"Eh!? What kind of guy are you to be proficient in midwifery!?"

"Hah ha ha ha! Of all things and you asked that huh? What an interesting girl!"

Teacher Ikki slapped his hips as he laughed uncontrollably. I was more or less astounded but once I tried to ask for help from the other students, they all shook their heads.

I turned to the man in kimono and he had already stopped laughing. Coughing once, he signaled me to sit down and so I did.

Because I was used to sit in formal position (seiza) thanked to my past experiences, it became easier to do it again and it's not like this wasn't the first time for me ever since I reincarnated.

"Well, it's nothing special but this place originally was owned by my wife. She taught the students swordsmanship daily and she often helped out to assist those in needs of assistance. You do know what kind of ‘assistance’ right?"

"Eh... so the female students interested in becoming wives asked for her guidance?"

Farrange-sensei nodded. "There's also the case where one of the few was pregnant out of youthful spite. It was supposed to be a side-job but then again, the two of us were the only teachers who taught true swordsmanship in this Academy. And this dojo is basically a school to learn only Sword Styles!"

I... see... Huh? Wait a minute... this flow of conversation sounded familiar...? Don't tell me—

"Unfortunately, ever since my wife passed away, I have become the sole teacher here. And it just so happened for me to be knowledgeable about midwifery."

"........uh... that..."

Somehow, the talk became serious... damn. I shouldn't have asked=

"That's why I thought of teaching students her swordsmanship and I became an expert in the field of midwifery because of boredom!!"

"Why are you stating that all with pride!? Eh, how did it even lead to that!!?"

Fu ha ha haaaaaaa! I'm the strongest! The man guffawed like a certain Nineball-labeled Ice Fairy but I really had the urge of escaping from this madness.

"...Hm...? Hold it... did you say that you are teaching swordsmanship limited for women, teacher....?"

"Yeah? What of it?"

...to be honest. I'm curious why there is something like that. Isn't swordsmanship free for all sexes to use? Or is there a definite difference between the Sword Style men use with the one women use?

If that is so... maybe I can become even stronger if I adopted this swordsmanship. In fact, I felt something was missing every time I swing my sword. Like... there's not enough power coming out or the sword shouldn't have moved this way... Yes. I feel I lacked or missed the crucial point in my sword.

Taking the pros and cons around, I closed my eyes and pondered. Then I reopened them and stared at Ikki.

"I want to learn it. Please allow me to become your student, Ikki-sensei."

"...hoo... not even a cloud of hesitation......"

The man put a hand under his chin as he smiled a smile full of interests. Then he clasped his hands and stood up.

"Alright! I'll teach you everything I know! But my training isn't so easy even if you are a sick person!!"

"Understood!"

"Then use this rag and clean the dojo's floor. For the entirety of it."

"Understoo—wait, whaaaaaaaaatttt!?"

Thus began my days of suffering.

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"As you can see, there are several types of diseases which could be graded as Unique. There is Plague that often happened due to several criteria. This disease is deadly enough to contaminate an entire region and it usually happened because of the wrath of the gods. Please don't be too greedy or malevolent if you don't want to receive a plague."

A woman with green hair and pointy ears wrote on the blackboard. Her stature was average compared to Melinda but she was nonetheless a beauty. And she was wearing a one-piece dress which exposed many skin parts and wrapping her curves tightly.

If not for her sub-sonic flying chalks then the students would have drooled over her.

The teacher was called Frixia. I wasn't sure because she was an elf and her full name was terribly long and alien to me. In the classroom where I was seated in the second row from the front, I developed great interests and focuses as I wrote down the lessons about Unique Diseases.

Well, plague is quite well known and though it's considered as natural calamity, I didn't doubt it could be created by the hands of humans. Hm… not only humans but anyway, it can be manufactured. Teacher Frixia proceeded by writing the diseases widely known in Magnis and explained how they worked.

There were many things which coincided with earth's biology, but rather than using scientific way of explanation, there were magical explanations and relations with the pantheon of gods.

As the lectures went on, I focused at a particular part of the lesson. I whited out Earth's diseases due to my illness disrupting even my mana flow to the extent of prohibiting me from using advanced magic, and I tried to check the current diseases related with soul or magic but... could it be I'm cursed?

It's said that Curses are considered as a type of disease if highlighted from a different view, but I doubt something given by a higher being intentionally could be considered as a natural disease. After all, magic was involved and the spell of the Curse would latch at the soul of the curse bearer for a very long time if not for a lifetime. However...

I have no leads nor clues to connect the dots because most of the related cases would not even need a week to kill a person. Yet here I am, alive and breathing for 12 years. Not to mention Cursed Magic, its practitioners and people related to it had vanished ever since the start of the Era of Forgotten Past. If I were cursed, I wouldn't even live beyond five years for Curses have the traits to grow stronger as days went by.

"...I guess going to the library can be a good option."

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After the classes ended, it was late in the evening and I attended dinner at the usual time which was an hour after dusk. My eyelids drooped down and my shoulders rose before lowering down dramatically.

"...Big sister, are you alright?" Leon said as he sat down beside me. He brought a lot of food again huh? Just where did he get the money to buy them from??

"Well... I ran around like an office worker, reading a lot of books like a librarian, listening to hours-long rambling and learning how to become a good wife."

My little brother raised a brow but I sighed in resignation. Since when did I become a working whore? Was I this workaholic before? It was hard to not pay attention with the fine details lately.

Sipping my tea blended with honey, I sighed in delight and relief. Then I saw Anise, Alia and Lily entering the dining hall.

"Ah, took you all long enough. I have already ordered your dinner." I commented.

"The usual?" Alia asked and I nodded down.

"Nyahaha! Charl is really my best friend! I love you!!"

"Yes yes. Have a seat already."

Once everyone settled in and our orders arrived, we began to share stories. Anise was content with studying martial arts and anything related to it while Alia studied everything about magic. Lily seemed to prefer geographies and wayfaring but Leon was unique as he delved in many studies like agriculture.

I wonder why he's interested in those fields. Does he plan to farm?

"Come to think of it, Runology is quite interesting. Rune was originally used by the gods and taught to the chosen races."

"Yes. I did not know that words could hold so much power. And the Arcane Language was said to be omnipotent with how every words could alter the very laws of this realm once spoken. Runes were also the written form of that very language too."

It's not like I had any deep interest in learning runes but I heard of runic weapons. Who wouldn't want a blazing sword or a lightning lance? It was definitely possible to imbue runes in objects but the secret in retaining the effects even though eons have passed was a true romance to pursue.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

A word delivered. Passing the extremely long tunnel of time. Never decaying as it continued to be the sole witness of the great, distant and long forgotten past it had come from. Ah, I've become quite sentimental in this kind of thing.

Well, Alia and I met each other in Runology study so it's no wonder we hit the topic off well.

After talking terribly long with my friend, my throat was parched and I drunk my tea.

"By the way, Charl..." Anise interjected. "How's it with your boyfriend? Have you done it yet?"

I couldn't spit out my tea any faster but I choked before being able to do it. Coughing and gasping for airs, I glared straight at the pink haired girl!!

"Wh-what...!? What are you saying, Anise?!!"

"But didn't you meet him again yesterday? I thought the two of you changed place for the sake of privacy??"

"Hell no! I didn't meet Fei after that and you all knew I was bedridden in the infirmary right...!?"

Ah, that's right. The girl made an astonished expression before remembering the truth. I was already set on strangling Anise but it was getting bothersome...

"Besides, we're not like that at all."

"Huh? But you called him with a nickname right?"

"That rascal faked his name when I first met him. Well, I can't help it either as somehow, I think he likes being called 'Fei' above everything."

I once again sipped my tea. Are, it's empty... Thinking calmly, I never called out to him ever since we met each other for the first time in a while. Not even a hello and I pretended to not remember him.......

If, by any chance, Fei started to hate me, then...

"....maybe I better talk to him soon..." I muttered quietly.

"Oh, he's over there by the way." Alia pointed to me, or more like behind me.

I rotated my head like a spinning drill and... that person Alia mentioned was no Fei!! Who the hell is that!? Is that you, Yamada?!

"Oh my, it seems I was wrong." The mage snickered slyly like a fox!

"Y-you little...!"

"Well, worrying all the time will not help you, Charlotte. I believe you should speak up before it's too late."

"Before it's too late...? Ugh, why are you implying something deep in your words as if it's common sense, Alia...?"

Who knows? The girl displayed a smile full of mysteries. It was both charming and alluring to the point of eerie. How could a child around my age (physically) be this mature? It made me wonder about the meaning of her words even more but I chose to shut up.

There's always something worth knowing and something worth not knowing. I had enough of living a troubled life so I will steer away from dangers as much as necessary. Although—

"If you think you can avoid my anger by using meaningful words, then you are absolutely wrong."

"Geh, she found out!" "Tch... looks like my plan backfired."

Before anyone could do anything, I threw a fork and a spoon which struck the foreheads of Anise and Alia. The utensils made from silver flew and creating a parabolic line in the air as I received them with my hand gracefully.

*THUD!* In the next moment, the useless duo fell from their seats. Groaning in pains while their eyes spun around like spirals. I snorted as if signaling the end of a match with a flawless victory.

Amidst the curious gazes and disturbed atmosphere, Leon was the only one who ignored everything and continued to eat his dinner as if the world was his own.

"...Onii-chan... you're amazing."

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"Uh—well... that's... it's... it's nothing!!"

"...If you can't even eat this much then pray that your body won't even develop any further."

"Giku!?"

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-Spatsel's POV-

"That damned whore! Playing around with me...!"

After the match, I who was knocked out had only woken up a week after it and I did not even receive any score be it by that barbarian or teacher Edwin!! Not only that, people saw me as if I was something lower than them! Who do they think they are!?

All of the relationships I have with the ladies... and even my reputation and my supporters... Everything was destroyed by that scum!!

Even more... I received a letter from my home which told me to be re-summoned back to the family before summer arrives. Why!? How could I return when I haven't even exacted my revenge...!!

"Damn it! Damn it aaaaaallll!! Who do they think they are, those fucking trashes!!"

I cursed as I grabbed the chair which was smashed upon the drawer. This was my private room and it was given to me by my elder brother. Even though I loathed him, but gaining a privilege greater than the pigs was a lot better.

Even so, in my outrage, the room became a bloody mess. It was dark and night had fallen a while ago.

Heaving in and out, I was still unable to hide my anger and I wanted something. I wanted to destroy that woman! I must make sure she suffers and groveling under me!! But I won't give her mercy... I'll reduce her into a slave and break her mind till nothing remains!!

And that is only the beginning!! I'll humiliate her! I'm going to make her beg for mercy and I am so going to destroy her arrogance into smithereens!!

"But how....!? Damn it...!!" I bit my thumb and wandered around the room.

Countless plans were hatched. Countless schemes were simulated. And yet I had nothing to execute them! No minions... no collaborators... even my family gave up in supporting me! Those vermin will also pay for casting this me off!!

*knock* Suddenly, I heard a sound. It came from the window and I turned... only to find a black bat hitting the window.

"Wait... that is no ordinary black bat..."

I approached the window and opened it. The black bat was nevertheless, a species of bats which usually lived in the depth of a cave. They lived in a flock and nestling around the northern region of Human Territory...

This bat however, has a larger size with its thick black fur covered its body. There was a patch of violet at its torso and the ears were elongated more than the ones seen in the wild. Not mention the bat had a scaly tail between the skinny legs with sharp, hook-like feet. One which seemed intimidating enough to raise my suspicions a few notches.

"It's carrying a letter... now what is this?"

I took the tied letter at its feet, and observed the seal. I remembered no seal of nobility looking like this. How could it have a goat skull with a drawing of a scythe placed on top of it? The design was too elaborate and it also had ominous signs to it.

Carefully cutting the seal off, I rolled out the letter. The black bat stayed at the windows as the pair of dull blood red eyes glimmered faintly. And the content of the letter was...

...

.........

..................

"Hoh... Heh. Heh he he he...! I see...Now I see! With this, I can succeed! I can complete my vengeance!!"

I quickly looked at the familiar which was staring back at me. To think that even this bat was given to me for safety measures pleased me even more as that meant I could never fail!

"Fine... I don't exactly know you nor your true goal but it mattered not a thing! Tell your master that I gladly accept you working under me and I will reward you with a mountain of gold, women of the finest quality and fame as long as you can bring that bitch to me!!"

The bat squeaked at my words and I laughed expectantly. Just you wait, Charlotte Augmund... the price for humiliating me... I will force your body to understand that something like you is nothing better than a disposable toy!!

"Of course... it won't be fun if the toy breaks so easily so I will take my time in destroying you.... bits. By. Bits....!!"