Episode 50. The Sun’s Swordsman (2)

Yuren Helios.

The descendant of Reynaldo Helios, the leader of the Five Great Heroes and the “Sun’s Swordsman.”

A genius swordsman who overwhelmed his own master with a sword at the mere age of 10.

The sword bestowed by the seven gods, the reincarnation of the Sun’s Swordsman, the rebirth of Reynaldo, and so on.

There were too many words to describe him.

From a young age, Yuren, who had the attention of the entire continent, lived up to that attention by displaying incredible skills that were unimaginable for his age, making his name known.

People praised him, saying that a genius had appeared to save the Helios Family, which had been slowly declining over the past 500 years.

But as they say, tragedy always follows genius.

When Yuren was 12, his younger sister, Yurina Helios, died in an accident.

The cause of death was a fall.

It was a tragedy that occurred on the Spirit Mountain, where the past heads of the Helios Family were buried.

Devastated by his sister’s death, Yuren even let go of the sword he had never let go of, stopped all external activities, and shut himself in his house.

Three years later.

While gossips who loved to spread rumors were excitedly talking about how the light of hope for the Helios Family had gone out, or how the sun had set,

Yuren broke his three-year silence and finally revealed himself.

The place where he reappeared was the annual Imperial Swordsmanship Tournament.

At just 15 years old, Yuren proudly took second place in the Imperial Swordsmanship Tournament, announcing his presence to the continent.

From then on, he continued to rise.

At 18, he entered the Reynaldo Hero School as the top of his class and never missed the first place in the overall evaluation of candidates, solidifying his position as the descendant of the “Sun’s Swordsman.”

But then.

This genius swordsman, who could be called an elite among elites.

“Teach me swordsmanship!”

If someone saw him bowing his head to a bottom-ranked candidate and asking to be taught swordsmanship, what would they think?

‘They’d probably think they’re dreaming.’

Honestly, that’s exactly how I felt right now.

‘Well, I was planning to teach him anyway, even if he didn’t ask.’

Who would have thought Yuren would be the one to ask me to teach him swordsmanship?

And even bow his head to a classmate he had only sparred with once in a non-magic duel.

“Teach you swordsmanship?”

“Yeah. I’ll do whatever you want as a reward.”

“Well… it’s not that I need a reward, but are you really okay with this?”

“…What do you mean, okay?”

“If it gets out that the top of the class is learning swordsmanship from the bottom, the school will go crazy.”

“I don’t care.”

Yuren answered with a determined expression.

‘Even in my past life, I knew how passionate he was about swords, but it’s even more intense now.’

I shook my head as I looked at Yuren.

“I don’t mind teaching you, but don’t go around talking about it.”

If it got out that he was learning swordsmanship from me, it would obviously damage Yuren’s reputation.

I didn’t want to be a burden to my only friend, even if I couldn’t help him.

“…Thank you, Dale.”

Yuren smiled brightly, like a castaway finding an oasis in a dry desert.

“So, what should I do first?”

“Hmm…”

After thinking for a moment, I looked around the training grounds and said,

“First, swing your sword like you do when you practice alone.”

“Like when I practice?”

“Yeah. Use your magic power too.”

“Got it.”

Yuren, who had moved to the center of the training grounds, slowly took a deep breath with his sword in both hands.

Whoooosh!

Magic power spread throughout his body, and an aura rose from the blade he was holding.

A brilliant golden aura worthy of the title of the descendant of the “Sun’s Swordsman”…

‘Huh?’

I tilted my head as I looked at the golden aura burning around Yuren’s sword.

‘Was it always that pale?’

In my memory, Yuren’s aura was much more vivid and brilliant, but now it seemed faint, as if mixed with water.

‘Well, maybe it changed later.’

It’s not uncommon for the color of the aura to change as one’s level increases, so there’s no need to worry about it.

‘The color of the aura isn’t important in swordsmanship.’

I smiled as I watched Yuren concentrating with his sword.

‘It’s been a while since I’ve seen this.’

I used to love watching Yuren train with his sword like this.

Just watching was enough to get lost in it.

The swordsmanship that unfolded from Yuren’s hands was incredibly beautiful.

“I’ll start.”

Yuren’s sword drew a graceful line as it cut through the air.

The sword strikes were so clean that you could feel how intensely he had trained.

As I watched the golden aura beautifully embroidering the air, I clenched my fist.

‘It’s Yuren’s sword.’

A sword that captivates just by looking at it.

Graceful enough to make your heart tremble, noble enough to make your heart ache.

The sword of my one and only friend.

‘Of course, compared to Yuren’s swordsmanship in my past life, it’s still lacking.’

But still.

I knew.

Only I knew.

The swordsman before me would become a sun that shines even brighter than Reynaldo Helios, who was called the “Sun’s Swordsman” 500 years ago.

“Haa!”

With a short shout, the aura from Yuren’s sword burst out.

Boom!

The entire training ground was engulfed in a loud noise, as if thunder had struck.

I made a disgusted face as I watched the golden aura swirling like a storm.

‘No matter when I see it, his magic power is ridiculously huge.’

I heard that Yuren had much more magic power than others from the moment he first awakened his Holy Mark.

‘And he probably grew up eating all kinds of elixirs that boost magic power.’

Natural magic power, full support from his family,

and finally, consistent magic power training through breathing techniques.

That’s why Yuren, at just 20 years old, had more magic power than most professors, let alone his peers.

‘Talent, effort, and support all came together.’

It’s no wonder he ended up with such an absurd amount of magic power.

Whoosh! Bang! Slash!

About five more minutes passed.

The silver that had been beautifully embroidering the air faded away.

“Phew. I did as you said, how was it?”

“Excellent.”

Indeed, Yuren was a genius swordsman, and his skills were outstanding.

“Excellent? I couldn’t even properly counter you and lost.”

“Well…”

No matter how much of a genius Yuren was,

he couldn’t compare to me, who had trained with a sword for hundreds, thousands of years.

‘It’s like comparing a baby who just started walking to a full-grown adult.’

Of course, from Yuren’s perspective, who didn’t know that, I must have seemed like some kind of god of swordsmanship.

‘From my perspective, it’s better if he thinks that way.’

Just like how the same words sound different depending on the professor’s specs,

the more Yuren thinks I’m amazing, the easier it will be to teach him swordsmanship.

‘Should I take it a step further?’

I smiled and looked at Yuren.

“Alright. Then let’s spar once more.”

“Okay.”

“This time, let’s use magic power.”

“…Use magic power?”

Yuren stiffened and trailed off.

He looked at me cautiously and continued.

“It’s a bit awkward to say this but…”

“The difference in our magic power is too big, right?”

“Ah, yeah. That… sorry.”

“Sorry for what? Having a lot of magic power also affects swordsmanship.”

Didn’t you feel it when you experienced the “Fire God” state?

‘Magic power and swordsmanship are inseparable.’

Yuren said that if he reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship, he could create miracles with pure swordsmanship alone, without magic power.

‘But you’re wrong about this, Yuren.’

Without magic power, it’s impossible to even reach the “pinnacle” of swordsmanship.

‘Thinking about it, it’s obvious.’

Trying to reach the pinnacle without magic power is like trying to fly without wings.

‘Of course, having magic power alone doesn’t mean you can reach the pinnacle.’

But it’s also true that no matter how much you train in pure swordsmanship, you can’t reach that level.

“If you say so… alright.”

Yuren nodded and pointed his sword at me.

The golden aura burning along the blade.

I stood in front of Yuren and drew my sword.

And then.

Clash.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The clear sound of metal echoed as the golden aura and the gray aura intertwined.

“Ugh…!”

Every time my sword clashed with Yuren’s, the flesh on my palm tore, and a dizzying pain spread.

“Maybe it’s better not to use magic power…”

“Stop talking nonsense and fight properly.”

I charged at Yuren, gathering all the magic power in my body.

Boom!

The training ground shook as if an earthquake had occurred.

“Huh?!”

At first, Yuren, with his overwhelming magic power, fiercely pushed me back, but gradually, he started to be pushed back.

“What is this…?”

Yuren’s eyes widened in shock.

He looked down at his sword, wrapped in a golden aura, as if he couldn’t believe it.

The difference in magic power between him and Dale was clear just by looking at the amount of aura on their swords.

‘My sword should be much faster and stronger…!’

So why is it me who’s being pushed back, not Dale?

“That’s enough for today.”

“Ah, I can still go on!”

“I said that’s enough, right?”

“Ugh…”

“Don’t be impatient. Swordsmanship isn’t something you can learn overnight, right?”

“That’s… true.”

I sheathed my sword and swallowed hard, making sure Yuren didn’t notice.

‘Damn, this guy is really something.’

I was trying to act as if nothing was wrong in front of Yuren,

but honestly, I wasn’t in great shape either.

‘I almost made a fool of myself trying to show off.’

If the spar had lasted one more minute… no, 30 more seconds, it would have been me who was pushed back, not Yuren.

“Tell me. How can I… wield a sword like you?”

Yuren asked in a voice that sounded almost desperate.

“How can you wield a sword like me, huh…”

Who would have thought I’d hear such a question from Yuren?

‘Well, I can’t just tell him to train for a few thousand years.’

I searched through my past life memories and came up with something plausible.

‘Ah, that’ll do.’

I smiled slightly and spoke softly.

“Think about where the sword wants to go, not you.”

“Not me… but where the sword wants to go?”

“Yeah.”

“What does that mean? The sword isn’t a living being, so how can I know where it wants to go?”

I don’t know either, kid.

‘How about that? You’re about to lose your mind too, right?’

I chuckled as I watched Yuren, who was lost in thought with a serious expression.

I felt like I had succeeded in a small revenge (?), and it made me feel good for no reason.

“You don’t have to understand it right away…”

“…Ah!”

Then, a soft exclamation escaped Yuren’s lips.

He trembled and clenched his fist tightly.

“Ah, ah! That, that’s what it meant! I get it now!”

“What?”

You get it?

‘How did you figure that out?’

I don’t even know.