I Regress if the Villainess Dies! Chapter 30: Chapter 29 A Sparse show of Kindness

Read chapter 30 of I Regress if the Villainess Dies! by Yuzai_Rearu on NovelPedia.

The sound of a blade brushing against a whetstone echoed inside a cave lit by a dim oil lamp. A man with pale gray hair and a neatly covered scar across his eyes diligently polished an old, rusted sword. He wore a light blue martial robe, sitting cross legged beside the flickering lamp. His motions stilled, and the scratching sound of metal ceased. Slowly, his head turned toward the presence he felt approaching. From experience, he knew that any entrant who entered this place would, without fail, climb to the peaks first to seek his acknowledgment. The moment entrants saw the peaks outside, they would treat what lay ahead as a challenge that needed to be overcome. Unfortunately, only disappointment awaited them at the top, as he was not hiding in any of those peaks. The third exam’s theme was to let the entrants experience ‘hunting’ after a series of trials where their paths were blocked by monsters. Just like a real mission subjugation of Agrind Beasts. He could have positioned himself openly, but choosing a discreet location amused him. Knowing that it gave the entrants a sense of irritation, as though the answer lay before their eyes, obscured by their own grand assumptions. Of course, some special entrants, might still find him. Just like right now. ‘The first entrant… is capable.’ Even at several hundred meters away, he already gauged the entrant’s capability. Such is the extent of someone like him who already achieved a certain degree when it comes to aura reading. ‘Then let’s meet this little friend…’ He took the rusted blade and stood from his seat, to meet the arriving challenger. Wind whipped across Xian’s face. A faint path wound between the jagged peaks, obscured by dust carried by the wind, leading to the professor. A rather eccentric man who hid here rather than waiting at one of the summits. After a while of walking, the wind died as the professor slowly came into view, as expecting him. It wasn’t much of a journey, which is also part of the reason why he chose this door. The quickest way to get to the academy and finish this entrance exam. “Information, skill, or luck? Which of those brought you here, entrant?” The professor spoke in a rather low and weary voice that did not match his robust appearance. It was a wounded voice, much like his eyes that had never recovered. “I simply felt that climbing up would be a waste of time,” Xian replied. “Then it’s laziness and luck, it seems.” The professor rebutted and took a stance without even unsheathing his sword. Xian did not speak further and charged, longsword in hand, using all his strength right away. He started with a vertical strike, arms raised, pulling his blade back for momentum. A flash of unseen steel deflected his attack with blinding speed, as if the professor’s hand had never moved to unsheathe his weapon. Xian’s eyes squinted as the instant generated a distracting flash of light. This man was Caesar, the future advisor of the Silver Boughs, teacher of the protagonist and master to Adrian. Along with Adrian, he would take two more disciples, namely Kyrin and Brigid, two other heroines who had not made an appearance yet. Of course, because of certain events, the protagonist with nothing special attached to him might be out of the picture already because of the earlier incident. Xian staggered from the strength of the blow, numbness spreading from his palm. But he was already used to that overwhelming feeling. He already felt it plenty enough, learning to grit his teeth each time while putting more strength in his grip. He let out an almost beast like roar, swinging vertically in a wide angle, and once again the professor parried it. That didn’t deter Xian and he kept going, faster and faster. Not even the fight with the minotaur let him attack with such abandon, since it was unfairly distracted by Fahna who had incredible speed, and constricted by Carmillia’s spell. This time, the battle was only for him to savor. The simple longsword chipped, clashing