A twist of fate had me leave my backwater home for the capital.
Though the role of special instructor to the Order felt a bit beyond me,
I'm a few months into it now.
A lot has happened, but things are going pretty well.
Although I haven't lived up to my old man's expectations to find a wife.
Master Beryl.
After the recent attack on the royal family,
we'd like you to instruct us on fighting multiple opponents.
Right, you mostly practice one-on-one combat, don't you?
Let's try a basic one-on-two situation.
I need another person...
Yep, yep, yep, I'll help!
If you need an opponent, Master, I'm the right choice.
Ah, no, that's not what I meant... I'm just demonstrating how it's done.
That said, I think I...
Now, now. The commander needs to keep an eye on everyone, you know?
I see...
What's most important is positioning.
As long as your opponents are lined up,
the one in front blocks the other from attacking you.
I see...
So then...
Right. Your opponents will move to flank you.
So you need to keep moving
to maintain your position.
- Hmm... How about this, then? - Huh?
Well now...
I guess it's time to try out this new magic I've developed next.
Hold up, hold up!
Don't use an old guy like me as your guinea pig.
You're such a spoilsport.
Things are still the same, I see.
Allucia, I need to talk to you.
Very well.
Jeez, what did she come here for, anyway...?
EPISODE 1
The Old Country Bumpkin Takes on a New Position.
That was delicious.
It was.
Now then, before we turn in, I'll change the sheets.
Okay, I'll do the dishes then.
That would be great. Oh, make sure you fold your uniform, okay?
I know already.
'Kay.
Coming in.
You again, Lucy?! Are you bored or something?
You were just a detour on an errand earlier.
I'm here now to discuss something with you.
Discuss something?
Good evening, Master.
Ficelle?!
You remember, don't you?
I told you about having Fice teach at the Magic Institute.
Yeah, you did say that.
Fice is teaching the sword magic course that was established this year.
Sword magic...
She's teaching that?
That's right up her alley.
Ficelle's top-notch with the sword, and you vouch for her magic too, Lucy.
It's not that simple.
Why?
She sucks at teaching.
What?! Is that true, Ficelle?
Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses.
So she knows she sucks at it.
I like Miss Ficelle's lessons.
Mewi's taking the sword magic course.
You could say she's my student.
That's news to me.
I don't know much about magic, so I didn't pay attention to her course.
She was probably embarrassed to tell you herself.
She chose the course because she admired your swordsmanship.
Hey! Jeez, why'd you have to tell him that?
Ah. Talk about rare, she's genuinely embarrassed.
Heh heh, my bad.
Hey, if watching my swordsmanship got you interested, that makes me happy.
So, what did you want to discuss?
Oh, right.
How about coming to teach the Institute's sword magic course?
What? That came out of the blue! I can't use magic at all.
No one's expecting you to use magic.
I want you to teach swordsmanship.
I want you to help Fice.
Allucia said she'd be okay with it if it was once a week.
So coming to the Order's headquarters during the day was groundwork?
You could say that. You'll be properly paid for it, of course.
It's not a bad deal, right?
You're good at teaching swordsmanship, after all.
I'm in favor of it. I get to learn from you again, Master.
What do you think, Mewi?
I don't care either way.
It appears no one is opposed to it for the time being.
That said, I'm not ordering you to do it.
We're simply having a discussion.
She's backed me into a corner; I have no reason to refuse.
Still, I can't just accept on the spot...
Would it be okay if I see how the students react first?
No problem. I'll get things rolling, then.
Even if he does come, this is way too sudden.
Hm? What's too sudden?
Nothing.
The request to borrow you to teach at the Magic Institute, right?
The Order has no problem with it, so that's what I told Lucy.
Right. I'd like to go and have a look before I make a decision.
They said to come this afternoon, so I'll head over there.
I may be overstepping, but I think you should accept.
It will help boost your reputation, Master.
Oh, I see.
The only one to care about the reputation of an old guy like me would be you.
Oh, by the way...
I was appointed to this job under Imperial Order, signed by the king.
Is there any conflict there?
It's fine anyway, but Commander Lucy seems to have double-checked to be sure.
I'm not gonna ask who she double-checked with...
The students can study magic and learn swordsmanship from Master Beryl.
They're sure to become national assets someday.
Henblitz always goes overboard with how he puts things.
Well, I still haven't decided whether I'll accept the job or not.
Fice is already all set on working with you and is over the moon!
Is it really that exciting?
Of course!
Fice keeps saying, "No fair, Curuni, you get to see him all the time."
I wouldn't say it's unfair...
It's been a while since I was last here.
Let's have a good day.
How many students are taking the sword magic course?
There's five now. Not a lot.
I see.
But if you're here, things will be fine.
It'll get more popular.
You think?
Like Allucia and Surena, she expects too much from me.
Here.
This is our classroom today.
Good morning, everyone.
Good morning!
Hmm... So one of them is pretty eager.
The other four, including Mewi, seem kinda unresponsive.
They're giving me that classic "suspicious old man" look.
I can't blame them.
I see Mewi every day,
but seeing her here feels different.
This is Master Beryl.
He's my sword teacher.
Which means he's your teacher's teacher.
How many times can she say "teacher" in such a short intro?!
Nice to meet you. I'm Beryl Gardenant.
Miss Ficelle and, uh... Principal Lucy invited me to observe your class today.
Please don't mind me and just carry on as usual.
Let's start today's lesson.
Open your books to page 12.
Now then, let's see what Ficelle's got.
For now, I'll keep my mouth shut and save any advice for later.
Read the basics of swordsmanship and memorize them.
- Um, Miss Ficelle? - What is it?
I don't really understand this "internal and external rotation" thing.
External rotation is the outward thing.
Internal rotation does the inward thing.
They're not going to get it if she just says "thing."
That explanation baffles even me.
You learn by doing.
Take out your wooden swords and swing 1,000 times.
H... Hold on a sec.
What's wrong, Master?
Isn't starting with 1,000 swings overdoing it a bit?
One swing per second is 1,000 seconds. It won't even take 20 minutes.
No, no, no...
I used to do it.
That may be true, but...
So this is what Lucy was talking about.
You can't call this anything other than bad teaching.
I spoke up without thinking.
I'm fine with that!
I'll swing 1,000 or even 2,000 times!
Um, so... being energetic is great, but just swinging... you know...?
Ngh... this is harder than I thought.
Um... Mr. Beryl, how would you...?
It's only natural they'd ask the old guy who butted in and stopped things
how he'd teach things.
To start, can you all show me how you swing your swords?
Could you maybe introduce yourselves first, though?
Okay! I'm Cindy Loveaut and I'm 15!
I'm Lumite Bafang.
My name is Fredra Eneq.
Nesia Gand.
Can we get started already? We're wasting time.
Mewi Freya.
Okay, thanks, everyone.
Let's start with five.
I'd like each of you to show me five swings.
Okay, here I go!
Ei! Toh! Yah! Hah! Hyah!
- Cindy, can I adjust your stance a bit? - Go ahead!
Widen your feet a little more...
And your elbows...
Bring them forward.
When you swing down, keep your elbows tucked.
That's it.
Oh, I see!
Take it slowly to start, and make sure you maintain your form.
Okay!
Mr. Beryl, could you help me too?
Go ahead and swing.
Your elbows are overextended.
Don't swing all the way through.
Stop at eye level and try to feel the rebound in your elbows.
Okay.
That's it, good job.
I'd like your help too, please.
Me too! Watch me, Mr. Beryl!
Okay, go ahead and swing.
Mewi, you're off balance.
Don't swing with just your arms.
Okay, got it.
You really are amazing, Master.
Don't get too carried away, Ficelle.
You need to think more about what it means to teach swordsmanship.
Yeah... If they actually take advice when it's given,
kids learn incredibly quickly.
This reminds me of teaching at the dojo.
Okay, let's take a break.
Stop and relax.
By the way, are you strong, Mr. Beryl?
Huh? Hmm... If you're asking if I'm strong...
He's strong. Super strong.
Why does she sound so certain about it?
I don't even know the answer myself.
I know you're strong, Miss Ficelle, but...
He's stronger. Got a problem with that?
N... No, that's not what I meant...
Teachers really shouldn't be intimidating their students...
I'll tell her later.
Show us, then.
That way, we'll take your lessons more seriously.
Hmm... good point.
They want to know if the random old guy who just turned up is fit to teach them.
Ficelle, can we take the class outside?
Yes. The training ground should be open at this time.
Alright, let's spar a little.
Okay.
I'm actually kinda curious about sword magic.
I've been wanting to see how I'd handle it in a real fight.
Let's spar without magic first.
Got it. I'm ready.
Alright, let's go.
- Wow! - She's fast!
- Nice moves. - Thanks.
Her swordsmanship hasn't lost any of its sharpness.
She was just a regular kid when she joined the dojo,
but she put in an incredible amount of effort.
She really kept up the 1,000 swings.
She was fully proficient in five years. A student I gave a farewell sword to.
And she still keeps up with her training.
It's time to use it.
Go ahead.
As expected, Master... I can't get through.
This is trickier than I expected.
If I get distracted by her magic, Ficelle will close in on me herself.
Unlike with Lucy, getting in close won't swing it.
Ficelle is top-notch with a sword too.
There's no opening at any range.
I didn't think beating her would be easy, but getting shut down like this is bad.
Mewi picked up the sword after watching me wield mine,
so I can't disappoint her.
One point.
You got me.
An incredible technique that can be used at any range.
You've really made it yours.
I didn't account for flying projectiles.
I still have a long way to go.
But... I'm glad I got to face you again, Master.
Likewise.
That was incredible...
But... was throwing the sword at the end really okay?
In a fight, you use whatever you can.
Focus on how you win, and you lose.
I see...
So sword magic is just one tool at hand...
- Right. - Swordsmanship is too.
Mr. Beryl! Please teach us more!
Please continue the lesson!
Yeah, let's get on with it!
Okay, since we're outside, let's enjoy some practice swings.
Okay!
Any reservations I had are being chipped away.
I kinda want to teach these kids for a while.
I also want Ficelle to understand what it means to teach others.
The sword magic course teaching job...
Would you be okay with me taking it on?
What are you asking me for?
Well... didn't you look a little unhappy at some point today?
Or maybe I imagined it.
It doesn't bother me.
It's just... if you were gonna see me,
I'd rather it be after I've improved a bit.
You were worried about that?
It's fine, you'll improve quickly. Young people pick things up fast.
I might improve a bit, but I'll never be as strong as you or Miss Ficelle, will I?
You will.
How can you be so sure?
For example, Ficelle probably feels worlds apart from you, right?
But people change if they really make an effort.
It may take time, but it will happen.
So if you continue to work hard, Mewi,
one day you'll gain your own strength, different from mine or Ficelle's.
You really think so?
I do. And not just you either.
I'm sure Ficelle will become a much better teacher than she is now.
I envy you. You're both young and have plenty of time.
- What about you, old man? - Huh?
Won't you get any stronger?
Hmm... It would be great if I could, but I think this is about as far as I go.
Why?! You've still got it in you, right?!
No, no, I'm already pretty old.
You're just using your age as an excuse to tell yourself that, aren't you?
I've got homework. Can you do the dishes?
Y... Yeah, okay.
Sure, when I was young, I aimed for the top as a swordsman...
But now...
I see. So you lost.
I should have had the upper hand because of my sword magic,
but my Master was amazing.
There aren't many people who can go up against him and win.
So what about the temporary teaching job?
I think he'll take it.
He loves teaching, and he's good at it.
You should up your teaching game too.
It's the path to even greater heights.
You can't teach others what you don't fully understand yourself.
Teaching forces you to better yourself.
However... if you teach the same person the same way, you'll hit a plateau.
Hopefully, this will serve as motivation.
You mean, for my Master?
Those who are truly strong keep changing, no matter their age.
They have to change.
Those worthy of being called a swordmaster
bear that burden...
Having a few drinks and agonizing over whether to stop or have one more,
an old guy always chooses one more.
Next time: "The Old Country Bumpkin Watches Them Grow."
SUBTITLES BY: MARDI MIYAKE