Terminally-Ill Genius Dark Knight - Chapter 132

[Ebony Dawn].

The sword, more fully formed and matured by learning from his father, or more precisely, from Theo, Knox’s father and the patriarch of the Rineharbor family, drew a single stroke.

“What the…!”

Vernon’s bewilderment bursts out.

‘So… it’s quite effective against the instructors, even though it’s still only an intermediate technique.’

‘As I’ve explained many times, the destructive power of a unit with the [Genius] trait is beyond imagination.’

Even if you leave them alone, they will reach their peak on their own.

One day, they may suddenly have an epiphany and break new ground.

That’s the kind of genius we describe in Inner Lunatic.

That’s what stellar talent is all about.

For the record, the current Nox, me, Yoo-han, was the latter.

Not surprisingly, after sharing a sword with Theo, I had an epiphany of sorts.

‘I must remain alert.’

Nox. This damn body naturally possesses two genius traits. But more than that, it’s a game called Inner Lunatic, where experience matters.

This means that even geniuses have weak childhoods.

This was the case with Paracelsus and Talia.

‘Of course, Talia is only a [sword and martial arts prodigy], but she’s almost the only character…… who later becomes stronger than those with the trait of genius. Talia’s martial power is also objectively overwhelming.”

Then, what about me?

Compared to their current level, how far am I ahead of them with my monopoly on Hidden Pieces?

The answer lies in this very moment, when I can parry Vernon’s sword perfectly, and take his sword for all of time.

“Dirty little bastards…… the world revolves around those with the most hair… damn it.”

Vernon grumbled about what he was so unhappy about, but he struck out with Paracelsus’s sword, while Talia stumbled over my legs and immobilized herself.

As for me, I barely managed to keep out the [Ebony Dawn] that shot out.

But he would know.

‘I know I didn’t do my best, but it’s dangerous to show all my hands to the other units here, so I can’t help it. It’s foolish to think that I can win at any cost. It’s time to back off.’

I know.

There are some very dangerous units here in Eldain, even among the students.

I haven’t dealt with them seriously yet, but they’ve already become Demon Followers, and they’ll jump at the chance to attack me and my units.

I do not intend to show my full power against them yet.

If I do, I will have no hand to pull out at the worst possible moment.

“White hair… you already have excellent reflexes.”

“Yes.”

Thank you, or something.

I don’t say anything formal like, “I’m flattered,” or anything like that. Vernon doesn’t like that sort of thing anyway, and Nox von Reinhafer is not that sort of character.

Right now, they’re just two aspiring knights, sharing swords with their instructors, pointing out each other’s shortcomings, and…….

in order to grow again.

That’s the idea of a knightly relationship in Inner Lunatic, and that’s how Nox sees people.

Vernon breathed out, biting back the three people who had pointed their swords at him.

“Now, the others, but first, the two except for the gray-haired one who pointed a sword at me. Why do you think you were caught behind me, and why do you think your attack didn’t work?”

“Well, I didn’t get a good look at it…… but something made the sword seem to disappear for a moment, or… actually, I think it wasn’t even a sword…….”

“Because your focus was on something other than the sword to begin with, that’s why, isn’t it?”

Paracelsus added to Thalia’s comment.

They were right.

In fact, Vernon nodded, confirming it.

“Yes. You both saw it right, then. Now you describe it. The gray hair. What did I do to identify their movements and preempt them?”

This…….

Vernon asks, as if I should have known all along.

Heck, I had just dodged two or three swings of his sword at me at the last second.

As a cadet, this is impossible to do without reaching a state of awe.

Why?

“Because the instructor used a technique.”

“…Exactly.”

The corner of Vernon’s mouth lifted subtly.

His narrowed brow remained unchanged, a strange discrepancy in his expression.

But at least one thing was clear.

‘He’s intrigued by me. That’s a good sign for me.’

I don’t need to explain why.

I needed to make sure I was drawing the right amount of attention to this swordfight. After all, it would serve me well in the second episode, which was about to begin.

Equipment aside, I need to be prepared for the second act.

The first of which is learning the techniques.

Vernon shifted his gaze from me to the cadets.

“Gray hair. Nox von Reinhafer was right. The reason I was able to outrun the three of you just now is because of my footwork.”

-Footwork?

-What’s that?

-The one that the swordsmen use.

-Why, you know, the shuffling and moving thing.

The students were talking among themselves, and none of them, especially those who used magic, knew much about it.

It was even worse for commoners. …….

Why? It was because they had fewer opportunities to learn about it than others.

However, the case of those who specialized in swords was quite different.

-Bodhichitta…! We’ve finally started teaching something worthy of Eldain Academy! I’m so sick of theory classes……!

-Now we can become knights?!

-Wow… it’s different. I heard that other academies don’t teach it until at least the second year.

“That’s right. As you say. Normally, we don’t teach them this quickly. But this is Eldain. We have the best students here. As such, it is necessary to accelerate the curriculum of their training.”

Vernon paused for a moment, then raised his fearsome eyes.

“The first of these is the foundational technique handed down from the Imperial Family, the Step of Light.”

[Step of Light]. You can tell it’s from the Imperial Family because of its grandiose name, and the fact that it exudes a somewhat sacred aura.

It is only a foundation, but as it is strengthened, other techniques are derived from its application. It’s a path of self-discovery.

At least, that’s what the Inner Lunatic says.

“Before I teach you the [Steps of Light], I will test your objective performance. It is important to distinguish between the stages, to see where you are now. But… it’s not much fun to evaluate your individual strength.”

Vernon stretched out his arms toward the students, baring his fangs.

“From now on, you will have the opportunity to pick one of these three individuals who dueled with me a moment ago to spar. We will see how many cadets the three of you can defeat, and conversely, how the other cadets can defeat these three, the geniuses, the talents, the stars. Any objections?”

-Wait! I’m curious…….

“Of course not.”

Vernon crossed his arms, dismissing the cadet’s comment with a casual gesture.

Then he continued.

“Now, then, Leon von Marvas. Let’s start with you.”

“……I’m not confident with a sword.”

Leon gave a rare indication of his lack of confidence, but alas, it was of no use to Vernon.

“Be loud and come up. Do mages deflect attacks that come close, or do they say that mages strike last? It’s ridiculous. Mages and healers are the first ones to go to war, and they’re the ones the enemy targets first.”

“Yes…….”

“However, I will allow you to engage in any combat, as long as you use a sword. So feel free.”

Vernon’s words stunned Leon, and he quickly raised his lowered head.

He regained his composure and quickly began to focus on the battle.

‘A fearsome concentration, indeed.’

I marveled.

That black-haired, dark-green-eyed boy’s influence is inexplicable. I’d seen him in action in the past during the Demon Raid. {Ludwig arc}

I’m glad I didn’t turn him into an enemy…….

“Then I’ll pick…… the rusty von Reinhafer.”

“……?”

You asshole.

I give him credit, but he’s at it again.

Leon picked me out of the blue.

And then he said.

“If we’re going to fight, I thought you’d be the most fun.”

“Did I look funny to you?”

“No, no. Not really, I just… thought you were the strongest.”

As Leon spoke, Paracelsus and the Princess Penelope behind him. The icy gazes of Echidna, Eleanor, and others all turn to me.

Well, there goes the bombshell.

Shit.

“Forget it. Pick up your sword and stop crying when you’re beaten.”

I said it with a sneer.

No matter what. I’ve defeated Paracelsus twice, and I’m much stronger than Talia.

I’m one of the three great dark masters, and I can’t even handle a knight of the House of Knights. No, I am Nox von Reinhafer.

And you, a mage, really think you can defeat me with magic?

……That complacency was shattered in a matter of seconds.

“Then… begin!”

Vernon’s voice announced.

I felt a chill of unease as I realized that Leon still hadn’t gripped his sword.

I had to laugh out loud at the ridiculousness of what followed.

Heaaaah……!!!

“Ha.”

Leon, this bastard had used his magic to summon the undead!

Almost dozens of them, just the ones with swords!

“Are you sure that’s okay, fighting against those skeletons in a duel between divine swordsmanships?”

“Permission granted.”

……?

I narrowed my eyes in disbelief and looked at Vernon.

“Why?”

“Because I’m funny. You asshole gray-haired bastard……! Of course, that Leon guy is an asshole, but you’re especially bad. You’re the enemy of all men.”

Enemy?

With that choice of words, I was suddenly faced with a swarm of jet-black undead. Leon, you’re the most gentle-looking of the bunch, but the fiercest.

‘He was the one who attacked Sean first.’

Thinking about it, I feel a surge of anger.

I’ll have to get back at him for this.

“Come.”

I gripped the wooden sword, not my Stormbringer, and slowly powered it up.

I skip the process of channeling and then tangibilizing the power in one fell swoop. I’ve done it so many times now, it’s second nature.

It’s the undead in front of me anyway.

I can pummel that one with my fists, and these ones.

I’ll just have to smash them with my power.

Zhiying…!

The energized sword made a small noise.

Although it is a wooden sword, the blade is straight, revealing its fangs as it seeks the enemy’s blood.

With a smile, I lightly activated the Chasers Southern Sword Technique for the first time in a long time.

Chaaaaaat!

With a light sideways slash, one of the undead is decapitated in an instant.

In the ensuing moments, I stomp the ground and begin firing a series of shots.

First, I begin the process of channeling my magic. I channeled the energy into my sword and swung it at the undead.

The dozens of undead quickly began to dwindle.

Leon and I were now fully immersed in the battle.

Either his magic would run out first, or I would be defeated.

Either way.

……Of course,

though overwhelmingly likely the former.

* * *

Wiping a handkerchief through his naturally balding head, Vernon watched the ensuing battle through the sweat of his brow.

In truth, he admired Leon’s sense at first.

‘When I told him to use his sword, he immediately summoned the undead without hesitation. Moreover, the undead… every single one of them is of a high level, at least an intermediate swordsman.’

Who could summon dozens of undead that were at least intermediate swordsmen?

Naturally, there are no beings who possess such magic power, except for Penelope. In fact, it’s not even possible for her to have that kind of power unless she has strongly inherited the blood of the Arkheim imperial family.

‘So you’re not the same boy who resurrected a family that was nearly destroyed by a territorial war between families?’

The young patriarch of the Commanding House.

Leon von Marvas’s abilities were indeed overwhelming.

…… but.

Where there is a runner, there is a flier.

Celestial (above heaven).

천외천(天外天).

Outside the sky is another sky.

For every talent, there was an even greater talent.

Such was the case with Nox von Reinhafer.

He was in formidable form against Leon’s countless undead swordsmen. The old man seemed to revel in the slaughter of his enemies.

It was rare to see a knight like that, at least not one who had slain dozens of demons.

‘It’s been a while since we’ve had a monster. Damn it, if he had less hair, if he was just a little less handsome, I would have loved him!’

It would have been even better if he had shaved his head, but sadly, not many people in this age group did. Unless you have a special disease, there are very few.

But no matter how you slice it…….

Isn’t it cheating to look like that?

Vernon shook his head, feeling pity for himself and pessimism creeping in at the sight of his mysteriously bleached gray hair and faintly violet eyes.

‘This is going to be a close one.’

Vernon watched the battle with that thought in mind…….

His prediction was exactly right.

Leon and Nox.

It didn’t take long for the battle to be decided.