Chapter 11
“I’m impressed. I didn’t think you could block Sir Lionel’s strike without even a scratch…”
…Wait, is this really an “interview”?
I was just sitting there listening while the instructor kept praising me.
Honestly, it felt more like a one-on-one fan meeting than anything else.
“When did you start learning the sword? Who was your master—”
Before he could finish, there was some commotion outside — like people scuffling in the hall.
Maybe students waiting their turn got into an argument.
The noise died down quickly.
“…Raising your voice and fighting in a place like this… no discipline at all.”
The instructor glared toward the door.
Whoever came in next was probably going to have a rough time.
“Ahem. Sorry. I got sidetracked. Let’s get to the point.”
Apparently that little interruption got him back on track.
“As you already know, you got a perfect score in the practical exam. The written test results will be out tomorrow morning, but for you, it doesn’t matter. With a perfect score in the practical, even a zero on the written won’t hurt you.”
“Yes.”
Honestly, my written score probably wouldn’t be good.
I didn’t know much about this world’s common sense or how magic works.
Thankfully, there were a few questions about monster ecology — stuff I knew from the game.
Otherwise, I really might’ve gotten a zero.
“Your attitude score is also perfect. You stayed calm yesterday against Chaan Velomata, and today against Sir Lionel — both times, your composure was admirable.”
In truth, I was just wearing a poker face so I wouldn’t look scared.
But apparently he saw that as a good thing.
“And of course, your swordsmanship score is perfect. No need to explain why.”
The instructor went over each category of my “grades.”
The result? Almost all perfect scores.
Every physical ability test — perfect.
Well, of course. I blocked Lionel’s full power. If I don’t get perfect scores, who would?
“In summary, your practical score is an A+. You’d easily qualify for Class A. Congratulations.”
He stood up, walked over, and held out his hand with a happy smile.
“Let’s work well together starting tomorrow.”
Judging by his words, I guessed he was both a swordsmanship instructor and the Class A homeroom teacher.
“So my swordsmanship course placement is confirmed?” I asked, looking at his hand.
“Hm? Why would you ask something so obvious? I just said your practical score was A+, so—”
“I didn’t mean it like that.”
He thought I was asking, “Did I really pass?” — but that wasn’t what I meant.
“My preference is to join the magic department. If I’ve already been placed in swordsmanship, that’s a problem.”
“…What?”
I had no intention of joining the swordsmanship department.
The biggest reason?
If I go to swordsmanship, my real skill will be exposed.
Right now, my reputation in the academy was “unprecedented genius swordsman.”
But I wasn’t nearly that skilled.
If I joined swordsmanship and took those classes, people would realize right away that I wasn’t as good as the rumors said.
That couldn’t happen.
I have to remain the swordsman who killed a Death Knight.
That’s why I chose magic instead.
In the magic department, it wouldn’t matter if my magic was weak — no one expected me to be a magic prodigy.
Plus, magic classes barely involved physical training, so no one would notice if my raw physical skills weren’t as high as they thought.
In short — if I wanted to survive here without being exposed, magic was the safest choice.
The problem?
The academy staff definitely wouldn’t want to put me in magic.
The sword instructor looked shocked.
“Wh-what are you saying? Magic department…? That’s ridiculous!”
Just as expected, he opposed the idea.
“You should learn swordsmanship. You could graduate as the top of the sword department, then—”
“Excuse me for interrupting, but…” I cut him off.
“I don’t believe there’s anything more I can learn about swordsmanship here.”
His face stiffened.
He wanted to argue back, but had no words.
He knew it too — the academy couldn’t teach anything to a student who could block Lionel’s full power.
“That’s why I want to join magic. I’d rather spend my three years here learning something new.”
He looked ready to snap at me… but then took a breath, calming himself.
“I understand your point. You’re right — the academy doesn’t have much more to teach you in swordsmanship.”
Not “nothing,” but “not much” — a matter of pride.
“But that doesn’t mean you should join magic. Three years is a long time. For a genius like you to waste it on something meaningless — that’s a loss for the entire kingdom… no, for the whole world.”
It was a reasonable argument.
Yes, a once-in-a-lifetime sword prodigy learning magic instead would be a huge waste.
But…
“You’re assuming I have no talent for magic.”
My talent wasn’t limited to swordsmanship.
Thanks to my innate trait, “Flawless,” I had 100% compatibility in all fields — including magic.
Meaning, whatever I chose to pursue, I’d become a prodigy in.
“I’m not insulting you. It’s just that talent isn’t infinite. If you’re this gifted with the sword, you probably have no talent for magic.”
“I disagree.”
He really was a logical, decent instructor — it made responding easier.
“I believe I do have talent for magic. So…”
I looked him in the eye, then offered the decisive proposal:
“Let’s test it. If I have magic talent, you let me join the magic department.”
There was no way the academy would refuse that offer.
Two hours later…
As expected, they didn’t refuse.
In fact, they arranged the test shockingly fast.
It was now 11 p.m. — just two hours since my meeting.
“That’s how important you are to the academy,” said the woman standing before me — the vice principal, Scala.
“If you’re too tired, we can do it tomorrow—”
“I’m fine. Only my body’s tired.”
“Good. Then let’s do it tonight.”
She smiled.
“Vice Principal, I’ve brought the two students.”
An instructor entered with two people.
One was Chloe, the saint — looking surprised.
The other was someone I knew well from the game:
Rozarin — 2nd-year magic department’s top student.
In the game, Rozarin was one of the three most popular heroine characters, alongside Chloe and Princess Aris.
She was a solid, reliable traditional mage — the “safe choice” in a party.
“What is this now?” Rozarin asked, clearly annoyed at being called here.
“Sorry to disturb you, but you’re the only one I could ask for this.” The vice principal smiled awkwardly.
“I’ll authorize those research materials you wanted — to make it up to you.”
Rozarin narrowed her eyes.
“…Really?”
They went back and forth, with Rozarin suspicious and the vice principal swearing it was “really, truly, definitely” this time.
(For the record, in the game community, Rozarin’s nickname was “Ho-gurin” — basically “Sucker-Rin” — because even though she complained a lot, she always agreed to do whatever was asked.)
“So, what do you need me to do?”
“Check this student’s magic talent.”
Rozarin looked at me.
“…Who is he?”
“You don’t know? Jian Velomata — the new student everyone’s talking about.”
She frowned.
“The genius swordsman? And you want me to check his magic?”
“Yes. He wants to join the magic department.”
“…What?”
Rozarin stared at me like I was spouting nonsense.
“So the so-called greatest sword prodigy is treating magic like some casual hobby?”
“Not at all,” I replied.
“No, you clearly are. Otherwise, you wouldn’t say something like that.”
She stepped closer, eyes sharp.
No matter what I said, I doubted she’d believe me.
“Chloe, if anything happens, heal him,” the vice principal said.
Ah. So that’s why Chloe was here — just in case.
“Having the saint on standby means I can go all out, right?” Rozarin asked.
“Yes,” the vice principal confirmed.
Rozarin’s lips curled slightly.
“Grab my hand.”
I did so.
“The test is simple. I’ll pour my mana into you using a spell I developed.” Her eyes gleamed.
“If you have magic talent, nothing will happen. Mages naturally hold mana in their bodies.”
Mana began flowing from her palm into mine.
“If you don’t have talent… it’ll hurt. A lot.”
Sure enough, as more mana poured in, my body started to ache.
‘Ow… yeah, that hurts.’
Like I was being beaten all over.
“Hurts, doesn’t it? It’ll hurt more.”
It wasn’t unbearable, and it wasn’t an unpleasant pain — more like sore muscles after a workout.
Actually… it felt like growing pains.
‘Wait… if it gets any stronger, it might get dangerous…’
And then:
[Pure mana expands your mana channels.]
[Magic stat slightly increases.]
Not just a feeling — the system confirmed I was growing.
‘This is like an internal power-up scene from a martial arts novel!’
This wasn’t just pain — it was an opportunity.
“As I said, pain means you have no talent—”
“A little stronger…” I interrupted.
If she pushed more mana in, my growth would be even greater.
“Please… more power…!”
My voice was probably trembling with excitement.
“…Huh?”
Rozarin froze.
She was looking at me like I was some kind of pervert.
