The Genius At The Swordsmanship Academy

Chapter 11

Gain the Instructor’s Power

At the academy’s main building.
Walking down the hallway of the large building built on the central island among smaller islands, Professor Yols, the instructor in charge of swordsmanship for the new students, was walking alone.
“Professor Yols.”
“…?”
When Yols turned his head, he saw a middle-aged man with red hair approaching.
Upon recognizing his face, Yols quickly lowered his head in greeting.
“Professor Kaleon, hello.”
Flame Prison Sword (炎獄劍) Kaleon Ignias.
As the head of the Ignias family, one of the six great swordsmanship families, Kaleon was known for his powerful flame-based sword techniques.
Currently, Kaleon was the only one from the six great swordsmanship families teaching at the academy.
“About what I mentioned last time… How’s it going?”
“I’m not sure what you’re referring to.”
“The son of the Lanzstein family.”
There was only one student from Lanzstein this year.
Ernas Lanzstein, the representative of the Black 6th Class.
“I mentioned he seemed to have cheated during the entrance exam.”
“Ah, yes, that’s right.”
Kaleon frowned at Yols’ indifferent response.
“You should have personally checked the kid from the Black 6th Class.
What do you think?”
“It seems like an unfounded slander.”
“What?”
“While he wasn’t perfect… He seemed like he had his head on straight, and I don’t think he’s the type to cheat.”
“No, that can’t be…”
Kaleon looked taken aback.
“Did you really examine him personally?”
“Yes.
His swordsmanship is quite impressive.
According to the instructor in charge, he even won in a one-on-one match against Serine Bastian, who was the top scorer in the entrance exam.”
“…!”
While he won against Schmitz with a surprise attack, it was a direct victory against Serine.
It was a shame that Yols hadn’t witnessed it himself.
“He’s a remarkable talent.
I’m looking forward to seeing his growth.”
“Hmph, I see.”
Yols knew exactly why Kaleon was acting like this.
The Ignias family and the Lanzstein family didn’t get along.
‘He’s probably trying to find a weakness in Ernas Lanzstein.’
There was no concrete evidence that Ernas had cheated in the entrance exam.
So, there was no reason for Yols to agree with Kaleon.
“By the way, Professor Kaleon.”
Yols changed the subject.
“How’s your son doing in the academy? I don’t have a chance to see him, since I’m not in charge of Red Class 1.”
Kaleon’s son was also a representative of Red Class 1.
But Yols, who was in charge of Green Class 4, White Class 5, and Black Class 6, had never taught him personally.
“Of course, he’s already standing out.”
Kaleon’s voice brightened as soon as his son came up.
“That’s expected.
I’ve put a lot of effort into teaching him since he was young.”
“I see.”
“He’ll graduate quickly once he gets the Elixir and secures his magic power.”
“This year, the tournament is happening a bit earlier, so he should be able to get the first Elixir soon.”
“Ah, really?”
“Yes, there will be an official announcement soon.”
After saying that, Yols added in a calm voice.
“Red Class 1 will be facing Black Class 6.”
“…!”
Kaleon swallowed at this new information.
“The winning class will get the first Elixir, then.”
“Hmph, that’s right.”
Students at the academy receive an Elixir to enhance their magic power.
But not everyone gets it—one has to either win a match or pass an exam to earn it.
In the tournament, only the winning class would receive the Elixir.
“Of course, my son’s Red Class 1 will win. Feel free to bet on it.”
“I hope so.”
Yols nodded, hiding his true thoughts.
If he were to bet on which class would win… he’d place all his money on Black Class 6, led by Ernas Lanzstein.

Day 3 at the Academy
After swordsmanship on the first day and body techniques on the second, today was the day for academic lessons.
Unlike the swordsmanship and body technique classes that focus on enhancing combat power, academic classes cover a variety of knowledge fields.
But that doesn’t mean we’re just learning impractical subjects.
Sometimes we study strategies and tactics for the battlefield, and other times, we learn how to hunt monsters.
Today, though, we were learning about the history of how swordsmanship developed in this world.
“The swordsmanship used across this continent today is all derived from the techniques of the Four Sword Saints,” Professor Markels, the history of swordsmanship professor, said while writing on the chalkboard.
“The Four Sword Saints were great saints who lived before the founding of the Empire.
The swordsmanship they left behind developed in different regions, and that’s how swordsmanship culture flourished.”
“…”
“The Eastern style of swordsmanship values orthodox movements, the Western style emphasizes unconventional tactics, the Northern style focuses on powerful strikes, and the Southern style values speed… these are the four classifications that emerged after the Four Sword Saints.”
For example, Serine’s favorite style, Bastian Knight Swordsmanship, is a typical Eastern style.
Chloe’s Yusbruck Swordsmanship, which specializes in surprise attacks, is a Western style, while Viola’s Orishos Greatsword, which emphasizes power, is Northern style, and Schmitz’s Hartman Quick Sword, focused on speed, is Southern style.
‘Serine is Eastern, Chloe is Western, Viola is Northern, Schmitz is Southern… I see.’
As shown by Serine learning the Western-style Lorellian Practical Swordsmanship, it’s not that someone always uses the swordsmanship of their region of origin.
However, generally speaking, people tend to specialize in the swordsmanship from their home region.
“Swordsmanship developed like this because the techniques of the Four Sword Saints suited the characteristics of their regions.
In the aristocratic Eastern region, swordsmanship that emphasized form became popular, while in the Western region, where battles with demonic cultists were frequent, unconventional techniques developed.
In the Northern region, where battles with giant monsters were common, strong, powerful strikes were necessary, and in the Southern region, where one had to hunt agile monsters in the jungle, fast swordsmanship became favored.”
“…”
“During the development of these swordsmanship styles, families emerged with their own unique sword techniques.
These are what we call the ‘Swordsmanship Families’.”
Sword styles named after families are usually specific techniques passed down within those families.
Unlike widely spread sword styles like Lorellian Practical Swordsmanship, these family sword styles are rarely taught to outsiders.
“However, today, the name ‘Swordsmanship Family’ is often used with a different meaning.
When Emperor Ironblood established the Empire, he granted the title of Duke to the six families that contributed the most, naming them the ‘Six Great Swordsmanship Families’.
Nowadays, when people refer to a Swordsmanship Family, they’re usually talking about the Six Great Swordsmanship Families.”
“…”
“One more thing…”
Markels’ lecture was easy to follow, and the other students were paying attention to his explanation as well.
But for me, it was just something I could let go in one ear and out the other.
The content of Markels’ lecture was all stuff I had already thought up.
‘The Six Great Swordsmanship Families… They’re the real problem here.’
The Six Great Swordsmanship Families have been engaged in fierce competition for years, and this same rivalry is being played out at the academy.
Moreover, this year, all the heirs of the Six Great Swordsmanship Families have enrolled and taken the representative positions of each of the six classes.
Because of this, the conflicts happening within the academy have become a sort of proxy war for the Six Great Swordsmanship Families.
If it were just healthy competition, it wouldn’t be a big issue.
But the problem is, this is gradually turning into a bloody battle, and it’s eventually going to threaten Ernas’s life.
‘In two weeks, during the upcoming tournament, I’ll clash with the Ignias family.’
The Ignias family is one of the most belligerent of the Six Great Swordsmanship Families.
The head of the family, ‘Flame Prison Sword’ Kaleon, is currently an academy professor, and like ‘Dragon Slayer Sword’ Yols, he’s a figure known for slaying countless enemies on the frontlines.
‘Kaleon’s son, Rufus… I’ll have to face the representative of Red Class 1.’
Rufus is a tough opponent in the early stages.
The family’s legendary ‘Ignias Flame Swordsmanship’ is a technique exclusive to graduates, so he can’t use it yet, but his mastery of ‘Ignias Knight Swordsmanship’, which doesn’t require magic, is impressive.
It’s a style that’s even more refined than Bastian Knight Swordsmanship, making it tough to deal with.
‘Plus, his physical abilities are on par with Serine or Schmitz.’
No matter how much I train in the next two weeks, I won’t be able to match Rufus’s physical prowess.
He’s definitely a difficult opponent.
‘But… I have to win.’
I must defeat Rufus’s Red Class 1 in the upcoming tournament.
Otherwise, things will get very difficult for me.
“Hey, Ernas Lanzstein.”
Right then, Professor Markels suddenly called me out during the lecture.
“Can you explain why it’s necessary to acquire magic power even without reaching the Graduate level?”
“…”
I guess Markels noticed I was lost in thought and called me out.
But being called out didn’t faze me at all.
“By using magic, we can also enhance our physical abilities,” I explained calmly.
“To release magic externally and infuse it into a blade, you need to reach the Graduate level.
But if it’s just applying it to your own body, you don’t need to be a Graduate to do it.”
“Hmm… How exactly can it be done?”
“For example, if you focus the magic on your lower body, you can enhance your leg strength.
You could drastically increase your running speed, for example.”
As I mentioned speed, Schmitz, who was sitting nearby, flinched slightly.
“It works because the magic affects each muscle in the lower body, maximizing its power,” I continued.
“What else can it be used for?”
“If you focus on the upper body, you could strengthen the force behind your sword swings.
Of course, in real combat, a balance of strength throughout the whole body would be necessary for an effective attack, but…”
“Hmm…”
“You can also improve your stamina, making it easier to avoid getting tired.
If someone would collapse after running around this island ten times, using magic would let them run twenty times or more without breaking a sweat.”
The reason I needed to defeat Rufus’s Red Class 1 was because of this.
If I win the upcoming tournament, I’ll get the Elixir.
Taking it once won’t be enough to reach Graduate level, but it will enhance my physical abilities.
‘Since I need to make up for how weak Ernas’s physical strength is…’
People like Yols have already noticed how poor my physical abilities are.
Before others start getting suspicious, I need to gain magic as quickly as I can.
“And you can also enhance your natural healing abilities, speeding up recovery after injuries.
And there’s more, but…”
“Alright, that’s enough explanation.”
It seemed like I was going on too long, so Markels cut me off.
“Seems like you’re from one of the Six Great Swordsmanship Families.
You already understand how to use magic well.”
“Oh…!”
I could hear people around me murmuring in admiration.
“Using magic to enhance physical abilities will be covered in more detail during the body technique classes later.
But as for its development over time… let’s look at it by era…”
As Markels continued, I fell back into my thoughts again.
I had to figure out how to beat Rufus.
‘The tournament isn’t a one-on-one duel.
It’s a team competition between classes.’
Rufus is also great at tactics.
He’ll likely lead his Red Class 1 and try to defeat Black Class 6.
This fight will probably be different from when I fought against Serine or Schmitz.
‘But… trying to win through a team competition is foolish.’
I already know how to win.
Because I’m the author of this story.
‘I already know how to beat Rufus.’
If Serine or Schmitz had been the representatives of Black Class 6, we wouldn’t stand a chance.
But for me, it’s possible.

“Are you out of your mind?”
“Ugh!”
Groaning sounds echoed in front of the Red Class 1 dormitory.
Rufus Ignias, with his red hair, was beating up a classmate with a wooden sword.
“I told you to train until you drop! Why are you slacking off?”
“R-Rufus-sama, we’ve been doing our best until we reached our limit… ugh!”
“You should be trying to push past your limits! Do you think you can win in the competition like this?!”
With his red eyes burning with intensity, Rufus swung the wooden sword down at the fallen student again.
“A competition against other classes is coming up soon! We need to win and get the Elixir!”
“Yes, understood…”
“Then get back to training!”
“Yes…!”
There were other students around, but no one tried to stop Rufus.
Everyone had already submitted to his overwhelming strength.
Rufus Ignias was the absolute ruler of Red Class 1.
“Rufus-sama.”
“Hmm?”
Just then, the instructor in charge of Red Class 1 approached.
Even though he saw Rufus beating up a student, he didn’t intervene.
He was an underling of the Ignias family, planted there by Kaleon.
“I have new information.
The tournament has been moved up to two weeks from now.”
“What? Is that true?”
“Yes, and it looks like Black Class 6 will be our opponent.”
“Black Class 6…”
Rufus rubbed his chin and muttered to himself.
“Serine Bastian, who ranked first in the entrance exam, and Ernas Lanzstein, who ranked second, are in that class.”
“Currently, Ernas Lanzstein is the representative.”
“Hmm, I see.”
Nodding, Rufus smiled.
“We have to defeat them, no matter what.”
“Professor Kaleon is also expecting that.”
“Yeah, I’ll live up to my father’s expectations.”
He would defeat the other classes and bring the Ignias family to the top of the hierarchy.
That was Rufus’s goal.
“I’ll crush them with overwhelming power, Black Class 6.”
Muttering that, Rufus began moving again.
He was going to push his Red Class 1 students even harder.