I Became an Academy Overpowered Growth Genius

I Became an Academy Overpowered Growth Genius – 135

EP.135 Kuyamoto’s Cherry Blossom (7)

‘Finally….’

◆Skill

[Taiji Wisdom Sword (10 Stars: Mastery) Lv. Legendary]

With the synergy of the ‘Eye of Providence,’ the ‘Spring of Magic,’ and the newly acquired internal energy cultivation technique ‘Heaven-Breaking Art,’ Kang Seo-jun had successfully mastered Taiji Wisdom Sword to 10 stars in an instant. Now, it was time to pass on Taiji Wisdom Sword to Sakura and turn her fake pregnancy into a real one.

– Srrrk…. –

Kang Seo-jun slowly opened his eyes.

“I’ve been watching you for a while.”

Sakura, who had been meditating beside him, spoke almost simultaneously.

“…Watching me?”

He thought she might have gone to eat since it was so quiet beside him.

“Of course…. I was surprised. When a person changes so much overnight, it’s hard to recognize them.”

“Oh.”

“At first, I was shocked because a stranger was beside me without making any noise.”

…Had he changed that much? His appearance score had jumped by several hundred points, but he didn’t think it was to the extent that people wouldn’t recognize him.

Kang Seo-jun chuckled and said, “At least you didn’t swing your sword at me like last time.”

At his words, Sakura’s face quickly showed an embarrassed expression.

“…Th-that time, I’m really sorry. I mistook you for a demon…. ……Ugh…. No matter how many times I apologize, it won’t be enough…. I usually don’t swing my sword so recklessly….”

“…….”

The more she spoke, the more Sakura seemed to shrink. He hadn’t meant to make her feel bad.

Kang Seo-jun quickly responded, “Don’t worry about it too much. I understand. If I were in that situation, I might have mistaken you for a demon too.”

Although it was a serious incident that could have resulted in his death if he hadn’t had time to counterattack, in a way, it was also an event created by his luck score of ’50,’ so the cause could be attributed to Kang Seo-jun rather than Sakura.

“But has my appearance changed that much since yesterday?”

“…Yes.”

Sakura answered with a face that seemed to ask if he was seriously asking.

“I had to look at you for a long time to realize you were the same person. I wanted to ask what happened…. but you were focused on your cultivation, so I waited until you opened your eyes.”

“Oh. You were considerate. Thank you.”

No wonder. While operating the Heaven-Breaking Art, even though quite a bit of time had passed, it was quiet beside him, so he managed to master Taiji Wisdom Sword to 10 stars in one go. She had deliberately left him alone.

“I’ve never seen such a cultivation technique before…. It was like a giant breathing in, not a human….”

“Oh.”

At Sakura’s words, an inspiration flashed through Kang Seo-jun’s mind.

“Would you like me to teach you?”

“Excuse me?”

Sakura’s eyes and mouth widened. Then she laughed awkwardly and shook her head.

“I-I’m not that shameless…. You have already…. You’ve taken responsibility beyond my expectations, even though I half-forced it on you….”

“No, I’m not joking.”

“…Really?”

Sakura’s large eyes blinked slowly.

“You’re really going to teach me? That cultivation technique?”

“Yes. Really.”

Of course, he couldn’t teach her the Heaven-Breaking Art as it was. The Heaven-Breaking Art required at least an [SS] grade body to withstand it. Moreover, it absorbed not only the surrounding mana but also demonic energy, which could potentially damage her dantian.

Instead, he planned to teach her a technique suitable for her.

‘And….’

He could use the excuse of teaching her cultivation to get closer to her.

“Uhm….”

Despite the offer being too good to refuse, Sakura hesitated.

“…….”

She was probably feeling guilty for continuously receiving things from him, starting with the ‘bear totem,’ the ‘location of the mana spot,’ the ‘Taiji Wisdom Sword manual,’ and so on.

“In exchange, there is a condition.”

He could ease her burden with a condition.

“A condition?”

“Yes.”

Kang Seo-jun held up one finger.

“Later, if I ask for your help, just help me once. That’s all I need.”

“Oh, no…. If that’s the condition, you don’t need to make it one. I’ll help you anytime….”

Although their first meeting started with misunderstandings and conflict, Sakura now knew that Kang Seo-jun was someone she could trust. The fact that Kang Seo-jun had stripped her naked that day….

Yes…. It was probably just….

He was merely taking the compensation he deserved for being unjustly attacked. Even though their skin had brushed against each other, and she had ended up pregnant due to their most intimate contact….

He had shown his reliability and trustworthiness by taking responsibility and giving her so much.

‘…He’s a good person.’

It was almost painfully regretful that Kang Seo-jun was already married.

“Then I’ll take that as a yes.”

– Clap! –

Kang Seo-jun clapped his hands once and got to the main point. It was time to start the day’s work.

“Let me explain today’s schedule.”

Sakura nodded, somewhat flustered.

“は、はい!(Yes, yes!)”

“First, I’ll teach you swordsmanship in the morning and afternoon. You read the martial arts manual I gave you yesterday, right?”

Sakura nodded vigorously in response.

“Yes! I’ve mastered all the movements depicted in it!”

“Excellent. Think of today as the advanced course.”

“A-advanced course?”

The martial arts manual he had given her already contained profound mysteries….

And there was an advanced course on top of that…?

“Since I’ll be teaching you intensively, today won’t be an easy day.”

“I-I’ll do my best to keep up!”

She didn’t bear the name Kuyamoto for nothing. As the daughter of Japan’s top swordsmanship family, one of her favorite things was swordsmanship. The thought of learning new swordsmanship made her heart pound with excitement.

====

***

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“Training is over!”

“Huff, huff…!”

Time flew by as they tirelessly practiced Taiji Wisdom Sword together. It was now late afternoon, with the red sunset shimmering at the end of the canyon.

“Gasp…. Gasp….”

“Huff…. Huff….”

The two, drenched in sweat from clashing swords all day, lay side by side on the ground, breathing heavily.

‘What an incredible talent.’

Kang Seo-jun was genuinely impressed. Despite teaching her using the best methods through the 《Eye of Providence》, achieving Taiji Wisdom Sword up to 4 stars in just half a day was remarkable. As expected, the young lady of the Kuyamoto family had an extraordinary talent for swordsmanship.

‘It was an amazing day….’

Sakura was equally impressed.

‘I feel like the wall that had been blocking me has crumbled today.’

It wasn’t just a feeling. Her actual specs had upgraded from [S-] grade to [S] grade today. All thanks to training with Kang Seo-jun.

‘He’s truly a great teacher….’

Sakura turned her head to look at Kang Seo-jun lying beside her. He was slowly regulating his breathing with his eyes closed. Who exactly was this man? Beyond being the grandson-in-law of Taesan, she was curious about his fundamental roots. Where was he born, and what had he done to possess such profound insights and be able to teach so effectively?

She had never experienced anything like this before. Each sword path Kang Seo-jun taught was filled with the enlightenment she needed.

‘It was like a miraculous time….’

Usually, to gain a single insight, she had to swing her sword hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of times, repeatedly slashing, thrusting, and reviewing.

‘If possible, I want him to keep teaching me….’

Having experienced this once, it was now impossible to train in the same old way. Whenever she hit a wall of enlightenment, whenever her palms blistered from countless swings, she would think of Kang Seo-jun and desperately want to seek him out. She realized that being by his side was the best way to train in swordsmanship.

Sakura’s desire to always give her best in every training session would continually make her yearn for Kang Seo-jun.

‘Isn’t there a way to keep this person by my side…. If not, then….’

If he couldn’t stay by her side, she wanted to follow him. Whether it was due to her passion and desire for swordsmanship, the ambition inherited as the young lady of the Kuyamoto family, or as a woman who had come to admire a man, she wasn’t sure.

What was clear was that the short time Sakura had spent with Kang Seo-jun had made her want him even more.

‘I want him…. I want him…. I want him….’

If possible, she wanted to make him hers by any means necessary.

‘I don’t want to give up….’

If they parted now, she didn’t know when she would see him again. Even a month would feel like an eternity.

‘I don’t want that….’

Sakura thought desperately. How could she make this man hers?

‘I need to find something I can give him….’

If she wanted to keep someone by her side, she had to give them a reason to stay. What could he possibly want from her? If she could figure that out, keeping Kang Seo-jun by her side wouldn’t be impossible.

‘What can I give him?’

But first, what did Kang Seo-jun need? Did this perfect man have any deficiencies? And even if he did, could she fill that void?

‘Ugh…. Ugh….’

As her thoughts tangled and twisted, leading her deeper into contemplation, Sakura’s confidence began to falter.

‘Ah!’

A rather intriguing idea suddenly flitted through Sakura’s mind.

‘That day!’

The day she first encountered Kang Seo-jun, mistaking him for a mine and engaging in a fight with swords and fists. Kang Seo-jun had defeated her and taken everything she possessed.

‘If by some chance… really, just by some chance…’

If the reason he stripped her of all her equipment, down to her underwear, was not merely to take her items, but also because he harbored the intention of seeing her bare flesh…

‘I’ve heard about this from the nannies!’

The nannies had repeatedly warned Sakura to be wary of men. They had told her that men are fond of women’s bare skin and that she should save and cherish hers for someone truly special in the future.

And she had guarded it preciously until now.

‘But if it’s with this person…’

This man, who in such a short span of time had proven himself over and over to be the best of men…

If she were to consider him as a partner…

Then what reason would there be to withhold her bare skin from him?

‘This is something that cannot be filled by him alone! If he desires my bare skin…! Then…!’

But….

‘Ugh….’

Did Kang Seo-jun really want to see her bare skin? She had no way of knowing.

‘What should I do….’

How could she find out if this man was interested in her body?

‘Ah!’

Soon, a good idea came to her.

“Hmm, hmm!”

Sakura awkwardly cleared her throat and called out to Kang Seo-jun.

“Excuse me…!”

“Yes?”

“It’s hot, so how about we go for a swim?”

Her strategy was to subtly reveal her skin by getting into the water. In her worldview, this required a significant amount of resolve, but Sakura was willing to take risks to achieve what she wanted.

“A swim?”

“Is it a bad idea….”

He couldn’t refuse…. There were no other options….

“No? Sounds good.”

Kang Seo-jun, who had been pondering how to proceed with their plan, was pleasantly surprised by Sakura’s suggestion. There was no way he would refuse.

“Let’s get in before the sweat cools!”

Excited, Kang Seo-jun stood up and lifted Sakura into his arms.

“Huh!?”

Sakura’s entire body stiffened, not expecting him to act so suddenly.

“Here we go!”

But before Sakura could react, Kang Seo-jun moved much faster.

– Splash!!! –

Kang Seo-jun jumped into the Spring of Magic with Sakura in his arms. Although the Spring of Magic was a dangerous place that could be lethal even for someone with an [S] grade, Kang Seo-jun had already absorbed enough mana from it to make it safe for swimming.

“Puhah!!”

As soon as they entered the water, the refreshing mana permeated their bodies, making them feel invigorated.

“Ah…. This feels great.”

“Paha…!”

A moment later, Sakura also surfaced.

“Feels refreshing, right?”

“Yes, yes…. It’s nice….”

It really was nice. Although her face was slightly flushed, Sakura was secretly pleased. Her plan to get into the water with Kang Seo-jun had succeeded.

‘Now, subtly….’

She needed to show Kang Seo-jun her bare skin and gauge his reaction.

“So, so refreshing….”

Sakura subtly tugged at the sleeve of her robe while in the water. Naturally, the robe loosened around her shoulders, revealing her white neckline and collarbone.

“Hmm, hmm….”

Despite the cold sweat and trembling pupils from nervousness, she could still observe his reaction.

“……?”

Kang Seo-jun blinked and looked at Sakura.

‘What is she doing? Her swimming form is a bit awkward. Why is she moving her shoulders so stiffly?’

‘Oh, oh, he’s definitely looking! He’s really looking at me!’

Kang Seo-jun’s reaction was more blatant than she had expected.

‘He’s really looking at me!’

Though she couldn’t guess what he was thinking, his gaze was undoubtedly fixed on her shoulders. This increased the likelihood that he was interested in her bare skin.

‘To be sure…. I’ll need to be more daring….’

– Gulp! –

Just revealing her shoulders wouldn’t be enough to read his true intentions. At the very least, she needed to expose her belly and legs to get a clearer reaction.

“This robe…. It’s a hindrance for swimming. I should….”

Sakura cautiously reached for her waist belt, intending to loosen the robe that was wrapped around her body.

“Hmm….”

However, her hands were stiff from nervousness, making it difficult to untie the belt.

– Splash! Splash! –

Her face turned bright red as she repeatedly sank and resurfaced, trying to untie her belt.

‘What is she doing…?’

Even for Kang Seo-jun, a veteran of the game [Grand Hunter Academy], her actions were quite unfamiliar.

‘Huh!’

Then, a sudden hypothesis crossed his mind.

[Intelligence: 35] [Insight Check Successful!]

‘Could it be! Is she really trying to take off her robe!?’

When her neckline was exposed, he thought it might have been accidental. But now, it seemed she was intentionally trying to show her bare skin.

‘I need to test this.’

Kang Seo-jun swam towards Sakura and asked, “Would you like some help?”

“…….”

Sakura bit her lip and didn’t respond.

– Nod. –

But she did nod her head decisively.

‘Oh! Damn!’

This confirmed Kang Seo-jun’s hypothesis. Sakura, who wouldn’t show her bare skin to anyone but her future husband, was now entrusting her waist belt to an outsider.

‘This is definitely not a normal situation.’

– Gulp. –

Kang Seo-jun swallowed involuntarily. Sakura didn’t miss his reaction.

‘It’s a bit hard to tell, but…. He’s definitely reacting! And it doesn’t seem like he dislikes it….’

She noticed his breathing had become a bit heavier, and he was blinking more frequently. However….

‘These reactions alone aren’t enough to be sure!’

Ultimately, there was only one way to determine if he was interested in her bare skin.

She had to ask him directly.

“…By any chance….”

When it came time to ask, her voice wouldn’t come out. Even an ant’s footsteps would be louder.

“Yes?”

“By any chance….”

“Yes. Please, go ahead.”

“Are you… interested… in my… bare skin…?”

“……!!!”