Mak Dae-wong couldn’t contain his rage.
Even after his match had ended, and even after stepping in for the next round, he kept huffing angrily with ragged breath.
That arrogant brat…!
This wasn’t how he’d imagined things would go when he was first matched with that junior.
He had planned to demonstrate the overwhelming gap in skill, make it clear that a first-year student could never surpass the wall that was a senior. Then, once the brat was thoroughly demoralized, he would drag him off and settle their remaining grudge.
But the reality had been the complete opposite.
The kid had slipped around like so kind of invertebrate, dodging every single attack, all while using every dirty trick in the book to mock him.
And the way he kept getting under his skin with every word….Mak Dae-wong had struggled just to maintain his composure.
In his mory, Kim Ho looked twice as despicable as he actually was.
– You said I could run, didn’t you?
– Aren’t you having fun?
– We should make this fun last, shouldn’t we?
– Senior?
– Se~nior?
“Son of a…!”
Bang!
In the end, Mak Dae-wong couldn’t hold it in anymore and slamd his fist into the arena wall.
Not that it did anything but hurt his own hand.
As he clenched and unclenched his throbbing fist while still fuming, a handso man with an elegant aura appeared on the other side of the arena through a teleportation portal.
It was none other than the Martial Alliance’s promising student, Mo Yong-jun.
Though they belonged to different factions, they were both mbers of the swordsmanship club.
What’s more, Mo Yong-jun was from a prestigious martial family and had been strictly taught etiquette from a young age.
Naturally, he offered a polite greeting.
“Good day, senior.”
But he soon showed a hint of puzzlent, having picked up on Mak Dae-wong’s very foul mood.
Mo Yong-jun asked cautiously,
“Did sothing happen, senior?”
“I’m not happy. That bastard, Senior Jegal, and your White faction guys…all of you piss off.”
Mo Yong-jun didn’t know exactly who “that bastard” was, but it wasn’t hard to guess that he had sothing to do with the White faction.
Still, he wanted to keep things pleasant if possible.
“I don’t know all the details, but I believe Senior Jegal made that decision for the sake of the swordsmanship club. Please try to calm your anger.”
“It’s always the sa excuse. ‘It’s for the club’. But in reality, everything always turns out the way you White Faction guys want.”
“I don’t have much to say in response to that.”
Since there was so truth to it, Mo Yong-jun could only offer an awkward smile.
In contrast, Mak Dae-wong’s expression grew even harsher.
“Don’t think you’ll always stay on top. Things will get interesting by next year.”
“With all due respect, do you really think the power dynamic will shift that drastically? Senior Namgong is still around, after all.”
“…Did you just dare to say that bastard’s na in front of ?”
Mak Dae-wong growled, and Mo Yong-jun responded once again with a respectful martial salute.
“My apologies if I’ve offended you.”
“He must be happy, huh. Having guys like you worship him.”
“It’s not quite like you think. I do respect him, but I also see him as a rival I must one day surpass.”
Mak Dae-wong’s face twitched uncontrollably.
Of everything said so far, that last remark irked him the most.
He drew his sword and said coldly,
“Surpass him…? No matter how promising you are, don’t let your confidence turn to arrogance.”
“Setting high goals is always better, don’t you think?”
“You’re not wrong. But let’s see if you can get past first.”
“I’d be honored to learn from you.”
Mo Yong-jun responded with a gentle smile as he gripped his sword.
The two stood in silence, facing each other, as the countdown began.
[3]
[2]
[1]
[Start!]
Mo Yong-jun and Mak Dae-wong launched forward at the sa ti, kicking off the ground like arrows.
Their blades clashed, sword against saber.
Claaang—!
The result: Mak Dae-wong was the one who fell back.
He had co out slightly behind.
Even though their specs were fixed within the combat zone, it was still a blow to his pride.
His face twisted accordingly.
“This bastard—”
“Shall we continue?”
As Mo Yong-jun raised his longsword to mid-guard, Mak Dae-wong charged at him.
In an instant, the area was flooded with flashes of blade light and gales from sweeping saber strikes.
***
anwhile, in another arena, another senior-junior duel was underway.
[Go Hyeon-woo 95% vs Jegal So-so 98%]
Fwwwoosh—
A gentle breeze coiled around Go Hyeon-woo’s blade.
As he extended it forward, Jegal So-so’s sword which had been sweeping in on a diagonal arc veered slightly to the side.
But as if she had anticipated that, Jegal So-so abruptly twisted her sword’s trajectory mid-motion to strike again.
Instead of evading, Go Hyeon-woo stepped in closer and thrust his sword forward.
It was a mutual hit scenario. But Jegal So-so determined her side would take more damage and chose to retreat.
An exchange where no blows actually landed, with both fighters slashing through empty air repeatedly.
To a casual onlooker, it might have looked like a silly spectacle.
But anyone with sharper insight would never laugh at what they saw.
Each movent, every exchange, was layered with intricate internal energy control and tactical thinking.
As the battle continued, Jegal So-so lowered her sword and spoke.
“I didn’t expect you to catch up this far. You’ve grown remarkably.”
“You flatter . I’ve just been fortunate to et the right people and opportunities.”
“You’re leaving out your own effort. That’s the most important part.”
A smile tugged at both their lips.
Jegal So-so continued.
“Have you thought about the offer I made before?”
“Yes. I appreciate how kindly you’ve regarded , but… I’d like to refrain from joining any clubs for the ti being.”
Go Hyeon-woo replied with a faint, wry smile.
Jegal So-so didn’t seem too surprised. Perhaps she had expected rejection. But the firm tone did pique her curiosity slightly.
“May I ask why?”
“Once you belong to a group, there’ll eventually co a ti when you have to choose between the interests of that group or the bonds you’ve ford outside of it.”
“From the way you speak, it sounds like you’ve already made your choice.”
Go Hyeon-woo silently nodded.
“I owe Kim-hyung a lot, in more ways than one. My choice will always be the sa.”
“There really are so many good people around him. I’m jealous.”
“He’s earned it, hasn’t he?”
Jegal So-so seed to agree with that as well.
Even so, it seed she wasn’t quite ready to let Go Hyeon-woo go just yet. She shifted the direction of her offer slightly.
“All right, let’s put the club joining on hold. But would it be okay if you stopped by the clubroom from ti to ti?”
“I don’t mind that. But may I ask what brings this up?”
“Interacting with skilled swordsn is a gain for us. We could discuss insights or even have sparring matches.”
“…….!”
An irresistible offer for soone like him who was a living training machine.
Go Hyeon-woo’s gaze wavered.
Noticing this, Jegal So-so went in for the follow-up.
“I heard that Mo Yong-jun is also in need of sparring partners.”
“The chance to spar with soone of that caliber… that is tempting.”
“I thought so. I believe it would be good stimulation for both sides.”
Almost there.
Jegal So-so allowed herself a triumphant smile inwardly.
“And if you co by often and make a good impression, you might get the chance to connect with even stronger swordsn.”
“By stronger, you an…?”
“Our club president. He’s currently in seclusion, but I’ve heard he plans to return around the end of the year.”
Just as she suspected, curiosity blood across Go Hyeon-woo’s face.
“I rember hearing about his seclusion. But… if he’s coming back at the end of the year, wouldn’t that be right before graduation?”
“Not quite. He’s a second-year.”
“……..!”
A glint flashed through Go Hyeon-woo’s eyes.
Usually, club presidents were third-years. It made sense. They had more experience and skill.
In smaller clubs, sotis first-years or second-years stepped up, but the swordsmanship club surely didn’t lack mbers.
Which could only an one thing.
The second-year president, even while in seclusion, was strong enough to surpass the club’s most formidable third-years.
As if to confirm his thoughts, Jegal So-so gave a small nod.
Then she added casually,
“If you’d like, I can arrange a eting. What do you think?”
“…….!”
“As I said, all we’re asking is that you stop by the clubroom from ti to ti. There’s really nothing to lose.”
“…All right. I’ll make ti.”
In the end, Go Hyeon-woo gave in to the temptation.
Having achieved her goal, Jegal So-so smiled in satisfaction.
Then, stepping back to a distance and raising her sword to mid-guard, she decided it was ti to make her move.
Soon, the arena brimd with an energy sharp enough to cut.
“People often say that while I’m smart, my martial skills are diocre. I’ve honed my sword to break that prejudice.”
“That’s admirable.”
“Thank you. Would you accept a strike from ?”
“I may be lacking, but I’ll do my best.”
Go Hyeon-woo also gathered his full montum, preparing for a decisive move.
A wind from sowhere curled around his blade, compressing tightly.
“……”
“……”
For a mont, the two locked eyes in silence.
Then, as faint smiles tugged at the corners of their lips, their swords clashed in unison.
Flash!
***
Hong Yeon-hwa was slumped like a puppy caught in the rain.
Just monts ago, she’d been beaten to a pulp by Dang Gyu-young in the previous match.
Still, thinking of it as getting her bad luck out of the way early, she had pulled herself together and queued up for another match.
But now…
Why…?
Fwoooosh!
Pillars of fla erupted around her, while three-headed fire serpents coiled and hissed, flicking their tongues.
The Fire Pillar and Hydra which were her go-to spells by now filled the field.
But on the opposite side…
Whoooooooooooooooosh—!
A tsunami of fire was crashing toward her.
And riding that wave like a surfer was none other than—
[Hong Yeon-hwa 94% vs Hong Ye-hwa 100%]
Her older sister and the Ruby Magic Tower president Hong Ye-hwa.
Yeon-hwa gave up chanting mid-spell and let her staff droop.
Staring blankly at the wave of fire looming above, she felt sothing sting behind her eyes.
She might’ve even been tearing up a little…
Why… can’t I ever… just be happy…?
Whooooooooooooooooooooooooooooosh—!
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