—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Silverriver
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“Observe your swordsmanship? What do you mean by that?”
I maintained a controlled expression as I spoke down to her. According to the setting, Agnes’s Bayern family held the title of Viscount. A rank incomparable to the Philasia Dukedom. It was only because this was Iliad Academy that she could even address me.
Under normal circumstances, I wondered how long it would take her to utter a single word to me.
At least months, I could guess. More likely, she wouldn’t be able to speak to me at all.
Agnes hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“I once heard a rumor in the marketplace that the eldest son of the Philasia Duke wields a sword. Since you defeated the academy instructor with your bare hands, I thought you must be even more skilled with a sword… I apologize if I’m mistaken.”
“It’s not a mistake. I do use a sword.”
So she simply came to ask about swordsmanship.
I relaxed my tense posture. If she requested a spar like the protagonist of the original story, I intended to refuse immediately.
A spar in this body? Such a luxury was unthinkable.
“Then could you give me some guidance? I can offer you anything in return.”
“….”
Did she even realize the implications of her words? Judging by her eyes, she seemed completely oblivious.
“Those words. You’re prepared to take responsibility for them, right?”
Someone who claimed they could do anything was either ignorant of their own worth…
“Yes, anything within my power.”
…or truly desperate.
Agnes was driven by desperation. Desperate enough to wager everything, even undervaluing herself in the process.
‘Well, that was Agnes.’
That icy personality, that unwavering stoicism of a knight. It was all acquired.
The Bayern Viscounty. A fallen noble family, now extinct. Perhaps the only people bearing the Bayern name now were Agnes and her younger sibling.
Just the two of them.
Because everyone else was dead. Killed by the demons.
“Hmm…”
…I was seriously contemplating it. Teaching her swordsmanship wasn’t an issue. I had the Genius trait for a reason.
Besides, I had indirectly read about Agnes’s future swordsmanship style in the novel. If I shared some of that knowledge, she might even surpass the protagonist and take the top spot at this stage.
Moreover, Agnes was the most suitable companion for the opportunity I was planning to pursue.
‘Lenox’s Cave.’
An Archmage who was also a swordsman. A genius among geniuses who had dominated an era. The Magic Swordsman, Lenox.
After his death, countless Magic Swordsmen emerged, but none were considered to have surpassed him. That’s why Magic Swordsman became a profession that even those with considerable talent hesitated to pursue.
Lenox. One needed talent comparable to the first Magic Swordsman to even attempt it.
And the opportunity left behind by Lenox existed near Iliad Academy.
‘Lenox’s relic and the Spirit Orb.’
My target was the Spirit Orb. I couldn’t wield Lenox’s relic anyway.
It was likely designated for Agnes. In the novel, others tried to use Lenox’s relic, but none succeeded.
It was due to the relic’s finicky nature. It wouldn’t allow anyone but its chosen wielder to even touch it.
I needed to nurture the main and supporting characters of the academy to prepare for the upcoming calamity anyway…
“I’ll teach you a little.”
After a moment of contemplation, I nodded. The corners of Agnes’s lips twitched slightly. There was little change in her expression, but she seemed pleased.
She looked as if she was about to draw her sword immediately. I understood her eagerness to grow stronger, but…
“I’m not teaching you here.”
“What?”
There was no need to draw it yet. She would be forced to draw it continuously later on anyway.
“Before entering the academy, my family discovered a dungeon. Let’s check your swordsmanship while clearing it.”
“A dungeon… isn’t that too dangerous? I understand we need to be accompanied by an instructor.”
She looked puzzled. Even at the academy, entering a dungeon required an instructor’s presence or a permit.
“It’s fine. The dungeon will be easy anyway.”
It was true. If I remembered correctly, Lenox’s Cave was designed to be easily cleared.
“Ah… I suppose someone who defeated an instructor in one blow would find it easy.”
“…?”
She seemed to be under some strange misconception. I tried to correct her misunderstanding, but Agnes expressed her desire to go to the dungeon as soon as possible.
But I was planning to watch from behind and just consume the Spirit Orb…
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Lenox’s Cave was magically hidden in the forest near the academy. Since the first day consisted of only an introductory 80-minute class, with the real classes starting the next day, we had plenty of time.
We entered during the day, so we should be out by nightfall.
With that in mind, I entered the forest. As expected of a forest that had concealed a cave for ages, it was dense and lush.
Ancient forests possessed a unique aura. As I ventured deeper, I spotted a tree with a small fissure in its trunk.
‘It should be around here.’
I inserted my finger into the fissure, barely wide enough to fit, and channeled my mana. Originally, this information would be discovered later in a different dungeon while discussing Lenox, but…
‘What’s the point of letting it rot?’
I would secure the Spirit Orb for myself while also helping Agnes with her swordsmanship. It was absolutely not because of Agnes’s sword.
I was doing this for my own survival.
…It felt like something had changed, but whatever.
My mana flowed through my finger and into the tree. The mana traveled down the tree, activating a long-dormant mechanism.
“Cough!”
I coughed up blood. Damn it.
Coughing up blood didn’t decrease my lifespan. I didn’t know why, but my body reacted this way whenever I moved vigorously or was injured.
Only actual injuries or extreme exertion drained my lifespan.
Then why did I keep coughing up blood?
I still hadn’t found the answer to that question.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m not.”
I continued to cough up blood. The tree roots absorbed my blood.
Agnes frantically searched her pockets and pulled out a handkerchief. Ah, I missed Petra.
Petra would have already covered my mouth with a handkerchief.
“At least cover your mouth with this.”
“…No. You won’t be able to use it if it’s stained with my blood.”
Just then, the entrance opened. I withdrew my finger from the fissure and revealed the cave hidden behind a magical barrier.
It was large enough for two or three people to enter.
“Let’s go in.”
“Yes!”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
As we entered the cave, I felt a strange sensation of movement. Simultaneously, my vision shifted slightly.
A carved door. We stood before it.
I looked around. I didn’t know if Lenox had cast a spell, but the usual dampness of a cave was absent.
There were no side paths or alternate routes. Only forward, or giving up.
Behind me, instead of the cave entrance, I saw a portal. It seemed we had indeed been transported.
Teleportation was a 5th Rank spell, but one typically needed to be 6th Rank to cast it properly. The current Headmaster, an 8th Rank mage on the path to Archmage, would certainly be capable of such a feat.
‘Lenox was at least 6th Rank.’
Or perhaps even 7th. That’s why most Magic Swordsmen simply couldn’t compare to him.
Even looking back through history, 6th Rank mages were rare, let alone surpassing current standards. And to achieve that rank while also mastering the sword?
It was practically impossible.
Unless one possessed truly overwhelming talent.
“It’s quite spacious.”
Agnes said, standing in front of me. I was puzzled by her protective stance, but since it was the position I needed her to take, I didn’t say anything and moved forward.
A massive door blocked our path. It wasn’t as grand as Trina, but it wasn’t a size meant for human passage.
It was either for show, or it was meant to block something truly enormous.
As I reached for the doorknob, Agnes rushed forward and stopped me.
“Allow me to open it.”
“What?”
“I heard you weren’t well, but I didn’t realize it was this severe…”
Uh, hmm. Agnes’s gaze was filled with pity.
I was starting to get annoyed.
It was one of the most common looks I received since inhabiting this body. Even if they weren’t aware of my terminal illness, they all made that expression upon realizing how frail my body was.
I disliked that look. It felt like they were looking down on me.
I brushed Agnes’s hand aside and grabbed the doorknob.
“It’s unnecessary concern.”
It was just opening a door. I gave her a cold stare and stepped into the dungeon.
I had to enter before Petra started worrying. Once was enough for enduring that pitiful gaze. Of course, I knew Agnes was offering kindness out of genuine concern. Petra had been the same, as had the others in the Dukedom.
But if that kindness continued, it would become excessive. Ultimately, I needed to stand on my own. If I relied on others to help me up…
I would become unable to rise without their assistance. And they would come to believe it was their duty to help me.
Humiliatingly so.
Even if I coughed up blood, even if my head throbbed, this was my body. The body I needed to think and act with.
I clenched my fist and entered the dungeon, renewing my resolve to survive once more.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
