This Novel is not my Novel

Today was Thursday, the third day since lectures began. Once again, I drew the professor's attention today. That is, if a gaze that was not merely negative but outright hostile could be called attention.

"Why is a student who uses a whip taking an introductory swordsmanship course?"

His displeasure was plainly evident in his aggressive tone and hardened expression.

Since it was literally just an introductory lecture, there should have been no reason a student who used another weapon couldn't take it. Nevertheless, there was a reason the swordsmanship professor reacted that way.

Was it because of his pride in swordsmanship?

If that had been the case, I wouldn't have said there was a reason. I would have simply thought his mindset was narrow-minded for a professor and questioned his qualifications as an educator.

So what was the problem?

'It's because of the karma this possessed body has accumulated, of course.'

It was a fate a person possessed into a ruffian character had no choice but to face.

In the semester-opening party scene, when I explained about this body's fiancée, Vigdís, it was briefly mentioned that she was learning swordsmanship at the Academy. Do you remember?

It doesn't matter if you don't. I just wrote it. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

In the original story, by the time Vigdís became the protagonist's companion, her swordsmanship skill had already reached S-Rank. That means she attained that level after only a few real battles following her graduation from the Academy.

But the current Vigdís was merely a fledgling who had been learning swordsmanship for less than a year.

In other words, she was a sword prodigy with monstrous potential, capable of reaching S-Rank swordsmanship within just over five years of first picking up a sword.

'It feels like a forced setting caused by power inflation after a character who was only briefly mentioned early in the story later became the protagonist's companion...'

Anyway, as someone teaching Vigdís swordsmanship, there was no reason for him not to cherish her.

It was natural for an educator to take interest in the affairs of a cherished student.

So there was no way he didn't know that Karvaldr had been obsessed with her and had tormented her.

Therefore, it was perfectly natural for the swordsmanship professor to hate this possessed body.

'In fact, the professor in charge of basic physical training and Skati, who teaches the dagger techniques lecture, are the unusual ones for showing me favor.'

To digress from the main topic for a moment.

It occurred to me that those two professors might not have known about the atrocities Karvaldr committed last semester. They didn't seem like the kind of corrupt educators who would dismiss school violence as something trivial.

"I signed up because I wanted to learn the sword, just like the other students."

"Student Karvaldr. Are you really here for the same purpose as the other students?"

"I don't think it's exactly the same. But it's not for the reason you're thinking of, Professor."

It was obvious he wouldn't believe me if I simply insisted otherwise.

So I partially admitted to the swordsmanship professor's accusation while simultaneously revealing and denying his inner suspicions.

Perhaps my attitude appeared arrogant, because the professor's eyebrows twitched in displeasure.

"How do you know what I'm thinking?"

"You're thinking that I'm here because I'm interested in someone other than the sword, aren't you?"

"Ha...!"

The swordsmanship professor let out a scoff.

As if he had heard something ridiculous.

"There's no one here who doesn't know that student Karvaldr is obsessed with student Vigdís. So I'll ask you directly. Did you really not sign up for this lecture just to take the same class as student Vigdís and monitor and meddle in everything she does?"

I had also assumed the students here would naturally know about that.

After all, they would have taken this same introductory swordsmanship course alongside Vigdís last semester as well. They all would have received warnings or threats from the original Karvaldr not to approach her.

Still, I thought it would make Vigdís uncomfortable if her name was mentioned directly, so I intentionally spoke indirectly.

But since the other party had brought up her name first, there was no point in me hesitating now.

"No, I didn't. I didn't know Vigdís would be taking this lecture again this semester. Wasn't she the talk of the Academy last semester for being an incredible sword prodigy? Naturally, I expected she would be taking the beginner swordsmanship course starting this semester."

This wasn't an excuse.

I was serious.

An S-Rank in swordsmanship was a level counted among the strong even for those who had wielded a sword for more than thirty years.

No matter how much benefit one gained from the training correction effect after awakening, raising a weapon skill rank was still far from easy.

For example, the protagonist's current spear technique rank was still only B-Rank despite having awakened ten years ago.

But Vigdís, after merely watching others swing swords, reached S-Rank in just over five years after first picking up a sword at the age of nineteen.

So of course it made sense that she would master the introductory course in half a year, right?

"Student Vigdís has indeed surpassed the level of the introductory class. However, I advised her to take both the introductory and practical swordsmanship courses together this semester, as a strong foundation built over time is necessary for future greatness."

Was it because his affection for his disciple was so great that praise for her talent made his pride slip out instinctively?

Or was he already laying the groundwork to boast later that his teachings had been behind Vigdís's dazzling growth when she became famous as a swordsman in the future?

Either way, it had nothing to do with me, so I moved on.

"There was no way I could have known that. I signed up for this lecture for reasons completely unrelated to her."

"Then let's hear the excuse you've prepared."

His words were filled with determination not to believe anything I said.

According to the directory of names I had received from the Family, this professor was the type to adhere to principles so strictly that he bordered on rigid.

So no matter how much he disliked this possessed body, I had expected he wouldn't disadvantage or discriminate against me compared to the other students.

'That's why I signed up for this lecture...'

If Vigdís hadn't been taking this lecture, he probably would have let it pass without displaying his hostility so openly.

This had become troublesome, but I couldn't back down now.

If I did, I would become 'the guy who tried to stalk his fiancée and changed lectures after being called out by the professor.'

Even the fact that I was no longer obsessed with Vigdís would come into question.

Rumors might spread that it wasn't because I had repented for my past actions, but because I had been scolded by that swordsmanship professor.

Rumors were always accompanied by distortion.

"In this world, the sword is the most common and popular weapon. Not only are there many who learn it professionally, but there are also many who learn it as a hobby or for self-defense. That's why, unlike other weapon skill lectures, only swordsmanship is divided into introductory and practical classes, isn't it?"

For the record, there wasn't even a whip techniques lecture at all.

The sorrow of a minor weapon skill outside the mainstream.

"So you're saying you signed up for my lecture to take up swordsmanship as a hobby."

"No. Since there are so many sword users, the probability of fighting one is higher than with any other weapon type. That's why I signed up. Not to become a swordsman like the other students, but to learn how to fight swordsmen. By learning the basics of swordsmanship, I thought I could understand things like breathing control before a swing and the difference in footwork between attacking and keeping an opponent in check."

"Are you saying you came to learn how to defeat a swordsman from someone who walks the path of the sword?"

The swordsmanship professor's voice was thick with displeasure, but this was exactly the reaction I had hoped for.

At last, the conversation had moved away from Vigdís.

"Is there a reason I shouldn't? After all, those who learn the sword are also learning how to face opponents who wield swords."

"It sounds like you're planning to fight someone with a sword. That's not something an ordinary young master from a noble family would ever need to do."

Planning to fight someone with a sword?

Of course I was.

In hunter genre novels, was there even a single one without conflict between hunters inside a gate?

At least, none among the ones I had read.

From simple fights to betrayal and murder, all kinds of illegal acts took place inside gates.

That happened because when a gate closed, the space itself disappeared.

Similar things would frequently happen in this world's demon realms as well.

Because demon realms were not newly created spaces but existing places undergoing transformation, the space itself did not disappear even after being cleared.

'But since this is a fantasy world-based novel rather than a modern one, the sanctity of life is practically a joke around here even outside demon realms.'

Of course, if I lived under the protection of the family knights without becoming an Einherjar, then as the professor said, there would be no need for me to fight someone wielding a sword.

But Karvaldr was a character who, upon graduation, would receive a proposal from his father with only two choices:

'Will you become active as an Einherjar with the support of the family, or will you leave the family with some money?'

So I had no choice but to prepare various things in advance.

"I did some things last semester that deserved criticism. Maybe that's why, when it became known that I couldn't use poison-attribute ether, there was even a student who said he wanted to feed me poison just to see whether I'd die. I don't even know who that student was."

The professor had probably meant his words about fighting a swordsman sarcastically.

But when I not only meekly accepted them but took them a step further, he looked genuinely bewildered.

The surrounding students gasping in shock was an added bonus.

"I am reflecting on my actions, whether you believe it or not. I was too immature until last semester. I've decided to change my ways and live righteously from now on, but grudges aren't emotions that fade easily, are they? It would be too unfair to quietly die over a single semester of delinquency, so I'm merely preparing for various possibilities."

"What nonsense..."

"Actually, I also thought I might be worrying over something absurd. But after seeing the hostility you showed me today, Professor, I've become certain it wasn't an unnecessary concern."

"I... have no intention of killing a student."

"Then do you intend to stand by and watch a student die?"

"Of course not."

Even if he had such intentions, he would have had to deny it.

How many people were listening here?

"Then I would appreciate it if you stopped criticizing me unnecessarily for taking your lecture. As I said, I have completely changed my ways and have no intention of bullying your excellent disciple, so please rest assured on that point."

"......"

"Then I will take it that you understand my circumstances."

I spoke in the most refined tone I could manage and slightly bowed my head toward the speechless professor.

The professor's eyebrows twitched once more, but that was all.

He glared at me for a moment before averting his gaze, opening the attendance ledger, and beginning to call the names.

'It didn't happen the way I intended, but somehow I managed to convey that I no longer intend to bully Vigdís.'

I was curious about Vigdís's reaction.

But if I glanced at her now, the swordsmanship professor might find fault with it, so I decided not to check her expression.

'Still, I should apologize properly... And I need to discuss when would be the best time to end the engagement.'

I should probably wait at least a week.

During that time, if I didn't even glance at her, Vigdís would lower her guard a little as well, and then it should be safe to bring it up.