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“If you’re going to act like that, get out of my class right now.”

The atmosphere around us instantly turned icy.

Gwen swallowed hard, wearing a nervous expression.

“You know exactly what I mean.”

“…Yes.”

Most of the students didn’t understand the frozen tension between Gwen and me.

What they saw was simply me countering Gwen, who had fallen out of the fight. It probably looked no different from what they would have seen with any other student.

But only Gwen and I understood the situation accurately.

When I dodged Gwen’s thrust and countered, she had two choices.

Dodge the kick or recover her failed thrust to defend against my attack.

What Gwen chose at that moment was the latter, and it was an action far too foolish to be brushed off as a simple mistake.

I had clearly controlled my strength in front of the students, and my movements weren’t fast enough to be beyond the capability of human sight.

Gwen surely saw my movements and reacted. Right up until the moment she got hit, her gaze was fixed on my leg.

Yet, she chose to defend instead of evade, even though the attack was one she could have easily dodged.

Did she think she could block it? That’s unlikely. She must have felt the power of the attack that sent Batar flying right before her eyes. In reality, Gwen couldn’t withstand my hit.

If she hadn’t learned her swordsmanship haphazardly from a master, she would have naturally anticipated that much, and thus, she should have dodged the attack.

To put it simply:

She could have dodged the attack but didn’t.

She couldn’t block the attack but tried to.

I was baffled by the situation and asked, “Why did you do that?”

“…I thought I could block it.”

“That’s funny. Don’t say something you don’t even believe yourself.”

It’s okay to be weak. She’s still young.

It’s understandable to make mistakes. She lacks experience.

But intentionally not doing what she could do only looks like she has no intention of trying her best.

Gwen didn’t meet my gaze and lowered her eyes. Seeing her like that, I crossed my arms and pondered for a moment.

At first, I couldn’t understand Gwen’s intentions.

However, after thinking for a bit, the answer came to me.

“Is it because the Sword of the Rock is a style meant for counterattacks?”

“…!”

Did I hit the nail on the head?

“Gwen Tris. Unfortunately, that fighting style doesn’t suit you.”

The Sword of the Rock, as its name suggests, is a technique that withstands attacks steadfastly like a rock and strikes at the opponent’s openings. While there are techniques for ambush and initiative, 90% of the sword path of the Sword of the Rock starts with counterattacks.

If a master swordsman had been here, that monstrous old man would have easily blocked my attack, and if I had shown an opening during that process, he would have launched an unavoidable counterattack.

Right. If it were a master swordsman.

Naturally, Gwen is not a master swordsman. Yet she insists on a fighting style like one. The saying from the Philion Grand Empire, “A sparrow trying to follow a stork will rip its legs,” fits perfectly here.

What I learned was a mishmash of combat techniques picked up in the chaos of battle.

Since my skills were a hodgepodge learned out of survival, I lacked so much compared to a proper sword instructor who teaches systematic swordsmanship.

However.

I can teach how effective those skills are in real combat and how to utilize them to survive on the battlefield.

In that sense, the Sword of the Rock that Gwen learned was, by my standards, a failure.

“Doesn’t suit… me?”

Gwen seemed to be greatly shocked by my words, bowing her head tightly while clenching her fists. Then, in a trembling voice, she said,

“Instructor. I haven’t shown you everything yet. Just judging by that one instance is—”

I slowly shook my head.

“That’s enough. There’s no need to see more.”

“…!!”

The strength of the Sword of the Rock lies in its ability to resolutely endure all attacks like a rock.

Of course, the more solidly built and muscular a person is, the better they can wield the Sword of the Rock. Especially if they want to withstand all attacks while standing firm, the strength in the lower body is the most crucial.

That means the Sword of the Rock was not a fighting style designed to be learned by a woman from the start.

There’s no need to become so muscular that one could confuse themselves for an ogre like a master swordsman.

If Gwen had a physique like Batar’s or at least the level of Theo Bailey from Garnet Red, she would be able to showcase the Sword of the Rock much better than now.

It doesn’t mean she has no talent. Considering her impressive display of the Sword of the Rock fighting against thugs in an alley when I first met her, it’s easy to imagine how much effort she has put in alongside her incredible talent to reach her current level.

However, if we consider the same talent and effort, it would be much more efficient for Gwen Tris to learn a different swordsmanship than the Sword of the Rock.

And I sensed that she, of all people, knew that without me having to point it out.

Gwen shuddered and bit her lip. She bit so hard that blood began to seep from her pale lips.

With eyes blazing with determination, she glared at me.

“Why? Is it because I’m a woman? Because I can’t perfectly wield the Sword of the Rock with this body? Is that what you’re trying to say, Instructor?”

Amidst the shocking declaration, some students stirred uneasily, but I calmly accepted Gwen’s heated gaze and nodded shortly.

“If we consider the efficiency in battle, is there really a reason to insist on the Sword of the Rock?”

In my view, Gwen seems trapped in her obsession with the Sword of the Rock.

If she had considered evasion instead of countering earlier, she could have fought better. Also, refusing to utilize everything she has in a battlefield is simply foolish.

Regretting that she should have dodged after a blade is lodged in her neck won’t bring her one fragile life back.

“Yes. There is.”

Gwen said coldly, her expression as frigid as ice.

“I have no intention of learning other sword styles at all. Even if I couldn’t block it now, I’ll just have to keep trying until I can. No matter what you say, even if it means getting kicked out of this class, I won’t give up on this sword.”

For reasons I couldn’t grasp, Gwen’s resolve appeared incredibly firm.

I was sure that further discussion would only lead to meaningless parallel lines.

“Well then, there’s nothing more to be done. Today’s class will end here.”

It was no longer an atmosphere for lessons, so after dismissing the students, they left, giving me sullen expressions as they walked out.

“……”

Gwen silently glared at me for a moment before wordlessly turning her back.

It seemed I had firmly made an enemy of her.

*

After class ended, I returned to the Teacher’s Office and reflected on what had just happened.

As an instructor, I had intended to offer guidance, but it only ended up breeding resentment.

Why is that? What I said was surely right.

It’s common sense that bad habits should be corrected while one is still young. Clinging to an ill-suited fighting style is nothing but a waste of time for Gwen.

Eventually, she will realize it. When she’s faced with real danger, how useless her stubbornness is. And by the time she realizes it, it will probably be too late.

Or did I do something wrong?

If I did wrong, then what exactly did I do wrong?

“……”

I don’t know.

No matter how much I think about it, I didn’t do anything wrong.

So, is it Gwen’s fault then?

Is she the one who’s causing her own growth to be hindered by her insistence on the Sword of the Rock?

My head says so, but for some reason, a corner of my heart didn’t quite agree.

After all, Gwen is my student. I will have to face her until graduation, and harboring ill feelings wouldn’t positively impact our future academy life.

I don’t plan to get too close to the students, but neither do I want to be the target of their hatred.

Unless I’ve crossed a river that’s impossible to return from, it’s better to resolve things if I can.

But how?

No matter how much I pondered, no answer came. As I sat there with a hardened face and sighed, Instructor Rilya entered the office, sitting beside me with a curious expression.

“Instructor Graham. Do you have something on your mind?”

“Hmm…”

I looked at my colleague, whose tiny frame made her seem like she should be attending a middle school, but was actually eight years younger than me yet a clear senior instructor.

She might be able to offer advice needed for this situation.

“Yes, I have something to worry about. Could you listen?”

“Oh? Really? I thought you’d manage just fine on your own, but it seems you have worries too?”

“Is that not allowed?”

“Haha. That was a joke. Honestly, I find it quite nice. It means you’re leaning on me as a senior.”

Rilya crossed her legs and wore a subtle smile.

“Go ahead. I’ll help with whatever I can.”

She seemed to be trying to appear mature but, to me, she only looked like a cute girl trying hard to look grown up.

I briefly explained to Rilya the problem I was facing—the events from class, Gwen’s situation, and the advice I gave her.

Rilya listened intently, nodding along with a serious expression.

“I think I understand why Gwen did what she did.”

“Really?”

“Yes. And I think I have an idea of what kind of person Instructor Graham is as well.”

After contemplating for a moment, Rilya spoke as if she had made a decision.

“Instructor Graham.”

“Yes?”

“Would you like to grab a drink with me after work today?”

It was a somewhat unexpected proposal, but sensing my thoughts, Rilya added with a bright smile.

“I think it might be a long conversation, and these kinds of topics are best discussed over drinks.”

To be honest, I’m not much of a drinker. However, since I was the one asking for advice, there was no point in being picky.

I nodded and replied, “Understood.”

I didn’t bother to ask where we would be drinking.

The only tavern I knew was the Red Bear Inn, and since I had only been in the Capital City for a week, Rilya would definitely know better than I what was nearby the academy.

I thought we would chat for a bit at a suitable tavern and soon wrap up.

However, a little later.

For some inexplicable reason, I found myself alone in Rilya’s room.

 

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