Episode 17
Episode 17
'How impressive!'
When Professor Ingoldel saw Lee Han kick dirt into Durgyu's face, his first thought was admiration.
-Never discriminate between means and methods. There is only life and death.
Nobles who learned swordsmanship for dignity and refinement looked down on undignified tactics, but swordsmen who wielded blades with their lives on the line valued only victory.
From that perspective, Lee Han kicking dirt into his opponent's face wasn't bad at all. It was actually good.
Moreover, what deserved even higher praise was the very fact that all his peers were watching.
They were barely in their mid-teens—an age brimming with vigor and pride.
Not just nobles, but even knights disliked using cowardly tactics.
Most students, shackled by petty pride, couldn't bring themselves to use such methods even if they knew them.
Yet Lee Han didn't hesitate for even a second before kicking dirt into Durgyu's face.
Even though he came from the most prestigious noble family here!
Only a swordsman who instinctively understood what swordsmanship truly was—and was prepared to sacrifice everything for it—could act like this.
"Gaaah!"
Durgyu, caught off guard, let out a curse.
Dirt filled his eyes, nose, and mouth, leaving him disoriented.
'Damn it! To fall for such a cheap trick!?'
Durgyu was angrier at himself for letting his guard down than at his opponent for using such a cowardly move.
His family had drilled into him countless times that such situations could arise during swordplay!
Yet he'd foolishly assumed his opponent—a noble from a prestigious family—would stick to refined, textbook-perfect swordsmanship.
'End this quickly!'
Lee Han charged toward Durgyu, whose stance had collapsed.
Though Lee Han had trained in swordsmanship for quite some time, so had Durgyu.
In fact, Durgyu might have trained even harder and more rigorously. His posture alone made that clear.
In a straight duel, even Lee Han couldn't predict who would win—himself or Durgyu.
So what then?
He had to create a situation where victory was possible.
...Of course, Alarong hadn't taught him the dirt-kicking trick.
Thanks to that, Alarong was unknowingly earning Professor Ingoldel's admiration.
'To teach something like that... His master must truly be ruthless!'
"Guh... Damn it!"
"!"
Durgyu kicked off the ground hard, flipping backward like a swallow in midair.
There was no stance left to speak of. In his haste to create distance, Durgyu lost his balance and tumbled backward, rolling over and over.
"......"
"......"
Lee Han hadn't expected his opponent to go flying and rolling like that.
'What the hell? Is this guy fighting for his life or something?... Well, I did throw dirt at him.'
Coming from a knightly family, he hadn't imagined Durgyu would roll around in the dirt like this...
Perhaps everyone was too shocked, as the cheers had died down, leaving an eerie silence.
Only Professor Ingoldel clapped alone.
"Magnificent, young students!"
"......"
"......"
Durgyu wiped the dirt from his face with his sleeve. Though his face was somewhat clean now, rolling on the ground had left the rest of him a mess.
But because of that, his gaze had grown even fiercer.
Lee Han clicked his tongue.
'Still, it's not a complete loss.'
His opponent had taken dirt to the face and rolled on the ground—he was bound to be heated now.
In fights, those who lost their cool were the ones who made mistakes.
When things were evenly matched, psychological warfare like this was necessary.
"Raaah!"
Durgyu charged with a roar.
'They're really skilled!'
Professor Ingoldel was impressed once more.
If his earlier admiration was for their willingness to use any means necessary, now it was purely for their swordsmanship.
He'd thought they were among the best of the freshmen, but he hadn't expected this level.
First, Durgyu of the Choy Family was flawlessly executing the Mountain Moon Sword.
True to its name as a swift sword style, his blade hissed through the air in rapid, rhythmic thrusts aimed at Lee Han.
Normally, each thrust and withdrawal should slow the movements, but Durgyu maintained his speed without faltering.
He could maintain that speed because he was channeling a bit of mana into his sword.
Even a normal thrust would be hard to block, but now each and every sword technique was infused with mana.
It was an excessively harsh attack for a freshman.
But Lee Han of the Wardanaz family was no pushover either.
Tap.
"!"
Tap.
"!!"
Tap—
"!!!!"
With each attack, Durgyu's expression grew increasingly tense and frustrated.
To avoid being counterattacked, Durgyu kept his footwork rapid and unceasing.
And when he attacked, he tensed every muscle in his body and thrust forward as if hurling himself, striking with full force.
Because otherwise, his sword wouldn't reach the necessary speed.
His attacks were flashy and fast, but they drained his stamina just as quickly. Durgyu already felt his breath rising to his throat.
But...
His opponent stood almost motionless, like a rock, and with minimal movement, simply tapped—tap, tap—deflecting each thrust to the side.
As if he could see every attack coming.
'Damn it!'
Durgyu felt like he was trying to pierce a boulder with a needle.
Even if his opponent could predict his attacks, he hadn't expected them to be deflected so effortlessly.
'Is the force behind my thrusts lacking? And why isn't he getting tired?!'
Durgyu screamed inwardly.
At the same time, Lee Han was having similar thoughts.
'This bastard looks like he's about to collapse—why won't he stop?!'
The Azure Rock Sword Lee Han had learned was a heavy, powerful greatsword style.
Even if he tried to land a single decisive blow on Durgyu, the guy was darting around like a madman, making it far from easy.
The only saving grace was that Lee Han had the advantage in stamina.
His opponent was already agitated, had rolled on the ground, and his movements were far more frenzied. Above all...
Lee Han didn't tire easily, even when channeling mana into his sword.
Ever since he began learning magic, he had become aware of his own mana reserves—so vast that even he was surprised.
...At this point, he must have been channeling a considerable amount of mana into his sword for quite a while. So why wasn't he exhausted?
But even with the advantage, Lee Han wasn't exactly relaxed.
Frankly, Durgyu's attacks were ferocious.
Every time he deflected one, the sheer force behind it sent a chill down his spine.
If this had been a real sword instead of a wooden one, even a glancing blow would have sliced through his clothes.
To an outside observer, Lee Han might have appeared composed, deflecting each strike with short, precise movements—but in truth, he was pouring every ounce of his focus into it.
"Huuuuh...!"
In the end, it was Durgyu who broke first.
He held his breath, clenched his muscles to suppress their screams, but mentally, he was the first to waver.
Because his opponent seemed utterly unshaken.
That bastard from the Wardanaz family, blocking attacks with an indifferent, expressionless face!
Locking eyes with him, Durgyu couldn't shake the illusion that he was already dancing in the palm of his opponent's hand.
'What a shame.'
Professor Ingoldel lamented inwardly.
Though Durgyu had collapsed first, Lee Han had also been pushed to his limits.
That was just how fierce Durgyu's attacks had been.
Had Durgyu known that, he might have mustered even more strength.
But instead, he overestimated his opponent and crumbled under his own pressure.
A mistake inevitable for someone so young.
And to make matters worse, Lee Han of the Wardanaz family already exuded the cold, oppressive aura unique to high nobility.
A handsome face that looked like it wouldn't shed a drop of blood even if pricked by a needle—such traits always gave an edge in swordsmanship.
Whack!
The moment Durgyu faltered, Wardanaz swung his wooden sword, knocking his opponent's blade aside before stopping his own at Durgyu's throat.
"Enough! Wardanaz wins."
Professor Ingoldel's voice was smooth but firm, carrying the unspoken message that no further fighting would be tolerated.
The students of the White Tiger Tower let out disbelieving groans.
Their best, Durgyu, had lost?!
"No way!"
"It's because of that dirt trick again—"
"Durgyu rolled on the ground too, you idiot."
"What's your point, brat? You saying it's Durgyu's fault?"
"Ah... no. Sorry."
Professor Ingoldel ignored the murmuring students and spoke.
"Today, these two students displayed truly outstanding swordsmanship. There's no rule that says today's winner will always win, nor that today's loser will always lose. Let the victor remain humble and the defeated strive to improve, so both may advance. Bow to each other."
Lee Han extended his hand while eyeing his opponent.
Frankly, Lee Han had expected his opponent to glare at him, spit, grip his hand too hard, or pull some other nonsense.
Given how they'd picked a fight when Lee Han came to attend the lecture, their temper was clearly nothing ordinary—and now they'd been defeated in swordsmanship, their greatest source of pride.
'If they throw a punch, I'll low-kick to destabilize their stance and counter immediately.'
Lee Han narrowed his eyes, watching his opponent closely in case of a surprise attack.
Even with Professor Ingoldel nearby, he'd learned long ago—and was learning anew at this school—that professors fundamentally couldn't be trusted.
"...It was a good fight. I apologize for underestimating you. You've more than earned your place in this lecture."
"!"
Yet the orc offered a sincere apology.
Lee Han thought, 'This bastard isn't trying to lull me into lowering my guard for an ambush, is he?' But there didn't seem to be any such intent.
In that case...
"You were just concerned. I won't take it to heart."
"......"
Thud—
Durgyu took Lee Han's hand and nodded. His eyes held genuine respect.
Clap clap clap—
Moved by the beautiful scene he'd envisioned, Professor Ingoldel applauded with an emotional expression.
Of course, the White Tiger Tower students wore deeply unimpressed looks.
"What are you all doing? Not applauding?"
"......"
Sshhink—
When Professor Ingoldel's expression turned stern and he drew his sword, the students hurriedly clapped.
Clap clap clap clap clap clap!
"You don't plan to just let that humiliation slide, do you? Crush him."
At the icy voice, the other White Tiger Tower students nodded.
But Durgyu shook his head with a grave expression.
"I lost because I was lacking."
"No! You lost because that bastard kicked dirt in your face!"
"No. Even without the dirt, I would've lost. And if I lost because of such tricks, that still means I was lacking."
Durgyu's words sent murmurs through the students.
As their most skilled swordsman, his words carried weight among the dormitory residents.
But the golden-haired student spoke coldly.
"I don't care about that. What matters is that you've shattered our tower's honor and pride. Take responsibility, Choy Family."
"......"
Giselle, who bore the bloodline of the Moradi Family, spat out the words frostily.
Durgyu's face hardened at her words.
Given the Moradi Family's strong influence among the northern knightly families, even Durgyu couldn't easily dismiss her.
"I lost because of my lack of skill. How exactly am I supposed to take responsibility?"
"It's simple. If one couldn't win, then many will suffice."
Before she'd even finished speaking, two students stepped forward to flank Durgyu.
"Don't worry, Durgyu. I'll help."
"Three should be enough."
"...Aren't you ashamed, as knights, to have three face one?"
Durgyu strained to reason with them, desperate to stop this.
Giselle chuckled faintly.
"If you're going to say that, you should've won. You lost—what right do you have to complain?"
"......"
The White Tiger Tower students were split in their reactions.
Half, who'd always sided with the Moradi Family.
And half who seemed to think this was going too far.
Yet even those in the latter half didn't step forward.
Durgyu bit his lip hard and said,
"I refuse."
"You'll regret this."
Giselle turned her gaze away, as if she wouldn't persuade him further.
"Cowards can stay behind. That makes three of you. Go and trample that Wardanaz."
"Understood, Moradi."
"Don't worry about it."
"......"
No matter how skilled Lee Han was, three against one was too disadvantageous.
Especially against three who'd trained consistently in swordsmanship.
Durgyu made his decision.
For honor's sake, he would stand on Lee Han's side.
Thwack!
"Wardanaz, you bastard!! How dare you!!"
"...Step forward if you want to join your friend on the ground."
Lee Han's cold words made the two students instinctively retreat, intimidated.
Durgyu, who'd rushed belatedly to help, stared in shock at the already fallen student.
What in the world had happened?