Chapter 11 – Class 1
At Lysquare Academy, a variety of subjects were taught.
'Of course, I've never actually taken any of those classes. I just skimmed over them, saying something like, "Yeah, I attended those," and moved on.'
But I knew this academy's setting very well.
From what I remembered, first-year students studied a wide range of subjects, gradually narrowing them down in their second year.
Then, during their final year—the third—they would decide on a career path and only take courses related to that path until graduation.
'At least, that's how theory classes go. For practical lessons, you start focusing on your chosen path from your first year.'
Theory classes and practical classes.
This academy held theory classes in the morning and practical ones in the afternoon.
Theory courses mainly included subjects like history, administration, management, and potion-making.
Practical classes covered areas such as agriculture, magic, and architecture.
'First-years only take one practical class. You decide which one after your admission gets approved...'
Naturally, I had no memory of choosing which practical course to take.
So, just in case, I checked the crystal sphere—and found a message from the academy, sent several months ago.
'So I'm supposed to attend swordsmanship class in the afternoon, huh?'
I organized my thoughts while putting the crystal sphere back into my pocket.
As expected, the class I was supposed to take was swordsmanship.
'Swordsmanship class, huh... Well, that's manageable enough.'
There was no real issue with taking swordsmanship.
I was aiming to become a knight, after all, and most aspiring knights took that class.
'Noble heirs aiming for knighthood, ambitious commoners... and then...'
I looked toward the front of the classroom.
Seated at the front were Layla, Sara, and Cedric.
'Those two are taking swordsmanship as well.'
The two heirs of ducal families would be attending the same afternoon class as me for at least one semester.
And that was, in many ways, a double-edged sword.
From a gameplay perspective, taking the same class as key characters you needed to befriend was an advantage—but this was no longer a game.
For me, this was reality, and I had no idea how things would unfold from here.
'Still, there's no point worrying about it now.'
With a quiet sigh, I turned my gaze back to the front.
At the very front of the room, the homeroom teacher of Class 1—Lucas—was energetically explaining the academy's curriculum.
'There's nothing I can do right now, so I might as well just listen.'
Pushing away my wandering thoughts, I focused on Lucas's lecture.
It really did feel different hearing it in person compared to just reading it in the game.
---
The morning class ended later than Lucas had promised.
It was supposed to feel like a simple orientation, but that orientation went on far longer than expected.
The students of Class 1 looked tired in various ways, though I didn't particularly mind.
I already knew Lucas was that kind of teacher, so I hadn't expected the morning class to end early, no matter what he'd said.
'He's the type who's passionate about teaching his students.'
Of course, he wasn't just passionate.
He was a model teacher—capable, kind, and upright.
Even in the game, I'd been impressed by Lucas's conduct on multiple occasions.
Still, regardless of his merits, his passion often meant that he kept Class 1 students until right before lunchtime.
'Talking to each of his students one by one, memorizing their names and faces on the spot... I guess that's praiseworthy.'
No one really complained about Lucas's tendency to run long—it was hard to resent such genuine enthusiasm.
Even if everyone did look a little worn out.
Anyway, the morning class finally ended, and lunch passed quickly.
After eating, I headed off to my afternoon class.
'Swordsmanship class, huh...'
For at least the next semester, I'd be taking swordsmanship every afternoon.
In practical classes, all students were mixed regardless of class section.
That meant it was the only time we could interact with students from other first-year sections.
'Agriculture took place off-campus, architecture too, I think. Magic was probably held in a separate hall...'
Each practical subject had its own location.
And as for the swordsmanship class I'd be attending...
'Was it Gymnasium No. 7? If I remember right, third-years used No. 4, second-years used No. 5, and first-years... yeah, No. 7.'
Even for such a massive academy, I'd always wondered why they needed seven gymnasiums.
But even after years of playing the game, I'd never figured out the reason.
Well, that aside.
'First-year swordsmanship students... ten of them, as expected.'
When I stepped into the gymnasium, I saw several students who had arrived early.
Just as I'd remembered, there were seven commoners and three nobles—a total of ten students.
'Actually, including me, that makes eleven.'
I looked over the ten others.
I knew the names of the seven commoners, of course, but none of them stood out much.
'Well, to be precise, any presence they had was overshadowed by those three nobles.'
I glanced at the three noble students one by one.
The first to catch my eye was a large, broad-shouldered boy carrying an enormous two-handed sword on his back.
'Derek Bonhart.'
[ To be Continued]