Chapter 73
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Academy (24)
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"Shall I teach you a little?"
The woman, who had been standing with her hands clasped behind her back, spoke with a meaningful expression. Her face resembled that of a child eagerly anticipating something.
"Who...?"
"Hah... You don't know who I am?"
Whatever she had been expecting, disappointment washed over her features. Her emotions were plain as day on her face.
She lifted her chin with an incredulous look and struck a pose, subtly twisting her waist to show off her scabbard.
"Even like this? Still no idea?"
Striking a model-like pose wouldn't make a stranger recognizable. It was the same whether it was a reincarnated body or him—his knowledge of famous figures was equally limited. He had no clue who she was.
'She looks kinda familiar, though.'
After showing off various poses for a while, she furrowed her brow.
"You really don't know...? Me? This is unbelievable..."
She thrust the shield emblem on her scabbard right in front of his face, but that wouldn't magically make him recognize her.
"This is a fresh feeling. An academy cadet who doesn't know me."
He couldn't identify her, but one thing was clear: she was a master.
Her appearance suggested early twenties, but her speech had an archaic flair. In a bad light, it bordered on stuffy.
"So, who are you?"
"It's embarrassing to say it myself. Never mind my identity... Just swing your sword."
After some hesitation, he gripped his sword. If a master was offering lessons, there was no reason to refuse.
Watching him, she nodded.
"Your fundamentals are definitely lacking."
"Lacking...?"
Her casual speech and furrowed brow made him switch to polite address. Only then did her expression smooth out.
She didn't seem like a cadet, at least. Despite her youthful looks, she appeared older. At a glance, she might pass for unawakened, but he saw no openings whatsoever.
Even her casual stance put him on edge.
'I couldn't beat her.'
The academy dean from earlier came to mind. Both she and the dean were powerhouses beyond normal standards.
"Right. Watch closely."
She swung her sword lightly. But the sight sent a fresh shock through him.
"Hah..."
Something was different. Just a plain sword strike without any sword aura made his hair stand on end. It looked like the air itself was cleaved in two.
If his sword had been there, his instincts told him it would've been sliced like a weed.
"Impressive."
"Ahem... You've got a good eye. You must know who I am now, right?"
Her persistent questions about her identity were starting to grate, but that single sword swing was extraordinary.
'Someone of this caliber should be famous... Who is she?'
Like his original reincarnated body, he knew next to nothing about celebrities. So he had no idea who she was.
As he stared blankly, she posed again, emphasizing her sword.
'She's pretty, though...'
She stroked her chin with her index finger, flaunting her beauty. Putting on an aloof expression, she smiled and nodded.
"Hahat...! That look in your eyes tells me you've figured it out. Sorry, no photos. Oh, and no hugs either. Hmm... That seems a bit stingy—want an autograph?"
Her eyes sparkled with expectation, so he couldn't bring himself to say he had no idea.
"...No need."
Recalling her earlier motion, he swung his sword. Her lips pursed at the autograph rejection, but her eyes lit up.
"Ho... Not bad. Do it again."
He focused and delivered a downward slash, channeling enough inner energy to manifest sword aura.
"You learned the sword through real combat, didn't you?"
"..."
"A young one like you, full of killing intent—it's astonishing how much you've fought."
After a moment's thought, she spoke.
"Show me your sword aura."
"Mm..."
He had never used sword aura once since arriving in this world, yet she saw through his level as if it were obvious.
After hesitating, he decided to show her. A student hiding their level wouldn't learn properly anyway. She seemed genuinely well-intentioned, so he'd trust her.
Observation.
- The target's main aptitude is 'Seeker: Sword'.
Fortunately, her aptitude wasn't bad—in fact, it was good. He gripped his sword without further delay and focused.
Hummm.
A blue haze rose from his sword, and she nodded.
"You're not progressing anymore, are you?"
"Yes. How did you know?"
"You've lost your direction—it's only natural."
She nodded firmly and spoke.
"Look here. I read your features a bit, and I think this is the way to teach you."
Hummm.
A haze rose from her sword, forming sword aura. It grew clearer, then began to extend in length.
About an inch from the blade, a translucent membrane-like layer enveloped it.
"You try it."
With a vivid example right before him, he felt like he could grasp it.
Hummm.
He generated his sword aura.
"Now, think of extending the sword aura itself."
"Isn't sword aura about concentration? How do you...?"
Seeing her stern face, he gave it a try anyway.
Sword aura stemmed from focused intent. But extending it? Concentration and expansion were opposites. Trying both at once gave him a headache.
"That's not it. First, concentrate to the limit. At the peak, residual intent lingers. You have to reach that point."
"Hoo..."
After focusing until his eyes ached, the surroundings grew quiet. Staring at the sword aura like a flickering campfire with no thoughts, suddenly it held without effort.
In that moment, he extended the sword aura just a tiny bit.
'Ah...'
The realization caused it to vanish like a snuffed candle.
"Hah... You actually did it."
She looked mildly surprised, patted his shoulder, and laughed happily.
"Hahaha! What's your name?"
"Choi Si-woo."
"I like you. What great timing. Haha."
She glanced at Amelia, who was watching, and smirked. Then, right before their eyes, she faded away like smoke.
Amelia spoke belatedly, as if waking from a daze.
"Th-that was the Sword Saint...?"
Helena sat alone in what appeared to be a reception room.
The appointed time had long passed, but her guest still hadn't arrived.
'Ugh... If I'd known it'd be like this, I should've had lunch with Si-woo...'
The more she thought about him, the more fear grew in a corner of her heart. If she failed this time and regressed again, losing even those memories—she might collapse.
She closed her eyes and steadied her mind with meditation, exhaling deeply.
'I just need to succeed this lifetime.'
Sword Saint Isabel Aihern.
Her aunt and vice-commander responsible for half the northern barrier—she had a favor to ask.
Originally, she planned to redirect Isabel's interest from Kang Su-ho to Si-woo.
'A knight with anti-demon power is more useful than Magic Swordsman Kang Su-ho...'
Even setting aside personal feelings, this was the right choice. Having rationalized her decision, she rose from her seat.
The door burst open without a knock. A woman in her early twenties entered, laughing.
"Hahaha. My princess. Long time no see?"
"...Greetings."
Noticing Helena's dark expression, she glanced at the clock.
"Ahem... Sorry I'm late. I toured the academy after so long and found a talented one, you know."
Helena's face furrowed slightly at her words. There was a reason she'd scheduled this meeting—had she already messed it up?
"A talented cadet?"
"Yeah. Shows real promise."
"Are you thinking of taking him as a disciple?"
"Hmm... If he comes to the barrier after graduation, maybe."
"Ah..."
"But his features scream playboy. That's worrying."
Playboy brought one name to mind: Kang Su-ho. It seemed fate would make her his master again this lifetime.
Kang Su-ho truly became a Magic Swordsman after her tutelage.
Changing her aunt's stubborn mind was nearly impossible.
'What a shame...'
She nodded faintly. With things like this, she'd have to help him another way.
Lost in thought, she snapped to at the sound of fingers drumming on the table.
"...Anyway, that kid. Seems like he's already in the flirting stage. 'Some,' you kids call it? Back in my day, I was too busy slaying incoming monsters for such leisure."
"Of course."
She replied offhandedly, letting it slide.
Isabel's voice grew excited. She had an inordinate interest in others' love lives.
"I'm quick on the uptake with that stuff. Knew it at a glance. His 'some' girl... Hey, are you listening, kid?"
"Of course. He has a 'some' girl?"
"Yeah. Long hair, big chest—quite the beauty. Just like... you, actually."
Isabel rose with a meaningful remark.
"Got a bit sidetracked. Anyway, Choi Si-woo? He's got big things ahead."
"...Wait. Wasn't it Kang Su-ho?"
"Hm? Who's that?"
"Never mind. So the cadet you're considering as a disciple is Si-woo—Mr. Si-woo?"
"That's right."
Helena's mind reeled. Her voice rose unwittingly.
"Then who was that 'some' girl you mentioned?"
Isabel's eyes gleamed at her reaction. Stroking her chin, she teased in a playful tone.
"Ho...! Well, you see..."
Isabel kept opening and closing her mouth, toying with her. Helena, on the verge of losing her composure for the first time in ages, closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"Hahat! My princess has grown up. Who the 'some' girl is... that's a secret. Let's go grab some food."
"Ugh..."
As the Sword Saint left just like that, Helena furrowed her brow.
'His 'some' girl?'
No way...'
One woman came to mind: a fox of a girl luring Si-woo with an innocent face.
Frustrated, she stood.
'No.'
Then her full-length mirror caught her eye.
A woman stared back.
'Big chest... hair down to her waist...'
And pretty. Such a woman gazed at Helena from the mirror.