Chapter 123: Heterogeneous Species (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 123: Heterogeneous Species (5)
The fist.
Unless one is born with a deformity, it is a weapon that most humans possess from birth.
Similarly, it could be said to be the very first weapon most humans ever swing.
In other words, the fist is the most primal and primitive of weapons.
At the same time, it’s something a civilized person wouldn't particularly favor.
It’s called a weapon, but it’s really just a part of the body.
What can fragile flesh do when it clashes with real weapons like swords, spears, or axes? It would only be destroyed.
However, in every era, there have been those who sought to fight weapons with nothing but their fists.
Among them, those who reached the ultimate peak were often hailed as "Fist Kings."
The Kings of the Fist.
“……”
That was why I realized it the moment I parried my opponent's punch.
I had once told Daisy that she seemed to have the qualities of a Fist King, but the so-called "real deals" were on an entirely different level.
If they weren't, there was no way to explain the impact and sound effect of steel clashing against steel when a sword met a fist.
“Ho?”
Yet, my opponent looked more surprised than I was.
A piece of iron and human flesh had collided, and the flesh side was the one acting surprised?
It was utterly absurd, but not entirely shocking.
No matter how long the Minor Sword Emperor had served as a measuring stick for combat power, one couldn't earn that title without having actual combat power to measure.
He was strong enough to cut down any mediocre extra.
At the same time, it was a title one could only earn by losing when a significant powerhouse appeared.
In the first place, I had only felt fear toward Daisy’s growth potential; she hadn't actually defeated the Minor Sword Emperor without her Magic Sword yet.
…To be honest, even I wasn't confident I could win against Daisy if she drew her Magic Sword and the fight dragged on.
I was someone who evaluated the Minor Sword Emperor more highly than anyone else.
And yet, that Minor Sword Emperor had been defeated.
He had even cast a "Death Echo" on me, as if telling me to see how I liked it.
This meant that, in the Minor Sword Emperor's judgment, there was a possibility—no, a very high probability—that I would lose as well.
…Which made me want to fight even less.
But the duel had begun faster than expected.
And after exchanging a few blows, I had a clear read on the situation.
“…Damn it, Uncle Aeryun.”
The Academy’s security has been breached again…
Just a moment ago, we were having a meeting about the heterogeneous species scheduled to arrive at the Academy.
And yet, one of them was already standing right in front of me.
Appearance-wise, they clearly weren't an Elf or a Dwarf, so that left the Beastkin and the Dragonkin.
I had been fighting while praying they were a Beastkin.
But seeing those eyes grow sharper as the punches accelerated…
“Ugh.”
Looking at the horns protruding from their head, I had no choice but to swallow my tears and accept reality.
“As expected of the strongest Second-in-Command, vouched for by that strong human!”
The presumed Dragonkin freshman spoke with a smile full of joy, as if experiencing pure ecstasy. In response, I swung my sword with all my might.
“Ah! Wa-wait a minute!”
They looked flustered by my sudden aggression, but not a chance.
It was obvious they were trying to transition to the next phase; I wasn't about to give them time.
“Ch-Chivalry! They say you’re not supposed to attack while someone is talking!”
“I’m not a knight yet.”
I had been issued a knight’s license, but it was unofficial, so technically, I was still a knight trainee.
“No! Still! To a junior!”
“You’re not my junior either.”
They said they were being sent to the first year, but since they hadn't officially enrolled yet, it was true they weren't my junior.
“You figured out my identity?!”
The opponent was startled, but with horns growing and pupils splitting vertically, you’d have to be an idiot not to know.
“What? They aren't a student of our Academy?”
“They’re wearing the uniform!”
“Then who are they?”
Idiots.
…This is the continent’s greatest Academy?
My trust in the Academy plummeted to rock bottom in an instant.
But that wasn't the problem.
“In that case… there’s no need to hide my power.”
Uh oh. That punk is turning red.
By the time I sensed something was wrong, it was already too late.
-
Because my attention had briefly shifted to the students' reactions, the fight entered Phase 2.
The Dragonkin didn't just turn red; they were suddenly enveloped in flames, and from those flames, they boldly forged a sword.
…To use this level of Fire Style in a place without fire.
Come to think of it, other attributes are used just fine where their element doesn't exist.
It felt like only Water Style specifically required actual water.
Is the water attribute just trash?
“To think you’d make me use a sword. Senior, you’re quite strong.”
“I told you, I’m not your senior…”
“If not a senior, then a classmate? Anyway. The truth is, I wasn't a brawler, but a swordsman!”
“If you start losing now, I bet you’ll claim you were actually a mage.”
“……!”
Judging by the "you caught me" expression on their face, they certainly had a flair for the dramatic.
“Re-receive my blade!”
They swung the flaming sword with an awkward tone, but…
“……?”
As if their claim of being a swordsman was true, their swordsmanship was extraordinary.
…It was truly extraordinary.
“……”
No, holy shit. This is seriously extraordinary. What the hell?
I felt something very familiar in this stranger’s sword.
To the point where the soul of my Defeat Sword was screaming at me to hurry up and lose.
“You blocked that? Huh? Seriously. You blocked that? It’s like you knew it was coming!”
Watching the Dragonkin get excited with wide eyes, I couldn't help but narrow mine.
Did I know it was coming?
Yes.
I knew.
Because to me, it was the most familiar swordsmanship of all.
So, I casually threw out a bait.
“It’s decent swordsmanship, but too predictable. Then again, where would a Dragonkin learn to use a sword? You probably just picked up some mediocre book…”
It was a statement that could be a grave insult if I was wrong, but if I explained my reasoning, it was understandable.
“What? Picked up a mediocre book? My dad taught me this!”
“Your dad must have learned it half-heartedly then.”
“Are you quite finished?!”
Uh oh.
The bloodline of a dragon, famous for having a nasty temper, was manifesting properly now.
The output of the Magic Sword made of fire was growing stronger and stronger.
The heat was intense enough that the moment I stopped channeling mana into my sword, it would melt and snap in half.
“Who’s your dad?”
“My dad? My dad’s name is Dain!”
My head tilted naturally at that name.
Wait. That’s a name I’ve heard somewhere before.
“It’s Sword Saint Dain!”
Watching the flames swing toward me, I finally recalled the name.
Sword Saint Dain.
Full name: Dain Leon.
…Son of a bitch, there was a dragon-lover among the royal ancestors.
I knew I smelled something familiar in that swordsmanship.
It was the Leon Royal Family's swordsmanship.
It was slightly different, but I could tell because it was the same style I got beaten up by every time I sparred with Prince Ellen.
The branches were different, but the roots were the same. I was certain it was the Leon Royal Family's swordsmanship.
That’s why I provoked them so hard to see where it had leaked from.
I never imagined that a dragon-lover existed among the royalty.
…And a man treated as a great hero across the continent, at that.
Sword Saint Dain Leon.
He was a figure who contributed greatly to Leon’s image as a kingdom of knights.
A legendary swordsman who appeared in the early days of the Leon Kingdom.
His greatest fame came from being a Dragon Slayer.
A long time ago, a Red Dragon famous for its violent temperament appeared.
He went to fight the Red Dragon on behalf of the trembling humans and never returned.
However, since the dragon also vanished after that day…
Everyone assumed he had defeated the dragon and died in mutual destruction.
…To think he just fell in love with the dragon and left the secular world behind.
Was Prince Ellen’s "Golden Child" behavior a trait engraved in his very bloodline?
Tears blurred my vision, but the flames approaching my face evaporated them instantly.
I missed my Magic Sword that was in for maintenance, but regretting its absence now wouldn't change anything.
Therefore, I used a massive amount of mana to infuse my sword with cold energy.
It was a mindless waste of mana.
It was the kind of thing that would make mages freak out, but…
“A swordsman using magic?”
Since it was magic recognized by a Dragonkin, the next time a mage complained, I’d tell them it was magic approved by a dragon (descendant).
You’re dead, Fire Spammers. Just you wait and see what I have to say.
“That’s right. Actually… I was a mage.”
I heard boos from the mages watching from behind, but I ignored them.
Since the strongest Fire Spammer in the Magic Department had lost to me, they probably just didn't want to admit the truth that a swordsman is far superior to a mage.
“Hmph. No wonder you’re so ignorant about swordsmanship.”
The Dragonkin immediately tried to get under my skin, but I decided to let it slide.
…To be honest, I was close to my limit.
Even though I had mindlessly increased my mana capacity by consuming elixirs since childhood, it was just a handful compared to a Dragonkin who inherited the blood of a dragon.
And I was consuming even that handful in the most inefficient way possible.
Since the opponent was a Dragonkin, and further revealed to have ties to the Leon Royal Family, it wouldn't be strange for me to lose here, but…
…There was no particular need to lose, so I spoke as I sheathed my sword.
“What? Why are you putting your sword away? Ah, because you said you’re a mage. Now you’re going to seriously…”
“Grandmother.”
“…Is that a declaration of war to actually kill each other?”
The moment I mentioned the age gap, bloodlust began to ooze from her.
Was it my imagination that she seemed more murderous now than when I insulted her father’s swordsmanship?
“You are indeed my Grandmother.”
It definitely wasn't my imagination, so I had to be even more shameless.
“Seriously, you really…”
“Your father is of the Leon royalty.”
“……?”
“And as someone who serves the Leon Royal Family, I cannot fight you, an ancestor of the royal house.”
“……???”
When I went as far as to drop to one knee and show respect, the Dragonkin’s expression became conflicted.
“Wait, Adam. You fight with Ellen all the time, though.”
Someone tried to interfere from behind, but…
“The Academy policy is equality among students.”
“Ah, is that so?”
I had already prepared an excuse for that.
“What about me…?”
“Grandmother, you are not yet a student of the Academy, are you?”
“I’m at the Academy right now, though?”
“You must go through the enrollment process. If you wish, I can assist you immediately.”
“…Huh?”
Operation: Respect the Elderly was, apparently…
“Th-then, will you help me?”
…A success.
With a smile, I dumped the Dragonkin in the Academy Director's office and left.
The Director seemed flustered by the sudden arrival of a heterogeneous species—and the most explosive one at that, a Dragonkin—but it wasn't my concern.
If he didn't know a heterogeneous species was wandering around the Academy, let alone causing a scene, he deserved to be punished as the Director.
“Emergency! Total emergency!”
—What is it this time?
More important than that was the fact that I had to inform the home country that a royal bloodline had enrolled in the Academy.
—Hmm. So. Among the heterogeneous species supposed to come to the Academy, the Dragonkin is our ancestor?
“Yes.”
—And not just any ancestor, but a descendant of that Sword Saint Dain?
“Yes.”
—So what you’re saying is that among the Leon ancestors, the Dragon Slayer Dain Leon, whose name is known across the continent, wasn't actually a swordsman who slew a dragon, but a master thief who stole a dragon’s heart?
“If you look at the results, yes?”
—Do you realize you’re the only one who knows this?
“No. Grandmother made a public statement, so everyone who was there heard it.”
—How many people?
“At least a hundred?”
—Can’t we stop the rumors?
“By now, half the Academy probably knows.”
With the RoFan Buff, rumors in the Academy travel fast.
So fast that I was certain by tomorrow morning, every noble in the Imperial Capital would know the rumor that Sword Saint Dain Leon was actually a dragon-lover.
—…We’re doomed.
I could see deep despair on the Commander’s face, but one thing was for sure.
“I’m sorry, I must have misheard?”
“Due to the strong request of the Dragonkin, the second-years will be in charge of the Dragonkin as well.”
He wasn't as doomed as I was.