Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Sparring with the Silver Knights
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―...Haaam. Master, time to wake up.
"Right."
Philip woke to Neria's voice.
Even the finest bed in a villa fit for royalty couldn't compare to the wonders of modern science.
"A weekend, and I still have to go to work. This is torture."
―That's just how it is with a short track record. All your previous masters went through it too. Especially that sixth one, the auntie—she was a wreck her first time joining a mercenary band.
"...Yeah. Figures."
Philip got out of bed and threw open the window.
Fresh spring morning air filled his lungs, chasing away the last traces of sleep.
"On a day like this, nothing beats lounging in the park, soaking up the sun."
The weather was far too perfect for commuting, but there was no helping it. He changed clothes and left his room.
It had been a full week since he'd moved from the faculty dorms to this mansion.
A change of scenery can really lift your spirits.
The mind was more vulnerable to the body's influences than most people realized. That was why therapists recommended redecorating for depression.
His gaze drifted to the rapier propped against his desk.
...When should I give her that?
To the uninitiated, it was just a pretty, sharp sword. But to Philip, it was a game-changer of an item.
The only catch was that he couldn't wield it himself.
He needed to hand it to Felicia at the right moment. She, at least, wouldn't betray him.
Stepping into the hall, Philip knocked on the door right next to his—Lua's room.
"Is that the instructor?"
"Yeah. Mind if I come in?"
"Yes!"
After a week, some of the lively spark he'd first heard in Lua's voice was returning.
The door swung open to reveal her room, awash in pink. Curtains, bedding, furniture—everything arranged in a cute, whimsical style.
Having never had a room of her own before, Lua had followed Philip's lead without question.
Philip, who'd always had a knack for interior design, had thrown himself into it, running all over town.
...This pink paradise must've cost at least a hundred gold.
Pink dye was among the priciest.
He'd pulled what he needed from the Yusuf Merchant Guild's warehouse, but buying it outright would've taken twenty years of instructor pay.
Lua was still in her pajamas, sprawled face-down on the bed. Even with Philip there, she just lifted her head to look at him.
It might've seemed rude, but he didn't mind. Compared to Earth's middle or high schoolers, it was nothing.
"Are you heading out?"
Lua asked. Philip nodded.
"To the academy. No idea when I'll be back, so have fun. Tell the butler or maids if you need anything."
"..."
The girl started to say something, then closed her mouth. Philip sat on the edge of her fairy-princess bed.
"What's wrong?"
Lua fidgeted with her lips at his question.
"Just... I was wondering why you're so nice to me. I don't feel like I deserve all this. I don't know anything, and all I'm good at is climbing trees."
"Trees? How good are we talking?"
"Faster than a squirrel."
"That's... seriously impressive."
Philip meant it. For a girl who couldn't even handle mana, outclimbing a squirrel was no small feat.
After chatting a bit more, Philip left the villa and headed for the academy. Being late for a summons from the chief professor was not an option.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The one classroom assigned to the swordsmanship department was smaller and more worn than those in the magic department.
Philip arrived first and lounged in a chair to kill time.
...
Once he started pondering the Moonlight Sword, time flew by. He still hadn't fully grasped the secrets manual.
But his persistent study sessions had yielded results. He had a rough idea of the training direction now.
In the end, it all comes down to altering the mana attribute.
Anyone with even basic mana knowledge would call his idea absurd.
Even aura masters—shortened to "masters"—wielded mana as it was, without fretting over attributes.
Philip could think this way because he'd approached mana differently from the start.
―I'm bored, Master.
Philip let out a small sigh at his whiny ego sword.
"Yeah? Wanna play hide-and-seek? I'll hide real good—just close your eyes and count to three thousand, then come find me."
―You're the worst.
Neria muttered in a pouty tone.
Then the door opened, and someone entered. Philip knew who it was: Freizer Cumbel, professor for the third- and fourth-years in swordsmanship.
"You?"
A man in his mid-forties, he was a powerhouse from the continent's top knight order, the Orum Knights.
His sharp features and battle scars from demon fights made many students fear him.
Philip stood and bowed.
"Good morning, Professor."
"Morning. Early bird, eh."
An awkward silence hung between them.
Philip found the upright man's intensity off-putting, and Cumbel wasn't thrilled about Philip's poor reputation.
"I haven't heard anything, but do you know why the chief professor summoned us?"
Unable to bear the tension, Philip asked. Cumbel shook his head.
"No clue."
At least he wasn't openly hostile. Cumbel took an empty seat, and soon another arrived.
"Good morning, Professor Cumbel. Instructor Philip."
Instructor Diana Frenhal, her long blue hair in a ponytail.
"Morning, Instructor. Early riser."
Blessedly, she sat next to Philip.
"Breakfast?"
Philip asked. She nodded.
"Yes, I ate. You?"
"I skip it most mornings."
Small talk with colleagues was one of work's simple joys.
Philip hadn't expected to get along so well with her, but since the entrance ceremony, Diana had been unusually friendly.
As they chatted, Cumbel's three instructors and Professor Felicia Oswald filled the remaining seats.
Cumbel didn't seem bothered that his instructors were late.
Not the authoritarian type, huh.
Play his cards right, and they might get along.
Felicia spotted Diana next to Philip and sighed.
Why's she sticking to him?
Diana waved discreetly, offering the seat beside her, but Felicia turned away and took a distant one.
Then the man who'd summoned them, Chief Professor Emil Panoy, entered.
"All you academy budget hogs are here."
Cumbel and Felicia took the joke in stride, but the other instructors looked uncomfortable—Philip included.
Emil eyed the separated siblings.
"Professor Oswald, still not on speaking terms with your brother? How old are you? This is childish."
Felicia pouted.
"...Mind your own business, Professor."
"Touchy today. Anyway, make up before you regret it. Blood ties are tougher than they seem. And Professor Cumbel, smile more. That mug's scary enough without the glare."
Cumbel gave an awkward grin.
"I'll... try."
"Now, you're wondering why I dragged you from your weekend beds. Nothing major—the Silver Knights sent a sparring request."
Mention of the Silver Knights drew shocked looks from professors and instructors alike.
They ranked just below the Orum Knights, fighting demons head-on with skills to match.
Service there alone could catch a central noble's eye.
Ah, right on schedule.
Philip nodded. This exchange sparring between the academy swordsmanship staff and the Silver Knights happened around this time every year.
With everyone's nerves on edge, playing the protagonist meant treading carefully then.
"Professors Cumbel and Oswald, you're in. Need two instructors too—who's volunteering?"
Cumbel's three shot up hands—everyone but Philip and Diana.
"Instructor Frenhal, no hand?"
"Not interested, Chief Professor. Low-year students are at a critical growth stage. Sparring would distract from my classes."
Emil nodded approvingly at her calm reply.
"Good. You're off the salary thief list. Instructor Oswald?"
"Same here. Can't afford distractions now."
But Philip doubted he'd win anyway. He assessed himself objectively.
Can't beat them yet.
Silver Knights were all aura users wielding sword aura, battle-hardened from the northern front.
His swordsmanship wasn't ready. Numbers might help, but they'd shut that down quick.
"...Is that so?"
Chief Professor Emil Panoy smirked at Philip and Diana.
"You two are up, then."
The three who'd raised hands were more stunned.
"Wh-why, Chief Professor?"
"Why? Obvious. Were students even on your minds? You just want to impress the Silver Knights for a promotion. This is a school for teaching kids, not a career ladder."
He shot an irritated glance at Cumbel.
"Shape them up, Professor. Can't teach with that mindset."
"...My apologies. No excuses."
Cumbel bowed, his instructors paling.
"Professor Oswald, bring your instructors and follow me."
"Yes."
Felicia stood at his order, giving Diana an affectionate look. Diana smiled back warmly.
What about me?
Philip had hoped for a glance her way, but no such luck.