Sword, Magic and Academic Society

Vol. 1 - Ch. 23 - Feint

Just a bit before the clock hit 9 AM, I arrived at the classroom while running and utilizing my body-strengthening magic. I was so close to throwing up many times after suffering from heartburn due to my breakfast.

When I opened the door, the buzz in the classroom died out.

'Fuhaha, it's like they're paying their respects to the problem child. Sigh, a man's plan could never topple what the heavens have decided for them…'

My seat was the same as yesterday, by the window, which I guess everyone had tacitly concluded that it would be mine. But being able to watch the clouds be carried away by the wind in itself made it a rewarding position. Though, the only fact that cast a shadow over all this was—

"Good morning, Allen. It's a nice morning, no? Speaking of which, are you commuting from your viscount estate? Just thinking about how we would be living under the same roof, I spent all my time until evening at the reception of the noble dormitory waiting for you so that I could secure a room next to you, and yet, I didn't see a glimpse of your shadow...... You haven't completed the procedure to enter the dormitory, right?"

The shadow was, of course, Fey sitting next to me.

"Good morning, stalker. I had been of the same thought that it's indeed a pleasant morning, but the mood has just now been ruined."

This world didn't know the word 'stalker' until now, but with this, there was one.

"Stalker? Geez, you and your incomprehensible words. What does it mean?"

"It refers to the pest who keeps tailing strangers without their consent, and not reflecting on how much they are a nuisance to them."

"Kyahaha! Wow, this is indeed defining me. But let me tell you, I'm not giving your No.1 stalker seat to anyone!"

Fey remarked, seemingly taunting the pitiful blonde-haired girl who just happened to sit on the adjacent seat for some reason. 'Oh, woe is me! If only someone could give me the instruction manual to read that person's heart......

"Hey, Allen. You sure are taking it easy huh, coming just barely on time at day one…? Also, I'm sorry that your elder sister had to go through all that trouble because of the folks from Endumion. I would like to apologize wholeheartedly."

Al sincerely lowered his head. I knew it wasn't his fault so,

"There is nothing you have to apologize for, Al. Elder sister must have already forgotten about it, so you should also forget about it. At least, I don't care about it, so let's leave it at that. Otherwise, it'll unnecessarily make things awkward."

To be honest, I was indeed curious about it, but I said this to ease the situation.

The one who tried to force himself on my elder sister was indeed paying for his own crime, but I was rather apologetic to his followers who unknowingly got wrapped up in all this drama to the point that they needed to visit the hospital.

Al showed a bit of a mental struggle, but in the end, replied 'Alright' with a smiling face.

I knew he was someone worth befriending even though I would be leaving the class.

???

Soon after, Godorfun entered the classroom.

I haven’t given up on becoming his disciple but I guess it would be better to play the mute for the rest of the week. I felt like I would be making things unnecessarily harder for me by chasing after that. Who knows, he might just set forth a condition like securing my seat in Class A.

"It seems like everyone is present. Well then, without further ado, our practical session this morning will focus on body-strengthening magic. Let's go to the training ground."

"Is practical lesson not divided based on courses?"

"A tempered body and an exquisite body-strengthening magic are essential for any job. To be more precise, there is absolutely no place for mages who can only use magic from a safe distance, magic technicians who suck at mana manipulation, or thinkers who are all theory and have no practical application experience among the graduates of the Royal Academy.

Cultivating talents well-versed in various fields— this has been the education policy of the Royal Academy ever since its establishment.

In short, proficiency in body-strengthening magic above a certain level, as well as martial arts, is considered general education for the graduates of the Royal Academy. Classes in the desired field of expertise are introduced from 2nd year and onwards."

Oh? To put it another way, it meant I would be able to receive training similar to what mages take. Interesting, I'm already getting excited just thinking about it.

???

The training ground was located along the stone-paved path leading east from the school building, branching off halfway. There were 4 gymnasiums erected there, each as big as the track and field event's field. I bet their maintenance cost was stupidly high.

"Now, I have a rough idea of your practical exam. First, you need to introduce yourselves to your classmates. Pair up with someone suitable and engage in mock battles one pair at a time. The rest of you will observe."

Here it comes. The template 'Pair up with someone suitable'...... This was absolutely designed to deal with the common enemy of the masses like me.

Fey was naturally out of the question, so I could see a future with two people being left out, the other being the pitiful soul with whom I would be paired with, smiling bitterly—

"You must not have thought a chance to prove yourself would come so soon huh, Allen Rovenne!? I don't give a damn about Battle Power Level 5 or whatever, but I believe you, who earned the S evaluation in the practical exam, won't cower away from the challenge, right?"

Ah, Parry-kun was there. Sorry, I don’t hate you, Parry-kun...

???

"Let me make myself clear beforehand. If I win this mock battle, I will never recommend you as someone befitting for Class A. Even if Fey-sama orders me to do so."

"...I hope you don't turn your back on your words."

I emphasized.

This was like a dream come true for me, who had thought a week would be wasted on this stupid task.

"Hmph, be cocky as much as you want, this is the only time you can act so! Sir Godorfun! I, Parry Abenil, am putting my name and recommendation at stake on the outcome of this mock battle! Is that alright?"

"...Go ahead."

"Allen. You can go easy on him. He'll recommend you either way even if you don't accept it...... Alright?"

Fey approached me and said in a concerned tone, but her feline-like eyes gave her away. I couldn't help but mentally give my 2 seconds of silence for Parry-kun who would have to face her anger even if he won against me.

Though, there was something I was more curious about—

"He sounds awfully confident. Is he that strong?"

I was someone who got the top evaluation through a fluke. However, this guy has unwavering confidence in himself. Then, there was also the backup plan Fey just mentioned when she usually acted so daringly.

"...If you ask me, Parry-kun will lose to you no matter how many times he challenges you..."

While Fey took her time explaining things to me with a hesitant tone, I immediately found my answer.

Parry-kun approached the rack with a training wooden sword leaning against it, but went past it and instead chose a stick imitating a spear from another rack.

???

I doubt there should be that many guys my age who trained in spears. In the practical exams for enrollment into higher studies, including those at the Royal Academy, 12-year-olds were always required to use wooden swords. So a spear user like Parry-kun was incredibly rare.

I vaguely remembered something when Parry-kun gave his full name, and after seeing him choose a spear, I recalled the details. Among the many vassals of the Dragoon family, the Count Abenil household was famous as a warrior clan. Furthermore, each generation's family head was also renowned as a master of the Abenil spearmanship.

I know now. Someone inexperienced with spears wouldn't be able to handle them easily. I also understood the source behind his unshakable confidence.

Up until now, my head was full of thoughts wondering how I would lose this game but I quickly got myself together. I had been defeated soundly by Dio, a C-rank adventurer from the countryside, without him even using thrust techniques. It would be difficult to win even if I gave my all.

Parry-kun was just the perfect litmus test. I would like to see how much the current me could handle spears.

???

I chose a suitable wooden sword and faced Parry-kun.

"I hope to learn something from you."

I bowed my head at a perfect 30 degrees, paying my respect to him for the pointers I would be receiving him.

The old man on the side raised his eyebrow. His years hadn't dulled his understanding of the beauty of this bow.

Parry stood in a half stance, left hand forward. His posture was tall, yet his knees were flexible. From the moment he held the spear, it seemed as if he had abandoned all thought, his mind void of distractions.

...He was going to do a charge attack from the get-go most likely.

Parry-kun inched closer with a sliding step, attempting to shorten the distance between us.

This technique was only viable in a place like a dojo or this arena, where the ground was level, the distance was significant, and it was a one-on-one battle. I hadn't had the luxury of time to consider such tactics during my training with Dio, but it would be a tall order to ask that much from Parry-kun. After all, compared to Dio who had years of experience piled up from fighting monsters, it wasn't hard to imagine the difference in their fundamental thinking.

However, it was a bit dull for me. It wasn't a battle that I must win at any cost but a trial I was supposed to test myself on.

I relaxed my stance, letting the wooden sword in my right hand hang down casually while shortening the distance between us. I calculated in my mind, thinking, just half a step more. My thoughts were interrupted by Parry-kun's charge attack, he lunged at me like a cannon.

I instantly twisted my body to escape. I had anticipated this move, but thinking was one thing, experiencing it another. That was close......

He was faster than I imagined, and he was swift in closing the distance. By keeping his left hand in a cylinder shape and twisting his right hand as he thrust out, he extended the speed and distance of his attacks.

So this is the spear charge technique, huh? I didn't notice it, but my lips had reflexively curled up into a smile.

???

"Damn! Why are my attacks not hitting him!?"

Around ten minutes had passed since the mock battle started, but there was no sign of Parry-kun's spear being able to touch me.

The reason was simple. His spearmanship was too exquisite. To put it in layman's terms, he was the perfect textbook example. His thrusts were linear, with quick retraction but no continuation. His footwork was focused on keeping at an optimal distance to dealing with swords which gave away what his next move would be.

Of course, he wasn't just following one moveset. He would occasionally chain sweeping strikes or downward thrusts, but as someone who has seen and faced Dio's fleeting moments, fluttering in and out of range, his moves lacked any trickery.

This way, he was unable to fully bring out the advantages of the spear.

Initially, I was cautious, expecting a trap. I thought he might intentionally repeat a monotonous attack, leading my thoughts in one direction only to strike unexpectedly from another. But the anticipated move never came. I was waiting for a long time, you know!?

Seeing the expression of Parry-kun getting impatient with each passing second gave me anxiety....... How was I supposed to lose here, especially in front of that old man?

T/N - Below are few colored illustration from v1 of the series.

MC vs Godorfun (Surprised? Yes, I was completely sure it was some sort of macho dude seriously)

MC vs The man suffering from the alcohol aka Dew

This is our MC in this life vs in the past (Damn, looks cool)

Unfortunately, I also wanted to add Fey and Jeu's illustration but it showing error. Also please check the note below.