How to Live as a Martial Arts Writer in a Fantasy World

55 – 55. Midterm (3)

55.

“Ah, so this is the perspective of the original author… It feels subtly different.”

“Do you also think that, Professor Quiros?”

At the young professor’s question, the elder professor, Quiros, nodded.

“I think it was a good choice to select ‘The Biography of Schuren’ as the topic for this essay exam.”

“We get a chance to directly observe the thoughts of the original author through an essay. It’s certainly something different. I can understand why the old timers of the empire’s literary world dislike this.”

“Ah, old timers… or should I call it the cartel.”

Quiros’s voice was deeply irritated.

He too once dreamed of becoming an author, but he couldn’t break into the mainstream literature that was typically spoken of in the academy.

The so-called writers guild, and the imperial literature cartel with substantial influence within the artist guild.

Allen, alone, challenged this fortified cartel and finally cracked it.

The nail called ‘The Biography of Schuren’ had punched a hole in the solid dam of the Imperial Literature Cartel.

This is why Professor Quiros holds Allen in high regard.

The young professor said, looking at Allen’s answer.

“The essence of a novel is its pursuit of pleasure… Honestly, aren’t most of the current imperial novels similar to boring academic papers?”

“They must be a joy to read for those who see literature as an aristocratic pursuit.”

“One must prioritize a simple and accessible language to reach the audience. He really thinks differently in many ways. Including in his statement that new forms of enjoyment should be pursued through free thinking rather than prejudice.”

Quiros also nodded, as if he agreed.

“But the issue is that he somewhat misses the point in his argument. Although it undoubtedly provides a good insight into the original author’s mind.”

“hahahaha, still, it was good to know about the author’s thoughts. They say that ‘The Biography of Schuren’ is being adapted into a play these days, are you interested, professor?”

“Wouldn’t I be, if they weren’t? They say they’re in full swing preparing it at the art department.”

The adaptation of ‘The Biography of Schuren’ into a drama was a hot topic within the academy.

Despite it being midterms week, the topic was at the tip of the professors’ tongues.

That’s how interesting this subject was.

The fact this discussion originated in the Department of Art, which was among the least popular, is significant.

The young professor started the conversation.

“It seems music will also participate, they seem to be planning on taking this quite seriously. Seeing that they are collaborating with the theater and art departments…”

“There’s no problem as they said they have obtained permission from the original author, Alan. Personally, I’m curious to see what comes out of this club created by Alan.”

“Overseeing such a project while also keeping up with studies mustn’t be easy. Is Alan superhuman?”

The professors were also very interested in Alan’s activities.

The enormous influx of students applying to the novel comic club was the talk of the academy.

It would have been strange if they hadn’t noticed Alan’s popularity, given he was the subject of many conversations.

Quiros spoke up.

“Rather than being superhuman, it shows his strong dedication to his work.”

“Are you saying he does all of this through simple dedication? I don’t quite get it.”

“To an author, their work isn’t simply a product to sell. It’s like their child.”

A bitter smile spread across Quiros’ lips as he said this.

***

Stella stared at the second-year senior standing in front of her.

The neat knight standing in front of her, a member of the same chivalry department, known as the ‘Red Lion’, Alice Scarlet von Muller. She was considered the strongest among the second years.

Contrary to her nickname of ‘Red Lion’, Alice, who possessed a delicate beauty, quietly stared at Scarlet.

Alice had an overwhelming toughness due to her reticent personality.

Merely maintaining eye contact felt like enduring oppressive heaviness from above. Stella concentrated on maximizing her magical power to endure this pressure.

“If you keep hesitating like that, you’ll lose your head.”

It was a soft voice.

In a reflexive response to the eerie sensation, Stella ducked her head, and a strand of her hair was cut loose, fluttering in the air.

How did she draw it?

Alice had drawn her crescent-shaped sword and was pointing it down at the ground.

“Your reaction is better than I thought.”

Alice swung her sword lightly.

The crescent-shaped sword was not made in the Western style, but rather manufactured using techniques unique to the Osrian desert.

In the desertlands of Osria live the descendants of the outcast tribe known as the ‘Westerners.

In the language of West Kingdom, they were called Barbarossa, known as Barbaroi in the language of Ostrians; the eastern savages. The crescent blade they created was famous for its incredible sharpness.

“…I prefer going all out.”

“I’m not so foolish as not to go full power against Senior Alice.”

“You’re too obstinate.”

Alice, who had briefly critiqued Stella, casually lifted her crescent blade.

Stella had a chilling thought, as though a creepy wind had momentarily stirred up on her skin. The goosebumps on her arm hinted at an impending dreadful attack.

She naturally took a criss-cross step back. A tactical retreat, leaving a brief illusion as she swiftly pulled back.

“!”

Alice’s eyes narrowed slightly at the sight of Stella, who had quickly distanced herself.

Her sword cleaves through the afterimage.

‘Stepping?’

It was a concept she herself was familiar with, having seen Allen’s Shuren Tactics.

At the very least, the swordsmanship of the West Kingdom didn’t put much emphasis on the concept of steps or footwork. More precisely, it’s quite different from the flashy footwork of the Kunlung of the East Kingdom.

In the swordsmanship of the West Kingdom, footwork was limited to advancing and retreating along a straight line, a slightly more colorful form of targeting an opponent’s weaknesses, and defensive footwork based on pivoting on the heel.

The West Kingdom’s swordsmanship did not include steps that left an afterimage while retreating.

No martial artist in the Empire would have mastered that kind of movement.

“…Interesting.”

Alice showed a faint smile.

The midterm task for the first-year Knight Academy students was to score at least one point against the second-year seniors.

From the freshmen’s standpoint, landing an attack would mean success, and failing to land an attack within the time limit would award them with the lowest grade of F.

Incidentally, Alice managed to land ten attacks on the second-year seniors during her first year, earning her an A+ grade.

Just like her older brother Albert, she was the highest-scoring first-year student in the midterm of the Knight Academy.

Alice swung her sword leisurely.

“Let’s begin.”

Stella charged in.

***

“You really have no style, sis. It’s impressive.”

Allen clicked his tongue as he watched Stella get defeated effortlessly.

The martial arts of the ‘Formless’ meant, quite literally, that even if you swung the sword in any way you wanted, it would create a form.

It is said that once you reach the state of forgetting forms, you can combine them freely as you wish.

I’m not sure if this applies to Kunlung’s martial arts, but recently, Alice has been taking an increasingly high number of challenges from foreign students hailing from Kunlung.

This Sensational Swordsmanship is not an easily observable form of traditional martial arts after all.

“Such swordplay could be a threat at all times.”

“Do you think so too, Meia?”

“Yes.”

Meia’s expression was a little harder than usual.

Perhaps she was sensing the competitive spirit from Alice’s sword. Her face was several times more serious than normal.

“The angle was twisted several times during the attack.”

“That might be why Sensational Swordsmanship is terrifying. It’s tricky. It is a type of swordsmanship that relies purely on one’s own sensation, just like that. There would be a lot of stress on the body, though.”

“It was indeed an intense swordplay.”

Meia had mastered the Eastern sword.

Countess Müller, the martial art taught by Shauna Blanc von Müller, which she personally took on, was capable of perfectly reproducing the swordplay of Hwaishan from the novel written by Aaron. She reached this level long ago.

Without the assistance of a martial arts guide. It was an ability so chillingly talented, it warranted being termed as such.

‘Meia is indeed a genius.’

At the age of 16.

A talented swordsman or knight could handle the Aura. Meia went one step further and reached the level of an expert.

Pure talent shining brightly.

Unlike Aaron. That’s why the Countess Müller had her tutor his son.

Meia noted,

“Unless you develop your physique to the extent of Miss Alice, every joint in your body would face immense burden.”

“How was Stella?”

“Her technique was unique. But her sword fighting was too honest. If put into a real fight, her life would be in danger if meeting a cunning opponent.”

If Meia said so, Aaron thought it must be true.

He watched Stella returning with a gloomy expression.

Twice.

Just for succeeding two attacks, Stella had lost thoroughly. He could see the priests rushing to treat her after she was put down.

He saw Felicia running to Stella.

Aaron got up.

‘…If I leave it alone, my heart will be saddened.’

Stella may seem robust but she is weaker than one might think.

Even just considering how he felt about the actions he had taken towards Allen right there and then.

And those who are defeated in the face of overwhelming ability always tend to despair in front of the wall called talent, possessing a power of destruction beyond its norm.

Because that was the case with Allen.

“Let’s go down.”