Chapter 1:
Chapter 1:
Ultimately, he needed the skills to truly teach the children.
At the very least, he had to reach the level of the original “Philip” in the game.
And he had to do it within a short period of time.
If the original Philip had decent swordsmanship skills, he would have been able to survive at the academy.
“So, can I do it?”
Just as there was a saying that even a rotten thread could be used as a needle, Philip was a rascal but also a seasoned investigator who had received advanced education in his own way.
Moreover, he was a prodigy in swordsmanship due to the setting, so Philip remembered that he skillfully wielded a sword even to the point of emitting sword aura during battles with the protagonist’s group in the original story.
“Come to think of it, I was quite talented. But why did I live like that? If I had just controlled my temper a bit, things would have been fine. No, that’s not important now. I feel like I am forgetting something important.”
Philip pondered for a moment, and massaged his temples with his fingers. It felt like something would come to mind if there was just a catalyst.
At that moment, the sound of someone knocking on the door could be heard.
“Excuse me, Instructor Oswald.”
It was the calm voice of a woman.
“Who is it?”
“The Headmaster has requested your presence. If you have the time, he would like you to come to his office.”
It seemed to be a maid who had come to deliver the message.
“I’ll prepare and go up right away. Thank you.”
“Alright, understood.”
As Philip replied, the sound of the maid’s footsteps receded.
“He has come.”
Philip tried to remain calm, but he couldn’t prevent a bead of cold sweat from trickling down beneath his temples.
“Philip’s… I mean, now my mother and the Headmaster had a close relationship.”
He didn’t exactly know what kind of relationship it was. However, if he was requesting his presence for the prestigious position of an instructor at Privia Academy, it couldn’t be an ordinary relationship.
Perhaps they were a former disciple or someone she had entrusted tasks to in the past.
“… Actually, that’s not an urgent matter right now.”
The problem lay with the Headmaster himself.
Dae Hyeonja Rosello Graham.
He was the highest authority at Privia Academy, one of the strongest individuals in the world, and currently the decision-maker who held Philip’s leash.
“Sigh…”
Philip let out a deep sigh and adjusted his attire. Then, he prepared himself and left his room.
—
It didn’t take long to reach the main building after leaving the faculty dormitory.
Since there was still a week left until the start of the semester, the main building was quiet. He merely passed by a few maids who were busy cleaning and a couple of staff members assisting with administrative tasks.
None of them greeted Philip first.
Furthermore, they averted their gaze, and lowered their heads with fearful expressions.
‘Has the rumor already spread?’
However, Philip wasn’t concerned. Such things would resolve themselves over time anyway.
Philip arrived in front of the Headmaster’s office and took a few deep breaths before cautiously knocking on the door. In response, an aged voice greeted him from inside.
“Come in, Philip Oswald.”
The tone was gentle, but Philip remained tense, not letting his guard down in the slightest.
“Excuse me, Headmaster.”
There was no need to open the door; it opened on its own.
As Philip entered, he noticed the simple interior of the Headmaster’s office. There were few decorations, which included a few magical artifacts, bookshelves, and a desk.
Dae Hyeonja Rosello Graham appeared like a kindly old man, giving off a sense of benevolence, much like a neighbor’s grandfather.
However, Philip knew all too well how formidable he truly was.
“… His magical abilities are on par with a dragon. And he shows no hesitation when taking action.”
With a single finger, he could easily crush the current Philip.
“Have a seat, Philip.”
“Yes.”
As Phillip took a seat, the headmaster stared at him intently with a calm gaze, as if reading the essence of his being. Feeling as though his true self was being exposed, Phillip gulped hard.
“Indeed, it has been a while since we faced each other like this. I have heard enough about how you have been during this time, so I won’t ask separately.”
‘As I expected, he knows.’
Phillip didn’t anticipate a favorable response. With a bitter smile, he lowered his head.
“It was a difficult decision for me to accept you as an instructor. As you know, it is not difficult to judge that you are not suitable for teaching children.”
“I understand, Headmaster.”
“Your mother, Celenia, was one of my most cherished disciples throughout my life. However, just because you are her son, I won’t treat you specially. If you have a negative influence on the children, you will be expelled. Do you understand?”
Phillip thought that now was the time to speak up.
Rosello Graham was indeed a person worthy of being called a great sage. Even if a student or staff member made a grave mistake, he never showed anger. However, he had designated targets for his wrath.
Those who could harm him within his own territory, like demons, outlaws, and betrayers.
That was about it.
For someone of such character to speak in that manner, it meant that Phillip’s image was just that bad.
Phillip lifted his head, meeting the headmaster’s gaze directly.
“Yes, I understand that as well. However, I am aware of how important this matter is. There is no need to worry.”
“We’ll see about that, won’t we?”
The headmaster’s response was ominous. With almost two hundred years of life experience, his wisdom was not easily shaken by a few words.
However, Phillip remained composed and calmly continued speaking.
“While I may not become the greatest master, I will strive to be a small support for the children as they grow and face hardships.”
A flicker of interest appeared in the headmaster’s eyes.
An upright posture without any signs of wavering, a gaze filled with determination, and a calm yet authoritative voice.
Phillip’s demeanor was different from the rumors.
If he had truly lived a debaucherous lifestyle, frequenting brothels like his own home and associating with unsavory characters, he could never have possessed such a gaze.
“… Very well. I have heard you. You may take your leave now as I have to make preparations for the new semester.”
“Yes, Headmaster.”
As the dismissal was given, Phillip stood up from his seat and bowed.
Even after he left, the Grand Master Rosello Graham continued to gaze at the spot where Phillip had been seated for a while.
“… To be a support?”
As someone who had spent many years as an educator in the academy, the Headmaster understood.
Phillip’s notion about being a support was not something that could be formed in a short period of time.
* * *
“Phew…”
Phillip let out a deep sigh as he exited the headmaster’s office.
He couldn’t be sure if his words had touched the Headmaster’s heart.
‘He said he would be busy preparing for the new semester.’
However, Phillip was satisfied that he hadn’t given a bad impression.
From the start, Phillip didn’t expect anything to improve simply by his words alone, as he hadn’t shown anything concrete.
Change in a person had to be demonstrated through actions.
As Phillip descended the stairs and reached the first floor of the main building, he suddenly felt the need to address a bodily function.
Due to the tension from his conversation with the Headmaster, it had intensified.
While walking towards the west end of the corridor where the restroom was located, Phillip encountered someone just a few steps away from it.
“Phillip… Oswald.”
Bright blond hair with a hint of blue and fair, porcelain-like skin. Her face seemed to be the mixture of a mature woman and an innocent girl.
Phillip was familiar with her face.
Although this was the first time he actually saw her in person, it wasn’t difficult to recognize her.
She was probably one of Phillip’s favorite characters.
“What are you doing here? How long are you going to torment me? If you have any conscience, this shouldn’t be happening. You know how much I’ve suffered because of you.”
Felicia Oswald.
She was a skilled swordsman, proficient enough to be appointed as a professor at Previa Academy in her mid-twenties. She was also the successor of the Oswald family, destined to inherit the title of Viscount.
As a rookie professor, she initially showed an amateurish side but gradually transformed into a mature educator while growing alongside the students.
Felicia Oswald gazed at her younger brother with eyes that seemed to look at a bug.
Perhaps, to her, Phillip was the only flaw in her otherwise perfect life.
For someone like her, who was close to perfection, having a family member like Phillip was enough to be considered a significant flaw.
“Do you think a good-for-nothing like you can teach children? What can you possibly teach them? How to flirt with women at brothels? How to make money at gambling tables? If you didn’t want to go to the Northern Front and came to the academy, pack your bags and leave immediately. I’ll beg Father to send you to some quiet countryside estate.”
Phillip listened to her words until the end and let out a soft sigh.
This was animosity beyond imagination.
“No, it’s not like that. You’re being too harsh, really.”
“What?”
“I mean, if we’re talking about what I can teach, honestly, the skills of flirting at brothels or making money at gambling tables might come in handy someday, don’t you think? No one knows how these children’s lives will turn out.”
Felicia Oswald laughed mockingly and trembled with anger at Phillip’s audacious words.
“Ha, are you insane? Have you lost your mind?”
She was on the verge of summoning her magic to strike Phillip, causing him to hastily take a step back.
“It’s a joke, sister. No matter how much of a good-for-nothing I am, I simply came here looking for a chance to change.”
“A joke? There’s no joke between you and me, is there?”
Felicia’s anger subsided slightly, but her gaze still held contempt and fury.
Phillip attempted to gauge the depth of her animosity towards him at that moment.
However, it seemed that she harbored even more hatred towards him than he had anticipated. The dilemma of whether he should be grateful for her mixed words troubled him.
“… If I do well here, perhaps our relationship could improve a bit.”
Felicia Oswald scoffed at Phillip’s words.
“Don’t spout nonsense, Phillip Oswald. I know you well. You will never change. Mom may love you even if you’re a good-for-nothing, but I don’t. Of course, there was a time when I hoped you could change. But that hope vanished completely when you laid a hand on my maid, Lily.”
Unconsciously, Phillip muttered to himself as he listened to her words.
“It’s understandable.”
“Just so you know, I will do everything in my power to drive you out of here. I will never tolerate trash like you corrupting innocent and kind children. Do you understand?”
Phillip nodded in acknowledgment before speaking.
“Good luck. I’ll be rooting for you.”
“Get lost, Phillip.”
Felicia forcefully swung open the door to the women’s restroom and went inside.
‘The situation is more serious than I thought.’
Seeing her reaction, Phillip now fully understood.
That there would be no second chances for him.
Felicia would exploit even the tiniest vulnerability without mercy.
* * *
Phillip headed to the swordsmanship dojo.
No matter what had happened, to solve a problem, he needed to first understand what the problem was.
The biggest issue for him was his swordsmanship skill.
‘… Phillip, I believe in you. We could both die if things continue like this. Seriously.’
He believed in Phillip’s talent. Despite his deteriorated character, he had managed to hold his own to some extent in the academy, and his talent was unquestionable.
In fact, he didn’t have many other options to rely on.
Fortunately for him, the warehouse was well-maintained with neatly organized training swords, ready for the upcoming semester.
Phillip picked one of them.
Instantly, information flooded his mind.
“The weight distribution is similar to a real sword. They must have put a lot of thought into the iron core inside. The handle is designed to fit students’ grips.”
Phillip stepped out of the warehouse, holding the training sword.
He instinctively assumed his stance.
It was a peculiar sensation.
It felt as if he had been holding a sword for a very long time.
Usually, when a person learns something, their brain absorbs the knowledge and their body learns through practice. But, the sensation felt by Phillip was the opposite.
He instinctively recalled the positioning of his feet, the focus point of his gaze, and the way to utilize the power that surged deep within him as soon as he held the sword—his body remembered it all perfectly.
Phillip fully realized that the talent of his body was truly exceptional.
“… Hoo.”
He didn’t stop there.
He focused his mind and took a deep breath. Unfathomable power whispered from the sword’s hilt.
‘You can do it, so unleash me.’
Following that whisper, Phillip summoned his magic. Soon, he felt the magic stimulating every fiber and muscle in his body.
“… I believed in you, Phillip.”
And soon, Phillip could see it.
The shimmering blue light encased in the training sword.
————-
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I Became a Crazy Swordsmanship Instructor in the Game
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