I Became a Swordsmanship Instructor in a Romance Novel

After Saintess Ramielli left, Zeke Clayman headed straight to the principal’s office.

He had to report that he would accept the Saintess as a new student.

On the way there, he noticed a yellowish lump, presumably Rosnante, crumpled in front of the door, but he didn’t pay it any mind.

Arriving at the principal’s office, he knocked.

“Principal.”

“Ah, Zeke. You’ve returned. Did you meet with the Princess of the North?”

“Yes, she will be attending my class starting tomorrow.”

“…Is that so?”

The principal seemed to have a lot to say, but he closed his mouth as if he thought it would only lead to more trouble if he got involved.

He took off his glasses and wiped the lenses with a cloth.

“Alright, I understand.”

“Yes, then I’ll be going.”

“Zeke Clayman.”

Just as Zeke bowed his head and was about to turn around, the principal called out to him.

“Yes.”

“There’s one more thing I need to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“Hmm, how many students are you currently in charge of?”

“I believe it’s around two hundred.”

“Starting next week, we’ve decided to bring in a new swordsmanship instructor.”

Zeke’s eyes widened slightly at the principal’s words.

This was good news for him as well.

In truth, teaching two hundred students alone at Ramielli Academy might sound prestigious to some, but it wasn’t for Zeke.

His classes were known for their grueling training, pushing each student to their limits every moment.

However, each student had different strengths and weaknesses in terms of stamina, physique, and mental fortitude.

When he had five students, he could tailor the training to their individual characteristics, but now it was impossible.

And the students who had joined his class because he was the only instructor left…

They had lost their initial enthusiasm, one by one dropping out of his class or using excuses like illness to avoid proper training.

Zeke wasn’t the kind of person who could drag those students along.

And perhaps, from their perspective, it would be more beneficial to switch to another instructor who would provide them with a moderate level of sword training.

He nodded.

“I see. So, will we be allowing the students to freely choose their instructors again this time?”

“Basically, the students’ opinions are the most important, but… it seems you intend to take charge of those five students you were previously responsible for.”

“No. I’m considering six, including the Princess of the North.”

“Hmm…”

As the principal seemed to be in thought, Zeke added,

“Rather, they are the only students who can endure my class.”

“No, no. I would also prefer it if you took charge of them.”

In fact, from the principal’s perspective, it was far more desirable for those high-ranking ticking time bombs to be in Zeke’s class.

The principal himself knew best that even though Ramielli preached equality, it was just an illusion.

And when they were all gathered in one class…

There were no complaints about special treatment, so it was convenient for the principal.

In fact, he had been receiving letters from nobles every day asking for special treatment for their children, but he had been using the daughters of the Duke’s family and the Second Prince as a convenient shield, saying,

“How can I give your child special treatment when they are training alongside them?”

‘And if I think about them going to the newly appointed swordsmanship instructor… it would be a huge headache…’

The principal organized his thoughts and shook his head.

“…I would love to support you, but it’s not my jurisdiction. This is a situation where we need to discuss it with the other instructor. Shall we meet him now?”

“Ah, is he here already? Then please call him in.”

Zeke nodded.

Indeed, it was best to handle such matters quickly to avoid any further complications.

Sigh

For some reason, the principal seemed very uncomfortable.

“Bring in the swordsmanship instructor!”

The principal spoke towards the door.

Knock. Knock. Knock-

Soon, a knock came from outside.

It seemed he had been waiting outside the door.

‘But I didn’t notice…?’

Even if he had been relaxed, the fact that he didn’t notice someone outside the door meant that the opponent was incredibly skilled.

Zeke’s vigilance increased.

“It’s the swordsmanship instructor. May I come in?”

“Y-yes, come in.”

The principal replied in a hesitant tone.

Zeke was curious about who this person was which made the principal react this way.

He turned his head to see the person entering through the opening door.

Thud-

Thud-

Thud-

Zeke’s eyebrows twitched as he saw the opponent.

‘Who… is this…?’

The man who entered. No, should he be called a boy?

He looked even more sickly than Ilios.

His body was thin and withered, with dark circles under his eyes.

And a youthful face.

‘With a body like that… he teaches swordsmanship…?’

Even more noticeable was his hair, split down the middle with blonde and black.

And his eyes were also odd-eyed, with one gold and one black.

‘What is this… a half-and-half head…?’

Zeke looked at the principal with a questioning expression, as if asking who this person was. The principal sighed deeply.

“…Well, let me introduce him. This is the newly appointed swordsmanship instructor, Licht Leonine.”

“…Leonine?”

“Yes, His Highness the Third Prince.”

Zeke became even more confused.

“…If you are His Highness the Third Prince, then you are the First Prince and the Second Prince’s…”

As if he knew Zeke would ask, the principal nodded.

“Yes, their younger brother.”

Zeke stared at the boy in front of him with a dumbfounded expression.

As far as he knew, the Third Prince was so absorbed in magic that he didn’t even attend Ramielli Academy and spent his days researching in a small room.

That’s why Ilios and Rosnante didn’t pay much attention to the Third Prince.

But for him to come here, not as a magic instructor, but as a swordsmanship instructor…

Zeke couldn’t understand how this was possible.

‘And with a body like that…?’

“Ahaha. May I speak now, Principal?”

The Third Prince, Licht, turned his head towards the principal, as if to say he would introduce himself.

“Haha. It seems my presence here is quite surprising.

I heard you were a man of few expressions, but perhaps I’ve witnessed a rare sight.”

Zeke realized that his expression had faltered and quickly regained his composure.

“Your Highness the Third Prince.”

“Yes, that’s right. And you are Zeke Clayman.”

“Yes.”

“You truly have an upright atmosphere, as I’ve heard. Haha.”

“I was just momentarily surprised because I had only heard rumors that Your Highness was training in magic.”

Zeke said, looking at the Third Prince with an expressionless gaze.

“Hmm, that… sounds like you’re doubting my skills?”

“Ah, I apologize if it sounded that way. However, I truly didn’t know that Your Highness was also skilled in swordsmanship.”

“…Well, let’s just say that as I delved into one path, another path led me here.”

Zeke extended his hand to him.

This ominous feeling he had felt since their first encounter…

Zeke didn’t ignore his intuition.

He intended to check his mana and aura while shaking his hand.

However, the Third Prince only stared at Zeke’s outstretched hand.

Zeke knew that this was an implicit refusal, but he maintained eye contact and didn’t withdraw his hand.

How long did they stare at each other like that?

Just as the restless principal was about to intervene…

Suddenly, the Third Prince burst into laughter.

“Aha! Ah, ahahahahahaha! I was momentarily confused about what was going on. Ah, that’s right. That’s right.

Ramielli Academy is indeed a place like this.

Everyone is equal, and the hierarchy among the faculty is also equal.

Was it something like that?”

His laughter, once it started, showed no signs of stopping.

He laughed for a while before finally grasping Zeke’s hand.

“Ahaha. I’m sorry. It’s my first time someone offered me a handshake like this.”

And then…

Zeke’s face quickly hardened.

‘…I can’t read him…?’

Even though he was holding his hand directly, he still couldn’t read anything about him.

It was like groping in the dark, in a pitch-black space where not a single ray of light could enter.

The Third Prince’s eyes widened as he saw Zeke’s hardened expression.

Then, he nodded as if he understood.

“Ah, I understand. That’s right. I do look quite young.

I heard that my older brother is also taking your class, so I understand why you’re surprised.

But, Instructor, you don’t seem to be that much older than your students either, do you?”

Zeke stared blankly at the Third Prince’s smiling face.

“That’s how it is. This is Ramielli Academy.

A place where the path is open to anyone as long as they have the skills and no other disqualifying factors.

A place where everything is determined solely by skill.

Ahaha. By the way, Instructor Zeke Clayman.

I’m not sure since it’s my first time shaking hands… but is it normal to grip so tightly and hold on for so long?”

He let go of Zeke’s hand at his words.

“Anyway, I overheard it outside the door. You want to teach the original five, plus the Princess of the North, for a total of six, and hand over the rest of the students to me…”

“Yes.”

“Hmm… But isn’t that a bit too shameless?”

He tilted his head and asked.

“Well, it doesn’t really matter to me whether I teach a few hundred students or not… but those six students are the cream of the crop… And the Princess of the North wasn’t even originally your student, was she? So, just hand over one. Then, I’ll accept your terms.”

The Third Prince looked at Zeke with interest, as if asking what he would do.