Episode 236: Beyond Redemption (4)
Demian stared intently at the man who had appeared out of nowhere. Delong Müller mirrored his actions.
The students swallowed nervously, watching the two men. Both were master-class fighters. If a clash were to occur here, the consequences were unpredictable.
Suddenly, Demian gestured towards the students.
“Oliver, come here.”
Though puzzled, Oliver approached Demian, who whispered to him.
“Who on earth is he?”
Though spoken softly, everyone nearby could hear Demian’s question.
Oliver, along with the other students and even Delong Müller, looked bewildered.
“Do you really not know who that man is?”
Demian was amused by Oliver’s audacity to refer to a teacher as “that man” and asked again.
“I’m not here to make friends. So, who is he?”
“That’s Delong Müller. He’s the head instructor for all first-year classes, including swordsmanship.”
This alone didn’t fully explain who Delong Müller was, so Oliver quickly added more.
“Before joining the academy, he was known as a hero of the empire.”
“A hero?”
“Not for any grand achievements, but he was a renowned consultant.”
Demian listened more intently to Oliver’s explanation.
“I’ve heard he went around noble families, identifying and fixing flaws in their techniques. Some families even produced master-class fighters thanks to his guidance.”
“Really?”
“That’s why he was invited to teach at the academy.”
Demian looked at Delong Müller with newfound interest.
Reaching the master-class level was no small feat, but improving other families’ techniques was even more challenging.
Despite his impressive past, Delong Müller’s current skills weren’t extraordinary.
He was a master-class fighter, but he hadn’t surpassed any significant barriers.
“Sometimes, people have talents like that.”
Those who might not excel themselves but have a knack for identifying and analyzing others’ weaknesses.
Such individuals were naturally gifted teachers.
“A teacher at the academy doesn’t know who I am? How absurd!” Delong Müller exclaimed, his face flushed with anger. Demian asked him calmly.
“So, what brings you here?”
“What brings me here? A very good question! I’m here to confront you about your misconduct!”
“Misconduct?”
“Are you going to pretend you don’t know about the chaos you caused at the academy just yesterday?”
“Oh, that,” Demian replied nonchalantly, which only fueled Delong Müller’s anger.
“Is that all you have to say after causing such a ruckus? I’ve never seen someone so lacking in decorum! This is why we never hired knights from outside the empire!”
Demian looked at Delong Müller with a hint of boredom. Ever since joining the academy, everyone had been questioning his origins.
“That’s not all! A master-class fighter bullying students? It’s fortunate I witnessed it myself, or it could have been disastrous!”
“I was merely disciplining them as a teacher because they behaved inappropriately.”
“Disciplining? What could they have possibly done?”
“If you knew the harsh words these two used against Class 13, you’d understand my actions.”
Though he hadn’t heard everything, the latter part of their conversation was enough to reveal their blatant disdain and disrespect for Class 13.
“That’s a baseless accusation.”
But Delong Müller didn’t believe Demian.
“Emilio and Geliver are top students, representing the first years! Not to mention, they’re from prestigious families of the empire! And you claim they slandered Class 13?”
“Well…”
Demian opened his mouth to defend Class 13 but closed it again.
It was understandable that Delong Müller didn’t believe him. Class 13 had a notorious reputation.
If the roles were reversed, Demian wouldn’t have believed it either.
“And even if what you say is true, what’s the problem?”
Demian couldn’t help but frown at his next words.
“What did you just say?”
“If there’s trash on the street, it’s only natural to feel disgusted and speak harshly. And you dare to threaten these two over that?”
Demian didn’t particularly like Class 13. He was only teaching them because of the headmaster’s conditions.
But as their current instructor, he had a responsibility to them.
And despite their flaws, Class 13 wasn’t at fault this time.
“Not only are you not from the empire, but you can’t even discern right from wrong as a teacher! Someone as unqualified as you shouldn’t remain at the academy! I’ll call a meeting tomorrow to address this issue!”
Demian silently stared at Delong Müller.
‘What a nuisance.’
His sudden appearance and confrontational attitude were irritating.
Of course, Delong Müller didn’t have the power to expel Demian. Demian was employed at the academy by imperial decree.
But it would certainly be a hassle. He had no time to waste on such matters when he needed to focus on teaching.
“There’s no need to go through the trouble of calling a meeting.”
He needed to resolve this situation somehow.
And he wouldn’t mind wiping that smug look off Delong Müller’s face.
“Why not test my qualifications right here?”
“Test your qualifications? How?”
“I was hired as a swordsmanship instructor. There’s only one way to prove my qualifications.”
“Are you suggesting a duel?”
A flicker of hesitation crossed Delong Müller’s face.
While he excelled at teaching others, his own skills weren’t exceptional.
Moreover, Demian was the winner of the Helian Tournament. The gap between them was clear.
“Would that really prove your qualifications?”
Beating Delong Müller would be easy. But a predictable outcome wouldn’t humiliate him properly.
“How about a duel using only the Imperial Standard Swordsmanship?”
Delong Müller’s eyes widened at the suggestion.
“Only the Imperial Standard Swordsmanship?”
“As I understand, all swordsmanship classes at the academy are based on the Imperial Standard Swordsmanship. Proving my understanding of it should suffice to demonstrate my qualifications.”
Delong Müller’s expression shifted at Demian’s proposal.
“If I win, will you leave the academy without complaint?”
“I promise. But if I win, you must acknowledge my position as an instructor.”
After a moment of contemplation, Delong Müller replied confidently.
“Very well. Let’s begin immediately.”
Thus, the duel between Demian and Delong Müller was set.
The two stood opposite each other, preparing for the duel. Demian began flipping through a book on Imperial Standard Swordsmanship.
“Sir, perhaps we should reconsider the rules…” Oliver suggested cautiously beside Demian.
“Oliver’s right. A duel with Delong Müller using the Imperial Standard Swordsmanship is too reckless,” Penelope chimed in, sticking close to Demian.
“Sir, that man is sharp enough to refine other families’ techniques.”
“Not only that, but he’s been teaching at the academy for a long time, so his understanding of the Imperial Standard Swordsmanship is likely unparalleled.”
Oliver and Penelope spoke rapidly.
Demian looked at them with a bemused expression.
“Why are you suddenly pretending to be concerned about me?”
Both turned away, embarrassed.
“Well, no matter how skilled you are, beating him with the Imperial Standard Swordsmanship is…”
“It’ll be difficult. I’m not saying this to undermine you.”
“True, he probably knows it better than I do, having just learned it yesterday.”
Their faces went blank.
“What did you just say?”
“I said I just learned the Imperial Standard Swordsmanship yesterday.”
“And you challenged him to a duel?”
“Are you out of your mind?”
Oliver and Penelope shouted without realizing it. But when Demian glared at them silently, they quickly bowed their heads.
“I’m sorry! I spoke out of turn!”
“I’ll let it slide this time.”
“Thank you!”
They sighed in relief and stood up.
“Watch closely. This is part of your lesson.”
As Delong Müller walked to the center of the training ground, Demian followed.
“Sir Demian, are you truly confident?” Delong Müller asked with a smug expression. Demian chuckled softly.
“I think I know what you’re thinking. You probably underestimated the Imperial Standard Swordsmanship, dismissing it as just a basic technique.”
As Delong Müller had pointed out, the Imperial Standard Swordsmanship was indeed considered a foundational technique within the empire. Many knights saw it as a stepping stone in their training.
“But that’s a grave mistake. This swordsmanship was personally devised by the first emperor. The more you practice it, the deeper its intricacies become.”
Delong Müller drew his training sword, the blade slicing through the air with a graceful arc as he twisted his wrist.
“Now, let me show you… What are you holding there?”
He gestured towards the weapon in Demian’s hand, which turned out to be a hexagonal club.
“It’s not a real battle, so the weapon doesn’t really matter, does it?”
“Well… I suppose not…”
Delong Müller looked at Demian with a hint of skepticism.
“Let’s see how well someone from the Apple Kingdom can handle the empire’s swordsmanship!”
With that, Delong Müller closed the distance in an instant.
The Imperial Standard Swordsmanship.
Despite its simple name, it was a formidable technique created by the first emperor himself. Though it was now treated as a basic form, its depth was undeniable.
The swordsmanship consisted of five movements. Each was simple, yet they all interconnected, allowing for countless variations in attack. The danger of the technique depended on how these movements were combined.
“To challenge me with the Imperial Standard Swordsmanship!”
Delong Müller, who emphasized this swordsmanship when training knights, was taken aback. It contained all the fundamentals a knight needed.
And now, a knight from another country dared to challenge him with it?
“Let’s see how well someone from the Apple Kingdom can handle the empire’s swordsmanship!”
Delong Müller swung his sword with fury.
The first form of the Imperial Standard Swordsmanship.
A swift, decisive strike designed to end a confrontation in one blow, it tore through the air towards Demian.
In that moment, Demian Haxen countered with his club. Delong Müller sneered.
“A circular trajectory… Planning to counter with the fourth form? Trying to face me with such textbook methods!”
As Demian blocked the attack, Delong Müller prepared to transition into the third form, a technique that deflected the opponent’s attack while aiming for the solar plexus. If Demian tried to evade, he would switch to the fifth form…
The club and sword clashed. Delong Müller smoothly deflected Demian’s attack, twisting his body to thrust his sword towards Demian’s solar plexus…
At that moment, Delong Müller saw it. Demian Haxen’s emotionless eyes staring back at him.
“Such a shallow trick.”
Demian struck the sword with the handle of his club, sending it flying downwards.
“What?”
Delong Müller’s face showed shock. He hadn’t anticipated his third form being blocked in such a manner.
“The second form…! To use it like this…!”
In that instant of disbelief, Demian Haxen brought his club down on Delong Müller’s head.
With intense pain, Delong Müller’s vision went dark.
“Not much of a challenge.”
Demian looked down at the unconscious Delong Müller.
“You two over there.”
He called out to Emilio and Geliver, who stared at him in surprise.
“Take him away, will you?”
The two looked at Demian Haxen with trembling eyes. Emilio protested.
“This… This doesn’t count!”
“Doesn’t count?”
“The technique you used isn’t part of the Imperial Standard Swordsmanship! You broke the rules of the duel!”
Demian clicked his tongue at Emilio’s protest.
“Ask him when he wakes up if what I used was part of the Imperial Standard Swordsmanship.”
“Of course it wasn’t…”
“Focusing too much on form won’t get you far.”
Demian clicked his tongue again, then his expression darkened.
“Did you just talk back to me?”
Emilio and Geliver’s faces turned pale. They quickly picked up Delong Müller and hurried away.
Once they were gone, silence fell over the training ground.
“My goodness…”
“To defeat a master class so easily…”
The members of the 13th squad murmured in shock. Demian turned to them.
“Now that the distractions are gone, shall we resume training?”
The faces of the 13th squad twisted in dismay, some looking as if they were about to faint.
But not everyone was disheartened.
Oliver and Penelope stood with determined expressions, staring at Demian Haxen.
That night, Demian received unexpected visitors.
“What brings you here?”
He asked Oliver and Penelope, who stood outside the faculty quarters.
With resolute faces, they shouted at Demian.
“We want to defeat my brother Geliver in the upcoming exams!”
“And I want to get back at that bastard Emilio!”
Both knelt on the ground, pleading earnestly.
“We’ll endure any training! Just help us win!”
Demian crouched down to meet their eyes.
“So, you’re saying you want to abandon physical and swordsmanship training to focus solely on sparring?”
“Yes!”
“That’s right!”
“Alright, I understand your intentions.”
Demian patted their shoulders.
Oliver and Penelope exchanged bright smiles.
“No.”
But their smiles vanished at his next words.
“Are you out of your minds? The exams are soon, and you want to change your focus now? Just to beat the top students?”
Demian pulled out his club from a pocket dimension.
“Looks like it’s time for a little ‘persuasion.’”