I Became the Academy's Sword Expert - Chapter 1

If there is a protagonist who is fixated on a particular technique, it is likely to be a dramatic trigger.

Perhaps someone who happened to wield that technique saved the protagonist when they were in danger.

Or maybe the protagonist’s household has been researching that technique for generations, and naturally, the protagonist became proficient in it.

It could also be that someone the protagonist admires uses that technique, and there could be many other reasons to consider when thinking about the trigger.

It would have been nice if that were the case for me as well, but I was simply captivated by the sight of an anime character using a sword by chance.

Drawing the sword from its sheath and bending it—a simple movement, but why does that static posture make my heart flutter so?

Like a tranquil lakeside yet fiercely like a waterfall, the contradictory appearance stole my heart.

After watching that anime, I consumed any form of media, be it manga, anime, movies, dramas, novels, as long as it featured swordplay.

And the more I learned about swordplay, the more I became immersed in it.

Ultimately, not satisfied with just watching, I took action to learn swordsmanship in real life.

The first thing that came to mind was a nearby kendo dojo.

Most kendo dojos, for some unknown reason, did not teach swordplay because they thought it deviated too much from the essence of kendo, but there were exceptions.

The Korean branch of the famous Japanese swordsmanship school Yufa.

Fortunately, it seemed I wasn’t the only one drawn to the charm of swordplay, and I was able to learn mainland swordsmanship without going to Japan.

But…

“No, sir!! Swordplay is not like that, right?”

“Yes? What do you mean?”

“I’ve told you several times, but swordplay is only for surprise attacks. Why do you draw the sword and then return it to the sheath?”

“Well, you know… so I can swing the sword faster, maybe?”

“No, why would that happen?!”

“Well… isn’t it because the friction generated when drawing the sword from the sheath converts into kinetic energy, so the speed and power increase?”

“No, that’s not it!! Just pulling it out and swinging it is more powerful!”

Despite using the same language, why is it that the communication seems to break down?

Reflecting on the events of that day, my chest tightens with an unbearable sense of suffocation, as if prayer has been blocked.

In the end, not even a few months into attending, I left the dojo and explored other places, but no one comprehended my explanation.

Perhaps everyone was inclined towards the arts; had they pursued science like me, they might have grasped my words.

Frustrated by the harsh reality that refused to embrace swordplay, I retreated once again into the realm of fantasy.

After tirelessly searching for works related to swordplay, I finally arrived at the renowned “Sword Mastery” within the Royal Academy.

This novel, narrating the story of a protagonist born into the lineage of Sword Mastery, evolving into a hero while attending the academy, was famous for its high-level authenticity.

Furthermore, the protagonist was not merely a master of the sword but also adept at employing all weapons, including the katana, intensifying my expectations.

However, contrary to my expectations, the much-anticipated 32nd episode introduced the katana for the first time.

“[Do you not employ swordplay?]”

“Swordplay? Oh, you mean the cowardly assassination technique? I have no intention of resorting to such a petty skill, ambushing an opponent who hasn’t even drawn their sword.”

“What, what?! This… this rascal…!!”

Reacting to those words, which seemed to challenge the entire 50 million-member swordplay association to a direct confrontation, I couldn’t refrain from shouting out in anger at the time.

While it’s true that swordplay, a potential technique, could be employed for assassination, it did not constitute the entirety of swordplay.

Even if the author had depicted fictional parents being torn apart by swordplay, I refrained from expressing disdainful remarks in the comments. Through swordplay training, I had not only disciplined my body but also my mind.

Comment from Sword Fan: “Author… I’ve been a dedicated reader. I tried not to point out your mistakes since you’re human and can make mistakes, but this time, you’ve crossed the line. Swordplay can indeed be used as an assassination technique, but its primary purpose is an unforgiving, decisive strike in a counterattack. Please correct this part.”

┗Sword Master: “Decisive strike? What are you talking about?”

┗Sword Fan: “I mean a decisive strike. Swordplay is a technique that utilizes the friction generated when drawing the sword from the sheath to swiftly cut down an opponent. Isn’t this common knowledge even for children?”

┗Sword Master: “I don’t know what you’re talking about, but that’s only in comics. It’s not like that in reality. I’ve tried it, so I know.”

“No, seriously, what has this crazy person written?”

Just because a person who seems to be mentally unstable writes a novel featuring knights, does that mean they believe they have become a real knight?

Although the conversation from that day concluded there, I continued to leave comments until the moment the work concluded, hoping that this uninformed non-sword user could be enlightened.

Comment from a Sword Enthusiast: “Author, I enjoyed your work today as well. However, you still haven’t made corrections to Episode 32.”

Comment from a Sword Enthusiast: “Author, I really liked the scene where the protagonist used a katana in today’s episode. But why doesn’t he use swordplay?”

Comment from a Sword Enthusiast: “Author, can’t you hear the sound of the protagonist’s katana crying? It’s constantly crying out to use swordplay.”

Comment from a Sword Enthusiast: “Author, if you correct Episode 32, I’m willing to donate double the amount from the combined sponsorships of ranks 1 to 10.”

As the comments piled up, reaching 50 episodes, 100 episodes, and surpassing 200 episodes until it reached the conclusion at 653 episodes.

Comment from a Sword Enthusiast: “Thank you for your hard work until the end. However, my desire for you to correct the authenticity error regarding swordplay in Episode 32 has not changed.”

Comment from a Sword Enthusiast: “The friction generated during a sword’s draw produces kinetic energy, resulting in faster speed and more power than when swung normally. This is common knowledge. Please, even now, for the sake of your honor as an author, I hope you modify the description in Episode 32.” ┗Sword Master: “Sigh… I don’t even have the energy to say what nonsense this is. If you believe swordplay is that effective, go ahead and try it yourself.”

With that problematic comment, I lost consciousness. And when I woke up…

“Waah!”

I had turned into a baby.

***

It took less than ten seconds, slightly exaggerated, to comprehend what had occurred.

[Swordplay] [Grade: F]

[A technique involving swiftly drawing the sword from its scabbard and striking the opponent; however, simply swinging the unsheathed sword is faster and more powerful.]

Facing such absurd and inaccurate descriptions, it would be foolish not to notice.

In my current life, reborn with the ultimate skill called Swordplay, my given name was Ian Ba Tow.

The title was that of a Viscount, belonging to a humble family barely recognized in the aristocracy, but that didn’t matter.

With the ultimate sword technique, Swordplay, I believed I could go anywhere.

After my previous life, I had dreamt of witnessing the culmination of Swordplay, which I couldn’t achieve due to the limitations of my physical body.

Unfortunately, as I was just a baby, I couldn’t use a sword, let alone split my own neck.

Thus, until my body grew to a certain size, I had no choice but to satisfy myself with imagination.

From that point on, hellish days began.

I obtained the ultimate skill called Swordplay, but paradoxically, I couldn’t use Swordplay!

All I could do was imagine myself using Swordplay.

So, while nursing from my mother’s breast or relieving myself, I trained my imagination, always thinking of Swordplay.

And when I turned five…

“Father! I want a sword!”

Now that I could control my body, I immediately asked my father for a sword.

“What?!”

Although surprised by my bold request, my father felt joy at the fact that I showed an interest in swords.

“Alright, Ian! That’s how boys are! I’ll give you the one I used when I was young…”

“No! I want a different sword!”

“Huh? Then what do you want?”

“Yes! I want a katana, the weapon from the East!”

“Katana? How do you even know about such a weapon?”

When the name of the strongest weapon suitable for using Swordplay entered my mouth, my father seemed astonished.

Indeed, it was natural for him to be surprised when such a fearsome weapon name came from the mouth of a five-year-old child.

“Well… it’s not such a bad weapon, I guess. Alright, I’ll get it for you soon!”

“Yes!”

And some time later, my father kept his promise and got me two katanas.

With the katanas in hand, even during sleep, I always thought of Swordplay and trained my imagination.

On a bright spring day with the warm breeze, I drew the sword. “Swordplay!!!”

During the scorching summer with the hot sun beating down, I drew the sword.

“Heh, heh… Swordplay!!!”

In the autumn, with leaves turning red and the joy of harvest filling the air, I drew the sword while eating sweet potatoes.

“Chirp, chirp… Swordplay!!!”

In the harsh winter when everything turned white and everything fell into a deep sleep, I drew the sword while enduring the biting cold.

“B-b-bad, bad, bad, bad… Swordplay!!!”

I always thought of nothing but Swordplay, drawing the sword every day, even when I was in pain or when my father passed away.

As a result…

“Swordplay.”

The sword, drawn from the scabbard with a flash, made a heavy sound, as if the air itself was being torn apart, accompanied by shockwaves that bent the trees.

[Swordplay] [Grade: B++]

[A technique of swiftly drawing the sword from the scabbard and striking the opponent. However, what in the world has made you like this?]

After 15 years of training, my Swordplay surpassed the speed of sound, tearing through the barrier of air.