Chapter 25
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Tumultuous Academy (5)
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The Swordsmanship Department was mostly—no, practically all—men. Swordsmanship itself was seen as a man's domain from the outset.
Of course, there was no law saying women couldn't learn it. It was just that the path was so grueling, no one dared to tread it.
A woman's body was delicate. Lacking in both strength and stamina.
To make up for that, one had to train and train some more just to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with an average male swordsman. It was only natural that few would take up the challenge.
But exceptions exist everywhere, don't they?
Ivy Douglas. She was the sole woman in the first-year Swordsmanship Department.
In any case, it was quite ironic.
"Are you giving this to me?"
"Yes, Luke Nineheart. It's for you."
Why...?
There was that outstanding guy named Yubel right next to me.
Not only was he incredibly skilled, but he was handsome too. And with his friendly nature, he'd already befriended most people.
So why pass a letter to me instead of him? I couldn't for the life of me understand what she was thinking.
"Alright, got it."
Satisfied with my response, she bowed her head slightly and returned to her seat.
A question still lingered in my mind, but it wasn't worth dwelling on. I'd find out once I read the letter.
"Th-this is pretty bold..."
Yubel wore a peculiar expression, like a girl who'd just read a romance novel.
People can't help but get excited about someone else's love life, noble or commoner alike...
I got the sentiment, but I couldn't exactly welcome it.
"Don't worry about it."
I said that and tucked the letter into my pocket.
'I wonder what it says.'
I got my answer a little while later.
After lunch, I slipped away from the crowds to a quiet garden—the one I always visited with Elena.
I sat on a suitable bench and pulled out the letter from my pocket.
Come to think of it, I didn't have a letter opener.
'No helping it.'
I drew my sword from my belt and used the tip to carefully pry off the wax seal.
It probably looked pretty ridiculous, but who cared? No one was around to see.
Opening the envelope revealed a single sheet of paper, neatly folded.
I wasn't expecting much. I wasn't the type to receive love letters, after all.
But apparently, I wasn't just unworthy—I was downright awful.
『Duel
I'll be waiting at the training grounds after class.』
My mind exploded with question marks.
'Did I do something wrong...?'
It hadn't even been a full week since enrolling at the Academy. I hadn't done anything to earn anyone's grudge in that time.
If anything, I'd tried to avoid getting involved with others. I didn't want my name floating around unnecessarily.
I thought reading the letter would clear things up, but it only multiplied the mysteries.
'What the hell...?'
I sat there, letter in hand, lost in thought.
"Duel?"
"L-Lady Elena?!"
A sudden voice made me whip my head around. There stood Elena, peeking over my shoulder at the letter.
I hastily stuffed it back into my pocket. Too late, of course.
"What's this about a duel? Did you mess up with someone?"
"I have no idea."
"Who gave it to you?"
"A girl named Ivy Douglas."
"A girl...?"
Elena furrowed her brow and tilted her head. Whatever she was thinking, she didn't look pleased.
Was she upset that I'd been dragged into this unfairly...?
Well, it made sense for a master to feel irked if their servant was put in a bad spot.
Duchess, your loyal servant is moved. Tears welling up here.
"I'm planning to decline. I have plans with you after class anyway."
"Go."
"But..."
"I said go. Just come back and tell me exactly what happened. No secrets between us, right?"
Elena flashed a bright smile.
For some reason, that smile felt deeply ominous.
Ivy Douglas had a big dilemma weighing on her.
'Should I quit the sword...?'
Ever since she was little, she'd dreamed of becoming a knight—one who donned armor and vanquished evil, straight out of a fairy tale.
Naturally, everyone tried to dissuade her. Her siblings, even her parents. They all warned her it would be tough.
Still, she clung to her dream. She believed she could overcome any trial, just like the knights in stories.
And somehow, she'd made it into the Academy...
'But now I get it...'
Her stamina and strength lagged far behind her peers. And her technique wasn't exceptional either.
Of course, steady training and effort would improve her.
But could she ever match her classmates that way? No. It was impossible.
Maybe her parents had foreseen this all along.
They must have. That's why they'd sent the letter.
Squeeze—
In Ivy's hand was a letter saying she could come home anytime if it got too hard.
Truth be told, her heart was already mostly made up. Challenging the top student, Luke, to a duel was part of that.
She felt bad for him, but she wanted him to deliver the final blow to her resolve.
With those thoughts, Ivy stood in the training grounds.
Across from her was the department's top student, Luke.
"Ivy Douglas, one question."
"Ask away."
"Why challenge me to a duel?"
"Because I want to know how strong you are."
He nodded slowly and picked up a training wooden sword.
Despite her absurd excuse, he agreed to spar. She was grateful.
The duel began without any signal—precisely, Ivy struck first.
Clack! Clack-clack!
Each clash of wooden swords sent shocks up her arms.
Strength, technique—Luke lacked in nothing. It was easy to see why he was top of the department.
How many exchanges had they traded? In the end, Luke's wooden sword hovered at Ivy's throat.
"Satisfied?"
"...Yes. I'm satisfied."
With her admission of defeat, the duel ended.
They faced each other once more, as they had before it started.
"Good match."
Luke bowed first.
Ivy stared at him for a moment, then slowly bowed in return.
"Thank you for my final duel."
Sparring with him had made it crystal clear: no matter how hard she tried, she could never be a fairy-tale knight.
She should live as the ordinary woman her parents wanted. That would make everyone happy.
"What do you mean 'final duel'?"
"Just what it sounds like. I'm quitting the sword."
"Why make that choice...?"
"Who knows. No future in it, I guess. Even if I keep training, I won't become a proper knight."
Had she ever confided this worry in anyone?
No. This was the first time. She'd always pretended to be strong.
'So this really is the end.'
As Ivy thought that—
"Well, it's your call, so I won't stop you. Still, it's a shame. You're on the verge of seeing something breakthrough soon."
Unexpected words from the top student.
They say people get broken by comparing themselves to others and losing motivation.
That was Ivy's situation exactly. She'd done well enough so far and would continue to, yet she was ready to give up.
'Not my business, really...'
It just reminded me of my old self. I'd always compared to others and quit easily, no matter what I did.
And all that left behind was regret.
"But to you, I must've seemed weak."
"You weren't weak."
She'd been wielding a sword for over ten years, hadn't she? You could tell a lot from crossing blades.
Ivy's sword was like Yubel's—the mark of a hard worker. Every step, every breath showed effort.
And she wasn't talentless. Not on Yubel's level, but enough to become a knight.
"Do you think I could become a great knight...?"
"I don't know what 'great knight' means to you, but wouldn't it be happier than a life without the sword?"
"Happier...?"
"You picked up the sword because you wanted to achieve something, right? Drifting aimlessly isn't bad, but striving toward a goal feels better."
Ivy said nothing. She just hung her head, deep in thought.
Honestly, whatever she chose didn't matter to me...
"I hope you choose without regrets."
With that, I left the training grounds.
Late as it was, I headed to the gardening club room next—and there I found Elena.