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Stella mulled over the movement Davian had just shown.
It wasn’t actually anything particularly impressive.
The only difference was that it was clean and without unnecessary flourishes; other students with some skill in swordsmanship could easily perform the same movement.
But only a month ago, that guy was a student who couldn't even hold a sword properly.
'What on earth happened in just one month?'
His inner strength might be lacking, but if you only looked at the movement, he was more like a professional swordsman than an academy student.
'If he just had a little more inner strength, he could take the 1-star swordsman test right away. No, if you only look at his movements, excluding speed, he could even pass the 2-star or 3-star test without any problem.'
She couldn't just keep being amazed by Davian's transformation forever.
It was class time, after all.
"Now, look at these skeleton models in front. They are holding different types of weapons. From now on, I will show you how the size and shape of the Sword Edge Circle changes depending on the angle you face and the type of weapon."
Professor Stella gestured to the assistants.
The assistants went behind the skeleton models and tore off one scroll each.
The light that emerged from the torn scrolls enveloped the skeleton models.
Creak. Creak.
The skeleton models began to move slowly, making the sound of bones clattering.
The skeleton models were drawing large circles while holding different weapons.
After a little time, they were smoothly rotating their arms without any creaking sound.
A notable point was that the skeleton models, spaced wide apart, were all drawing Edge Circles towards Professor Stella.
"Wow."
Bellum exclaimed in admiration.
"Davian, you can do so many different things with magic, right? Can you do something like that too?"
"No, I haven't properly learned how to make magical tools."
Professor Stella's firm voice echoed across the training ground.
"Observe each weapon's circle carefully and memorize it."
Professor Stella slowly began to walk.
The skeleton models, fixed in place, turned their upper bodies to follow Professor Stella, drawing Sword Edge Circles.
The skeleton model holding a rapier in its right hand had the circle drawn by the tip of the sword become smaller as Professor Stella moved to the left.
"It's obvious, but if you face an opponent holding a sword in their right hand, you should attack their left side."
Professor Stella walked around the training ground, circling behind the skeletons.
"In the case of two-handed swords, the shape of the circle also changes depending on which hand is in front."
Stella circled around the skeleton models and came back to the front.
"Now, imagine drawing a vertical line in the center of the Sword Edge Circle with your eyes. Next, a horizontal line. Then, diagonal lines. Divide the Sword Edge Circle into eight equal parts like your favorite pizza."
Nubes muttered quietly.
"I want pizza."
Bellum immediately retorted.
"Shut up, Nubes."
"Ideally, you should be able to attack the body from outside the Sword Edge Circle. If not, you have to choose one of these eight pieces to stab or cut into. The pizza slice that should be prioritized depends on the type of sword the opponent is holding, the direction you are facing, and your stance."
Stella, standing in front of a skeleton holding a two-handed longsword, pointed to the bottom right.
"In this stance and angle, it's right here. You have to attack this pizza slice."
Stella moved her position again.
"From this angle, it's here."
She changed positions several times, showing the positions that should be attacked.
"Of course, you may have to attack other places depending on the combat situation. These pizza slices only represent the optimal path. It's not an unconditional answer. But knowing this and not knowing this makes a world of difference."
Davian looked at the positions Professor Stella was pointing to and imagined virtual sword paths in his mind.
'Indeed.'
Each position she pointed out was the path that would be most difficult for the opponent to block.
Professor Stella's lecture and demonstration continued for a long time.
Davian absorbed the Sword Edge Circle lesson with his eyes and ears more attentively than ever before.
"Once you are familiar with the eight slices of pizza, you can then divide it into sixteen slices to determine the sword path. That's something you can do much later. Now, pair up into groups of two and stand facing each other. We'll do some practical exercises."
Davian naturally stood facing Nubes, who was next to him.
At that moment, someone suddenly pushed Nubes's body to the side.
"Hey, move over."
"...Rex?"
"I said move."
It was Rex Flumen, who had brought a whole gang with him.
Rex pushed Nubes, who was standing there blankly, once more.
Even though there was nearly a two-fold difference in size, Nubes was pushed several steps to the side.
"Hey, Davian. Our male student representative. Let's practice together. How about it?"
Davian's brow furrowed sharply.
"Get lost. Apologize to Nubes."
"You're being difficult. I just wanted to cross swords with you since I heard your swordsmanship has improved. Why, are you scared to fight a real swordsman?"
"Fight what. It's not even sparring time."
"Oh, are you just going to practice choosing those pizza slices? Is that really the kind of thing they teach at Elton Academy, the best educational institution on the continent?"
"I found it useful."
"Really? Then let's do it. You can attack using that pizza selection. I'll block it all. And for my attack... well, you're on your own to block it."
"I told you to get lost. Don't get beaten with a club and start whining again."
Rex looked around with a flustered expression.
Except for a few people, the rest of his gang didn't know about what happened on the day of the entrance ceremony.
"S-Shut up!"
"What's going on? Why is it so noisy when I told you to practice?"
Professor Stella was already standing next to them.
Rex Flumen was flustered.
'How much did she hear? Could it be...'
"Ah, Professor. I just wanted to practice with Davian, so I was talking to him."
"...Fine. You two do it."
"Huh?"
"I said you two should do it. Practice. That pizza slice selection practice that is not something they teach at the best academy on the continent."
Rex's face turned white for a moment.
"Ah... That's not what I meant..."
"That's enough. You two do it. Alternate attacks. Only three chances each."
Students had already gathered around them.
A practical sparring match ordered by Professor Stella herself.
Davian, the male student representative whose major was magic, and Rex, a skilled student who competed for the top spot in the swordsmanship department.
Even if it wasn't a formal sparring match, it was a practical sparring match that was enough to attract attention.
"What are you doing? Hurry up and do it."
Professor Stella stood with her hands behind her back, looking back and forth between the two students.
When Davian's eyes met hers, Stella's lips moved silently.
'De.mo.lish.him.'
Davian doubted his eyes.
But Stella's lip movements clearly conveyed her intention.
'She must be angry that I belittled the pizza lesson.'
Davian slowly drew his sword.
Rex smirked at the sight.
"Come at me first."
"Get in stance."
"Why, are you going to pick a pizza slice? Hup."
Realizing his mistake, Rex covered his mouth and glanced at Professor Stella.
Professor Stella's expression remained unchanged.
Meanwhile, Davian drew a virtual circle in front of him.
A Sword Edge Circle that considered Rex's arm length, stance, and sword length.
He began to draw lines one by one inside the virtual circle.
Davian had already divided the Sword Edge Circle into 16 equal parts.
It was thanks to the 'Eye of the Sword Path' skill.
He had concentrated his mana points on his inner strength and raised the 'Eye of the Sword Path' skill to level 7.
Before he knew it, all the students in the swordsmanship department had gathered around Davian and Rex.
Bellum, who had approached Bonita, asked.
"Bonita, what do you think?"
"About what?"
"This match."
"What match. How is it a match if they just stand there and swing their swords at each other once?"
"Is that so? Anyway. Do you think Davian will be able to land an attack? Conversely, will he be able to block Rex's attack? Is that even possible?"
"Rex passed the 2-star swordsman test several years ago. No matter how much Davian has improved..."
Bonita, who had been answering indifferently, froze.
Only then did Bellum turn his head to look at Davian.
"Hup!"
Davian's sword was precisely stopped in front of Rex's left side.
It had all happened in an instant.
Davian, who had retreated his sword, stared intently at Rex Flumen.
"What are you doing?"
"W-What?"
"What are you doing not blocking?"
"What nonsense! Starting sneakily without even saying anything!"
"What are you talking about. It's been a while since I told you to get in stance."
"Sneaky bastard!"
Meanwhile, Bonita stared intently at Davian.
'He's improved again in the meantime. What on earth is wrong with him? Davian is coming out.'
On the other hand, Davian faced Rex with a slightly more relaxed expression.
'It's more doable than I thought.'
Aside from the skill level increasing, he hadn't neglected his swordsmanship training for a single day.
Moreover, Davian was investing the time that other students spent on group training solely on personal training.
'The synergy between Mons's sword path drawing training and the Eye of the Sword Path skill is definitely amazing.'
It was a satisfactory result.
If he had already surpassed Rex Flumen, a 2-star swordsman, the only person he had to catch up to now was Bonita Fortis.
There were still about three months left until the end-of-semester evaluation.
'There's plenty of time.'
Swish.
This time, Rex's sword was swung towards him.
'Top right!'
It was a fairly fast movement, but the path the sword was taking was clearly visible.
But it was definitely a speed and momentum that couldn't be ignored.
Davian put strength into his wrist and raised his sword.
It was then.
Shhh.
Davian's pupils widened greatly.
Just before the sword touched his, Rex's sword path changed.
Rex's sword, which was sliding sideways along Davian's blade even though the swords hadn't touched yet.
It was a movement of the sword that was completely unrelated to the Sword Edge Circle lesson.
An extreme variation.
A high-level swordsmanship technique that twists the sword path just before the swords collide.
Excellent senses were basic, and bone-carving training was essential.
In addition, it was an advanced swordsmanship that required a high level of internal strength to ignore inertia.
Rex's sword, which had been flowing over Davian's sword like a flowing river, turned into angry waves and crashed down on Davian again.
'Damn it. I can't block this.'
He hurriedly lowered his sword, but Rex's sword was faster at reaching Davian's body.
Clang. Ssh!
Rex pulled his sword back, dragging it across Davian's waist.
He had deliberately grazed the blade against Davian's body.
Despite the uniform having defensive magic engraved on it, it was cut by Rex's sharp blade, which moved like it was sliding.
Drip.
Bright red blood flowed down from the spot where the sword had passed.
Rex let out a bitter smile.
"Ah, sorry. I was a little late in pulling back before it touched your body."
It wasn't a fatal wound, but the blood that had seeped out deeply soaked the uniform in an instant.
Bellum, who had been watching the match, stepped forward and shouted.
"That bastard did it on purpose!"
This time, one of the guys behind Rex shouted.
"It just grazed him while he was pulling the sword back! Is a swordsman going to make a fuss over a wound like that! It just looks like a scratch."
"What? Who are you to butt in!"
Nubes grabbed Bellum, who was about to draw his sword and rush out.
"Calm down. We'll only make Davian look more foolish if we step in."
"Let go! Rex, that bastard, drew that on purpose! Davian, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine."
This time, Stella looked at Davian's wound and said.
"Davian, go to the infirmary and get treated."
"It's just a scratch, as the guy behind Rex said. I'll get treated after completing the three chances you mentioned."
"Well, the wound doesn't look deep. Are you really okay, Davian?"
"Yes, Professor."
Professor Stella secretly didn't want Davian to lose.
"Then continue."
"Yes."
Stella's lips moved silently again when she met Davian's eyes.
'Ki.ll.him.'
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