Ch.76EP.21 – The Knight Teaches (1)

Every organization inevitably experiences incidents, both major and minor, each year.

No matter how thoroughly one manages things, as long as humans are involved, flaws are unavoidable.

Therefore, accidents happening isn’t particularly strange, and it’s no exaggeration to say that how well follow-up measures are implemented serves as a standard for evaluating an organization’s capabilities.

In other words, what matters is how well the situation is handled, not dwelling on the immediate incident.

…However, this time was different.

“I heard a royal audit is scheduled to arrive.”

“Those who normally don’t even show up are making a fuss trying to seize an opportunity, watching the Chancellor—no, the Headmaster.”

The royal family was stirring up the Academy.

Even now, soldiers were roaming through the departments, searching through all documents and disrupting work…

It was only natural for the faculty’s discontent to rise.

However, they weren’t blindly criticizing the royal family.

They understood how serious this matter was and were willing to cooperate.

However…

“I heard the royal family already knew there were signs of an impending terrorist attack?”

“Ha, this is a complete witch hunt! What did the Headmaster do wrong—!”

“Who said he didn’t?”

Both the royal family and the Academy were essentially the same, so why was only the Academy receiving such harsh criticism?!

—This complaint seeped among the faculty, causing anger.

“It’s like a dung-covered dog scolding a chaff-covered dog.”

A sigh that accurately described the situation.

In reality, it was quite a well-known rumor that not just the royal family, but everyone had received reports about signs of terrorism.

One knight had passionately spoken out, but simply no one had paid attention.

In a way, it was belated reflection, and everyone was undeniably guilty.

But conversely, no single person could take the blame now.

If someone took responsibility here, they would definitely be sent to the guillotine, and if one person went to the guillotine, their entire household would face execution.

Therefore, neither the royal audit nor the unsettling rumors circulating within the Academy should be believed right now.

The mud-slinging had already begun, and a hostile atmosphere would linger for a while.

“…But what exactly is the identity of the ‘first reporter’?”

“Don’t know, nobody has that information.”

“Rumors say it’s some big-built knight…”

“A big-built knight, hmm, c-could it be…?”

“Let’s not voice unnecessary speculation. It would be disrespectful to that person.”

“R-right.”

The first reporter.

A rumor that there was someone who first warned the Headmaster, the princess, and others about the impending terrorist attack.

A rumor that had somehow reached everyone’s ears, and it was natural psychology for people to search for and suspect the first reporter.

After all, it was common sense to question and dig into the source of information.

…Yet strangely, no information was circulating about the person who submitted the report.

Even though they could find out through investigation.

Even the soldiers moving in real-time had heard the rumors but were keeping quiet about it…

It was an unusual flow in many ways, but this was unavoidable.

“Ah, this is maddening. It seems like everything could be resolved by tracking down the informant, so why are the higher-ups telling us not to pursue it?”

“Tsk, should we just dig into it anyway? Who knows, we might earn some merit.”

“Hey, if you want to die, die alone. Don’t try to drag others into it.”

From the royal family to the upper echelons of the Academy.

Orders had been issued by everyone not to pursue the source of information.

The reason was unknown, but orders had come down that he was not the culprit.

Stern warnings had even been issued not to dig into it or think about causing harm.

Therefore, the investigators could only perform time-killing tasks, forced to abandon an easy means of obtaining decisive clues.

Agreeing not to disturb an unnecessary hornet’s nest.

And now, the knight who was the first reporter, presumed to know all the truth, and simultaneously earned the title of “Hero of the Academy” through this incident…

“—This is Soshim who will be newly joining the Swordsmanship Department from now on. Everyone, treat him well.”

“I-it’s not Soshim, but Derrick…”

“Do you want to be called by your name at your rank?”

“…Is this the military?”

He was in the middle of introducing a new face.

* * *

To put it in terms of results, all 80 students in the Swordsmanship Department achieved high grades in the semester evaluation.

They had shown good performance in the battle against the rock troll.

Their spirit and courage in facing hundreds of gnolls were highly valued, and their potential was recognized.

It would be no exaggeration to say that the current first-year Swordsmanship Department students received the highest grades among all previous cohorts.

Among some members, these high grades led to scholarships, which were essentially guarantees of full living expenses.

This was a welcome relief for the “bears” who always struggled with money, and they no longer needed to worry about finances while attending the Academy.

And not just the bears, but other noble sons and daughters were also scheduled to receive medals more valuable than money, which was an opportunity to elevate their family names.

Without exception, everyone had received rewards for risking their lives in battle, which was enough to make emotions overflow.

However, none of them were arrogant enough to think they survived because of their own excellence.

“—First of all, this instructor is grateful that everyone has gathered safely without a single casualty. Everyone did well.”

They needed to know that they survived thanks to him alone.

Ihan.

A knight who was evaluated as having saved all spectators and students by stepping forward before anyone else to eliminate monsters during this terrorist attack.

Furthermore, a hero evaluated as having saved the royal capital!

The students looked at him with fresh eyes, as if they had always known this would happen.

‘As expected, I knew he would make a name for himself.’

‘He’s really amazing.’

‘…Yesterday I saw love letters, presumably left by noble ladies, piled up on the instructor’s desk… I’m envious.’

The infamy that had somehow spread about him throughout the Academy in the past had long been erased, and now instead of fear and aversion, gazes full of admiration and goodwill were pouring in.

For those who had fought alongside him, it would be a lie to say they didn’t feel envious of the greater attention and honor he received, but even they couldn’t help but feel a warmth in their hearts when looking at their master.

And for good reason.

‘He stopped such a monster alone—it would be funny not to respect him.’

His achievement was that impressive.

An ancient monster straight out of mythology.

Everyone at the Academy had seen him fight against the troll, which boasted a massiveness comparable to a giant.

If he hadn’t been able to stop that monster until the end, not just the Academy but the entire royal capital would have been in danger.

So he was a hero.

He had saved countless lives alone and shown a noble spirit by stopping the monster until reinforcements arrived.

…However.

“I-Instructor, there’s a noble outside who wants to meet you. What should we do?”

“Tell them to get lost and not disturb class time.”

“…But they’re a count.”

“Should I go myself then?”

“…If you go yourself, you’ll probably slit their throat? I’ll go and politely decline.”

The instructor himself seemed to have no emotional response to what he had done.

Rather, he appeared quite displeased with the unwelcome attention pouring in.

‘Thank goodness for the teaching assistant.’

‘He’s really in a bad mood.’

If Damian hadn’t skillfully handled the visiting nobles or merchants, there might have been trouble long ago.

“Humans with nothing better to do.”

“…Still, they probably haven’t come without reason. Among those visiting, there must be people whose lives were saved thanks to you.”

“Even if not themselves, their relatives might have received help.”

The students recited plausible reasons to improve his mood, but Ihan snorted.

“Do grateful people just show up during class hours or trespass into my home? Is that how gratitude is expressed these days? How amusing.”

“……”

“Or am I behind the times?”

“Ahem.”

There was nothing to say to this.

It was certainly inconsiderate, to say the least.

“…Just out of curiosity, what did you do to those who trespassed?”

“Rather than asking what I did to them, wouldn’t it be better to ask how I ‘disposed’ of them?”

“……”

…Let’s stop asking questions.

“—May I ask a question for a moment?”

Since this was the first class in four days after the terrorist attack, they had many curiosities, and truly many questions were flying in.

After all, being young, they couldn’t contain their curiosity.

But in the midst of this, someone who had been quiet all along asked a question.

“The newly transferred student, is he the one who scattered those unusual throwing knives from the sky the other day?”

“…Hmm.”

Just when he was wondering why no one was curious, finally someone showed interest in the new transfer student.

Well, he was a bit of a troublesome fellow, but still.

The returnee from the North gave an intense look to the skill-using (over)achiever.

He still remembered the Myriad Flower Rain that had decorated the sky.

“U-um, I…”

He broke out in a cold sweat under the intense gaze.

He was someone who found it most difficult to socialize with others, and now receiving attention from the most intimidating person made him unable to speak properly.

Ihan decided to help the transfer student who was starting to look tearful.

After all, having just scouted him, it wouldn’t do to ruin his image on the first day.

Ihan “kindly” warned:

“Blackie. Everything else is fine, but put away those intimidating eyes. There’s a way to extract ink from those black pupils.”

“……”

“If my potential teaching assistant candidate runs away, what I just said won’t be a joke anymore, haha.”

“…I don’t understand why you say things like ‘I’ll kill you’ so sweetly.”

“Kill? When did I ever say such a thing?”

“That’s how it sounded to my ears.”

Only then did Blackie—no, Roen—withdraw his gaze.

He had no intention of defying the knight who had fought on equal terms with the Demon King.

And above all…

“If I may correct something, I only asked the question to express my gratitude. Thanks to the throwing knives that poured from the sky, there were no casualties.”

Needles resembling flower petals that poured from the sky.

When those needles decorated the sky and fell, a mass of monsters was annihilated, and those who were injured or exhausted miraculously regained their strength.

“That day, I was the person in charge with command authority in place of the instructor. As the person responsible, I have a duty to express gratitude, so I merely wanted an answer. …So, let me say in advance. If you are the one who scattered those throwing knives, I pay my respects. I swear on the name of Lionel that this debt will be repaid.”

The gaze was still intimidating, but the atmosphere was different from before.

Respect for Soshim was conveyed, along with sincere gratitude and recognition.

When a man receives such respect and recognition, his heart cannot help but be moved.

Soshim also blushed and bowed his head deeply.

In reality, he had already revealed his identity, but Ihan wasn’t the kind of immature adult who would scold his disciple over such things.

‘This Blackie guy, being a noble, he’s good at saying cheesy things.’

Though cheesy, words with sincere intent toward others have power.

Especially in his case, it was even more intense.

‘Anyway.’

He occasionally shows extraordinary aspects.

As Ihan was feeling satisfied, confirming that an atmosphere was being created where Soshim could integrate well…

“And Instructor, it might be impertinent to ask this now, but. Is it possible for me, no… for us to learn how to make flowers bloom with sword energy?”

Whoosh!

“…Huh?”

The moment Blackie’s second statement continued, hot interest gathered toward him.

As if Soshim had been just an appetizer, and he was the main dish.

“…These guys.”

Ihan was dumbfounded.

After raising them as Shaolin disciples…

‘Are they trying to convert to the Plum Blossom Sword Style?’

His brow furrowed.

‘They say the Northern Dipper of the martial world is Shaolin, but the Huashan Sect…’

Anyway.

‘Guys with no roots.’

The small wuxia world in Ihan’s heart wanted to shout a scolding “Kal!”