The Holy Sword's Relentless Wake-Up Call
The academy dormitory, where no light yet entered. A new swordmaster.
"Wake up."
At the voice that roused her from sleep in the early dawn, Mikhail rubbed her eyes and let out a soft breath. The clock hands she could barely make out pointed to four in the morning. She wondered who could possibly be waking her at such an hour, only to realize a moment later that it wasn't a person at all. Her face twisted into a grimace.
"I drank yesterday…"
"Wake up…!"
The voice echoed relentlessly in her ears, and Mikhail sighed again and again.
"Wake up!"
"Five more minutes…"
"Flash!"
"Aaaagh!!!"
A dazzling light burst from where the voice had come, stabbing painfully into her eyes. If she'd known the sword could glow on its own, she would have covered it with a cloth. Mikhail shielded her face with both hands, heaved a deep sigh, and dragged her heavy body out of bed.
"Haaaaam."
The Holy Sword leaned against the wall, its blade humming with satisfaction as Mikhail trudged toward it. She looked down at the sword and stuck out her lips in a pout, pouring all her resentment into her glare. The sword paid no mind to her accusatory stare and simply declared its will.
"There is so much evil in this world, yet you still feel sleepy!"
"Why…"
"If you wish to wield me, you must train! Train hard and become the strongest swordsman!"
"I feel like I'm dying after yesterday's afterparty."
"A true swordsman overcomes even a hangover…! Pull yourself together and run to the training grounds. Now!"
"Haa…"
Those chosen by the Holy Sword gained tremendous power, but they also had to endure its endless nagging. That was why Ricardo had said what he did when he saw the sword.
"Wouldn't it be better if Ricardo took the Holy Sword instead…? It's far too grand a sword for someone like me."
"Ah… No. I refuse."
"What?"
"It's… a gift. Please use it well. I may ask to borrow it when the need arises."
"Even so…"
"I dislike the Holy Sword."
Only after some time had passed did Mikhail understand why Ricardo had avoided the sword. She gathered her clothes and began preparing to head out. Wrapping bandages tightly around her ample chest, she muttered,
"Have they gotten bigger…"
"At that size, they're practically grotesque."
"Yeah…"
She changed into clothes suitable for sweating. Even while she dressed, the Holy Sword continued its endless chatter, boasting about its previous wielder.
"In my day, there was no such thing as sleep. Who has time to sleep? That time should be spent swinging a sword to master its feel."
"Ugh…"
"Lose that feel and a swordsman dies. From that moment on, there is no more growth. That feeling…"
"Haa…"
Mikhail desperately wished for next week to arrive. Next week was the day she would train swordsmanship with Ricardo. A smile began to form on her lips as she imagined what she might learn, but the Holy Sword cut through her thoughts with cold words.
"Ah, and stay away from that man."
"What?"
"The one who became master of the magic sword. Keep your distance from him as much as possible."
Mikhail stretched, shot the sword a sharp look, and replied lightly, as if it were nothing.
"You're noisy."
"What?"
"Be quiet before I snap you in half."
"…You little—!"
Mikhail smiled faintly and picked up the sword. Even if she became famous at the academy, even if success awaited her after graduation, there was only one thing on her mind: being of help to Ricardo. What she could do now was continue atoning for the past.
When she arrived at the training grounds, she saw familiar faces.
"Can't you go easy on me?"
"You're supposed to be the older brother, yet you're whining like a weakling."
"…I'm injured."
"You've already recovered."
"Kugh…"
Hanna Histania and the academy's senior director. And—
"Just like the woman I saw in my dream…"
Yuria, fists brimming with holy power as she struck the wall again and again. Finally—
"Haa… haa…!"
Luin, drenched in sweat while dieting, dragged a weight-laden rope as he ran, cursing under his ragged breaths.
"Ha, damn… this is exhausting."
Mikhail swallowed as she watched them. Their dedication was enough to draw admiration. The Holy Sword spoke softly as it observed her standing still.
"Draw me."
"…"
"I will help you."
Mikhail closed her eyes and drew the sword, filling it with her resolve not to fall behind them. And then—
"There you are!!!"
Syuen, who had been rubbing his eyes, came running toward them, desperate to try the Holy Sword himself.
*
At the same time.
"How was it?"
Seated at my desk, I spoke to Caliburn, who rested before me. Caring for a new tenant adjusting to their surroundings was part of a butler's duty. Caliburn, looking thoroughly exhausted, let out a tired voice as her blade hummed.
"It was difficult. This is my first time experiencing something like this, so I'm quite drained. Ah, though I have no body, of course."
"Puhaha… So it wasn't all bad, then?"
Caliburn hesitated before answering in a shy tone.
"It was nice. It felt like being with friends again after so long. A feeling I rarely experienced even when I was alive…"
"That's a relief."
"Thank you."
She was a polite sword. I had expected her to be similar to the Holy Sword, but she seemed different. If she had been too noisy, I would have locked her away in storage, but her quiet, well-mannered demeanor left me reasonably satisfied.
"Caliburn."
"Yes."
"Actually, there's something I wanted to discuss."
"Yes."
I had something to say to her. While researching information about Caliburn, I had come across something strange. Of course, finding records about her had been difficult. So much time had passed, and the information was so scarce it felt as though an ancient civilization had deliberately erased her. Fortunately, I had a knowledgeable expert in that field who provided the details.
"The Blood Progenitor, Caliburn?"
"Yes. Do you happen to know anything about her? I couldn't find anything in the library."
"I have the information."
"You do?"
"I study history as a hobby, haha! It seems I'll be able to fulfill the Saintess's request. Please wait a moment. I'll summarize it into thirty pages…!"
"No need. Just the general information will suffice. What she did, what kind of person she was."
While reviewing the materials Hans had given me, I discovered something interesting. It was about Caliburn.
"I heard she used a sword."
The records described her as a master capable of teaching swordsmanship. Not just any master, but one bearing the title of Sword Emperor.
There was a famous saying among swordsmen: "When one reaches the pinnacle of the sword, one can cut a person without a single drop of blood staining the blade." In my previous life, I had seen that phrase in dramas, but in this life, it was attributed to Caliburn. In other words—
"If it's not too presumptuous…"
"…"
"Could you teach me the sword?"
It also meant she was an exceptional swordsman. Caliburn remained silent at my request. Perhaps there was a reason she couldn't answer easily. An awkward atmosphere lingered as she offered no reply.
"I'm not forcing you. I simply wish to learn your swordsmanship."
"…"
"I learned the sword alone, without a teacher, so I only know the basics. That's why…"
"My sword is…"
Caliburn cut herself off and spoke.
"My sword is one that kills people."
"…"
"It is a wicked, despised blade that I never taught to others."
"…"
"Like you, my lord, I also learned the sword alone and created my own style. That means you must create and forge your own path as well. Do not seek shortcuts."
It felt as though I had been caught trying to cheat. My mood soured, and I felt a twinge of shame toward myself. But then Caliburn gave an answer I hadn't expected at all.
"I can teach you, but I fear my sword may ruin yours."
"…"
"Of course, if you can keep up, the outcome will be different."
Confidence filled Caliburn's voice, certain that her sword would never have a negative influence on me.
"It's embarrassing to say this myself, but in the past, I was a monster. While you are certainly a formidable warrior now, I was an even greater monster back then."
"Haha… Is that so?"
"It is."
Now it was time to pay the price for our deal. I had no intention of receiving something for free.
"Then let's move on to the main topic."
"Yes? Was that not the main topic?"
I shook my head lightly and posed a single question to Caliburn.
"Caliburn."
"Yes."
"Are you…"
It was an offer she couldn't refuse.
"…interested in resurrection?"