Chapter 70: The Sudden Mock Battle
In the center of the training ground, students gathered before the instructor who had appeared.
“I am Beick Oddman, responsible for the ‘Swordsmanship’ class in the Department of Knights.”
Standing before the lined-up students was a tall, middle-aged man with short hair. He looked every bit the part of a knight instructor, his body solidly built with well-defined muscles.
“Now then… As you can see, we have a mix of experienced knights and novices from other departments among us. We will be commencing a mock battle right away.”
“…………!”
A murmur arose from the students outside the Department of Knights. Many of them had never even held a sword before; what did it mean to suddenly engage in a mock battle?
“The ‘Swordsmanship’ classes are divided into several groups, but even within this group, there are a hundred students. I cannot provide guidance to everyone. Therefore, I will separate those worth instructing from those who are not.”
Oddman smirked maliciously, casting a disdainful glance at the students from other departments.
“Those who lose in this mock battle will only be allowed to run until the end of the semester. You won’t be permitted to wield a sword, wooden or otherwise, so keep that in mind.”
As Oddman spoke gleefully, laughter erupted from the students of the Department of Knights.
(Ah… I see. So that’s how it is…)
In other words, this was a kind of rite of passage. For the students of the Department of Knights, it seemed unappealing to have students from other departments encroaching on their territory. They were likely using this mock battle to exclude the others from their lessons.
(Among the students of the Magic Department, there are those like Maurice who look down on knights who cannot use magic. There must be some friction between the knights and the magic users…)
“Alright, those whose names I call, step forward… First up, Edalut from the Department of Knights, and Maurice Louis from the Magic Department.”
“Yes.”
“Huh!? Me!?”
Edalut from the Department of Knights stepped forward confidently, while Maurice voiced his surprise and anxiety.
“Come on, hurry up! Grab a wooden sword and stand on that field!”
Prompted by Oddman, Maurice reluctantly stepped forward to take a wooden sword.
“This is a Swordsmanship class, so of course, using magic is not allowed. However, you may use Body Enhancement Magic. The knights will be using it as well.”
Even knights do not completely forgo magic. They primarily fight with swords and spears, but they often employ magic as a supplementary aid.
“Alright, let the match begin. Line up and get your swords ready.”
“Heh heh.”
“Ugh…”
While the knight student posed proudly with his sword, Maurice’s wooden sword trembled slightly in his hands. Upon closer inspection, the knight facing Maurice was one of those who had earlier expressed disdain, saying, “Swordsmanship is just a game for those who can’t use magic.”
“Now then… Begin!”
“Take this!”
As the match commenced, the knight lunged forward, swinging his sword. The wooden sword struck Maurice’s shin with a resounding thud.
“Ow…!?”
Maurice doubled over in pain, but the knight followed up with a kick to his face.
“Ugh…”
“Hah! What are you frozen for? Are you a practice dummy or something!?”
“Stop… please…”
“Stop? You think I’ll go easy on a twig who can only use magic? Don’t get cocky!”
“Ugh… Gah…”
The wooden sword continued to rain down blows on Maurice’s abdomen and face. With his face swollen and bruised, Maurice collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath.
“Time’s up—! Someone get that guy lying over there out of here.”
Once Maurice stopped moving, Oddman chuckled maliciously and ordered his retrieval.
“Hey, Maurice! Are you okay?”
“I’ll help too!”
Rest and Ruid rushed to carry Maurice to the edge of the training ground. Even though the wooden sword had no blade, being struck with it was undoubtedly painful and could cause injury. Maurice’s face was swollen, and his body bore numerous bruises.
“Damn it… Those knights really went too far!”
“【Healing】”
Ruid shouted in anger, clenching his fists. Rest grimaced in displeasure as he cast healing magic on the unconscious Maurice. Fortunately, it seemed Maurice had no broken bones, but he had multiple contusions and internal bleeding.
“…They must really hate the students from the Magic Department. To go this far against a defenseless novice…”
I had heard rumors of a longstanding rivalry between the Magic and Knight Departments, but witnessing it firsthand was a different experience altogether.
“Seriously… just getting beaten up like this, magic users really are useless. Instead of wasting time learning silly tricks, they should be training their muscles.”
Oddman lamented, yet a smile lingered on his lips. Just as there were magic users who looked down on knights, there were knights who looked down on magic users. Oddman seemed to embody this sentiment perfectly.
“Next up, Tralgar from the Department of Knights. Tom Shout from the Magic Department.”
As they watched their classmate get pummeled, most of the students from the Magic Department trembled in fear.