I Have Contracted Too Many Constellations

Chapter 4 Trial (2)

The skills given by the ‘Aquarius Fox’ were mostly insignificant.

Although they were skills bestowed by fairy tale-grade Constellations, they weren’t particularly good.

Actually, they probably couldn’t give many skills in the first place.

But just one.

The skill called ‘Position Reversal’ was somewhat dangerous.

‘A skill that accumulates the damage received and returns it.’

The power was exactly half of the impact received.

It didn’t return the full damage; only half of the damage was reduced and sent back.

Of course, even with that, the damage I received would be significant enough.

I would probably endure until the end and return the damage only at the last moment.

There were two countermeasures for this.

Either finish it quickly so that the skill couldn’t be used at all.

Or avoid the returning impact with my body.

If I got hit, it was over. With my stamina being only D-rank, there was no chance of enduring it.

‘But it’s doable.’

The first two countermeasures were quite feasible.

I wasn’t particularly scared.

I tried to remain as calm and composed as possible.

I tried to find peace of mind.

Even in such a fight, mental confusion would bring defeat.

[The Constellation, ‘Nine Heavens Mysterious Girl’ is watching you.]

Since even the Constellation was watching, I couldn’t afford to lose disgracefully here.

I gripped the One Thousand Swords in my hand even tighter.

“Then, please start the duel!”

Clang-!

With the signal from the referee, I immediately dashed forward.

Among my current stats, there was only one that could be considered ‘superior.’

Only speed.

Starting from D-rank.

After climbing Seoraksan like crazy for three weeks, I barely managed to reach C-rank recently.

Adding the unique effect of the One Thousand Swords, ‘speed increase,’ to that rank.

My speed reached B-rank.

A stat close to the top of the first-year A class.

At this level, I was unmatched here.

‘I have to press from the beginning.’

I had to use this speed to push from the start.

A swift and decisive battle.

I swiftly approached and swung the One Thousand Swords.

The sword, trembling at my fingertips, felt as light as if floating on a cloud.

The sword was not heavy, yet it was sharp and fast.

It moved as if it was floating, unrestricted by anything.

From my hand, the technique unfolded.

Of course, it was just a single form.

It didn’t contain any magic.

‘I should use the skill-based sword technique later.’

Skills only exert their full power when infused with magic.

And currently, my magic stat, like the others, was low.

If I used a skill, I would be exhausted immediately.

So, this form alone was enough for now.

The Incomplete Nine Heavens Sword was a profound sword technique in itself.

[The Constellation, ‘Nine Heavens Mysterious Girl’ is watching you.]

“What kind of sword is…!!”

Hajungho swung his sword in confusion at the strange technique.

It didn’t have a fixed form.

It wasn’t imbued with strong power either.

A sword desperately trying to block the threat approaching his eyes.

Still, he managed to block all my attacks with difficulty, perhaps due to his considerable strength.

Here, my low strength became a hindrance again.

‘But in terms of speed, I am overwhelming.’

So, I had to end this fight while he was still confused and not yet accustomed to my sword.

Right now.

Ka-kang-!!

My sword swung even faster than before.

Already, most of the C-class examinees couldn’t follow my sword.

In the original work, Hajungho barely passed, so he was struggling to keep up with my attacks.

And the sword seemed to ask him constantly.

When would he use that skill?

‘He doesn’t know the timing.’

‘Position Reversal’ was a skill that could only be used once.

If he used it, he would lose his ‘last resort.’

But he didn’t know if he could finish me with it.

He also didn’t know the optimal timing.

Inevitably, he would use it recklessly.

“Get that sword away from me!!”

Yes, just like now.

Hajungho, unable to endure the fierce attacks, used his skill.

His iron sword glowed red with intense light.

The power within it was lethal.

If it hit, it would be over.

And at that sight.

I also drew upon my magic.

[Skill, ‘Incomplete Nine Heavens Sword’ activated.]

A blue aura wrapped around the One Thousand Swords.

It wasn’t as strong and fierce as the red aura.

It was gentle, soft, yet cold.

That aura unfolded from my sword.

Kaang-!!

I didn’t clash with the fierce aura.

I just let it flow.

No matter how strong the power was, if it didn’t hit, that was it.

And the Incomplete Nine Heavens Sword was such a technique.

Letting the red-hot sword slide aside, I moved inside his guard.

It was over.

Thud-!

“Ugh..!?’

I crashed into him, pushing him away. Then I thrust the sword at his neck.

It was a seamless flow.

Thus, the duel ended.

“Duel over! The winner is examinee number 33, Yoo Jinwoo.”

[Trial, ‘Academy Entrance’ cleared.]

[You have obtained ‘Incomplete Nine Heavens Sword (Epic)’ as a reward.]

My first trial ended immediately as well.

And the reward for that first trial.

‘Tastes so sweet.’

It was incredibly sweet.

#

The follow-up to the duel’s result proceeded quickly.

It ended with my victory.

Confirmed to enter the Academy, I stepped out of the exam hall.

Not much time had passed.

Only about 2 hours, so it was exactly 12 o’clock.

Just in time for lunch.

“Should I check the skill?”

I opened the skill window to check the proper Incomplete Nine Heavens Sword I acquired from clearing this trial.

[Name]: Incomplete Nine Heavens Sword

[Rank]: Epic

[Proficiency]: 2.3%

[Effect]

– Complete use of Incomplete Nine Heavens Sword (Epic)

[Details]

– A downgraded version of the ‘Nine Heavens Divine Sword (Legendary)’ used by the Nine Heavens Mysterious Girl.

– A sword technique characterized by fast speed and smooth flow.

– If proficiency reaches 100 and certain conditions are met, it can evolve into the Nine Heavens Divine Sword.

Being a sword technique type skill, there were no precise effects listed.

But the complete use of the Incomplete Nine Heavens Sword.

That alone was enough.

Now I could use all the techniques of the Incomplete Nine Heavens Sword.

‘Proficiency will increase with practice.’

Of course, raising that proficiency was extremely difficult.

But for now, this was sufficient.

At least I reached the level of a ‘proper contractor.’

My stats were still a limitation, but there were a few items that came to mind.

As I was planning for the future and checking the skill, Seong Harim approached.

“Are you done?”

“Yeah, I passed. You passed too, right?”

“Yes! I passed. Luckily, I was fortunate.”

Lucky.

The test for the recovery type was how quickly one could heal wounds.

She probably passed the test as the top candidate.

With an overwhelming difference.

An archangel.

Gabriel, who specialized in recovery, possessed incredible healing abilities.

“Shall we go eat now?”

“Sure. There’s nothing more to do now…”

“Hey.”

Just as I thought I had done everything and was feeling hungry.

A voice called me from the side.

Turning around, I saw a female student.

Long black hair reaching down to her waist.

Likewise, black eyes.

If there was anything distinctive, it was that she had a very cold impression and was quite beautiful.

And there was something about her that seemed a bit clueless.

She was so beautiful that she could be mistaken for the protagonist of a novel.

‘Who is she?’

I had no connections in this world, and I was seeing this student for the first time. There was no reason for her to call me.

Who could she be?

[The Constellation, ‘Protector of Black Flames’ is watching you.]

[The Constellation, ‘Protector of Black Flames’ is watching their contractor.]

At that moment, another notification appeared.

And seeing the Constellation’s name, I couldn’t help but flinch.

It was a slightly different name from what I knew, but it was somewhat familiar.

‘Usurper of Black Flames?’

Usurper of Black Flames.

The Constellation of the protagonist, Lee Shinwoo, in .

And the name of that Constellation was the Protector of Black Flames.

Though I had never heard of this Constellation, its name was too similar to be unrelated.

Saying they were unrelated would be foolish.

But I had never seen such a person in the original work.

‘Let’s try talking to her first.’

There was nothing I could ascertain from the current situation.

At least, I needed to find out what relationship this female student had with the protagonist, Lee Shinwoo.

No way…

Could it be that Lee Shinwoo had transformed into a girl?

Even if it was a cliché of possession novels, it probably wasn’t the case.

Probably.

“Did you call me?”

“Did you call me?”

“Black hair.”

“That’s me.”

The way she spoke was familiar.

It was exactly the same as the way Lee Shinwoo spoke in the novel.

Few words, cold. Just like a fantasy web novel protagonist.

It was an incredibly familiar tone.

“Let’s have a duel. With me.”

And surprisingly, the reason she called me was to request a duel

.

A duel? Why with me?

Was there any reason for her to come and request a duel?

At least, nothing came to mind.

…That wasn’t the important reason right now.

What was important now was the girl’s name.

To understand her relationship with Lee Shinwoo, the name was crucial.

“How about telling me your name before requesting such a thing?”

“Name?”

“Isn’t that polite?”

After a moment of hesitation, as if pondering, the girl nodded as if she understood.

Wow, even this was exactly the same.

At this point, she was indeed a female Lee Shinwoo.

“My name is Lee Se-ah.”

The name was Lee Se-ah.

At least, she wasn’t the protagonist, Lee Shinwoo, herself.

But the connection was too significant, making the second possibility likely.

A family member.

Same surname, similar atmosphere, and the Constellation’s name was similar, so it was a natural possibility.

“Do you know someone named Lee Shinwoo?”

And the answer to this was.

Shockingly surprising.

“My brother. How do you know him?”

…What?