Swordsmanship Class (1)
Before Yuri Gilbert headed to Instructor Dios.
The First Prince, Iloise, summoned Yuri.
"That bastard... He provoked me, saying he'd support the Second Prince..."
Remembering the humiliation he suffered from Zeke at the Eustia banquet, Iloise gritted his teeth.
Although Zeke Clayman had asserted that he would come to find Iloise again, Iloise had not yet sought him out.
Of course, he wasn't sure if it was the right answer to go directly to him and try to change his mind.
After all, he was both Selena Yohaiden and Iriel Eustia's benefactor.
Since the Eustia banquet, he had become the hottest topic in social circles.
Nobles couldn't hold a conversation without mentioning Zeke Clayman's name.
'Even rescuing Iriel from falling off the terrace must have been part of his scheme. It wouldn't be strange if a connection to Eustia is brought up later.'
To think he'd pull something like that right after revealing himself as Yohaiden's benefactor, he was truly a nuisance.
In truth, bowing one's head to someone and biding one's time wasn't a difficult task for Iloise.
Purposely appearing harmless and clumsy to lower their guard and identify their weaknesses, then gradually taking control of them based on those weaknesses, was his specialty.
However, for some reason, he couldn't bring himself to do that with Zeke Clayman.
No, he felt an anxiety that if he approached him rashly and was defeated once, he would forever be under his thumb.
'It would be better to tell Selena about Zeke Clayman being Eustia's spy as soon as possible, create a rift between them, and use that to my advantage.'
With that thought, Iloise roughly organized his thoughts and turned his gaze to Yuri.
"So, how are the swordsmanship classes?"
"Not good."
"Difficult?"
"Yes."
"Endure it."
Crack.
The sound of bones grinding emanated from Yuri's tightly clenched fist.
Although Iloise noticed, he pretended not to hear and continued speaking.
"That Zeke Clayman rarely leaves the Yohaiden mansion, correct?"
"Yes."
At the utterly unsurprising answer, Iloise clicked his tongue.
"And when I urgently sent a letter when he was away recently, it was also rejected... Is Selena Yohaiden acting that way?"
"Yes, they are always seen together even after swordsmanship classes. Even on days when he doesn't have classes, Lady Selena Yohaiden doesn't make any other appointments."
Iloise glanced at Yuri's physique and said, "By the way, Yuri, have you gotten any stronger after receiving that mana road treatment?"
"No... I received it, but I haven't felt any particular changes."
"Hmm, so it wasn't a procedure that makes you instantly stronger or anything."
Yuri bit her lower lip.
Before the Eustia banquet, Zeke Clayman had visited Yuri's mansion at the promised time.
He abruptly placed his hand on her back, tilted his head a few times, and that was it.
It was so sudden and over so quickly that she didn't even have time to feel embarrassed.
She couldn't understand what was going on at all.
Considering the extraordinary power Selena Yohaiden displayed during class, there should have been some difference, but Yuri couldn't feel any change at all.
"Perhaps... I thought it might be because I am the First Prince's person."
She could only utter these words as the most plausible guess.
"Hmm, he didn't seem like that kind of person, but... Anyway, let's wait and see about that."
As if to signal the start of the main topic, Iloise rested his elbows on the desk and clasped his hands.
Yuri knew another bothersome task was about to be assigned.
"Yuri, isn't the midterm evaluation period approaching soon?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Hmm... To approach Selena Yohaiden, we need to tarnish Zeke Clayman's reputation first... His name has become too prominent. And since he's always stuck to Yohaiden like a slime, there's no opening to approach her."
"..."
"What do you think about pitting Instructor Dios against Zeke Clayman?"
"If I may speculate, Instructor Dios is no match for Zeke Clayman."
Attending his classes, Yuri was aware of Zeke's training regimen.
When Zeke Clayman conducted training, he always placed several times the burden on himself compared to the students.
Therefore, no matter how reluctant they were, the students had no choice but to undergo that training, seeing their instructor lead by example.
"Hmm, yes. I thought so too. However, Yuri. The midterms aren't just about evaluating the instructors' abilities."
Iloise chuckled.
"You see, the position of an instructor doesn't necessarily require immense personal strength. Their qualities are solely judged by their ability as educators. They are evaluated based on the strength of their students."
"...Still, I think our class will win..."
Despite typically showing minimal emotional response, Yuri couldn't help but feel a surge of frustration at those words.
Did he even have any idea how much they trained?
Compared to Instructor Dios's classes, Zeke Clayman's training was like the difference between sweet castella and black bread mixed with gravel.
Naturally, Zeke Clayman's classes were the black bread with gravel.
Iloise nodded understandingly, as if he comprehended everything.
"Yes, yes. I know. I hate to admit it, but that Rosnante fellow has quite a knack for physical combat. And well, I've heard that even Selena Yohaiden, who seems like she couldn't hurt a fly, has become quite strong."
"..."
Yuri clenched her jaw.
She wanted to correct his misconception right then and there...
However, she lacked the eloquence to explain Zeke's classes to him.
Moreover, lately, he had been constantly giving orders without any days off and even belittling the classes themselves.
A sense of disillusionment washed over Yuri, leading her to choose silence.
"So... Yuri, go to Dios and..."
* * *
Yuri wrinkled her nose slightly as she entered the drawing-room.
'The smell of alcohol...'
The pungent scent of alcohol hit her as soon as she opened the door, making her frown.
Dios tilted his head, his gaze sticky as he scanned her body.
A sense of disgust instinctively welled up within Yuri.
She calmly composed herself and spoke, "Instructor Dios."
"Well, well. If it isn't Lady Yuri Gilbert, the First Prince's loyal servant."
Dios sneered.
"I bring a message from the First Prince."
"A message?"
"Yes, he inquired if you would be interested in joining forces with him to crush Zeke Clayman."
Eager to finish her business and leave as quickly as possible, Yuri went straight to the point.
Dios's eyes widened in surprise.
"What...? What do you mean?"
"The First Prince is not pleased with Zeke Clayman's growing reputation."
"Ha! So, he wants to use me... as a pawn to tame that guy."
Dios's face contorted in a grimace.
Of course, the First Prince had prepared responses for such reactions.
"The First Prince said it would be best to crush him so thoroughly that he wouldn't be able to recover."
"...Hmm? Why is that?"
"He wants to keep Zeke Clayman in the shadows and entrust Instructor Dios with the limelight."
"...So, you're saying he wants me to get rid of that guy from Ramielli Academy and take everything he leaves behind..."
"Yes, precisely."
Yuri nodded.
A cunning glint sparked in Dios's eyes.
It was a tempting offer indeed. The alcohol he had consumed seemed to vanish in an instant.
"Both Lady Eustia and Lady Yohaiden?"
"The First Prince said that if you establish a connection with them and pledge your allegiance to him, he will make sure you are well-rewarded, Instructor Dios."
"Ha!"
It was an intriguing proposition. Of course, he understood.
With the Second Prince currently attending Zeke Clayman's classes, the First Prince, unable to participate, must have been feeling anxious.
If he could eliminate the one who hadn't chosen a side and seize control of the two duchesses, pledging their allegiance to himself...
The Second Prince, practically hanging by a thread, would be completely out of the race for the throne.
However, Dios had his doubts about readily accepting this offer.
"Hmm, alright, let's say that's true. But what if I decide to side with the Second Prince instead?"
"You won't."
"Hmm? And why is that?"
"Here."
Yuri took out a piece of paper from her bag and handed it to him.
Dios's eyes bulged as he examined the paper.
"Th-This is!"
"It seems you were involved in match-fixing during a duel back when you were the Dragon Knight Commander. Of course, this is just a copy, so feel free to tear it up."
"Li-Lies! This is fabricated!"
"I apologize, but those you competed against in that duel are already under the First Prince's wing. We have gathered testimonies from the judges who officiated the duel, along with all the evidence."
It was a dead end.
He had assumed that those involved in the match-fixing incident had either vanished or met their demise while hunting monsters since he had heard no news of them.
To think they were under the First Prince's control...
If this information were to come to light, Dios would be permanently ostracized from noble society.
Fundamentally, knights lived by their honor.
Moreover, having left the Dragon Knights, his reputation was all he had left. Without it, he would be utterly worthless.
In the end, Dios had no choice but to bow his head.
Yuri nodded impassively.
"So... before this midterm evaluation, why don't you make a suggestion to the headmaster?"
"A suggestion...?"
"Yes, you'll be setting up a competition that you cannot lose."
"B-But... the headmaster..."
"The First Prince said he would use the voting rights he received from the headmaster."
"!"
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