When I regressed, I was a martial arts genius

‘Let’s block it.’

Lee Joon had no intention of satisfying Han Ji-yoo’s curiosity.

Instead, he intended to show her just one thing.

He stepped back and gripped his sword in reverse.

Then, he thrust the sword toward the ground.

The student facing Lee Joon wore a puzzled expression.

Had Lee Joon not whispered, his actions would have been unnoticed.

“Blade Wall.”

Kwa-gwang!

Two streams of sword energy collided with a transparent barrier.

Lee Joon appeared calm and serene.

But his opponent was:

“Huff… cough… water.”

Breathing heavily, gasping for air.

Ultimately, the student, overwhelmed, surrendered.

“Wow.”

“Is that real?”

“A D-class isn’t even a challenge?”

Lee Joon had won by simply defending against a D-class awakened student.

He exhausted his opponent’s energy, forcing them to concede.

This method is not easy for anyone without strong resolve.

The method works because you don’t know who will run out of energy first.

Especially in combat, this technique is rarely used.

Even Han Ji-yoo, who had her arms crossed, furrowed her delicate brows.

‘He’s changing his approach to defeat me.’

All within that short moment.

She realized Lee Joon wasn’t as easy as she thought.

Thus, her interest was piqued.

An unpredictable figure, one even the school Chairman—her uncle—had difficulty grasping.

He wasn’t bland or straightforward.

Rather, he was more complex than she anticipated.

‘But now, you’ll be fully exposed to me.’

Lee Joon had reached the pinnacle of 4 wins, the only ones who had accomplished this were he and Han Ji-yoo.

Only two students remained.

There was only one match left.

Clap clap clap.

Park Jae-min clapped as he praised Lee Joon and the student he had just defeated.

“That was an excellent match. Seungjin maximized the offensive potential of the Seven Rupture Strike, while Lee Joon focused entirely on defense. Normally, with Seungjin’s aggressive style, he would have won. However, Lee Joon’s level of mastery is what made the difference.”

Park Jae-min gave a detailed explanation.

The student, Seungjin, had a bitter expression.

Lee Joon simply nodded his head.

Yet, his ears were filled with a very different opinion from Park Jae-min’s.

[What nonsense is that? Maximizing the offense in a Seven Rupture Strike? That kid is a complete fraud.]
‘What do you think, Master?’

[You’ve completely grasped the essence of the Seven Rupture Strike. You’re deconstructing the martial arts technique one step at a time. Offensive characteristics? Ha! If someone had learned my ultimate technique, the Unbreakable Palm, they would still lose against you in a sparring match.]
Lee Joon furrowed his brows thoughtfully.

The lines are visible to his eyes.

Whenever an opponent attacked, the lines in the air glowed faintly.

Cutting through those glowing lines disrupted the opponent’s sword path, as though attacking the flaws in their swordsmanship.

That’s how he won through pure defense alone.

‘Am I doing something wrong?’

[No, you’re just a genius in martial arts.]
The Unbreakable Palm Master spoke with confidence.

Feeling those words from his master gave Lee Joon a fluttering sensation in his chest.

‘Genius… in martial arts…’

Even hearing those words made his heart soar.

When had he ever received such praise? Especially from a self-proclaimed greatest master throughout history.

Knowing him, it wasn’t an exaggeration.

‘…A genius? That’s the first time I’ve heard that.’

He had always been labeled a dullard, an outcast, a failure.

Hearing repeatedly that he had little to no talent had been his reality for years.

[Even I thought you were a dullard. Yet here we are, you’re a genius among geniuses. You can start believing in yourself now.]
Hearing his master’s words, a newfound confidence began to form within Lee Joon.

[But where did you come up with the idea to deconstruct martial arts?]
‘I just thought it would be better to experience it firsthand.’

[Heh. I told you, you’re still confused. Should I call you a genius or a dullard? You’ve become my greatest enigma.]
Lee Joon relied on instinct and acted accordingly.

He had instinctively mastered tormenting his opponent, all by himself.

As Lee Joon continued his conversation with the Unbreakable Palm Master, Han Ji-yoo collected her sword and stepped forward.

“Is it my turn now?”

Park Jae-min glanced at his wristwatch.

The sparring sessions went on so long that the afternoon classes were completely missed.

“The class is over. We’ll continue the sparring sessions next time.”

“Oh.”

“Can’t we just continue the sparring session?”

“What? Just one more time, sir. I want to see this sparring.”

Students pleaded to extend the class time, but Park Jae-min was firm.

“It’s impossible. I stick strictly to a 3-hour class principle.”

He carefully packed his sword.

“See you next time.”

Park Jae-min bid farewell to the students and walked away leisurely.

The students, feeling disappointed, couldn’t leave their seats right away.

Han Ji-yoo glared at Lee Joon before turning away.

“You’re lucky.”

She left those words behind and entered the classroom.

“That jerk.”

Lee Joon shook his head.

Should he just drop out?

Because of her, the rosy school life felt clouded with dark clouds.

As expected.

Han Ji-yoo became like a leech, trailing after Lee Joon.

She attended every class Lee Joon was in.

Whenever she got the chance, she suggested sparring sessions during the swordsmanship classes.

Her obsession was strong.

“How long are you going to follow me?”

Lee Joon was walking toward the men’s bathroom.

Yet, Han Ji-yoo followed closely, making no sound.

“I’m going to the bathroom too.”

“You said that earlier.”

“No, I didn’t.”

“That’s not true.”

“So, why don’t you go first?”

“Why should I?”

Han Ji-yoo asked back with a cheeky expression.

Hah, let’s not even bother.

Lee Joon let out a sigh and entered the bathroom.

“I miss Hyuk-jin.”

[Who’s Hyuk-jin?]
“He’s my friend, called the Sword Dragon. He’s better than Han Ji-yoo.”

Hyuk-jin was the only friend who had been by Lee Joon’s side during his school days.

The two of them stuck together like glue, although Hyuk-jin had been the one following Lee Joon around. Still, he was preferable to Han Ji-yoo.

[You had a friend?]
“Of course, Master. Don’t underestimate your disciple.”

[Hmm. I always thought you were a loner, walking alone.]
“I was considered a loner by the others.”

Lee Joon spoke in a manner reminiscent of a mental victory.

Hyuk-jin had been the only friend he had, making him essentially a loner.

Of course, that was in the past.

Now, he could make friends whenever he wanted.

He wasn’t the loner he once was in school.

“Maybe I should try starting an SNS.”

SNS was something anyone could use, but to gain popularity, one had to have natural appeal—good looks, a fit body, or be an influencer.

Lee Joon had a feeling that even starting SNS now would result in a significant number of followers.

Just as he was about to leave the bathroom after finishing his business, a student with a rugged look entered.

Seeing Lee Joon, the student greeted him with a booming voice and a deep bow.

“Hello, senior.”

“It’s you again.”

The same student often interrupted Lee Joon’s peaceful moments with other girls after school.

“Husu, sir.”

“I told you not to greet me like that. I’m not Saman’s Black Blade.”

“I’ll correct it, senior.”

“Ugh. You and everyone else seem to have something off with you.”

[Disciple.]

At that moment, the Sagu Master called out to Lee Joon.

‘Yes, Master.’

[That boy has quite a good physique.]

The Sagu Master was somewhat stingy with compliments, so this praise carried more weight than usual.

Given his self-proclaimed title as the greatest in all of history, no modern awakened could satisfy the Sagu Master’s expectations.

The school’s top martial artist, the chairman, had never received such praise from the Sagu Master.

Yet, a mere freshman was favored by the master.

Lee Joon closely examined Husu, the student.

Embarrassment.

A student who couldn’t meet his gaze properly.

With a sidelong glance, a few beads of cold sweat began to form on his face.

Husu shifted his eyes around and then said,
“Senior, I wasn’t aware you were using the bathroom. I’ll take my leave now.”

He bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle and swiftly fled the scene.

“What was that?”

[Your fierce glare scared him away.]
“Me?”
[Yes, you. You should control your demeanor.]
“Did I radiate killing intent?”
[Ha. You still have a long way to go.]

No wonder he was sweating like that.

It seemed like he needed to temper his killing intent further.

***

The following day, and the day after that.

Lee Joon continued to ignore Han Ji-yoo thoroughly.

Had his patience finally reached its limit?

Now, she resorted to sneak attacks.

Like this moment.

Swish—

A gust of air cut through the air from behind him.

Lee Joon slightly twisted his body to dodge.

A few strands of hair were sliced and fluttered in the air.

“You dodged that?”

Han Ji-yoo’s wide eyes stared at Lee Joon.

Even though her attack was stealthy, Lee Joon evaded it effortlessly, as if he already knew her movement.

Startled by Lee Joon’s ease, Han Ji-yoo became annoyed.

“You almost got killed!”

“I didn’t.”

Lee Joon scowled at her, his brows furrowing.

She’s crazy.

Was she like Yeo Jin-ho, with a temper as out of control as his?

Or perhaps he was like the child of another family who sold his soul to the devil in the future.

Then, I’d have nothing to worry about and could beat him freely.

No, mistake.

My mistake.

Mothers always teach not to hit women, so cancel that.

Anyway…

Those eyes!

So full of curiosity, not a hint of malice—how could I possibly hit her?

“Good me is holding back.”

Lee Joon turned away and continued on his way.

Despite several attempts at sneak attacks, once ignored consistently, she seemed to grow tired and stopped.

Instead, she clung stubbornly like a jealous girlfriend.

“Why are you ignoring me?”

“Because I have reason to. Stop following me around. It feels like you’re trying to set me up.”

Lee Joon’s words seemed to hit a nerve, and Han Ji-yoo stammered in response.

“M-me, set up?”

Both Lee Joon and Han Ji-yoo had completely lost track of the conversation’s meaning.

The oddity wasn’t lost on Sagu Master, who observed with dismay.

[What should I do with these two?]

Lee Joon was one thing, but Han Ji-yoo was turning out to be an even stranger opponent.

Lee Joon was a first-time loner, but what about her?

With her beautiful face and the countless boys she must have rejected, how did she end up being outsmarted by her poor conversational skills?

Sagu Master rubbed his temples in frustration.

It seemed like the world was full of odd individuals.

Twitching her lips tightly, Han Ji-yoo bit down on her lower lip, which Lee Joon couldn’t help but notice.

‘Oh no. She’s got a huge ego, and I just insulted her.’

Any moment now, she’ll explode.

Lee Joon carefully slid back step by step.

Even after retreating, he wasn’t entirely at ease, so he used light movement techniques to escape further.

Realizing too late that Lee Joon had disappeared, Han Ji-yoo shouted furiously:

“I’m going to kill you!”

With fire burning in her eyes, she chased after Lee Joon.

***

Finally, the day of the decisive battle arrived.

The unfinished match from a previous class had been weighing on Han Ji-yoo’s mind, and she was prepared to settle it.

“Are you ready to die?” she asked coldly.

Lee Joon calmly drew his sword.

“Nope. Not even close.”

“You’re joking with me right now?”

“Yep.”

Han Ji-yoo glared at Lee Joon, her fiery eyes flickering with determination—and perhaps a hint of malice.

“They both seem to have burning determination. Excellent stance.”

Park Jae-min misunderstood, mistaking their fiery attitudes as mere eagerness for class.

“Are we good to start right away?”

Han Ji-yoo’s voice was as cold as a winter storm.

“Alright. Show me what you’ve got.”

Park Jae-min gave his approval.

In an instant, Han Ji-yoo leaped towards Lee Joon.

Slash!

In an incredible display of speed, Han Ji-yoo closed the distance to Lee Joon in an instant.

Her sword slashed diagonally toward him.

Lee Joon twisted his body, narrowly dodging the sharp blade.

But her attack didn’t end there.

She twisted her wrist, changing the trajectory of her blade, aiming to split his body in two from below.

Lee Joon stepped back, activating Chiljeol Chamheon.

Clang, clang, clang!

In the blink of an eye, four exchanges were made.

An impressive feat for a B-class awakener.

Han Ji-yoo relentlessly pushed Lee Joon back, utilizing her Chilhyeon Geombeop skill to its fullest extent.

Once again, he only blocked Han Ji-yoo’s sword.

However, unlike when facing others, he continued to be pushed back, little by little.

It was becoming increasingly difficult.

‘She’s stronger than I thought.’

Her swings were fast, nearly invisible.

The blade left after images, making it appear as though there were multiple swords.

‘Still, I can’t say I can’t block it.’

Although he kept retreating, with time, Lee Joon’s eyes started to adjust to her swordsmanship.

‘Good. I see it.’

He began countering her techniques, one by one.

As time passed, the exchanges grew longer.

The more they crossed swords, the more flustered Han Ji-yoo became.

‘This can’t continue.’

Her confidence was wavering.

Lee Joon watched her with a skeptical gaze and parried her strikes.

Clang, clang, clang, clang!

‘He’s exploiting the weaknesses of my Chilhyeon Geombeop.’

Chilhyeon Geombeop was a fast sword style.

However, it had a flaw—a lack of completion.

It was still an incomplete form, with gaps between attacks.

Lee Joon seized those fleeting moments.

‘If this goes on, I’ll lose.’

Realizing this, Lee Joon decided to use his most favored sword technique, not Chilhyeon Geombeop.

As their swords clashed, their faces drew close.

“Are you going to use Jeokyeob Bi-geom?”

The whispered question caught Han Ji-yoo off guard.

Lee Joon, sensing her hesitation, revealed his true strength.

Rumble—

A powerful vibration emanated from his blade.

“Geommyung?”

The sound of a sword resonating with the heart, a feat achievable only by A-class awakeners and above.

With a flash, Lee Joon glided past Han Ji-yoo.

Lee Joon stood across from her.

Schi-iing!

A faint wind sound echoed seven times.

As a result,

her sleeves, skirt, and collar were sliced.

It could have ended there, but it didn’t.

Her luscious long hair was cleanly chopped, falling to the ground.

Han Ji-yoo’s long, flowing hair had been reduced to a short bob by Lee Joon.