My Past Life is Riddled With Many Sins - Chapter 60

“The libraries scattered throughout the empire attest to the Great Empress Yekarna’s pursuit of knowledge sharing and leveling the intellectual playing field. Although the original was nameless, it’s commonly referred to as <Yekarna’s Swordsmanship> and it’s from this book that much of our current longsword techniques are derived.”

The professor began, holding up a copy of <Yekarna’s Swordsmanship> for all the students to see.

“Modern longsword techniques were developed and modified by analyzing the techniques on this book over 200 years. Do you know what’s really terrifying about this book?”

As the professor asked, the interest in the room slowly started to pick up.

“Chapters 9, 10, and 11 consist only of techniques that can be performed by a Swordmaster. Naturally, every Swordmaster since Yekarna has scrutinized these chapters extensively. If these were physical beings, they’d be torn to shreds by now from all the analysis.”

He paused for emphasis before continuing.

“And yet, no official countermeasure exists for the techniques listed in Chapter 11. Unofficially, someone might have figured it out, but officially, it’s still a mystery.”

Seeing some puzzled looks among the students, the professor explained further.

“Do you realize how significant this is? Over 200 years have passed. Academic fields progress over time. A theory from 200 years ago should be outdated and overridden by now. Yet, we have still not managed to surpass or even match the swordsmanship of the Great Empress Yekarna, who lived even longer ago than that.”

The room fell silent. Savoring the moment of quiet, the professor added a chilling thought:

“Want to hear something even more daunting? It’s speculated that <Yekarna’s Swordsmanship> originally had up to 12 chapters, but due to some reasons, one chapter was lost. What techniques might have been in Chapter 12? If possible, I’d resurrect Empress Yekarna just to ask her.”

* * *

After stepping out from the arena, Regina sighed deeply.

She had been competing with a half-focused mind, going through the fight without much passion, yet she didn’t feel close to losing. If things continued this way, she would smoothly make her way to the finals and likely win the championship effortlessly.

It’s because they’re all just greenhorn kids. None of them have even seen a real monster, let alone fought in a war. Their swords carry no vigor, no deadly intent.

‘And their skills… well, there’s no need to even mention those.’

To defeat a former Swordmaster through skill alone is virtually impossible, so they would have to overwhelm with momentum to stand even a slight chance.

“Well done, Student Heather.”

Professor Gunter approached and clapped Regina on the shoulder. She offered a half-hearted thank you, her mind replaying how she ended up at this point.

It all started with Professor Gunter’s declaration.

“They said you were the top student under Professor Gunter’s instruction, but how will you handle being completely outmatched in a swordsmanship tournament?”

When a previously unknown male student challenged her, Regina didn’t think much of it. Young people are often brash, it was to be expected.

However, the professors reacted differently. It turned out this student was the protege of another swordsmanship professor.

There are two swordsmanship professors for the first years: Professor Gunter and another who is in a competitive relationship with him.

So when the protege went to Regina to provoke her, word reached Gunter. Apparently, the issue escalated into an argument between the professors, and they decided to settle whose teaching methods were superior through the tournament.

“That being the case, Miss Heather, you’ll need to defeat Student Delon.”

“Professor, winning and losing aren’t really up to me…”

Regina, initially intending to throw the match to avoid attention, hesitated under Gunter’s scrutinizing gaze.

“Miss Heather, this Professor is no fool.”

He said, glancing at Regina.

“If you show your true skill, Student Delon won’t stand a chance no matter what he tries.”

It wasn’t a speculative gaze. It was one filled with certainty.

Regina wiped the troubled expression off her face, realizing that acting was futile now that she had been seen through. She asked calmly.

“Why must I participate in this proxy battle for your honor, Professor?”

“If you defeat Student Delon, I’ll give you an extra mina.”

A Mina is equivalent to 50 staters, 100 drachmas, and 600 obolos—a substantial sum.

Yet Regina had already decided to forgo the 5 Mina prize and the emperor’s commemorative coin to minimize the risk of her identity being exposed.

“I’m sorry, but I have reasons to avoid drawing attention. Winning the tournament and being in the spotlight would be problematic.”

“Before the final! I guarantee you’ll face Student Delon before the final. You can concede after beating him if you wish. How about that?”

Tempted by Professor Gunter’s urgent proposal, Regina saw an opportunity to earn a Mina without winning the tournament and without drawing undue attention. After all, only the winners are remembered.

This was why Regina was currently participating in the tournament, swinging her sword.

“Your next match is the semifinal, against Student Delon.”

“I’ll concede right after winning. I’ll claim that I have used all my energy and that I’m unable to compete in the final.”

“Understood.”

Professor Gunter seemed reluctant, but apparently, defeating Delon was enough to achieve his goal, so he added no further argument.

Soon, Regina was called to the arena. She groaned inside, picked up her sword, and stood.

“Time to earn that mina.”

The swordsmanship tournament at the Imperial Academy is a prestigious event. Despite being a school affair, it’s open not just to students’ parents but also to nobility from outside, and occasionally even members of the imperial family attend informally.

Their interest, however, was not in the freshmen.

The goal was to scout and secure talented students who were nearing graduation.