A Powerful Martial Artist Reincarnates as a Nun Knight

Watching that scene, Sophia laughed and said:

“Conra, you were thoroughly defeated.”
“Defeat is always a possibility for a warrior, as you’ve taught me, Master.”
“Kukuku, who says? In any case, you must have thoroughly observed Karl’s sword aura (geompung) just now, right?”
“How could I not?”

Fundamentally, all martial arts inevitably converge in their evolution. Yet the unique, distinctive aura cultivated by each warrior is bound to be created, for it is ultimately a human who trains and wields them.

“Speaking of which, I’m curious – what was my sword aura like from your perspective, Conra?”
“It felt like a fortress wall erected at a strategic point. As solid as stones meticulously quarried and stacked without waste, layered atop one another. Frankly, I couldn’t discern any way to breach your sword sphere.”
“Conversely, if your spear had been just a bit swifter and sharper, I too would have been in trouble.”
“I suppose that was the impression.”

To use an analogy, it was akin to the difference between settled civilizations and nomadic tribes – the defensive system of settled peoples fortifying strategic points into sturdy fortresses through deft coordination, versus the highly mobile offensive tactics of nomads, striking and retreating to ruthlessly exploit any opening.

Whichever side’s prowess was superior would dictate which exploited the other’s weaknesses in this opposing relationship.

“Fittingly, your sword aura and Karl’s are in an opposing relationship. They should certainly serve as ideal foils to complement and further develop each other’s respective martial arts.”

At Sophia’s supplementary remark, Conra recalled Karl’s solid, venerable sword aura he had experienced. Certainly, to pierce through that formidable force, his spear techniques would need to become even sharper and more agile.

In any case, with Conra and Karl’s bout fulfilling Sophia’s request, it was her turn to keep the promise she had made to Karl.

“Alright, since you’ve obliged my favor, I should keep my promise to you. How about it? Are you in sufficient condition?”
“My body is nicely warmed up. Please, I’m ready whenever you are.”
“An excellent attitude! But this place has become quite damaged from our recent clash, and the night winds are chilly, so let’s move locations.”

Satisfied with Karl’s refreshing response, Sophia cheerfully patted their backs, ushering them along.

The manor’s hall they arrived at – a spacious area adorned with classical furnishings that could serve as a nobleman’s banquet hall for guests – had been transformed into a real-time gym. And on this day, Karl experienced a whole new world of weight training.

“Kkeung, this is truly a new world!”

Clad only in a running shirt, sweat glistening off his rippling muscles and hot steam wafting from his perspiration, Karl marveled in admiration. The sharp-featured handsome knight from before was nowhere to be seen, only an excited muscleman thrilled by the throbbing stimulation of pumped muscles remaining.

“Kkuaaah!”

Beside him, Conra let out grunts, be they cries or groans, as he lifted an excessively heavy barbell.

“Good, think you can lift a bit more there?”
“Of course! These muscles can still take more stimulation!”
“That’s what it looks like to me too. Alright, let’s add some more then! But speak up immediately if it becomes too much!”

And dressed in a sleeveless shirt, Sophia was guiding their training while occasionally lifting dumbbells and barbells herself. Feeling the appropriate stimulation for both their physical and astral muscles, the three curled their lips in satisfied smiles – the gratifying expression of those willingly enduring hardship.

+++++

“I’m not sure if I should accept this much.”

The next day, as the departing Sophia handed him an expanded space backpack, Karl wore a troubled expression. In contrast, Sophia had a refreshingly bright smile, as if thinking ‘my bro just did something good for once’, as she said:

“I’ve just shared an exercise regimen, so wouldn’t it be a shame if you couldn’t continue for lack of equipment?”
“I had planned to somehow make do with the bodyweight exercises you taught until I could acquire the proper tools, but…”
“That alone would be insufficient. There are inevitable limits to solely relying on high-repetition, low-intensity exercises. Without properly incorporating high-intensity, low-repetition exercises, muscle growth will be difficult. So please, just accept this.”
“I shall engrave your advice deeply. And thank you. I will certainly make meaningful use of it.”

In the end, Karl gratefully accepted Sophia’s kindness. Since quality iron products like barbells and dumbbells were quite costly, for Karl it was like a thirsty deer finding a stream – a much-needed boon.

“I hope you achieve success.”
“You can expect it. This especially goes for you there, Conra. If you want to catch up to me, you’d better stay on your toes.”
“Heh, isn’t it you who should stay on your toes, uncle?”

At Conra’s words, Karl’s expression instantly froze.

“Wait a moment. This ‘uncle’ business – I’ve only just turned twenty years old. I’m not old enough for you to call me ‘uncle’. You will address me as ‘brother’ from now on.”
“What was that? It didn’t sound like something a salty-tongued person should say.”
“What? No, if we’re going there, isn’t your own master the epitome of salty language?”

As her name was mentioned, Sophia scowled and interjected:

“Ah? Are you trying to pick a fight with me?”
“Ah, no, that’s not what I…”

Though their farewell grew rather rambunctious, it was not only Karl who came to see off the departing Sophia and Conra. The administrative staff who had received Sophia’s tutelage during the handover process also came to bid her farewell.

“Teacher, are you truly set on leaving?”
“What else can I do? This is my duty.”
“Teacher, you are the master of our administrative field. Please give up such menial, sweaty labors and join our side instead. We will wholeheartedly serve you.”
“Whew, I also have far too many duties on this side to handle. While there are many people on your side even without me, on this side, the more I am absent, the more people will directly suffer. I appreciate your sentiments, but please allow me to depart.”

Finally realizing he could not sway Sophia’s resolve, the administrative representative could only acquiesce. Instead, he presented her with a prepared item, saying:

“If that is your decision, I cannot stop you… Very well. Then please accept this parting gift from us.”
“Hmm? What is this?”
“It is a free pass token recognized among the bureaucrats graduating from the University of Bologna’s School of Administration. If you present this token when undergoing administrative procedures, it will grant you considerable conveniences for most processes.”

As Sophia listened, this seemed like an extremely useful gift. The University of Bologna in the Kingdom of Rotaring was the sole university in the western continent at this time, so most bureaucrats active in Sophia’s main areas like Frangian, the Holy Griffon Empire, and the Kingdom of Rotaring were alumni of this School of Administration.

As a Paladin knight whose activities spanned the entire continent, Sophia would inevitably cross paths with bureaucrats more often than expected. In any case, it was an item that would undoubtedly prove useful at some point.

“Then I shall gratefully accept your sincere offering.”

For that reason, Sophia accepted it without fuss. It had been a firm belief of her previous life as Lee Bum-seok that one should graciously accept gifts without ulterior motives. Refusing could potentially create enmity, as the saying went: ‘Accept it, accept it’ when offered.

+++++

After bidding the administrators farewell, Sophia and Conra finally mounted their horses. As Sophia straightened her back astride the grumbling Janghwalljang, Conra, leading his own horse beside her, spoke up:

“You seemed quite popular with the administrators, Master.”
“Is it not my considerable capabilities that enchanted them? This is what influence and sway truly mean. How about it? Are you brimming with newfound respect for your teacher?”

As Sophia arrogantly raised her nose in response, Conra shook his head in resignation and said:

“I was starting to feel that way, but your words just ruined it.”
“Hmm, so you don’t know how to respect your teacher. You insolent brat.”

Sophia chuckled lightly with a shrug. The master and disciple continued their playful banter as they journeyed onward. Suddenly, the Holy Spirit Jibrail, hovering beside Sophia, whispered something.

[……?]
“Hmm? What did you say, Jibrail? Where are we supposed to go now?”
[……]
“What, are you kidding?! Badenbaden is a conflict zone currently embroiled in an intense battle with Aghno! Why are we going there?”
[……!]
“What? A dungeon has opened there?”

Reacting to that undeniable keyword, Conra, who had been quietly listening to the exchange between spirit and master, exclaimed:

“Master, did you just say a dungeon?!”
“So it would seem. What a bother this has become.”

Unlike Sophia’s overt displeasure, Conra’s eyes began sparkling with excitement. A dungeon – a word brimming with the romance of adventure, was it not? Was he finally going to officially gain some proper experience?

Such thoughts must have thrilled the young boy. Roughly grasping Conra’s inner feelings, Sophia did not add any further comments. To a certain extent, the boy’s thoughts were not unfounded. However, Sophia was more concerned about potential dangers from the previous era that could be lurking within the dungeon, or the political dynamics surrounding it.

The already noisy succession conflict between Aghno and Badenbaden – the fact that this newly opened dungeon was located within Badenbaden’s territory was enough to set Sophia on edge.

“Come to think of it, if it’s a dungeon, there should be other Paladin knights in the area too, right? Especially since that side is imperial territory, there must be empire-born Paladins active there?”
[……~]
“Coincidentally, there’s only one in the vicinity, and one likely won’t be enough? ……Ugh. This is becoming quite the predicament. What choice do I have?”

Sophia scratched her head, pondering the rare situation of Paladin knights potentially having to cooperate. Regardless, their destination had already been decided. Since they had to go anyway, and it was a task to be done, it was more productive and efficient to simply proceed without objection.

Their next destination would be the newly opened dungeon in Badenbaden.