LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 30
Chapter 30
Honorary Sword Meeting
The disciples who joined the Second Raw Stone Training Squadron and Semi Polden finally began to learn the Kaladan Swordsmanship’s Second Technique in earnest.
If it were simply a matter of learning the Second Technique, ordinary bloodlines and trainees who had not entered the White Night Castle could have learned it as well. However, the curriculum here was vastly different from the education at ordinary training halls.
Every single movement was corrected by pure-blooded swordsmen and instructors, teaching the true doctrine within and ensuring a perfect understanding of Kaladan Swordsmanship.
Even if they used the same technique, the depth of learning it at White Night Castle compared to learning it ordinarily was like the difference between heaven and earth.
Moreover, the bloodline of Kaladan would formally begin to learn ‘Ultimate Techniques’ and ‘Secret Arts’ at White Night Castle.
As the strongest swordsmanship family with a history of hundreds of years, Kaladan boasted an enormous number of ultimate techniques, requiring them to select and learn only a few.
However, secret arts were different.
The secret arts one could learn were limited and varied depending on their parents or teachers. The secret arts had branched out slightly, differing between direct and collateral lines.
Though it was said that all the arts reached the same ultimate meaning, no one could deny that the secret arts learned by pure-bloods of the direct line were generally superior.
So then, what about Harang, who was designated as the named disciple and successor of Kalel Paul Kaladan?
During the ‘Bloodline Succession Lessons’ at the Second Raw Stone Training Squadron of White Night Castle, his teacher had to come and personally instruct him.
While some bloodlines were taught by their parents, and others by family teachers,
“…Semi Polden Harang. The lord will not come to see you.”
Harang alone did not receive instruction from anyone during the bloodline succession lessons. Without parents or a teacher, he was left stranded unless Duke Kalel came to him.
Some bloodlines ridiculed him. Others looked at him with pity.
“He boasts about being the successor of the lord, but he can’t even learn the secret arts.”
“Hmph. The lord won’t easily teach secret arts to someone like him.”
“Tsk, tsk. How well one handles the secret arts as a bloodline directly determines their swordsmanship. What good is being skilled at basic swordsmanship?”
Harang pretended to ignore the whispers of the bloodlines gathered in groups. A truly admirable swordsman walks their path silently, no matter the slander.
‘Are they talking about me again?’
However, Harang was far from being that cool and admirable swordsman, so he perked up his ears to eavesdrop on everything.
Having heard so many insults that his ears were calloused, it now sounded almost like cheers.
This was the unique mindset control method he had developed as a former professional gamer.
‘Go ahead, insult me as much as you want.’
He knew that the moment their ridicule turned to admiration would be the greatest pleasure for him.
None of those present could understand that.
‘The instruction I received last time is already enough.’
The profound lesson from Kalel, the essence of the Sky Sword, was a monumental shock and a realization that exceeded Harang’s own skills.
‘Half a year until the Honorary Sword Meeting.’
━━━[Sub Quest]━━━
Prove Your Swordsmanship!
Although you have achieved much and shown your talent, many still doubt your heroic qualities.
Objective: Stand your ground against those superior to you at the Honorary Sword Meeting and prove your true talent!
Reward: Skill ‘Starry Eyes’ unlocked
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
As soon as it was decided that Harang would participate in the first rank of the Honorary Sword Meeting, the quest was naturally assigned to him. Given that the immediate goal was the duel half a year later, he judged that focusing on solidifying his basic swordsmanship was the best course.
‘Rather than focusing on secret arts and ultimate techniques, it is better to concentrate on the Second Technique, basic swordsmanship, and the Sky Sword.’
Honestly, he didn’t quite understand why everyone was rushing to learn secret arts and ultimate techniques, even if it wasn’t for the Honorary Sword Meeting.
In Harang’s opinion, most of those present, including himself, had not yet mastered even the basic techniques perfectly.
Yet, they hurried to learn ultimate techniques and secret arts to show off, without solidifying their foundation. It would only cause the building to collapse later.
‘Ultimate techniques and secret arts are like grand sculptures on top of a tall building. If the foundation is shaky, they are heavy and burdensome structures that will quickly collapse.’
While others rushed to build layers without properly laying the foundation, trying to erect grand sculptures to show off, Harang steadily worked on making his foundation stronger and sturdier.
‘It’s not too late to do it this way.’
Moreover, by honing his basic swordsmanship, he would naturally come to understand ultimate techniques, if not secret arts.
Harang gripped his wooden sword.
While other bloodlines practiced in individual private spaces to master ultimate techniques,
he practiced the basic techniques of Kaladan swordsmanship with ordinary disciples, swinging his sword.
* * *
After a month, two months, and then three months,
a change occurred with the collateral bloodlines who were receiving instruction on ultimate techniques from their guidance instructors.
Kaladan Swordsmanship Second Technique
Wind Wolf Hundred Sword Art
Six Slashes of the Wild Wolf
Swish, swish! In an instant, the sword slashed six times, leaving six sword marks on the wooden dummy.
“Oh…!”
The collateral bloodlines began to master the ultimate techniques one by one!
Of course, Harang had only been watching for three months, but they had actually been practicing diligently for over a year or two since they arrived at the Second Training Squadron.
“Congratulations.”
Seventeen-year-old Wayne Kaladan, a three-star swordsman, was pleased with the praise from his bloodline guidance instructor.
Having achieved the remarkable feat of being a three-star swordsman at such a young age and rapidly absorbing ultimate techniques like a sponge, he was a promising talent for the future.
‘Alright, I’ve mastered the Six Slashes of the Wild Wolf…’
Wayne glanced sideways.
He found it quite pathetic and pitiful to see Harang still swinging his sword at the wooden dummy, practicing the basic techniques.
Despite being a Kaladan bloodline, no one was willing to teach him the ultimate techniques.
As these thoughts crossed his mind, Wayne suddenly had a bright idea and smirked as he approached Harang.
Whack! Whack!
Sweating profusely while practicing the basics of the Second Technique, Harang looked up at Wayne in surprise.
‘Damn, he startled me. The little guy looks like a fancy boy.’
Clearing his throat, Wayne made Harang turn his attention.
“Hey, are you still practicing that stuff?”
Harang, wearing an expression that said it was none of Wayne’s business, made Wayne tap his wooden sword with a smirk.
“Don’t you want to learn ultimate techniques? If you want, I could teach you.”
“No, not really.”
Harang’s blunt reply made Wayne, who had expected otherwise, feel perplexed.
‘What is this guy? Isn’t he anxious about not learning what everyone else is?’
No, that can’t be.
‘He’s just pretending.’
Realizing this, Wayne felt Harang was truly pathetic. Rejecting such a good opportunity!
“Learning ultimate techniques through actual combat is rare. You know how important experience is, right? I’ll give you one last chance. If you duel with me, you’ll get a real sense of the ultimate techniques of the Second Technique. Are you really going to pass up this opportunity?”
Perhaps persuaded by Wayne’s words, Harang turned his gaze again, hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
“Alright. Show me once.”
“You should say, ‘Please show me.’ Tsk, don’t you know your place?”
“Then never mind.”
“No! Just this once, I’ll show you. Be grateful for my generosity.”
Wayne smiled broadly.
It was strictly forbidden to harass excessively young bloodlines, especially direct bloodlines. However, now he had a great excuse: ‘teaching ultimate techniques.’
When else would he get to hit that arrogant adopted direct line?
“What’s this? They’re having a duel?”
“He went to teach ultimate techniques and now they’re doing this.”
“Hmm, this should be interesting.”
“The instructors warned us not to mess with him. Wayne is smart. Heh.”
As the news of the duel spread, bloodlines began to gather around one by one.
This place was solely created for the education of the bloodlines, so there were no other disciples, but there were plenty of spectators.
Since it wasn’t an official duel, there was no instructor acting as a referee. However, Lidan Paul Kaladan, who was deeply interested in this duel, decided to act as the judge.
“I swear to the sword’s pioneer, the Kaladan ancestor, to make a cool and fair judgment. Both swordsmen, step forward.”
Lidan alternated his gaze between the small-statured Harang and the large-built Wayne, smiling slightly.
‘Wayne, I thought you were just a fool who could only use a sword, but you have this kind of cunning.’
The outcome of the duel was almost certain. Although Harang’s victory over a three-star swordsman at the Third Training Squadron was well-known, the bloodlines of the Second Training Squadron were on a different level.
Wayne would probably use the pretext of teaching to mercilessly beat Harang. Lidan planned to overlook this, as it was a duel, after all.
“Begin the duel.”
As soon as Lidan’s command fell, Wayne charged forward.
With Lidan, who was practically the de facto power of the Second Training Squadron, watching, Wayne wanted to show off by relentlessly pressing Harang.
Thwack! Clang!!
“Ugh….”
As expected, Harang couldn’t even properly counter Wayne’s offensive and was barely managing to defend. His expression showed no composure, and it seemed difficult for him to even grasp where the next sword strike would land.
After only about ten exchanges, Harang’s wrist seemed to be in significant strain, his sword already slowing. In contrast, Wayne’s offensive, freely wielding sword energy, was as fluid as ever.
At this point, Harang realized firsthand how different a ‘pure-blood three-star’ swordsman was. He understood that defeating Kyle previously was because Kyle was overly young and arrogant, having just reached the three-star level.
‘So this is what it feels like…’
Those he would face at the Honorary Sword Meeting would likely possess this level of strength as members of prestigious families.
‘As expected, it’s too much for my current self.’
Thwack!!
With an upward slash from Wayne, Harang’s arms were helplessly lifted.
A large opening appeared in his abdomen, and Harang widened his eyes, bracing for the incoming blow.
Smirking… Wayne, for some reason, retreated five steps back with a leap.
‘What’s this?’
Was he toying with a weaker opponent? No, that wasn’t it.
Wayne slowly positioned his sword vertically and brought his opposite hand to the flat of the blade.
‘That’s… the preparatory stance for the ultimate technique, Six Slashes of the Wild Wolf.’
Harang hadn’t expected Wayne to actually show the ultimate technique instead of finishing the duel, so he memorized Wayne’s movements.
No matter how childish Wayne behaved, he was still a senior who had started learning swordsmanship before Harang.
‘I had realized the essence of Six Slashes of the Wild Wolf. Its destructive power is significant due to the sudden flurry of slashes, but I was curious how it could be used with such a long preparatory movement.’
Harang slowly raised his sword and took a defensive stance. How would Wayne use that attack? Would it be possible to defend if he launched dozens of rapid strikes as Harang imagined?
“……”
With these thoughts, Harang tensed up, preparing for the impending impact.
“……?”
Wayne didn’t move.
What’s this?
As the question arose, a thought struck Harang’s mind like lightning.
‘So that’s it… I thought it was an offensive sword technique meant to slash enemies in quick succession, but I was mistaken.’
The Six Slashes of the Wild Wolf was a defensive sword technique.
Swallowing hard, Harang lowered his gaze slightly.
Just three steps. Any closer, and he would enter the range of Six Slashes of the Wild Wolf, where his entire body would be slashed. Even with training swords, the impact would be considerable.
‘Wait… If I don’t approach, won’t that solve the problem?’
That thought took less than a second. Having swiftly finished his judgment, Harang stopped his attack posture and slowly raised his sword.
“What, what is this?”
Wayne, who had expected Harang to attack, was taken aback. He intended to finish with the ultimate technique he had just learned, but Harang was preparing to defend without approaching.
‘Is he scared?’
Contrary to Harang’s assumption that Wayne was a senior in swordsmanship, Wayne wasn’t very smart. His skill acquisition was good, and his swordsmanship was sharp, but his application was poor.
He believed in the ultimate technique being defensive and waited for Harang to approach, but he hadn’t considered what to do if Harang didn’t move.
‘Damn, how embarrassing!’
Reluctantly, Wayne abandoned Six Slashes of the Wild Wolf, blushing with shame, and switched to the first technique’s stance.
He would finish with the ultimate technique of Flying Butterfly Sword, specialized in quickly closing in on and cutting down the enemy.
“Haah!”
Thump! Kicking off the ground, he quickly closed the distance with Harang.
At the moment of the leap, no,
Just before the leap…
In that instant,
Wayne saw it.
‘Huh?’
Harang was slowly shifting his stance to match Wayne’s timing.
It was identical to the preparatory stance for Six Slashes of the Wild Wolf, making Wayne’s heart skip a beat.
‘No way… He couldn’t have mastered Six Slashes of the Wild Wolf, could he?’
Something was wrong. Even knowing this, he couldn’t stop. His feet had already kicked off the ground, and he was rapidly approaching Harang…
Finally, when he was within five steps of Harang,
[Kaladan Swordsmanship Second Technique]
[Wind Wolf Hundred Sword Art]
[Ten Successive Slashes of the Wild Wolf]
Swish, swish! In the blink of an eye, ten consecutive slashes struck Wayne’s entire body.
“…Ah.”
Thud! As Wayne fell to his knees, Harang sheathed his wooden sword and closed his eyes.
‘So that’s what it was… Not a defensive sword technique, but a counterattack sword technique.’
The method of using a counterattack sword technique with a long preparatory movement was something he had experienced in his previous life.
‘It’s a psychological battle.’
Anticipating the opponent’s attack and preemptively executing the sword technique to counter and inflict critical damage.
‘However.’
Thump! Harang’s heart raced with the infinite possibilities of combinations that filled his mind.
As a professional gamer, Harang had a history of modifying such counterattack techniques into offensive ones.
He recalled those memories from back then.
[You recall the forgotten skill ‘Cheetah’s Leap.’]