Ch.139EP.35 – The Instructor’s Flex (1)

# Pendragon Royal Academy reopened its main gates once again.

The heat emanating from Mount Vulcan was still intense, and it was certainly hot, but soon this heat would disappear in an instant.

The time for winter and ice fairies to arrive was not far off.

By then, this heat would be neutralized, and before long, the green leaves would turn red.

Second semester.

It was the beginning of the academy’s second semester.

Swoosh!

“Mother, this is the famous central fountain of the Royal Academy. It’s huge, isn’t it?”

“A-Amazing indeed, but, am I really allowed to enter such a place?”

“Brother, there are so many glamorous people…!”

“Big brother?”

“…Could you ask one at a time?”

Barry Cobs.

Barry Cobs’ family, known as the 11th Bear, was overwhelmed by the grandeur and splendor of the academy.

But he understood how they felt.

‘I was the same way.’

How nervous and intimidated had he felt when he first enrolled and crossed the threshold of the academy?

To Barry Cobs, who had only lived in the countryside, the academy—no, the royal capital—seemed like another world entirely.

That’s why he could empathize with his mother who had farmed all her life, his sister who had matured early helping support the family with needlework, and his little brother who had just started speaking.

His family would probably feel intimidated and cautious for a while, but nevertheless, Barry Cobs wanted to show them.

That this was the very place where he studied and received his education.

‘I wish Father could see it too.’

His father had stayed home to look after the still-babbling twin siblings. He claimed he’d seen enough of the royal capital in his youth, but Barry Cobs knew the truth.

His father had set aside his own desire to come for the sake of his excited wife and children.

‘Next time, I’ll definitely bring him! I’ll still be attending this place when I become a second-year!’

On the first day after summer break, family members of students were specially permitted to enter the academy.

What was it called again? An open day to show parents that the academy was taking good care of their children through classroom observations?

‘Well, whatever the reason, I’m glad I could bring them.’

His family still couldn’t take their eyes off the magnificent academy, and Barry Cobs couldn’t hide his contentment.

Just then.

“Barry, where is your swordsmanship instructor?”

“What!? S-Suddenly?”

Barry Cobs was startled by his mother’s unexpected question.

But Mrs. Cobs continued:

“There’s nothing sudden about it. He not only takes care of you but raises you too. I hear that you’re able to remain at the academy because he generously imparts his teachings. Even someone as ignorant as myself knows how precious such teaching and opportunity is. So isn’t he a benefactor not just to you but to the entire Cobs family?”

“W-Well, that’s…”

“I’ve wanted to meet him in person to express my gratitude, and how fortunate this is. Let’s go meet your instructor.”

“Uh…”

Barry Cobs was sweating profusely, but faced with his mother’s firm attitude, he reluctantly directed his steps toward the swordsmanship department.

He knew no one could change his mother’s mind once it was made up.

‘This is… awkward…’

Barry Cobs was very uncomfortable with the idea of his mother meeting his instructor.

Of course, he respected his instructor more than anyone.

To what extent? He respected him second only to his father, or perhaps equally.

Not only was he strong, but he kept his word and taught Barry and other ordinary students techniques comparable to martial arts.

As far as Barry Cobs knew, he was the closest to an ideal knight.

However.

‘He’s worthy of respect, but showing him to others is really…’

Just thinking about it made his flesh tremble and knees weak—that intense presence and pressure.

He even worried that someone who had never learned swordsmanship might have a heart attack upon meeting him. That’s how intimidating the instructor’s impression was.

‘I hope Mother’s heart is strong enough.’

Barry Cobs was anxious.

“Brother? Why are you sweating so much?”

“Big brother?”

“Ah, it’s nothing…”

As he tried to swallow his anxiety, Barry Cobs could see familiar faces approaching the swordsmanship department.

“Mother, do we really have to go?”

“Dad, I’m telling you it’s fine!”

“G-Grandmother? Do you really have to go?”

…His classmates were also heading to the swordsmanship department with their families.

Somehow, on the first day of the semester, the Young Master, the Chicks, and the Bear series were all gathering.

Their eyes met momentarily, and forgetting their social standings, they felt a sense of shared suffering.

Regardless of status, parents’ thoughts seemed similar.

And not long after.

Boom! Boom!

They arrived at the swordsmanship department’s training ground, which was resonating with ominous sounds, and they could see it.

“Wow, big brother! That’s bigger than a bull!”

“Indeed.”

The innocent younger brother simply stated what he saw, while the students and their families just gaped at the unbelievable sight.

As big as a bull…

No, someone who appeared even larger than a bull, single-handedly moving hundreds of sandbags.

And yet, not even breaking a sweat…

“Hmm? Why are you all here?”

He asked calmly, and they wanted to ask in return.

…Why do you always look so inhuman?

* * *

“I was in the middle of work, so you saw something unpleasant. So, you’re the mother of No. 11, I mean Barry Cobs?”

“Y-Yes…”

“Welcome. I finally meet the excellent mother who raised such a fine son.”

“…My goodness.”

“Mom?”

The instructor handled the parents skillfully.

“He’s adapting well, so don’t worry.”

Unlike his appearance, he was kind and didn’t hesitate to reassure the parents.

Though the first impression might have been shocking, the instructor didn’t seem problematic in other aspects.

However.

“Will my child be able to become a knight?”

“I nearly fainted. My child suddenly started doing jump rope or whatever it was? I was so shocked my hands were trembling… What if my child develops unsightly muscles from doing such things?”

“Ahem, I heard about the Order of the Silver Lion, but how has it fallen to such a place?”

Overprotective parents exist everywhere, and the students turned pale, thinking there would be trouble.

Sure enough.

“He has the makings of an excellent knight. It will be interesting by the time he graduates. So trust me and leave him in my care, ma’am.”

“That’s an unnecessary worry. Do you think muscles develop just from a bit of jump rope? More importantly, shouldn’t you worry about your own body? It’s obvious your body is deteriorating. Your back hurts lately and you get tired quickly, right? That’s due to lack of exercise, lack of exercise! Instead of worrying about your child, how about worrying about your own body first?”

“Hmm, are you picking a fight with me-?”

He didn’t hold back.

He treated good people kindly and treated those without manners just as rudely in return.

This almost got him killed once, but.

“P-Please calm down, Instructor! I’ll apologize on his behalf!”

“Father, apologize quickly! Our entire family could be ruined!”

“I-I’m sorry…”

Thanks to the students’ intervention, a disaster was fortunately averted.

The instructor was indeed true to character—his demeanor could shift 180 degrees from friendly to furious.

The noble who had momentarily provoked the instructor felt a chill down his spine and his legs nearly gave way under the intense pressure.

‘He’s still the same.’

Watching the instructor, they somehow felt reassured.

Seeing his consistency regardless of time passing made it finally feel like school had reopened.

However.

“Instructor, what are those sandbags for?”

“These? Teaching materials for your next training.”

“What?”

“I’m thinking of having you climb cliffs while carrying these. Well, they’re only 30kg each, so don’t worry.”

“…”

“Ah, there are also 50kg and 100kg ones. We’ll gradually increase as you adapt, so don’t worry.”

“That’s… not at all reassuring…”

…On the other hand, they were dismayed that he hadn’t changed too much.

Somehow, this semester also didn’t seem like it would be ordinary.

* * *

After the opening ceremony ended and most parents had left, the swordsmanship department students gathered.

A total of 80 people.

This number proved that none of the first-year students had been expelled or dropped out.

Considering that other departments had numerous students who were expelled for failing exams or who dropped out after realizing their lack of ability, the swordsmanship department had none.

Each student had achieved excellent results in exams and had confidence they could succeed at the academy, making this number possible.

Even among nobles, while there were no expulsions, there were dropouts, indicating that this year’s first-year swordsmanship students were exceptionally talented, but…

The first-year students themselves would say it wasn’t their achievement.

The reason they survived was…

‘Solely due to that person’s skill.’

“Why are you all still here? Isn’t it the course registration period for a week? You don’t need to come during that time.”

The instructor who had forcibly ensured all 80 students survived scolded them in a gruff tone.

“We just happened to…”

“We came to greet you, and coincidentally everyone gathered, haha…”

Some responded glibly, and the instructor who had achieved the feat of ensuring all 80 students survived:

“These kids, unnecessarily diligent.”

He merely clicked his tongue in disbelief.

And the fact that his scolding somehow felt welcome suggested they had definitely adapted to this person.

“Well, since you’re here, you might as well practice with your swords before leaving. If you want to cross swords with me, that’s welcome too.”

“No, I sincerely decline that offer.”

“…”

They literally just came to say hello, not to fight that dangerous man.

People should fight people, not monsters.

They were planning to return to their dormitories after a simple greeting, but.

“Master, I finished the handover to those people as you instructed.”

“Good job. But Bear Cub.”

“Yes?”

“‘Those people’? Your form of address is wrong.”

“Uh, do we really call people that way?”

“No. Where are there people? Didn’t I tell you? Those aren’t people.”

“…”

…The students doubted their own eyes.

They were looking at nine individuals approaching with collars around their necks and iron balls chained to their ankles, dragging them along.

They looked just like slaves…

“Ah, don’t misunderstand everyone. These aren’t slaves. They’re personnel accepted from outside, and you can call them ‘teaching assistant interns.'”

“…”

“Isn’t that right, Intern No. 1?”

“…”

“Not answering?”

“Y-Yes, that’s right-!!”

“Your response is slow?”

“I-I’ll correct it!!”

“Tsk, don’t act up in front of the students.”

“Yes sir!”

“Tch, these convicts, when will they ever become human… Teaching assistant.”

“Yes, Instructor!”

“Since you’re the senior, manage them well. Don’t just crush them, I mean, handle them moderately. Understand?”

“Leave it to me! I’ll ensure their total sleep time doesn’t exceed 1 hour in a week!!”

“Kid, you know your stuff.”

“Hehe, thank you.”

…It was a scene their brains couldn’t quite process.

But one thing was clear…

‘That Damian, he really looks happy.’

He was clearly delighted.

“Stand straight, you lot! Didn’t you hear what the instructor said! From today, don’t even think about sleeping! Remember that your evaluation scores depend on me! You intern bastards!”

Damian, who had been the lowest-ranked teaching assistant in the swordsmanship department, was simply overjoyed that there were now people below him.

…The irony was that these bottom-feeders were Inquisitors, and it was questionable whether Damian could handle the aftermath, but.

‘Fuck it, I don’t care! I’m enjoying the moment!’

The teaching assistant dumped all future consequences onto his future self.