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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: The Butcher Witch's Swordsmanship Lesson (1)
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[Swordsmanship Specialization]
[Course Name: Basic Swordsmanship Training]
[Instructor: Baek Seol-hee]
This class had already firmly claimed two slots on my timetable, Monday and Friday, even before I had a chance to register for it.
There wasn't even a set start or end time for the class.
Only a small note, written in fine print, was attached below.
— Report to Training Ground C immediately after your first class.
In other words, it was a class that clearly intended to take up the entire rest of the day after one morning lesson!
At first, I thought something might be wrong, but then I remembered what Instructor Baek Seol-hee had said during the demon misunderstanding incident.
'Your major is already set to be my swordsmanship class.'
Recalling that hint, I just accepted that this was how it was going to be.
The class was held in the familiar training ground where I had previously undergone training as part of the male quota system.
Instructor Baek Seol-hee was still fuming over what I had said moments ago.
Grind—
"...Who was it that said that? Come to think of it, the first class... Ah, that mob-farmer bitch—no, Instructor Yoo Mi-ra."
Instructor Baek Seol-hee ground her teeth, speaking in an icy voice.
"Hah, I guess I'll get to stretch my limbs for the first time in a while."
Crack— Crack—
Baek Seol-hee cracked her neck from side to side, rubbing the back of it.
It was a dramatic reaction I hadn't seen from her before.
It seemed the nickname 'Butcher Witch' (屠殺狂女) was her Achilles' heel.
'I should be careful not to mention that word again, even by mistake. Hmm, I do feel a little bad... No, wait, who told her to mess with my gukbap?'
Thinking that, I silently wished Instructor Yoo Mi-ra peace.
"Hmph, alright. We'll deal with that after class."
Baek Seol-hee, who had been burning with anger, quickly composed herself and turned her head, her usual stoic expression back in place.
"Welcome, Cadet Jin Yu-ha. I am Baek Seol-hee, the instructor in charge of Swordsmanship Specialization, Basic Swordsmanship Training."
"Ah. Yes, it's a pleasure to work with you."
I bowed my head politely.
"Um, but…"
"Hm?"
I looked around and asked her what I had been curious about.
"Am I the only one taking this class?"
"That's right. You are my only cadet."
Baek Seol-hee nodded.
'Hmm… Is this a good thing?'
Honestly, I wasn't sure.
Was it better to take the class with other students, all cheering each other on?
Or was it better to have one-on-one tutoring for more focused instruction?
As I pondered in confusion, Baek Seol-hee immediately began the class.
"Let's start right away. First, try the downward strike you were doing before."
"Ah, yes."
I drew Moonlight, closed my eyes, and began to slash downwards.
* * *
Jin Yu-ha instantly sank into his inner world and began his downward slashes.
Watching him, Baek Seol-hee stroked her chin.
Jin Yu-ha.
A peculiar cadet, whose swordsmanship seemed ill-suited for someone assigned through the male quota system.
As she watched him, Baek Seol-hee fell into thought.
'He truly has talent.'
Physical ability, concentration, willpower, precision, understanding of swordsmanship.
She could sense fragments of talent in everything a swordsman should possess.
However, at the same time, everything was crude.
This left Baek Seol-hee with no choice but to ponder.
'How should I teach this child?'
For now, she had succeeded in getting Jin Yu-ha into her class, somehow.
She had summoned the swordsmanship instructors and warned them not to take Jin Yu-ha.
And through a mix of threats and persuasion with the Dean, she had managed to secure his timetable before the course registration period began.
However,
'…There's that useless system called the course correction period.'
She could handle the other instructors, but,
If Jin Yu-ha himself decided to change the class, there was nothing she could do.
'As if I'd let that happen.'
She couldn't be sure, but there was a high probability that Jin Yu-ha would be the first and last direct disciple she would ever nurture.
She was originally more interested in improving her own swordsmanship than in raising someone else.
And due to various missions and duties, she wasn't someone who had much free time.
A disciple who uniquely stirred her heart had appeared, and she couldn't allow him to be taken by someone else.
However, there was another fundamental reason why she was so troubled.
The truth was, she had absolutely no experience teaching students.
None at all.
Her only teaching experience was training the demon extermination squad members.
Because of this, she had no idea what kind of class would be appropriate for an academy student, let alone a male student.
During the 3 weeks of basic training, the Dean had provided guidelines, so she had simply followed them.
But she couldn't shake the thought that it was just child's play.
Suddenly, Jin Yu-ha's appearance during the demon misunderstanding incident came to Baek Seol-hee's mind.
— Then… Instructor, if I enroll, will you continue to teach me swordsmanship?
'Indeed, this child is truly serious about swordsmanship.'
More than anything, he could have demanded significant compensation from that incident, yet he acted as if such things were unnecessary.
He had only asked to learn swordsmanship.
At that moment, Baek Seol-hee couldn't express it in words, but she felt a deep sense of satisfaction filling her heart.
To truly learn swordsmanship.
She herself was a swordsman with a thirst for the blade.
How could she not understand such earnest sincerity?
Yes, his will and attitude were already complete.
…If so, perhaps there's no need to lower the difficulty of the class?
It was a path any swordsman learning the blade would naturally have to walk, and strive for.
Would it be a problem if he walked it a little faster?
'…After all, the demon extermination squad members were nothing more than greenhorns, no different from cadets, when they first joined.'
Baek Seol-hee recalled her only teaching experience.
The training of the demon extermination squad members.
It was brutal training where even the toughest women, after a few days, would be weeping and snot-nosed, screaming for mercy like men.
However, to Baek Seol-hee, such things were perfectly normal, so she didn't find anything particularly strange about it.
'Hmm, I see. I'll just teach him based on the standards for new recruits.'
And so, Baek Seol-hee committed the outrageous act of placing Jin Yu-ha, a newly admitted academy student, on the same level as those who had already graduated from the academy and were hardened by various trainings.
Honestly, in her eyes, Jin Yu-ha and the others were no different!
Baek Seol-hee nodded, confident in her judgment.
Meanwhile, Jin Yu-ha, oblivious to the crisis approaching him, continued to swing his sword alone.
* * *
Flinch—
As I was swinging my sword,
Suddenly.
CRASH—!!
I opened my eyes wide and leaped backward.
"Haa. Haa."
Goosebumps prickled my skin.
Cold sweat poured from my entire body.
Just now, I had seen a vision of my head being severed.
Yes, just now.
I had died once.
As I realized this, my body began to tremble uncontrollably.
My heart pounded as if it would burst.
My instincts were ringing alarm bells like crazy.
This only activated when a boss monster appeared.
Or when a powerful individual like Kang Do-hee cast a hostile gaze upon me.
It was a trait that wouldn't activate unless in such specific situations.
However, when I opened my eyes and looked around, all I saw was the quiet training ground.
Instead, Instructor Baek Seol-hee was standing in front of me, arms crossed, watching me.
That meant the instructor herself had projected that vision just now!
'…D-did I do something wrong? Could it be that she's only now getting mad because I called her the Butcher Witch?'
"...I-instructor?"
I forced my trembling lips apart and called out to her.
"Hm."
"...D-did I make some kind of mistake?"
I asked in a flustered voice.
"Hmm, your ability to sense killing intent isn't bad."
Baek Seol-hee nodded, then picked up a thin twig from the floor.
She then pointed the twig at me, her eyes darkening.
"Killing you is easier for me than breathing."
It was an unbelievable thought, but I immediately gripped Moonlight's hilt tightly and took my stance.
Baek Seol-hee gazed at me for a moment, then opened her mouth.
"No, I correct myself. It's harder than breathing."
"...B-but why?"
"From now on, during training, I will constantly be thinking of killing you."
I didn't understand her words and asked again.
"...Why?"
At that.
Flinch.
This time, it was Baek Seol-hee who froze stiff.
'Did I ask something I shouldn't have...? No, she's talking about killing me, that's weird!'
Recalling that horrifying vision from moments ago,
Cold sweat broke out again.
Baek Seol-hee, who had been frozen for a long time, finally spoke again.
"My apologies. I didn't think you'd ask such an obvious question. Hmm, first, what's important in combat is composure."
Composure?
How in the world am I supposed to find composure in *that* situation?
"Yes, and?"
"..."
A few more minutes passed.
Just as her intense gaze started to become burdensome,
"...While being sensitive to killing intent can be helpful in detecting enemies beforehand, it can also be a hindrance, freezing your body."
"...Yes. And?"
"When you actually encounter a powerful enemy, if you're not accustomed to killing intent, you won't be able to wield your sword properly."
"So, this training is to get used to that killing intent…?"
At that, Baek Seol-hee's face relaxed as if a weight had been lifted, and she nodded.
"Yes. Therefore, you need to get used to it by repeating this. It's training to continue wielding your sword even amidst killing intent."
Only then could I understand Instructor Baek Seol-hee's intention.
But at the same time, a question arose.
'…But is this really basic swordsmanship training?'
No, aren't you supposed to hit scarecrows and stuff in basic swordsmanship?
Training that shows you visions of people's heads getting chopped off?
That thought crossed my mind for a moment.
But I shook my head internally.
She seemed close with Dean Lina, and all the other instructors appeared to respect her.
In other words, she was an educator highly trusted even among the instructors!
Since an instructor like her said it, this training must definitely be basic swordsmanship training.
'Yes, this must be right. This is a world where even ordinary people carry weapons.'
I didn't know much, but,
It seemed all sword-wielding Hunters went through this kind of training.
Having been born and raised in a warm, safe society with no monsters, I had no idea what it was like to learn swordsmanship in a Hunter's world.
It suddenly dawned on me just how comfortable the environment I had come from was.
'…This is a basic class.'
For a moment, hearing that this class was basic, my spirit almost broke.
But I steeled myself, thinking of the future that lay ahead.
At that, Baek Seol-hee gave a faint smile and nodded.
"Then, let's begin again."
At her words, I clenched my teeth and replied.
"...Yes, ma'am!"
Jin Yu-ha closed his eyes again and began his downward slashes.
*
Baek Seol-hee, who had never taken a disciple before, began teaching based on the standards for demon extermination squad members.
Jin Yu-ha, a transmigrator, had no idea what learning swordsmanship truly entailed.
Thus, the two, master and disciple, with their mismatched standards, perfectly aligned in a bizarre way, sending the difficulty of the class soaring through the roof.