Chapter 140
Chapter 140
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: EP.35 – The Instructor's Flex (1)
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The Pendragon Royal Academy had flung open its main gates once more.
The scorching heat from Mount Vulcan still blazed relentlessly, and the summer swelter was as oppressive as ever, but it wouldn't last much longer.
The winter fairies and spirits of ice were just around the corner.
By then, the heat would be tempered, and soon after, the green leaves would blush red.
Second semester.
The academy's second semester had begun.
Shwoooosh!
"Mother, this is the academy's famous central fountain. Pretty impressive, right?"
"I-It sure is... B-But are you sure it's okay for someone like me to be here?"
"Bro, there are so many fancy people...!"
"Big brother?"
"...One at a time, please?"
Barry Cox.
The family of Barry Cox—known as No. 11 Bear Cub—was utterly overwhelmed by the academy's grandeur and splendor.
But he understood their feelings all too well.
'I was the same way.'
When he'd first stepped through those gates as a freshman, his heart had pounded with awe and intimidation.
To Barry, who'd grown up in the countryside, the academy—no, the capital itself—had seemed like another world entirely.
So he could empathize with his mother, who'd spent her life farming; his little sister, who'd matured early helping the family with her sewing; and his baby brother, who was only just starting to speak.
His family would probably feel intimidated and glance around nervously for a while, but even so, Barry wanted to show them.
The place where he studied and received guidance was none other than this.
'I wish Dad could see it too.'
His father had stayed home to watch the still-babbling twin siblings.
He'd insisted he'd seen enough of the capital in his youth and didn't need to come, but Barry knew the truth.
He'd set aside his eagerness to join his excited wife and children.
'Next time, I'll definitely bring him! Even as a second-year, I'll still be coming here!'
On the first day after summer break, the academy opened its doors specially to cadets' families.
Something about observation classes to show parents they were in good hands?
'Whatever the reason, I'm just glad I could bring them.'
His family couldn't tear their eyes from the majestic academy, and Barry beamed with pride.
Then.
"Barry, where's your swordsmanship department instructor?"
"Huh!? S-Suddenly?"
His mother's abrupt question caught Barry off guard.
But Mrs. Cox pressed on with her son.
"Suddenly? What do you mean? He's not just looking after you—he raised you. I heard you can stay at the academy because he teaches without holding back. Even I know how precious that guidance and opportunity are. Doesn't that make him a benefactor to the whole Cox family, not just you?"
"W-Well, sure..."
"I've always wanted to meet him and give my thanks in person. Lucky us. Come on, let's go see the instructor."
"Uh... okay..."
Barry was sweating bullets, but he knew better than to argue with his mother's iron will.
'This is awkward...'
Barry dreaded the thought of his mother meeting the instructor.
Of course, he respected the instructor more than anyone.
Respected him on par with—or even equal to—his own father.
He wasn't just strong; he kept his word and taught commoner cadets like Barry techniques rivaling Fighting Techniques.
In Barry's eyes, he was the ideal knight incarnate.
However.
'He's admirable, but... showing him off to others is another story.'
Just thinking about his overwhelming presence made Barry's skin crawl and his legs weaken.
He worried someone unaccustomed to swords might suffer a heart attack upon meeting him.
The instructor's aura was that intimidating.
'I hope Mom's heart is strong.'
Barry was anxious.
"Bro? Why are you sweating so much?"
"Big brother?"
"N-Nothing..."
As he swallowed his nerves, Barry spotted familiar faces heading toward the swordsmanship department.
"Ma'am, do you really have to go?"
"Dad, I told you it's fine!"
"G-Grandma? You sure you wanna go?"
...Fellow cadets dragging their families along too.
Somehow, on the first day of school, all the young masters, chicks, Bear Cubs, and the rest had converged.
Their eyes met, and for a moment, they forgot their statuses and shared a pang of mutual suffering.
Parents' minds worked the same regardless of rank, it seemed.
And soon enough.
Thud! Thuuud!
They arrived at the training grounds, where an ominous whooshing filled the air, and saw it.
"Wow, big bro! That's bigger than a bull!"
"It sure is."
The innocent young siblings simply stated what they saw, while the cadets and their families gaped at the absurd sight.
A man single-handedly hauling hundreds of sandbags...
Bigger than bulls, even.
And without breaking a sweat.
"Hm? What are you all doing here?"
He asked calmly, and they wanted to fire back.
......Why are you always looking less human every time we see you?
"Sorry you had to see me like this while I'm working. So, you're No. 11's—er, Barry Cox's—mother?"
"Y-Yes..."
"Welcome. It's an honor to finally meet the fine mother who raised such a sturdy son."
"...Oh my."
"Mom?"
The instructor handled the parents with practiced ease.
"He's adjusting well, so no need to worry."
Contrary to his appearance, he was polite and reassured them without hesitation.
The first impression was shocking, but otherwise, he seemed fine.
However.
"C-Can my child really become a knight?"
"I nearly fainted. Suddenly jumping rope or whatever? My hands were shaking from the shock... What if he ends up with ugly muscles? Why make him do that?"
"Ahem, I heard it's the White Silver Lion Knights, but how did it fall this low?"
Overzealous parents existed everywhere, and the cadets paled, sensing disaster.
Sure enough.
"He's prime knight material. By graduation, it'll be fun to watch. Trust me and leave him in our hands, ma'am."
"Unnecessary worry. Do you think muscles grow from a bit of jumping rope? Worry about your own body instead. It's obvious it's breaking down. Back hurting lately? Fatigue piling up fast? That's from lack of exercise—lack of it! Instead of fretting over your kid, how about tending to yourself?"
"Hmm, you picking a fight with me—?"
He didn't hold back.
Kind to the kind, ruthless to the rude.
Though it nearly caused a funeral.
"C-Calm down, Instructor! I'll apologize on his behalf!"
"Father, apologize now! The whole house could crumble!"
"S-Sorry..."
The cadets' intervention averted the crisis.
True to form, the instructor's demeanor swung 180 degrees from fury to courtesy.
One noble who'd irked him felt his spine chill and legs buckle under the intense pressure.
'Same as ever.'
Watching him, they felt oddly reassured.
Seeing his unwavering consistency after all this time made the new semester feel real.
But.
"Instructor, what's with those sandbags?"
"These? Teaching aids for your next training."
"Huh?"
"Cliff climbing while carrying them. Don't worry—each is only 30kg."
"......"
"Oh, we have 50kg and 100kg ones too. We'll ramp up gradually, so relax."
"Th-That doesn't reassure me at all..."
...On the other hand, his lack of change left them dizzy.
This semester wouldn't be ordinary either.
After the opening ceremony, with parents mostly gone, the swordsmanship cadets gathered.
All 80 of them.
Proof that not a single first-year had been expelled or dropped out.
Other departments had plenty who'd flunked exams or quit realizing their limits, but not here.
They'd all aced tests and gained confidence they belonged.
Even nobles sometimes quit, so this cohort was exceptionally talented...
But the first-years would say otherwise.
It wasn't their achievement.
What kept them alive was...
'His skill alone.'
"-Why are you still hanging around? It's syllabus signup week, isn't it? You could've skipped."
The instructor who'd forced all 80 to survive grumbled curtly.
"Just happened that way..."
"We came to say hi, and everyone showed up at once, haha..."
Some brazen replies, and the man behind their survival.
"You lot are ridiculously diligent for no reason."
Clicked his tongue in disbelief.
Yet they found his grumbling welcoming—they'd adapted to him, clearly.
"Fine, since you're here, get some swings in. Spar with me if you dare; I'd welcome it."
"No thanks—we mean it."
"......"
They'd come just to greet, not tangle with that monster.
You spar with people, not beasts.
They planned to head back to dorms after quick hellos, but.
"Master, I handed them off like you said."
"Good work. Hey, Bear Cub."
"Yes?"
"'Those guys'? Wrong term."
"Uh, d-do you really call people that?"
"No. Where do you see people? I told you—they're not human."
"......"
......The cadets rubbed their eyes in disbelief.
Nine figures shuffled in, dragging iron balls chained to their ankles—no collars, but close enough.
They looked like slaves...
"Ah, don't misunderstand. They're not slaves. External hires—call 'em 'teaching interns.'"
"......"
"Right, Intern No. 1?"
"......"
"Not answering?"
"Y-Yes, sir!!"
"Slow response?"
"I'll correct it!!"
"Tch, don't act up in front of the kids."
"Yes, sir!"
"Damn prisoners. When will you turn human? ...Assistants."
"Yes, Instructor!"
"You're senior—manage them well. Not 'beat 'em senseless.' Work 'em moderately. Got it?"
"Leave it to me! I'll keep their total sleep under an hour a week!!"
"Kid knows his stuff."
"Heh, thank you."
......A scene beyond comprehension.
But one thing was clear...
'Damian looks genuinely thrilled.'
He was ecstatic, no doubt.
"Stand straight, you scum! Didn't you hear the instructor? No sleeping from today! Remember—your eval scores are in my hands! You intern bastards!"
Damian, the department's lowest rung, was overjoyed at having bottom-feeders beneath him.
......Ironically, heretic inquisitors, but who cared if Damian could handle the fallout.
'Screw it—all for later me! Enjoy now!'
The assistant dumped all consequences on his future self.