Academy’s Genius Swordsman

15. Practical Test (3)

#15

Nabirose opened her mouth without raising her sword.

“Yeah, three times. Just like the leftovers you showed me.”

Hearing the word three times, Ronan swallowed. Nabirose’s eyesight was correct. He used the same technique that broke Marya’s sword the other day.

“After making two cuts at an unrecognizable speed, the last cut was deliberately slowed down. Cheeky, did you think no one could read your sword?”

Ronan shut his mouth. The reason for slowing down the speed of the last sword strike was simply because he was afraid of damaging the blade, but that didn’t matter. The sound of my heart pounding seemed to reach my head.

read? my sword?

Nabirose, who stared into his eyes for a few seconds, was quietly led away.

“I will remember. Ronan.”

Kratir only spoke after she returned to her seat. He also noticed Ronan’s secret, but he didn’t ask any further questions.

Kratir saw him off with the same kind smile he had when he first met Ronan.

“Good job, Ronan-kun. But this old man has a question for me.”

“Yes?”

“Why do you want to enter Phileon?”

Ronan closed his eyes and looked at Kratir. An indescribable splendor was flowing from between the half-moon-curved eyelids.

“To learn.”

“Learn…what do you mean?”

“Well···.”

what? Ronan drew the tail. The judges tilted their heads at the sudden silence.

Ronan was facing Kratir, but his gaze remained on the landscape beyond his own eyes.

The descending giants and the rain pouring over the corpses. The last request of the general, who passed over the future.

Finally, Ronan’s mouth opened.

“How not to regret?”

“Huh?”

Kratir raised an eyebrow. Ronan didn’t give any further explanation.

Kratir thought about something for a moment, then smiled.

“…that’s right, be careful and die.”

Ronan bowed his head and said hello. thud. As soon as he left the exam room, the door closed.

****

“I have no regrets.”

Kratir muttered as he sat down on the chair. It was a word that I couldn’t understand even if I thought about it carefully.

His eyes, which are extremely deep for his age, also caught my heart.

“I really don’t know.”

What did a young boy still say that he had something to regret?

Kratir eventually gave up on giving an answer. It didn’t matter now.

“Whoa, I’m glad this is Phileon.”

“Why?”

“There’s no better place for him to go out of here.”

Kratir seemed three years older in that brief moment. Nabirose shook her head as if in agreement.

Prayer Khan, unable to contain his curiosity, asked a question.

“Hey, what happened now? Nabirose-sama too… Did that boy use any tricks?”

The former swordsman, the Sword Master, aimed his sword at the test taker. The principal, the 8th circle wizard, did not stop her even though she was in the same position.

It was an unprecedented situation that was difficult to explain. Most of the judges, including Kidokan, still did not understand the full story of the case.

“It’s a trick… well, you can see it that way.”

“What is that….”

– Empty!

At that moment, Lord Madoros’s head fell to the floor. The light in his eyes that had flickered between the helmets faded.

The judges, who were in shock, exclaimed.

“Heh heh heh…!”

Although the head and body were separated, no new sword marks were visible. The knight who has been testing candidates for over a hundred years has entered eternal rest.

Kratir whispered softly.

“If that talent isn’t … trickery, what else is it?

****

“Oh, it’s dazzling.”

As soon as we got out of the exam room, the strong spring sun poured down. Ronan raised his hand and covered his eyes.

The enchanted exit was connected to the plaza of the Phileon Academy.

“Ronan! Here it is!”

Then a familiar voice called out to Ronan. Even among the crowd, it was difficult to find the figure of Marya.

In each hand she held a cup of raspberry juice mixed with ice. Marya, who approached with a brisk pace, handed him the juice.

“Did it take a long time? Wasn’t it my next turn?”

“Something happened.”

“Work? What was it?”

Ronan nodded. He remembered what had happened in the exam hall.

The woman called Nabi Rose was stronger than expected. Even if it was in perfect condition, I wondered if she would have been able to get her sword.

‘Even the armor could not be cut in the end.’

Besides, he couldn’t even cut off the armor of Lord Madoros. That’s why it was swung three times.

It was fortunate that the thin seam connecting the head and body was made of mana.

‘Although Schlieffen did some wounds. We still have a long way to go.’

I forgot for a while. The General didn’t give up his last chance simply because Ronan was strong.

He was able to cut down a giant by himself, and he was the only strong point he had.

Ronan finally realized his weakness. But he wasn’t upset.

Ronan took a breath and drank the juice at once.

“Hey, Chehala. Drink slowly.”

“Fuha… it’s me.”

“yes?”

The liquid running down his throat cooled his body a little bit. Ronan opened his mouth only after chewing all the ice.

A high-pitched voice came out.

“I think I can get stronger.”

There was a place to climb. Starlight to use as a compass.

It was fun, so Ronan laughed.

“What are you talking about out of the blue?”

“Literally. Anyway, turn your head.”

“uh? huh?”

Ronan, who suddenly stretched out his hand, gently grabbed the tip of Marya’s chin. It was to look at the spot hit by Derian.

read from n̲o̲b̲l̲e̲m̲t̲l̲.̲c̲o̲m̲

Marya took a deep breath as the gap between their faces got closer.

“Hib.”

“Hmm… that’s good.”

Ronan slowly turned and looked at Marya’s cheek. There were red marks running along the handprints, but fortunately there seemed to be no wounds.

read from n̲o̲b̲l̲e̲m̲t̲l̲.̲c̲o̲m̲

Marya, who came to her senses late, shook her head as if to resist.

“Wow, what are you doing! suddenly!”

Ronan shrugged as if it was ridiculous.

A merchant who had to face countless customers was one of the professions where appearance was really important. I was just worried about the future and looked at the wounds, but that kind of reaction.

“What do you say, even if you see me hurt?”

“Who, who wants to see you?”

read from n̲o̲b̲l̲e̲m̲t̲l̲.̲c̲o̲m̲

Marya took a step back. Before, only the left cheek was red, but now the right cheek is also red.

“Wow, it’s useless…!”

“Hey, where are you going?”

Each time Ronan took one step closer, Marya took one step further. The crowd’s attention was drawn to the bizarre behavior that could only be seen in a play.

Then, an angry cry resounded in the plaza.

“Stop it now! A commoner girl!”

It was a familiar voice that gave me goosebumps. The two stopped at the same time and turned their heads.

Derian, a slender, slickly dressed boy, stood there.

“Did you just change clothes? You are very talented.”

Ronan whistled. Derian, who met Ronan’s eyes for a moment, flinched. He strode towards Marya, trying to ignore Ronan.

read from n̲o̲b̲l̲e̲m̲t̲l̲.̲c̲o̲m̲

Marya, who returned to the noble family again, bowed her head politely.

“What’s going on, Prince Darian?”

“What’s going on…?!”

Pedestrians, drawn by the commotion, stopped in place. Ronan was watching Derian with his arms crossed.

Still, whether he was watching, Darian didn’t raise his hand right away.

“Are you saying that now? What four years did to me! I have never experienced such a shame in my entire life!”

“It seems that the slap on the girl didn’t solve your anger.”

“Of course not! If you think you’ve paid the price for something like that…!”

“By the way, what the hell did the girl do wrong?”

Derian froze for a moment. Marya continued.

“What?”

“The girl doesn’t know that the sword of the Gonggong was suddenly cut in half, and that the bottom of her bottom flew away like a dandelion spore. How come Prince Derian is a descendant of a noble family who made a contribution to the empire, and why does he take his wrath on Mincho?”

“Wow, what…!”

“If a girl is to blame, it must be nothing but comforting you, who is overly tense.”

Although Marya’s demeanor was polite, there was something quite different from before.

In the waiting room, if they were really just concentrating on respecting the nobility, now it felt like they were just talking softly. Ronan stuck out his tongue.

‘Now there’s nothing to fuss about, so I’m just leaving. anyway···.’

After all, Sen was a pseudonym. It was also a known fact that Derian failed the test.

He missed his last chance this year, so he didn’t have any future encounters with Marya. She was a real merchant girl to the bone.

“It was very unfortunate that you entered the exam room wearing underwear. It’s just deplorable that the third son of the baron would do something that even a drunken bastard wouldn’t even try.”

It sounded like he was talking in a slurred tone, but his voice was very loud. Like a broadcaster of a chariot race, Marya explained the misfortunes of Derian one by one.

Laughter erupted from among the spectators.

“Still, don’t give up hope. Isn’t it possible that a bold move might have been accepted as a charm of its own? The girl sincerely hopes to see the ball on the day of the entrance ceremony.”

“this···! this···! This profit…!”

“Yeah, you have to wear pants then.”

“Wah ha ha ha ha!”

wedges stuck Ronan ruffled his bangs and smiled.

Dearian, whose face was red as if it was about to explode, raised his hand. He pointed at Marya and shouted.

“shit! It’s a sacred duel! I, Baron Mirrodin’s third son, Derian Marshol de Mirrodin, urge you to fight!”

The crowd roared. What surprised them even more was that it was a ‘sacred’ duel, not a normal duel.

Its long tradition, even specified in the imperial law, should never be tampered with.

A battle of power that waged not only on himself but also on the honor of his family. Regardless of their status, the loser had to unconditionally comply with the winner’s one request.

This has crossed the line. Ronan asked, raising his arms.

“Wait, I have a question. I put a handkerchief in your panties, so why are you asking her to a duel?”

“You, you will pay for it later!”

Derian flinched and shouted. Recognizing the situation, Ronan laughed.

Is this noble? It was surprising that a baby who had not yet shed any hair could become so ugly.

“Are you afraid of me? Are you touching that little girl because she’s arrogant?”

“Oh, it can’t be! For the cost of daring to deceive me is far greater!”

“That’s right. If I do, I’ll be patient, but you really can’t. Come with me, duel.”

“Heh heh! Don’t come any closer!”

Ronan spit in the palm of his hand and approached. Derian was terrified and backed away.

read from n̲o̲b̲l̲e̲m̲t̲l̲.̲c̲o̲m̲

Marya, who had been watching them all the time, blocked the two of them.

“Both of you, stop.”

Ronan conveyed the meaning of moving quickly with a wink of his eyes. Marya shook her head and turned her back.

She bowed lightly towards Derian.

“Girl Sen, I will accept the sacred duel.”

****

The three of them moved to the vacant lot outside the site of Phileon. An old man who appeared to be a deerian’s attendant became a witness to the duel.

“Master, what kind of bullshit is this? It’s not enough to have an argument with commoners, you’re even asking for a sacred duel. If the Lord knows…”

“Shut up the inspiration! Do you know what humiliation I have suffered?!”

“When I see you back in your underwear, I can guess to some extent…”

He snatched the long sword that was in his hand like an old man. It looked like a pretty good sword this time as well. The old man took a deep breath and said dryly.

“Yes, then I will explain the rules of the sacred duel. You must unconditionally surrender to the outcome…”

A boring explanation followed. Marya kept her hands on both hilts and closed her eyes. Looking at the spectators surrounding the vacant lot, Derian laughed slyly.

‘Damn bitch, never let me hold a sword again.’

He was going to solve the problem of the practical exam on Marya.

If it was the swordsmanship of the Mirrodin family, which boasts a long tradition, at least one delicate girl could be maimed in an instant. I won’t do any power adjustments.

“···That is all. Do both sides pledge to respect the supreme tradition?”

“I swear.”

“I swear.”

The explanation was soon over. The old man held up a handkerchief. The moment the handkerchief fell was the start of the duel.

Two people facing each other took a pose. Two blades were pulled out of Marya’s sheath with a soft metal sound.

she smiled brightly.

“Derian Ball. I want to thank you in advance.”

“…Are you saying thank you?”

“Give me the legal right to beat you down.”

“What?”

Then the handkerchief left the old man’s finger.

It was an instant. Marya, who narrowed the distance as if leaping, rotated her body and swung her sword.

– Nettle juice!

“Wow, what!”

It was a blow reminiscent of a ferocious gust of wind. Darian, who hastily raised his sword, managed to successfully defend, but it was not very meaningful.

Quick! The back of the longsword, which was pushed back helplessly, slammed into Derian’s shoulder.

“Heh heh!”

“Never appear in front of us again.”

read from n̲o̲b̲l̲e̲m̲t̲l̲.̲c̲o̲m̲

Marya whispered. Derian’s eyes widened as if they were about to pop out.

When the onlookers heard the sound of bones breaking, they groaned.

“This is my requirement.”

A scream like a newborn baby erupted from the mouth of Derian, who was lying on the floor.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!”

“Do, master!”

It was a sound that only a person with a finely crushed collarbone could make. The center of Derian’s pants, who was struggling while lying down, was stained heavily. The loose handkerchief landed on the floor.

“Hey, it was a little late to say goodbye…”

“Well?”

Leading Marya turned around with her back. Ronan, who was applauding with a satisfied expression, tilted his head.

Scratching her cheek and hesitating, she managed to open her mouth.

“thank you.”

“Tell me something, miss.”

Derian’s scream lingered in his ears for a long time. The two moved to the 4th Tower of Phileon, where the test with magic was held. Marya burst into laughter at Ronan’s joke and didn’t cover her mouth anymore.