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I heard Teacher Ethan wants to make you the department representative. So youre working hard, huh Mason?

The academys training grounds.

Despite the late hour, the lights in the training grounds were brightly lit. The grounds are open until midnight, but you can apply to stay and train even after midnight.

Mason and Max were there.

Even as Max approached Mason to talk, Mason did not stop swinging his sword.

But its too late, Mason. If it were last year I wouldnt have known, but the gap between you and me has already grown tremendously.

Max smiled sinisterly.

And you want to become Ivecars representative? Do you know how many teachers you drove out last year? And how many students you bullied?

Max recalled the old memories. Even back then Max was a high-ranking student, but he was bullied by Mason who had an iron grip on power.

Mason was vicious and merciless.

What Max felt back then was anger. He wasnt angry because Mason bullied him.

It was because despite training every day, Max lost due to skill to Mason who didnt even properly attend classes, let alone train.

Seeing him look down on Max, Max came to think this was what a lazy genius was.

But things are different now. In less than a year, Max brought out his talent. By taking Teacher Claudies extended hand and attending his classes, Max progressed in leaps and bounds.

Now their positions were completely reversed. Max was the undisputed #1 rank in the Swordsmanship Department.

And Mason was still lingered at the top rank margins, same as back then.

You absolutely cant. If you have any conscience, go tell Teacher Ethan.

Max said.

Say that someone like you has no qualifications to become the Swordsmanship Departments representative. That way Teacher Ethan wont be embarrassed during the department competition.

At Maxs words, Mason who was swinging his sword stopped.

Yeah, you should say that. Or are you going to take a swing at me? Like last year? Or spew curses at me? Do as you wish. But let me make this clear. Just how different things are compared to back then.

The sweat-drenched Mason approached Max. Max reflexively brought his hand to his waist.

Im sorry.

What?

However, Mason did not point his sword at Max or spew curses at him.

And Im sorry about before. I wasted my time like an idiot. As you said, I didnt train at all and just played power games like some back alley punk.

Max was bewildered. What was he hearing right now?

Did he apologize? And frankly tell Max what kind of situation he was in?

Wh-who are you

Ive been a nuisance to countless people including you. As you said, Im not qualified to become Ivecar Academys representative. But Teacher Ethan reached out to someone like me. He said I have potential, that to bring the Swordsmanship Department to #1 again, Im needed.

Max blurted out in shock. He doubted if the person before his eyes was really Mason Yeld.

This must be an imposter. The Mason that Max knew would never be like this.

Mason bowed his head to Max once more.

I dont expect to be forgiven with just one apology. And I dont expect my reputation to change either. But still, I intend to do it. No matter what.

Mason said.

Since Ive wasted time until now. To make up for all that time condensed together.

Suddenly Mason looked at Max. The man had changed. That change sent a chill down Maxs spine.

I intend to properly give it my all, for once. Best of luck to you, Max.

You, why? Why are you like this all of a sudden

Until now, I thought people dont change unless theres some grand reason. But I was wrong.

Mason swung his sword again.

Swish!

People can change over the most trivial reasons too. Its the same this time. For a petty reason, I intend to go all out in the upcoming department representative selection battle. Just like you said earlier, to make sure Teacher Ethan isnt embarrassed in the department representative battle.

A wild horse that had never been tamed was now tamed.

Buung-! Buung-!

Seeing Mason swing his sword again, Max could only leave the training grounds.

What change of heart did he have? Just how did Teacher Ethan make Mason end up like that?

Max was suddenly curious about how Ethan had changed Mason so much.

I should have watched the parent observation class directly.

With just the circulating rumors, Max couldnt properly understand Ethan.

But its too late now.

Max was certain. With that swordsmanship, Mason would absolutely not be able to beat Max now.

After the last parent observation class, Ethan checked on how the followers of the Moon were viewing this incident.

The order passed down from the First Order was status quo.

As expected, it went over well.

With just the order to maintain status quo and no additional orders, it meant the followers of the Moon side were satisfied with what had happened during the last parent observation class.

Not perfectly satisfied, that is.

It seemed they wouldnt pay attention to his side for a while with this.

After receiving reports from the Second and Third Orders, Ethan naturally used the followers of the Moon insignia to draft the First Orders opinion and disseminate the report.

At least that worry has passed now.

Returning home, Ethan immediately tended to the special golem.

This special golem he would use for the next class had the function to completely remember movements.

It was called Complete Memory, a signature skill of special golems.

It was a technique that showed why Archmage Hecate was called an Archmage.

This will let them taste real combat experience.

He planned to let the students attending the Understanding the Sword Path class get a taste of this lesson before appealing to them about its necessity.

That way, many students would apply for the new practical lessons he planned to establish.

There wont be any more opposition against establishing new lessons after this. Just the parent observation class was enough, and combined with winning the department competition

The department representative selection happens after midterms once the battle to decide department representatives concludes.

It was a hectic schedule, so he had to allocate properly.

We win the representative selection, and change their image during midterms.

Yuna Garnets reputation wasnt bad.

Mason and Rons images are very poor. Itll be problematic even if they win the department representative selection.

For now, Ron Bears was the worst rank in the Swordsmanship Department. And Mason was a troubled student who used his status as the Duke Houses successor to stress relief on teachers.

We just need high scores for midterms. With prior results, the midterm results will be decisive.

All three of them were already taking Understanding the Sword Path lessons.

I can provide small help without an issue.

Ethan decided to first have the special golem memorize Max Jurods swordsmanship.

Mason and Maxs swordsmanship styles are similar. Though in terms of skill itself, Max is superior to Mason at present.

The golem will unconditionally stick to Maxs style against Mason, and Ron will face Slos Pallo.

The student Claudie decided to pit was the Swordsmanship Departments 3rd ranked student with even better grades than Mason.

The burly student utilized an efficient swordsmanship style that made use of the opponents strength.

It could be said he was Rons nemesis.

Swordsmanship styles that utilize the opponents strength become more powerful the greater the opponents strength.

The only way Ron has the advantage is swordsmen focused on destruction like Ron does. But that wont work.

While Ron had to win this fight, simply winning was not enough.

Winning is just the basics. He has to prove that brute strength isnt everything.

From that perspective, the opponent Ron met was a perfect match.

If he beats his nemesis, people will recognize him even if they dont want to.

The title of Swordsmanship Departments worst rank would disappear. Instead, the image of a student whose skills rapidly improved would be etched.

Kkiiikkk.

The special golem made an unpleasant noise.

As the golems eyes shone, Ethan immediately stood before it.

First, Maxs swordsmanship.

Ethan took a posture and replicated Max Jurods swordsmanship on the spot. Even back when Ethan was actively playing MePan, Max was a famous guy.

But he always lost out to Mason and was pushed back by other swordsmen, barely ranking in the top five.

And the road to success wasnt smooth at all.

As they ran into each other many times, building a cordial relationship was easy as well.

So I know him well.

The foundation of Max Jurods swordsmanship was stabbing. Fast stabbing. All sorts of sword techniques unfolded around this stabbing, but eventually, they were just build-ups for yet another stab.

Its the simplest yet most powerful. Thats why its hard to cope with.

He stabbed quickly but the route was not straightforward.

Great variations, fast speed, powerful might.

Ethan recalled that stabbing and mimicked it as is.

Swish swish swish!

Max Jurods swift stabbing that cuts through the wind was reproduced under Ethans lead.

Kkikikikk.

Observing Ethans stab, the special golem began remembering Max Jurods sword techniques.

With all the techniques played out, the special golem took on the posture Ethan had shown first mimicking Max Jurods.

Next, Ethan had another golem memorize completely different swordsmanship.

Rather than directly remembering Slos Pallos swordsmanship.

Taking a posture, Ethan revealed the flimsiest swordsmanship from memory.

No matter what attack the opponent did, everything was redirected harmlessly. And the stronger the attack, the greater burden it placed on the attacker instead.

Of course, Ethan did not actually learn the skill, but imitating it was not difficult.

Kkikik.

The golem went on to remember the flimsy swordsmanship as well.

Despite the late hour, Ethan promptly summoned Ron and Mason who he knew would still be training.

Ill be right back.

Following orders, Schudlen called the two students over right away. Indeed, perhaps having trained overnight, their whole bodies were drenched in sweat and breathing ragged.

Ron, Mason, its special training.

What is this?

A golem I see, Teacher. Is this training using this golem?

Ron did not recognize it, but Mason quickly grasped what this lesson was about.

Golem training was often used in lieu of actual combat practice anyway.

Its not an ordinary golem. This golem will utilize the exact swordsmanship your opponent uses.

Is that possible?

Mason asked back in surprise.

My escort made it specially for academy lessons.

Huh.

Mason looked at Ethan.

How deeply was this teacher considering the students? Even his escorts deeply cared about students to this extent.

Take these two golems and train with them. I plan on using these golems for class with Understanding the Sword Path next, so I will gauge your training then.

Is this homework?

Yes.

It was quite a burdening homework, but Ron actually preferred having clear goals like this. It let him immerse much deeper compared to training alone without aim.

The two students took the golems and returned to the academy.

The night is still long.

Ethan promptly prepared to head out.

After assigning homework to students, it was time to handle his own homework next.

Author's Thoughts

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