Chapter 16
[The abilities currently acquired through “Ability Reproduction” are as follows:]
[Bastian Knight Swordsmanship (A Rank)]
[Yusburg Fencing (A Rank)]
[Hartmann Swift Swordsmanship (A Rank)]
[Lord Lichtenauer’s Quick Technique (A Rank)]
[Eastern-Style Mana Cultivation Method (B Rank)]
This morning, I copied Hartmann Swift Swordsmanship from Schmitz.
The penalty I had incurred when acquiring Lord Lichtenauer’s Quick Technique from Anneliese had already disappeared after 12 days.
Hartmann Swift Swordsmanship is a typical southern-style fencing… it focuses on speed.
Among swordsmanship styles that do not use mana, Hartmann Swift Swordsmanship boasts top-tier speed.
When I faced Schmitz, I had already given up on trying to match the speed of Hartmann Swift Swordsmanship.
But I can’t defeat Rufus with just Hartmann Swift Swordsmanship.
Rufus, from one of the Six Great Sword Clans, had already reached S-rank in Ignis Knight Swordsmanship.
S-rank Ignis Knight Swordsmanship can easily counter Hartmann Swift Swordsmanship at A-rank.
Therefore, I need one more thing.
Combine Hartmann Swift Swordsmanship with… Lichtenauer’s Quick Technique.
Lichtenauer’s Quick Technique can only be mastered through training at the academy’s special facilities.
By combining this exceptional technique with Hartmann Swift Swordsmanship, I can rapidly close distance and launch a surprise attack, even across difficult terrain.
The combination of Swift Swordsmanship and Quick Technique… with this, I can defeat Rufus.
Originally, this isn’t something a rookie who just joined the academy could do.
Quick Technique is primarily a movement skill, and combining it with another sword style isn’t easy.
But I am the author of this world.
I am the creator of all the techniques described in the novels.
Just like when I defeated Cerine by combining Bastian Knight Swordsmanship with Lorelian Practical Swordsmanship…!
By harmonizing different techniques, I can evolve them into something new.
Normally, this requires reaching a very high level, but I can do it.
Whoosh!
I pierce through the rain, leap across rugged terrain, and charge at Rufus.
Rufus realizes I’m closing in at incredible speed and tries to respond, but it’s already too late.
Rufus’ Ignis Knight Swordsmanship emphasizes form, following the eastern style.
On uneven and slippery terrain, quickly switching to defense is not easy.
“You…!”
I thrust my sword at Rufus’ raised voice.
A lightning-fast charge, combining Hartmann Swift Swordsmanship with Lichtenauer’s Quick Technique.
It can end with a single strike.
“Ugh…!”
My attack pierces Rufus’ incomplete defense.
“This can’t be!”
The professors watching from above were stunned.
Rufus, representative of Red Class 1, was rolling down the slope at the hands of Ernas, representative of Black Class 6.
“How did he approach so quickly?”
“How can someone who just joined master Quick Technique like that?!”
“Moreover, the flow from Quick Technique into the attack was so natural! That’s why Rufus couldn’t respond!”
It was truly astonishing.
Although “Dragon Sword” Yolse had said Black Class 6 might have a chance, nobody had expected Ernas to actually defeat Rufus.
“My son… was defeated with just two strikes?”
Rufus’ father, “Flame Jade Sword” Kaleon, trembled.
Of all the professors present, Kaleon was the most shocked.
To be beaten by Ernas, whom he had considered the weakest among the Six Great Sword Clans’ heirs…
“Excellent work. The strategy was also well executed.”
“…!”
Ignoring Kaleon’s anger, Yolse spoke.
“It seems Ernas lured Rufus using the other students. He created a situation where Rufus would traverse the difficult terrain alone.”
“Ah, that makes sense!”
“So that’s why Black Class 6 pretended to struggle at first!”
“The fact that Cerine Bastian and Schmitz Hartmann stepped in was also a ruse to lure Rufus!”
The professors, understanding everything, were astonished, while Kaleon’s expression twisted further.
“Ernas, who ambushed Rufus’ path, first threw his sword as a surprise attack. That excited Rufus, then he finished him with a sharp charging strike.”
“Ah…!”
Rufus seemed completely unconscious.
Ernas approached him down the slope and tore his badge from his chest.
“Ooo…!”
“The Red Class 1 badge…!”
Ernas held the badge high for everyone to see.
The instructor blew the whistle.
“The Red Class 1 badge is in the hands of Black Class 6! Therefore, this competition ends with Black Class 6’s victory!”
“Waaaah…!”
From afar, the students of Black Class 6 cheered.
Meanwhile, the Red Class 1 students wore expressions of disbelief.
“An incredibly high-level battle. Hard to believe it was a student competition.”
“That’s right, Professor Yolse.”
“From Ernas, I sense potential beyond Blue Class 2’s ‘Prodigy’ and White Class 5’s ‘Genius’.”
While clapping with the other professors, Yolse spoke calmly.
“Perhaps Ernas… is a genius in swordsmanship.”
“…!”
Hearing the words “swordsmanship genius,” Kaleon bit his lips until they bled.
“Thanks to Ernas’ strategy, we won!”
“You were amazing!”
Joining the other students, everyone cheered around me.
“Just as Ernas said, counterattacking with confidence flustered them!”
“Sure, Red Class 1 seemed stronger on average, but when we pressed hard, their formation quickly collapsed!”
“Right, as I said before, Rufus’ intense training left them exhausted.”
Rufus had thoroughly trained Red Class 1 students, but they were all fatigued due to insufficient rest.
Exploiting that allowed Black Class 6 to overwhelm Red Class 1.
“Cerine and Schmitz led the way in breaking Red Class 1’s formation.”
“Ah, yes.”
I glanced at Cerine and Schmitz.
“Both of you did well. This victory was possible because you played your part.”
“No, I just…”
“I only acted according to Ernas’ instructions.”
Cerine and Schmitz smiled sheepishly.
“Ernas, aren’t you going to praise me?”
Chloe asked with a smile from the side.
“I was the one directing all the students while you were away.”
“Ah, Chloe, you did a great job too.”
Chloe was the one who best understood my strategy during this competition.
Her skills as a swordswoman may be a bit lacking, but in terms of tactical understanding, she excelled.
“Cerine, Schmitz, Chloe… and everyone else, well done.”
I looked around at the other students.
“This is our first victory. Now, we’ll be given Elixir.”
“Elixir…!”
The Elixir, a potion that enhances mana.
The winning class of this competition receives it.
It will be our first time taking Elixir.
“Still, I’m worried.”
Schmitz muttered.
“We haven’t fully learned the cultivation method yet. I wonder if we can properly absorb the Elixir’s mana…”
“Don’t worry too much. We’ll manage somehow.”
I understood Schmitz’ concern.
The cultivation method is part of the academy curriculum, but we haven’t even been here a month.
Unless someone trained in it before entering, they won’t fully absorb the Elixir’s mana.
Cerine, who mastered the Eastern-Style Mana Cultivation Method, should absorb it properly.
And… I had also acquired the Eastern-Style Mana Cultivation Method from Cerine through Ability Reproduction.
I might not absorb 100% of the Elixir’s mana, but at least half can settle within me.
That brings me closer to the Graduate level.
A Graduate swordsman who can manipulate mana.
Once I reach that level, the real battles at the swordsmanship academy will begin.
“Ugh…”
Rufus regained consciousness on a bed.
He realized he was in the academy’s infirmary.
“Damn, then…”
His body was wrapped in bandages.
Recalling falling down the slope, he bit his lips.
“Ugh…”
Severe pain near his ribs—Ernas’ strike had hit perfectly.
“Did the bone crack…?”
“Yes, you fool.”
“…!”
Hearing the stern voice, Rufus swallowed hard.
The infirmary door opened, and his father Kaleon entered.
“Father… I…”
“Defeated by Ernas Lanzstein… aren’t you ashamed?”
“Ugh…”
It was undeniably humiliating to lose to Ernas, whom he had underestimated.
“I… I have no excuse…”
“Because of your loss, all our plans were ruined. You should have claimed the first Elixir.”
Rufus had no choice but to lower his head under Kaleon’s reprimand.
“Damn, if I had known, I should have emphasized more strongly that he cheated on the entrance exam. I should have expelled him entirely.”
“Father… about that…”
Rufus spoke cautiously.
“The claim that he cheated on the entrance exam… doesn’t seem credible.”
“What?”
“From my experience… Ernas was genuinely skilled.”
Facing him directly, Rufus could feel it.
Ernas’ Quick Technique was far superior, and his follow-up charging attack was very natural.
He was a truly skilled swordsman.
“There was no reason for him to cheat. He could have ranked high in the entrance exam purely on his own talent.”
“….”
“Ernas Lanzstein… had been hiding his true abilities all along.”
So investigating his supposed cheating is meaningless.
“Surprising… you admit Ernas’ skill so readily.”
“I was completely defeated, so I have no choice but to admit it.”
Feeling humiliated, Rufus clenched his fists.
“His avoidance of battles with other sword clans wasn’t out of fear of revealing weakness.”
“….”
“He merely wanted to hide his true abilities, preparing for future academy competitions.”
Previously, Ernas had canceled a spar with Rufus, claiming his hand was injured by a broken teacup.
At the time, Rufus mocked him as a coward… but that wasn’t it.
“He is more ambitious than we thought. He has been preparing to reach the top of the Six Great Sword Clans for a long time.”
“….”
“Father, please give me another chance. Next time, I will defeat Ernas with my own hands.”
Rufus bowed deeply.
But Kaleon sighed.
“I would like to give you a chance quickly… but it’s difficult.”
“Huh?”
“You know the ‘Genius’ of White Class 5, right?”
“Genius… Lester Lancaster?”
Heir of the Lancaster family, one of the Six Great Sword Clans, and representative of White Class 5.
In today’s competition, he defeated Blue Class 2, led by the Prodigy.
“That guy will make a move before us.”
“In that case…!”
“Yes.”
Kaleon nodded.
“Before we can act, Ernas’ head might already be at risk.”
