I Became The Academy’s Narrow-Eyes

I immediately headed to the training ground in the inner courtyard of the Lebringer mansion with Yena.

Arriving at the training ground, Yena picked up two practice swords that were stored in the corner –

“Thank you.”

She handed one to me, and gripped the other in her right hand.

Quite an interesting sight emerged.

Yena’s attire resembled the traditional Victorian maid costume.

With a sweeping hem that looked like it could touch the floor, every element of the maid outfit exuded an atmosphere of stillness.

And Yena, with her maid outfit on, was holding a sword.

As a diligent man who had seen many real maids through various media, it was the first time I had seen such a sight.

“Isn’t that outfit inconvenient to move in?”

In response, Yena showed a playful smile.

“You need not worry, anyway.”

When martial artists reach a certain level, their physical abilities improve dramatically, and aging is also suppressed.

And in the case of Yena, who has reached the level of seven stars, it is possible to stop aging altogether if she wishes.

Looking from the outside, Yena appeared similar to Miss Drin, but her actual age was much older.

“You weren’t, by any chance, having a very impolite thought just now?”

“No, of course not…!”

Even considering her age, Yena’s level of seven stars was astonishing.

Considering that countless people on this continent wouldn’t reach the realm of five stars even before they died.

Yena’s posture and attitude exuded the composure of such a strong individual.

That’s why I was looking forward to it.

What would happen to that composure of strength if she were to lose to me, even if it were by accident.

“If you’re ready, come.”

Yena gestured with her chin.

Her gesture overlapped with the attitude that Miss Drin showed when she provoked me.

It was a sight that made it clear where the unexpected aggressive and provocative attitude that Miss Drin had shown me came from.

“Here I come.”

I initiated the eradication attack with the intention of going full strength from the beginning.

In an instant, I broke out of Yena’s sight and charged.

It worked.

For a moment, I thought so.

Yena’s gaze had lost me.

“Hmm.”

But Yena, maintaining her gaze, murmured that as she lightly swung her sword to fend me off.

Then she brought down the sword she had swung.

“Ah…! Ow!”

At the same time, a suitable pain emerged in my shoulder as my sword flew out of my hand.

It was a simple suppression like swatting a fly, after I had displayed the eradication attack, to which even Agion Morci couldn’t react.

I rubbed my fallen shoulder and spoke.

“What was the problem?”

“Hmm?”

Yena, who had been staring straight ahead, finally looked at me.

“What went wrong? That’s a great approach to the question.”

“Haha, thank you. By any chance, was my approach in swordsmanship also great?”

“No.”

“Haha… A one-word answer. You’re strict.”

“The Bauer’s sword’s basic defense, the eradication attack, is that correct?”

“You recognize it.”

“First of all, I definitely recognized your supposed talent in assassination. It’s a remarkable talent. To the point of being dangerous.”

“That’s a strange statement, considering that you casually swatted it away.”

“Well, considering the difference in levels between you and me, it’s unavoidable.”

Whether a switch was turned on or not, Yena, now in teacher mode, spoke in a strong and plain dialect.

It wasn’t particularly uncomfortable.

Originally, Yena, being a noble, held a higher status than me, a commoner. Above all, at that moment, Yena was my swordsmanship teacher.

“Separately, if there’s a foundational issue with the current sword you wield – it’s divergence. It seems that you’re trying to comprehend the sword itself and swordsmanship through Bauer’s sword, utilizing your talent for assassinations. Am I right?”

Did she deduce all that just from one look?

“Ye, Yes…”

I answered genuinely, more flustered than pretending to be.

“The attempted approach itself is excellent. It’s novel, and it must have been effective so far. However, you will likely encounter a limit soon. After all, Bauer’s sword is meant for swordsmanship. From a certain point onwards, Bauer’s sword will no longer respond to your talent for assassinations.”

That was an issue I was already aware of.

So, what I was curious about was the solution to that problem.

“What should I do then…?”

“Are you curious?”

At that moment, I felt a chill run down my spine.

Yena corrected her posture, giggling with a sadistic smirk on her face.

“Hehe…”

This was looking to be quite a predicament.

***

“Ho-heok…! Ho-heok…! Ho-heok…!”

Indeed, Yena’s talent as a swordsmanship teacher was extraordinary.

And that talent shone especially bright when it came to doling out physical punishments.

Afterwards, I charged at Yena time and again.

I was struck down just as many times.

In the process, my entire body was left smarting, but it didn’t hinder my movement one bit.

Yena was unmatched in her ability to beat someone up without actually causing physical harm.

“What are you thinking about?”

Well, rather a peculiar person.

What started out as a faint sadistic smirk on Yena’s face had fully matured, unabashedly showcasing her sadistic nature.

“Haa. Haa.”

Yena’s breathing grew slightly ragged.

Was she tired?

No.

I bet she found hitting me to be absolutely exhilarating.

“I, I can’t go on anymore…! Can’t you start explaining now!?”

When I expressed my pain with everything I had, the corners of Yena’s mouth rose ever so slightly.

Then she suddenly managed her expression as if in a sudden realization.

From the disrupted breathing, she instantly gathered herself and cleared her throat lightly.

“That won’t do.”

“Eh!? But…”

As I openly expressed my disappointment, Yena quickly tried to soothe over the smirk that had risen on her face once again.

‘This person is full of malice.’

I cannot believe this.

That such a meticulous maid would turn out to be such a quirky person with this kind of unusual character.

“Why…!?”

Yena took a deep breath and regained her usual composure.

“Perhaps, because it’s too early. Be satisfied with the advice you received today.”

It was disappointing, but I didn’t have any major complaints.

While Yena was having fun, as a swordsmanship teacher, she fulfilled her role phenomenally.

Every time I failed in my attacks, Yena’s physical punishment itself provided a lesson.

It accurately pointed out what was wrong in my movements, and provided guidance on the direction I needed to correct.

Now that I’ve received countless such guidance out of love (?).

I could definitely feel.

That my swordsmanship skills improved.

[Skill: Basic Swordsmanship Lv.2 (General) ]

Although there are no direct changes in skill level at the moment.

If I keep receiving guidance from Yena like this, wouldn’t I reach level 3 before the commencement ceremony?

I feel good about this.

“Until this time tomorrow, concentrate on recovery.”

“Eh…!? Tomorrow, you say!?”

“Yes, tomorrow.”

Chuckles.

I felt good about it.

But looking at Yena, who no longer tried to hide her sadistic smile, I felt a strong sense of unease beyond that.

‘What’s this…’

Instead of making fun of Yena, I ended up becoming Yena’s plaything.

That was so frustrating that I once tried to secretly use my assassination skills in the middle, like when I used to tease Drin – but eventually, I gave up.

If Drin is a monster still in the process of growing, Yena is a monster that has already finished growing.

Moreover, it seemed that Yena had already experienced assassination skills several times.

Unfolding assassination skills in front of Yena, pretending it’s a coincidence?

The name above Yena would immediately turn red.

If that happens, it would be difficult for Redar to fix the situation.

“Ah, alright.”

Helplessly, I decided to give up on teasing Yena.

For now.

For now, let’s be satisfied with receiving swordsmanship guidance from Yena.

“Oh, Ceylon?”

At that moment, the most beautiful, clear, elegant, and dignified voice in the world reached my ears.

I wondered who could have such an incredible voice, and it turned out to be our Miss Drin.

Drin, who had already finished dressing even though it was still early, was looking at us from nearby, wearing light casual clothes instead of her usual armor.

“What are you doing at the training ground this early in the morning?”

“Well, it’s nothing special. I got a valuable opportunity to receive guidance from Yena.”

“Eh?”

Yena gave a light bow to Drin.

Then Drin looked at me and gave a bitter smile.

“Ceylon, you’ve had a hard time.”

The bitter smile, as if understanding everything, was filled with deep consolation, perhaps because Drin had been tormented by Yena quite a bit.

“I was caught off guard.”

“Caught off guard? When you first proposed, you were so happy.”

Whoosh.

Yena pushed up her glasses.

Because of the light in the lenses, her eyes were not clearly visible, but the corners of her mouth were slightly raised.

“I didn’t know Yena was such a character… By the way, what brings Miss Drin here at this hour?”

“Me? I always wake up around this time and engage in morning training.”

“Wow, that’s amazing. As expected, Miss Drin is an inspiration to all warriors.”

“Oh, please stop making such a fuss.”

Drin frowned with annoyance, but I saw it.

Her mouth corners were slightly raised.

Miss Drin is secretly weak to compliments.

Memo. Memo. Memo.

“And if we go by that logic, isn’t Ceylon much more impressive? It seems like you woke up much earlier than me to receive guidance from Yena.”

“Ah, I’m usually much lazier than this. I woke up early today solely to prepare breakfast for Miss Drin.”

At those words, Drin’s ears perked up and her gaze immediately switched to Yena.

Ding, ding, ding.

The signals emanating from Drin’s eyes and flying towards Yena were clearly seen by me.

Then, Yena clapped as if she had remembered something.

“Ah, I forgot. Ceylon, could you add the beef stew and chicken soup dishes from yesterday’s menu to this morning’s menu? And increase the portion size.”

What? All of a sudden?

‘Ah, I see.’

Is it a subtle request, done through Yena to avoid being embarrassed about exposing her passion for food—rather than gluttony?

“Well, the weather today is just perfect for training, don’t you think?”

Drin awkwardly changes the subject as I gave her a knowing look.

Hehe.

I, on the inside, smiled and asked.

“Hm? Increase the portion size? But we will have two fewer people eating than yesterday, won’t we?”

I looked at Yena and then naturally at Drin.

Then, Drin awkwardly avoided my gaze.

“That, that is…! Well, then, you can just prepare the same amount as yesterday.”

Yena hurriedly cut in, as if to protect Drin.

“Eh? Keep the same portion size? But we will have two fewer people eating than yesterday… Ah! Now that I think about it-”

I spoke clearly, looking at Drin this time.

“Miss Drin, you seemed to particularly enjoy the beef stew and chicken soup dishes yesterday. Could it be because of that?”

“I, I have no idea what you’re talking about…~?”

Drin’s ears went a faint red as she avoided my gaze.

“That, that was a request from Yena, why are you asking me…?”

“That’s right, Ceylon! It’s entirely unrelated to Miss Drin…! That’s just…!”

“Just…?”

“Just…!”

Both Drin and even Yena were flustered, which was extremely cute.

As expected of Miss Drin.

You’re even helping me get back at Yena who’s been torturing me in the Godforsaken Teacher Mode!

“What’s everyone doing here?”

At that moment, an emotionless voice rang out.

A head with pale sky-blue hair sticking out sloppily entered my field of vision from the corner of my eyes.

When I lowered my gaze, Mizu’s face, which still seemed half-asleep and somewhat dazed, came into view.

“Huh, Mizu. What happened to your black mask?”

“Eh?”

At this, she brought her hand to her mouth-

“Shame.”

And abruptly covered her mouth with the same hand that was rubbing it earlier.

What was that?

What on earth was she embarrassed about?

From what I could see, there was no need for Mizu to hide her lower face with a mask.

On the contrary, it was sculpturally magnificent and deserved to be openly displayed and boasted about.

Her sharp jawline and her lips, which were as adorable as a baby bird’s beak.

‘Well, she must have her reasons.’

Since it might be a sore subject for Mizu, I quickly changed the topic.

“Anyway, why are you here at this hour, Mizu? Do you usually come for training this early in the morning?”

Mizu shook her head.

“‘I thought maybe if I came to the training ground at this time, I might be able to casually spar with Miss Drin,’ was the idea. I came here with a perfect plan. An outright crime.”

“Oh… it’s indeed a perfect plan, but since Miss Drin overheard our conversation, I think there’s going to be a hiccup in the ‘casual’ part.”

“Ugh. Tripped up by my own honesty.”

Just then, Miss Drin gave Mizu a smooth smile.

“Mizu, it’s good that you came. I needed a sparring partner- would you mind?”

Mizu’s emotionless eyes widened.

Even though she’d asked the question, it seemed like she wasn’t expecting Drin to accept.

Mizu shook her head vigorously.

“As expected of a teacher. If you have set a goal, you never fail to achieve it.” (Ceylon)

“Hmm. You’ve seen it. This is Bauer’s way, the one who used to be a ruthless assassin who didn’t care about the means to achieve his goal. If he has a goal, he will achieve it, no matter how vile the methods are.”

“Ceylon, I’ll take care of these two’s spar. And as for you-”

Yena, riding the wave of the conversation, was trying to wrap it up.

“Yes, understood. I will prepare a meal for Miss Drin, as much as she wishes! I’ll do my best!”

So, while Drin and Yena were bustling around, I left for the training ground feeling satisfied.

***

-Aren’t you going to eat that…?

-Mizu, I mean, Miss Mizu… Aren’t you going to eat that…? Oh, I’m sorry.

-Ceylon, do you happen to have a date or something…?

-Oh, or are you going to preview the academy?

Miss Drin, bewildered with a bowl that had been emptied a while ago in front of her.

I tactfully left the place so that Miss Drin could have her secret binge- I mean, gourmet time.

‘Well, shall we go?’

The Right Arm and the true Harashin.

It was time to breathe life into them.

I thought carefully.

What would their goal be if the true Harashin, who was almost exterminated by the current Harashin in the past, actually existed?

‘It’s certain.’

It was obvious.

Revenge on Harashin.

Coincidentally, I remembered one of the locations where Harashin resided in Arienne.

[Black Armor]

A huge man wearing a black robe made of ominous shadows, as if he had just cut out the abyss, and a sinister mask entered the back alley.

He headed into the criminal underworld of Arienne, home to all the criminals and criminal groups residing in Arienne.

***

“Hah…!”

Sinia was drunk.

She was drunk terribly.

It seemed unbearable unless she was, so she got drunk with all her might.

It was understandable.

To catch the tail of Harashin, she had invested a long time tracking ‘Rendal of Sesone’, a direct assassin of Harashin.

And yesterday, finally, she secured the whereabouts of Rendal of Sesone.

All that was left was to reap the ripe fruit.

However.

That fruit suddenly disappeared.

Rendal of Sesone.

He has disappeared without a trace.

Sinia spent the entire day rummaging through back alleys to find Rendal of Sesone, whose whereabouts had suddenly become mysterious after leaving the academy yesterday.

However, in the end, she didn’t even find the ‘Ses’ of ‘Sesone’, and dawn broke.

Sinia sat down in the back alley with a desperate sentiment.

She walked into a random bar nearby and poured as much alcohol as she could to fill her emptiness.

“What do I do now~?”

Discovering clues to Harashin’s direct assassin, and secretly tracking them so the assassins wouldn’t notice.

It was a tiresome task that required a long time, effort, and caution.

This time, didn’t it take six months?

But.

Do I have to start over from the beginning?

“Ah~ should I just quit~? Huh!? Should I quit~? What should I do, everyone~? Huh~?”

Sinia’s drunken sing-song filled the bar.

The men with lawless vibes around here shuddered.

She, who should not be associated with, had become a mad dog ruling in this seething place of criminals, the back alley bar.

“Huh…?”

Then.

Her keen sense, still razor sharp despite being drunk, caught a strange movement.

It was a secret, quiet, yet fast movement, like a snake slithering on the ground.

The entity crossing the back alley with a movement that couldn’t be detected if it weren’t for Sinia, was-

Dressed in a black robe that was so dark you’d wonder what dye they put in to achieve that color.

He possessed a body so big you’d wonder how he could grow that size.

Above all, he was wearing a strange mask, so unconventional it couldn’t be more unconventional.

“…”

Sinia’s eyes, clouded by drunkenness, lit up.

“That guy…”

Sinia’s sharp intuition as an excellent warrior told her.

That guy.

That darn unconventional guy.

He’s certainly related to Harashin.