By Zephyria 
I quickly sat behind him and assumed the lotus position. From behind his back, I quickly pressed a few vital acupoints to forcibly slow the flow of his energy. Placing both my palm centers on the Celestial Gathering Point (*an acupoint near the shoulder blade), I infused my energy. I swallowed the mana that was stretching out uncontrollably and drew it into my body.
Pure energy seeped into the injured energy channels.
I felt Douglas’s breathing stabilize due to the swift action. After performing the lesser circulation along the injured channels and removing my hands, green energy immediately seeped above his head. It was Recovery.
After waiting for Boulder’s mana to sufficiently seep into Douglas, I pulled Douglas’s pulse, who had weakly released the lotus position, and checked it once more.
The minor meridians, injured and scratched from overexertion, were slightly swollen, but not to a worrying degree. It was prevented before he could fall into cultivation deviation, so there were no major injuries.
Douglas let out a wry laugh.
“It’s not easy.”
“Did it look easy?”
“No. But, it’s manageable.”
Blood still stained his lips as he grinned. I couldn’t help but sigh.
Martial artists are so stubborn; they rarely change what they’ve decided. I was also such a martial artist, so I had no room to speak.
“You will be tired for a while. Please wipe the blood off first.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Looking at Douglas, who was awkwardly wiping his mouth, I felt a smile creep onto my face.
When Boulder started whining about why I couldn’t do it like that, I made a dismissive remark about how a swordsman and a mage are not the same, but he whined so much my ears went numb, so I didn’t listen.
Next time, it would be Mage Boulder’s turn. Before that, I just hoped he would learn a lot from Douglas.
❖ ❖ ❖
After hugging Bill and patting Rubel, I suddenly felt a strange sensation.
Was I seeing Rubel too often now that I’d moved up a grade?
Last year, I only saw him at most during advanced swordsmanship classes or on weekends, but now I saw him every day. I even felt a bit resentful that I had become closer to Rubel than Shayden.
However, when the child smiled at me innocently, my heart would swell with contentment, and I’d nod my head. So, even though it felt a little strange, I let it be.
It seemed he wanted to reinforce the basics of Imperial Swordsmanship, just like he learned the throwing knife technique. It wasn’t my place to interfere.
Besides, the afternoon class was about monsters.
It was something I absolutely needed to learn and know, and it would be the same for Rubel. It was natural for all leaders living in this country to know about and respond to monsters.
Rubel and I spread out a book bound in Orc leather and listened to Steven McCliffe’s lecture.
Professor Steven seemed to be sensitive to the cold, as he wore a rather thick coat even though they were indoors.
Every time the professor stretched out his long arm to write on the board, his coat, which fluttered below his knees, caught my eye. It made him look like he was swaying even when he stood still.
“In the previous class, we discussed evolution and monsters, which are magic aberrant organisms. Today, we will learn how to classify each monster.”
His voice continued, soft and low, as if he were telling an old story.
“In truth, all monsters are constantly changing. It’s more accurate to call it evolution. Classifying monsters is not much different from classifying people.”
After finishing writing on the board, the professor turned to the students and smiled gently.
“The students in this class are, in a broad sense, humans. From there, they can be divided into male and female students by gender, or into six faculties by department. You could also divide them into students who like chocolate and those who don’t.”
I clearly saw the professor’s long fingers brush against the book as if tickling it.
“Classifying monsters is similar; it varies depending on purpose and use. Academically, monsters are classified by biological species and form, but since there are a particularly large number of students from the Swordsmanship Department in this class, we will focus on classification by size.”
My hazy vision suddenly brightened. For a moment, I was captivated by him.
“This is a method for classifying huntable monsters.”
Professor Steven turned back. On the large diagram drawn on the blackboard, he wrote three main categories: Small, Medium, Large, and Extra-Large, and then numbers next to them. 0-2m, 2m-8m, 8m-30m, 30m-.
“Extra-large monsters are those with a height, that is, from the ground to the highest part of the individual, exceeding 30 meters. Dragons, said to reach a height of 50 meters, are considered representative of extra-large monsters. However, records of dragons actually appearing can only be found in myths.”
Steven wrote again. Wyvern, Ogre.
“The most common among large monsters are Wyverns and Ogres. Because the mana they possess is strong, magic does not work on them. How to deal with them…”
After that, he elaborated on the explanations written in the book.
I heard about which wing joint to attack on winged monsters to easily impede their flight.
He advised that when attacking large monsters like Wyverns and Ogres, one should target vulnerable areas like the eyes, mouth, and anus; for medium monsters like Trolls and Minotaurs, their necks should be severed in one go; and for small monsters like Goblins and Orcs, one should be careful not to be surrounded.
He also mentioned that the types of Ogres discovered so far are very diverse, such as those with blue skin, red skin, or those with two or three heads.
Just as people have different personalities and attitudes, monsters also have individual characteristics, so the correct method is to observe and examine them directly rather than blindly adhering to what has been memorized.
Maelo Sanson had previously given me some hints, which made it easier to understand. I nodded deeply in agreement and focused on my notes.
After the meaningful class concluded, Rubel pestered me again, wanting to go out.
It was the second week of February.
The sun was still short, and it was already dark outside. I felt guilty towards the child for rushing off without saying goodbye during the last winter break, so I had indulged all his requests for me to hold his hand and hug him until now.
However, if we spent time playing every Friday, it wouldn’t be good for either me or Rubel.
I stood firm, hesitating to answer. Rubel looked at me with pitiful eyes, gauging my reaction.
“Can’t we?”
“No. I’ve had a lot of work all week and am a bit tired.”
“…Tomorrow?”
“Do you have less studying to do tomorrow, Senior?”
Rubel couldn’t answer. Seeing the child remain silent, I felt my heart ache again.
They say that while elders might discipline their own sons strictly, they can’t resist their grandchildren’s tantrums. I had to force myself to maintain my resolve, as my heart was already softening.
I reached out and gently stroked his soft cheek. The child’s black eyes widened, and he froze. I looked up into his eyes gazing down at me and tried to speak in a gentle voice.
“I don’t want to spend this time idly by going out to play every week. After the exams are over, how about we go to the botanical garden again then?”
“…Okay. Let’s do that.”
“Good boy.”
I was pleased that he listened well when spoken to. I gently stroked his head, calling him a good boy.
I was aware that I was treating Rubel like a child, but since the child receiving it didn’t mind and even seemed to like it, I thought it was acceptable.
Instead, I promised to take Rubel for a long walk after dinner on the weekend to appease him.
He wanted to link fingers again, so I did. The child’s hand, clasped with mine, felt warm and cute, like a baby’s.
When I returned to my room and mentioned this, Shayden showed a hint of displeasure.
“Aren’t you getting too close to the Second Prince these days?”
“Mmm. I’ve been thinking that too.”
The potted plant Jenny gave me last year had grown vigorously. Five green leaves had sprouted. Watering the plant was still Shayden’s responsibility.
The plant, now about a handspan tall, had not yet bloomed and had common-looking leaves. It was still impossible to tell what kind of plant it was.
Under the pretense that watering it during the hottest part of the day could scorch the leaves, Shayden would come to my room every night to tend to the plant and help me with various things through conversation.
During the vacation, I had asked the servants to take care of the plant, so I was grateful that he didn’t need to go out of his way.
I made tea for Shayden and continued speaking.
“I heard from my uncle that the First Prince will be forming a marital alliance with the Duke Yeldidus Family around summer.”
“What? With Yeldidus?”
“And I also heard that Yeldidus is blocking the Saras River, hindering trade between Valentia and Yulan. My uncle thinks it’s right that I support the Second Prince.”
“Uh… that could be. No, I thought Yeldidus had a bad relationship with the Kingdom of Floyd.”
Shayden, who had been polishing the plant’s leaves until they gleamed, sat down in front of me. I took out some snacks and shrugged.
“You never know.”
“And what else did he say?”
“He told me to quickly become a Grand Sword Master and stop Wesley.”
“Wow, he’s talking like it’s almost a certainty. Can Sword Masters see that far?”
“Well, I think I can become a Sword Master by the year after next.”
“You can know that?”
“Indeed.”
It was something I could know because I had already experienced the Transcendent Peak realm. By the year after next, my Dantian and muscles and bones would be more prepared. I would be able to call myself Transcendent then.
As for what happens after that, it would be up to fate, but the path to Sword Master was one I had already walked. Therefore, it didn’t feel particularly difficult.
I thought it would be best if I could break through the wall of Transcendent Peak before graduation.
When I sat facing Shayden, we had many things to say and hear. I soon brought up another topic.
“In your opinion, is Marianne doing well these days?”