Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Former Sword Saint and Misandrist Disciple (2)
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A full week had passed since Karin became my disciple.
Watching her swing her sword in the front yard, I found myself staring in awe, blinking dumbly.
"It's rare to see you gaping like that, Master."
"...Yeah. I never imagined I'd be this shocked, but it's just ridiculous."
In just one week, she'd gone from a total novice who couldn't even qualify as third-rate to the very cusp of first-class.
Karin was a monster, plain and simple.
Her talent for the sword seemed to surpass even mine, combined with her relentless effort to shatter her own limits.
Those two qualities had propelled her to these heights.
The perfect storm of effort and genius: Karin Clayman, the once-in-a-generation cheat character.
Maybe I'd been underestimating her all along.
"...Whew. How was that?"
Karin approached, sheathing her sword.
Her face radiated the same seriousness and passion as always.
Still, compared to when we'd first met, her expression had softened noticeably.
"You've improved beyond compare from a week ago."
"Really?"
She brightened at the praise, her demeanor lightening—if only slightly higher in tone, since her face barely changed.
"That said, you still have glaring flaws. In a real fight, they'd be deadly."
Of course, Karin had never wielded a sword with her life on the line.
In other words, she lacked the essential experience every true warrior needs for enlightenment.
That's why her insane growth spurt over the past week was starting to plateau.
"...Of course, those major flaws will fill themselves in as you gain more experience."
That's the nature of the Ultimate Sword Path I'm teaching her.
The sword born from facing diverse techniques and opponents—the sword of experience.
That's what makes it ultimate.
"Anyway, that's enough for this morning's lesson. Let's grab some lunch."
Karin had been swinging that blade nonstop since dawn, so she had to be starving.
And today, I'd specially asked Cecilia to prepare Karin's all-time favorite from the game.
Even in the game, that dish would crack her stoic facade into a goofy grin.
As I turned to head inside, brimming with anticipation—
Karin's voice came from behind me.
"I want to spar."
It was hesitant, uncharacteristic of her.
A tone I'd never heard from her before.
"...Spar?"
"Yes. I want to see your sword, Master."
Come to think of it, I hadn't sparred with her once in that whole week.
Usually, you'd do at least one formal bout to show the gap between master and disciple.
"...Well, no reason not to."
It might give her valuable experience and spur even more growth.
"Alright, draw your sword."
"Yes...!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ At Yuri's words, Karin drew the sword she'd just sheathed.
The blade Yuri had gifted her the day after she started—the first sword she'd ever wielded to commemorate her debut in swordsmanship.
Now, that gifted blade was pointed straight at him.
"...Aren't you going to draw yours, Master?"
"If I do, you'll get hurt."
With those quiet words, Yuri picked up a wooden practice sword from the corner of the yard.
A crude thing he'd made himself—no trace of a craftsman's touch, just a hunk of wood shaped like a sword.
"I'll give you ten seconds head start. Come at me easy."
His tone was off from usual.
Normally, he treated opponents with respect, conversing as equals.
But now, raw arrogance dripped from every word.
'...That confidence isn't baseless, is it...?'
Karin gripped her sword tightly, unable to think otherwise.
The man before her—Yuri Kaliyam—casually held that wooden sword, yet an overwhelming killing intent poured from him.
'That's... him holding back...?'
The Seven Stars, Yuri included, suppressed their ingrained bloodlust for everyday life.
Yuri used something like the Reversal Ghost Formation, but as a swordsman, even gripping a blade let some leak out.
In short, this was barely a fraction of his total intent.
Yet even that crushed Karin, teetering on first-class.
'Don't shrink back. Use this as a springboard...'
She clenched her fist harder.
Soon, she felt her sword resonating with her.
The first stage of the Ultimate Sword Path: Sword Resonance.
"Hah...!!!"
She inhaled deeply and lunged, slashing horizontally.
A swift strike probing the wall of mastery.
The air in the yard tore with a rip, her blade carving a line.
Against any normal foe, it'd cleave them in half.
But this full-power speed slash never touched Yuri.
"Hm, that's passing."
He deflected it casually with a sidestep of his wooden sword.
But Karin wasn't one to quit after one miss—she had nine strikes left.
Clang!
She flicked her sword upward for a follow-up slash, but his lazy swing nullified it.
Superhuman reflexes, no thought or prediction needed.
In the Ultimate Sword Path, they called it Insight.
'...Too early to give up.'
She retreated a step, reset her stance, and straightened her blade.
In real combat, she'd be countered in that instant—but Yuri's ten-second gift gave her this chance.
And chances must be seized fully.
Karin poured every ounce of her dantian into the sword, and a clear, unprecedented ring echoed.
Riiiing!!!
The sword's cry reverberated in her mind.
The signal that body and blade had merged.
"...Here I go."
Murmuring to herself, she charged again.
Similar to her prior speed slash.
But this one's essence was different.
'That's... impressive progress.'
Facing her incoming strike, Yuri thought.
Not life-or-death, just one spar, and her speed sword realm had elevated.
Cheat-level talent, no doubt.
'Still, a bit disappointing.'
He'd figured after her speed failed, she'd switch to feints or heavy strikes.
Yet she doubled down on speed.
Better than before, sure—but her choice screamed lack of experience.
Whoosh!!
As Yuri pondered, Karin's swift blades swirled from all directions.
Unbelievable speed for near first-class.
Let one land, and broken bones were guaranteed.
Put simply: all speed, no substance.
'Fast swords are quick and precise, but weightless.'
Aim for dot damage with shallow cuts, crits on vitals—none pack a punch.
React right, keep up bodily, and parrying's a breeze.
Clang!! Clang!!! Clanggggg!!
One, two, three—up to the ninth, Yuri parried.
As the tenth loomed, he readied a counter.
'...Well, she got what she could from this.'
A satisfied smile as he moved to block the finale—
Thud!!
"Oh?"
No speed focus now—a hefty heavy slash crashing down on his wooden sword.
He'd anticipated from her wind-up, but...
Karin's ideal play caught him grinning despite himself.
'The best move is just a best-case—yet she went with instinct?'
A deceptive blade luring carelessness, exploiting gaps.
Impossible for an inexperienced fighter like Karin.
"Incredible talent."
Yuri complimented her earnestly before leaping back.
The gap between them opened in an instant.
Close yet far, far yet close.
"Haha... You look pretty surprised too, Master."
"Picking the optimal move earned my admiration. Since you showed me heavy sword, I'll return the favor."
Yuri gripped his wooden sword and slashed horizontally through the air toward her.
For a split second, the air screamed painfully, as if torn.
Simultaneously, an absolute pressure crushed the area, like a human squashing an ant.
Rumbleeeee!!!!!!
Not mere power in that heavy strike—something beyond.
Facing it, Karin froze. Snapping back, Yuri thought to himself:
'Not thrilled about some lewd newbie's debut, absolutely not.'