NOVEL NEXT Chapter 13 - Classes Begin - 2
A bear-like man entered the classroom. Despite his cleanly shaven face and pomade-slicked hair, he exuded a strong sense of wildness. It’s exactly the image that comes to mind when thinking of Zhang Fei from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. But with a well-groomed beard.
“Gather in the center!”
The fantasy Zhang Fei roared like a lion. At his tremendous volume, students who had been chatting in groups immediately gathered in the center of the classroom. Cordelia and I also stopped our conversation and headed that way.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Helford, who served in the Imperial Guard. This is my third year as an Academy teacher. I look forward to working with you.”
The teacher who introduced himself as Helford laughed heartily. Judging by his not introducing a family name, he might be of common birth. Considering that guard units are elite forces anywhere in the world, his skill seems beyond doubt.
“First, those who have never held a sword before, move to the left.”
After a brief self-introduction, he immediately divided the students. Following Helford’s instruction, the nerds I had noticed earlier shuffled out. Cordelia was among them.
“Although I’m in charge of teaching you the Basic Swordsmanship course, I can’t teach all of you in the same way. Whether a student has never held a sword in their life or has been wielding one for over 10 years, if they’re a first-year, they’re all lumped together in the Basic Swordsmanship course, sigh.”
He grumbled as if displeased. It’s certainly inefficient. Cordelia and I can’t take the same level of classes.
“So, on the first day, I plan to conduct simple sparring matches to gauge your skills. For those who have never held a sword before, I’m sorry, but please wait for a moment. The assistants will bring clothes and swords, so take ones that fit you. The changing room, as some of you might have seen on your way in, is directly opposite this classroom. From the next class onwards, change clothes before the class starts.”
As soon as Helford finished speaking, several large men entered the classroom. They put down the baskets they were carrying. The clothes were in the baskets. Dull gray training suits. After putting down the baskets and going out of the classroom, the large men came back in a moment later with arms full of swords.
“The swords have been prepared according to the imperial army standard. They should be sufficient for basic swordsmanship, but if you want to use your personal items, come to me in advance. I’ll permit it based on my judgment.”
I hadn’t prepared my own sword. Anyway, the sword I used at home was an ordinary one used by soldiers. These swords should be sufficient.
“I’ve already dulled the blades, so don’t worry. You might get bruised if hit, but you won’t get cut.”
Helford picked a sword, drew it, and showed it to us. As he said, the blade didn’t have any sharpness. Still, getting hit by such an iron club would not end with just ordinary pain.
“Receive your clothes and swords in order, change, and then line up.”
After giving us instructions, he approached the students he had separated earlier. He probably intends to give them basic theoretical lectures while we prepare. Despite appearances, he seems to be someone who uses time meticulously.
I waited for my turn and then went forward to receive a sword and clothes. Although there wasn’t a formal line, perhaps because they were nobles and elites, it wasn’t particularly chaotic. Everyone maintained order on their own.
“Mikhail. You’re taking this class too.”
Someone spoke to me after I changed and came out. I turned my head toward the voice.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
It was Wilhelm. He had his handsome face twisted in an unpleasant manner. But more importantly, why is he saying this now when we made eye contact earlier?
“After defying me like that yesterday, you’re now showing respect?”
“It was Your Highness who said to be comfortable as we’re fellow students.”
Why is this guy picking a fight? I responded appropriately. Although I did lash out yesterday, it wasn’t without thought. I don’t have much to fear from him.
At the point where enrollment has been determined, we are fellow students. Formally, we are of equal status within the Academy. Moreover, my authority isn’t that much less than his. I’m the heir to the only ducal house in the Empire. Unless I commit a grave crime or the Emperor intervenes, it’s difficult for him to directly punish me. I don’t know what method he would have used for the enrollment cancellation talk… Anyway, he’s certainly not in a position to unilaterally oppress me. Of course, I can’t openly speak casually to him or throw a punch, but still.
“Do as you please. I spoke to you because I have something to say.”
“Go ahead.”
“Lily is mine. She’s not someone you should approach. Stop bothering her any further.”
His eyes blazed. Is this what a love-blinded protagonist looks like? So this is why he’s been looking at me unpleasantly since earlier.
Love goggles are terrifying. He must have felt I was bothering her after seeing that situation. I couldn’t help but smile wryly.
“What’s so funny?”
“Yes, Your Highness can have Lady Adamas. I would really prefer if you took her.”
“Are you toying with me right now?”
At my playful answer, the anger in Wilhelm’s eyes burned even more intensely. What kind of Crown Prince is so simple-minded? I’m genuinely starting to worry about the future of the Empire. I thought the tyrant or villain characters in romance fantasy novels were usually extremely intelligent and capable, but it seems that’s not necessarily the case.
“First, Lady Adamas is not an object. She’s not something to be ‘had’ by anyone. And when did I approach her? Lady Adamas came to me asking to be friends.”
Wilhelm burst into anger at my continued response.
“Do you truly not understand my words?!”
He probably means don’t split hairs and just stay away. I’m leaving because this is disgusting. I didn’t really want to get close to Lily in the first place.
“Ah, yes. I understand. I will never get close to Lady Adamas in the future. Is that satisfactory?”
“Make sure you keep that promise.”
Wilhelm, seemingly satisfied at last, turned his gaze away from me.
Not getting close to Lily is more than welcome for me too. First, Hestia doesn’t like it. Moreover, I’m afraid of becoming close to that inscrutable woman. Does Wilhelm know what kind of woman she is? Judging by his current attitude, it seems his love goggles are firmly in place, and he would cling to her even if he saw her true nature.
A few minutes after my conversation with Wilhelm, the preparation of the experienced group was complete. Helford sent the beginner group to sit by the wall and stood in the center of the classroom. He probably wants to show them the sparring of the experienced ones.
“Come forward in order.”
Helford said while standing in the center. The male student standing at the very front trembled as he went forward. Being the first opponent, he seems very nervous.
“Lorren, knight of the Actaeon family…”
“The introduction is done. Let’s begin.”
Helford cut off the student’s words. Lorren-whatever took a deep breath and charged at Helford.
He was a considerably skilled person, unbelievable for someone who had been trembling so much. After exchanging a few simple attacks and defenses, his sword sharply thrust toward Helford’s side. However, Helford deflected his sword and smoothly continued his sword movement. In the blink of an eye, Helford’s sword was at his neck.
“Your basics are solid, but if you stare so obviously, anyone can block your attack. Go in. Sit over there.”
Helford pointed to the beginner group.
“Thank you.”
He walked away with quite a bright expression. Though it was a brief exchange, perhaps he had some realization. I recalled Kyle, the family knight who taught me. During training, he would say things like “don’t think too much” or “it’ll become natural with practice,” but it seems that proper education does lead to achievement.
I watched the sparring of other students with wide eyes. The students in front of me went forward one by one, completed their sparring, and returned to their seats. But there was little gain for me.
My turn was approaching. I loosely stretched my wrists and ankles. While I was focusing on stretching, the classroom became noisy.
“I look forward to your guidance.”
Wilhelm greeted in the center of the classroom. Even Helford, who had maintained a stern demeanor, seemed unable to be that way with the Crown Prince and just kept his mouth shut. When even teachers show such deference, it’s no wonder people say student equality is merely formal.
Just before drawing his sword, Wilhelm looked at me and smiled slyly. I thought I might have misinterpreted, but that obnoxious smile was clearly aimed at me. He must really dislike me. Does he mean for me to watch his skills well? He’s really irritating.
However, regardless of my personal impressions, Wilhelm’s swordsmanship skills were objectively excellent. He sparred with Helford longer than any previous student. Indeed, he had the right to be confident. Wilhelm and Helford clashed for quite some time.
And at the decisive moment, Wilhelm’s sword was blocked by Helford’s. Wilhelm froze at the strong impact. Helford then aimed at his frozen neck.
“I’ve lost.”
Wilhelm looked at Helford’s sword tip aimed at his neck, seemingly surprised, and acknowledged defeat.
“Excellent.”
Helford also sent Wilhelm toward the beginner seats without any specific criticism, just saying “excellent.” On his way to his seat, he looked at me once more and smiled smugly. He seems to be concerned about me since earlier, which is truly ugly.
I erased Wilhelm’s sneering from my mind and instead kept only the swordsmanship in my head. Having been transported to a fantasy world as a man, I should fulfill the romance of having a beautiful wife and becoming a sword master.
Fortunately, I’m in an optimal environment to achieve both. Although I’m not yet accustomed to using a sword, these are already ingrained skills, so with a few years of intense practice, they should re-enter my head.
“Next!”
My turn had come. I took a deep breath and stepped into the center of the classroom.
“I look forward to your guidance.”
Helford, perhaps a bit intimidated by me too, said nothing. I thought he would be an uncompromising person with his commoner origin and bandit-like appearance, but he seems to fear power more than expected.
I drew the sword from my waist. A weighty sensation. Strength naturally enters my body. It feels like someone is controlling me with invisible strings. I won’t use mana. I decided not to use mana in this sparring. Fortunately, I could control this much.
I, or rather Mikhail, took a big step forward and swung the sword from the upper right to the lower left. Clang! There was a loud metal sound as Helford’s sword and Mikhail’s sword collided. My hand hurts. But I won’t let go of the sword here.
Mikhail immediately straightened the sword that had been greatly shaken by the collision. Then he quickly thrust into Helford’s empty side. Clang! Again, the sword was deflected with a strong metallic sound. Helford had no openings at all.
Mikhail stepped back slightly and caught his breath. This time, Helford took the offensive. He slashed the sword vertically as if splitting wood. Mikhail raised his sword to block his. Helford didn’t back down and applied pressure. The veins on Helford’s arms, as thick as a woman’s thigh, bulged. The shock that went through my whole body felt like electricity. The difference in strength between Helford and Mikhail was clear.
It would be certain defeat if I continued this power struggle. Action follows judgment. Mikhail slightly changed the direction of force. Helford’s sword slid along Mikhail’s blade. Helford seemed to have already noticed Mikhail’s plan and released the force he was applying to Mikhail.
As a result, both Mikhail and Helford reached a stalemate. They both clashed again simultaneously, as if by appointment. Clang! Clang! A few shock sounds were exchanged. Small sparks burst from the metal collisions.
“Haaah!”
Helford swung his sword with a loud battle cry, as if he would end it now. Even without a sharpened edge, a direct hit from something like that would result in at least a fracture. Mikhail raised his sword to block Helford’s attack.
“Huh?”
But there was no collision. A foolish sound escaped me without realizing.
A momentary misjudgment determined the outcome. It was instantaneous. Helford had no intention of attacking with full force from the beginning. He had merely let out a battle cry to deceive Mikhail. His sword slid along Mikhail’s sword like a snake and aimed at Mikhail’s neck.
“I’ve lost.”
Mikhail, or rather I, said. Regardless of his deference to Wilhelm and me, Helford was a true master.
“Very excellent.”
Helford complimented me as I put the sword back in its scabbard and headed to my seat. Even in my own assessment, Mikhail’s skills were excellent. If I dare evaluate, he seems to be half a step ahead of Wilhelm.
This means I’ll have to do this on my own someday. The recent sparring relied entirely on Mikhail’s body from beginning to end. It felt like watching a first-person video through VR equipment.
I naturally went to sit next to Cordelia. After all, she’s the only person I know in this classroom.
The classroom is quiet. Everyone must have been holding their breath watching the recent sparring. I inadvertently looked at Wilhelm. His gaze is fierce. He looks like he’s about to devour me. He probably thought he was the protagonist but got upset because I took the spotlight.
“Wow. You’re better than I expected.”
“Thank you. But I’m still lacking.”
Cordelia complimented me. I showed humility. It’s not a lie. Mikhail might not be lacking, but I am.
“Did you do something to him?”
After choosing her words for a moment, she casually asked me, perhaps sensing Wilhelm’s gaze directed at us. ‘Him’ isn’t even a proper term of address.
“I didn’t do anything.”
I answered honestly. I haven’t done anything to Wilhelm. He’s acting this way all on his own.
“Then why is he like that?”
“I don’t know either. If I had to find a reason, well, a jealous man is ugly.”
The ugly Wilhelhelm.