Swordsmanship Genius Sees the Future

Chapter 037 - First Class Competition (4) 

"Is that so? Hmm, now that you mention it, I think I've seen them together sometimes. Phil Lucavre from Class C."

"He's got the basics down. Whoever taught him, they taught him properly up to 2-star."

"Indeed. For Class C, he's quite... No, I wasn't talking about Lucavre, but..."

"Yes, yes. I know. You mean Ray Granvelle."

The old professor closed his eyes and savored the taste in his mouth.

"He's useful. But he's not a rough gem."

"...Even after all that, he doesn't meet your expectations? My goodness, just how perfect of a rough gem are you looking for, Professor?"

"No, that's not what I mean. Ahem."

The old professor cleared his throat and leaned back in his chair.

"The rough gem is excellent. I just mean the processing is already complete."

"Pardon? What do you mean by that?"

"It means there's not much left to teach him. At the academy level, that is. Anyway, I'd like to observe him more. Can you bring him to your research lab right away?"

"Of course. But not right now."

"Why?"

"The finals start in an hour. It wouldn't be right to interrupt midway, would it?"

"Ah... Right. The finals are still remaining. This old man must have lost his wits after seeing something worthwhile for the first time in a while. Giggle, snort..."

The old professor chuckled with a gurgling sound and closed his eyes.

"Giggle... Oh dear, what a mess. To think there's still something enjoyable left at this age... Indeed, it's worth living a long life to see things."

Immediately after the match, the girl in the Class A player waiting area displayed a bright smile.

"As expected, my master..."

Ray had competed in two matches and won both.

The second match was especially surprising.

His opponent was caught in Ray's invisible technique and couldn't escape.

It must have been Illusionary Sword.

My goodness, 6-star Illusionary Sword.

Just last year, he was in the realm of 5-star Flowing Sword.

To think he reached the 6-star stage in just one year.

"As expected, Master is different. So cool... No, when they introduced him, they said 7-star. Does that mean he completed Union Sword too? No way. But if it's Ray, it might be possible..."

Whenever she thought of Ray, her heart ached.

Once she saw him, she wanted to see him again and again.

Since the academy began, she had secretly hidden and watched Ray.

So, yesterday wasn't actually the first time.

Fortunately, Ray didn't seem to notice, but...

"...Rostfall."

Someone spoke from beside her.

Gloria bit her lip inwardly and turned her head.

'It was good for a change, but now he's spoiling my mood.'

"You, you're acquainted with that one?"

A tall boy with a grim expression asked reproachfully.

Gloria frowned with a displeased look.

Zedebek Black Luna.

A prodigy who reached the realm of Swordsmanship 4-star and Aura 5-star at the age of twelve.

Rumor had it that he was the most cherished grandson of Valor Black Luna, the head of the Black Luna family, making him undeniably the strongest freshman to enter this year.

It wasn't just freshmen who had issues.

No senior would be confident of victory against Zedebek in a spar either.

But Gloria did not like this boy.

Truly. It wasn't because he was a rival in terms of grades. His pitch-black eyes, which held no warmth and resembled a reptile's, were chilling.

His rigid expression and overbearing tone, completely lacking consideration for others, were also terrible.

"That one? What's that?"

"That one just now. The Granvelle."

"...If you mean Ray, then yes, we are acquainted. Why?"

"Don't even think about going easy on him just because you're acquainted. If you intentionally lose in the finals, I won't let it slide."

"Hey, Zedebek."

Gloria glared at him, her eyes wide.

"What do you take me for? Why would I intentionally lose? If I win, it's because I'm stronger than my opponent, and if I lose, it's because I'm weaker."

"Is that really so?"

"What?"

"I mean, if you have pity, discard it. In terms of swordsmanship, your opponent has the advantage. Use any means necessary."

"What are you talking about? Are you telling me to cheat?"

"I'm telling you to do everything you can. It's a disgrace for Class A to lose in the inter-class competition. We must be impeccable. That is the destiny given to the main families of the Sword King family."

"Destiny, my foot..."

It was always like this.

Gloria turned her head with a fed-up expression.

"Forget it. You're making me uncomfortable, so don't say 'we.' I don't want to be grouped with you. And speaking of which, Ray is also from a main family, you know?"

"The Granvelle? That's already over."

"Says who?"

"It's the Black Luna's will. My grandfather has decided so, and it will happen soon."

"Hey, are you seriously..."

Her grip tightened on the wooden sword in her hand.

Suddenly, another boy behind them quickly intervened, shouting, "Alright, alright! Kids! Let's not be like this! We shouldn't fight amongst ourselves!"

"...Tablou."

"The finals are in an hour, aren't they? Let's not waste our energy. If we fight among ourselves, only we lose out. Why don't we try to control ourselves here, even if there's something we don't like? Huh?"

The one who came to mediate was Tablou, another representative player from Class A.

Zedebek glared at the boy, who was a head shorter than him, and warned, "Don't interfere. You cuckoo."

"Cuckoo" was a derogatory term for adopted individuals.

Instead of an awkwardly smiling Tablou, Gloria stepped forward and shouted, "Hey! Zedebek! There's nothing you won't say in front of people! Apologize to Tablou right now!"

"Apologize? Why would I?"

"You..."

"It's the cuckoo's fault for daring to interfere in a direct descendant's conversation. If this were the Black Luna territory, it would be an immediate banishment."

"What? Banishment? How did you end up like that?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, how did you become such a personality wreck? Do you have some kind of misanthropy? Do you think the Black Luna are the masters of the world? Didn't anyone teach you to watch your words when you're out in public?"

"I... I just stated the obvious. Are you perhaps insulting the Black Luna?"

"You're the one insulting them, aren't you? Are you making a mess of your family's name and not even understanding the situation?"

"Whoa, whoa! Stop! Alright! It's okay, Gloria! Let's just stop now!"

Tablou intervened again, sweating.

Gloria bit her lip and shouted, "It's too much! You shouldn't talk like that!"

"No, no. It's okay. It's true that I'm adopted. Anyway, let's not waste energy on this and just focus on the finals. Okay?"

"Hmm, you too. Keynes family's cuckoo. If you lose in the finals, I won't let you off either."

"Hey! Zedebek!"

"What is it, Rostfall? Don't call people by their names casually."

"And what if I do? You wanna fight me here?"

"What? That's a useless endeavor. I would obviously win."

"Ha..."

Gloria sighed, pressing her hand against her temple.

"You're impossible. Fine, let's have a duel. What's your succession ranking? I'll run straight to the succession office and..."

"Stop!"

The boy caught in the middle suddenly activated his aura and shouted.

"Everyone stop! Just stop it!"

"Tablou..."

The boy's aura overwhelmed Gloria.

Zedebek also took a step back and frowned.

"Hmm, for a cuckoo, your aura is quite good. Want to test it out? Cuckoo?"

"Ah... No, sorry. Anyway, let's stop. And I won't lose in the finals either."

Tablou flinched, avoiding Zedebek's gaze.

"I'll do my best and win. So don't worry. Our Rostfall family's young lady will naturally do the same. Right? Right, Gloria?"

"Of course."

"Then. Of course. So let's split up first. It'd be good to clear our heads."

Just then, the gathered spectators rushed out.

Tablou slowly retracted his aura and continued, "Let's meet back here in an hour. Okay? What do you say?"

"Hmm, I'm suddenly thirsty."

Zedebek turned and walked out of the grand auditorium.

"It's unpleasant to speak with commoners. I'll have some tea and return."

"Wow, look at him talk. He's so annoying."

Gloria pointed her finger at Zedebek's back.

Then she turned her head, looking for Ray, who had just been in her sight.

'I need mental purification. Quickly...'

But Ray was nowhere to be found.

Gloria squatted down in place and sighed.

"Haa..."

Then she smiled at the awkwardly standing Tablou.

"I'm sorry, Tablou. I just got you stuck in the middle and caused you trouble."

"No, it's fine. It's an honor for me to just be here. I just need to make sure I don't cause any more trouble."

"What are you talking about? You'll definitely win. If someone loses in the finals, it'll probably be..."

Gloria sighed, looking at the empty arena.

As much as she liked Ray, her competitive spirit to win was also considerable.

'I definitely can't win just by fighting normally.

What's Ray's weakness?

Aura?

But in a swordsmanship duel, neither of us can use aura anyway.

Then stamina?

Right.

He looks sickly and worn out, so if I somehow drag out the time and turn it into a battle of endurance...

But Ray's also in the last match, isn't he?

If I exhaust myself too much from the start, I might get utterly crushed by that annoying Zedebek in the comprehensive match.

I can't let that happen.

I can't bear to see that.

But then I can't fight half-heartedly either...

Argh!

What should I do about this?'

"Hmm, I don't know. What on earth is Rostfall doing?"

Zedebek, having left the grand auditorium, muttered, unable to hide his displeasure.

He had only stated the obvious to Gloria.

But every time, she would treat him with hostility and defend other students around them.

Why did she react so unreasonably?

Were they not direct descendants of the same Eight Great Sword King Main Families?

Status was important.

Among all of Class A, there were few students with similar status to him.

Most were merely borrowing the name of a main family without being direct descendants.

As for a cuckoo like Tablou, whose lineage was completely different, he wasn't even worth discussing.

In that sense, Gloria, a direct descendant of the Rostfall family, was the only suitable match for him, who would one day inherit the direct line of the Black Luna family.

Her outstanding appearance was a bonus.

Her aura was also decent.

One day, she would realize.

That lineage and family came before everything else for them.

"But who else is a direct descendant in the Rostfall family? If she's the only young lady, then they'll have to split the children..."

"Young Master."

Just then, a man in a swallowtail coat blocked his path and bowed.

Zedebek frowned and asked, "Isn't that the butler? What business does someone who should be at the main house have here?"

"It's been a long time. I'm glad to see you looking healthy."

The main family was located in the southern Kailun region, far from here.

The butler raised his head and spoke in a thin voice, stating his purpose.

"I apologize for not contacting you in advance due to the urgency of time. Young Master, I ask that you do your best in the inter-class competition that will begin shortly."

"What?"

Zedebek shook his head with a bewildered expression.

"Did you come all this way just to say that? I don't need encouragement. I will win by doing my best."

"That's not what I meant."

"Hmm?"

"Young Master, you are participating in the comprehensive category, are you not?"

The butler narrowed his eyes and lowered his voice.

"In that duel, I ask that you fully unleash your aura and, for a moment, exert your full power to subdue your opponent."

"Full power? Are you serious?"

"Yes, I am."

"Do you know what you're saying? My opponent is a weakling from the fallen Granvelle family. He's only participating in the inter-class competition relying solely on his swordsmanship. But his aura is barely 1-star. If our swords clash, his arm bones will break. Are you telling me to exert my full power against such a mere weakling?"

"That is precisely correct."

It was a clear answer.

Zedebek felt displeased and asked again, "You mean to kill or cripple him. But I cannot do that."

"Young Master."

"I don't care about a weakling from the Granvelle family. Would I really let my lifelong reputation be tarnished by such a trivial match? Using just 4-star aura, no, even 3-star, would be enough."

"Young Master. This is the Master's command."

"What?"

A chill ran down his spine.

Zedebek bit his lip, feeling sweat trickle.

"Hmm... My grandfather himself?"

"That is correct. I have accurately delivered the command given by the Master to you, Young Master."

"Hmm... Yes. I heard it clearly."

"The Master's command is absolute. Do not disappoint him. This is an important moment where the family's hundred-year plan is being decided. Then..."

The head butler bowed and retreated.

Zedebek, who had stood there for a long time, muttered with an incomprehensible expression,

"Why... Why, Grandfather? What meaning is there in destroying him? Why would our great Black Luna family involve itself in such a useless matter..."