The Genius At The Swordsmanship Academy

Chapter 9

If You’re Gunning for My Position 

“If you win, I’ll hand over the representative position of Black Class 6.”

With that proposal, Schmitz’s eyes widened in surprise.

“You… You’ll give up the representative position?”

“Yeah, Schmitz .”

“Ho-how can you…?”

“I remember you watching carefully during my fight with Serine over the representative position yesterday.

I figured you might be interested in it.”

“…!”

“If you weren’t able to raise your hand and join the representative selection fight yesterday… I figured you wouldn’t want to miss this opportunity.”

Schmitz was flustered.

Facing me right from the start wasn’t part of his plan.

*“I don’t have any reason to respect your plans, Schmitz .”*

I had no intention of dragging out our tense relationship.

Since I already had a way to overpower Schmitz , it was better to resolve this quickly and move on to the next stage.

If I kept delaying, I might end up facing him under less favorable conditions.

*“You want to observe my skills more, but I already know all about yours.”*

So, I’d settle it here.

In front of all the students, I’d make it clear who was superior—me or Schmitz .

That way, Schmitz wouldn’t be able to challenge me anymore.

“Ernas, I…”

Schmitz , completely losing control of the situation, was fumbling for words.

But then, another voice interfered.

“Ernas, this is problematic.”

Annaliese, the instructor of Black Class 6, was walking over to us.

“I told you this isn’t about determining victory or defeat.”

“Annaliese…”

Schmitz let out a slight sigh of relief.

But then…

“If you’re going to duel, make sure to set clear terms for victory and defeat.”

“A duel?”

“The Lichtenauer Swordsmanship Academy recognizes duels.

Of course, it shouldn’t be a life-or-death battle.”

At this academy, when disputes arise, they can be settled by duels if both parties agree.

And yes, you can even fight for the representative position.

“I understand, Instructor.”

I spoke calmly, looking around.

By now, all the students had stopped their sparring and were watching us closely.

“How about we say the first person to land a valid strike wins?”

“If you want to end the match quickly, that’s a common rule to use.”

Annaliese nodded and turned to Schmitz .

“Schmitz , is that acceptable?”

“I…”

Schmitz glanced around and bit his lip.

He probably didn’t want a fast match.

However, with everyone watching us and no one else able to continue their sparring, it would be hard to propose a different rule.

*“He can’t exactly refuse the duel either.”*

Schmitz followers were all staring at him, waiting for him to take down the “false genius.”

And other students, watching eagerly, wouldn’t allow him to back down either.

“Alright, we’ll go with that.”

In the end, Schmitz nodded, and cheers erupted from the surrounding crowd.

It was official—an spontaneous duel between me and Schmitz , with the position of representative of Black Class 6 on the line.

—

*“This is turning out to be a mess.”*

With a training sword in hand, Schmitz clicked his tongue.

“If Ernas is challenging me to a duel like this, it means he’s already figured out my moves…”

Ernas struck first, before Schmitz could challenge him.

Because of that, Schmitz had completely lost control of the situation.

“Based on his fight with Serine yesterday, Ernas’s biggest weakness is his stamina.

So, he must’ve wanted a quick match where we could settle things fast.”

If they kept fighting until one side collapsed, Ernas would likely tire out first.

So, Ernas proposed the rule that whoever lands the first valid strike wins.

That way, he might be able to finish things before his stamina runs out.

“It’s already turning into a situation where the rules favor Ernas.”

Ernas turned out to be more cunning than Schmitz expected.

Maybe he had even managed to get Annaliese on his side.

“But…”

Schmitz couldn’t help but smile.

He thought Ernas had completely underestimated him.

“No matter what favorable conditions Ernas sets, I’ll still win.”

Having watched Ernas fight with Serine yesterday, Schmitz was sure of it.

With Ernas’s speed, he wouldn’t be able to keep up with Schmitz movements.

“No matter how much Ernas tries, he won’t be able to land a blow on me.”

Ernas might try to end the match quickly, but it wouldn’t matter.

Schmitz attacks would never be reached.

“I’ll show them the speed of Hartmann’s Quick Sword.”

Yols, the professor Schmitz respected, wasn’t intervening, but he was silently watching.

Schmitz wanted to show him his swordsmanship—swordsmanship that could raise the Hartmann family to the level of the six great swordsmanship families.

—

“But, Ernas…”

Fired up, Schmitz spoke to Ernas.

“The terms were that I’d take the representative position if I win.

But what happens if you win?”

“Well, I hadn’t really thought about that, but is it necessary?”

“Of course it is.”

“Alright, then…”

Ernas tilted his head, holding the training sword, and spoke in a cold tone.

“If you lose, you’ll never challenge my authority again and will follow my orders without question.”

“…!”

“Never try to climb back up again.”

Ernas said that coldly.

“Will you accept it, Schmitz ?”

“…”

“If you don’t like it, you can just refuse the duel.”

Chomp.

Schmitz gritted his teeth.

“If I’m going to take the representative position, I need to set that kind of condition.”

“Good mindset.”

Every word Ernas said was a blow to Schmitz pride.

Is this how heirs to swordsmanship families act—so arrogant?

*“You’ll regret this, Ernas Lanzstein.”*

From the start, Schmitz had decided to show his top speed.

He was going to use the Hartmann Quick Sword’s secret technique, “Side Penetration.”

*“I’ll pretend to charge head-on… then suddenly change direction and pierce Ernas’s side.”*

It looked simple at first glance, but the Hartmann Quick Sword had refined it to the level of a killing technique.

To Ernas, it would seem like Schmitz , who had charged from the front, had disappeared in an instant.

This first attack might even decide the outcome.

*“Even if he manages to block it, I’ll still be able to take control!”*

Thinking of teaching the “fake genius” a lesson, Schmitz readied his stance.

“Then… begin!”

As soon as Annaliese’s voice rang out, Schmitz launched himself forward, kicking off the training ground and charging at Ernas, who wore an indifferent expression, preparing to land his fastest attack.

—

I knew Schmitz personality well.

He thought of himself as calm and careful, but in reality, he was easily excited and impulsive.

Also, his pride in the Hartmann Quick Sword was so strong that he always wanted to show it off in front of people.

Because of this, I knew that if I kept provoking him, he would definitely try the “Side Penetration” technique right from the start.

*“Schmitz , there’s no way my physical ability can match your side penetration.”*

I knew he was going to try to get around my side, and even though I was aware of it, I wouldn’t be able to stop it.

If it were Serine, she could have barely blocked it and countered, but with my physicality, it was impossible.

*“But… what about right before you change direction to go for the side?”*

Right before Schmitz changes direction to execute the side penetration.

At that moment, he was bound to charge straight at me.

Though his speed was fast, from my position, it was just a straightforward charge.

*“Of course, we’re still not close enough for either of us to swing a sword yet.”*

There was still some distance between us.

Even if we swung our swords, we wouldn’t reach each other.

Both Schmitz and I needed to close the distance before we could use our swords effectively.

*“But… there is an attack that can reach even from this distance.”*

The sword technique I copied from Chloe at lunchtime.

With the Yusbruck Sword Technique, which had reached A rank, I could land a hit from here.

“…”

There was no need to take a preparatory stance.

I could just execute it from where I stood.

And so, I attacked at a timing Schmitz never expected.

*Wham!*

The sound of the air being sliced, and the training sword “shot” forward.

—

Most of the students didn’t understand what kind of technique Ernas had just used.

Only one person, Chloe Yusbruck , who had trained in the Yusbruck Sword Technique, understood.

*“How is Ernas using the Yusbruck Sword Technique…?”*

Among the many unorthodox sword styles of the Western swordsmanship schools, the Yusbruck Sword Technique was particularly unique.

It was a technique that specialized not in swinging the sword but in “throwing” it—an aerial sword technique.

It was mainly used for surprise attacks, and while it didn’t work well against someone familiar with the technique, it was incredibly effective against an opponent with no prior knowledge.

*“Especially that technique… My father always told me not to use it in front of others unless absolutely necessary!”*

Just now, Ernas had thrown his sword without any preparatory stance.

It was a technique meant for ultra-fast, surprise strikes when you wanted to catch your opponent off guard.

Chloe, who had been training in the Yusbruck Sword Technique for over ten years, had only just begun to master it recently, but Ernas had executed the technique with almost the same level of proficiency as her.

*“No, there’s no way Ernas learned the Yusbruck Sword Technique.

But then how…?”*

Could he have developed it on his own?

The thought sent a chill down Chloe’s spine.

If he had learned it on his own…

*“Ernas… is he really a genius?”*

Seeing his genius, Chloe couldn’t help but feel a flutter in her heart.

The scene you’re sharing seems to be part of a larger narrative involving a character named Ernas, who faces off against another student, Schmitz.

The story portrays a tense competition between the two over the leadership of the Black Class 6, with high stakes involving skill and personal pride.

Schmitz is initially confident due to his family’s renowned swordsmanship but is caught off guard by Ernas’s unexpected use of a powerful technique, the **Yusbruck Swordsmanship**, which is specialized in throwing the sword rather than swinging it.

In this confrontation, Ernas showcases his ability to outsmart Schmitz with a calculated and quick move, defeating him decisively with a surprise strike.

This moment is significant, as it not only proves Ernas’s prowess but also sets the stage for future conflicts, especially in terms of authority within the class.

After the duel, Schmitz is left in disbelief, and the audience (both students and professors) realizes the depth of Ernas’s hidden skills.

The professor, Yols, seems impressed by Ernas’s tactical intelligence and execution, making a note about his extraordinary abilities.

However, there is a mention of Ernas’s shoulder injury from using the Yusbruck technique, hinting at the toll such powerful techniques take on the body.

This passage illustrates a key turning point for Ernas, who may have been underestimated by his peers but proves himself to be a formidable figure in both strategy and swordsmanship.

It also raises questions about his true potential and whether his success was due to sheer talent or careful planning.

The presence of Yols, a respected professor, and his observations further suggest that Ernas’s story may be more complex than it initially appears.