Sparring Festival (3)
The Academy's Sparring Festival was the biggest annual event of the first semester, with every grade participating. Not only were there massive prizes sponsored by Gold Star Giovanni of the Palstar Heroes, but The influence that came with strong performances made it one of the most talked-about events of the year. It was especially crucial for first-years, as it was their chance to make a first impression inside and outside the academy. That's why the selected representatives always prepared more seriously than anyone else—honing their specialties, preparing secret techniques, or at least polishing the basics.
But right here, in this very spot, was a man living his life as usual, not giving a damn about any of it.
"Yaaawn."
It was Seong Hyun-jin. Serena, sitting beside him, shot him a look of utter disbelief as he yawned so wide it seemed his jaw might unhinge.
"...You're making me tired."
"Really? Sorry about that."
With the festival just around the corner, the two representatives had been given free training time instead of classes. A department's top student winning brought great honor to their entire department, so Instructor Hayes had granted them time for personal prep. Serena had been testing various things and keeping her body loose, but the guy next to her... wasn't doing any of that.
"Yaaawn."
Just yawning like this.
"You still helping people fix their stuff these days?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah, just a bit. Not staying up all night or anything."
"Then why are you so sleepy?"
"'Cause I'm not doing jack."
"...That's exactly what I'm asking. The festival's right around the corner—why aren't you doing anything?"
Serena said.
"Don't you want to do well? Weren't you the one talking about getting famous?"
"I do wanna place well."
"Then why aren't you doing anything?"
Seong Hyun-jin looked at Serena and casually asked,
"I'm your rival too, you know. You worried about me?"
"...It's not worry. You're just yawning next to me nonstop, and it's draining my energy."
Serena made an excuse, but Seong Hyun-jin had already picked up on her concern for him not preparing at all before the festival. To put her at ease, he gave a simple explanation for his lounging around.
"Truth is, I don't really have anything to do."
"Pardon?"
"I can already use everything from Master's swordsmanship that this body can handle. The stuff I can't use yet because my body's not grown enough... well, I can't use it unless I grow right now."
"But you still need to train, right? Being able to use it and executing a perfect sword is different."
That was why no swordsman ever slacked on training. Unless you were some hidden master who'd perfected every technique, there was no reason to stop.
But Seong Hyun-jin looked at her like she was saying something weird.
"What're you talking about?"
"Did I say something weird? It's true, isn't it?"
"It is true, but... Didn't I tell you last time? I already fully comprehend Master's swordsmanship."
Seong Hyun-jin said.
"Do I really need to train more on sword techniques I've already mastered?"
"...Pardon?"
When Serena had heard that before, she'd chalked it up to typical male bravado in front of a girl. But his tone now made it clear he was dead serious.
"......That wasn't a joke?"
"Why would I joke about that? If it was, Master might've killed me for the arrogance. She's dead serious about the sword. Anyone bragging that they've mastered her techniques? She'd cut their head off on the spot."
Serena's eyes went wide at his words. If it was true that he'd fully comprehended Sword Star Hakodate Karin's entire swordsmanship, then the man before her...
...he's the next Sword Star.
Not just a disciple of the Sword Star, but a legitimate successor. It was too astonishing for Serena to accept easily, but Seong Hyun-jin had no reason to lie about something like this. And as he'd said, if word got back to the Sword Star herself via some careless slip, it'd be a disaster. Serena knew by now he wasn't the type to do something that stupid.
Seong Hyun-jin flexed his arm and said,
"Elf blood makes growth slow, y'know? Muscles don't build easy even with training. So I know a ton of techniques I just can't use yet."
"...Then shouldn't you at least train your stamina?"
"Like you said, that's about all I can do, but pushing too hard and injuring a muscle would mess up the festival."
Seong Hyun-jin said.
"I'm just loosening up enough."
"...But what's the issue, exactly? The Sword Star's a woman, so size shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"It's about body balance."
Seong Hyun-jin pondered how to explain, then spoke.
"Men and women have different builds, right? Even at similar heights and sizes, shoulders, hips—all the fine details differ. So Master taught me her sword adapted for a man's body, but I need to grow more to match that standard."
"How much more?"
"Height 180cm, arm span at least 170—ideally 180. Legs: inseam at least 85cm from the crotch, ideally 90+. That's when the power transfer and weight distribution work right. Balance stays perfect mid-technique."
The numbers flowed out effortlessly, letting Serena grasp just how systematically the Sword Star's swordsmanship was designed. Specifying exact body metrics like that meant she'd perfected techniques to match.
"So right now, you're..."
"Nowhere close. Too short, so arms and legs are all undersized. I'm just using the techniques from Master's lessons that this body can handle."
Serena blinked. If he shot up like that, what would he look like? His face was already handsome. Sure, his height being girl-level was a flaw, but it gave him a cute charm sometimes. If he grew tall here... Serena got a little curious.
Just in case, she brought it up.
"There's an Elf Elixir for that."
"Huh?"
"One that accelerates growth. Elves grow so slow, right? Sometimes even among us, there are those who hate it. That's what it was made for..."
"......It exists?"
Seong Hyun-jin's eyes widened in shock. If it did, why hadn't Master mentioned it? But Serena's next words explained why Karin hadn't.
"It shortens your lifespan. Elves live near-immortally anyway, so it's fine for us."
"Ah..."
"You wouldn't want to use it, right?"
"...Yeah, no thanks. A few more years of waiting, and I'll get there naturally. Shortening my life for that? Pass."
Lifespan mattered a lot to Seong Hyun-jin. Half-elves lived longer than humans but not as long as full elves.
I need to spend as much time as possible with Master.
To stay with immortal Karin forever, he couldn't waste a single day.
#
Tap, tap. Light footsteps echoed as someone entered the chapel.
"Sunbae, you here?"
It was Seong Hyun-jin. Not prayer time, so the chapel was empty. As he called out, a girl emerged from the inner room.
"Junior Seong Hyun-jin."
The chapel's mistress, her benevolent smile radiant. Yeonhui, third-year theology student.
"What brings you here?"
"You said you needed someone to talk to."
"Oh?"
As Yeonhui looked mildly surprised, Seong Hyun-jin explained briefly.
"I was out walking and ended up near the chapel... Thought of it and stopped by."
"You remembered. How kind, Junior Seong Hyun-jin."
She smiled prettily, pleased, and gestured to a pew.
"Have a seat, junior."
"Ah, sure."
As Seong Hyun-jin sat, Yeonhui sat right next to him—very naturally. He thought maybe they were a bit close, but she seemed perfectly at ease.
...Doesn't matter?
No need to pull away if she wasn't bothered. A pretty girl like Yeonhui sitting close? Not bad for him.
"So, got something you wanna talk about? You asked for company..."
"Mm, just chit-chat. I'm a transmigrator, right?"
"Yes."
Yeonhui smiled a bit wistfully, like she missed home.
"Sometimes I get homesick for my old world. Might not resonate with a reincarnator like you, but..."
"Nah, I get it."
"You do?"
Yeonhui looked surprised, but Seong Hyun-jin nodded.
"My master's a transmigrator too. She mentions stuff like that sometimes."
"Ah, I see. That makes it easier to talk about."
Relieved, Yeonhui continued.
"If you're okay, I'd love to chat about stuff from Korea with you. Can't tell anyone else."
"...Yeah, hard to talk about that with anyone but someone like me."
"Thank you for understanding."
Yeonhui turned to him, her crimson eyes sparkling like sunset, and beamed.
"I'm so glad I met you, junior."
"...Feel free to speak casually. I'll listen to it all."
"Thank you. Then..."
Yeonhui poured out all the stories she'd been dying to share. Whether from an era close to his past life, most of it was familiar. He nodded along appropriately, letting her reminisce happily.
Time flew. Once she'd said her fill, Yeonhui sighed in relief.
"Thanks to you, I got it all out."
"I was surprised too. You're chattier than I thought, sunbae."
"Didn't like it?"
"Nah, just unexpected."
Seong Hyun-jin said.
"Talkative beats stoic any day."
"...Really?"
Yeonhui smiled lightly, pleased by his consideration.
"You listened to me, so I should repay you."
"No need. I had time, and I enjoyed the talk..."
"Still. And it'll be useful for you too."
"Useful for me?"
As Seong Hyun-jin looked puzzled, Yeonhui nodded lightly and got to the point.
"Know the Graywood family?"
"No clue. Elf family? Ends with 'wood'..."
"Right. Graywood's a vassal house to the Northwood family."
"......Northwood?"
Northwood. The familiar name threw Seong Hyun-jin off.
"Related to Aiel Northwood?"
"You know him. I heard you two clashed."
The cafeteria incident would've spread easily. But aside from that, why were Aiel Northwood and Graywood coming up with Yeonhui?
Seong Hyun-jin waited curiously.
"That's why I figured I should tell you."
"Tell me what? Why bring up Graywood all of a sudden? Need more explanation."
"Aiel's vassal from Graywood enrolled too. Ryugrien Graywood, your junior. Seems like he's planning something... interesting."
"Interesting?"
Before explaining, Yeonhui dropped a key fact.
"Aiel's competing in the festival too, like you and Serena."
"...Top of magic department, figures."
"And in the festival, he plans to take Serena down properly. Any guesses?"
"...Smells fishy. Real bad."
"Exactly. Instead of dirtying his own hands, he's probably using his vassal Ryugrien."
Yeonhui nodded.
"No matter the trick, he can't directly harm Serena, so indirect sabotage—like tampering with food or drinks."
Seong Hyun-jin frowned seriously at her words.
Knew he had a troublemaker face...
No clue what exactly, but if indirect like she said... Block all food and drink to Serena before the match?
Telling her not to eat would seem weird.
He'd have to explain and tell her to be careful. Then a sudden doubt made him eye Yeonhui curiously.
"But how'd you find out?"
"Ah, well, I looked into you a bit......Oops."
Yeonhui panicked slightly.
"D-don't misunderstand! I was curious since you're from the same homeland, so I asked around, but no creepy stalking, I swear!"
Seong Hyun-jin stared down at her flustered excuses.
"You could've just asked me."
"...Pardon?"
"If you're curious about me, ask me directly. More accurate that way, right?"
Seong Hyun-jin stood.
"Still, thanks to you digging, I got this info."
"...Wait, junior."
"Yeah?"
Yeonhui asked carefully.
"It's really okay to bother you like that?"
"Sure."
Seong Hyun-jin answered readily.
"No big deal."
Yeonhui was worth it. Pretty, for one. Her chest was disappointingly small, but that benevolent smile rivaled Master's.
"......Junior, if I'm gonna bother you from now on, let me repay you properly first."
"Huh?"
"You want to help Serena, right? As friends."
She emphasized "friends," but Seong Hyun-jin didn't mind and nodded.
"Yeah, pretty much."
"Then like this."
Yeonhui proposed.
"I'll set it up so you face off against Aiel."