I Became The Academy’s Pure Love Dark Knight - Chapter 21

Chapter 21 – Misunderstanding and Understanding Are One Letter Apart – 2

 

—–CROW—–

 

The Black Knight and the Glass Knight headed towards the swordsmanship training grounds.

 

Watching their backs, Kainel and Ariel started talking.

 

“Kai.. Why did you do that earlier?”

 

“A hunch, a hunch.  Considering what I saw yesterday, Licht and Mardol are just too similar.”

 

The blond hero grinned. He understood a little of what Licht was thinking in the carriage.  So this is the perspective of someone watching from afar.

 

“They’re practically identical.. except for the fact that one is wearing a helmet.”

 

“At least Mardol doesn’t seem like a bad guy. It’s good for freshmen to get along.”

 

“But a swordsmanship exchange means mutual recognition..”

 

The image of the Glass Knight handing out candy at the bakery came to mind.  He couldn’t see what was underneath the armor, but judging from how well he got along with Ariel, he seemed like a good person.

 

“Well, if Licht begs me with both hands and calls me ‘hyung’, I’m confident I can exchange too, Ariel.”

 

“Everyone who uses a sword seems strange..”

 

The red-haired mage sighed.

 

Come to think of it, white hair should stand out at the academy, but even after asking around a bit when Licht wasn’t there, there was no one with such an appearance.

 

‘Expanding your network is important, isn’t it, Licht?’

 

Armor that looks luxurious no matter who sees it.  Even if he’s clueless, he knows he’s a high-ranking person. If he uses the information network of such a person, it would be easier to find the person he has a crush on.

 

Just think of it as a reward for the swordsmanship training.

 

Kainel was grateful to Licht for helping him become stronger.  In fact, he ranked 3rd in the practical training.

 

It was a result he achieved proudly, not losing to the noble children who had been training.  He felt somewhat grateful to his friend in the black knight helmet.

 

—–CROW—–

 

“..Is someone talking about me?”

 

I suddenly sneezed.  It’s spring, so it’s not even chilly outside.  Every time I come here, I feel a chill. Why?  I’m clearly struggling to get on the Saintess’s route.

 

The swordsmanship training grounds inside the academy.

 

I had to take care of my overdue promise first. I looked at the heavily armored knight. This is the second time I’ve been here this week.

 

“You remember the exchange for magic, right?”

 

“Right.”

 

Nod, nod. Mardol’s head bobbed repeatedly. Does he like strong things that much? Unlike yesterday, he seemed a bit excited.

 

“I’ll only teach you the first form.”

 

“That’s enough.”

 

I drew my sword from its scabbard.  All the teeth were chipped. Did I overuse it with empty swings?

 

“..Not repairing it?”

 

“I don’t have time.  These days, I’m so busy I wish I had two bodies.”

 

As soon as I took it out, a voice echoed from inside the glass helmet.  He has a good eye, to notice it right away.  It’s a pretty bad piece of equipment to use for a demonstration right now.

 

“Then I’ll use a different sword.  Thank you for your concern.”

 

I picked up a spare weapon hanging on the wall.  It’s a real academy, the equipment is good.  Should I donate some money and borrow one later?

 

“From now on, I will teach you the basics of the 「Dragon Shadow Strike」.”

 

“Okay, Licht.”

 

I approached the wooden training dummy.

 

Focusing my mind, I corrected my posture and took a deep breath.

 

The preparations were complete.

 

“Light and shadow are important.  It doesn’t work on enemies without shadows.”

 

“I see.”

 

I manipulated one of the magic lamps hanging from the ceiling so that the object’s shadow kept moving.

 

“Shadows are irregular and thin.  By delving into the ‘concept’ that they are connected to the actual object….”

 

I raised my sword high. I focused on the shadow of the wooden dummy in front of me. The shape changing according to the angle of the swaying light.

 

“Like this.”

 

*Clang*

 

The dull sound of metal resonated within the training grounds.  I left a vertical cut on the floor. Since it’s automatically repaired by the magic circle, this much should be fine.

 

“You can directly inflict damage on the actual object.”

 

*Thud, thud. Crack.*

 

Immediately after, wooden pieces flew as the dummy split cleanly in half.  The destructive power is weak, but it can cut something like this.

 

“..Wow.”

 

The Crown Prince let out a pure exclamation.  Twisting concepts like this with magic would be a piece of cake for him.  I don’t know why he’s reacting like that.  It was just a contest of strength and skill.

 

‘Did Master Drake feel like this too?’

 

I began to understand why he took me as his disciple. So this is why the game data mining showed that he didn’t give out job changes.

 

He must have helped me because I seemed to be in a similar situation.

 

‘Khahaha!! Do you finally understand this master’s broad generosity?!’

 

I heard a hearty hallucination.  My body remembered it from years of being under him.  My hands trembled slightly.

 

“No, no matter how I think about it, that’s not it.”

 

“..?”

 

I shook my head.  Mountain climbing is crossing the line, old man. I remembered him taking the students over mountain trails in this week’s lecture.

 

As soon as it was over, someone ran away somewhere. I looked at Mardol, and he tilted his head at my sigh.

 

“..How is it? Do you need more demonstrations?”

 

“A few more times.”

 

He also picked up a sword hanging on the wall. Looking at it like this, his hands look a bit small compared to his armor, which is strange.

 

‘Is he really the Crown Prince?’

 

He’s about the same height as me, so he’s definitely not the Saintess. My mind became a little complicated.  I cleared my distracting thoughts and spoke to him.

 

“Then please toss two coins.”

 

“Okay. Got it.”

 

Mardol took out coins from his pocket. The moment the Glass Knight tossed the copper coins in my direction,

 

“Oh, sorry.”

 

The objects flew at tremendous speed.  A similar feeling to Master Drake. My body reacted before my eyes.

 

‘Still, it’s a little slow.’

 

I stomped hard on the ground, slashed diagonally once, and then struck the other coin using its shadow.

 

*Clink*, the sound echoed four times on the floor.

 

“Strong. As expected.”

 

“Be a little more careful next time.”

 

“Sorry.”

 

Perhaps it’s hereditary, being the descendant of the Ten Swords.  Just like the son of the man who creates sonic booms with his strength.

 

..At this rate, do I even need my swordsmanship?

 

“I understand now.”

 

The Glass Knight continued, looking at me.  He stared intently at the sword, then walked towards the wooden dummy and took a stance.

 

He’s not using the weapon on his back.  That handle, I think I’ve seen it somewhere before….

 

If I pretend to know anything more here, flags will be raised. I closed my mouth.

 

“This much is enough.”

 

“You seem to have a talent for magic.. Do you also use a sword?”

 

“Both.”

 

Mardol raised the sword above his head.  He wielded it with the skill of someone who wasn’t a stranger to the blade.  Was it the Imperial swordsmanship style, overcoming its weaknesses with magic?

 

I nodded slightly, seeing his unexpected skill.

 

“That’s unexpected.”

 

Magic Swordsman tree.  The Black Knight Licht I used to play was that type.

 

He was certainly good at unconventional play, and it has many advantages in this game where you never know what might happen.

 

I don’t know Lupus’s class.  Why should I know the settings of the crazy guy obsessed with our Saintess?

 

Come to think of it, that’s me right now.

 

If I really meet her and say, ‘I will make you happy,’ would she believe me?

 

The image of the white-haired girl looking at me with contempt came to mind, making me feel nauseous.  She’ll probably hate me because the male protagonist confessing his love from the start is the worst.

 

“Then, I’ll do it.”

 

My distracting thoughts were interrupted again.  The Glass Knight raised his sword towards the swaying shadow.

 

*Boom!*

 

A straight sword path split the floor.  The power is definitely strong.

 

“…”

 

Wooden fragments scattered, but the dummy in front remained motionless.

 

Watching the scene, Mardol froze. Does he think it’s an unimaginable result?  After a while, he repeatedly struck the floor several times before speaking.

 

“Huh, huh? Why isn’t it working..?”

 

“Pfft, hahaha! That’s not it.”

 

There wasn’t a single scratch on the training dummy.

 

As expected, it’s Lupus. If you were good at this too, I would have forced the comrade route.  In <Black Heart>, you were nothing more than the Imperial family’s moneybag.

 

“You put in too much power.”

 

“..Don’t laugh.”

 

This is kind of air-headedly cute.  He’s really trying to cut *only* the shadow.

 

Well, if it were that easy to learn, others would have crossed the river long ago after the war ended.

 

“A few more times.”

 

“Let’s stop.  You need to use your whole body more.”

 

He pointed the sword at the floor he had just heavily scarred. I approached him and gestured with my chin to put the weapon away.

 

“There’s a reason I struggled too.”

 

“I don’t understand. Why?”

 

I couldn’t hold back my laughter. A Mary Sue character struggling? I think this is the first time I’ve seen such a scene. Did they fix it after getting criticized in part 2?

 

“You need to have the will to cut.”

 

“Honestly, I don’t believe it.”

 

The heavily armored knight tilted his head repeatedly. As expected, he feels very empty. Like a glass cup.

 

I picked up the sword again and delivered a line that would get me off the Crown Prince’s route.

 

“The reason I wield a sword is because I want to make someone unhappy happy.”

 

“Who is it?”

 

“It’s a secret because I’m trying to repay a favor.”

 

“Repay..?”

 

I’ll never tell you. I will steadily build flags with these spoiler-like remarks.  Since Kainel’s original personality has emerged, it will apply to me too.

 

“For that person, this shadow…”

 

I stomped hard on the ground again.  Blood rushed through my entire body, and sensation concentrated in my fingertips.

 

*Slash*

 

A sword scar was added. Deeper and sharper than the one Mardol made.  Like the gesture of a swordsman filled with the belief that he could cut shadows.

 

“I can cut it countless times. See? It’s not easy.”

 

“..Deceiver.”

 

I smiled, looking at the halved wooden dummy. I could feel Mardol glaring at me from right beside me, but I ignored him.  Honestly, it’s also revenge for the past.

 

So don’t cling to our Saintess in this game.  I’ll find her a good husband and build her love line.

 

“Now that it’s like this, I guess I can’t learn magic. I’m sorry.”

 

It was then, as I sheathed my sword.

 

“No, Licht.”

 

Suddenly, Mardol approached me.  Close enough that our helmets would clash. I delivered lines several times to derail the route, but why?

 

“This much is enough.”

 

“No, this is a failure. Anyway, yes!”

 

I felt a chilling sensation.  Is it confirmed that I’m entangled with this person because he’s the protagonist of part 3? My thoughts raced.

 

*Squeeze*

 

“This is..?”

 

“Magic, Licht.”

 

Our hands were clasped for the second time.  My hand and his gauntlet, different in size.

 

‘This can’t be happening, the Saintess route will be twisted!’

 

What does this mean?  I failed to teach him swordsmanship, and I even delivered spoiler lines.  What’s the problem?  I even became close with Nex, the renowned harem breaker.

 

“..Stay still.”

 

I struggled and tried to step back, but the moment I twisted my wrist, I was stopped by magic. I couldn’t escape him.

 

“W-what, why are you holding my hand..?”

 

“Look closely.”

 

The two knights faced each other.

 

Helmets reflected in each other’s helmets, the height difference not significant.

 

If I were to make a mirror image, it would feel exactly like this. Except that I’m not wearing armor and am in the academy uniform.  Cold sweat dripped down my back.

 

“Wait, just a moment.  Let’s talk with our hands released, at least.”

 

“Circuit, possible like this.”

 

My mind went blank, not knowing what to do.  Did you take my second one too?

 

“Wh.. How are you so strong..?”

 

Wiggling my fingers was the extent of my resistance. The Wolf King’s bloodline is too overpowered. I should have been born as the son of the Ten Swords if I knew it would be like this.

 

Then, the Glass Knight in front of me spoke.

 

「Merak.」

 

As Mardol finished the incantation, a sphere of light appeared between us.  The transparent sphere, like a soap bubble, slowly rose and illuminated the surroundings like the sun.

 

Did he twist the concept of transparent glass reflecting light?

 

‘So, a soap bubble.’

 

Understanding came easily. I had no choice but to play along. He might call the Imperial Guards.

 

“..This is illumination magic.”

 

“Yes.  Now you try.”

 

There was a rattling sound from the helmet.  It seems to have a similar structure to mine.

 

“Huh? Suddenly? You know I don’t have mana.”

 

“It will work.”

 

I don’t have gauntlets or anything like that, it’s cold.  The sensation of holding transparent glass was strange.  Even though it’s the second time I’ve held it, it’s so smooth it’s unsettling.

 

「..Merak?」

 

It’s worth a shot.  I closed my eyes tightly and chanted.

 

‘I can’t see her die again.’

 

I’m sorry, Wolf-Eared Saintess. The Demon Lords are vicious bastards, so I had no choice but to become stronger. I thought of excuses in my head that wouldn’t be enough even if I had two mouths.

 

“Huh, huh?”

 

“As expected, it worked.”

 

Above Mardol’s head, the sphere of light I created floated gently. It was a rather small air bubble, but

 

..It worked.

 

“Why did this work? How..?”

 

“Circuit, mine.”

 

The Glass Knight replied in a muffled voice.

 

“Aha, since my blood vessels are twisted, Mr. Mardol helped me cast the magic instead?”

 

“Temporary solution.”

 

I was shocked. Is this what it means to be able to use a medium?  Come to think of it, Nex also forcibly opened my body yesterday to use magic.

 

Since Denis explained that mana can be replenished, can’t this work too?

 

‘I might be able to use magic.’

 

With a sudden question, I shouted out loud.

 

“If I draw a magic circle and use it..!”

 

“That won’t work.”

 

A firm denial. Why? Magic using a human body works, but why wouldn’t this? I was puzzled, forgetting that our hands were tightly clasped.

 

Could it be that?

 

“Ultimately, the body.”

 

“So you’re saying it’s impossible until this constitution is fixed.. I understand.”

 

“Right. Smart.”

 

I’ve been playing this game for years, and the settings from part 1 are still the same. This hasn’t changed, why have only the surrounding characters changed?

 

I lowered my head in despair.

 

“Sorry..”

 

“No, you taught me magic.”

 

“Wrong, no.”

 

“So you’re saying I can’t use it after all.”

 

“Yes..”

 

The second time I’ve seen him dejected.

 

“Not yet, Licht.”

 

Golden light flickered within his helmet.  He looks like the Saintess when I look closely.  Is it golden because they’re both wolves?

 

“Huh?”

 

“..Instead, swordsmanship, exchange.”

 

The strength in our clasped hands loosened.

 

“I couldn’t teach you Shadow Strike.”

 

“No, you taught me.”

 

Huh, this doesn’t seem like a romance story.  Is it the comrade route?  He bowed his head as if apologizing to me.  Wasn’t this a situation where pink vibes could flow sufficiently?

 

‘He’s really kind..’

 

He wasn’t a bad person. He could have just kept his mouth shut and pretended not to know.  He ended up telling me that I can use Merak.

 

“You can become stronger, Licht.”

 

Aha, you’re obsessed with my strength until the end. I almost looked at him differently for a moment.

 

“..I see.”

 

He’s only talkative at times like this. Since I won’t be holding hands or anything like this, should I learn it?  There’s no loss for me.

 

“Alright.”

 

“I’ll teach you 「Wolf Fang」.”

 

Grancia style.  More than anything, it’s a reinterpretation of the Ten Swords’ movements.

 

The Glass Knight charged forward. There was the sound of exploding air. He’s really fast.

 

“Like a wolf biting.”

 

“Moving by entrusting your body to instinct. This is quite the opposite of my swordsmanship, isn’t it?”

 

“Smart.”

 

Similarly, the first form of swordsmanship, Wolf’s Fang. That day, I learned one technique.

 

And Mardol immediately suggested we start a practice spar.

 

“Aha, so this is why you wanted to give me something.”

 

“Right. Licht.”

 

My shadow was slightly cut just now. He really is a Mary Sue character.  Even though he didn’t directly attack me, there was a metallic *ting* from the weapon in my hand.

 

“..You’re a deceiver.”

 

“You too.”

 

That was his reply after I countered with Wolf Fang.

 

Later, the Black Knight and the Glass Knight, crossing swords, realized that they could both learn the techniques on their own,

 

In a world without exchanging phone numbers,

 

The two knights shared swordsmanship, which could be seen as a mark of each other.

 

—–CROW—–