In the center of the training grounds, the students gathered before the instructor who had just arrived.
"I'm Beick Oddman. I handle the Knight Department's Swordsmanship course."
A large, middle-aged man with short-cropped hair stood before the assembled students. As one would expect of a Knight Department instructor, his entire frame was built from layers of solid muscle.
"Now then... as you can see, we have a mix of experienced Knight Department students and rank amateurs from other departments. Because of that, we're going to dive straight into mock battles."
"……!"
A wave of unease rippled through the students from the non-knight departments. Many of them had never even gripped a sword before. What was the point of starting with a mock battle?
"The Swordsmanship course is divided into several sections, but even so, there are a hundred students in this group alone. I can't provide personal instruction to everyone. Therefore, I’m going to separate those worth teaching from the ones who aren't."
Oddman flashed a mean-spirited grin, eyeing the students from the other departments with blatant contempt.
"Those who lose their mock battles today will be doing nothing but running laps until the end of the semester. I won't allow you to hold a real blade, let alone a wooden one. Consider yourselves warned."
Oddman spoke with a cheerful air, and a chorus of mocking laughter erupted from the Knight Department students.
(Ah... I see. So that's the game...)
In other words, it was a baptism of sorts.
The Knight Department students clearly weren't pleased about outsiders stepping into their domain. By forcing these mock battles, the instructors and students were effectively gatekeeping the course, driving the non-knights out before the lessons even truly began.
(In the Magic Department, there are people like Maurice who look down on knights as people who only turn to blades because they lack magical talent. I suppose that friction goes both ways...)
"Alright, step forward when I call your names... First up, Edoart from the Knight Department and Maurice Louis from the Magic Department."
"Yes, sir."
"Wait, what!? Me!?"
The Knight Department student stepped forward with practiced composure, while Maurice let out a panicked cry.
"Move it! Get out here! Grab a wooden sword and get on the field!"
Prodded by Oddman, Maurice reluctantly shuffled forward and picked up a practice blade.
"Since this is a swordsmanship class, I naturally won't allow the use of spells. However, Physical Enhancement Magic is fair game. The knights use it, too."
Even those called knights didn't eschew magic entirely. While they focused primarily on the sword or spear, many used magic in a supplementary capacity to bolster their combat prowess.
"Fine. Let the match begin. Line up and take your stances."
"Heh."
"Ugh..."
In contrast to the Knight Department student, who took his stance with a smug expression, the tip of the wooden sword in Maurice's hand trembled visibly.
Looking closely, I realized the knight student facing Maurice was one of the boys who had looked offended earlier when Maurice had called swordsmanship "a game for people who can't use magic."
"Ready... Begin!"
"Hah!"
The moment the signal was given, the knight student lunged forward and swung. The wooden sword slammed into Maurice's shin with a sickening thud.
"Gah...!?"
As Maurice doubled over in agony, the knight student caught him with a boot directly to the face, sending him flying.
"Guh..."
"Hah! What are you just standing there for? Are you some kind of training dummy!?"
"St-Stop..."
"Stop? Don't get ahead of yourself, you magic-obsessed beanstalk! Who do you think you're talking to!?"
"Gack... Gh...!"
The wooden sword rained down on Maurice’s stomach and face repeatedly. His face began to swell as he collapsed to the ground, his breathing turning into a ragged, high-pitched wheeze.
"Alright, match over. Someone hurry up and haul this guy away."
Once Maurice stopped moving, Oddman gave the order to clear him off the field, a cruel chuckle escaping his lips.
"Hey, Maurice! Are you okay!?"
"I'll help!"
Lest and Luid rushed over together, hoisting Maurice up and carrying him to the edge of the grounds.
Even if it was a wooden sword without a sharp edge, a full-force strike still carried immense impact. It could easily break bones or cause serious trauma. Maurice's face was a mess of swelling, and his body was already blooming with dark bruises.
"Damn it... those Knight Department thugs completely overdid it!"
"Healing."
Luid growled in fury, clenching his fists. Lest frowned, his expression darkening as he cast a healing spell on the unconscious Maurice.
Fortunately, it didn't look like any bones were broken, but he was covered in contusions and suffering from internal bleeding.
"...They must really despise Magic Department students to do this to a defenseless amateur."
Lest had heard stories of the bad blood between the two departments, but seeing it firsthand was another matter entirely.
"Good grief... getting thrashed without putting up a fight. Mages really are hopeless," Oddman lamented, though a smirk never left his face. "If you have time to learn such pointless parlor tricks, you should be spending it on your muscles. Build some damn muscle."
Just as some mages looked down on knights, there were knights who viewed mages with utter disdain. It seemed Instructor Oddman was a perfect representative of that mindset.
"Next, Tralgar from the Knight Department. Tom Shout from the Magic Department."
Having been forced to watch their classmate get pulverized, the majority of the Magic Department students were now trembling with terror.