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These days, Professor Briana’s greatest joy was teaching Gilbert, whom she had recently taken on as her second exclusive disciple.

Gilbert’s talent was so remarkable that it even surprised her, changing her mind about not taking on any more disciples after Seraphina.

There’s a saying that if you teach one thing, they learn ten. She felt the same emotions she had when she first taught Seraphina.

Of course, calling it “teaching” wasn’t quite accurate since Gilbert was already a fairly accomplished swordsman. It was more accurate to say they were engaged in guided duels.

Especially in physical training, there was little she could add—he was already perfect. His foundational skills for advancing his swordsmanship were also exceptional.

At this point, one might think there’s no fun in teaching, but watching Gilbert grow through their duels left no room for such feelings. Though she hadn’t been teaching him for long, his progress was impressive even by Briana’s standards.

The unnecessary movements and bad habits he had when she first started teaching him were now hard to find. She had initially thought it would be difficult to correct them since he had already developed his own swordsmanship style, but she was pleasantly mistaken.

It just showed how serious he was about swordsmanship. Without that, such explosive growth would have been impossible.

Of course, talent alone isn’t enough. The moment you stop putting in effort, you stagnate. This is especially dangerous when you reach a certain level of skill and start to become complacent.

For someone as talented as Gilbert, laziness was something to be especially wary of. Laziness leads to arrogance, and arrogance leads to stagnation.

As a professor at the Demia Empire Academy, Briana had seen many cadets whose potential never fully bloomed due to laziness and arrogance. Some of them might have even had the potential to surpass her.

It was truly regrettable from her perspective. Still, her first exclusive disciple, Seraphina, had exceptional talent and passion, but it was difficult for her to dedicate herself entirely to swordsmanship.

Seraphina was a princess and a likely heir to the throne, so even as an academy cadet, her official duties were substantial. Unlike before, she couldn’t devote all her time to swordsmanship.

Nevertheless, Briana had marked Seraphina as someone who could surpass her. She didn’t know how much longer she would hold the title of the continent’s strongest swordsman, but if she ever had to relinquish it, she believed it would be to Seraphina.

Of course, that was all before she met Gilbert.

After meeting and teaching him, she couldn’t help but change her mind. Not only was he talented, but his relentless effort made her confident that he could claim the title of the continent’s strongest swordsman even before Seraphina.

“Is something good happening?” Gilbert, who had been meditating before their duel, opened his eyes and looked at her.

“Not particularly.”

“You were smiling, though.”

Had she been smiling without realizing it? Briana quickly adjusted her expression, worried that unnecessary praise might harm him.

She believed Gilbert wouldn’t change, but one could never be too careful. A moment of carelessness could create a gap in one’s resolve.

Briana vowed to remain a strict master for Gilbert’s sake.

“Enough nonsense. Let’s begin the morning duel. Draw your sword.”

“Understood.”

Despite her cold tone, Gilbert’s expression remained unchanged. She had worried that being overly strict might provoke resentment, but thankfully, there was no sign of that.

As always, he drew his sword and assumed the stance of the Winter Sword.

The usual indifference in Gilbert’s eyes ignited the moment he gripped his sword. The visible change in his eyes seemed to reflect his passion for swordsmanship.

Briana smiled inwardly at the clear transformation in Gilbert. Facing his burning gaze, she felt a fire ignite in her own chest.

Having reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship, Briana had lost some of her passion for the sword. She hadn’t neglected her training, but it felt as though her goal had disappeared.

She still sensed that there were higher realms of swordsmanship, but embarking on that journey alone was daunting. She needed a companion to walk that path with her.

This was something even Seraphina couldn’t fulfill. While Seraphina enjoyed training in swordsmanship, for her, it was merely a tool. She wasn’t someone like Briana, for whom the sword itself was the goal.

Born into a noble status, Seraphina had many responsibilities. It wasn’t a position where Briana could demand that she dedicate her life entirely to the sword.

Even if it were possible, it wouldn’t be meaningful. The path Seraphina had to walk wasn’t one that could be forced upon her.

But Gilbert…

Briana drew her sword, facing Gilbert. She assumed the same stance as him, the Winter Sword.

Lately, she had been strongly convinced that someone like Gilbert, who shared her passion for the sword, could walk that path with her. There was no better companion for the journey toward the pinnacle of swordsmanship than Gilbert.

Though he hadn’t yet reached her level, she didn’t think it would last long. With his rapid growth, he would soon reach her position.

The moment they stood as equals, Briana’s journey would begin anew. Together with her one and only companion.

“Come at me.”

For that day, she would give her all. Briana met Gilbert as he approached with his sword drawn.

***

Briana and Gilbert’s duel only came to an end after an hour. And even then, it was only because Gilbert’s mana was running low.

If his mana hadn’t been depleted, they might have continued for much longer.

“Well done.”

“Well done, Professor.”

Gilbert forced his heavy body to bow in respect. While he still had some stamina left, his depleted mana was affecting his physical condition. The fatigue was comparable to that after a full sprint.

“That last move was good. I didn’t expect you to apply what I taught you so quickly.”

“If I don’t use what I’ve learned, there’s no point.”

“That’s a good attitude. Internalizing what you’ve learned is the most important thing.”

Briana rarely praised Gilbert, but his consistent effort deserved recognition. Though she usually maintained a strict demeanor, she couldn’t help but acknowledge his dedication.

“I don’t think I’m mistaken.”

“About what?”

“It seems like you’re in a particularly good mood today.”

“I told you, that’s nonsense.”

Briana’s expression hardened slightly. Gilbert was beginning to understand why Professor Briana was so popular in the community despite being an “unattainable” character.

Beneath her cold exterior lay a certain charm, and her unwavering dedication to her students was unmatched.

It was likely this contrast that captivated the hearts of gamers.

Gilbert didn’t dislike this side of Briana. In fact, he rather liked it, which was why he was so determined to save her, planning desperately and undergoing intense training.

“By the way, there’s something I need to tell you.”

“Are you talking to me?”

Gilbert, wiping his sweat with a towel while tidying the training grounds, looked at Briana. He was curious about what she had to say.

“Yes. You know the Lion King’s Birthday Celebration Event is coming up soon, right?”

“I do.”

“Then this will be quick.”

What could it be? Gilbert felt an ominous premonition from Briana’s satisfied expression.

It probably wasn’t life-threatening, but it still made him uneasy.

“The Lion King Parade is always a part of the celebration event hosted by the Demia Empire Academy. And usually, the role of the Lion King in the parade is given to the winner of the competition tournament.”

“Professor.”

“There’s no distinction between genders. But generally, the honor goes to the tournament winner.”

Gilbert’s mind raced like never before.

To summarize, it seemed that the winner of the competition tournament had to play the role of the Lion King in the parade.

Being the Lion King in such a prestigious parade was undoubtedly an honor. Moreover, since only the tournament winner received this privilege, it was a way to announce to the entire empire that they were the best in their year.

Any cadet at the Demia Empire Academy would aspire to that position, but Gilbert was a bit different. He wasn’t used to such attention, and he had already drawn more than enough attention with his previous actions.

With the academy attack incident looming, he didn’t want to step into the spotlight again.

A parade? When he barely had enough time to prepare for the attack?

Gilbert knew he had to find a way to pass this role to someone else.

“Professor, I have something to say.”

“No.”

“I haven’t even said it yet.”

“Are you going to tell me something other than refusing?”

Briana’s sharp gaze made Gilbert swallow his words. She explained that the parade’s symbolism and tradition made it impossible for him to refuse.

Gilbert struggled to organize his thoughts. Then, he suddenly realized something.

The role of the Lion King in the parade wasn’t given to the winner of the 1st Year Competition Tournament. Due to the Lion King’s symbolism, the honor usually went to the overall winner, including the event match.

And in the game, the role was given to Seraphina just before she won the event match. Had this changed in reality? The question popped into his head.

“That’s not it. As far as I know, isn’t the role given to the overall winner, including the event match?”

“That’s how it used to be. But we decided to change the rule this year.”

“Suddenly…?”

“You should know the reason better than anyone. Considering your achievements as a first-year cadet, it’s not unreasonable.”

Ah, I see.

Gilbert reluctantly nodded at Briana’s words. The reason was none other than himself.

Feeling a pang of bitterness, Gilbert could only sigh deeply, unaware of Briana’s proud gaze.

 

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