Chapter 36
Even though Roa’s frequent visits always brightened my mood, it didn’t make being ostracized in class any less unpleasant.
For some reason, these guys…
“Eep!”
They lower their heads and run away whenever our eyes meet.
Isn’t this situation kind of ridiculous?
I’m being ostracized, but they’re the ones running away from me!
Did I somehow become the school bully without realizing it?
Right, it must be because Dustin is always hanging around me!
A bullied bully…
How pathetic…
Guys, I’m just a nobody!
“Master Yuri! Why are you all alone here?”
Lia, on her way to her own practical class, spots me and approaches cheerfully.
I’ve been missing her lately since we only see each other briefly during meals…
“Ah, Lia… listen to this.”
“You really do seem troubled. Tell me what’s wrong. Is someone bullying you?! I’ll take care of them!”
“Uh, uh…?”
I was going to tell her that I think I’m being ostracized, but…
Her fierce aura makes me swallow my words. She looks like she could snap those students in half like the microphone at the entrance ceremony.
“Tell me…”
Ring!
As if interrupting Lia, the bell signaling the start of class rings.
“Haha, you should hurry to class.”
“Hmm, alright. We’ll talk later!”
No… I’m never telling her if she’s going to snap those students in half…
I trudge towards the auditorium, hoping the others won’t stare at me anymore.
We have a new swordsmanship teacher starting today.
If the class goes smoothly, the attention should die down.
They’ll be too focused on the lesson.
“You’re a bit late.”
“Ah, sorry.”
I see a muscular man who looks a bit older.
Is he the new teacher?
He’s tall and well-built.
The kind of guy who probably broke a lot of hearts in his younger days.
“I’ll let it slide since it’s the first class. Try not to be late next time.”
And he seems to have a kind personality.
He’s definitely different from that trash teacher.
Well, that guy was a whole different level of trash…
“Now that everyone’s here, let me introduce myself.”
He captures everyone’s attention with his clear, booming voice.
“I’m Kalus, recently retired as the Commander of the Imperial Knights. Pleased to meet you!”
Whoa, Commander of the Imperial Knights…?
That’s an impressive resume.
No wonder he seemed so strong.
“Wow… the Commander…”
“Amazing, does that mean he knows President Dustin…?”
“He’s so cool.”
Murmurs erupt throughout the auditorium, followed by his hearty laughter.
“It seems you have a lot of questions, students! But let’s save those for later. We’re starting with a sparring session!”
“S-sparring…?!”
“Are we… sparring with… you, Teacher?”
Everyone seems traumatized by the word “sparring” after that incident with the trash teacher.
Well, I can’t blame them.
Two students were beaten to a pulp.
“Hmm? No. You’ll be sparring with each other. There’s no better way to assess your skills.”
The murmurs subside slightly.
“Phew… thank goodness.”
“It’s better if we’re just sparring with each other.”
“Uh, b-but…”
They’re glancing at me again…
So they don’t even want to spar with a loser like me!
How rude!
“Alright, I’ll randomly assign your sparring partners. I’ve placed two sets of numbered cards in this box. Those who draw the same number will spar with each other.”
They take turns drawing numbers.
Some seem pleased with their pairings, while others look dejected, already aware of the skill gap between them and their assigned partners.
Those who haven’t drawn their numbers yet look incredibly nervous…
They’re probably afraid of being paired with me.
Sigh…
“Oh, you’re the only girl here.”
“Ah, yes…”
I’m a girl, but I’m a guy…?
But I can’t say that, so I quietly draw a number.
Hmm, number 3…
“You drew number 3. Good lu…”
“Eep!”
“What’s wrong?”
Not everyone has drawn their numbers yet, but one student suddenly screams, his face pale.
Ah… he’s my opponent…
“C-can I… can I change numbers…?!”
“What number did you draw?”
“3… 3…”
Damn it.
He glances at me with a terrified expression.
This is so messed up!
I’m the one being ostracized, but it feels like I’m the bully!
“Hmm? Why do you want to change numbers?”
“Th-that’s…”
“You can’t discriminate against someone because they’re a girl. Bullying is wrong.”
You tell him! Even though I’m not a girl!
Well, I am a girl…!
Anyway…!
He’s right!
I don’t know if they’re discriminating against me because I’m a girl, but bullying is wrong!
Stop bullying me, you jerks!
“No number changes. We’ll proceed as planned. Alright, it seems everyone has drawn their numbers. Number 1, step forward and begin your spar.”
That number 3 guy looks like he’s about to cry.
Why is he crying because of me?
This is so ridiculous!
I want to yell at him and smack him upside the… but…
I’m the weakest one here. Who am I to smack anyone? Sigh…
I guess I’ll just have to keep my head down and stay quiet…
Clang! Shing!
Meanwhile, the sparring has already begun, and the sound of clashing blades fills the air.
“Don’t hold back. This isn’t a game.”
“Ah, y-yes, sir…!”
The two students, reprimanded by the teacher, showcase their skills with impressive agility.
Oh… I’ve only seen Dustin spar, so I didn’t realize everyone was this skilled.
They’re a bit slow, but it’s probably because they’re nervous since it’s their first spar.
“Good, that’s enough. You both did well. Next, number 2!”
I’m next since I drew number 3.
My designated partner is desperately trying to avoid my gaze.
This is… so humiliating…
“Good, that’s enough. Next, number 3!”
I stand up and walk forward.
Of course, my opponent is still glued to his seat…
“Hey, student. What are you doing? Come forward!”
Only after Teacher Kalus’s second command does he reluctantly approach.
“Alright, begin!”
“Ugh…!”
As soon as the teacher says “begin,” he raises his sword, and I hastily raise mine in response.
But then…
“Aaagh…!”
Our eyes meet, and…
He wets himself and faints.
…Excuse me…?
Am I really the bully now…?
“What in the…”
The teacher, looking bewildered, climbs onto the platform and checks the student’s pupils.
“He’s completely unconscious. And he wet himself…?”
He stares at me with a puzzled expression.
Hey, I didn’t do anything!
This is so unfair!
I just raised my sword because he raised his!
“Let’s take him to the infirmary.”
The teacher carries the student to the infirmary and then returns, looking troubled.
“Is there anyone else willing to spar?”
As expected, no one volunteers.
“Hmm, this is an unusual situation. Well, alright. Then you can spar with me.”
…What?!
“B-but I…”
“Don’t worry. I’ll just defend. Give it your best shot.”
Hmm… it’s obvious that I wouldn’t stand a chance against him if he attacked, so it’s best if he just defends…
Okay, fine.
I’ll use this opportunity to showcase my weakness and reclaim my position as Student #1.
I’m not a bully!
“Alright, begin!”
As soon as he gives the command, I charge at him, swinging my sword.
I’ve been training with the Knight Commander of my estate since childhood, so even though I’m not the best, I have a decent foundation.
“Haaa!”
Whoosh!
The sound of my sword slicing through the air is satisfying.
Of course, it would be better if I could swing it faster.
“Huh?!”
Whoosh!
His sword cuts through the air with a sharp whistle.
They say a skilled swordsman can cleave a mountain in half with a single swing.
I’ll never reach that level without a status window, but…
Maybe I can land a hit on the teacher while he’s only defending?
Hmm… he was the Commander of the Imperial Knights until recently. Maybe it’s too much to ask?
“Ugh…! W-wait!”
“Hmm?”
“Stop. Let’s stop here.”
“Ah, o-okay.”
We barely sparred for a few seconds…
Is he saying I’m too weak to even bother with?
How depressing~
“I’ve seen enough. Go back to your seat.”
He starts looking at me strangely.
Sigh… he’s probably wondering why a weakling like me is even at the academy.
I know, I know.
This isn’t the place for someone with my mediocre skills.
But what can I do?
I didn’t come here because I wanted to…
“Ugh…”
This is so humiliating.
I want to go home…
***
Kalus stared at Yuri in astonishment.
That spar…
There were too many inconsistencies.
‘She was incredibly fast…’
Firstly, her speed was difficult to track, even for his experienced eyes, despite being retired.
‘And strong.’
Secondly, her strength was beyond words.
‘And that look in her eyes…’
Thirdly, there was something unsettling about her gaze.
A look that could instill fear even in a seasoned veteran like himself.
The power it held was beyond his current capabilities.
‘Is this… is this what true talent looks like?’
A year ago, a talented student had become an Imperial Knight Commander while still in school.
He had believed in the bright future of this nation, but…
A girl even more extraordinary had appeared.
A girl who could hold her own against the current Commander of the Imperial Knights.
‘She’s still a student, so young… yet she possesses power comparable to the Commander.’
It was a shocking discovery.
He could understand why her previous opponent had wet himself and fainted.
He must have been overwhelmed by her aura.
‘Ha, haha…’
After retiring as Commander, he had believed his heart would never race again.
He thought his life had ended with his retirement, but…
His heart pounded in his chest.
‘To think such a young talent exists… at the academy. This could be the birth of a true hero.’
He suppressed his excitement, savoring the thumping sensation in his chest.
Thank for the chapter