BAM!
Honestly, isn’t it about time we savor some peace?
Sure, there are a bunch of stuff to sort out like the ex-emperor’s A-Team issues, the still not functioning imperial council, and the absurdly bloated military forces that have nowhere to go. But come on, this isn’t exactly a real war, is it?
We managed to stop conflicts before they turned into wars, and thanks to that, we were able to prevent the Papal State from being a potential threat. I mean, we literally kicked the Goddess out of this world!
As for the royal family, Alice, the one in charge, can handle that. And for the imperial council, I’ll just let it be for now! Unless they look like they’ll do something stupid, I’ll just swoop in on my Gryphon for a little around-the-council flight! And the military? It wouldn’t hurt to take my time keeping things in check, even if the chief is a bit overloaded.
So really, can’t I just chill out a bit, at least while I’m at the academy?
But it seems like everyone around me is not in the mood to let me be.
“Am I facing you in this interview?”
WHAM!
… I mean, this is how I’m treated even after becoming the supreme leader of the Empire?
Not that I wanted to be treated any differently! If someone asked me whether I’d prefer this or being treated with immense respect, I’d say the former is better! Having to show excessive respect to someone who’s lived decades longer than me is a tad pressuring, you know?
Every time I had to bow to the Headmaster, it felt like my stomach twisted by 1 mm. By the way, after twenty more encounters, wouldn’t that have a significant impact on my stomach’s health? Mostly in the not-so-good way.
But hey, there’s no need to react like this! Can’t we talk a bit more casually, if not perfectly respectfully?
“I’m not here of my own volition.”
“Were you such a useless brat that you couldn’t even follow your own lead? Such a terrible disciple!”
Do we really need to repeat ‘useless’ like that?
But instead of saying that and risking the wrath of flames on my head, I decided to respond humbly as a disciple should.
“… My other mentor, Jennifer Winterfield, requested my presence. While I’m not obligated to comply, I feel it’s only fair as a disciple and a member of the Academy, especially since the royal family runs it. There are things in the world we must do even if we don’t want to. Hiding away in the mountains because of an old man’s whim is simply… GAH!”
BZZT!
Before I could finish my thought, flames erupted on my head.
I swear, it felt like a literal fireball hit me!
Sure, I infused a bit of my real feelings into that response, but I still think I explained myself well enough!
“You really have no problem saying that in front of your mentor, do you?”
Even as he said this, one side of his lips twitched, so he seemed to be somewhat amused by my answer.
If he liked it that much, why can’t he just listen? What’s with the need to slam down on someone else’s head?
“However, that answer is very much like you. Other students who seem more grounded don’t dare to speak in such a way to me. I’ll have to reconsider what I said earlier.”
Even with his grin, the pain in my head didn’t lessen. If he was planning to compliment me, I wish he could have just refrained from hitting me in the first place!
“And yes, you’re correct. I’ve forsaken my duties in the past. As a soldier of the Empire, you’re supposed to dedicate your life to the Empire.”
Technically, it’s not legally defined, but it’s akin to the “Our Resolve” chant that South Korean men recite daily during their mandatory service, which is sort of like an oath read during the commissioning ceremony.
Legally speaking, it doesn’t have zero impact, but in general, no one cares much. Just imagine bothering someone excitedly chatting about military service with, “Aren’t those statements military secrets?”
Generally, unless it’s about manuals or serious top secrets, it’s a part people tend to avoid digging into.
“So, does that mean you’ll start following that duty from now on?”
That’s why I found it kind of surprising that the Sword Saint would say something like that. The guy who seems to find everything tedious going off on a serious note like that—
“Do you think I’ve gone senile?”
—No way, right?
“Then what’s the point of submitting such a resume?”
“Isn’t that important? Isn’t it a good thing that a Sword Saint bothered to come and take a look at the students?”
“That’s quite significant, which is why I suspect you specifically asked me. The role of a teacher isn’t just about passing on knowledge. You must also set an example through your actions to be a proper teacher.”
Then I paused for a moment, mulling over what to refer to the Sword Saint as.
“So, naturally, the Academy would want to know your true intentions.”
“Oh? Are you implying that my actions don’t seem to reflect a good example?”
I straightened up, getting ready to leap back in case he strikes again.
“Do you genuinely believe that your actions would serve as a model for the students?”
“….”
And thankfully, the Sword Saint couldn’t bring himself to answer me.
He had lived life on his own terms, so it’s no surprise he’d feel stuck for words.
Even if somehow among his disciples, someone could truly stand up to his stature, if that disciple adopts the same attitude as him, it would be a headache for the Empire.
Having one strong individual wouldn’t do the Empire any good. Unless that person were to take on positions beyond the military or such, what help is a guy just practicing alone in the woods? Keeping tabs on such oddballs committing crimes would be far more tiring!
“So, are you saying that I’m not cut out to be a teacher?”
“Not exactly. It’s more like the Academy wants to understand your underlying motives. If you were a teacher of sufficient skill and reputation, you wouldn’t have to go through me for such detailed inquiries. If you had previous experience teaching elsewhere, even better. This isn’t just about personal abilities, you see?”
So, me acting out suddenly has raised suspicions. If the Sword Saint had steadily nurtured students before, he likely wouldn’t face such scrutiny, no matter what institution he dealt with.
Even Jennifer, who had been under the Sword Saint for quite a while, felt dubious about his intentions, so naturally, the higher-ups of the Academy would dig deeper into his actual meaning.
“Hmm.”
Hearing my words, the Sword Saint fell silent for a moment, pondering.
“Could you express your reasons?”
“I can state my reasons, but I’m not sure if you’ll relay them to the Academy.”
“Are you planning to slice me after explaining?”
“… No matter how I am, I wouldn’t go that far.”
Since I asked with quite a serious face, this time, my head did not catch fire.
“I was merely implying that knowing your temperament, I doubt you’ll convey my words completely.”
“….”
Hearing this made me hesitate as well.
Should I hear him out till the end? If the Sword Saint is going this far, something about me must indeed be part of the reason.
From everything I’ve circled back to understand about him, the Sword Saint’s insight into character tends to be remarkably accurate. And for someone with such an accurate perspective to consider me a disciple despite my lack of talent—that means he might be viewing me quite positively, irrespective of him hitting me every now and then.
If he were to express those reasons, I’m sure I would get quite the ticklish feedback.
“… Still, I’d appreciate if you shared it with me. How you spin it for presentation rests on my shoulders.”
There’s no way I could let the Sword Saint flop in this interview.
Seeing how he took the time to express himself so seriously makes it clear he’s put some thought into it.
Besides, it’s the Sword Saint we’re talking about. While the ratio of swordsmanship may decrease as time goes on, why not learn from the best while I can?
“Is that so?”
Nodding, the Sword Saint responded.
“Very well then. I shall tell you. The reason is you.”
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