Students gathered before the instructor who had appeared at the center of the grounds.
"I'm Baick Oddman, instructor in charge of Swordsmanship for the Knight Department."
Standing before the assembled students was a large, short-haired middle-aged man. He looked every bit the Knight Department instructor—his entire body packed with solid muscle.
"Now then… as you can see, we've got a mix of Knight Department veterans and complete beginners from other departments. So we're going to jump right into some sparring."
"…………!"
Murmurs rippled through the students from the other departments. Many of them had never even held a sword before, and now they were being thrown into a sparring match?
"The Swordsmanship class is run across several groups, but even this group alone has a hundred students. I can't give individual instruction to everyone, so I'll be dividing you into those worth teaching and those who aren't."
Oddman grinned maliciously, casting a contemptuous look at the non-Knight Department students.
"Those who lose this sparring match will be doing nothing but running laps until the end of the term. No real swords, and don't even think about touching a wooden sword—so keep that in mind."
As Oddman spoke with obvious amusement, laughter rose from the Knight Department students as well.
(Ah… I see. So that's how it is…)
In other words, this was a kind of hazing ritual. For the Knight Department students, having students from other departments encroach on their territory clearly didn't sit well. By pitting Knight Department students against the others in a sparring match, they were effectively being shut out of the class.
(Some of the Magic Department students look down on knights who can't use magic, like Maurice. There must be this kind of friction between them and the Knight Department bunch…)
"Now then, when I call your name, step forward. First up—Edualt from the Knight Department, and Maurice Rui from the Magic Department."
"Yes, sir."
"Huh!? Me!?"
The Knight Department student strode forward casually, while Maurice let out a startled cry.
"Come on, get out here already! Grab a wooden sword and stand on that field!"
At Oddman's urging, Maurice reluctantly stepped forward and picked up a wooden sword.
"This is a Swordsmanship class, so obviously you're not allowed to use offensive magic. However, body reinforcement-type magic is permitted. The Knight Department students use it too, after all."
Even knights didn't forgo magic entirely. They simply fought with swords and spears as their main weapons while relying on magic in a supplementary capacity.
"Alright, begin the match. Line up and take your sword stances."
"Heh heh."
"Nnn…"
The Knight Department student assumed his stance with a cocky grin, while the tip of Maurice's wooden sword trembled in his grip. Looking more closely, the student facing Maurice was one of those who had worn an ugly expression earlier when someone dismissed swordsmanship as "child's play for people who can't use magic."
"Then… begin!"
"HAAH!"
The moment the match started, the Knight Department student stepped forward and swung. The wooden sword cracked against Maurice's shin.
"Ow…!?"
As Maurice doubled over in pain, the Knight Department student kicked him square in the face.
"Guhah…"
"Ha! What are you standing there for! Are you one of those training dummies or something!?"
"S-stop…"
"Stop? Stop, says the twig who's only good for magic! Don't get cocky with me!"
"Guuh… ghh…"
The wooden sword hammered into Maurice's stomach and face over and over. His face swollen beyond recognition, Maurice collapsed to the ground, letting out a strange wheezing sound.
"And that's the match—over. You over there, drag the one on the ground out of here quickly."
When Maurice stopped moving, Oddman cackled with malicious glee and ordered him removed.
"Hey, Maurice! Are you okay!?"
"I'll help too!"
Rest and Luido together lifted Maurice and carried him to the edge of the grounds. Even though it was a blunt wooden sword, being hit with it full-force still hurt, and you could absolutely get injured. Maurice's face was badly swollen, and bruises covered his body.
"Damn it… those Knight Department bastards went way too far!"
"Healing."
Luido shouted in anger, clenching his fists. Rest also grimaced with displeasure and cast healing magic on the unconscious Maurice.
Fortunately, Maurice didn't appear to have any broken bones. He did, however, have numerous contusions and some internal bleeding.
"…They really must hate the Magic Department students. Beating up a defenseless beginner like that…"
He had heard there was some kind of grudge between the Magic Department and the Knight Department, but seeing it firsthand was something else entirely.
"Honestly… taking a one-sided beating like that—this is exactly why mages are useless. Instead of wasting time learning pointless tricks, you should be training your muscles. Muscles!"
Oddman spoke in a tone of exaggerated disappointment, but a smirk never left his lips.
Just as there were mages who looked down on knights, there were knights who looked down on mages. This instructor Oddman seemed to be the prime example.
"Next! Tralgar from the Knight Department. Tom Shout from the Magic Department."
Having watched their classmate get pummeled, most of the Magic Department students trembled in fear.