Chapter 96

Translator: Kell | Editor: Weasalopes

Claude vs Professor Mikhail (?)

The next day, Mikhail met Claude in the training grounds . Hikaru, Ivan, and Luka were present as well to watch the match . No one else was around .

「Hmm… While the Zahards is a prestigious family in Kirihal, they’re not exactly well-known for their sword skills . 」Mikhail said, scratching the back of his neck . Even when facing Claude, he didn’t think the student was strong .

「You’re right, Professor . But I’ve gotten stronger with Hikaru’s guidance . 」

「Really now?」

Mikhail shot a curious glance at Hikaru .

「I believe there’s no need for introductions . Let’s get this started right away . There are no rules in particular, so fight however you want . But if someone’s life is in danger, me or Ivan might intervene . 」

「Oh? Ivan, if you want to stop me in the middle of a fight, you better put your life on the line . 」

「Y-Yes, Sir!」

Ivan stood at attention . It almost seemed like he’d be saluting too .

The professor has a point . Ivan can’t stop him unless he gave it his all . I have this, though .

Hikaru was fiddling with a stone in his hand . If something happened, he just had to throw it . As long as they dropped their weapons, the worst case scenario could be avoided .

But man, why does every single match have to be so dangerous?

Mikhail and Claude stood ten meters apart, facing each other . The professor had a great sword, while Claude wielded a one-handed sword . Of course, both were practice weapons .

「Hmm…a one-handed sword, eh?」

「Thank you for your time, Sir . 」

Claude bowed and readied his sword . Mikhail still didn’t seem convinced . Luka was beside Hikaru, grasping her own hands tightly .

「Ready . Figh—」

「What’s this? Why, if it isn’t Professor Mikhail . What are you doing here?」

Right before they could begin, someone arrived — the short spear instructor, Kilnenko Ludancia, with two professors accompanying him .

「What does it look like? It’s a practice match . 」Mikhail answered angrily, annoyed after being interrupted right before the fight started .

「I see . A practice match . I’m afraid I can’t approve this . Please call it off right away . 」

「What? Are you serious? Instructors and students are free to hold practice matches . 」

「Claude Zahard Kirihal is my student . 」

「Really?」

Claude nodded silently .

「I was wondering what you’ve been doing since you haven’t attended my classes recently . So you were studying the one-handed sword, eh? Forget that useless weapon and return to my classes . 」

「I’m sorry, Professor . I’m—」

「You want to drop out of my class?」Kilnenko’s eyes narrowed . 「How dare you insult me, boy!」

Claude gave a start .

「You should be grateful I even allowed a filthy Kirihal student like you in my class . Did you think you can just drop out like that?」

「I planned to submit a formal notice of withdrawal . 」

「Leave the academy at once . 」

「Sir…?」

「If you leave the academy right now, then I won’t say anymore . But if you withdraw from my class and still wish to stay here…」

The other two professors lined up beside him . One was a long spear user while the other one used a bow . Both were probably from Ludancia as well .

「Surely you didn’t think you could get away scot-free after bringing me disgrace . 」Kilnenko said .

Claude gritted his teeth in frustration . Kilnenko glanced at Luka who watched nervously .

「Princess Luka . 」

「Y-Yes?」

「Please come over here . A nasty rumor might start spreading if you stay around people from Kirihal and Jarazack . 」

「I…」

Claude and Luka were at a loss about what to do .

「Hahahaha!」But Hikaru just laughed . 「Man, you’re one funny dude!」

「You… I believe your name is Hikaru . 」Kilnenko said .

「You were eavesdropping on my conversation with Professor Mikhail yesterday, weren’t you? I was wondering what you were going to do, but you actually came here just to quibble! What a riot!」

「And you have a rotten attitude! I guess we’ll just have to fix that!」

「Ah, that sounds like a great idea . 」

Hikaru turned to Mikhail .

「Professor . There’s no special authorization needed for a practice match between a student and instructor, correct?」

「Yes . But if the professor in-charge of the student objects, then there will be no fight . 」

「How about this, then? Me, Claude, and Ivan will fight Professor Kilnenko and his pals . It’ll be a knockout format, and if we win then we proceed with our original plan of you training Claude . If we lose, we’ll leave the academy . 」

「What?!」Claude was shocked .

「Hey, don’t just drag me into this without asking me!」While Ivan complained, he was actually grinning .

「You dogs… You think you’re hot shit?!」Veins popped on Kilnenko’s forehead . 「Fine! We accept those terms! I’ll run you pests out of this academy!」

And so instead of a match between Mikhail and Claude, it turned into a mock battle between Hikaru, Claude, and Ivan versus the Professors from Ludancia .

「We can win, right, Hikaru?」Ivan asked before the fight .

「Why’d you have to do that without asking us first?」Claude was mad .

「Relax . 」Hikaru said, trying to calm him down . 「You were planning to win against Professor Mikhail anyway . You can’t lose against Kilnenko when he’s weaker . 」

「B-But anything can happen in a fight . 」

「Oh, I get it now . 」Ivan nodded to himself . Since hanging out with Ivan, Hikaru noticed that he wasn’t just a musclehead either . He was smart as well .

「What do you mean “you get it now”?! Hikaru wasn’t even thinking clearly when he challenged them!」

「No . Listen, Claude . You only get one shot at the boss . If you lose, it’s over . 」

「That’s…」

「Hikaru is trying to let you experience such critical moments . Am I right, Hikaru?」

「Yup . There’s another reason of course . It’s best if he learned to fight against other weapons as well, not only great swords . 」

「………」

Claude glanced at Ivan, and then Hikaru .

「So this is all for me . 」

「No, it’s not, you idiot . So don’t take it all upon yourself . It’s for the student alliance . As an alliance, we gotta help each other out . 」

「Thanks, man . 」

They fist-bumped . Things were going well so far .

To be honest, I really just want to legally beat the crap out of Kilnenko, Hikaru thought . But I guess I can’t tell them that .

Claude would go first, then Ivan, and Hikaru last .

「Oh, so you’re the first victim . I thought you would use your friends to wear me down first, then fight last . 」

「………」

Kilnenko was the first fighter on the opponent’s side . Already the main event first, huh? Hikaru thought .

Claude looks calm .

Even when provoked, the young man was composed . A good mindset . Luka, standing beside the referee Mikhail, was actually the one fidgeting nervously .

「Thank you for everything, Professor . 」Claude said .

「So you think you won already, huh? You’re as obnoxious as they get . 」

Sparks seemed to fly about as they glared at each other .

「All right . Both parties, get ready . Fight!」

Mikhail’s voice rang out .