By Zephyria 
Steven McCliffe came wearing a tight vest over a white, flowing dress shirt. I remembered him wearing a coat with a wide, flowing hem even when it was cold, so I remarked that he seemed quite stylish. Rubel then asked if that sort of thing was considered stylish. “No, you’re perfect just as you are,” I replied, yet for some reason, I found it difficult to look directly at the child.
“In ‘Introduction to Monsters,’ we lectured on the biological structures, habits, and the value of byproducts for each monster. Those of you taking this class now know that monsters are Magic Aberrant Organisms.” Steven said in a clear voice, “Please turn to the fourth page of the textbook.”
“We hunt these monsters, dissect them, and sell them. There have always been people who ponder how humane these processes truly are. Humans are beings who are always influenced by other beings.”
The Sierran Empire bestowed ranks upon people. However, they were not eternal. In cases like Walter Orgen’s, one could have a title stripped and then regained. In cases like Jenny’s, one could earn a title that didn’t exist through their own efforts. Of course, there were countless nobles whose titles were stripped away in places I didn’t know. The attitude towards beasts also varied from time to time. Sometimes they were handled with gentle care, like soothing a child, but if they were deemed harmful to humans, they were brushed aside like diseased grain.
“If we consider monsters as living beings, is the slaughter of a species truly right? We will spend a significant amount of time in this class contemplating this issue. For instance, we will begin by examining slimes, which are now commonly used as alchemy ingredients.”
I was surprised once again. Everyone in the Sierran Empire told me that the sharing of accurate information and appropriate control were right, and I mostly complied. This was because the world that resulted from those actions was, in my opinion, better than the Central Plains. It was very difficult for me to discern the rightness or wrongness of actions that everyone claimed were correct. However, I could not help but be surprised by the statement that there had consistently been people who believed killing monsters carelessly was wrong. I had lived my entire life believing that hunting beasts that harmed humans was justified. I felt lost, wondering how far their compassion extended and if I could ever follow it.
My hands were stained with a lot of blood. They were stained with the blood of fierce beasts and the blood of fierce people. I sought out places filled with unfair and sorrowful stories, and I cut off the heads of wicked individuals, delivering their spoils to their enemies. I believed it was permissible because those I beheaded had acted wickedly. It was astonishing that even monsters born inherently wicked could be pitied and cherished. I had thought of myself as a compassionate person, but it turned out I was not. The people of Sierren had lived a hundred, even a thousand times more mercifully than I had. I let out a shallow sigh, learning about the compassion I had lacked through the written word.
I easily became immersed in the class, which began with a discussion on whether slimes felt pain. Rubel’s breathing beside me was no longer clearly audible. As I learned about ways to take a monster’s life without causing pain, through humane methods, I thought of the wicked villains of the Evil Sect and the lackeys of the Demonic Cult. Thinking of those who treated people more roughly than monsters, a surge of indignation rose within me. The lessons on benevolence and righteousness were endless, no matter how much I learned. I was deeply impressed. Thanks to this, when I saw Rubel’s face after class, I wondered if the child, who seemed to read the harsh thoughts in my mind that I myself didn’t know, had led me to this place. A surge of gratitude welled up. As I looked at the child, my throat tight, Rubel spoke in a gentle voice.
“What should we eat for dinner tonight?”
“I’m not sure.”
It was still very early in the semester. There was nothing pressing to do. I could clearly read what Rubel wanted. He wanted to go out and eat together. The sight of him waiting for me to say what he desired, without saying it himself, seemed pathetic, pitiable, and lovely. It was my fault for seeing it that way. After a brief moment of thought, I replied with difficulty, “If you have something you’d like to eat, Senior, let’s go out.”
Rubel smiled faintly and nodded. As we took a carriage out, I sat opposite him, as usual. We had nothing more to talk about, as I had spent a long time recounting my summer break while we sat together arranging our schedules. I slowly examined his face. Rubel was seventeen now. Hearing my friends repeatedly tell me how handsome he was, I looked closely and thought perhaps it was true. It was about time for him to start showing the bearing of a man. As I stared for a while, Rubel touched his face and asked, “Is something… on my face?”
“No. It’s just…”
“…Just?”
I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should hold back my words. But since the child seemed to have sorted out his feelings sufficiently, I thought it would be strange for me to act awkwardly now. “You look good,” I said, thinking it was better than saying he was pretty. But Rubel became so embarrassed that we both felt awkward. It seemed it was not yet the time for such conversations. I waved my hand, quickly dismissing it as a meaningless remark, and told him not to feel embarrassed. Rubel didn’t lift his head for a long time.
❖ ❖ ❖
Tuesday, Advanced Swordsmanship class. Walter Orgen stood beside Maelo Sanson and formally announced that his realm had advanced by one level. Hearing that he had reached the Peak level, the highest grade of Sword Expert, I thought, “As expected.” It was amusing that Sanson, who must have already known, pretended ignorance and told me to clap and congratulate him. This would truly be Walter Orgen’s last semester. He had said his goal was to reach the Transcendent Peak, to become a Sword Master, before or shortly after graduation.
In the Martial Arts Alliance of the Central Plains, I was the fifty-eighth ranked expert. With about four more Transcendent Peak individuals behind me, there were over a hundred, but not quite two hundred, Sword Masters in total, encompassing both righteous and demonic factions, across the vast Central Plains. I was fortunate enough to reach the Transcendent Peak before dying, but the majority of martial artists met their end before even becoming First-rate martial artists. Many viewed the Hwagyeong realm, let alone the Peak realm, as insurmountable mountains.
However, at Shierun Academy, they casually spoke of all the children who awakened their auras as being able to become Sword Masters before they died. There was Douglas Mustang, who gently awakened the children with his delicate aura, and Maelo Sanson, who calmly guided them down the right path. Over dozens of top experts poured their efforts into raising children correctly, rather than tending to themselves. This might be why there were only two Hwagyeong masters in Sierren, Maelo and Wesley, while the Central Plains had ten. However, to my eyes, leading many children was more… No, it was a matter that could not be ranked. I shook my head and dismissed the thought.
The first class of Advanced Swordsmanship this semester began with a sparring match between Maelo Sanson and Walter Orgen. Walter freely displayed his aura, showing off his skills in front of the still-unawakened children. Sanson helped him display his full capabilities. I saw his aura circulate widely through his Middle Dantian and spread throughout his body, and how it enchantingly enveloped his sword. He had not yet reached the realm of Sword Energy (the realm where one can harm others with sword energy alone), but it was clear he would break through the barrier within a semester. It wasn’t just because Sanson had told me; even with my own eyes, it seemed he could easily overcome the barrier with enlightenment.
I had also been practicing how to utilize my aura occasionally these days. However, the internal energy coiled in my Dantian was causing a great commotion, making it quite difficult. I looked into my Dantian, wondering why it accepted Mana so readily but recoiled so strongly from aura, but of course, it offered no answer. However, it was not the fault of the Great Expansive Divine Skill of Azure Sky. Considering whether I could have reached this level without the memories of my past life, it was even more so. I secretly envied all the sword practitioners I had met in Sierren. Did everyone who received proper guidance grow up correctly? They all possessed superior talent compared to me. Thinking this, I felt no inclination to become arrogant or complacent.
After class, Walter called me aside and poured out more words of praise, attributing it to my help. Having been treated to meals several times last semester, I was tired of receiving thanks, so I simply congratulated him and shooed him away.
The Basic Estate Management class in the afternoon was with two children, Shayden and Damian. Professor John MacBeth, who taught management, was a woman with silver hair and silver eyes. From a distance, I couldn’t see her pupils, which surprised me inwardly, but I didn’t show it. Seeing how all the children in the class naturally accepted her, I thought, “There are truly many colors in this world.” MacBeth, who was significantly taller than women her age, stood on the podium elegantly dressed in a pantsuit and high heels.
“In managing an estate, the most important things are people, money, and trust.” Her clear, upright pronunciation was such that one could believe she was a master of Sound-Based Skill. Her trustworthy voice naturally made me nod. MacBeth emphasized once more that trust connects with people, thus people are the most important, and continued, “Those of you taking this class likely have a high probability of inheriting estates passed down through generations. Therefore, you will have relationships built over generations. Regardless of the scale of your assets, always remember: those relationships are your greatest asset.”
Indeed, it was true. Shayden and Damian, who were taking the class with me, were the best examples. They were friends I had received through generations without much effort on my part, but now, they were closer and more precious companions than anyone else. Shayden, glancing back at me as I nodded, suddenly let out a soft chuckle. “Why?”
“No, it’s just suddenly amazing.”
Chatting during class is rude, so I didn’t say more, but he seemed to have noticed that I had accepted my companions with all my heart. Feeling awkward and embarrassed, I adjusted my attire. After class, as always, Shayden added a brief comment about the professor. “The MacBeth Barony was a very small family until the previous generation. It prospered greatly in this generation, thanks to Professor John MacBeth’s achievements.”
“How?”
“They took charge of the trade between the Duke Grimsbein Family and Biban. As you know, trade via the Saras River naturally leads to the Indus Bay, so Yulan always had priority over Biban. She broke through that by using carriage trade instead of sea trade.”
“Huh.”
“She’s connected to Edwin Kiadris. Remember that.”
I, who had been listening quietly, was suddenly surprised. “He’s only seventeen now, how could he do that?”
“To be precise, Professor John MacBeth used Edwin to secure a strong connection with the Duke Kiadris Family. It won’t immediately affect your grades. She’s someone you should pay close attention to when there’s trouble between the Duke Valentia Family and the Duke Kiadris Family later on.”
“…Yes, I understand.” I suddenly recalled the whining Edwin. I wondered if he got along well with people who had a cold demeanor. Seeing him throw tantrums and act spoiled, it didn’t seem like it… In any case, it was a mystery.