Academy’S Gumiho Is A Magical Genius [EN]: Chapter 93

Academy Gumiho is a Magic Genius – Episode 93

Academy Gumiho is a Magic Genius Episode 93

First Practical Assessment (3)

“Excellent. The examinee pool isn’t even at 100 yet, and we already have a Rank 1.”

Rank 1.

The highest score Namgung Seongjin could give in the practical assessment.

The moment they heard those words, the students, who had been captivated by the massive, sharp sword, snapped back to attention.

The owner of Rank 1, a position only a select few could attain.

One spot was already decided.

“Rank 1 already?”

“It’s just meeting the criteria. It’s not impossible, but…”

The Rank 1 evaluation criterion set by Namgung Seongjin was One-Sword (一劍) [a single strike].

To cut through a log in one strike.

However, in principle, Rank 1 should be awarded to the top 4% of the entire grade. This was an absolute rule set by the chairman.

In other words, even if they couldn’t cut it in one strike, if Rank 1 was less than 4%, then Rank 2 would also have a chance.

And one of those chances.

Just flew away at this moment.

“Hey, what’s 4%?”

“4% of 2,000 is 80 people.”

“That’s more than I thought? Even if he gets first place, there are still 79 spots left.”

“Hey, hey. There were 9 people, remember?”

“Ah…”

All freshmen, 1,991 students.

Among them, the students who could enjoy the glory of the top 4%.

79.64 people.

Rounded up, it was 80 people. Nothing different from the original.

However, in one corner of the students’ minds, it felt as if the Rank 1 spot was vacant thanks to their absence. Among the dead students, there was a female student skilled with dual swords.

If she had been alive, she would have definitely taken Rank 1…

Thoughts like that struck their minds.

The children still couldn’t forget the deaths of their classmates who had attended lectures together. They were still too young to forget death and let it flow into time.

While the students were thinking about that.

The blatant sorting of the wheat from the chaff, under the guise of a practical assessment, continued.

Uwaaaaaaaa!!!

The students watching the practical assessment from behind suddenly raised their hands and cheered.

At the center of that cheer was a giant who slammed a log with a massive shield.

“As expected of Suho! It would be weird if he couldn’t one-shot it with that size!”

“Is that just strength alone?”

“Hey, don’t you know Suho’s grades? His written exams are a bit low, but his practical skills are 8th in the entire school.”

A feast of muscles that even the academy-issued dress shirt couldn’t hide.

The physique and muscles that made it hard to believe he was only a 17-year-old boy were enough to make people suspicious.

A physique that you could believe even if he said he was in his mid-20s.

Even the scene where his back muscles strained against the dress shirt.

Makes anyone turn around.

Just like my tail.

“Kim Suho. Although he tends to focus on muscles and strength, he split the log in one strike. Rank 1.”

8th in practical skills.

A guardian warrior with a shield and axe.

Kim Suho’s Rank 1, armed with powerful muscles, might have been obvious.

To the students, his Rank 1 seemed to be thanks to his muscles. With that much muscle, he could crush logs or rocks in one blow.

‘They’re all so young.’

Maybe it’s because they’re young.

Most of them had a one-dimensional view.

He’s big and strong, so he cut it in one blow?

That’s wrong.

Do you think a log that sucked the blood of the Divine Tree is that simple? That log was subtly embodying the characteristics of the Divine Tree.

‘The conditions for cutting down the Divine Tree are to have the logging skills of an average lumberjack and a firm will to cut it down.’

The former can be met even by freshmen.

But the latter condition is quite vague.

A firm will to cut it down.

The answer to that differs from person to person.

And the person who is confident in that answer means a master who has looked back on their inner self and achieved harmony between their outer and inner selves.

In other words, it means that students can’t cut it down.

It’s only because it’s a miscellaneous log that parasitizes the Divine Tree and subtly embodies its characteristics that it can be cut by the freshmen.

If it were the real Divine Tree, the only people who could cut it down in this place would be Namgung Seongjin and me.

And─.

“Oh, it’s my turn. Teacher, I’ll be back!”

─Seong Yenhwa.

She waved her hand at me with a tone that had no tension or tremor.

That smile didn’t have the confidence or assurance that she would pass the practical assessment with Rank 1. Seong Yenhwa was just…

Without any thoughts or distractions.

The inner self hidden within her cheerful tone and constant smile was emptiness (無) [emptiness or nothingness, a state of being free from desires and attachments].

Seong Yenhwa was like a sharply honed sword.

Silently waiting to be drawn from its scabbard.

“Can I start the test?”

A moment of waiting.

After that, her turn came.

Swish, she drew a sword from her waist.

Compared to the sword she usually carried, it was noticeably crude.

Could she really cut a log with that?

A crude iron sword that seemed like it would only damage the blade.

“Yap!”

Seong Yenhwa let out a shout.

There was no hesitation in that tone. There was only a cold and sharp sword.

A craftsman does not blame their tools.

That’s not because the craftsman already has high-quality tools.

Nor is the craftsman’s skill bound by the tools.

A true craftsman─

‘─Transcends the capabilities of the tool simply by their existence.’

Clang!

The moment she drew her sword, Seong Yenhwa sheathed it back into the scabbard.

Everyone was curious about what kind of bizarre act she was performing.

She lowered her stance and stretched her left foot back.

At the same time, she grabbed the handle and scabbard of the sword with her opposite hand.

“What’s that stance?”

“Oh! I’ve seen that a lot in anime?!”

“Hey, you magic nerds. How can you read so many books in the library every day and not know that? It’s Battodo, Battodo [a sword-drawing technique].”

“Yeah, good for you for knowing. You muscle-brain bastard.”

Iaijutsu (居合) [a Japanese martial art that emphasizes drawing the sword and attacking in one motion].

Or a technique also called Battodo.

Originally, it was a swordsmanship used to respond to or initiate surprise attacks.

But due to various creative works and media, it has created the perception of a super-fast finishing move.

─Iaijutsu is a finishing move, the stance isn’t bad. But there will be limits with such a trick.

‘……A trick, that’s not wrong.’

─What you just said. It sounds like you’re saying Iaijutsu isn’t a trick. Do you know something?

‘You’ll see.’

A trick (雜技) [a skill or technique, often implying something less refined or practical], as Tamamo said, Iaijutsu was closer to a simple trick compared to other advanced swordsmanship.

Of course, this trick also varies in value depending on who learns and uses it, but if you had to say, it’s a kind of trick.

Emperor Sword Style, Zixia Divine Sword, Taiji Wisdom Sword, etc.

There are many advanced swordsmanships in the world.

Iaijutsu can’t even hold a candle to them.

“Student Seong Yenhwa, please begin.”

Swish!

Almost as soon as Namgung Seongjin finished speaking to start the test, Seong Yenhwa’s hand quickly snatched the sword hilt (劍柄) [the handle of the sword].

She slowly drew her sword.

A cool blade reflecting light.

The moment its tip was revealed to the eyes of the people.

Crackkkkkkk!

With the sound of something grinding, the scabbard was crushed.

A super-fast Iaijutsu. Seong Yenhwa caused a tremendous wind pressure just by drawing her sword, smashing the scabbard.

Swish!

The black sword, so fast that it felt like lightning was being fired, instantly reached the log.

And while the people watching the scene were staring blankly, not knowing what had happened.

The log, neatly split in half, fell to the ground.

“Seong Yenhwa. You cut down the log in less than a second after starting the test.”

“Really?”

“Exactly 0.21 seconds. It’s a new record.”

“Wow! Does that mean I’m in first place?!”

The most honorable swordsman in the world.

The one who would seize the title of Sword Saint had never been weaker than others for even a single moment.

“You were always number one, Yenhwa.”

“Except for the written exams. By the way, it would be nice if that student could do something about their written exam score.”

“What can we do if they say they don’t like it?”

1st in practical skills, 1,729th in written exams.

Overall, 4th in the entire school.

Seong Yenhwa was undoubtedly the strongest freshman.

Although it was a position that would eventually be taken back by the protagonist.

But for now, she was the best.

“Hahaha… I’m speechless.”

“Is she the same age as me?”

“Is it true that the descendants of prestigious families are different from the roots?”

All the students who watched her were speechless.

The moment the sword was drawn from the scabbard, the momentary feat of neatly bisecting the log made it difficult to even feel jealousy, let alone astonishment.

The difference between Seong Yenhwa and themselves.

The gap between them was something they couldn’t possibly bridge.

The gap felt all the more desperate because it was a simple practical assessment like cutting down a log.

If it were hunting dozens of monsters, they could blame factors such as experience or technique. But this was purely showing off skill and talent itself.

And.

Right after the undisputed number one, whom everyone acknowledged, was born.

“Student Seo Yerin. Please come forward.”

It was her.

* * *

Finally, the moment they had been waiting for.

Seo Yerin’s turn had come.

As she came out carrying a spear made of metal, the students who had cheered for Seong Yenhwa and the teaching assistants in charge of recording and evaluating sparkled their eyes.

“Isn’t she that girl? The granddaughter of the Divine Spear.”

“Probably. I saw her wielding a spear the other day when I was passing by, and it wasn’t ordinary.”

“It must be her. She saved me last time.”

“Oh, then she must be good.”

“Hey, but why is her face turning red? Do you like her?”

“No, I don’t! You crazy bastard!!”

“It’s obvious. Why don’t you calm down and talk? You’re not convincing at all.”

Everyone was buzzing about Seo Yerin.

She, who wasn’t good at talking, suddenly felt burdened by the sudden attention and interest. It wouldn’t have mattered normally.

But it was because of the scene she had just witnessed and the sounds she heard in her ears.

‘Can I do well, well, will I be able to?’

A hollow question thrown at herself.

Of course, there was no answer.

Rather, her anxiety began to soar.

Seong Yenhwa, who drew a lightning-like sword and instantly cut down the log. Unlike her, who possessed an already completed swordsmanship, she was immature.

All she had learned so far was the Seo Family Spear Technique, the basic spear technique of her family, and self-taught healing magic. And the divine power she had awakened as a result.

And the two mysteries and the method of imbuing will into the spear that she had learned relatively recently.

That was all.

It was great for what she had learned in her 17 years of life.

But why did it feel shabby when compared to other peers?

‘……I’m different from the other kids.’

Isabelle, the granddaughter of [name missing in original text], who received the support of her grandmother along with her genius talent.

Seong Yenhwa, who inherited everything as the sole heir of her family.

Even when compared to her peers, there was a slight difference.

No, there was a big gap that couldn’t be compared simply by time or distance.

Even her teacher, Seungwoo, was teaching students magic and martial arts at the young age of 21.

There’s no one around me who’s worse than me.

The worst is me.

As anxiety crept up from within her chest, hesitation began to linger at the tip of the spear that Seo Yerin was holding tightly. A powerful anxiety was expressed as will.

“Hmm, that’s not good. The momentum isn’t bad, but the will is a bit…”

“Weak?”

“Yes, that’s right! As expected of my chief assistant, you know my heart best. Was it Seo Yerin? I was expecting a bit because she was in the single digits in practical skills when she entered the school. At this rate, I think I’ll be a little disappointed.”

Namgung Seongjin and his chief assistant said while watching Seo Yerin’s spear.

She doesn’t seem to lack skills.

Perhaps her talent is one of the best even in Chilseong, where all kinds of elites gather.

However, the image she is showing now is, well…

At least, it was quite different from the ideal talent pursued by the Department of Martial Arts.

“……”

Unlike the others who expressed concern.

Seungwoo remained silent.

There had been no significant change in Seo Yerin’s skills over the past week.

Instead, her mindset had changed quite a bit.

Let’s see how different it is.

At that very moment.

“!!!”

“……Amazing.”

“Oho.”

It was the reaction of Namgung Seongjin, Seong Yenhwa, and Seungwoo in turn.

The three who had established their own martial arts in this place.

Each reaction was astonishment, a desire to compete, and finally, interest.

She put hesitation into the spear as it was.

An act that goes against most martial arts spirits that emphasize unwavering resolve (不惑) [a state of being free from doubt or confusion].

She nonchalantly did what a so-called heretical sect would do and calmed her breath.

The more she calmed her breath, the more the sounds of the audience gradually decreased.

Only Seo Yerin’s breathing was filled in the area.

A completed body.

A completed posture.

The body and technique were ready.

All that remained was the mind.

“……This is crazy.”

“Wh, what is that?!”

Clatter, as Seo Yerin, holding a long spear, changed her posture, sounds were heard from various places. Most of them were questioning voices.

That’s because her current posture was…

Far from the posture of cutting down a log.

“Javelin throwing, was she secretly watching what I taught Leeji from the side?”

Javelin throwing.

Her posture was javelin throwing to anyone who saw it.

Spreading her legs wide to widen the gap.

Focusing the center of gravity on the lower body.

Pulling her hand far back so that the spear draws a parabola.

Everyone was questioning the posture that they had never seen in the practical assessment until now.

Seo Yerin’s body, which contained hesitation in the spear, stiffened.

The maximum elasticity that she could unleash using her own body. She stretched her hand back to the end.

And now.

All that was left was to fly.

“Huuuuu……”

Here I go.

Greatly twisting her waist to use the elasticity and rebound of her body, she poured the maximum physical ability that could be exerted without magic power into the spear.

Thus, her spear flew forward with the extreme (極) [utmost power or limit] at the head like a bullet.

Shoooooong!!

Seo Yerin’s javelin throwing that cut through the wind.

Everyone who watched the scene thought.

If you throw it like that, you won’t be able to properly utilize the reach, which is the biggest advantage of the spear.

Everyone thought so.

But no one said it out loud.

Whether it was truly shabby to throw a javelin in this practical assessment, or whether their thoughts were conservative.

The result told them instead.

One point (一點) [a single point or strike].

She split the log with the tip of the spear, not the blade.

An undeniable Rank 1 without a doubt.

Everyone was greatly surprised and cheered.

“Wow, she really did it? That’s possible?!”

“Now that I see it, javelin throwing seems doable.”

“Stop it. It’s only possible because she’s the granddaughter of the Divine Spear, and guys like us should choose an axe and chop it.”

High Ranker, granddaughter.

Seo Yerin.

It was the moment she took her first step as a spearwoman aiming for the title of the next Divine Spear (神槍) [a legendary spear and its wielder].