Instructor Rèn Is Insane
After everything that happened at the gate, Anneliese came to speak with me. The courtyard was still restless, voices echoing between the academy’s pale columns, and the distant metallic sound of gates being shut rang in the air. She asked me what had made me change my mind.
I had told her I would be her knight ever since we were children; in the end, I truly abandoned her.
I explained it to her with a few lies, saying that Princess Shaitan was going through difficult times within her family, that someone like her needed a safety rope. As I spoke, Anneliese kept her hands clasped in front of her body, her immaculate white habit standing out against the stone floor marked by old footprints and ancient cracks.
After hearing my explanation, Anneliese nodded. Everything I said made sense. Moreover, Anneliese said it was better this way: if a saint had such a powerful knight at her side, the royal family might feel threatened and go to war with the Church.
I understood the importance Anneliese placed on the Church. Raised as an orphan from a young age, she had been protected by those walls even before awakening. The tall cathedral towers cast their shadows over us, as if silently reinforcing that truth.
She had always been well cared for by the Church.
With that, I went on my way. Luiz seemed to approve of my decision, but he said he felt sorry for Hyeol.
I found Hyeol standing in front of the fencing classroom door. The corridor was darker there, its rough stone walls scarred by deep marks from old strikes. Hyeol wore her training uniform, fitted to her body, the jacket open just enough to reveal the leather protection underneath; her hair was tied simply, a few loose strands escaping.
Our conversation was brief.
She wasn’t looking for explanations or anything like that—she simply invited me to go out later.
I thought for a moment, then agreed. In truth, it was strange, but I realized my body was reacting strongly to women; it felt as though my desire was increasing like a beast. The air seemed warmer, and I could feel my own circulation pulsing beneath my skin.
I wondered if I had been drugged, but it didn’t seem to be the case. Was this a side effect of the dragons’ second form?
I had studied some aura-related books when I was younger and learned that, at times, releasing aura could cause unpredictable side effects.
I had changed my mind.
I couldn’t go around acting like a predator. I could obviously control myself, but the best way was to calm that desire.
Hyeol would live.
Princess Shaitan was pure and immaculate. She should remain that way.
But of course, I wouldn’t allow myself to be seduced by anyone.
I entered the fencing hall. The smell of metal, polished wood, and old sweat dominated the space. Training weapons were neatly aligned along the walls, and the floor bore deep grooves carved by years of combat.
Even so, I found it strange. Hyeol was interested in something, without a doubt; she wouldn’t give herself to me so easily if she didn’t want something in return.
I didn’t believe in love at first sight. If she wanted something, and if it was within my power, it would be better to please her. She was helping me—or so I wanted to believe.
I added her and Luiz to the list of those with no reason to kill.
“Today we’ll have a practical lesson. This will serve as training for the exploration taking place in a month.”
“We’re already having the exploration, professor?”
“So soon?”
Some students looked worried, hands tightening around the hilts of their training swords, others exchanging tense glances.
Luiz, who was seated near the instructor at the front, raised his voice.
“Come on, everyone, don’t be cowards—we’re swordsmen, not mages—uh, I mean, we’re the front line.”
Haha, watching him get tangled up in his words was funny.
I knew he didn’t mean to belittle the mages; it was just to raise morale. Still, he’d hear plenty about it later. The mages wouldn’t let that slide. I pray for your life, Luiz.
“Don’t think you’ll have easy lives. This training and the test are meant to improve your ability to survive in hostile environments,” Rèn said. She stood upright, expression rigid, her dark coat contrasting with the cold gleam in her eyes.
“Furthermore, it’s important to know how to work in teams. However, for this practical class, you’ll be working alone again. Each of you must be capable of surviving until the exploration test.”
Instructor Rèn offered no further explanation.
When the class ended, one of the students went to open the door.
I saw sparks bursting from his body, his skin darkening at an alarming rate as he grabbed the metal handle.
He was thrown backward with a crash.
BANG!
“Let the games begin.”
I quickly understood why we would be alone during this test—and why everything could be a trap, even the bed you slept in.
When I saw one of the cadets with blood pouring from his mouth after a cake exploded inside it, I could only mutter:
“Madmen.”
This entire academy was insane.
When I learned that the mages were training survival in the forest, and that other years and other first-year fencing classes were also undergoing the same thing, I couldn’t help but think that the only true lunatic was Instructor Rèn.
Our class was M.
The first-year classes were categorized as M, N, B, V, C, X, and Z.
Our class was the strongest—not because all the best students were placed in it. No.
In truth, a top thirty-five ranking had been made.
From those thirty-five students, they were randomly assigned to each class, five per class.
In the end, ours became the strongest purely by chance.
Even without me, our class would still be the strongest. It would face some difficulties, but it had a high chance of defeating the others.
Now, with this barbaric training, we would either die—or become even stronger.
One of the healing rooms was already full.
Luiz slipped on ice and fell. When he hit the ground, the ice shattered, and he sank in, trapped beneath the frozen surface in icy water.
Everything in our class had turned into chaos.
The other students constantly laughed at our situation—dirty, disheveled clothes, bodies just as battered. Even I couldn’t avoid visiting the healing room a few times.
Leaving the healing room, I ran into Laplatan, the lowest-ranked fencing student and a member of Class Z. He stood in the corridor, sword resting on his shoulder, his stare far too intense for someone ordinary.
“Fight me!”
“Why would I do that?” I was already tired and worn down. The classes were hard to focus on when everything around you could be dangerous.
Instructor Rèn was doing exactly as she said—even the worst of Class M was strong now.
That couldn’t be the case for the other classes. They seemed weaker by the day.
I didn’t sense weakness from Laplatan. His eyes were fierce, and his body looked even more solid.
“Because I want to see how far a knight can go. You’re the strongest, aren’t you? Then fight me. I want to see if I’m still as strong as I was in the past.”
“In the past? Are you out of your mind?”
“Just ignore that—I misspoke. Either way, I’d like us to exchange blade strikes.”
“All right.”
We headed to the training field.
Does he think he’s in a storybook, something like the most powerful swordsman hiding his abilities?
It was amusing to think about. Impossible. Even if he were hiding his strength, how far could he really go? How good could he be compared to me?
It was impossible for a cadet to defeat me. After these days, even my sister wouldn’t stand a chance in a one-on-one.
I drew my sword.
“Thank you for accepting.”
Some other students were sparring nearby, while others watched from the stone stands, sunlight reflecting off the blades.
Laplatan took up his sword.
The sword I had always wanted. He possessed one of those blades said to be impossible to forge.
He slid the blade back into its sheath and positioned himself with one foot forward.
“Let’s—”
No, forget it. I can’t wager like that. It would intimidate the weak, and Shaitan’s oath already rested within this sword.
I named my blade Dragon of Shaitan.
It would be the dragon that destroyed everything and brought ruin to all that dared face its edge in defiance.
I charged toward Laplatan.
A swift sword draw cut through the air with a sharp hum.
VSHHH!
Our blades collided, and he leapt backward, sheathing his sword once more.
I lunged after him.
Dragons snapping like starving beasts.
Then the sea dragon erupted. Aura crystallized—and exploded.
The dragon spiraled around my body, and Laplatan spun through the air.
Blue engulfed the arena, and Laplatan’s sword was drawn once again.
A roar echoed across the training grounds.
ROOOAAAR!
