Chapter 97

First to launch an attack was Kurenko.

"Kiiiiiee!"

A thrust with a spear. As expected of someone who serves as an instructor, her strike was sharp and fast.

The difference between a one-handed sword and a spear is, of course, the length, and the "attack method" of whether it's a "thrust" or a "slash."

When a thrust is launched with a spear, even if you extend a one-handed sword, the spear will reach first.

Therefore, launching a "thrust" from a longer reach is logical—should be.

"Huh."

Hikaru couldn't help but laugh.

Don't come at me with something so obvious—she thought.

"!?"

A sharp sound rang out, and the tip of the spear was deflected upward.

It seemed as if the spear had a will of its own.

Kurenko was shocked.

Claude took advantage of the opening and closed the distance, slashing from above.

"Kuuuuu!"

Of course, she wouldn't be taken down by just this one strike.

Kurenko leaped to the side to avoid the attack, but her stance was broken, and she rolled on the ground.

"…Please stand up, Instructor. I have no interest in striking someone on their knees."

"!!!!"

Kurenko's face turned bright red at Claude's words.

Ivan whistled beside Hikaru.

"Just a fluke, just a fluke!"

Kurenko launched a series of attacks from a shallow step.

Claude deflected all of them with the tip of his one-handed sword—no, more like caressed them to change their trajectory.

"What, why, why can't I hit you!?"

Her face turned even redder, but her attacks didn't seem to be landing at all.

"Man, that's really annoying."

Ivan grumbled.

"Hey, Hikaru. Why can Claude dodge so easily?"

"He's gotten better at handling a sword."

"Sure, I can see that, but it's weird that he can dodge with just a light touch, right?"

"Ah, that's it. It's because Instructor Kurenko's weapon is long."

"??"

"The longer it is, the less force is concentrated at the tip. The initial thrust is a good example. Even if you extend your body to thrust, while it has penetration power, it's weak against lateral forces. Therefore, it can be easily deflected with a one-handed sword."

"Ah, I see…"

"Like a greatsword's downward swing, if you put all your strength into it with both hands and the weapon has weight, it would be difficult to dodge."

"Ah, that's why. When I fought him, he would dodge downward swings by stepping back and block thrusts and horizontal slashes with his sword."

"That's right. Well, I think a spear should be used with a shield, but why doesn't that instructor have a shield?"

"Apparently, it's because it 'looks bad.'"

"…Huh?"

"According to Claude, she lectures that 'there is meaning in fighting with just one spear.' When asked for the reason, it turns out she just doesn't like the look of a shield because it seems 'clumsy.'"

"……"

Are you okay, Ludansha? Sending someone like that to the academy.

Hikaru couldn't help but worry.

"Kuuu!"

"Is this enough?"

"Still… not yet…"

"How many times do you need to pick up your weapon?"

Claude had knocked Kurenko's weapon out of her hands three times.

"It's over, then."

"Kuuu…."

When Mikhail said this, Kurenko, breathing heavily, bowed her head and touched the ground.

"…Tch, Claude. Instead of knocking the weapon out of her hand, you should have hit her body at least once…"

"? Hikaru? Did you say something?"

"No, nothing."

"I thought I saw some dark emotions…"

"I didn't say anything."

Claude showed Hikaru and the others a thumbs up.

"Stay alert, Claude!"

Thanks to Hikaru's warning, Claude noticed the arrow flying towards him.

An instructor with a bow had shot it, aiming for his face.

But Claude swung his sword and deflected it.

"—What was that!?"

When Mikhail shouted, the instructor who shot the arrow said,

"This is a three-point match. Why are you surprised? I'm the second one."

"You didn't give the start signal!"

"This is a mock battle. Are you losing your nerve, Instructor Mikhail? Vigilance is essential in battle."

The arrows, while for mock battles, have rubber-like tips.

Even so, if they hit the face—especially the eyes—they could cause serious injury.

It was natural for Mikhail to be angry that the instructor shot without hesitation.

"Don't confuse a mock battle with a personal vendetta!"

"Perhaps you are treating the mock battle like a game? This is to discipline insolent students—"

"You're right."

While they were talking, Claude had closed the distance with the bow instructor.

"Ah, eh!?"

"Vigilance is essential, Instructor."

"Ridiculous, it hasn't even started—"

This time, Claude struck without mercy, his sword landing on the right shoulder, likely breaking the collarbone with a dull sound.

"Guuuaa!?"

"Thanks to that, I'm clear. No need for restraint or hesitation. Next is—yours."

"Ku."

The last instructor, with a spear, aimed for Claude's neck with a thrust.

As expected, a spear thrust is "heavy." It can't be deflected with just a one-handed sword.

Claude opened his stance to dodge.

No, he did more than just dodge.

He grabbed the spear with his left hand.

"Hah, you think you can do something by grabbing it with your hand—"

The instructor pulled, thinking it was a test of strength.

Claude quickly let go.

"Nu."

The instructor's body leaned backward, but he held his ground.

Claude closed in and raised his sword.

The instructor, anticipating a downward strike, tried to block it at the base of the spear.

"Phnu!?"

His eyes widened as a kick landed in his groin.

He released the spear and fell to the ground.

"Ughhhhhhh!?"

The kick was so merciless that Hikaru, Ivan, and Mikhail, who were watching, turned pale.

"Is there no need to do more, Instructor Mikhail?"

"U, um… It was magnificent. The winner is Claude Zhard Kirihal!"

With that, Claude exhaled.

Kurenko, still in shock, the bow instructor with a broken bone and a pained expression, and the spear instructor in agony—it was a scene that clearly showed the winner.

"Such feints, if you train with Hikaru, you can't help but learn them."

Hikaru wanted to say, "Wait, I mostly learned from Ivan," but

"Sure. Hikaru's nasty attacks are really educational."

Ivan delivered the final blow.

Mikhail, the strongest instructor at the academy, has a greatsword at level 3, Kurenko has a spear at level 2.

Claude, with a sword at level 3, has surpassed Kurenko in skill.

Level 3 is equivalent to a dojo master or a high-ranking knight.

Level 2 is equivalent to a regular knight or an advanced practitioner in their field. It's more than enough to teach students.

Next time, it's the victory celebration.