novelraw Chapter 126 : Final Exams (2)
Chapter 126 : Final Exams (2)
"You've seemed troubled about something since coming back from your overnight leave."
As soon as we arrived at the sparring room, I cut straight to the point.
"Yes, you knew after all."
Lee Yu-jin smiled bitterly.
"You were sighing a lot."
"I see."
I waited silently for Lee Yu-jin, who was fidgeting with her lips hesitantly.
"You know, I respect my grandfather and youngest uncle."
'Finally the time has come.'
I nodded inwardly as soon as I heard Lee Yu-jin's opening.
The significance of Lee Yu-jin voluntarily talking about her family was not trivial.
"Since childhood, I've wanted to catch up to their level, and I think I've worked hard enough. But..."
"You only realized it's not the path that suits you."
At those blunt words.
"...!"
Lee Yu-jin was startled as if she'd seen a ghost.
"H-how did you..."
"Your swordsmanship is truly excellent and mature, but I've felt for a while that it doesn't quite match your physique."
Lee Yu-jin, who was stunned and flustered, finally managed to ask.
"Then why?"
She probably meant why I hadn't told her that.
"It would be disrespectful for me, with less practice time and inferior sword mastery, to carelessly say such things to you."
I said.
"And I thought that until you felt it yourself and wanted to change, it would just be empty words."
"I see."
Lee Yu-jin looked up at me with determined eyes, as if she had made some decision.
"May I share something a bit personal?"
"Of course."
"My grandfather has made it his life's goal to reach the 'supreme sword' that no one else has trodden."
I was well aware of Sword God Lee Un-hak's almost manic obsession.
'If not in his generation, then he must absolutely achieve that purpose in the next generation.'
"And my youngest uncle simply aimed to reach the perfectly 'pure sword.'"
"Hmm."
I nodded.
'Sword Warrior Lee Cheong-myeong's purpose is, in a sense, even more dangerous than the Sword God's.'
What is a pure sword in the first place?
'He's the kind who strictly views even the application of swordsmanship using abilities as not truly pure.'
That was precisely why he felt sorry for his disciple Lee Ho-seung, who had the talent to cross swords with him but was now past his prime due to injury.
'Deep in his intimate heart, he even harbors jealousy toward Lee Yu-jin, who might surpass him at an early age by integrating abilities into her fighting.'
That setting was a secret only I knew, having watched the scenario until the very end.
"Having grown up watching those two, I naturally felt a strong compulsion to become the best with the sword as well."
"With your potential, that was entirely possible."
I said.
Tremendous perseverance, outstanding aptitude, solid fundamentals and tenacity, even physical capabilities.
Like Lee Cheong-myeong, Lee Yu-jin possessed the greatest sword talent in the third generation of the Lee family.
'The problem is that she doesn't have an ability specifically specialized in sword mastery like Lee Un-hak and Lee Cheong-myeong.'
The abilities that Lee Un-hak and Lee Cheong-myeong possessed were the kind that bestowed innate sword talent from the start.
'Especially the Sword God's Unity of Sword and Person is literally the supreme ability when it comes to swordsmanship.'
Naturally, in terms of absolute talent, Lee Yu-jin fell short of those two.
"There are so many legendary stories about my grandfather and uncle. Like how they cut through a pig's thigh bone the first time they held a sword, or how they cut more rice straw in the dojo than anyone else before turning 10... But I wasn't quite at that level."
"I see."
"I know. I don't have as much sword talent as those two. But I didn't want to admit it. I wanted their acknowledgment."
Lee Yu-jin's father, who disliked the unique atmosphere of that family that worshipped rather than merely pursued the sword, ultimately chose the path of a businessman.
But the Sword God could never accept that even Lee Yu-jin, with her brilliant talent as if born under the constellation of the sword, would make the same choice.
And once she had determined her own path, Lee Yu-jin was the type of person who would pursue the best results with all her might.
"My ability is clearly my own strength. I wanted to use it to become a stronger swordsman. But I think my uncle sees that idea as something close to cheating."
Lee Yu-jin's expression darkened.
"Sometimes I keep thinking, what if my uncle is right? Without my ability, am I nothing?"
'Is that why you fought so recklessly against Kwak Mu-jin?'
That was clearly not Lee Yu-jin's fighting style.
'She must have been carrying a lot.'
In fact, Lee Yu-jin had quite a temper.
"Listen."
"Yes."
"The reason I felt your sword doesn't quite match you is because you and those two are different from the start in physical elements like body type, muscle strength, and flexibility."
Compared to those two, she had longer legs and narrower shoulders.
Having less muscle strength but flexibility that far surpassed the two men was also Lee Yu-jin's advantage.
"Your current sword is already at a complete level. The sharpness and density of sword energy, the level of swordsmanship, all of it."
Lee Yu-jin's lips relaxed at my words.
"If you utilize your advantages to develop a more flexible and resilient sword style from there, you might even break through your current wall."
I asked Lee Yu-jin's permission and took out another practice sword from the case.
"First, I think the sword should be lighter and narrower."
"That sword...!"
Surprise flashed across Lee Yu-jin's expression.
'This is almost identical to the type of sword that Lee Yu-jin will wield in the future.'
Of course I would know the path Lee Yu-jin would eventually choose.
From Lee Yu-jin's perspective, wouldn't it be like seeing Hua Tuo of the sword world?
"Actually, when I was younger than now, I preferred this sword more."
Lee Yu-jin gripped the practice sword she hadn't held for a long time, yet was perfectly maintained.
"This length, this weight, this curve, this balance. Even now with my greatly increased physical abilities, why does my hand feel lighter and my mind more at ease when I hold this sword?"
"Because it's the sword that best matches your body type, regardless of muscle strength."
"Yes. That must be it."
Lee Yu-jin smiled softly.
"Lee Yu-jin, I don't know what circumstances Instructor Lee Ho-seung had."
'Actually, I know very well.'
"But I think I understand why he pioneered his own swordsmanship."
"What is it?"
"The Sword God's swordsmanship is so superior and complete in itself that disciples who follow it can only end up as derivatives. Only the Sword Warrior found his own methodology while following that path completely."
"...!"
"That happens because the Sword God's goal is precisely there. And you have no obligation to follow his will exactly."
I looked into Lee Yu-jin's eyes and said.
"Lee Yu-jin, your path is yours alone."
"My path is mine alone?"
Lee Yu-jin murmured those words again as if savoring them.
"I once told you you're a genius, remember? When you were facing Crusher."
"Yes."
"I meant it sincerely. A grandfather so great, an uncle building achievements no less impressive. But you have the potential to walk a path as great as those two."
"Su-hyeon."
Lee Yu-jin asked with a face that looked close to tears.
"Why do you think so highly of me?"
"I don't speak empty words."
I answered.
"However, if you want to become that great, you'll have to find that path by thinking and struggling on your own."
"Just like you did, right?"
"Hmm, answering yes to that might sound too self-praising."
Lee Yu-jin giggled at my words.
"It's true though."
"Thanks for seeing me that way."
Lee Yu-jin looked at me with a bright smile.
There was some realization reflected in that gaze.
"Thank you. I think I understand what you're saying."
Lee Yu-jin adjusted her grip on the practice sword.
"Will you spar with me a bit?"
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Clang clang clang!
"Kuk!"
Su-hyeon, crossing swords with Lee Yu-jin, distorted his breathing at the heart-shaking penetrating scene.
'Now!'
Using that momentary stiffness, Lee Yu-jin feigned slashing at his wrist to draw out Su-hyeon's reaction, then changed trajectory and stopped her sword right in front of Su-hyeon's shoulder.
"That's good."
Su-hyeon smiled.
"With your changed tactics, it feels much trickier."
"That's just because you're going easy on me."
"Not at all."
Su-hyeon shrugged.
"You're much more flexible and difficult than before. And most of all, I like that you're using your ability without hesitation."
"That seems right."
As Su-hyeon said.
Lee Yu-jin more actively used the kendo method of clashing swords at middle level, pressing down the opponent's sword and thus suppressing the opening.
'The so-called wrestling element in swordsmanship.'
"No one will be better at this kind of operation than you. Because you have the cheat-level ability of Mana Penetration."
Su-hyeon said.
"Wanting to become an excellent swordsman even without an ability is your admirable will. However, maximizing the gift given to you is your duty. Don't be dragged by your uncle's thinking. It's your path."
"Yes. You're right."
"And honestly speaking, both the Sword God and Sword Warrior reached deeper levels because they awakened sword-related abilities, right?"
Lee Yu-jin nodded at those words.
"I think that's correct."
"But I think your ability is much trickier. It's not just your only unique weapon, but an extremely powerful one."
Su-hyeon pointed to his throbbing heart and said.
"Anyone who crosses swords with you will inevitably fear touching you. And that will manifest as tactics that are extremely wary of entering your range to fight."
That advantage—opponents can't come in, but you can.
Moreover, after clashing swords once, the opponent would inevitably feel fear about crossing blades with Lee Yu-jin—that unfairness as well.
'If I had such an ability now, I could probably take down even high-ranking Ma-in above A-rank.'
Su-hyeon thought.
"So let me ask again. Who finds it easier to take the initiative in a fight in this case?"
Lee Yu-jin smiled.
"Me."
"That's right. I envy your ability. Anyone would."
"Do you really envy my ability, Su-hyeon?"
"Sometimes."
Su-hyeon nodded.
"An opponent who will inevitably take damage just by clashing swords. You need to understand the difficulty of facing such an opponent. Only then can you know what kind of fight is unpleasant from their perspective and apply it."
Looking at Lee Yu-jin as she nodded, Su-hyeon suddenly rubbed his chin.
"Hmm. Was I nagging too much?"
"No. It was a very important time."
"I'm glad to hear that. Think and experiment to your heart's content."
"Thank you, Su-hyeon."
Lee Yu-jin said, full of sincerity.
"I'll do my best."
"Yes, let's both do our best."
'It's already this late?'
Su-hyeon, leaving the sparring room, headed to the strength training room to go through his evening fitness routine.
'It's certainly an unprecedented pace for Lee Yu-jin to make this much progress even before the final exams begin.'
It was enough to make even a dry stagnant waters player's heart race.
'In the latter part, Lee Yu-jin's sword with all potential unleashed was truly strong.'
A smile appeared on Su-hyeon's face.
'She was amazing even without abilities, but what's truly frightening is when she fully utilizes her ability with that sword. When that happens, she really becomes an overpowered character.'
Ordinary close-combat types couldn't escape being like mice before a cat in front of Lee Yu-jin.
'In terms of martial arts novels, Lee Yu-jin has the quality to become a 'Grand Master.' She just hadn't learned the right sword style.'
And now, the foundation of the Lee Yu-jin style was beginning to be laid.
Su-hyeon smiled contentedly, imagining how the future Lee Yu-jin would contribute to clearing the game.
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That night.
Even in her dreams, Lee Yu-jin was swinging her sword, deeply immersed in the newly opened horizon of swordsmanship with no way out.
"...Thank you, Su-hyeon."
'...Thank you for what??'
Only Song Yu-ha, who heard that sleep talk, was indulging in unnecessary fantasies.
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And finally.
The final exams that would mark the culmination of the semester drew near.