CHAPTER 90: MYTHICAL SWORDSPAWNS

’I guess that’s that for today, then...’ Daru sighed in satisfaction as the world warped to white, then the ceiling of his dormitory room.

His heart had eased, and his mood returned to normal the moment he learned he would be able to keep his peace.

The government keeping in touch with him through Iris is truly the best thing he could have hoped for in this situation, and he was very grateful to his training partner for covering up for him.

She truly was an admirable and noble young woman.

Having gone through an almost disastrous day, Daru was more exhausted than usual.

He headed over to the nearest academy canteen for a hearty dinner of fish steak, veggies, and rice, then lightly washed up in the F-ranker dormitory’s common bathrooms and called it a day.

His sleep was definitely far more restful today...

Come morning, he quickly prepared himself, donning a fresh set of white academy uniform, laced with golden linings, and black trousers before grabbing some breakfast, and heading to his classroom for his morning lecture.

The lesson today was an interesting one that gripped Daru’s attention tightly.

"Has anyone heard of or come across information about Mythical Swordspawns? Raise your hands." Talon began, scanning his eyes across the entire room.

Only one person did.

"Lynn, tell us what you know," the instructor urged.

A majority turned to look at the class queen, who was not only competent in combat but was also smart.

The young men could only look at her dreamily, including Silver Serpent and Lionbreaker.

Zach’s ego was naturally stroked.

That’s right, they could only dream about obtaining HIS woman.

Daru’s indifferent gaze spoiled his mood a bit, but Zach was already quite used to it, finding solace in the thought that the fallen sword prince probably swung another way and was actually the Fallen Sword Princess.

How else would he be able to resist Fairy Sylphina’s charms?

"Mythical Swordspawns are Swordspawns that are extremely elusive, as they don’t live in any fixed location, roaming from continent to continent through methods unknown. Aside from this, the said spawns are notoriously dangerous, proven by a statement from one of our now-retired Sword Saints, Ali Al-Hashim, also known in the sword realm as Zulfiqar." Lynn paused for a bit, glancing sideways to briefly check the reactions of her classmates before continuing:

"The saint encountered a three-meter-tall bull swordspawn armed with a huge, blunted greatsword while exploring a hidden labyrinth. He then inevitably fought with the Minotaur, whose name was written in black text, and admittedly lost, managing to barely escape with his life. Former Saint Zulfiqar firmly stated that it would be impossible to take on the swordspawn alone, though he didn’t clarify why."

The class immediately exploded into enthusiastic hubbub, finding it difficult to believe that even a former Sword Saint was no match for a Mythical Swordspawn in a one-on-one battle.

Weren’t they supposed to be the strongest of their race?

If even someone like Zulfiqar can’t defeat the said type of spawns, then wouldn’t it be an instant death sentence to encounter one?

As for Daru, he was inwardly trembling in excitement. He was given another dream by the Myriad Sword Realm.

One day...

One day, he shall hunt one down when he’s ready and see for himself if these Mythical Swordspawns truly couldn’t be defeated on one’s own.

Talon nodded in satisfaction, jotting down a bonus recitation grade for Lynn as he praised quite generously:

"A rich understanding of the topic. Well done, Lynn. Keep up the good work."

Fairy Sylphina was naturally pleased.

The instructor then gave them a few more additional information before proceeding to another topic.

An hour and a half later, the lecture class finished, and everyone was allowed entry into the Myriad Sword Realm.

A majority of them were just as excited as they were on the first day, still lost in the realm’s wonders and allure.

Only a few, who had already lost two lives, looked serious.

Daru immediately adjusted his slumber capsule and settled in. He was among those who were very eager to enter the mystical world.

***

**

Inside a luxurious meeting hall built in a hollow of a colossal redwood of species unknown —far, far larger than those that existed on earth, a group of pale-gray-skinned elders gathered in front of a blackwood table.

Some have stern expressions, but a majority have vindictive looks.

"Where’s Lothara?" asked an old Veshari with a cross-scar on his left cheek.

"Reporting to Lord Alshar. Lothara and her party, consisting of two A-rankers, five B-rankers, and eight C-rankers, are on the way to the Somber Swamp to rendezvous with Ae’shkar’s party. They are expected to arrive on their fourth hour today. Tomorrow, they shall begin the hunt for that swordspawn," responded a middle-aged, female Veshari with gray hair and a ruined left eye.

Alshar only nodded.

After hearing the news that even Halphar’s hunting party was somehow defeated by a mere A-ranker, a human named Otsuna, the old Veshari naturally wouldn’t be in a good mood, especially after learning of the party leader’s stupidity.

The younger generation lost a considerable number of lives because of it.

Whenever he recalled the matter, Alshar seethed in anger.

Unfortunately, they could only allow Otsuna to run free for a few days and delay the S-ranker’s punishment, as the swordspawn hunt was more important.

If Ae’shkar and Lothara could pull this off, their grove’s ranking would improve, and not just by a small amount.

They could skyrocket right to the top five positions and obtain significantly more resources from The Sovereign.

They couldn’t mess this up just because of a lone A-ranker human.

"Elvira, order one of your subordinates to remind Lothara and Ae’shkar to do an inventory check after they rendezvous. There can be no mistakes. The hunt will commence tomorrow, and until then, ignore Otsuna. The two parties will hunt her down only after the mission. Understood?"

"Yes, Lord Alshar."

"Right, one more thing. Tell Halphar that he WILL obey every order from Ae’shkar during the hunt, and if his stupidity runs rampant once more, I’ll personally take all his remaining lives."

"U-Understood, Lord Alshar."