Proofreader: Future Myself

I entered the homeroom slightly late, still in a state of shock from Uriel’s outburst.

“Luke, you’re late. Sit down immediately so we can begin the announcements.”

I nodded and left for my seat next to the potted plant. This would be my safe place for a while in the future.

Runalia placed her hands on the teaching pedestal gathering our attention. “First of all, the awaited Dungeon Expedition has been set for Friday this week.”

The reactions of those excited for battle were obvious, just looking at Fen and Mark was enough to realise. There was a level of anticipation that the others couldn’t resist, to which even Lisana paid deep attention.

“It will be held in the most recently found area, Philios Forest. We will arrange all the first years into balanced teams. I expect you all to know what that means. Furthermore, you will all be placed with a supervisor from the second year.”

So far everything was according to the introductory week. Though with this current world, I wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t just the Demon Uprising guys to show up.

“Second, we have opened up a new area for you, students in particular. It holds a monument of the Academy’s history, make sure to pay your homage at a later date.”

I guess I caused this one, didn’t I? To make the most of this I could talk to Erin about it later to some effect, considering it is her father’s grave.

“Lastly, there will be a Hero’s Bout between first-year student Luke and second-year student Claus Karlos. It will occur this Thursday. This will serve as an example for the rest of the first years.”

There it was, the glares of everyone in the class.

“You’ve got balls for a weakling, even if you did withstand a single blow from me,” Mark made his views public, “That’s suicide, you idiot-“

The hero’s descendant froze without any warning.

I wondered what it was until I looked over at Runalia, her expression was quite the spectacle. It was the classic use of Dragon Fear, which put every player to shame with no counter until you got stronger.

“Homeroom is over, students proceed to the swordsmanship class.”

I slipped out quicker than a snake, I didn’t want to deal with my classmates with no romance on the horizon. Especially because I could now fulfil the second condition of achieving dual wielding, which was to receive the teachings of Bartholomew Floreis.

“Why’d Mark just stop moving?” Fen tapped my back.

Even with my efforts to escape class, the speed of superhumans was not to be underestimated.

“You’ll understand eventually,” I didn’t want to waste my energy explaining.

“Don’t tell me… you’re secretly strong?” Fen muttered his question aloud, “We have to fight right now!”

“Of course not, let’s just get to class.”

Down the hallways of the second floor there it lay, my ticket to becoming one of the strongest. At the very least, it had the potential to make me contend in the rankings.

Upon entrance, there was a grandeur field beyond us. Similar to Haruto’s class which spanned across a whole field, this had the same feeling.

“Welcome, the Platinum Generation. Even if this is a sword-specific class, expect no lenience.”

The strict persona came on quickly, he was essentially a copy of Runalia’s strict mode, without the ‘dere’ part. His broad shoulders and seven-foot-tall body made him even more imposing than he should’ve been.

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“First course of action, line up into three rows of four, I will judge your stance in swinging a sword.”

With a flick of his hand, a rack of swords was brought towards us from the sidelines. His family's magic of pulling and pushing objects had a magical flare that attracted eyes.

While we all picked up a sword, Vyke and Rodney in particular made a disturbance with bickering. I knew of such characterisation, but I never bothered to learn about the Paladin Class or its route. This was yet another obstacle I would have to overcome later on.

“Now start swinging, and don’t stop until I command it.”

His style of teaching was old fashioned, coupled with the fact that this school was meant for producing heroes it made for a boring but practical class.

We all swung, but there had been no unity. However, it was seemingly in his favour, with him nodding as he observed us one by one. Even if most of us didn’t practise swordsmanship seriously, we all knew how to wield it.

As time ticked by, we continued to no end.

Minutes, maybe even hours?

It was a plain field with nothing except an artificial sky. There was nothing to distract us except ourselves.

I hadn’t expected it since there was no show of the training in the game, but it fits with his personality. Also, there was a special feature in this room that would greatly make things difficult for us. It acted as a special mechanic for the spars that occurred in this room of the Golden Hen.

“Sir, when will we stop?” As expected, the first to speak up was Luna.

With no hesitation, the professor denied her speech, “I have not granted permission for you to speak.”

“Tsk.” Her complaint manifested in the form of a click of her tongue.

“…”

The brutish instructor ignored her and continued watching. It lasted long enough that even I had begun to lose my breath.

“Enough,” He paused, “I will teach all of you one on one.”

It was pure silence, but an unexpected person began to ask. “In all due respect, how would you accomplish that?” Charles had spoken for the first time in class, with a similar tone to when he had talked to me.

“Witness for yourself, for I will prove myself unto which you all should prove yourself to me.”

A grand magic circle had floated above us, spanning a few metres in length. Complex equations and symbols had been filled to the brim within it.

“I am Bartholomew Floreis, the sole descendant of the fallen Painu royalty.”

Reaching what had seemed to be completion, the magic circle split. Pulling from the boundaries, and pushing from within. It had begun to self clone. It replicated until there were eleven, the same amount as students in our generation. Countless complex circles had floated around the professor.

“This is my secret art, [Splitting Reality]," On command, his body had begun to deform. The insides of his body were pushed out and pulled away, leaving two bodily silhouettes behind.

That was this professor’s speciality, the ability to replicate himself united with one mind.

“Certainly… I can understand now,” Charles had taken a moment to answer. Even a prince of his composure would feel a visible discomfort watching him contort and disfigure.

Perfectly, this was my opportunity to intervene. The opportunity to receive his favour. It was honestly quite simple, I just had to politely ask him to fight.

I had launched past the organised crowd of ten students, with my arms ready to swing.

“What are you doing!?” I heard someone shout.

My wooden sword had sliced through the mesh of human flesh and bodily organs. The abomination of a clone hard reset, once again building from the ground up.

Gurgle Gurgle.

“Luke, I know you’re crazy, but this… this is too far don’t you think?” Fen had approached cautiously, while the professor continued to split without issue.

“...” I had to remain silent, my image and life were at stake with this gamble.

I looked behind seeing the shocked stare of Uriel and Rodney. Whereas Vyke approached me, imposing as per his giant stature. His wild dark green hair, along with his piercing eyes formed the aura of strength.

“Wa- wait!” Uriel yelled for him to stop.

Vyke responded resolutely, “No, I have something I must say.”

“B- but-“

She was ignored like a tree on the side of the road.

“I’ve been observing you since the first day,” He stared me straight in the eyes, “You… you are truly a man! Unlike Rodney who uses words, you who speak with his actions are different!”

The reactions of the class were just as surprised as mine. I didn’t expect him to act out in such an… unexpected way.

From a small distance, the professors had fully formed. “End your chatter. I must hear this one’s reasons.”

Now, this is where the affinity bar would go from zero to a hundred with a single move.