Ethan closed his eyes and replayed his battle with the Sword Saint.
The newly ford swordsmanship, archery, and the new sword and bracelet he obtained.
The scattered frost and lightning.
‘Just once.’
Out of countless simulations, just once.
Realizing this, Ethan opened his eyes.
“I can win.”
A wry smile.
Ethan smirked.
Until now, the simulations showed Ethan having a 0 percent chance of beating the Sword Saint.
Impossible.
But now, those odds had increased.
‘Whether it’s 10 percent or 20 percent, it doesn’t matter.’
Even a 0.1 percent chance was significant.
‘Going from impossible to a low possibility of winning is aningful in itself.’
Ethan imdiately used Wind Cloud to return with Yerica.
He still had two swords at his waist, but they were different from before.
***
“Yuna, forgive . But I’m still your father…”
“Shut your trap.”
Yuna Garnet trampled on the leader of the Garnet rchant Guild, Cromwell.
Then she looked around.
“From now on, the managent of the Garnet rchant Guild will be handled by Lord Rokvar here!”
At Yuna’s declaration, the new rchant Guild leader Rokvar, his subordinates, and the executives who had sched to overthrow the rchant Guild roared in approval.
A new era had begun.
“I will serve as an officer to fully assist Lord Rokvar.”
Though her title was officer, Yuna effectively had command over the Garnet rchant Guild.
Yuna had learned the importance of trust through Ethan.
Of course, she didn’t blindly trust anyone.
It would be foolish to naively trust others in this cunning rchant Guild if she wanted to survive.
“I’m counting on you, Lord Rokvar of the rchant Guild.”
“Hahaha, with our Officer Yuna congratulating like this, it really feels real now. Don’t worry and just focus on finishing your studies at the academy.”
Rokvar said.
“You don’t need to worry about the rchant Guild. Everyone here is well aware of Officer Yuna’s abilities.”
The executives had seen Yuna’s true colors while working with her on this operation.
The daughter of a rchant Guild leader.
They had thought she was just privileged from birth and spoiled. Talented, but only by birthright.
But they were wrong.
Yuna was born to rule from the very beginning. She had exceptional talent, especially in managing a massive rchant Guild like Garnet.
Quick decision-making and judgnt.
The Cromwell rchant Guild leader was no pushover, yet he was swiftly crushed before Yuna like a leaf in the wind.
She only gave him the slightest opening.
But she exploited that opening to utterly destroy him.
They had all witnessed it firsthand.
There was no denying Yuna’s ability.
“I believe you’ll lead us well.”
Yuna was certainly smiling.
But for so reason, it sent chills down their spines.
“I won’t give you any cause for worry.”
***
“Wow, what on earth happened while I was gone?”
In Ethan’s office.
Ethan, along with the drenched-in-sweat Mason and Ron, were present.
The two students looked utterly exhausted from their intense training. Before them stood Ethan, his cold gaze fixed on the students.
“What happened to you two?”
Yuna hadn’t been gone for very long.
Even while handling the Garnet rchant Guild situation, she had been receiving reports on the academy’s affairs.
Thanks to that, she had heard about Mason and Ron defeating Max Jurod and Slos Pallo to claim the representative position of the Swordsmanship Departnt.
So Yuna had brought a delicious cake to celebrate.
“A lot happened.”
In that short period, Ethan had brought about many changes.
“I heard new teachers don’t usually get offices.”
Yuna was surprised again by the spacious office.
“And even if they do get an office, it’s not usually this big.”
“The Principal made an exception for . Since I teach multiple classes, having an office makes it easier for students to co talk to about what they need.”
Thinking about it, it made sense.
Ethan had achieved countless accomplishnts at the academy, even before the sester had ended. On top of that, he would now be teaching three classes.
For soone like Ethan, such formalities weren’t that important.
Yuna turned to look at the completely transford Mason and Ron. They had lost a significant amount of weight. Like sharpened blades ready to be drawn.
“Now that all three of you are here, let explain properly. You won’t be able to win the upcoming interdepartntal exchange.”
“…Huh?”
Yuna asked in bewildernt.
Mason and Ron were equally stunned. Until now, Ethan had never lied.
If he said sothing was possible, it was possible. If it was impossible, he said so.
And now Ethan was saying they couldn’t win.
Ethan calmly explained.
“You all know that the interdepartntal exchange isn’t just settled through one-on-one battles, right?”
“Yes, we know. Due to the traits of each departnt, mages are at a disadvantage in close combat, so one-on-one battles would favor swordsn.”
In direct clashes, mages were at a clear disadvantage.
By nature, swordsn specialized in close-quarters combat, while mages excelled at long-range. So in one-on-one battles between swordsn and mages, the swordsn would have a significant advantage.
That’s why the interdepartntal exchange didn’t determine the winner solely through one-on-one battles.
“The swordsn demonstrate their swordsmanship, and the mages demonstrate their magic. They showcase their respective talents to be evaluated.”
It wasn’t an interdepartntal battle, but an interdepartntal exchange.
An exchange ant displaying one’s strengths while fostering camaraderie and pushing each other to improve.
So unlike the previous tournant to select departntal representatives, the interdepartntal exchange didn’t decide a winner through one-on-one battles.
The Swordsmanship Departnt would showcase their swordsmanship, and the Magic Departnt would showcase their magic.
They would each demonstrate their skills to be evaluated – that was the interdepartntal exchange.
‘So the evaluator is crucial in the interdepartntal exchange.’
If there were multiple evaluators, their assessnts would inevitably differ.
‘Swordsn only know swordsmanship, and mages only know magic.’
The evaluator needed to be a master of both fields.
But there were very few people on the continent who had reached the master level in both swordsmanship and magic.
“The Principal invited an expert as an evaluator proficient in both swordsmanship and magic.”
Being proficient in both, they could accurately assess their levels.
“It’s Master Jeryd, the Sky Swordmage.”
“!”
“The Sky Swordmage themselves will be evaluating?”
Mason and Yuna’s expressions changed.
Ron wasn’t too familiar with the so-called Sky Swordmage. All he knew were famous figures like the Sword Saint.
The Sky Swordmage was a renowned swordmage of the Holy Empire, nicknad such because their swordsmanship evoked the image of a blue sky.
They were a generation below the Sword Saint but counted among the top three strongest swordmages who wielded both swords and magic.
Inviting the Sky Swordmage as an evaluator could be seen as overkill for the interdepartntal exchange.
But they were the most suitable person to judge and score them.
‘It must be thanks to the Principal’s connections.’
“That’s why I’m telling you. You absolutely cannot win the exchange.”
Mason and Yuna gritted their teeth at Ethan’s definitive statent.
Ron, brimming with confidence after defeating Slos Pallo, also felt his pride severely wounded.
“We can do it, Teacher. As you saw in the representative selection, if you guide us…”
Ethan shook his head at Ron’s words.
“Then did you help us win the representative selection just so we could lose the exchange?”
Mason asked. Ron also wondered why Ethan had helped them win if they were destined to lose the exchange.
“You cannot win. Because of one person.”
“If you’re talking about one person…”
“Roanna du Prochet.”
They all froze at Ethan’s words.
“Roanna is an exceptional student. Her skills already surpass her teacher, Duty. If the Sky Swordmage themselves evaluates, you won’t be able to beat Roanna.”
Ethan then made eye contact with each of the three students.
“Even if all three of you faced Roanna together in battle, you wouldn’t be able to win.”
“Even in battle?”
Mason asked in astonishnt.
Ethan wouldn’t joke about sothing like this. So it ant Roanna was significantly stronger than all three of them combined.
Unbelievable that they would lose even in a battle favoring swordsn.
Just how powerful was Roanna?
“You’ve all grown quickly by following my teachings well. But Roanna is different. I realized it when I briefly taught her a while ago.”
“You taught her?”
Yuna’s eyes widened.
“In the Potion Manufacturing class. There was a long story behind it. But I saw her abilities then. The Roanna I saw far surpassed your current levels.”
Of course, Ethan had known about Roanna even before that.
He had simply realized her talents more clearly after eting her in person.
“Then… is it already over?”
Yuna asked with a dejected expression. She regretted leaving her post. She should have worked harder during the representative selection tournant.
If this was the case, what was the point?
She had wanted to win the interdepartntal exchange and represent the academy at other academies.
Of course, even if they weren’t representatives, they would still go together.
But the representatives had special privileges they wouldn’t have access to.
“It’s not a guaranteed loss, but it won’t be easy.”
The three deflated students refocused on Ethan’s words.
“There’s a saying: If you can’t beat them, join them. If you can’t beat Roanna, bring her to our side.”
“…Huh!?”
“And that’s already in progress.”
Sotis, the direct approach isn’t the only solution.
***
“What do you an by that, Roanna?”
“I’m terribly sorry, but my condition is so poor that I don’t think I can participate in this interdepartntal exchange.”
“But the Sky Swordmage themselves is coming as an evaluator! This is a once-in-a-lifeti opportunity! To miss the chance to be evaluated directly by the Sky Swordmage themselves? And this ti, our victory is assured! It’s not Teacher Claudie, but Teacher Ethan representing the Swordsmanship Departnt! He’s just a new teacher! He’s skilled for a newcor, but you guys in your golden age should be able to…”
At Duty’s words belittling Ethan, Roanna’s brow twitched, but she quickly composed herself.
“I’m sorry, Teacher. But the interdepartntal exchange isn’t over after this. The two senior students can participate with you. They’re both highly skilled, so you should be able to win.”
“Are you really in that poor condition?”
Roanna nodded at Duty’s question.
It wasn’t a lie.
Ever since receiving the brüle technique from Ethan, her heart had been constantly racing, making daily life difficult.
“Huuu, I see. Alright then. But making such a sudden student swap will incur penalties. We might even end up losing.”
Duty said, blatantly shifting the bla.
But Roanna didn’t seem bothered.
The interdepartntal exchange wasn’t that important to her. They had won last year and participated in the academy exchange anyway.
The Nathan Whiskers she t there was a formidable mage, but Roanna was now solely focused on the brüle.
Ethan’s brüle.
It was truly a charming magical technique.
“We’ll just have to accept losing.”
So Roanna simply shrugged. Next sester, she would beco Ethan’s Potion Manufacturing teaching assistant and attend his classes to her heart’s content.
No need to struggle with course registration.
Knowing her spot was secured brought Roanna a sense of stability.
Grunt.
Roanna’s nonchalant attitude despite his words slightly angered Duty, but he took a deep breath to calm down.
“Get well soon, Roanna. You’re the hope of the Magic Departnt.”
“Thank you, Teacher.”
Even as she responded, Roanna’s mind was solely occupied by the brüle. With this, her position as Ethan’s teaching assistant was confird.
Author's Thoughts
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