Ch.39Chapter 39: Entrance Exam (16)

I’m curious. The strongest strike from a disciple of the Sword Saint, huh?

Given that Valt overcame even Solfin’s breath, he should be able to block it, but curiosity is still curiosity.

And it’s a technique that can be shared outside?

If it were anyone else, I might not care, but since it’s the Sword Saint’s technique, I can’t deny my interest.

Though she says she’s forfeiting, this is essentially no different from the deadly technique showdown with Solfin earlier.

Only now, Airin is the spear, and Valt is the shield as they test their mettle against each other.

Having made his decision, Valt makes a proposal to Airin.

“I can’t give you one-on-one training.”

Valt doesn’t know anything about exercise methods, but with Victor and Robin around, they’ll figure something out.

Teaching exercises to a disciple of the Sword Saint? Robin might not care, but Victor would definitely be thrilled.

For what Valt can’t teach, he can get away with telling her to first master human training methods.

It’s not much different from pulling a scam, but that should be enough for Airin.

“Alright. That’s enough! Anyway, if you block this, I have no way to defeat you.”

Now Valt is starting to find this interesting.

“Hehe, that sounds exciting. Good! Come at me!”

[The strongest sword! Airin! The strongest body! Valt! A clash between a sword that cuts anything and a body that blocks everything! The finals that almost ended disappointingly now promises quite a spectacle!!]

Airin draws her sword and takes her stance.

Shing—

Drawing the sword? Airin doesn’t have the luxury for such showy techniques right now.

But as Airin draws her sword first, Valt feels a bit disappointed.

‘Not an elegant draw. That’s a shame.’

Airin grips her sword in reverse, pulls it back, and twists her body.

This makes Valt feel better again.

‘Reverse grip! That’s stylish! Nice!’

Tzzzzzzz—

Seventh-tier aura begins to gather around Airin.

“Even if I’m not at my usual level right now, if you let your guard down and fail to block this, your body will be split in half.”

Valt laughs heartily at Airin’s threat.

“Now you have the same expression as when you were cutting through golems! Let’s see what you’ve got! Magic Technique Form 1: Magic Gauntlet!”

Focusing magic on his hands rather than covering his entire body with magic armor, this form uses less magic while still providing sufficient protection.

Swoosh—

As Airin’s body leans further back, her quiet voice can be heard.

“Here I go. Lushtian Swift Sword Style, Sixth Form…”

In that moment, Airin’s body flashes into motion.

“Mountain Splitter!!”

The strongest technique Airin can currently use against Valt, who stands like a mountain.

SWOOSH!!

A massive sword energy made of seventh-tier aura threads launches toward Valt.

“Hmm! Good! What a splendid attack!!”

A sword energy that truly looks capable of splitting a mountain.

Valt instinctively knows that defense alone won’t be enough to block it.

With his gnome focused on the magic gauntlet, he can’t use Wheel Stone Shield in this situation.

“If I can’t block it, I’ll smash it!!”

Aura is also inanimate.

As expected, Valt begins to gather magic in his right arm as he charges forward.

His swollen arm, now Valt’s trademark!

Whoosh!

Valt’s enormous arm descends upon Airin’s sword energy.

“Unique Magic! Anti-Aura Smash!”

A technique similar to Anti-Magic Slap, though slightly different.

It’s perfect for dealing with sharp aura.

BOOM!

With Valt’s punch, Airin’s sword energy is neutralized, disappearing without a trace.

[Ah! As expected! For Valt, who withstood even Solfin’s breath, an attack of this level doesn’t work! Valt blocks it with ease!!]

Confirming this, Airin gives a bitter smile.

“I had a small hope, but as expected… I’ve lost.”

Airin’s declaration of defeat.

It was the moment the tournament winner was decided.

[In the final match of the Grownd Academy Freshman Tournament!! Valt Geruntu, who defeated all the strong contenders to reach the finals, claims victory!!!]

“Woooooah!!!”

Ding!

At that moment, a system notification sounds in Valt’s ears.

The tournament at Grownd Academy, which gathered the strongest contenders in history, now concludes with Valt’s victory.

***

The match for 3rd and 4th place remained, but Solfin forfeited, claiming it was too bothersome.

Adding that he wasn’t interested in anyone but Valt.

Once the final rankings were determined, the announcer’s voice was heard.

[Shortly!! The Emperor’s award ceremony will take place!!]

The award ceremony is for the top three.

Airin, Seirun, and Valt were waiting in the waiting room again.

Seirun speaks to Airin.

“I can’t believe it. You wavered for such a reason? A swordsman asking to be taught exercises? What nonsense.”

For Seirun, who has never neglected physical training since beginning sword practice, Airin’s attitude seems foolish.

Airin’s face reddens at Seirun’s criticism.

“I-I’m a man too.”

But honestly, Seirun finds Airin remarkable.

“Truly a genius, I suppose. Your aura has sharpened again. My words about winning next time might become meaningless.”

Though Seirun was also called a genius growing up, compared to Airin, Seirun is nothing more than an ordinary person.

Valt is currently preoccupied with checking his system rewards.

【Quest Complete!】

Congratulations on your victory!! For winning the tournament with outstanding performance, you receive additional rewards.

<Rewards>

Random Trait 1, Stat Points 15, Emperor’s Gift.

These are incredible rewards.

The trait is honestly a bit uncertain, but there are cases where it can be amazing.

Like his current Physical Magic.

【Analyzing user’s play pattern for trait distribution.

Analysis complete!

Trait acquired!

‘Friend of Strong Spirits.’

Description: In fact, your race was closer to the earth than anyone else! The earth spirits who have just realized this fact seem happy to know it! After all, gaining new friends is a good thing! The earth spirits, the source of earth magic, have come to like your race. (Effect limited to trait holders: Physical power is quickly converted to spirit power.)】

Until now, Valt’s magic has relied heavily on his gnome.

Without the gnome, he wouldn’t have been able to withstand Solfin’s breath.

However, there was one inconvenience: physical power had to be converted to magic power, and then magic power had to be converted to spirit power.

It’s only a difference of a few seconds, but in real combat rather than a match, those few seconds can mean the difference between life and death.

But with this new trait, that concern has disappeared.

Moreover, according to the description, the earth spirits now consider barbarians as friends.

This means that other Geruntu besides Valt might be able to summon spirits.

In other words, it’s a trait that affects the entire race. Truly an amazing reward.

Of course, securing magic power is still a priority for the initial spirit contract, but it’s undeniably encouraging.

Each race has preferred spirits.

Spirit masters themselves are rare, but every race except barbarians has at least one or two spirit masters.

Humans prefer fire spirits or lightning spirits with strong destructive power.

Elves are naturally friendly with spirits, but even they have preferences.

They prefer wood spirits, water spirits, and wind spirits.

Fire spirits that burn everything don’t suit elves, and heavy earth spirits don’t match well with agile elves.

And dwarves are interested not in earth itself but in metal.

Occasionally there are dwarves who summon earth spirits, but since dwarves also prioritize aura-based combat methods over magic, spirit handlers are rare to see.

Beastkin have their own elemental attributes, so they don’t particularly need spirits, and beast tribes are full of warriors who focus on aura.

So in a situation where spirits themselves are rare, earth spirits are even rarer.

Not because they’re weak, but because of preference.

But thanks to Valt, earth spirits now realize they have friends in the human world.

Barbarians.

This race that roams the earth will one day become the closest friends of earth spirits.

While Valt was marveling at this incredible trait, Airin’s voice reached him.

“Let’s go, Valt. It’s the award ceremony.”

“Mm.”

***

[Third place, Seirun Caldrian! 500 gold coins are awarded!]

“I was impressed, Seirun. Truly the son of Lord Richt. The fighting spirit you showed will be an inspiration to many.”

Kneeling on one knee, Seirun offers words of gratitude to the Emperor.

“I am honored, Your Majesty. I will continue to strive for improvement.”

[Runner-up, Airin Silveron! 1,000 gold coins and the famous sword Drisian are awarded!]

“I thought you might be lost in thought, but I see there’s no need to worry. The eighth tier is no easy feat. Continue to improve.”

“I am honored, Your Majesty.”

[The winner! Valt Geruntu! 2,000 gold coins and the divine metal Rupenium are awarded as a prize!]

Rupenium, a divine metal that cannot be bought with money.

That was the prize for the tournament winner.

“Congratulations, son of Kwan. Is there a weapon or armor you wish to make? If so, it can be crafted at the Imperial Forge.”

Exceptional treatment! Not only providing Rupenium but also offering to craft it.

Only master-level craftsmen can work with Rupenium.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Haha, I wonder if we’re giving wings to the Geruntu. It will serve you well.”

Though not invincible, Rupenium is difficult to break even with aura blades.

Valt’s father, Kwan, who couldn’t use aura, barely managed to obtain a Rupenium weapon.

Only with something like Rupenium can barbarians face opponents above the eighth tier.

It’s so rare that the Rupenium Valt received is just enough to make one sword.

But Valt had something else in mind to create.

With the award ceremony over, the brief but memorable three-day tournament finally ended.

For some, it will remain a lifelong memory; for others, a past they might want to forget.

For Valt, the beginning couldn’t have been better.

Though the tournament is over, the festival continues through the remaining two days of the weekend.

Valt and his companions took a day to rest before heading to the festival streets of the imperial capital the next day.

Lisa jumps onto Valt and whispers in his ear.

“So, why are they coming along with us?”