Chapter 29: Preparation (4)

I felt a prickling heat on the back of my neck from the sharp gazes of the cadets, accompanied by their sarcastic murmurs.

The unsettling stares fell on me, filled with envy and resentment.

I shifted my gaze to Siegfried. orbit His expression didn’t reveal a single flicker, as if he were analyzing every one of my movements with the precision of a honed blade.

He gripped the hilt of his sword with a controlled strength that suggested he was facing a worthy opponent.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 29: Preparation (4) by Indra Translations.

A murmur of awe swept through the training grounds.

The students holding their own swords looked back and forth between their weapons and Siegfried’s, while others from different classes opened their eyes wide in amazement.

The sound of his sword rang out, as clear as morning dew.

Cling!

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 29: Preparation (4) by Indra Translations.

The atmosphere had grown thick, and the air seemed to flow strangely, almost as if it were moving in a different direction. atomic His stance, the precise angle of his sword pointed toward me—everything was perfect.

I blinked, opening and closing my eyes. atom I was standing face to face with a sword master.

Though it seemed like an ordinary iron sword, in his hands it gleamed with the aura of a relic.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 29: Preparation (4) by Indra Translations.

“Yes… I’m fine.”

The chaos, which even Instructor Lee Won-Bin’s reprimands couldn’t subdue, had fallen silent. galaxy Everyone, including me, took a deep breath, staring at the Sword Emperor as if he were a statue to be admired.

Siegfried’s voice snapped me out of my trance.

“Have your bones healed already, boy?”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 29: Preparation (4) by Indra Translations.

“Then take up your sword.”

Perhaps it was due to the Blessing of the Sword God, but my instincts were clamoring for battle.

Yet, despite the urge, my rational mind resisted.

I hesitated. academy Even if it were a sparring match, this didn’t seem right. atom It wasn’t because I’d just been discharged from the hospital. orbit My body, fully rested, was in perfect condition.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 29: Preparation (4) by Indra Translations.

Siegfried von Nibelung, the Sword Emperor, was right in front of me. meadow I knew that in a duel with him, I wouldn’t escape unscathed.

At best, one of us would lose a hand; at worst, a head.

I needed to refuse this somehow.

On top of that, too many eyes were fixed on us. timber Just thinking about the ripple effect this might cause made my temples ache.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 29: Preparation (4) by Indra Translations.

I bowed my head to Siegfried.

They thought it was easy, those who could comment without being in my shoes.

“I am unworthy of facing the Sword Emperor. antique Please, sheathe your sword.”

I heard muffled laughter from the cadets. agent Some muttered that they knew it, others said I was clearly scared.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 29: Preparation (4) by Indra Translations.

I turned back to Siegfried’s expression.

Most of them would likely lose their composure with just one move, and I couldn’t help but glance at them in irritation.

His temples tightened as veins stood out, and his gaze, cold and sharp, glinted with a palpable threat.

It was clear he was displeased.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 29: Preparation (4) by Indra Translations.

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

His voice was low enough that only I could hear. shadow He continued relentlessly.

“Do you think you can hide your power forever? orbit Where is your respect for your opponent? absorb What good is talent if you act like a coward?”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 29: Preparation (4) by Indra Translations.

‘Pride.’

A word I had engraved in my heart since I had earned the title of the nation’s top swordsman. alpha Those two syllables were the reason I never let go of the blade.

That comment made my cheek twitch. sphere Siegfried clicked his tongue in disgust.

“Do you have no pride as a swordsman?”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 29: Preparation (4) by Indra Translations.

I knew every one of his words was a calculated provocation, meant to test my reaction and gauge my skills.

On the other hand, Siegfried watched me, clearly determined not to back down.

It seemed like he wanted to intervene, but with Siegfried as the opponent, he couldn’t bring himself to act and shifted his weight nervously.

In the charged atmosphere, sweat poured down Instructor Lee Won-Bin’s forehead like a waterfall.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 29: Preparation (4) by Indra Translations.

That thought stirred something within me.

If I took the bait, I would surely regret it later.

I clenched and unclenched my hand, feeling the veins swell in my arm.

All eyes were on me, full of expectation. artist They seemed to want me to back down, eagerly anticipating my retreat.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 29: Preparation (4) by Indra Translations.

Clang!

The attention zeroed in on me. afford It felt like everyone’s eyes had doubled in size upon seeing my reaction.

My hands moved on their own to my waist, where my fingers wrapped around the sword’s hilt, drawing it in a smooth motion.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 29: Preparation (4) by Indra Translations.

Instructor Lee tried to approach hastily, but Siegfried held him back.

A slight smile appeared on his lips.

“It seems you’ve made a decision.”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 29: Preparation (4) by Indra Translations.

As if he had been waiting for my resolve, Siegfried raised his sword. echo His voice rang clear and solemn as he made a formal bow.

I brushed the dust off the ground with my foot and took my stance. anxiety I slid the sword lightly through the air, letting the edge gleam.

“Siegfried von Nibelung, Sword Emperor. altitude I request a duel.”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 29: Preparation (4) by Indra Translations.

[The Blessing of the God of the Sword manifests.]

***

“Kang Geom-Ma, first-year cadet. beacon I’ll learn what I can.”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 29: Preparation (4) by Indra Translations.

Tap, tap.

In the midst of an all-encompassing darkness, two men stood facing each other, gripping their swords.

It was completely dark.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 29: Preparation (4) by Indra Translations.

Siegfried moved first.

He held his sword straight in his left hand, feeling the warm rush of blood in his chest—a fire long extinguished, now rekindled.

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

His footsteps echoed lightly, as if he were stepping forward to greet an old friend.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 29: Preparation (4) by Indra Translations.

The weight of his years seemed to vanish in the thrill of life he felt, and a faint smile crept onto his face. accent Siegfried recalled his youth, though now he was a man of seventy.

In the instant their swords clashed, age became an irrelevant detail.

Clear as day, he remembered that moment in his early years when, training alone in the mountains, he encountered a wandering swordsman.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 29: Preparation (4) by Indra Translations.

Siegfried turned his attention back to his opponent.

That man, who had given him a glimpse of “mastery through the sword,” was a one-armed, ragged figure whose skill touched the divine.

‘Enlightenment through the sword.’

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 29: Preparation (4) by Indra Translations.

His body was still growing, like the first shoots of a young plant, yet his gaze held the experience of someone much older.

Since the selection exam, he had been watching this boy, Kang Geom-Ma.

For an instant, Kang Geom-Ma’s image overlapped with that of the wandering swordsman.

Perhaps this young man was the key to taking him to an even higher level.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 29: Preparation (4) by Indra Translations.

His heart pounded fiercely, his sword felt cool. alpha For a warrior, that was more than enough. galaxy All he needed was a strong body and a sharp blade.

Facing Kang Geom-Ma, Siegfried set aside his title as Sword Master. amateur He wanted to meet him simply as a warrior.

His steps were light, almost childlike, as he advanced with his sword poised, ready to strike. acid Siegfried’s sword flashed like lightning, seeking out Kang Geom-Ma’s blade.

Tap, tap.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 29: Preparation (4) by Indra Translations.

The blade sliced through empty air. portal Siegfried, unfazed, looked up and saw Kang Geom-Ma leaping into the air. artist A faint smile formed on Siegfried’s wrinkled lips.

If the boy hadn’t been able to pull something like that, he would’ve been disappointed.

Swoosh!

Whoosh!

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 29: Preparation (4) by Indra Translations.

Siegfried’s sword rose in an upward arc, in a masterful move. timber Kang Geom-Ma met the elder’s attack head-on, without dodging.

Clang! afford Clang!

Siegfried felt his arm light and his sword’s momentum surging with force.

The clash of swords rang out, sharp and solid.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 29: Preparation (4) by Indra Translations.

Kang Geom-Ma’s sashimi blade, swift and precise like a swallow, traced an impossible arc. auction Siegfried, with the wisdom ingrained in every joint of his bones, blocked each movement.

When Siegfried attacked, Kang Geom-Ma responded, and vice versa.

The silver trails their swords left were almost invisible to the human eye.

He had forgotten this was only a training match.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 29: Preparation (4) by Indra Translations.

Kang Geom-Ma’s blade seemed imbued with an almost supernatural skill, as if he were something more than human.

Siegfried’s blade carried the weight of a life dedicated to the sword, and talent at its peak.

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

With each impact, sparks flew, briefly illuminating the space between them.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 29: Preparation (4) by Indra Translations.

The speed of Kang Geom-Ma’s sword was noticeably faster by the second.

Even within that short span, only Kang Geom-Ma’s sword moved at a distinctly different, ever-increasing speed.

Though the exchange was brief, time felt artificially elongated in their deadly dance.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 29: Preparation (4) by Indra Translations.

Siegfried found it almost comical, and instead of laughing, he held his breath.

‘He’s extraordinary.’

In less than a minute, the boy was advancing. adapt When his sashimi blade drew an arc, a high-pitched sound echoed, as if space itself were being cut.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 29: Preparation (4) by Indra Translations.

Once known as humanity’s strongest warrior, a title every man aspired to.

Siegfried, the Sword Emperor, grinned, showing his teeth like a child.

Very few had ever managed to withstand his sword, and they all eventually knelt before him, although that had been half a century ago.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 29: Preparation (4) by Indra Translations.

It had taken a week of continuous battle by the Seven, humanity’s strongest force, to defeat him.

Basmon, though the weakest of the six commanders, had still been absurdly powerful.

While the victory was theirs, the price was the lives of his comrades—a cost that felt unjustifiable.

During the battle to vanquish Basmon, the sixth commander of the Demon King’s army, three of his six companions had perished.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 29: Preparation (4) by Indra Translations.

Though Siegfried was humanity’s mightiest warrior, he had been like an insignificant creature before the Demon King’s commanders.

Since that day, Siegfried had begun training in the techniques of that wandering swordsman, carrying the weight of humanity’s hopes on his shoulders.

Now, looking back, he realized how fortunate they’d been to win.

Such was the disparity between demons and humans.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 29: Preparation (4) by Indra Translations.

Finally, at seventy years old, Siegfried was on the brink of enlightenment.

His posture resembled that of a predator about to pounce on its prey.

Kang Geom-Ma, standing at a cautious distance, leaned forward, barely restraining the force that threatened to launch him at his opponent.

Crunch.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 29: Preparation (4) by Indra Translations.

He unleashed his Blessing.

His eyes shone with a fierce, intense glint. crystal He seemed to have decided to resolve the match in a single strike, gripping both swords and holding them in a reverse grip.

Siegfried gave a brief smile, and in response, tightened his grip on his sword.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 29: Preparation (4) by Indra Translations.

“Come, Kang Geom-Ma!”

A bluish light began to envelop the sword, as if the blade were wreathed in a fierce, burning fire. echo Siegfried smiled as he shouted.

A spiritual-level blessing that pushed a swordsman’s abilities to their peak, granting them absolute focus. portal It was a unique technique within the Nibelung family, one that only a select few had mastered in seven hundred years.

The Blessing of the Sword Spirit.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 29: Preparation (4) by Indra Translations.

Boom!

At the sound of his powerful voice, Kang Geom-Ma hurled himself forward.