By Zephyria 
Wednesday. In the Beginner Swordsmanship class, I was engrossed in training to improve basic physical strength.
Professor Calypse Agrigent, who was in charge of the Imperial Genealogy Class, came in today with his usual frail-looking face. Seeing the scarf wrapped around his neck, I worried again, wondering if he was still feeling the cold despite the end of the break, even though it was still the height of summer.
Just like last semester, Professor Calypse entered the classroom, finished a brief greeting, and began filling the blackboard.
On the first day of class last semester, I had been so surprised I didn’t know what to do, but this time, it was fascinating and good that more than half the names were familiar.
Looking at the names marked with symbols, I noticed they were different from last semester, which seemed to be because the students sitting in the classroom were different. It read as meaning that the helpful individuals would differ depending on the student composition.
He must have received the student roster beforehand and done his research, as he wouldn’t have based his decisions solely on the children’s faces.
They say one must learn no matter how old they get, and that saying was right.
I sat with my back straight, listening to the tok-tok sound of chalk from Professor Calypse’s hand.
Shayden, sitting next to me, playfully patted my shoulder with a look that seemed to be trying to remind me of last semester, or perhaps to soothe a child. I pretended not to notice and just spun the pen in my hand a couple of times.
“I have marked with an asterisk the names directly related to those currently present. These are potential relatives, guardians, or those with whom adoption ties are possible. As fellow graduates of the Academy from the same period, you cannot help but influence each other. Memorize them.”
It was a little amusing that he said the exact same words as last semester. Professor Calypse Agrigent briefly explained the names marked with asterisks, circles, triangles, and squares, and then distributed handouts. That too was identical to last semester.
“Those who took my class last semester will know, but next week, we will have a pop quiz on today’s blackboard content and the handouts. From now on, every week, I will give you a certain amount of handouts and conduct a five-question pop quiz ten minutes before the end of class. There will be no midterm or final exams, nor assignments. Study.”
After confirming that all students had received their handouts properly, Calypse pulled up a chair near the right edge of the blackboard with a creaking gait and sat down.
In his hand was a bundle of unbound documents.
Ah, I suppressed a laugh that threatened to escape. Somehow, I felt confident I could do well.
❖ ❖ ❖
Professor Biban Otif’s “Ode to Noble Steeds” class took place in the wide open field behind the academic building. If I hadn’t come with Shayden and Benjamin, I would have gotten lost, not knowing where to meet.
I had walked around the perimeter of Shierun Academy a few times, but it was usually late at night after classes had ended, so it was only now that I discovered such a wide and beautiful hill.
A building, cut out widely on one side of the field and placed solitarily, was made of red bricks with a triangular roof on top. Upon closer inspection, the gap between the roof and the walls was wide.
It was built to allow good airflow through the pillars supporting the roof.
Upon entering, a strong animal scent wafted out.
It was a stable. Large doors were wide open at both ends of the building. They were wide enough for two horses to pass through.
The corridor was similarly wide, and as soon as we entered the stable, the horses in the stalls on either side turned their gaze towards us beyond the feeding troughs.
Without counting precisely, there were over fifty. Judging by their glossy coats, they seemed to be well-fed.
Looking at the beautiful animals with their gentle eyes, I felt that I had made the right decision to take this class.
From a corner over there, a young man wearing riding pants that fit him well, without even lifting his head, spoke while carefully selecting a carrot from a large sack.
“You’re here? Sit.”
“Excuse me?”
“Sit down, over there. Not everyone has arrived yet, so we’ll wait a bit longer.”
Seeing this, I couldn’t tell if he was the professor or a work-study student helping the professor.
When I went to the spot the young man indicated, students of a similar age, in the same situation as us, were waiting, huddled together on bundles of dried straw.
As I sat among the students looking around or chatting softly, a few more students arrived and sat on the straw bundles just like us.
Only then did the young man, having counted the number of children, turn around, dusting off his hands, and smile brightly at us, revealing his buck teeth.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Biban Otif. It’s been exactly two years since I graduated from Shierun Academy, and exactly that long since I was appointed as a part-time professor. Since we’re not that far apart in age, you can call me ‘senior’ if you feel awkward calling me ‘Professor’.”
Biban Otif said this while picking a few pieces of straw off his hair.
However, since there were more than just a few pieces of straw stuck to his hair, the straw on his head became even more noticeable.
Amidst the murmuring children greeting him, answering “Yes,” or behaving quietly, someone suddenly asked,
“If you’re a part-time professor, do you have a main job?”
“That’s right. I’m in the horse breeding, sales, and distribution business at Otif Stables, which is a family business. I come to school twice a week to conduct classes, check on the horses’ health, and teach as a side job. Anything else you’re curious about? I’ll tell you anything except stories about my first love.”
“Tell us about your first love!”
“What, who is it?”
Perhaps it was because Biban Otif’s demeanor was lax and his speech was free, or perhaps it was because we learned that the age difference wasn’t that great, but the students’ attitudes became casual.
Biban playfully bantered with the children for a few moments before pulling up a backless chair and sitting down facing them.
The children who had been joking around quickly became quiet, realizing he was about to say something serious.
“Anyway, in the ‘Ode to Noble Steeds’ class, we will learn proper breeding methods, such as how to choose a good horse, how to care for and cherish horses, and how to feed them and give them treats directly. We will also learn how to properly attach riding accessories like bridles and saddles. Are there any among you who have never ridden a horse before?”
Out of about thirty children, all but six raised their hands.
Most noble children received their own horses as gifts when they were young and learned to ride at home.
Looking around at the children who had raised their hands, I realized then that most of the children present were commoners.
At Shierun Academy, nobles and commoners wear the same academy-provided uniforms, so they are indistinguishable without close inspection.
These were children who had not had the opportunity to purchase and raise their own horses.
However, to receive the Single Ascent Title and go out into the world, it was necessary to learn how to ride a horse properly.
Biban Otif nodded slowly as he looked at those children.
“Then, are there any who are afraid of horses?”
This time, no one raised their hand. Biban smiled broadly again, revealing his buck teeth.
It was amusing how his appearance seemed exceptionally cheerful and bright.
“I’ll tell you the most important thing to be cautious of when handling horses. The ones here are all intelligent. Horses have high intelligence and can understand a person’s mood and words to some extent, so don’t earn their dislike by swearing in front of them or showing rough behavior. And second, never go below a horse’s line of sight or stand behind its tail. It can be dangerous.”
I knew this well.
The horses here were not warhorses, but they were sturdy and robust, clearly impressive.
If one were to be kicked by a horse’s hind legs, children who hadn’t properly learned martial arts could easily break several bones. Everyone nodded with serious expressions.
“And third. Never be afraid.”
At Biban’s firm voice, some children’s expressions showed surprise.
Just a moment ago, all the children had answered that they were not afraid of horses.
Moreover, “Ode to Noble Steeds” was an elective course. The children who came here wanting to learn how to handle horses wouldn’t be afraid. However, Biban seemed to think differently.
“The biggest mistake people who have never actually encountered horses make is this: they don’t know how massive and powerful a creature a horse is. If you stand in front of a horse in the stable right now, its head will be higher than your crown. Is there anyone here who can pull a carriage? Is there anyone who can run faster than a horse? Unless you’re at the advanced Sword Expert level, it won’t be easy.”
Shayden’s gaze flickered to my cheek and then away. I didn’t take my eyes off Biban Otif.
“Just as you might flinch when you see a large, fierce-looking mercenary, there are friends every semester who get scared by a large horse. Even if they pretend not to be, even if they act fine on the outside, horses know. Scared eyes, trembling hands, hesitant legs, a small, timid tone of voice. Then, the horses will start to look down on you. Why? Because horses are highly intelligent animals that understand hierarchy.”
Indeed, it was the truth.
In my previous life, for some reason, all animals tended to follow me well. I thought it was because I had reached a certain realm.
Even in the Central Plains, masters of the Daoist sects could easily command squirrels, deer, and birds. It was also common for spiritual beings to sense energy and come to settle down.
Entrusting one’s life to the strong is the same for humans and animals.
“You can call it showing off if you like. Show them a strong, confident demeanor. Don’t be afraid, don’t hesitate. And yet, if you treat the horses kindly, they will open their hearts to you. So today, let’s start simply with feeding them, shall we?”
Biban Otif stood up and smiled faintly.
The children also busily got up, brushing off straw from their clothes.
Benjamin hesitated, his gaze fixed on the interior of the stable, which was full of horses.
“Why?”
“…I’m not sure if I can do it well.”
His uncharacteristic weak tone was amusing, so I patted his back vigorously, telling him to cast aside his unnecessary worries.