Sword Mastery and the Blood Hornet Hunt
"But how the hell did you even know about a place like this? I just can't wrap my head around it."
The senior asked me in a half-doubting tone. Good sign. It meant she was starting to pay even more attention to me.
"Humans are naturally sensitive to information, you know. We're weak, so we make up for it in other ways. Details are trade secrets, though."
"You're not into anything shady, right?"
"Of course not. This Black Adder Berry is just fair compensation for honest work. Anyway, Senior, wanna take a quick tour of the demon realm before we go? Feels like a waste to just head back."
"Sorry, next time. Gotta get this berry to Nero first. Her condition's worse than I thought."
"Aww, too bad. Next time for sure, then."
Time to pull back for now. Scarlett Senior was super strict when it came to Nero. Plenty of chances ahead anyway.
The seed I'd just planted would sprout beautifully into a stunning flower. All I had to do was pluck it at the right moment. I was already looking forward to it. Blood rushed south, stiffening me right up.
Two weeks since enrolling at the academy. In the Swordsmanship Department class, the toughest one was still Bernehardt's Basic Swordsmanship.
The students gathered at the training grounds were, as always, running laps around the field. Basic Swordsmanship started after 100 laps. Even with the elves' superior base stats, it was ridiculously hardcore.
"You weaklings without basic stamina think you can prance around learning swordsmanship? You there, lagging behind! Get up and move!"
Bernehardt chased the stragglers, prodding their asses with her wooden sword. Fall behind, and you waited in horse stance until everyone finished.
"Hiiiiek! Yes, ma'am!"
Weaker races were already dropping off. Angels from the heavenly realm, shadow folk from the demon realm, merfolk from the middle realm—typical.
They excelled in magic over physical prowess. Most went to the Magic Division, but a rare few ended up in Martial Arts. Tough luck meeting Bernehardt as their instructor.
On the flip side, celestial, demon, and beastkin races with high base stamina were flying through. Racial disparities showed right away.
Less than 10% finished all 100 laps. And I was among them.
"Huff... huff... Aren't humans supposed to have less stamina than merfolk? Premature like that?"
"That guy's special, probably. Damn, I'm dying!"
"Heard he's famous for brawling... Rumor has it he's already over 40 demerit points."
"Heh, off to the punishment dorm with him."
"Quit your whining! Prep exercise done—now for the real lesson!"
Bernehardt's classes were brutally intense. Calling 100 laps "warm-up" said it all.
We hammered straw dummies, drilling stances as befitted Basic Swordsmanship.
Tough training, but visible progress. I'd picked up a new skill.
You have acquired the B-grade root skill Sword Mastery.
◆ Root Skill
Sword Mastery 1Lv (B-grade)
↳ Grasps the principles of wielding a sword.
With KHC under my belt, I favored close-quarters fistfighting. But learning swordsmanship wasn't a waste—synergized perfectly with lightsabers.
Sword skills come in handy across all sorts of stories too.
Motivated me to train hard. While others grumbled and half-assed the dummies, I stole glances at Bernehardt's firm, sexy body to grind skill proficiency.
Nine out of ten students dropped from exhaustion before class ended.
"Alright, that's it for today. Oh, and Johan—stick around a sec."
Bernehardt called me out of nowhere. Was there an event at this timing?
I tilted my head, racking my brain. Nothing came to mind. Original novel had no Bernehardt event around here.
My actions must've altered the story.
In the original, Vince Kartman solved the riddle meant for him. Early on, Johan flopped hard in Bernehardt's brutal class like a typical human. Me? Breezing through better than anyone.
Hmm... Story might've diverged more than I thought.
Changes weren't ideal for me. But slogging powerlessly like original Johan? Hard pass.
After class, I followed her to her office. Hoped for something steamy, but her affinity wasn't there yet. Bernehardt wasn't some easy lay.
"Come in. Nothing fancy."
Her office was in the Martial Arts faculty building. Unlike Scarlett Senior's book-packed study, just a desk with a few sword manuals and a chair.
Sterile, no personal touch—but suited her. All she needed were those manuals.
"Sit."
"Yes. What's up?"
"Relax. Just wanted a private word. How many demerits you got?"
Ah, that.
I'd dodged the petty bitches on the way, but points piled up anyway. Way more than original Johan.
Pulled out my student handbook. 42 points.
"42."
"Already that high? Probably a school record. Hit 50, and it's punishment dorm. You know that, right?"
"Yeah. I'd rather not."
"Smart. Place is hell. Don't wanna send a promising kid like you there."
Bernehardt taught swordsmanship and oversaw first-year life. Fitting role.
"Ways to reduce points. Simplest is campus volunteer work. Recommending it this early? You're a fun one."
Worth the hassle.
"I'll do it."
"Good call. Saturday, back here."
Oh ho. Prime opportunity. Weekend alone with Bernehardt? Felt like I was getting serviced.
"Got it."
Bowed and left. No smut, but good vibes. Time to plan flag-planting.
Saturday came. I showed up at her office as promised.
Bernehardt in her usual black sports bra and leggings. Must own a closetful. Or never changed.
If the latter, those leggings packed with her essence... Tempting to snag a whiff.
Outfit suited her perfectly. Wooden sword slung over her shoulder, she nodded at me.
"Nice seeing you early. Class treating you okay?"
"Of course."
"Others? Not so much. Won't ease up, though."
She never bent for students.
"Today's job: clear blood hornets from the forest. Heard of 'em?"
"Vampire wasps?"
"Yep. Suck human blood. Way deadlier than mosquitoes. One sting, and you're feverish for two days straight. Elves and beastkin use the woods a lot—better nip it early."
She hefted a big bag crammed with glass jars. No other gear.
Hornet nest removal was one of her fun hobbies. Novel mentioned she loved hornet liquor. Matched her bold look—she was infamous academy drinker.
Booze and sex go hand in hand. Might get lucky today...
She led; I followed.
Farther than it sounded. Nearly an hour's hike.
Silnakwon, the massive academy island, was small-country sized. Featured a huge forest called the Sanctuary.
"There it is."
Ogling her swaying hips made time fly. Nearly groped that plump ass a few times but held back.
"Whoa, huge forest. Cafe at the entrance too."
Big cafe by the woods entrance, packed mostly with elves and beastkin.
"Grab a drink since we're here. Coffee fan?"
"Yeah. Need something sweet and caffeinated for the work."
"We match."
Caramel syrup-loaded sweet coffees in hand, we entered. Lush green welcomed us with fresh forest scent.
But Bernehardt wasn't leisurely. Eyes of a hunter stalking prey.
Wait—Sanctuary has a few opportunities, right?
Forest popped up often in the novel. Protagonist Johan scored goodies here.
Play it right, and I can rack up points with Bernehardt.