"What is he even saying?"

"Your standards are too high."

Why is that guy up there, and why am I here?

Ruine cast an awkward glance at Ricardo, who stood on the podium. He couldn’t make sense of the situation.

"How could anyone look at him and call him a competent instructor...?"

He knew Ricardo was strong. Stronger than anyone at the academy—no, stronger than anyone present here. He had experienced that firsthand.

The strength Ricardo had shown was far beyond imagination. But still...

"He's just a genius..."

Ricardo’s brilliance was unmatched, and Ruine believed that such brilliance disqualified someone from being able to teach others.

"Damn it..."

Geniuses could never understand the struggles of ordinary people.

Lowering his head, Ruine heard Ricardo’s voice cut through his thoughts.

"Your gaze is far too disrespectful."

"..."

"Though this is a short-term session, I am your teacher for the time being. Do you think it’s acceptable to look at your teacher with such insolence?"

"..."

"Don’t you agree, Mr. Nokjo?"

Ruine froze, his expression betraying his shock as he met Ricardo’s cold gaze. He wanted to protest—demand not to be called ‘Nokjo.’ But the sharp look Ricardo gave him left him unable to speak.

Clench...

Just as Ricardo’s chilling smile sent a shiver down Ruine’s spine, Ricardo spoke again, his tone light but his words barbed.

"Given the number of familiar faces here, I can understand your negative reactions."

"..."

"I, too, once attended this academy. I had a youth filled with laughter and camaraderie among friends."

"Don’t make me laugh! None of us have any fond memories involving you!"

Lohan, a student from the Swordsmanship Department, suddenly snapped, running his hand roughly through his hair as he retorted.

"Hmm?"

Ricardo merely smiled faintly, staring silently at Lohan’s face.

"Why should we learn from someone like you?"

"Hmm?"

"I have no interest in learning underhanded tricks. Thinking back to that match we had...!"

"Are you referring to the match where I threw sand at you?"

"...It wasn’t sand; it was an obscene magazine!"

"Ah... Well, I don’t tend to remember those who lose to me."

Ricardo’s taunt caused Lohan to turn red as he glared at Malik.

"Director! You said he was a capable instructor!"

"Shut up, Lohan. How dare you spout such nonsense in front of your teacher."

"Director!"

"I told you this was a very hard-to-secure instructor. If you mess up this training session..."

Before Malik’s icy tone could finish crushing Lohan, Ricardo waved a hand and flashed a genial smile.

"Let’s not be too harsh. If I were the type to take offense at this level, I wouldn’t have accepted the request in the first place."

"...My apologies."

"More importantly... You’re Lohan, right?"

At Ricardo’s words, Lohan’s eyes glinted coldly as he glared at him.

"Yeah. I’m Lohan, head of the academy’s disciplinary committee."

"Ah, yes. Lohan, a third-year in the Swordsmanship Department."

"..."

"You’ve been marked by me."

"What? If that’s supposed to be a threat, it’s almost cute. Why don’t you act like a man and challenge me to a duel—"

Ricardo smiled icily, shaking his head. "I’m not so idle as to waste time dueling someone like you." With that, he turned and walked back to the podium.

"..."

Not everyone reacted negatively. Some were thrilled by Ricardo’s presence, even delighted.

"Master Butler...!"

"Pyongmin?!"

"Ricardo..."

"Icuminyuk...!"

Ruine clenched his eyes shut and swallowed his complicated emotions. Lohan had voiced everything Ruine wanted to say, so he decided to pray for this session to end quickly. With the contract signed, there was no turning back now.

"Well then."

Turning back from the podium, Ricardo smiled brightly at the audience. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword as he spoke.

"Everyone."

Ricardo drew his sword with a smile.

Flinch...!

The moment the drawn blade unleashed an ominous aura like a flood, an excited voice whispered in Ruine’s ear.

"So this is how he plans to teach."

"..."

"Starting with intimidation isn’t a bad strategy. It builds courage and crushes arrogance."

"What are you—"

Malik whispered to Ruine with a small smile.

"Brace yourself."

"What do you mean—"

Ricardo, holding his sword, smiled faintly as he began to speak.

"This is your first lesson."

"...!!!!"

A suffocating dread washed over them. Just standing in front of him was enough to make Ruine’s legs give out.

It felt like something was gripping his heart.

"What... is this..."

Sssaaaah...

"Try not to faint and endure it."

The moment Ricardo’s words ended, Ruine’s vision went black.

Standing on the podium, I looked down at the collapsed students, rubbing my chin.

"They fainted more than I expected."

I thought at least half would withstand it, but only a handful remained standing. I couldn’t help but feel surprised.

Seeing the fallen form of Shuenn, who had resisted fiercely but ultimately succumbed, I let out a bitter smile before turning my attention to the exemplary students who had endured.

Clap, clap, clap...

"Impressive."

Four students remained standing.

"As expected of Master Butler... This is thrilling."

"This much is manageable."

"Sir Holy Sword, please keep it down!"

"Ha... Ha..."

Those who withstood the oppressive aura included Hanna, who had grown as a swordswoman; Malik, who had survived countless life-and-death situations; Mikhail, blessed by the Holy Sword; and Shartia, with her formidable mental resilience.

Their commendable display of endurance brought a small smile to my face.

Though Shartia’s gaze was laced with unease, I felt reassured by the familiar faces who remained conscious. If strangers had stayed standing, it would have been harder to build rapport.

"You seem perfectly fine, Mr. Mikhail."

"Not at all... Ahem It’s only because of the Holy Sword that I managed to stay sane."

"Haha! Equipment is part of one’s skill too."

"That’s not it... but, uh... thanks for the praise..."

As I spoke with a flustered Mikhail, Malik interrupted with a satisfied smile.

"Ah... that was a good class."

"Director...!"

"I'm not the director right now; I’m the senior executive director."

"Haha, my apologies. I didn’t expect you to participate in the lesson. You really gave it your all, didn’t you?"

"Well, after that beating I took from the Apostle last time... I signed up because I wanted to at least land a hit this time."

"Oh."

"I’ve never properly learned from you before. I figured this was a good opportunity to do so."

‘He says that, but...’

I let out a small laugh, seeing through Malik’s intentions. While he was indeed aiming to grow stronger, his participation was just as much about improving his reputation after the negative rumors surrounding him.

Bowing my head slightly, I gave Malik the answer he wanted and expressed my thanks. Since he had taken time out of his schedule to join, I had to ensure my efforts were worthwhile for him.

"I might not make you unbeatable, but I can at least get you to the point where you won’t die. Depending on how hard you work, you might even land a hit."

"Just one hit, huh... I’d really like to make that arrogant elf eat at least one punch."

Malik clenched his fist with a grim smile.

After an awkward minute passed, Hanna, who had recovered her composure, spoke up.

"Master Butler!"

"You were quite impressive, Hanna. Even under the killing intent, you didn’t faint."

"I’m your first disciple, after all."

"True. If you had fainted, I was planning to put you through some serious drills."

"Don’t say such scary things..."

"Haha! I’m joking."

As I chatted with Hanna, I noticed a hesitant gaze directed my way.

"...Ricardo."

"Ah, I should commend Her Highness as well."

"..."

Shartia’s gaze was uncharacteristically awkward. Tilting my head, I approached her.

"..."

Her lips bore signs of strain, likely from biting them to endure. Seeing such determination stirred something in me. A student with that kind of passion always inspired me to teach more.

Shartia, with her unparalleled mental fortitude, stared at me with an unreadable expression. Unsure if she had something to say, I returned her gaze with a faint, uncertain smile.

Unless she spoke, I couldn’t know.

"Is there something you’d like to say?"

"Well..."

Rustle.

"Hm?"

Gasp... Huuurgh!

"...Shuenjel...!"

"Hm?"

"He’s awake!"

With Shuen waking up from his fainting spell, my conversation with Shartia was cut short. It felt like she had something to say, though.

"Master Butler!"

"Yes, Shuen?"

"What was... that thing?"

"Thing?"

"You know... the ‘Waaaah!’ thing!"

Shuen’s eyes sparkled as he looked at me. He wanted to know how to do it himself.

"I want to do that too!"

"Uh...?"

"To elevate the dignity of nobility even further! I want to learn it too!"

"Ah..."

I gave Shuen a troubled look. While strength was a factor, the key to such an act was attitude and presence.

"Could you look at me for a moment?"

Flash!

"Ahhh! I’m embarrassed!"

"Haha! Not like that. Imagine you’re staring at a «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» sworn enemy."

"I don’t have enemies!"

"Then imagine I’m a convenience store thief."

"...!!!!"

Despite his adorable determination, I couldn’t help but smile as I waved my hand dismissively. Shuen clearly had no talent for intimidation.

Well then.

It was time to get serious.

Judging that no one else would regain consciousness, I turned to Mikhail.

"Mikhail, I’ll need to confiscate the Holy Sword during this session."

"Ah... Yes."

"Thank you."

The moment I held the Holy Sword, an uproar erupted. The sword’s voice boomed with righteous indignation.

"Let go, you devil!"

"It’s been a while, Hero."

"Silence, Caliburn!"

"Hmmm...?"

Clapping my hands, I addressed the remaining students.

"Alright then."

Clap.

"Let’s all pass out now."

The instant the sound of my hands meeting echoed, the students’ vision went black once more.