[Major in Swordsmanship]
[Course Name: Basic Swordsmanship Training]
[Instructor: Baek Seol-hee]

Even before I had a chance to register for classes, this one had already secured a spot on my schedule on Mondays and Fridays.

There wasn’t even a specified time for when the class started or ended. There was just a small note at the bottom in fine print.

— Come to the training ground in Building C right after the first class.

In other words, it was a class with the ambition to take up the entire day after the morning class!

At first, I thought something might be wrong, but then I remembered what Instructor Baek Seol-hee had said during the previous “Demon Misunderstanding” incident:

‘Your major has already been decided as my swordsmanship class.’

So I just accepted that this was how it was going to be.

The class was held in the familiar training ground where I had previously trained under the male quota system.

Instructor Baek Seol-hee was still seething with anger over the words I had spoken earlier.

Grind—

“…Who was it that said that? Come to think of it, the first class was… Ah, it was that b*tch Mo-bak—no, it was Instructor Yumi.”

Instructor Baek Seol-hee gritted her teeth and spoke in a cold voice.

“Hah, it’s been a while since I’ve had a chance to stretch my body.”

Crack— Crack—

Baek Seol-hee twisted her head from side to side, rubbing her neck.

It was an unusual reaction, one that I hadn’t seen before. Apparently, the nickname “Slaughter Maniac” was her Achilles’ heel.

‘I’ll have to be careful not to say that again, even by accident. Hmm, I do feel a bit sorry… No, wait, who told her to mess with Yoo-ri?’

And with that, I offered my condolences to Instructor Yumi.

“Hmm, yes. We’ll deal with that after class.”

Instructor Baek Seol-hee, who had been burning with anger, soon composed herself and turned her head with her usual stoic expression.

“Nice to meet you, Jin Yuha. I’m Baek Seol-hee, the instructor for the Basic Swordsmanship Training class of the Swordsmanship Specialization major.”

“Oh. Yes, nice to meet you too.”

I bowed my head politely.

“Um, I was just wondering…”

“Hmm?”

I looked around and asked her the question that had been on my mind since earlier.

“Am I the only one taking this class?”

“Yes. You’re the only student under my charge.”

Baek Seol-hee nodded her head.

‘Umm… Is that a good thing?’

To be honest, I wasn’t sure. Is it better to take classes with other students, working together and encouraging each other? Or is it better to have a one-on-one private lesson, receiving more focused instruction?

As I was momentarily confused, Baek Seol-hee immediately started the class.

“Let’s begin. First, try the downward slash you were practicing before.”

“Ah, yes.”

I drew out the Moonlight and began to slash downward with my eyes closed.

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.

.

In an instant, Jin Yuha sank into his inner self and began to slash downward with his sword.

Instructor Baek Seol-hee watched him with a thoughtful expression, stroking her chin.

Jin Yuha.

An unusual student who possessed a sword that didn’t quite fit the name of the male quota system.

As she observed him, Baek Seol-hee fell into contemplation.

‘He indeed has talent.’

Physical ability, concentration, willpower, precision, and understanding of swordsmanship. He seemed to possess fragments of talent in everything a swordsman should have. But at the same time, everything he did was clumsy.

Here, Baek Seol-hee couldn’t help but worry.

‘How should I teach this child?’

For now, she had successfully brought Jin Yuha into her class.

She had summoned the swordsmanship instructors and intimidated them to ensure they didn’t take Jin Yuha away. She had also persuaded and threatened the Chairman to secure a spot in his schedule before the course registration period.

But…

‘…There’s this unnecessary thing called the course correction period.’

While she could handle the instructors, if Jin Yuha himself decided to change his classes, there was nothing she could do.

‘Should I just let him go?’

Although she couldn’t be sure, there was a high probability that Jin Yuha would be her first and last direct disciple.

She was usually more interested in improving her swordsmanship than in nurturing others, and her various missions and duties left her with little free time.

It was unacceptable for her to let others take away the only student who had sparked her interest.

However, the fundamental reason for her worry was something else.

In fact, she had zero experience teaching students. None at all.

The only thing that could be considered her teaching experience was the time she had trained the Demon Extermination team members. As a result, she had no idea what a male student’s class at the Academy, let alone one tailored to their level, should look like. During the three-week basic training period, the director had provided her with a training guideline, which she had followed, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that it was just child’s play.

Suddenly, an image of Jin Yuha from the “Demon Misunderstanding” incident popped into Baek Seol-hee’s mind.

— Then… um, Instructor. If I enroll, will you continue to teach me about swords?

‘Indeed, this child is sincere about the sword.’

Above all, despite being able to demand considerable compensation for the incident, he had shown no interest in such things. All he wanted was to learn the sword.

At that time, although Baek Seol-hee didn’t express it in words, she felt a deep sense of satisfaction in her heart.

He wanted to learn the sword properly. As a swordsman herself, who also thirsted for the sword, how could she not understand his earnest desire? Yes, his will and attitude were already complete.

…Then, was there really a need to lower the difficulty of the class? Eventually, anyone who walked the path of the sword would have to strive and seek their own way. What harm could there be in starting a little early?

‘…The Demon Extermination team members were also like fresh Academy students when they first joined.’

Baek Seol-hee recalled her only teaching experience—the training of the Demon Extermination team members. No matter how strong and resilient a woman was, after a few days of training, they would all be reduced to tears, begging for mercy like weak men. But to Baek Seol-hee, this was all perfectly normal, so she didn’t find it strange at all.

‘Hmm, that’s right. I’ll just teach him as if he were a new team member.’

And so, Baek Seol-hee committed the atrocity of placing Jin Yuha, who had already graduated from the Academy and undergone various trainings, on equal footing with the newly enrolled students. To be honest, in her eyes, there wasn’t much difference between Jin Yuha and the others!

Baek Seol-hee nodded confidently, assured of her decision.

Meanwhile, Jin Yuha, unaware of the impending crisis, continued to swing his sword alone.

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.

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Flinch—

As I swung my sword,

Suddenly.

Kwaang—!!

My eyes widened, and I jumped back in surprise.

“Huh? Huh?”

Goosebumps rose on my skin, and cold sweat broke out all over my body.

Just now, I had seen a vision of my neck being sliced off.

Yes, just now.

I had died once.

As I realized this, my body began to tremble uncontrollably, against my will, and my heart pounded as if it would burst.

My intuition was screaming at me like crazy.

This feeling only emerged when a boss-level monster appeared, or when someone like Kang Do-hee glared at me with hostility. It was a trait that only activated in such special situations.

But as I opened my eyes and looked around, all I saw was the peaceful training ground. However, there was Instructor Baek Seol-hee, standing in front of me with her arms crossed, staring at me.

So, that vision I saw a moment ago was projected by her!

‘…Did I do something wrong? Could it be that she’s finally lost her temper because I called her the “Slaughter Maniac”?’

“In… Instructor?”

With trembling lips, I forced myself to call out to her.

“Hmm?”

“Did… did I make some kind of mistake?”

I asked in a flustered voice.

“Hmm, it’s not bad that you’re able to sense killing intent.”

Baek Seol-hee nodded, picked up a thin twig that had fallen on the ground, and held it towards me, her eyes calm.

“Taking your life is easier for me than breathing.”

Although I had a hunch, I immediately gripped the handle of the Moonlight and assumed a fighting stance.

Baek Seol-hee watched me for a moment before speaking.

“No, let me rephrase that. It’s harder than breathing.”

“Then… why?”

At that moment,

Flinch.

Baek Seol-hee stiffened.

‘Did I ask something I shouldn’t have…? No, it’s weird that I’m not supposed to ask when she’s talking about killing me!’

As I recalled the terrifying vision from earlier, cold sweat broke out again.

After a long pause, Baek Seol-hee spoke again.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t expect you to ask something so obvious. Hmm, the most important thing in battle is composure.”

Composure? How was I supposed to stay composed after seeing that horrifying vision?

“Yes, and?”

“…”

Several minutes passed again.

As I felt the weight of her gaze on me, I began to feel uncomfortable.

“Being sensitive to killing intent can be both helpful, as it allows you to detect enemies in advance, but it can also be a hindrance, causing your body to freeze up.”

“Yes… and?”

“When you encounter a strong opponent, if you’re not used to killing intent, you won’t be able to wield your sword properly.”

“So, is this training meant to help me get used to killing intent…?”

Baek Seol-hee nodded, looking relieved, and said, “Yes. By repeating this, you’ll become accustomed to it and be able to maintain your swordplay even in the face of killing intent.”

Finally, I understood Instructor Baek Seol-hee’s intention. However, I still had a question.

‘…Is this really basic swordsmanship training?’

I mean, isn’t basic swordsmanship about hitting dummies or something? Are we supposed to be seeing visions of people’s heads flying off?

I shook my head inwardly.

She seemed close with Lina, the director, and the other instructors all seemed to respect her. In other words, she was a highly trusted educator even among the instructors! So, whatever she was doing must be part of the basic swordsmanship training.

‘Yes, this is right. This is a world where even ordinary people carry weapons.’

I didn’t know much, but it seemed that all hunters who used swords went through this kind of training.

Having grown up in a warm and safe society without monsters, I had no idea what it was like to learn swordsmanship in the hunter world.

It suddenly struck me how sheltered my life had been.

‘…This is basic.’

For a moment, the realization that this was just the basics made me want to give up, but then I thought of the future that lay ahead. With renewed determination, I nodded slightly.

Seeing this, Baek Seol-hee smiled faintly and nodded as well.

“Then let’s begin again.”

At her words, I clenched my teeth and replied, “Yes!”

Jin Yuha closed his eyes and began to slash downward with his sword once more.

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.

.

Baek Seol-hee, who had never taken on a disciple before, based her teaching on the standards of the Demon Extermination team members.

As he was a transmigrator, Jin Yuha had no idea what learning swordsmanship entailed.

Thus, the master-disciple duo, with their mismatched standards, embarked on a training regimen with a difficulty level that soared through the roof.