Chapter 25.1 - Return to Academy and Civil War [1] – part 1 (2/2)

「No, No! The other party went overboard first! Besides, he was a spoiled bastard!」

「Aa! Rather, it was refreshing to see him get beaten up!」

「Well, in the end, you did go slightly overboard!」

That said, everyone welcomed us warmly.

(……)

My eyes have gotten teary…slightly.

However, it was shameful to cry in front of such a large number of people, so I pinched my thighs and forcefully held back my tears. While doing so, questions flew at me rapidly.

「Hey, you were a magic swordsman while suspended, right? Tell us that story!」

「You registered with the Orest branch of the Magic Swordsman Association, didn’t you? There’s a rumor that there’s a super scary『baldy』over there…」

「Which reminds me. I want to ask about that! The incident during Daido Commercial Festival! In Rize-Dorahain’s interview, Allen’s name came up!」

「E-Err…」

While I was puzzled by the rain-like questions,

「Ahem, hold your horses. Save your stories for during break period. The first period has already started after all.」Leia-sensei said, pointing at the wall clock above the blackboard.

Looking at it, three minutes had already passed from the start time of the first period.

「Damnnnn, can’t be helped I guess.」

「Allen, Ria, Rose! Please tell us the story later!」

Then, everyone took their seats albeit complaining. The three of us also went to our seats – three empty seats by the window.

Standing on the podium, sensei said something strange.

「Now then, starting today – we will commence the soul dress class!」

「Hooray! I’ve been waiting for this!」

「This past month has been tough…」

「Fuu, my spirit core is roaring!」

At the same time, my classmates cheered,「I was waiting!」.

I, Ria and Rose looked at each other dumbfounded.

「Se-Sensei…? What do you mean by『starting today』?」

「Nn? …Oh, haven’t I told you yet? It’s been a month since your suspension to your return to the academy. All the students in Class A have been doing only strength training of their own volition. They wanted to undergo the soul dress class at the same time as the three of you no matter what.」

「That’s just…!?」

When I turned my eyes towards everyone, they smiled and nodded.

(Certainly, I’m very happy to learn soul dress with everyone…)

It would’ve been okay to learn with just Ria and Rose, but it’s probably more fun to learn soul dress together with the entire class.

(But, to waste a month of everyone’s precious time… is not right.)

I’m far sorry than I am happy.

Then, as though having read my mind, sensei laughed boldly.

「Oh, don’t misunderstand, okay? They did not waste a minute or a second, okay?」

「What does that mean?」

「Fuu, I trained them personally! I closely supervised them and worked really hard! Look properly. You can understand that everybody has leveled up quite a bit, right?」

……Certainly.

As I looked closely, everyone’s body was at a level which can’t be compared to how it was a month ago.

(They didn’t become like Paula-san or Bons-san, but…)

The boys’ bodies have swelled up a bit. As far as I can see for the girls, the fat around the legs transformed into fine muscles.

Strength is the basis of all swordsmanship.

In an extreme example, if a five-year-old genius swordsman child and a muscular amateur, had a serious match with the sword – no doubt, the amateur will win.

The foundation of『muscle strength』is that important.

「Hehe, Allen? Right now, I can keep up with your movements!」

「After overcoming a month of hell, the Iron Cutting Style has developed further – it is now different than how it used to be…」

「Let’s have a mock battle this time.」

The trio, who fought with me before, laughed confidently.

「…! Aa, of course! Let’s have a mock battle!」

Apparently, I was completely overthinking it.

All here are much more talented swordsman than me. They didn’t waste a month of time.

「Yoshi, let’s start the class right away! First, we’re changing classroom – follow me!」

Then we followed after Leia-sensei to a basement called『Soul Dress Area』.