At the man’s question, the woman chuckled softly and replied, “Don’t you know what they’re like? Both of them consider teaching students to be the joy of their lives.”
The two fell silent for a mont. It was always the most diligent and principled individuals who were the first to be sacrificed when political problems arose. Professors Rance and Bake were no exception to this unfortunate pattern.
Particularly at the Imperial Academy, where most professors ca from noble families, the two commoner professors had likely never been given proper respect in the first place.
The man asked, “But what’s Professor Rance going to teach there? He was a swordsmanship professor, wasn’t he?”
“...Good question. Our guild had been eyeing him, but I didn’t expect Halo to snatch him up.”
“Professor Rance isn’t the kind of person to take up rcenary work. And more importantly, we had already set our sights on him before anyone else.”
“Let’s not argue over what’s done. We lost both of them, and that’s that.”
“Fair enough. I just hope things work out well for them.”
With a sigh, the two clinked their beer mugs and drank deeply.
***
As Penelope reviewed the resu of one of the Imperial Academy professors, her expression turned curious.
"A swordsmanship professor?"
"Is sothing the matter?" Lucas, her secretary, asked, noticing her puzzled look.
Penelope quickly looked up, and Lucas glanced over the resu she had been reading.
Resting her chin on her hand, Penelope asked, "Do you know Professor Rance? He used to teach swordsmanship at the Imperial Academy."
"Ah, yes, I do. I even attended so of his classes," Lucas replied.
"Really? What’s he like?"
"He’s incredibly skilled in swordsmanship and an excellent teacher. Despite being a commoner and not receiving a knighthood, his abilities are remarkable."
Penelope’s face lit up at his answer. Having a secretary who had attended the Imperial Academy certainly had its advantages.
"Could you arrange for him to co here? I’d like to et him."
"I’ll send soone right away and arrange a eting by tomorrow. May I ask why you’re interested?"
"I want to interview him again. If he’s as skilled as you say, I’d like to evaluate his abilities."
"Understood."
The next day, Rance arrived at the lord’s castle by carriage.
Despite being summoned by the lord, Rance felt little excitent. He couldn’t shake the hollow sense of despair about his situation—reduced to seeking employnt in the remote northern countryside after losing his position.
When the emperor changed, so did the Academy’s leadership, and the new head wasted no ti in dismissing him. Rance believed it wasn’t the emperor’s intention but rather the result of the new head’s political maneuvering.
The fallout had been devastating. Many commoner professors like Rance had been unceremoniously cast out.
Maybe I should’ve beco a rcenary instead, he thought bitterly. With his skills, he was confident he could make a living that way.
Yet Rance still clung to his pride as a teacher. Even though he had been ousted from the prestigious Imperial Academy, he couldn’t abandon his identity as an educator.
"This way, please. The lord is waiting," the servant leading him said.
Rance followed, his steps echoing through the corridor. To his surprise, the servant led him to the training grounds. In the center, knights and soldiers were practicing swordsmanship, their shouts resonating as they swung their weapons.
Nearby, a young woman in a thick coat watched the training session. Her lively deanor and delicate features made her stand out. Beside her stood a burly knight and a man cloaked in a black robe, his hood pulled low.
Who’s that hooded man? Rance wondered briefly.
The young woman turned toward him and smiled. "Welco, Sir Rance. It’s a pleasure to et you."
"Ah…" Rance faltered, montarily flustered.
The servant leaned in and whispered, "This is the Lord of Halo."
"I-it’s an honor to et you, my lady," Rance stamred, swallowing nervously before bowing.
The lord smiled and introduced the knight beside her. "This is Sir Cain, the commander of our knights."
Sir Cain placed a hand over his chest and bowed. "A pleasure to et you, Sir Rance."
"The pleasure is mine, Sir Cain," Rance replied, still dazed. He hadn’t expected the Lord of Halo to be such a young woman.
She’s the youngest lord I’ve ever seen, he thought, regaining his composure.
Despite her youth, Rance reminded himself that she was a noble granted her title by the emperor. A single misstep could cost him dearly.
The training ground echoed with the knights’ and soldiers’ spirited shouts as they practiced their techniques. Rance glanced at them critically.
Too much unnecessary movent. Their strikes are loud but lack precision. I can see only two skilled individuals among them.
He wasn’t particularly surprised. For a small territory like Halo, having even two competent fighters was remarkable.
They need better physical conditioning. Without it, their swordsmanship will remain subpar.
As Rance assessed the training, Penelope asked, "What do you think?"
"About… what, my lady?"
Penelope’s eyes glead with interest. "I heard you taught swordsmanship at the Imperial Academy."
"Yes, I did," Rance confird.
"Then could you share your thoughts on the state of my knights’ training?"
"…Excuse ?"
Rance hesitated, unsure of her intent. Her brown eyes held a mix of curiosity and kindness, but nothing else was discernible.
I can’t read her at all, he thought.
Finally, Rance answered cautiously, "It seems there are only two proficient individuals. That large young man over there and the one next to him. The others appear to need much more rigorous training."
By "rigorous," he ant painstaking, grueling effort, but he refrained from being too blunt.
"Wow! I couldn’t tell at all, but you spotted that right away!" Penelope exclaid.
"That’s what I specialized in at the Academy," Rance replied modestly.
Penelope nodded thoughtfully before turning to Sir Cain. "What do you think, Sir Cain?"
"I am a knight who follows my lord’s commands. Whatever you decide, I shall carry it out," Cain answered with unwavering loyalty.
Penelope turned back to Rance. "Sir Rance, how about working with the knights here at Halo Castle instead of teaching at the elentary school? You’d serve as their swordsmanship instructor."
"…?" Rance was taken aback. He hadn’t expected the lord to offer him such a significant position after just eting him.
Penelope explained, "Unfortunately, there wouldn’t be much for you to do at the elentary school right now. It’s attended by children aged six to twelve, most of whom can barely hold sticks properly, let alone swords."
Rance felt a mix of surprise and relief.
"So, you hired …?"
"Because your skills would’ve been wasted otherwise. I’ll double the salary I originally offered. It might still feel inadequate, but as the territory grows, I’ll ensure your pay increases accordingly. Of course, we’ll provide you with housing and servants imdiately."
Rance fell silent, overwheld by the unprecedented offer. No one had ever valued him like this before.
The role of a swordsmanship instructor can only be held by a knight.
The implication was clear: she was offering to knight him. Rance felt a surge of emotions he hadn’t realized he was holding back.
"If you’ll have … I’ll dedicate myself wholeheartedly, even to the point of laying down my life."
"No need to risk your life—oh, never mind. Just do your best," Penelope said, quickly anding her words under Ahwin’s sharp glare.
She cleared her throat and added, "I’d like to confer your knighthood during the Feast of Saint Recto. How does that sound?"
Saint Recto, revered as the patron of swordsmanship, was a fitting choice.
"It would be an honor," Rance said, placing a hand over his chest and bowing deeply.
***
"Do you always have to ruin the mood like that?"
As soon as they were alone, Ahwin pulled back his hood with an exasperated sigh. His tousled blonde hair, grown long enough to cover his forehead, fell into disarray, and he quickly smoothed it down with practiced ease.
Penelope glanced slyly at his pale green eyes before breaking into a mischievous smile.
"It was just a slip-up," she said.
"Didn’t seem like a slip-up to ."
"When I say it was, you should just take my word for it."
If anything, I’ve been holding back for quite a while now, she thought.
Ahwin, who had stood silently at her side the entire ti, must have been dying to speak his mind.
Of course, his silence was at her request. Penelope had asked him to refrain from making any cutting remarks that might upset Rance during their first eting.
"Knights are such strange beings," Penelope mused. "Swearing to lay down their lives for their lords… sotis they seem even more fascinating than wizards."
"That’s their pride and honor as knights. Aren’t you a noble? How do you not know sothing so basic?" Ahwin shot back, his tone tinged with disbelief.
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