Regressor of Yandere Academy – Chapter 8

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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‘How can I explain this in a believable way…’

It wasn’t unusual for people to learn a bit of both swordsmanship and magic. Mages needed to defend themselves, and swordsmen could benefit from knowing a spell or two.

However, these were secondary skills.

Learning a high-level swordsmanship technique like Dragon Swordsmanship meant magic would naturally take a backseat.

Would someone really experiment with a new mana circuit method just to improve their secondary magic? A traitless person should focus on one skill, let alone two.

Learning Dragon Swordsmanship without a trait was impressive enough, but trying to learn magic on top of that seemed greedy.

“So, Egenir, it’s still your first year, and I can’t really advise you on what to specialize in.”

Spenny’s words were laced with disappointment.

‘Of course. She thought I’d focus on magic, but I showed up with Dragon Swordsmanship.’

There wasn’t a direct rivalry between magic and swordsmanship, but students tended to specialize, dividing themselves into factions like opposing teams.

The academy had swordsmanship and magic departments, honoring the legendary hero and mage who slew a dragon, offering various skills within each discipline. But the emphasis was on specialization, just like the legendary figures.

‘I can’t exactly say, ‘I’m going to steal all the traits and master both swordsmanship and magic’…’

There was no precedent for a traitless person becoming a Magic Swordsman.

“Egenir, are you hiding a trait?”

Spenny finally asked the inevitable question.

‘It’s a natural assumption.’

Since I hadn’t yet touched the Trait Crystal to reveal my (lack of) traits, there was a window where I could lie.

It wasn’t common, but I could pretend to be traitless.

I sighed, seeing her trying to figure out why I would lie.

‘She must think I have a Magic Swordsman trait.’

A specialized swordsman with an affinity for magic. She was probably trying to figure out my motive for lying.

“Teacher…”

I was inefficient, with both Dragon Swordsmanship and a magic-focused mana circuit.

‘With Dragon Swordsmanship…I can’t use magic properly without Elemental.’

It was a mistake to recreate Dragon Swordsmanship, driven by anger at the memory of being killed by the Hero, Ella.

‘I need Elemental even more now.’

Even with Dragon Swordsmanship, having the high-level magic trait, Elemental, would give me at least 50% efficiency.

‘No one has ever combined Elemental with swordsmanship, but…it’s a strong trait, so I should be able to learn magic.’

My priority was copying the Elemental magic trait and Ella’s Hero swordsmanship trait.

I adjusted my strategy accordingly.

“Is…it strange to learn Dragon Swordsmanship?”

All I could do was act innocent, similar to how I’d behaved while learning the mana circuit method.

“Hmm?”

“I saw it in the library a while ago and learned it…is that a problem?”

“If you learned that…no…”

Spenny was flustered.

‘Can someone who knows Dragon Swordsmanship learn a magic-focused mana circuit method?’

“Egenir, did you really learn Dragon Swordsmanship?”

Without a powerful trait, I, as a traitless person, shouldn’t be able to learn the mana circuit method.

‘Of course, that wasn’t the case earlier.’

Before learning Dragon Swordsmanship, my skill list was pathetic:

Magic (1), Swordsmanship (1).

I’d strengthened my magic stat by learning the mana circuit method first, and then added Dragon Swordsmanship, exploiting the initial, unrestricted skill acquisition phase.

‘Both will be mediocre.’

That’s what would happen if I didn’t acquire any traits.

As a freshman, I was a swordsman with level 1 Dragon Swordsmanship, stronger than most, but…

Later, I’d fall behind other students who focused on developing their chosen path, stuck in a bleak, eighth-turn school life.

‘This is a gamble for me, too.’

The early game build-up before acquiring traits.

‘Learn a mana circuit method and a high-level swordsmanship technique.’

Having learned the mana circuit method, further progress in swordsmanship was stunted.

That’s why I added Dragon Swordsmanship and gambled everything on Spenny’s Elemental trait and Ella’s Hero trait.

‘If it works, jackpot…’

If it failed, I’d just start over.

“Teacher, I learned it a while ago…I didn’t realize it was so powerful.”

My background lacked proper training facilities.

“Listen carefully, Egenir. I haven’t seen many cases like yours, but…there are some Magic Swordsmen who learn high-level swordsmanship and mana circuit methods.”

Spenny offered her advice with genuine concern.

“And although they had beneficial traits…they all shared the same outcome.”

“What’s that?”

“No Magic Swordsman…ever reached the pinnacle of either swordsmanship or magic.”

The “pinnacle” was a state achieved through mastery of a skill.

For example, Ella, with her Hero trait and diverse swordsmanship training, would achieve Valkyrie.

As if chosen by a god, she also possessed a bit of divine power, granting her the Valkyrie pinnacle, the Divine Messenger, which had led to my defeat in our previous confrontation.

‘My stomach still hurts.’

Just thinking about that version of Ella gave me chills. I’d used alchemy, swordsmanship, and various traps to corner her, but…

‘They say anyone with a trait and mastered skills will achieve a pinnacle.’

In other words…it was a privilege I, as a traitless person, had never experienced.

“Traitless people…can’t achieve a pinnacle anyway, right?”

“…That’s true.”

It was an undeniable fact.

Most traitless people, regardless of social status, ended up as slaves or in the lower rungs of society.

I might be able to live a peaceful life as a minor baron, but…

Life without the possibility of achieving a pinnacle would be miserable.

“I’m okay with that. I want to help you…complete your research on this mana circuit method.”

Spenny’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, still suspicious.

‘She’s wondering why I’d start with magic after learning Dragon Swordsmanship.’

She was probably debating whether to discourage me from starting with basic magic after mastering Dragon Swordsmanship or to take responsibility for my misguided decision.

‘Damn it…I wanted a safe, steady build-up…’

A mage’s suspicion was a dangerous thing. Spenny was already questioning my motives, and that would eventually lead to her pushing me away.

‘I…can feel it.’

Although it wasn’t visible in the status window, I could sense her declining affinity, ready to plummet with the slightest provocation. She crossed her legs and folded her arms, signs of her discomfort.

She looked me up and down, scrutinizing me.

‘Well, I’m screwed anyway…’

I gulped and started talking.

“Teacher.”

I opted for the quick build-up, activating the “poor me” mode.

“Yes?”

“I’ve always dreamed of being a mage.”

Spenny looked unimpressed.

So what?

“Is that so? But…”

“What do you think a traitless person should learn to survive?”

Spenny, born with the high-level Elemental trait, had probably never considered such a question.

I exploited that gap.

What should a traitless person learn to survive? How would I know? I was just making this up as I went.

“Well…”

“What’s more likely for a traitless person, sensing mana or having some aptitude for swordsmanship?”

The answer, of course, was swordsmanship.

“To revive my family, I had to choose the path with the highest probability of success.”

I lowered my head, appealing to her maternal instincts.

‘Take the bait.’

Like fishing in the dark, I patiently waited for her to bite.

And then, ever so slightly, I tugged on the line.

“But…everyone has dreams.”

I clenched my fists.

“What hope does a traitless person have…when the only reason they’re admitted to the academy is because they can sense mana…?”

“Ah.”

The minimum requirement for admission was the ability to manipulate mana. Even swordsmen needed a basic understanding of mana circulation, using their own “Mana Meditation” technique to enhance their swordsmanship.

“Use Mana Meditation to strengthen swordsmanship? But…if they have even a sliver of hope of achieving their dream of using magic…wouldn’t they pursue it?”

A single tear rolled down my cheek, and Spenny’s expression softened.

“I suppose so…”

It was absurd to be suspicious of someone just because they knew Dragon Swordsmanship.

Given Egenir’s age, he would have had to dedicate his entire life to mastering it.

He was just the eldest son of a minor barony, a naive student hoping to revive his family with a library book on Dragon Swordsmanship. And in the midst of all that, he was scheming and using the mana circuit method to get close to her?

I looked at her with eyes filled with sadness, making her feel guilty for even considering such a possibility.

“Please…will you take me as your student? I beg you.”

I knelt before her, and Spenny was flustered.

‘Please…work…’

Would Mommy Spenny fall for it?

My heart pounded as I waited.

[Spenny’s affinity increased by 12.]

‘Yes!!!’

It was temporary, but if I followed up with the right words, this could be a perfect build-up. I couldn’t miss this opportunity.

‘This is a risky move, but…’

This wasn’t a safe play, it was a gamble to win over the suspicious Spenny.

“Teacher…like I said before…from the moment I saw you…”

I mentioned how she reminded me of my mother. Guilt washed over her for doubting me.

“Oh…”

She looked distraught, wanting to make amends. This was the perfect expression.

“No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t burden you…”

I slumped my shoulders and slowly stood up.

“I’m…just a greedy, traitless person…”

“Egenir!”

“Yes?”

Unable to bear my self-deprecating words, she grabbed my hand.

‘Thank god. I would have been screwed if she hadn’t.’

If it weren’t for the affinity I’d built in previous turns, she would have dismissed me, and the affinity I’d just gained would have quickly dissipated.

“Don’t say that!”

“…Why?”

“Because!”

Spenny looked flustered, as if she didn’t know what she was saying. She seemed desperate to comfort me.

“You’re my student now!”

“Oh…”

I focused on my innocent act, suppressing a smile, feigning surprise and gratitude, with a hint of tears in my eyes.

“Teacher!”

I hugged her tightly, a scene straight out of a cheesy drama.

‘Ha…it was worth it.’

I smiled contentedly, feeling the soft pressure of her breasts against my cheek.

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