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The students were intensely focused.

This was unlike any class they had experienced before.

At first, they had doubts about how the class would proceed, but soon they became engrossed in Ethan’s teaching.

They knew that even a momentary lapse in concentration could cause the knowledge he was imparting to scatter away.

Ethan observed the students and felt extremely satisfied.

‘No one will miss the next class.’

Indeed, the Eye of Horus was remarkable.

Although Ethan considered himself stagnant water in MePan, it was challenging to observe and modify the techniques of ten students simultaneously.

‘Even without the Eye of Horus, I could probably handle up to five students at once.’

‘I made the right choice subscribing to Horus. It was worth it.’

He hadn’t initially planned to teach the class in this manner.

He didn’t expect to take on such a teaching role.

However, after acquiring the Eye of Horus, he became convinced that this teaching style would work.

It was truly a versatile and valuable tool.

‘I can observe the movements of ten individuals at once.’

The ten students were, on average, proficient.

‘With a bit more focus, I might even be able to handle up to fifteen.’

Anything more would be a stretch.

The class continued smoothly under Ethan’s guidance.

However, not everyone was fully engaged or satisfied with Ethan’s teaching.

‘That’s right. It’s understandable that you, the upper class, wouldn’t comprehend this situation.’

Ethan’s teaching method could be seen as a monstrous performance solely based on his abilities.

As a nobleman from the provinces, displaying such prowess didn’t sit well with Mason Yeld, who led the upper-class students.

‘Chen ended up like that, so he must have instructed someone more capable than Chen to attack me.’

Ethan had no intention of just standing by and watching. He wasn’t merciful enough to let someone crawl up without taking action.

‘You will also become a part of my plan, Mason Yeld.’

Five cycles had already passed, and it was now Mason and the upper-class students’ turn.

They seemed to have synchronized their gazes and used Revinade swordsmanship instead of traditional swordsmanship.

The familiar Revinade swordsmanship unfolded in their hands.

“Mason, and all of you, used Revinade swordsmanship. Are you asking me to modify the sword path of the foundational techniques?”

“Yes.”

Mason replied.

“What you’re doing goes against the principles.”

The students didn’t look pleased with Mason’s words.

They wondered what he was doing instead of focusing during this valuable class time.

“Goes against the principles?”

“Didn’t you steal the Visionary swordsmanship with your eyes? You revealed all the techniques from the first to the last.”

“Stole?”

Ethan chuckled and shrugged his shoulders.

“Shouldn’t we consider that I understood it, Mason Yeld?”

“Understood?”

Mason asked, bewildered.

“I don’t know your Visionary swordsmanship. But is it possible for me to steal it just by watching the Visionary swordsmanship displayed by your family?”

“If that’s the case…”

Mason didn’t continue his sentence. No, he couldn’t.

Just by capturing the synchronized Visionary swordsmanship displayed by the ten of them in a single glance, did it mean that Ethan understood everything?

And based on that understanding, was he modifying the sword path and teaching the optimal sword path right now?

Was that really possible?

A memory of Ethan popped up in Mason’s mind.

Once, he was referred to as a swordsmanship genius within Whiskers County and its surrounding territories.

As with the students of Ivecar, many people in this school were hailed as geniuses.

However, they came here and realize that they were not geniuses but merely individuals with some talent.

There were many exceptional talents gathered here.

That was why Mason shivered.

Could it be that there was a true genius right in front of him?

But soon, he shook his head.

To think such thoughts…

Hmph.

It greatly shook his self-esteem.

Ethan approached Mason quietly and spoke in a low voice.

It was a voice that only Mason could hear.

“Are you here to play the boss? Or did you come to become stronger? To secure your position as the successor. Do you think the Duke has already designated your brother as the successor? So you’re giving up and conceding? You’re a coward, Mason Yeld.”

Those words changed Mason’s aura.

The previously composed and pragmatic Mason was now consumed by extreme anger. His subordinate next to him looked startled as they observed Mason.

It was as if they were seeing this furious side of Mason for the first time.

“Who do you think you are?”

What did he know to blurt out such words?

However, Ethan didn’t respond.

“Next!”

It was now class time, and they had to focus on the lesson.

* * *

The two hours of class flew by so quickly that they felt like two minutes.

“That concludes today’s lesson.”

Ethan announced, leaving a strong sense of disappointment in the students’ eyes. Time had passed so swiftly.

However, Ethan swiftly turned around and left without hesitation.

Aside from the class, Ethan had many things to attend to.

Normally, after the class ended, it was customary for the students to leave first.

But in this Understanding the Sword Path class, the students stayed behind even after Ethan had left.

Gradually, one by one, the students started to rise from their seats.

Half of them shared the same thought.

They should have attended the class from the beginning.

As the students left, Yuna Garnet remained seated for quite some time.

“To handle Chen so harshly and treat Mason like a child…”

Yuna became intrigued by Ethan.

To handle Mason, who could be seen as the focal point and antagonist of the upper-class students, after Chen in such a way?

“I should make him mine.”

* * *

“It’s done!”

Ethan finally saw the solid items that had been completed.

“You mentioned that they are meant for training purposes, right? As you said, I paid a lot of attention to the handle part.”

“Thank you for your hard work. Here they are.”

“Oh my, there are so many!”

“Please take good care of me in the future.”

“Hehehe, of course!”

The blacksmith chuckled as he collected the payment in gold.

What Ethan had created were dumbbells and barbells.

It goes without saying that such training tools did not exist in this world.

There was little emphasis on physical training in a world where cultivating mana was the basic rule.

However, Ethan knew.

The body needed to be properly strengthened in order to efficiently and effectively utilize mana.

“Are they made properly?”

“You explained quite well, Yerica.”

“Since you drew the illustrations well, it’s only natural.”

Yerica immediately began casting weight reduction magic enchantments on the tools, just as Ethan had instructed.

“How about the weight?”

“This small one is called a dumbbell.”

“A dumbbell?”

“With a dumbbell, you hold it with one hand and focus on training your muscles.”

“Oh.”

“And this larger one is called a barbell. It can handle much heavier weights than the dumbbell we just saw. It’s mainly used for training the lower body.”

Ethan demonstrated the use of the barbell by placing it on his trapezius muscles and performing squats slowly.

“Oh, so that’s how you properly train the thighs.”

“Then they won’t be late for your lessons either. That would be great, wouldn’t it?”

Ethan intended to fully engage the students who attended his class in this direction. Of course, he didn’t expect them to excel like Yerica or Schudlen.

‘They have their own roles. But they can’t fulfill those roles without proper skills.’

* * *

“Mason won’t just stay quiet.”

“I’m currently having my meal.”

In front of Ethan were three steaks at the academy’s cafeteria. Since recovering his health and being able to eat properly, Ethan had been eating meat every day.

He could now eat it without feeling like he was going to die.

That pleased him the most.

“It’s not the time for a leisurely meal.”

“Ah, Yuna Garnet, is it? If you’ve come to make a personal request, I won’t accept it. If you want to learn from me, attend the next class. To properly utilize the Garnet Clan’s swordsmanship, that’s what it takes.”

Yuna smirked in response.

“I’ve been paying attention to your classes so well. I’ve never had such classes before. It’s causing quite a stir among the teachers too, you know? The reactions have been tremendous. I’m just so grateful for the lessons you’ve provided.”

She handed him a discreetly bulging pouch. It was a rather hefty one.

“It’s my small gift.”

“….”

Ethan remained silent as he accepted the pouch, and  Yuna’s smile deepened.

“I was afraid that Mason’s antics might cause you harm, Teacher. So, I thought, with such a small gift, I can give you as many as you want. As long as you fulfill my small requests little by little. Then I will offer you my protection.”

She already believed the situation had come under her control. Yuna had successfully gained many teachers on her side using similar methods.

The approach was simple.

Money.

And the anticipation of connections that could be established with the prominent Garnet Guild.

That had been the pattern of her life for the most part.

People approached her based on her wealth and background, and she fulfilled their expectations.

In return, she made full use of them.

With the money and connections she possessed, anything was possible. No teacher had ever rejected her persuasion. No, they couldn’t dare to.

“How about it, Teacher?”

That was why her grades last year were exceptionally excellent. Of course, she had her own skills, but it was true that the leverage she wielded within the academy played a significant role.

“I won’t make a difficult request. It’s a very easy one.”

A substantial amount of money for an easy request. Could anyone refuse that? Especially since Ethan was just a local noble’s son.

If he were a noble from the central region, he would likely be unaffected by money issues. However, as a noble from a local area, it could be considered a good deal.

Ethan slowly looked at her and extended his hand.

Deal complete.

“I’ll count on you…”

As Ethan reached out his hand, he firmly grasped the pouch that Yuna Garnet had given to him.

“Huh?”

“I have a lot of money.”

Unaware of whether he would refuse, her expression froze in the same smiling state.

* * *

Ethan knew Yuna Garnet’s methods very well.

Leverage and the network based on it.

She was a cunning student who knew her weapon very well.

Using that weapon, she had gained the support of numerous teachers and students.

‘It’s not that she was born with bad luck.’

Ironically, while the money was hers, the people she had gathered with that money did not belong to her.

‘She must not have been able to trust people.’

Furthermore, the issue of succeeding the Great Guild was intertwined. In a way, Yuna could be seen as similar to Mason.

Mason also had two older brothers, but he had ambitions to become the successor. While his talent surpassed his two brothers, living under their shadow for a long time created fear, which led him to escape to the academy.

‘Of course, both of them would eventually overcome this weakness.’

It simply meant that even if left alone, they would become significant figures that would impact the main story.

There was no reason not to buy a lottery ticket that was already destined to win.

‘I just sprinkle a little bit of bait. Isn’t winning someone’s heart through words the cheapest way to succeed?’

The successor of the great noble family and the successor of the great merchant guild.

If he could earn the trust of these two, wouldn’t it be a great help in the future?

‘Now that I’ve spread both baits, let’s catch the spy first.’

Since the class was over, Ethan planned to go around and find the followers of the Moon he had memorized.

But before that, there was one more person who came to see Ethan.

“Teacher.”

A cold voice. Standing in front of him was Mason Yeld.

“Well, you’ve become quite a popular teacher.”