"Master, are you ready? We have to leave before we're late."
Van snapped out of his thoughts when he heard Arthur's voice from behind the door.
'Looks like the Academy will be busy this week since the [Summer Festival] will be held next week,' Van thought.
Van then left his room and walked with Arthur toward the Academy.
On the way, Van saw all the Academy staff—even some of the Academy's Masters—busy with the [Summer Festival] preparations.
"Careful! Don't let that collapse and injure the students!"
"Why aren't the lights in this area on yet? Where's the [Mana Stone] for the energy?!"
"Have those merchants been contacted again about their tenant positions?"
"Is the teleportation rune ready yet?"
Van and Arthur saw everyone working hard for the [Summer Festival].
The Academy, always noisy, was even more chaotic during this time.
"Looks like the Academy really values this [Summer Festival]," Arthur said, looking around.
"Of course. The [Summer Festival] is meant to enhance the Academy's prestige within the Avalon Kingdom, and also serves as a test for the students," Van said calmly.
"Are you interested in this event, Master?" Arthur asked.
"A little. I'm only interested in the form of the test and the results," Van said. "What about you?"
"I'm not really into events like this, but it'd be different if I had the chance to fight a strong swordsman," Arthur said.
Hearing Arthur's answer, Van could only grumble inwardly.
'Damn [Barbarian].'
"By the way, seeing a festival like this reminds me of the [Gehenna Festival]," Arthur said, his voice cold, filled with hatred and cruelty.
Hearing Arthur's words, Van, who was walking, suddenly stopped.
His usually calm and blank eyes now glinted sharply with coldness and cruelty.
Van would never forget what the [Gehenna Cult] had done to him—especially that bastard Sargan.
'Just wait. I'll tear you all to pieces and feed you to the dogs,' Van thought, recalling the pain he endured against Sargan and the other [Gehenna Cult] members.
"If they dare attack the Academy this time, I'll make sure they're tortured until death feels like a blessing," Van said coldly.
"I'll cut them to pieces with my sword if I see them," Arthur said, gripping his sheathed sword tightly.
The students nearby became terrified and quickly moved away when they saw their expressions and heard their words.
Seeing the students' reactions, both of them returned to normal and continued toward their first class.
- - - - -
In the Academy corridor, Van and Arthur walked together toward their first class: [Sword Technique].
"Do we really have to attend that class?" Arthur asked, irritation in his voice.
"Yes. Just endure it," Van said calmly.
"We could just skip it. It's already 7:15," Arthur suggested.
"We're already near the classroom. If you wanted to skip, you should've done it earlier," Van said flatly.
Neither of them, nor really anyone in the Academy, wanted to attend that class.
Not because the class itself was the problem—but because the Master was.
Aaron Clarence, Master of [Sword Technique], one of the world's top swordsmen—whose tongue was sharper than a sword.
Who could stand swinging a sword while being insulted, cursed, mocked, or humiliated?
By the time you'd swung your sword a few times, Master Aaron would have already insulted your family line, from your ancestors to your seventh generation.
They finally arrived at the [Sword Technique] class and saw that many students had arrived before them.
"Do they really intend to learn in this class?" Arthur asked, staring in disbelief at the students who arrived on time.
Master Aaron, who was already teaching, noticed their arrival. He grinned and shouted, "Look who finally showed up—the troublemaking noble who thinks he's handsome and the rainbow-colored mad dog!"
A vein bulged on Arthur's forehead at Master Aaron's words. Even Van, standing beside him, could feel the surge of Arthur's fury.
'No matter how many times I hear his insults, I still can't get used to them,' Van thought.
The students also stopped swinging their swords and looked toward the door at Master Aaron's shout.
"Why did you stop?! When did I tell you to stop?! Add a thousand more swings! If you can't finish, don't even think about leaving my class!" Master Aaron roared.
Hearing that, the students panicked, angry and frustrated, but continued swinging their swords without further comment.
'Damn it! That bastard definitely did this on purpose to add to our suffering.'
'F*ck! One day I'll rip you apart!'
'[Beast Slayer], my ass. You're more like [Student Slayer]!'
'Damn Master! May your ancestors up to the seventh generation never know peace!'
"You two! Five thousand swings," Master Aaron ordered.
"Swing the sword again? I'm sick of this. Isn't there any other lesson? Damn lazy teacher…" Arthur muttered, cursing Master Aaron moments later.
Van and Arthur joined the line of students and began swinging their swords as ordered.
"Hey you, it's been three months of swinging a sword, but why are your swings so slow? Stop being a swordsman and become a gigolo—maybe you'll swing your sword down there faster."
"Are you tired already? Tsk, why's your stamina so short? Too much jerking off?"
"Didn't I tell you before to cut that hair short? You want to cut your hair while swinging a sword? Let me tell you—you're not pretty, so long or short hair won't attract any guys."
"You fat noble! Why's your body even bigger than three months ago? Are you a pig that only knows how to eat?"
"Your sword swings are too slow! Your ancestors would be ashamed seeing you like this."
"You skinny brat! Never done physical training? Why's the blade wider than your arm? That's what you get for being a pervert."
Hearing Master Aaron's barrage of insults, Arthur's eye twitched in shock.
But his eyes widened further when he saw Master Aaron approaching him.
Van also felt uneasy as Master Aaron walked toward them both.
"Hey, troublemaking noble, why are you so quiet today? Don't nobles like you love making trouble? Come on, try attacking me," Master Aaron said, his expression mocking.
'Stay calm, Van. The time for revenge will come,' Van thought, tightening his grip on his sword's hilt.
"Boring noble. I bet you're the type who hides behind your mommy when you're scared," Master Aaron said.