Chapter 94
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 94
Chapter Title: Scene 094 Observation Lesson
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Meikahel University's gymnasium.
The first-year students in gym clothes were sitting on benches, chatting away.
In a corner separated from that group, a petite girl sat hugging her knees.
At that moment, a voice called out to the girl.
Miss Wendy.
When Wendy looked up, a black-haired girl with a calm demeanor and a bespectacled intellectual-looking girl stood there.
Miss Shia... and Miss Luna...
Why do you look so down?
Shia asked Wendy with concern.
As she said, dark circles shadowed Wendy's eyes.
Ugh... I stayed up all night studying...
Wendy hung her head low.
Ever since making a promise with the count, she had been pulling all-nighters every day, determined to take first place in the exams.
Thanks to that, Wendy was getting by on power naps during breaks.
The bespectacled Luna patted Wendy's shoulder sympathetically and said,
Come on... Get a little shut-eye at least. We'll wake you when the professor arrives.
Thank you...
Wendy buried her face in her knees and closed her eyes.
Myohail seemed to be asleep too, given how quiet he was.
Having become nocturnal by nature, Myohail's daytime naps had increased since he started tutoring Wendy at night.
Both of them had reached their physical limits preparing for the upcoming exam.
Wendy soon drifted off into a light sleep.
Feeling sorry for her, Shia sat close so Wendy could lean on her.
Luna sat on the opposite side and said,
By the way... Doesn't practical training start in earnest today?
Oh, right. The professor will probably demonstrate it herself...
The class about to begin was a new basic swordsmanship special lecture opened this year.
It had been the talk of the freshmen that Bella Izarkhel, the successor to the Izarkhel style said to have been passed down from the hero Alonso, would be teaching it personally.
Part of the hype came from the anticipation of seeing the beautiful Lady Bella Izarkhel up close.
Even though it was a class for freshmen, there were upperclassmen loitering around the lecture hall just to catch a glimpse of her from afar.
And... on the first day of class, Bella who appeared before them was even more stunning than the rumors.
No, she was a woman for whom the word beauty fell short.
Her shining silver hair and endlessly clear blue eyes. The high elegance befitting a lady of the Izarkhel Duke Family. And on top of that, a beauty that seemed utterly otherworldly.
Even Shia found herself entranced, staring. Bella was a woman who embodied both nobility and beauty.
The Izarkhel family Bella belonged to was one of the prestigious Seven Stars, just like Shia's.
But recently, she'd heard that Bella had recommended Count Ruelverta, Tristan, to the Seven Stars.
She knew the two hadn't gotten along before, but rumors even swirled that they might get re-engaged.
Whatever... It has nothing to do with me...
Shia was lost in such thoughts when she was sitting there.
Creak.
The gymnasium door opened.
In an instant, all eyes turned.
The one who entered through the door was the woman they all knew well: Bella Izarkhel.
However, today's appearance was markedly different from what they'd seen before.
Her silver hair, neatly tied back, swayed with each step.
Moreover, Bella was dressed in a judogi.
In her pristine white judogi, she resembled a single butterfly.
Not only that, but the sensual figure revealed beneath the judogi was captivating enough that even Shia, a woman, couldn't tear her eyes away.
......Huh?
The students' admiration was short-lived as they began to murmur.
The moment they saw the man following behind Bella, Shia forgot even to wake Wendy.
It wasn't because of the man's scholarly looks.
It was because the ominous aura he exuded overwhelmed the entire gymnasium.
What...?
Why is the chairman here...?
Why are his eyes like that?
The students buzzed in an unsettled atmosphere, but Bella, who had brought him, remained utterly composed.
Nice to see you all.
Bella placed a hand on the wooden sword at her side and bowed like a swordsman.
Even that gesture was flawless.
As I announced beforehand, we'll begin practical training in earnest today.
Despite Bella's words, every student's gaze was fixed on the man standing behind her.
The man, maintaining a consistently cold and arrogant demeanor while drawing all the attention: Chairman Tristan Ruelverta.
What is this...?
Shia felt puzzled.
She had noticed before that the way students looked at Tristan had changed.
Especially the girls' gazes were anything but ordinary.
Huh? The chairman... Was he always like that?
Yeah, maybe because he's lost weight or something... I can't stop staring...
They still regarded the dark aura emanating from Tristan warily, that much was the same.
However, with his slimmer figure highlighting his features, and his icy gaze accentuating a decadent charm, it was more than enough.
On top of that, the bandage around his eye stirred something in the girls' hearts.
To think that he, whom they'd believed to be endlessly frightening and vicious, had such a vulnerable side...
Shia tried not to notice, but she kept finding herself looking at the chairman's face.
Perhaps sensing the students' stares, Bella cleared her throat.
Ahem... It seems many of you are curious. The chairman will be observing today's class, so please all do your best.
Observation class?
Murmurs rippled through the students again.
It was only naturalthey'd heard the chairman had threatened to weed out the slackers, and now he was sitting in on the class.
The chairman, however, simply sat quietly in a chair set aside in one corner, unfazed.
Now, quiet down. Let's begin the class. You've probably got the theory down, so let's jump straight into practicals.
Practicals...? A lot of us have never even held a sword.
Yes, I know. More of you have never touched a sword than have. But the essence of swordsmanship lies not in theory, but in practicein actual combat.
Bella continued.
As students of Meikahel University, it's good for you all to experience basic swordsmanship. Oh, and since this is a special lecture, it won't have a huge impact on your graduation. Of course, that doesn't mean...
Bella drew the wooden sword from her waist.
The motion was so swift it seemed like magic.
...that I'll go easy on you. As they say, seeing is believing... It'd be best if you watched some spars directly.
Bella smiled brightly at the students.
Is there a student who'd like to spar with me?
Hyah!
Huh?!
Wendy opened her eyes at the sound of a kiai.
Coming to her senses, she saw the class was in full swing.
But the students weren't sitting; they were all standing in front of her.
Huh...?
Wendy must have gone unnoticed, huddled in the corner.
But why was everyone standing and watching the class...?
Oh, you're awake?
Miss Shia...
Sorry. Things got hectic, so I couldn't wake you right away.
Shia looked thoroughly exhausted as she spoke.
A-are you okay...?
Yeah... Just came back from sparring.
Sparring...?
Yeah. Professor Bella is taking on students one by one right now.
Only then did Wendy roughly grasp the situation.
The occasional kiais and cheers.
Every student standing to watch the spars.
Shia sighed.
I half-expected it, but no one lasted even a minute.
Is Lady Bella... I mean, Professor Bella that strong...?
Yeah. I know some swordsmanship myself, but I wasn't even close.
Shia shook her head.
Come to think of it, one person was missing.
Huh? Where's Miss Luna...?
Oh? Yeah, she's gone. Maybe to the bathroom? Haven't seen her...
Shia tilted her head.
At that moment.
Haaah!!!
A massive kiai echoed.
The students' excitement peaked.
Ooh... She's pushing back!
Could he win if he keeps it up?
Isn't that guy from a famous knight family?
Then he's got a real shot!
Wendy wanted to see for herself, but being short, she couldn't.
I'll go watch the spar...
Oh, it's almost over anyway...
Curious about what was happening, Wendy squeezed through the standing students.
E-excuse me... Eek, s-sorry!
Huh, what?
Eek... Sorry... Coming through...!
The moment Wendy finally poked her head through the crowd, the spar had already ended.
Bella, in her judogi, sheathed her wooden sword at her waist.
She extended a hand to the student sitting slumped on the ground.
Solid fundamentals. You seem to have plenty of swordsmanship experience.
......Yes.
The male student who lost to Bella was one of the larger freshmen.
Grabbing her hand and standing, he towered a good three heads over her.
Still, your movements are too big. They're effective against smaller opponents for sure, but not always reliable.
Y-yes... I'll keep that in mind.
The boldness he'd shown earlier was gone; the male student couldn't even meet Bella's eyes.
He must have been embarrassed.
Bella chuckled and said,
Good work. By the end of this special lecture, you'll be a fine swordsman.
Th-thank you...!
The male student's face turned beet red as he bowed deeply and hurried off.
Laughter leaked from the crowd at his incongruous sight.
So, is there anyone else who'd like to spar with me?
Bella, having finished the match, looked at the students.
Despite facing quite a few, she showed no signs of fatigue.
A testament to her exceptional skill.
No one?
After taking this many beatings, no student hoped to spar anymore.
Bella confirmed this thoroughly and was about to continue.
Then, the class
Mind if I be your opponent?
The moment she heard that voice, Wendy's heart sank.
Every gaze in the gymnasium turned to the voice's owner.
Wendy couldn't stop her chest from trembling.
The man with his hand raised was a face Wendy knew well.
A androgynous handsome man with cold eyes. But had he been injured? A bandage wrapped his left eye.
Count... Why...?
Her master, the man she adored.
Tristan Ruelverta was raising his hand amid the students' stares.