Academy's Genius Swordmaster

Chapter 3: Coward Aselle (1)<

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Aselle was having another hellish day today. He was deeply regretting not being able to resist his friends persuasion. He wished he had even used the excuse of being sick, but it was always like this.

Yeah! Even if you brought the money, its okay to get hit!

Um, I really dont have any money!

In return, Aselle had to watch as he was mixed among the group and witness the sight of a young coward being beaten up. The small child was crouched round, taking the hits as if he were a ball.

Then, How are you going to pay for your sick mothers medicine, huh?

W-well, thats!

The reasons he was being beaten were incomprehensible. Recently, his mothers illness had worsened, and most of their expenses went towards her medication. Despite his gangs primarily orphaned background, they didnt value the cowards filial piety.

Hey, you dont even need a mother to take care of you to live well. What are you trying to do, cling to some dying woman soon, huh?

Wouldnt it ease your conscience a bit if you think about the cost of raising a mother?

Even after hearing insults he couldnt bear, the child couldnt say a word. Aselle clenched his fist and muttered.

Fool.

It was a word said to himself, not just to the child. The reason he, who was very small and skinny, wasnt a target for the delinquents was solely due to his talent. He didnt have the courage to endure violence or bullying.

Aselle prayed. Since stopping it was impossible anyway, he just hoped the savage violence would end quickly. He hoped his name wouldnt be called.

But life doesnt usually go as planned.

Hey, Aselle! Give this kid a taste of your magic.

Hans, who played the role of a leader, called him with a big breath. At that moment, all the delinquents stopped what they were doing and turned their heads towards Aselle.

Aselle felt like a heavy stone was dropped onto his heart. He maintained a blank expression and nodded.

Heheheek! You want a taste of his magic?!

Please! Not magic! Please! Just spare me!

Master magician! Hes a magician! Please have mercy!

The coward knelt down in a panic, holding onto Aselles trouser leg, tears streaming down his face. Aselle closed his eyes tightly and began to chant a spell.

Invisible Hand.

The cowards body began to rise slowly.

No! Please stop!

An invisible hand was gripping the coward, lifting him up. Cheers erupted from all around. His body, slowly ascending, soon reached a height where a fall would cause significant harm. However, the delinquents only goaded Aselle further.

Heh heh, no matter how many times you see it, its amazing. Lets hang him from a treetop!

Please let me down! Please! Please bring me down!

Aselle twisted his lips. His seemingly worthless talent felt like a curse. If he had known it would come to this, he wouldnt have even jokingly bought one of those magic books that peddlers sold. If he hadnt been born in this remote village, could his talent have been used more effectively?

His hands trembled. In a moment of distraction, he felt like he might drop the coward. His magic was still feeble and unstable. Aselle let out a silent scream. Please, someone intervene!

Enough, bring him down.

Out of nowhere, an unfamiliar voice intervened from behind.

What the hell?

You.. you!

The crowd fell quiet in an instant, like cold water had been poured over them. Even Hans, who wouldnt be fazed if he got hit by a stone on the road, was left speechless.

Whats going on? Aselle managed to turn his head slightly to look behind him. There stood a lawless figure from Nimbuten.

Ronan spoke again.

I said bring him down.

Aselle felt a shiver run down his spine. There was something in the dry voice that was unnerving.

Unbeknownst to him, his lips were moving as he slowly lowered the coward. Hans reached out and grabbed Aselles shoulder.

Hey, what are you doing?

Huh?

Youre bringing him down because he told you to? Do you take me for a pushover?

Th-thats not it

Raise him up again.

Aselle swallowed hard. The coward began to rise again. Seeing this, Ronan chuckled coldly. Hans, who had walked over, stopped right in front of Ronan.

Ronan, long time no see.

Yeah, Hans, its been a while.

Why are you suddenly butting in? Youd usually just stay quiet and sulk.

The perpetually scowling face of a syphilitic yam hasnt changed. Was it this bad?

Hey, cant you figure out the situation? You damn idiot.

Hans, who was considerably taller, looked down at Ronan. Hans was, in reality, three years older than Ronan.

The other boys, overwhelmed by the atmosphere, stared at the two of them, holding their breath.

Originally, in Nimbuten, Ronans position was like a natural disaster that took a hands-off attitude, almost indifferent. Those who picked fights against him were rendered helpless, but he never intervened in other disputes.

Dont come at me with a punch like you did back in the day. Do you think youd win again if we fought again?

In contrast, Hans was like a stubborn bull charging at anyone. He would pick a fight even when in a good mood, and as soon as his mood turned sour, hed throw a punch, at least when it came to those weaker than himself.

There were times when things went wrong due to his failure to properly assess the opponents level. The most notable example was his fierce quarrel with Ronans hideously ugly brawler three years ago.

But now things are different. A strong longsword hung from Hans hip, a reward from a mercenary band for a mission he had taken last winter.

Swish!

Hans drew his sword. Ronan exclaimed in amazement.

Oh, A sword?

What are you doing standing there gawking?

Hanss voice was as intimidating as his stature. The delinquents quickly closed in on the two of them. Aselle couldnt move as he had to maintain the magic.

Why dont you kneel and beg now? Ill let it slide this time.

Do you know how to swing a blade? If you think swinging a stick is the same as swinging a staff, youre mistaken

Thud!

Hans swung his sword vertically. Ronan casually twisted his shoulder and evaded the attack. They had expected a mess, but surprisingly, his stance held up.

I was trying to turn you into a one-armed cripple, but luck was on your side.

Yeah.

He was lucky. Ronan genuinely thought so.

Unlike his deteriorated physical strength and stamina, his situational awareness and reaction speed seemed unaffected. Of course, they would need more information on whether Hans, a mere cripple, was his equal or not.

Its too late to beg now. If you want to leave, youll have to part with an ear or a nostril.

Ronan didnt reply. His attention had suddenly shifted back to Aselle. The small boy, struggling to keep the coward from falling from mid-air, couldnt move due to maintaining the spell.

Sure enough, my memory didnt fail me. That kid was a magician

Interpreting Ronans silence as a sign of weakness, the other boys began to chime in.

It had already been a couple years. Hes just now a scaredy-cat.

Stop acting all high and mighty, and just beg already, you cripple.

Even though it was Ronan, attempting to face a real sword with a stick thicker than a bedpost was a futile endeavor. Especially since Hans had practiced swordsmanship diligently every day. It wasnt intentional, but it couldnt be denied that he was a hard worker.

As the desired atmosphere was being established, Hans put more strength into his shoulder.

If you die, your sister will think Im cute if I look after her. Just thinking of touching her round butts

Shrill!

At that moment, a whistling sound echoed through the air.