New Semester (3)
Graduation exams were drawing ever closer. You could tell from the tense expressions on the academy students' faces. There was just a month and a half left. Failing the exam would mean death by parents. Sure, they could retake it next year like the repeaters, but high elves considered that utterly humiliating.
"You have to maintain a pure mana blade steadily!"
"The key is manifesting the mana you've absorbed from the atmosphere as vividly as possible. Creating a mana blade isn't the end of it."
Teachers hired by high elf families stood one-on-one with each student, providing intensive tutoring. These were the dedicated graduation exam instructors. Pros with experience graduating dozens of students, paid a fortune by the high elf families. They were disciples of Bariteon, the 3rd Warrior Captain, and high elves themselves.
"Bariteon?" Yushin asked.
Leticia explained at his question. "The 3rd Warrior Captain, Bariteon Trident. He's a high elf famous for producing countless disciples. He's deeply connected to the academy, and since he's graduated so many students, he has strong ties to alumni in politics and business."
"A guy ranked 3rd seat, reduced to fleecing parents' wallets."
Leticia sighed. It was embarrassing to admit to a human from another country. Bariteon Trident's disciples ran a massive company centered around Bria Academy. It was a sleazy racket preying on desperate high elf parents who had to get their kids through the exams. Private education cramming company. You could call it a business run in the master's name by his disciples.
"Of course, Bariteon himself doesn't get involved directly. It's the company formed by his disciples."
"So all those instructors are from that outfit?"
"Yes, pretty much. Trident Company teaches systematic secrets to passing the graduation exam. They're famous for their close ties to academy faculty too. With their high success rate, parents shell out millions to hire their instructors."
Now he understood why Liana, an 11th Swordmaster and full-fledged warrior captain, was being totally ignored. She was a warrior captain. But she knew nothing about graduation exams. The students figured private tutors from the families were more efficient than academy classes. So they boldly skipped lessons and headed to the training grounds for special training.
"It's the last semester of the new school year, after all. If they've attended consistently, attendance points don't matter anymore."
"So the poor newbie starting her first day at the academy right at this time..."
"All I can say is, tough luck."
The academy teachers' authority was already scraping the bottom of the barrel. Like loose pebbles rolling around. The students weren't innocent enough to listen to elf teachers anymore. Influenced by their parents, they were even more cunning. Getting personal training from disciples of the renowned 3rd Warrior Captain Bariteon Trident. No way high elf students with sky-high standards would pay attention to an 11th seat. Especially one who was brand new, clueless about the academy.
"Never seen anything like this. Private tutors invading the school to teach? Even if they're elves, how far has academy authority fallen?"
"They're up against Trident Company. Powerless teachers can't do squat against a firm entrenched in every layer of society."
He felt pity for Liana. Her yapping earlier had been annoying, but even accounting for that, he couldn't help feeling sorry for her situation. Why'd she have to join the academy now? Her first day, and she was already being dissed by students. If there was a goddess of misfortune, wouldn't she look just like Liana?
"What about you?"
"I have my own teacher. Of course, Father's worried about the graduation exam, but I believe in myself."
Leticia's father, Bilen, was fretting over his daughter's exam. At semester's end, parents worried more than the students. He'd contacted Trident Company for her safe graduation, but Leticia had talked him out of it. She despised how the company exploited desperate parents to line their pockets. Low-class.
"Glad you think so. Can't slack off now that a beauty's praising me. Gotta teach you with all my heart. Can't lose to those clowns. You and Alonne—both pass with flying colors and flatten that company's nose."
"I can manage, but Alonne's a lost cause."
"...Sometimes staying quiet is the mature thing."
"But it's true."
Alonne was absent right now. Attending the new teacher's—Liana's—class on her first day. Her attendance was short, which was a problem. Other students had safely maxed theirs before cramming with tutors, but Alonne, who skipped classes like it was routine, had to attend Liana's to catch up.
"Idiot."
Leticia voiced what Yushin wanted to say.
* * *
Liana stood rigidly before Alonne. She couldn't help it. Her enthusiasm outpaced her confidence. Liana, who'd never taught anyone, blushed under Alonne's blank stare. It was Ardena's little sister, whom she admired endlessly.
Liana racked her brain to impress Alonne and win Ardena's favor, but the air just grew heavy.
"Uh, Alonne... miss...?"
"Yeah."
"What should I teach you...?"
"....."
A teacher asking a student what to teach. It was refreshingly—too refreshingly—novel. Like a freshly caught fish flopping around.
"Uh, w-well... then..."
Alonne turned away, at a loss for words too. First meeting with the new teacher. Socially awkward Alonne couldn't suddenly turn eloquent with a stranger elf. With her social anxiety, she hesitated at Liana's question. If Yushin and Leticia saw this, they'd smack their foreheads in pity.
"M-Master said... learn elf... swordsmanship..."
"That human?"
"...Yeah."
At Alonne's reply, Liana thought a moment, then nodded. Elf swordsmanship. She focused on that. They were in the training grounds. The others buzzed with tutors and students. Only this one, with Liana's class, hung in eerie silence.
"Then I'll teach you."
Steeling herself, Liana removed her hat and bowed to Alonne. The pre-sword greeting. Even with a wooden sword, she treated it like a ritual, then replaced the hat. The elf warrior captain in her black leather jacket flashed blue eyes. Unlike her usual clumsy self, she exuded heavy pressure with wooden sword in hand.
"Don't let the looks fool you—I'm a warrior captain of the Elf Kingdom! On my honor, I'll turn my first student, Miss Alonne, into a splendid warrior."
She was one of the 12 Warrior Captains. Top of the Elf Kingdom's swordsmen. Pressure weighed on Alonne. Sharp blue eyes gleamed from under the tall hat, radiating intent. She might lose to pro tutors in teaching skill, but her passion burned brighter than anyone's. She'd get her first student through the graduation exam, no matter what.
"Looking forward to it!"
Alonne charged, swinging her sword. Their wooden blades clashed, master and disciple sparring. It turned fierce. Liana's jacket flapped, silver hair soaked in sweat as she devoted herself. After probing Alonne's strength, she pressed relentlessly, right to the edge.
Impressive skill. I see it from the first clash. A warrior captain like big sis. Clueless elf normally, but sword in hand, she's the real deal.
Alonne gritted her teeth. A true elf warrior captain—Liana Linehold's prowess was top-tier. Leagues beyond academy instructors. She was in another realm. Liana's storm-fast strikes embodied elven finesse to perfection.
"Even if you can manifest a mana blade, if you can't wield it freely, it's useless. Especially in battle, with all the variables—maintaining it is essential."
Liana guessed why the Valua human entrusted Alonne to her. Mana blade. Had to be. Alonne's swordsmanship was already exam-ready. No academy teacher could beat her now. Valencia prodigy. Innate talent plus hard work forged unyielding skill.
Yushin Gilliard? Hmph, I'll take responsibility for Lady Alonne's exam! Gotta show that human a warrior captain's dignity! Teach him a lesson!
Liana had seen it. Him battling the Kingdom's Seven Swords' mad dog with lightning-charged blade. It enraged her. She'd been so absorbed in his swordplay, forgetting the dire situation. Best she'd ever witnessed. Top warrior captains might match him, but she'd never seen them. Naturally, she was captivated. She denied it fiercely, vowing to raise Alonne herself.
"Whew, good work."
Hours of sparring later, exhausted Alonne prompted Liana to end it. Clashing blades had ignited her passion. Soaked in sweat, she'd lost herself. She'd planned to go easy, but Alonne—sharpened by Yushin's guidance—proved too skilled, drawing her into a trance. Alonne now rivaled warrior captain trainees.
"Amazing! A real warrior captain—just like sis!"
Alonne's admiring shout swelled Liana's pride sky-high. Especially "like sis Ardena"—it sent her spirits soaring. Praise from her idol matching her own allure hit hard. So Liana resolved to intensively train Alonne through the exam.
But what'd she eat to get that big? Bigger than Leticia. Not a cow or anything.
Alonne stared at Liana's ample chest. At least G-cup. Her tank top half-exposed them, sweat beading and trickling down. A drop from her cheek splashed onto her breast. Utterly erotic. Sweat-slicked, she looked like a seductress post-tryst.
"Haa, so hot..."
Liana's hand absentmindedly tugged her tank top, fanning heat. It flapped wide, pink nipples nearly peeking. Male students would've gawked endlessly. Peak mature allure. Top barely containing her breasts, short shorts like underwear. Voluptuous chest, pale thighs, slim waist—pure feminine density.
"W-Why stare like that all sudden...?"
"Teacher seems like Master's type."
"How can you say something so horrifying...! I pass on humans."
Liana recoiled in horror at Alonne's words.