Namgung Se-ga, the warrior, was reincarnated in Romance

The introductory swordsmanship class was focused on physical training and refining the sword techniques each person had already learned, with guidance from Maelo Sanson.

However, from the intermediate level onward, students would learn the common sword techniques that every knight in Sieron must master.

The Imperial Swordsmanship. It was the swordsmanship style predominantly used by knights from the House of Valentia, the House of Ernhardt, and most other knights in Sieron.

I had once wondered why the Sieron Academy didn’t teach a common sword technique, but it seemed that I had said that without knowing the intermediate level techniques.

Maelo Sanson greeted the class with his usual gentle smile and added a brief explanation.

“Since you all have already passed the introductory level, you’ve likely encountered Imperial Swordsmanship at least once. Is there anyone who hasn’t seen it before?”

No one raised their hand.

“Imperial Swordsmanship is not the most outstanding technique. However, it is the most stable. Unstable techniques might seem more powerful, which makes them more tempting. But when you try to absorb that recoil with your body, you’ll naturally fall behind in the end.”

Maelo Sanson looked closely at each student.

At Maelo’s level, he could tell how each person was using their sword techniques just by observing the direction their muscles and bones were extending.

I used the smooth and elegant Cheongcheon Mu-ae sword style. My fingertips and toes were precise and sharp, extending gracefully.

“From now on, the Imperial Swordsmanship will serve as a bridge, helping you integrate all the techniques you’ve learned so far into a single system. When the most crucial moment comes, when you must endure the longest, you will find yourself relying on the Imperial Swordsmanship. And I will make sure of that.”

A loud round of applause erupted.

He was not just skilled with a sword, but also a very good speaker. I was so moved by Maelo’s words that I clapped until my hands hurt.

Shayden moved away to a more distant spot.

I wondered if it was because of me, but Shayden gave me an awkward smile and nodded toward the side. Bill Brown was waving his hands around, shouting loudly.

…I, too, wanted to run away at that moment.

However, Bill Brown was actually a pretty good student.

Among the first-year students who had come to take intermediate swordsmanship, he worked the hardest. To use the Imperial Swordsmanship, you need a strong lower body that doesn’t waver, and since Bill was already well-built, he performed the moves effortlessly.

But every time he did something, he would rush over to me, asking for praise, which became a little annoying. Considering his age, I indulged him and praised him as he asked.

By the time the class ended, Bill begged me to have a meal with him.

Shayden, Benjamin, and Ruber, who had been waiting for me, paused for a moment. Shayden shook his head. I understood what he meant and tried to send Bill back to his friends.

“What about your classmates?”

“Oh! It’s fine! They won’t mind me eating with the upperclassmen!”

“…I meant, don’t you need time to bond with your classmates?”

“Eh? We’re already close! They all really like me!”

There was a complete lack of understanding.

Shayden, noticing my discomfort, thought for a moment and then smiled.

I knew that smile well. It was the kind of fake, polite smile one would make when trying to be courteous to someone they didn’t know very well, and it made me feel uneasy.

“In that case, during meals, you should speak in a quieter voice.”

“Yes!”

“Even quieter.”

“…Yes!”

“Good.”

Seeing this, Benjamin cautiously asked me how I ended up with such a person by my side.

I had no answer, so I kept quiet.

Throughout the meal, Bill kept talking loudly about how fun the class had been, making it hard to enjoy my food.

Ruber helped me by giving me some of the side dishes I liked, and I was finally able to finish my tray.

* * *

Monday afternoon’s class was the Medicinal Drug Manufacturing Practicum, taught by Professor Cedric.

The full course name was *Alchemy Magic, Medicinal Drug Manufacturing Practicum*.

I had no particular interest in alchemy, and I figured it was more convenient to just buy potions made by others if I ever needed them.

Since it was Professor Cedric’s class, I was hoping it would be replaced with an assignment instead of a test.

“Mikael! Wow, it’s been such a long time!”

“Did you have a good vacation? We missed you~!”

“Wow, you’ve grown so much. You’re already starting to look a bit like Ivan…”

“Not quite yet. I still look way more like…”

Seeing my friends greet me with bright smiles warmed my heart.

During the holiday, we were all boasting about the fun times we had, and I joined in, proudly mentioning my visit to the House of Valentia.

Some of the sharp-eyed kids begged to see the locket around my neck. I hadn’t realized until now that a locket without a portrait shone brightly because the space between the decoration was empty, while one with a portrait was dimmer because the light was blocked.

I obediently took it off and handed it to them, and they marveled at the contents inside.

“It’s so beautifully done.”

“So this is where your beauty shines, Mikael.”

“I can tell even with my eyes closed, it’s Ernhardt.”

“How old is your little sister again?”

“Five… no, she’s six this year.”

I warned them not to envy her because of the age difference, but they cheered me on.

Even though I knew the compliments about my family being lovely, beautiful, and noble were just flattery, I asked them to keep praising it because it felt nice to hear.

I had said it sincerely, but the kids took it as a joke, bursting out in laughter, so I just laughed along too.

The kids began sharing stories of their own recent experiences.

Marianne mentioned that she spent the entire winter break with Glotin Tenor.

Thanks to being assigned a partner, she didn’t have to attend many gatherings and had plenty of free time, which she really enjoyed. She encouraged the other kids to find their own official partners as soon as possible.

Damien and Jenny, who had been introduced to the Serbel Count siblings through me, seemed to have received a lot of care from them.

Just as they were about to brag about their sightseeing tours around the capital with them, Professor Cedric entered the classroom.

“Well, well, everyone’s faces are sparkling. You look like little chicks. Now that you have new juniors, do you think it’s okay to be so loud?”

The sound of Cedric tapping the table made the kids burst out laughing and quickly find their seats. I quietly watched as Cedric scanned the students with his eyes.

“As you all know, the Medicinal Drug Manufacturing Practicum is a class only for students who have already taken the basic alchemy course. I’m sure everyone sitting here has experience in making magic potions.”

I could hear the kids responding softly, “Yes, yes.”

“Alchemy basics involve creating simple potions with easily available materials. Intermediate alchemy involves using harder-to-find ingredients to create potions with effects that can be imagined. Advanced alchemy, however, goes further, creating substances from the irregular and chaotic, things that are hard to imagine for ordinary people.”

Cedric smiled and dropped a bundle of printouts onto the podium, counting them out. The kids in the front row stood up, grabbed the papers, and passed them to the others in the back.

It was impressive how they all knew Cedric’s method without needing to be told.

“Now, what we’ll be learning today is intermediate alchemy. As with all alchemy, remember that it takes time and effort to create something truly usable. Now, let’s split up into groups, shall we?”

This time, the groups were assigned according to their preferences, with five people in each group.

Shayden, who wasn’t taking the alchemy class because he had signed up for business-related courses, wasn’t in our group. Fortunately, I got to be in a group with all of my close friends.

Maybe he had predicted this and pulled out in advance. That was impressive.

My group consisted of me, Jenny, Marianne Philodendor, Ivan Holmos, and Damien Christopher.

We moved to a desk with a name tag for Group 4.

Each group received a box of experimental tools.

The ones we used during the camping class were compact and light, made of bouncy materials that were easy to carry.

But the tools we received now were bigger, heavier, and with clear, distinct markings. They were clearly of higher quality.

Curious, I started fiddling with the curly glass tubes, and Damien whispered to be careful not to break them.

I chuckled, thinking there was no way I would break something like this, not being Benjamin.

The first month of class would focus on learning the names of the tools, their uses, and how to purchase materials from suppliers.

As I listened carefully, I realized that many of the materials needed for large-scale mana cultivation were used in alchemy.

I also learned that the cultivated materials were of better quality than those we had foraged for during the camping class.

I couldn’t help but feel a bit unfair, wondering if Cedric had selected the best materials in advance, either because he was a professor or because his harvesting skills were superior.

However, considering the materials we used in the last class, such as fever reducers and pain relievers, I quickly decided that it wasn’t something worth complaining about. In urgent situations, the more ways to respond, the better.

The first class was a brief introduction to how to order supplies by mail, and for the next session, we would actually visit the wholesale and retail suppliers.

Cedric, who often emphasized that knowledge written on paper was dead knowledge, had inspired me, and since I enjoyed learning through direct experience, I was sure I would like this class.

Damien, who no longer limped, whispered proudly in my ear.

“This is my area of expertise. Just follow along.”

The rest of the group members quietly gave him a thumbs-up instead of cheering. I almost couldn’t hold in my laughter. It was both amusing and endearing.