Chapter 9: The Sword Remembers

“Bisus Granginol, step forward.”

At the professor’s call, Bisus had no choice but to move forward.

This was supposed to be the protagonist’s moment.

Bisus glanced at Janice, the original protagonist of Eclipse, but he was just cheering him on with a “You got this!”

Whatever.

I’ll just go out, lose, and come back.

It’s Naber, the heir of the renowned Schreig family, famed for their swordsmanship.

Bisus, who hadn’t even gained proper power yet, stood no chance against him.

The protagonist beating Naber in the novel was an absurd upset, a key early event that skyrocketed their popularity.

Even if I lose here, it’s not that embarrassing.

I’m here to learn swordsmanship because I don’t know it, and Schreig’s already a polished swordsman.

Since I’ve already caught Sofia’s attention, losing once should be fine.

“Both students, take your training swords and get into position.”

But will it hurt?

I don’t like pain.

Isn’t it a problem that the professor’s allowing a novice like me to face a master like him?

Even if we’re freshmen, the skill gap is obvious—how can they let this spar happen?!

Resigning himself, Bisus grasped the sword in front of him.

“Huh?”

In that instant, his body felt lighter, and a sense of omnipotence surged through him.

This feeling… it’s like in the dream…!

Bisus felt a sense of familiarity.

The power he’d felt in last night’s dream—the strength that tore through demons—was within him.

It wasn’t at the level of conjuring sword aura or unleashing sword energy, but about half that strength was there.

“Prepare!”

The professor raised his hand.

Naber took a stance, sword at the ready, but Bisus stood there, dazed.

This isn’t good.

Janice knew Bisus’s skills.

His dear friend who wanted to excel at swordsmanship but had no talent for it.

Bisus had once asked Janice to teach him, and Janice hoped he’d improve.

He’d been thrilled at the thought of helping Bisus during this class.

But to face Schreig of all people?

Janice could only hope this spar wouldn’t break his friend’s spirit.

“Now we’ll see what this guy who charmed the highborns is made of.”

“He looks like a weakling who doesn’t even know how to hold a sword.”

“No way he can beat Schreig.”

“He must’ve annoyed them by seducing the saintess and the princess. Can’t wait to see him get crushed.”

“Such a lowborn.”

Janice overheard the male students’ jealous whispers.

Men’s jealousy is so ugly.

Stay strong, Bisus.

Thud

Bisus adjusted his grip on the sword.

That’s…!

“Hm, at least he’s gonna try.”

“Trying to look cool in front of the girls, huh? Probably just an empty show-off.”

“Schreig! Teach that pretty boy a lesson!”

No, that’s not just for show.

Seeing Bisus’s stance, Janice was stunned.

That’s the posture of someone who’s swung a sword millions of times!

It’s at least a level above Schreig’s!

What happened to you, Bisus?!

“Begin!”

The spar started, and Naber charged at Bisus.

His swift strikes would’ve overwhelmed the old Bisus, who wouldn’t even have reacted.

Clang

But Bisus effortlessly deflected the attack.

“No way!”

“He blocked Schreig’s strike?”

The students watching were shocked.

“Just a fluke!”

“Yeah, pure luck!”

No, it’s not luck.

Janice, at the peak of Sword Expert level, could tell.

Bisus had deflected Schreig’s attack with ease.

If he wanted, he could’ve disarmed Schreig in one move and won.

That wasn’t a fluke—it was mercy.

Clang clang

Bisus and Schreig’s swords clashed repeatedly.

Professor Valdrake, watching closely, was in awe.

Is this really the level of an academy freshman?!

Even Schreig was considered this year’s top prodigy.

But to be outclassed by this genius!

Bisus Granginol!

Even I can’t fully grasp the intricacies of his swordsmanship.

His physical abilities aren’t exceptional, but his technique far surpasses a student’s level!

Could he be beyond even me?

Yet, despite multiple chances to end it, he’s dragging it out.

Is he hiding his skill?

No, it feels more like… he’s getting accustomed to real combat.

What is this guy?!

Naber Schreig was panicking.

He’d intended to punish Bisus.

How dare a lowly guy like him catch the attention of the pure and beautiful saintess?

The saintess, devoted to her god, would never entertain a man.

The only reason she’d notice someone like him must be because he pulled some shady trick!

As a knight of justice, Naber planned to defeat this villain and dedicate the victory to the saintess.

When Bisus stood there blankly holding his sword, Naber thought victory would be easy.

But now he was being overwhelmed!

No path to victory was in sight.

It felt like facing his father.

Despite Bisus’s smaller frame, Naber felt like he was up against a mountain.

Clang

After dozens of exchanges, Naber’s strength gave out, and his sword flew back, embedding itself in the ground.
I… lost?

Thud

Naber collapsed to the ground.

“Winner! Bisus Granginol!”

Valdrake raised his hand, declaring Bisus’s victory.

Bisus extended a hand to Naber.

“What?”

Naber was stunned.

I called him out to humiliate him, and he’s… respecting me?

Offering a hand to a defeated opponent in a duel is a gesture of utmost respect.

It’s like saying their skills are equal, and he only won by luck.

Considering most knights would mock a defeated opponent rather than help them up, this was shocking to Naber.

He didn’t realize Bisus, unfamiliar with dueling etiquette, was acting based on sportsmanship he’d seen in his past life.

Bisus himself was bewildered.

What just happened?

Why am I so strong?

“Congratulations on your victory, Bisus-nim!”

“Amazing swordsmanship, Bisus!”

“Hey, Bisus! When did you get this strong?!”

Artoria, Sofia, and Janice welcomed him back, but Bisus was still reeling.

“As expected of Bisus-nim! Your swordsmanship was incredible!”

“Hmph. Of course. Bisus was strong enough to defeat the Demon King with me—this is nothing!”

Strong enough to defeat the Demon King?

Bisus realized the swordsmanship he’d just used mirrored what his body did in the dream.

Did I… inherit the power from that dream?

Defeating Naber with this pathetic body?

It doesn’t make sense otherwise.

Why?

He was still confused, but…The reason doesn’t matter.

What matters is that I’ve gained power.

Bisus recalled the awe-inspiring scenes from the dream.

If I grow, I could achieve that too.

This… I like this.

“I’ll head out now! See you tomorrow!”

“I’ll go too. Have a good night, Bisus.”

After finishing classes and eating dinner together, Artoria and Sofia left.

“Ugh, what a tiring day.”

Janice stretched, looking at Bisus.

“Tell me about it.”

The new power and the spar were enough to make his head spin, but Artoria and Sofia’s constant rivalry over him made Bisus even more exhausted.

It’s nice that they both like me, but their jealousy is too much.

At this rate, they might tear me in half.

“So, Bisus, where’d you learn that swordsmanship? How’d you get so strong?!”

“Like I’ve been saying, I don’t know. It just… happened instinctively.”

“If it ‘just happens,’ why can’t I do it?!”

“You’re plenty strong yourself. What are you talking about?”

As they walked, Janice tripped over a rock and lost his balance.

Normally, Bisus wouldn’t have reacted in time, but his newly enhanced body moved swiftly, catching Janice before he fell.

Squish

His hand landed on Janice’s chest to steady him.

Boing

Janice’s face turned bright red.

“S-Sorry! I accidentally grabbed your chest!”

Knowing Janice’s true identity, Bisus hurriedly pulled his hand away.

“Thanks, but, uh, a guy touching another guy’s chest feels weird! Haha… I’m not into that sort of thing.”

Janice laughed awkwardly.

Bisus couldn’t help but panic.

Because in the novel Eclipse, the protagonist wasn’t a male in a harem story.

It was a yuri story centered on a girl disguised as a boy.78x