Elite Instructor at a Third-Rate Academy

28 – Because I Won’t Lose☆

I can’t let this be taken away like this.

The homeroom teacher of Class A-1, Terra Symond, determined it so. If it were any other student, it wouldn’t matter, but Zenowa Cliff from Class Bann Cliff couldn’t be transferred. If she disappeared, there would be no reason for her to be in charge of this class anymore.

The Marquis Cliff was the head of a prominent family on the continent. If she couldn’t establish a connection with him, her future path would become a long detour. Even if she stayed here alone, there would be no chance to change her life.

“You’re a little late.”

The reversal of roles between the homeroom teacher and the student was a common occurrence here. Since losing its sponsor after the founder, Lailand, passed away, the former glory was no longer meaningful. Many instructors considered this place as a temporary station, not much more than a makeshift station. Terra Symond was also the same. While such thoughts passed through her mind, she heard the familiar sound of footsteps.

“You arrived right on time?”

Although a few minutes late, she didn’t point it out.

“Yes, I had some things to take care of.”

Zenowa Cliff was a student who always followed the rules. No matter what she did, she would complete it perfectly and gain the support of her classmates within the class. There would be quite a few who would follow her if she moved from Class A-1 to Class C-8, so she had to stop her from transferring.

“Did you say you want to go to class C-8?”

When Tera asked in a gentle tone, Xenoa lowered her head with a somewhat stiff expression.

“As you know, that class is known for gossiping.”

“That’s why I want to go.”

“If it’s because of Zenith, I’ll tell them to let you come to our class.”

There was no response, as if she had touched a sore spot.

“Should I ask the Headmaster to say something?”

“Since the Saint is in class A, it would be more appropriate for her to stay in class C.”

“You know she won’t listen, even if the Headmaster persuades her.”

That was true, but Tera still had to prevent Xenoa from leaving.

“People might find it strange, you know?”

Upon hearing that, Xenoa asked with silence, as if asking for the meaning. From the tense look on her mentor’s face, it was clear that her future as a female soldier was bright. Tera’s disciple knows instinctively how to pressure others. That’s why she is both admired by countless female students and treated like an unattractive doll by male students.

“If you go to class C-8, there might be dissatisfaction or problems in the class relationships.”

“I will explain it well.”

“If there is anything I lacked, please tell me.”

“It’s not about that.”

“When you look at the reasons for staying here, is it really because you want to monitor the relationship between teachers and students?”

Xenoa nodded her head.

“I don’t understand.”

“C-8 class had a previous incident with a previous instructor, and there are also students like Selena.”

─But they never caused any problems with males, right?

Tera was about to deny it, but stopped herself. Female students like Selena were like sausages stuffed with flour. They pretended to be something on the outside, but there was nothing when you looked closely, so they desperately showed off.

“Strictly speaking, aren’t there cases where students suffered from s*xual harassment, not just Zenith?”

“There’s also Ochia.”

“Well…that’s true.”

There were some rumors going around at the beginning of the semester about Ochia. Although the students turned down the strange proposition, it seems there were some indications of it. Her assignment to the Headmaster’s office was also Helon’s way of preventing her from receiving such proposals. Before her beauty, she was a woman who stimulated lust to an abnormal extent, so even Tera intentionally kept her distance.

“If you mean that the teacher in charge of that class had bad intentions towards Ochia?”

“I don’t know.”

“In that case, it might be difficult to move classes based on the reasons you mentioned.”

─Dealing with the teacher’s misconduct should be the teacher’s task, not yours.

As Terra gazed silently, Genoa let out a quiet sigh. Frankly, his pride was wounded. Although he was currently stuck in this place, he was an elite. The reason he applied to such a humble place was due to the royal directive that emphasized the preference for experience gained through serving in a lower-ranked position. If not for that, he would never have chosen Ryland as his first assignment.

“Instructor.”

“Be honest.”

“I think the homeroom teacher of Class C-8 is quite skilled.”

“Compared to me?”

As Terra induced, Genoa readily affirmed.

“If that’s the case, does it mean I won’t transfer the class if I’m better than Lieutenant Temulic Stained?”

—Well, answer that.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Internally, Terra celebrated. Asking the question was as good as resolving the matter.

“If, by chance, I duel with your homeroom teacher and win, what will you do?”

“I won’t transfer.”

“In that case, I’ll talk to the homeroom teacher of Class C-8, and I’ll put this transfer request on hold.”

“Instead, promise me that if you lose, you won’t object anymore.”

With no room to refuse, Terra Simond granted permission without a moment’s hesitation. There was no instructor in Ryland Academy who handled weapons better than him. Being the homeroom teacher of Class A-1, he was confident enough to win against a less prestigious class like Class C-8. Moreover, his specialization was in non-combat fields, giving him even more assurance.

[#28 – Love Story]

When Kenis postponed the counseling session, the saint unexpectedly showed a surprised expression. Since she hadn’t arrived at school yet, Kenis thought she would understand, but she seemed quite disappointed. She didn’t ask further and just responded that it was okay.

“Is it the gym?”

Upon coming to observe Freide’s class, the sounds of intense training echoed throughout the building. Pushing the door open, the nauseating smell of sweat and the sound of swords and martial arts filled the air. It suddenly brought back memories of the past, and an uneasy feeling washed over.

“Oh, you’re here!”

She noticed him first as she guided the students.

“Thank you for allowing me.”

When Kenis greeted confidently, the students who were in the middle of their exercises all stopped. Everyone looked bright. Since Freide was in charge of Class C-5 and had mentioned that Temulic Stained was in charge of C-8, their skill levels were similar.

“Everyone, greet him. Lieutenant Temulic Stained.”

The atmosphere in the class seemed positive, and all the students paid close attention.

“Where should I sit?”

When Kenis asked, Freide unfolded a makeshift chair.

“How about trying to embarrass me in front of the representative of Class C-8?”

At Freide’s modest words, some female students burst into laughter.

—It’s old-fashioned.

Unlike the cheerful ones, Kenneth felt stifled. Although his sword was fine, all the equipment for defending and taking hits were outdated.

“Excuse me, Commander Bendelin.”

“I don’t answer questions during practice.”

He had intended to ask if there were any necessary supplies, but being ignored instead was oddly comforting. Friede Bendelin seemed like a good instructor. She had gained the trust and admiration of the students and was diligent in her teaching. An hour passed by, with Kenneth silently observing without causing any disruptions.

– He’s an amateur.

If he were to evaluate objectively, that would be accurate. While he did teach diligently, the overall content was disorganized. Selana’s words were right at some point. If you relentlessly beat up a scarecrow, you’ll eventually come to some realization. Everyone finished a specific movement and now paired up the students to spar with each other, based on what they had learned today.

“Excuse me.”

“The lesson isn’t over yet.”

“I understand.”

– He paired us up incorrectly.

Fride organized the sparring partners based on height. That way, no one would have any complaints, and it was a priority to systematically divide the evaluation criteria and determine the rankings. If delving deeper, she could mix individuals with opposing weaknesses in specific movements, forcing them to realize their own shortcomings.

“I want to learn a move.”

“I request to learn a move.”

If there was one thing that he sincerely liked, it was the attitude of mutual respect. Friede Bendelin seemed to prioritize the relationship between the students rather than the cultivation of skill. The way winners would help the losers up after a duel was just right. At least the students wouldn’t hurt each other’s feelings, so it passed in terms of fostering character.

– However, there’s no intensity at all.

Should someone point out this contradiction where nobody gets hurt and everyone remains stagnant?

– Well, they’re not Rotelon or Georg.

If they were individuals who surpassed S grade in their natural abilities, even if he pointed out the truth and shouted at them to face themselves, they would endure. They would cry but ultimately overcome themselves. In Kenneth’s eyes, the attitude of self-examination and correction seemed innate or reminiscent of something transcendental.

“How was it?”

Finally, Friede asked for feedback as the class ended.

“I saw it well.”

“Do you have any words for the kids?”

Kenneth hesitated for a moment. He chose his words carefully, thinking that it might not be good to do something unnecessary when it came to the theme of observation.

“I might be able to give advice to one or two people.”

“Really?”

Friede tied her damp hair back and shouted towards the students if there were any volunteers.

“Me!”

“Oh, Epstein. Are you courageous?”

– Indeed, the priestly relationship is better than our class.

This might be a culture that Friede Bendelin had created with great difficulty. He briefly considered whether he should learn it himself, but for Kenneth, growth was more important than harmony. He stood up from his chair and pointed out each thing he had observed closely before.

“If this were a longsword instead of a wooden sword, it would have been much heavier.”

“Oh my, you use such a harsh tone even with the kids?”

Ignoring Freide’s interference, Kynis continued with his advice.

“So, when it’s like this, you use the strength of your waist and swing it like this.”

“How do I do that?”

“Alright, extend one foot forward and completely twist your waist while trying a horizontal swing.”

As he did so, with a snap, the straw inside the scarecrow burst. Not only Epstein, who received the demonstration, but also all the students in the audience were surprised. A few male students teased, saying that with such good waist strength, he must be popular with his girlfriend. The discipline in this place was so strict that now they were used to it.

“Can’t you teach something more difficult?”

“No, you can’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because you’re likely to mess up even the previous move.”

“I can do it!”

Saying that, she freely hit the scarecrow, and at the same time, a scream erupted.

“Ouch, my waist!”

“Hey, can you hear Riana crying from here?”

“Now what? Some of the guys already have bad backs, should we act like men?”

At this, Epstein, holding his waist with one hand, grinned as if he didn’t understand English.

─Where should I start explaining?

To make this understandable, I might have to explain the musculoskeletal system from the rotating cuff to the spine. Since that was a subject covered in the compulsory curriculum, there might not have been an opportunity to learn it here.

“Have any of you studied anatomy before?”

He asked calmly, tilting his head as if wondering what to do now.

“I’m sorry, but it might be better if Riana and I don’t meet for a few days.”

When Kynis said that, everyone was stunned. While some gave reasonable responses, at some point, laughter erupted, and it was unclear where it came from. Just standing there blankly, this time, a female student jumped out, bouncing. When asked about her problem and told in the same way as before, she suddenly looked at Freide.

“Instructor Bendelin.”

Seeing her eyes freezing, he shook his head decisively.

“I don’t like this young girl.”

“No, more than that, why did you teach like that just now?”

When she asked again if he knew anatomy, even the instructor claimed ignorance. Seriously, what would happen if the one teaching didn’t know the musculoskeletal system? Kynis asked if it was okay, could she explain anatomy briefly here. In response, she sat down in the gap between students, put her butt on the ground, and replied with a pure smile.

“Hey, from now on, the teacher is also a student!”

Kynis was left speechless as he proceeded to draw a diagram of human anatomy on the dirt floor. Then everyone, misunderstanding themselves as either compulsory or fine arts majors, did not need any explanation. He carried on with a general education class that was not planned.