Ch.45Episode 9. Parent-Teacher Conference (5)

Clang! Clang! Clang!

He stood still, receiving all the sword strikes from Yeon Muhui’s “Red Flower Dance.” Despite her giving it her all, he didn’t waver in the slightest.

“At that speed, you can’t even graze my clothes.”

Claaang—!

Seeing the trajectory of her sword precisely, he swung lightly, causing her to stagger. The moment he saw her arms and waist bend back, he launched a follow-up attack.

Clang!

She barely regained her composure and blocked his sword, but her body tilted again.

Even with his light swings, his power was extraordinary, making it difficult for her to regain her pace.

Still, there was hope remaining.

After testing his strength against Yeon Muhui, he hadn’t yet used his sword energy.

The ability of Yeonhwa Dragon, “Drawing Sword Technique,” was primarily based on releasing sword energy, and using it would maximize its effectiveness.

The fact that he hadn’t used sword energy yet meant he wasn’t being “serious” yet.

But.

Clang! Clang!

“Huff! Huff!”

She was already getting exhausted just from receiving Yeonhwa Dragon’s normal attacks. She didn’t even seem to have the capacity to make him get serious.

Part of it was because she had already used a lot of energy training since morning, but as the number of sword clashes increased, Yeon Muhui’s attacks were becoming more rigid.

She was realizing it herself. The gap between her and Yeonhwa Dragon.

“Muhui! Fight like you’re trying to kill me!”

Like she’s trying to kill him.

Of course, even with that mindset, the outcome of this match wouldn’t change. But at least she might be able to instill some expectation in Yeonhwa Dragon.

“I’m watching, so be bold.”

Since there were people gathered to see an S-class hero, I had opened my full power, adjusting it to minimize sparks.

I’d never fought an S-class before, but I could gauge their level from the many descriptions in the story.

Besides, Yeonhwa Dragon didn’t seem intent on responding even if Muhui came at him with killing intent.

He understood that this match was to assess her current level.

If anything, it would end with painful discipline at most.

“Like I’m trying to kill…”

Dodging his attack, Yeon Muhui jumped back and caught her breath.

Her blade began to glow red. The sword energy was not just permeating the blade but starting to radiate outward.

I learned while teaching her that, contrary to my expectations, she had a high understanding of sword energy injection and release.

She mastered it in about three days of teaching, as if she had already received several lessons from Yeonhwa Dragon.

This made me curious, so I asked her, and Muhui answered that she disliked her swordsmanship resembling her father’s.

She came to the academy to reject her father’s teaching philosophy and thought she shouldn’t use the same techniques as him.

To that, I persuaded her, “To surpass your father, you’ll eventually have to master his techniques. Isn’t stubbornly refusing like a child just killing your strengths?”

After pondering for a few days, she finally accepted and decided to embrace reality.

“I don’t know what it is… but come at me with everything you’ve got.”

This would probably be the last attack he would receive.

“…?”

When she took her distinctive stance, raising her sword horizontally high, Yeonhwa Dragon tilted his head. That stance wasn’t among the forms he had taught.

“Body flexible, impact focused on one point…”

Muttering this, she dashed forward and swung her sword at Yeonhwa Dragon.

Clang!

“!”

For the first time, he faltered.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

It was a smooth combination like the Red Flower Dance, but the release of sword energy doubled its power.

With each successive strike, Yeonhwa Dragon’s body was pushed back slightly.

Judging by his furrowed brow as the number of hits increased, it seemed difficult to withstand without using a skill.

Seeing his reaction clearly, she moved the tip of her sword smoothly, as if drawing something with flexibility.

Clang!

Crack—!

“A crack…?”

The blade couldn’t withstand the continuous fierce impacts. As he hastily retreated, she delivered a finishing thrust.

“Haah!”

A red sword energy in the shape of a flower bloomed in the air.

It was the completion of “Red Flowing Flower Flash.”

The sword energy immediately poured down on him.

“This is…!”

He hurriedly tried to respond by using sword energy, but it was too late to block the completed technique.

Crack!

His sword broke, and his uniform tore.

Blood seeped from the cut across his entire body, soaking his uniform.

“Kuk!”

Yeonhwa Dragon groaned and staggered.

“…You’ve certainly learned something. But this much isn’t enough to prove yourself!”

He released sword energy to replace the broken blade. It was literally a sword made of sword energy.

“Try blocking this!”

Just as he was about to swing his sword with full force, I quickly intervened and grabbed his wrist.

“Alright, that’s enough.”

Sorry, but let’s end this while Muhui still has the satisfaction of landing a hit on you.

“You… I clearly told you not to interfere, didn’t I?”

“I think it’s best to stop here. You seem to have lost your reas—”

Before I could finish, a knee came swiftly toward my side.

Judging it too late to dodge, I leaned back and lowered my arm to defend just before the knee hit my side.

Thwack!

“Kuhk!”

My reaction was slightly delayed. Even though I had let my guard down, I was still watching his movements.

Yet I allowed the attack. I guess top-class heroes really are different.

“Instructor! Are you okay?!”

I got up while massaging my throbbing arm. After glancing at the cracked barrier wall, I turned my gaze to him.

Interesting. I wanted to see how much I could handle against an S-class.

Crack!

I released my full power and closed the distance in an instant. I immediately threw a punch toward his philtrum.

Thwack!

“You know, I’m the type who can’t stand being hit.”

Even as I said this, I couldn’t take my eyes off Yeonhwa Dragon, who was embedded in the wall.

That guy… he properly deflected my attack. And moreover…

I narrowed my eyes and looked at the cut on my arm. The entire lower part where the blade had touched was severed, with the sleeve lying on the floor.

It was impressive enough that he recognized the exact point of impact and avoided his face, but in that split second, he had swung his sword to try to cut off my arm.

If I hadn’t been in full power mode, my arm would have been severed.

“S-class really is different.”

I muttered, repeatedly clenching and unclenching my fist, when I suddenly remembered that I was an instructor.

…Oh, shit. I shouldn’t have hit him.

Cold sweat began to run down my back.

When I faced Kang Sujin, it was an agreed-upon match, but this time I had unilaterally interfered. And then I even beat him up, leaving absolutely no room for excuse.

Especially since I had asked for his cooperation regarding the S-class Yeonhwa Dragon…

How am I going to deal with the aftermath?

“Um… hey, Muhui.”

“Yes?”

“Is it okay that I hit him once?”

“…?”

Muhui tilted her head.

“I’m not sure about that. But why did you interfere in the match?”

“I thought it was best to stop.”

“Hmm… You must have had your reasons as an instructor, but my father hates it most when someone interferes in a duel. You might die if you’re not careful.”

Thanks for casually telling me I might die.

He, who had been slumped against the wall, slowly got up. I had no idea where to begin making amends.

“You… are interesting.”

Yeonhwa Dragon gripped his sword properly.

I gave a bitter smile at the pressure that felt like it was crushing the air. This was clearly not a situation that could be glossed over with words.

Step, step.

As he approached, I felt as if the oxygen was becoming scarce. So this was just play until he faced Muhui, huh?

“It seems not everyone at the academy is trash.”

“Sir, please calm down first. Let’s talk this out.”

I extended both hands in front of me with the most friendly smile I could muster.

“…My cheek throbs. It’s been a while since I felt pain.”

“I’m sorry for hitting you too hard, but let’s have a cup of tea while I apolo—”

“I couldn’t see your attack clearly until the end. Both power and speed are top-notch. It wouldn’t be strange if you received an S-class rating right away.”

He spat out the blood that had pooled in his mouth.

Though he spoke calmly, the killing intent emanating from Yeonhwa Dragon didn’t subside at all.

Won’t he just listen to me?

“I’ve never heard of an instructor like you. What did you say your name was?”

“…It’s Yujin. First, let’s calm down and talk—”

“Good, Yujin. I’ll remember you clearly. Don’t worry. I won’t kill you. The world needs more heroes like you to stay clean. But before that, I need to see your full power.”

Fuck! Please just listen to me!

“Instructor… you’re screwed.”

“I know that.”

You don’t need to tell me.

“…Muhui.”

“Yes?”

“Lend me your sword. I might die without it.”

“Hmm. I can’t imagine you dying… but okay.”

She handed me her sword without hesitation.

She’s definitely become more favorable since we started training together recently.

“Go to the corner for now. I’ll calm your father down and be back.”

She nodded and headed to the corner.

“Let’s see how far that spirit from earlier goes.”

He stopped walking and took a drawing stance.

It was the basic form of the Drawing Sword Technique.

“‘Sword Flower Style – First Flash.'”