Instructor Evaluation (1)
Because Ciela Teraport had hooked her arm around his, the soft sensation pressed against Seong Hyun-jin's forearm. He stiffened slightly on the spot, and the expressions of the students who had been talking about him hardened as well.
Ciela Teraport. As the top student of the magic department who had won the martial arts festival last year and again this year, she was the most famous second-year student. Not only her skills, but her beautiful appearance befitting the precious golden child of the Teraport family, along with the fact that she was the prized disciple of Dean Eleonora, was widely known.
For such a person to approach a first-year—no, Seong Hyun-jin, who was already the center of much buzz—and say she came because she wanted to see him...
"Another pretty girl with Seong Hyun-jin...!"
"What the hell does that bastard do all day?!"
"...If only I were born a half-elf too."
The combat department male classmates who saw the scene on their way to the lecture hall ground their teeth, and even those who weren't were all shocked.
'Senior Ciela...?'
'Interested in a first-year...!?'
No matter what their actual relationship was, the way she showed no hesitation in skinship made it look like Ciela Teraport was clearly interested in Seong Hyun-jin.
The news that Ciela Teraport, the academy's idol, had taken an interest in a guy. Seong Hyun-jin, the very person involved, had no idea what ripples this would cause.
Meanwhile, confirming Seong Hyun-jin's stiffened reaction, Ciela chuckled lightly in delight.
"What? I thought you only had eyes for your master... but surprisingly, you're interested in others too? Did I make you conscious of me?"
At Ciela's teasing question laced with provocation, Seong Hyun-jin cleared his throat lightly. He changed the subject.
"...Senior, what did you just say? That you came because you wanted to see me?"
"Exactly what I said. I came because I missed my junior?"
Ciela said it with a very natural smile.
"I'd like you to hear my story too."
"...Oh, that story?"
As Seong Hyun-jin finally reacted with understanding, the Shamash's Calendar that had been listening quietly spoke up.
"My master, is this guy clueless? Or is he pretending not to know?"
"What's this guy saying? Senior, maybe because it's not prophecy magic, but his intelligence seems a bit lacking?"
"Hehe."
Ciela just smiled meaningfully, giving no answer to either Shamash or Seong Hyun-jin.
"I'll go to the lecture hall after class. Hear your story? Since my junior said he'd do it."
"Yeah, I will."
Ciela released Seong Hyun-jin's arm and looked at him for a moment. Then, with a slight smile, she pressed her index and middle fingers to her lips. And she blew him a kiss.
"See you after class~."
With that, Ciela turned and left immediately. Her quick-looking steps away—if you looked closely—revealed her ears flushed red.
"...?"
Seong Hyun-jin, who had seen it all head-on, could only feel puzzled in his mind. Staring at her retreating figure with a Why is that senior acting like that all of a sudden? expression, Daniel appeared from somewhere and approached.
"Oh, Daniel. Hey."
"...Die."
"Huh?"
"Die, you child of Satan!!"
The other combat department male classmates echoed Daniel's shout as they began chasing Seong Hyun-jin.
"Die!!!"
"Evil demon spawn!"
"How dare you hog all the girls and enjoy a pink academy life alone!!"
"Why, why are you guys suddenly...!?"
Seong Hyun-jin, thinking his classmates had properly lost their minds, bolted for now. There was still some time before class started, so he figured he could circle around and enter through the back door.
To avoid running into his classmates, Seong Hyun-jin went outside briefly and moved by taking the longest possible detour. Passing by the training grounds on his circuitous route, he stopped at a peculiar sight.
Black hair like the night sky, skin like snow-white petals, and unusual Eastern-style clothing—these features could only be found on one person Seong Hyun-jin knew. The two swords at her waist—a white scabbard and a black one—confirmed it.
"Master?"
Perhaps hearing Seong Hyun-jin's murmur, the woman in the training grounds whipped her head around. Her hair, let down long unlike usual, swayed and fell with the motion. Seong Hyun-jin nearly stopped breathing at the sight and let out a light sigh mixed with lament.
...How could that not cross my mind.
As Seong Hyun-jin thought, it was his master, Hakodate Karin.
"Disciple, isn't class starting soon? What are you doing here."
"...What are you doing here, Master?"
"This master is doing what must be done."
Karin pointed ahead with her unlit pipe, and only then did Seong Hyun-jin see what his master was doing. Several people were swinging their swords diligently in front of her. What was odd was that they wore instructor uniforms, not student ones.
Those people...
Seong Hyun-jin asked Karin.
"Who are they?"
"...Do you not even know the faces of the academy instructors?"
"Pardon?"
"They are the head instructors and assistant instructors overseeing the swordsmanship department."
Seong Hyun-jin went, Ah, finally understanding. No wonder they wore instructor uniforms—they were the swordsmanship department instructors. Naturally, Willis Graham, the former first-year head instructor, wasn't there, but all the others were present. Following Karin's instructions, they demonstrated their swordsmanship, explained how they taught students, and received her evaluation.
But then the first-year martial festival winner walks up and calls her "Master" out of nowhere... and Karin calls him "disciple." Some instructors who had watched the festival recalled Seong Hyun-jin's swordplay and realized he was truly the disciple of the Sword Star.
'Disciple of the Sword Star...!'
'No wonder...'
'That's why he didn't join the swordsmanship department.'
As the instructors inwardly revised their opinions of Seong Hyun-jin upward, the person himself, oblivious, asked Karin.
"But class is starting soon—why are the instructors here?"
"Did I not say? This master came to evaluate the instructors."
"You're doing it now?"
"Yes, as you see."
Seong Hyun-jin narrowed his eyes.
"Then the swordsmanship department kids have no class today?"
"They can't have it."
"Can't you evaluate the combat department instructors too, Master?"
"...Do you hate attending class that much?"
"Precisely, I hate that only the swordsmanship department gets to sweetly skip."
Seong Hyun-jin scowled, thinking of the swordsmanship students who would enjoy a sweet class cancellation today—especially Clarice Levatein, who would sleep in to her heart's content. Seeing that, Karin chuckled amusedly and asked.
"Then will the disciple observe as well?"
"Pardon? This isn't even a lecture—is that okay?"
Observing other lectures within Terastial Academy was a student's free choice. It was even encouraged, as a measure to prevent talent from rotting away if they chose the wrong department. So, if a student mistakenly entered swordsmanship, they could attend classes in another department of interest whenever they wanted—after applying in advance, of course.
"Why wouldn't it be a lecture? It is this master's lecture."
"Oh, that makes sense."
A bit scared of his classmates who had chased him like mad earlier, and wanting to skip class, Seong Hyun-jin said.
"May I observe?"
"Do so."
He felt a little sorry for Serena, who would have to attend alone, but he wanted to suck on the sweet honey like the swordsmanship students. Seong Hyun-jin went down to the training grounds and stood slightly behind Karin. She pointed to the spot beside her with her pipe.
"You may stand beside—why hide behind?"
"I'm not doing anything, so standing next to Master would feel awkward."
"It's fine. And saying you're not doing anything is wrong."
"Pardon?"
Seeing Seong Hyun-jin's puzzled look, Karin smiled lightly.
"Since you're observing, shouldn't the disciple do something?"
"...Master, this disciple just wants to legally skip class."
"You're too honest. Still, it'll be more fun than standing idle."
Karin pointed to the instructors.
"This master was gauging what level these instructors have reached."
"I see."
"Will the disciple watch and evaluate as well?"
At Karin's sudden proposal, Seong Hyun-jin looked slightly troubled. His understanding of swordsmanship was outstanding enough for even Karin to acknowledge, but he was still a student. Even if from another department, having a student evaluate instructors felt improper.
Seong Hyun-jin refused politely.
"How could I presume to evaluate the instructors?"
"Then share some impressions."
But Karin showed no sign of letting him off easily. She seemed to find it amusing and refused to release him.
"This master is curious how similar—or different—your opinion is from mine."
"...How could I dare attach footnotes to Master's esteemed view?"
"I permit it—add them."
Karin didn't yield an inch. Seong Hyun-jin, familiar with her stubbornness, stood beside her with a resigned expression. Like Karin, he quietly watched the instructors' swordsmanship.
When they all finished, Seong Hyun-jin spoke.
"One by one?"
"Yes. Take your time."
Seong Hyun-jin first looked at Axis Chester, the third-year swordsmanship department head instructor at the front, and greeted him lightly. Axis, finding the situation awkward, nodded stiffly.
Seong Hyun-jin addressed him.
"Your swordsmanship is excellent, Instructor."
"Is it?"
"Yes, it's clear you've devoted years to the sword."
"Then you mean this man's sword is perfect."
"Not quite. It can't be called absolutely perfect."
Axis's initially pleased expression turned slightly disconcerted at Seong Hyun-jin's words. Even as the Sword Star's disciple, being critiqued by a first-year student hurt his pride. But the next words from Seong Hyun-jin turned his dismay to astonishment.
"Still, if you address the areas for improvement, it can become even finer swordsmanship. For example..."
Seong Hyun-jin drew his sword from his waist. He walked to the front of the training grounds.
"Like this."
Whoosh!
He perfectly replicated the swordsmanship Axis had just demonstrated and explained.
"In this motion from low stance to overhead vertical, put a bit more power into both arms. Your legs can be spread just this much."
Axis and the other instructors couldn't hide their shock. It was the sword Axis had honed his whole life. No matter how inferior to the Sword Star's, it wasn't something to imitate after one glance. Yet this student had seen it once and replicated it exactly.
"I'm shorter and have shorter arms than you, so it might not match the image I meant to convey. But if you try it my way, you'll definitely feel the improvement."
"The disciple's evaluation matches this master's."
Karin affirmed Seong Hyun-jin's words. Realizing their shock wasn't imagined, the instructors confirmed.
"Y-you... you understood Instructor Axis's sword after seeing it once?"
"Pardon? Ah..."
Seong Hyun-jin nodded slightly, and the instructors were astonished anew.
"H-how..."
"My disciple excels above all in comprehending swordsmanship with his mind."
Karin told the instructors.
"As my disciple said, your swords are excellent but have several points for improvement. So do not neglect your training. Only then can you polish those raw gems—the students—until they shine brighter, no?"
"...Yes!"
"We will engrave the Sword Star's words in our hearts."
Unexpectedly, instead of sharp criticism, Karin offered encouraging words. Hearing praise from the Sword Star, whom every swordsman revered, the instructors showed willingness for the evaluation and asked Seong Hyun-jin.
"Student Seong Hyun-jin, if it's alright, could you point out improvements in my sword too?"
"I'd like that as well."
"Pardon? Uh..."
Seong Hyun-jin glanced at Karin, who had created this situation. Far from stopping them, she egged it on.
"Just do it. You're observing anyway."
"......"
Seong Hyun-jin saw it. Karin enjoying this situation.
Master, on purpose...
Seong Hyun-jin, who had sought to skip class and enjoy the honey, now paid the price for his usual antics of teasing Karin with odd remarks.