---

Chapter 85

Through the Three Disasters Sword Technique, I learned how to wield a sword.

From the Floating Cloud Sword, I learned how to defend, and this evolved into a development of Yeon-woo’s fighting style that was focused solely on battling opponents of similar size.

So, what sword technique would I be learning this time?

Yuri’s response was as follows.

“Old man doesn’t really like sword techniques.”

What an absurd statement! This was not something to come from the mouth of a master swordsman who supposedly collected all three-dimensional sword techniques.

“Of course, I can’t deny its meaning. However, merely relying on sword techniques won’t suffice in all situations,” he said.

That was… well, certainly understandable from Yeon-woo’s perspective as well.

If there exists a sword technique that accounts for all conceivable situations, how many basic forms would it encompass? I wouldn’t be surprised if it exceeded a hundred.

“What’s important to teach you is not martial arts or Alkeon, but my own swordsmanship. No one would recognize it even if you went around boasting its name. This is a technique I personally created.”

“Is it alright to teach something like that?”

“Why, of course! I’m going to teach my own sword technique to my disciple.”

With a huff, Yuri drew out his sword.

The dark blade glimmered under the light, showcasing an enigmatic hue. It was so naturally handled that I often forgot, but that sword was nearly two-thirds taller than Yuri.

Of course, for someone like Yuri, who was awakened, the weight of the sword would pose no obstacle; however, it remained astonishing every time I glanced at it due to its appearance.

What followed was a display of swordsmanship that was simply unbelievable for a child. It captivated not only Yeon-woo but also Tae-oh and Shar, who were out on a stroll in the flower garden, drawing their gazes without even realizing it.

The sword swept through the air. The subsequent scene felt like a dream. No Aura Blade was unveiled, nor did he invoke any Aura Weapons. Other than Yuri wielding the sword, there were no external elements involved.

Even so, the sword extended like moonlight, shattering into pieces. Broken and fragmented, it felt like a dark dawn with the moon rising despite the sun shining inside the Gate.

Sword Dance. It wouldn’t be wrong to describe it more as art than sheer swordsmanship; the beauty was breathtaking. Even though it was being demonstrated in an incredibly slow manner for Yeon-woo, it was felt like it lasted just a fleeting moment.

Instinctively sensing the conclusion of the demonstration, a mix of regret and reverence blossomed within Yeon-woo’s heart.

How much time and effort must one invest solely in the sword to reach such a realm?

As the impressive moment came to an end with Yuri’s final sword strike, she wondered if she could even catch a glimpse of the landscape that man saw, feeling rather overwhelmed.

“Ah, so this is the feeling. What should we name it? Yes, why don’t you share how you felt?”

“…Ah, are we naming it now?”

“I’ve been too busy to think of a name, but of course, it’s clearer once you perform it.”

“…Well, it felt like looking at a full moon…?”

“Well, since I took inspiration from the Crescent Moon Sect’s sword techniques, that makes sense. Let’s call it Full Moon Theory Sword (滿月說劍).”

Saying this, Yuri smiled, looking quite pleased. As for the realm of swords, all Yeon-woo could say was that Yuri was undoubtedly skilled, and she left him in awe. Just as she stood there, dumbfounded, the sound of Shar and Tae-oh rushing over reached her ears.

“What was that!? What was that just now!? That was such a pretty sword technique!!”

“Fascinating…! Can you show us again…!?”

With the two children clamoring, Yuri naturally smiled and was about to draw his sword again when he suddenly started rubbing his chin.

And then he gave a sly grin, a face reminiscent of a mischievous child, making Yeon-woo feel uneasy before he spoke.

“Oh? Sure, I can show it again…but would you rather see Yeon-woo wield it rather than the old man?”

I’ve fallen for it…!!

At that moment, Shar and Tae-oh, their big eyes sparkling, switched their targeting from Yuri to Yeon-woo, charging at her.

Isn’t this the age when curiosity runs rampant? The two children who wanted to see something beautiful were now clinging to Yeon-woo.

“Wow!! I want to see it!! This time, Dad will show us, right!?”

“I want to see!! I want to watch what Dad does!!”

“Wait, hold on! Guys, wait a second!!”

“Oh dear, it looks like I have a genuine reason to quickly learn swordsmanship now.”

“You’re really making me mad, smiling like that, Master!!”

However, for the sake of the kids…!! Somehow, I felt like I could do it…!!

“Guess that was too much to ask.”

“B-but I’ve improved a lot compared to the beginning!!”

“That’s amazing…!! I’ve never met anyone who grows this fast…! …Probably.”

Words of encouragement flew, piercing my heart. It felt icy. Especially Tae-oh’s mechanical and blunt encouragement stung even more.

Right, that was because it truly was terrible…

Though, I thought I’ve improved a lot compared to the past, haven’t I?

‘They must be thinking the same way. Silly disciple.’

Maintaining a gentle grandfather-like expression, Yuri chuckled inwardly. Well, it wasn’t really a deception. More like a light preparation for his foolish disciple.

What Yuri had prepared was the Sword Heart Technique. Originally, the Sword Heart Technique doesn’t require such preparations, reaching the realm of divine arts. Yet, Yuri tailored that technique for his disciple with a ‘Bond.’

That was the strange flow of aura that Yeon-woo felt when she first comprehended the Sword Heart Technique. It moved, paused, turned, and surged fiercely…

To put it in metaphorical terms, it’s like the unique pattern that an artist engraves onto their painting.

If an artist engraves a pattern, then art critics later use that pattern alongside certain clues to confirm it as that artist’s work.

It’s the same. The flow of the basic forms possessed by Full Moon Theory Sword had its essence inscribed into the shape of the aura’s flow. Thus, just by swinging the sword while channeling his energy, one could naturally get accustomed to the flow of the sword.

‘Do you think they know the effort their master puts in?’

Someday, if Yeon-woo reaches a higher realm, that intricate work might become a slight hindrance, but by then, she would be able to break free of the shell herself when the time comes.

While watching Yeon-woo awkwardly wield the sword, yet much improved compared to when she first learned, Yuri lightly waved his hand in the air.

*

“Hey, Yeon-woo, what was the name of our Academy’s first founder?”

“How do you not know that?”

“I’m the type who has a hard time remembering names.”

“It was Lee Jin-hwa, Lee Jin-hwa. Let’s remember it this time, okay?”

“Oh, confirmed~ So…who is it?”

Yeon-woo stared at Namgung Seong, who was talking nonchalantly, as she glanced down at the textbook laid before her. In fancy calligraphy, it said, “You Can Do It! Simple Ways to Boost Your Exam Scores Like Stargazing!” No matter how you looked at it, it seemed like a title that could get Je Gal Seong-ryong sued, and underneath it penned a familiar name.

“Created by: Je Gal Seong-ryong.”

Surprisingly, it was indeed! The people in this room were Jung Yu-jin, Baek In-hwa, Namgung Seong, Je Gal Seong-ryong, Kim Yoo-min. Plus, here was the room owner Yeon-woo alongside Tae-oh and Shar.

I desperately pleaded to do this in the room of one of the top three martial artists, but Je Gal Seong-ryong was satisfied with just making the textbook, and Namgung Seong showed me pictures of his filthy room, while Baek In-hwa claimed her room was much… breezier.

The issue was that the arguments of the other two, besides Je Gal Seong-ryong, were also valid. The pictures of Namgung Seong’s room were disgustingly dirty, and Baek In-hwa’s room was special due to her characteristics.

On the way back to the dormitory with those three, I unexpectedly bumped into Jung Yu-jin, who appeared rather listless. Although he wasn’t a planned figure, I asked if he could join us, and all three readily accepted.

Of course, the textbook was swiftly crafted from ripped notebook sheets by Je Gal Seong-ryong. As he was the top scorer in the written exam of the academy entrance test, he essentially served as our studying meeting’s teacher.

“Your words, Shar, hold great depth.”

“Hehe, really? Hehe!”

“Noona, you’re so smart…!”

“Haha, with you saying that, Tae-oh, I think you’d fit right in at school!”

Naturally, surrounding our teacher Seong-ryong were Shar and Tae-oh. On the other side was nothing more than a straightforward elementary education hour. Aside from Shar, Tae-oh was just another kid who spoke well. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to ask for some reference materials before leaving.

“Hey, Namgung Seong!! Are you taking the ‘Basics of Magic’ course? What should you do when facing a wizard who is one rank higher than you!?”

“Um… penetrate through the magic and strike them in the jaw?”

“Wow, that makes sense…!”

“Why not just ask me or Yu-jin?”

It’s quite astonishing that these discussions are coming from kids whose brains are likely packed with muscles. With those two, I’ve completely confirmed that collective intelligence does not apply to them.

“How can it be right to go smashing into them like that…? Aren’t you forgetting this is a class for wizards? Magic (physical) is a term used mainly by you guys.”

“So, what do you propose?”

“First, you should identify the wizard’s primary attribute. Then discern their character….”

Unable to contain my frustration, I stood and hurried over to jot down some points from the textbook before I could return to my seat.

Finally settled back down, Yeon-woo peeked down at Baek In-hwa, who had been resting her chin on her hands with a vacant expression, and mumbled,

“…When are we eating lunch?”

“Wait, isn’t this a study meeting and not a market?”

Isn’t it crazy that the teacher is busy playing with the kids while I’m the one responsible for teaching? Moreover, the absurdity lies in the fact that Baek In-hwa didn’t even need to study. Considering she only needed to know the coverage for the morning classes, why was she even here sleeping?

“Hey, hey, what was the monster that led Ericman Randolph to create the classification of monsters?”

“Wake me up when it’s time for lunch…”

“What’s the proper attitude for a hunter with no long-range capabilities when faced with flying-type monsters? Should we shoot something like Kwonpoong…?”

I’m losing it for real.

(To be continued in the next episode)

 

---