**Chapter 70: An Unexpected Mock Battle**
In the center of the training ground, students gathered before the instructor who had just appeared.
“I am Beick Oddman, the instructor for the ‘Swordsmanship’ class in the Knight Department.”
Standing before the lined-up students was a tall, middle-aged man with short hair. He exuded the aura of a typical Knight Department instructor, his muscular frame solid and imposing.
“Now then… as you can see, we have a mix of experienced knights and novices from other departments. We will be conducting a mock battle right away.”
“…………!”
A murmur spread among the students from departments other than the Knight Department. 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 can’t provide instruction to everyone. Therefore, I will separate those who are worth teaching from those who are not.”
Oddman grinned maliciously, casting a disdainful glance at the students from other departments.
“Those who lose in this mock battle will be relegated to nothing but running until the end of the semester. You won’t be allowed to touch a real sword, or even a wooden one, so keep that in mind.”
As Oddman spoke with amusement, laughter erupted from the Knight Department students.
(Ah… I see. So that’s how it is…)
In other words, this was a kind of rite of passage. It seemed that the Knight Department students found it amusing that students from other departments were encroaching on their territory. They were using the mock battle to exclude the others from their lessons.
(Among the students in the Magic Department, there are those like Maurice who look down on knights who can’t use magic. There must be some friction between the Knight Department and the others…)
“Alright then, those whose names I call, step forward… First up, Knight Department’s Eduard and Magic Department’s Maurice Louis.”
“Yes.”
“Huh!? Me!?”
Eduard from the Knight Department stepped forward confidently, while Maurice’s voice trembled with surprise.
“Come on, hurry up! Grab a wooden sword and take your place 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 eschew magic. They primarily fight with swords and spears, but they often use magic as a supplementary aid.
“Alright, let the match begin. Line up and get your swords ready.”
“Heh heh.”
“Ugh…”
While the Knight Department student posed proudly with his sword, Maurice’s wooden sword trembled in his hands. Upon closer inspection, the knight facing him was one of those who had earlier scoffed, saying, “Swordsmanship is just a game for those who can’t use magic.”
“Then… begin!”
“Take this!”
As the match commenced, the Knight Department student 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 Department student followed up with a kick to his face.
“Ugh…”
“Hah! What are you frozen for? Are you a practice dummy or something!?”
“St-stop…”
“Stop? You think I’ll go easy on a twig who only has magic to rely on? Don’t get cocky!”
“Ugh… Gah…”
The wooden sword struck Maurice’s abdomen and face repeatedly. With his face swelling, Maurice collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath.
“Alright, match over! Get that guy lying over there out of here.”
Once Maurice stopped moving, Oddman chuckled maliciously and ordered the others to retrieve him.
“Hey, Maurice! Are you okay?!”
“I’ll help too!”
Rest and Ruid rushed to lift Maurice, carrying him to the edge of the training ground. Even though the wooden sword had no blade, being struck with it hurt, and injuries could certainly occur. Maurice’s face was swollen, and his body was covered in bruises.
“Damn it… those knights went way too far!”
“Heal!”
Ruid shouted angrily, clenching his fists. Rest grimaced in displeasure and cast Healing magic on the unconscious Maurice. Fortunately, it seemed Maurice had no broken bones, but he had multiple bruises and some internal bleeding.
“…They must really hate the students from the Magic Department. To do this much to an unresisting novice…”
I had heard rumors of a deep-seated rivalry between the Magic and Knight Departments, but witnessing it firsthand felt different.
“Honestly… just being one-sidedly beaten like this, magic users really are pathetic. Instead of wasting time learning useless tricks, they should be training their muscles.”
Oddman lamented, yet a smile remained on his face. Just as there were magic users who looked down on knights, there were knights who looked down on magic users. Oddman seemed to be a prime example of that.
“Next, Knight Department’s Tralgar. Magic Department’s Tom Shout.”
As they watched their classmate get beaten, most of the students from the Magic Department trembled in fear.