How to Teach a Hero at the Academy

Chapter 18: Sword Forging Family (2)

‘……Why?’

Demian's brow narrowed.

Amidst the profusion of indifferent footsteps,

Abel's retreating figure, taking a step, was wavering.

‘He definitely accepted my duel request…….’

Why is he just keep walking?

Does he prefer the old-fashioned way of throwing down a gauntlet?

Demian was confused. He had to decide on the duel method, discuss the rules, find a witness, and scout for a location, and he had to move quickly. And yet Abel was just walking in silence.

‘……Why is it.’

Meanwhile, Abel thought with an indifferent expression.

Demian's gaze, pouring onto his back, was sharp. Demian had definitely requested a duel, and Abel had accepted. He thought he was a model student trying to diligently carry out his semester assignment. But why wasn't he drawing his sword?

The Walloon sword stuck in Demian's belt was undoubtedly a real sword. Made with ornate decorations, and of impeccable quality. It must be a piece made by a craftsman without a doubt. But why wasn't he drawing his sword?

‘Is he looking for a weakness.’

Excellent.

Abel nodded his head.

Because scouting is the basis of combat.

‘If so…….’

Abel smiled faintly.

‘Go ahead and scout to your heart's content.’

.

.

.

A fallen leaf, flying in through the curtain hem.

It landed on a purple velvet cloak.

Konstanze opened her mouth, picking up its stem.

“You want information on Professor Tremblay?”

“That is correct.”

Then again. It's understandable to be curious.

Konstanze placed the leaf in the Grimoire she was reviewing. Then she looked at Abel, who was standing in a straight posture. The dolls' heads tilted in time with Konstanze's gaze. Abel's form was captured in the eyes of the ball-jointed dolls.

“I can share that much with you anytime. You didn't have to come in person. Why didn't you have your Golem run the errand?”

“I am receiving help from Fabien in other areas.”

“I suppose so. I heard you lent your Golem to Miss Lohengrin. I thought it was a thoughtful gesture. A Golem is an expensive accessory, and you can conduct a scouting battle through jewels, not just weapons.”

“I just thought he would be a good conversation partner.”

Abel shook his head and continued.

“Wisdom cannot be contained in jewels. Golems and jewels are different.”

“That may be so. Though he seems like too valuable a tool to be used as a conversation partner……”

Konstanze reached out her hand towards the drawer located in a corner of the Vice President's office. A beckoning index finger. The drawer, responding to this, opened with a clatter, and a sealed document envelope flew into Konstanze's hand. It was a document envelope with Vincent Tremblay's name written on it.

“In any case, it was impressive, Professor Argento. You're more skilled at handling the surrounding gazes than you look.”

Abel tilted his head.

It was true that he was constantly on guard, but it was nothing more than an old habit. He had never intended to disrupt anyone's gaze. Abel knew that he himself did not have the disposition of a strategist.

“The cast shortening you showed the students in the 「Application of Divine Magic」 class……”

Konstanze said, narrowing her eyes.

“The reaction was tremendous. Was it content you were planning to present at an academic conference? Or is it an advanced technology that the Papacy has permitted to be disclosed?”

“It is neither.”

“I suppose so.”

You have no intention of revealing even a little bit of your inner thoughts, do you?

A powerless smile spread across Konstanze's lips.

Konstanze was observing Abel on a separate line from the other professors. A Sword Saint before being a professor. Abel Argento had become a professor at CIAR based on the Pope's command, and was just playing dumb, talking about Heroes and Demon Kings as if to make a point. She believed so without a doubt.

‘If there is one thing that is clear…….’

Abel is acting in stages.

As if carrying out a mission.

First, he searched for Monika Lohengrin from the time of his interview. And he succeeded in making her a special scholarship student at CIAR.

Second, he caught the students' attention from the very first lecture. At the same time, he unreservedly revealed an innovative way of using divine magic.

‘……And third.’

Just before Abel was hired,

He began to request information about the apostate Vincent Tremblay, who had been arrested by the Inquisitors.

“I'll ask you one question before I hand over the documents.”

As Konstanze said, shaking the document envelope, Abel nodded his head.

“The rumors circulating about you, Professor……, you must be aware of them, right? The students suspect that you might be an apostate. It must be because the shock of the cast shortening was great. Of course, I believe in your innocence. I have no choice but to believe.”

Since I know your original identity.

Muttering so, Konstanze shrugged.

“But the students' position is different. Not only do they not know your true identity, but they also clearly remember the fact that Professor Tremblay was an apostate.”

“Is there a rumor circulating that I am an apostate.”

“……You didn't know?”

“I did not. The reason I wanted information on Professor Tremblay was for another matter.”

It was to track down the remnants of the 2nd Prince's faction.

Iris had said they were gathering under the surface of the capital. If so, the possibility that they had infiltrated CIAR could not be overlooked. While the geographical factor of a floating island isolated CIAR, the fact that the majority of the population was students would also make it easy to create a loophole. The existence of Vincent Tremblay, who was revealed to be an apostate just before Abel was hired, needed to be addressed.

“As you know, Vice President, an apostate is a public enemy of the Papacy.”

Apostate, or Warlock.

Those who misused the system of divine magic were collectively called so.

Divine power acts as a channel to contact the Pantheon and borrow its power, and the total amount is increased through regular prayer. Prayer is the process of speaking to the main gods. It was natural to become more proficient at contact as the number of attempts at communication increased. The voice reaching the Pantheon gradually became clearer.

If so, what kind of phenomenon would occur if the process of prayer was not directed at the Pantheon,

but at an equal creation,

who merely possessed divine power.

The forbidden system named black magic arose based on such a question.

“Warlocks make others pray to them.”

Abel said to Konstanze.

“And so, they devise magical phenomena by devouring divine power, or more precisely, a part of the soul.”

What is carried in the prayers of those who do not possess divine power is merely emotion, but what is carried in the prayers of those who possess divine power is the soul. Warlocks intend for the souls of divine power holders to be directed not at the Pantheon, but at themselves. They possess it within their bodies and mix it with their own divine power. What is manifested as a result is the driving force of black magic.

“In the end, what Warlocks need is the sincere worship of divine power holders, and the convenient methods to gain faith are mostly illegal.”

For example, incitement mixed with lies.

Or the subjugation of the body and mind through torture.

This was why black magic was designated as a taboo, and Warlocks were called apostates and hunted. In the first place, the soul was a resource with a fixed total amount, and those whose souls were exhausted would only be reduced to living corpses. Black magic was like a system intended to inevitably commit sins.

“Among them, Professor Tremblay……”

Abel's gaze sharpened.

“Organized a religion with himself as the leader.”

“That's right.”

Konstanze let out a breath steeped in fatigue. Her head throbbed every time she thought of that time.

“Vincent Tremblay deluded the students and formed a religion. He created a procedure that was good for extorting prayers. Fortunately, no casualties occurred. But as you know……”

“The victimized students must be recuperating.”

“The soul is a resource that maintains the body and mind. As long as even a part of it has been taken, the body and mind are bound to weaken. Currently, twenty-three victimized students are on a leave of absence.”

“According to the inquiry to the Inquisition Bureau, Vincent Tremblay was executed a while ago.”

At Abel's words, Konstanze nodded her head.

A Warlock was a target for summary execution. It wouldn't be strange if he died at any time. As long as he was arrested by the Inquisitors, he would not have died peacefully.

“I am aware of the sins he committed as a Warlock. The information I want is Vincent Tremblay's record of activities as a professor. That is why I have requested the documents from you, Vice President.”

“I know.”

Konstanze took off her glasses. The round lenses of a diligent shape were lifted, revealing narrow and sharp eyes.

“That's why I'll ask you, Abel Argento.”

Are you, who are requesting documents from me……,

a professor of CIAR, or a Sword Saint of the Papacy?

At such a question from Konstanze, Abel answered without hesitation.

“I am someone dispatched from another world.”

“I can't believe it, really!”

Hwiik, and.

Konstanze threw the document envelope.

Abel snatched it.

“It's a deal, Professor Argento.”

Konstanze said with her chin propped on her hand.

“Please report the progress. I have to protect the students, and I cannot tolerate a precedent like Professor Tremblay.”

I believe you feel the same way, Professor Argento.

And also, the Sword Saint……,

Abel of the Margin would be the same.

“Am I right?”

At Konstanze's whisper, Abel nodded his head.

“I will do my best to share the documents.”

“Thank you. And also……”

Just as Abel was about to turn his back and take a step,

Konstanze waved her magic staff.

The translucent curtain that had been covering the Vice President's office was revealed. It faded into a flurry of light and was retrieved by the tip of Konstanze's magic staff. The soundproofing spell was being released.

- Professor Argento!

A shout that was heard subsequently.

Along with the sound of knocking on the door, koong, koong,

- Professor Argento! I challenge you to a duel! On the honor of the Farenheit family!

Demian's voice flowed into the Vice President's office.

“Young Farenheit has been at it for over thirty minutes. What on earth have you done?”

“We are in a duel.”

……A duel?

Konstanze's eyes were tinged with suspicion.

“The window in the hallway of the 0th Academic Hall's 47th floor will be broken. I request a repair.”

“You broke……, the window? Who? Young Farenheit?”

“I broke it. I coughed hard and the window broke. Please send the bill to my office.”

Abel threw open the door of the Vice President's office. At that, Demian's face, with his eyes wide open, was revealed. Abel, who walked on as if he didn't see Demian. Demian, who stared at Abel's back. Demian bowed his head to Konstanze, then carefully closed the door of the Vice President's office.

- Professor Argento! Are you ignoring me!

Demian's voice, heard through the wall.

‘A man whose inner thoughts are impossible to fathom.’

Konstanze let out a sigh.

‘The window broke because he coughed?’

That can't be.

Is he good at lying, or bad at it?

Konstanze, shaking her head as she thought so.

The heads of the dolls decorating the Vice President's office also moved in unison.

* * *

Cia-Harphe Academy's 3rd Training Ground.

“──Do not test my patience, Professor!”

Demian's rough shout echoed.

Monika's shoulders, who had been practicing swordsmanship, flinched. When she looked in the direction the sound had come from, Abel was standing there. A fresh blade cast at Abel's back. Demian was holding his Walloon sword.

‘Did he cause trouble again.’

Monika brushed back her hair. She knew about the eldest son of the Farenheit family. The most taciturn man among her classmates. If such a Demian had drawn his sword with a crumpled expression, it was probably because of Abel's fault, without a doubt.

“D, Demian, isn't it?”

Meanwhile, Dante's eyes, who had been standing next to Monika, widened.

“To see Demian in person. A, amazing.”

“Is he a great person?”

“O, of course!”

At Monika's question, Dante nodded his head deeply.

“If Demian didn't have divine power, he would have entered the Department of Swordsmanship, and……, h, he would surely have been the top student. Unlike the Department of Theology, the Department of Swordsmanship emphasizes martial prowess, and also……, h, he was also the winner of the last Bronze Rose competition……”

“What's the Bronze Rose competition?”

“It's a……, a very great martial arts competition held in the southern part of the empire once every three years. Boys and girls from the age of 15 to 19 can participate. R, regardless of country and race……”

“Anyway, he's a great person.”

How unexpected. I just thought he was a taciturn nobleman's son.

Monika shrugged. And rightly so, for Demian's appearance was forged with soft blond hair and bright gray eyes. As if he had been taken straight out of a cliché prince from a fairytale.

“I thought you were a true knight, Professor!”

Such a Demian's face was flushed red.

“But I was mistaken. To insult a challenger who requests a duel. It is an insult to chivalry.”

“I did not insult you.”

Abel said, looking back at Demian.

Abel's expression was as hazy as usual, but Demian took it as an indifferent mockery.

“Don't be ridiculous! You definitely said you would accept my duel request, and yet……”

You went to the restroom,

Polished your old weapons in your office,

Found a squirrel among the fallen leaves and fed it,

Visited the Vice President's office and took care of business,

Went to the restroom again,

Polished your old weapons in your office again,

And now you're wandering around the training ground as if you're on a walk!

“If that is not an insult to me, then what is it. Are you avoiding a challenge even though you are a knight!”

“Knights usually avoid challenges.”

Abel said, tilting his head to one side.

“If it's unavoidable, they commit dishonorable acts. They bribe the witness, or they set fire to the opponent's house. It's also common to grease their armor, or to damage their weapon with a saw blade.”

“Such people are not true knights!”

“The knights of the capital should all be fired then.”

Abel let out a sigh.

“Demian Fernando von Farenheit, I am the one who is questioning.”

Abel said, gripping the hilt of his beloved sword.

“I definitely accepted your duel request. The duel began from that moment. I gave you a chance several times. The restroom is a good place to attack, and a knight is powerless while tending to his weapons. The same goes for the moment he is taking care of a squirrel. Why did you not attack me.”

“Are you joking right now? A duel is about determining the winner and loser within fair rules……”

“Calling such a process a duel is the real joke.”

──Huduk, and.

Abel's beloved sword came out of its scabbard with a rough sound. A bastard sword with a worn blade. The students who saw it began to whisper.

- He's going to fight with a sword like that?

- You idiot. It's obviously an artifact.

- By the way, what's this situation right now?

A dense crowd had surrounded Abel and Demian at some point. Dante was looking at Demian with a look of admiration, and the janitors of their age began to compare Abel's and Demian's appearances. Monika let out a sigh, holding the white dog in her arms.

An autumn wind, blowing from somewhere.

It shook the sand of the training ground.

“When you were guiding us on the semester assignment……, I thought I heard your true voice, Professor.”

Demian tilted his sword with a skilled gesture.

One of the basic stances of Numeros Formal Swordsmanship, ‘The Elephant's Tusk’.

The tip of the sword, intended for a thrust, sharpened like the tail of a crescent moon.

“I believed that the words to stab you in the back were just a temptation, and that the real semester assignment was to stab your heart. With none other than chivalry. That is why I requested a fair duel.”

“How can you stab a heart with chivalry. Chivalry is just a code, and a heart is not a body. Above all, there is no such thing as a fair duel in this world.”

You must have enjoyed reading knight literature, you.

Muttering so, Abel looked down at his beloved sword, then put it back into its scabbard. He finally met the eyes of Monika, who was buried in the crowd. The training longsword hanging at Monika's waist. Abel pulled on its hilt.

“What on earth is going on.”

Monika whispered to Abel.

“I was just about to watch over your training.”

“So what I mean is……, why are you fighting with Demian Senior when you came to watch over my training.”

“I don't know either.”

“Don't lie. What did you do again?”

“……I really didn't do anything.”

Abel brushed back his hair, then looked back at Demian.

“Demian, chivalry is just an ideology woven from the games of the nobility. You are just swinging your sword as children play.”

The tip of the training longsword, pointing at Demian.

“So I will also face you with a toy sword.”

“──Sir Argento!”

Demian growled, baring his teeth.

“I am Demian von Fernando Farenheit. As the rightful heir of the Farenheit family, I am the one who will inherit the secret techniques forged by my ancestors upon coming of age.”

And at this moment!

Demian shouted, pointing his index finger at Abel.

“I will challenge you to a duel on the honor of myself and my family……”

……sir.

I will also use a training longsword.

Using a real sword is a bit excessive……

Demian handed his Walloon sword to a student standing nearby. Then he politely asked to borrow a training longsword. Finally, Demian, who had gripped the training longsword, straightened his posture.

“I will say it again! I will challenge you to a duel on the honor of myself and my family……”

“No need to say more.”

Abel said in a languid tone.

“We were already in a duel. From now on, I will teach you the duel of a true knight.”

Come, and.

Abel, gesturing with his sword held any which way.

──Pabat!

A loud roar, as if piercing the center of the air.

Demian did not hesitate. The tip of the dull training longsword crushed the empty air. It closed in on Abel's chest.

The sheen on the tip of the sword.

Just as it was about to touch Abel's body,

‘……He dodged?’

Demian's gaze faltered.

Abel's body, which had been in a posture full of openings.

It tilted downwards in an instant.

‘What kind of nonsense is this!’

Demian clenched his teeth and looked at the ground.

Abel's face, with a faint smile, was cast down.

And soon……,

“──Kkeuak!”

Demian's vision was dyed black.

Why? What is making my vision so sharp? Did he cast a spell? I've never heard of a spell that sets fire to the retina. I can't see ahead. What on earth is this……,

While the confused Demian was flailing,

‘He's really too much.’

Monika thought, pouting.

‘Even so, to an opponent who is seriously trying to fight…….’

Monika's amber eyes turned to Abel's hand.

‘……To think he'd throw sand.’

Tuk, tuk, and.

Abel's left hand, shaking.

The sand dust that had formed on his fingertips was fluttering.