I Became the Golden Sun That Steals the Academy’s Aircraft

58. Lion King’s Birthday

Professor Brianna’s greatest joy these days is teaching Gilbert, who she recently took on as her second student.

Gilbert’s talent sometimes surprised even her, as she changed her mind about Brianna not wanting to take on her disciples after Seraphina.

There is a saying that if you know one thing, you will know ten. The same emotions she felt when teaching Seraphina for the first time, she could feel this time too.

Of course, it would have been more correct to say that it was instructional sparring since he had already been completed to some extent as a swordsman.

From noble mtl dot com

Her physical training, in particular, was so perfect that no part of her was left untouched, and the foundation for building up her swordsmanship was also excellent.

At this point, it would have been normal to not have any taste for teaching, but as she watched Gilbert gradually grow while sparring under her guidance, there was no time to feel that way. Although I didn’t teach Gilbert for a long time, his growth was excellent even by Professor Brianna’s standards.

Unnecessary movements or bad habits that were seen when I first started teaching were difficult to find now.

As he had already perfected his swordsmanship style to some extent, he thought it would be difficult to change, but it was a pleasant misjudgment.

That means he is serious about swordsmanship.

Otherwise, it would have been difficult to achieve such explosive growth.

Of course, the moment he stops trying just because he has talent, he stays there. In particular, the moment when one’s swordsmanship skills reached a certain level and one became lazy was the most dangerous.

For someone as talented as Gilbert, one thing he had to be especially careful of was laziness. Indolence leads to pride, and pride leads to identity.

While Brianna was a professor at De Meia Academy, she saw many cadets who never blossomed due to laziness and pride. She didn’t even know that among them, there might be one of her cadets who had the potential to surpass her.

From her perspective, she couldn’t help but feel truly sorry. Still, although Serafina, who was accepted as her exclusive student, had talent and passion that were beyond her reach, it was difficult for her to devote all her time to her swordsmanship.

Serafina’s status was that of a princess, and she had a very high possibility of becoming the heir to the throne, so even if it was just her cadet status at the Academy, the amount of official duties given to her was considerable. Unlike before, she could not devote time only to swordsmanship.

Nevertheless, Brianna was eyeing Seraphina as someone who could surpass her. She didn’t know how much longer she would become known as the continent’s strongest swordsman, but she thought that if she had to give up that title one day, it would only be Seraphina.

Of course, all of this was before I met Gilbert.

She had no choice but to change her mind after meeting him and teaching him. Needless to say, she was not only talented, but she was a hard worker and I was sure that if she were Gilbert, she would be able to take home the title of the strongest on the continent before Seraphina.

“Has something good happened?”

Gilbert, who had been meditating before sparring with her, suddenly opened his eyes and was looking at her.

“There is nothing like that.”

“You were smiling.”

Was she smiling happily without realizing it?

Brianna quickly adjusted her expression. It was because she was worried that pointless praise would poison him.

She thought that the Gilbert she had seen so far would not change, but she still didn’t know. Because a gap in her heart would appear the moment she let her guard down.

Brianna promised that she would always remain a strict teacher for Gilbert.

“You’re talking nonsense. We’re going to start sparring in the morning. Raise your sword.”

“I understand.”

Despite his cold retort, Gilbert’s expression did not change. I was worried that he might feel rebellious because I was being more strict than necessary, but fortunately he didn’t show any signs of that.

I just drew my sword like always and assumed the stance of the Winter Sword.

Gilbert’s eyes, which were usually indifferent, lit up the moment he held the sword. The difference that was clearly visible to his eyes was his passion for the sword.

Brianna smiled inwardly at the obvious change in Gilbert’s appearance. When she looked into his hot eyes, it felt like a fire was kindled in his heart.

As she became the best swordsman, Brianna lost her rivals, but her passion for the sword cooled. It wasn’t that she was neglecting her training, but it was because she felt like her goal had somehow disappeared.

She still felt that there was a higher level of swordsmanship, but it was impossible for her to go on such a long journey alone. She needed a companion to walk the path with her.

This was impossible even for Seraphina. She enjoyed practicing her sword, but for her as the princess, her swordsmanship was a means. Like Brianna, she was not one for whom the sword itself was a goal.

Born into a noble family, there were many things to bear in life. Like Brianna, she was in a position where she could not force Seraphina to live a life full of swords.

Even if it was possible, it was meaningless. The path she had to take was not one that could be taken by force.

But for Gilbert…

Brianna stood facing Gilbert and pulled out her sword. She, like him, took on the Winter Sword Ki modus.

These days, she had a strong feeling that if he had a great desire for the sword like her, she might be able to go down that path with him. She had no one like Gilbert as her companion on her journey to the end of the sword.

She wasn’t quite there yet, but she didn’t think it would last. If he is growing day by day, he will reach her position sooner rather than later.

The moment when we become equals. Brianna’s journey will begin again. With her one and only companion.

“Come.”

I will do my best for that day. Brianna greeted Gilbert, who was approaching with a sword.

***

Brianna and Gilbert’s sparring could not end until an hour had passed. Even that only stopped midway because Gilbert’s mana was starting to run out.

If his mana had not run out, he might have continued to spar for a longer time.

“Good job.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

I showed my respect by forcing my body, which had become as heavy as wet cotton, to move. Although she still had plenty of stamina, her low mana was also affecting her body. I was more tired than I was after sprinting.

“It was good in the end. I never thought I would immediately apply what I said last time.”

“I think it’s meaningless if you don’t use what you’ve learned.”

“It’s a good attitude. Putting what you’ve learned into practice is the most important thing.”

In a rare move, Brianna praised Gilbert. Basically, she tried to look like a strict teacher, but she couldn’t help but praise this consistent appearance.

“I don’t think I was mistaken.”

“What do you mean?”

“I think Master is in a good mood today.”

“I said it was useless.”

Brianna’s face, which had relaxed slightly, hardened slightly. Gilbert began to understand why Professor Brianna was so damn popular in the community even though she was an unrivalable character.

The cuteness hidden in her cool-headed image and even the willingness to die for the cadets.

It’s probably because the difference that arises shook the hearts of gamers.

Gilbert didn’t like Brianna like that either. In fact, it was her good side, so in order to save her, he desperately planned and trained her intensively.

“There is something I need to tell you more than that.”

“Are you talking to me?”

Gilbert, who was wiping his sweat with a towel and tidying up the training room, looked at Brianna. Suddenly she wondered if she had anything to say.

“Yes. You probably know that the Lion King’s Birthday celebration is coming back soon.”

“I know.”

“Then the story will be quick.”

What on earth does it mean to talk so fast?

Gilbert got an ominous feeling from Brianna’s satisfied expression.

She said it might not be as life-threatening as Brianna said, but she felt uncomfortable.

“The Lion King Parade is always a part of the commemorative events hosted by Demeia Academy. And in most cases, the role of the Lion King in the Lion King Parade is determined by the winner before the competition.”

“Master.”

“There is no distinction between men and women. However, in general, the honor is given to the winner of the competition.”

Gilbert’s head began to spin at an unprecedented speed.

To summarize the situation simply, it seemed like the winner of the competition had to play the role of the lion king of the lion king parade.

As it was a famous festival of the empire, it was clear that it was a very honorable position to serve as the lion king of an important parade event. Moreover, since only the winners of the competition enjoyed the benefits, it was a way to let the entire empire know that they were the best in their grade.

Any cadet at Demeia Academy would want to take up that position, but Gilbert was a little different. He may not be used to being in the spotlight like that, but he has already done something that is more noticeable than necessary.

With the Academy attack just around the corner, he didn’t want to take another step to the forefront.

A parade when we can’t quietly prepare for an attack?

Gilbert had to somehow hand over the position to someone else.

“Master. I have something to tell you.”

“No.”

“I haven’t told you yet.”

“Are you saying you have something else to say to me now other than saying you won’t do it?”

I swallowed back what I was about to say due to Brianna’s sharp look in her eyes that said she would not accept any objections. She said it was impossible because of the symbolism and legitimacy of the parade.

Gilbert tried to organize his suddenly complicated mind. Then he suddenly realized one thing.

The role of Lion King in the parade was not the winner of the first grade competition. Because of the symbolism of the Lion King, the honor always went to the final winner, including in event competitions.

And right before the gamer won the event, it was none other than Serafina who took on that role. Has it changed from the settings in the game? That question raised its head.

“That’s not true. As far as I know, didn’t the final winner, including the event match, take on the role?”

From noble mtl dot com

“It was like that originally. But we decided to change the rule starting this year.”

“Suddenly… You mean that?”

“You probably know the reason best. Considering what you did as a first-year cadet, it wouldn’t be unreasonable.”

Oh, I see.

Gilbert could barely understand Brianna’s words. In the end, it seemed that the reason was none other than himself.

Gilbert, feeling sick, couldn’t help but sigh, perhaps knowing the proud look in Brianna’s eyes.