Chapter 4
Let’s summarize what the protagonist said one more time.
In this world, there is a network through magical tools, though not as widespread as in modern times.
It’s expensive and used only by nobles, but the protagonist said he used it to join a secret group.
This group consists of individuals who greatly influence the continent’s affairs but instead spend their time boasting about their disciples to flaunt their superiority.
Good grief.
The protagonist seems childish in his actions, but with memories of his past life, he sometimes acts like a grumpy old man who takes such things way too seriously.
Then again, even with the wisdom of an old man, men remain the same—immature at heart, no matter how old they get.
If he’s a sword saint who’s transcended worldly matters, I guess he needs something like this to pass the time.
That’s all fine, but why me?
“You’re a student. Do you think you can handle joining something like that? And you’re asking me to go sparring?”
“Hmph, I’ll turn you into a top-tier swordsman in no time. Just trust me.”
“What kind of crazy nonsense is that? Do you think you’re some unparalleled genius? Have you already mastered martial arts and started taking disciples at your age? Are you asking me to be your guinea pig and risk my life? That’s too much… I’d rather be bullied by the other nobles.”
I know the protagonist is a reincarnator, but I put my all into pretending to complain.
“Come on, just trust me. I’m that unparalleled genius. Here, watch this.”
The protagonist plucked a leaf from a tree, let it float in the air, and drew his sword.
With a single slow stroke, his blade grazed the leaf and then returned to its sheath.
“Hmm, I don’t show this to just anyone. This should be enough proof, right?”
The protagonist held up the leaf, now shredded into hundreds of precise pieces, resembling a honeycomb.
Even an ordinary person would be amazed, but I deliberately kept a nonchalant expression.
“So what? Didn’t you just tear it apart with mana? That’s magic.”
“Ugh, this guy. I thought picking someone untalented would be fine… Ah, you’re acting, aren’t you? You really don’t want to do this?”
“…”
Untalented? Me?
Is he bluffing? The first thing I did after possessing this body was take a talent test.
Despite my efforts, I had no aptitude for swordsmanship.
While I stayed silent, the protagonist mumbled to himself, lost in thought.
“Hmm, usually when I offer swordsmanship and mana techniques, a hundred out of a hundred people pledge their loyalty. This guy’s so weird… Should I offer him money? Nah, someone like him won’t change just for money…”
“What did you say, Karon?”
“Why the sudden politeness?”
Since I couldn’t bring myself to demand an amount, I waited, and the protagonist seemed to guess my thoughts, proposing a deal.
“10,000 gold.”
Risk my life for that? Seriously?
When I frowned and turned away, the bold protagonist upped the ante significantly.
“100,000 gold, upfront.”
That amount of money could buy an apartment.
It might not be enough to risk my life, but I immediately knelt down.
If I hesitated again, knowing his personality, there wouldn’t be a next offer.
“Master, where do I begin? I’ll become a disciple worthy of spreading your fame across the continent!”
“Haha.”
And so, I willingly threw myself into the protagonist’s clutches.
***
We returned to the training ground.
Not the academy’s training ground, but the protagonist’s private training area, after the payment was made.
Who knew this place existed?
Actually, it might’ve been mentioned, but I can’t remember.
“Serupe.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Don’t call me Master in front of others. Just call me Karon. We’re friends, right?”
“Oh, y-yes.”
Standing in the center of the training ground, the protagonist seemed to deliberate for a moment before speaking.
“Honestly, it might be tough for you to beat your opponent.”
“Is that so?”
I responded politely, but inside, I heaved a sigh.
Of course, how could I expect to win after learning so little?
“But since you’re not particularly motivated, I’ll only teach you enough swordsmanship to hold your own. Even if you can’t win, just enduring equally will be enough. I’ll replicate your opponent’s sword style for you to practice against.”
“Understood.”
“Now, let’s start by training your mana technique. Run ten thousand laps around the training ground. Unless you want to die sparring with me.”
“Excuse me?”
“Ten thousand laps.”
“Shriek!”
I dodged the protagonist’s swinging wooden sword and began running around the training ground.
Oh, woe is me. Why did I agree to this?
By the time I finished running, I’d probably pass out again.
Ugh, while I do feel like this is improving my chronic mana deficiency, it’s still too much.
Even if my condition improves, I doubt I’ll survive against one of the continent’s top late-stage swordsmen.
How many laps have I run so far?
“Look at this guy slacking off now.”
“Don’t hit me! I’ll run properly!”
“Focus on your mana technique, idiot! Mana technique!”
I knew I shouldn’t have agreed to this.
Save me.
***
Lately, with no bullying from the nobles,
I never realized how happy I could be just sitting in the classroom.
Elenien, who had come from another class, crouched under my desk and said,
“You… you seem so down these days, Serupe…”
“Hic, sob, hic…”
As I lay on the desk, crying, Elenien stroked my hair.
It made me want to cry even more.
Dragging myself to the training ground, I ran into Deruna in the hallway, who laughed when she saw me.
“Hey, weakling. Off to get dragged around for training with Karon again?”
“Yes…”
When I answered weakly, Deruna approached and slid her hand into my clothes, poking around.
“Let’s see… You’ve built up some muscles, haven’t you? Oh…”
“W-what are you doing? Stop touching me. Please stop!”
When I tried to run away, Elenien followed Deruna’s lead, poking at me too.
“F-firm…”
“What are you two doing? This is embarrassing! Stop it right now!”
“Aw, cute. If Karon bullies you too much, let me know, okay?”
“Actually, could you help me out? He’s bullying me a lot.”
Why do you tell me to speak up and then pretend not to hear me?
As I let out a deep sigh, someone grabbed the back of my neck.
No, it couldn’t be…
“Who’s bullying you?”
“No one! Haha, I said all this training is just helping me grow muscles!”
“Ah, so you understand the beauty of muscle growth. Let’s go build some more.”
If I had known things would turn out like this, I should have dropped out the moment I realized I was at the same academy as the protagonist.
Why did I agree for a mere 100,000 gold?
I could’ve made that much gradually by selling fertilizer. What was I thinking?
“Take care, Serupe… I-I’ll wait for you, so don’t leave me alone when you’re done, okay?”
“Got it… But couldn’t you call someone to take down this monster for me?”
“Who are you calling a monster?”
“Haha, I just meant we should conquer the monsters within ourselves and ignite our passion for training today!”
“Pfft, you’re good with words. But expect today’s training to be even harder.”
How many days have I been pushed like this?
Even today, as I tried to hide and avoid training, the protagonist caught me by the back of my neck again.
“You’ve been hiding more and more these days. Maybe you’d have been better off as a thief than a swordsman.”
“Well, uh, that is…”
“There’s no training today, idiot.”
“Really?”
“It’s that day, after all. I can’t have you passing out from overtraining. Anyway, here’s the location. Make sure to show up on time.”
Handing me a piece of paper, the protagonist vanished.
My legs, tense from fear, gave out, and I collapsed to the floor.
“Phew…”
Lately, it wasn’t just physical training but sparring disguised as beatings that had worn me down completely.
I stared blankly up at the sky.
After today, I’ll finally be free…
Taking out the paper, I checked the location of the duel.
It was closer than I expected.
Dawn, at the academy’s arena.
Since no events were currently scheduled, the arena would be empty, the perfect place for a duel in secret.
There wouldn’t be any spectators, but given the location, my opponent must also be an academy student.
Who could it be?
It’s probably someone I’ve seen in passing.
If they’re someone destined to be one of the continent’s greatest late-stage swordsmen, though…
I don’t think I have any chance of winning.
“Ah… This is exhausting.”
Should I head there early and rest for a bit?
Yawning, I curled up in a corner of the empty arena and fell asleep.
Who knows how long I slept.
Suddenly, someone shook me by the shoulder.
“Why are you sleeping here?”
“Mmm…”
When I opened my eyes, I was met with an unexpected sight.
Adela stood before me, dressed in training clothes with a sword at her hip.
She was clearly dressed for a duel.
As I rubbed my eyes and looked up at the sky, it seemed the appointed time had come, as the moonlight was shining down.
“Go back, Serupe. Were you hiding here to avoid being bullied? If so, then those people really are incorrigible. Don’t worry; I’ll take care of them for you.”
I opened my mouth to respond but couldn’t say a word. Instead, I handed her the paper.
When Adela looked at it, her face froze, switching between me and the paper as if her brain had short-circuited.
Then she pressed her hand to her forehead and finally spoke.
“I see. You are truly admirable.”
What does that even mean…?
—
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