Chapter 111: Sword Saint
First, the Principals office.
Ethan headed quickly to the Principals office.
He had been told to come see the Principal after class.
He probably wants to talk about the final competition between departments.
Classes were over for today, and there was about a week left now.
Knock knock knock.
Ethan knocked three times on the door.
Principal, this is Ethan Whiskers.
Wait there for a moment! Teacher Ethan!
No, come on in.
A different voice.
Ethan was a little confused, but went ahead and opened the door to the Principals office a crack and entered.
The Principal had a rather flustered look on his face. And there was another person in front of him.
It was an old man with white hair and a long beard covering his entire chin.
It must be you.
When the old man stood up from his seat, Ethan suddenly felt like a mountain was rising up.
Swishhh-.
In an instant, an aura burst out from the old man, aimed precisely at Ethan.
Zzziing-.
It was an incredibly powerful aura, almost suffocating.
Ugh.
-Survival probability temporarily decreased!
An intense mana that seemed to pierce Ethans whole body washed over him.
At the same time, strength entered Ethans whole body. Pressure as if he had to draw a sword just to withstand it.
However, Ethan calmly regulated his breathing without showing it.
These mana fluctuations came from the aura of that old man.
A power that directly strikes the body and shakes the mind as well.
So it could easily be offset with Heros Breathing.
-Heros Breathing proficiency greatly increased!
-Survival probability returned to normal.
Seeing Ethan withstand it nonchalantly, the old man looked at him with interested eyes.
Ethan saw the old man casually put his body down. At the old mans waist was a sword sheath with no decorations.
Activating the Eye of Horus, Ethan could see what would have happened if the old man had swung his sword.
It was a kind of simulation.
Checking how Ethan would have blocked it if the old man had swung his sword.
-Eye of Horus proficiency greatly increased.
His eyes burned as if on fire, but his proficiency increased.
I know who he is now. Damn.
He couldnt help but mutter to himself.
I guess you know now? I didnt mean not to give it to you. Well, since you asked me for it, I probably would have given it to you if it was reasonable, but I dont just give this to anyone.
The old man was called the Sword Saint.
Ciron Ramsdales grandfather.
Sword Saint Zed Ramsdale.
Seeing Ethan withstand the Sword Saints aura without issue, the Principal, who had looked anxious, smiled as if relieved.
To be honest, he thought Ethan wouldnt be able to take it.
But Ethan withstood the Sword Saints intimidation.
And he did it without seeming particularly disturbed.
Intimidation that could even kill a person.
It wasnt something a new teacher could withstand.
But he withstood it flawlessly.
Sorry about that, Teacher Ethan. I suddenly had a guest visit, you see. He really just showed up out of the blue without notice.
Of course, he figured the Sword Saint would visit at least once this year.
Since the Sword Saint had strongly recommended his grandson, Ciron Ramsdale, who didnt get the top spot, and hadnt stood out much since being appointed teacher either.
Someone else had gotten the top spot, and was also the most prominent of Ivecar Academys new teachers, not him.
So of course the Sword Saint would be upset from his perspective.
His grandson had entered, yet there was no talk of his grandson at all.
Thats what he had come to protest today. And he was also curious about who exactly had gotten the top spot.
Ethan Whiskers, the genius swordsman of the Whiskers family? Who the hell is he to push aside his grandson and take first place?
He said hed come check for himself.
That was what had been happening right before Ethan arrived.
The Principal who didnt know the Sword Saint was coming had called for Ethan, so hed hurriedly told Ethan to wait.
Ghost Sword, I wondered if youd done something shady. I wouldnt just do what someone asked because they requested it. Thats why I deliberately educated Ciron properly before sending him.
Clearly, Ciron Ramsdales skills were outstanding.
If Ethan hadnt been there, he definitely would have surpassed Iris Paqueta and securely taken the top spot.
Even if the Principal didnt want to give it to him, he would have had no choice.
Seeing you in person, its clearly different. Youve got some sincerity, Ill give you that. Just bracing yourself as if its nothing?
From what I hear, you seem to be the Sword Saint.
Thats right, this white-haired old man is the Sword Saint known by that grand nickname.
No matter how great a Sword Saint you are, I dont think its appropriate to release your aura at someone you just met.
Ethans voice contained deep displeasure.
The Sword Saints eyes widened noticeably.
After bracing that incredible aura flawlessly, he was unharmed and even looking at the Sword Saint with displeased eyes.
Such a case was so rare for the Sword Saint.
Oh-ho.
The Sword Saint was a symbolic figure for swordsmen.
The highest place among those who made a name for themselves with the sword belonged to the Sword Saint.
While there may have been those stronger than the Sword Saint, none could match his depth of the sword.
Thats why being tested by the Sword Saint, or bracing his aura, was considered a great honor by those who did so.
As a result, the Sword Saint found Ethans reaction very refreshing.
For a child of a provincial noble house from the Whiskers territory, youve got quite the momentum.
Sword Saint.
Ethan cut off the Sword Saints words.
The Sword Saints eyebrows twitched in an instant.
You havent apologized yet.
Ethan knew.
This Sword Saint was as obsessed with the strong as Freya Academys crazy Principal.
Ethan was certain.
Having seen him brace the aura without issue just now, even if he was a little cheeky the Sword Saint wouldnt immediately draw his sword.
But I cant just let this slide.
The Sword Saint was mighty.
And most of the time, when dealing with the Sword Saint, you had no choice but to get caught in his pace.
Thats why Ethan went strongly.
Seeing Ethan suddenly take a firm stance, the one more surprised than the Sword Saint was actually the Principal.
Uh, Teacher Ethan?
Certainly, the Sword Saint had breached etiquette with his actions. But no one could point out the Sword Saints mistake.
Because the Sword Saint was mighty.
Not being able to recklessly deal with the mighty was natural, but that rationale didnt apply to Ethan.
Seeing Ethan waiting for the Sword Saints words, the Principal stepped forward.
Then, after the Sword Saint had been staring at Ethan for a while, he opened his mouth.
My apologies. I went a bit too far. I was quite curious about how great your skills are. In my eyes, they always seem lacking, but still, that worthless grandson shouldnt fall behind his peer swordsmen.
Then he sincerely apologized.
The Principals eyes widened.
Could the Sword Saint really be apologizing?
I had to test you.
I understand, Sword Saint.
Ethan, who had just shown signs of discomfort, responded with a slight smile. Sword Saints lips twitched at his attitude.
Having received the apology, Ethans behavior seemed to imply that there was no need for a stubborn attitude anymore.
You seem more shrewd than I thought, despite being quite young.
Saying so, Sword Saint glanced at the Principal. The Principal, too, chuckled while looking at the Sword Saint.
Ethan is certainly different from ordinary teachers.
Understanding Principals gaze as if saying, Do you understand now? Sword Saint laughed deeply again.
Ethan, child.
Then, with a truly apologetic expression and spreading his arms, he opened his mouth.
I was rude to you, so youre in a position to ask me for something if you want. As a gesture of apology, Ill grant you one wish.
Principal looked at Sword Saint with astonished eyes.
The face as if this old man had gone mad.
The Sword Saint, whose pride reached to the heavens, not only apologizing but even offering compensation?
Old man, what are you doing to our teacher?
What are you talking about, old man this and that. Were both old. What does it look like Im doing? Im going to compensate that Ethan you cherish so much. As an apology.
The Principal immediately grasped the Sword Saints intention.
When young swordsmen met the Sword Saint, there was only one thing they would request.
To be shown a move.
Having the Sword Saint demonstrate swordsmanship held unimaginable significance.
The Sword Saint was an incredible swordsman, praised as having reached the pinnacle of the sword.
To demonstrate swordsmanship to such a swordsman and receive evaluation?
It was more than a simple evaluation. Naturally, the Sword Saints advice would come along with it.
How his current swordsmanship was, and if there were any deficiencies, what they were, so he could receive corrections and supplements together.
And above all, the most important thing was being able to perceive the Sword Saints swordsmanship.
Seeing high-level swordsmanship held meaning just in itself.
As a result, some young swordsmen would pay millions just to be shown a move by the Sword Saint.
The Principal immediately grasped the Sword Saints intention. To get Ethan to request to be shown a move this way, and properly assess Ethans skill.
He wanted to see how skilled Ethan was, having effortlessly braced his aura and even forced an apology out of the Sword Saint.
It was a very pure desire swordsmen held.
How strong is he!?
What kind of swordsmanship does he wield!?
Moreover, didnt Ethan push aside Ciron Ramsdale and take first place?
From the Sword Saints position, it was only natural to be curious.
Teacher Ethan, theres no need to feel undue pressure. I called you because I had something to discuss, unrelated to the Sword Saint. This old man suddenly showing up was an accident.
Dont worry about the Ghost Swords business. If theres something you want, speak up. If its something I can grant, Ill surely grant it.
Saying so, the Sword Saint subtly touched the sword sheath at his waist. It was an extremely obvious, overt signal.
Ethans eyes met the Sword Saints.
With that, the Sword Saint seemed to think Ethan would know what to request.
Since youre offering to grant a request, I have no reason to refuse.
Go ahead and speak.
The Principal sighed.
It was already too late. He should have firmly handled this so Ethan wouldnt get hurt, just in case.
The Sword Saint whose eyes had gone wild after seeing Ethans talent might end up hurting Teacher Ethan, Ivecars newfound treasure.
If Ethan got hurt now, it would cause tremendous disruption to future events.
Please come give a guest lecture for my class.
Of course I can do that, naturally Ill go right to the training grounds and Huh?
Let me say it again. Please come give a guest lecture for my class.
For a moment, the Sword Saint was visibly confused.
The Principal was the same.
He wondered if he had misheard, but when Ethan repeated it he knew he had heard correctly.
Hahahahaha-!
The Principal couldnt hold in his laughter.
Meanwhile, the Sword Saint could only blink blankly.
Author's Thoughts
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