**Chapter 93: Another Swordsmanship Class**
“Take this! Feel my blade!”
“Yeah, yeah… I won’t be tasting defeat today.”
Dodging the incoming slash, Rest countered with a swift swing of his wooden sword. The thrust landed squarely in his opponent’s abdomen.
“Ugh…!”
Taking advantage of the moment, Rest followed up with a series of strikes to his opponent’s arms, shoulders, and legs, sending him crashing to the ground.
“Damn it… I lost again! I concede!”
The frustrated voice belonged to Danira Betras, a first-year student in the Knight Department, recognized as the second strongest in the class. They were currently in the midst of their “Swordsmanship” lesson. Rest had just bested Danira once more.
“Another victory for me. That makes it four wins, right?”
In truth, this was their fourth bout. Danira had challenged Rest every time during their swordsmanship classes, and Rest had emerged victorious each time.
At the beginning of this lesson, all students had participated in mock battles. Only those who won were allowed to learn sword techniques, while the losers were relegated to running and strength training, not even permitted to practice swinging their wooden swords. However, a safety net had been introduced for subsequent classes. Students could challenge the winners during lessons, and if they won, they could join the class.
“By encouraging competition like this, we can draw out the students’ motivation!”
This was the philosophy of Beick Oddman, the instructor for the Swordsmanship class. Oddman was notorious for his disdain for magic users, often using his lessons to harass students from the Magic Department, revealing a rather twisted personality. The introduction of the safety net was likely a response to the unexpected struggles of students from the Knight Department, who had found themselves defeated.
(After all, both the first and second ranked first-year knights ended up losing…)
“…You’re persistent, aren’t you, Danira? Why not challenge someone else for a change?”
Rest addressed Danira, who had just been defeated in their mock battle. Since losing on the first day of class, Danira had been relentless in seeking revenge against Rest. Today, as soon as he finished his assigned strength training and running, he had approached Rest for a duel.
“With your skills, you could easily defeat the others. Why do you keep targeting me?”
“Hah… Of course! It’s for revenge, pure and simple!”
Danira stood up, pressing a hand against the spot where Rest had struck him. Despite his frustration, he glared defiantly into Rest’s eyes.
“There’s no way I’m going to let this end with me being the loser! I won’t fight anyone else until I’ve beaten you! Prepare yourself, because I’m going to wipe the floor with you!”
With a fiery determination, Danira roared his challenge. His choice to target Rest instead of weaker opponents suggested that he wasn’t as bad as his attitude might imply.
“You really are competitive… but I don’t mind that.”
For Rest, battling Danira was quite educational. Although Danira’s manner and personality were rough around the edges, his swordsmanship was grounded in solid fundamentals. There was much to learn simply from engaging in combat with him.
(Oddman clearly provides lackluster instruction to the students from the Magic Department… Fighting Danira is definitely more beneficial.)
The victorious student in the mock battle earned the right to wield their wooden sword and receive guidance from the instructor. However, it was clear that Oddman had no intention of teaching the students from the Magic Department properly. Even when questions were asked, his responses were dismissive, showing no genuine desire to educate.
(At least Mr. Swipe teaches with more sincerity… It’s blatant discrimination.)
Not all instructors in the Knight Department were like Oddman, but he certainly stood out for his negative approach. If this were a school-themed manga, he would undoubtedly end up facing severe consequences for his actions.
Surprisingly, few students voiced complaints about Oddman’s lack of seriousness. This was likely because the students from the Magic Department who chose the “Swordsmanship” class were merely fulfilling a noble’s obligation to learn swordplay. They weren’t genuinely interested in mastering the art; they simply wanted the status of having “learned swordsmanship.” Thus, they refrained from confronting the instructor.
(Oddman probably knows this, which is why he slacks off… He figures they won’t care as long as they get their credits.)
“By the way… are you heading to the Student Council room today?”
Danira suddenly asked, as if recalling something important.
“My brother told me there’s an important meeting, so I’m supposed to attend. You heard about it, right?”
“Yeah, I heard. I’ll be going too.”
Since then, Rest had informed Andrew, the second prince and president of the Student Council, about joining the Executive Committee. Surprisingly, Danira was also a member of the committee. It seemed that Youthgos Betras, one of the Student Council officers, was Danira’s older brother, which had helped him secure a spot on the committee. Danira was recognized as the second strongest first-year knight, not merely due to connections, but because he had proven his worth.
(Though the first-ranked student isn’t part of it…)
“Wait! I want to challenge you to another duel!”
“Stay away! Don’t touch me! A woman like you has no business with me!”
A commotion erupted a short distance away, where the top first-year knight, Wilhelm Lyubase, was shouting. He was the student who had ranked first in the entrance exam for the Knight Department. Behind him was Yuri, who seemed to be relentlessly pursuing him.
“I was unsatisfied with our last battle! Today, we must settle this!”
“Leave me alone! I refuse to fight a harpy like you again!”
Despite having quickly defeated a student from the winning side to return to class, Lyubase was now being chased by Yuri. Previously, they had fought, and Yuri had emerged victorious. However, it seemed that the supposed victor was not content with the outcome and was demanding a rematch. Lyubase, who appeared to have a strong aversion to women, was clearly trying to escape.
“…In a way, they seem to get along.”
“Tch… That Lyubase is flirting with girls… I’ll make sure to take him down one day.”
“It doesn’t look like flirting to me…”
Rest shrugged at Danira’s irritated tongue-clicking and lightly swung his wooden sword.