Extra Demon: Sacred Academy of Light

Chapter 126 Magic Swordsman

"You're doing it wrong, you have to ehhh... you know, like this and like that..." Leslie moved the wooden sword in her hands in a way that seemed a bit... like a toy, or like a child swinging a stick while playing swords—or at least, that's how it looked to me.

"..."

With my eyes rolling. Even though Leslie is good with the sword, her style is a bit extravagant. She struggles when trying to explain things with words or teach the theoretical side of swordsmanship. Although it might seem useless, theory is just as important as practice. But in this case... seeing Leslie's confused expression, it was clear that she herself knew her explanation was complete nonsense.

"I think it's better if you watch and repeat after me?" she suggested, trying to find some kind of solution.

That could work too—after all, learning by watching is effective as well. It's a slightly easier method, I think.

"Alright," I agreed.

It's Wednesday morning—a cloudy one—but within minutes, the clouds give way to sunlight, marking the continuation of the festival. Day by day, it grew larger and larger, eventually attracting visitors from the Lunar Empire, including high-ranking officials. The first time I saw them, they wore grand robes of deep blue with silver stripes. There were two of them—a man and a woman—both very tall, nearly two meters high.

Interestingly, despite being from a foreign empire, they strolled through the streets without trouble, warmly received by the people, and they returned the kindness in kind. I heard they headed straight for the imperial castle. But none of that mattered...

The real issue is that what started as a small event has grown into something far bigger.

By the way, yesterday I stayed in my dorm to think about what I'll do on Friday. I can fight... somewhat—I think. I'm neither terrible nor great, but I can definitely sense a clear gap between me and Ariel. Or rather, it's more about self-confidence. But I have this gut feeling that, without a doubt, he is better than me. His attitude says it all, and the way he acted so indifferently, combined with Azrael's words that I won't be able to win... Dwelling on it isn't an option, nor is wasting time thinking I'm weaker than him.

The main problem is deciding what kind of weapon to use—sword or magic? The most common and optimal choice would be becoming a mage, simply because of the inherent ability I have.

[Mana Control] [Description: The host can manipulate mana with a high level of mastery.]

A perfect skill for a mage—mana control is essential. However...

[Cold Mind] [Description: The host can suppress emotions within their mind.] Enjoy exclusive chapters from empire

This skill... I've only used it to block out the terrible pain in my soul and body. It's a misuse on my part, considering the great potential it holds for a swordsman. The ability to fully dominate one's body and emotions can become a deadly weapon.

These two skills are fascinating. If I chose to be a mage, I could maximize the potential of [Mana Control], but with [Cold Mind], I'd only be using half of its capabilities. It's not that I'm saying it's useless for a mage, but I can't help but feel that something's missing... a sense of incompleteness and wasted potential. I'm not balancing both sides, and that doesn't sit well with me, especially given my current position. Mages are generally vulnerable in close combat, and while [Cold Mind] could be useful in those situations, no mage would willingly put themselves in such a disadvantageous position—it's reckless.

On the other hand, there's the sword—a weapon mainly used for close-range combat. It's known as the king of weapons by some. Flexible, deadly, and deceptively simple at first glance, it's just a sharp blade. But that simplicity is what makes it so effective. A normal sword might be useless, but a sword imbued with mana becomes swift and many times deadlier—a magical sword... wielded by a magic swordsman.

This type of combatant is far more versatile than a standard mage or swordsman. The ability to use both magic and the sword simultaneously, combining them into one, creates a perfect balance between [Mana Control] and [Cold Mind]. This seems like the most viable approach. But it's always easier to talk about than to execute. I'm not particularly skilled with magic—I barely know how to cast fireballs. As for the sword... I'm not uncomfortable with it, but I feel clumsy when using it. In short, I'm average. Coming from another world, that's to be expected. Still, human adaptability is remarkable, and with Leslie, Evelyn, and Daniela—swordswomen and mages—at my side, I have plenty of opportunities to learn from them.

With all that considered, I've decided to become a magic swordsman. It seems like the best way to balance my two combat-relevant skills. The system is simple: from morning until 2 p.m., I'll practice swordsmanship, and from 3 to 10 p.m., I'll train in magic with Evelyn and Daniela. Practically all day—it's a heavy schedule. But when you enjoy it, time flies. There's a deep sense of satisfaction in improvement—it's almost addictive.

Even though time isn't on my side, I'll do my best. I have three days, and if necessary, I'll train at night too. I'll do whatever it takes.

"No, you're doing it wrong—like this... watch again." Leslie demonstrated the attack once more. The example involved taking three steps: attacking twice in the process. The first strike was a diagonal slash from the front, followed by a small spin and an upward slash from below. I have to admit—Leslie's movements were incredibly fluid, as if she were dancing in water. Her strikes were swift, the air whistling around her blade. When she finished, she looked at me with a bright smile.

"Now, repeat it," she said.

She was happy. At that moment, it was just the two of us, something she cherished—and something I did too.

"Alright," I replied with a small smile.