I Was the Strongest Sword God in My Past Life

part 2

“I’ve already spent all the grant money. Not a penny left.”

A Saber is born with the ability, the Stigma, and to eradicate the ‘Gate,’ a disaster that has continuously plagued humanity, one must risk their life.

Naturally, there is always a shortage of talent.

Thus, the government provides various supports. To the wealthy nobles, a certain amount of tax exemption.

To commoners like Jian, they provided nine million coins, equivalent to about three months’ salary for a salaried worker.

To Jian, it was a significant amount, but to Selfis, it was mere pocket change. Selfis clicked his tongue in disdain.

“That’s none of my concern. After all, the money is collected by the government. Ha ha, it has nothing to do with me.”

“You want to expel me, that’s the principal’s concern, isn’t it?”

“No point in flailing about disgracefully. Look at yourself now, you’ve gotten so plump, almost like a pig. How can that be the body of a student aspiring to be a Saber?”

Such personal attacks from the principal. But Jian had no excuse for his current state.

“…Well then.”

Jian pointed to a poster hanging behind Selfis.

[Popular game Battle Survival!]

[A collaboration event with Sabers?]

“How about this? If I score high in that, will you reconsider the expulsion?”

Jian wore a faint smile, a sign of confidence.

“What?”

Selfis frowned and turned his head.

“Heh, heh heh heh…”

Selfis burst into a hollow laugh and shook his head.

“You’ve gone mad, finally lost it. A defective who can’t even summon a magic tool wants to participate in an off-campus event.”

Selfis’s eyes were colder than before.

“Listen well. The participation requirement for that tournament is One number. Only the prodigies ranked up to ninth in the school year can enter. What was your ranking again?”

“162nd.”

“Hmph, dead last.”

Dead last in the entire first year.

Selfis sighed.

“…That’s remarkable in a different sense, but not the talent we’re looking for. What’s the reason you won’t just drop out? Frankly, you lack the qualities to become an active Saber. You won’t even graduate. Even now…”

“One chance is all I need.”

“Opportunities are given to those who at least have the minimum qualifications.”

“If I fail to prove my worth, I will leave the school on my own accord.”

Selphis’s eyes narrowed at the unexpected proposal.

“Is that so?”

The principal’s goal was to expel Zien from the school before the next inspector’s visit. Honestly, there were more than a couple of students he wanted to cut, but the start was to be with Zien, the bottom-ranked.

‘Let’s see, the inspector will come in a month… After all, I just need to expel him before then. A withdrawal looks better than an expulsion anyway. Yes, that’s right.’

Having cunningly finished his calculations, Selphis put on a stern face.

“If you insist that much, I’ll give you one more chance.”

“Thank you.”

“The next virtual gate assessment test. If you score high there, I’ll spare you from expulsion.”

“Then, may I train separately until the assessment test?”

“Separately? Are you saying you won’t attend classes?”

“That’s correct.”

For Selphis, it was a welcome proposal. In fact, he wished Zien wouldn’t come to class or school at all.

“Good. Alright. I permit your personal training.”

Selphis didn’t care what kind of training it was.

The virtual gate assessment test, the most influential on grades. Though a fake gate staged by the school, it’s treated as real combat and scored highly.

In other words, it’s an important test that every student prepares for with fervor. For the bottom-ranked to score high in such a test?

‘That’s impossible!’

“Understood.”

As Zien nodded, Selphis maintained a facade of solemnity, but inside, he was rejoicing.

‘Heh, that talentless pig finally confirms his expulsion.’

Selphis placed his hand on his plump belly and smiled contentedly, unaware of the impending twist.

* * *

The corridor in front of the principal’s office was crowded.

Many had to pass by the principal’s office due to its location, even if they had different destinations. It was a place where one often encountered people they wouldn’t usually meet.

Thump.

Someone Zien almost passed by grabbed his shoulder.

“Who is this? I almost didn’t recognize you. Hey! Davin, look at this guy.”

It was one of Davin’s cronies who had grabbed Gian, and Davin was a student who had a minor dispute with Gian at the beginning of the semester.

So, they ended up dueling without a professor’s supervision. The result was Gian’s defeat. No, it was nothing short of a one-sided beating.

It would have been better if it had ended with the duel, but that’s when Davin’s bullying began.

“He’s trash that can’t even summon a magical tool. I’ve lost interest now.”

A cold gaze filled with contempt.

Davin lost interest in Gian when Gian started to fall apart. His body became crippled due to residual mana, and as a result, Gian consistently failed to summon magical tools.

He was unworthy of being a Saber.

To make matters worse, Gian’s body deteriorated, losing his swordsmanship skills, and naturally, Davin’s bullying ceased.

“Keke, hey, that’s a bit too much. You guys dueled each other after all.”

The two beside Davin giggled. To Gian’s eyes, they were still young students, even if they were Sabers.

“Is the conversation over?”

As Gian turned to head back to the dormitory, Davin’s face crumpled.

“You rootless b*stard. Trying to leave while I’m talking?”

Davin’s face, which had been calm just a moment ago, now showed veins popping with anger. Davin was a tall man, standing at 190cm, and his presence was intimidating.

“I pitied you, and this is how you act? You’ve completely lost your senses, haven’t you?”

“Hey! Davin, calm down! This is a hallway. Professors are passing by.”

The cronies, who had started the prank for fun, looked panicked as Davin got heated.

“You two remember this. Guys like him need to be put in their place early on. If you let them get away with it, they start thinking they’re on the same level.”

“Yeah, yeah. The girls from Building C have already arrived. We’re late, let’s hurry.”

Davin’s harsh demeanor softened at his cronies’ words.

“Hey, you pig. I’m in a good mood today, so I’ll let you off. Scram.”

Gian cast a desolate look at their retreating backs.

‘Was it like that?’

To Gian, who had regained memories of his past life, this level of bullying was nothing. He was merely disappointed that a student aspiring to be a Saber would act this way.

Gian acknowledged that the world had changed a lot in a hundred years.

Humanity, boasting of conquering the Gates, called this the era of peace. The desperation and seriousness of the past were no longer present in today’s Sabers.

“It’s changed too much.”

Gian felt a deep sense of regret.

* * *

Back at the dormitory.

Jien sat down at the desk immediately.

“First, since I’ve got the principal’s permission, let’s start with scheduling.”

Jien knew the importance of a schedule better than anyone. Especially for a Saber, the schedule held great significance, not just for ‘saving time’ but for maximizing the efficiency of training.

“The growth of the body is deeply connected to mana.”

If mana circulation is blocked as it is now, residual mana causes the body to swell. But if circulated properly, spreading mana throughout the body leads to natural mana consumption, increasing mana potential and also making muscles sensitive due to mana.

It was a positive response both during training and in battle.

“Let’s move mana practice ahead of physical exercise in the schedule.”

Jien soon finished organizing.

＜ Schedule 1. Mana Circulation ＞

Time: From 6 AM to 9 AM

“Mana circulation is intense on mental strength. Three hours should be sufficient.”

The next step was obvious. Once the body’s mana was stabilized and optimized for exercise, naturally, one must exercise.

Jien’s pen began to move again.

＜ Schedule 2. Primary Physical Training ＞

※ Light exercise provides many opportunities to naturally dissolve mana in the body.

Time: From 9:10 AM to 11:50 AM

Why 11:50 AM?

Jien believed that diet was the most important aspect of exercise.

Without proper diet, exercise is ineffective, and exercise alone is insufficient. The key is the right balance between the two.

＜ Schedule 3. Dietary Regimen ＞

Meal Recipe: Start with a low-sodium diet to reduce swelling, then switch to protein-rich foods.

Potion Recipe: Alternate the combination daily to enhance mana and muscle alternately.

Time: From 11:50 AM to 1 PM

Potions.

What’s the most common misconception about potions? It’s the cost.

“People think that expensive ingredients make for effective potions, but…”

In reality, the synergy of ingredients and their arrangement is more important. The cost of ingredients merely indicates the difficulty of acquisition and demand.

“Potion-making isn’t something that can be solved with money.”

In his past life, specializing in potion-making, Jian had his own philosophy.

“Each person has a different constitution, and needs a different potion.”

Especially Jian, who knew exactly what potion his current body needed.

Jian moved his pen again.

“The fourth step is to focus on hard training for secondary physical conditioning… The fifth is to regain the feel with swordsmanship.”

Jian smirked as he checked the school’s class schedule.

“The timing works out. For swordsmanship, I can participate in the sparring classes. It’s part of the Arcana curriculum, after all.”

In just a few minutes, the schedule was complete.

Even this single sheet of paper was packed with know-how. Jian was a man who had once reached the pinnacle in a past life.

And now, his experience began to shine.

* * *

“It’s low pressure. Definitely low pressure.”

Romina.

Professor of Stigmata Studies. Single. Self-proclaimed beauty.

She was often hysterical, but today she was particularly angry.

“How could you skip class without notice for ten days? Don’t you know how important theory is? Ha, do you all take notes as a joke?”

Click-clack.

The irritable sound of high heels. Romina stood at the door.

“May I have a word with you?”

Indeed, D4 dormitory.

The door handle was so grimy, Romina couldn’t bring herself to touch it.

Bang.

As the door opened, a strange smell burst forth. Romina belatedly covered her nose.

“So this was the smell?”

The items strewn about the room were a sight to behold.

Ashen water. Potions in flasks.

“Potions? Are you making and consuming potions in the dorm?”

Romina frowned at the stench, still perceptible even with her nose covered.

“Hey, you! What on earth are you doing in the dorm… Gasp!”

Gulp.

At that moment, Romina’s criticism halted.