Surviving as a Villain at the Academy

109 – The Binder’s Sword (3)

The Binder’s Sword looked at Frah.

It might seem strange for a sword to look, but it was not unusual for a sentient sword to see something.

He’s coming. He’s coming. He’s coming.

The sword repeated to himself. The person leading a powerful destiny was approaching him.

Was it the excitement of the end of a long wait? The sword felt exhilarated.

But that feeling quickly disappeared. He knew that with great anticipation came great disappointment.

The sword had possessed a sense of self since it was forged. It did not even know how it, a mere sword, came to possess a sense of self, but it only said that an unknown destiny was involved, even to the very sword that forged it.

In the long years, so many long years, the black one gradually realized what fate had been bestowed upon itself. As the specters entered one by one, as time flowed gradually, the black one was able to read the flow of destiny, even if only a little.

It seemed as if it had to be this way.

The black one had a destined fate. The words spoken to the first Umbra when its consciousness was formed were not a single bit wrong.

“Someday, you are destined to save the world. The one who created you told me so.”

“The one who created me?”

“Yes. Just because I simply forged the blade, it didn’t guarantee that you would be born. But you were born like a miracle. It means one thing. That person’s words were true.”

It was not just the birth of consciousness. The power of the blade was astonishingly strong, to the point that even Umbra, who forged it, couldn’t handle it carelessly.

“We must continue to wait until someone worthy appears before us.”

“When will that be?”

“I don’t know.”

Umbra had a slightly bitter expression.

Certainly, there was a memory of that time.

The black one waited for the chosen one. It crushed the specters with its strength, persuaded them, and continued to wait for the right time.

Until the one with the qualification to lead destiny appears before me.

And finally, someone with the qualification appeared before the blade.

I don’t know if that person will pass the test.

However. The endless waiting tired Umbra and the blade more than they thought, and the blade sincerely hoped the author would liberate himself.

The blade looked at the young boy who had come before it, guided by Bellator. He must be around eighteen now.

The boy’s gaze was determined. It was the gaze of someone who knew what he had to do. A gaze that could not be found in someone of his age.

For now, the gaze passed the test.

What qualifications do you have to see my gaze, one might ask, but it was so intense that even trivial things had to be checked.

To possess oneself is to desire freedom. While the mission was crucial, the freedom gained in achieving that mission was also what the sword sought.

Captivated by the desire to move towards the black world while hearing the stories of specters and Umbras, it was for this reason that he was intense, hoping for Frach to be the one to heed his wishes.

-So, you’ve finally come.

Looking at the sword as if in greeting, Frach, in turn, gazed at it in quite an astonishing manner.

-There’s no need to be surprised. Self naturally takes root in things that have existed for a long time.

In a strangely similar tone to Umbras, Frach’s expression became slightly peculiar.

But that expression soon disappeared. He knew about the relationship between the binding sword and Umbras.

The existence that forged the binding sword was also Umbras, and the one who spent long years with the sword was also her. Her influence could only be sensed in his speech.

-I know that much. By the way, what should I call you? It seems a bit strange to call you “sword” or “binding sword” every time.

Frach, despite having the binding sword right in front of him, showed no signs of being embarrassed or overwhelmed. Once again, the sword had to give Frach a passing grade.

The binding sword is a sword holding an immense power.

Truly, if an ordinary human faced the sword, they would either faint in an instant, their mind crushed, or lose consciousness of reason due to the overwhelming power.

Yet, even facing such a sword, Frach showed no sign of being more than slightly surprised. Certainly. It seemed Umbras didn’t lead him here for no reason, claiming he had passed her test.

However, one cannot rashly accept a mission just because it appeals to one’s heart.

The binding sword looked at Frach. Regardless of whether it was a passing grade or a failing one, he had to answer his question.

-If I say I have no name, are you willing to give me one?

-Um… Can I give you one if I want to?

Umbras never gave a name to the sword. When asked why, she simply said she couldn’t casually give a name to a sword carrying a heavy destiny. It was said that giving a name to such a sword could twist its fate.

Names possess a formidable power.

Umbra spoke to the sword. Someday, the one destined to be your master will give you a name.

The restrained sword instinctively felt that now was the moment. However, the sword couldn’t be certain.

Could that boy even pass the trial he’s about to set?

It would be good if he could, but if he couldn’t, it would be as if nothing had happened. And if someone other than the master gave the sword a name, what would happen?

He spoke to the sword, Frah.

“For now, just call me the Sword. If you pass the trial later on, then give me a name.”

Frah nodded at the sword’s words. It was the right thing to do. Frah knew well how powerful a name could be in this world. So, if he became the sword’s master, only then would he qualify to give the sword a name.

“Well then… Sword. I have a question.”

“About the trial, I presume.”

“Yes. What do I need to do?”

“Prove your qualification.”

“Meaning, how do I prove that qualification?”

“Fight. Use everything at your disposal against the enemies I present.”

“The enemies you present…”

“Yes.”

“Who are they?”

“I can’t tell you everything. The trial you’ll face is the specters bound within me.”

“What?”

Of course, they were considerably weaker than their prime, but you must earn their recognition. Without gaining approval from the beings within the sword, those connected to the sword’s master, you cannot be deemed qualified.

It was a thesis. Praha nodded silently without refuting. It was quite surprising, but also a reasonable statement. If one declared to become the owner of the sword and failed to gain recognition from the spirits within, they couldn’t be called the owner.

– So, receiving recognition… does that mean… it’s okay not to win?

– There are spirits who show such tendencies, and there are those who don’t.

In other words, depending on the inclination of the spirits, there are those who would only recognize you if you win and those who would recognize you even if you can’t win.

Still, Praha thought it would be better to win against them all. Even if it was just Bellator who had led him this far, in his current state, he wouldn’t be able to defeat them even if he died and came back to life.

He wasn’t just the strongest spirit trapped within the sword for nothing. Even if he were to appear in the present world, there would only be transcendent beings capable of defeating him.

Achieving such accomplishments with a human body, and being such a powerful being… as the current Praha, even a single movement could be considered a miracle.

However, receiving recognition from them might be as difficult as winning. The stronger the person originally, and the more firm their beliefs, the higher their standards for others.

Praha felt a bit perplexed. He had already expected that the test wouldn’t be easy, but he didn’t expect it to be this difficult.

Still, what could he do? It was Praha himself who volunteered.

The only thing worth considering was that the spirits were significantly weakened.

– Ah, one more thing. I have one more request.

– What is it?

– The total amount of your power in the place where the test takes place is proportional to your mental strength.

– Huh?

This was a story he hadn’t heard before.

– Literally, it means that Umbra didn’t test your mental strength for no reason. The stronger your mind, the more your willpower ignites, the more smoothly you can pass the test.

-I see.

It was good information.

– Well then, shall we begin?

Sure. No need to drag this out. If it’s something that must be done, it’s better to do it quickly.

Prahu responded to the question from the sword of restraint in that way.

Afterward, the space surrounding Prahu began to transform. Dust and sand started swirling on the ground.

It was a place reminiscent of an arena.

In that place, the sword of restraint was looking down at Prahu as if stuck in a massive altar like an emperor.

Prahu felt his body reconstituting. It might be a temporary phenomenon created in this space, but he clenched his fist, alleviating the discord that had arisen when blood and body separated.

And.

Kwoong!

With a tremendous sound, the figure of a giant revealed itself in front of Prahu. The giant clashed fists clad in gauntlets, giving a fierce smile and glaring at Prahu.

The moment he saw that figure, Prahu sensed it.

‘If I can’t beat him, he won’t acknowledge me as his master.’

Looking at the seriously determined Prahu, the sword of restraint spoke.

“Fine. Let’s see. Whether you have the qualification to hold me.”

While saying so, the sword of restraint inwardly almost pleaded.

‘Please. Let this boy set me free.’

He hoped that the boy would pass all the tests and become his master.