Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: EP. 9: The Knight Finds Teaching Rewarding (3)
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...Unlike expectations, the spar ended anticlimactically.
For Lee Han, it was nothing but disappointment, but those who had watched the spar felt differently.
-...Gulp.
The biggest change was in the way they looked at him.
Originally, there had been some looks of disgust mixed in, but now the disgust was gone, replaced here and there with gazes of admiration or envy.
Most were commoner-born, while the noble-born ones mostly eyed him appraisingly.
They had probably decided it was worth building some rapport.
Anyway, this was why he couldn't warm up to nobles.
But dislike was dislike.
Lee Han finally began proper introductions.
"I introduced myself before the spar, but let me do it again. I'm Lee Han Turtle. Note that it's Lee Han, not Ri Han. Remember that well."
-......
"At least respond, you oblivious bunch."
-Y-Yes, sir!
"Good response."
These fresh-faced little darlings—when would they grow up?
"...I'm from the White Silver Lion Knights, as you know, and a commoner-born. Most of you probably already know that. Oh, if any of you don't want to learn from a commoner, you don't have to show up like the second- and third-years. Skipping later or now makes no difference anyway."
"As for penalties..."
"No penalties. I prefer teaching only those who want to be taught. Just show up during exams. You want the credits, right? If not, take another class. Registration's over, but I'll talk to the other instructors for you."
This was Lee Han showing some goodwill.
It was a shame to lose sparring toys, but he wasn't irresponsible enough to ditch those seriously wanting to learn just for fun.
On the contrary, he welcomed those willing to put in effort.
Like running mates, training together had decent benefits.
"Oh, and anyone who wants to challenge me anytime is welcome. I love spars."
"Kunta steps up!"
"Go heal that waist injury first. What were you doing while everyone else sparred?"
"......Ugh."
Kunta looked dejected.
But this wasn't just for Kunta.
"The rest of you too. Those who skipped healing to watch spars—go get treated now. Too many patients piling up."
"Isn't that all because of you, Instructor?"
"What do you want me to do about it?"
"...Just saying."
Garand's words were ignored, and soon the ones who had hit the dirt today vanished quickly.
They were heading to the recovery room where healing priests waited.
'As expected of the academy. The support is insane.'
Considering a healing priest's salary was about on par with a mid-level corporate exec, the academy was footing that bill.
And that wasn't all—hiring them meant monthly donations to the temple too.
That money could build a new building every week.
'Gotta milk this more often.'
As he felt a strange satisfaction thinking of the healing priests...
"I-Instructor, sir, so what are we going to learn?"
A question came from those he hadn't paid much attention to.
"Your name?"
"L-Levy Polt, sir."
"Hm. Noble?"
"J-Just a humble house."
"Hm. Cadet, do you want to learn swordsmanship?"
"...Even so, since I've signed up, if I can learn... I'd like to!"
"Is that so...?"
She seemed sharp enough.
Clearly a noble girl who had never touched a sword.
She looked fragile, like someone prepping for a debutante ball in high society rather than swordsmanship.
Didn't fit the swordsmanship department at all.
But it wasn't weird.
About half the class was like her.
Honestly, girls who probably never washed a dish were here mostly because...
'Looking for fiancés or debutante partners.'
Like picking prom king and queen in American movies or dramas, a cool partner was key for debutantes.
Especially pairing with future knights often led to engagements in noble society.
They had probably come hunting for that.
It was shameless, in a way.
But Lee Han didn't care.
The academy ran on those nobles' massive funding.
That was why they could afford healing priests.
But their sparkling eyes begging to be taught? That was unexpected.
Why were they like that?
"It's because your fight with Young Lord Roan was so amazing, right? People admire what they can't do."
"...Is that it?"
"Especially noble girls who've lived in greenhouses their whole lives. This kind of stimulus must feel mysterious. Though it'll probably wear off soon. Noble ladies avoid sweating like the plague, so once they do, they'll drop out. I hear the women vanish from swordsmanship classes after the first semester."
"You know a lot."
"Heh heh, my brother went here, so I've heard plenty."
"Info broker, huh? Useful."
"Thank you!"
"...Hey, assistant."
"Yes?"
"Could you back off your face? Seeing it makes me want to smack you."
"...Yes, sir."
"Good. Keep that distance when talking to me from now on."
"......Damn it."
"I heard that, assistant."
Damian—no, the assistant (slave)—got teary-eyed again.
Today's class ended.
Like universities ending lectures early on the first day, he had shown some flexibility.
Soon the cadets were all gone, and the training grounds fell silent.
Only Lee Han remained, with the dimming sky at least somewhat scenic.
"Hm."
But Lee Han had no time to admire the fancy sky; reviewing today's spars was more helpful.
'Sigh, should I have closed in faster back then?'
Even against opponents far weaker than him, there were lessons to learn.
Why were prestigious houses prestigious?
Basics sucked, but they knew advanced techniques galore.
Pearls around a pig's neck—but if someone other than the pig could take those pearls, it was a win.
Especially those four worth noting.
'Kunta, was it? That barbarian—spar him again tomorrow. Take it slower this time. He's my type; should be fun.'
'The dual-wielder and the polearm guy were decent too.'
'...The regressor was sneakier than expected.'
More interest in others than the one he'd hyped up.
Lots to learn.
And unlike him, they had endless potential.
The so-called geniuses.
Fighting and observing them would accumulate new data in his body each time.
Like Baltar said.
Not theoretical learning, but info from real combat.
Having students worth learning from was very welcome.
"...This job's not bad after all."
It was forced on him by Isis.
But trying it today? Not bad.
No, perfect.
"Super rewarding?"
Academy instructor.
More fulfilling than being in the knights.
Lee Han chuckled emptily at finding a job that suited him unexpectedly.
Better than a knights' order full of spar-avoiders and zero fulfillment—no boredom here.
......Also.
"Hey, you little rat."
Some intriguing ones too.
"Come out already. The day before yesterday, today too. Why the sneaking?"
Swoosh.
A wind licked the empty field's grass.
Just an empty lot—yet what did he mean?
In the eerie tension, as Lee Han reached for a hand axe in his bosom...
Whoosh.
"...Sorry, Instructor. Didn't mean to bother you."
A man appeared suddenly.
Lee Han knew the face.
One from the cadets.
The unassuming guy glued to Roan.
Name was...
"Hans?"
"...Jack."
"Ah, right."
"......Could you put the hand axe away?"
"After your answer."
Tap tap.
Lee Han tapped the ground lightly with the axe, demanding a reply.
Suspicious lurking already warranted an axe toss.
In the tense mood, Jack kept smiling but sweated profusely.
'He noticed yesterday's surveillance too?'
Technically on Irene Windler, not him—but he'd spotted it.
'As Master said, no ordinary guy.'
Dangerous.
Not just strong—something special.
So Master was...
'Testing boundaries.'
Jack barely pried his dry lips open.
"...Master has a message."
"Could've said it earlier. Why the drama? Nobles..."
"Do you know about the 'angels' by any chance?"
"...?"
"You don't. That's enough."
"Angels?"
"Just this: Don't trust angels or the temple."
Nonsensical words.
Angels?
...Was this guy nuts?
Lots of red flags, but maybe smack his head later.
Who knew if it'd fix him.
Harboring secret(?) goodwill to heal him covertly, Lee Han played it cool.
"I'm an atheist myself."
"Haha, blasphemous. But same here, so I'm blasphemous too."
"Hm, whatever it is, you came to the academy with impure motives, huh?"
"...Can't deny it."
Jack figured he might die right now.
The instructor could kill him easily.
But then...
"How old are you anyway?"
"P-Pardon?"
"Your age, man."
"T-Twenty."
"...Severe nearsightedness. Thought you faked your age to enroll."
"That's harsh, Instructor..."
Lee Han flung the random gut-punch insult, and Jack pouted.
Lee Han shook his head with a chuckle.
He'd half-guessed.
Angels or whatever—romance fantasies always had cliched villains.
'Royalty or temple.'
Had to be that trope.
Then, just in case, Lee Han asked.
"No other people I should watch out for?"
"...You believe me?"
"Just a hunch. Doesn't seem like something I'd need to guard against."
"...You're really unique, Instructor."
"Skip the flattery. Anything else fun?"
"F-Fun...?"
Jack wondered if more was overstepping.
But seeing Lee Han's bard-like fascination—no threat, pure interest—he decided to share.
Felt like currying favor now could pay off big later.
"...Know anything about the wastrel Second Prince?"
"Second Prince? The kingdom still raising princes?"
After his sister became heir, princes mostly vanished from the kingdom.
Exiled or mysteriously gone—best not to care.
But one left?
"Whoa, princes aren't dogs, Instructor."
Casual rudeness.
This knight needed to learn manners first.
"Anyway, wastrel prince? What's with the cliched name?"
"Uh... Pretty famous. Rumored to be tyrannical and stark raving mad."
"So why him?"
Lee Han, losing interest in the prince, asked why he came up. Jack replied.
"...Word is the wastrel enrolled here incognito. Don't know why."
"Enrolled?"
"Yes. Maybe overkill to watch out, but he's a prince—worth noting?"
Made sense. Lee Han nodded slightly and asked again.
Any traits?
"Hm, oh! Heard the prince is mentally ill."
"Mentally ill?"
"Yes. Points at thin air a lot, weird stuff."
"......"
"What's wrong?"
"...Nothing. Just... really crazy."
Lee Han blurted rudely again. Jack advised caution for listeners, but Lee Han ignored.
More pressing than manners:
'...What is this? Another one?'
Romance fantasy possession.
Regressor.
Already a lot, but...
'Status window now?'
Thinking again, this academy life...
"Ha."
No room for boredom.