Suicide Before Defeating the Final Boss

Suicide Before Defeating the Final Boss – 10

EP.10 Is It Possible?

Erie’s primary reason for joining the academy was to build a foundation for a future career in central political arena. The academy was filled with countless opportunities that could serve as stepping stones to central politics. Among these, the one that had the most significant impact on her, and would continue to do so, was none other than:

– Asiris

The club she was part of, Asiris, was consisting of the children of high-ranking officials, nobles, members of the three major families, and influential figures. To join, one needed not only personal ability but also a perfect background. Being a member meant securing an unbreakable connection in future central politics.

‘Because of that, the club was notoriously exclusive and corrupt.’

What choice did she have? To secure a proper position in central politics, she had to be part of it. She had been carefully building her influence without causing any trouble, but everything crumbled because of Jeong-hyeon.

“Hey, how come you got beaten by a nobody?”

“That girl, she’s just a poser hiding her true power.”

“Yeah, right, she’s just a power-hungry nerd.”

Erie bit her lip as she looked at the senior laughing as if they found it amusing. The one person she least wanted to know had found out.

“Erie? So, you didn’t get hurt, did you?”

“…No.”

The woman speaking kindly was Regina, the vice president of Asiris and the academy’s second-in-command. She was from the Erza family, one of the three great families, and a descendant of the famous swordsmanship family to which Sword Saint Nerea belongs.

‘No one can touch her just because of that.’

Regina’s notorious cruel personality made her even more untouchable. As Erie heard the pained groans of a man beside her, she closed her eyes tightly. Regina, noticing this, said, “Sorry, can you wait a moment?” and approached him.

In a room filled with antique furniture and carpets, a male student lay in a pool of blood, trembling. He had been subjected to prolonged violence, with not a single unharmed spot on his body, pleading tearfully for his life.

‘… Insane.’

Even though Erie herself couldn’t claim to have lived a virtuous life, but this scene was too much. She closed her eyes tightly, trying to block out the sight, but Regina’s gentle voice reached her ears.

“Fern? Why would I kill you? I just want you to get some rest. So, for the last time, wouldn’t it be better for you to drop out of the academy? We both seem to like this idea.”

Her tone was kind, but the message was chilling. Erie struggled to suppress the growing fear within her, but then Regina spoke again.

“By the way, Fern? I heard your family is heavily invested in the magic stone industry. There are rumours that if you fail in the next bid, your family’s position will be quite shaken.”

At the mention of the magic stone investment business, the male student named Fern immediately said, “I’ll do it… I’ll drop out. So please, stop…” and quickly signed the withdrawal form.

Regina looked at Fern with an expressionless face as he signed the withdrawal form.

“So you’re dropping out just like that? That’s a shame. You seemed like a good friend.”

“Just please, not the magic stone investment…”

Regina ended the conversation with just a smile, then approached Erie again.

“Erie?”

“Yes, yes.”

“If you can deal with the source of the problem in any way, things tend to return to normal. Don’t you think so?”

“…Yes.”

“That’s why it’s most important to eliminate the cause by any means… What do you think?”

“I think you’re right.”

Regina smiled brightly when Erie agreed.

“That guy, Jeong-hyeon, has no affiliation and no background. It seems the academy wouldn’t care much if he disappeared. What do you think?”

The implication was clear: she was suggesting Jeon-ghyeon should be killed. Even though Erie despised Jeong-hyeon, this was crossing a line. She remained silent, looking at the floor.

“Can you handle this for me? I hate things that are worthless and things that devalue me.”

Worthless things likely referred to that male student, and things that devalue her referred to herself. Erie felt Regina pat her head, closing her eyes tightly and nodding.

“So, what should we do… Ideally, it should be solved among the first-year students, but that’s too harsh for you. I’ll send a few of my friends.”

Erie’s expression became complicated. In terms of skills, if first-year students were learning to walk, second-year students were learning to run. The combat skills of the second years were incomparably greater than those of first years. It would be extremely easy to defeat Jeong-hyeon with their help, but…

‘With the second-year seniors involved…’

There would be more eyes watching. They would have to either kill Jeong-hyeon or inflict severe injuries as Regina wished, which Erie did not want to do. But if she didn’t, she herself would be abandoned, so she had no choice but to accept.

“…Thank you.”

“Yes, make sure to come back with good results.”

At those words, Erie trembled again, nodding her head.

***

As the morning training started, Mertan corrected Jeong-hyeon’s posture and explained what the proper stance was.

“Place your left hand at the end of the hilt and your right hand just below the guard.”

He adjusted Jeong-hyeon’s body to the correct position, and as Jeong-hyeon maintained it, Mertan spoke with a hint of admiration.

“Usually, everyone has one or two bad habits. But you are like a blank slate without any.”

Not fully understanding the meaning, Jeong-hyeon simply nodded, and Mertan continued with a satisfied smile.

“This is the best starting point for a beginner. There’s nothing to hinder your growth due to bad habits. And since you don’t have any, your growth rate will be tremendous.”

While Jeong-hyeon didn’t fully grasp the concept, he thought it was good to have a fast growth rate. Suddenly, Mertan slapped him on the back.

“That being said, what exactly have you been doing during my classes? With the semester nearly over and nothing to show for it… Did you even attend my lessons?”

“……”

Oh, so that’s how he interpreted it. Honestly, it felt incredibly unfair, but explaining it would be too complicated. Jeong-hyeon kept his mouth shut, and Mertan sighed.

“Don’t hate the sword for what happened in the past. It’s not the sword you should hate, but the person holding it.”

He had no idea what Mertan was talking about. Wondering what on earth Mertan was trying to say, he looked at him. Mertan wore a somewhat sorrowful expression as he muttered.

“I’m sure you had your reasons… I understand.”

“……”

“Anyway, what’s important now is the training. Let’s get back to it.”

With that, the instructor continued explaining and demonstrating the basic stances.

***

*-*

[Quest Cleared!]

[You have obtained Basic Swordsmanship (Lv:1) as a reward!]

[Your stats have increased!]

[You have gained achievement points for acquiring a new skill.]

*-*

After two hours of training, Jeong-hyeon had gained Basic Swordsmanship and a slight increase in his stats. It was progress, but with Bishop Lea’s arrival on the horizon, it wasn’t enough.

‘It’s not enough.’

He needed a solid foundation to face his enemies, but he hadn’t found it yet, which made him anxious. As he worried, Mertan spoke to him.

“While we’re taking a break, let me show you the direction you should be heading.”

Direction? It was odd. Mertan had been mentioning direction and paths since yesterday.

‘What’s going on?’

Jeong-hyeon pondered, then remembered that this was a game world.

‘Could it be that the direction Mertan is talking about is related to a class or profession?’

As he considered this possibility, Mertan handed him a sword.

“Do you remember the sword aura you saw during the duel?”

Jeong-hyeon recalled the blue sword aura used by the muscle-bound student and nodded. Mertan smiled.

“A sword aura is a testament to a swordsman’s value and their most powerful weapon. Achieving it requires grueling effort and countless hours of training.”

Jeong-hyeon didn’t know exactly how much effort that entailed, but he remembered the commotion it caused when the student used it in the duel. It was clear that being able to use it as a student was extraordinary.

‘It must be an advanced skill.’

Mertan then demonstrated a stronger, more vibrant blue sword aura than the one the student had shown.

“If you’re unsure of what to aim for, setting your goal to achieve this sword aura and swinging your sword with that in mind.”

Upon hearing Mertan’s words, Jeong-hyeon gazed blankly at the sword. A thought crossed his mind that he might be able to do it. So, he decided to try it out. Mertan chuckled and warned him not to get his hopes up.

“Trying to imitate it is fine, but don’t expect too much. A sword aura is not a mountain you have to climb over; it’s a colossal mountain that you can’t even see yet.”

Mertan’s laughter seemed to imply that it was an impossible task. But Jeong-hyeon, spurred on by a sense of challenge, took a deep breath and gripped the wooden sword tightly.

‘Normally, sword aura involves channeling mana into the sword.’

However, his mana level was a mere 6. Even if he had the skill to channel mana into the sword, it would dissipate as soon as he tried due to his insufficient mana. He needed a different approach.

‘Perhaps I could use divine power.’

The divine power that flowed from him, granting strength beyond his abilities, could be the answer. If he could channel that abundant divine power into the wooden sword, even if it was crude and excessive, it might just work.

With this thought, he summoned the divine power as if he were striking wood or stone, feeling the immense energy in his hand. When it became too much to hold, he pushed it into the wooden sword.

[Congratulations! You have acquired Basic Sword Aura (Lv:1)!]

[You have gained achievement points for acquiring a new advanced skill.]

The wooden sword began to glow intensely, charged with the holy power. Seeing this, he smiled brightly and spoke.

“It works.”