LATEST UPDATES

Published at 2nd of February 2024 05:22:38 AM


Chapter 2

If audio player doesn't work, press Stop then Play button again








Chapter 2:

The Sword.

The essence of swordsmanship, capable of even cleaving through steel.

Just the ability to unleash such formidable technique granted one a position of strength among the “Academy Heroes.”

Even in the prestigious Privia Academy, only a few individuals, including the protagonist and a favored few with extraordinary talent, had reached the level of mastery in swordplay.

In that sense, Philip could be considered qualified to be an academy instructor.

“But strictly speaking, this isn’t truly mine.”

He merely acted based on what his body remembered, without fully comprehending the depths of his capabilities.

Can one truly explain what they do not understand?

Philip could assert with certainty that it was impossible.

While he could deceive the students to some extent, the same couldn’t be said for fellow instructors or professors who held higher positions.

Of course, given enough time, the problem could be solved.

However, Philip was only given a mere week.

Within that time frame, catching up mentally to the level of his body was nearly impossible, if not entirely so.

“If it comes to this, it might be necessary.”

One item came to Philip’s mind.

It could potentially be a desperate move or, perhaps, the ultimate solution.

If everything went according to plan, Philip could buy himself the needed time.

* * *

It had been quite a while since Philip played “Academy Heroes.”

Although he was a seasoned player who had completed all the challenges, memory leaks were inevitable.

However, there were memories that remained etched in his mind, refusing to fade away even after all that time.

Philip believed that one of those memories might be the key to saving himself.

“Where could it be?”

In a secluded area near the academy, on the slope of an unnamed peak that couldn’t be precisely pinpointed, Philip was searching for an item.

“I have to find it today at least. I’m really running out of time.”

Rough branches scratched his sleeves, and cuts and scratches appeared on his exposed hands and cheeks, but Philip didn’t stop as he rummaged through the bushes.

Fortunately, Philip had a sturdy physique.

Having trained with a sword since his childhood, his body was in exceptional shape. Even if he lived a reckless lifestyle, it surpassed the average person’s physique.

“In the story, they always come to the class I’m in.”

‘They’ referred to the protagonists of this world, the playable characters, so to speak, in Philip’s terms. Having cleared the game multiple times, Philip knew how important they were.

Today was March 4th. In three days, on March 7th, the twin siblings with brown hair among the incoming freshmen would arrive.

One of them would definitely be the protagonist of this world.

Players could choose either the boy or the girl as the protagonist, and the unchosen one would leave the Privia Academy, becoming a disciple of Illok-seena, a great sage and a close friend of the academy’s headmaster.

In comparison, the chosen protagonist for the player had to endure Philip’s maliciousness throughout the semester, making friends and growing stronger, only to confront and drive out Philip by the end of the vacation.

Normally, Philip’s story would end here.The inaugural upload of this chapter took place via N0v3l-B1n.

However, Philip never intended to become unemployed so early.

“Forget about not causing trouble, first I need to acquire the ability to teach the kids if I don’t want to get kicked out.”

The role of a mentor was to teach. If the teacher’s instruction was unsatisfactory, it was only natural to be expelled, and it would not be a problem caused by the students.

That was why Philip was currently searching for the “Chatterbox Sword Neria,” the item he needed.

Originally, it was an item that was useless for normal players. It was a trash item that dramatically increased the “stress” parameter, the most important parameter, instead of increasing the “swordsmanship proficiency” at an accelerated rate.

In the game, it was an item that was always discarded at the dismantling station whenever it was obtained. However, Philip was in desperate need of it at that moment.

That was the only “Narcissistic Sword” that could be obtained at that point in time.

That sword was buried somewhere in this mountain.

“Oh. Oh!”

Philip soon discovered a clue about the Chatterbox Sword Neria.

Originally, the location was determined randomly, but perfect randomness doesn’t exist in games.

Even the spawn locations followed certain rules.

For a gaming enthusiast like Philip, those rules were more familiar than traffic laws.

“I think it was near a rock shaped like a squirrel.”

Recalling the dialogue dropped by a character in the game, Philip began searching the nearby area.

Soon, he found a sword in a pit beneath a shallow stream. It was in a desolate state, and could be presumed as a rusty blade.

“So, this is the legendary...”

It was a voice that seeped into Philip’s subconscious, like a hypnotist.

Philip slowly closed his eyes.

‘What do you see?’

Philip replied absentmindedly.

“I don’t see anything.”

‘That’s your future, Master.’

{TN:- Lol.}

“What did you say?”

‘It was just Neria’s cute prank! Now, what do you see?’

As she said, the once darkened vision gradually became hazy and sought light.

Soon, a white background appeared, with a dirty floor that stretched endlessly before him.

And there, a shadow, or to be precise, a person’s shadow appeared.

The shadow swayed randomly like a will-o’-the-wisp before eventually rising from the ground. Then, it seemed to slowly regain its original form.

‘Now, what do you see?’

“... I see a woman who looks like a mercenary.”

The shadow regained its color and volume, transforming into a mercenary woman with a pale, ashen skin. She held a shortsword slightly shorter than a human arm and wore leather armor.

‘Is she pretty?’

“She has a strong and rough appearance, which looks good in a healthy way.”

The woman had a thick and rugged impression.

Neria snorted softly.

‘Hmph, that old hag was like a wild boar and had no charm. Anyway, I am in your hands, Master. And that old hag will perceive you as a threat to the safety of her family, friends, and her own survival. She’ll come at you as if to kill. What should we do then?’

In such a situation, there was only one option.

“... We have to fight.”

As Philip muttered those words, the mercenary woman fiercely swung her shortsword. The distinct fierceness of a mercenary seemed to pierce Philip’s skin.

In an instant, Philip grasped the woman’s center of gravity.

“The weight is overly concentrated on her front foot, despite the force behind her strikes. With this, I’ve won.”

In the next moment, Philip moved and effortlessly deflected the woman’s shortsword.

Now, he aimed for one of the woman’s exposed vulnerabilities and swung his sword, knowing that the fight would be over.

However, Philip couldn’t move the sword.

“.... Haa.”

He couldn’t catch his breath, and a shock that surpassed the word “pain” shook his body and mind.

The mercenary woman’s right foot had struck his groin accurately.

At that moment, Philip woke up from the short-lived dream.

“....”

He didn’t scream, nor did tears flow.

He just tightly closed his eyes and endured the pain.

Neria marveled at his superhuman willpower.

‘Are you okay?’

Philip couldn’t answer that question. He felt like the suppressed scream would burst out the moment he opened his mouth.

‘... That old hag is Neria’s sixth owner. She was the weakest and most despicable owner among those who possessed Neria. She lived as a spinster until her forties, betrayed by a man she played with at a tavern and ended up dying.’

“I didn’t want to know all that.”

Philip, who had barely escaped from the pain, raised his head.

“So, you’re saying that I can summon those who were your owners in my dreams and gain combat experience?”

‘That’s right! If you train like this during the remaining time, you might achieve some results.’

“... But the pain can’t be reduced?”

‘Neria doesn’t know how to do that.’

Listening to the shameless voice of the Narcissistic Sword, Philip had a hunch.

It would undoubtedly be the most challenging week of his life.

————

Translator’s thoughts:-

Hope you’re enjoying the translation. Please don’t forget to like and comment on the chapters.

If you want to support me, please consider adding this into your reading list on NU, and making a review. I know it’s too early to make a review, but you can always edit it in the future.

Thank you!




Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!


COMMENTS