Anna is explaining the class.
To summarize her words briefly,
It seems she wants me to explain the theory of swordsmanship, which was originally assigned to Camilla, instead.
But here’s the problem.
I place more importance on the movements of the body, i.e., the techniques (招式) and fighting style (鬪路), rather than the theory.
Well, among those who deal with martial arts, who would prioritize theory over practicality?
The point I’m trying to make is that my focus is slightly different.
If we look into Camilla’s concept of using a sword,
The underlying basics are similar to mine, but as we delve deeper, the path diverges significantly.
So the cadets who came expecting Camilla’s class won’t be satisfied with my explanation…
I casually leaned back while Anna was busy passionately explaining the schedule, thinking it’s fine since Nameless would be listening anyway.
“First of all, starting today—”
I waved my hand lightly at Anna, who was seriously showing the class schedule on her paper.
“Wait a moment, Anna.”
“Yes?”
“I have something to say regarding the class.”
She could have been startled by my sudden interruption, but
“Please feel free to speak.”
Anna nodded with a pleasant smile.
Perfect, this makes it easier for me to make a request.
With a smile in return, I casually said to Anna,
“I assume it’s fine if a bone or two of the cadets breaks; they can be healed, right?”
“…Excuse me?”
“Well, I thought I had your permission.”
Since Anna agreed, I can proceed however I want.
Alright, shall we go check on those kids?
A cheerful smile appeared on my face.
*
In the academy’s hallway,
I was being dragged somewhere by Nameless.
“What do you mean it’s class time right now?!”
“Didn’t Anna mention it?”
She did say so without a doubt.
But….
“Why is she only telling me such an important thing now?!”
I felt terribly wronged.
Right after I obtained permission for the method of teaching,
I felt elated since she agreed, and started explaining the method.
Isn’t Anna constantly checking the time on her watch?
Feeling an inexplicable anxiety, I posed a question, and Anna, wearing an awkward expression, replied.
And now here I was in this situation.
…Isn’t such an important thing supposed to be told to me before I start?
I pouted in frustration.
Was it that Nameless was only siding with Anna?
I’m the master here!
My lips, which had been pressed together, puffed out again in sulkiness.
Well, I guess if I show it, I’m no different from a little child, so I was silently led by Nameless.
I wonder how long we walked?
One question popped into my mind.
Currently, there are only Nameless and me in this hallway.
This means there’s no one guiding me to my designated classroom.
I tugged at Nameless’s sleeve with a puzzled look.
“Nameless.”
“Yes, Master.”
I briefly felt hurt that Nameless wasn’t even looking at me, but suddenly pondered what good this was and sighed.
“But is this direction correct for the classroom?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Nameless nodded without hesitation.
So, I pursed my lips and asked again.
“You must be here for the first time as well. How do you know?”
Nameless’s body abruptly halted.
“Wha!”
Thanks to that, my face crashed right into Nameless’s back.
“Why did you suddenly stop?!”
As I rubbed my reddened nose, raising my voice in irritation, Nameless’s rather serious expression caught my attention.
…What’s wrong with him?
When I went quiet out of awkwardness, Nameless opened his mouth with a trembling voice.
“How would I know?”
Nameless’s trembling pupils made me scratch my head in embarrassment.
“What do you mean asking me that…”
Well, he probably looked at an academy map or something.
I shrugged it off lightly.
As I shifted my feet, the sounds of laughter and chatter began to drift in my ears.
By the time we reached the door to the classroom, the noise grew so loud it made my head throb.
…Isn’t Bell supposed to be here, yet it’s this noisy?
Besides, isn’t it class time now?
I wasn’t pleased with that; I furrowed my brow, forgetting I had even been nervous.
-Bang!
I swung the door open.
Surprisingly, the noise that was so loud a moment ago vanished in an instant at my entrance.
“Sorry for being late.”
I smiled lightly.
‘How should I teach those kids?’ I wondered as I fiddled with the wooden sword.
*
Inside the classroom,
The academy students were chatting with their friends sitting next to them.
It was supposed to be the time when the professor came out for a lecture.
It seemed the teacher was late.
However, aside from a few students, the rest seemed pleased,
Some even thought that if the professor didn’t come at all, it would be great to have a free period.
After all, it wasn’t even Iron Blood, the original professor,
But someone with a name they had never heard before, coming as a guest instructor.
No one expected anything from that.
After some time of chattering with different hopes, the door suddenly opened without any warning, and all the students turned their gaze to the classroom door.
“Sorry for being late.”
Then, a somewhat peculiar girl walked in.
The girl wearing clothes they had never seen before, looked a bit awkward and fiddled with the wooden sword at her waist while smiling brightly.
The students couldn’t help but cheer inwardly.
Regardless of appearance, who could think of a difficult class with this girl who just walked in?
And among them were students who were particularly smiling.
‘So cute!’
What else can I say? They were the boys.
They each imagined their future with this professor.
“…”
Until they saw the guy following her in.
In an instant, the air turned tense, and the boys gulped.
Who knew what was bothering the guy as he frowned, looking around at the seated students while also fiddling with the sword at his waist?
But,
Even in such a figure, some students looked at him with hearts in their eyes.
‘So handsome!’
With a muscular build and a good-looking face, his frown actually gave off a rugged impression, like gazing at a flower on a cliff.
In such a somewhat chaotic atmosphere,
-Tap, tap
The girl tapped the desk, drawing everyone’s attention.
“Let me introduce myself briefly; I am Cheon Ha-rang, and I will be conducting the class on swordsmanship.”
The students didn’t respond.
They didn’t know who the professor was, so they had nothing to say just from hearing her name.
“Uh, Nameless.”
Perhaps feeling awkward, Cheon Ha-rang cleared her throat softly and nodded her head towards the guy who followed her.
“Nice to meet you, I am Cheon Mu-myeong, the ‘Disciple’ assisting ‘Master’ Cheon Ha-rang in the lecture.”
As Cheon Mu-myeong bowed his head, only then did the students react.
“Isn’t the girl a bit older?”
“Ew.”
“…But isn’t it strangely emphasized that they’re Master and Disciple?”
In an instant, the classroom buzzed with noise,
The expression of Cheon Ha-rang, who had been smiling cheerfully until now, furrowed.
*
I don’t like this, I really don’t like this.
I pouted.
Why are those subpar girls blushing when they look at Nameless?
I don’t even find Camilla satisfactory; what’s the theme here?
Feeling inexplicably irked, I glared at Nameless standing next to me.
“What’s wrong with you?”
Nameless gave me a slightly playful smile.
I scoffed and lightly tapped the innocent podium in front of me.
Look at how he’s smirking because he’s getting attention from those girls!
“I’m done!”
I turned my head in dissatisfaction and caught a glimpse of Bell hiding in the corner.
“Eek!”
Seeing Bell flinch made me squint.
What on earth is she doing over there?
Isn’t she supposed to be the professor stalling until I arrived, looking like that in the classroom?
After entering the classroom, not a thing had gone right.
“Tch.”
Clicking my tongue softly, I turned back to glance at the clock mounted on the wall.
I was about an hour late.
The time allotted for teaching was a bit tight since I had to spend an hour on the guest teacher.
Besides, if I show a foolish side here, it’ll tarnish Camilla’s name, so I better hurry.
“Before we begin, we need to change the location.”
“…Change the location?”
“Yes, we are heading to the swordsmanship training area.”
The students seemed startled by the sudden change in location, but since I had already gotten permission from Anna, there was no problem.
With the students still wearing silly expressions, I spoke again.
“What are you standing there for? Hurry and move.”
Since I have to leave a good impression, I naturally smiled.
