TGSA 11

Chapter 11

Academy Main Building

In the building located on the central island among the large and small islands, Yols, the new fencing professor known as Dragon Slayer Sword , was walking alone down the corridor.

“Professor Yols.”

“…?”

Yols turned his head to see a middle-aged man with red hair approaching.

Recognizing the face, Yols gave a brief nod of greeting.

“Professor Kaleon, good day.”

Flame Prison Sword  Kaleon Ignias.

He is the head of the Ignias family, one of the six great fencing clans, renowned for his powerful flame-attribute swordsmanship.

Currently, Kaleon is the only one from the six great swordsmanship families teaching at the academy.

“How did it go with what I mentioned last time?”

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

“I meant the son of the Lanzstein family.”

Only one Lanzstein has enrolled this year.

Ernas Lanzstein, representative of the Black Class 6.

“You said you suspected him of cheating on the entrance exam.”

“Hmm, yes, that was mentioned.”

Kaleon frowned at Yols’s indifferent response.

“You must have observed him closely in Black Class 6. What do you think?”

“It seemed like baseless slander.”

“What?”

“While he had some weak points, he seemed to have a proper mindset and didn’t appear to be the kind to cheat.”

“That… can’t be…”

Kaleon looked flustered.

“Are you really saying this based on your own observation?”

“Yes. His swordsmanship skill also seems quite impressive. According to his instructor, he even won a one-on-one duel against Serine Bastian, the top scorer of the entrance exam.”

“…!”

While Ernas had won against Schmitz by surprise tactics, he reportedly defeated Serine in a direct fight.

It was a pity Kaleon hadn’t witnessed it himself.

“He’s a remarkable talent. I look forward to his growth.”

“Ah, hmm, is that so…”

Yols knew why Kaleon acted this way.

The Ignias and Lanzstein families were not on good terms.

‘I guess Kaleon wants to find a weakness in Ernas Lanzstein.’

There was no material evidence of Ernas cheating in the entrance exam.

So Yols had no reason to side with Kaleon.

“By the way, Professor Kaleon.”

Yols changed the topic.

“How is your son doing in academy life? Since I’m not in charge of Red Class 1, I haven’t had a chance to see him.”

Kaleon’s son was currently the representative of Red Class 1.

But since Yols only handled Green Class 4, White Class 5, and Black Class 6, he had never taught him directly.

“Of course. He’s already standing out.”

Kaleon’s voice brightened when talking about his son.

“That’s natural. I’ve put my heart and soul into teaching him since he was young.”

“I see.”

“If he secures mana by taking the Elixir, he’ll graduate soon.”

“This year’s competition will be held a little earlier, so the first Elixir should be obtained soon.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes, an official announcement is expected shortly.”

After saying this, Yols calmly added:

“Red Class 1 will face Black Class 6.”

“…!”

Kaleon swallowed hard hearing the new information.

“The winning class will receive the first Elixir.”

“Hmm, yes.”

Students receive Elixirs to enhance their mana.

However, not everyone gets one equally; they must win matches or pass tests.

In the competition, only the winning class receives Elixirs.

“Of course, my son’s Red Class 1 will win. I’d even bet on it.”

“That would be great.”

Hiding his true thoughts, Yols nodded.

If he had to bet money on who would win, he would put everything on Ernas Lanzstein leading Black Class 6.

Third Day of Academy Life

After fencing on the first day and martial arts on the second, today was academic lessons.

Unlike the combat power-enhancing fencing and martial arts classes, academic lessons taught knowledge across various fields.

Not that they learned only impractical subjects—sometimes they studied battlefield strategies, other times monster hunting techniques.

Today’s topic was the history of how swordsmanship developed in this world.

“All swordsmanship used on this continent today derives from the techniques of the Four Great Sword Saints (四大劍聖).”

Markels, the professor of Swordsmanship History, wrote on the blackboard while speaking.

“The Four Great Sword Saints were legendary saints active before the empire’s founding. Their sword techniques developed across regions, leading to the blossoming of swordsmanship culture.”

“…”

“The Eastern style focuses on orthodox movements, the Western style on unconventional tactics, the Northern style on powerful strikes, and the Southern style on speed… these four categories formed after the Four Great Sword Saints.”

For example, Serine’s favored Bastian Knight Swordsmanship is a typical Eastern style.

Chloe’s Usbruck Swordsmanship, which specializes in surprise attacks, is Western style.

Viola’s powerful Orisius Medium Swordsmanship is Northern style.

Schmitz’s fast Hartman Swift Swordsmanship is Southern style.

“Serine is East, Chloe West, Viola North, Schmitz South… that fits.”

Although Serine once learned Western-style Lorelian Practical Swordsmanship, people don’t necessarily use the swordsmanship of their native region.

But generally, they specialize in the style from their region.

“The reason swordsmanship developed this way is because the Four Great Sword Saints’ techniques suited each region’s characteristics. In the East, with a strong aristocratic atmosphere, formal styles flourished. The West, frequently fighting cultists, developed unconventional swordsmanship. The North, often battling huge monsters, needed powerful strikes, while the South, hunting nimble jungle monsters, favored speed.”

“…”

“Also, during the development of these sword styles, families rose to prominence for their unique swordsmanship—so-called ‘Swordsmanship Clans.’”

Most clan-named sword techniques are exclusive to these families.

Unlike widely spread sword styles like Lorelian Practical Swordsmanship, these exclusive styles are rarely taught outside the clan.

“However, nowadays, the term ‘Swordsmanship Clans’ often refers to a different meaning. When His Majesty the Iron-Blooded Sword Emperor founded this empire, he granted the title of Duke to the six families who contributed most, designating them as the ‘Six Great Swordsmanship Clans.’ Today, when people say ‘Swordsmanship Clans,’ they usually mean these six.”

“…”

“One more thing…”

Markels’s lecture was easy to follow.

Other students were focused on his explanation.

But for me, it was just background noise.

Markels’s lecture was exactly the setting I had imagined.

‘The Six Great Swordsmanship Clans… those guys are the biggest problem.’

They had fought fiercely for ranks long ago, and this rivalry carried into the academy.

Moreover, this year’s class has all heirs of the six clans, each occupying the representative position of the six classes.

So, conflicts inside the academy were like proxy wars between the six clans.

If it were just healthy competition, there wouldn’t be an issue.

But it was escalating into bloody fights that even endangered Ernas’s life.

‘In two weeks, we’ll collide with the Ignias family in the competition.’

The Ignias family is the most aggressive among the six clans.

The family head, Flame Prison Sword Kaleon, currently an academy professor, was famous for slaughtering countless enemies on the battlefield, just like Dragon Slayer Sword Yols.

‘I have to face Kaleon’s son, Rufus… the representative of Red Class 1.’

Rufus is a strong early opponent.

The ‘Ignias Flame Prison Swordsmanship’ passed down through generations is a graduate-only technique, so he can’t use it yet, but he is very skilled with the ‘Ignias Knight Swordsmanship,’ which doesn’t require mana.

It is an Eastern-style swordsmanship that surpasses even Bastian Knight Swordsmanship in perfection, so he won’t be easy to face.

‘Besides, his physical abilities exceed even Serine and Schmitz.’

No matter how much I train for two weeks, I can’t catch up to Rufus’s physical prowess.

He is truly a difficult opponent.

‘Still… I have to win.’

I must defeat Rufus’s Red Class 1 in the upcoming competition.

Otherwise, things will get very difficult.

“Hey, Ernas Lanzstein!”

At that moment, Markels suddenly pointed at me during the lecture.

“Can you explain why it’s necessary to obtain mana even without reaching the graduate level?”

“…”

I think he noticed I was daydreaming.

But I wasn’t embarrassed to be called on.

“Using mana allows us to enhance our physical abilities.”

I explained calmly.

“To infuse mana into a blade externally, you must be a graduate. But if you apply it to your own body, you don’t need to be a graduate.”

“Hmm… how specifically?”

“For example, if you channel mana mainly to your lower body, you can strengthen leg power. It can greatly increase running speed.”

When I mentioned speed, Schmitz, sitting nearby, flinched.

“This works because mana acts on each muscle in the lower body, maximizing strength.”

“What other ways can mana be used?”

“Channeling mana to the upper body can strengthen sword swings. Of course, in real combat, well-balanced strength throughout the body is needed for effective attacks…”

“Hmm…”

“You can improve endurance to avoid getting tired easily. Someone who’d collapse after running ten laps around this island could easily run twenty with mana.”

This is why I want to defeat Rufus’s Red Class 1.

If we win the competition, we get Elixirs.

While one Elixir’s mana won’t make me a graduate, it can enhance physical ability.

‘Because I need to cover Ernas’s extremely weak physical capabilities.’

Yols and others have already noticed my poor physical ability.

Before others start doubting, I must obtain mana quickly.

“Also, mana can enhance natural healing for faster recovery from injuries. Besides that…”

“Enough, that’s enough explanation.”

Markels interrupted, perhaps sensing my explanation was too long.

“You really are from one of the Six Great Swordsmanship Clans. You seem well-versed in mana usage.”

“Oh…”

I heard sounds of admiration from those around.

“You will learn detailed methods of using mana to enhance physical abilities later during martial arts lessons. But let’s look at how this developed historically…”

While listening to Markels, I drifted into thought again.

I needed to think about how to defeat Rufus.

‘The competition isn’t one-on-one. It’s a team battle between classes.’

Rufus is also tactically skilled.

He’ll likely command Red Class 1 students well to suppress Black Class 6.

The fight will be different from when Serine or Schmitz led us.

‘But… trying to win by team battle is foolish.’

I already know how to win.

I’m the author of this novel.

‘I already know how to defeat Rufus.’

If Serine or Schmitz represented Black Class 6, they would never win…

But I can.

“Get your act together!”

“Ugh!”

Groans echoed outside the Red Class 1 dormitory.

A red-haired youth—Rufus Ignias—was beating a classmate with a wooden sword.

“I told you to train until you collapse. Why were you slacking off?”

“Ru-Rufus, we gave our best until we hit our limits… Ugh!”

“You have to think about surpassing your limits! How do you expect to win the competition like that?!”

Rufus’s red eyes blazed as he swung the wooden sword again at the fallen student.

“The competition against other classes is soon! We must win and get the Elixir!”

“Y-yes…!”

“Then get back to training!”

“Y-yes…!”

Many students were around, but no one stopped Rufus.

They had all surrendered to his overwhelming skill.

Rufus Ignias was the absolute monarch ruling Red Class 1.

“Rufus.”

“Hm?”

Then the instructor in charge of Red Class 1 approached.

He did nothing to stop Rufus from beating a student.

Because he was a lackey planted by Kaleon of the Ignias family.

“New news: the competition was moved up by two weeks.”

“What? Really?”

“Yes, and it seems Black Class 6 will be the opponent.”

“Black Class 6…”

Rufus stroked his chin, muttering:

“That’s the class with Serine Bastian, top scorer, and Ernas Lanzstein, second place.”

“Ernas Lanzstein is currently the representative.”

“Hmm, I see.”

Rufus smiled as he nodded.

“We must definitely crush them.”

“Professor Kaleon wants that too.”

“Yes, I have to meet my father’s expectations.”

Defeating other classes and raising the Ignias family to the top rank.

That was Rufus’s goal.

“I’ll crush Black Class 6 with overwhelming power.”

Muttering so, Rufus resumed training.

Pushing Red Class 1 students even harder.