the illusory essence into the blade.
Heavenly Celestial Sword shimmered like sunlight grazing a windowpane, creating over ten blade fragments that descended. Though the speed, power, and sharpness had faded, an ethereal phantom bloomed as if flowers were being painted by the sword itself.
The speed, power, and ferocity had diminished, yet the illusion infused within the blade continued to unfold.
I fully demonstrated Savage Fang Sword infused with phantom essence from beginning to end, then lowered Heavenly Celestial Sword.
“Is this the first time you’ve infused only Phantom Sword into Savage Fang Sword?”
Sword Ghost stroked his beard and raised his gaze.
“Yes.”
“Remarkable. You’ve given this considerable thought on your own.”
He praised it as a wonderful transformation, saying that I had witnessed an entirely new illusory sword technique rather than merely the Radiant Sword.
“It’s a swordsmanship that would be difficult even for those below your level to block, let alone those at your level. But you’re aiming higher than that, aren’t you?”
“Yes, sir.”
I nodded, acknowledging it as obvious.
“If that’s the case, there are many shortcomings. First, let’s start from the opening move. Your sword was flashy, certainly, but finding the true blade wasn’t particularly difficult. The important aspect of illusory swordsmanship isn’t creating many illusions—it’s making even a single illusion seem completely real.”
Lectar explained in detail, yet kindly, which points were lacking and when my sword had wavered.
‘He truly is remarkable.’
To discern what needed correction and what required strengthening from just one observation—it was no wonder he was called the Sword Ghost.
“Now that you’ve found the wrong answer, it’s time to discover the correct one. Keep in mind what I just told you and unfold the Radiant Sword again.”
“Yes.”
I recalled Lectar’s sincere advice and curled my lips into a smile.
‘This will be enjoyable for a while.’
*
*
*
Glen stood on the hill overlooking Bekmang Mountain, gazing down at the 5th Training Ground.
“Damn it.”
Rarely, he cursed aloud and clenched his fists tightly.
‘How did things come to this….’
He had thought he’d moved quickly before Raon and Lectar could grow closer, but their progress had been far faster than anticipated.
‘Did he know what I was thinking?’
From the moment I first saw Lectar, his affection and obsession with Raon were unmistakable. He must have sensed something amiss when my injuries changed yesterday and immediately brought up the matter of instruction.
‘A cunning old fox.’
It was no accident that Sword Ghost had earned his notorious epithet—both his movements and thoughts were remarkably swift.
‘What troubles me most….’
Is that he’s actually teaching properly.
I wanted nothing more than to chase after him and strike him down the moment he deviated even slightly or did anything suspicious, yet Sword Ghost was instructing Raon with such sincere dedication that I couldn’t find fault with him.
“Tch….”
Glen bit his lip hard, his eyes flashing with intensity.
‘Grandfather? I’ll never accept that.’
Rimer’s words kept echoing in my mind—that Lectar seemed more like a true grandfather. To be honest, last night I’d even had a nightmare where Raon called Lectar grandfather instead of me.
‘This won’t do.’
Once today’s matter was settled, I’d have to go back and beat Rimer some more. The unease gnawing at me was unbearable.
Glen anxiously counted the seconds on the clock, biting his lip.
‘I cannot lose.’
My grandson will be raised by me.
*
*
*
“Phew….”
Raon lowered his sword and exhaled deeply.
‘This is getting tough.’
Lectar’s instruction remained meticulous, yet his competitive spirit toward Glen drove him to push the training several times harder than before.
As I practiced without pause to fill the gaps in my technique, my body and mind had no room to breathe.
This grueling pace was a welcome change after so long, though exhaustion crept in alongside the excitement.
‘I’m not sure if I can endure the Head of House’s class after lunch.’
Glen’s lesson after midday filled me with both anticipation and dread.
-You will recover fully once you eat lunch.
Wrath, who had just woken up and grasped the situation, shook his head, telling me not to harbor such weak thoughts.
-The Charm Girl has surely prepared something substantial, and I am already looking forward to it!
He smacked his lips loudly, clearly envisioning a table laden with food.
‘Is that so?’
I doubted it.
A chill ran down my spine—Wrath’s hopes seemed unlikely to materialize—but I held my tongue to avoid stirring up noise.
“You still fall short. At your current level, you should move faster!”
“Understood.”
As I prepared to swing the illusory-infused sword following Lectar’s guidance, an overwhelmingly intense gaze pressed against my back.
“Ah….”
Turning around, I saw Glen leaning against the wall, his eyes glowing a ghostly crimson. Though time remained, he had already arrived and was waiting.
“Hmph, there’s still time left. Continue.”
Lectar instructed me to keep swinging the sword, noting it wasn’t yet lunch time.
“Yes.”
I wiped away the cold sweat and unfurled the Radiant Sword just as I’d been advised. Though the number of phantoms had diminished, the blades danced and undulated with a tangible reality that rivaled actual steel.
“That’s enough.”
As I finished the final form and prepared to unfurl the sword a second time, Glen raised his hand.
“It’s one o’clock.”
“Hmm….”
Lectar checked the time and furrowed his brow. However, since he had made a prior agreement, he couldn’t object and merely smacked his lips in disappointment.
“Head of House, it is indeed one o’clock, but Raon should dine with me….”
“That won’t be necessary.”
Glen shook his head and pulled something wrapped in paper from his robes, tossing it to me.
“Huh….”
I caught the object Glen threw. The texture felt strangely familiar.
-This, this scent is….
Wrath’s lips trembled with unease as he gazed at the paper-wrapped object.
“Surely not….”
I wrinkled my nose and tore open the wrapping. Just as I’d feared. Inside was a Nadin bread—the kind I’d eaten whenever I was bored.
“There’s no time for meals. From now on, I’ll teach you what a true sword really is.”
He gestured dismissively, saying that eating was a luxury a swordsman couldn’t afford, and urged me to pick up my blade.
-This old bastard!
Wrath shrieked and lunged at Glen.
-Trying to feed me rubber bread? Do you have a death wish? Come at me right now!
He flailed his fists wildly, demanding a one-on-one duel.
Raon sighed as he gazed at the still-warm bread that Dun had brought.
‘Growing stronger is wonderful, but….’
Will I even survive this?
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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