I Became the Only Non-mage in the Academy

TL/Editor: looloo

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The Black Divine Martial Art.

It's a martial art unknown to many in this world. But after sharing information about the Black Divine Martial Arts online, the experienced players responded:

The Black Divine Martial Art is the top-tier martial art.

'What an insane martial art.'

Body Against Heaven transforms your body into a form without mana, where Demonic Qi courses through. Plus, this energy can counteract most mana-based abilities.

Any martial art activated with this power is only available to those who possess Body Against Heaven's energy. If the user of the Black Heavenly Demon Sword doesn't have this energy, then the martial art is only half-formed.

Even then, it's powerful enough to rank highly.

It's a martial art designed to nullify all abilities, martial arts, and magic that rely on mana.

In simple terms, the Black Heavenly Demon Sword cancels out all of the opponent's defense and attack.

That's correct.

The outrageous martial art called the Black Heavenly Demon Sword bypasses all of the opponent's defenses.

However, it's challenging to learn. Essentially, you need to have Body Against Heaven. But that's not all. You also need spiritual talent, and the energy of Body Against Heaven doesn't build up as much as you'd expect.

That's where the discussion of the Black Heavenly Demon Sword ends.

Of course, my explanations might not make much sense until you've experienced actual combat.

Ssssssst!

A black aura erupted from the Black Heavenly Demon Sword and soon began to take shape.

It formed a woman.

She had black hair and red eyes. Dressed in a black-striped white cheongsam and holding a pipe.

[Teaching sword forms is tricky. But you're fortunate. Due to the previous master's efforts, I can appear in this world.]

The Heavenly Demon, speaking in a drawn-out tone.

[Oh, or maybe it's less of a blessing? My physical form might be quite tempting to a young man.]

The Heavenly Demon grumbled, twisting its mouth into a wry grin. I might have been enticed under normal circumstances.

"I'm not interested."

But my current situation is far from normal.

I could meet my end any day now, if not by tomorrow. With my life hanging by a thread, I have no time to be sidetracked by women.

[You're no fun.]

The Heavenly Demon pouted.

"Hurry up. The quicker I learn martial arts, the less chance I have of dying unexpectedly."

[...Alright. Shall we start with some basic breathing exercises then?]

"Breathing?"

[Yes, breathing. I'll demonstrate first.]

The Heavenly Demon moved behind me and put its hand on my back.

[The energy of Body Against Heaven is different from mana. If you were an ordinary mana user, this would be harmless. But if you move, you could be unlucky enough to end up crippled, so stay still.]

The Heavenly Demon cautioned.

I nodded.

[Here we go.]

Something started to enter my back. It began to spread throughout my body.

'This must be the energy of Body Against Heaven.'

The wild and fierce black energy started to circulate in my body, guided by the Heavenly Demon.

Slowly.

The Heavenly Demon was carefully directing the energy.

For a moment, I felt doubtful. The energy of Body Against Heaven didn't seem as dangerous as I thought.

It felt more familiar than dangerous.

'Could it be due to my unusual talent?'

Still, I followed the Heavenly Demon's instructions.

The energy of Body Against Heaven is risky. If something goes wrong while managing the energy, I could end up crippled at best.

Even touching it might trigger a disaster. There's no need to take unnecessary risks.

The Heavenly Demon centered the energy of Body Against Heaven.

Towards my heart.

Often referred to as the heart chakra. Or the place where the magic source, the circle, is generated.

It made a ball near my heart.

Phew. Finally got there.

"Is that it?"

[No, this is just the beginning. The Black Divine Martial Art begins by accepting the Black Spirit in your body. Now, you need to start by producing the energy of Body Against Heaven in the Black Essence formed in your heart.]

"Like this?"

[...?]

As I summoned the energy of Body Against Heaven in my heart, the Heavenly Demon looked at me, dumbfounded.

[How...how did you do that?]

"It just worked."

Truly, it just worked.

The energy of Body Against Heaven moved according to my will. Sometimes, it misbehaved and moved unpredictably, but it quickly calmed down and again followed my will.

[...Move the energy. Body Against Heaven is a physique that continuously stores Demonic Qi in your body. You can make Black Essence by collecting it from inside your body.]

I obeyed the Heavenly Demon's guidance.

Creating the Black Essence happened quickly. The Body Against Heaven that I possessed was a physique acquired after birth. I didn't have much Demonic Qi yet.

I guided the energy of Body Against Heaven towards my heart. The Black Essence, which was originally the size of a seed, ended up being about half the size of my thumbnail.

"I'm done."

[...Already? I thought there were no more surprises, but your talent surpasses imagination.]

Somehow, the Heavenly Demon, now in front of me, widened its eyes.

It looked quite cute up close.

[You have initiated the breathing technique of the Black Divine Martial Art. You've learned a forgotten martial arts lineage! You are awarded 2,000p!]

I looked at the Heavenly Demon.

Upon reflection, it was quite beautiful.

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Raei Translations

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The Heavenly Demon observed Lee Seoha with calm eyes.

This boy was far from ordinary.

Honestly, it hadn't expected him to match its previous master. She was extraordinarily unique, even in the eyes of the Heavenly Demon.

A grandmaster.

That term referred to someone outstanding in the creation of martial arts.

She couldn't master martial arts while possessing the energy of Body Against Heaven. So, she created her own. The framework was the Black Divine Martial Art. A choice she could make because she was a minor sect leader.

She created the energy of Body Against Heaven, Demonic Qi, and incorporated it into her martial arts. And she reigned as the greatest of her era.

And the master prepared to find her successor.

10 years.

100 years. And even after more time passed, 300 years.

No one with the traits of Body Against Heaven appeared. It seemed like a celestial mistake. So, the master released countless relics into the world.

The Black Heavenly Demon Sword was one of them.

'Maybe I will witness the end of your martial arts lineage.'

The martial arts lineage created by the previous master was theoretically perfect. She couldn't fully master it due to a disability, but the successor was different.

Perhaps he will become even stronger than her, no, more decisively powerful.

Because he will shape himself that way.

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Raei Translations

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My mindset changed. Initially, I would have focused on teaching the breathing technique for today, but considering my master's talent, just introducing the breathing method seems insufficient.

"What's next?"

[I will teach you the form of the Black Divine Martial Art.]

The sword spirit extended her hand. Then, the Black Heavenly Demon Sword that was on the floor gently rose and got drawn into her hand, as if magnetized.

[Have you learned any martial arts?]

"No, I haven't learned anything."

[That's a bit disappointing. The Black Divine Martial Art isn't confined to a weapon. Its essence is to break the opponent's defense and strike them.

The Black Divine Martial Art is the bane of all things mana.

Even barriers crafted by guardians and mages over hundreds of days cannot block the energy of the opposing heavens.

So, the Black Divine Martial Art isn't restricted to any weapon. It's about being faster and more rigid. Just that alone makes those who've mastered the Black Divine Martial Art unmatched. Therefore,

Let's borrow the words of the former master.]

The Heavenly Demon added, as if pleased.

[The Black Divine Martial Art, strictly speaking, is a better way to use your body. Initially, just this alone makes you unmatched. But because of that, it can lack depth. But don't worry. The former master was a grandmaster. There are many ways to handle weapons in the Black Divine Martial Art.]

"So, I should learn self-defense and swordsmanship."

[Good idea. As a martial artist, you should always prepare for the worst. I'd like to stick to you like a leech, but we can be separated.]

"Let's start the class soon."

[You're heartless.]

The Heavenly Demon took its stance.

This is one of the teachings of the Black Divine Martial Art, the Black Flash Swordsmanship.

The Heavenly Demon moved its body. The sword form of Black Flash Swordsmanship.

My first impression of seeing Black Flash Swordsmanship was simple.

'It's fast.'

Black Flash Swordsmanship was simply fast.

As you can see, Black Flash Swordsmanship is just fast swordsmanship. The story changes a bit when you move on to the next form. For a beginner's swordsmanship, there's nothing like this.

"Really?"

I picked up one of the wooden swords scattered around and followed the Black Flash Swordsmanship.

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Raei Translations

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The next day, the class proceeded.

Understanding close-quarters combat.

This class primarily cultivated a sense for melee combat through 'duels'.

They say that experiencing one actual fight is more effective than several theory classes.

"In that sense, today's first lesson is a direct duel."

The instructor said with a solemn expression.

"I will call out the first pair. Lee Seoha. And Park Woonhyuk."

"Wha, what?! Me, I'm with Lee, Lee Seoha?"

"Woon-hyuk, are you chickening out?"

"Chi, chickening out. What nonsense are you spouting. I am only slightly behind him right now. In the future, who knows, but at this moment....."

"People usually call that chickening out."

Park Woonhyuk and Kim Seohyun were bickering.

"Of course, it's a duel, so the use of mana and talents is not allowed. Got it, Lee Seoha?"

The instructor spoke to me. Park Woonhyuk's expression seemed to relax a lot.

If it's a duel without using mana and talents, it might be doable—he seemed to feel that way.

"Sigh, can't be helped. Bring it on, Lee Seoha. I'll show you the 'gap' between us."

"How disgraceful, Park Woonhyuk..."

I climbed onto the dueling ground without saying a word.

'The energy of the heavens is not mana after all.'

I really don't have confidence.

Confidence in losing.

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