Chapter 579
Chapter 579
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 579
Chapter Title: I Became the Academy's Sex Education Professor (5)
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Jillian Ludwig, the great hero of the last war.
Even I, raised in the countryside, knew his name well enough...
But I'd never heard he was that strong.
With his handsome face and refined suit, he looked more like a scholar than a knight. Honestly, it was a letdown. I'd only taken his class because I was top of the school... Was it really worth it? I figured there was nothing to learn. I already knew how to endure humiliation.
Just stay still, right? To me, this class was a total waste of time.
"How dare you mention death so lightly?"
But that was my arrogance.
Jillian Ludwig wasn't called a hero for nothing.
The formless killing intent directed at Ardina... I drew my sword without thinking. Not to protect her or anything. It was pure instinct for survival. If that killing intent had been aimed at me... wouldn't I have swung my sword? Seeing the true face of someone I'd pegged as weak sent chills down my spine. And oddly enough, it was a thrilling kind of chill.
True masters know how to hide their strength...
Was Jillian Ludwig one of them?
Just as class was about to start, I drew my sword in front of him.
I wanted to test his real power.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"You said you'd teach us how to handle being taken prisoner, Professor. Am I wrong?"
"You're right."
"But I'll never get captured."
"...Ho, quite confident."
"If I don't lose in battle, I won't need your lessons."
"But no knight in this world is unbeatable."
"Maybe not. But against you, Professor? I think there is."
"...Curious about my skills?"
"Just want to confirm."
"Bold. But this is class time. Sion Ernst, minus 9 points."
"Fine by me. I'd rather get expelled than take lessons from an unqualified professor."
"...Step outside."
Surprisingly, Ludwig stayed cool.
I'd expected him to blow up, but he silently accepted my challenge.
Did he have that much faith in his skills? My judgment had never been off before. People who lose to me, people who beat me, people who win now but lose later. And Jillian Ludwig? He was someone who'd lose to me. That's why I had to see for myself.
That killing intent from before... it wasn't the mark of a weakling.
"Rosemary Ardina, lend me your sword."
"W-what?! You think I'd just hand it over?!"
"I'll give you 1 merit point."
"...F-fine, I guess I can lend it. But! You have to be super careful! This is an incredibly expensive sword! It's called Arzen, a famous blade..."
"Anna Hilts, I'll borrow yours."
"H-here you go!"
"Hey! I'm talking here!"
A true knight should always carry a sword.
But Ludwig didn't follow the basics. As a retired war knight, he held the blade awkwardly in both hands. Full of openings... Was it a trap? But he was a war hero. No room for carelessness. Trap or real flaw, I'd win with skill alone.
"It's a real sword, not wooden. No complaints?"
"None."
"The one who cries surrender first loses."
"Understood."
"Referee... Anna Hilts."
"Hey! Can't you see I'm holding my sword up?!"
"Mind your manners. Rosemary Ardina, minus 1 point."
"Haaaa?!"
"Th-then, per sparring rules, I'll signal with the scabbard."
-Clack
The signal rang out, and I moved.
I aimed to seize the initiative from the start. If he was really weak, he wouldn't even react. But there was no hesitation. He'd accepted the duel. I trusted that and swung. A natural flow, letting the sword's resonance guide my body.
-Claaang!
But my opponent wasn't weak.
"You underestimated me too much."
-Clang! Clang!
-Claaang!
"No, you just don't respect swordsmanship."
Ludwig wasn't even a strong opponent.
"The Ernst gem? Ha, even a stray dog would laugh."
He wasn't weak or strong...
He was beyond my measure.
"Huff... haa..."
Every swing made me impatient. I wasn't under attack. Like always... I found the optimal path, planted my feet, shifted my weight, and struck blind spots. But all I got was the clash of steel. A strong vibration shot up my arm. Anxiety built with every attack.
Would my strikes even land?
Ludwig's movements were slow.
Like he was wielding a greatsword.
Whenever he raised his blade to block, openings appeared everywhere. I'd aim for them, and sure enough... metal screeched. No difference with feints. I circled behind, lunged from the side after stepping back. Still, clash. Full spin to the thigh—same sound.
-Claaaang!
This was our first duel, yet...
It felt like he read everything.
"My turn now."
His attacks, though? Unreadable.
The trajectory was obvious... but my body wouldn't follow.
"Tch!"
Ludwig swung slowly from above. I raised my sword to parry and deflect naturally. But... my hand wouldn't move. Like time stopped just for me. I saw it coming but couldn't block. Such a straightforward strike, and I let it wound me.
"Haa, haaa..."
An overwhelming helplessness I hadn't felt in ages.
Different from facing Lucius.
Knowing it's coming and still getting hit... was this it?
No thought of winning.
"...I lost."
"Referee."
"Y-yes! Result: Jillian Ludwig wins!"
"You'll listen quietly now."
"...Of course."
"Good. Sit still then."
"Kyaa! Sexual harassment!"
"Quiet. Rosemary Ardina, minus 3 points."
Ludwig approached and touched my chest.
That word he used—humiliation—came to mind.
He'd said captives face worse. Ardina shrieked, but... honestly, nothing. What's humiliating about a chest grab? No feeling anyway. The loss hurt more.
Since hearing the sword's resonance, no defeat stung like this.
Could I ever beat this man?
...As I thought that, a warm sensation spread from my chest.
"Sexual harassment, sexual... Huh?"
"Not harassment. Just treatment. Quick care, no scar."
"...Healing magic?"
"Learned it by chance."
"L-lies... How can a knight use healing magic..."
"Denying what's right in front of you? So arrogant. Challenging me out of nowhere, Ernst... Sigh. At least Anna Hilts, you're normal."
"Ahaha... Thank you..."
I'd heard only the devout learn healing magic. Knights swear only to the royals, so they can't. Then Jillian Ludwig... No need to judge rashly. War hero. Class seemed wasteful, but getting close to him? Opportunity.
"Professor, I want your guidance."
"Ho, don't you have Ernst?"
"I want your guidance, Professor."
"Hmm... Fine. Show sincerity, and I'll consider it."
"...Understood. I'll listen hard."
Listening hard just means sitting still. Easy. I nodded obediently. Thought top rank meant wasting time on useless class... Better than expected. I craved overwhelming strength. Endure minor humiliation for his teachings? Worth it.
"Rosemary Ardina, total minus 10 points. Bathroom cleaning duty starting today."
"...Haaaa?! N-no way! Bathroom on day one?!"
"Complain to the chairman who set the rules."
"B-but... first day..."
"Avoiding it?"
"Yes!"
"Stay and clean up, get 1 merit point."
"Urgh."
"Better than toilets?"
"Fine... I'll do it!"
I sent Rosemary to tidy up and hurried to my lab. Acted unfazed in front of Sion, but... whew, my poor body. Moving per the scan was exhausting. How's he so quick? Geniuses are monsters. But... worth the near-death effort.
Sion's chest was softer than expected.
Now I could grope it freely.
Same for Rosemary and Anna—groping was legal now. Play it right, and even fu—cough, intercourse would be too. Worth every point. Satisfied, I sank into my lab chair and downed hot coffee.