I stepped onto the podium and looked around at the students in a gloomy state.
Both Ailon, who received the highest score of A-, and Ruina, who received a failing grade, had the same expression.
For students who are still young, the evaluation might have been too harsh.
However, false praise is of no help.
Warm praise and encouragement make people grow?
That's bullshit.
Comfort leads to laziness.
They must never become lazy.
[LIFE TIME : 25 months]
There are only two years left.
Two years from now, a terrible invasion will take place in Grasco.
To survive that horrific scene, you must not be satisfied with just this much.
Desire for improvement.
In order for you to survive, you must go higher······.
Wait, let me make a correction.
It is so that I can survive.
"Go toward higher places."
It will require a higher level from you.
Accept and absorb.
For first-year students at the academy, or rather, for those who have not yet experienced the field, these will be incredibly difficult days.
However, do not worry.
I will help.
I will definitely save you... no, I will survive.
Let's wrap up today's class here.
* * *
[The Holy Empire Speaks Out on the Full Story of the 'Professor Lucas Arrest Case']
[Professor Lucas, it was cooperation, not arrest.]
[A grateful being who lifted the dark clouds hanging over the Holy Empire.]
[(Exclusive Interview) President Alan, "Professor Lucas is a person who is perfect in both theory and practice, more so than any article I have seen."]
[Aerok, 'I want it to be fully revealed at the trilateral talks.']
[Bert: 'I apologize for the tarnishing of Professor Lucas's reputation.']
[(Special Report) What Happened in the Holy Empire That Day? (Subtitle: The Birth of a Hero)]
"...You've unnecessarily inflated it."
It was a pre-arranged scenario, but somehow it is overly exaggerated.
The exclusive interview with President Alan was truly a series of nonsense, and the 'story' released under the label of a special reportage was heavily embellished with MSG.
Thanks to that, we definitely drew people's attention, and the matter involving Yuren was able to be quietly buried, but...
It makes me dizzy to think that these eyes will be fixed on me.
This happened purely because of the special reward obtained for surpassing 10,000 bookmarks, so I absolutely could not recreate it if asked.
That is why I am trying to become stronger.
In particular, we must significantly raise the level of the students.
That is why I am studying basic swordsmanship manuals, analyzing various papers, and dismantling all known swordsmanship techniques while enduring pain that feels like my head is being crushed.
I carefully folded the newspaper I had picked up to clear my head and set it aside, then once again surrendered myself to the piles of papers and books spread out across the office.
I feel a significant amount of mental fatigue.
This is something that cannot be fixed even with daily recovery, but
[A new notification has arrived.]
[k2929 donated 100G.]
[Baek Ri-eun donated 100G.]
[Harugan donated 100G.]
[Harugan donated 500G.]
[Harugan donated 100G.]
[Mun-A-Saeng donated 500G.]
[Hamjjigungdengi donated 100G 5 times.]
[CookieCrunch donated 100G.]
[CookieCrunch donated 300G.]
[Baza has donated 100G.]
I have support like peppermint.
Thanks to that, a considerable amount of gold has been collected.
In addition, the points have also accumulated significantly.
It was possible to overcome it by raising the 'Concentration' and 'Mental Strength' stats to their limits.
The essence of all these efforts will be contained in a single lecture.
This should be enough lectures for until the exam.
I packed the perfectly organized lecture notes into my bag and stood up.
Now it is time to convey this knowledge to the students.
* * *
The noise can be felt even from afar.
The whole of Grasco is noisy and consumed by something like a strange heat, but the classroom I am heading to is no different.
Gulp-
As I open the door and step inside, the commotion stops.
Instead, that void is filled with eyes filled with subtle anticipation.
"I will begin the lecture. The core task of this lecture is the 'implementation of form.'"
It seems everyone has heard the news.
The strangely overrated records come back to haunt me with a stinging sensation.
However, there is no time to satisfy such expectations.
"Um, Professor. If it is not too much trouble, could I tell you what happened in Berth...?"
Sreung-
Someone mustered the courage to speak, but the sword was drawn from its scabbard as if cutting the words off abruptly.
It looks like he still hasn't come to his senses.
Mutual growth through teaching and learning. Deyan- Locke Sword, Infinity Slash.
From the tip of my sword, the Infinity Slash—the decisive cause that gave Dejan a B- yesterday—was being recreated.
However, it was similar to Dejan's but different.
[Due to the effect of
For now, excluding power, I focused solely on 'form'.
What I want is not to copy *Infinity Slash* exactly, but to add my own understanding.
Thus—the reproduction surpassing the original and approaching perfection.
The sword is cut.
One became two, two became four, and four—to eight, to sixteen—
It multiplies infinitely.
space-
It densely encroaches.
After fixing the bayonet, not even the sound of breathing can be heard.
As if it were a luxury.
I asked Dejan, who was spaced out, the key question of today's lecture.
"Dejan, tell me the difference between your Infinity Slash and mine."
"Uh, well... I mean..."
As expected, Dejan could not answer easily.
He would have simply thought only of the 'center of gravity' I pointed out.
However, that is an element to consider when the overall level of completeness is achieved.
"Look."
I drew my sword again and slowly disassembled the 'Infinity Slash' piece by piece, separating them into individual parts.
This infinitely continuing attack ultimately begins at a single line.
All attacks eventually start from a single line.
Everything depends on how perfectly this line is completed.
This line also comes down from above.
Whoosh-
From left to right, from right to left. Diagonally—
Whoosh, whoosh- whoosh!
Ultimately, the foundation of all martial arts begins with the 'basic cutting'.
[Basic Slash proficiency increases.]
[Basic Slash proficiency increases.]
[Basic Slash proficiency increases.]
.
.
.
This moment of teaching,
Paradoxically, I was gaining enlightenment.
Fundamentals.
"Let us exclude the movement merely intended to carry on the 'brother.' Then what remains?"
Basic swordsmanship.
Basic swordsmanship, regarded merely as swinging, became 'line' and was infused into every sword technique.
However, this raises an obvious question: Must every 'line' be a straight line?
no.
A line is just a line. A curve is also a line, and that which contains countless vibrations is also a line.
It is just that my basic swordsmanship takes the form of a straight line.
Let's look at examples with other things.
The tip of my sword trembled, and the students' gazes followed suit.
* * *
Having experienced Lucas so far, the students thought there would be nothing particularly impressive left to them.
But that was their arrogance.
Lucas was now dissecting their vision piece by piece.
A vision is a vision because it is passed down in secret.
Lucas was very naturally and accurately realizing such a vision, and then deconstructing it piece by piece.
Lucas was accomplishing all of this with just a single wooden sword.
Of course, there were those who showcased widely known techniques, but most presented their own vision and their family's vision.
They were using such techniques exactly, even more perfectly than themselves.
It was a shocking matter.
Although a taboo was unfolding before their eyes, with their vision being dissected piece by piece, they felt no regret whatsoever about their vision being torn apart by his hands. On the contrary, they simply wanted to send him praise filled with awe.
There is actually more to be realized from having one's vision exposed than the losses incurred.
Above all, if it was research like this, Lucas should have kept it strictly hidden.
However, he was generously sharing his knowledge.
Lectures on the scale of an 'academic conference' were continuing.
'Writing... writing!'
For the first time in their lives, the students felt a strong urge to write.
I felt the need to record it somehow.
However, there was no way they would carry writing instruments, having spent their entire lives with nothing to do with writing.
Precious knowledge and enlightenment were about to fly away into the void.
It was then.
Someone, as if possessed, drew their weapon and began to imitate Lucas.
That served as a signal, and everyone in the classroom drew their weapons, even though no one had ordered them to.
And then I started drawing a 'line'.
Start by following Lucas.
"Your 'line' does not necessarily have to be the same as mine. It is like an aura. Embody your own characteristics. Find the 'line' that suits you best."
As Lucas said, he gradually added his own unique color.
Ecstasy
I focused on the lecture, forgetting the passage of time.
Have they ever shown such intense focus in their entire lives?
Even such thoughts flowed unconsciously, while all consciousness was directed toward Lucas.
Four hours passed in an instant.
* * *
That's all for today.
"ah······."
A sigh escaped my lips without me realizing it.
I was so focused that as soon as the tension released, every part of my muscles started screaming.
Some slumped down, while others collapsed from exhaustion and lay down.
The end of the lecture was regrettable, but if Lucas hadn't cut it off at just the right moment, it might have backfired, causing me to be bedridden for a few days or even faint without having a chance to review the lecture.
Lucas, the only one in the classroom who was unscathed, straightened his clothes, swept over the sprawled students, and spoke.
I'm sure everyone knows that midterms are starting soon.
Midterm exam.
As is the case with all academies, it is one of the biggest events.
Unlike other departments that check theory, the Combat Department, which places emphasis on practical training, also uses practical testing methods.
It might be more appropriate to call it a sparring match rather than a test.
It involves forming groups, competing to see who can demonstrate their skills, and conducting a relative evaluation based on the results.
Midterm exams are particularly important because they also serve as a preliminary round for the academy competition known as the 'final exams'.
Going beyond mere grades to represent the Academy in the 'final exams'.
That is the biggest purpose of the 'midterm exam'.
"You will participate in the midterm exam not merely as students of the 'Combat Department,' but as students of 'Everything About Combat.'"
The 'All About Combat' course, which has been special since its inception, is by far the hottest topic in Grasco.
There will be many eyes watching you.
The phenomenon intensified, especially as Lucas ignited his fame with the matter of the Holy Empire. It is clear that Lucas will be watching with keen eyes to determine whether he was right or wrong about how they perform during their first midterm exams after admission.
"They will judge you and evaluate you. Even though they are not supervisors."
Lucas's words made me realize just how heavy the weight of the title 'All About Combat' is.
"Don't worry about those looks. I will bear all of that. You just need to prove yourselves to me on the midterms."
At his words that he would bear all the weight alone, the students' eyes turned to Lucas.
The only thing you need to worry about is me.
That was true.
The students of 'All About Combat' came to Grasco to learn from Lucas, not to prove themselves to others.
Their priority is Lucas.
Therefore, I will replace the test for this course with the midterm.
And then a shocking remark burst from Lucas's mouth.
For the midterm exam, you must use only the implementation of 'Hyung,' the core of this lecture. In particular, the preliminary round is limited to the use of 'Seon,' which you learned today. If you use mana, you will fail.
'Gosa' has no distinction by grade level.
In other words, whether competing against first-year or fourth-year students, in the preliminary rounds, one must pass the exam using only 'sun'.
Even if you advance to the main competition, you can only use the implementation of 'hyung'.
Indeed, it can be said to be the worst difficulty level.
Fortunately, whether you advance to the final exam is not included in the evaluation······.
Advancing to the final exams is a given, so I won't go out of my way to mention it.
Oh, was advancing to the final exams a given?