Ghosts Live in the Academy (4)
Carmen didn't particularly want to learn swordsmanship. However, since she'd entered the academy under the swordsmanship department, she had no choice but to take at least a few swordsmanship classes.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Imelda, and I'll be handling the Interpersonal Combat Techniques lecture."
That was the class Imelda was teaching. So even though Carmen wasn't thrilled about it, she headed out to the training grounds and waited. That's when Imelda appeared out of nowhere and greeted them.
"I'm an academy alumna myself, but classes that drag on from day one get boring fast, don't they?"
Instead of answering her question, everyone just chuckled awkwardly and let it slide. But no one disagreed.
"Today, we'll lightly check each other's skills and wrap up the lecture early."
"Yes, Professor!"
"Then I'll call you up one by one. When your name is called, grab a weapon and come forward."
With that, she read from the roster, slowly summoning pairs. Two students would pick weapons and clash; once a winner was decided, the next pair would go. It repeated like that. Carmen waited quietly in silence until finally, Imelda spoke.
"Yuri Kanzakin. And Carmen."
Her name was called. After a long wait, Carmen rose slowly and headed to the remaining weapons rack on the side.
What weapon should I choose...
The academy's armory had a wide array of weapons. Even ones rare and bizarre enough to earn those labels. Most were familiar to her from experience. So she pondered for a moment.
"...I'll go with this."
A sabre. A notoriously tricky weapon, but she'd handled it plenty of times before. In her judgment, it was the safest choice for subduing an opponent. Without hesitation, she picked it up.
"Yuri of the Kanzakin family. Nice to spar with you."
"Carmen. Likewise."
A quick exchange of greetings. Then they stepped back, readying for combat.
I watched them all earlier...
She had seen them. The level of the cadets trading blows before. If she used her real strength, they wouldn't even block it. She needed to hold back appropriately.
Just swing lightly enough not to hurt her...
She knew it well. She was overwhelmingly stronger than her opponent, and this wasn't that gladiator pit anymore—no need to kill. So she swung her sword as gently as she could, giving it her all to restrain herself. But there was one problem.
"...!!!"
Her definition of "not hurting" was far above the normal level.
The aura-clad sabre sent Yuri's sword flying off to the side, then surged forward without pause, binding her entire body in an instant. To force a surrender from the captured Yuri, Carmen lifted her—still wrapped in the sword's coils—and prepared to slam her down. But right then—
"Cadet Carmen."
Imelda dashed in with her sword drawn, blocking Carmen's blade. The moment Imelda's sword intervened, Carmen immediately pulled back and released the bindings.
Yuri, helpless in the sabre's grasp. Imelda stared at her intently, then turned to Carmen as if struck by a thought.
"Cadet."
"...Yes, Professor."
"I misjudged your skill. You'll spar with me instead."
Carmen was to face her. Meaning, no other cadet could match her.
"Spar with the professor...?"
"She's that good?"
"No, but that level just now..."
The cadets buzzed, but Imelda at the center said nothing. She simply drew her sword toward Carmen and assumed a perfect dueling stance.
"Let's begin."
Imelda declared the start calmly, nodding toward her sword as if asking what was the holdup. Following the gesture, Carmen cautiously raised her blade into position.
"......"
Her opponent was an academy professor—a powerhouse with considerable skill, even if not top-tier. Carmen held back too, observing silently. Would she strike first, or counter? With sharp eyes gauging her foe, Carmen moved a beat faster than Imelda, launching an attack.
She drew her sword and cloaked it in aura. Then charged straight at Imelda.
The moment Carmen's leaping strike reached Imelda's eyes—
"Don't hold back on my account."
Imelda blocked it effortlessly, flicking the blade away as she spoke. Having parried so easily, she added as if certain she hadn't shown her full power.
Was it okay to go all out? To fight in earnest? Carmen hesitated briefly, but seeing Imelda's utterly serious gaze, she steeled herself.
"...Here I come again."
Her sword glowed deep crimson. Her assault sharpened, growing faster and fiercer. Matching Carmen's barrage, Imelda swung back, blocking everything and probing for openings to counter. They tested each other's limits in a flurry of clashes.
After a fierce exchange too fast for eyes to follow, Imelda suddenly stepped back two paces, disengaging.
"Enough. That's it."
She sheathed her sword, ending the duel. After all, this wasn't about deciding a winner—it was to gauge skill.
"Impressive. You're strong."
Imelda acknowledged Carmen's power matter-of-factly. But her expression soured slightly with unease as she eyed Carmen, then sheathed her blade fully and added one more thing.
"...Cadet, come see me after class."
.
Class ended, and Carmen dutifully followed Imelda to a new location. A short walk brought them to Imelda's private office. She opened the door casually and ushered Carmen inside. Pouring two cups of tea, she slid one to Carmen and began slowly.
"How old are you, cadet?"
"I don't know."
"You look early to mid-twenties."
She fell silent after that. No more words—just a sip of tea.
"Since it's just us, I won't beat around the bush."
She set down her cup. Then met Carmen's eyes directly.
"Have you killed before?"
"...Yes."
She knew and was asking anyway. No point hiding it. Carmen admitted plainly, and Imelda nodded unsurprised, pressing further.
"How many?"
"....."
"...Enough. That answers it."
A number beyond counting. Carmen hesitated on how to reply, but Imelda cut her off, already understanding.
"You're no mere cadet, Carmen."
"Your skill rivals mine—a full professor."
A swordswoman wielding vivid aura. Someone who could truly clash with Imelda was beyond cadet level.
"Looks can be deceiving, but I've even captained the Imperial 3rd Knight Order. Top-tier among knights."
"To reach that realm in your twenties... I'm envious. Unlike me, whose growth has stalled, you'll soon surpass folks like me."
"Perhaps even claim one of the eight thrones of the sword."
Talent that could reach Swordmaster. Just as Ian had foreseen, the kind any professor would marvel at.
Imelda coveted that talent too, but that wasn't why she was saying this.
"But your sword reeks too much of killing intent."
It brimmed with it. Not mere fighting spirit to defeat a foe, but something deeper.
"Not fighting to protect, or for some greater cause. Not even hunting or sport."
"Just pure intent to kill. Nothing more."
The will to kill without fail. So transparent and absolute, it had no place in this world.
"Killing countless people, then seeking Her Highness's endorsement... I can guess the path you've walked. Slavery was your only option."
"But you're not on that path anymore."
Imelda understood. Some people had to do it, against their will. Carmen had likely been one.
But now she was at the academy. No need anymore.
"I see it positively that you chose to grip a sword again, when you could have abandoned it."
"But that sword shouldn't exist."
The sword itself, swordsmanship—nothing wrong with them. The wielder's path was.
"I'm not critiquing your technique. No need, and it's beyond my level anyway. It'd be embarrassing to claim I could teach you."
"But if you won't abandon the sword entirely, think deeply on this."
Her power was overwhelming. Even if Carmen quit the sword, that strength would linger inside her.
Power without direction would inevitably erupt somewhere.
And it was obvious it'd bring catastrophe.
How to wield it—
"What you'll swing your sword for."
She had to find that answer.