Swordsmanship. Shall I Teach You?
The day before Selene's quarters were decided. The Academy's grand conference room.
"This is absurd!"
"Indeed!"
The Head Dean and the Vice Principal were protesting Selene's sudden removal from her magic theory class.
"Who dared strip Professor Selene of her lectures without my permission as Vice Principal?!"
"Strip her? Please, think of it as a simple personnel reallocation. Besides, this was decided by the Board Chairman and the Principal themselves."
"Why on earth would they make such a decision..."
"In any case, it has already been decided, so there is no use—"
"No! Even so, I cannot accept this. Does it not change the fact that Professor Selene is the bearer of a Recommendation Letter?!"
"..."
The mention of the Recommendation Letter silenced the opposition. Murmurs began to ripple through the gathered crowd.
"A Recommendation Letter... is just a letter."
"True. But precisely because it is a Recommendation Letter, we must abide by its rules."
"..."
"These letters are distributed to only an elite few. And whoever is named by those select few is deemed absolutely essential to the academy's curriculum! We cannot simply cast such a person aside!"
"But did we not hear she lacks ability? I heard that professor has been causing nothing but trouble! And this recent student kidnapping incident... Ahem. Well, let us not speak of that."
"Lacks ability? The lecture once known as the most tedious has become the most popular course in the academy! Students who failed to register are squeezing in just to audit. Can you truly say her teaching is lacking after that?"
"Ugh..."
The murmuring among the faculty and sponsors grew louder. Thanks to the Head Dean and the Vice Principal, the tide of the debate seemed to have evened out.
"Hehe. You make a fair point."
At that moment, someone stepped forward gracefully. A woman wearing a mysterious veil drew everyone's attention.
"And you are?"
"I am Adria Balcazar."
"Ah, the daughter of the Balcazar Family Head. But you have no authority to be here, do you? Especially as someone belonging to the Church..."
"Before my allegiance to the Church, I represent my ailing father. Furthermore, I have been delegated authority on behalf of my brother, the temporary family head, who is currently a student at this academy."
"..."
The conference room buzzed once more at the arrival of this new player.
"Let us cut to the chase. It seems the placement of this... Professor Selene is the subject of much debate?"
"Indeed. She must be returned to her proper post immediately—"
"No. Her classes are far too dangerous. Did she not injure a student?"
"Was that not a situation your own brother brought upon himself?"
"Even so, a professor should never use magic to harm a student."
"..."
"But as you said, it would be a waste to leave a bearer of the Recommendation Letter idle, wouldn't it?"
"Then what do you propose?"
The Vice Principal demanded an answer. Yet, his sharp tone only coaxed a sinister smile from behind her veil.
"I recommend Professor Selene as an instructor of Swordsmanship. No... as a major sponsor of the academy, the Balcazar family strongly advises it."
Knock, knock, knock.
"Are you inside? I'm coming in."
It was the first day of Selene's Swordsmanship class. True to form, Selene was curled up on the floor, sleeping in.
"Oh my goodness! Professor! You'll catch a cold sleeping on such a cold floor!"
Rubelia, who had somehow acquired a spare key to the room, gasped in shock at the sight of Selene curled up on the bare floor. She hurriedly draped a blanket over her and gently shook her shoulder.
"Professor, it's morning. You need to wake up."
Yet, as if she had no real intention of waking her, Rubelia simply poked Selene's cheek with a finger, beaming brightly.
"Hehe. She looks so cute when she sleeps."
"Ah?! W-who are you?!"
The noisy intrusion came from Mona, who had just burst into the room.
"E-excuse me, student! What do you think you're doing in the professor's room?!"
"Oh? You must be that rowdy maid."
"Row...dy?!"
"I've heard all about you from the professor. Thank you for always taking care of our professor."
"Our... professor? Wh-who is 'yours'?! Professor Selene is my responsibility!"
"Your responsibility? Hoho, how amusing. In that case, I suppose I am Professor Selene's designated student?"
"What?! ...Wait a minute! You're Rubelia, aren't you?! The student who always troubles the professor with bizarre questions!"
"B-bizarre questions?!"
In an instant, Selene's room descended into chaos. With the two women squaring off and shouting, Selene could no longer sleep in peace.
"Do you have any idea how much the other students suffer because of people like you?!"
"B-because of me? What exactly is my fault?!"
"You know it's true! You're that kid! The one who raises her hand right when the bell rings! The one who asks, 'Teacher, why aren't you checking the homework?' when everyone else is trying to leave quietly!"
"W-well, what is so wrong with that?!"
Selene rubbed her eyes and sat up, only to find this bizarre duo bickering. She figured that if she intervened, she would only end up getting lectured herself. Thus, leaving the two to argue, Selene made her move.
"Going now."
Leaving the squabbling pair behind, she quietly slipped out of the dormitory.
Thud.
Selene leaped from the window and landed gracefully.
She looked around, then began walking in a random direction.
Sniff, sniff. She followed a familiar scent.
In the distance, she spotted Leonia Valteria conversing with some students.
"..."
She waited. She recalled Mona's advice about not interrupting people mid-conversation.
"I shall see you all later, then."
"Yes, Madam President."
A moment later, the conversation concluded.
Tug, tug. Selene called out to Leonia by lightly pulling at the hem of her skirt.
"Kya?!"
Leonia let out an unexpectedly cute squeak, instantly clutching her skirt with both hands.
"Wh-ah, ahem! Professor Selene!"
"Leonia."
"What is it?"
Paying no mind to Leonia's unusual reaction, Selene asked her question.
"Swordsmanship classroom. Where?"
"Ah, come to think of it, that starts today."
(Nod)
"I must attend the Swordsmanship class as well, so let us walk together."
With that, the two began to walk side by side.
"By the way, may I ask how you ended up in charge of the Swordsmanship class?"
(Tilt head?)
"Weren't you a theory professor, Professor Selene?"
"Me. Theory professor?"
"...Are you not?"
(Tilt head?)
"Well... I heard professors have a specialty when they take their posts. Did you not write down a major?"
"Major. Wrote it."
"Was your major not Basic Magic Theory?"
"Correct."
"Then why are you teaching Swordsmanship, which isn't even your major?"
(Tilt head?)
"Hmm?"
Silence fell once more after her incomprehensible reaction. Then, as always, a bizarre answer broke the quiet.
"Is major."
"What?"
"Swordsmanship. Is major."
"No, what on earth do you mean..."
"Is major. Double major."
"A double major? You double-majored in Basic Magic Theory and Swordsmanship? They have absolutely nothing to do with each other. How does that make sense?"
"No."
"Huh?"
"Everything. Double major."
"What?"
"Every subject, double major. Selene, every subject. Possible."
"..."
Leonia stared at Selene, her expression a mix of sheer bewilderment.
"Perhaps... is that it..."
But soon, Leonia's gaze softened into one of pity.
"Professor Selene. Yesterday, you said you would become the Principal, correct?"
(Nod)
"May I ask why?"
Selene clenched her small fists and looked up at Leonia.
"Strong power. Want!"
"I knew it."
Leonia nodded, looking as though she finally understood.
"I did think you were quite eccentric, given everything that has happened."
(Tilt head?)
"You, too, must have been caught up in all sorts of political schemes."
"Me?"
With a look of deep sympathy, Leonia stepped closer and gently pulled Selene into a warm embrace.
"Yes. It must have been terrifying. It must be so difficult and frightening. Especially at your age."
(Tilt head?)
"Did you say you were seventeen? You are facing such a daunting wall at an age even younger than mine."
"Yes. Selene, seventeen."
"Whenever the anxiety becomes too much to bear, you can always come to me like this."
"Anxiety?"
"There is no need to pretend. To be honest, I also... No, never mind. At any rate, I know this sudden transfer is just the higher-ups trying to torment you."
"Torment? Me, tormenting higher-ups?"
"But that is precisely why you must grow stronger. Yes. Strength and power. You must protect yourself with them. So, let us face this head-on!"
"With whom?"
Leonia drew the sword at her waist.
"I happen to have two swords. I shall lend you one."
"Why?"
"You cannot teach a Swordsmanship class if you do not know the first thing about it, can you?"
"Leonia. Not know swordsmanship?"
"So, let us practice here first. You can master the absolute basics, and then you can learn as you go to hide the fact that you did not know it."
Leonia pressed one of the swords into Selene's hand.
"Keep this in mind. This is a Swordsmanship class, not Magic Swordsmanship."
"Difference exists?"
"Swordsmanship is, quite literally, pure swordplay. You must not use magic swordsmanship or physical reinforcement to boost your strength. Even if you use martial arts, every combatant must fight with equalized physical strength."
"Why?"
"Because that is what swordsmanship is. It is a discipline designed to build a solid foundation by mastering the core basics of combat."
(Nod)
Leonia gave her drawn longsword a trial swing.
"And when it comes to swordsmanship, I am quite confident. In this academy... no, in the entire Empire, I am considered one of the absolute best."
"Ohh."
"So, though we do not have much time, try to absorb as much as you can."
Leonia assumed a stance, her expression turning serious.
"Now, let us begin with the very first basic lesson: stance practice."
(Nod)
"There are common misconceptions people have when they first practice stances."
(Tilt head?)
"Usually, students ask, 'What is the offensive stance?' or 'What is the defensive stance?' I used to ask those same questions. However..."
Whoosh! Leonia swung her sword with blinding speed. She turned back to Selene with a confident look, about to continue her explanation, when—
"It is simple. Whether it is offense or defense, it is—"
"Transition from stance to stance. That is offense and defense."
"Huh?"
Startled by Selene's clear, precise words, Leonia whipped her head around.
"Flowing from one stance to the next to strike the opponent. If an attack approaches, changing stances to deflect while simultaneously delivering a counterstrike. This is the most fundamental technique of swordsmanship, the foundation of all swordplay."
"W-wait a moment..."
"Defensive stance. Offensive stance. Such things exist, yet do not exist. Because they always coexist, everything happens almost simultaneously."
"The moment of defense is the moment of offense."
"The moment of offense is the moment of defense."
A slow smile spread across Leonia's lips. She nodded, looking thoroughly impressed.
"As expected of Professor Selene."
(Tilt head?)
"Did you read the swordsmanship manual to prepare for the class?"
(Nod)
"Don't tell me you memorized the entire thing?"
(Nod)
"You read that massive volume in just the few days since your assignment was changed?"
(Tilt head?)
"When did you read the swordsmanship manual?"
"A thousand years ago."
"Pfft, hahaha!"
Leonia burst into a hearty laugh, clapping Selene on the shoulder.
"Splendid! Your sense of humor, too!"
(Tilt head?)
"Indeed! You even know that the manual we use today was developed based on the tactical treatises of the ancient empire from a thousand years ago!"
Still chuckling, Leonia assumed her stance once more.
"Very well. The theory is fully covered. At least, the theory is! Since the class syllabus is still on theory, you should have no trouble with the lectures until next week."
Shring.
"However."
Leonia's face grew serious once more.
"Keep this in mind. Theory that cannot be applied in real combat is nothing but a delusion."
(Nod)
"So, let us practice as much as we can, even if it is only for a short while."
(Nod)
"Do not worry about getting hurt; these training swords are imbued with protective magic."
With that, Leonia advanced with the intensity of a real battle—just as her father had when he first taught her how to wield a sword.
And about thirty minutes later.
"Wh... what?"
The one sprawled on the ground was Leonia.
"W-wait a minute... What is this?"
"Student Council President. Okay?"
Selene looked down at Leonia with her usual expressionless face.
"Th-this can't... be happening..."
But.
"I am supposed to be... the Imperial Strongest..."
Leonia could not hide her pale, bloodless face as her world shattered.