Chapter 252
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 252
Chapter Title: Lesson 49. Casanova's Holiday - 2
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Saturday evening, Rebellion training room.
Dokgo Yeon, dressed in her usual black martial robe, gripped one of the raindrop blades from the Torrential Rain Sword that Ban Yu-won had lent her and struck a stance.
She had picked it out herself because it was made the same size as the Executioner's Longsword.
And what she planned to do with that sword was demonstrate sword techniques.
"Ahem... Well then, let's get started."
"Thanks, Yeon."
"Ah, if you get it, then just learn it properly. If you learn it well..."
In the early days when Dokgo Yeon taught Ban Yu-won swordsmanship, she didn't focus on fixed forms. Instead, she emphasized the basics of handling a sword—slashing, thrusting, swinging, parrying, and so on.
Even when teaching other sword arts, she preferred hammering them directly into his body over mere demonstrations...
But now, perhaps believing he had crossed a certain threshold, she had suddenly stepped up to showcase sword techniques from famous martial sects.
"Sects worthy of being called great powers usually have a signature profound art that symbolizes them. In the process of cultivating the mind, internal energy forms in a way that matches the sect's teachings. To wield it properly, they develop and practice sword techniques suited to the nature of that energy. The reverse holds true as well. Even swinging the sword in the exact same way yields different results depending on the intent infused into it. By tracing the sword's trajectory born from that, the internal energy naturally evolves."
"Mm-hmm."
Standing ramrod straight with a dignified posture, she gripped the sword and repeatedly brought it down through empty air using the same motion.
But true to her words, each downward slice carried different internal energy and intent. Facing her, Ban Yu-won had to devise fresh countermeasures every single time.
"Of course, some sword techniques evolved influenced by the environment where the sect originated, its terrain, or even the founder's personality—but Manifestation Arts can emulate the nature of all such internal energies, and your Yu-won Arts can do the same. With your current mastery over qi generation and sword path control, it won't be hard for you to pick them up."
"Ugh, hits my conscience. My skills have grown, sure, but lately my swordplay's just gotten simpler..."
"That's not a bad thing. No matter how intricate the sword intent packed into a strike, if it comes with unstoppable force you can't parry, you're just going to get cleaved. But Won, when the total power is equal, which side wins? No need to spell it out, right?"
It was exactly what happened whenever Ban Yu-won crossed swords with Dokgo Yeon.
Of course, no matter how fast he piled up qi, comparing his internal energy reserves to hers was pure nonsense.
But even if their totals matched, Ban Yu-won's swordsmanship still wouldn't surpass Dokgo Yeon's.
Just look at the recent inter-club special tournament. The internal energy she'd poured into her swing against that building-sized chimera ball was something Ban Yu-won could replicate without much trouble. Yet the outcome had exceeded his wildest imagination.
"You seem to be down on yourself, but that's no realm anyone reaches easily. Still, if you can grow even stronger from there, why hesitate?"
Dokgo Yeon curved her lips in a faint smile, as if she'd read his thoughts.
Ban Yu-won, struck by how stunning that smile looked, suddenly noticed the light lipstick tinting her lips.
Come to think of it, hadn't Asha grilled her last time about what makeup she'd done?
Back then, with the clash against Cartro, Woo Hyeo-rin, and Exodus looming, he hadn't spared it a thought.
He'd brushed it off, figuring Dokgo Yeon would never bother with makeup anyway.
But today, it was unmistakable.
So right now, she...
The realization sent heat surging through his brain like it was boiling over. He shut down his thoughts.
Dokgo Yeon continued placidly, seemingly oblivious to his stare.
"I know even complex sword intents often boil down to a single word for you. Add the Origin Sword Intent's support to ones you've internalized, and you'll soon wield power on my level. ...Won? Yu-won?"
"Huh? Yeah!"
"...I'm carving out time for you here. You telling me you can't focus?"
Busted!
He couldn't straight-up admit he'd been staring at her lips, so Ban Yu-won scrambled for excuses. Dokgo Yeon pouted and lifted her sword.
"Fine then. Every technique I demonstrate from here on—if you can't execute it properly, consider today your full night's sleep."
"...How many we talking?"
Ban Yu-won asked carefully.
Dokgo Yeon traced the sword through the air a few times before recovering it and declaring sternly.
"That depends on your attitude."
"I'm all in, teacher!"
Ban Yu-won lit up his eyes in mock concentration.
Before, she'd have narrowed her cross-shaped pupils and smacked the flat of her blade against his forehead.
But now, with her lips twitching upward like someone kept tugging the corners, she couldn't bring herself to.
"Ahem. Watch closely, then."
Suppressing her laugh with effort, Dokgo Yeon cleared her throat and launched into the demonstration.
Young as she was, she'd already forged her own domain with the sword. A master who'd gathered and mastered techniques from every corner of the martial world, she selected those with the deepest, most potent sword intents. Every motion, every flow of concept was worth a fortune to witness.
Yet Ban Yu-won had to struggle desperately not to fixate solely on her tense expression with lips pressed tight, the bare skin flashing between her fluttering sleeves, or the dynamic shifts of her body with each movement.
...Wasn't her martial robe a little short and loose today? Nah, had to be his imagination.
Had to be!
Origin Sword Intent's depth has deepened by 20 to 1,250.
Enlightenment directly fueled his martial arts growth.
Once depth surpassed 1,000, even a single point of growth stood out. Grasping the essences of so many techniques in such short order to gain 20 depth was flat-out ridiculous.
"...I knew it, but still."
Dokgo Yeon marveled anew at Ban Yu-won's talent—not just grasping forms, but internalizing the sword intent itself from a single viewing.
Had he been born into a great martial sect, they'd have locked him in a training cave no matter his cheat-level innate authority, hollering about pursuing sword intent extremes instead of grabbing skills, forcing him to swing endlessly.
"You mastered them all perfectly... You can head to bed now."
"Huh?"
Her declaration carried awe, a touch of emptiness, and faint regret.
Ban Yu-won halted in confusion, sword still poised.
"Already over? No more?"
"That's everything I planned for today. Cramming too much in a short time isn't ideal. Let's wrap here."
"No, but still..."
For Ban Yu-won, it wasn't really about the swordsmanship. He just wanted to savor this rare alone time with Dokgo Yeon a bit longer.
Lately, for some reason, everyone kept an eye on her. Any chance of them being alone together, and like clockwork, someone would barge in.
Today's training had only worked after he'd reluctantly beaten back Asha—who'd insisted on tagging along, claiming supreme non-human status—in a no-holds-barred duel.
But Dokgo Yeon, pleased with his progress, wore a now-we're-done expression as she handed back the raindrop blade and withdrew.
"You're heading out tomorrow, right?"
"Ah, yeah. Figured we'd wrap quick and rest. Mercenary gigs are all like that, seems."
Heading out tomorrow meant Ban Yu-won was going solo on a special activity.
Special activities by a single student were rare outliers, but Rebellion had already proven they were beyond that at the founding festival.
So the chancellor had happily greenlit the request from the up-and-coming mercenary squad Level Force, dispatching Ban Yu-won.
'Mina noona must've pushed it through... Connections make the world go round.'
Most special activities spanned special activity week—that is, Friday through Sunday without tower entry—but urgent commissions couldn't always wait till Friday. Small teams or solos often overlapped with weekdays.
In those cases, missed lectures counted as attended, and activity scores netted bonus points toward end-term top-student evaluations—dorm cup be damned. No downside at all.
...No need to explain why Level Force had specified him, obviously.
"Perfect. Putting it to use in real combat will spark new insights."
"Ah— what if noona watches and picks it up herself?"
"Not my secret technique, so who cares. ...But you teaching it? Or just from watching? Don't tell me your sister's a monster like you?"
Dokgo Yeon shot him a horrified look. Ban Yu-won chuckled and explained.
"When it comes to swordsmanship, she leaves me in the dust."
"The girl who became Prominence's successor, yeah? First I heard Prominence was sword-famous, seeing that wench Ulrike blew my mind..."
Naturally, the Rebellion crew—including Dokgo Yeon—knew all about what Ban Yu-won had gone through on Earth over summer break, and the backstory.
...Which was why they all pretended otherwise while quietly keeping tabs on Ban Yu-mi.
"Hearing your tale, sounds like it wasn't baseless after all. Set up a meet sometime."
"...Wanna come tomorrow?"
"It's a solo gig. I'll pass. ...Besides, even if I could, the beast and the idiot would throw a fit."
Dokgo Yeon covered her mouth as she laughed.
"Off to bed with you. Oh, tell the idiot to swing by the training room. If she's that desperate to train with me, I'll humor her."
"Yeah. Night, Yeon."
"Night, Won."
Asha had probably envisioned a different setup for training together, but Ban Yu-won decided not to nitpick.
Once he was gone, Dokgo Yeon drew her shortsword and peered into its blade to check her expression. Only after a long moment did she exhale in relief, sheathe it, and open the mirror.
How was it, miss? Any effect from the fluttering temptation martial robe?
One message had arrived from Black Snow, Dokgo Yeon's guard, who should be back in the martial world by now.
Her home dimension strictly forbade bringing in or even touching items from other worlds. But after the cult leader's offhand "bring that guy here," Black Snow had begged and pleaded until Dokgo Yeon relented and handed over the mirror before leaving.
Dokgo Yeon had recoiled at Black Snow volunteering to advance things between her and Ban Yu-won, but here they were, chatting anyway.
Hate to admit it, but...
See? Told you.
You haven't even explained it properly yet.
No matter how good it sounds, you can't just charge in blindly. Pull back a step right when he's left wanting more—that's how you make him ache for you. Check the Rebellion channel; most of the girls there lose their minds over him, going absolutely feral. For a guy swimming in popularity like that, he's prime to fall for someone aloof and proud like you, miss—but who shows him just a hint of softness!
Black Snow, how are you so slick with messaging?
But don't get the wrong idea. That man's got women besides you! Can't play it too closed-off or too easy—make it feel like you're the only one leaving an opening, not other guys. Maintain that exquisite sense of anticipation in your contacts, and you'll draw him in deeper...
I don't want to test his feelings like that.
Ooh.
Ooh?
Ooh?!
An exclamation utterly unbecoming of the Divine Cult's cold, ruthless assassin, flying in via text?
Ah, sorry, miss. I had voice input on—slipped and hit send mid-thought.
I didn't even know that was a feature...
Anyway, back to the point: yep, that's love for sure, miss.
Black Snow, what even is love?
Ooh!
On purpose, right? You're toying with me freely since I'm not there, huh, Black Snow?
It's your fault for being so adorable, miss.
Come vacation, you're in for it.
Of course! I'll have the bridal chamber ready to welcome you both!
......
Dokgo Yeon stared into the mirror, mulling what punishment would wash away this humiliation, when another wall of text pinged in.
Staying up all night agonizing over tomorrow's outfit because of one guy. Suddenly wanting to wear lipstick you've never bothered with before. Seeing his hand and instinctively wanting to grab it. Your gaze drifting unbidden to his lips. Feeling pointlessly proud or bursting into smiles just watching him. Getting inexplicably wistful staring at his retreating back.
That's love, miss.
Don't think sweet-talking will get you out of all that teasing. I'm keeping tabs. And I know damn well you've never dated either.
Dokgo Yeon huffed a snort and snapped the mirror shut.
Hand to her lips to wipe off the lipstick before Asha showed, she suddenly recalled how, mid-sword discussion earlier, Ban Yu-won's gaze had locked onto them.
She'd played dumb, but she'd known all along.
Pfft. A giggle slipped out, impossible to contain.
Then an urge to whoop aloud hit her; she clapped her hand over her mouth in panic.
No one watching or not, she couldn't act so flighty.
"Pfft, pfuhh..."
But she couldn't stifle the laughter leaking through.
After a good long muffled fit of giggles with both hands, she spotted Asha glaring at her with clear displeasure.
"Just the two of you having fun... That good, huh?"
"Hehe... Yeah."
"Eh?!"
She could never admit it in front of him, but Asha? Probably fine.
Dokgo Yeon nodded, going with her heart's honest impulse.
"Way too good."