Chapter 242
Chapter 242
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Dispatch to the Academy (5)
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The market in the western capital district where the empire's uppermost elite resided.
The third-generation principal of the Imperial Academy.
Former Captain of the Crimson Flame Knights, who had once been the empire's greatest swordsman.
Heavyweights who had attended the central palace conference near the academy.
The moment their schedules wrapped up, they rushed to the faculty office upon hearing their children's complaints.
"They're coming...!!"
"This is insane. Do they really need to come here in person? Over the instructor's lesson content?"
The professors peeked out the windows like meerkats, only their faces showing.
Glen, the chairman, who had grown hypersensitive like a condemned prisoner awaiting execution, sat on the sofa and spoke.
"We paid a fortune to the palace to bring in Sir Veil..."
He scratched his head furiously, despairing over the impending disaster.
"So we hoped he'd pull out the advanced techniques during the lecture, but he only taught the basics. That's probably why they're pissed."
"It must look like Sir Veil took the money but held back on the real teachings."
The male professor finally understood and swallowed hard.
However, from watching his lecture from afar, it wasn't slacking.
On the contrary, he taught the fundamentals so well that the children's mana had become even more solid.
"Yeah, they think they've already mastered the basics long ago. It's like, 'How dare you underestimate my son?'"
"Honestly, those kids aren't ready for that level yet..."
The professors frowned at the parents who believed their own children were geniuses.
But their furrowed brows soon smoothed out like a washboard.
――――――!!
The academy's elite troublemaking parents had stormed into the classroom.
"Chairman Glen."
Without knocking, former greatest swordsman Edgar Flamer flung the door open as if it were his own home.
The faculty office fell silent at the arrival of the rough-looking man with red hair and a large scar across his forehead.
"Captain Edgar, you've arrived."
The chairman rose cautiously from the sofa, clasping his hands politely.
He intended to show maximum respect, given that the man was the enforcer of the prestigious social club.
"I've heard the story. That Sir Veil only did basic training in this lecture."
"Yes, that's true. However, he was passionate enough to guide each one personally."
Edgar, facing him, snorted like a beast and sighed.
He had investigated Veil's background thoroughly before the invitation and continued flatly.
"Sir Veil being a commoner from the front lines must make his teaching style a bit crude..."
"Our children reached junior sword expert long ago. Basic training feels like a waste of time..."
Academy Principal Damon chimed in.
As an educator who always emphasized advanced learning, he found it quite uncomfortable teaching overhead swings to 15-year-olds.
"You should have guided him better. Even a grandmaster—no, especially one—can't be left unchecked."
"Exactly. Talent for getting strong and talent for teaching are different realms. You should have assisted."
These powerhouses had heard the rumors of Veil cleaving the sky.
Unable to blame the current greatest swordsman, they grilled Glen for letting it happen.
"I'm sorry... But dare I interfere with the Sword Saint's teaching methods...?"
Seeing the usually compliant chairman show weakness, Edgar nodded in understanding.
After all, the man was the empire's current strongest.
"Don't worry. We anticipated this and brought the one person who can stand against him."
Edgar glanced back.
He waited for the almighty powerbroker who had met privately with the emperor and emerged last from the conference.
"If Sir Veil is the strongest in force, we have the strongest in power."
The white-haired gentleman, Principal Damon, nodded in agreement.
"Yes, that person would make even the greatest swordsman show some flexibility."
...
Even they, the empire's uppermost elite, addressed him with utmost deference.
Realizing who it was, Glen held his breath.
"Understood."
The chairman nodded as if convinced and led the way out of the faculty office.
He took the parents toward the public training grounds.
As they strolled down the corridors, passing students hurried out of sight.
As if encountering beasts they must avoid.
Thanks to that, the empire's dragons marched proudly along the clear path.
However, the spacious area began to narrow.
...?
The closer they got to the training grounds, the more students they saw sprawled on the floor.
The lecture had ended, and all the students had come down from the grounds.
Most were drenched in sweat, slumped on benches or the grass.
"Alfonso...?"
"No, Diane, what in the world is this sight?"
Heirs of prestigious families lay on benches like dried fish, drained of all vitality.
Their fancy accessories dangled like nets tangled on meat.
"They have cultural elective tutoring right after class. How can they show up like this?"
The parents' faces hardened at their children's disheveled states disrupting their schedules.
"Father... It's too hard..."
"We did overhead swings 5,000 times all day..."
I looked down at the chaotic training grounds.
While checking Cynthia's still-solid form, I spotted the group of parents arriving en masse.
"Veil, those five parents from the earlier private audience request?"
"Yeah, looks exactly like them."
Miya sidled up close beside me, peeking out with just her black bob.
She gazed down warily, like a stray cat.
"I looked into it beforehand. They're the ones who requested you be brought to the academy."
"Guess they're pretty pissed we turned down the private meeting."
Outwardly pretending utmost respect with faint smiles, the parents signaled for me to come down.
"I'll handle them."
I slowly clasped my hands behind my back.
With my signature unfocused black eyes, I smiled broadly and descended the stairs.
"Parents, you've arrived?"
"Yes, Sir Veil. This is Principal Damon, and former greatest swordsman Captain Edgar."
The man with red hair and a scar over his eye.
Clearly not a parent—more like an uncle sent in their place.
"Former, so my senior. Pleased to meet you."
"Indeed, Marquis. I enjoyed watching your match with Captain Lynn before."
Unlike with Glen, Edgar was extremely cordial to me.
Seems the type weak to power and fame.
Well, knights who establish hierarchy clearly and stay loyal are preferable.
However, that means...
Someone else is behind these people.
"Ah, thank you. But what brings such busy dignitaries all the way here?"
At my question, the previously authoritative parents fell silent for a moment.
Instead, they exchanged glances, gauging each other.
"Edgar, you step forward."
"M-me...? Wouldn't it be better to wait for that person...?"
I stared at them with clear, manic eyes.
Then, in a cold voice, I asked back.
"Have the students raised complaints about my teaching policy, by any chance?"
*Ahem...*
Pinpointing the issue, Edgar cleared his throat awkwardly.
He replied politely.
"It's probably because expectations around our greatest swordsman are so high. When we requested the lecture, there was a small hope he'd teach some 'iconic techniques.'"
Iconic techniques...
I tilted my head innocently.
"What kind?"
"Well, for example, the sky-cleaving strike you used to overpower Captain Lynn—"
Sky-cleaving strike.
Just the name alone dazzled, and the parents nodded in unison.
"Yes, the technique that saw through Brandishi."
"It was so impressive—the kids threw such tantrums wanting to learn it!"
Lightning storm this, whatever—typical of people slapping titles on plain sword auras.
Asking kids to learn flying before they can run.
"If today's tough, we can invite you to our estate separately. Private lessons there would be fine too!"
It reeked of using their kids' growth to boost their own prestige.
I chuckled and scratched my cheek.
"Well..."
Leaving the selfish parents behind, I glanced back.
At Cynthia, the only one left standing on the grounds, still doing overhead swings.
Mana was finally starting to gather at her sword tip.
Soon, she'd be able to release sword aura.
The result of persistent effort without doubting the training.
"In my view, your children haven't even built bodies capable of handling sword aura yet. They're below standard."
Below standard.
At those words, the parents' lips twitched, their formal smiles barely holding.
They'd stuffed their kids with expensive elixirs and taught family secrets.
Below standard?
"S-Sir Veil. Below standard...? Please reconsider."
"Indeed, our Alfonso has already mastered the family secret and can launch sword aura himself..."
('Ah, that lightning-whatever thing.')
Remembering the perfect fly-swatting technique, I unwittingly chuckled.
Mistaking it for mockery, father Alfonso's under-eye twitched.
"Don't hold back—since you're here, teach one secret technique..."
"Just a bit more polish, and they'd manage with some finesse. You're a grandmaster, after all."
They knew nothing of mana's and swordsmanship's essence.
To manifest sword aura, one must temper the body maximally to prevent injury.
Learning tricks and overusing it with a frail body would cause mana backlash.
Like Richard at the appointment ceremony, pumped on elixirs and spamming flashy moves.
"I'm sorry."
Knowing that, I turned icy toward the troublesome parents.
My glare said I'd leave if they annoyed me further.
"To raise your kids' 'standard' from here, I'd have to reteach them how to breathe."
My cold remark silenced the training grounds.
Dead quiet enveloped the space, filled with numerous students and onlookers.
...
Edgar and Principal Damon were speechless.
They swallowed their boiling resentment.
That moment.
―――――――.
Footsteps echoed from the distant corridor, mirroring their emotions.
"Oh, looks like they've arrived just in time."
"Phew..."
The parents spoke like soldiers holding out until reinforcements.
Relieved, they turned gladly.
Toward the approaching footsteps.
...?
I looked up, eyeing the approaching group curiously.
Wondering who could brighten their faces so suddenly.
Even Duncan, who'd done overhead swings all day, lifted his throbbing head.
Then, smirking slyly, he shouted.
"Father!!"
With a look screaming, 'You're dead now.'
――――――.
The man's entrance commanded all attention with overwhelming presence.
Stern-faced attendants in black uniforms.
At their center, a man with beast-like sharp eyes.
「Duke Coldman of the Northern Grand Duchy enters.」
The absolute powerbroker who had rushed here in one breath upon his precious youngest son's contact.
His already fearsome face twisted further as he entered the grounds.
"Chairman Glen."
His cold, firm words.
At that, the chairman, watching from afar, hurried over.
"Yes, sir...!"
The other parents lined up to greet the grand duke.
It looked like they were imitating the emperor.
"I told you to handle things so my son never has to contact me."
He brushed off his black jacket.
Fresh from a private audience with the emperor and late from the conference hall, he looked quite fatigued.
"What kind of 'street rabble' did you hire as guest instructor that it's reached my ears?"
Coldman usually delegated such trivial matters to social club members.
Now that it had blown up, he glared coldly at the parents and Glen.
As if ready to discard them once their utility ended.
"I-it's... We naturally brought the absolute best in the field."
"Indeed, Grand Duke. But his teaching methods are quite unique..."
The man exuded such intensity everyone feared him.
To learn which instructor dared irk him at the Imperial Academy...
"Everyone, step back. I'll interrogate him myself."
He planned to clear the area and handle it alone.
"Who dares..."
The parents and chairman before him retreated.
As the empire's black tiger advanced toward the grounds.
――――――.
"Huh?"
His sharp eyes widened at my increasingly clear face.
As if facing someone he never expected.
"Gasp...!!"
Clearly, a sly black fox stood before him.
But...
"Isn't that our Grand Duke Coldman?"
The massive alpha lion looming behind me.
Remembering whose coattails I rode, the grand duke's lips parted unwittingly.
"First time since the concert, right?"
Spotting me recognizing the speechless man, the parents jumped in.
They sidled up beside the Northern Grand Duke and pushed him.
"Grand Duke, you know the greatest swordsman?"
"Perfect—hurry and press him for us!"
Prodded by his allies' pressure, Northern Grand Duke Coldman.
He stared at me blankly in bewilderment.
"What's wrong, Grand Duke? Is there a problem?"
I fixed him with my unfocused eyes.
Then flashed a menacing smile.
"Speak freely."