ODOC 02

Chapter 02

The First Day of the Instructor

The rumor that a new general education instructor had come to Sword School spread quickly.

“Hey, did you hear? They’re bringing in a new general education instructor.”
“Really? Why?”
“Why does it matter? General education is just something you sit through anyway.”
“Right. The seniors said the same thing. As long as you don’t skip class, it’s fine.”
“Anyway, they said we can just go through it lightly. It’s orientation today, so it should be over in like ten minutes, right?”

The first general education course at Sword School:
Understanding Self-Defense.

The students weren’t really interested; they attended simply because they were told to. Honestly, they didn’t even have to. If they wanted, they could take it; if not, they could make up the credits with their major courses.

Yet, surprisingly, students competed fiercely to register for general education classes. More specifically, out of the five general education courses, excluding the three taught by professors, there were two others—one of which was Understanding Self-Defense.

“Hey, this is seriously an easy class, right? The seniors said so.”
“Yeah, it’s conducted by a general ed instructor, so it’s supposed to be easy. Just sit there and leave.”
“Thinking back to how hard it was to even register for it…”

Among the 100 first-year students—and the upperclassmen who hadn’t yet passed their general education—forty students had managed to secure a spot.

A fierce competition just to enjoy an easy ride! These forty were the victors.

“Delevo, what are you doing?”
“Studying my major.”

Among the students, one boy looked entirely unconcerned with the class and focused on his major textbooks.

“Class is about to start.”
“General ed classes are run by assistants anyway. They just give a brief orientation and let us self-study.”

Delevo Kundel.
The third son of the Kundel family, with striking blonde hair and deep blue eyes—a boy who naturally drew attention.

“They said an actual instructor is coming this time.”
“Won’t last more than a few months anyway. My brother said general ed instructors don’t stay long.”
“Oh right, your brothers are third- and fifth-year students.”

Delevo soon buried himself in his textbooks. Some students glanced at him.

“That’s the top entrance student, right? From the Kundel family?”
“Do you think being friendly would help with academy life?”
“Who knows? Go ask him yourself.”

Delevo noticed the glances but was entirely focused on his studies.

“I will surpass my brothers.”

He entered Edelvine Academy as a freshman with the highest praise for his talent—and as the top student. He had to prove he was the best. He couldn’t disappoint his family.

Meanwhile…

“Celia, want to go to the plaza later? The seniors said there’s some amazing…”
“Luke, shut up. Why do you keep talking to me? I’m going to sleep.”
“Oh, okay…”

Some students, like Celia Reichart, were already asleep.

Reichart—one of the empire’s five great families, along with the Kundels. Celia was the second daughter, the best swordswoman among the heirs. She lay down with her eyes closed, seemingly indifferent. But her smooth, flowing red hair caught the attention of the male students.

“Hey, did you hear? The assassination guild was wiped out.”
“The assassination guild?”
“You know, that super scary guild.”
“Oh, the phantoms? That place?”
“Yeah. It was in the newspaper. The empire defeated them.”

Even the chattering students were talking about this, but none of the forty students really cared about the general ed class.

And then—

“Everyone, take your seats. Class is starting.”

No one noticed Zeal enter.

“W-what?”

The students panicked when a voice came from the front.

“When… did they get here?”
“Did you see that? When did they get in?”

A former assassin. A phantom feared as the top assassin of their organization. Zeal walked to the podium without using any stealth techniques—simply walking in naturally. From the entrance to the lectern, the ten-meter path was perfectly timed.

Silence fell over the classroom.

“The new general education instructor… right?”
“Wow, they’re good-looking.”
“Not just good-looking…”

Celia lifted her head, and sunlight streaming through the window illuminated Zeal’s profile. Pale skin, shaded eyes under the sunlight, a defined nose, and striking amber eyes. How had someone like that entered without drawing attention?

“It’s real…”

She had planned to sleep but found herself smiling.

“Looks like a real instructor came. Last year, it was just the assistants.”
“Didn’t the last one quit halfway through the semester?”

Whispered by Kuss beside Delevo, who had his textbook open.

Then Zeal spoke:

“Yes. This year, I’ve been appointed as the general education instructor.”
“…Did you hear that?”
“I heard.”
“…!”
“Why is that student still looking at his textbook? We haven’t even handed out the materials yet.”

Delevo glared at Kuss.

“Because of you…”
“The ‘Theory of Sword Counterattacks’ in the student’s hand won’t be covered this class. Put it away.”

How could he see that? The distance between the podium and students was at least twenty meters. No one could see textbook contents from that far. Delevo closed his book in a daze, swallowing nervously.

“From today, I am Zeal Steelheart, in charge of the general education courses at Sword School.”

The classroom fell silent.

“I was just going to sleep…”
“I wanted to study my major…”
“None of the seniors’ advice makes sense.”

In both Sword and Arcane Schools, students thought general ed was just something you attended to meet requirements.

“I will conduct the class ‘by the book.’”

The students began to sense something unusual.

“Any student who doesn’t participate fully will be corrected immediately.”

Delevo wasn’t impressed:

“It’s just general ed. Can’t we just coast through?”

“Class has always been like that, hasn’t it?”

Delevo shrugged, still assuming this was another standard general ed lecture.

“Also, being in Sword School, who even needs self-defense? Just draw your sword and cut them down.”

Delevo’s attitude reflected the typical arrogance of a top first-year: pride in being the top entrant, the confidence of being from a prestigious family.

Zeal simply asked:

“What’s your name?”
“Delevo Kundel.”

Delevo—third son of one of the empire’s largest families. Among the freshmen, he had one of the best backgrounds, even considered the most talented among his siblings. Every professor came to meet him at the entrance ceremony.

“They should have understood now.”

Zeal remained expressionless.

“Delevo Kundel, come forward.”
“Eh?”
“Come forward.”

Delevo smirked, curious about what Zeal would say.

“I’m from the Kundel family.”

He walked up as ordered.

“Do you understand the importance of self-defense?”
“We’re in Sword School, though.”
“You answered that because you’re in Sword School? That’s wrong.”

Delevo tilted his head.

“Being in Sword School means we don’t need self-defense, right?”
“Why would we need it?”
“Well… isn’t drawing a sword faster?”

Zeal’s perspective differed. In many situations, there isn’t time to draw a sword, or it’s impossible to swing it effectively. Several assassination targets died without ever drawing their swords.

“I’ll have to teach them.”

Zeal decided to demonstrate.

“Would you like to experience it? Whether self-defense is necessary or not.”

Not theory—but practice. In combat, theory is important, but experience is essential. Delevo’s expression was incredulous.

A general education instructor…?

Zeal could easily demonstrate, especially in front of classmates. Showing real skill would also make future classes easier.

“Attack me if you want.”
“Delevo Kundel can attack, or I can, it doesn’t matter.”

Delevo’s confidence wavered. Despite being a freshman, he was considered the most talented among his siblings.

“They’re making fun of me.”

Zeal Steelheart? Never heard of them.

Delevo had trained with knights prior to admission. Being top of his class, he was full of confidence. The opponent was just a general ed instructor.

“How hard can it be?”

Delevo gripped his sword.

“Teacher, don’t regret it. I won’t hold back if I get hurt.”

Zeal silently stepped back slightly. Delevo smirked; the distance was more than enough to draw and swing a sword.

“Block my attack and counter me.”
“Yes, of course.”

Then—

Flash.

Zeal vanished in an instant. Every student thought so.

Then—

Bang!

Delevo hit the floor.

“….”
“….”

No one realized what had happened.

“Uh… so…”
“Delevo…”

He had fallen in a terribly awkward position.

“Ugh… ah…”

No time to draw or defend.

Delevo scrambled up, mostly unharmed physically, but mentally… shattered.

“I… I was thinking of something else just now.”

Zeal glanced at a student near the window.

“Student, draw the curtains.”
“Huh?”
“I said draw the curtains. Block the light.”

The student obeyed. Only the classroom lights remained.

“What are they planning?”

Delevo squinted, then smirked.

“Are you trying to avoid looking weak in front of a student?”

Still thinking it was just a trick.

“I think you don’t understand the definition of self-defense, Delevo Kundel. Let me show you.”

Zeal picked up chalk—

Tap.

Threw it precisely at the switch. Darkness fell. In the dark, dull thuds and screams echoed.

Bang.

“Ugh!”
“An ambush can come at any time—even in total darkness, or while sleeping.”

Tap.

The lights returned. Two chalk marks on the magical switch confirmed the effect. The scene replayed: Delevo sprawled on the floor, Zeal watching.

“This is the meaning of self-defense. An attack usually comes in the most disadvantageous situation. You don’t have time to draw a sword, or even scream afterward.”

Zeal continued:

“Afterward, will you complain it was a cowardly ambush? Or will you respond, create an opening, and counterattack?”

Delevo had no reply. Neither did the other students. It was unarguable. But what Zeal had just shown was unbelievable.

The first fall had no one witnessing how he went down.

“They didn’t bring in a general ed instructor… what kind of person is this?”

Zeal looked at Delevo.

“Do you understand the importance of self-defense now?”

Zeal’s method of teaching self-defense was completely unexpected for the students. Watching their stunned faces, Zeal was satisfied.

“By the book.”

It was the first day of class. The students—

“This isn’t easy…”
“This is a nightmare…”
“We’re screwed…”

The looming ordeal made them shiver. After all, they had to attend this class. There was no withdrawal system at Edelvine Academy.