Chapter 7: The Disturbing Members of the Spear Class

The physical education classes at the National Academy of Magic were unique.

Anyone who manipulates magic must also be familiar with the use of weapons. 

This is because sorcerers often use things like water swords, fire arrows, and wind sickles.

In the third year, students had to decide which weapon to major in, and most of them chose the sword.

Cynthia had also chosen a sword.

But I was not good with swords.

Holding and swinging a sword was fine.

However, when someone pointed a sword at me, the traumatic event would come back to my mind and my body would tremble. 

For me, with the memory of being killed by a sword, having to use a real sword in sword fighting class was unbearable.

As a result, I chose a spear.

The spear was heavier than a sword, which was a bit of a disadvantage for women, but above all, it was possible to joust in class.

Jousting is the national sport of Leia, and once every four years, the King’s tournament is held in the royal capital. 

The year I first died was the year when the tournament was supposed to be held. 

If nothing had happened, I would have definitely gone to watch the tournament.

When I was in Baral, my grandfather used to take me and my brother to watch jousting matches that were held every year at the end of summer. 

What was popular in Baral was a single combat match, called Joust.

Although there were reserved bleachers for the lord’s family, I always joined the people and stood in the stands. 

This way, I could be closer to the riders and feel the power of the running horses.

Knights in armor, with long spears and shields, mounted on horses, faced each other and ran from both ends of the hall. 

As they pass each other, they poke the other’s shield with their spears. 

For safety reasons, wooden spears were used instead of steel, but wooden spears often broke in the fights.

The moment the two knights confront each other, a loud cracking sound is heard and the long spear breaks into pieces. 

Small pieces of wood fly around, demonstrating the strength of the impact.

The scent of the wind from the horses galloping across the grass and the vibrations shaking the earth, these are the real pleasures of jousting.

In the game, the loser is the one who falls off his horse, and I love the sense of urgency of the moment.

However, the only female students who chose spear were me and Catherine.

“Why are you majoring in spears?

On the first day of class, Catherine attacked me as soon as we stepped out on the playground.

“Because I hate swords. Why did you…”

I didn’t have to ask her why she chose spear.

Gideon also majored in spear.

There were fifteen third-year students who majored in spear. 

I saw Gideon among us gathered in a corner of the schoolyard.

He was holding a wooden spear that the teacher had given him to practice with, and was looking intently at its long body, flipping it over and over. 

Mac, who had also chosen a spear, immediately started swinging it around and was scolded by the teacher.

Catherine probably chose the spear because she wanted to be close to Gideon.

How easy to figure out.

Since Catherine was the only other female student in the class, I was always paired with her when we had to practice fighting with spears. 

In the weapons class, the use of magic was strictly forbidden in order to learn pure martial arts. 

So the difference in strength between men and women was quite obvious.

Whenever we had a match, I always beat Catherine. 

Her spear skills were terrible, perhaps because of her impure motives.

By the end of the first semester, the teacher had no choice but to ask me to practice against the boys instead of Catherine.

And it was always Gideon who was paired with me.

One day I couldn’t take it anymore, so I went straight to the spear teacher. 

The spear class was taught by a classy, middle-aged man whose trademark is cornrows (TN: Braids).

He listened to me as he brushed his dark hair further back.

“Why do I always have to practice with Gideon? I want to practice with the other boys and hone my skills.”

The teacher then raised his index finger and waved it from side to side, saying.

“Because if it’s not Gideon, Liesel, you’ll get hurt. A spear can injure you easily. Since Gideon is good at martial arts, he can adapt well to his opponent, can’t he?”

I glared at Gideon, who was standing next to me. 

This means that Gideon always takes it easy on me when I fight him.

I ask him, gripping my spear with my right hand.

“Have you always taken it easy while you fought against me?”

Gideon smiled thinly, as if he was troubled.

“I don’t slack off. Liesel is always serious. –But I would never do anything to injure Liesel.”

Then Catherine barged in.

“Sir! If Liesel is dissatisfied, I’ll be Gideon’s partner!”

“Catherine Jumeau. I thought I had ordered you to do push-ups. If you skip any further, I’ll have you go to sword or archery class.”

“I’ll tell my father!” she said. 

Catherine resumed her push-ups, although her face turned red with indignation. 

Surprisingly, she was super fast and quite good at it.

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