Chapter 3 - The old man from the countryside is appointed

“Wait… Just wait a second… Can you say that again?” “Of course, Master. I’ve recommended you to the Order as a special instructor, and my request has been approved, so I’m here to convey the good news. “…Hmm?” Huh? What? Special instructor? I’m just a humble sword instructor in a backwater village, and I’m being scouted for a position as a special instructor for the Knight Order? The same Knight Order that’s based in Baltrain? Ha! She almost got me there. Nice joke, Alexia! I thought she was a pretty stoic person, but looks like she has a sense of humor too! “…Really?” “Master, why would I lie about something like this?” When I asked her again, just to make sure, Alexia replied with a slightly sullen tone, her expression saddening. Ah… Even so, this is rather troubling. This is unrealistic. “Master, this isn’t much for someone as skilled as you are.” “You say that, but… You know, I’m not as strong as you think I am.” “You’re always so humble, Master.” No, no, no, this isn’t humility, it’s facts. I mean, I don’t think I’m weak either. I wouldn’t have taken up swordsmanship and even become a teacher if I were weak. But right now, I’m being smacked with a very strong case of impostor syndrome. Me? Training the Revelio Knights? The strongest, most elite troops in the country? While I’m not exactly sure what being a special instructor entailed, if I took it at face value, I’d assume I’d be teaching them the sword. Me? Teaching swordsmanship to the most respected, cream-of-the-crop, first-class Knights in the whole nation? Haha! Real funny… though it all sounds like a bad joke. “But… How could the Order have approved something like this?” That’s right. Even if Alexia greatly overestimated me, her recommendation alone couldn’t possibly grant me a position like this. Though I have no idea how the Knights function internally, at the very least, promoting someone can’t be as simple as a single person’s decision. The fact that she mentioned “approval” meant that someone, or a group of people, had seriously considered her recommendation. I’m tempted to ask them to rescind it right now, but I’m not sure that would work. The ones who passed her request must be idiots, so maybe I won’t be able to get through to them. Well, not like I can go and beat them up, so let’s see if I can find out the story behind my appointment. “Getting you this position was easy, Master. Many of Master’s former disciples are now among the Knights. Besides, Master, you’re famous for your swordsmanship. Some even call you “The Sword Saint from the Countryside”, and you’ve trained many famous knights and adventurers. I’d rather they left off the “Countryside” part from your nickname, but Bidden Village isn’t exactly a metropolis…” “Haha, you’re a funny girl.” Who? Who the hell is the “Sword Saint from the Countryside”? The second part is right, I’m from a rural area, but that first part – Sword Saint? What? I’ll say it again, I’m just a lowly instructor who runs a swordsmanship dojo. Yes, my skills are above average, but I’m not a legend or hero. I’m no “Sword Saint from the Countryside”, I’m just the “Old Man from the Countryside”. “So, this is neither a trick nor a lie…” Oh no, Alexia is starting to sulk now. “Ah, sorry, sorry, I didn’t mean it that way. It’s just kind of hard to believe…” There, that should fix her mood up a bit. This wasn’t her fault anyway. No, that’s not exactly right, she’s still guilty for recommending me, but… “Master, have you become weak after I left?” “Nope, nothing has changed. I’m still just a simple old man.” Man, it looks like they’re trying to recruit me, but I can’t help but feel awkward about this. I’m not upset, just worried that I’m being perceived as being more than I am. “But even if that were true, what would happen to this dojo? I still have a lot of students; I can’t just suddenly leave.” As I’ve said, I’ve been taking care of this dojo for many years. This dojo has been in our family for ages, and since I haven’t gotten married, there’s a good possibility that it will cease to exist in my generation. But even so, I can’t just suddenly give it up now. It would be too irresponsible, and my father is too old to wield a sword any longer. “Yes, Master, I knew that, which is why I recommended you as a special instructor. You don’t need to stay near the Knight Order. You just need to visit Baltrain a couple of times a month, and that’ll be fine. “Oh, I see…” Ah, so that’s how this “special instructor” position works. “Which is why I’d like to ask you to come to Baltrain so we can plan your future schedule. There’s a carriage waiting outside the gates for us right now.” “Right now!?” “Master, isn’t the dojo closed today?” “Oh, yes, that’s true, but…” Yes, she was correct… That being said, it’s pretty scary that she still remembers the dojo’s schedule. This is ridiculous. The story is progressing at way too quick a pace. Am I going to accept this job? Is there anything I’m missing? Am I even qualified to be the Knight Order’s special instructor? Alexia seems to think so… Can I even refuse the Order’s appointment in the first place? How much coercive power does this recommendation have? An endless stream of thoughts flowed through my mind. Alexia is a good kid. I’m sure of that. After all, we spent four whole years together as teacher and disciple. I don’t remember her being this pushy, though! It’s true that among all my students, she was the one who was the most fond of me. She must have missed me a whole lot, too. She was talented and always paid attention, which is why I gave her that sword as a parting gift. As I stared at her, doubts still floating in my brain, her expression suddenly changed, as if she had come to some sort of realization. She then looked into her pocket and pulled out a letter. “Oh, right, I nearly forgot. Here are the details of the appointment, complete with the King’s seal.” “Ahhh.” The King’s seal… Now I don’t have a choice!