The Academy’s Hard-Headed Swordmaster

The Academy’s cultural festival is a three-day event.

The first two days are exclusively for Academy students, culminating in the grand festival on the third day, open to the public.

Even with the terrorist incident that occurred at the Academy this year, this schedule remained unchanged.

Altering the Academy’s plans simply because of a terrorist incident would be perceived as the Academy and the Empire succumbing to fear.

On the first day of the festival, Kyle subtly smiled, taking in the lively atmosphere within the Academy.

‘A cultural festival, huh?’

His high school and university in his previous life didn’t have such events.

High school prioritized academics, and university festivals were more about excessive drinking than anything cultural.

So, this was his first experience with a cultural festival, both in this life and the previous one. Honestly, he was a little excited.

‘Sera said nothing would happen, so it should be fine.’

Besides, even if something did happen, he wasn’t too worried.

The terrorist incident at the Academy was a concern not only for the Academy but also for the Empire.

They would be on high alert and vigilant to prevent a recurrence.

“Kyle.”

“Oh, you’re here?”

Kyle grinned, greeting Yuri, who finally arrived at their meeting spot.

Instead of her usual long, flowing hair, Yuri had it half-tied back.

Kyle instantly understood the meaning of the phrase “hair frames the face.”

No matter her hairstyle, her beauty was undeniable, leaving him speechless with admiration.

“Your hair looks nice.”

“Thanks.”

Yuri replied, immediately linking her arm with his.

As he relished the soft press of her cleavage against his firm bicep, Yuri pulled out a pamphlet from her pocket.

“Let’s go. I’ve already decided what we’re going to see.”

“There’s something I want to see too.”

“What?”

“Aria’s performance.”

At the mention of Aria’s name, Yuri’s expression slightly soured.

However, she knew that as a commoner, Aria couldn’t come between her and Kyle.

She quickly nodded and headed towards the performance hall.

It was early morning, right as the festival began.

Since most students were likely still asleep, the Art Department’s performance hall was practically empty.

This time slot was unpopular among students because even the most talented performers couldn’t receive proper evaluation.

Yet, for some reason, Aria’s performance was scheduled for this time.

“That’s rough.”

“Huh? What is?”

“Aria. What other reason could there be for her to perform at this hour?”

“What do you mean?”

“Because she’s a commoner.”

“Ah…”

Yuri, who had initially reacted sharply, also realized why Aria was scheduled at this time and sighed sympathetically.

With her keen political sense, she understood perfectly well why this had happened.

“Should we go and complain?”

“Complain? You, a Knight Department student, and me, from the Magic Department?”

“My father is Count, and yours is a Duke. Wouldn’t that carry some weight?”

“The Art Department students also have similar titles.”

“Aria’s talent is incredible, though…”

“Art is subjective. If the Professors disagree, that’s the end of it.”

This meant it was impossible to help Aria showcase her true talent to a wider audience.

These political issues were a headache.

How much simpler life would be if everything could be resolved with a single stroke of a sword.

Lost in these gloomy thoughts, Kyle suddenly erupted in cheers as Aria walked onto the stage for her performance.

“Aria, you’re better than the entire human kingdom!”

“……???”

Aria, preparing to sing on stage, looked at Kyle, bewildered by his outburst.

The Art Department Professors sitting in the front row also frowned at him.

However, a moment later, Aria burst into laughter, her shoulders shaking.

“Pfft, ahaha, haa. ─I’m Aria. I’ll begin my song.”

Stifling her laughter, she took a deep breath and began to sing.

The Art Department Professors, who had frowned at Kyle’s outburst, turned their attention back to Aria, captivated by her performance.

No matter how many times he heard it, it was beautiful.

The melody resonated in his ears, her sweet voice, the harmony of all these elements.

Kyle glanced at Yuri beside him.

Slightly upset that they had come to see another girl’s performance so early in the morning, she, too, was mesmerized, her mouth agape as she listened to Aria sing.

“─I want to be your constellation.”

Finishing her song, Aria smiled at Kyle, as if thanking him for coming.

Kyle began to applaud enthusiastically.

The few other students who had come to the early morning performance, hearing his applause, joined in.

The only ones not clapping were Aria on stage and the Professors in the front row, evaluating her.

“Hmm, a good song. However… relying solely on your voice without putting in much effort, prioritizing technique over emotion, and being conscious of the audience’s gaze, these are all points of deduction.”

“─What is that old geezer talking about?”

“I have no idea.”

Kyle scoffed at the Professor evaluating Aria. His words essentially boiled down to:

“You’re relying on your natural talent and skill.”

Even a student with no artistic knowledge could tell how absurd that statement was, yet the Professor remained self-assured.

“─Thank you. Everyone, please vote for me! That way you can see me again on the third day-!”

“I’ll put in 100 votes!”

“Ahaha, only one vote per person～.”

Despite the ridiculous critique, Aria maintained her smile and left the stage.

The Professors frowned, displeased with her cheerful demeanor.

Having no intention of staying for the following performances, Kyle and Yuri left the hall.

As they exited, Aria, who had slipped out from backstage, approached them.

“Kyle!”

“Aria.”

“Thank you for coming to my performance.”

Aria bowed deeply in gratitude.

Kyle, telling her it wasn’t necessary, helped her up and asked,

“Are you alright?”

“Huh? With what?”

“Performing so early in the morning with no audience, and having to listen to such nonsense.”

“Oh, I’m fine. A true artist must overcome such hardships!”

“That’s the spirit. I’m rooting for you.”

“Thanks! Oh, but don’t actually put in 100 votes, okay? I’ll get caught for vote manipulation.”

Saying this, Aria quickly excused herself.

Although her solo performance was over, she still had other Cultural Festival preparations as an Art Department student.

Watching her leave, Kyle realized that she genuinely seemed unaffected.

It was strange.

To receive such a critique with such talent and not show any emotional reaction?

‘Is this what a true artist is like?’

Just as a swordsman devoted to their sword doesn’t care about others’ opinions, a true artist seemed indifferent to external judgment.

Kyle admired her resilience.

“Kyle.”

“Oh, yeah.”

“Let’s go see what I want to see now.”

“Right, of course.”

He didn’t dwell on his admiration for long.

Shaking off his thoughts, Kyle joined Yuri in enjoying the rest of the cultural festival.

Since the first day’s performances were mostly prepared by first-year students, there were some rough edges.

However, for Kyle, experiencing a cultural festival for the first time, it was pure enjoyment.

* * *

After the first day’s events concluded and Aria returned to her dormitory, she received a notification slip.

It informed her whether she qualified for the grand festival on the third day, the one open to the public.

Without much expectation, Aria carefully opened the slip.

It contained the number of student votes she received and the Professors’ evaluation.

[Aria]

33 votes

70 points

Result: Fail

“……Figures.”

Not many students had come to the early morning performance.

Even if she received votes from everyone who heard her sing, the small number wouldn’t make much difference.

Moreover, the Professors’ score was problematic. 70 out of 100 might seem decent, but it wasn’t.

The Professors predetermined the performers for the grand festival and gave them perfect scores.

In other words, she hadn’t received 70 points, but rather -30.

“I knew it.”

She hadn’t expected those stubborn old fools to suddenly awaken to her talent and allow her to perform on the third day.

If they had any intention of doing so, they wouldn’t have scheduled her performance so early in the morning.

They would have given her a time slot with a decent audience.

“As expected, nobles are all trash.”

She clenched her fists, trembling with rage. It couldn’t be helped.

It was their fault she was in this situation.

She hated the world.

She hated the nobles.

She wished they would all just die.

* * *

Day 2.

I scratched my cheek, looking at the Club President who had suddenly appeared before me.

“You want me to do what?”

“Pretend to be my boyfriend.”

She asked me to be her boyfriend for a night.