The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 49

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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 49

‘What… what kind of eyes does this brat have…?’

Jake’s teeth chattered against each other. He wanted to push himself up, but not a single finger would obey. Just as he was floundering in confusion, light footsteps approached.

“You’re from the Magic Tower, aren’t you? My, you’ve arrived early.”

At the cheerful voice that matched the lightness of those footsteps, his frozen head turned. The Red-haired Elf was smiling.

“R-Rimer? Chief Instructor?”
“That’s right. Come this way. I have something to tell you before training.”

Rimer tapped his arm and gestured toward the Chief Instructor’s Office.

“Y-yes, understood.”

Answering, he turned his head back toward where Raon was. The boy continued swinging his sword with apparent indifference.

“Phew…”

Jake exhaled sharply and pushed himself to his feet. A moment longer and he would have embarrassed himself.

“Are you feeling unwell?”
“Oh, no. Let’s go.”
“Right!”

He followed Rimer, who nodded lightly, into the Chief Instructor’s Office. The room was cluttered, unlike the man’s neat appearance, with barely a place to sit.

“Please, sit.”
“There’s nowhere to sit, though…”
“Ah, you’re right.”

Rimer chuckled lightly and rose from his rocking chair.

“It won’t take long anyway. Let’s proceed as planned. You’re aware that you’ll need to cast enhancement magic on the orc that the trainees will face, correct?”
“Of course.”
“My instruction has been so exceptional that the trainees’ combat prowess far exceeds their age group. Ordinary orcs wouldn’t even serve as proper training.”
“Ah….”

My mind went blank at the sudden boasting.

“I’ll inform you of the trainees’ combat level, and you can apply enhancement magic to the monsters accordingly. You can do that, yes?”
“It’s not a particularly difficult task. Monster summoning and manipulation are my primary specialties.”
“Even Burren Zigheart praised your magical prowess.”
“Ah….”

When Rimer brought up the sub-tower master, Jake’s expression twisted into something ambiguous.

“One more thing—the illusion magic to make the monster appear human….”
“Ah, I can handle that with this.”

Jake raised his right hand and displayed the ring on his middle finger.

“It’s an illusion-type artifact given to me by the sub-tower master. With this ring, casting illusions on the trainees will be simple.”
“Oh, perfect.”

Rimer whistled, clearly satisfied.

“Then I’ll leave it to you. If things go well, let’s grab a drink with the sub-tower master later.”

With that, he left the Chief Instructor’s Office.

‘This will make things easier.’

Rimer had entrusted all matters concerning the monster to him. With this arrangement, summoning that orc and inflicting a fatal wound on Raon—or making excuses to flee—wouldn’t be difficult at all.

“That bastard….”

Jake recalled the boy he’d seen earlier. At first, he’d felt some guilt about wounding a child he didn’t even know, but not anymore.

He would carve far more severe wounds into that damned brat who had humiliated him.

Crunch.

Jake clenched his teeth and left the Chief Instructor’s Office.

*

*

*

I watched the middle-aged mage following Rimer toward the Chief Instructor’s Office, and my gaze grew cold.

It was only a fleeting moment, but I sensed killing intent from that mage. Not the intent to slay, but to touch—to graze. No one else would have detected it.

-At that age, he carries such resentment. What has he been doing with his life? When I reigned in the Demon Realm, all demons worshipped me alone….
‘Silence.’

I kicked Wrath away as he let out a scornful laugh.

‘So it’s him.’

This mage appeared to be the scheme Karun had prepared, the one Judith had warned me about.

-He can’t even conceal his own aura properly. Pathetic—worse than a kitten.
‘At least kittens are cute. This one is utterly useless.’

I ran my hand through my hair as I gazed toward the Chief Instructor’s Office.

‘He’ll strengthen the monster.’

That mage would undoubtedly receive orders from Karun to enhance the monster I’d face to an exceptional degree.

‘He’ll either try to kill me or inflict serious injury.’

The plan was so pathetic it made me laugh. Compared to his foolish father, the son was almost worthy—almost.

‘Pathetic.’

I clicked my tongue and turned my head, my eyes meeting Lunan’s as he entered the Training Ground. His gaze was the same as always, unchanged in these two days. For some reason, my chest ached.

“Father said today’s training is combat against a monster.”

She seemed unwilling to dwell on what had happened back then, so she immediately shifted the conversation to today’s training.

“Really?”
“Yeah.”

Lunan Slion nodded vigorously. It was clear he was forcing himself to act normal, but since he seemed intent on forgetting the matter himself, I had nothing to say.

She entered the Rest Room, saying she would prepare for training.

-You’re not going to say anything?
‘I don’t know what to say. Besides, it’s a family matter.’

How could I offer advice about someone else’s family when I didn’t even understand my own emotions?

Still, I knew what Sylvia had done to Lunan Slion. If given the opportunity, I could resolve it.

“M-Master. Did you know about that?”

As I was grimacing at the bitter taste in my mouth, Dorian approached nervously, clutching his stomach.

“About what?”
“Today’s practical training. It’s n-not just about fighting monsters.”
“Then what?”
“We have to kill the monsters! We actually have to see blood! W-what do we do?”

He gnawed at his nails, his eyes darting frantically.

“Seeing blood, huh…”
“Yes! The goal is to take their lives! It’s absolutely insane!”
“That’s good.”
“Eeeek!”

I left Dorian shrieking behind and looked toward the Rest Room where Lunan Slion had entered.

Perhaps I should try lifting the curse once.

*

*

*

“Attention, everyone!”

Rimer, who had stepped into the Chief Instructor’s Office moments before, now stood atop the Platform. He clapped his hands sharply, drawing every eye toward him.

“I told you all to prepare yourselves mentally for practical combat training today, didn’t I?”
“Yes, sir!”

The trainees gathered toward the center of the Training Ground, their voices ringing with anticipation. Their eyes gleamed with eager expectation.

“It seems you’re finally starting to trust my words. Your eyes are positively sparkling.”

The trainees chuckled at Rimer’s jest. After spending so much time together, they had come to understand his sincerity to some degree.

“Most of you probably know already, thanks to hints and information spread by several instructors, but I should explain nonetheless. Today’s training is actual combat against monsters.”

His voice, which had carried a playful tone moments before, now dropped to a grave register. The very atmosphere of the Training Ground grew heavy.

“A monster’s axe shows no mercy. Unlike sparring with each other or training knights, they will never stop. Do not let your guard down, nor should you become overly tense. Approach the battle with the same calm composure you maintain in your daily practice.”
“Yes, sir!”

The trainees clenched their fists, their shout shaking the Training Ground.

“This is Jake, a mage from the Magic Tower who will assist with our training today. Greet him properly.”
“We appreciate your assistance!”
“I-I also appreciate your assistance!”

Jake bowed in return and quickly scanned the crowd, searching for Raon.

‘He seems fine now?’

That strange, unsettling gaze that had gripped his heart moments before was nowhere to be seen. His eyes were now as ordinary as those of any passerby on the street.

‘But…’

That overwhelming presence from before could not have been a mistake. Judging from the way Karun was watching him, there was undoubtedly something special about this boy.

“Then, Mage. I’m counting on you.”
“Of course.”

Jake nodded at Rimer, who was waving his hand, then stepped forward in front of the Platform.

“Summon Monster.”

After Jake chanted the incantation and struck the ground with his staff, a magical circle materialized on the Training Ground floor. Green light surged upward from the azure runes that spiraled outward in a perfect circle.

Whoooosh!

The light faded slowly, and a massive humanoid figure emerged.

Over two meters tall, bulging muscles, tusks protruding from its mouth, and verdant skin—it was an Orc, the most common yet most dangerous of monsters.

“Grrrrgh!”
“Hah!”
“Ugh!”

The Orc raised the axe in its grip and gnashed its teeth. The sudden surge of feral bloodlust and stench caused the trainees to swallow hard.

“It’s under my control for now, so there’s no need to worry.”

As Jake twirled his finger, the Orc turned its body in that direction.

“The monster you’ll all be facing today is this Orc.”
“I knew it would be an Orc!”
“Finally, real combat….”
“Phew.”

The trainees looked up at Jake with expressions mingling tension and excitement.

“As the instructor mentioned, you mustn’t let your guard down against an Orc. There will be moments when I cannot stop it, so maintain your focus at all times. And….”

Jake pointed at the Orc with the ring adorning his right hand.

Whoosh.

The magical circle ensnaring the Orc twisted like vines, radiating brilliant prismatic light as the Orc’s form began to transform.

The protruding tusks receded, and the green skin burned away to ash. Within seconds, the orc had transformed into an ordinary middle-aged man with brown hair, gripping an axe.

“A… a human?”
“What is this!”
“Why did it suddenly become human…?”
“You must understand—you’re not fighting mere orcs, but orcs who have been magically transformed to appear human.”

Jake swung the axe of the human-looking orc toward the trainees.

“Gasp!”
“Ugh!”
“That’s… that’s just a person!”

The trainees stared at the orc-turned-human with vacant expressions, stunned by the sudden transformation.

“Let me add one more thing.”

Rimer stepped forward in front of Jake, raising a finger.

“Today’s combat isn’t merely about defeating or disabling the orc. You must sever its head to end this.”

He pointed with his raised finger at the orc wearing a human face.

“Ah…”
“That’s… that’s…”

The trainees hesitated, exchanging uncertain glances and unable to step forward.

“Most orcs captured by mages are those who have slaughtered humans. Show no mercy—fight with all your strength and claim victory.”

Rimer withdrew, his voice carrying an unusual gravity unlike his usual demeanor.

‘Dorian’s intelligence was accurate.’

I nodded in acknowledgment.

‘This is solid training.’

Most swordsmen cannot bring themselves to strike through to the end in their first real combat against a human opponent.

Many talented geniuses possessed exceptional martial prowess, yet perished in their first real combat—a tragic fate that befell countless promising warriors.

Today’s battle was not merely about facing monsters; it was dual training designed to prepare for the hollow deaths that awaited the unprepared, and more importantly, to condition them for future combat against human adversaries.

‘And….’

I observed Lunan Slion standing beside me, her lips trembling at the mention of severing a neck.

‘This is the perfect opportunity to break that curse.’

Rimer would never know it, but this training would allow me to undo the brainwashing that Sylvia had etched into Lunan Slion’s mind.

-You’re not even concerned about that bug of a mage?
‘Of course not.’

I nodded. At best, he’d procured some savage orc from somewhere and enhanced it—nothing worth worrying about.

What mattered now was erasing the terror of bloodshed that had taken root in Lunan Slion’s mind.

“Then we shall begin immediately. The first to fight will be….”
“I’ll do it.”

Burren Zigheart raised his hand before Jake could finish speaking.

“You know who I am, don’t you? The son of the Central Intelligence Agency director. Please enhance the orc’s physical abilities significantly.”
“Understood.”

Jake smacked his lips as he listened to Rimer’s acknowledgment. Of course he knew—this was the son of the man who’d given him this assignment.

“Lube Agility, Lube Strength.”

As Rimer chanted the enhancement spells for agility and strength, a blue luminescence swirled around the orc, and its yellow eyes gleamed with even more vicious intent.

“Go.”

Jake extended his finger forward, and the middle-aged orc advanced with heavy, deliberate footfalls.

Groooowl.

Burren clenched and unclenched his fists several times before drawing the real sword he’d been issued previously. He nodded at Jake, signaling he was ready.

“Then I shall begin.”

As Jake snapped his fingers, the glowing runes that had been coiling around the orc’s body vanished.

“Graaaagh!”

The orc roared ferociously and kicked off the ground. It charged forward like a beast and brought its axe crashing down toward Burren’s head.

“I can see it all.”

Burren channeled his aura and raised his blade to meet the strike.

Clang!

The corroded axe and the polished sword collided, sending a shower of crimson sparks into the air.

“Ugh!”

Burren’s eyes widened. The hand gripping his sword trembled with the strain.

‘What is this weight…?’

He’d never seen or faced an orc before, and he’d assumed that with his current strength, he could dispatch one effortlessly.

But the weight behind the orc’s axe was far from manageable. It was no less formidable than the trained knights of the Owen Kingdom he’d fought previously.

“Haaah!”

Burren twisted his wrist sharply and flicked the orc’s axe away.

“Snarl!”

The orc staggered back two steps but charged forward again at an even faster pace. Its eyes blazed a sickly yellow, burning with the intent to tear Burren to shreds.

The trainees behind them flinched at the murderous aura, but Burren remained unflinching.

“How dare you!”

Instead, he raised his blade with renewed fury.

Clang! Screech!

As the orc brought its axe down as though facing a mortal enemy, Burren’s sword found the opening and drove through.

Splash!

Crimson blood erupted from the orc’s shoulder and thigh.

“Roaarrr!”

Yet it charged forward with an even more savage roar. Now it truly seemed like watching a beast rather than a thinking creature.

“Finish this!”

Burren swept upward from beneath the orc, his blade rising to meet it.

Zing!

Just as he drove the axe aside and aimed for the orc’s throat, his sword veered sharply to the right. Nearly half of the orc’s forearm tore open instead.

“Tch…”

Burren bit his lip, frustrated that he could have ended it but didn’t.

“Grraahhh!”

Despite its shoulder and elbow torn wide open, the orc pressed forward like a charging bull. Its strength had waned, but its momentum had not.

Whoosh!

Burren shifted his footwork and swept upward toward the orc’s back. As his blade traced horizontally toward the creature’s neck, his sword halted abruptly once more.

“Damn it!”

Burren cursed and retreated. The tip of his blade trembled as if gripped by fear.

“Burren.”

Rimer, who had been lying on the Platform watching the battle, pushed himself upright.

“You know the one trying to kill you isn’t human, but a monster—yet you still can’t bring yourself to cut it down, can you?”

His voice was calm, as though he had anticipated this moment all along.

“It’s because you have a good heart. Since that monster wears a human face, your blade hesitates. But….”

Rimer pointed toward the snarling orc and continued.

“As I mentioned before, that orc has already tasted human blood. Most of the monsters the mages command have killed humans before.”
“That’s true.”

Jake nodded in agreement.

“It’s fine if you can’t kill it now. This is only training. But if your hand freezes on the battlefield, the swordsman you failed to kill—or the monster—will slaughter your comrades.”
“Ugh….”

Burren Zigheart deflected the orc’s axe while absorbing Rimer’s measured counsel.

“And you can’t stop here if you want to reach your goal, can you?”

At those words, Burren’s gaze shifted toward Raon. As his crimson eyes met mine, a deeper aura surged across his blade.

“Graaaaaah!”
“Not a chance!”

As the orc’s axe descended vertically, Burren straightened his bent knees and pierced through space.

“Hyaaah!”

With a battle cry, his blade traced a semicircle through the air.

Shwack!

A crimson arc painted the sky as the orc’s head fell away, and its body crumpled. The moment life fled, the human-like form shed away, revealing the creature’s true orc visage.

“Hah! Hah!”

Burren planted his sword into the ground, breathing heavily. Yet he did not avert his gaze. He stared unflinchingly at the corpse he had created until the very end.

“Well done.”

Rimer smiled faintly, and Burren glanced at him before turning away. It was the first moment the two of them had locked eyes without frowning.

“….”

Burren cast one last glance at me before returning to his seat.

Snap!

As Jake snapped his fingers, the orc’s corpse vanished. Yet the blood that had soaked the Training Ground floor remained.

“Well then, next is….”
“Me!”

Martha rose with a gesture brimming with confidence. There was no hesitation in her stride as she approached the orc.

“Hmm….”

I shifted my gaze from Martha’s assured back to Lunan.

“Ugh….”

In stark contrast to Martha, Lunan’s lips trembled as she stared at the blood pooling across the floor. Her face had turned as pale as a blank sheet of paper.

My eyes grew distant. Lunan had long been extremely averse to the sight of blood.

Whether sparring with trainees or training knights, she had never inflicted wounds—only sought openings to subdue her opponents.

I hadn’t given it much thought then, but now I understood. She had adopted that fighting style because she was terrified of blood.

‘It was blood after all.’

Siria Slion had carved fear into Lunan by exposing her to blood. Bursting that squirrel to death must have been meant to resurrect that trauma.

A chill settled over my crimson eyes.

‘Siria Slion.’

I will break the curse you placed upon Lunan.

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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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