Ch.186EP.43 – The Knight Makes a Fresh Start (3)

“Are you also captured? Kunta is happy to have more comrades!”

“……”

The students prepared to flee as they observed the barbarian working at the construction site wearing a yellow hard hat and safety equipment.

It seemed like this might be an illegal labor operation.

However.

“Ah, those guys were indeed forcibly brought here by me, but you all were just brought along as part of today’s outdoor class, so just quietly watch.”

“Is… is that really okay?”

“You enrolled in the academy to study, not to work. If anyone should work, it should be me. Why would I make you do it?”

“……”

An unexpectedly kind consideration.

Though he had many strange aspects, he truly showed the qualities of a proper instructor at times.

“Aren’t… aren’t we students too?”

“Instructor, did we do something wrong?”

Arno and Garand, who were wearing construction equipment like Kunta and working on the tunnel, complained about the unfairness.

This was unjust and…

They were students too, so why should only they have to do construction work?

To such questions.

“You guys were catching criminals while I was away, weren’t you?”

“……”

“These bastards… what fine things for students to be doing in the middle of the night, tsk tsk.”

“That was just a bit of… practical experience…”

“So, did you do well?”

“…No, sir.”

“Then what should you do?”

Ihan asked with a furrowed brow, and they immediately answered to save themselves.

“Where should we start working, sir?”

“We’ll shut up and do it, sir.”

They surrendered, and Ihan clicked his tongue.

Anyway.

‘Who did they take after to cause such trouble… huh?’

…Me?

A tiny speck of conscience that could disappear at any moment nagged at him to “mind your conscience,” and Ihan fell silent for a moment.

* * *

The reason Ihan dug a tunnel in the mountain behind the academy after surviving a near-death experience in the Empire and being unconscious for two days wasn’t because he was crazy or just wanted to exercise.

“Recently, in this instructor’s view, the academy and the royal capital are not in a safe state. In some ways, I consider it to be a ‘state of war.'”

“……”

“This isn’t just to scare you. It’s based entirely on facts. Therefore, I felt countermeasures were necessary.”

“Is… is that thing over there one of those countermeasures?”

“It’s one of them, yes.”

There was a slight commotion at the mention of a “state of war,” but the children remained steadfast.

Well, they had already experienced an unprecedented monster terrorist attack.

Having experienced the terror firsthand, they probably knew Ihan’s words weren’t far-fetched.

‘If what that spellcaster bastard said is true, there’s a high chance of another attack soon.’

It was now an undeniable fact that fanatics were targeting the Pendragon.

Ihan could simply behead whoever came, but he didn’t think his disciples or other students could act as boldly as he could.

This wasn’t a matter of resolve but of environment, a difference in perception between those who had experienced war and those who hadn’t.

So Ihan had been pondering since the moment he woke up.

About means to keep the children safer, or…

“Creating a manual for emergency situations.”

“A manual?”

“Primarily, a shelter. When a crisis occurs, sometimes you need a place to hide temporarily. I believe that creating a shelter and escape route for students will definitely be helpful.”

“That’s certainly true, but haven’t we received any orders from above yet?”

Like from the headmaster, or even the royal family.

“When do you think those people will give orders? I’m certain that if we don’t prepare in advance, it’ll be too late. Those at the top only move after an incident occurs. That’s an unchanging law across all nations.”

“…I don’t know if that’s true, but I can tell you’ve been through a lot, Instructor.”

At some point, they began to listen carefully to Ihan’s assertions.

They had confirmed that this wasn’t an emotional decision but one made after serious consideration.

“…But it’s unexpected. That you would work so hard to prepare countermeasures for the students.”

“Huh?”

“Oh, of course I know you’re not a bad person, Instructor. But to think you’d even consider building such facilities to save students’ lives… you’re amazing!”

Perhaps a student from a family that values noblesse oblige?

The disciple looked at Ihan with a somewhat moved expression, and Ihan felt a bit guilty inside.

After all, the reason he built this bunker-like structure was…

‘I just did it so I wouldn’t be disturbed when fighting…’

…Hmm.

‘Better not to mention that, right?’

Sometimes it was important not to lose points by saying unnecessary things.

* * *

‘I suppose Master made this shelter because others might get in his way, right?’

Hehe.

Secretly wearing a faint smile, Levi saw through him.

It wasn’t mind reading, but rather deductive ability based on understanding the man she admired better than anyone else, and Levi believed her thoughts were correct.

Sure enough.

The moment he received admiring gazes from others, his usual smile stiffened for a fraction of a second.

Though the awkwardness quickly disappeared, Levi’s eyes were sharp.

‘Judging by his pupils dilating by 0.03mm more than usual, he must be quite flustered.’

Sometimes at moments like this, she thought he wasn’t very good at hiding his true feelings.

“How cute.”

…Her perceptiveness was not just sharp but frightening.

It meant she had a good ability to observe others, and while it might seem like an extraordinary talent, anyone who knew the girl’s life wouldn’t dare dismiss such observational skills as mere talent.

She had spent her entire life reading others’ moods to survive, a skill acquired out of necessity.

A talent bestowed by an unfortunate life.

However, thanks to him who first extended a helping hand to her, the girl’s talent was now being properly utilized, and there was much to look forward to.

…However.

‘Huh? But he seems a bit different from usual…?’

Was her talent blooming more quickly?

Or was it a difference in determination?

Levi’s observational skills were increasingly picking up on subtle differences as she examined Ihan.

It wasn’t that he was in pain.

Simply…

‘He looks a bit uncomfortable?’

Like he was wearing clothes that didn’t fit him properly.

Levi tilted her head, wondering what was making him uncomfortable.

Just then.

“Ah, you’re here right on time.”

“???”

As the students were puzzled by Ihan’s sudden remark…

Whoosh.

…Someone suddenly appeared in the clearing where they were gathered.

“!!!?”

It was a man concealed in black robes, and while the students were bewildered by the stranger’s appearance, they instinctively reached for their swords.

“Not bad. But too slow.”

Tap.

“Huh? …Huh?”

“What, what is this?”

“…?”

…But they couldn’t draw their swords.

They clearly tried to draw them, but the swords went back into their scabbards.

It wasn’t their will.

Something had pushed the swords back in before they could even draw them.

…With a speed like invisible wind.

And the person who did this was clearly,

“Do you always dress like that? You were wearing proper armor the other day.”

“There’s no benefit in showing my face. And I have no desire whatsoever to become a clown.”

“Oh my, looking down on clowns? That’s occupational discrimination.”

“…That wasn’t my intention, ahem!”

…Clearly it was this man in black.

The unidentified-

“Oh, it’s Lord Lac.”

…Well, not unidentified anymore, it seems.

Irene Windler. A beautiful blonde girl with bright blue eyes and a radiant smile pointed at the man in black.

“Lord Lac is here too? Did the instructor invite you?”

“…Ah, my lady.”

“Oh, was I not supposed to reveal your name? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…”

“No… you’ve done nothing wrong, my lady. Please don’t make such an expression.”

As Irene Windler’s expression turned apologetic, the man in black removed his mask.

What was revealed was the face of a surprisingly handsome man with greenish-blue hair and red eyes, causing the women to cover their mouths.

Just as men’s gazes are naturally drawn to extremely beautiful women, even women couldn’t help but stare when someone with such distinct looks and aura appeared.

While some marveled at his appearance, more people focused on his name.

“Lac? That Lac de Duron!?”

“The, the Fierce Wolf of Galahad!”

“Insane…! Didn’t you say he was your idol?”

“……”

“What are you… oh, he fainted.”

It seemed that not only did the name Galahad carry weight, but anyone aspiring to be a knight couldn’t help but admire Galahad.

And now a knight known as Galahad’s champion was standing before them, so they couldn’t help but be moved.

They were impressed.

Conversely.

“What is that? What kind of monster…?”

“Kunta, you shouldn’t call people that. …Though I understand the sentiment.”

“Only our old man could handle someone like that? What is this? Why are there so many monsters…?”

Those with some skill, especially the trio, were busy being shocked.

Just as the other students’ skills had significantly improved compared to half a year ago, the skills of these three, who were already at the top, had fully blossomed.

They had started to gain confidence in their abilities, but seeing this knight made their confidence wane again.

Tap.

“You’re doing well. Don’t compare yourselves to him. You’ll just make yourselves sick.”

“Instructor?”

“I didn’t call him here to make you feel inadequate. I partly called him so you could see him. It might help you later.”

“What… what do you mean?”

Ihan patted the three boys lightly on their backs and shoulders as if to comfort them, then approached the annoyingly handsome man.

“You acted like you wouldn’t come, but you came after all, huh?”

“I only came because a rogue like you begged so much.”

“Damn, you came because the ‘discomfort’ in your body was bothering you too.”

“……”

“…Fine. I didn’t call you here to argue.”

“…For once, we agree.”

Ihan began to stretch lightly.

Lac did the same.

Sometimes knights skimp on stretching because they think it looks unseemly, but it’s clear that those who don’t warm up properly for the sake of appearances are second-rate, or even third-rate or below.

The more confident you are in your skills, the more you should think about bringing your condition to its peak, rather than arrogantly posing.

Ihan stretched his entire body as if doing yoga poses, and the students exclaimed “Wow…” at his flexibility and dynamic muscle movements.

“Watch carefully until the end. It’s just a simple sparring match, so I’m not sure if it will be helpful to you.”

“…Pardon?”

“Hoo!”

Ignoring his disciples’ questions, he spent about 30 more minutes just stretching.

It couldn’t help but be a boring time, but the students watched it seriously.

The fact that even knights of their caliber took warming up so seriously made a big impression.

“How do you want to proceed?”

“Let’s go with 5-minute rounds followed by 1-minute breaks. The match should be decided after about ten rounds.”

“10 rounds, that’s going to be a bit intense.”

“Are you scared?”

“In a way, I’m worried about whether I can properly control my strength for 10 rounds.”

“…You rogue!”

“He started it first…”

At some point, Ihan and Lac closed the distance between them.

Though no one knew when it had been drawn, a circular mark was etched on the ground, and they faced each other inside the circle.

“……”

“……”

There was no more conversation between the two knights, and they…

Whoosh!

Swish!

—As a taste test, they threw punches at each other’s faces with no guard.