Academy’s Genius Swordsman

[Translator – Peptobismol]

【Dark Dragon Orsay, you are hereby arrested for illegal entry and the murder of several guards!】

Vanartier’s shout echoed loudly. The bustling noise from the streets died down instantly, as if mice had frozen at the sound of a cat’s bell.

【Grrrr…!】

Orsay was still caught in the grasp of the Blue Dragon. His only defiance was a growl of rage that shattered the silence. The guards tightened their grip on their spears.

“O-Orsay… Is it really the Dark Dragon I know?”

“I was sure he was dead.”

They could hardly believe their eyes. Orsay, defeated by the first Emperor of Balon, had abandoned his lair and headed west. The near-thousand years had turned Orsay’s defeat into more legend than history. Watching him closely, Ronan twisted his lips.

“As expected.”

There was only one suspect who fit the puzzle. It was just that the answer was so outlandish that it was hard to accept. He never thought he’d meet Orsay this way.

“Are you hurt? To have a conversation with that Dark Dragon, you must have nerves of steel.”

“What? Did you know that bastard was Orsay?”

“I recognized him the moment he entered the shop. Normally, Dark Dragons are adept at hiding their presence, but once you’ve experienced Orsay’s aura, you can never forget it.”

“That’s true.”

Ronan nodded. Orsay’s vicious mana was unmistakably distinct, even without trying to differentiate it. The tavern owner continued speaking.

“I can’t fathom why he would show up now after over a thousand years. What terrible thing is he planning this time…?”

“By the way, why was Orsay banned from entering Adren?”

“He killed too many of his kin. The decisive incident was when Orsay, after being defeated by the Empire, killed five dragons from Adren who had come to recruit him. It was a true tragedy.”

“Crazy bastard.”

Ronan shook his head in disbelief. Orsay was far more vicious than he had anticipated. Though his sudden outbursts had hinted at it.

A question suddenly flashed through Ronan’s mind. The old man before him spoke of events a thousand years past as if he had witnessed them himself.

Could he be a dragon too? There’s no sign of it.

【Keuuuu

As the tension continued to build, Orsay, still struggling, suddenly went limp. He seemed to have lost consciousness or exhausted himself. The Blue Dragon holding him chuckled. The soldiers, silent until now, began to murmur.

“Did he faint?”

“It’s not surprising, considering he’s bound with five layers of restraint spells.”

“Don’t let your guard down. Close in slowly!”

They advanced cautiously, spears aimed at Orsay. Examiner Vanartier frowned. Just as the street noise began to rise again, a chilling voice emerged from beneath Orsay’s drooping hair.

I’ve sobered up. You worms.】

【What?】

The Blue Dragon’s eyes widened. In an instant, Dark mana surged from Orsay’s shoulders like wildfire. The restraining magic circles around him flickered as if about to shatter, like candles before a gust of wind.

【Hey, reinforce the restraints…!】

Vanartier started to shout, sensing something amiss. Boom! The mana, which had been building up, suddenly condensed and exploded. The Blue Dragon screamed in pain.

【Kraaaah!】

Thud! The fingers holding Orsay fell to the ground. Each scale-covered finger was the size of a small tree. The severed ends were charred black.

“This

Ronan’s brow furrowed. The marks were identical to those he had seen on the corpse of the Poison Dragons. Freed from his restraints, Orsay landed on the ground. In his hand was a massive spear, as large as a pillar, resembling Zaifa’s crescent blade.

“He’s awake! Everyone, to your positions!”

“To your positions!”

【Orsay…!】

The soldiers readied themselves for combat. Vanartier gritted his teeth. The spear, as dark as Orsay’s hair, was reminiscent of the spears used by cavalry. The twisted, spiral shaft of the spear mirrored its owner’s ferocity.

【If you wish to die, I’ll grant your wish. After that, I need to find the whereabouts of Navardose.】

Orsay murmured. The murderous aura and mana swirling around him coiled around the spear. A very bad feeling crept over Ronan. The Blue Dragon, writhing in pain from losing his left hand, raised his right arm.

【Kraaak! You…!】

Crackle! A mass of blue lightning crackled in the dragon’s massive hand, tendrils of electricity expanding and contracting. It looked powerful enough to destroy a dozen buildings, and that was the problem. Vanartier urgently shouted.

【Wait, Laratasian. If you use that spell here…!】

Using such a spell in this confined space would wipe out allies as well. But Laratasian, the Blue Dragon, seemed unconcerned. With his fingers lying at his feet, such considerations were meaningless.

【Die!】

Laratasian roared. Simultaneously, his lightning-wreathed hand struck in a fierce arc. Orsay did not evade but raised his spear to counter. Crash! The sound was like a mountain being crushed. Laratasian’s massive hand was torn apart, scattering flesh everywhere.

【Ugh…!】

Laratasian froze. Where his right hand had been, there was now nothing. The current, having lost its catalyst, dissipated. Orsay, who had immediately leaped forward, thrust his spear. Thud! The spear tip penetrated Laratasian’s chest and then an explosion erupted from his back. A dark beam shot towards the night sky. A sinister smile appeared on Orsay’s lips.

【Blue bastards. Your skin is still as soft as ever.】

【L-Laratasian!】

Vanartier was horrified. Through the gaping hole in Laratasian’s chest, the nightscape of Adren was visible. Crash! Laratasian’s massive body, slowly tilting, collapsed onto the street. His horned head completely demolished the old man’s tavern.

“Oh.”

The owner clutched his head. The soldiers, having received orders, transformed into dragonoids, their bodies expanding. About thirty of them charged simultaneously, but Orsay had no interest in them.

Boom! Kicking Laratasian’s body away, he lunged at Vanartier. It was almost impossible to perceive Orsay, spear first, flying towards him. Ronan shouted.

“Hey, examiner!”

【Damn it…!】

Vanartier gasped. Just barely noticing the attack, his horns glowed white. Seven layers of barriers formed between the two dragons. Each one was a high-level spell that would take several high-ranking mages to cast over many minutes.

‘Amazing.’

Ronan was impressed. But Orsay’s abilities did not end there. Whoosh! In an instant, his form dissipated like mist. Skipping over the barrier, he reappeared right in front of Vanartier. Vanartier’s face twisted in shock.

【Blink? Using a spell only lowly creatures use

【I took quite some time to get used to it.】

Orsay thrust his spear without hesitation. It was a distance impossible to dodge or block. Unable to bear it any longer, Ronan instinctively drew his sword.

“Damn it, what a hassle!”

The vivid color of sunset climbed the blade. Just as the spiral spearhead was about to pierce Vanartier’s heart. Swish…! A crimson aura enveloped Orsay’s body. Dragged forward before Ronan, Orsay’s eyes widened.

【What the…!】

Orsay hastily spun his body to counterattack. But Ronan’s sword was already slicing through the air, trailing a red streak. Blood splattered as the blade cut through skin. Orsay recoiled, clutching his wound.

【Argh!】

Orsay, having retreated about ten steps, gritted his teeth. A sharp slash ran from his chest to his left side. Blood gushed out of the tear in his coat. Instead of pressing his attack, Ronan assumed a stance that allowed him to adeptly switch between offense and defense. Pointing his sword at Orsay, he muttered.

“Enough with that.”

You use an interesting ability.】

Orsay gritted his teeth. It was a power he had never seen before, catching him off guard. The chilling sensation of the Holy Sword stirred old memories.

As the structure of his polymorph spell broke down, scales began to appear all over his body. The whites of his eyes turned black. Regaining his composure, Orsay growled fiercely.

【How dare you let ‘that’ touch my body…!】

“Fucker, the way you say it, it sounds like I rubbed my balls on you.”

Ronan chuckled. However, despite his casual demeanor, he was extremely tense. Even though he had swung properly, the blade hadn’t cut through the muscle.

‘A dragon is a dragon after all.’

He was a formidable opponent, incomparable to the Poison Dragon. Just then, soldiers seized the opportunity and rushed at Orsay.

“That human created an opening! Capture him!”

“It doesn’t matter if you kill him!”

The scaled warriors attacked from all directions except directly beneath. Their armor and weapons, enhanced by Vanartier’s magic, glowed with a white light. As Orsay’s form was about to be obscured, a furious roar burst from behind the soldiers.

【Get out of my way!】

Gripping his spear with both hands, Orsay struck the ground. Sensing the threat, Ronan raised his sword vertically.

“Damn it…!”

At the same time, dark energy erupted from Orsay’s center. Boom! Buildings and walls disintegrated into dust. The shredded bodies of the soldiers flew like grains of rice.

The maelstrom of murderous mana split left and right the moment it touched Ronan’s blade. The explosion did not last long. Vanartier sighed.

【My god.】

The bustling alley had transformed into a 10-meter-diameter clearing. The dismembered bodies of the soldiers still wore their magically reinforced armor.

Through the slowly settling dust, Orsay emerged unscathed. His form, briefly blurred, reappeared before Ronan’s eyes.

【Get that filthy metal away from me!】

“I figured. You bastard.”

Ronan responded without hesitation, meeting the attack. Clang! The clash of spear and sword echoed above Adren. Neither gave an inch, exchanging blows. Ronan twisted his lips.

‘He’s strong. Really strong.’

At first glance, it seemed like an even match, but it wasn’t. Although his innate talent allowed him to fend off Orsay’s attacks and occasionally land a blow, the fundamental difference in their prowess was too great.

[Translator – Peptobismol]

【Graaaah!】

Moreover, Orsay grew more ferocious as the battle progressed. Dark horns sprouted on both sides of his head. As he neared his true form, the spear moved faster and struck harder. Just as the two, having briefly separated, were about to clash again, a large magic circle formed beneath Orsay’s feet.

【Stop.】

A woman’s voice resonated through the air. Within the magic circle, spikes made of steel shot up. The curved spikes, like talons of a raptor, were taller than most buildings.

【Hmph!】

Orsay leaped vertically to evade the attack. Clang! The spikes clashed where he had been, emitting a metallic sound. His ascending body momentarily slowed down. The steel spikes shattered into hundreds of fragments. Crash! The airborne shards stuck to Orsay’s arms and legs.

【Urgh…!】

It felt as if he were shackled. Unable to overcome the weight, Orsay crashed to the ground. Simultaneously, dozens of magic circles, similar to before, covered his head. Clang, clang! Like rain, steel spikes poured down, piercing Orsay’s surroundings and forming a makeshift prison. The voice spoke again.

【That’s far enough, Orsay.】

Ronan turned his head in the direction of the voice. A woman in uniform stood there, seeming unaffected. She had a very cold demeanor. Her hair, shining under the moonlight, reminded Ronan of steel covered in frost.

Ronan’s eyes widened. He realized that the woman was another dragon who hadn’t participated in the battle so far.

Even just from a vague sense, it was clear that she was much stronger than Vanartier or Laratasian. Orsay, who couldn’t move, spoke up.

【You… I remember your face. Was your nicknamed the Whore of Steel?】

【It was the Empress of Steel. Although I’ve since relinquished that name as I serve someone else now.】

【Is that so? But do you think you can confine me with such mediocre skills?】

Orsay chuckled. He casually swung his spear as if shooing away a fly. Crash! The densely packed spikes broke apart instantly. What the hell. It looked like it was working, but what was that? Ronan was about to comment on her incompetence when the woman slowly shook her head.

【Of course, I don’t think that way. I’m just here to buy time.】

【What?】

Orsay tilted his head in confusion at the unfamiliar words. At that moment, a golden beam streaked across the night sky, piercing Orsay’s chest. Kwaaaah! The flash of light was so intense that the shadows in the street disappeared for a moment.

【Ugh…!】

There was no time to react. Orsay’s eyes widened as if about to pop out. Ronan instinctively turned his head. A blast of heat buffeted his forehead.

“Shit… what is

The beam quickly dissipated. Orsay’s abdomen was pierced through, leaving a hole the size of a human head. Ronan turned his head to locate the source of the beam. Faint traces of light streaked across the night sky.

“The Dragon King?”

Ronan’s eyes widened. At the opposite end of the remnants, a beam shot out from a high tower in the city center. As far as he knew, it was undoubtedly where the Dragon King resided.

【Keuk!】

Wobbling, Orsay coughed up blood. Crimson fluid poured onto the street. At that moment, another beam shot from the tower. This time, it missed due to its trajectory being visible. Thud! Orsay, who narrowly dodged the beam, glared at the tower.

【How dare…!】

His red eyes glowed fiercely, as if about to ignite. Despite the fatal injury, his momentum remained strong, but it seemed his body wouldn’t support him any longer. Orsay, glaring at Ronan and the woman, muttered grimly.

【You’ll regret this.】

“You’re talking as if you can escape.”

It seemed he was planning to flee. Of course, Ronan had no intention of letting Orsay go. Just as Ronan was about to activate his aura, the woman beside him grabbed his shoulder.

【Wait a moment.】

“What?”

Ronan hesitated at the unexpected objection. Orsay’s body blurred like mist. Alarmed, Ronan turned his head, but he had already disappeared. Ronan clicked his tongue in annoyance as he brushed off the woman’s hand.

“Damn it, we missed him.”

【We can organize a separate tracking team to pursue him. Since the entire Adren is under a barrier, he can’t escape. Also, there’s a more urgent matter at hand right now.】

The woman said calmly. Her reasoning slightly softened Ronan’s anger. Ronan took a deep breath and spoke.

“What is it then?”

【Our king wishes to see you.】

[Translator – Peptobismol]

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