A different feeling than usual.
The identity of this feeling was a sense of incongruity.
There was no emotion or mood in his voice.
insincere speech.
“Did I do something wrong… … ?”
I asked without slowing down in case of an unexpected situation. Then he smiled and said.
“Actually, it was something I didn’t want to show. How embarrassing that a professor in charge of one of the academy’s faculties was wounded against such infidels! So I tried to hide it as much as possible, but you saw it.”
“ah… … . sorry. I didn’t see it on purpose, I just happened to see it.”
“Is there anything to be sorry about? It’s my fault for being injured.”
“May I ask you a question?”
“Ask me.”
“How strong were those cultists that they were able to injure the dean?”
again
For an instant, his gaze felt cold enough to be chilly.
Did you touch something that shouldn’t be touched?
Perhaps some of the words I just uttered touched his wrath.
“… … I don’t really want to talk about it. However, one thing is for sure, even I was not an easy opponent.”
“okay… … Still, thanks to the head of department, many students were able to escape. thank you.”
“Gratitude was just doing what it was supposed to do. You deserve to be praised. I’ve heard that you saved students even in the midst of such a mess. It’s really great. Truly the epitome of a hero. Even if you knew me when I was your age, I wouldn’t have acted like that. Because everyone’s life is the most precious thing.”
“It’s an overstatement.”
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“It’s good to be humble, but take compliments as compliments. By the way, are you still thinking about the answer to my proposal?”
Did you call me to ask this… .
Unfortunately, my answer has already been decided.
I do not hope for an article. Of course, if you become his disciple, you can achieve numerous benefits and faster growth, but the ultimate goal is different.
“… sorry.”
Hearing my answer, he said with a bitter face.
“Is it a refusal after all… . Somehow I thought that would be the case. Too bad. You are the talent who can complete my sword.”
“I want to be a wizard, not a knight.”
said McDowell with a pity.
“You were born with the qualities of nothingness more than magic. Are you going to rot that kind of talent as it is? As you know, I have several disciples. They all have great talents too, but to be honest, not as much as you. That’s why I want you even more.”
“… … .”
“My first pupil was a child with more greed than talent. It’s good. greed. It is said that human beings can only grow if they have strong aspirations. I liked it. However, the child’s greed was bigger than I thought. It seems that I have not been able to satisfy all the child’s greed. In the end, that greed led to anger… … .”
I knew that he had many disciples, but I had never heard the details.
“How did it go? Who is the first disciple?”
“He’s dead… … . It was then that I realized that greed greater than one’s own talents can lead to anger. Everyone couldn’t walk the same path as me. i regret it If I taught my student better, if I was a teacher who could satisfy that child’s greed, if I corrected that child… It was a regret that the child might not have met such a miserable end.”
McDowell’s apprentice is dead… ?
“May I ask what happened to that disciple?”
“After graduating from the academy, I insisted on proving myself, but eventually headed to the Herold Mountains.”
“If it’s the Harold Mountains… … .”
“It’s a place called the Devil’s Land. It is a place where steep mountains, all kinds of monsters, and dragons exist. Most people might think it’s a rumor, but I know. The fact that dragons actually exist there. Ruler of the Harold Mountains. The Earth Dragon Agesio’s rare is there. It was a reckless choice. But the child did not listen to me. No matter how much I tried, you didn’t listen to me. no one could stop him Maybe it was that fate from the beginning. Becoming my disciple, facing such a miserable death… … .”
Ageshiora, ruler of the Harold Mountains… . If it’s an earth dragon, is it a dragon that uses earth attribute magic?
His eyes shimmered as quietly as the lake in front of him.
“I said something stupid. Think of it as the grumbling of an old man stained with regret.”
“… … I express my condolences.”
“Thank you. He might be happy in ‘Fólkvangr’ by now. No, I really hope so. I have never had a child, but it was the child who made me think for the first time that this would be the feeling of becoming a parent. Have you ever heard that Dean McDowell cares so much for his students?”
I nodded.
“hahahaha. It’s for these reasons. To me, everyone is like children. Having lost the first child in such vain, I ended up wrapping myself up even more. Also, I can’t get rid of the thought that my children may be walking on the wrong path because of my wrong choices. I can’t help it. This is also my choice, and that it is karma. That is why I will protect those whom I once accepted as disciples for the rest of my life. Even in exchange for my life.”
It was understandable that the students who chose the Faculty of Knights were desperate to catch his eye because he cared so much for his students.
As long as I became his disciple, the obstacles I would face later in my life would not be a problem.
“… … I’ll ask you one last time Seil Sieghart. Do you have any intention of becoming my disciple? If it’s you, I can pass on everything to you. And I will do my best to take responsibility for your future as well. If you want to learn magic, I will allow that too. And ask the professor of the Faculty of Magic separately. I will fully support you in everything you want to do. As the head of the Faculty of Knights at Salomon Academy and the disciple of Sword Master McDowell, you will take everything.”
The desire that bloomed in his eyes wriggled.
I didn’t know at this point if it was the desire to accept me as a disciple and achieve his dream, or if it was another reason I didn’t know.
“I am so grateful and honored that you think of me like that… … As I said before, I hope to become a wizard. And if possible, I want to become a disciple of someone who teaches magic. I was born with a lineage that doesn’t fit Sieghart, but to be honest, I haven’t thought about what I’m going to do for a living yet. That’s why I want to look at the world a little wider, experience it, feel it, and then make a decision slowly.”
McDowell’s expression changed.
The warm smile he showed me just now was nowhere to be found, and he was looking at me with cold, unfeeling eyes.
“… Is it because of Professor Johan Cruyff? What did he say to you? Did I tell you not to enter as my disciple? Do you think you can teach better? Or are you talking about the disciple’s story I just told you about?”
McDowell suddenly makes a sudden acceleration.
Embarrassed, I waved my hand and said.
“It is a misunderstanding. Professor Johan Cruyff told me to think positively about becoming the dean’s disciple. It might be a good opportunity that will never come again.”
“Then why are you refusing? I can’t quite understand Why would you want to pass up this opportunity? Do you believe in your own talent? Confidence that you can grow alone without a teacher?”
“… I just thought it wasn’t my way. I never did anything like what you said!”
“Whoa… . I got a little excited. No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t understand it. So what do you wish for? I can give you wealth, honor, and even power. Do you still hate it?”
“What I want is not wealth, fame, or power… … . Survival and return.”
“Survival and return… … . What an unexpected answer. okay. In any case, I understand your opinion. I won’t bother you any more.”
“… … I think I offended the dean. sorry.”
“I’m sorry for coming now… . It’s okay. It’s just pitiful. I thought you and Sardin would be good competitors for each other… … .”
This time my face hardened.
“Are you referring to Prince Sadin Lundell of Class A by any chance?”
“Yes. A few days ago, the child came to see me personally, saying that she wanted to become my disciple. He is the bloodline of Lord Heiden Rundel, the swordsman who is said to be the strongest sword master in the Empire, so his talent is undoubtedly great, and he himself accepted it because he had strong aspirations. Is there a problem?”
under… … . This old man was looking at the liver while saying that?
I could have gotten the death penalty with that bastard Sadin Rundell.
“no. Whoever you take as a disciple is entirely the choice of the dean.”
“yes. it’s my choice Well then, I think I’ve said everything, so I’ll leave.”
“yes. Please go in.”
Dean McDowell rose from his seat and left without looking back.
His leg, which had been limping just a few days ago, is now remarkably intact.
‘Is everything I’ve shown so far been acting?’
After talking to him directly, I couldn’t help but think that all the favors he had shown me were due to thorough calculation.
‘Cunning old man. Nature doesn’t go anywhere.’
It was an opportunity to think again about why he was called the Sword Demon and gained notoriety throughout the continent.
I just got in the mood.
An indescribable feeling of discomfort did not go away.
It seemed that the festival was over now, seeing that the sound of singing could not be heard. Out of frustration, I headed to the dormitory after a few laps around the park.
‘For you to have Sardine Rundel as your disciple… … . It’s not good to get along.’
I have a hunch that I will get more tired in the future.
When I arrived near the dormitory, I heard something like a cheer from the gymnasium.
Upon closer inspection, Frey was swinging a long sword.
It seems that he was so focused that he didn’t even hear me coming. Sweat is beading on her forehead, and the gym floor is covered with sword scars.
I sat nearby and silently watched her swing the sword.
Honest and correct attitude.
Every time she swung her wooden sword, golden mana scattered beautifully.
She found me belatedly and strode toward me. Then he raised a wooden sword and pointed it at me.
“Do it with me once.”