The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 63

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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 63

“Why do you think you lost?”

The trainees couldn’t open their mouths at my final question.

“Strength? Numbers? Judgment? None of those. It’s true they had more people, but we surpassed them in raw power and combat experience. We shouldn’t have been pushed back so one-sidedly. So why did we lose?”
“…Information?”

Burren slowly opened his mouth.

“You understand well.”

I nodded, looking at Burren.

“The 6th Martial Grounds had already grasped each of our individual personalities, power levels, and the terrain of Bekmang Mountain. They devised strategies tailored to each opponent. Meanwhile, we prepared nothing. We went in thinking we’d naturally win.”
“But, but the time….”
“Time was tight, but it was the same for them. To be honest, one day is enough time to gather at least basic information. Rimer deliberately told us a day in advance so you’d develop that ability.”

I scanned through the trainees one by one and let out a scoff.

“And you didn’t give up because you had no time—you let your guard down thinking you’d win easily. Time isn’t an excuse.”
“Ugh!”
“That, that’s….”

The trainees bit their lips, unable to speak even with their mouths agape.

“Even if each of you in the 5th Training Ground is strong, there’s no overwhelming difference between us and them. Losing to the 6th Martial Grounds, who had strategies prepared in advance, was inevitable.”
“Then what should we do? It’s already all over….”
“Over? Shut your mouth.”
“Hup!”

When Martha frowned, Dorian, whose hands had been trembling, clamped his mouth shut.

“Some of you actually got hurt, and we’ve lost a lot of stamina and aura. That’s a disadvantage, true. But….”

My eyes gleamed as I looked toward where the 6th Martial Grounds trainees were preparing their next attack.

“They’re not the only ones with information.”
“You knew something?”
“Cain Zigheart, the top trainee of the 6th Martial Grounds, has been issuing all the orders until now. He’s the one who matched you against opponents with poor matchups.”
“Cain Zigheart? How did he manage that?”

Martha’s teeth ground together.

“Cain Zigheart has exceptional vision and perception. He identified your movement patterns from a distance and sent trainees with favorable matchups against you.”
“Tch, Cain Zigheart….”

Burren let out a frustrated groan, his pride wounded.

“Against Martha, who relies on pure strength and durability, he sent a swordsman who could endure attacks and drain her aura. Against Burren, who uses honest and systematic swordplay, he sent a swordsman trained in intuitive swordsmanship to leave you helpless.”

I explained precisely why the 5th Training Ground had to lose.

“So what’s the way to win? Simple. Switch opponents. If Burren and Martha traded opponents, victory wouldn’t be difficult.”
“That won’t work! If we win like that, I’ll go mad from frustration!”
“…I’m sorry, but I feel the same. A victory gained through retreat means nothing.”

Martha, Burren, and all the Branch Family trainees fell silent.

“Fine. Then the second option.”

I nodded as if I’d expected this.

“Change your attack method.”
“Attack method?”
“The swordsman Martha faced is certainly sturdy, but his aura control is lacking. If you open your senses and strike where his aura flow is incomplete, you should be able to break through without much difficulty.”

I turned from Martha to look at Burren.

“Your pursuit of perfection and systematic technique makes you easy prey for intuitive swordsmanship that swings without thought.”
“Hmm….”

Burren furrowed his brow and nodded.

“Intuitive swordsmanship relies on instinct, so it often falls for feints. Watch for the moment your opponent takes the bait and rushes in. You can do it.”

The trainees’ eyes widened as though they might burst from their sockets, fixed intently upon me.

“What, what is this?”
“You were right here the whole time.”
“How did you possibly know all of that?”
“It’s just… incomprehensible.”

The sight of me, sitting motionless in this position, comprehending every battlefield unfolding before us—it was far more shocking than the defeat inflicted by the 6th Martial Grounds.

“What exactly are you?”
“What kind of perception is this….”

Martha and Burren stood slack-jawed in astonishment as well.

“But what if their strategy changes?”

Dorian raised his hand with the question. His timidity seemed to breed endless worries.

“Your point has merit, but their strategy won’t change.”
“Why not?”
“They’ve already tasted success once. Those who know that sweetness will repeat the same strategy for an even more perfect victory.”

My eyes, brimming with certainty, sent a chill down the spines of every trainee present.

“But if Cain’s senses are as sharp as they say, and he responds quickly to reinforce the center or upper positions—what then?”
“It’s fine. My senses surpass Cain’s.

I smiled faintly, sensing Cain’s presence in the center of the battlefield.

“And he’ll come toward us.”

*

*

*

Methun, having surveyed the 6th Martial Grounds trainees and returned to the 5th Training Ground’s base, furrowed his brow.

“An arrogant child, I see.”

I had been somewhat concerned upon hearing that Raon Zigheart was composed and cold-headed, but it seemed there was no need for such worry.

‘Better senses than Cain? This is absurd.’

Cain Zigheart’s greatest advantage was not his exceptional swordsmanship or the vast reserves of aura he commanded.

It was his senses.
His ability to read an opponent’s presence and condition, along with his perception, was extraordinarily refined.

He could even locate instructors hiding in the shadows—his senses had long since transcended the level of a mere trainee.

Yet Raon claimed to possess senses superior to Cain’s. I couldn’t help but scoff inwardly.

“This will be over quickly.”

Observing Raon and the 5th Training Ground’s demeanor, victory seemed far easier to secure than I had anticipated.

‘I should prepare a celebration feast for the trainees.’

The victors deserved proper rewards. I was already turning to leave, thinking of how I would treat the 6th Martial Grounds trainees to a fine meal, when—

“Isn’t the arrogant one you?”

A brisk voice, light as wind, called from behind me.

I turned without alarm. The red-haired Elf stood there with a mischievous grin.

“So you’ve finally shown up.”
“No, I’ve been here the whole time watching.”
“Making excuses for being late—still the same, I see.”
“I’m telling you, that’s not it.”

I furrowed my brow at Rimer’s lighthearted tone.

“But what did you mean by what you just said?”
“What I just said?”
“You called me arrogant.”
“Ah, that.”

Rimer scratched his neck and let out a soft chuckle.

“I haven’t even drawn my sword yet, and you’re already declaring the fight over. How could I not call that arrogant?”
“You haven’t drawn your sword? Your side clashed head-on and you’re already broken. Your stamina and aura consumption are far worse than ours. There’s no hope.”
“That’s just your opinion.”
“You’re the same as that kid—both of you are full of bluster.”

Methun shook his head as he watched Raon and Rimer in turn, issuing tactical orders to the trainees.

“Cain has such keen senses that he can even detect the instructors’ presence. There’s no trainee in this small battlefield who can devise a better strategy than him. They won’t even sense his presence—it’ll all be over before they know it.”
“Detecting an instructor’s presence, you say…”

Rimer grinned wickedly, drawing out his words.

“Raon isn’t an instructor, but he’s actually sensed my presence before.”
“What?”
“That Raon Zigheart you dismissed as arrogant once found the place where I was hiding.”
“That’s… a lie!”

Methun’s eyes wavered for the first time.

‘That’s impossible.’

Even with his dantian damaged, Rimer was an elf. If he concealed his presence and hid, even Methun himself would have difficulty finding him—the idea that such a young trainee could sense him was unbelievable.

“I don’t lie.”
“Stop spouting nonsense. It’s harder to find something truthful among your words.”
“Ah, let me correct that then. I don’t lie about those kids.”

Rimer nodded and smirked.

“Hmm…”

Methun swallowed hard and looked down.

“Even if what you say is true and Raon Zigheart possesses keener senses than Cain, it’s already too late. The scales of victory have already tipped.”
“Yeah, it’s definitely rough. Four of them are eliminated, and most are exhausted. But Raon has never once disappointed me.”

Rimer chuckled as he watched Raon issuing instructions to the trainees.

“If your disciples let their guard down like you are, they’ll be devoured in an instant.”

*

*

*

The trainees of the 6th Martial Grounds, having tasted one victory, gathered in a circle just as they had that morning, with a map of Bekmang Mountain and Cain at its center.

“The 5th Training Ground’s flag is located here.”

Cain pointed to the western edge with his finger.

“All we need to do is take that position and it’s over.”
“We can actually defeat the 5th Training Ground—all our hard work has paid off.”
“Once this is done, everyone will see us in a new light.”

The trainees wore smiles as if the duel were already concluded.

“I told you not to celebrate yet.”

Cain rolled his foot, drawing the excited trainees’ attention back to him.

“Raon Zigheart and Lunan Slion remain formidable. Especially Raon—he’s the strongest in the 5th Training Ground. Drop your guard and you’ll pay the price.”
“But Burren and Martha have expended considerable strength, and four of their trainees are already eliminated.”
“We do have the advantage, but don’t grow careless.”
“If you read their movements like before and issue commands, we can win easily.”
“Yes. We trust you!”
“Well, that’s true, but….”

Cain nodded slightly at the trainee’s words. Beneath his facade of composure, his immaturity showed through.

“In any case, complacency is forbidden. Fight with all your strength until the very end.”
“Understood!”

The trainees answered loudly and rose to their feet.

“So those bastards will move in two ways… Hm?”

Cain Zigheart, who had been pointing at the map, raised his eyes as he looked westward.

“They’re coming.”
“Sir?”
“The 5th Training Ground trainees have begun moving again.”
“How so?”

Cain Zigheart closed his eyes without answering. He opened his senses, felt the aura of the approaching trainees, and a faint smile crossed his face.

“Same as before. Martha in the center, Burren Zigheart above, the rest below.”
“They still haven’t come to their senses.”
“If they beg to lose, we should let them.”
“Can’t Raon control Burren Zigheart and Martha either?”
“It’s already over.”

The trainees sneered at the 5th Training Ground trainees rushing toward them like moths to a flame.

“We proceed with the original plan. Burren Zigheart and the Branch Family members face Decal and squads 2 and 3, Martha faces Dun and squad 1, and below is Puyon. Karin and I will counter Raon and Lunan Slion.”
“Understood!”

The 6th Martial Grounds trainees answered loudly and rushed to overcome their assigned opponents.

“We should prepare to finish this as well.”

Cain Zigheart stood and glanced back. Karin nodded and drew her sword.

“So which side will finish first… Hm?”

He frowned as he looked downward.

‘Lunan Slion has moved as well.’

I sensed a chill emanating from below. It was Lunan Slion.

“Karin.”
“Leave it to me.”

Karin nodded and rushed down in the direction Lunan had moved.

‘Karin should be able to hold her own.’

Karin was a successor of the same upper noble house as Lunan Slion. Since she knew Lunan better than anyone, she wouldn’t be easily overwhelmed.

Boom! Crash!

A heavy, resonant sound like boulders colliding echoed from the center. It was the sound of Martha and Dun clashing again.

Boom!

Not long after, a sharp metallic ring sounded from above as Burren Zigheart and Decal collided.

“Now then, let’s see.”

Cain Zigheart positioned his two guards and closed his eyes, expanding his aura perception widely.

In case any position was losing ground, he needed to send reinforcements. He spread his aura across all three directions—above, center, and below—to assess the battle situation.

What?

Cain Zigheart’s eyes snapped open as he surveyed all three fronts.

“What—what is this! Why are we losing everywhere!”

Above, center, and below—all three positions were being pushed back by the 5th Training Ground.

“How is this possible?”

Fighting the same opponents as this morning, yet being overwhelmed one-sidedly—it was incomprehensible.

‘Raon Zigheart.’

What in the world did you do?!

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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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