I Became a Swordsmanship Genius at the Academy

---

As Kim Il-shin opened the cage door and stepped inside, people merely thought he was the cleaner coming in to tidy up the cage.

It was hard to imagine that this relatively youthful-looking individual had come here to fight.

As a result, no one could have anticipated the chaos he would unleash afterward.

Whaaaaaaaaaa―!!

“What the hell! What’s that sound!”

“No way…! Hey, look over there!”

“Wow, damn….”

As Kim Il-shin pressed the bright red button positioned in the center of one wall of the cage, the previously subdued atmosphere erupted into chaos once more.

The ear-piercing siren along with the loud cries from the spectators created a scene reminiscent of a disaster unfolding.

“Wow, it’s been ages! I’m about to have fun watching this!”

“Wow… I didn’t think another idiot would press that. Go for it, you idiot!”

Since it had been ages since someone had pressed the button, the people in the arena were all genuinely surprised.

The phrase [NEW CHALLENGER] appeared on the scoreboard above the cage.

This signified not merely a fight but a challenge to become the new champion.

“What? Is that a kid?”

“Do they even know what they pressed? They showed up with a sword? Looks kinda good, though?”

“Tsks, just when it was getting good, they went and interrupted. Hey, kid! If you don’t want to die, go eat your mommy’s food some more!”

“This could be a huge disaster after such a long time!”

“Hey, kid! It’d be wise to beg right now, saying you pressed the button by mistake! If not, you won’t even be able to eat on your own!”

However, most of the gathered crowd reacted with disappointment and disdain towards Kim Il-shin. There were, of course, many mocking him.

It was only natural for them to exhibit such strong reactions.

No one expected someone who looked so young as Kim Il-shin would be able to complete the “Champion Road” he was required to undergo to become a champion.

The process of Champion Road is simple.

If a challenger can achieve twenty consecutive victories without a single loss in matches against opponents commonly referred to as “trials,” they can claim the title of champion.

It might sound easy at first, but the addition of a few rules makes it incredibly difficult.

Firstly, the challenger cannot choose their trial opponents, nor do they have the right to refuse a match.

They must achieve ten consecutive victories solely against those who volunteer on the spot.

This meant that pre-planning or preparation was impossible.

‘This is tricky, but not as bad as the second rule.’

Secondly, a challenger must continue competing without any rest.

There are no breaks between matches, and the challenger must secure victories against increasingly tiring trials while their stamina dwindles.

Because of such rules, very few have succeeded in completing the Champion Road.

Even those who have triumphed in countless matches hesitated to challenge for the champion’s seat.

“Can he even get to the third?”

“He could finish right from the start.”

“I really don’t know what he was thinking when he pressed that.”

Thus, there were almost no expectations for Kim Il-shin’s success in this cage.

Everyone believed he would be eliminated shortly, and this belief only intensified with the appearance of the first trial that followed.

“It’s over, it’s over.”

“If he’s not a retard, it’d be a miracle. I guess I’ll pray for him.”

“How does the big guy come out first? He’s really got the worst luck.”

As they watched a person approaching the cage door where Kim Il-shin was standing, the audience shook their heads.

Then, the door to the cage swung open with a bang, and a person entered, bowing their head not out of respect for Kim Il-shin, but because the door was too small for his massive frame.

A door towering over 2 meters was infinitely insufficient for him.

‘Damn, he’s huge.’

As Kim Il-shin thought this, the announcer’s voice coming from the ceiling speakers revealed the identity of the man opposite him.

[The first trial is!! Trevor, with a record of 31 matches, 26 wins, 2 draws, and 3 losses!]

“Wow! Trevor!”

“I’m betting on you again! Just squash that dumbass!”

“Don’t go easy! Just stomp him!”

Trevor looked like a picture of an alcoholic.

His long, greasy yellow hair hung to his shoulders, and his body was covered in thick layers of fat.

His bulbous nose under his menacing glare only added to his already nasty appearance.

‘Homeless chic, huh.’

But contrary to his filthy appearance, his record was impressive.

Amassing such a record in an underground arena where the legendary street fighters gather isn’t an easy feat.

“Hey, kid. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you can at least walk back after this.”

As Trevor walked to the center of the cage and met Kim Il-shin’s gaze, he spoke in a low voice.

The corners of his mouth were turned up so much that it was evident from afar.

“Maybe it doesn’t seem like it now, but later you’ll be grateful this was your first fight.”

He took a step closer to Kim Il-shin and continued speaking.

“While killing is off the table, everything else is fair game here. If you met someone with strange tastes, you might not have even been able to pick up a spoon later.”

Trevor completely ignored Kim Il-shin.

It seemed that Kim Il-shin’s frail body wouldn’t be able to deliver any meaningful impact against his bulk.

Trevor’s main weapon was his incredible durability, so there was no way he would lose to some rookie.

While a sword could be somewhat risky, he certainly wouldn’t consider letting an amateur swing a sword at him.

‘Oh, so you’re going to try and fight me with your fists?’

At that moment, Kim Il-shin’s fist shot out toward Trevor.

It was slower than the average fighter in the arena.

It was aimed directly at his solar plexus, and Trevor, having made his judgment, sneered softly.

‘Like I’d let that hit me.’

There was no way he would fall to such a slow punch.

Confident in his victory, Trevor even stuck out his bulging belly as if to taunt Kim Il-shin.

Pach.

Finally, Kim Il-shin’s fist dug deep into Trevor’s abdomen.

In that instant, the confident look on Trevor’s face twisted grotesquely.

A pain erupted as if his insides were struck from within.

This was caused by the unique technique in Kim Il-shin’s punch.

“Gah, gack…! Ugh…!”

Clutching his belly, Trevor collapsed to the ground, starting to cry like a child.

As if it wasn’t enough, he began howling from the intense pain while struggling to move his massive body around.

“Damn… what kind of situation is this…?”

“What’s wrong with him?”

“No way. Is it really ending like this? What’s the deal with that kid…?”

The underground arena became a cacophony filled with astonished voices.

It was an outcome they simply couldn’t believe, but it certainly happened right in front of their eyes.

“Hey! This must be rigged! Does this make sense!”

“Trevor, you dumbass! Get up! Get up!”

Some couldn’t accept the result of the match and shouted in protest.

Meanwhile, Kim Il-shin looked at the chaotic scene unfolding outside the cage and thought.

‘When’s the next opponent coming in?’

He wanted to wrap things up quickly.

*

Several minutes had passed since the Champion Road began, and Kim Il-shin was still not out.

Yet the atmosphere in the arena was still cold.

No notable sounds were emerging from the spectators.

“Does this make any sense…?”

“Is there some drug in the drinks here? …So, is this really reality?”

“Damn…….”

Everyone was too busy processing the situation to even enjoy the match.

“I heard he’s actually attending an academy. Apparently, he’s a third-year.”

“Are you serious? That kid is a student? Is that for real?”

“Yeah. I just heard that from the guard.”

“……Huh.”

The onlookers whispered incredulously among themselves, shocked by the revelation.

Kim Il-shin was displaying the demeanor of a battle-hardened fighter who had seen it all.

His combat style was efficient and clean, leaving the impression that a seasoned master had undergone a drastic transformation.

[The 19th trial has ended! The winner is~ once again the challenger Kim Il-shin!]

At that moment, the conclusion of the 19th trial came less than a minute after it had started.

“That guy really couldn’t last….”

“I never thought he wouldn’t even take a single hit….”

Kim Il-shin’s condition after such 19 consecutive matches was hardly different from when he began.

Not a drop of sweat had fallen, and his breathing remained completely composed.

One could believe he had just stepped into the cage.

‘Is this when the real fun starts?’

“I have a proposition!”

As if echoing Kim Il-shin’s thoughts, a voice called out from the direction of the bar.

Choo Kyung-seok raised his hand excitedly, and upon seeing it, Kim Il-shin smiled inwardly.

The Champion Road was just beginning.