Chapter: 311
I thought the swordsmanship department’s arena was fine, but as I headed towards the magic department’s arena, what awaited me was pure madness.
“Louise! Louise! Louise!”
“The future Vice Captain is flipping the match upside down!”
“Louiiseee! Show us the magic you used last year!”
Students of the magic department waved their staffs vigorously in the air and shouted enthusiastically. This must be what a military morale-boosting performance feels like.
Seeing this crazy scene, both I and the Principal were left speechless. I had prepared myself for an excited atmosphere as I got closer to the magic area, but I only imagined a good crowd during Louise’s match, not this idol concert-level chaos.
For a moment, I almost lost my wits, but as I looked around, I realized even the students in other arenas had stopped their sparring to cheer for Louise.
‘What on earth are you guys doing?’
Some teachers, who were supposed to keep the students in line, couldn’t help but join in the madness.
I mean, it’s one thing for students to get into it, but shouldn’t teachers show a little self-control? It’s like they chose to be wizards before they considered being teachers.
“…There’s really no need for us to be here cheering, right?”
In the silence, Rutis finally spoke up. Even he seemed momentarily taken aback by the electrifying scene unfolding before us.
“With a situation like this, they have to cheer. Without support, Lady Louise would be quite disheartened.”
Ainter, who had joined us on the way here, chimed in to agree.
I totally back that. Louise isn’t starved for attention or anything, but if all the mages are going wild, she’s more likely to shrink back. In such a scenario, if she couldn’t even see her familiar club members, she’d probably go into panic mode.
Feeling a bit sorry for Louise as I glanced at the arena, I noticed her holding her staff with both hands, trembling slightly. If you didn’t look closely—no, even if you did, it wasn’t exactly easy to see, but she was definitely trembling. Our Capybara really is the kind to get scared when all the attention’s on her…
‘What if she hadn’t had any support?’
Ain’t no doubt, if Ainter’s right, without her club members, Louise would’ve been fighting her battles all on her own. Not a clash with malice but one against a crowd of die-hard fans.
Looking closely at Louise’s opponent, the one who got absolutely wrecked last year by the Duke’s unique magic, her expression was bright because she was happy to get paired up with Louise again. One might mistake her for the one winning this match.
“Oh, there’s Lather too. Must’ve finished early.”
At Erich’s comment, I instinctively almost turned my gaze but managed to restrain myself. Being a wizard, he’d add fuel to the fire of this madness, and I didn’t think it would help Louise’s mental state one bit.
“Waahh!”
“Three-way! Three-way!!”
Before long, the crowd erupted again. It was the same Duke’s unique magic as last year, and upon seeing it, Louise’s opponent grinned widely and took the hits like a champ.
Wizards really are completely bonkers. There’s only a handful of sane ones out there.
‘What were they thinking, only magic in their heads?’
No matter how you think about it, the idea that wizards are symbols of rationality is pure image manipulation. If someone were genuinely rational, they wouldn’t throw their life into a single field of study, would they?
I guess I’ve just shattered a stereotype about wizards.
Having finished her match victoriously, Louise received a standing ovation from all the wizards as she stepped down from the arena. Her face flushed bright red, but the mad wizards cheered on without any care. If I hadn’t been there to watch, they would surely have hoisted her up and tossed her around.
“O-Oppa…!”
“You did great.”
Louise rushed over to us like she was flying and looked up at me with teary eyes. I read the intense mental strain she was under. But hey, I wouldn’t blame her for that.
“You were amazing, Louise. You’ve sharpened up compared to last year.”
In the middle of it all, Lather, who was embedded among the crowd, finally approached and threw in a compliment.
Once the heat of the moment passed, I think Louise became aware of how ridiculous she might have looked. Being a club member is one thing, but joining in the frenzy like that?
“……”
Alas, it was a tad too late to realize. Louise, nestled in my arms, merely stared quietly at Lather. For someone like Louise, who’s generally kind-hearted, this silent gaze must hold a great deal of reproach. Lather, knowing this, could only fumble his words in awkward silence.
I hope you reflect well on today’s events, Blue Man.
“Um, Louise? I don’t know much about magic, but even I thought it was really cool!”
“Thank you…”
Thankfully, despite Louise sporting a wounded spirit, she managed to uplift herself with Seira’s encouragement. That betrayal from a club member can be soothed by another club member, after all.
*
After the practical exam wrapped up, we gathered in the club room for a little after-party. Louise popped a macaron she’d prepared beforehand into her mouth, but the flavor didn’t quite hit the spot.
It’s complicated. After watching Louise’s match, unease bubbled up from the pit of my stomach.
‘Everyone has developed.’
Initially, a timid Louise, crushed under the ecstatic cheers, but when she started wielding her staff, she became a proud and strong wizard. Sure, she may have been overwhelmed by the madness, but nevertheless, she was fierce.
A friend’s growth is something to be happy about. If that friend was soon to become family, it’s even more so. Yes, I should absolutely be happy about it—
‘Am I just slow?’
I couldn’t shake off the negative feelings. It wasn’t just Louise advancing; I’d heard from the matches that Rutis and Lather finished with better results than last year. With Louise finding her mentor in the Duke, and Rutis and Lather receiving top-notch royal training, they were all moving ahead of me.
Of course, I was progressing too. I slacked off during the first semester following Louise around, but ever since, I’ve given it my all. During winter break, aside from meeting Seira, I focused entirely on training. The fruits of my labor were tangible, and I felt confident I could beat just about anyone, barring Rutis.
By the same token, it meant I still hadn’t surpassed Rutis.
‘The mentor really does matter.’
Going it alone has its limits. The knights of my family seemed to think they had nothing else to teach me, and requesting help from the patriarch posed difficulty as he spent more time in the council.
Without a guiding mentor, I can’t be sure I’m treading the right path, or that this rate of progress is the right one. At least I’m receiving guidance at the academy, but even that is merely three years of education; and, truthfully, it’s designed more for the masses than for the optimized teachings suited to the Krasius family.
“—Huh.”
What do I do? Should I even go looking for someone to tutor me? Even if they don’t know about the Krasius style of swordplay, at least it’d be a one-on-one teaching scenario.
“Erich.”
“Hmm?”
I snapped back to reality when I felt a light pat on my shoulder.
“What’s up? Anything wrong?”
As I followed the voice and looked up, it was my older brother holding cookies.
Embarrassing. If my brother’s reaching out, I must have had quite the grim expression.
“Uh, not really. Just… thinking about stuff…”
I opened my mouth but suddenly realized it wasn’t necessary to search for a mentor far away.
There’s someone within the Krasius family that can teach me, someone who can offer one-on-one instruction, someone skilled who knows the path ahead.
‘It’s my brother!’
Of course, it’s him. Walk the same path as me, and he’s reached a realm I can’t even fathom. My ideal destination where I want to finally arrive.
I can’t believe I’d forgotten such an obvious answer. Though, to be fair, I’ve never seen him carry a sword, let alone a blade, so maybe that slipped my mind.
“Hey, brother.”
“What?”
His somewhat curt reply didn’t faze me; that’s just his usual demeanor. He tends to be polite in relationships where boundaries need to be set. After all, I’ve gotten to know his nature after living together for a year at the academy.
With resolve, I pressed on. Alright, if it works out great, if not, it’s no skin off my back. My brother isn’t the type to smack me down just because I ask something a bit audacious.
“Could you maybe teach me a bit?”
And if it goes well, even better. I’d be physically learning the techniques he possesses.
*
Surprised by Erich’s sudden question, I frowned. Teach him? With what qualifications?
“Oh, the teacher! You’re now training disciples too?”
Of course, Erich’s loud voice caught the attention of other club members, especially that sword-obsessed red-headed guy who perked up like a curious pup.
Memory of the last year rushed back with Rutis’ voice. That time during the interclass competition, when he lost control of his strength and ended up spitting blood, I remembered going to apologize and being told he’d be needing a future lesson. Naturally, hearing something so absurd in front of that guy would elicit a reaction. A total weirdo.
“I’ve never taught anyone before.”
Regardless, I answered firmly, loud enough for Rutis to hear as well as Erich.
I’m definitely stronger than Erich, but being strong isn’t the same as being able to teach. If strong people taught simply because they were strong, what would the existence of teaching roles even mean? Strong individuals can just teach and that’s it.
“And if I interfere carelessly, you might just end up stumbling instead. You’ve done fine so far on your own, haven’t you?”
I meant it. Putting aside any talent I may have for teaching, Erich was already objectively making progress. Being among the nobles at the academy, and ranking in the top tier meant his future as someone prominent was assured.
It’s a little tricky when it’s Rutis he’s up against. Comparing him to Rutis, a royal prince with all the pomp and support, isn’t quite fair. That guy’s talent is just off the charts.
“Until now, it’s just been good luck,” Erich said, “but there’s no guarantee it’ll stay that way.”
But seeing the solemn way Erich spoke, I started to understand.
“A spear? No way, a swordsman would use a spear. You can’t just swap your main weapon willy-nilly, or you’ll end up being half-baked!”
I had my own share of those kinds of feelings too.
The time I literally was sent north with only a sword; while rolling around in real combat, questioning if I was truly doing things right. I gathered all varieties of techniques I could muster, and thinking back, it could have turned into a hot mess as Gerard pointed out.
“From now on, all the booze supplied to me will go to you.”
“You’re more suited to wielding a spear. I’ll bet on it.”
And just like that, he brought it up again; he had to be the craziest of the crazies.
“…But still, I can’t. If someone who can’t teach touches things, it’ll definitely go wrong.”
Even though my heart wavered for a moment, I shook my head again. I understand, but I can’t help him.
I’d gone through hell trying to learn from Gerard in a hit-or-miss style, so I can’t let Erich tread that same problematic path. If my brother walked the path of flames, then I, as his younger brother, should tread down a flower path.
“Then, how about I have you duel Erich?”
“A duel?”
While I firmly refused, Rutis aimed for Erich’s demise.
Is he insane? This is someone who spit blood after sparring with me!
“It’s a given that martial artists gain enlightenment just from observing a master’s swordplay. If it’s too tough to teach directly, making Erich realize things on his own could be beneficial, too.”
To my surprise, Rutis’ suggestion actually sounded reasonable.
“Besides, you and Erich are brothers, right? If Erich walks the proper path, he’ll surely end up like you. Knowing what the destination looks like might help him get there.”
That continued rationale was incredibly convincing.
As I turned my gaze away from Rutis and back to Erich, his eyes were shimmering; he seemed touched by all that unexpected support.
Hmmm.
“Just showing him is enough, right?”
I nudged Erich gently.
“Y-Yes!”
“Come with me.”
I gestured for the ever-eager Erich to follow. It felt an awful lot like I was summoning him to the rooftop, but sometimes you’ve got to seize the moment.
First off, sparring won’t happen. If Erich loses control like Rutis and gets bloodied, I’d have to hide my face from Mother. If my brother worked the daylights out of his younger sibling, it’d create a chaotic household.
‘Ah.’
A decent way popped into my head.
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