I Was the Strongest Sword God in My Past Life

part 30

The salary offer was five times higher than the previous proposal. Considering the fewer working days as a student, it wasn’t a bad offer.

“I still have no plans to join the guild.”

But Zien was still a freshman. There was a long time until graduation, and he would become even more influential in the future. It was still a process; the goal was still far off.

“Well, no matter how good the money is, it’s a waste for someone like you to become a janitor.”

Kashen looked on with a proud face.

Recently, Kashen’s favoritism towards Zien had become quite pronounced.

“Then I’ll go see the professor. Please say hello to Teacher Romina for me. Tell her I made good use of the equipment she lent me.”

“Why should I pass on greetings to Romina?”

“You’re close, aren’t you?”

“Who says?”

Do I really need to hear this?

Instead of answering, Zien left the waiting room with a smirk.

* * *

On the stage, where the gaze of 500 people converged, Principal Selfis was dressed in the white suit he wore during exams.

‘Heh, who knew this day would come.’

The press, who had flocked to interview about the recent terrorist incident. Principal Selfis gave his speech with a dignified voice and posture befitting a principal.

“…for excellently carrying out extracurricular activities, enhancing the school’s honor, and setting an example for other students. I hereby award this certificate to Zien Russel.”

Selfis handed the certificate to Zien. He looked at Zien, who had orchestrated the entire situation, with eyes dripping with trust and affection.

‘This lucky guy!’

Indeed, it was deserved. The attention Arcana received from various interviews and internet articles like [Arcana! Saving the Magic Tower!] was at its peak. And that wasn’t all. Due to financial issues, Selfis always wanted to look good in front of Chairman Yuvel.

‘And to scratch an itch like this! What a cutie!’

Problem child, failing student, expulsion.

The various negative keywords associated with Zien had long been erased from Selfis’s mind.

“Thank you.”

After uttering his brief sentiment, Zien stepped down from the stage.

The students weren’t very interested in the incident at the magic tower, but they were very interested in the hero who turned a weekday into a holiday. As soon as Selfis gave permission to enjoy the festival.

“Hero! Hero! So handsome!”

“Wowww!!”

“Wow! Did you see the saber next to the chairman? It’s a level 5, a level 5!”

The restrained atmosphere heated up in an instant.

“Hey! I’ll eat well~!”

“I saw the news too!”

“Do you remember me? Riel, the head of the newspaper club! Perhaps an interview…”

“Do you have a party by any chance?”

“The model for the newly released compact shield advertisement…”

Students surrounded Zien. Even scouts from small guilds who couldn’t attend the virtual gate test and journalists joined in, increasing the commotion.

‘Hmm. I might be late.’

A popularity that felt distinctly different from the attention in his past life. If he had to compare, this was sweeter.

“I have a prior engagement, so I will talk for only 30 minutes. Please line up.”

At Zien’s words, the officials lined up in an orderly fashion.

“I’m still not feeling well… I’ll sit down.”

When Zien tapped the band on his wrist, a portable chair and desk popped out. A pocket creation by the Tower. It costs a whopping 75 million coins.

‘Expensive things are indeed better.’

Zien sat down with a smile. The weather was sunny, and the breeze was cool. Plus, it was still morning, so there was plenty of time to enjoy the festival.

‘It’s peaceful.’

To maintain this peace, to not lose anything more precious, power is needed. The power to remain detached from anything, be it gates or desires.

‘Like in my past life… No, I’ll create an even more perfect party.’

Zien knew better than anyone that this couldn’t be done alone.

* * *

Zien lay on a picnic blanket on the grass. Watching people pass by on the walkway and the clouds drifting by was his healing time.

“Chris. Do you know how much trouble you’ve caused?”

Chris was sitting next to Zien.

“Sure, sure~ Just eat the meat.”

Chris picked up a well-sliced piece of barbecue on a plate and fed it to Zien, who readily accepted it.

“Are you keeping up with the schedule?”

At Zien’s question, Chris hummed in response.

“Yeah. But I understand everything else. It’s just the mana training and physical enhancement…”

At Chris’s question, Jian sprang up to meticulously coach him through the issues.

“Ah, that… with a feeling of spreading it out like this.”

“Like this?”

“Well done. Now, tense your muscles a bit more…”

Jian took hold of Chris’s forearm and delicately taught him mana control. Surprisingly, Chris was a hard worker and followed along well, making Jian feel a sense of accomplishment.

‘He’s got a good sense.’

At this rate, it wouldn’t be any trouble for Chris to learn another magic skill.

“Ah! And about mana practice…”

At the top student’s continued questions, Jian smiled a fatherly smile.

“To think you’ve come this far on your own, impressive. But put more strength in your stomach, oh and breathing is important too.”

“In what way?”

“When gathering mana, inhale. When spreading it, exhale. Give it a try.”

Following Jian’s instruction, Chris began his mana practice.

“Hoo, hah.”

“Inhale a bit more. Closer to a whoop. Whoop- hah!”

“Whoop~ hah.”

“You’re doing well. Whoop~ hah.”

“Whoop~ hah.”

When Jian’s breathing lesson reached its peak, someone from behind spoke in a cold voice.

“What are these guys doing together?”

“What are you doing at your school…”

Lake, with a scrunched-up face, and Aria, covering half her eyes with her fingers.

Chris looked at them with a surprised expression.

“What’s this combination? Weren’t you at each other’s throats before?”

At Chris’s remark, Aria waved her hand as if shooing away flies.

“We came to see the princess of the magic tower, so scram, kid.”

At Aria’s words, Jian turned his head. Princess? Not prince?

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, the person in question didn’t know? Your Highness! Here, the newspaper.”

Aria, kneeling on one knee, respectfully offered the newspaper with both hands.

“…When was this taken?”

Jien sighed. The close-up photo captured Jien and Isabelle falling from the magic tower.

[The aerial acrobatics of two students fleeing from the executives of Desire.]

A photo of Isabelle, tightly embracing Jien, landing safely through the expulsion of mana.

Cutting out the previous incident, it looked as if Isabelle had saved Jien.

‘Well, such happenings are no big deal.’

With Jien showing little reaction, Eria lost interest and grumbled.

“Is this all the reaction I get? I thought you’d be jumping up and down. How boring…”

“Hey, who do you think you are, making a fuss? Just read this. Don’t faint from shock.”

Chris presented Jien with a certificate, beaming with pride as if it were his own achievement. Eria received the certificate with a snort.

“For the reason of… awarding One Number Jien Russel… 500 SP?”

Eria pointed at Jien as if seeing a ghost.

“Wow! You, you! A One Number? And 500 SP? What is this, some kind of scam!”

As Eria expressed shock, Chris’s shoulders rose smugly.

“Scam? Nonsense, this person is now officially a One Number! Treat him with respect.”

After boasting about Jien, Chris skewered a piece of sliced barbecue with his fork.

“Here, have a bite of barbecue, respected One Number.”

The scene of the small-statured Chris feeding Jien was akin to a king and his servant. Eria stood dazed for a moment before snapping back to reality.

“Promoted from 162nd to 9th, huh. Well… it’s not strange for someone who beat Isabelle not to be a One Number… What’s the nickname?”

When one becomes a One Number, a teacher assigns a nickname. The nickname usually reflects a student’s unique trait. Jien’s nickname was succinctly crafted by Kashen in just two characters.

With a serious tone and narrowed eyes, Chris declared,

“…Sword God!”

“Sword God? What’s that?”

Above Eria’s head, who was far from skilled with a sword, a question mark appeared. Lake, whose magical tool was a greatsword, answered the question.

“It’s a nickname from Sector 3. It’s given to someone who’s exceptionally skilled with a sword.”

Eria nodded, seemingly convinced. She started to say something but stopped, instead poking Lake as if to interrogate him. However, Lake just shook his head in denial. Eria let out a long sigh.

“Actually, Jien… we came to ask you a tiny favor.”

“A favor?”

“Yeah. I mean, we have a connection from the exams, and we’re kind of friends, right?”

Watching Eria beat around the bush, Jien spoke up.

“Sure, speak comfortably.”

“That’s… you’re participating in the suburban event this time, right? There… we were hoping to join you two….”

Such a large event not only makes one’s name known to high-ranking officials but is also deeply connected to the school’s performance. Participation alone guarantees a benefit.

However, the problem was that Jian had already filled all three spots, including himself.

“Sorry. I’ve already filled the participant slots.”

At Jian’s refusal, Chris smirked.

“Huh. Where does this lady think she’s going to put her spoon? It’s too late, go back.”

“You can’t be serious… You’re participating with this, this little brat?! With a nincompoop ranked in the 90s?”

Eria, appalled at the sight of Chris, who chuckled and nodded. Eria, who had been subtly bickering with Chris, was on the verge of losing it.

“What am I, worse than this! This! Little brat? It’s obvious! A beauty trap?”

“This woman! What rude things are you saying? Are you stupid? It’s obviously skill!”

Lake gently pushed the agitated Eria and Chris aside.

“I see. It’s not strange since you’ve paired up in the virtual gate once. But who’s the third person?”

“The last one?”

Quite a celebrity.

A mini power broker with a mana talent of 9.7, who has free access to all school facilities.

A woman with striking red hair and blue eyes.

“It’s someone you both know well.”

* * *

[May I have a word with you? If you’re busy now, we can do it another time! ^^ -Selfis]

The epitome of etiquette.

Selfis’s message was as polite as if sent to a superior. With Selfis, the principal, taking such a humble stance, Jian couldn’t bring himself to refuse.

“Did you call for me?”

“Hahaha! Good of you to come! I know you’re busy, this is something! I wonder if I’m stealing your time unnecessarily!”

Selfis laughed heartily as he served tea. The order of serving was first to Jian’s seat, then to Selfis himself.

“Haha~ It’s not about anything else, but that, the suburban event.”

“The Battle Survival.”

“Yes! Yes! The scale of the tournament is huge. Really! The media’s attention is extraordinary. It’s so big that the tournament will be held at the Central Stadium.”

The Central Stadium is a venue used for government-level events, with a capacity of a whopping 70,000 people. Jian took a leisurely sip of his tea.

‘It seems you really want to win.’

As evidence of his esteem, the black tea Selfis served was of the finest quality, reserved for dignitaries like Yuvel.