I Became a Swordsmanship Instructor in a Romance Novel

After the sparring class with Dios’s class.

The students had a short break for a day and gathered again at the academy training ground.

Selena Yohaiden.

Iriel Eustia.

Soi Spoon.

Yuri Gilbert.

Rosnante Leoaine.

A modest group of only five people.

But now, their momentum felt firmly rooted, no longer comparable to fledglings.

Zeke smiled in satisfaction, sensing the change in the students’ attitudes.

‘Yes, they must have realized their strengths and weaknesses through this.’

The days of attending class without ever holding a wooden sword, only doing physical training day and night.

These are the ones who endured that tedious repetition.

There’s no way they didn’t have doubts and a sense of hopelessness about the class.

However, their efforts were rewarded with victory, and they must have been convinced through this sparring session that they could become stronger if they just followed along.

Their eyes, burning with fighting spirit, were enough to satisfy Zeke.

‘Of course, Rosnante lost, but that’s because it’s Rosnante…’

Zeke subtly avoided Rosnante’s burdensome gaze.

As Zeke stood in front, the students maintained their posture with sharp angles.

“Everyone, did you have a good rest?”

“””””Yes!!!!”””””

A resounding answer came to Zeke’s question.

“You all worked hard in the sparring class. Some of you might be satisfied with your skills in this match, and some might not be. But, I want to tell you all that you did a good job. Thanks to you all for doing your best to follow the tedious and difficult training, we were able to achieve good results in this sparring session. You all did well.”

Zeke’s honest praise, which was rarely heard before.

The students felt slight goosebumps and twitched the corners of their mouths.

“Of course, you’ve only just reached the starting point. So, continue to strive even harder in the future.”

“””””Yes!!!!”””””

Just as he was about to bring up the topic of vacation.

“Instructor.”

Selena stepped forward, her face full of determination.

“Hmm?”

“I, I want to spar again.”

One of Zeke’s eyebrows rose slightly.

‘Spar again?’

If she wanted to spar again, it must mean she wanted to spar with Yuri Gilbert.

Selena had achieved an accomplishment incomparable to before by completing the task.

However, in Zeke’s eyes, it was still too early for Selena to challenge Yuri.

‘Could it be… that she’s become arrogant again after learning a new skill this time?’

If so, that was not what Zeke intended.

Zeke frowned, running his hand through his hair.

Just as he was about to reprimand Selena once again.

“…I want to experience Yuri Gilbert’s strength again.”

“Experience…?”

“Yes. Because it’s sparring.”

There wasn’t a hint of arrogance in Selena’s eyes as she spoke.

These were the eyes of a challenger who rushes in even though she knows she will lose.

‘Ha.’

Right, sparring.

The stakes in sparring are nothing more than the memory of defeat.

It’s as good as nothing compared to a life-or-death fight.

In other words, it’s not a fight where life is on the line.

This means that there’s another chance even if you challenge and fail multiple times.

So, Selena was burning with the determination to challenge Yuri, get defeated, and find a way to beat her.

The corners of Zeke’s mouth curled up into a smirk.

‘Excellent, Selena.’

The girl he thought was weak was actually looking one step further than he had thought. How could he not be satisfied?

“Hmm… So that’s what you want.”

“Yes. I want to see properly how far apart Yuri and I are.”

“Alright, then wait a moment.”

“Yes…?”

Zeke checked the time on the main building’s clock tower.

“It’s about time they arrived.”

Murmur—

“He, here?”

“Uh… But I took Instructor Zeke’s demonstration class before… It was really hell… Even now, when I think about that day, my teeth chatter…”

“But what choice do I have…? My father insisted that I take Instructor Zeke’s class no matter what…”

“Hey, you too…?”

Zeke’s assistant instructor.

Led by Eric, a large crowd filled the previously empty second training ground.

Zeke’s students’ eyes widened at the sudden appearance of the students.

“Wh, what is this…”

Zeke kindly explained to Selena, who was expressing her confusion.

“Well, Instructor Dios Redwood has resigned from the academy. Having been defeated by a student, his honor and pride wouldn’t allow him to stay here any longer.”

“…Uh, that’s because of me…”

“It’s not your fault, so don’t worry about it. Even if someone is an instructor, it doesn’t mean they can neglect their training. He hasn’t held a sword for far too long since he came to the academy.”

Zeke spoke to ease Selena’s guilt.

“Ah… Yes.”

“Anyway, because of that, we’ll have to teach these students together in this class until another instructor is assigned for the time being. So, originally… I was going to make a choice to protect your honor, Selena Yohaiden… But I underestimated your determination.”

“Yes?”

His gaze shifted to the other students.

Zeke infused his voice with mana and spoke.

“Greetings.”

The students immediately fell silent and focused on Zeke’s voice.

“Students who were taking the first swordsmanship class. You will be taking this class until a new instructor is assigned. Some of you have taken my demonstration class before, so you know what kind of class this is, right?”

The memory of that day seemed to have resurfaced as the sound of gulping could be heard among the students.

“It won’t be easy. It will be tough. If you want to give up in the middle, feel free to do so. I don’t intend to penalize you with attendance scores. It would be too harsh for students who are participating not by their own will but due to the sudden absence of their instructor.”

Hmm. Zeke cleared his throat, glanced at Selena, and then turned his gaze forward again.

“Ah, before we start the class, there’s one thing I want to tell you. I’ll be on vacation for the next two weeks.”

“!?”

“So, while I’m on vacation, the students who were originally taking my class will be teaching.”

“We, we will!?”

Selena’s eyes widened as she spoke.

Zeke nodded.

“Selena, you’ll be in charge of leading the physical training for them for the next two weeks while I’m gone. Of course, you don’t have to perfectly imitate me as an instructor. Don’t try to drag those who don’t want to do it, just lead and teach those who are willing.”

“W, wait a minute! Wh, what do you mean!? Suddenly going on vacation without saying anything!?”

“Yeah, Zeke, what’s that about!? Suddenly taking a vacation!?”

Selena spoke first, followed by Iriel’s sharp voice.

“Well, something urgent came up. I apologize for not telling you in advance. I’ll be back soon. Iriel, please help Selena with the class for these two weeks.”

“Uh… Um, can’t I… go with you…?”

Iriel said, scratching her cheek.

“I’m sorry, but I’m not going on a trip for leisure.”

“But!”

Iriel spoke with a pleading expression, but Zeke shook his head firmly.

‘How can I take you of all people? I’m on my way to deal with Eustia.’

“No. Then, for the next two weeks. Eight classes. I’ll leave it to you.”

“Uh… How… No…”

Iriel tried to say something more, but Zeke coldly turned his head.

“Gentlemen. Don’t be too disheartened that I’m gone. The skills of those who will be teaching you have already been proven by their victory over former Instructor Dios Redwood in the sparring class. And, for those of you who haven’t seen it, the students in our class have said they’ll show you their skills.”

Zeke turned his head towards Selena.

“Selena.”

Selena, whose mind had gone blank at Zeke’s announcement of his two-week vacation, finally looked at him after catching his gaze.

“…Yes?”

“Didn’t you say you wanted to spar with Yuri Gilbert?”

“…Yes…?”

“I’ll respect your will. You have the mindset of a true swordsman. Go all out and get defeated. Then it will get out of the way.”

“…Uh, uh…?”

And so, a makeshift sparring arena was created in the middle of the training ground, with a wide space cleared and numerous students surrounding it in a circle.

Selena and Yuri stood facing each other.

In front of all the students.

Selena instinctively looked towards Iriel with a pleading gaze.

However, Iriel was only staring blankly at the academy entrance where Zeke had left.

“…He’s gone. I should have followed him… Selena… He said… let’s spar…”

Yuri Gilbert.

She raised her wooden sword, expressing a very faint hint of anger.

“Let’s, begin.”

‘…Th, this isn’t right…!’

Selena’s eyes shook like an earthquake.