WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Oblivious

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ The Weakest Knight Became a Swordmaster, But Only in Dungeons ◈

Chapter 25: The Next Level

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Countless Demonkin charged at Violet Blackgarden.

Violet trembled in fear, but then a light-brown-haired man in dazzling armor appeared before her.

Her friend, Ron Hazely.

Every time Ron swung his sword, mana slashes of tremendous power swept out and devastated the battlefield. Countless Demonkin died in an instant.

After winning the battle with ease, Ron held out his hand to Violet.

Ron said, “I came to save you, Violet.”

Overwhelmed with emotion, Violet took Ron’s hand.

And then...

Hug.

Ron pulled Violet tightly into his arms.

Violet’s eyes widened.

Her heart pounded. Overcome with emotion, Violet gently closed her eyes, wrapped her arms around Ron’s neck, and pressed herself even closer into his embrace.

The Demonkin corpses rose and began clapping in unison.

Clap clap clap clap clap!

“Congratulations!”

“Congratulations!”

“Congratulations!”

It was an incredibly heartwarming and beautiful sight.

As if shining a spotlight, the sky poured brilliant sunlight down on Ron and Violet alone.

Then, as if blessing their future together, trumpets sounded from somewhere.

Ba ba ba-bam! Ba ba ra ba ba! Ba bam...!

“Gasp...!”

At the sound of Griffin Knight School’s wake-up trumpet, Violet jolted awake.

She slowly sat up. Her tangled deep-purple hair hung over her vision.

Violet blankly stared into the empty space beyond her hair.

The feeling of being held tightly by Ron in her dream still lingered in her arms. Of course, it had been nothing more than an illusion.

Soon, Violet scrubbed her face and let out a quiet cry.

“Why am I having dreams like this...?”

Her relationship with Ron had changed so drastically that many things already felt unfamiliar.

At this rate, she had no choice but to become more and more conscious of Ron...!

What kind of face was she supposed to make when she saw Ron from now on?

“Ahhh...”

Violet could only agonize endlessly.

* * *

I was in peak condition.

‘It’s been a while since I slept this well.’

After deciding to become companions with Violet Blackgarden, I felt like I had chugged a refreshing carbonated drink.

Maybe the frustration I had carried ever since recovering my memories of my past life had finally been relieved.

Or maybe the loneliness that had quietly settled inside me had been pushed away.

Just having one person who was truly on my side filled me with enormous relief and satisfaction.

Morning roll call, morning mountain runs, and morning training all ended pleasantly.

I wanted to see Violet soon and greet her happily.

‘Still, I shouldn’t look too excited.’

Violet had had so much to worry about lately. She must have been mentally exhausted.

I needed to take that into consideration and be thoughtful toward Violet. I should cherish our Violet like crazy.

‘Now that I’ve recruited Violet... I need to add another branch to the plan.’

I would hunt enemies.

Violet would command the ones that could be turned into undead servants.

‘Nice.’

Just imagining it, I could already see the perfect cycle.

Before long, I arrived at the first-period training ground. The cadets were seated.

Among them, I spotted a female cadet with long, deep-purple hair adorned with a skull-shaped hairpin.

Violet Blackgarden.

A smile spread across my face.

“Morning, Violet.”

I immediately walked over to greet her.

“Ah...”

“?”

What was that? Violet flinched, letting out a quiet, breathy sound.

She slowly turned her head toward me.

I expected her to welcome me with her usual shy smile, but Violet stared blankly at me as though she had been possessed by a ghost.

“Violet?”

“...”

Even so, the corners of Violet’s lips twitched.

“Mr. Hazely... g-good morning.”

Violet barely managed to greet me while avoiding my eyes.

Her cheeks were flushed red.

She seemed happy to see me, but also awkward.

‘That’s... an unfamiliar reaction.’

More precisely, she seemed unsure how to treat me.

‘Should I see this as an adjustment period too?’

I understood. A reaction like this was only natural.

All I could do was match Violet’s pace. For the time being, I would have to endure the awkward atmosphere and stay by her side.

I smiled kindly and sat beside Violet. With an unreadable expression, she stared at the ground while fidgeting with her fingers in front of her stomach.

...

During morning training.

I was training while wrapping mana around a mock sword loaded with magitech weights.

Ding!

‘Hm?’

[You are approaching the next realm.]

‘Oh?’

[Your growth progress toward entering the next realm will be displayed.]

[Realm “Lower Sword Expert” Growth Progress: 0%]

‘It appeared!’

The corners of my lips rose reflexively.

‘Does this mean I’m close to the next realm now?’

It seemed the display had begun because, just like in the original story, I was approaching the next realm, Sword Expert.

For reference, becoming a Swordmaster inside a Dungeon did not satisfy those conditions. It was not a true realm.

‘It’s been a long time of humiliation and oppression...’

It felt like tears were blurring my vision.

Until now, I had been a Sword User, a realm that any random person with awakened mana and weapon skills could have.

On top of that, hadn’t every other Sword User cadet besides me either dropped out or been expelled? Of course I was lonely.

Once I reached the next realm, I would finally be able to throw my weight around among the remaining cadets.

“Again, one! Two! Three! Again!”

Instructor Logan walked around, calling out commands.

If I got lost in thought, I would quickly get caught and be punished with drills.

‘Let’s think about it later.’

I set aside my excitement for now and focused on training again.

Time passed, and training came to an end.

‘This is freaking exhausting...’

As the number of cadets had dropped, the intensity of training had increased further. The dead weight had been weeded out.

I stood in formation among the cadets and caught my breath.

“I have an announcement regarding personal squires!”

Instructor Logan shouted before the cadets.

“Soon, some of you will receive offers to become personal squires! You will experience being personal squires for a while, then begin the full course in the second semester!”

Instructor Logan continued.

“During the first-semester trial period, you may gain experience anywhere that offers you a squire position! When the second semester begins, you may choose the place you want! Of course, you may also refuse!”

It was basically a system meant to help us find the place that suited us.

“Does everyone understand!?”

“Yes!!”

The cadets answered sharply.

‘Chapter 1, Act 7.’

Chapter 1, Act 7 of For Elise, the personal squire arc.

My gaze naturally turned toward Elise Lorendia, the cadet with magenta half-tied hair.

Unlike me, who was exhausted and drenched in sweat, Elise looked perfectly fine as she watched Instructor Logan.

‘I don’t know how things will go this time, but...’

What I had to do had not changed.

Protect Elise and prevent the bad-ending route.

Then Elise suddenly turned her head slightly and met my eyes. It was a surprise glance.

‘Look how quickly she noticed my gaze.’

This was ridiculous. What kind of aura sense did she have?

Elise narrowed her eyes seductively.

In Elise’s usual tone, it was as though she were teasingly asking, ‘Why are you secretly staring at me, Ron Hazely?’

I became embarrassed and looked away from Elise.

‘For now, I’ll keep an eye on Elise’s situation...’

I needed to focus first on the task right in front of me.

...

A few days later.

At night, in Training Ground Seven.

Shing!

After continuously swinging my sword, I turned my attention to the translucent notification window floating in the air.

[Realm “Lower Sword Expert” Growth Progress: 13%]

Ever since this notification appeared, I had been training at a higher intensity than usual.

‘Sword Expert... the realm where you awaken aura.’

Aura.

You could call it enhanced mana. Depending on the person, it could even manifest unique properties.

Aura was also called the qualification of a true knight.

Elise creating storms of petals and Lara wielding Fish Sword were both forms of aura.

What would my aura be like? That curiosity alone made my motivation burn fiercely.

‘It’s about time I stood at the true starting point as a knight.’

Sword Expert, Ron Hazely.

‘Man.’

Just thinking about it made my chest swell.

What I had to do was no different from before. I just had to train hard while handling mana.

“You’re working hard, Ron?”

“Do I have to be startled again?”

A lively voice suddenly rang in my ears.

I steadied my breathing and turned toward the voice.

Beautiful magenta hair flowed down.

The protagonist, Elise Lorendia, leaned against the wall and stared at me with a bright smile.

“I wasn’t planning to startle you today, though?”

“Elise, I feel like you’ve been coming to see me a lot lately.”

“Someone might misunderstand if they heard you say that. I just come here to practice, and Ron happened to be here. If anything, who was it that stared at me so creepily instead of paying attention to Instructor Logan the other day?”

With her arms folded, Elise lightly tapped her cheek with her index finger and asked innocently.

“No...”

I had nothing to say...

Elise closed her eyes and spoke playfully.

“What should I do~? If you like me, you’re guaranteed a thorny road. There are just too many rivals~”

“Seriously, you’re so obnoxious...”

“It’s okay. I can be a little obnoxious.”

“Why? Because you’re so amazing?”

“Because I’m pretty.”

Elise declared it as though it were obvious.

I answered with a hollow laugh.

Elise smiled and approached me with both hands behind her back. Then she leaned toward my mock sword.

“Your mana has been flaring up pretty intensely. Are you aiming to awaken aura?”

What could I possibly hide from someone with eyes this sharp?

“Yeah, I guess. I’m the only Sword User among the first-years now.”

“So you got impatient? Poor Ron~”

“It’s not necessarily like that...”

Elise grinned and raised her index finger.

“Still, you can be happy from one perspective. If you’re the only Sword User left at this school, that makes you rare and impressive in its own way, right?”

Why would I be happy about that...?

I half-lidded my eyes.

“You’re making fun of me, aren’t you?”

“Oh no, you caught me.”

Elise giggled and took a sword stance.

“Want me to help you train as an apology?”

“What apology? Now that our paired training is over, have you already started missing my sword?”

Like Elise had done before, I deliberately asked in a teasing tone.

But Elise lifted her turquoise eyes and seriously considered it with a “Hmm...”

What was that?

“I don’t particularly miss it... No. Maybe I do.”

“Huh?”

I was flustered because I had not expected such an honest answer.

“You’re sharp, Ron Hazely?”

“...”

I took a sword stance and smirked.

“You’re getting Ron-ified.”

“Hmm? I don’t know what that means...?”

Perhaps she did not understand my joke, because Elise laughed awkwardly.

I thought I understood Elise’s intentions now. Hadn’t she gained an insight from my sword as well?

In other words, it made sense that she missed training with me because there was something to gain from it.

‘That’s probably why she’s been coming to see me so often too. I welcome it.’

Trading swords with Elise helped me improve my combat sense significantly.

It was like how you improved faster the more you played games against skilled players.

“Then~ I should help you until you awaken aura, Ron. You can thank me, Ron.”

Elise spoke as though boasting on purpose, then began approaching me.

Whoosh.

Rustle.

A crimson wind rose around Elise’s mock sword, scattering mana petals.

The knight school’s mock swords were specially processed weapons designed to harmonize with mana.

That was why Elise’s blade remained intact while channeling her aura.

“Did you know? They say the fastest way to awaken aura is to frequently clash your mana against someone else’s aura.”

“This is the first I’ve heard of it. Where did you get that information?”

“Rumors? It’s more like a folk remedy. I’m not sure, but I think I’ve felt some results too.”

“That’s ridiculous, Elise.”

“Why, Ron?”

“You’re responsible for what you say. I’m not letting you leave until late tonight.”

“Oh, how bold. I’m looking forward to it.”

Elise licked her lips with her bright red tongue.

Fine. Let’s get the most out of Elise.

“I’m coming.”

Burning with motivation, I charged at Elise.

...Five minutes later.

I lay helplessly on the ground, blankly staring at the bright ceiling.

‘Heavens...’

Please forgive me for becoming arrogant again...

‘This is seriously brutal.’

I could not handle a sword containing Elise’s aura at all.

Even when she smiled, said, “Hup,” and lightly swung her sword...

My mock sword was violently knocked away, my entire body buzzed, and my muscles screamed.

It was obvious that Elise was using only the tiniest amount of aura. Her aura was simply that powerful.

‘There’s a reason she’s part of the strongest group in the world’s future...’

I should not have acted bold in front of Elise. I could not even imagine how ridiculous I must have looked to her.

With the ceiling light at her back, Elise brushed the hair at her temple behind her ear and leaned over me.

“Are you okay, Ron?”

“...”

Elise narrowed her eyes and smiled mischievously.

“Can I tease you?”

“No...”

I’m feeling pretty discouraged right now, so please show some consideration...

“Okay.”

Elise snickered, squatted with her legs together, rested her chin on her hand, and stared at me.

She was smiling, as though lost in thought.

“What are you staring at? Do you have something to say?”

“Ron.”

“What?”

“I think you’re interesting.”

...What was she talking about now?

“That’s ridiculous...”

Why did she say something like that as though she had just reached some great realization?

This girl was always trying to tease me whenever she got the chance... Hm?

‘She thinks I’m interesting?’

Something suddenly felt strange.

In Elwi, there had never been anyone Elise grew close to like this while showing such interest.

“I already don’t want to go back~ Won’t Ron hurry up and get up to spar with me~?”

Elise stretched out the end of her words playfully.

‘Romantic interest? No, it was more like...’

Looking back at everything that had happened between Elise and me, it seemed she wanted me to grow stronger.

I could understand it since I was such an oddball, but...

‘Well... whatever.’

It was not a bad situation, so I decided to think positively and move on.

‘More importantly, I guess she wasn’t bluffing.’

[Realm “Lower Sword Expert” Growth Progress: 16%]

It had gone up by 3% already.

This was information I could not have known from the game. I had unexpectedly received a favor.

My motivation surged again.

“Yeah... This isn’t an opportunity that comes every day. I really do feel like it’s helping, just like you said.”

Gritting my teeth through the muscle pain, I barely forced myself up.

I wanted to awaken aura and reach the realm of Sword Expert as soon as possible.

Aura at Elise’s level was practically a miracle cure for me in this school. It hurt a lot, though.

“Please give me more help, Elise.”

Time to work myself to death today.

“Okay. That’s the spirit, Ron.”

Elise smiled brightly, stood up, and raised her sword again.

And the next day.

“Ughhh... I’m dying...”

I staggered like a zombie while holding onto the wall as I headed to morning roll call.

Despite my sense of accomplishment, I was carrying terrible muscle pain and regret with me...

[Realm “Lower Sword Expert” Growth Progress: 22%]

...

“I’ll announce the recipients of personal squire offers from the White Wing Knight Order.”

One day, in the large lecture hall.

While the first-year cadets waited tensely, Instructor Rachel opened her mouth while looking at an official document floating through Telekinesis.

“Elise Lorendia, and... Ron Hazely.”

Author’s Note

Thank you for your support, Marunaru!!!

Footnotes:

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