Department Selection (1)
The entrance ceremony concluded without a hitch. Word had spread that the Dragon Star's daughter was among the freshmen, and with so many other promising talents in the mix, the dignitaries in the VIP seats hailed this year's Terastial Academy incoming class as a golden generation. Of course, it was half flattery, but it was true that this cohort had performed exceptionally well on average in the entrance exams.
Serena Eldark, who had represented the freshmen, delivered a simple yet clear greeting—something she wouldn't have done under normal circumstances—before stepping down. The ceremony ended with a spectacular fireworks display celebrating the new students' admission, officially marking the enrollment of Terastial Academy's 35th class.
The guests, including the VIPs, departed first, followed by the upperclassmen and faculty who had assisted with the proceedings. But a few remained: the freshmen and their first-year instructors, who would be teaching them over the next year.
Up in the VIP seats, Sword Star Hakodate Karin and Demon Star Eleonora the headmaster lingered as well, though aside from those two, only freshmen and instructors were left. Watching the instructors take the stage one by one, Karin turned to Eleonora.
"What is this?"
"Each instructor introduces their department, then gives the freshmen time to choose."
"I see. It's not decided on the application, then."
"They don't know much about the departments when they apply, right? This way, we explain and let them decide."
Karin nodded, deeming it reasonable, and glanced down at the freshmen below. Among the lined-up students stood Seong Hyun-jin, her disciple. She watched him proudly, but suddenly, he looked up, eyes darting around until they locked onto hers.
"!?"
Startled by the eye contact, Karin recoiled and averted her gaze. Only then did Seong Hyun-jin turn his attention back to the stage where the instructors stood.
"Lady Karin? What's wrong?"
"...My disciple can be frightening at times."
"Pardon?"
Eleonora wondered if she'd misheard. The Sword Star, afraid of something? It was absurd.
Karin let out a soft sigh and asked Eleonora, "So, which of those instructors down there is the swordsmanship one?"
"Ah, see that guy? Broad shoulders, bearded fellow."
Eleonora pointed to the instructor overseeing first-year swordsmanship.
"Willis Graham. New hire this year—got commissioned as a senior knight in the Empire, no less. Not some cushy central HQ type; he's from the rough outskirts."
The Empire. In an era where most nations maintained at least nominal peace, it was the sole holdout still waging endless conflict. They clashed with neighbors big and small, centered in the frigid northern continent, all for a thaw-free port.
The Empire had coastlines, but winter froze them solid, rendering ports useless. Desperate for a year-round harbor, they invaded others to expand. They'd even fought a brutal war with the Magic Kingdom once upon a time over it—though not anymore.
This made the Empire every nation's foe, with constant skirmishes along its borders. A senior knight from the outskirts? That meant top-tier skill, no question. He could've thrived anywhere in the Empire.
So why come to the Magic Kingdom as an academy instructor? Karin, puzzled, pressed Eleonora.
"Hmm. Why would someone like that take an academy post?"
"Beats me. We recruited him through applications... Oh, not that we skimped on vetting his skills."
"No idea on his motives?"
"Bad leg forced his retirement, so he came here. Checked out. Can't fight on the front lines anymore, but fine for instructing."
Karin's eyes narrowed at Eleonora's explanation. She asked a few more questions.
"Just the one instructor?"
"No, Willis is head for first-years, with assistants under him. Gotta split students by level."
"...I see."
Karin murmured to herself, lost in thought.
"My disciple won't be interested in swordsmanship anyway..."
"Your disciple, skipping swordsmanship?"
"Doubt he'd care for any sword but mine."
Karin pulled out her pipe and handed it to Eleonora, who lit it with a quick spell. Karin inhaled the sweet smoke lightly and exhaled. Eleonora coughed faintly.
"...He unsatisfied with your swordsmanship alone?"
"Likely."
"He hasn't mastered it all yet, and already so arrogant. Learning other styles could help."
Eleonora assumed Seong Hyun-jin, barely twenty, couldn't have grasped Karin's full arsenal. Her style wasn't monolithic; it spanned drawing techniques, upper/middle/lower guards, each optimized uniquely. Even the Dragon Star among the Palstar Heroes admitted he couldn't fully comprehend it.
It was natural for Eleonora to think so.
"Arrogant? What nonsense."
"Pardon?"
But Karin's response shattered Eleonora's assumptions.
"My disciple understands my sword completely."
"...Pardon?"
#
As Karin predicted, Seong Hyun-jin had zero interest in swordsmanship. While many freshmen perked up at Willis Graham's credentials and department intro, Seong Hyun-jin looked bored.
Having trained under Karin, other swords paled. He was confident his understanding surpassed the instructor's. Plus, a male teacher? No appeal. Lessons were stressful enough; a pretty face helped unwind. Staring at a sweaty guy? Infuriating.
He ignored it entirely. Other departments followed, but none sparked interest—they didn't align with his goals.
Finally, a stunning instructor with purple hair stepped forward.
"First-year combat department head instructor."
Her powerful voice, belying her beauty, rang out.
"Hayes Penrel."
Seong Hyun-jin's attention snapped to life. Like the others, he watched and listened.
"First off, combat department teaches no weapon techniques. If that's your goal, pick accordingly. With that said..."
Hayes gave a concise overview.
"Combat department studies combat itself. How to act weaponless, attitudes for victory, survival methods—all theory and practice. Interested? Choose us."
"Winning's one thing, but survival? Isn't winning surviving?" a freshman asked.
"Literal meaning. Win the fight, then die right after—fine with you?"
"Die after winning?"
"Victories can still kill via wounds. Battlefields tangle allies and foes; getting stranded happens often. Can you always count on medics?"
Hayes concluded.
"Survival means living through that. Clear?"
"Yes."
Seong Hyun-jin turned to Serena beside him.
"Sounds fun, right?"
"...What?"
"Learning survival. Camping and such."
"What's fun about... Wait, you're used to it."
Serena knew he'd grown up on the mountain with the Sword Star. Camping was child's play.
"Mentioned injuries too, so first aid probably. Practical stuff."
"True."
"But unpopular department," Serena added.
"Huh? Why?"
"Only helps those with finished techniques. Useless without weapon basics."
Seong Hyun-jin nodded. "Right."
"With your master's swordsmanship, no need for sword department, huh."
"Yep."
His casual tone suggested no deeper thought. Serena probed slyly.
"Not choosing just to spar with me, right?"
"That's a perk."
"Top spot that tempting...?"
"Partly, but honestly..."
Seong Hyun-jin replied.
"I just need to finish forging my body."
Serena got it instantly.
"...Elf blood?"
"Yeah, you know it."
"Mom's an elf."
"Huh? You look fully grown."
"Dad's dragon blood overrides it."
Seong Hyun-jin eyed her enviously.
"Wish my dad was a dragon—would I have grown proper?"
"Still fast for an elf, no?"
"Half-breed. Doesn't console me."
"Think positive."
Serena smiled lightly.
"Slouching isn't like you."
"Tch, slow growth means train harder. Hence combat department."
"Solid choice. Though sword department gives time to refine your master's style—no new techniques required."
That was why some picked swordsmanship: ample personal training amid others' packed schedules.
But Seong Hyun-jin shook his head.
"No need."
"Huh?"
"I get it all in my head already."
"...?"
He eyed Hayes, who had finished. Time to choose.
"Freshmen, line up before your chosen department's instructor!"
A sub-instructor announced. Students moved decisively or hesitated. Seong Hyun-jin, decided, turned to Serena.
"Let's go."
"Wait, what you just said..."
Confused by his claim, Serena pressed, but he was already walking. He joined the short line at Hayes.
Comparing queues, he muttered.
"Unpopular, huh? Barely anyone."
"...Told you."
Serena had followed. She eyed him suspiciously about earlier, but he seemed done talking. She sighed, curiosity lingering but knowing better than to push.
'Understands it all...? Claiming he mastered the Sword Star's sword?'
A scoff escaped. Even a sect's style was tough at his age; the Sword Star's? Impossible. Her father, Dragon Star Ahajaka Eldark, called it an enigma beyond him.
So Serena reinterpreted.
'Mom said men bluff around girls to look cool...'
Cute side to him. She smiled.
"...?"
Then panicked. Why'd she think that?
'W-what...'
Her face flushed; she fanned it furiously, but the heat lingered.
Meanwhile, eyes turned to combat department.
"Top two both went combat?"
Indeed, exam first and second placers stood there. Classmates whispered.
"No technique training? Weird..."
"Dragon Princess aside, second used a sword—why not swordsmanship?"
"What's in combat?"
Interest surged. Decided students stuck put, but waverers shifted over—talents chose it; must be something.
Other instructors looked surprised. Hayes alone stayed serene.
Once assignments ended, over sixty freshmen stood before her—triple last year's twenty-ish.
Her stoic face softened slightly.
"...Frankly, I'm surprised. Far more than usual."
She eyed Seong Hyun-jin, exam second who one-shotted the Realizer fearlessly. He'd impressed her, like she had him. His choice? Unexpected for a swordsman.
'...No clue what he's thinking.'
It drew crowds, but she watched him curiously still.
"No lectures on your choice. I'll ensure no regrets in academy life."
Hayes declared.
"Welcome to combat department."