I Became a Swordsmanship Instructor in a Romance Novel

The next morning, the students who were trudging towards Zeke Clayman’s swordsmanship class with deathly pale faces widened their eyes at the notice posted at the entrance of the training ground.

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「Notice of New Swordsmanship Class Opening」

A new swordsmanship class has been opened by the newly appointed Third Prince, Licht Leonine.

Classes will begin next week, and the class roster is as follows:

Licht Leonine ━ Rosnante Leonine, Yuri Gilbert, Lillie Ira…….

Zeke Clayman ━ Selena Yohaiden, Iriel Eustia, Soi Spoon…….

※ However, the above classes were entirely organized by Instructor Licht Leonine, and Instructor Zeke Clayman’s will was not involved. From today until next week, students can freely switch classes by visiting Instructor Zeke Clayman.

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Everyone who saw the notice was left speechless.

Not only was the long-awaited new swordsmanship instructor the Third Prince but Rosnante was also assigned to his class.

Of course, they immediately understood that the class below was entirely organized by the Third Prince and that students could freely switch classes. Still, it was surprising news.

“……But, the Third Prince as a swordsmanship instructor? Isn’t he younger than us……?”

“That’s right, I thought he only focused on magic……. How did this happen?”

“Who cares? I’ll do anything to escape this hell!!!”

“But to put Prince Rosnante in his own class, isn’t this a declaration of war…….”

The children from the Second Prince’s faction were in a difficult position.

Zeke Clayman’s classes were tough, even with an iron will.

Though they didn’t say it out loud, they too had been waiting for a new swordsmanship instructor.

However, they couldn’t bring themselves to switch to the Third Prince’s class because they were conscious of Rosnante’s gaze.

They gathered around Rosnante to hear his opinion.

Rosnante, who had been organizing his thoughts all night, let out a chuckle as if he had expected this when he saw the notice.

“The new swordsmanship instructor is the Third Prince. Certainly, something smells fishy.”

Then he turned around and looked at his followers.

Everyone was waiting for his words, gulping nervously.

“Hmm, he left all of my followers in Zeke’s class and only pulled me into his own……. Is he trying to sow discord among us? Or is he trying to show off to me……. For now, I will attend Instructor Zeke’s class.”

“…….”

“But, I can’t figure out how that guy became a swordsmanship instructor. Is there anyone among you who can join the Third Prince’s class and bring me information about him?”

As if they had been waiting for those words, all those surrounding Rosnante raised their hands.

“Allow me to undertake this great task!”

“No! I’ve been told I have no presence since I was young! This requires stealth, so I’ll do it!”

“I will naturally build relationships with people and blend in to extract information!”

Everyone spoke in determined voices, as if they were willing to sacrifice themselves, vying to join the Third Prince’s class.

Of course, inwardly, they all shared the same thought.

‘Anything to avoid this hellish class……! I’ll do anything!’

Rosnante looked around at them with a cold gaze.

He felt a sense of doubt about whether he could truly trust these people.

“……Alright, all of you go to the Third Prince’s class.”

“R-Really!?”

“Yes, go.”

“We’re really going……?”

“Go.”

Rosnante had anticipated this from the beginning and tried to appear as composed as possible, but he had expected at least one or two of his followers to stay.

Especially the Count’s son, who had his hand glued to his ear and raised it high, which was particularly irritating.

Feeling Rosnante’s gaze, the Count’s son asked in a small, embarrassed voice.

“W-Well……. I-It’s not that I’m upset with you, Prince Rosnante……. It’s just that Instructor Zeke Clayman’s class…….”

“Hmph! Didn’t I say it’s alright? I’m really fine with it!”

“You don’t look fine at all…….”

* * *

It was well over an hour before Zeke could start his class.

He was delayed by processing the students who wanted to attend the Third Prince’s class.

The ones who were close to the Second Prince were especially ridiculous.

‘I have received a top-secret order to observe the Third Prince’s movements.’

They said it with the expression of a hero going to defeat the final boss, which was quite amusing.

The same guys who couldn’t even meet his eyes in class.

‘Why are you telling me if it’s top-secret, you bastards.’

However, Zeke didn’t question them and stamped their class change applications.

Those who had decided to attend the Third Prince’s class from next week were told they didn’t have to come to today’s class, so only five children gathered for Zeke’s class again.

No, six including the Northern Princess.

Their expressions were much more lively than usual.

It seemed that they had accumulated some dissatisfaction, knowingly or unknowingly, due to Zeke having to look after nearly 200 students, which meant less time spent with them individually.

Zeke also found it more comfortable to teach a small group like this.

“We’re all gathered again.”

“““Yes!”””

“Alright, I’m glad to be teaching you all again. Hmm……, I guess I can’t skip introducing our new transfer student. You’ve probably already met each other, but we should still have a proper introduction.”

Zeke turned his head and looked at Lillie.

“Lillie Ira. Come forward.”

“Yes.”

Lillie calmly walked forward.

Her training uniform was quite large for her slender frame, making her look a bit shabby, but her unique elegance and confidence created her own distinct aura.

“We’ve already introduced ourselves, so let’s speak comfortably. Lillie Ira. Princess of the Northern Duchy.”

Lillie greeted them in a straightforward and easygoing manner, and the children clapped to welcome her.

Of course, Rosnante’s clapping was the loudest among them.

‘Ha, she’s so beautiful even in such comfortable clothes……. But, she looks so fragile……. Can she endure this class……?’

Rosnante suddenly had a bad feeling that Lillie might run away after experiencing Zeke Clayman’s class.

Even his own followers couldn’t stand it and escaped to the Third Prince’s class.

Could this seemingly delicate girl handle Zeke Clayman’s training?

‘Is she going to run away to the Third Prince’s class after just one day……?’

Regardless of Rosnante’s thoughts, Zeke’s class had already begun.

“I told you that we’ll be training in specialized swordsmanship from today. Did everyone bring their weapons?”

At Zeke’s words, everyone took out the weapons they had been given.

Selena had a rapier.

Iriel had twin daggers.

Soi had a one-handed shield and a straight sword.

Yuri had a katana that was not much different from a wooden sword.

They were all crafted by the blacksmith who had been freeloading at Selena’s house, at Zeke’s request.

In Rosnante’s case, since he couldn’t be expected to have delicate mana control, a giant greatsword was requested, but it was still being made due to its size.

“Then, what am I supposed to do since I haven’t received a sword yet?”

Rosnante raised his hand and asked.

“Hmm, I was going to have you train with a wooden sword with weights attached to get used to a greatsword.”

“……I-Instructor, may I make a suggestion?”

“A suggestion?”

“Yes. If possible, I would like to oversee Lillie Ira’s training.”

‘Huh?’

Zeke looked at Rosnante with suspicion, as if asking what he meant.

“W-Well, if it’s a class where we train with specialized weapons, wouldn’t you have a lot to take care of with each student?”

“……That’s true.”

“But, in Lillie’s case, since she just arrived today, she’ll be doing basic training.”

“Hmm…….”

“I already know the method for today’s class, and I’ve done basic training to death! If you entrust the transfer student to me, you’ll be able to focus more on the other students.”

Zeke glanced at Lillie.

Lillie’s face was completely darkened.

It seemed she didn’t have a very good impression of Rosnante.

The body modification project that Zeke had originally planned for Lillie. If he added Rosnante to the mix, she would surely let out even more beautiful screams.

After finishing his thoughts, Zeke nodded.

“That’s a good idea, Rosnante. I’m touched by your consideration for your classmates.”

“……Ha!”

“H-Hold on a minute! I’m here to attend your class, Instructor……!”

Rosnante’s face brightened, while Lillie flared up and intervened.

Zeke shook his head firmly.

“Rosnante has learned basic training thoroughly from me. He’s a student who followed all the training without possessing mana while everyone else was using it.

So, he’s a specialist in basic training. It’s not an exaggeration at all.”

“Basic training…….”

“Specialist……?”

“Sounds kinda lame……”

The title of a basic training specialist sounded somewhat unimpressive.

But such derogatory terms didn’t matter to Rosnante.

It was a golden opportunity to legally get closer to Lillie during Zeke Clayman’s class!

As they say, affection often blossoms between people who go through tough training together.

‘And if I secretly help her when she’s struggling, I can appeal to her with my kindness……. Hehe.’

Rosnante’s happy circuits were firing at full speed.

Today, even the derogatory term “basic training specialist” sounded pleasant to him.

“Yes! Trust me, the basic training specialist, Rosnante!”

“Alright, the rest of you start by running laps around the training ground. I’ll teach Rosnante the training methods. Lillie, you too.”

““Yes……!””

“…….”

Lillie glared at Zeke with dissatisfaction, but when she saw him ignoring her, she bit her lip and started running.

“Damn it.”

Zeke met with Rosnante separately.

He no longer cowered in front of him and met his gaze directly.

Zeke quite liked his confident demeanor.

“You said you would take charge of her training. Are you sure about this?”

“……Yes! I am the Second Prince of the Empire. I must look after all the citizens and subjects. That includes the North.

I’ve become close to the other students, but I thought it would be good for the future to build a good relationship with the North as well.”

Rosnante explained his reasons for making such a choice while hiding his personal motives.

His mind, usually dull, was now running smoothly, fueled by love.

“Hmm, I see. I understand your intentions. Even if it means taking on the role of the villain, you must look after everyone.”

“V-Villain……?”

Rosnante asked back, puzzled by the unexpected word.

“Yes, Rosnante. You must become a demon.”

“……Huh?”

“You must never go easy on Lillie Ira.”

“B-But…….”

Rosnante looked at the Northern Princess running around the training ground.

Her hair was already soaked with sweat even though she hadn’t run much, and she was breathing heavily, gasping for air.

“As you can see, she is weak.”

“……Yes.”

“If she remains this weak, she won’t live long.”

Rosnante looked at Zeke in surprise at his words.

“……!”

“That’s why we need to help her use mana.”

“……Does Lillie need a mana stone too!?”

“That’s a secondary issue. Even if Lillie gathers mana stones now, her body won’t be able to handle it.”

“Ah…….”

Indeed, he himself had overcome several near-death experiences to be able to use mana.

He had barely managed to endure it because he was physically fit, but this frail girl wouldn’t be able to.

“T-Then what should we do?”

“We need to maximize her physical abilities in a short period of time. And then we need to help her use mana.”

“…….”

“What do you say? Are you ready?”

At Zeke’s question, Rosnante made a firm expression and answered resolutely.

“Yes. I’ll try my best. Please teach me.”

“Good. I trust you.”

Zeke smiled cruelly, his lips curling into a sinister grin.