Chapter 29. 14. The Greatest Talent in History
Upon hearing the news of the Sword Arts Festival, the second-year knight cadets could not hide their excitement.
These were cadets who had watched the exploits of last year's graduating seniors and thought that someday they too would get to showcase their skills on that stage. However, some wore dejected expressions, thinking that day was too far in the future.
But the opportunity came much earlier than expected.
And with the formidable competitors of the third and fourth years excluded!
"They said they're selecting 32 people including first-years, right?"
"I wonder if I can barely make the cut..."
"I heard that mid-ranking knights from the Royal Knight Order will observe from the quarterfinals onward... If we make an impression there, wouldn't that be advantageous later?"
"Just getting on stage would be good enough."
"Alright! Special training starts today!"
Usually, everyone tends to become lazy right after the mid-term evaluation, but this time was different. To prepare for the Sword Arts Festival right around the corner, the second-years threw themselves into rigorous training. The top-ranking first-years also did their utmost to seize the slimmest of opportunities.
And among them, the ones pushing themselves the hardest were.
"Hoo, hwa."
"Hoooo...."
Teoro Shutogarn and Boomer Simpson.
"Damn, you're telling me those are second-years?"
"I think I'd believe it even if they were graduating seniors."
"Monsters have become even more monstrous.
"Haah, if I end up facing them right from the start... what terrible luck."
The second-year cadets watching their sparring match let out deep sighs.
The first-years couldn't even close their mouths. They were shocked by skills that were on a completely different level from their own.
Boomer, unleashing powerful attacks like a storm of flames, and Teoro, dodging and blocking everything while showing fluid movements like water—both were terrifying existences.
Moreover, they weren't the end of it.
The undisputed first place, Karl Krone.
And with Lumian Callard, who had recently risen as a new powerhouse, making it into the top four was surely harder than passing through the eye of a needle.
And so the cadets were divided into two groups.
'No way. Rather than going out and just being humiliated, I should just play it safe.'
'Even if I go out, I won't make it to the top ranks anyway, so let's just give up.'
Those who realized their limits and gave up early.
And.
'...Still, let's try. Even if it's too much right now, if I push myself, I'll gain something.'
'Lumian did it too. What can't I do? If I keep working hard, someday the results will come!'
Those who burned with even greater determination to overcome their limits.
The latter case had an overwhelmingly high proportion of cadets from second-year Class E and Class B.
The effort he had shown this semester, the one who had never missed last place until last year, and the sweet results that came from it.
That had given them great motivation.
Of course, there were also those who envied him for suddenly rising to the top ranks.
"Lumian Callard? He probably just got lucky somehow, right?"
"I heard he bribed the professors."
"I don't know. I won't believe it until I see it with my own eyes. It's not just anyone, it's Lumian... make some sense."
There were those who didn't believe in Lumian's growth at all, and there were those who believed but pretended not to, spewing malicious words. In the case of first-years, some hadn't even heard the rumors yet.
Watching such a chaotic situation, Boomer and Teoro let out sly smiles.
"When the Sword Arts Festival starts, they'll be surprised."
"Well, probably. It's true that it's hard to believe without seeing it directly."
"Honestly, I still can't believe it either. How can someone get stronger that quickly? Does that kind of sudden awakening even make sense?"
"...I don't know either."
Teoro muttered as if annoyed.
Unlike the simple and foolish Boomer, he didn't easily forget past events.
The fact that the guy who had even tried to secretly ambush him was now acting this friendly was even more absurd than Lumian's awakening.
If he wasn't a useful sparring partner, he wouldn't have even responded to his words.
Actually, even now he was listening half-heartedly.
He suddenly brought up a different topic.
"But what's Lumian doing? Is he still in his quarters?"
"Seems like it? He doesn't come out to the training ground much these days."
"Hmm. That's not like him..."
It was Lumian who used to practically live in the public training ground to receive women's attention and imprint his sincerity.
That such a guy would suddenly not show his face was something they could only find strange.
However, Boomer's thoughts were different.
As if he understood something, he said with a lewd smile.
"Hehehe, no wonder he doesn't come out."
"Why."
"Seems like he really liked the gift I gave him. Seeing as he has no intention of coming out of his quarters."
"...."
"He's going to focus on me instead of you from now on, so don't be too disappointed. It was a decision I made after accepting my own losses..."
"Just shut up. Pick up your sword."
Teoro picked up his sword while wiping his sweat with a towel.
It seemed much better to spar until exhaustion than to keep talking with this guy.
***
As Boomer predicted, Lumian was indeed in his quarters.
But he wasn't looking at dirty books.
Sitting on the floor in a meditative pose, he began his aura cultivation.
Wooooong
The atmospheric mana was drawn into his body at a rapid speed. Under Lumian's guidance, it was quickly converted to aura and accumulated in his dantian.
With his eyes closed and immersed in his inner world, he looked less like a boy and more like a knight from his previous life.
'Everyone is working hard. Much harder than I thought.'
It was a peaceful world. It had already been over 10 years since the Demon King in the Demon King's Castle was defeated, and most of the demons and magic practitioners under his command had also been subjugated.
That's why he thought the young people of today wouldn't have the same enthusiasm and skill as before.
Because polishing oneself without great trials and motivation was never an easy task.
But that was a misconception.
Seeing the academy cadets full of enthusiasm for the Sword Arts Festival, Lumian realized his thoughts were nothing more than unnecessary worry.
'There's nothing lacking compared to 10 years ago. Both passion and skill are excellent. Considering it's a small-to-medium kingdom, it feels even more impressive.'
It was a welcome thing.
He didn't know exactly what was driving them.
It could be something secular like honor or ambition for success, or it could be grand purposes like the kingdom's peace and the people's happiness.
Whatever it was didn't matter. As long as it wasn't evil intent, it was fine.
The more they built up their strength, the weaker the invasion intent of the demon kings underground would become. The continent would become safer from the demon remnants, bandit groups, and monsters that still hadn't been exterminated.
'The foundation for protecting oneself, family, country, continent, and future is martial power... not bad.'
Lumian smiled faintly.
Seeing his juniors continuously striving for improvement, he felt motivation welling up within himself too.
Though his soul had grown old, entering a young and fresh body felt like new sparks were being ignited.
Because of this, there were side effects like his personality becoming lighter and more excitable, but at least not right now. With both the passion of youth and the wisdom of an elder, he immersed himself in aura cultivation.
Continuously, endlessly.
Wooooooong-!
An even greater vibration arose from Lumian's body as he fell into a trance. Accordingly, the atmosphere felt from his body gradually changed.
It wasn't a massive change.
Just to the extent of a few sprouts growing through a solid, massive rock. Even Lumian himself didn't notice this change.
But regardless of his awareness, the sprouts continued to grow, gradually covering the surface of the barren rock.
***
Time passed, and finally the day of the Sword Arts Festival dawned.
The participants, consisting of 7 first-years and 25 second-years, were waiting for the matches to unfold, composing their minds in the waiting room.
Their expressions varied.
Those matched with strong opponents were desperately racking their brains to increase their chances of winning, while those who drew relatively easier opponents were at ease as they waited for the opening.
Teoro and Boomer were the latter.
Especially in Boomer's case, he was extremely excited at the thought of taking the opening match.
There was no match with higher audience attention than the first match.
While some cadets disliked it due to the excessive pressure, Boomer was an exception.
Because he was confident.
"Heheheh. Time to properly show off my skills!"
"Damn."
Lumian, who was looking at the excited Boomer, let out a low curse.
He too was confident. Confident that he could perform the most spectacular opening match.
But that spot went to Boomer. The match he was assigned was an awkward mid-to-late sequence.
With his eyes closed, Lumian breathed out angry snorts.
'Nothing goes right from the preliminaries.'
Actually, he hadn't even participated in the preliminaries. Second-year cadets ranked within the top 8 in swordsmanship evaluation all received seeds and went directly to the Sword Arts Festival stage.
But for Lumian, that was the problem.
He had planned to make a spectacular appearance with amazing performances starting from the preliminaries and dramatically increase his recognition, but that plan went down the drain.
"Heheheh, hurry up and start. Hurry, hurry!"
"...Be quiet. Before I smash you in the semifinals."
"...."
Scolding the overly excited Boomer, Lumian looked toward the waiting room entrance with an unsatisfied expression.
Then, someone burst through the door at just the right moment.
Tarazin Academy's greatest talent in history, Karl Krone.
He finally revealed himself.
"...."
"...."
The waiting room instantly fell silent.
There was no one among the second-years or first-years who didn't know him.
Irritation, jealousy, anxiety, admiration. Dozens of pairs of eyes containing various emotions were fixed on Karl Krone. It was intense interest enough to make an ordinary person flinch.
However, Karl Krone accepted everyone's attention with a smirk. Then, as if nothing was amiss, he found an empty seat and sat down.
Seeing the guy's confident expression as he swept back his flashy blond hair, Lumian thought.
'He's not that special?'
Of course, he was decent.
Tall stature, neat appearance, confident atmosphere. He thought he had all the elements to be popular with women.
It was a bit amazing that just by appearing, just by showing a slight smile, he captured everyone's attention.
But that alone didn't explain the fanatical fans he had met at the cafeteria before. Honestly, he didn't feel that level of charm.
'Teoro seems better, actually...'
"Hmm."
I don't know. Maybe there's something men can't see.
Lumian soon turned off his interest.
It wasn't the match scene, and he had no intention of obsessively observing a guy sitting there.
The moment he turned his head to scold Boomer again.
A mysterious aura flowed from Karl Krone's body.
Paaaah-
An energy that instantly spread throughout the entire waiting room.
It was like an assassin riding the darkness and seeping in from behind. The participants exposed to that covert aura showed various reactions.
The first group didn't notice anything at all.
Even though the assassin's blade was moving right under their chins. For them, the same world as before continued to flow.
The second group was a bit different. They couldn't hide their uncomfortable expressions, as if a sharp blade was touching their backs.
The skilled participants who went directly to the main draw belonged to this group. They were stiffening their expressions in the suddenly changed atmosphere.
"...."
"That bastard..."
Teoro and Boomer were different from them. The moment they were exposed to the energy, they raised their aura and heightened their senses, accurately identifying who was playing the prank.
Karl Krone, who received their sharp gazes, smiled brightly.
"It's true. The rumor that your skills have improved a lot was real."
"...."
"Picking a fight right from the start?"
Teoro turned his head with a displeased expression, and Boomer continued to glare at Karl Krone.
Amidst the suddenly tense atmosphere, the participants' attention focused on the two.
Karl Krone apologized with an awkward expression.
"Sorry. I thought you wouldn't notice."
"That bastard really..."
"Stop it. Before you get disqualified."
"...Tch."
At Teoro's dissuasion, Boomer turned his body with an unhappy face.
Seeing this, Karl Krone made a surprised expression again.
He didn't expect that the two, who he thought were mortal enemies, had become this close.
'Did their rivalry have a good effect?'
It wasn't exact, but it seemed that way.
Looking at the back of Boomer's head, he let out a smirk.
He thought the Sword Arts Festival would be more interesting than he had thought.
'Though it seems there's one exaggerated rumor mixed in.'
Karl Krone's gaze turned to Lumian Callard this time.
Unlike other participants who were bewildered and murmuring, the appearance of calmly closing his eyes felt peculiar.
Actually, several participants were looking at him with curious eyes as he maintained his composure even in a confusing situation.
But to Karl Krone, it only looked laughable.
If he had felt his energy, he couldn't possibly show that kind of appearance.
He would have made a surprised expression like Teoro or Boomer, then glared at him. Even if not that, he would have shown some kind of reaction.
'Semifinals with Teoro, finals with Boomer... same as usual. I just need to worry about these two.'
Karl Krone finished his thoughts and quietly closed his eyes with his arms crossed.
An appearance similar to Lumian. An attitude that paid no attention to the still-stirring people around him.
And at that moment.
A single strand of aura flowed from Lumian's body, which had been quiet until now.
It was ten times more covert than Karl Krone's.
Suuu-