I Became a Crazy Swordsmanship Instructor in the Game

Chapter 19:

Episode 020

* * *

During the one-hour carriage ride, Phillip engaged in numerous conversations with Priscilla as they moved along.

Typically, Phillip did most of the talking, while Priscilla responded briefly or nodded in agreement. Nevertheless, she seemed to enjoy the exchange in her own way.

Priscilla was a twenty-two-year-old commoner and a graduate of the Privia Academy.

‘There’s nothing particularly unusual about her.’

“I’m truly fortunate to have met you. These days have been… quite challenging. But listening to your stories somehow empowers me,” she said while running her fingers through her hair and smiling gently.

Phillip regarded her with a hint of sympathy. What had she gone through to look at a person she had just met an hour ago with such trusting and intimate eyes? It left him feeling strangely touched.

“Well then, I’m also grateful, Priscilla. I hope you can remain at the academy as a fellow companion for a long time.”

“Thank you. I hope that someday I can be of assistance to you as well… sniff!”

Suddenly, the carriage jolted heavily, indicating they had arrived at their destination as the wheels came to a screeching halt.

Phillip cautiously opened the carriage door. Glancing ahead, he noticed that Instructor Perak and the other students had already disembarked.

This location was on the opposite side of the lake where Phillip had obtained the ‘Golden Seal of Joseph.’ As expected, the area near the swamp was adorned with tall reeds.

‘… It feels like something familiar, but I can’t quite recall it.’

Phillip thought. Although not critical, some non-trivial information seemed to be on the edge of his memory, possibly related to this place.

“Everyone, please pay attention,” Instructor Perak said, addressing the students with a serious expression.

“From the moment you step into the dungeon, you’ll be exposed to various threats and uncertainties. While we, the instructors, will do our utmost to ensure your safety during the training, accidents can still occur.”

He looked into each student’s eyes as if a truly unfortunate accident was about to unfold.

“I implore you, please refrain from meddling with anything you don’t understand. Almost every accident I’ve encountered so far happened due to such actions,” Instructor Perak cautioned.

Two out of the five students wore tense expressions, but the others seemed to pay little attention to his words.

Perak let out an almost imperceptible sigh and then raised the staff he had been carrying on his waist. With one hand firmly grasping it, he swung the staff through the air a few times. Suddenly, a spot amidst the densely grown reeds shook as if an earthquake had occurred.

And there it was—the entrance to the underground dungeon.

“I will lead the way, so instructors, please ensure no student gets left behind. Among the students, who will join me at the forefront?” Instructor Perak asked.

One male student raised his hand. 

“Alright, Stephen Bray. The rest of you, follow us closely.”

Stephen appeared to be an exemplary student at first glance, donning round glasses similar to Cheryl’s, with his long, neatly kept hair.

Before venturing into the dungeon, he turned back to look.

At the end of his gaze stood Cheryl.

‘Hmm? Do they know each other?’

Phillip could sense worry and concern in the boy’s gaze.

At that moment, Cheryl’s voice whispered softly.

“… I’m okay, my lord.”

The girl standing beside Cheryl placed her hand on her shoulder.

“What’s wrong, Cheryl? Shouldn’t we go in as well? Perhaps I should lead instead of you?”

Cheryl’s expression darkened upon hearing the girl’s suggestion.

“Ah… yes. I’m sorry, Miss Janice.”

‘She’s using formal speech?’ Phillip wondered.

The gap between commoners and nobles at this academy was not as significant.

In fact, for commoner parents to enroll their children here meant they possessed abilities comparable to nobles.

‘… What’s the connection?’ 

Phillip pondered as he followed the students into the dungeon.

* * *

The interior of the dungeon was dark and damp; the moisture from the nearby lake added to the humidity.

Fortunately, the rough stone floor made slipping rare, but the students from the Magic Department still found walking quite challenging.

Phillip observed Cheryl and Janice from the back.

The two girls had an unusually hierarchical relationship.

Throughout the walk, Cheryl was constantly keeping an eye for Janice’s reactions, as if even her breathing might provoke something.

“Dungeons are usually created by mages, especially those who need to keep their research hidden.”

Instructor Perak began explaining when everyone gathered in a spacious area.

“They are typically constructed in desolate mountains or valleys and concealed with concealment magic. Usually, that alone is enough, but they are also equipped with countermeasures against intruders who happen to stumble upon them. Just like here.”

He pointed his staff at a specific spot on the ground.

“Instructor Phillip, could you please help me for a moment?” Perak called, and Phillip blinked in surprise.

“Me?”

Although he wondered why he was being called, Phillip approached Instructor Perak.

“Please step on this spot with your foot.”

“… Didn’t you say it’s a trap?”

“I just want to show them how it actually works. Honestly, Instructor, aren’t you curious?”

Phillip couldn’t deny that.

“To be honest, I am curious.”

“I did a preliminary survey, so it shouldn’t be too dangerous.”

“Well then, here goes.”

Phillip stepped on the spot indicated by Perak.

At that moment, the sound of something cutting through the air was heard.

“Huh?”

Phillip swiftly drew his sword and swung it. The icy blade intercepted five arrows that had been shot from the ceiling, and the arrow aimed near his feet was deflected by the shield spell cast by Instructor Perak.

In the ensuing silence, the students gulped nervously, tension evident in their expressions.

“Did you all see that? Unlike skilled swordsmen like Instructor Phillip here, we mages must constantly maintain magic shields to react to traps like this.”

Instructor Perak explained, avoiding eye contact with Phillip awkwardly.

‘… This guy?’

Phillip narrowed his eyes. He almost let out a scream out of surprise, which would have been embarrassing.

However, as he looked around, the students’ expressions showed a sense of tension. Moreover, the gazes directed at him seemed to be filled with amazement and admiration.

“Usually, when losing a comrade to such a trap, the remaining members would lose their morale and want to retreat. But since Instructor Phillip is still alive, let’s continue forward with determination,” Instructor Perak said, taking the lead again. Every time they encountered traps or crossroads, he would stop and provide explanations that proved quite helpful to Phillip as well.

Soon, the relatively spacious corridor narrowed to the point where only one person could pass.

Fortunately, the dungeon wasn’t too extensive, and the group soon reached the end of the corridor.

“When we open this door, guardian demons will be waiting, and you will face them in real combat. The instructors, including myself, will not intervene unless someone’s life is in danger. So, please work together and proceed with caution.”

As Instructor Perak explained, he opened the wooden door, and a creaking sound echoed.

“By the way, everything we see and hear will be reported to the instructors and will impact your final grades. Take some time to prepare before entering.”

Grades in the Magic Department differed slightly from those in the Swordsmanship Department. While the grades in the Swordsmanship Department merely indicated growth, the grades in the Magic Department could potentially open doors to prestigious towers or renowned organizations in the future.

Perak gestured to Phillip and Priscilla.

“Originally, the instructors himself was supposed to be part of the practical training… I don’t know what this is all about,” he said, sounding somewhat frustrated.

Phillip raised an eyebrow in response. “Considering the circumstances, you are skillfully leading the training, aren’t you?”

Perak let out a sigh. “… Well, if it were the professor, he would have put the students directly into the traps, but I guess I can’t do that. There’s a young noble from the Marquis family among the students participating in the training today.”

“The Marquis family, you say?”

“Yes, Janice Morrela. From the renowned Morrela family. They have over five Quatermasters at the Tower. Someone like me wouldn’t stand a chance if that young lady even breathed in my direction…”

Phillip was familiar with the Morrela family. One of the professors in the Magic Department was also from the Morrela family. They were a prestigious family that had produced numerous exceptional mages over generations.

‘… But why don’t I know about it?’

If she was from such a prestigious family, the information should have been in Phillip’s database.

He felt a sense of discomfort once again.

“Wait a minute.”

As if something was itching in his mind, Phillip pressed his temple.

He felt like some memories were about to resurface.

“If that’s decided, then Denver, you maintain the Light Magic to protect us. Genta and I will hold the front line while Cheryl and Janice reduce the number of guardians.”

The tactical meeting among the students seemed to have concluded. Stephen Bray appeared to be the representative among them.

Stephan drew nearer, and the Instructor finally spoke.

“Now that the meeting is concluded, you may commence.”

“Yes, Perfect.”

* * *

The room was shrouded in darkness, barely revealing a few steps ahead.

Denver Gromel held his staff aloft, reciting a spell that bestowed a radiant glow upon it.

Skulls and desiccated corpses were scattered throughout, painting a haunting scene.

“Don’t let nerves get the better of you. If you stick to what you’ve learned, victory should come easily,” Janice Morrela said, stifling a yawn as she looked at Stephan Bray.

The girl offered encouragement to Denver Gromel, a visibly anxious third-year student.

“I-I know. We can do this.”

Janice couldn’t help but think, ‘What does he believe will change with that attitude?’

She had reservations about Stephan, as his Bray lineage was a distant offshoot of the prestigious Morrela family. Yet, he acted as if he had free rein in her presence and assumed she would simply follow his lead.

‘… So audacious, and so presumptuous.’

Still, she refrained from openly challenging Stephan, as doing so would tarnish her family’s esteemed reputation.

Her attention turned to Cheryl, standing by her side like a handmaiden.

A girl with curly hair and round glasses.

Cheryl had gained entry to the academy through the sponsorship of the Bray family, and Janice couldn’t warm up to her either.

“… Let’s get started.”

Clatter! Clatter!

The jumbled bones made an eerie sound, then coalesced into distinct forms.

Skeletons brought back to life through dark magic.

Though there were more than ten of them, Janice felt no threat from their presence.

From a very tender age, she had been taught the art of magic by the mages in her family, enabling her to wield rather sophisticated spells.

Even the observant instructor, Perak, couldn’t claim to surpass her skills from the sidelines.

A sigh escaped her lips.

It was a futile exercise, a pointless endeavor.

Janice believed there was nothing worthwhile to learn in this place.

She despised having to engage in battles with such low-level foes like a handful of skeletons.

Watching Genta, a student of common birth like Cheryl, attempt to cast a fireball spell, irritation prickled within her.

‘… Is this a joke? Must I associate with these amateurs?’

“No fireball, Genta! It won’t have any effect!”

Stephen urgently warned, and Genta promptly canceled the spell.

Janice lifted her staff.

As she forged the spell, mana swirled around her staff.

“Um… Miss?”

Caught off guard, Cheryl called out to her. Cheryl knew exactly what spell Janice was preparing to invoke.

“Wind Blade.”

It was a Level 4 wind magic spell, boasting the most formidable physical impact.

“Everyone, take cover!”

Certain that she couldn’t restrain her power, Cheryl shouted to Stephen and the other boys.

“Huh…?”

Only Stephen reacted to her warning.

Stephen hurriedly clutched Denver’s academy uniform sleeve and pulled him along.

The wind roared fiercely, sharp enough to slice through bone, as it swirled around them. The buffeting wind forced them to take a step back to avoid being caught in its violent dance.

These bare skeletons were defenseless against the ferocity of the wind.

Stephen held onto Denver’s hand, trying to steady him, and asked, “Are you okay?”

Denver replied, “Yeah, I’m fine. How about you?”

“I’m alright too. But…” Stephen hesitated.

He wanted to glare at Janice Morrela, but he held himself back. Ever since he could remember, he had been raised as part of the Morrela family, a spectral existence.

“Miss Morrela… just a moment ago…”

He struggled to find the right words, knowing that blaming her or getting angry wouldn’t solve anything.

“What happened?” Janice’s voice was cold and distant, adding to Stephen’s discomfort.

“I just think it might have been a bit risky.”

Janice gave him an intense look, making it clear she didn’t appreciate his cautious approach.

“Are you implying you don’t trust my abilities? That I might have harmed you because I couldn’t handle a mere Level 4 spell?”

“No, it’s not that… I thought maybe sticking to the plan we had arranged earlier would have helped with our performance…”

“So, you’d rather put the blame on me if your grades suffer?”

Stephen tightened his lips, and Cheryl, who had never seen him like this before, felt compelled to intervene.

“Miss Morrela, that’s not what he meant.”

Janice gazed at Cheryl, a cunning smile playing on her lips.

“Now even the commoners want to be my mentor. Stephen, what are your thoughts? Should I bestow my teachings upon that lowly girl?”

Cheryl’s face turned ashen in an instant.

“I… I never intended such a thing, Miss. If my words sounded that way, I apologize sincerely.”

‘What are they up to? The battle hasn’t even concluded yet!’

Meanwhile, Philip, who had been observing from a distance, shook his head disapprovingly.

If this were a martial arts academy, he would have stepped in to mediate the situation. However, getting involved here would only cause trouble for Instructor Perak and Priscilla.

Moreover, Instructor Perak seemed uninterested in intervening, and simply stood there with his arms crossed.

‘… But why do I keep hearing this strange noise?’

Philip sensed something unusual and focused his hearing.

In no time, he caught a peculiar sound—a soft object moving across a rough surface.

And the sound was coming from above the spot where the students had gathered.

Just as the object appeared to be about to fall, Philip slammed his foot onto the ground.

Suddenly, something was plummeting towards Janice Morrela, and he had to act quickly.

————

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