Surviving as a Villain at the Academy

110 – Sword of Restraint (4)

Inside the swirling dust of the arena, I looked at the giant staring at me with a fierce smile.

… Who is this, anyway?

Even if I’m the owner, I don’t know all the specters inside the Sword of Restraint.

So, I don’t know who the big guy in front of me is.

Judging by his appearance, he seems like someone who fights with sheer strength, but I can’t be certain. That guy might suddenly use magic, too.

For now, the information is sorely lacking. So, I have no choice but to watch and wait.

“hahahaha! It’s been a while since I fought with a physical body!”

The big guy shouted boldly. Well, I suppose it could be enjoyable. After all, he has been a spirit all along, and finally stepping onto the battlefield in the flesh must be quite an experience.

“So, you’re the one worthy of wielding the sword, huh.”

He looked at me with an interesting expression.

“Yes.”

“Indeed. I can sense determination in your eyes, from the very gaze. I like it. It’s the gaze of someone steadfast in achieving their goals. Have you met Vellator?”

“He’s the one who guided me.”

“I see. If you defeat me, you’ll have the opportunity to fight him as well.”

“…I’m not keen on that. That gentleman seems too strong.”

“hahahaha! True. Even the spirits within the sword acknowledge Vellator’s strength. Alright, let’s start with introductions. I am Urdah.”

“I am Frach. Frach.”

“Good. Frach. Now that introductions are done, shall we play on the stage provided by the sword?”

Kwoong!

As our fists collided, Urdah assumed a stance. Just that alone completely changed his momentum. It felt like seeing a volcano that could erupt at any moment.

A terrifying pressure was felt. If I were my former self, I would have crumbled under that pressure.

But after the battle with Esté, I felt that I had surpassed some limit within myself.

Being intimidated by that level of pressure was no longer an option for me.

Ur’s body rushed towards me, and in the next moment,

Boom!

accompanied by the sound of an explosion, he charged at me as if he were being pushed by a tank.

Looking at Ur like that, I clenched my fist. For someone who prefers hand-to-hand combat, he probably likes it just as much as I do.

From the start, rather than using magic, I’ve always preferred throwing punches first.

I felt a much stronger force in my fist than usual. Oh, right. The Sword of Restraint had told me that my strength here would increase in proportion to my mental power.

A smile formed on my lips. With this, I can definitely do it.

What I learned from Edan Krauss, the commander of the Imperial Knights, wasn’t just about swords. He taught me combat skills that were not usually taught, saying that mastering them was just as important as handling a sword, especially in situations without a sword.

He didn’t miss the enhanced talent due to the hearts of Asti and Aryong.

I already had a lot of knowledge, but the commander also taught me more efficient ways to use my strength.

As a result,

The fierce force boiling up from my whole body was thrust into Ur’s rushing body.

Boom!

“…Cough!”

With a groan, Ur spat out blood and flew backward. But he quickly regained his posture and stood up again. Seeing that he didn’t fall even after taking that hit, it seemed like this battle wouldn’t end with just one blow.

Yeah. If he had just fallen from this, he wouldn’t be suitable for me to deal with in the future.

Ur is undoubtedly one of the ancient heroes. It’s not suitable for such a being to fall so easily.

Of course, in this space, Ur’s power has significantly weakened compared to his lifetime, and I have become stronger due to the rules imposed by the Sword of Restraint, which is why this scene occurred.

“Excellent.”

Blood trickled down the corners of his mouth, but he grinned slyly. It seemed that my strength pleased him.

“We all know how this space works. Those with weak minds can’t properly exert their power here. But you, on the other hand, have grown stronger… just that alone shows how strong your mind is.”

“Isn’t it too early to praise me?”

“Even we, who have noticeably weakened upon entering this space, can’t inflict much damage on each other. As I mentioned earlier, it’s not just us who weaken upon entering this space. Even if your mental power exceeds the norm, your strength significantly weakens in this space. It’s a space for qualification. But you’ve become stronger.”

“You need to be at that level to challenge the test for the sword’s owner qualification.”

“True. Anyway… I could recognize you as the sword’s owner even now, but it’s too unsatisfying to end it like this. I couldn’t even properly throw a punch.”

“Then it’s simple.”

I clashed my fist against his, just as he had done.

Kwoong!

“Let’s fight until one of us can’t get up. That’s what you want, right?”

“hahahahaha! I really like this.”

He laughed heartily and thrust out his fist. As he did, the ground made of sand cracked. Insane strength. Perhaps if he exerted his power in an unrestrained place, this blow could even break down a fortress wall.

I clashed my fist against Ur’s outstretched fist.

—

It was as if a thunderous roar that could collapse the entire arena echoed throughout the space. It wasn’t just a loud noise.

A violent shockwave shattered the surrounding ground.

Dirt and dust obscured the view, and I felt a sharp pain in my fist. But, I had a gut feeling that I had won. Besides the sharp pain in my fist, there was no other impact.

Eventually, as the dirt and dust cleared, Ur’s entire arm was gone.

“…I lost.”

He wore a satisfied smile.

“How was it? Are you somewhat satisfied?”

In response to my question, he nodded silently.

“If you pass all the tests, then I will ask for your help.”

“That’s how it will be.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“Is your arm okay?”

“It’s just a temporary body. As a ghost, I don’t feel any impact.”

“I see.”

“In the future, there will be even stronger monsters waiting for you, Prax. I hope you can handle it well.”

I nodded silently. Soon, Ur’s figure disappeared from the arena. Seeing him scatter as ashes, it seemed as if he had died, but he had simply returned to where he originally belonged.

-Amazing.

Lost in thought for a moment, the blade of the shackles exclaimed in admiration.

“What is it?”

-Your mental strength. As Ur said, a slightly stronger level of mental strength actually weakens in this place. But you have become even stronger. I’m looking forward to it.

“I still don’t know. But… I don’t plan on being easily defeated either.”

I chuckled slightly as I spoke, causing the blade of the shackles to tremble as if it agreed with my sentiment. Perhaps if it had a physical form, it would have smirked.

-Good. That’s the attitude. Anyway, let’s summon the next opponent.

* * *

After that, I fought countless ghosts. There were even some who had a grudge against me, and they ruthlessly trampled me. It wasn’t just mere trampling, they also subjected me to a form of torture.

If I didn’t mercilessly trample these guys who wouldn’t bow down, they would surely rebel when I became the owner of the blade. I had no intention of letting arrogant ghosts go unpunished. If they were prepared to rebel, they should be prepared to endure the pain of being trampled to death.

Anyway, the soul that identified itself as Baelin took a beating from me and surrendered.

“Damn it. Do as you please.”

“If you welcome me with that attitude next time, it won’t end like this. You probably know better about the power of the Shackler’s Sword and what the one who becomes its owner can do with it.”

“…”

“Fine. I hope you maintain that dignified attitude in the future.”

Honestly, I never imagined I was this strong.

It was quite surprising that those who became heroes of ancient times had lower mental strength than me, attributed perhaps to the peculiarity of space. No, maybe my mental strength is abnormally strong.

Why is my mental strength so strong? Honestly, before possessing this body, I was just an ordinary person. Come to think of it, after falling into this world, I rarely panicked.

Was there some kind of adjustment for survival in this harsh world?

… Well, damn, I guess I should be thankful.

I don’t know who brought me to this world, but if I meet them, I want to give them a good beating.