Chapter 2:
Chapter 2:
The Sword.
The essence of swordsmanship, capable of even cleaving through steel.
Just the ability to unleash such formidable technique granted one a position of strength among the “Academy Heroes.”
Even in the prestigious Privia Academy, only a few individuals, including the protagonist and a favored few with extraordinary talent, had reached the level of mastery in swordplay.
In that sense, Philip could be considered qualified to be an academy instructor.
“But strictly speaking, this isn’t truly mine.”
He merely acted based on what his body remembered, without fully comprehending the depths of his capabilities.
Can one truly explain what they do not understand?
Philip could assert with certainty that it was impossible.
While he could deceive the students to some extent, the same couldn’t be said for fellow instructors or professors who held higher positions.
Of course, given enough time, the problem could be solved.
However, Philip was only given a mere week.
Within that time frame, catching up mentally to the level of his body was nearly impossible, if not entirely so.
“If it comes to this, it might be necessary.”
One item came to Philip’s mind.
It could potentially be a desperate move or, perhaps, the ultimate solution.
If everything went according to plan, Philip could buy himself the needed time.
* * *
It had been quite a while since Philip played “Academy Heroes.”
Although he was a seasoned player who had completed all the challenges, memory leaks were inevitable.
However, there were memories that remained etched in his mind, refusing to fade away even after all that time.
Philip believed that one of those memories might be the key to saving himself.
“Where could it be?”
In a secluded area near the academy, on the slope of an unnamed peak that couldn’t be precisely pinpointed, Philip was searching for an item.
“I have to find it today at least. I’m really running out of time.”
Rough branches scratched his sleeves, and cuts and scratches appeared on his exposed hands and cheeks, but Philip didn’t stop as he rummaged through the bushes.
Fortunately, Philip had a sturdy physique.
Having trained with a sword since his childhood, his body was in exceptional shape. Even if he lived a reckless lifestyle, it surpassed the average person’s physique.
“In the story, they always come to the class I’m in.”
‘They’ referred to the protagonists of this world, the playable characters, so to speak, in Philip’s terms. Having cleared the game multiple times, Philip knew how important they were.
Today was March 4th. In three days, on March 7th, the twin siblings with brown hair among the incoming freshmen would arrive.
One of them would definitely be the protagonist of this world.
Players could choose either the boy or the girl as the protagonist, and the unchosen one would leave the Privia Academy, becoming a disciple of Illok-seena, a great sage and a close friend of the academy’s headmaster.
In comparison, the chosen protagonist for the player had to endure Philip’s maliciousness throughout the semester, making friends and growing stronger, only to confront and drive out Philip by the end of the vacation.
Normally, Philip’s story would end here.
However, Philip never intended to become unemployed so early.
“Forget about not causing trouble, first I need to acquire the ability to teach the kids if I don’t want to get kicked out.”
The role of a mentor was to teach. If the teacher’s instruction was unsatisfactory, it was only natural to be expelled, and it would not be a problem caused by the students.
That was why Philip was currently searching for the “Chatterbox Sword Neria,” the item he needed.
Originally, it was an item that was useless for normal players. It was a trash item that dramatically increased the “stress” parameter, the most important parameter, instead of increasing the “swordsmanship proficiency” at an accelerated rate.
In the game, it was an item that was always discarded at the dismantling station whenever it was obtained. However, Philip was in desperate need of it at that moment.
That was the only “Narcissistic Sword” that could be obtained at that point in time.
That sword was buried somewhere in this mountain.
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“Oh. Oh!”
Philip soon discovered a clue about the Chatterbox Sword Neria.
Originally, the location was determined randomly, but perfect randomness doesn’t exist in games.
Even the spawn locations followed certain rules.
For a gaming enthusiast like Philip, those rules were more familiar than traffic laws.
“I think it was near a rock shaped like a squirrel.”
Recalling the dialogue dropped by a character in the game, Philip began searching the nearby area.
Soon, he found a sword in a pit beneath a shallow stream. It was in a desolate state, and could be presumed as a rusty blade.
“So, this is the legendary…”
Philip closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He only knew vaguely what would happen if he drew this sword.
If the owner didn’t please the sword’s spirit, the owner’s stress level would skyrocket in an instant.
Knowing how crucial stress levels were in the game, Philip couldn’t dare ignore this information.
Prepared, Philip tightly closed his eyes and drew the sword, and soon a resolute voice echoed in his mind.
‘Oh, handsome oppa. Are you Neria’s new owner?’
It was a lively and cute girl’s voice.
Philip thought for a moment.
It wasn’t anything special.
However, he found the voice adorable to listen to.
But he soon realized that it was a ridiculous misunderstanding.
‘Oh my goodness, I can’t believe it! After waiting for such a long time, I finally met a master who conquered Neria’s heart. Up until now, all the owners were unattractive and wicked ajummas and ajoshis, so Neria was so miserable and had a hard time. It’s unbelievable that such a handsome oppa is now Neria’s owner. I can’t believe it. Thank you, I love you. From now on, Neria will be a good girl and stay with you for a long, long time. Promise me that you won’t abandon Neria. Do you understand?’
“Damn it!”
Philip had to hastily throw this sword away, which was causing a commotion.
‘Whoa! Please don’t throw it away! Please! Master! Oppa!’
The discarded sword bounced on the spot as if possessed by a ghost.
‘How on earth did those kids manage to handle something like her?’
Philip felt a sense of respect even towards the children who managed to handle the talkative Neria.
Philip calmed his mind and picked up the Narcissistic Sword once again.
The sword trembled, giving an illusion as if it was crying.
‘Why! Why did you suddenly throw me away like that?’
“I… I’m sorry. I was a little surprised.”
When Philip apologized, it seemed like Neria’s mood relaxed a bit. It could be seen from the fact that the trembling of the sword stopped.
‘… Is that so? When people are surprised, they can do things like that. Neria is understanding because she has a broad heart. But please don’t throw Neria like that again.’
“Okay, I promise.”
‘Hmm, anyway, oppa, you’ve passed. You have enough qualifications to handle Neria. You have talent, and you’re handsome too. Lastly, I was worried because the place where I was abandoned happened to be near the academy, and I was afraid I might end up in the hands of some child.’
“… Why?”
‘Well, that girl had no sense at all… Ahem! Neria is not children’s type. Neria is liked by handsome and beautiful older siblings.’
Philip now seemed to know the secret of the Narcissistic Sword, which was nothing more than trash.
The reason why stress levels rose when children held this sword.
It was simply because the sword had a picky taste.
Fortunately, it seemed that Philip came in the category of sword’s preference.
“I’m glad you like it. I needed your help.”
‘Help?’
“Well, you see….”
Philip explained his situation with a slight exaggeration.
Due to losing his memory, all knowledge of swordsmanship had completely disappeared.
And as soon as the story of having to teach the children starting in a week was over, Neria seemed to understand.
‘It’s not a particularly difficult task. However! There are conditions.’
“Conditions? What conditions?”
Philip pondered for a moment.
Perhaps it might be better to bury the Narcissistic Sword, which was nothing but a headache, in a place where no one could find it, and spend a week training.
‘It’s not particularly difficult! First, please clean Neria thoroughly. And when you sleep, you must have Neria by your side.’
Since it wasn’t a particularly difficult condition, Philip agreed to it.
He began to descend, holding Neria in his hand.
* * *
After cleaning himself up, Philip lay on the bed in his pajamas.
It was still eleven in the morning, so it was too early to take a nap.
“Is this the right thing?”
Philip pondered for a long time, but at that point, there was no other way but to listen to the Narcissistic Sword’s words.
Chatterbox Neria demanded that Philip place her body, the sword, on his chest before falling asleep.
“Even if you swing the sword alone, Master, it will be of no use.”
“… Why on earth?”
‘Practicing alone is to familiarize your body with the movements, but you, Master, are the opposite. Your body is skilled in swordsmanship, but your mind cannot keep up. Just trust Neria and surrender your body. Now, close your eyes and relax your mind. Come on, hurry.’
It was a voice that seeped into Philip’s subconscious, like a hypnotist.
Philip slowly closed his eyes.
‘What do you see?’
Philip replied absentmindedly.
“I don’t see anything.”
‘That’s your future, Master.’
{TN:- Lol.}
“What did you say?”
‘It was just Neria’s cute prank! Now, what do you see?’
As she said, the once darkened vision gradually became hazy and sought light.
Soon, a white background appeared, with a dirty floor that stretched endlessly before him.
And there, a shadow, or to be precise, a person’s shadow appeared.
The shadow swayed randomly like a will-o’-the-wisp before eventually rising from the ground. Then, it seemed to slowly regain its original form.
‘Now, what do you see?’
“… I see a woman who looks like a mercenary.”
The shadow regained its color and volume, transforming into a mercenary woman with a pale, ashen skin. She held a shortsword slightly shorter than a human arm and wore leather armor.
‘Is she pretty?’
“She has a strong and rough appearance, which looks good in a healthy way.”
The woman had a thick and rugged impression.
Neria snorted softly.
‘Hmph, that old hag was like a wild boar and had no charm. Anyway, I am in your hands, Master. And that old hag will perceive you as a threat to the safety of her family, friends, and her own survival. She’ll come at you as if to kill. What should we do then?’
In such a situation, there was only one option.
“… We have to fight.”
As Philip muttered those words, the mercenary woman fiercely swung her shortsword. The distinct fierceness of a mercenary seemed to pierce Philip’s skin.
In an instant, Philip grasped the woman’s center of gravity.
“The weight is overly concentrated on her front foot, despite the force behind her strikes. With this, I’ve won.”
In the next moment, Philip moved and effortlessly deflected the woman’s shortsword.
Now, he aimed for one of the woman’s exposed vulnerabilities and swung his sword, knowing that the fight would be over.
However, Philip couldn’t move the sword.
“…. Haa.”
He couldn’t catch his breath, and a shock that surpassed the word “pain” shook his body and mind.
The mercenary woman’s right foot had struck his groin accurately.
At that moment, Philip woke up from the short-lived dream.
“….”
He didn’t scream, nor did tears flow.
He just tightly closed his eyes and endured the pain.
Neria marveled at his superhuman willpower.
‘Are you okay?’
Philip couldn’t answer that question. He felt like the suppressed scream would burst out the moment he opened his mouth.
‘… That old hag is Neria’s sixth owner. She was the weakest and most despicable owner among those who possessed Neria. She lived as a spinster until her forties, betrayed by a man she played with at a tavern and ended up dying.’
“I didn’t want to know all that.”
Philip, who had barely escaped from the pain, raised his head.
“So, you’re saying that I can summon those who were your owners in my dreams and gain combat experience?”
‘That’s right! If you train like this during the remaining time, you might achieve some results.’
“… But the pain can’t be reduced?”
‘Neria doesn’t know how to do that.’
Listening to the shameless voice of the Narcissistic Sword, Philip had a hunch.
It would undoubtedly be the most challenging week of his life.
————
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