The Academy Dormitory, shrouded in darkness.
—Wake up.
The voice that pulled Mikhail from his slumber was persistent. Rubbing his eyes, he let out a faint sigh, trying to shake off the early morning grogginess.
Through bleary eyes, he saw the clock's hands pointing to 4 a.m. Who in their right mind would wake him at this ungodly hour? But soon, Mikhail realized it wasn’t a person—it was sothing far more persistent, and he frowned in frustration.
"I drank last night..."
—Wake up...!
The voice continued to ring in his ears, relentless. Mikhail exhaled deeply, the weight of his body pressing him back into the mattress.
—Wake up!
"Haaah..."
—I said wake up!!
"Just five more minutes..."
Suddenly, a bright flash of light seared his eyes.
"Aaaargh!"
If he’d known the sword could glow on command, he would’ve covered it with sothing. Groaning, Mikhail shielded his eyes with his hands and reluctantly dragged his heavy body out of bed.
"Yaaawn."
As Mikhail trudged forward, bleary-eyed, he saw the Holy Sword leaning against the wall, humming contentedly, as though pleased with itself.
Staring down at the sword, Mikhail pouted. He tried to convey his annoyance, that it was unfair to wake soone up so early, but the Holy Sword paid no mind to his frustrated glare.
—How can you sleep with so much evil in the world?
"Why...?"
—You need to train if you're going to wield ! Work hard, beco the strongest swordsman!
"I went to the after-party last night... I feel like I'm dying."
—A true swordsman overcos even hangovers...! Get your mind straight and head to the training ground. Now, go!
"Haah..."
Yes, having the Holy Sword ant gaining imnse power, but it also ant dealing with its endless nagging. Ricardo had once made a remark about this very thing.
"How about you give the sword to Ricardo instead...? I feel like it’s too much for ."
"Uhh... no, thanks."
"What?"
"I an... please just accept it as a gift from . I'll borrow it if I ever need it."
"But..."
"I don’t like Holy Swords."
It was only after so ti had passed that Mikhail finally understood why Ricardo had been so keen to avoid the Holy Sword. Begrudgingly, Mikhail began gathering his clothes, preparing to head outside.
Wrapping his ample chest with bandages...
"Has it... gotten bigger?"
—That’s a monstrosity.
"I know..."
As he dressed in clothes suitable for working up a sweat, the Holy Sword continued its ceaseless chatter. It spoke of the past, of how it used to be, constantly comparing Mikhail’s present struggles to its own glory days.
—Back in my ti, there was no such thing as sleep. There was no ti for that. Every mont was spent honing my sword skills, getting the feel of the blade...
"Ugh..."
—Losing your edge ans death for a swordsman. From that mont on, you stop progressing. You must never lose that feel...
Mikhail sighed, wishing next week would co sooner. Next week, he would train with Ricardo again, and the thought of what new techniques he might learn brought a faint smile to his lips. However, the Holy Sword wasn’t done.
—Oh, by the way, you should keep your distance from him.
"What?"
—The one who wields the Demonic Sword. Stay as far away from him as possible.
Stretching, Mikhail glared at the Holy Sword before responding in a casual tone.
"Be quiet."
—What did you say?
"Quiet down before I break you."
—...You insolent...!
With a smirk, Mikhail grasped the Holy Sword.
Even if he beca famous at the academy, or if success awaited him after graduation, Mikhail's focus was always on one thing.
To help Ricardo.
He believed that atoning for the past was his current purpose.
As he arrived at the training ground, familiar faces ca into view.
—Can’t you go easy on ?
—You’re whining like a child.
—I’m injured.
—You’re healed.
—Ugh...
Hystania Hanna, the academy’s senior instructor. And then...
—Just like the woman in my dreams...
Yuria, striking the wall with fists brimming with divine energy. Lastly...
—Huff... Huff...!
Luin, dripping with sweat as she worked on her ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ diet, dragging a weighted rope as she ran, panting and cursing.
—Damn it, this is so hard...
Mikhail watched them in awe, impressed by their dedication and effort.
The Holy Sword, noticing Mikhail’s stillness, spoke in a low voice.
—Pick up.
"..."
—I’ll help you.
Mikhail closed his eyes as he drew the Holy Sword, determined not to fall behind the others.
And then...
"There you are!!!"
Schuen, rubbing his eyes, ca running over, eager to take a swing with the Holy Sword himself.
At the sa ti...
"How was it?"
Seated at the desk, I faced Caliburn, speaking gently. After all, it was a butler’s duty to help new residents adjust to their environnt.
Caliburn, still resonating with fatigue, let out a tired hum.
—It was exhausting. I’ve never experienced anything like this before. Oh, of course, I don’t have a body, but still...
"Puhaha... So it wasn’t entirely bad, huh?"
—...
After so hesitation, Caliburn responded in a shy voice.
—It was nice. It felt like I was with friends again. I hadn’t felt that way in a long ti, not even when I was alive...
"That’s good to hear."
—Thank you.
Caliburn was a polite sword.
I had expected it to be similar to the Holy Sword in personality, but it wasn’t. If it had been too loud, I would have stashed it away in storage. But instead, Caliburn was quiet, considerate, and respectful of boundaries—qualities I found pleasantly surprising.
"Caliburn."
—Yes?
"There’s sothing I’ve been aning to ask you."
—Yes?
I had co across sothing peculiar while researching Caliburn.
Of course, it had been difficult to find information about her. Much ti had passed, and it seed that ancient civilizations had erased her from history. There was very little left to find.
Luckily, I had a reliable expert in that area who was able to pass along so key information.
—Are you asking about Caliburn, the progenitor of blood?
—Yes, do you have any information? I couldn’t find anything at the library.
—I happen to have so.
—Really?
—As a hobby, I study history. Fortunately, I think I can help you out. Just wait a mont while I summarize it into 30 pages...!
—No, no, just the basics will do. I just want to know what she did and who she was.
As I reviewed the materials Hans had provided, I found sothing interesting. Apparently, Caliburn...
"I heard you used to wield a sword."
...was not just any ordinary expert but had the title of Sword Emperor.
There’s a famous saying among swordsn: “When you reach the pinnacle of swordsmanship, you can cut without blood staining the blade.”
In my previous life, I had seen this line in a drama. But here, in this world, it was sothing Caliburn had actually said.
Which ant...
"If it’s not too much trouble..."
—...
"Would you teach your sword techniques?"
She must have been an exceptional swordswoman.
Caliburn remained silent at my request. It seed this was not an easy question for her to answer. The atmosphere grew awkward as the sword stayed quiet.
"It’s not a demand. I’m just curious about your swordsmanship."
—...
"I’ve only ever learned the basics by myself, without a teacher, so I don’t know much else."
—My sword...
Caliburn cut off, speaking in a low voice.
—My sword is one ant for killing.
"..."
—It’s a wicked, cursed blade. I never taught it to anyone else.
"..."
—Like you, I learned on my own. I created my own sword style alone.
That ant she was telling to create my own techniques, just as she had. She wasn’t encouraging shortcuts or tricks.
Feeling a bit ashad, I realized I had been caught hoping for an easy way out. I was embarrassed by my own laziness.
But then...
Caliburn said sothing I hadn’t expected.
—I could teach you, but I’m afraid my techniques might corrupt your swordsmanship.
"..."
—Of course, if you can keep up, the results might be different.
Her voice held confidence, a certainty that her swordsmanship wouldn’t negatively influence . She spoke with an assurance that only ca from deep trust in her abilities.
—It feels strange to say this about myself, but I was once a monster. And though you are already quite formidable yourself, I was an even bigger monster back then.
"Hahaha... Really?"
—Yes, it’s true.
Now, it was ti to offer sothing in return. I wasn’t the type to take things for free.
"Well, let’s get to the main point then."
—Main point? Wasn’t this the main point?
I shook my head lightly and asked Caliburn a question.
"Caliburn."
—Yes?
"Do you..."
And then I offered her sothing she couldn’t refuse.
"...have any interest in resurrection?"
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