Chapter 576
Chapter 576
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 576
Chapter Title: Became the Academy's Sex Education Professor (2)
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I infused mana into my sword and swung it.
Far in the distance, the sword beam sliced the scarecrow clean in two.
True to its name, Blue Flash was a powerful and beautiful skill.
But if you asked me to explain the principles behind it... well, I have no clue. I only used it because the skill existed; I had zero knowledge of the technique itself. Why was the sword beam blue? Why was it so devastating? As someone who'd lucked into acquiring it, these were utter mysteries to me.
It's like knowing the form and the moves but not grasping the intent infused within them.
It felt just like being a programmer who'd stare at their code screaming, "Huh? Why the hell does this work?!" At this rate, I'd never attain the strength I craved. Sure, it was plenty for settling as an A-rank hunter... but my goals had changed. I needed to grow stronger than this.
"Hoo..."
That was why I swung my sword once more.
This time, it wasn't Blue Divine Light, but Moonlit Swordsmanship.
A graceful sword dance, as if admiring the moon in the night sky... It blended the subtleties of swift strikes and deceptive changes to bewilder foes. I'd learned it directly from the Wiji Clan, so I understood its intent perfectly. The only drawback was its raw destructive power.
Moonlit Swordsmanship was no weak art...
-KABOOM!
But it fell a notch short of Vast Heavens Sovereign Swordsmanship.
The scarecrow shattered into fragments under an overwhelming, domineering slash.
Even with its skill level reset due to the special mission, Vast Heavens Sovereign Swordsmanship remained brutally effective. As expected of the Nangong Clan's signature art. And thanks to all those spars with the Nangong sisters, the intent woven into it was etched clearly in my mind.
With dignified, spirited poise...
Launching assaults with arrogant pride and imperial grandeur.
That was the Emperor Sword Form.
And the path to mastery lay through Vast Heavens Sovereign Swordsmanship.
"...Hmph."
So, during this NTR run, why not train with it?
My goal: claim the Emperor Sword Form completely as my own. With fresh resolve, I enjoyed some wholesome time for the first time in forever. Up at dawn, swinging my blade relentlessly, drenched in sweat. I'd never been this diligent before—it even felt like it was cleansing my soul.
-Knock knock knock
"Master, it's 7:30."
-Ssshh
"Got it. Prepare the bath."
"Oh, my..."
"What are you dawdling for?"
"S-Sorry! I'll get right on it!"
But hey, I'm the proud wielder of Heroine NTR—gotta keep up with the NTR side of things too.
Today was lecture day at Glorious Academy.
Training done, I prepped body and mind for my afternoon engagement. Starting from negative favorability meant building some baseline plausibility. Trimmed the beard, slipped into a tailored suit... Hmm, looking sharp. The maids' flustered stares confirmed it: solid pass. Handsome really never gets old—always that electric thrill.
Rosemary Ardina despised Jillian Ludwig.
It was only natural for anyone from the Ardina family.
Others hailed him as a war hero... Hmph, the real hero was my uncle! Rosemary refused to acknowledge Jillian. She had no idea what went down in that enemy prison... but it was mighty suspicious that he alone survived out of ten captives. Back then, Jillian sure wasn't any paragon of knighthood.
Her uncle—so brave, so proud—came home a corpse...
And some talentless nobody like Jillian lives on to play the hero?
For her, who'd trusted and followed her uncle devotedly, it was an intolerable reality.
"Hmph, war hero my foot! Jillian's a phony!"
"Marie... people are staring."
"So? Did I say anything wrong?!"
That's why Rosemary was set on exposing his true colors today.
"Eight minutes and seventeen seconds to start, and half the seats are empty. Is this Glorious Academy's true face? Martin, lock the doors. My lecture's too good for students who can't manage basic manners."
"Y-Yes, ma'am!"
But right from the jump, the vibes were off.
Jillian Ludwig entered without a word, instantly dominating the room.
Perfectly groomed hair. Impeccable, wrinkle-free suit. He radiated pure aristocracy, intimidating as hell. The Ardinas were a famed ducal house too... but Jillian had this aura that screamed "war hero."
-Murmur murmur murmur
"Quiet. Not a peep until I say so."
His looks were top-tier too.
On a whole other plane from celebrities.
Chiseled features, deep resonant voice, flawless proportions... The auditorium erupted at the legendary war hero's entrance, then fell deathly silent at his single command. He was the era's sole bearer of the Honor Medal. Even furious Rosemary felt the tension. That's the stature Jillian Ludwig held at Glorious.
"Pleased to meet you. As you know, I'm Jillian Ludwig."
"I'll now commence the lecture on 'pride.'"
Time ticked by until the bell tolled precisely on the hour.
Every eye locked onto one man.
"What is pride? What does it mean to you? The chairman tasked me with one thing: imparting true pride. So I'll ask. You there—second-year Jorgie Hanna."
"...M-Me? Uh, y-yes!"
"Hah, not even worth hearing. Third-year Luke Dorviche in the back."
"Yessir!"
"What is pride to you?"
"To me, pride is... uh, pride is..."
"No answer. Gina Lynn, third-year beside him. You got one?"
"P-Pride means... being true to myself!"
Shock after shock.
Glorious had no name tags. No grade markers either.
Yet Jillian rattled off names and years like he'd memorized the roster.
Jorgie Hanna straight from the war hero's lips—she froze speechless. Luke Dorviche fared no better. Only Gina Lynn managed a reply, barely prepared... but the reaction tanked. Jillian stared daggers, stone-faced. Textbook fluff disappointing him? He pressed on relentlessly.
"Second-year Zion Lineburg. Your turn?"
"As a knight, I'll rise as Royal Knights captain and prove my worth with pride!"
"Third-year Julie Copenhagen."
"As a mage, I'll uncover magic laws no one's found! Become a grand archmage... like the chairman, earning everyone's respect!"
"First-year Rosemary Ardina."
"I-I... wa-want to be... a kn-knight! And ma-make eve-everyone..."
"You're all utterly repulsive."
-Murmur murmur murmur
Not a single soul satisfied him.
One after another, they drew venomous rebukes, branded repulsive. To Rosemary, every answer rang true... but Jillian saw it differently. At last, he heaved a massive sigh. The war hero's raw disappointment laid bare.
"Haa... You lot know nothing of pride."
"Why not?! What was so wrong with ours?!"
"Rosemary Ardina. Defying me, are you?"
"Damn right! Who's clueless here—you, Professor?!"
"Fine. Answer me this."
"Fire away!"
"Your uniforms, textbooks, every bite and sip! All forged from this nation's—and Glorious's—blood and sweat. So why! When pride comes up, it's always just you? Is the kingdom, Glorious, worth nothing? Only your own hides matter?!"
"Th-that's..."
"One more, Rosemary Ardina!"
"...Y-Yes!"
"On the battlefield—could you embrace death?"
"O-Of course I'd die!"
"That's why you're vermin!"
"Whaaaat?!"
"Who the hell are you to pick death? Survive by hook or crook, aid the kingdom! That's your pride! Enemy captive, enduring shame! Reduced to eating scraps from shit! Cast self aside for the nation—live to repay your homeland! That's pride!"
"Ahh..."
"Vermin suicided when they couldn't hack it. But not me. I groveled for my wretched life and endured. Watched the enemy without cease. Unearthed their flaws amid endless jeers and hate. That's why they call me war hero. I sacrificed everything for this land!"
"......"
"Your turn?"
"I..."
She figured it was all bullshit, of course.
So she mustered the guts to push back.
But Jillian Ludwig was no craven fraud. He tore off his shirt, baring scars riddling his body. Not one wasn't gruesome. Goosebumps from a mere glance. Yet he stood tall, unashamed. That was his pride incarnate.
Only then did Rosemary grasp her blunder.
"Second-year Zion Lineburg—again."
"Y-Yes!"
"Royal Knights captain for what? Your status and safety your life's sum? That your pride?"
"No, sir! As captain, I'll pour my all into forging the knights unbreakable! That's my pride—starting today!"
"Third-year Julie Copenhagen. You?"
"S-Same here! Archmage is mere stepping stone! Like the chairman, I'll raise heirs to repay kingdom and Glorious. That's my pride!"
"Good. Not total vermin after all. Lesson learned? Lecture over. Etch this: something always matters more than self. Never forget."
The mood flipped in a heartbeat.
Hearts blazed across the hall.
The war hero's voice kindled fire in every soul.
Lecture wrapped, yet none stirred to leave. Not easily.