The classroom of Class 3-C was still settling down after Professor Emma entered. The students, a mix of nobles and commoners, had taken their seats in rows of long, polished desks. Lucien sat beside Sistina, the red-haired girl who had already begun capturing his attention. Her crimson eyes were focused ahead, posture straight, a quiet intensity radiating from her.
Professor Emma stood at the front of the class, her sword hanging at her waist, her cloak neatly folded behind her. She was a woman in her thirties, fit, confident, and clearly someone who had seen her share of battles.
"Good morning, Class 3-C. Today, we begin with the basics of swordsmanship. I don't care whether you're a noble or a commoner. If your stance is poor, your blade will falter. If your concentration breaks, you will die."
Silence fell across the room. Everyone listened.
"The basics of swordsmanship form the foundation for all sword techniques. No matter how gifted you think you are, without mastering the basics, even the most powerful sword arts will fail you."
Lucien leaned slightly forward, curious.
"There are many schools of swordsmanship. Some arise from noble families, passed down through generations. Others are ancient forms, mostly lost or forgotten. But among all the existing sword families, one stands above the rest—"
She paused.
"—The Les Canterella family. The most powerful sword family of the continent."
There were murmurs in the class. Even Lucien had heard the name in passing.
"They hail from the eastern nation. The current head of the family is Duke Somes Les Canterella. Their sword techniques are known for their clarity and precision. Even their beginner-level techniques are refined to the point where kingdoms purchase them for training their knights."
Lucien raised his hand.
"Professor, are their techniques available to students here?"
Emma nodded.
"Yes. Their beginner techniques are stored in the academy's library. You may access them, but understand this—learning them requires discipline. They are self-taught scrolls and not all who try succeed."
Lucien's curiosity grew. He opened his system window quietly and asked in his mind.
'System, where does my Blood Sword Technique stand in comparison?'
The system responded almost instantly.
The Blood Sword Technique is a forgotten ancient sword art. In its prime, it was among the cleanest and sharpest techniques in existence. Unlike most family styles, its core moves are meant to evolve with the host. As your power grows, so will its effectiveness.
Lucien stared ahead, more intrigued than before.
Emma then pulled out her sword, taking a stance in front of the class.
"Now watch."
She moved. It was a smooth, deliberate arc of the blade—half-circle motion, clean and calculated. A wave of air followed the motion, pushing against the students in the front row, startling a few of them. Energy rippled through the room.
"This is one of the signature Canterella forms. You may find a copy in the technique section of the library. If you think you're up to it, go learn."
Lucien's eyes narrowed. That technique was beautiful in its simplicity, but he could already feel the difference between it and his own. The Blood Sword Technique was brutal, ancient, and reactive. The Canterella style was elegant and refined.
"There are other famous forms as well. There is the Dragon Form, which originated from the northern monasteries. The Valor Form, passed down by the Valor Household of the central kingdom. Some forgotten forms also remain, buried in history or hidden in family archives."
She turned to the board and wrote one word: Mana.
"Mana plays a crucial role in executing advanced swordsmanship. But do not mistake it for magic."
She tapped the board.
"Using magic and using mana in swordplay are different. A good swordsman doesn't cast spells in the middle of a fight. Instead, they flow mana through their blade or body to amplify their strikes, harden their defenses, or increase their speed."
Lucien nodded slightly. That part was already familiar to him. His Shadow Rush depended entirely on channeling mana through his body, and he still hadn't mastered it.
"Sword techniques are a specialized branch of swordsmanship but they are not mandatory. A warrior with good instincts, solid footing, and sharp awareness can defeat even a master of techniques."
Lucien absorbed her words, but in his heart, he disagreed—at least for himself. The scrolls he possessed weren't just techniques. They were relics of a time where power equaled survival. The Blood Sword Technique didn't just teach him how to fight; it gave him strength far beyond normal training. It increased his capabilities, pushed his limits, and slowly raised his level.
Still, he would keep her advice in mind.
The lecture continued for another fifteen minutes, with Professor Emma demonstrating a few stances and answering some basic questions. A few students, particularly nobles, raised questions about integrating sword styles into family techniques. She answered without bias, treating every student equally.
Finally, the bell rang.
Professor Emma lowered her chalk, looked at the class once more, and said.
"Next lecture, we'll begin sparring drills. Be prepared. And remember, the academy rewards effort, not just talent."
She left the room, her boots clicking on the polished floor.
Lucien snapped out of his focused state. His eyes shifted slowly to the girl sitting beside him.
Sistina.
She hadn't moved much during the entire lecture. Her red eyes remained on the board, and even now, she was scribbling down a few last-minute notes. She seemed so serious, so dedicated, that Lucien almost forgot for a second who he was.
He wasn't here just to be a prince. He had his own ambitions. But now, sitting beside someone like her, he was curious about more than just swordsmanship.
She finally looked at him. Their eyes met briefly.
Lucien gave a soft smile.
"You're really focused."
She blinked.
"It's the first lecture. I don't want to miss anything."
Her voice was calm, soft-spoken.
There was a faint blush on her cheeks. She quickly looked away, pretending to adjust her papers.
Lucien leaned back in his chair and asked the system mentally.
'Can I find out someone's personality traits?'
The system's reply was swift and firm.
The system is not permitted to access or display personality data of other individuals. Doing so would breach their privacy.
"Tch. Guess I'll have to figure her out on my own."
He watched her quietly, trying to read more into her behavior. She didn't seem arrogant or greedy. But that didn't mean anything yet. He'd seen people hide behind fake smiles before.
Still, there was something about her that made his heart race. Maybe it was her confidence. Or maybe it was because she was a commoner who made it to the same class as him, despite the odds.
One way or another, Lucien would learn more.
Not just about swordsmanship.
But about the people around him. Especially the girl with red eyes sitting beside him.
A/N: This is how she looks