The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 58
The Sword’s Intent.
This concept, equivalent to the magical path followed by mages, is also referred to as the essence of the sword or the code of chivalry.
The path a knight strives to pursue.
“You treat me with no more regard than your student does for me as a professor. Tell me, do you believe that is the right way of the sword, the true code of chivalry?”
“……”
The Bright Dragon was left speechless, her face betraying her as if struck in a vulnerable spot.
‘Chivalry differs from the path of magic.’
The Sword’s Intent, the essence of the sword, the code of chivalry.
Though it corresponds to the magical path followed by mages, there’s a significant difference.
It reflects the attitude towards life in the sword.
‘It’s not only through righteousness that one can achieve greatness. Among the wicked, there are numerous high-ranking knights.’
The issue was that the Bright Dragon considered herself a righteous knight.
“You claim that protecting the empire as its guardian is your sword’s intent, but isn’t it true that you are merely intoxicated with your own arrogance?”
“……”
The Bright Dragon glared at me with a fierce look in his eyes.
However, her inability to immediately draw her sword must mean that my words have struck a chord.
‘Fine. Let’s press on with this momentum.’
But then, an unexpected voice interjected.
Though I hadn’t heard it before, the voice was unmistakably dripping with disdain.
“Chivalry also chooses its opponents. Respect is earned when the other party is deemed worthy of it.”
“!!”
Turning my gaze, there stood a girl with a graceful demeanor.
It was our first encounter, yet her face was one I had come across countless times while progressing through the storyline.
The disciple of the Bright Dragon.
A genius surpassing the lineage of a prestigious swordsmanship family.
The top entrant of the knight department.
The student villain of Ruby Academy.
It was Yulia.
“Greetings, Master.”
Yulia kneeled on one knee before the Bright Dragon, showing her respect.
She didn’t even spare me a glance.
A complete disregard.
What was unexpected was the Bright Dragon’s response.
Perhaps my words had triggered some change of heart, for he said,
“…Greet Professor Van as well. After all, he is your homeroom teacher at the academy.”
Yulia’s brow furrowed slightly at this, but she quickly smoothed her expression and flashed me a grin.
It was an unmistakably forced smile, clear for anyone to see.
With a mocking tone.
“Nice to meet you, Professor Van. I apologize for not paying attention since it was just a temporary class we briefly encountered. Please understand it was because I was too busy with my training.”
The implication that I shouldn’t get above myself, given I was merely a temporary professor soon to disappear, wasn’t just my victim mentality speaking.
‘…I’m itching for a smackdown.’
I was reminded of the infuriating Lady Joanna.
Similar, yet different.
If Joanna acted out like a petulant child unable to control her temper, Yulia was a more intelligent and cunning villainess.
“I’m sorry, Master. It was my conduct that led to this grave disrespect. To have caused such an insult to you, the guardian of the empire, I have committed a great sin.”
Even her recent statement was indicative.
While claiming it was her own fault, she effectively shifted the blame onto me for the supposed disrespect.
‘Tiring.’
Reacting in kind would only lower my own level.
In situations like this, a direct and straightforward approach was best.
“Yulia, meeting you in person makes it clear that Dame Carla’s teachings have gone awry.”
“…What did you say?”
I looked directly at the Bright Dragon.
“Seeing her like this now, what kind of knight do you think Yulia will become in the future, Dame?”
“…….”
“Correcting a student’s flawed character is the duty of a professor. As I’ve stated in my letter, let us duel over the educational rights of Young Yulia.”
The Bright Dragon’s eyebrows twitched.
“Do you really intend to duel with me?”
“Of course.”
“Ha! As if you could withstand a single strike from me!”
“Why would I need to receive Dame’s sword? I am a professor of the magic department, specifically in theoretical studies.”
“…Then what kind of duel are you proposing?”
“Haven’t you read my letter? It’s a contest of ‘mentorship qualities.’ Your disciple and my disciple will engage in a swordsmanship duel.”
At those words, both the Bright Dragon and Yulia looked astonished.
“You just said you’re a professor of the magic department, didn’t you? Then your disciple is also a student of the magic faculty, correct?”
“That’s right. She’s a 1st-star apprentice mage who has not trained in swordsmanship at all.”
“You intend to have someone completely untrained in a swordsmanship duel? Yulia is a prodigy who could put any genius to shame.”
“Well, we’ll see who is longer and who is shorter after the duel.”
“Ha! I’d like to see who you’re putting forward for this!”
I nodded and then called over a girl who was watching the commotion from a distance.
“Catherine.”
“…Why am I being summoned all of a sudden?”
“Come here.”
“……??”
With a furrowed brow and a bewildered expression, I pointed to Catherine standing beside me.
“This girl will be the one to face your disciple.”
* * *
Chaos ensued.
Especially, the most dumbfounded of them all was the person who had been singled out, Catherine.
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?! A swordsmanship duel, not even a magic duel, for me?”
“It’s alright. You can do this.”
“But I’ve never even held a sword before?!”
“Didn’t I say you can do it? Trust me.”
Catherine clammed up, and I whispered to her as if to entice.
“I’ve heard that you two don’t get along well. Don’t you want to get back at her too? If you follow my instructions, you can.”
Yulia and Catherine had a bad history.
Yulia, being a bastard, had repeatedly scorned Catherine.
And Catherine, not quite the heroic figure one might expect, was someone who never forgot a grudge, no matter how petty.
“…There’s no way I could get one over on her.”
“When have I ever spoken lightly? If you trust me, and also believe in yourself, it’s entirely possible.”
Catherine still looked puzzled.
‘This duel is also necessary for Catherine. It will greatly aid her growth.’
Meanwhile, the Bright Dragon and Yulia were incredulous.
“Are you serious? You’re going to have someone who knows nothing about swordsmanship duel with Yulia?”
“Didn’t I say we are competing in terms of the quality of a mentor? With my teachings, it is entirely possible to defeat your disciple.”
“Ha…”
“However, there is a condition. The form of the duel will be ‘Weapon Breaking.'”
Dueling among knights is usually a sparring match.
But occasionally, a special category is chosen, and this was one of them.
‘It’s a duel where both parties hold identical weapons and aim to break the opponent’s weapon.’
It’s simpler than a typical spar, but that doesn’t mean it’s advantageous for beginners.
In fact, without any variables to interfere, the outcome is determined purely by swordsmanship skills.
“The type of weapon will be wooden swords. The victory goes to the one who first breaks the opponent’s wooden sword three times out of five attempts.”
“Understood. Don’t regret this later.”
“Then, please give me a moment. I need to pass on my teachings.”
I took Catherine aside to a corner.
“There must be some foolproof strategy you’re relying on to initiate such a ludicrous situation, right? Tell me what you’re up to, I won’t get mad.”
“There isn’t. It’s just about believing in yourself. That’s the entirety of the plan.”
“What? Are you insane?!”
I provided further explanation.
“People often think that Weapon Breaking is about who can swing a stronger sword, but that’s not the case. It’s a duel of wills conveyed through the sword. I never once thought your will is inferior to Yulia’s.”
Catherine remained silent.
“But still…”
“It’s okay. If you can’t trust yourself, then trust in me who believes in you.”
And so, the duel began.
The two girls stood facing each other, each holding an identical wooden sword.
“Oh, who do we have here? Long time no see, Catherine. You must be tired of playing the fool, dancing to Professor Van’s tune. Well, you’ve always been a simpleton, accommodating Joanna like a fool…”
“Shut up.”
“…What?”
“Stop yapping your mouth off annoyingly and just hold your sword. You’re even more irritating.”
“!!”
The smile vanished from Yulia’s face.
“I tried to be kind for old times’ sake, but I see that won’t work.”
Chaang!
The atmosphere in the arena became tense.
And then.
Their swords flashed, and the sound of a wooden sword being sliced through filled the air.
* * *
‘Crazy professor, making me do such insane things.’
Catherine gasped for breath.
On the ground, two pieces of the broken wooden sword were scattered.
She had already lost twice in a series of five matches.
‘How could I possibly win? I’m a mage, not a swordsman.’
There was no need to even discuss sword intent.
In terms of strength, agility, and swordsmanship skills, she was significantly lacking in every aspect.
Yulia’s physique, despite her delicate appearance, was practically that of a human weapon.
‘Why am I even following along with this madness?’
She had hoped for a chance but, as expected, it was futile.
The reason she hadn’t quit was out of sheer stubbornness.
Catherine hated giving up halfway through anything, considering it almost pathological.
As she weakly picked up the third wooden sword, Yulia scowled.
Apparently annoyed enough, Yulia no longer bothered with her facade of kindness.
“You’re truly tiresome. If you don’t quit now, I’ll intentionally break the wooden sword towards you and scar your face. The only thing you have going for you is your somewhat decent face, think about it.”
Catherine let out a mocking laugh.
She had been contemplating giving up, but Yulia’s words changed her mind.
If Joanna’s personality was obnoxious, Catherine’s was downright foul.
“How about we make a bet?”
“What?”
“The winner gets to punch the loser. I think I’ll sleep like a baby after planting a fist in your pretty face.”
Yulia’s gaze turned fierce.
“So the student like you really follows the master. Be prepared.”
Yulia raised her sword, and Catherine did the same, though she harbored no thoughts of victory.
Despite being of the same age, facing her felt like confronting a wall.
Even if the duel had been in magic, the outcome would likely have been the same.
‘I can win, you say? You scamming professor!’
As she internally screamed, a single phrase came to mind:
Believe in yourself.
But still, it didn’t resonate.
Believe? Believe in what exactly?
Doubt flooded her heart.
‘I know better than anyone that I’m a talentless dullard.’
She was born into a family renowned for magic but had less talent than an ordinary person.
Her strenuous efforts were merely to cover up that lack of talent.
‘There’s no way I can do this.’
It was the moment her resolve nearly crumbled.
Then, her eyes met Van’s.
Despite her having already lost twice, Van’s gaze was still steadfast.
You can do this.
It seemed to say.
If you can’t believe in yourself, then trust in me who believes in you, hadn’t he said?
“!!”
Reflecting on it, Van’s look had always been like that.
Seemingly indifferent and blunt.
Yet filled with an inexplicable trust.
A kind she had never received from anyone before.
‘Why? What do you even know? …About me?’
Catherine clenched her teeth.
t/n: “Dame” is a title used to address a woman in a position of authority or honor.
