Academy's No.1 Instructor (5) – Your Recommendations Boost the Odds of Serial Updates!
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The next day, the classmates Alonne had beaten to a pulp never dared pick a fight with her again. Buoyed by her newfound confidence, Alonne strode into class. If her father, Wallace, had seen her like that, he would've burst into tears of joy.
Having sent Alonne off to the lecture hall, Yushin now looked for something to kill time until class ended.
'No sign of the other servants.'
But he couldn't spot any of the ones he'd seen yesterday. They'd all ended up in the hospital with severe bruises. Word was, some had even been unceremoniously fired and kicked out.
It was a shame, but what could you do? No matter the world, the culture of abusing power was eternal. Those of lower status and bloodline were doomed to be disposable tools for the elite, who simply replaced them with fresh ones.
"Hello, human."
An elf girl approached. It was the young lady from Santander Forest. Not in the same class as Alonne, Leticia sidled up to Yushin as he wandered the academy grounds. Did she have some business with him? Yushin waited silently for her to speak.
'Damn, those tits are huge.'
Leticia flaunted her family's wealth without shame through her massive chest. E-cup, maybe, thanks to being an elf. The leather corset cinched tight around her waist only accentuated it further.
Whether she noticed Yushin sneaking a peek or not, Leticia frowned and cut to the chase.
"I'll admit it—you definitely beat Captain Ardena in that duel."
"Didn't believe it back then, huh?"
"I saw it with my own eyes. You took down all those servants single-handedly. They were the strongest picks from high elf families. Not on the captain's level, but renowned warriors in the Liberia Elf Kingdom."
"Just showpieces for nobles—big frames, no substance. That's why it was a cakewalk."
Hired by high elf houses and dispatched as servants, they were nothing but technique-reliant weaklings. Amateurs at real combat. Yushin hadn't even drawn the short sword at his waist before laying them all out. He'd strung them up on trees and quipped, "Guess this is elf level."
They were too boring. Nowhere near the reputation of the high elves wielding influence in the Liberia Elf Kingdom.
"I've thought a lot about why Captain Ardena paid a fortune to acquire you. Seeing that scene yesterday confirmed it for me."
Nothing to hide there. Yushin nodded, confirming Leticia's guess.
The Kingdom's Seven Swords mana breathing method. Any swordsman pursuing the path of the sword, regardless of race, would covet it. To reach higher realms, one needed a commensurate mana breathing technique.
"Curiosity satisfied?"
"Yes. I'm actually surprised you told me so straightforwardly."
"Watch your back too—you don't wanna end up like them. Jealousy's a blind beast. Could be you next."
"I'm not some idiot like Alonne."
"Fair, she's got the dimwit part down."
The chat with Leticia didn't last long. Yushin had to head to the staff room to write up a report on yesterday's incident. Of course, since it was clearly a duel, no one was holding him accountable. But with seventeen high elf scions injured, the academy had to at least appear to investigate those involved.
Alonne loved sword training above all else. Just gripping the hilt lifted her spirits. In an academy where weapons were strictly banned, this was her one chance to handle a blade—swordsmanship class.
Other high elves argued it was more efficient to study magic spells than swing blades, but Alonne, heavily influenced by her sister, honed herself with the sword.
As she practiced her forms, she called out to Yushin, who was watching from behind.
"What?"
"Swinging alone feels boring. Spar with me."
"Ask the teacher."
"Already beat him."
"Figures. He looked pretty weak. Fancy academy like this oughta hire some real talent."
Alonne held a real sword, which kept the high elves at bay—no one dared mess with her sharp edge. After the last incident, they openly avoided her gaze, shrinking back like she'd brought the plague. Yushin's mere presence chilled the air instantly.
"Servants aren't allowed in here."
The sword instructor intervened. A handsome male elf, true to form.
Alonne shot back, "Then spar with me, teacher. I feel stronger than last time. Test me."
"W-what...?"
Alonne had once unilaterally beaten the sword instructor. Rumor was, he'd been dodging her spars ever since. Her challenge left him visibly flustered.
Yushin witnessed Bria Academy's crumbling authority firsthand. A teacher cowering before a student! Felt like modern Korean schools—such a pity. But hey, the students were high elves born with silver spoons, and most instructors were plain elves. Tough luck.
"B-but real swords are no good...!"
"Obviously."
Yushin grabbed a wooden practice sword from nearby. Carved from sturdy hardwood. He swung it around to get the feel, ignoring Alonne's plea for his short sword—metal was too risky, even if it wouldn't cut; it could still stab.
"A greenhorn like you? Short sword's overkill."
"I-I'm not a greenhorn!"
"To me, you are."
Alonne huffed, raising her sword. She gripped the hilt two-handed, stepped forward, leaned slightly—like Ardena. Yushin already knew from prior spars. Ardena had set the basics; his job was refining it through experience.
'Nothing beats sparring for racking up XP.'
Yushin swung first. Alonne smartly backpedaled to parry, then thrust forward in counterattack. Talent for days. Valencia blood, no doubt. Both sisters had innate gifts. Keep pushing swordsmanship to the limit, and Alonne could be next captain.
'Mana Blade's the issue. Sword skills can offset it some, but true independence from mana power? Tough. She's Double Ember now. One more ember, and she can learn Mana Blade.'
That'd be something. Her growing, if raw, technique plus Mana Blade? Alonne Valencia would be a peerless genius among her age group.
She'd been ignored at the academy for lacking Mana Blade—her sole flaw. Fix that, and passing graduation was a given.
"Faster."
Yushin upped the tempo. Sword speed visibly accelerated, fierce swings whipping up gales. Paired high elf students and even the instructor fixated on the bout. Sword winds tousled hair wildly with each clash.
"Ngh!"
Alonne retreated. But she wasn't one to take it lying down. She kicked off the ground, planted feet on the wall like a spring, and launched straight at Yushin, slashing with deadly precision. Sharper, more refined than ever.
Yet the wooden sword didn't budge. Simple hardwood... but it repelled her steel strike.
"How the hell do you block a real sword with a wooden one?!"
"You'll figure it out in time."
"Same crap Sis says...!"
Ardena had said the same, huh? Yushin nodded, deciding to end it.
'Here it comes!'
Alonne gulped. Yushin's sword form shifted in an instant—a finishing blow. Her sparring experience let her predict the angle, but skill gap prevailed. Her sword clattered to the floor; defeat conceded.
"Not bad."
Thwack.
The wooden sword bonked her head.
"Ow! Quit hitting my head—you'll make me dumber, and it's on you, Master!"
"Like it can get worse?"
"Hmph."
Alonne pouted, stomping the innocent floor in frustration.
"What're you staring at?"
She snapped at Leticia, who gawked in surprise. Leticia scowled—pride stung from getting lost in the show.
Alonne smirked triumphantly, as if sneering, "How's my skill, you rich bitch?" Not a feeling—she straight-up looked down on Leticia.
"Don't flatter yourself. I was impressed by Kingdom's Seven Swords technique, that's all. You? Not even a speck impressive."
"Maybe the one sweating graduation's you, not me? Better find a real tutor now—fail that exam, and Santander's rep tanks."
Words Leticia had once flung at Alonne, now thrown back verbatim. Tables fully turned. Under Yushin Gilliard's one-on-one tutelage, Alonne's potential bloomed rapidly—visible growth. Leticia's anxiety was natural as Alonne surged ahead.
"Don't think lucking into a good master means you win."
"Luck's skill too."
"Who says?"
"My master."
Ahem. Yushin coughed awkwardly, looking away. Leticia's shot hit home. He kept swinging the academy bokken, clearly taken with it.
The sword instructor approached. "Heard you're one of the Kingdom's Seven Swords..."
"Sorry for the hassle with our little filly. Teaching's a rough gig, huh? Get it—I taught students back in Valua Kingdom."
"Ah, I see. Impressive swordsmanship! True to the Kingdom's Seven Swords renown!"
Intrigued, the instructor peppered Yushin with questions, eyes sparkling. Leticia watched, regretting deeply letting that human slave slip in Pamplona. She had to have him... A bit more greed, and he'd be hers. But regrets aside, Yushin Gilliard was now Valencia property.