The Academy’s Hard-Headed Swordmaster

“Hey, hey, what’s it like to be an Aura Master?”

Inside the carriage headed to the Academy, Ruby’s incessant questions were getting on my nerves.

I frowned slightly, glancing at her.

“Seriously, why are you so curious?”

“But—I’m face-to-face with a Master I’ve only dreamed of! And you’re even younger than me! I’m right here with a genius among geniuses, an Aura Master in their teens! How can I possibly stay quiet!?”

At Ruby’s words, I cleared my throat and looked out the window.

It had been a while since I’d received such unadulterated praise.

Those around me were already accustomed to the fact that I was an Aura Master.

Instead of praising me for anything I did, they treated it as a matter of course—but Ruby, who had only learned about it today, was different.

‘This feels surprisingly good.’

It felt so good that I briefly considered revealing my status as a Master to others as well.

Of course, I knew that while it might feel good in the short term, it would be detrimental in the long run, so I shook my head.

I might be lauded and praised for a while, but people would soon start treating me like my friends did, as if it were nothing special.

In that case, it would be better to reveal it slowly.

“Hmm, what it feels like to be a Master, huh…?”

“Yes, yes!”

I began explaining to Ruby the difference in senses that came with being a Master, and how it broadened one’s perception of the world.

It was a one-on-one tutoring session with a Master, something money couldn’t buy, so Ruby craned her neck, completely focused on my words.

Meanwhile, the carriage continued its journey towards the Academy.

* * *

“Ugh…”

“—Over here! We have an injured student!”

“Healer! This way!”

Inside the Academy, students who had been injured during their first practical training session began pouring out.

From those with minor scratches to those covered in blood.

As the numerous injured lined up, the Knight Department Instructors calmly questioned the partners of the injured students.

“So, he ran off on his own and got stabbed, you say?”

“Yes, Instructor.”

“You failed to control your junior. Demerit.”

Saying so, the Instructor checked the third-year student’s name on the checklist in his hand. The reprimanded third-year student’s face crumpled.

He bowed his head and quickly retreated into the Academy.

There was no trace of concern for the injured student on their faces.

This disregard for life was a byproduct of the readily available Divine Power, a panacea that could heal any injury as long as it wasn’t fatal.

Just as the Dragon Balls, capable of resurrecting the dead, eventually made death itself less frightening, Divine Power made injuries seem trivial.

“—Instructor.”

“Ah, Student Kyle Meyer.”

“I’ve finished my mission. Where should I go?”

“Please show me your mission report.”

“Uh…”

Kyle scratched his cheek, looking troubled.

The mission report had instructed him to burn it after reading, and following those instructions, Kyle had discreetly incinerated the paper with his Aura while Ruby wasn’t looking.

He couldn’t submit something that no longer existed. Just as he was struggling, Gawain approached.

“Ah, send them this way.”

“Sir? Yes, sir! Professor Gawain.”

Hearing Gawain, the Instructor immediately directed Kyle and Ruby towards him.

Gawain gestured with his chin, asking if they had completed their mission successfully.

“So, did you finish the job?”

“Yeah, well… it was a bit tough. You would’ve been dead if you’d gone, old man.”

“You brat. I’m still in my prime.”

Seeing Gawain brush off his serious statement as a joke, Kyle shrugged.

If he didn’t believe him, there was nothing he could do.

As they chatted, Ruby, who had been listening, suddenly spoke up.

“P-Professor Gawain. I have something to tell you.”

“Hmm. You’re from the Alderica family, if I’m not mistaken…”

“Ruby Alderica. It’s just—I’ve become a Master.”

“What!? You’ve become a Master!?”

Gawain’s eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Ruby.

Seeing Gawain so shocked he looked like he might pass out, Ruby waved her hands frantically.

“N-No, not me, but this guy…”

“Ah… Hmm, Student Ruby. Joking with a Professor? Are you out of your mind?”

“No? I’m not joking, it’s true…”

Ruby glared at Kyle, urging him to confirm her words.

Of course, Kyle simply shrugged, feigning ignorance.

“She must be delirious after nearly dying today.”

“Indeed. I’ll forgive your jest. Go get some rest, Student Ruby.”

“B-But, there’s a Master among the students now…?”

She looked at Kyle, who shrugged as if he didn’t understand what she was talking about, and her expression became as gloomy as a general who had lost his entire army.

Wondering if she had truly been mistaken, she stumbled back to the dormitory. Watching her go, Gawain cautiously turned to Kyle.

“You’ve done it now.”

“I told you. It was strong. You would’ve died if you were there.”

“I thought you were spouting nonsense… That a mere Chimera could become that strong?”

Gawain fell into thought, wondering how such a thing was possible.

Soon, he recalled the Magic Department, who had created such a monster and casually dumped it on them.

“Those bastards… passing their mess onto us?”

“Anyway, the mission was a success, right?”

“Yes, good work. Go wash up and get some rest.”

“Yes, sir.”

Swinging his arms, Kyle headed towards the dormitory.

He made eye contact with students from other departments who were walking down the hallway for their mobile classes.

The other students frowned at Kyle, covered in sweat and dried blood, and passed him by.

Among them was Izuna Hella, who had fainted at the sight of him before.

Just as Kyle was about to distance himself from her, anticipating another fainting spell, Izuna stared at him with an expression of disbelief.

“…Hi.”

“—Eek!”

“Damn it.”

Kyle, who had greeted her casually because she hadn’t been surprised to see him, scratched the back of his head as Izuna continued to flinch at his presence.

Annoyed, he walked straight past her and headed to the dormitory.

Izuna continued to follow Kyle with her eyes as he disappeared.

* * *

“Princess Hella?”

“Oh, yeah. Let’s go…”

Izuna Hella walked down the hallway, surrounded by students acting as her protectors. S

he thought about Kyle, whom she had just encountered.

‘It’s impossible.’

Information about Kyle appeared before her eyes. Detailed information about what he had done and what he had been doing.

The information displayed had been updated.

If the person updated was an ordinary student, it wouldn’t be surprising.

Most students were too young to have a fixed title.

It was something that one might obtain after dedicating their entire life to it.

‘It’s been updated…?’

However, Kyle Meyer had a surprisingly large number of titles for a teenager, and they had just been updated.

Of course, it wasn’t his second shadow, which made one question his humanity, that had been updated, but Kyle Meyer himself.

A change had occurred in his status window, which was already filled with titles like Sword Saint and Aura Master.

‘Main Stream Breaker…?’

Not only that, but incomprehensible titles such as ‘Hero’ and ‘Playable Character’ had appeared.

Considering that a person with even one title would be remembered in history, the sudden appearance of three new titles was unbelievable.

What was even more unbelievable was that the titles weren’t negative at all.

‘How is this possible?’

Kyle had already accumulated too much bad karma.

Just as a doctor who cruelly murdered dozens of people isn’t considered good just because they saved hundreds of lives, and a saintess who saved hundreds isn’t considered evil for ignoring a single life, the bad karma he had accumulated was beyond description.

Even if he saved the world, his intentions would be questioned.

But to wash away that bad karma and receive new titles in just a few days?

Titles reserved for those overflowing with good deeds?

“Kyle Meyer…”

“Yes?”

“It’s nothing. Let’s go.”

Izuna Hella uttered his name as she cautiously moved towards the classroom.

Her followers trailed behind her.

* * *

“A tournament to determine the strongest student in each year will be held.”

Gawain, standing at the podium, announced the tournament schedule to the students.

A competition where willing students could participate and test their strength against each other.

There would be no penalties for not participating, but the winner would receive various prizes.

Hearing this, I immediately looked at Gawain, expressing my desire to participate.

Gawain, meeting my gaze, cursed me with his eyes.

‘You want to interfere in a kids’ fight? You have no shame.’

At the voice echoing in my head, I discreetly lowered my hand.