Perilla Leaf Mint Choco (1)

Bang!

Yu Seha’s hand cut through the air with a sharp thrust.

A subtle blue glow imbued with the beauty of starlight waves emanated from it.

It didn’t stop there.

Once again, the magic gathered at the blade strengthened.
Two consecutive thrusts unfolded toward the front.

Surely, this was the [Thrust] ability.
Specifically, it was speculated to be the derived skill, [Double Thrust].

‘…Not bad.’

Ju Na-young, who was secretly watching, nodded slightly.

It was a graceful and beautiful stance.

Ju Na-young’s main technique was a martial art using fists and legs.

But that didn’t mean she was ignorant about swords.

Since childhood, she has observed numerous sword techniques through her talented older sisters in the clan.

Even to her eyes, the thrusts Yu Seha was performing now seemed to take on a quite plausible stance.

Of course, there were still many signs of inexperience.

‘The finishing touch is a bit clumsy?’

While infusing magic power, he couldn’t fully unleash its momentum.

This was immediately discernible from the slight tremor at the tip of the sword.

Even if he expended 100 units of magic like that, it would only exert a force of about 70.

In other words, he was effectively wasting 30 units of magic into thin air.

Ju Na-young quickly figured out why such a phenomenon was occurring.

‘He doesn’t have the [Magic Control] trait.’

The [Magic Control] trait regulated the flow of all magic.
And helped use it smoothly.

It wasn’t just a common skill for the <Mage> classes, contrary to what many believe.

The techniques of melee dealers also ultimately manifest through the power of mana.

Those who understand and delve deeper into magic naturally have greater power.

It seemed that Yu Seha, who performed the thrust, knew this well.

After tilting his head a few times, he silently stared at the tip of his sword and slowly extended his hand.

Then he stared at the longsword for a long time.

Sometimes he closed his eyes and thought about something.

Sometimes he placed the blade against his forehead and stared straight ahead.

When Ju Na-young began to wonder, ‘What on earth is he doing?’

Yu Seha thrust once again.

“…Huh?”

Ju Na-young was startled by the sight.

It was different.

The thrust was so clean that it was hard to believe it was done by the same person.

Then, as if Yu Seha had grasped something, he continued to practice the thrust, spinning the sword in his grip.

Swoosh!
Swoosh!
Swoosh!

The more he repeated the thrusts, the sharper and more precise Yu Seha’s sword became.

Sweat poured down his forehead like rain.

He didn’t care.
In his eyes, there was nothing but this thrust.

‘Impressive concentration.’

A figure dedicated solely to one thing.
Adding to this was his picture-perfect appearance, and Ju Na-young suddenly thought he was beautiful.

‘Wait a minute.’

Ju Na-young only then realized the obvious question she should have asked.

As far as she knew, his main technique was [Sword Pull].

But what Yu Seha was displaying now was an entirely different skill set.

Usually, hunters specialize in one type that suits them.

The most typical was the <Mage> class.

Those with an affinity for fire only use [Flame].

Those with an affinity for wind only handle and hone [Wind].

This was the same for Ju Na-young, who was praised as a genius by those around her.

‘…I can’t learn any other attribute except [Blazing Flame].’

Sometimes, people would say, ‘Isn’t swordsmanship just a matter of stabbing and slashing, unlike magic?’ but that’s the remark of someone who knows nothing.

As long as it’s bound to the concept of skill and receives the [System]’s correction, there was ultimately no difference.

Well, of course, there were ‘multi-hunters’ who used multiple attributes and types.

But the higher you go, the more their numbers drastically decrease.

Hitting the wall of growth, it’s not easy to master everything, so they choose only one.

However, the [Thrust] that Yu Seha displayed seemed to have quite a high level of proficiency in Ju Na-young’s eyes.

In other words, it meant that he had honed his [Sword] technique to such an extent, while also not falling behind in [Thrust] practice.

Ju Na-young decided to observe Yu Seha a bit more since it had come to this.

And then she noticed.

The athletic wear he was wearing.

It was undoubtedly the outfit he had worn during today’s training.

Could it be that he had come here to practice right after the training without taking a single break?

‘……’

At that moment, feeling like she herself was lazy in comparison, she pouted her lips.

Soon, Ju Na-young witnessed a sight so astonishing that her eyes widened.

Yu Seha was continuously performing [Double Thrust].

His thrusts began to accelerate and became even faster.

They turned into faint afterimages and illusions.

At the same time, a blue magical aura started to ripple and remain in that spot.

Ju Na-young knew well what that meant.

‘…Skill acquisition?’

Soon, she became certain of her thoughts.
The two-pronged thrust clearly evolved into a three-pronged thrust.

It was undoubtedly a Rare skill.
[Triple Thrust].

‘N-no way…’

Did he just acquire a new skill?

Really?

Great!

I smiled brightly at the information window that appeared before me.

The relentless thrusting practice over the past few days had paid off.

‘I knew it was possible.’

[Eye of the Reversed Heaven] activated against the <Turtle Knight>.

Originally, I should have learned [Triple Thrust], but due to a lack of proficiency, I acquired [Double Thrust] instead.

That fact had always bothered me.

I felt like I could learn it with just a bit more practice.

Therefore, right after the training ended, I headed straight here for additional practice.

Finally, the fruits of those efforts ripened.

More joyous than acquiring a skill was the information that my [Magic] had increased by 1.

Interestingly, despite being a physical type skill, [Triple Thrust] raised my magic power.

‘I wanted to increase my magic anyway.’

Seeing it increase little by little was indeed reassuring.

‘…It’s a pity that Piercing Thrust didn’t come out.’

The trump card of <Turtle Knight>.

Both were rare skills, but purely in terms of power, that one was slightly higher.

After all, [Piercing Thrust] felt more like a finishing move.

Anyway, the thrust training is concluded here.

‘…Phew.’

I took a deep breath and loosened my body.

In fact, the real purpose of the training begins now.

I slowly closed my eyes.

I started the image training I had tirelessly repeated in my previous world.

I tried to sense someone’s presence in the empty void.

Beyond my closed eyes, I envisioned an overwhelming figure swaying in a blood-red hue.

It was none other than Peng Jin-ah.

More precisely, it was the afterimage of her I saw during our sparring match.

‘Focus.’

Remember it.
Recall it.

The overwhelming power and speed she wielded during the entrance exam.

And the absolute swordsmanship she displayed based on that.

In front of my eyes, Peng Jin-ah, made of red light, started dancing with a sword in her hand.

The sword, matching my memory, was a small calamity in itself.

Ridiculous martial arts.
The flash of swiftness.
The cruel dance that ultimately tears apart everything approaching.

As soon as the demonstration ended, I raised my sword, following her lead.

The blue light of magic flowing through my grip turned red.

The first swing emphasized sheer power, a heavy sword technique.

Following that, I performed a swift sword technique, prioritizing speed.

There was a reason for using them separately.

‘Using both at the same time is too much for me.’

It didn’t have to be perfect.

I tried my best to imitate it, even slightly.

At least, as far as I could remember, this was the first [Sword Technique] I obtained after wielding a sword.

It was my first realization since my father told me, ‘You must not learn the sword.’

Moreover, it was an Epic skill, which was exceptionally rare.
I wanted to master this, even if I had to force it.

Ugh, damn it.

A sharp pain coursed through my body, enough to make me curse.

Only two swings, and it was already like this.

‘Focus!’

I followed the vicious sword trajectory left by Peng Jin-ah’s blade.

Though the power and speed fell short of the original, the subtlety within was unmistakably filled.

‘Softness.’

Controlling this vast and ferocious sword required remembering that its reins were ‘softness.’

The more I swung with that understanding, the more the red waves spread through the training ground like sword aura.

“…Kkeu-euak!”

But was I too greedy after all?

Five times.

After just five swings, an unbearable pain dominated my entire body.

Clang!

In the end, I let go of the sword and lay down flat.

‘…Phew.’

I caught my breath while staring at the ceiling.

Actually, last night, I had personally sought out Peng Jin-ah.

―Professor! Please teach me more of the [Overlord Sword Technique]!

Peng Jin-ah was taken aback by those words.

Well, even I would find it absurd if someone who had secretly learned her [Swordsmanship] came and boldly asked for more lessons.

Peng Jin-ah, who had been silently staring at me, slowly shook her head.

―I’m sorry, Cadet Yu Seha. I cannot teach you now, and even if I did, it would be meaningless.

Peng Jin-ah added a few more words.

To focus everything on the 4-week training.

This rough and grueling training would leave at least a basic foundation in my body.

―No matter how bright and beautiful a flower is, if it doesn’t have the power to protect itself, it is meaningless.
Now is not the time to focus on blooming, Cadet Yu Seha.

All flowers take root and grow in solid and fertile soil. Endure and persevere.

―I promise once again.

From the day the formal classes begin until graduation.
I will teach you everything I have.
So, endure for now.

“…That’s true.”

But I couldn’t help but feel greedy.

Anyway, it was when I was thinking of returning to the dormitory.

A very unique sound effect, ‘Young-ah!’ faintly reached my ears.

“…Hmm?”

I looked around, but no one was in sight.

Oh, correction.

I could see someone.

Fluttering.

Under the window.

Red hair was moving and fluttering.

And as far as I knew, there was only one person with that tuft of hair.

I smirked and approached quietly.

Of course, the owner of the hair was Ju Na-young, who had been secretly watching until now.

She trembled slightly, covering her mouth with both hands.

‘A-are you crazy, Ju Na-young?!’

How can you make a sound in this place?!

But I couldn’t help it!

Right, I really couldn’t.

Ju Na-Young was still wondering if what she had just seen was true.

‘…Overlord… Sword?’

Ah, respected Peng Jin-ah…
Ah, no, the Professor’s exclusive sword technique.

The overwhelming sword that symbolized her was now unfolding in Yu Seha’s hands.

C-could it be that Unnie taught him this?

It couldn’t be…
There was no time for her to teach him.

Ju Na-Young was worried, but she couldn’t think any longer about it.

Shashak! She crouched even lower.

Because she heard the sound of footsteps approaching.

Gulp.

Ju Na-young thought the sound of her swallowing was unusually loud.

She quietly closed her eyes and focused on her hearing.
The sound that was heading this way stopped and then soon disappeared.
‘Was it an illusion?’ It definitely seemed like it.

“…Hoo.”

Ju Na-young let out a sigh of relief.
Then, suddenly, she flinched, “Huh?!”

Why am I hiding?!
I haven’t done anything wrong!

‘That’s right, that’s right.’

There’s no need to stay hidden.
I can just get up and quietly leave right now.

‘…Still.’

Still, it would look bad if I got caught.
She decided to crawl away on all fours.

Just then, a voice echoed in her ear, as if waiting for this moment.

“What are you doing here?”
“Young-ah!”

Startled, Ju Na-young fell back down.
Before she knew it, Yu Seha approached with a gentle smile and extended his hand to her.

“Are you okay?”

“…D-did you, by any chance, see everything?”

“Huh? Oh, suddenly you got startled and crawled away on all fours…”

“Young-ah!!!”