Volume 1 - CH 20

Almark sensed one unusual, terribly cold, murderous look in the eyes of one person .

It was Wallis. He moved away from the circle and stared at Almark.

Why should an honor student class representative, whom he had never spoken to him before, be so hostile toward him? Almark had no idea.

"Okay, that's enough."

Bowen, who had been watching the event in silence, finally stepped in.

"Torque, Almark don't turn the lesson into a duel," Bowen said. ,” Torque you're not hurt?"

He nodded silently. Bowen shouted to the others, his voice was load and clear.

"Listen, everyone," he said. "Nowadays it is only a part of the liberal activities There was a time when being good with a sword was more important than being able to read."

"Well, I wasn't born that long ago," Bowen added.

“Martial arts is not a dance. Its essence lies in how skillfully you hurt your opponent and bring him to a quick death. No matter how much the times may pass from war, that will never change.”

The noise that had been heard earlier was now a complete silence as everyone listened to Bowen's words.

Bowen looked at Torque.

,"Therefore, it is not wrong to have the spirit to try to kill your opponent when you practice. Without that spirit, martial arts would not be possible. Therefore, Torque, your attitude is right."

Torque looked embarrassed at this unexpected compliment. Bowen continued.

"But you put hatred in your spirit. Fighting and hatred are not the same thing. In martial arts, both sides do everything in their power to kill the other, but there must be respect for the opponent. What you lack, Torque, is respect for your opponent. Without it, martial arts and magic are all about superficial skills, and you will never get to the essence of what they are about. Think about it hard."

"...... yes."

He turned away.

" Almark," Bowen called.

Almark raised his head when Bowen called out to him.

You put him up to this, didn't you?"

“... yes."

Almark nodded.

“I don't know what happened between you and Torque. but you tried to trap and provoke a far inferior opponent to get what you wanted. I call that unfair ."

Bowen looked sternly at Almark.

“It is despicable to trap and humiliate a classmate. You should be ashamed of yourself."

"......Yes."

Hearing Almark's reply, Bowen's expression softened.

"But everyone has a motive and a purpose," I liked your courage, Almark."

Almark looked at Bowen.

{You are right. I don't tolerate anyone in this academy talking nonsense about the nobility or the commoners.”

Bowen looked around at everyone before turning his attention back to Almark.

“You have made a mistake in your ways this time, but you were right in your aims. So I forgive you for your despicable behavior this one time.”

"Thank you, ......."

When Almark bowed, Bowen added with a grin,

“But what I find most distasteful is that you went to the trouble of choosing my lesson as the stage, which is a rare occurrence. You can settle your problems in your class with your homeroom teacher, . This is the most guilty of all. Therefore, Almark, you will be in charge of cleaning up the martial arts arena for the rest of the year."

When the class was over and Almark immediately started his first cleaning duty, Wendy began to help him without saying a word. Mogen and Nelson followed her lead.

“Oh come on, it wouldn't be a punishment if we all help, would it?»

Bowen, who had been watching with a wry smile, suddenly turned grim, leaned in close to Almark and whispered,

“Almark, after school today, came to the principal's office."