Chapter 38
“Keurk!”
“Kraaah!”
“Saaak!”
Three goblins attempted a surprise attack from the left.
“Hup.”
Without hesitation, I plunged the blade into them.
The goblin’s thin neck sliced clean through along the sword path, and the goblin’s body turned to dust and vanished.
“Kek!”
Seeing this, a goblin scout in the distance began to flee.
If I let it escape, it would call for reinforcements.
‘I can’t let that happen.’
I infused qi into the dagger in my right hand and threw it.
Whooosh! Crack!
The blade flew straight and true, smashing the goblin’s head with precision.
Just like before, its body flickered and disappeared with a sizzle.
“Hoo.”
I exhaled and retrieved the dagger from the ground.
“Yep, daggers are definitely convenient in tight spaces.”
In confined areas, wielding a large sword would often result in getting stuck against walls, making it difficult to attack properly.
‘Although, normally it’s better to focus on mastering just one type of sword technique.’
Training in various sword styles often leads to mediocrity in both.
Especially since large sword techniques and dagger techniques, despite both being blade arts, are fundamentally different.
“Well, that doesn’t apply to me.”
I sheathed the two daggers I was holding and glanced at the system message that popped up.
[Skill level has increased!]
「Sword Mastery」
Lv. 3 -> Lv. 4
‘Nice.’
「Sword Mastery」 isn’t specialized in any one field but encompasses all forms of swordsmanship.
Even if I train in various sword techniques, my overall swordsmanship level increases in the end.
It’s a skill truly worthy of the name “Mastery.”
[Cleared Goblin Nest 1-2]
[Exiting training illusion]
The forest, thick with trees and hardy plants, disappeared and transformed into a familiar space.
“No matter how many times I see it, it’s always fascinating.”
The completeness of the illusion in the [Training Room] was truly extraordinary.
It didn’t just replicate visuals but also the humidity, air, smells, and sounds, creating a near-perfect recreation of reality.
It made the VR and augmented reality of my past life seem laughably primitive by comparison.
“Maybe I’ll raise the difficulty next time…”
I adjusted the device and changed the stage from ‘Goblin Nest’ to ‘Orc Warriors’ Battlefield.’
Just as I was about to summon the illusion again—
“There you are.”
A blue-eyed woman entered the [Training Room].
“Professor Reina?”
“You’re still practicing even after the class ended.”
She looked around at the space, clearly marked by my usage.
“…You’re humble, considering your skills.”
“Well, with facilities like these and permission to use them, it’d be a waste not to.”
The [Training Room] wasn’t just for honing swordsmanship. It was also meant to help build a sense of real combat situations.
Right now, what I lacked the most was experience.
‘I need to extract every bit of benefit I can.’
Plus, my body’s natural talent was so overflowing that the results of my efforts showed clearly.
If I’m being given all these resources, why wouldn’t I use them?
“I see…”
Reina hesitated for a moment, as if she had something to say.
“Cadet Lan.”
“Yes.”
“About what happened before… I owe you an apology.”
She met my eyes and lowered her head.
“I underestimated you. And during our spar, I went too far. Regardless of it being part of the education, hitting a male student’s body so recklessly was wrong.”
“Huh? No, I…”
“The duel was meant to correct your weaknesses. However, I didn’t give you the proper feedback. In short, I haven’t properly rewarded you yet.”
Well… that’s true.
After all, being sent to the infirmary after sparring with a professor isn’t much of a reward for being the top entrant.
“So, allow me to make it up to you.”
“……”
Honestly, the fact that she arranged the top-class infirmary for me already seemed like enough.
But refusing now would be impolite to Reina.
‘I wonder what she’s planning to give me? Elixir? A secret technique? Maybe even a treasured sword?’
I really didn’t want to accept anything.
‘Hah, this is awkward.’
I can’t just keep refusing an adult’s offer—wouldn’t that be rude?
Right?
“If it would make you feel better, Professor… I’ll accept!”
“Really?!”
“Sigh… I’m really fine, but if this will put your mind at ease…”
I swallowed the saliva that was gathering in my mouth.
“Good. Then meet me tomorrow at 10 a.m. at the D Building platform.”
“…Excuse me?”
“I know a great restaurant.”
“Ah…”
It’s just a meal.
Yeah, of course.
‘If she gave me an elixir or something, it might cause fairness issues.’
This was probably the best solution.
“Yes, I understand.”
I nodded, forcing a bitter smile.
I’m not disappointed at all.
…
Really, I’m not.
***
“Hmm~ Did you find out something?”
On the school terrace, Karen swirled her teacup with a soft smile.
It was the first time Reina had approached Karen first.
‘Well, that’s only natural.’
How could she dare take up the time of someone as great, beautiful, excellent, and strong as Karen for her personal desires?
This time, thanks to a request (which served as a perfect excuse), she finally got a chance to meet Karen one-on-one.
“Well… there wasn’t anything particularly noteworthy about Cadet Lan. He’s the type that doesn’t show his personal tendencies outwardly…”
“Ah… really?”
A slight look of disappointment crossed Karen’s eyes.
After learning about Lan through Reina, she had planned to slowly approach him without being too overwhelming.
‘Since I made such a mess at our first meeting.’
It had been a mistake, driven by the boiling excitement in her blood. She thought she had grown used to social norms over the years, but in front of such a brilliant talent, her true nature had emerged.
“That’s unfortunate…”
“Still, you don’t need to worry!” Reina straightened her shoulders with confidence.
“I’ll be spending the whole day with Cadet Lan tomorrow, so I’ll gather as much information as I can!”
“…Huh?”
“I also owe him something, so it’s a perfect opportunity.”
“W-w-wait, what did you just say?”
Karen’s voice trembled.
“Spending the whole day together?”
“Yes, we’re having a meal together at a restaurant in Building D.”
“W-w-w-wait a moment!”
Her breath caught in her throat.
Her mind filled with all sorts of indecent images.
“I’m sorry… Professor♥”
“The Duke’s secret swordsmanship… I can’t resist♥”
She imagined Lan producing snowflakes with his sword and Reina smiling wickedly while placing a hand on his shoulder.
“I’m truly sorry, Karen.”
“Cadet Lan can no longer live without ‘Ice Sword Technique.’”
Thinking of her disciple, Lan, showing heart-shaped eyes towards Reina, her stomach turned.
“Ugh… no… What you need to learn is the Blood Sword and killing intent! If you want to become the greatest swordsman, you can’t use soft techniques like ice cream swords…!”
“K-Karen? Are you alright?”
“…Huh? Oh, yeah… I’m fine. It’s nothing.”
Karen tried to regain her composure, taking a sip of her coffee.
The bitter taste of the beans spread in her mouth, mixed with the thick taste of blood.
“…The coffee tastes particularly good today.”
No matter what she drank, her intense thirst showed no signs of being quenched.
Desire was like a blazing fire at its peak.
It wouldn’t be extinguished until it burned everything down.
“Lan… Lan… Lan… Lan… Lan… Lan… Lan… Lan… Lan…”
It would never fade away.
***
Saturday, Building D platform.
I didn’t expect to spend my first weekend at Polaris with Reina.
“…You’re dressed casually, I see.”
“And you’re wearing your uniform.”
Even though I arrived ten minutes early, Reina was already waiting for me.
‘I expected Reina to be dressed formally wherever she went.’
Seeing her in a white crop top and jeans was quite refreshing.
On the other hand, I was still in my uniform.
“There’s no requirement to wear uniforms on weekends, you know.”
“Sorry, but I don’t have any casual clothes.”
I didn’t have the luxury to waste money on things like that.
Come to think of it, since I spent time with the people from the 3rd Squad on the mountain, I hadn’t had any luxury at all.
With both money and time scarce, buying clothes was never something I considered.
“Hmm… I see.”
Reina looked me up and down.
“Then let’s go get some clothes. We still have time before the restaurant reservation.”
“I don’t have any money.”
“It’s fine. Consider it a small gift from an adult. And besides,” she said, as if it was just a simple fact.
“Isn’t it a shame for someone as pretty as you not to try different outfits at your age?”
Wait.
“……”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing at all. Shall we go, then? Oh, can I pick anything without checking the price?”
“Do as you like. I get more than enough in salary.”
Hmph.
Her tone was indifferent, but…
‘Damn, that made my heart skip a beat.’
As I followed her, trying to cool my suddenly flushed face, there was a cracking sound.
“Hm?”
“Aren’t you coming?”
“I heard something breaking over there.”
“This platform is old. They say they’ll repair it soon.”
I see.
‘Nothing to worry about.’
I turned away from the pillar where the sound had come from.
—
Read More at – GENZNOVEL.COM!!
PLEASE JOIN OUR DISCORD AND SUBSCRIBE THE ROLE TO RECEIVE LATEST NOTIFICATIONS!!
Comment