Subscriber of the Gods - Chapter 91: Parent Observation Class (4)

Ruya von Tiana, the top freshman in the Swordsmanship Department, filled her schedule for this semester with Claudie’s major classes.

Before enrolling, she had thoroughly checked which teacher’s class was good and entered accordingly. Therefore, as a new teacher, Ethan Whiskers, and the classes of other mid-level teachers were not on her schedule.

Even before enrolling, she had heard every bit of information about which teacher’s class was good, except for Claudie’s, which was the reason she did not apply for any other classes, including those of the mid-level teachers.

Hence, her goal was solely Claudie’s class, and she paid no attention to other classes.

The level of the classes was indeed high. Despite having invited numerous private tutors from her family, there was much to learn anew.

However, from one day on, strange rumors started circulating.

The rumor was that the class of the new teacher, Ethan Whiskers, was more remarkable than any class the student had taken before.

At first, she thought someone was spreading groundless rumors.

Hearing that there were poorly performing students in that class, she even thought that this malicious rumor might have been spread to lower Ethan’s reputation.

However, as the classes progressed each week, the rumor continued to grow.

Furthermore, as if to prove the rumor, Ethan took charge of the classes in the Magic Department.

Something was amiss.

It must be an unreasonable rumor.

“There’s no way there’s a class better than the one taught by Teacher Claudie.”

It definitely should be.

“How on earth does he teach to have such a good reputation?”

No matter how much she asked, no friend could provide detailed information. They merely repeated that you have to experience it for yourself.

Moreover, whenever she went to class, she wouldn’t come out of the practice room like a madman, fueling her curiosity.

As a result, she had no choice but to seek out an observation class.

“Am I a bit late?”

It seemed like the observation class had already begun.

As Ruya entered through the back door, she immediately heard a loud sound.

The classroom was arranged in a tiered fashion, allowing her to see Ethan Whiskers and the students moving from top to bottom. Consequently, she could observe their actions closely.

“Huh…?”

Ethan and the students were engaged in a sparring match.

However, the sparring seemed unusual. She instinctively looked at the parents sitting in the back row.

The parents were already deeply engrossed in the sparring.

The atmosphere inside the classroom was strangely tense. As soon as Ruya entered, she could feel the palpable tension.

Bang!

Another loud sound echoed. This time it was a different student than before. The student unleashed their swordsmanship just as it was, raw and unfiltered.

It was a swordsmanship that seemed to spit out everything learned at the academy. Ethan seamlessly absorbed and countered the technique.

And as the first student gracefully stepped back, another student rushed forward.

Each student displayed a different style of swordsmanship. While they showcased their techniques, the spotlight was on the student performing, making their every move vividly apparent in the sparring.

“This kind of class… Is this really happening?”

Ruya couldn’t take her eyes off it.

“I’ve never heard or seen anything like this before.”

Ruya’s amazement peaked well into the middle of the class, over an hour after it started.

“Could it be… with all 75 of them?”

That would be truly unbelievable.

Karlson’s face stiffened at the Duke’s words.

To be honest, in his eyes, there wasn’t much difference between his downward cut and Ethan’s. If anything, Karlson, who had polished Duke Yeld’s Vision swordsmanship, considered himself to be at a higher level.

However, his father held this particular teacher in higher regard.

“Is that what Father envisions for a downward cut?”

“Not just a downward cut. It’s that challenging attitude. Do you all remember what Teacher Ethan Whiskers said before starting?”

“He mentioned borrowing the format of sparring for this class.”

“Then Teacher Ethan said he would spar with all 75 students?”

“No, it’s not like that. He just borrowed the format of sparring. Perhaps he discussed it with the students, saying that since there are limitations on who can spar, it will be decided based on skill.”

“He’ll probably stop soon. No matter how much stamina he has, there must be limits. Look, he’s sweating a lot now.”

Ethan, who until recently had shown relaxed movements, was now sweating profusely.

It seemed that Jason’s earlier prediction that he would stop soon was accurate.

However, the Duke shook his head.

“He won’t stop.”

“That can’t be possible. He won’t last! He might not be able to block the students’ attacks due to exhaustion and could get hurt.”

“He’ll definitely stop. There are 75 students, after all. He’s not just teaching; he’s showcasing their swordsmanship through sparring. Didn’t Father mention it? He’s paying attention to every detail. He has to handle all 75 students. That’s impossible.”

Upon hearing the two sons’ words, Duke Yeld let out a small sigh.

“He’ll go until the end. Look, this class was planned from the beginning. It’s to allow all 75 students to showcase their swordsmanship.”

He said this and crossed his arms as if signaling to watch closely.

Like Karlson and Jason, other parents now thought that the sparring would soon come to an end. Having sparred for more than half, it was already impressive enough.

“Mason still hasn’t come out until the end. He didn’t even make it to the list.”

“That pathetic guy, I knew it from when his reputation was bad within the academy. His talent blossomed too early. That’s why he couldn’t properly overcome even an ordinary obstacle.”

The two sons subtly awaited the Duke’s words.

They thought the Duke would answer that they wouldn’t expect anything more from Mason.

Then, bang-! there was another loud sound.

“Huh?”

The sparring, which was thought to stop, continued.

Ethan continued to showcase his swordsmanship as if he had no intention of stopping.

“That’s unreasonable.”

“We’ve seen enough, so it’s okay to stop now.”

The parents were generally satisfied.

Of course, parents of students still waiting for their turn knew it was practically challenging for their children to have a chance.

However, just witnessing how incredible the teacher was already brought satisfaction.

Learning from such an extraordinary teacher would undoubtedly lead to significant growth.

But Ethan didn’t stop.

No, the quality of the sparring seemed to be increasing.

Bang! Bang!

He surpassed 40 and now exceeded 50 students.

“No way…?”

“Can it really be possible?”

The parents, who had been staring blankly, hadn’t noticed that over an hour had passed.

“Is he not going to stop?”

“He isn’t trying to spar with all 75, is he? That can’t be possible, right? The limits of his stamina should have already been reached. It’s not easy just to endure, and he’s actively facing the swordsmanship of each student.”

Even if it was called sparring, in reality, it could be seen as far beyond the limits.

However, Ethan shattered all the predictions of the parents.

“…!”

This was an undeniable shock.

As everyone predicted, Ethan was hitting the limits of his stamina.

As expected, starting from surpassing 25, his stamina began to decrease rapidly.

Exerting rough movements like this, even when surpassing the limits, reduced stamina.

Bang!

Ethan’s sword forced another student to step back. The new student poured out their swordsmanship with a tense expression.

‘But I’ve already prepared for this.’

Originally, his stamina would have fallen below 10% by now. If that had happened, when sparring around 25, the trait, Unfading Stamina, would have activated.

‘Then, with around 50 remaining, I would have fully recovered to 100% stamina, and I would have inevitably stopped.’

It would have ended with about 50, or a little more, remaining.

In that case, he wouldn’t be able to showcase all 75 students in the class. The rest would essentially be left out.

Of course, even in that case, the evaluation of the observation class would be good. The class aimed at the previous 50 students would have seemed high-level and perfect in the eyes of the parents.

However, at this level, the remaining 25 would be forgotten.

”He did well to spar with 50.’ People will probably say that.’

But Ethan was not satisfied with that level.

‘Just one more.’

Certainly, all of this was for Ethan’s benefit. However, it was not only for his own benefit.

‘Students in the academy don’t have as many chances to prove themselves as one might think. Opportunities for failure or success are not as plentiful.’

Ivecar Academy certainly admitted talented students, but not everyone could fully realize that talent.

Either they didn’t get the chance or, even if they did, they didn’t unfold it properly.

They possessed potential, not already perfected strength.

That’s why they were immature.

They didn’t have many chances for that one decisive leap, or to fall into ruin.

In this place, that one absolute opportunity was lacking.

Everyone in the academy wanted to show themselves successfully, but not every student could succeed.

Therefore, Ethan wanted to provide opportunities regardless of failure or success.

‘So, within the limits of what I can do, I’ll grant them those opportunities.’

While securing his benefit, he also wanted to create space for the students. A chance to unleash everything they had learned since coming to the academy.

‘If possible, showing that in front of their parents would be the best.’

Any academy student wanted to be recognized.

Of course, there were undoubtedly those who valued self-recognition more than someone else’s approval. Still, receiving recognition was undeniably a gratifying and meaningful experience.

‘Among them, receiving approval from parents is truly something special.’

Thunk!

Ethan’s wooden sword clashed with the sturdy yet powerful wooden sword of a student.

At the same time, all the strength drained from Ethan’s body. Even the strength to swing the wooden sword was gone.

That’s when the trait activated.

-Unfading Stamina trait has been activated.

Once again, vitality started surging through Ethan’s entire body.

With this, half of the participants remained.

‘My stamina is sufficient.’

“Don’t stop.”

Ethan spoke to the student.

“Keep swinging. Continue the flow.”

The sparring had already become a massive river flowing.

“This is your chance to show yourself.”

Ethan’s words reached all the students.

Author’s Thoughts

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