Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: The Kids Want to Learn
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Should I really be allowed to hit them?
Normally, I wouldn't have dwelled on something like that.
Even if the opponent was a six-year-old kid, in a spar, I'd give them a light tap or two while teaching them the ropes.
-Are you... trash?
No.
That's not it.
Why do you only pop up at times like this?
You little...
Back when I was a hero, anyone who came at me was one of two types.
Someone burning with the will to prove themselves.
Or...
A total bastard.
So how could I not give them my all?
The bastards deserved my full effort, obviously.
And the others who approached me all had that spark—the will and fire in their eyes to achieve something, no matter how unskilled they were.
They came with their own convictions, declaring their resolve loud and clear.
Treating them as equals, as full-fledged individuals, was the highest respect I could offer.
Age didn't matter—you couldn't go easy just because they were young.
For example, the eight-year-old noble kids at the Academy.
Setting aside the spoiled ones drunk on privilege, the rest were gripped by their sense of duty as nobles.
They knew exactly where the money for their food, clothes, and beds came from—and the safety that came with it—so they were ready to shoulder the responsibility and pay the price.
How could I tell kids like that, "You're too young for me to hit, so scram"?
I had to teach them at least one thing before sending them off.
That line of thinking led me to a sudden realization.
'Wait. Come to think of it, isn't this place an Academy too?'
-It is.
Unlike elementary school...
This was the Academy.
And these kids were destined to grow up into Hunters or Heroes.
So they'd be risking their lives in battle someday?
If they weren't regular students but future knights or the like...
'Oh, alright. I can hit them while teaching.'
The mental block vanished.
So...
First things first.
Stance.
"Legs."
"What?"
"Spread your legs wider."
Hwang Deokcheon was big for an eight-year-old, both in build and height. Around 140 cm? Maybe a bit shy of 150, with a sturdy frame to match.
His face bore a confident grin.
With that physique, he had reason to be cocky.
Hwang Deokcheon was probably one of the strongest in his age group.
But that wasn't from superior swordsmanship—it was just brute force from his size, bulldozing through spars.
Hence the sloppy stance.
"Spar starts."
The moment the sparring instructor called it, I charged without another word.
Taat.
A hundred words can't match one action, right?
"Ugh! Out of nowhere!"
Out of nowhere? The spar started.
Hwang Deokcheon raised his wooden sword to react. It wasn't mid-guard or low-guard—just somewhere awkward.
If his stance was solid, maybe, but like that? It left both attack and defense half-baked, the worst possible move.
I feinted right at him, then shifted weight to my left foot and leaned left. His reflexes were sharp—he reacted instantly.
He twisted his hips. The big swing pulled his legs and ankles around too. Swinging his arm into the attack was a good call.
But I wasn't where he aimed.
I'd gone left only to pull my right foot back and spin the other way. Now on his open right flank, I had a clear shot.
First strike.
I thrust the sword to his throat. The moment it touched, his face went pale.
"You're dead once already."
I pulled back and tapped his legs.
"Legs. I told you the legs are the problem—why aren't you fixing it?"
Legs are crucial in swordsmanship.
"You reacted fine, but your body didn't keep up, right? That's all from poor stance. Balance, distance control, movement—it all starts with the legs. Plant them wider and firmer. Spread another half-step."
Hwang Deokcheon's mind was a haze.
'What the...'
He'd figured this scrawny guy meant an easy win.
As a top-tier in the swordsmanship division...
Even his seniors had said the magic division matchup would be no sweat.
And last time, swordsmanship had won handily.
So why...
"Relax your arms. Shoulders too. Stay loose so you can react fast. But not too loose—haha, don't overdo it."
The instant his tension slipped, his sword drooped low.
"Too loose, and the enemy can just smack it down like this. And drop that neither-mid-nor-low stance. Unless you're swordmaster level, I get it—they can power through weird positions."
He was being toyed with completely.
"Aim your tip at the throat. Makes offense-defense switches quicker. Might wanna grab a shield too. Academy not teaching shield work?"
His lowered sword was suddenly back mid-level.
Not by his doing—the opponent had lifted it.
This guy could end the spar anytime. But he dragged it out, advising on swordplay despite being magic division.
This was...
Assault.
Not just any assault.
Irrefutable, spot-on facts he couldn't argue against.
Fact assault.
Hwang Deokcheon was getting fact-assaulted.
But it didn't end there.
Plenty more advice incoming.
"Bend your knees more, shift weight to your front foot."
Hwang Deokcheon charged, desperate for one hit.
Surrender? Quitting? His pride wouldn't allow it.
Fighting a hopeless battle without tears or crumbling—that grit.
No doubt about it: Hwang Deokcheon had real talent.
"Oh."
The boy murmured in admiration.
Professor Cheong, watching the spar, stroked his chin.
"That kid's giving solid advice."
Advice is relative.
Golden wisdom to one, worthless to another.
Hwang Deokcheon was still an Academy student, and this could save his life someday.
Rubbish to him now, but priceless in Professor Cheong's eyes.
"Wasn't he magic division?"
"Magic specialist. Transfer student."
"Hmm... I see."
Professor Cheong stared intently at the boy.
Eight-year-olds' swordplay isn't usually that clean.
No matter how well-trained.
His advice showed deep understanding of technique. A few unpolished moves aside, it was solid.
With a bigger frame, he'd fit right in high school division.
In other words...
'Too good to waste in magic division.'
Talent spotted.
But a magic prodigy Professor Go was eyeing? Slim chance to poach. Professor Cheong felt a lingering regret.
Still, he thought of grabbing lunch someday to chat swordsmanship. He checked the faculty site for the student's record.
Then saw the class.
A memory flashed.
[Inquiry about procedures for a student aspiring to swordsmanship division.]
This class's homeroom teacher mentioned a swordsmanship hopeful recently.
The inquiry date matched the transfer.
'Transfer student' was in the chat log too.
"Professor Go, does this kid have a dedicated advisor?"
Top talents get one, making transfers tough.
But Professor Go shook his head.
"Still under discussion."
"No advisor, then."
"Wait, Professor Cheong—you don't mean...?"
Turning, Professor Go saw Professor Cheong's sly grin.
No advisor.
Swordsmanship hopeful.
Not hopeless after all. He rallied the troops.
[Swordsmanship Faculty Group Chat]
"Winner! Magic Division!"
"Hey, your grit was solid."
Hwang Deokcheon never landed a hit.
Too much nitpicking might crush the kid.
So I ended with praise and left the arena.
Classic stick-and-carrot.
One-on-one win meant time before the wheel battle.
I sought shade to rest, but Sungchan—still up for his one-on-one—approached hesitantly.
"What?"
Seemed like he had something to say.
"Um... can you teach me some swordsmanship?"
Unexpected.
Not just him.
Classmates crowded in.
"Me too! Me too!"
"Tell us how you won! We did this first day before you came—lost every one."
Hmm...
No wonder the rowdy bunch went dead quiet during sword spars.
They'd been humbled before.
"Curious? Time's short, but wanna learn?"
"Yeah!"
This morning teaching Seo-ah magic, I realized I'm bad at teaching spells.
But swords? I could teach that like a pro.
-Hey. Kids. It's not like that. Really not.
Hey now.
Quiet.
The kids want to learn.