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181. Drinking Place (1)

“Please become my master.”

After hearing those words, I blankly stared for about a minute. Even then, Jenny was sending me eager looks filled with anticipation.

Despite her girl-like sensibilities, Jenny was all about martial arts. Her passionate dedication stemmed from that.

Thanks to that, her combat ability was at the top level like Luska in the Combat Department. Yet here she was asking me not to be her disciple but to become her master.

“…”

Jenny simply waited quietly for my response, with a desperate look that tugged at my heartstrings.

Watching her, it felt like I was looking at a protagonist begging to be accepted as a disciple in a martial arts novel.

With an annoying insistence yet eyes that held a certain resolve. I began to understand why martial arts masters would easily accept such new disciples.

“What’s the reason?”

“Well, you see…”

Even after remaining silent for over a minute, Jenny showed no signs of anger. Her shining friendliness was constant.

“If I say this, it might sound strange, but… lately, I’ve felt something’s lacking.”

“What’s lacking?”

What could possibly be lacking for someone like Jenny, who was competing at the top of the second-year Combat Department with Luska?

Her words echoed in my mind, sounding like a ruse to me. I was quite curious.

“Lately, I’ve been having strange thoughts. I’ve been feeling that I shouldn’t just overpower my opponents mindlessly with a sword.”

A faint chill radiated from Jenny’s hands.

When she first used it, she was unwilling to embrace the Silver Age.

Unlike back then, when she unleashed indiscriminate snowstorms, now she could control it with a gentle chill from her hand.

From this, it seemed she could currently elevate her usage to about 60%.

“Of course… Radon would have a hard time understanding this. Until recently, you were learning from Lyman, and wanting to learn something from Radon doesn’t really make sense.”

That protagonist of hers must have taught her various techniques during their training. I wanted to tell her what more could there be to learn.

“But recently, every time I pick up my sword, I feel this strange energy. How should I put it… it feels like someone is catching up to me from behind?”

That kind of anxiety was one factor hindering her training. Each time she attempted her Chain Silver Style techniques for practice, the angle of her sword was inconsistent.

It felt as though errors suddenly appeared in movements that had been successful. It was as if a rough instinct inscribed at a genetic level was being activated.

“That’s why I want to practice a freer flow rather than a rough one. Like Radon’s swordsmanship.”

“Phantom Sword Technique?”

Immediately understanding, Jenny was reaffirming that I meant the swordsmanship I executed each time I wielded my fishing rod.

It was the best attack skill I acquired since coming to this world.

Acquiring it was easy, but I hadn’t earned it through effort.

I could say I simply mastered it naturally. Or perhaps it’s better to say I picked it up off the ground.

“I want to learn that once. With those carefree movements, I feel like my trembling can calm down.”

That chaotic swordsmanship could definitely soothe her instincts.

Compared to Jenny’s, my swordsmanship took on completely free actions.

‘And saying that it’s rough isn’t necessarily false.’

Jenny’s Chain Silver Style, which at a glance resembled a dancing snow lady, wasn’t originally the beautiful swordsmanship it appeared to be.

Its roots originated from the first head of the Chain Silver family centuries ago.

An evil spirit that would indiscriminately cut down anything in sight upon grasping a sword. And the world’s strongest swordsman who absolutely could not be surpassed. That was the first head of Chain Silver.

Cold enough that no one would consider them human. The swordsmanship of Chain Silver was born from that warrior-like movement.

The black blade, with not a hint of hesitation in cutting down opponents, was famously cold to behold.

And Jenny inherited that blood from the first head more strongly than anyone else. She could be seen as the reincarnation of the first head that was born after hundreds of years.

“But can I really teach someone of your caliber well? I’m worried I might actually end up being influenced by you instead.”

As I touched on that possibility, Jenny’s once friendly energy vanished.

Swish—

At the same time, Jenny’s figure disappeared and stood behind me like a ghost.

“Do you remember? When you tried to run away in the hallway, I pursued you just like this.”

It wasn’t long ago, so the memory returned vividly.

I recalled being flustered when Jenny suddenly narrowed the distance after I attempted to flee.

Back then, she was so fast I couldn’t react… but now I managed to catch her outstretched hand trying to grab my nape.

“How about then? Back then you had no choice, but what about now?”

Jenny said, looking at her hand that I caught as if she expected this outcome, unfazed, even smiling.

“Do you really think Radon will be swayed by me?”

In reality, I was no longer the same me.

By the time I had learned `Mana Art`, every bit of speed seemed to occur in slow motion.

Moreover, thanks to my promotion to Spirit Master, there were very few students who could defeat me.

“And from that brief interaction, it’s evident. The current Radon is stronger than me.”

“….”

“There’s nothing lacking for me to take you as a disciple.”

Once again, she bounced back to stand in front of me with her original pure face.

Becoming a master, I realized I had nothing to hold back.

Even though I didn’t fully understand the structure of the Phantom Sword Technique, I had the memories of a master with over 90 years of know-how.

I could surely teach others the Phantom Sword Technique referencing the experience and senses contained within.

“Yeah, there’s no such thing as impossible.”

“Really?”

“Since our family relies on your territory, it’s only right that I do something in return.”

As I declared my consent, Jenny was immensely delighted.

If only looking at her request, one might think she resembled a cold martial artist eager to monopolize all opportunities in pursuit of the ultimate martial arts.

However, the Jenny before me now looked like a pure girl who seemed ready to fly just from receiving a date proposal.

It was truly a fascinating blend of contrasting appearances. That was, after all, Jenny’s defining characteristic.

“Oh, I have a date with Crona now. See you tomorrow, Radon! Don’t forget I’ll be entering as your disciple starting tomorrow!”

“Okay.”

With her urgent appointment approaching, Jenny hurried away.

Waving as I watched her disappear toward the 1st Star Hall.

In the main story, it would be time to assist Crona, who had entered the Student Council, and it felt like this was precisely that moment.

“Should I head back soon too?”

Returning to my room, I needed to summon two spirits to start writing the manuscript.

As I made my way briskly to the dormitory, I heard a voice like a cold wind.

“Why didn’t you greet me after coming back from your mission?”

My body stiffened at the voice of Lyman, the protagonist who was both trustworthy and terrifying.

“I’m really disappointed.”

“Now that you mention it, I completely forgot.”

“Didn’t forget, just didn’t care?”

“….”

Seeing Lyman make a somewhat sad expression, I pulled something from my pocket and tossed it to him. What landed in his hand was the Viole Family’s badge.

“I used it well. Without it, I might have failed the mission.”

“Hmm hmm…”

As I expressed my gratitude, Lyman raised the corners of his mouth. He then threw the badge back to me and said,

“I don’t need it anymore. But you might have use for it again, right?”

Receiving the badge again, I agreed with him since there was nothing incorrect about what he said.

“Follow me.”

Then Lyman led me somewhere. It was a restaurant located in an alley near the academy’s main gate.

Since it wasn’t an open place, there were only the two of us as customers, and seeing that, Lyman relaxed and sat down.

“I’ll treat you, so order whatever you want.”

“….”

Saying that, Lyman called out to the manager, “One beer over here!”

I was a bit taken aback, but since I was being treated, I gladly accepted and ordered fish and chips.

Then I said, “Let’s eat quickly and get going. It’s going to get busy from here on out.”

“Is there something urgent?”

“During the Magical Banquet, our Newspaper Department is supposed to write a Nobel record.”

“Is that so?”

“Are you interested? Writing stories is actually quite fun…”

“No.”

Lyman immediately cut me off, clearly exasperated. To be fair, I couldn’t imagine him partaking in any writing.

Soon enough, our respective food and drinks arrived, and Lyman raised his glass and said, “Cheers!”

“Eh?”

What do I do? I don’t have a glass.

Oh well, I thought, and raised my water cup.

Clink—

Our cups clashed together.

Lyman gulped down about half a cup of beer and said, “Saying you’d be my disciple was a good thought.”

“You’ve been watching all along, huh?”

Though temporary, I decided to become Jenny’s master. Judging by her response, it didn’t seem like a bad choice.

“You’d know this, right? Leaving aside Jenny… talking about the roots of the Chain Silver family.”

“Are you talking about the first head?”

“I’ve seen that person a few times. A being who surpassed the standards of ‘human’ by defeating the legendary Serpent and seizing its power.”

Since Lyman was also a person from several hundred years ago, he knew more details. I’m not sure if he fought them directly, though.

“I thought that after a few centuries, the blood might have diluted… but even I never expected the ghost’s blood to resurrect.”

All the suffering caused at the beginning by the Silver Age was entirely due to that blood.

In fact, a certain existence was the catalyst that awakened that blood.

Lyman took another sip and said, “It’s fortunate that they don’t know the reason their blood got activated was due to their parents.”

It wasn’t awakened by chance.

Who could have predicted that the couple sharing love would unwittingly take on the roles of key and lock?

“Do you know who won the Tactical Martial Arts competition at the Magical Banquet 30 years ago?”

“Rayla Bludia. One of the children raised by the Blood Dragon Mujak… a naturally gifted girl who inherited all his abilities.”

The Blood Dragon, nearing the end of its life, had abducted children from various places to leave behind its power.

After nearly abusive training and education, they were pitted against each other until only one girl would survive and inherit that power.

The name of the power was ‘Blood Age’. For a girl with bizarre power over blood, winning the Tactical Banquet was a piece of cake.

Talema, also a participant in that banquet, was humiliated and defeated.

“Blood Age and Silver Age. The power of dragons tends to draw one another.”

The power inherited from my mother’s blood had an influence on the child in her womb.

Since it dealt with blood, the dormant blood of the first head awakened in the child, drawing out the same dragon’s power.

Thus, the blood of the first head gave birth to the queen of severe blizzards.

“Don’t you think it’s a bit strange?”

“What do you mean?”

“A heroine who inherited the blood of the Blood Dragon… why was she killed by a mere Lycanthrope?”

Lyman downed the rest of his drink as he spoke.

Even Lycanthropes, who varied in strength individually, still had limits. Why couldn’t she, someone who should have had no trouble cutting down such a monster, overcome it?

“Well, who knows?”

[Erasure Rate Decrease: -4%]

[+400 Credits]

The heir of the Blood Dragon lost to a mere wolfman?

It was a ridiculous balance collapse.

I ignored it and started tearing into my fish and chips, but Lyman spoke with a tired voice.

“Why are you acting clueless? You know everything.”

“…”

“Honestly, you probably think I’m frustrating. I turned a pet issue into such a mess.”

That’s right. It wasn’t an ordinary Lycanthrope.

It was a Lycanthrope that had undergone a mutation due to some powerful mana.

“Haha… it was all my fault, wasn’t it.”

Lyman seemed to self-pity as if he were drunk on the alcohol.

Surviving as an Academy Scammer.

 

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