Chapter 6

Three female students ran towards me at the same time.

They spread out in three directions, exchanging glances and timing their movements.

They must be close friends. Their coordination was good, but—

"Attacking from the same spot at the same time is easy to defend against."

"N-What!?"

Their attacks came from above in unison. Synchronizing their movements isn't bad, but it doesn't have to be so uniform.

I gently pushed them away, causing them to fall.

"Kyaa..."

"It hurts..."

"Ugh..."

"Your teamwork was good, but it still didn't reach me."

The four male students who had already come forward were lying on the ground.

Others, including pairs and trios of close friends, had also tried, but I had easily defended against and knocked them down with my mock sword.

They seemed to understand basic tactics, but apparently, they couldn't think of coordinating an attack with twenty people.

One hit on me would mean victory, yet the students were already out of breath.

No matter how many times they challenged me, I defended against and defeated them all.

Still, the way they surrounded and positioned themselves was worth some credit.

"I think it's better to come at me all at once rather than just observing. One hit on me means you win. You don't lose just because you receive one hit. Time is already halfway through."

An unlimited time would be too indefinite—just one hit within thirty minutes, which sounds easy when you hear it.

Even after hearing my words, they were hesitant to move.

I might have gone a bit too far—when I thought that, two female students stepped forward.

"Everyone, step back. I'll take care of the rest."

The "Sword Saint Princess" and another with skills second only to Iris—Iris and Aria.

Until now, they had only observed from a distance, but it seemed they were finally ready to fight, as if to gauge my strength.

"Is it Iris and Aria? Are you my next opponents?"

"...Mr. Schweitz, I underestimated you. I apologize for my rudeness."

Iris bowed and said this. I was a bit surprised by her attitude, but her expression was serious.

She readied her mock sword and declared,

"Still, I've seen through your sword. It's fast, and it's not at a student's level, but to me, it's like a child's trick."

"! A child's trick?"

"Iris, I'll help too."

"No, I can handle it alone."

Iris stepped forward, stopping Aria from joining.

The "Sword Saint Princess" must have the skills to back up that title.

"Handle it alone...?"

Hearing those words, I narrowed my eyes and looked at Iris.

It seemed she still didn't understand.

"Iris Reinfield—here I come."

She readied a rapier.

It wasn't a true rapier, but it was quite slender for a sword.

It seemed to prioritize speed and number of strikes over the power of each hit.

As Iris kicked off the ground, she closed the distance between us.

Her speed was incomparable to the other students, and in no time, we were within sword range.

Iris made the first move.

A series of feints and rapid strikes from her rapier—but her blade never reached me.

The sound of metal clashing filled the air as our mock swords, made of magic, collided.

The next series of strikes came even faster. Her sword moved as if it were alive, striking from all directions with ease.

Indeed, the title "Sword Saint Princess" was not just for show. Her sword skills might even rival those of the knights.

Still—

"..."

Iris stopped her attack and took a step back.

Her expression was full of surprise.

She had realized it.

She thought she could finish me off with the first series of strikes, but it didn't reach me. The second series was even more advanced, yet I defended against it all.

She would understand—there was a clear difference in skill between us.

"..."

Iris took a small breath and attacked again.

This time, her movements weren't just straightforward—she added steps to move left and right, feinting.

She accelerated, trying to find my blind spots.

Her movements were a cut above the other students, and I could sense her determination to land a decisive blow.

Engaging in a direct clash is not a wrong choice in swordsmanship.

But if the skills are not evenly matched, it's a poor strategy.

She seemed to understand this well, despite her straightforward approach.

I blocked her sword again.

"Trying to find my blind spots is the right move, but it's difficult in such a wide space."

"Damn...!"

"—Then, I'll do it."

A voice came from behind me.

Turning, I saw Aria, ready with a short sword.

It seemed to be her weapon of choice. In the context of swordsmanship, it was also a valid weapon.

"Aria!?"

"Iris, let's do it together. We can't do it alone."

I kicked off the ground to create some distance.

Iris and Aria faced me, and they immediately moved.

They split left and right, trying to find an opening to strike.

While other students had good coordination, they were in a league of their own.

Their movements and teamwork were excellent—but it was too late.

"—That's enough!"

Iris and Aria's movements stopped abruptly.

Their swords were aimed at my blind spots, but Odds declared the end of the match.

The time limit had run out.

"That was close. As agreed, I will now serve as the homeroom teacher and swordsmanship instructor. Is there anyone who objects?"

This time, no one raised any objections.

The mock battle had ended with my victory.