I Became a Swordsmanship Instructor in a Romance Novel

Zeke’s brows furrowed.

‘Why would he make such a promise when he could just take the Saintess hostage and make her swear?’

‘Those stubborn bastards… they’re the type to keep their word once it’s been spoken…’

He had managed to glean some basic information about the Saintess, but he hadn’t even begun his real questioning. Duke Yohaiden’s interference was unwelcome, to say the least.

“Zeke Clayman, they will no longer target you, so hand over the girl.”

Duke Yohaiden demanded.

“Ha…”

Zeke sighed and glared at the Knight Commander.

“Hey, tell her to come see me when she wakes up.”

“…Do you really think we’ll let you two meet again?”

They might have promised not to attack Zeke Clayman, but that didn’t mean they had any warm feelings towards him.

The Knight Commander’s voice dripped with displeasure.

“Don’t you know why she’s even here?”

“…”

The Knight Commander’s silence spoke volumes.

It was clear they had been dragged into this situation without even knowing the reason.

‘Damn it, that little… If she’s going to be stubborn, there’s not much I can do.’

Zeke could already imagine Sere nagging and pushing Soi relentlessly.

“Listen, she came here because of me. I’m sure she’ll want to talk to me when she wakes up. Just tell her that. I’m an instructor at Ramielli Academy, swordsmanship. She can send a letter or come find me.”

“You? A swordsmanship instructor at Ramielli Academy?”

The Knight Commander’s bewildered expression made it clear that this was not the first time he’d questioned Zeke’s claims.

“What are you looking at? Don’t you believe me?”

“Zeke Clayman.”

Duke Yohaiden’s stern voice cut through the air, and Zeke reluctantly withdrew his sword from the Saintess’s neck.

‘I told her to find me, but knowing her, she might avoid me. Hmm, I wonder if she still has that?’

Pretending to hand over the Saintess, Zeke subtly brushed his hand against her nape.

Beneath her skin, he felt the faint outline of metal.

‘Just as I thought.’

A locket, cloaked with an invisibility enchantment, hung from her neck. It was something so precious to her that she had never even shown it to Zeke.

He discreetly channeled his mana, snapping the chain and palming the locket.

“Don’t forget to tell her what I said.”

“…”

The Knight Commander didn’t reply, his gaze fixed on Duke Yohaiden.

“Then we shall take our leave. You will honor your word and keep this a secret, as promised. We will, of course, inform Duke Ira of this matter.”

“It’s Yohaiden. I even gave you my family crest.”

With the Saintess in tow, the Black Wolf Knights finally departed.

Duke Yohaiden watched them disappear into the distance, a weary expression settling on his face.

“Haa… You really are something else… No, never mind that. Now that that’s settled, I assume we’re done here?”

“Well, almost. But it’s always best to tie up loose ends, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Loose ends?”

Zeke turned towards the unconscious girl.

“Yes. First things first. Soi Spoon. I know you’re awake. Get up.”

“…”

Soi Spoon remained motionless on the ground.

“If you don’t get up right now, I’ll make sure everyone knows exactly what you said earlier.”

A flicker of movement.

***

Soi had actually regained consciousness back when Zeke was threatening the princess from Ira.

‘Huh? Why am I alive…? I definitely…?’

She could have sworn she had died after cleansing Zeke’s emotions and being stabbed in the heart.

Her body felt heavy and sluggish, as if it had been pieced back together.

Every muscle ached, protesting against the very act of being alive.

But if she were truly dead, she wouldn’t be feeling any of this pain, would she?

‘I… I’m alive…’

Relief washed over her in waves.

Then, as she tried to grasp how she had survived, the events of moments ago flashed before her eyes.

Her breath hitched.

‘Oh. My. God. No. No way… What have I done…!!!’

[ Hee, a handsome man crying… It’s more bearable than I thought. I never knew I had this kind of thing for it. ]

[ Don’t be sad, Instructor. Have you… always been carrying this burden? ]

[ Poor thing, you poor, poor man… ]

[ …Hehe, I’ve always wanted… to do this… I guess I really did like you, Instructor… I told Selena and Iriel that I didn’t… Hmm, sorry about that… ]

[ Yes, my name is Soi Spoon. Not Elise. ]

[ I’ll take all these feelings with me, Instructor. So, you have to… You have to be happy, okay? ]

‘Aaaaagh!!! Aaaaagh!!!!!! No, noooooo!!!!!!’

Soi screamed internally.

She still didn’t understand how she was alive, but that didn’t matter right now.

Being alive was a good thing.

As they say, it’s better to be a live dog than a dead lion.

She would get to see her beloved family and friends again.

But…

This was not good.

She wanted to die again.

She had said all sorts of embarrassing things.

Now that she thought about it, she had basically confessed her feelings while spouting nonsense!

‘Maybe… death wouldn’t be so bad…’

She couldn’t possibly live with the shame of what she had said.

‘Die. Just die… Please. Die. Soi Spoon… you stupid, stupid girl…!!’

A sliver of hope flickered within her.

What if, by cleansing Zeke’s negative emotions, she had also erased his memories of the event? But Zeke’s words shattered that hope into a million pieces.

“If you don’t get up right now, I’ll make sure everyone knows exactly what you said earlier.”

Soi bit her lip.

‘How could he?! Doesn’t he know it’s rude to pretend he doesn’t know someone?!’

She couldn’t pretend to be asleep any longer.

As much as she wanted to avoid looking at Zeke Clayman right now, she knew that if her words spread, she would die of embarrassment.

“…Ugh… Haam… Oh, I slept well…”

With stiff, awkward movements, she stretched and sat up.

And then, she decided to go with:

“Wh-what happened to me? I-I don’t remember anything after we came up the mountain… I don’t remember anything at all!”

It was such an unconvincing performance that anyone could tell she was faking it, but Duke Yohaiden’s expression only grew more serious.

He had heard that Soi was Selena’s friend.

Now, he saw Selena in Soi’s erratic behavior.

“Goodness! Zeke Clayman! I think the fall has affected her mind! This is terrible. There’s nothing that can be done about a head injury!”

“Huh…?”

“A head injury may seem fine now, but we can’t be sure about the aftereffects! We must get her to a doctor immediately! At least a competent one in the capital!!!”

“W-wait a minute…”

“Zeke Clayman!! Isn’t she your student?! Tell me, did you two talk about anything on the mountain? Did something happen? Maybe it will help her regain her memories!!! Hurry!!”

Having entered full-on doting-father mode, the Duke bombarded Zeke with questions.

Soi’s face paled at his concern. If she didn’t intervene now, who knew what Zeke would say?

“Wait! Just a moment!!!”

“Hmm?”

“I-I remember everything!!! It was just a momentary lapse of memory! Yeah, yeah, that’s it! You don’t have to worry about it!!!!”

She spoke rapidly, her words tumbling over each other.

“…Do you really remember everything that just happened…?”

“Yes, yes, yes!!! I’m completely fine! I remember everything! I didn’t hit my head, and I’m perfectly healthy! So you really don’t have to worry, okay?!”

Her stiff body screamed in protest as she forced herself to stand, flexing her arms to demonstrate her well-being.

However, Duke Yohaiden’s worry didn’t disappear.

Even if she was telling the truth, Soi was acting far too different from the girl he had met before.

Her eyes continued to shift colors, and her translucent hair floated around her, as if echoing her turbulent emotions.

He turned to Zeke, seeking confirmation.

“Ah, that will return to normal soon. She recently awakened to her abilities, so these memory lapses and physical changes are only temporary.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes, there’s no need to worry.”

Zeke’s calm reassurance finally eased the Duke’s worries.

And Soi breathed a sigh of relief.

“So, this girl is what you meant by ‘tying up loose ends’?”

“Something like that. Soi Spoon.”

“Y-yes sir!?”

“The power to manipulate emotions. Can you still use it?”

“Y-yes… I think I can still use it.”

Soi avoided Zeke’s gaze, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Excellent.”

Zeke nodded in satisfaction.

“Then be prepared. You’ll need to use your ability soon.”

He glanced towards the shattered boulder.

Eustia emerged from behind it, covered in dirt, followed by Hela.

“Zeke… Clayman…”