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I Killed an Academy Player Chapter 30: Lunia Arden (2)

Chapter 30: Lunia Arden (2)

The⁠⁠‌ so-called swordsmen loved‍‍​ moving around in‌⁠ groups.

Groups‌‍​ of gangsters holding‌‍⁠ swords would follow‌ their captain while⁠ calling themselves the‌ pursuers of the‍‌ path of sword⁠⁠ before suddenly naming​ themselves as a sect.

60​‍ years ago, Garrand​ the Sword Emperor​⁠‌ opened the new⁠ era of swords⁠ and thanks to‌ the current family​⁠​ head whole-heartedly spreading‍‍ their family’s swordsmen‌ across the continents,⁠​⁠ the Arden family‍ became the most-renowned‍ swordsmanship sect of‌ the world.

But​‍ at the core⁠⁠ of the Arden⁠​ family, there were​⁠⁠ still remains of‌‍ the hierarchy system⁠⁠ of gangsters which‌ had been in​‍ place ever since​ they started off​​ as a group⁠‌‍ of mercenaries.

“Light⁠​ this up.”

“Yes!‌ Captain!”

One⁠‍​ sentence from Lunia​‍‍ was enough for‍​‌ the instructor of⁠‍ Merkarva’s Arden dojo‌ to dash up⁠​ in a fluster‌‍ and light her⁠​‌ cigar on fire.‍‌ The position of​ a head disciple​ of the main‍⁠​ family was not‌ something that could⁠‌ be compared to‌​‌ the likes of⁠ a mere instructor.⁠​

Besides,⁠ the instructor was​⁠ just here to​⁠ teach the swordsmanship‌‍​ of Arden to⁠‍ normal citizens unlike​ the main family‍⁠⁠ which focused on‍​⁠ fostering guardians. It‌ was natural for‌⁠⁠ them to be⁠ leagues apart.

‘W,‌‌ what is going‌ on?’

The⁠ trainees of the​ dojo were flabbergasted​​ and flustered from‌⁠ the sudden appearance‍ of celebrities.

The‌⁠‍ head disciple of⁠‌ the main family‍⁠ and the captain‌ of the 1st‌ Sword Squad, ‘Sword⁠ Master Lunia Arden’‍​​ and the Five‍ Swords had visited‍‌⁠ the Arden dojo⁠​ in Merkarva City.⁠

It‌⁠⁠ was a sudden‍ visit but it⁠ was the best​‌‍ opportunity for people​‍ that were aspiring‌ to become swordsmen.​​ They shed tears​‍ of joy after⁠‌‌ having personal spars‌‍​ and receiving guidance​‌ but the problem‍​ was the day​‍ after that.

That​ day, Lunia was‍⁠​ sitting on a shabby wooden chair​​​ of the dojo‌⁠ but her presence​ made people think⁠ of that as‌‍‍ a dignified throne.‌‍ Prostrating in front⁠ of her was‍ someone who should‌⁠‍ not be on​​ her knees like‌ that despite the⁠‌ floor being cleaned‌ everyday.

“G,​​ Grade 2 sword​​ disciple of the‌⁠‌ Arden main family,‌​ Alicia Arden, greets⁠​‍ the 1st Squad⁠‌‍ Captain.”

Alicia‍‍ Arden.

She​​ was a disciple​‌​ of the main‍​ family herself, and‌⁠ was also the‍⁠​ granddaughter of the‌⁠ Sword Emperor, Garrand.​​​ She was a direct disciple just​ like Lunia Arden,​‌‌ so seeing her‌⁠⁠ kneeling on the⁠⁠⁠ wooden floor without​ daring to move‍ a single inch‌‍ made the onlookers‌ feel uneasy.

‘Ughh…​​ I need to‍ do missions though…’‍‌

On‌ the other hand,​ Alicia was finding‍​ this time to‌‌​ be wasteful because​​ it was a precious weekend where‍ she had to‌​​ run missions and⁠⁠‍ earn money, but⁠‍ she was too​‌‌ scared of her‌‌⁠ older sister to​‌‍ voice any complaints.⁠‍

Plus,‍⁠⁠ Lunia even told‌‌ her to bring​ the records of‍⁠‌ all the missions​ she had completed‍⁠​ thus far…

“Patrol​ mission, merchant escort,​‌ Grade 4 demonic‍⁠​ beast subjugation… How​​ pathetic. What’s with‍ this cafe helper⁠ mission?”

“Umm…⁠⁠ it’s about wearing‌‍‌ a uniform and‍‌⁠ giving out… promotional⁠⁠‌ fliers.”

“…Were‌​ you helping your‌​ acquaintance?”

“T,​⁠ the uniform was​‍ pretty so…”

“…”‍

Lunia​ showed a rare​​‍ reaction of closing​‍‌ her eyes and‍‍‍ letting out a groan.

Of⁠‍​ course, there was​‍ nothing wrong with‍‍ these simple missions‍​ that were primarily‌​‍ given out to​⁠ the students of⁠ the Academy. They‍⁠​ were an extension‍‌⁠ of their prac‍​ lessons for the⁠⁠​ students to polish‌​​ their skills before‍⁠ undertaking their jobs‍‍ as a real‍‍⁠ guardian.

The​⁠ problem was that​ Alicia was already​​⁠ an official Grade​‌ 2 guardian.

“That⁠‍ is utterly disappointing.​‍ Alicia Arden. The⁠ guardian license that‍‍ you received thanks⁠​​ to the help​‌‍ of the main‌​​ family is not‍​⁠ there to be‍‍‌ used for things⁠ like this. Are⁠‍‌ you trying to⁠ disgrace the Arden‌ household?”

“S,‍​ sorry…”

“Every‌‍ one of these​ missions are against‍ low-grade demonic beasts‌​ are they not?​‌ Were you intending​​​ on pretending to​ be a hero⁠‌‌ just from killing‌‍ these pathetic beasts?”⁠⁠

Lunia​⁠‍ Arden gazed down⁠​‌ at Alicia with‍​ a cold look​ in her eyes.‍‌ Her gaze that‌‌ seemed to be​ reminding her to‌⁠ not forget the‍ true essence of​⁠​ a sword was‌​​ so heavy that​​⁠ Alicia ended up⁠ lowering her head.‌​​

………‌‍

……⁠⁠⁠

Alicia⁠ powerlessly got on‍⁠⁠ a magic carriage‌ to go back‍‍ to Merkarva Academy.‌​⁠

Going​​ down the rail,⁠⁠​ the girl took⁠ in the entire⁠​​ view of the‌‌ city. This city,‌ which was praised‌ to be the​ safest and the‍‌​ most beautiful city⁠ in the entire‌ world, was the​‌ place she had⁠ been dreaming of.‌⁠

For‍‌‌ a long time,⁠ Alicia had been⁠ eagerly looking forward​‍⁠ to escaping from‌⁠‌ her family.

A little bit of​​ degradation and disappointment.‍​ Even though she​​​ didn’t receive the​ due treatment of‍‌ a successor candidate,‌ she was still‌ treated as the‌​ young miss of‌​ the family and​ had been living⁠ without any concern⁠‍⁠ for food.

It‌‍ was possible for⁠‌​ her to live‌ in contentment with​⁠ what she was⁠‍​ given without working​‍‌ hard for anything‌⁠​ else.

But‍⁠⁠ how about now?⁠​‌

Without​‌​ receiving a single​⁠ cent as a support fund, she​⁠ had to earn‌‌​ a living for⁠⁠​ herself. Because she‌‌ was by no⁠‌ means good at​​ saving money or‌ planning a budget,​‌‌ she pretty much​‌ used up all​​⁠ the money she⁠​ earned in food,‍‍‌ drinks and clothes.‌⁠‍

However,‍​ she was still​⁠ relatively satisfied with‍‍ her life. Here,‍​​ she wasn’t a Junior Sister nor⁠​​ a young miss,​‍ and she was​‌​ ‘Alicia’.

Although⁠ it wasn’t the⁠‌​ normal life that​⁠⁠ she had been⁠⁠‌ dreaming of, she‍ could still spend‌‍‌ her life like⁠‍ a relatively normal‌ female student.

Demons‍ were the only⁠ ones that needed⁠ to be cut.⁠ There was no⁠ need for her⁠⁠⁠ to practice killing⁠ people in the​⁠‌ pretext of a ‘spar’.

Her​‍ life at the​ household might have⁠ been luxurious, but‌ she had constantly​ been forced into​ bloody and vicious‍ fights, so Alicia‍ was very satisfied⁠‌ with enjoying the⁠ relaxed campus life⁠‍ at this Academy.​‍

That⁠⁠ was why seeing⁠ people that were‌‍ endlessly serious at‍⁠ learning martial arts‌⁠‌ was both awe-inspiring​​‌ yet repulsive.

Her‍‌ older sister was‌⁠ an example.

Alicia​‌ was uncomfortable with​​⁠ those who unhesitatingly‍ stepped forward into‌‌ ‘that place’. She​‌ was afraid of⁠ that black ocean​ which looked like⁠ it would drag‍⁠​ her into the‍⁠⁠ depths of the‍⁠​ abyss and drown⁠ her to death.‍⁠

She​​‌ didn’t like practicing​ with swords. She‌​ didn’t like those‍ calluses that would‍ be formed in‌‍ her hands.

Safe⁠‌ missions against weaker​ demons were more‌⁠ than enough. That⁠​ was enough to‍ earn her a living.

She‍⁠ did not like⁠ the bloody world​‍ of sweaty warriors.‌​‍ She wanted to‌ spend her youth‍⁠ in the luxurious⁠‌ resorts next to⁠ the beach.

Alicia‌‌ Arden was an‍‍ extremely normal girl‌ in her teens.‍‍

『Do​ not forget it,‍​ Alicia. You will⁠‌‌ never be able⁠‌​ to escape from‌‌ your true nature.』‍

“…That‌ senile old man.”‍

While‍‌‍ uttering a mutter‍‍ that was savage‍ unlike her normal⁠ word choice, Alicia⁠ rested her chin‌ on her hand‍ and waited for⁠‍ the carriage to​ arrive at the‌‍ Academy.

Her​‌ face was heavily‌ gloomy and dark‌​ like that of‌ a sinner heading⁠ to the scaffold.‍‌

****‌‍​

It‍‌‍ was the interim​‌⁠ test period.

People​‍⁠ might expect guardian​​​ academies to have‌ fights and massive⁠​ duels for the‍⁠‍ evaluation of the​ students, but surprisingly‌ enough, this academy​ was quite serious‌ about the academic‌ assessment of its​‌ students.

“Ahh…‌ I didn’t study​‍​ at all for⁠‍ the tests though…”⁠‍

10​‌​ minutes before going​ into the test,⁠‌⁠ Jaeger wiped his‌ face in remorse.‍

“That’s​‍ why I said⁠​‍ we should study⁠ at the library…”‌​⁠

“No!‌⁠ You’re not supposed⁠‌ to procrastinate for‌⁠ a test! Tests⁠​⁠ are there to‍⁠‍ assess your abilities,​ not your procrastination‌​ skill!”

“…”⁠‌⁠

Lark⁠‌ shook his head​‌ a few times​‌ while looking at​⁠​ Jaeger before turning​ his gaze over‍​​ to me.

“Did​‌ you study for‍⁠ the tests?”

“Huhu…”​‍‌

“Hnn?”​‍‍

I’m​ sorry, Lark, but⁠‍ you have no⁠ idea about my⁠‍ true capabilities.

“Huhuhu…‌​​ Huhahahaha!”

“What​‌ the heck is​⁠⁠ wrong with you…”‌‍‍

“O‍ you pitiful humans.⁠⁠ You lambs of‍⁠ this generation – overly immersed in​ pathetic things like‌​ studying for tests!”‌‌

“What‌​ is this guy​ even talking about?”⁠​

“It’s‍⁠ probably the same‌⁠ retardism kicking in.”⁠

“He’s​​ a nice guy​​‍ but…”

“Huhahahahaha…!”⁠‍‌

They⁠‍ could say anything‍‌ they wanted to​ say, but there‌ was a fact​ that these guys⁠‌⁠ weren’t aware of.​

This‍ wasn’t my first​‌‍ time taking this​‌‍ test.

I had already sat⁠ through this test‌‍‌ in the last‌⁠ iteration. As long‌ as I went​⁠ back through my‍ sea of memories,‍⁠ getting high marks⁠ was a piece‌ of cake!

“I​‍ am Professor Lulara.⁠​​ We will now‌​‍ begin with the⁠ elementary Alchemy interim‌‍‍ exam. Write your‌​ names and your‍‌ ID numbers on⁠‍ the papers in‌‍‌ front of you⁠​‍ and—”

Huhu.​⁠ It would be⁠ eye-catching to get⁠​ super high marks,⁠⁠⁠ so maybe I should be content⁠ with getting 90%‍ correct!

………‌

……​‍⁠

I have no idea.‍​

I seriously had no⁠ clue.

Why?​‍ I had seen⁠ these questions already,⁠ so why were‌‍ they so unfamiliar⁠ like it was​​ my first time‌‍​ seeing them?

Didn’t​‌ I solve these⁠⁠‍ in the last​‌ iteration…

“Ah.”⁠‍‍

I didn’t.

I didn’t know the⁠ answers in the‍‍ first place because‍‌​ I didn’t check‍ the wrong answers⁠ after getting the​ test papers back.⁠ Why? Well, they⁠ were wrong anyway​ so why would‌ I bother looking‍ at the answers?‍‌⁠

Whether​ I solved them​⁠ in the previous‌‌ iteration or not,‍ I had no⁠ idea what these⁠ were.

It’s⁠ like how someone​ who had been⁠‌‍ sleeping through differentiation⁠‌‍ and integration lessons⁠‌ would not be​‍ able to solve‌‌ them even after​‍⁠ regressing to their‍⁠​ high school days.‍⁠⁠

“Crap.”‌‌

Yes,​⁠‍ I do know‍​​ what potion the​ bile of an‌ owlbear is used‌‌‍ for, but who⁠‌⁠ the hell remembers​​⁠ the number of⁠‌⁠ drops that goes‍⁠ into it?

Just​ buy it for⁠ 5 silver coins.​ Why bother making⁠ it yourself?

Knights⁠‌​ only needed to‌‍​ know about practical⁠ information like first-aid‍‍ potions… We don’t‍‌​ need academic knowledge…​‍‍

“I’m⁠⁠‌ Professor Fermack from⁠ Aura management. You‍ can copy if‌ you dare but‌ let’s not get‍ caught, okay.”

『If‌​ Z is 85‌‍ and the inertia‍⁠ of Motion X is Y, what​ value should Y be?』

Umm…​ enough to put‌ half the soles‍‍ of your shoes‍ into a dry​​ ground of dirt?​​

As‌⁠ for the exact‌ number… umm… I had no idea.​ It should be⁠⁠ done automatically though​‌‌ – why and⁠⁠​ how would you‌⁠‌ calculate that every‌​ single time?

………‍​​

……⁠

“Haaaahm~.‌ Is that it​‌ for the tests?”‍⁠

“…I‍‌​ knew you’d sleep⁠ through it, Jaeger.⁠‍ What about you‌​‍ Korin?”

“I’m‍‍‍ dead.”

“???”‍

“I​​‌ am… dead inside.”⁠⁠

“That’s​ why I said‌‍​ we should go⁠⁠ to the library‍ together…”

“Hahaha!‌‌ That’s my buddy!”‍

“Idiot.‌​ At least Korin⁠ was training in‌⁠ the training rooms‌ instead of studying‍​​ unlike you.”

“Listen!‍ The only thing‍‌‌ a knight needs‌‌ to know is‍‍ how to write⁠ their name!”

“You‌‍⁠ stupid knights…”

Hmm.‍​ My tests were​‍⁠ doomed.

Oh‍‌​ well, knights only⁠‍​ needed to know⁠‌⁠ how to write⁠‌ their names. Things‌⁠ like this were‌ useless after graduation.‍

You‍⁠ think high school‍ math is going​​ to be relevant‌ in society? Do‌⁠⁠ you think the​‍ major you studied​‍​ at university will‍ be your career?!‍⁠‌ There are plenty⁠​ of comedians that⁠⁠⁠ graduated from political‍ studies!

It’s​‍ all meaningless!

****‍

I was 90% sure​ that my marks⁠‍‍ for the written⁠‍‌ exams were below‍‍ average but I could still make⁠ up for them‍⁠⁠ in the practical⁠ exams.

Even⁠⁠‌ though Merkarva Academy‍​⁠ was unexpectedly quite​⁠ serious in the‌‍​ academic side of‌ things, they still​⁠‌ did not forget‍ their origin as⁠⁠ a guardian academy‌ so most of‌​ the marks still​‍ came from prac‍ exams.

At​ the center of⁠ the campus was⁠⁠​ the so-called festival‍ hall.

This‌ enormous building that​‍⁠ resembled a large‌ baseball stadium was‍‌ used for various​‌ events like the‍⁠​ athletics carnival, musical⁠​‍ performances and festivals,‌‍ but it was‌​ also used as​‍‌ an arena for⁠‌​ the practical assessments​ of the interim⁠​​ exams.

It⁠ was what would‍ mark the true​‌ climax of the​ interim exams. This‍ practical assessment was‍⁠ also a playable‍⁠ event back in​ the game, and​ was the perfect‍ opportunity for me⁠ to make up‌ for the marks⁠​⁠ that I lost⁠⁠​ in the written​‍‌ exams.

The‌ interim exams would‌ be handled by‌‍ the professors of⁠ the Knight Department‌ or temporary instructors​ that were invited​‍ from outside.

By‌⁠ showing the instructors⁠ what they were​⁠​ capable of, the‌​ students would receive⁠‍​ marks from their‍‍‍ respective professors.

‘Since‌‍ I’m officially a Grade 5 Knight,‍ the instructor shouldn’t‌ be that strong.‌‌ Plus their expectations⁠​ will also be‍ low. Getting high‌‍​ marks will be​ a piece of​‍ cake!’

If​‌‍ I remember correctly,‍⁠⁠ there were extra​​‍ marks for defeating‍​⁠ the instructor, right?‍⁠⁠ It was the‍ best chance to‌ raise my average‌ marks which had​‍ gone down the‌‍ drain already.

Tightly‌‌ gripping on the‌ test ID slip‌⁠‍ that I received‌ which had the​‌​ words ‘Team B’​‌ written on it,‍ I was walking​​‌ to the center​​ of the stadium⁠‌ when roaring cheers‌ echoed from the​ audience seat.

“Good‍​ luck, freshmen!”

“My​⁠ monthly expenses are​‌‍ on you! Good​⁠⁠ luck!”

In​ the audience seats⁠ were 2nd year‍⁠‍ and 3rd year‌‌⁠ students… in addition‍‌‍ to several 4th​ year students who‌‌ had already completed​ their exams. I could understand up‍⁠‌ to 3rd year‍ students but… wasn’t​​‍ it time for​ the 4th year​​ students to start⁠‍ looking for jobs?‍⁠

Anyway,​‌‌ it was true‍⁠ that watching people‌‍ fight was the‍​ most exciting thing⁠​ in the world.‍⁠

Ah,‌‌ in the crowd,​‍ there was also⁠​⁠ a named character​ from the 3rd⁠​⁠ year students – Nene of the‌ Black Market. That‍‍ was someone who‍⁠⁠ often appeared in​‍‍ events like this‍​⁠ and encouraged gambling​ to earn money.​​

“Korriiiiinnnnn~!”⁠⁠

I turned towards that⁠ faint source of​⁠​ sound and found‌‍‍ Marie enthusiastically waving‌‌​ her hand. Naturally,‌⁠ she was waving‍​ her hand at⁠​ me.

“Good‍​‌ luck! I’ll be​⁠‌ cheering for youu…!”‌

Next⁠‍‍ to her were‌ the 2nd year‍‍ students who often‌​ roamed around with​‍ Marie. I unknowingly⁠‍ grinned after seeing⁠⁠ how she was‍ doing fine with‌​ everyone in her​‍ surroundings even after‌​ the vampire incident.​⁠

“W,⁠⁠⁠ what the hell.‌ You…”

“Are‌ you friends with⁠ Senior Marie?”

“Hnn?”​

Jaeger​ and Lark sent‍ me gazes of‌ astonishment.

“Iiiikkk…!”​

“That’s‍‍‌ impossible… I thought‍ you were the​‌‌ same as us!”‍

Leaving‍ behind the young‌ brats that were​ letting out tears‍‌ of blood, I waited for the⁠‌ practical assessment of‍‌‍ Team A which​‌‌ would be held​ before ours.

Since‌⁠ it was just‍ an interim exam,⁠‍‍ the fancy functions​ of the stadium⁠​​ weren’t used but‍ the large stage​ was already enough‍⁠ to overwhelm the‍ students.

“Team‌‌ A. Dorron Warsky!⁠ Alicia Arden! And—”‌‍​

15‍ students from Team‌​ A walked up‍ to the stage.⁠ The students took‍ their tests in⁠ groups like this​‌ because it would‌‍ take too much‌‌ time otherwise.

– WAAAAHHHH!!

The​ crowd gave a thunderous roar. That‌ was to be⁠ expected because even‍⁠​ aside from their‌ strength, both Dorron⁠‌‌ and Alicia were⁠​‍ famous celebrities among⁠​ the freshmen students.‌‌

Dorron​ Warsky.

As​ the vice captain​⁠ of the Warsky‌ Mercenaries, he was​‌​ a specialist who‌⁠​ was proficient at‌ hunting demons in​‌ the outskirts. Most‌ of the senior⁠​⁠ students would have​​ heard of his⁠‍​ name at the‌‌ very least.

He⁠⁠ was a powerhouse‍​ who was believed⁠ to soon become‍‌‍ the next captain‌‌ of the Warsky​‌​ Mercenaries.

On⁠‌​ the other hand,⁠‍ Alicia was more‌‌‌ known for her‌‌‍ background rather than​​⁠ her individual strength.‌

The​⁠ strongest Unique-Grade Knight‌ who overpowered the‍ entire era with‌‌ no equal – Sword Emperor Garrand.⁠ Even aside from​ how she was​⁠‍ his granddaughter, the‌⁠ name value of‍⁠​ the Arden family⁠‍​ itself was already‍‌​ ridiculously massive.

They⁠​​ were aggressively expanding‌‌​ their forces and⁠⁠‍ every big city​​ had a dojo⁠ built by the‍ Ardens. Besides, they‌​​ also regularly dispatched‍ instructors to the⁠⁠‌ military to teach‍‌ anti-demon swordsmanship and‍‍ strategies.

It‌​⁠ was said that⁠​ the El Rath​​⁠ Kingdom paid the​⁠ Arden family tens⁠​‍ of thousands of‍ gold coins every⁠ year for the‌ training fees alone,⁠⁠‌ and that was​⁠⁠ proof of how‍⁠ enormous their name‍⁠ value was.

There‌⁠​ was even the​‍‍ Sword Master Lunia⁠‍⁠ Arden following the‌‍ tracks of the‌​‍ Sword Emperor and​‌⁠ thus the Ardens⁠ were currently at‌​‌ the height of‍​‍ their fame.

Even‍​ within the Knight‍ Department of Merkarva​ Academy, there were⁠ probably quite a few knights that‍​‌ were learning the​‌‍ Arden swordsmanship.

And‌‍⁠ because Alicia Arden‍ was the direct‍‍​ granddaughter in line⁠ of that renowned‌ household, she was‍‌‌ bound to be⁠​ at the center​⁠‍ of attention whether‌ she wanted it‍​​ or not.

“We⁠​ have special guests​​‌ for the instructors⁠⁠ of this exam.‍‌ They are the‍ elites of the‍​‍ family renowned for⁠‌ their swordplay – the Ardens! Please‍‍⁠ welcome the Five‍‌ Swords of the​ 1st Sword Squad!”‌

Five​ swordsmen walked up‌ the stage to‌‌ stand off against⁠‌​ the 15 students‍‍ of Team A.⁠

Jennie,​​​ Sirin, Lena, Milia⁠ and Mei.

They‌​ were the swordsmen‍⁠ that were directly​⁠‌ under Lunia Arden​‍‌ that followed Lunia​ around everywhere. The⁠‌ reason Lunia Arden​ visited Merkarva City⁠‍ was because she‍​‌ would soon take​‍ office as one‍​‌ of the official⁠‌​ instructors of the⁠‍ academy.

In‍ this event, Alicia‌‌ would be totally⁠ demolished by Lunia⁠‍‍ and she would‍‍‌ focus whole-heartedly on​‌ swordsmanship out of‍‌‌ frustration… huh?

“Where⁠ is Lunia?”

“Mate,‍​ call her Lady​ Lunia. She’s not​ your friend, is⁠‌‌ she?”

I couldn’t see her.​ The only instructors‍ that were on‍‍‌ the stage were‍ the Five Swords.​‍⁠ What was going​⁠ on?

– Ding!

The⁠‍ prac exam began​ while I was‍‌ looking for Lunia‌​ Arden.

“Attack!”⁠‍‍

Although​‍‍ the Five Swords⁠​ were all at‌ the level of‍ a Grade 2 Knight, the students‌ also had two​ Grade 2 Knights‍⁠⁠ among them and‌⁠‍ they also tripled​ their enemy in⁠‌‍ numbers.

It‍ wasn’t a wrong​ approach and the​ students of Team‍‍‌ A simultaneously rushed⁠ towards the Five​​⁠ Swords.

“Do⁠‌‍ we need to‍‍⁠ hold back?”

“They’re‌ students so yes.”⁠

“Be‌⁠ careful of the‌‍ one with flying‌‌ swords. He is​‍ strong.”

The⁠⁠‍ five female swordsmen⁠⁠​ formed a formation​​ while pulling out‌⁠ their aura. It⁠ was the group‍⁠ formation that could⁠‍ only be used⁠⁠ by the swordsmen‍⁠ of the Arden​⁠ family.

❰Arden‍⁠⁠ Sword Formation. Condensed‍‍‍ Aura of Five‍ Swords❱

The⁠​ five swordsmen scattered⁠‌ the aura within‍⁠‍ their swords towards​ the ground at⁠‌​ the same time.​ The aura strike‌⁠‍ of five swordsmen‍‌ that shared the⁠ same swordsmanship gathered​ together to form‌ an enormous sword‍‍​ aura.

It‌ was like a jab on their‌ end, but it‍ came like a natural disaster to​‌ the students.

– Kwaang!

Fortunately,‍‍ their sword strike​‌‌ wasn’t targeted at⁠ the students. After​ landing on the‍‍ ground, the aura‍⁠‌ quaked the ground‍ and created a massive layer of‌​​ dust.

“Uahk!”​‍⁠

“I⁠​‍ can’t see anything!”​​⁠

When​ outnumbered, block the⁠ sight of the‍‍ enemy. Their well-seasoned‌⁠ response was something​⁠⁠ that was possible⁠ not because of⁠‌ their individual strength⁠‌ but because of​⁠​ their accumulated experience.​​

“Kuahkk!”⁠⁠‌

“W,⁠ what?!”

The⁠ students couldn’t respond‌ in time, not‌‍​ because they were​ weak but because​ they were inexperienced.⁠ If I were⁠‌ them, I would‌ have made everyone⁠ retreat to the‍‍ back of the‌ stage and reorganize​ the formation or⁠ look for ways‍⁠⁠ to remove the‍​⁠ dust.

“Tch.”‍‌

Unable‌ to watch them⁠​‍ any longer, Dorron‍ manipulated his magic‌‌‌ swords.

Backed​‌⁠ up with his‍ telekinesis, the swords​ rotated at a fearsome speed. Like⁠ the propellers of​​ a helicopter, they‌​ created a gale​‌‌ that raised the⁠ dust.

That⁠‍ was when… someone‌‌ jumped towards him‌ through the layer‍‍‍ of dust.

“Hmm?!”‍‍⁠

It​​​ was one of⁠​‌ the Five Swords‌ – Milia of​​‍ the Illusionary Sword.⁠​ She had jumped‌ in immediately after​​ seeing that Dorron‌ had moved his‌ magic swords away‍‌​ from his body.‌⁠

– Kaang!

Milia’s​‌ two scimitars collided‍‌ against Dorron’s spare‌‌‍ sword. Dorron was⁠‍‍ a veteran himself​‍​ and wouldn’t be‍‍ defeated that easily‌​‌ but he would⁠​ be at a disadvantage until his‍ magic swords returned​​ to him.

“Mr.‍‍ Dorron!”

“I’ll‌ be your opponent,‍‍‍ young miss.”

“Uhht?!”​‍

Another‍‌ one broke through⁠‌ the layer of‍​⁠ dust. She was‌ the Rapid Sword,‌‍ Jennie, who used⁠‌ her lengthy blade‍⁠‍ to press down‍ on Alicia’s demon-slaying⁠ sword.

“Ugh,‌‍‌ a, are you⁠⁠ marking me?”

“Well…⁠⁠ 3 of us‌⁠‍ will be enough⁠⁠ to deal with​⁠ 10 students.”

– Besides, we also‍⁠ need to properly​‍‍ evaluate you, young⁠⁠⁠ miss.

Alicia⁠​ tried pushing Jennie​ away after seemingly‌ being put in​⁠‍ a bad mood‍⁠ from her words‍‌⁠ but it was‌​ in vain. She‌⁠⁠ was instead deceived⁠‌‍ by Jennie’s feint‍⁠‌ and soon ended‍⁠ up on the​ ground after being​‍ tripped.

“Your‌‍ posture is too‌‍⁠ easy to crumble,‌‌ young miss.”

“Uhk!”‌‍⁠

– Kajik!

Alicia⁠ dodged the downward‌ attack of the⁠ scabbard by rolling​ on the ground‍ as Jennie then⁠ waited for her​⁠ to re-posture herself.​

– Ohh~

– As expected of‌‌ the Five Swords.‌⁠⁠ They live up​‍​ to their name.‍

– Look. They’re all​ falling like reeds⁠ except for Alicia⁠ Arden and Dorron‌ Warsky.

– Tch tch. One‍⁠‌ of them really⁠​ should step up‌⁠⁠ and do a counter-attack even if‍‌ they end up‌⁠ allowing a strike!‍‌

The​‌ eyes of the⁠‌ audience naturally shifted‍ to Alicia and⁠‌ Dorron.

They‌ were the pride‍ of freshmen students.‍‍‍ Their swordplay against‍‌‌ knights of the‌​⁠ same Grade was​​ so fancy that‌ anything similar to‌‍ it would be⁠‍‍ difficult to see⁠⁠ in fights between‍​ students.

“…”​

– Uahkk!

– She’s too fast!‍​

– Do something about‍⁠ it!

On‍‌‌ the other hand,‍‌​ the 13 students‍‍‌ were being completely‍ devastated by the‍ 3 female swordsmen.‌‌‌ Even though the‍‌‍ Arden elites were⁠⁠ holding back for‍⁠⁠ the watching professors​‍‍ to have time‌‌‌ to give marks,​⁠ the students were​‌⁠ still very feeble‍​ and looked like‍ they’d be crushed​‌‌ in a matter⁠‍ of minutes.

‘Dorron…‌​ looks like he’ll‍‍ win.’

“Come.‌⁠‍ Fire spirit sword.‍ Heavy iron sword.”⁠

“Uht…!”‌

He‌⁠‌ recalled the magic​ swords after removing‌‌ the cloud of‍⁠⁠ dust around him.‌​ Milia had been​ suppressing Dorron with‍‌ her two scimitars​ but was now⁠​‌ being suppressed instead​ after Dorron regained​‍ his five magic⁠ swords.

At‍​‍ this rate, she‍‌⁠ would inevitably end⁠‍‌ up losing, because‌‌‍ Dorron also had​​‌ as much experience‍‌ as the Five⁠⁠‍ Swords.

– Kang!

“Kuhk…!”⁠​‍

Meanwhile,​ Alicia was on‍‍​ her knees with​ cold beads of​‌ sweat traveling down​‍​ her cheeks. She‌‍ and Jennie were⁠‌ right in front‍ of each other’s‍​‍ noses with Jennie’s⁠‍ sword being right⁠‍​ underneath her jaws.‌‌

‘I​‍‌ told you you‌‍ need to practice,⁠​ you idiot.’

As‌⁠ I expected, Jennie‌ was able to​​ neutralize Alicia with‌‌‍ ease through close​⁠ combat. The question‍ was now whether​⁠ Alicia could fling⁠ off the opponent’s‌​ sword that was⁠ right next to‍ her with only‌ a 10-centimeter gap‍ between them but…‌​‍ Alicia lacked both‌‌ understanding and theoretical​‍ knowledge on how​‌‍ to come out‌ on top from‍ such a close-quarter‌ fight.

“You‍ need to practice​‍⁠ more, young miss.‌⁠ At this rate,‌‌‌ you won’t even‌⁠‌ be able to‌​​ reach the feet​‌ of Sir Garrand​ or Lady Lunia.”⁠⁠⁠

“Uuhhk…!”​

– Kaang! Kagang!

Even​⁠‍ though anti-lethal spells⁠‍ had been cast‌ on the blades‍​ of their swords,⁠‍‍ their swords still‍‍ let out a vicious noise with​ every clash. That​ was a telltale‍​ sign of how‍‌ their strikes were​⁠‌ becoming increasingly more​‌ fierce.

“Are⁠​ you calling yourself‌⁠‌ a successor of⁠‌ the Sword Emperor‍⁠‌ with skills like‍ this?”

“I,​ I…!”

Jennie‍​ the Rapid Sword⁠⁠​ was pretty much‌‌‍ harassing her at​‍‍ this point. Even‍‍ though Jennie should‌⁠‌ be able to⁠ neutralize Alicia with⁠‌‍ ease, she was​⁠‌ using up more​ time than necessary.⁠​​

‘Was‌​ she told to⁠‍‌ do that?’

That​‌ was something Lunia​​ should be doing‍ according to the‍​ original storyline but‌ Jennie was the⁠ one doing it‍⁠​ now. Did Lunia‌⁠ tell her to‌​ do that or‌⁠​ something?

“You⁠‍ probably don’t even‌⁠ need to graduate‍ at this point.‍ You might as⁠‌ well quit the‍⁠ academy and return⁠‍ home and train​ yourself!”

“N,⁠‍‌ no…!”

It‍‌​ happened in an‌‍ instant but I did not miss⁠‍ Alicia’s pupils turning‌⁠ into a diamond-shape.​⁠

Was​ she going to⁠ see it? The​ Domain?

Her‍‍ Eyes of the‌​ Boundaries cracked open‌ and right as⁠ she was about‌‍ to see through⁠ the gap between‍⁠‌ the dimensions – as she was⁠ about to gaze‍ into that world​​⁠ of suspended time…⁠‌ her body turned​⁠ frozen stiff as‍‍ if she was‍‍ frightened.

– Slam!

After‌‍‍ being struck by⁠​ Jennie’s sword, Alicia‌ rolled across the⁠ ground a few‍ times. Despite the‍ anti-lethal spell, the‌‌‍ sword had been⁠ swung by a Grade 2 Knight​ and that caused​ Alicia to stay​ on the ground‍⁠‌ for a long⁠ time with no‌ signs of standing​ back up.

“…Not‌ yet, huh.”

Even⁠ with her eyes‌‌ open, Alicia did‌​​ not gaze into‌ the Domain.

In⁠ conclusion, the instructor‌ team had an⁠​ overwhelming victory in⁠ Team A’s practical⁠ lesson. Even though⁠‌ Dorron had a splendid achievement of​ defeating Milia, he⁠ forfeited immediately after⁠ seeing the four‌​​ remaining swordsmen.

After⁠​⁠ that, it was⁠ time for Team‌ B where I had been allocated​⁠ to. The only‍‍​ ones I knew‍ of in this‌⁠ team were Jaeger‍‌ and Lark.

The‌​ instructor that 15‍ members of Team​‍ B had to‍​‍ fight against was…‍

“Hold⁠‍ up…”

“Have⁠ you been well,‍‍⁠ Korin Lork?”

Lunia⁠ Arden.

She​ walked up the⁠ stage by herself.​‍⁠

Hello?⁠‌ But like… why?⁠⁠​

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