IOBTML 53

Chapter 53

At the man’s question, the woman chuckled softly and replied, “Don’t you know what they’re like? Both of them consider teaching students to be the joy of their lives.”

The two fell silent for a moment. It was always the most diligent and principled individuals who were the first to be sacrificed when political problems arose. Professors Rance and Bake were no exception to this unfortunate pattern.

Particularly at the Imperial Academy, where most professors came from noble families, the two commoner professors had likely never been given proper respect in the first place.

The man asked, “But what’s Professor Rance going to teach there? He was a swordsmanship professor, wasn’t he?”

“…Good question. Our guild had been eyeing him, but I didn’t expect Halo to snatch him up.”

“Professor Rance isn’t the kind of person to take up mercenary work. And more importantly, we had already set our sights on him before anyone else.”

“Let’s not argue over what’s done. We lost both of them, and that’s that.”

“Fair enough. I just hope things work out well for them.”

With a sigh, the two clinked their beer mugs and drank deeply.

As Penelope reviewed the resume of one of the Imperial Academy professors, her expression turned curious.

“A swordsmanship professor?”

“Is something the matter?” Lucas, her secretary, asked, noticing her puzzled look.

Penelope quickly looked up, and Lucas glanced over the resume she had been reading.

Resting her chin on her hand, Penelope asked, “Do you know Professor Rance? He used to teach swordsmanship at the Imperial Academy.”

“Ah, yes, I do. I even attended some of his classes,” Lucas replied.

“Really? What’s he like?”

“He’s incredibly skilled in swordsmanship and an excellent teacher. Despite being a commoner and not receiving a knighthood, his abilities are remarkable.”

Penelope’s face lit up at his answer. Having a secretary who had attended the Imperial Academy certainly had its advantages.

“Could you arrange for him to come here? I’d like to meet him.”

“I’ll send someone right away and arrange a meeting by tomorrow. May I ask why you’re interested?”

“I want to interview him again. If he’s as skilled as you say, I’d like to evaluate his abilities.”

“Understood.”

The next day, Rance arrived at the lord’s castle by carriage.

Despite being summoned by the lord, Rance felt little excitement. He couldn’t shake the hollow sense of despair about his situation—reduced to seeking employment in the remote northern countryside after losing his position.

When the emperor changed, so did the Academy’s leadership, and the new head wasted no time in dismissing him. Rance believed it wasn’t the emperor’s intention but rather the result of the new head’s political maneuvering.

The fallout had been devastating. Many commoner professors like Rance had been unceremoniously cast out.

Maybe I should’ve become a mercenary instead, he thought bitterly. With his skills, he was confident he could make a living that way.

Yet Rance still clung to his pride as a teacher. Even though he had been ousted from the prestigious Imperial Academy, he couldn’t abandon his identity as an educator.

“This way, please. The lord is waiting,” the servant leading him said.

Rance followed, his steps echoing through the corridor. To his surprise, the servant led him to the training grounds. In the center, knights and soldiers were practicing swordsmanship, their shouts resonating as they swung their weapons.

Nearby, a young woman in a thick coat watched the training session. Her lively demeanor and delicate features made her stand out. Beside her stood a burly knight and a man cloaked in a black robe, his hood pulled low.

Who’s that hooded man? Rance wondered briefly.

The young woman turned toward him and smiled. “Welcome, Sir Rance. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Ah…” Rance faltered, momentarily flustered.

The servant leaned in and whispered, “This is the Lord of Halo.”

“I-it’s an honor to meet you, my lady,” Rance stammered, swallowing nervously before bowing.

The lord smiled and introduced the knight beside her. “This is Sir Cain, the commander of our knights.”

Sir Cain placed a hand over his chest and bowed. “A pleasure to meet you, Sir Rance.”

“The pleasure is mine, Sir Cain,” Rance replied, still dazed. He hadn’t expected the Lord of Halo to be such a young woman.

She’s the youngest lord I’ve ever seen, he thought, regaining his composure.

Despite her youth, Rance reminded himself that she was a noble granted her title by the emperor. A single misstep could cost him dearly.

The training ground echoed with the knights’ and soldiers’ spirited shouts as they practiced their techniques. Rance glanced at them critically.

Too much unnecessary movement. Their strikes are loud but lack precision. I can see only two skilled individuals among them.

He wasn’t particularly surprised. For a small territory like Halo, having even two competent fighters was remarkable.

They need better physical conditioning. Without it, their swordsmanship will remain subpar.

As Rance assessed the training, Penelope asked, “What do you think?”

“About… what, my lady?”

Penelope’s eyes gleamed with interest. “I heard you taught swordsmanship at the Imperial Academy.”

“Yes, I did,” Rance confirmed.

“Then could you share your thoughts on the state of my knights’ training?”

“…Excuse me?”

Rance hesitated, unsure of her intent. Her brown eyes held a mix of curiosity and kindness, but nothing else was discernible.

I can’t read her at all, he thought.

Finally, Rance answered cautiously, “It seems there are only two proficient individuals. That large young man over there and the one next to him. The others appear to need much more rigorous training.”

By “rigorous,” he meant painstaking, grueling effort, but he refrained from being too blunt.

“Wow! I couldn’t tell at all, but you spotted that right away!” Penelope exclaimed.

“That’s what I specialized in at the Academy,” Rance replied modestly.

Penelope nodded thoughtfully before turning to Sir Cain. “What do you think, Sir Cain?”

“I am a knight who follows my lord’s commands. Whatever you decide, I shall carry it out,” Cain answered with unwavering loyalty.

Penelope turned back to Rance. “Sir Rance, how about working with the knights here at Halo Castle instead of teaching at the elementary school? You’d serve as their swordsmanship instructor.”

“…Me?” Rance was taken aback. He hadn’t expected the lord to offer him such a significant position after just meeting him.

Penelope explained, “Unfortunately, there wouldn’t be much for you to do at the elementary school right now. It’s attended by children aged six to twelve, most of whom can barely hold sticks properly, let alone swords.”

Rance felt a mix of surprise and relief.

“So, you hired me…?”

“Because your skills would’ve been wasted otherwise. I’ll double the salary I originally offered. It might still feel inadequate, but as the territory grows, I’ll ensure your pay increases accordingly. Of course, we’ll provide you with housing and servants immediately.”

Rance fell silent, overwhelmed by the unprecedented offer. No one had ever valued him like this before.

The role of a swordsmanship instructor can only be held by a knight.

The implication was clear: she was offering to knight him. Rance felt a surge of emotions he hadn’t realized he was holding back.

“If you’ll have me… I’ll dedicate myself wholeheartedly, even to the point of laying down my life.”

“No need to risk your life—oh, never mind. Just do your best,” Penelope said, quickly amending her words under Ahwin’s sharp glare.

She cleared her throat and added, “I’d like to confer your knighthood during the Feast of Saint Recto. How does that sound?”

Saint Recto, revered as the patron of swordsmanship, was a fitting choice.

“It would be an honor,” Rance said, placing a hand over his chest and bowing deeply.

***

“Do you always have to ruin the mood like that?”

As soon as they were alone, Ahwin pulled back his hood with an exasperated sigh. His tousled blonde hair, grown long enough to cover his forehead, fell into disarray, and he quickly smoothed it down with practiced ease.

Penelope glanced slyly at his pale green eyes before breaking into a mischievous smile.

“It was just a slip-up,” she said.

“Didn’t seem like a slip-up to me.”

“When I say it was, you should just take my word for it.”

If anything, I’ve been holding back for quite a while now, she thought.

Ahwin, who had stood silently at her side the entire time, must have been dying to speak his mind.

Of course, his silence was at her request. Penelope had asked him to refrain from making any cutting remarks that might upset Rance during their first meeting.

“Knights are such strange beings,” Penelope mused. “Swearing to lay down their lives for their lords… sometimes they seem even more fascinating than wizards.”