Chapter 40
“Pay close attention. Right here!”
Professor Sevichet, who was teaching a different swordsmanship class, said this while drawing a circle with his sword.
I had come to study how the other professors conducted their classes during the long weekend break.
This was Sevichet Gehenna’s basic swordsmanship class.
“Do you see this beautiful curve? That beautiful arc allows you to strike a fatal blow when the opponent’s mind is distracted by the elegance of the blade. This is the core of Gehenna swordsmanship.”
The students cheered and clapped enthusiastically.
To me, it was questionable.
‘They’re all caught up in the show.’
The intention to move the sword delicately was understandable.
But if the level was low, focusing on making the blade look beautiful would make one neglect the opponent.
It might help beginners get interested in swordsmanship, but if bad habits were learned from the start, they would suffer for life.
In a basic class, just rambling on with nonsense while so many students wanted to listen made me think of opening another lecture.
I couldn’t admit that such a mediocre lecture was far more popular than mine.
After the basic lecture, the advanced one in the afternoon was no better.
If anything, it was even more nonsense than the basics.
“Brother’s lecture is much better.”
Realizing my thoughts, Lua, who had come to watch the class with me, took my side.
After watching two terrible lectures in a row, we had stopped by Cafe Lyonnaise to refresh ourselves.
Since my mood was bitter, I wanted to drink something, but at fifteen years old entering a tavern didn’t look good.
Still, the sweet pastries and drinks were fine for relieving stress.
“Do the students really want to learn swordsmanship? If they cooled their heads a little, they’d realize the lecture is awful.”
“They say fighting without holding back is stronger, but showing off is important in this world.”
“They’re all idiots.”
Lua ate a pastry nervously.
We often came here because the cafe specially catered to us.
Normally I would have savored it slowly, but with me being neglected, it seemed even worse for my sister Lua.
“By the way, brother.”
“What is it?”
“Someone has been staring at us since earlier.”
I had already sensed the gaze.
A girl sitting alone at one corner of the cafe.
A faint mana of about two circles could be felt.
Not skilled at hiding her presence, she glared at me openly.
“She’s wearing the same school uniform as us. And she has a sword.”
“It doesn’t matter. We came here to rest. I don’t want to create more trouble.”
“Then I’ll stay still.”
“Stay still? Were you planning to do something?”
“Yes. I came up with an interesting idea.”
A playful spark shone in Lua’s eyes.
Since the girl staring at me didn’t show hostility, I could afford to ignore that expectation.
“If it’s interesting, I’ll leave it to you.”
“Yes!”
Lua jumped up from her seat and immediately walked toward the girl.
I turned my upper body to watch the situation.
The girl, who had been glaring, looked flustered as Lua approached openly.
“W-what?”
“You’re also wearing the same uniform as me. You’re a student at the Imperial Academy?”
“That’s right.”
“As expected!”
Upon hearing the answer, Lua grabbed the girl’s arm firmly.
“I’ve been worried about this. Don’t stay alone. Let’s talk together!”
“What? No, I’m…”
“Come on, don’t say that. Let’s have fun!”
The girl had a well-toned body from training.
In theory, she could have easily shaken off Lua’s hand.
But she didn’t.
Lua pulled her closer with a bright, innocent face, unable to treat her harshly.
The girl, blushing and flustered, was dragged to our table.
Lua sat her down next to her and kept talking to prevent further embarrassment.
“My name is Lua. I just entered second year. You’re also second year?”
“I’m Erewon. I entered fourth year this time, and I’m Lua’s brother.”
I omitted the surname to draw her in more closely.
“I’m Angela.”
“Nice to meet you, Angela-unnie! Please take care of me.”
“Speaking of which…”
While exchanging greetings, I learned Angela’s father’s identity.
Angela was the daughter who resembled her father greatly.
It was none other than Professor Akan.
“I saw you earlier too, didn’t I? In Sevichet’s lecture.”
Angela had attended the basic and advanced lectures as well.
“Were you watching me?”
“No, it’s the opposite. You were the one staring at us.”
“Don’t misunderstand. There was no such thing.”
“It’s uncomfortable to be stared at continuously, so speak honestly.”
I met Angela’s gaze.
“What do you want with me?”
Even with me right in front of her, Angela’s eyes burned with rage.
Clearly hatred.
Angela hesitated for a moment, then spoke her mind.
“Erewon von Soleil, I challenge you to a duel.”
The people around us stirred.
But to me, this proposal needed no thought.
“Good.”
“What?”
“I said good. When shall we start? Right now is fine.”
“Ah, no. To duel students, permission from a professor specializing in duels at the academy is required…”
“I’m also a swordsmanship professor. My basic and advanced swordsmanship lectures were just opened this time—did you not know? Angela student.”
That was right.
Even though temporary, I was a professor of swordsmanship.
So I could grant permission for a duel with a sword.
Of course, with safety guarantees.
Instantly, Angela’s pupils trembled, then she calmed.
“Good. I’m ready. Let’s do it outside right away.”
“Is that alright?”
“What do you mean ‘is that alright’?”
“Everyone will see. How I win or lose.”
Angela’s eyes widened.
Her body started trembling.
“Even if it’s someone else, you’re Professor Akan’s daughter.”
“How do you know that?”
“You resemble your father a lot.”
“Then I understand why you challenged me.”
“I don’t know. But no matter what, I only guess that what Angela wants is to win against me. That’s all I’ll eat, then let’s rise.”
“I can wait for that.”
At the time, there were still plenty of pastries and drinks left from our meal with Lua.
“Or would you like to have some?”
“No thanks.”
“What? You won’t have any?”
When Lua said it in disbelief, Angela was startled.
“They’re delicious.”
Lua picked up a piece and crunched it loudly, looking at Angela with a regretful expression.
“Even though they’re so delicious, you don’t eat any?”
“Excessively sweet things are bad for body and mind.”
“But they’re tasty. I wish you would eat with me…”
Although Angela was refusing, she couldn’t withstand Lua’s pleading eyes.
“If you insist that much, I have no choice. I’ll eat just one.”
In the end, Angela reached for the pastry.
It seemed she would eat just one, then stop. She grabbed the nearest one and stuffed it into her mouth.
The sound of the pastry crunching.
While Angela ate the pastry, Lua’s eyes sparkled with mischief for a moment.
“Delicious.”
Her comment was honest.
“Right? They’re delicious, right? But it’s a pity. You only ate one when there are so many.”
“I was going to…”
While saying that, Lua slid the plate away from Angela.
“Since you said excessively sweet pastries are bad.”
“Ah…”
Since Angela had declared she wouldn’t eat more, Lua looked sad and picked up another pastry to eat.
“H, I’ll eat just one more. Just one more.”
Reaching out with a regretful face, Lua moved the plate farther away.
“No. This is really bad pastry. It’s bad for Angela-unnie’s body and mind, right? So I’ll eat it all. Focus on the duel with my brother!”
Saying that, Lua stuffed pastries into her mouth eagerly.
She even forgot to keep her happy expression.
“Ah, ah…”
The pastries we two were eating disappeared little by little.
Even without tasting them before, once the taste had been experienced, it was impossible to stop for Lyonnaise’s pastries.
Angela’s face was pitiful.
Just as the pastries were almost gone, I spoke.
“It won’t be decided by a few more pastries. There aren’t many left, so why don’t you eat them with us?”
“Are you sure? Thank you very much!”
Before finishing her thanks, Angela reached for the food.
Watching her eat the long-desired pastry in happiness, Lua and I exchanged glances.
Just before Lua left, Angela ordered the cheapest drink at the table and drank it.
No matter how the daughter of an Imperial Academy professor, the desserts at Cafe Lyonnaise were expensive.
Lua had used that to subtly undermine Angela’s pride.
No tension or hostility remained in Angela when she ate the remaining pastries with great speed.
The plate emptied in no time.
Even when Lua handed over the almost-full drink because her mouth was small, she gulped it down in one go.
Angela had a very satisfied expression.
“If you’ve finished, then let’s get up.”
“Eh? Th, yeah.”
“Time’s up. Since you ate sweets, you should move your body.”
As soon as we exited the shop, the street we faced was the duel location Angela had proposed.
“Angela student, propose the duel method.”
“If one side declares defeat or can’t stand on two legs, it’s a loss.”
“Simple and good. Draw your sword.”
Angela’s stance when drawing the sword was very stable and good compared to other students.
But that was still student level.
“Now, at this moment, the duel between Angela student and Erewon student is approved by the professor’s authority. Come.”
“I won’t do as you wish!”
Angela threw herself at me.
With merciless eyes.
“Pay close attention. Right here!”
Professor Sevichet, who was teaching a different swordsmanship class, said this while drawing a circle with his sword.
I had come to study how the other professors conducted their classes during the long weekend break.
This was Sevichet Gehenna’s basic swordsmanship class.
“Do you see this beautiful curve? That beautiful arc allows you to strike a fatal blow when the opponent’s mind is distracted by the elegance of the blade. This is the core of Gehenna swordsmanship.”
The students cheered and clapped enthusiastically.
To me, it was questionable.
‘They’re all caught up in the show.’
The intention to move the sword delicately was understandable.
But if the level was low, focusing on making the blade look beautiful would make one neglect the opponent.
It might help beginners get interested in swordsmanship, but if bad habits were learned from the start, they would suffer for life.
In a basic class, just rambling on with nonsense while so many students wanted to listen made me think of opening another lecture.
I couldn’t admit that such a mediocre lecture was far more popular than mine.
After the basic lecture, the advanced one in the afternoon was no better.
If anything, it was even more nonsense than the basics.
“Brother’s lecture is much better.”
Realizing my thoughts, Lua, who had come to watch the class with me, took my side.
After watching two terrible lectures in a row, we had stopped by Cafe Lyonnaise to refresh ourselves.
Since my mood was bitter, I wanted to drink something, but at fifteen years old entering a tavern didn’t look good.
Still, the sweet pastries and drinks were fine for relieving stress.
“Do the students really want to learn swordsmanship? If they cooled their heads a little, they’d realize the lecture is awful.”
“They say fighting without holding back is stronger, but showing off is important in this world.”
“They’re all idiots.”
Lua ate a pastry nervously.
We often came here because the cafe specially catered to us.
Normally I would have savored it slowly, but with me being neglected, it seemed even worse for my sister Lua.
“By the way, brother.”
“What is it?”
“Someone has been staring at us since earlier.”
I had already sensed the gaze.
A girl sitting alone at one corner of the cafe.
A faint mana of about two circles could be felt.
Not skilled at hiding her presence, she glared at me openly.
“She’s wearing the same school uniform as us. And she has a sword.”
“It doesn’t matter. We came here to rest. I don’t want to create more trouble.”
“Then I’ll stay still.”
“Stay still? Were you planning to do something?”
“Yes. I came up with an interesting idea.”
A playful spark shone in Lua’s eyes.
Since the girl staring at me didn’t show hostility, I could afford to ignore that expectation.
“If it’s interesting, I’ll leave it to you.”
“Yes!”
Lua jumped up from her seat and immediately walked toward the girl.
I turned my upper body to watch the situation.
The girl, who had been glaring, looked flustered as Lua approached openly.
“W-what?”
“You’re also wearing the same uniform as me. You’re a student at the Imperial Academy?”
“That’s right.”
“As expected!”
Upon hearing the answer, Lua grabbed the girl’s arm firmly.
“I’ve been worried about this. Don’t stay alone. Let’s talk together!”
“What? No, I’m…”
“Come on, don’t say that. Let’s have fun!”
The girl had a well-toned body from training.
In theory, she could have easily shaken off Lua’s hand.
But she didn’t.
Lua pulled her closer with a bright, innocent face, unable to treat her harshly.
The girl, blushing and flustered, was dragged to our table.
Lua sat her down next to her and kept talking to prevent further embarrassment.
“My name is Lua. I just entered second year. You’re also second year?”
“I’m Erewon. I entered fourth year this time, and I’m Lua’s brother.”
I omitted the surname to draw her in more closely.
“I’m Angela.”
“Nice to meet you, Angela-unnie! Please take care of me.”
“Speaking of which…”
While exchanging greetings, I learned Angela’s father’s identity.
Angela was the daughter who resembled her father greatly.
It was none other than Professor Akan.
“I saw you earlier too, didn’t I? In Sevichet’s lecture.”
Angela had attended the basic and advanced lectures as well.
“Were you watching me?”
“No, it’s the opposite. You were the one staring at us.”
“Don’t misunderstand. There was no such thing.”
“It’s uncomfortable to be stared at continuously, so speak honestly.”
I met Angela’s gaze.
“What do you want with me?”
Even with me right in front of her, Angela’s eyes burned with rage.
Clearly hatred.
Angela hesitated for a moment, then spoke her mind.
“Erewon von Soleil, I challenge you to a duel.”
The people around us stirred.
But to me, this proposal needed no thought.
“Good.”
“What?”
“I said good. When shall we start? Right now is fine.”
“Ah, no. To duel students, permission from a professor specializing in duels at the academy is required…”
“I’m also a swordsmanship professor. My basic and advanced swordsmanship lectures were just opened this time—did you not know? Angela student.”
That was right.
Even though temporary, I was a professor of swordsmanship.
So I could grant permission for a duel with a sword.
Of course, with safety guarantees.
Instantly, Angela’s pupils trembled, then she calmed.
“Good. I’m ready. Let’s do it outside right away.”
“Is that alright?”
“What do you mean ‘is that alright’?”
“Everyone will see. How I win or lose.”
Angela’s eyes widened.
Her body started trembling.
“Even if it’s someone else, you’re Professor Akan’s daughter.”
“How do you know that?”
“You resemble your father a lot.”
“Then I understand why you challenged me.”
“I don’t know. But no matter what, I only guess that what Angela wants is to win against me. That’s all I’ll eat, then let’s rise.”
“I can wait for that.”
At the time, there were still plenty of pastries and drinks left from our meal with Lua.
“Or would you like to have some?”
“No thanks.”
“What? You won’t have any?”
When Lua said it in disbelief, Angela was startled.
“They’re delicious.”
Lua picked up a piece and crunched it loudly, looking at Angela with a regretful expression.
“Even though they’re so delicious, you don’t eat any?”
“Excessively sweet things are bad for body and mind.”
“But they’re tasty. I wish you would eat with me…”
Although Angela was refusing, she couldn’t withstand Lua’s pleading eyes.
“If you insist that much, I have no choice. I’ll eat just one.”
In the end, Angela reached for the pastry.
It seemed she would eat just one, then stop. She grabbed the nearest one and stuffed it into her mouth.
The sound of the pastry crunching.
While Angela ate the pastry, Lua’s eyes sparkled with mischief for a moment.
“Delicious.”
Her comment was honest.
“Right? They’re delicious, right? But it’s a pity. You only ate one when there are so many.”
“I was going to…”
While saying that, Lua slid the plate away from Angela.
“Since you said excessively sweet pastries are bad.”
“Ah…”
Since Angela had declared she wouldn’t eat more, Lua looked sad and picked up another pastry to eat.
“H, I’ll eat just one more. Just one more.”
Reaching out with a regretful face, Lua moved the plate farther away.
“No. This is really bad pastry. It’s bad for Angela-unnie’s body and mind, right? So I’ll eat it all. Focus on the duel with my brother!”
Saying that, Lua stuffed pastries into her mouth eagerly.
She even forgot to keep her happy expression.
“Ah, ah…”
The pastries we two were eating disappeared little by little.
Even without tasting them before, once the taste had been experienced, it was impossible to stop for Lyonnaise’s pastries.
Angela’s face was pitiful.
Just as the pastries were almost gone, I spoke.
“It won’t be decided by a few more pastries. There aren’t many left, so why don’t you eat them with us?”
“Are you sure? Thank you very much!”
Before finishing her thanks, Angela reached for the food.
Watching her eat the long-desired pastry in happiness, Lua and I exchanged glances.
Just before Lua left, Angela ordered the cheapest drink at the table and drank it.
No matter how the daughter of an Imperial Academy professor, the desserts at Cafe Lyonnaise were expensive.
Lua had used that to subtly undermine Angela’s pride.
No tension or hostility remained in Angela when she ate the remaining pastries with great speed.
The plate emptied in no time.
Even when Lua handed over the almost-full drink because her mouth was small, she gulped it down in one go.
Angela had a very satisfied expression.
“If you’ve finished, then let’s get up.”
“Eh? Th, yeah.”
“Time’s up. Since you ate sweets, you should move your body.”
As soon as we exited the shop, the street we faced was the duel location Angela had proposed.
“Angela student, propose the duel method.”
“If one side declares defeat or can’t stand on two legs, it’s a loss.”
“Simple and good. Draw your sword.”
Angela’s stance when drawing the sword was very stable and good compared to other students.
But that was still student level.
“Now, at this moment, the duel between Angela student and Erewon student is approved by the professor’s authority. Come.”
“I won’t do as you wish!”
Angela threw herself at me.
With merciless eyes.