Chapter 45

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on January 22, 2025

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In front of the Military Department’s armory.

Ulan had arrived at his destination. He was there to attend the final lecture of the day, Weaponry.

However, he was about 10 minutes late, so he planned to apologize to the professor in charge as soon as he arrived.

But contrary to his worries.

The lecture hadn’t even started yet. The professor in charge hadn’t shown up yet.

“Is the professor not coming?”

“I heard he’s running a bit late.”

“Really? How late?”

“Probably about 20 minutes.”

I thought I was late, but it’s a relief.

Just as he silently let out a sigh of relief.

“Ulan!”

A familiar voice called out.

A girl with light blonde hair tied up.

It was Ivella Elea’ad.

‘Ah, now that I think about it…’

Did Ivella also say she was taking Weaponry?

As he vaguely recalled hearing something in the morning, she came running over. Then, she greeted him with a cheerful smile.

“Did you have a good class?”

“Nothing particularly special.”

To be honest, a lot had happened.

But to Ulan, it was all trivial, so he answered that nothing special had happened.

On the other hand, Ivella seemed a bit different than usual.

“You look a bit tired.”

“R-really?”

“Did something happen?”

“Well, it’s nothing major. Just ran into someone I didn’t want to deal with in the previous lecture…”

For a moment, her expression darkened.

But only for a moment.

Ivella quickly changed the subject.

“But I’m fine now! I still have plenty of stamina left.”

She didn’t seem to want to talk about it further, so Ulan didn’t press the issue.

Just then.

Clomp, clomp!

Someone was approaching from a distance.

“Sorry for being late.”

A rough face and a gruff voice.

The moment Ulan saw him, he realized where he had seen him before. He was the professor who had supervised the first special exam, the Great Duel.

“I’m Ethan Arnoff, in charge of the Weaponry lecture. Before we get into the main lecture, let me say this first.”

After a brief introduction.

Ethan suddenly brought up this topic.

“I don’t know your skills.”

“……”

His sharp eyes scanned the room.

No one avoided his gaze.

Seemingly pleased with this, Ethan smirked slightly.

“I don’t know what weapons you wield, or which ones you’re clumsy with. So today, we’ll have a simple duel to gauge your skills.”

Despite the sudden announcement of a duel, none of the students seemed shaken.

They had already experienced something similar in the Military Department’s previous lectures.

“First, pay attention to that.”

He pointed inside the armory.

When the tightly closed door was opened, a scene of various weapons lined up in abundance was revealed.

“Use the weapons there to show off your skills to your heart’s content. However, if you use mana, it will be considered a foul, so be careful.”

Using mana increases the risk of injury.

So Ethan threatened to stop the duel immediately if anyone used mana.

“The duel will last 5 minutes. It’s a one-on-one tournament. If the duel doesn’t end within the time limit, the winner will be decided based on the number of effective attacks.”

There were 32 students taking the Weaponry class.

A perfect number for a tournament.

“Finally, the last winner will be given the qualification to become the squad leader for this semester.”

At those words, the students’ eyes lit up.

The squad leader is a unique system in the Military Department. Simply put, it’s a role similar to a class president.

There are also quite a few benefits.

Not only can you easily earn points, but you also get bonus points on your grades, and your record as a squad leader will be recorded in your student record.

“The duels will start with Group 1. Diyan Morteshi! Ulan Bator! Step forward.”

The moment their names were called.

Ulan immediately stepped forward.

He chose the weapon he was most familiar with, an axe. On the other hand, the boy opposite him chose a long spear.

Whoosh! Whirr!

The spear spun threateningly.

Seeing how well he spun it like a windmill, it seemed he was quite confident in his spear skills.

But then.

“Finally, the chance has come.”

The boy’s eyes filled with hostility.

As if he had a grudge against Ulan. He gritted his teeth and continued.

“Last time, I was careless and just got dragged around, but this time, I won’t go down so easily.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t play dumb! During the Great Duel, you humiliated me in front of everyone!”

The boy growled fiercely.

On the other hand, Ulan had a puzzled expression.

It wasn’t that he was playing dumb; he genuinely didn’t remember the boy’s face. Meanwhile, Ivella, who was watching from behind, knew who the boy was.

‘……Diyan Morteshi.’

One of Himel’s gang.

During the Great Duel, he was the one who got grabbed by the collar and used as a human shield by Ulan.

‘I heard he got injured and dropped out.’

I didn’t think he would have passed.

Meanwhile, Diyan continued with a crumpled face.

“Because of you, I spent a whole week in the hospital. So I couldn’t even attend the entrance ceremony.”

“……”

“So today, I’ll get my revenge for the Great Duel right here. I’ll carve the Morteshi family’s spear techniques into your flesh and bones!”

His eyes burned with anger.

On the other hand, Ulan’s eyes were indifferent.

No matter how much he tried to remember, nothing came to mind. So just as he was about to give up.

“Ah, wait a minute. Both of you, put down your weapons.”

Ethan suddenly barged into the training ground.

As if he had just remembered, he explained an additional rule he had forgotten to mention earlier.

“I forgot to mention, but this duel will be conducted by having each of you choose the other’s weapon.”

“……What?”

“So observe your opponent well and choose the weapon they’re likely to be the most clumsy with. That way, your chances of winning will increase. Ulan, you first.”

As soon as Ethan finished speaking.

Diyan’s face twisted.

‘What the hell is this!’

Of course. This meant that whatever weapon he was good with would already be exposed.

To make matters worse, Diyan was clumsy with all weapons except the spear. That’s why he had taken the Weaponry class to learn various weapons.

But who would have thought something like this would happen.

Just as he was making a troubled expression.

An unexpected voice reached his ears.

“Choose the spear.”

“W-what……?”

“You seem to handle it well.”

An unexpected answer.

Diyan was dumbfounded. Meanwhile, Ethan, who was watching the situation, spoke with interest.

“Are you really okay with that?”

“I’m fine.”

“The Morteshi family is famous for their spear techniques, you know?”

“Our tribe is famous for fighting.”

Ulan replied indifferently.

A display of confidence that it didn’t matter what weapon the opponent used. Truly an arrogant attitude, and Ethan burst out laughing.

“Alright. Then do as you please.”

After roughly finishing his answer.

Ethan turned to Diyan.

“Your turn. Choose Ulan’s weapon.”

As soon as he finished speaking.

Diyan gritted his teeth.

‘That arrogant barbarian brat!’

If you saw it just now, you’d know.

That he has some skill with the spear.

Yet he chose the spear for me, meaning he’s confident he can easily beat me. To Diyan, this was an insult.

‘How dare you look down on me?’

His eyes flashed with malice.

Diyan tightly gripped his spear.

‘Well, if you’re going to act like that…’

I have my own plans.

With his mouth tightly shut, Diyan strode forward. While inspecting the inside of the armory earlier, something had caught his eye.

Not long after.

Diyan came out of the armory and slammed something he was holding in front of Ulan.

Thud!

The object fell with a heavy sound. Ulan stared intently at the object Diyan had thrown.

“This is……”

A rectangular object resembling a box.

On it was written:

【The Essence of Swordsmanship III】

-Contains intermediate swordsmanship of the Empire!

-Over 580 pages of extensive material!

-Recommended for skilled swordsmen!

So in short……

It was a rather thick ‘book’.

11.

The book placed in front of Ulan.

Perhaps because of the somewhat absurd situation?

A brief silence enveloped the training ground.

But the silence didn’t last long. A sharp voice suddenly shattered the stillness.

“Professor, I object!”

A voice filled with strong anger.

It was Ivella. She glared at Diyan with contemptuous eyes and shouted as if arguing.

“That’s not a weapon. For a fair duel, please let him choose again!”

As soon as her shout ended.

The other students also nodded.

“Yeah, no matter how you look at it, that’s not it.”

“Right. How can you fight with a book?”

“Well, that barbarian might actually be able to do it……”

Various opinions poured out.

Ethan accepted Ivella’s words.

“I don’t know who put a book in the armory, but that’s not a weapon. So choose a proper weapon for Ulan……”

Choose again. Don’t mess around.

He was about to say that. But Ulan’s answer came out a step ahead.

“I’m fine with this.”

“……What?”

“I can use this as a weapon too.”

Brushing off the dirt on the book.

Ulan recalled a memory from his past life.

One of the Lords of the Abyss.

The memory of fighting a monster called the ‘Swamp Ruler’.

At that time, the minions it controlled had one particularly annoying trait.

‘Weapons made of minerals didn’t work.’

Steel, silver, spirit stones, bloodstones, etc.

All weapons made by smelting minerals were completely ineffective. The only way to defeat them was with weapons made of wood, divine power, or magic.

‘But……’

At that time, Delia was away.

The only heroes nearby were the Sword Maiden Ivella and the fainted Saintess. The Swamp Minions were closing in, creating a tense situation.

Then, by chance, he found hope.

An object not made of minerals, yet capable of delivering significant force when swung.

It was the Holy Bible.

‘The result was a great success.’

Over a thousand pages thick.

Heavier than most hand axes.

Perfect for use as a weapon. Thanks to it, Ulan managed to defeat all the Swamp Minions and barely break through the encirclement.

As he finished reminiscing.

Ethan frowned and asked.

“Are you serious about that?”

“If you’re curious, I’ll show you.”

How to fight with a book.

Ulan said with a serious face. A moment later, Ethan laughed as if it was absurd.

“Hahaha! Alright. Show me.”

If he’s fine with it, then it’s okay.

As soon as he gave his permission.

Clang!

Diyan aimed his spear.

Ready to charge at any moment. Seeing this, Ivella looked at Ulan with concern.

‘I don’t know why he didn’t change his weapon……’

But Ulan should be fine.

He’s already a high-ranking knight.

Considering the strength he showed in the Trial of the Hero, he wouldn’t lose to someone like Diyan.

So let’s trust and watch.

As her turquoise eyes sharpened.

“This coin drop will be the signal.”

Ethan flicked the coin after speaking.

The coin spun rapidly in the air.

As everyone’s eyes focused, the coin eventually fell to the dirt floor of the training ground.

Thud!

With a dull sound as the signal.

Diyan moved first.

He closed the distance to Ulan in the blink of an eye. Without hesitation, he thrust his spear.

The spear tore through the air as it flew.

On the other hand, Ulan raised the book.

Thwack!

The attack was cleanly blocked.

Diyan’s eyes widened. Not because the attack was blocked. His hand holding the shaft was stinging.

‘What? This isn’t a book……’

It felt like stabbing a wooden shield.

As he thought that.

Whoosh!

Ulan reached out. Realizing this, Diyan hastily stepped back. He saw an opportunity to attack but decisively gave up.

‘I can’t let that hand grab me.’

Recalling the memory of being swung like a shield.

Diyan tightly gripped his spear. Then, while maintaining distance from Ulan, he looked for an opportunity to attack.

Just then.

Flap!

Ulan’s book opened wide.

‘Now!’

Whether it was intentional or a mistake, it was definitely an opportunity. Diyan’s eyes flashed, and without hesitation, he thrust his spear.

‘Even if there’s a trick……’

I can just retreat quickly.

The Morteshi family’s spear techniques excelled at quick thrusts and retreats. Diyan smiled confidently.

‘This is the end!’

I’ll pierce your torso along with the book.

The sharp spear flew in with a fierce momentum.

But then, the spearhead, which had been advancing triumphantly, stopped right in front of Ulan’s nose.

Snap!

As if someone had grabbed it.

“……Huh?”

At first, he thought Ethan had intervened.

But upon closer inspection, it wasn’t.

The spear was indeed caught, but it was none other than Ulan’s book that had grabbed it. It seemed the book had clamped down as it closed.

‘Hmph! With such a cheap trick……!’

Diyan sneered and applied more force.

If he could thrust it through, it would be his victory.

But the spear didn’t budge.

‘What? Why won’t it move?’

Flustered, Diyan tried to pull the spear back.

But even this failed. No matter how much force he applied, the spear remained immovable.

Then Ulan twisted the book.

Crack!

With the sound of something breaking.

The caught spear snapped in two.

“……!?”

The spear broke as easily as a toothpick.

Stunned by the absurd scene.

Whoosh!

Ulan had already closed the distance.

Realizing this too late, Diyan paled and raised his hand.

“W-wait a minute!”

Without a weapon, there’s no chance of winning.

So just as he was about to surrender.

The title of the book reflected in his eyes.

The Essence of Swordsmanship. The colorful cover right in front of him slammed into Diyan’s face.

Wham!

With a satisfying impact sound.

“Gyaaaaah!”

A scream erupted from Diyan’s mouth.

It felt like being hit in the face with a steel shield, the shock was so intense.

Diyan staggered, unable to keep his balance. But Ulan’s assault wasn’t over yet.

Whack! Wham!

Two consecutive attacks.

Blood spurted from both of Diyan’s nostrils.

“Guh! Gah……!”

Blood streaming from his nose.

Feeling dizzy for a moment, Diyan knelt on the ground. Just as Ulan was about to finish him off with a swing of the book.

“Stop! That’s enough!”

Ethan barged into the training ground.

Without even glancing at Diyan, he patted Ulan’s back.

“The winner is Ulan.”

No one objected to his judgment.

Everyone had seen it clearly with their own eyes.

While Diyan was being given first aid, Ethan suddenly asked with curiosity.

“Ulan, I have one question.”

“What is it?”

“Why didn’t you hit him with the edge?”

It would have been more effective.

Especially since the Essence of Swordsmanship series is known for having particularly blunt edges. If used well, it could even serve as a blunt weapon.

But Ulan never used the edge. Why? To Ethan’s question, Ulan answered calmly.

“If I did, his head would have shattered.”

“……”

After the short answer.

No one in the room could laugh.

Because it seemed like Ulan could really do it.

Especially Diyan, who had actually been hit by the book, trembled upon hearing this.

“Ahem! Then let’s start the next duel!”

With Ethan’s flustered shout as the signal.

The duels continued.

How much time had passed?

The final duel was just around the corner.