A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

TLed by NolepGuy

Chapter 82

Like most games, Soul World also has a system of parries and counterattacks.

A parry involves deflecting an opponent’s attack with your body or weapon, while a counterattack is the act of returning an attack through a parry or other means.

While similar in concept to a counter, they are different. A counter requires faster timing to strike first, whereas a counterattack directly returns the opponent’s attack.

Parrying is relatively easy as long as the timing is right, but counterattacking is challenging. The concept of returning an attack as it is can be quite difficult to grasp.

Thus, counterattack techniques in Soul World are skills for experts. Not only is the timing tricky, but unlike parrying, it is impossible to learn without specific techniques.

Like when Rod sliced through space to return my punch or sent my lightning strike back at me.

“······Cough.”

I let out a faint cough after being hit squarely by Rod’s counterattack. I had been electrocuted by my own lightning.

The technique he just used is a counterattack technique that only experts can employ, capable of returning even intangible attacks.

Among such attacks, lightning is a particularly demanding force of nature to counterattack. Due to its nature, the moment both feet touch the ground, you get electrocuted.

To counter my lightning, Rod slightly jumped, receiving it mid-air. And yet, he had enough hang time to speak.

“It’s a bit singed. Removing scorch marks is troublesome, so I’ll buy you new clothes later.”

“··· ···”

Rod, who deflected lightning like some prosthetic-armed ninja, spoke in a calm voice. He still maintained his posture with his hands behind his back.

In terms of power, the lightning was comparable to Hector’s. Yet Rod deflected it with ease.

I was beginning to sense just how strong Rod had become after recovering from the poisoning. He would surely be a reliable ally during the Academy Collapse.

“······How?”

First, I needed to ask how he did it. I knew the technique in theory, but I wanted to see it firsthand.

As the saying goes, seeing something once is better than hearing about it a hundred times. I, too, wanted to witness it with my own eyes.

And Rod, ever so considerate, resolved my curiosity. With a relaxed smile, he explained in a calm voice.

“Just like your lightning, nature holds various forces—gravity, mana, intelligence, firepower, and so on. Most of them lack a specific form, making them very demanding to control.”

“··· ···”

“But there is a way to control those forces. The ability to freely manipulate all the forces of the world. In the East, they call it ‘Geongondaenai.'”

It’s a martial arts term most people have heard at least once. Even if I didn’t know its exact meaning, as Rod said, it refers to the ability to manipulate power itself at will.

It would allow one to freely handle not only intangible forces like lightning but also water and fire with a sword.

Slicing through space operates on a similar principle. It distorts the laws of nature, bypassing constraints.

In short, mastering Geongondaenai is essential for reaching a higher realm.

While not necessary for the story, it’s worth acquiring if one seeks strength.

“If you reach the pinnacle of Geongondaenai, you might even achieve Heaven and Earth Shaking. I can’t due to my age, but Rize might be able to.”

“Heaven and Earth Shaking?”

“It means shaking the heavens and the earth. The power to literally shake the world—a force akin to an earthquake.”

That’s why Rize is nicknamed the Whitebeard of Boxing. With a single punch, she could cause an earthquake.

A Sword Saint and a Fist Saint. Both have the word ‘Saint’ attached to their titles, signifying an indescribable level of strength.

Considering that stars themselves reside in the sky, it’s as if they’ve already become a part of the heavens.

‘Did I bite off more than I could chew?’

Having been thoroughly beaten by a counterattack, I suddenly felt regret. All I wanted was to win a piece of candy, but all I got was training.

Still, I couldn’t give up. Even if lightning was out of the question, I still had one trump card left.

For now, I thought it best to change positions. If I used it as is, it might hit the Academy.

“That man from the East can summon lightning and shake the earth just by standing still······ Well, he’s not someone interested in worldly matters anyway.”

“··· ···”

“So, will you continue? If you give up, we can end it here.”

“No.”

I couldn’t give up. I wouldn’t be satisfied unless I landed at least one effective hit.

Unlike Hector, I wouldn’t charge in recklessly. I would simply use every move I had, except for Berserk.

I brushed off the scorched marks on my hair roughly. It seemed I’d need to visit a barbershop soon.

“Just one hit.”

“If you can land it.”

Rod shrugged his shoulders. Watching how long that composure would last didn’t seem like a bad idea.

Before launching my attack, I scanned my surroundings. Unfortunately, the area was a wide clearing, making it unsuitable for an ambush.

In the end, this meant I had no choice but to use a frontal assault. I also had to carefully consider my position to avoid involving others.

“Hup!”

So I simply charged forward. If I kept pressing him, I might be able to land at least one hit.

My first target was to grab a part of his body. Preferably the hand holding his sword, though Rod would surely anticipate that.

Grab!

So I had to play a little dirty. Just before reaching Rod, I swung my leg like sweeping with a broom.

A cloud of dust spread forward, enveloping Rod. This would obscure his vision to some extent.

“Hmm······”

Rod frowned and closed his eyes, seemingly unprepared for such a tactic. With his vision completely blocked,

An amateur would seize this chance to grab his arm and attack. But that wasn’t my aim.

While Rod hesitated momentarily, I swiftly moved to occupy his rear. That was my plan.

Step-

As soon as I reached his back, I swung my axe, but Rod dodged it effortlessly.

It was as if he used the Shukuchi Technique, retreating far away with just a single step.

Still, it was fine. I had anticipated this much. My true target was only one thing.

“Who taught you······ Hm?”

The moment Rod opened his eyes, he reacted with confusion. His expression betrayed surprise.

And for good reason—at the tip of my index finger, red mana was slowly gathering.

Through condensation, I painstakingly collected it, refining it further with engraving to maximize efficiency.

Techniques I had learned from Chronos and Gloria. Though tainted by red mana, I could still adapt them.

“Wait. I told you not to······”

Rod, seemingly flustered, spoke in a hurried tone. But unfortunately, his words were drowned out.

Pew!

The red mana gathered at my fingertip was fired. Its target wasn’t Rod but the ground right next to him.

With his skills, he could easily dodge it, so I aimed for splash damage. My companions were far enough away to be safe.

Moreover, its speed was so fast that even a technique like Geongondaenai would struggle to counter it. Finally, I could aim for an effective hit······

Zing!

······Or so I thought.

The moment the Death Beam neared, Rod swiftly swung his sword upward.

To my astonishment, the Death Beam, which had been heading downward, suddenly veered upward. The direction of its force had completely reversed.

Flash!

The Death Beam, now aimed at the sky instead of the ground,

Boom!

Exploded spectacularly, creating a massive gust of wind.

“··· ···”

Is that even human? I couldn’t help but question whether he was truly human, albeit in a different sense than me.

At least Rize had Chaos’s blessing, but Rod was an ordinary human through and through.

No matter how much he had mastered Geongondaenai, how could a person wield such power? I couldn’t help but feel awe.

“Phew······”

Separate from that, Rod let out a deep sigh as he watched the Death Beam explode in the sky. It was filled with profound irritation.

Perhaps that’s why my wild instinct screamed at me. Kneel and beg immediately. Otherwise, I’d regret it immensely.

Yet, outwardly, he appeared no different from usual, so I found myself standing still without realizing it. At that moment, I understood.

“I didn’t want to resort to this······ but I have no choice.”

That I had missed my opportunity. That I had foolishly provoked a resting lion.

Even lions cherish their young, but when their young make mistakes, they scold them sternly.

The scolding just happens to be a bit harsh. Even a lion’s growl is enough to make a person cower.

Swoosh-

Rod glanced around and picked up a small wooden stick. It looked so fragile it might snap at any moment.

He inspected the stick, turning it this way and that, then nodded in satisfaction. It seemed he deemed it sufficient.

“Sivar. Let me make this clear. This is not a club but a sword.”

“······?”

What on earth is he talking about? That branch looks so fragile it seems like it could snap any moment.

As if he had anticipated my puzzled reaction, Rod swung the branch with his characteristic easygoing smile.

The direction he swung toward was precise—off to the side. A large tree stood firmly at a slight distance.

Crash!

But then, a small crack formed in the tree, and it collapsed entirely. Even though he had swung a branch, it was as if he had sliced it with a sword.

While I was more bewildered than shocked at the sight, Rod emphasized once again.

“Pay close attention. This is not a club but a sword.”

At those words, I stared intently at the branch. A faint aura surrounded it.

A navy-colored mana that vaguely resembled the shape of a sword. It was so faint that it was hard to notice without focusing.

“There’s an old saying: ‘Humans are disciplined with the Rod of Love, and beasts are disciplined with a club.’ Let’s see whether this will be the Rod of Love or just a club.”

“You said it’s a sword.”

“Indeed. It is a sword.”

Swoosh—

With that, Rod took a single step forward. Just one step, yet he instantly closed the distance between us.

Startled, I instinctively swung my axe. It was so sudden, like something out of a horror game.

Thwack!

“Argh!”

But Rod was much faster. His branch struck my hand before I could make my move.

A searing pain shot through my hand. I thought I had grown used to pain, but clearly, I hadn’t.

In the end, Ragnarok fell to the ground, and I was left to respond with my now-empty hand.

Thwack! Smack!

“Ah! Argh!”

Even that hand was struck by the branch, leaving me no choice but to scream. I couldn’t understand why it hurt so much.

As I clutched my hand and staggered backward, Rod spoke in a stern voice.

“As I said before, if you use honorifics, I will stop immediately.”

“You… you said it’s a sword…”

“Yes. It is a sword.”

Rod, still wearing a strict expression, added,

“Right now, I am striking you with the back of the sword.”

He spouted what could only be described as absurd logic.

And that day, for the first time, I used honorifics.

Smack! Whack!

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! It hurts!”

It hurt so much that I had no choice but to speak politely. He seemed to hit only the most painful spots.

[Faith Increases!]

Does it please you so much to see your believer beaten like a dog on a hot day?