NOVEL NEXT Ch 07 - If You're Eyeing My Seat
Chapter 07
If You’re Eyeing My Seat
“Why are you here?”
The question Yols threw out was a really nasty one.
It was a vague, ambiguous question, making it hard to predict the correct answer.
But right now, it’s a special moment—the first lecture since joining the academy.
What kind of message does Yols want to convey to the students in this significant setting?
If you think about that, the answer becomes clear.
“A thousand years ago.”
“Hmm…?”
I began to speak in a calm voice.
I didn’t plan to end my answer quickly like the other students.
“A thousand years ago, His Majesty the Iron-Blooded Sword Emperor founded this Lichtenauer Swordsmanship Academy.”
The Iron-Blooded Sword Emperor was the founding emperor of the empire.
The reason the empire reveres swordsmanship, the reason only those who excel in the swordsmanship academy can rise to high positions—all of this started from the time of the Iron-Blooded Sword Emperor.
“In the war just before that, humanity suffered great losses.
To prepare for another such war, His Majesty established this academy.”
“…”
“The empire has been investing enormous budgets for generations to educate young people, to cultivate talents who can deal with such situations.”
I continued speaking in a composed voice.
“We are here to live up to those expectations, as we are the future leaders of imperial society.”
“…”
“We don’t need nobles who just enjoy power.
Only those who can deal with the threats of war, monsters, and demonic cults that continue even now have the right to lead this country.”
That is the ideology ruling this empire… and the reason for the academy’s existence.
The message Yols wanted to convey in this first lecture is precisely this.
“We came to this academy to become the swords that protect the empire, professor.”
Hearing my answer, Yols was silent for a while.
The students held their breath, waiting for Yols’ reaction.
And finally, Yols spoke.
“That’s a shame.”
Some students sighed in disappointment at his words.
But that was a premature reaction.
“If you say everything like that, what am I supposed to talk about? I went to all the trouble to prepare, but it’s useless now.”
“…!”
“It was a perfect answer.”
In front of the students who were holding their breath, Yols spoke in a serious voice.
“What’s your name?”
“Ernas Landsstein.”
“I’ll remember that, Ernas.”
Yols nodded as he repeated my name, and there were gasps of admiration from here and there in the lecture hall.
“Everyone, listen up.
This empire is a nation of the sword.”
Silencing the students, Yols spoke in a solemn voice.
“As Ernas just said, the empire runs the academy to forge you into useful swords.
If you’re nothing but a rusty kitchen knife, you’re useless to this country.”
“…!”
“Become swords that can protect the empire and its people.
Train and hone yourselves relentlessly.
If you can become brilliant, shining swords…”
Yols looked around at all of us and said,
“Naturally, the path to glory will open.”
“…!”
If you become an excellent swordsman who benefits the country, you’ll naturally rise to success and elevate your family’s status.
So, don’t get any funny ideas and train your sword with a sense of duty… This is what Yols was ultimately trying to convey.
“Now, let’s get into the actual lecture.
In the morning, I’ll teach you the theoretical knowledge you need to reach the Graduate level…”
Yols picked up a piece of chalk to write on the board.
“In the afternoon, we’ll have a sparring session where everyone will participate to assess your current skills.”
“…!”
A sparring session for everyone.
Many students looked tense at those words.
‘Ernas gave such an excellent answer…’
As she listened to the lecture, Serine kept glancing at the back of Ernas, who was sitting in the front.
To be honest, Serine had similar thoughts, but she didn’t have the confidence to answer as logically as Ernas if she had been called on.
The intimidating presence of Yols had made her feel small.
‘He answered so naturally, like flowing water.
Had he prepared that answer beforehand? Or is that what he always thought?’
The Ernas Serine knew was a thorough egoist.
Becoming a sword to fight for the protection of the country… There’s no way he would think like that.
‘Yeah, he just gave an answer that would please the professor.
But…’
Serine sighed softly.
‘Why did I find Ernas’s words so inspiring?’
We are the future leaders of imperial society, so we must meet those expectations.
We don’t need nobles who just enjoy power.
Only those who can deal with threats have the right to lead this country.
These were all things Serine had vaguely thought about before.
Ernas had just clearly and concretely articulated them.
‘Ernas, which side are you on?’
Was he just a self-centered egoist casually spouting the right answer?
Or was he confidently revealing his hidden ideals?
Not knowing which, Serine felt confused.
‘I don’t understand you.’
Serine had misunderstood Ernas’s abilities.
Maybe… She had also misunderstood his character.
After finishing the morning theory lecture, the students headed to the cafeteria attached to the dormitory.
Since the Imperial government provided ample support, the food in the cafeteria was of very high quality.
‘This is a really well-thought-out setup.’
I wanted to congratulate myself.
If I had tried to be realistic and described the food as what medieval students ate, I would’ve cried tears of blood every mealtime.
“Ernas, from now on, you can give me the attendance sheet like this.”
“Got it.”
But since I was the representative, I couldn’t start eating right away just because it was lunchtime.
Even now, I was tidying up the lecture hall with Anneliese after the students had left.
“Then, I’ll be going now, Instructor.”
“Yes, enjoy your meal.”
After finishing the cleanup, I headed to the cafeteria.
But as soon as I stepped out of the hall, a student blocked my way.
“Can I have a moment of your time, Ernas?”
“…”
It was a girl with long light blue hair that was almost sky-colored.
She had a delicate and somewhat fragile appearance, but she approached me with a gentle smile and without hesitation.
“What is it, Chloe Yusbruck?”
“Oh, I’m pleased.”
She covered her mouth with her hand and laughed.
“I didn’t think you’d know my name, Ernas.”
“Well, as the class representative, I should remember my classmates’ names.”
Of course, the real reason I knew her name was because she’s one of the main characters in the novel.
Like Serine, she’s a character who becomes an ally of the protagonist, Arkandel.
Though she lacks in swordsmanship, she solves problems with her knowledge and wisdom, playing the role of a ‘strategist’ heroine.
“Still, I’m happy you called my name, Ernas.
I was worried you might coldly respond with, ‘Who are you to talk to me?’”
“Do I really seem that arrogant?”
“Well, you’re the heir to the famous swordsman family, landsstein.
I thought you wouldn’t even talk to a daughter from a small baron family like mine.”
Chloe looked up at me and smiled again.
It was the same Chloe’s unique smile described in the novel, charming yet maintaining an innocent atmosphere.
Anyone who didn’t know her true nature would be charmed by this smile, regardless of gender.
“So, what’s the matter?”
“I have some information that might help you perform your duties as the representative.”
Chloe stepped closer and whispered softly.
“Schmitz, the heir of the Hartman family from the south, is after your position as the representative.”
“…”
It’s hard to imagine given her gentle and delicate appearance, but Chloe has excellent information-gathering skills.
She must have already figured out that Schmitz is trying to take control of Class 6 Black with his faction.
“The students from the south in Class 6 Black are already united under Schmitz.
They’ll soon challenge you, Ernas.”
“…”
“You’ll need a strategy… If it’s alright with you, may I help?”
Chloe placed her hand on her chest as she spoke.
“You don’t seem inclined to accept any particular student as your aide, but to counter Schmitz’s faction, it might be better to form your own group.
I know a few students who’d like to support you, and I’d like to introduce them.”
“…”
“What do you think?”
Chloe must have seen me distancing myself from followers yesterday.
But now she’s suggesting I form a faction.
Because that would allow her to secure the position of second-in-command.
‘That’s just the kind of person Chloe Yusbruck is.’
In a way, she’s similar to the Ernas from the novel.
She relies more on schemes than her own strength.
The only difference is that, unlike Ernas, she’s not malicious.
‘But I don’t have to play along with her plans.’
Chloe wants to control me according to her agenda.
But I planned to control Chloe according to mine.
“Sorry, but I have to decline.”
“What?”
Chloe’s eyes widened slightly at my cold response.
“I don’t plan on forming a faction right now.”
“…”
“I want to focus on adapting to the academy and building up my basic skills.”
As the story progresses, I’ll need to form a faction.
There will be incidents that are hard to handle alone.
But for now… I can handle things on my own.
“If Schmitz challenges me, I’ll deal with it myself.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
Chloe’s eyes showed a hint of disappointment.
If I handle things this way, there’s no room for her to step in as a strategist.
“Still…”
“…?”
“Thanks for the advice.”
Chloe looked a bit surprised at my words of gratitude.
“Though I’ll handle Schmitz, I might need your help with something else later.
I’d appreciate it if you could help then.”
“Oh, yes…”
“Then, I look forward to working with you.”
I extended my hand for a handshake as I spoke.
But Chloe hesitated to take my hand.
“Is something wrong?”
“What?”
“Serine has been spying on us from over there for a while.”
“…”
I glanced over and saw Serine hiding behind a pillar, peeking at us.
‘What is she doing?’
It was hard to understand her behavior.
It’s not like she’s planning to challenge me again.
“Is it okay to hold hands with another girl in front of your fiancée?”
“You already know.
The engagement was canceled.”
“Was it really canceled?”
“Why are you doubting it?”
“I just wanted to confirm.”
Chloe smiled as she spoke.
“If it’s just a handshake, there’s no need to read too much into it.”
“Right.”
“Looking forward to working with you, Ernas.”
Chloe finally took my hand.
Her hand was delicate and soft, not like someone who trains with a sword.
“Yeah, looking forward to it.”
Feeling Serine’s increasingly intense stare, I focused on the sensation of Chloe’s hand.
[Attempting to replicate the abilities of ‘Chloe yusbruck’.]
To absorb Chloe’s abilities and gain the power to counter Schmitz Hartman.