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“He approved it.”

The Dean, who had gone to report to the Principal, couldn’t have imagined in his wildest dreams that the Principal would grant permission for this matter.

“This has never happened before, Teacher Ethan. Not only is a new class allowed for each new teacher in each department, but now, getting approval for the creation of a new class, and that too for a practical class!”

It was an unprecedented event. Having worked here for over 20 years, the Dean had seen numerous talents come and go.

In the past, there was Sword Emperor, and currently, there was Claudie Hyde. 

But the new teacher before him was more shocking than both of them combined.

Ethan possessed the teaching talent of Claudie and exceptional skill with the sword, equivalent to Sword Emperor.

Having just one of these would make someone a master.

Ethan had both talents.

“I thought he’d want a detailed explanation, but he approved it right away.”

“What kind of practical class are you planning to conduct, and in what manner? You said it wouldn’t be an outdoor class, no monsters involved, and not even student sparring.”

“It will be a practical class using golems.”

“A practical class using golems?”

Ethan showed his class plan to the Knight Department Dean. The Dean read through the plan, wearing a puzzled expression by the end.

“Is this even possible? Golems can’t do things like this. Our students at Ivecar should easily be able to predict a golem’s movements.”

“It’s not an ordinary golem. We’ll be using a special golem, one that moves in a way similar to real combat.”

“Ridiculous. Where on earth can you find such a golem?”

“I made it.”

“You made it?”

“Yes, along with my escort.”

Thinking there couldn’t be anything more surprising, the Dean couldn’t fathom the extent of Ethan Whiskers’ talent.

“Then, I take it that you have given permission. I’ll proceed with the Introduction to Practical Swordsmanship for the second semester. I’ll personally inform the Principal of the permission he granted.”

“Teacher Ethan.”

The Dean called Ethan with a serious expression.

“There’s an interdepartmental exchange scheduled for the second semester. Claudie will probably be a candidate, but it would be good if you could compete with him.”

Ethan simply nodded without giving a verbal response.

The interdepartmental exchange was a practice for the biggest festival of the winter, the Academy Exchange Festival. 

Now that it had come to this, the Dean had no choice but to follow the Principal’s will. The Principal had already sensed Ethan’s potential during the interview.

If they followed the traditional rules, Ethan’s potential might be stifled.

‘They probably don’t see me as just a new teacher anymore.’

As Ethan nodded, two notification windows appeared simultaneously.

-The Knight Department Dean sends his trust to you!

-Record-breaking in the shortest time!

-Your fame is rising significantly!

-Gained the authority to open a new class!

-Record-breaking in the shortest time!

-Your fame is rising significantly!

The trust from the Knight Department Dean and the authority to open a new class.

Both of these were impossible tasks for a new teacher to handle. Therefore, Ethan received a clear reward for them.

Satisfied with his rewarding outcome, Ethan smiled lightly and bowed his head.

“I’ll do my best.”

Encounter day with the Followers of the Moon.

Until the day of the encounter, Ethan had been hunting on Grand Horn every day.

As a result, not only did he enhance his practical senses, but he also achieved another desired achievement.

-Achievement unlocked!

-Gained ‘Likes’ for achieving the [Wolf Slaughterer] achievement.

-Gained ‘5’ Likes!

“I’ve killed so many wolves that I have too much wolf leather now.”

Ethan’s spatial pocket was currently filled with numerous materials. Although he intended to entrust these materials to an outstanding blacksmith to make equipment, he hadn’t had the chance due to various other tasks.

“I should visit the blacksmith after the parent observation class is over.”

He knew of a promising blacksmith nearby. Although the blacksmith was likely still an apprentice, with a bit more time, they would become a Goldhand, gaining fame quickly. Ethan decided it would be best to find them soon.

Ethan climbed Grand Horn and used Great Thief’s Mastery.

Today, he didn’t plan on hunting. He intended to quietly wait for the followers of the Moon to approach for the encounter.

‘I need to be careful.’

These external helpers were individuals sent by the followers of the Moon to carry out their plans for the parent observation day.

‘They should also consider Ivecar Academy quite important. Ivecar must fall for them to proceed with what they intend to do.’

So, the followers would likely send capable individuals to control the plan.

‘The Apostles won’t come.’

Apostles were heavyweights. In that case, individuals of the First Order level, not infiltrators like Hassen Rittle, would come – those capable of taking on internal and external missions.

As he waited quietly; someone approached without making any sound.

Someone quietly approached, flipping the cloak to reveal a symbol – a follower of the Moon. Ethan discreetly checked the orders, then followed him.

The follower of the Moon went deep inside and stood still. Suddenly, from the opposite direction, another person in the same robe appeared.

“They’re here.”

As soon as Ethan confirmed them, he stepped back.

Then, the two of them took their positions overlooking.

‘This should be enough.’

Then, a voice reached his ears.

“This mission is quite important. We need to kill one Marquis with the traitor. If we fail this mission, Ghost Sword won’t remain steady.”

“But is there a reason to do it this way? We could just send a few assassins from our side to kill them.”

“Tsk, dealing only with beasts must have dulled your senses against dealing with people.”

“Watch your words. If you don’t want to die.”

“Sending assassins to kill them won’t blame the Academy. We are conducting this operation to thoroughly bring Ivecar down.”

“It seems more impactful for those beastly creatures to enter and kill people, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah, you can control monsters as much as you want. That is, unless it’s a dragon.”

Dragons were considered natural disasters, and blaming the Academy for their sudden appearance was impossible. However, monsters were different.

Whether it was a powerful or weak monster, if a monster appeared at the Academy and caused harm due to not being handled, it became the Academy’s fault.

“Lower their reputation and continue to amplify that anxiety.”

“Yeah, so what should I do?”

“Grand Horn has two owners. One is the Mountain King White Tiger, and the other is the Golden Wolf. You need to leash the Mountain King White Tiger and tame it. Release the tamed beast during the parents’ observation day. The White Tiger kills the target, and they both die together.”

“So, who’s the target?”

“That damn traitor, Dricth, and Marquis Roentgen!”

“Dritch, huh? So, he finally betrayed us. Did he sell our information to the Holy Empire?”

“Yeah, that’s how he gained his status. Fool. Moreover, he entered the academy to start a new life.”

“This mission seems to have various reasons mixed in. Roentgen Marquis’s involvement is probably to cloud their vision, right?”

“Do you understand now? Yes, Roentgen Marquis has no connection to us. And conveniently, he has a high status.”

In this mission, their goals were twofold.

One was the elimination of the traitor, and the other was to shake the academy.

“Understood. It was said that mana is limited within the academy, right? So, it should be easy.”

A faint laughter could be sensed from within the robe.

“Then hurry up and leash it. See you then.”

“For the new world.”

The two men simultaneously split apart in different directions. Ethan, who had watched their movements until the end, ran towards the followers of the Moon, who were going to leash the monster.

‘I need to organize the plan.’

During this parents’ observation day, Ethan had clearly learned the followers of the Moon’s plan. He knew every detail now.

‘Blocking them in advance is meaningless. It’s also not a good idea for me to step forward and block them directly.’

Blocking them in advance or personally intervening would only draw unnecessary attention from the followers of the Moon.

So, he needed to use the situation to his advantage.

‘The traitor should be killed, but not Marquis Roentgen—someone else.’

Dritch was a double-crosser. Such people had a knack for betrayal. Dealing with him was a certainty.

‘Including Martynas Lane would be a good idea.’

Setting Martynas Lane as the main actor while positioning himself on the side.

‘I just need to lay my hands on it and gain a reputation and the trust of the parents.’

Ethan quickly formulated the plan.

‘I need to get a bit closer.’

Ethan had kept a considerable distance from the followers at the moment. The Great Thief’s Mastery he used wasn’t highly proficient yet.

‘It may work against demons, but these guys are originally specialized in covert operations.’

So, they might have higher vigilance than demons.

It was not easy to sneak up and kill them in a surprise attack.

‘What should I do…’

While Ethan was gradually closing the distance, the follower suddenly looked back. At the same moment, a massive figure rushed from Ethan’s side with a loud crash toward the follower.

It seemed as if a mountain was moving.

“Ugh!”

“This is a sacred place. Dirty humans chasing filthy things shouldn’t come here.”

“This beast can talk!”

White fur and golden mane. It was the owner of Grand Horn, the Mountain King White Tiger.

“Phew, luckily, I didn’t get noticed.”

But he definitely knew.

When facing high-ranking followers of the Moon with Great Thief’s Mastery, caution was required.

‘I need to raise my proficiency.’

As Ethan watched, a fierce battle unfolded between the white tiger and the follower.

Matching its name, every time the white tiger swung its front paw, the ground shattered, and shockwaves spread around.

The followers of the Moon desperately tried to avoid the white tiger’s movements, but he managed to reach out for the golden leash at the right moment as if that was all he needed.

Roar!

The white tiger’s speed increased.

The follower, who momentarily missed his move, had his shoulder cut deep. Despite the profound wound, the followers of the Moon successfully scattered something from their hands.

“Keuk!”

“Creatures that mimic human speech, indeed. They naturally acquire divine power. Especially you…”

The robed follower roughly removed his hood, revealing a smile.

“I can feel the energy we were looking for. I never thought things would be solved so smoothly.”

“Krrrrrrr!”

“Bark louder! The more you do, the more demonic energy will seep into you. The energy will gnaw at your mind and plunge you into chaos. That will be the end. You will be tamed by this golden leash.”

“W-What in the world…”

“It’s a dense magic that neutralizes the sacred power you possess. A secret given to us by our god.”

The followers of the Moon laughed heartily.

Because the Mountain King White Tiger began to stagger, vomiting a lot of fresh blood.

“You’re holding up well.”

Since he needed to make use of the white tiger, the followers of the Moon did not inflict any more wounds. Instead, he took out something similar to what he had scattered before and held it in their hands.

And in the moment they were about to scatter it again,

Whoosh!

The follower of the Moon turned around, simultaneously scattering the powder on the ground. He then drew a thin black sword from his waist and swung it.

Crash!

Shaaaaaagh-!

As the two swords clashed, a cold air spread around.

“Who are you?”

“Just an animal lover passing by.”

“…Animal lover?”

At Ethan’s words, veins popped on the Moon follower’s forehead.

Author's Thoughts

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