Chapter 4
The Lichtenaur Swordsmanship Academy is located on a vast lake, as wide as the sea.
It consists of several large and small islands, with the main academy building erected on the largest island in the center.
But right now, we were not on the central island with the main building, but on a smaller island nearby.
“Is this the right place for Black Class 6?”
“Yes, everyone around here is wearing black neckties.”
“We’re supposed to enter through this northernmost island. Now that I look, all the building roofs are black too.”
New academy students are assigned to one of six classes, each distinguished by necktie color.
There’s Red Class 1, Blue Class 2, Yellow Class 3, Green Class 4, White Class 5, and Black Class 6 — which was mine.
“Serine is also in Black Class 6…”
Serine, surrounded by her followers, was nearby.
But as soon as Serine noticed my gaze, she glared at me with a fierce look.
“Even after canceling the engagement, she still holds a lot of resentment, huh.”
It was unavoidable.
Serine had hated Ernas for a long time.
“But it looks like Arkandel isn’t here either.”
Arkandel, the novel’s original protagonist, was also in Black Class 6.
But no matter how much I looked, Arkandel was nowhere to be found.
“His hair color is distinctive, so I wouldn’t have missed him. Could it really be a world without Arkandel?”
As I expected, this was a world without the original protagonist.
Ernas had to become the new protagonist and move the story forward.
“Everyone, please pay attention.”
At that moment, a calm-looking woman in her twenties appeared.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Annerize Grainger, the instructor in charge of Black Class 6. I’ll be working with you from now on.”
Annerize Grainger.
She was the instructor dedicated to Black Class 6. Though young, she was quite skilled.
She had been a fairly important supporting character early in the novel.
“I sincerely welcome your admission. I hope we will live and achieve great results together in Black Class 6.”
After saying that, Annerize turned her head.
“Everyone, please look around.”
“…?”
As the students glanced around, suddenly there were loud bangs coming from all directions.
“What, what’s going on?!”
“The bridges…!”
The bridges connecting the island were cut off.
It was now impossible to go outside the lake or to any other islands.
“From now on, you will live on this island. Leaving the island without permission is forbidden.”
“…!”
The students murmured.
For teenagers, being locked on an island would feel frustrating.
“Although you cannot leave freely, threats from outside are also blocked.”
Annerize spoke calmly to the students.
“Most of you are heirs of prestigious families. Many of you have experienced threats to your lives.”
“…”
“There’s no need to worry here. Each island is secured so no outsiders can enter, and our staff thoroughly guard the place. You only need to focus on your swordsmanship studies.”
There’s no need to carry a heavy security detail fearing assassination.
While this news would please some from noble families, the students showed little enthusiasm.
“The building on your right is the dormitory, and the building on your left is where classes take place. The dormitory includes a cafeteria and a convenience store, so you can manage almost everything on this island.”
“…”
Annerize began explaining about academy life.
But honestly, I wasn’t really listening.
Because…
“It’s all settings I created myself.”
Even what she was saying now was exactly the same dialogue I wrote in the novel.
I was confident I could answer fluently even if Annerize pointed at me and asked questions.
So instead of focusing on her explanation, I was thinking…
“What if I copy Annerize’s swordsmanship right now?”
Annerize was a very skilled swordswoman.
Her swordsmanship was far above the likes of Bastion Knight Swordsmanship.
If I could copy Annerize’s swordsmanship, I could instantly master a tremendously advanced level.
“No, it’s useless.”
I shook my head.
Even if I copied Annerize’s swordsmanship now, it would be no use to me.
And the reason for that will be explained now.
“You, the girl yawning back there.”
“Ah, yes?!”
Annerize called on a purple-haired girl who jumped in surprise and lifted her head.
“What’s your name?”
“Viola Orishus.”
“Viola, what is the primary goal you should aim for at the academy?”
“Uh, well…”
Viola hesitated and couldn’t answer.
Annerize quickly pointed at another student.
“Then… the boy at the very back who was spacing out just a moment ago.”
It seemed Annerize was calling out students not paying attention.
“What’s your name?”
“Ernas Ranzstein.”
A slight murmur went through the crowd.
Still, Annerize remained calm.
“What is the primary goal you should aim for at the academy?”
“To understand the essence of the sword and reach the level of Graduate.”
Graduate.
A level where spiritual energy called ‘mana’ can be embedded into the sword.
The academy is not just a place to learn how to wield a sword.
It’s an institution to train students to reach the Graduate level.
“Good answer. But…”
Annerize narrowed her eyes and stared at me.
“You all trained in swordsmanship before entering the academy. So why couldn’t you become Graduates outside?”
“To become a Graduate, systematic education and training are required. What adults in the family or tutors teach has its limits.”
“Is that all?”
“No.”
I shook my head.
“It’s difficult to secure the mana essential for becoming a Graduate.”
“Exactly.”
Annerize smiled.
“The mana you currently possess is weak. If you force it up to use, your blood vessels will be damaged, and you’ll never be able to handle mana again.”
“…”
“Originally, only ‘Sword Masters’ who trained for decades could embed mana into swords. Since mana increases in proportion to training time, it’s impossible for you all under 20 years old to have that level of mana.”
That was why I couldn’t copy Annerize’s swordsmanship.
Her main style depended on using mana — it was ‘Graduate-only’ swordsmanship.
If I forced myself to use it, my blood vessels would be destroyed, just as Annerize said.
“If there were no such restrictions, I would have gone to meet all the powerful characters in the novel and copied their skills.”
Moreover, Graduate-only swordsmanship has levels.
Higher-level swordsmanship requires more mana.
Some sword styles demand enormous mana, and if I tried with Annerize-level mana, my blood vessels would be destroyed.
“But you, who entered the academy, have a way to acquire mana.”
Annerize took out a small glass bottle from her pocket.
The students gasped when they saw the red liquid inside.
“That is…!”
“Elixir, elixir!”
Annerize spoke calmly in front of the excited students.
“Students who achieve results at the academy are given the spirit medicine, Elixir. Taking this can rapidly enhance your mana.”
Normally, mana accumulates in the body over many years.
But with the Elixir’s development, mana can now be artificially and quickly increased.
Young students can have mana at Graduate level.
“Elixir is only produced by the Imperial Royal Family. Even the six great swordsmanship houses cannot produce it, so you must enter the academy to receive it.”
In this world, to become strong, getting good grades at the academy is the best path.
After increasing mana by obtaining Elixir, one can use Yusrecht’s ability to copy others’ swordsmanship and become stronger.
Since different sword styles require different amounts of mana, growth will happen in stages.
“But first…”
I had Bastion Knight Swordsmanship rank A.
With this swordsmanship I got from Serine, I needed to check how much combat power I could demonstrate.
“Before entering the dormitory… we need to select a representative.”
After finishing the basic explanation, Annerize smiled and looked at the students.
“We must appoint a leader for Black Class 6. I hope a willing student steps forward.”
“…”
“You can also recommend someone else.”
Hearing this, many students eagerly raised their hands.
“I recommend Serine Bastion, the top scorer of the entrance exam!”
“Serine is the perfect candidate for leader!”
“I think Ernas Ranzstein, who showed amazing talent in the exam, should be the leader!”
“Ernas, heir to one of the six great swordsmanship houses, must be the leader! Other classes will have representatives from the six great houses!”
The only names mentioned were Serine and Ernas.
But even though she was second place, Ernas, the heir to the great swordsmanship house Ranzstein, was called slightly more often.
Serine’s Bastion family was a noble family holding the rank of Marquis, but it couldn’t compare to the Ranzstein family among the six great houses.
“Hmm, Serine and Ernas — both have been recommended.”
Annerize nodded.
“In this case, the academy decides by a duel between the candidates.”
Not a vote, but a duel.
A fitting way for a swordsmanship academy to select their leader.
“What will you do?”
“Instructor, I will accept.”
Serine raised her hand.
“Many have recommended me, so I cannot step down now.”
“I see.”
This was a good opportunity for Serine.
As she said before the other girls, it was a chance to reveal Ernas’s true skill.
“Then… what about you, Ernas?”
“I will do the same.”
“…!”
Serine was slightly taken aback by Ernas’s willing acceptance.
She hadn’t expected him to agree so readily.
Until now, she had asked him several times for a sparring match to test his true skills, but he had always refused with excuses.
“What’s his real intention?”
Still, now that Ernas accepted, she couldn’t back down.
Even if there were ulterior motives, she would have to beat him with skill.
“Then we will decide the leader of Black Class 6 by a duel between the two. Please be careful not to cause injury.”
So, the duel between Serine and Ernas was set.
The top two scorers of the entrance exam, and also engaged to be married, drew the attention of everyone around.
“What kind of trick will he pull in front of so many people watching?”
Holding the wooden practice sword handed by Annerize, Serine was deep in thought.
Ernas had learned the northern-style swordsmanship ‘Agutas Battle Technique.’
Like most northern sword styles, it focused on powerful single strikes.
With Ernas’s skill level, it would be hard to land a valid hit on Serine.
“My Bastion Knight Swordsmanship can easily defend against it.”
Bastion Knight Swordsmanship was a representative eastern style emphasizing proper movement.
Serine had been diligently practicing this style.
If Ernas was a master of unconventional tactics, it would be a different story.
But if his Agutas Battle Technique was only average, she could defend against it.
“Then Ernas, shall we…”
When Serine took a stance facing Ernas, she widened her eyes.
“Are you joking?”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re taking exactly the same stance as me!”
Yes.
Ernas was taking exactly the same stance as Serine.
“That stance is Bastion Knight Swordsmanship! Weren’t you supposed to use Agutas Battle Technique?”
“That’s strange, Serine.”
“Huh?”
“Did I ever say I couldn’t use Bastion Knight Swordsmanship?”
“…!”
Serine swallowed hard and observed Ernas.
There was nothing wrong with his stance.
The angle of his arms, the height of his waist — to Serine’s eyes, it was perfect.
“No way, he’s almost at my level?!”
She couldn’t believe it.
When on earth had he learned Bastion Knight Swordsmanship to this level?
“Then Serine.”
Ernas spoke calmly.
“Teach me a move.”
Looking at Serine standing before me, I thought.
“This is the final check.”
The opponent was Serine, the original holder of Bastion Knight Swordsmanship.
If I used Bastion Knight Swordsmanship against her, I could properly verify my current level.
“I need to confirm if I can really wield Bastion Knight Swordsmanship at Serine’s level, facing Serine herself.”
I had already tested it alone.
Now it was time to verify it in a real duel.
“If I can end it with a narrow defeat or a draw…”
I wasn’t hoping to win.
If it ended with a close loss or a draw, that would prove I had truly acquired Bastion Knight Swordsmanship at Serine’s level.
“After that, I can grow slowly.”
While thinking that, I took a deep breath facing Serine.
Then I realized one thing.
“Huh?”
I thought it was just my imagination.
But it wasn’t.
As I confirmed my insight was correct… I swallowed hard.
“I think I can win this.”
In the body of a fake genius, I felt like I could defeat a real genius.
