I got into school for nothing - 116
I got into school for nothing (116)
Lesson 24. Where's a freshman like you? - 4
—Clang! Clash!
“So you’re saying a campus date with that woman will be advertised on the main channel once a week?”
“Hah, hah... yeah, that’s right... but save that for after the spar, huff... Don’t you ever breathe?!”
Immediately after the intense skirmish, Ban Yuwon gasped for breath, widening the distance from Dokgo Yeon.
The sword in his hand trembled, expelling the shock of impact.
“Controlling one’s breath is a swordsman’s fundamental quality. Hmph.”
—Clatter!
Two longswords, which had circled behind to secretly approach and somehow strike her weak point, were helplessly deflected, spinning in the air.
The first and second 'raindrops' of his Stormrain Sword had failed their attack.
“This isn’t working.”
“You’re a hundred years too early to fool my senses.”
“Tsk.”
Ban Yuwon regulated his breathing and let out a sigh, calling the two longswords back to his side.
If he were merely attacking an opponent without performing 'swordsmanship' with two swords, he could control as many as twelve.
However, if he were to execute swordsmanship himself while also having the controlled swords perform swordsmanship – the essence of martial arts – two was still his maximum.
“So, how was the swordsmanship?”
“Hmm... I felt a firm will from those two swords just now, a will to pierce [貫] me. The Hyungi residing within them was also considerable, and the idea of infusing the Gwoeyeonggong's aura to move the swords stealthily was good. However.”
“However?”
“That is a human’s martial art. It’s not a martial art for swords floating freely in the air.”
At that moment, Ban Yuwon felt like he’d been hit hard on the head.
Dokgo Yeon saw his realization and nodded slightly, then took a step back and said,
“This time, don’t overthink it and come at me simultaneously. But with full power.”
“Alright. ...Here I come!”
Against Dokgo Yeon, a master far beyond him, neither deception nor elaborate techniques would work.
If there was any possibility of inflicting significant damage on her, it could only be through an all-out charge, pouring all his strength into it.
As Ban Yuwon charged forward with the Executioner's Longsword, two more longswords soared behind him, emitting a sharp, piercing intent as if they would impale Dokgo Yeon at any moment.
‘What Dokgo Yeon expects from me is the potential of this combat style. In that case... as fast and as strong as possible!’
For this moment, he would think of Dokgo Yeon as an enemy he had to kill.
He transmitted his unified will to the two 'raindrops' and attacked her simultaneously, perfectly timing his strikes!
The Hyungi originating from his dantian flowed into the Executioner's Longsword and, by extension, into the two longswords resonating with it, enhancing them to their utmost limit...!
And then, Pierce!
—Kaaang!!
Despite the three swords each targeting different vital points, the sound occurred only once.
Moving lightly with short steps, the trajectory of Dokgo Yeon’s sword was incomprehensible, even when observed in real-time with his All-Seeing Eye.
—Clang! Clash! Kaaang!
The three longswords, dark as ink from the Hyungi they contained, sliced through the air, drawing delicate lines, but all of them were deflected by an even darker black line.
After attacking her several more times in coordination with the two 'raindrops,' but ultimately failing to breach her elegant defense, Ban Yuwon retreated, feeling a throbbing in his grip from the recoil as he regulated his breathing.
Even with his full power, he couldn’t break through her sword, so this was another defeat.
“Hoo... I don’t know how much Hyungi I poured out in such a short time.”
“Indeed, your raw power is considerable. Your speed was also decent, and the fluidity of your movements was natural.”
Dokgo Yeon nodded with a satisfied expression.
“Controlled by will, and imbued with no small amount of qi, someone unaware might even mistake it for Yi Gi Eo Geom.”
“Ah, that technique is famous. In terms of martial arts, how is it different from my Stormrain Sword?”
“Is that even a question?”
Dokgo Yeon glared at Ban Yuwon, as if dumbfounded.
Ban Yuwon, knowing her immense pride in Murim and martial arts, realized his mistake and was about to apologize, but she exhaled a sigh and, unexpectedly, explained kindly.
“I told you before, a swordsman must hold their own sword in their heart, didn’t I? When that is perfected, internally and externally, one reaches a state where they can move their sword freely with the power of their will and internal energy. As it requires a tremendous amount of internal energy, the power imbued in such a sword is incomparable to what you wield now.”
“So, if my mana simply increases, I can catch up?”
“Hah! The enlightenment contained within the sword is also incomparable to your own...”
She trailed off, lost in thought, then shook her head as if refuting her own words, a slightly vexed expression on her face.
“If you train steadily, your sword’s realm and internal energy will eventually grow, and your Stormrain Sword will surely reflect that. If you were to spar with a swordsman of similar caliber using Yi Gi Eo Geom, your ability to control swords more easily would undoubtedly give you an overwhelming advantage. Your Authority is truly absurd.”
“You really can’t lie, can you...”
“Hmph.”
Dokgo Yeon snorted and turned away.
It was then that Ban Yuwon noticed her lightly gripping her right wrist with her un-sword-wielding left hand.
Even for her, having repeatedly parried three powerful swords, she seemed to feel strain in her wrist.
It was proof that his combat, aided by the Stormrain Sword, was indeed threatening.
“Hey, hey, if you’re hurting, don’t just endure it, tell me right away.”
“Who’s...!”
Ban Yuwon handed her a bottle of potion he took from his pocket, adding before she could get angry.
“This is sweet.”
“...”
“Just a little sip will heal you right away. But it’s alcohol, so don’t drink too much.”
It was precisely the potion obtained from the previous 30th room, containing the concepts of [Blood Wine] and [Regeneration].
Since it held the concept of alcohol, it would have turned even plain water into wine, but he’d imbued it into a sweet grape juice, thinking a delicious taste would be better...
—Gulp
“...It is tasty.”
“Right? It’s your type, isn’t it?”
Sure enough, Ban Yuwon didn’t miss the faint smile that appeared on Dokgo Yeon’s lips the moment she drank the potion.
“Well, I’ll certainly acknowledge your ability to create delicious flavors...”
“I thought you were just praising my combat earlier... Ow.”
Dokgo Yeon delivered a chop to Ban Yuwon’s forehead, then cleared her throat with a "hem" and changed the subject.
“Now that the fundamentals are confirmed, all that’s left is to create a martial art suitable for the form. Did you see a path?”
“...Yeah, roughly. Even if I can wield martial arts, it’s completely different from grasping and swinging a sword myself. Thank you, Teacher.”
“Hmph.”
At Ban Yuwon’s endearing address, which still didn’t give up on teasing, Dokgo Yeon merely snorted dismissively and flicked his forehead with a sharp finger.
“Ow.”
“To call yourself my disciple while hurting from just this much.”
“I apologize for being a weak disciple, Teacher. Ouch!”
He wondered if this increasing frequency of everyday violence was perhaps her way of showing affection, a form of skinship.
If so, Ban Yuwon was prepared to gladly accept her physical affection, even if it meant focusing on strengthening the concept of [Solidity] for a while.
While he clutched his forehead in pain, Dokgo Yeon sheathed her short sword, turned, and spoke.
“I can clearly see what you’re thinking these days, but there’s no need to rush. It’s already astonishing enough that you’re on the verge of great mastery of Hyunsingong after just a month.”
“It doesn’t feel like ‘on the verge.’ It seems I still have quite a way to go before the concept conversion of my body is complete. At the very least, shouldn’t I consider it an achievement only once that’s finished?”
Ban Yuwon replied as he too stored his sword and the two 'raindrops' into his inventory.
Although the conversion sped up whenever he was thoroughly beaten during spars with Dokgo Yeon, his body’s concept was still in the state of [Body 150 (??? - 350 or more)].
Would a body concept with a depth exceeding 500 be born once this all converted?
He remembered being amazed at Irekto’s body reaching 300 when the semester began, and now, less than two months later, he couldn’t believe how much he had grown, making Irekto’s achievement seem trivial.
“No, in my opinion, there isn’t much left. Don’t be so anxious about what’s immediately visible. Once you gain enlightenment and reach a certain realm, your physical body will naturally transform to match it. The creation of your martial art will happen spontaneously then.”
“Hmm... well, if you say so, then it must be so.”
Considering Dokgo Yeon’s subtle remarks, it seemed that the completion of Hyunsingong, along with a perfect harmony of body and internal energy, was indeed the fastest path to the birth of a new martial art.
But at the same time, he also thought that contemplating the creation of a martial art would lead to the achievement of Hyunsingong, so in the end, everything was connected.
“...Ban Yuwon.”
“Hm?”
Perhaps she had something on her mind after seeing Ban Yuwon pondering Hyunsingong and new martial arts, for Dokgo Yeon suddenly blurted out.
“I’ll teach you a few common martial arts circulating in Murim, so you can refine your own swordsmanship and use them as reference for creating your own martial art.”
“Again?”
Ban Yuwon’s jaw dropped in astonishment, but Dokgo Yeon continued calmly, a demure expression on her face.
“I simply don’t wish to see you, who calls yourself my disciple, create some shoddy martial art and then boast about it. Besides, these are truly common, so there’s no need to fuss over them.”
If Dokgo Yeon stressed that they were "truly common," then he knew, without a doubt, that these must be incredibly valuable martial arts...
Ban Yuwon was convinced of this, but seeing the faint blush on Dokgo Yeon’s ears, he didn’t make the mistake of pointing it out.
“I just sheathed my sword, but it seems I’ll have to draw it again. I’ll show and tell you each just once, so remember them clearly.”
“Okay, I’m ready!”
Dokgo Yeon demonstrated martial arts for no less than five hours, finally ceasing her movements only when moonlight streamed into the training room as night deepened.
“Hoo... You remembered everything, didn’t you?”
“Of course, all of them were excellent. ...Though I’ll need some time to ponder them thoroughly.”
“I would have been surprised if you said you didn’t even need that.”
Ban Yuwon, chuckling inadvertently at Dokgo Yeon’s earnest remark, finally noticed the passage of time by looking out the window and said,
“Let’s call it a night. If you go back to your room, Rucell will definitely bother you endlessly, asking what we did.”
“No, before that, let’s finish the conversation we couldn’t earlier.”
“...Hm?”
The conversation they couldn’t finish?
As Ban Yuwon tilted his head in confusion, Dokgo Yeon narrowed her eyes and glared at him.
“Regarding that video deal. Isn’t it a disadvantageous condition to exchange it for mere ‘stalker extermination’?”
“Ah.”
Ban Yuwon finally understood.
He had actually expected Dokgo Yeon to bring up that issue at some point.
But it was a problem he had already calculated.
“The agreement to upload one video a week? Well, if you only consider the Rebellion party purely, it might seem like a loss.”
“Of course, I also surmise that enhancing the Student Council’s standing isn’t a long-term loss for us, but I dislike the feeling of being unilaterally dragged along.”
Did she dislike the feeling of the Student Council interfering with Rebellion?
It was a thought typical of Dokgo Yeon, yet he also felt a little pleased, wondering if it meant she cherished Rebellion.
“This time, just establishing a friendly relationship with the Student Council President holds great significance. Of course, I understand why you think that, but I actually thought the opposite.”
“The opposite?”
“Yeah. That’s because... Mira, who’s filming the videos, is on our side, isn’t she?”
Dokgo Yeon, for a start, frowned at that remark.
“Before that, I’d like to be clear: what exactly is your relationship with that woman?”
“...Somehow it’s become a bit like Rucell. No, no. Not that I enslaved her. It’s just... she was actually a little unstable mentally, you see?”
“She took you as her pillar of support, then.”
Could Dokgo Yeon’s cross-shaped pupils actually be equipped with the ability to read minds?
Ban Yuwon met her cross-shaped gaze and, without any room for denial, simply nodded.
“No, I didn’t even properly explain, and you’ve already pinpointed the core. How are you so sharp without an Authority like mine?”
“I’ve felt that way since I first saw her.”
Where the heart goes, the body follows, Dokgo Yeon began, and then added by way of explanation,
“Every time I see that woman, her body is slightly tilted towards you. Rucell is similar, so it’s quite amusing when the two of them are with you.”
“...Is it that obvious?”
“At any rate, that woman is on our side, with no possibility of betrayal. Indeed, if that’s the case... we can certainly gain the initiative. They said it would be good to upload one a week, not that we absolutely *must* upload it.”
Dokgo Yeon nodded to herself, thinking it over, and then suddenly smiled with satisfaction.
“Rebellion, and even the Student Council. To outsiders unfamiliar with the Academy, our channel will surely appear to represent the Academy.”
“My hopes are mixed in a bit, but I think it will influence freshmen who enter next year and beyond.”
Let me say it again.
UniTube is a platform that targets all dimensions.
Ban Yuwon was an exception, but talents selected for Union Academy would naturally know of UniTube’s existence and be able to watch it.
There was no doubt that by this time next year, Ban Yuwon’s party’s influence within the Academy would become even stronger.
—So much so that even full professors wouldn’t be able to ignore them.
“A channel where the Student Council’s videos are uploaded... From the Student Council President’s perspective, she had no other choice but to make that decision, but it effectively meant she offered us that share to expand the Student Council’s recognition.”
“Technically, it’s a share exchange, but I don’t think I’ve taken a loss.”
“I understand. So you weren’t betraying all of us to take care of your woman.”
“As if I would do that...!”
So that’s why she was glaring at him even more, thinking something like that!
If even Dokgo Yeon would say such a thing, Rucell and Light would be even worse; tomorrow morning would probably be entirely spent placating those two...
As Ban Yuwon thought this, he was startled to find himself not bothered by such interactions at all.
Why have I become so accustomed to placating sulking girls? I came to the Academy to reclaim the Tower of Babel, what exactly am I looking for here?
“So, Ban Yuwon, one last question.”
“Hm? There’s still something else?”
As Ban Yuwon tilted his head and asked back, Dokgo Yeon’s cross-shaped pupils flashed in her dark eyes as she questioned him.
“How strong did that woman, the Student Council President, seem?”
“Ah—.”
Ban Yuwon couldn’t give an immediate answer, his words trailing off.
Dokgo Yeon smiled, satisfied by his reaction.
“Is that so. I look forward to it.”
Ketra, whose movements even Dokgo Yeon had missed for a moment, and the Student Council President, who seemed overwhelmingly stronger than him.
Most certainly, Dokgo Yeon couldn’t defeat her.
He tried not to let his thoughts show, but it was useless.
Ban Yuwon worried she might be shocked, but fortunately, it didn’t seem to be the case.
—This week’s exploration is going to be tough, he thought, as if it were someone else’s problem, and headed to his room.
His bedtime was delayed by about 20 minutes as he appeased Light, who had been waiting for him, complaining, without sleeping.
* * *
However, Ban Yuwon found a crucial clue for creating martial arts in a place no one, not even he, would have expected or intended.
—Vwoom! Woooong!
“Can you feel the Or? Do you feel it, Ban Yuwon student?”
“Uh... Yes.”
“...What did you say?”
Good heavens.
Who would have known you could actually learn Or this way?!
...Actually, that was a lie.
From the moment he proudly waved a several-meter-long Or in the air before the All-Seeing Eye, which could read and analyze everything, he had actually known it would come to this.
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