Sword Saint's Reincarnation

Book 3 Chapter 26: Master

For a second, Rylan stared at the System notification with a grin.

It took less time than I thought.

Even though Professions weren’t exactly hard to acquire if one actively tried to do so, he had still expected to need another week before unlocking one. Either way, it was a nice surprise. He then moved his gaze to the students staring at him with eager eyes and pointed at the next person, a young-looking boy with brown hair and caramel eyes.

“Since we’re circulating our mana, is it possible to strengthen one body part over others?” the boy asked. “Like, can make the rest of my body weaker if I really want to strengthen my right arm and make it work?”

Rylan smiled and nodded.

“You can,” he replied. “But it’s not as good of a decision as it sounds. No body part stands alone. They’re all connected to your body as a whole. In your example, strengthening your right arm too much while weakening of the rest of your body would result in a weaker back and lower body, which wouldn’t allow you to make full use of your stronger arm in the first place. If you want to do it, I’d suggest strengthening your lower body over the rest of your body, and only under very specific circumstances. It will at least make you faster so you can run away.”

The boy smiled back and nodded repeatedly, bringing his hand down. In such a fashion, Rylan continued to answer every question. Even as some students raised their hands after hearing one of his answers, he didn’t admonish them and continued to answer their questions, one by one. The minutes ticked by, and slowly, the number of raised hands diminished until they had all been brought down.

Seeing that there were no more questions, Rylan nodded at his students, who used to be his classmates, with a smile.

“Class is dismissed,” he said. “Remember what I said and work hard. Your effort will never betray you. Now, go to your next lectures.”

Most students stood up.

“Thank you, professor!” a girl shouted eagerly. “You’re amazing!”

More students echoed her words. Soon, most of the class was shouting words at gratitude at Rylan, who only smiled.

It’s nice to feel appreciated.

It was a different type of satisfaction than the one from becoming stronger. The students were grateful for his teachings and for the effort he put in his lectures, not only in awe of his strength. It was something that Roland had never experienced. With these thoughts in his mind, Rylan turned his attention back to the System windows on the edge of his vision, bringing them to the center as the students left the classroom. He willed to see the possibilities. The System window disappeared, then a list appeared. He looked at the first one.

[Profession

Teacher: you have identified that you have a calling for teaching others. Helping them through their doubts and assisting them in their journey to become greater is what brings you joy. You have taken on the mantle of the first of all paths.

Per Level: +2 all ordinary stats.

* Increases the effectiveness of your teachings. When teaching, your students will learn 10% faster and more efficiently.]

A solid pick.

It was simplistic in nature, but it was also what he’d been expecting to get. The stat bonuses per Level weren’t significant, but those weren’t what he was looking for in a Profession anyway. The bonus effect was what made the Profession attractive.

Everyone will learn faster.

He wasn’t sure how it would work, since in his past life he’d only acquired Professions that could help him in combat, but there was no reason to doubt the System’s workings. Would his students feel like his words were clearer? Or would they understand his answers more easily? Either way, it was an almost mystical ability. Rylan shrugged. It didn’t matter. It only needed to work.

He moved on to the second option in the list.

[Profession

Guide: you have identified you have a calling for teaching others. But that isn’t where your talents end. You are more than a teacher; your willingness to guide others into their best selves hasn’t gone unnoticed, neither has your ability to do so. You have taken on the mantle of the first of all paths, but to an even greater degree.

Per Level: +3 all ordinary stats.

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* Increases the effectiveness of your teachings. When teaching, your students will learn 15% faster and more efficiently.]

Rylan raised an eyebrow.

The description is similar, but the bonuses are better.

He wasn’t too sure why he’d been offered something like this. Was it because he was good at teaching or something? Slightly confused, he read some of the other options’ descriptions. A few were on the same level as Teacher, while Instructor and Tutor were even better than Guide when it came to teaching others. By the middle of the list, however, one of the Professions attracted Rylan’s attention. He opened its information.

[Profession

Professor: you have identified you have a calling for teaching others. Through your professional guidance and assistance, not only are your students able to grow and develop, but so are you. By teaching others, your knowledge imprints itself on your mind. You can grow alongside your students. You have taken on the mantle of the first of all paths.

Per Level: +4 all ordinary stats.

* Increases the effectiveness of your teachings. When teaching, your students will learn 15% faster and more efficiently.

* Increases your own learning speed by 8%.]

Rylan widened his eyes.

It makes me grow faster, too?

This was outside his expectations. While Professions supplemented Classes and were meant to increase one’s ability alongside them, because he’d focused completely on teaching others, he’d expected to only be offered Professions related to that. The fact that there were Professions that could help him too was great news. Eagerly, Rylan read the rest of the list and the Professions’ descriptions.

This one is better than Professor when it comes to self-teaching, but not when it comes to teaching others. Oh, this one is good at both, too. They’re on the same level, though.

One by one, he read them all, then spent a few minutes deep in thought. Finally, he opened the description of the Profession he felt was the best one.

[Profession

Master: you have identified you have a calling for teaching others. By teaching yourself and others, you can ascend to an even greater level. Your guidance is enough to turn an ordinary man into a professional, and a soldier into a veteran. Each person you teach is part of your legacy. This mark propels you even higher. For you have lived for more than a century, your teachings will never ring hollow. You have taken on the mantle of the first of all paths.

Per Level: +5 all ordinary stats.

* Increases the effectiveness of your teachings. When teaching, your students will learn 18% faster and more efficiently.

* Increases your own learning speed by 12%.

* Increases your ability to master your own abilities by 10%.]

Rylan nodded to himself, satisfied.

Not bad.

It was the best one out of all the options he’d been offered, especially because it took into account his past life.

It acknowledges how long I’ve lived. The bonuses are the best ones, too.

Still, the acknowledgment made him feel like it was the right pick regardless. Rylan looked up into the empty air.

“I choose the ‘Master’ Profession.”

The System windows disappeared as he felt a wave of power flood his soul. In less than a second, it was gone, as if it had been a lie. After confirming the change in his Status Window and that the Profession was there, Rylan smiled at the empty classroom.

“They should have an easier time learning now,” he mumbled to himself, keeping his smile.

He looked through the window at the Academy’s open space. Teenagers of all ages talked in groups or ran around with their friends.

I never thought I’d be part of the faculty.

Still, it didn’t feel bad. Rylan took a deep breath.

Now, we keep going.

He needed to keep teaching his students, including the soldiers, his family, and Damian, as well as Hayden and Jasmine.

I guess the student council and some professors are included now, too.

He grinned to himself. It was an amusing position, to be the one responsible for teaching the kingdom’s current forces and the future ones. Stretching his body, Rylan walked in the direction of the door.

He just needed to keep going.

***

The next two weeks passed by seamlessly.

Every day, Rylan continued teaching as many people as he could. By training with the soldiers and teaching the others, the kingdom’s military power slowly grew.

On the last day of the second week.

In Damian’s study, Rylan smiled at Aelfric and Hayden.

“You guys are really getting the hang of it,” he said with a proud nod.

Both boys smiled back at him.

“If anything, I’m taking too long. You worked this out months ago,” Hayden said with a sigh.”

“But that’s because he’s Rylan,” Aelfric replied, making Rylan smile helplessly.

Hayden laughed.

“You might be right. But the more I study this technique, the more surprised I get.”

Rylan left the two of them to their budding conversation and looked behind them. Jasmine was pouting from behind Hayden, clearly upset that she wasn’t progressing as quickly as the boy. Beside her, Regis and Lillia both looked deep in thought. In the back, Damian stared at Rylan next to Gerard and Elizabeth, who were discussing something in hushed tones. Finally, Sarah was grinning at Rylan from beside Aelfric, her posture pristine.

On the other side of the room, the soldiers were sitting on the floor, with Jack, Scott, and Calan in the forefront. Some had their eyes closed, clearly still meditating, while others like Calan were throwing glances at the other group. Rylan grinned.

I should put some more effort into integrating them.

Of course, it wasn’t easy for citizens from Cantavega like them to easily talk to the kingdom’s previous strongest and such talented youngsters. It didn’t help that Gerard and Elizabeth were their employers.

At least they’re comfortable with me.

Rylan looked at Scott. As usual, the man appeared determined and deep in thought.

For some time, Rylan only basked in the atmosphere. The comfortable stillness was broken by Damian bringing out a resonating Communication Crystal, making everyone look at him. After nodding at Rylan, he moved his mana to connect with it.

“Headmaster,” Alice’s voice came out of the Crystal. “Good morning. Is Rylan with you?”

Rylan furrowed his brow. She sounded a bit nervous.

“He is,” Damian replied. “What happened?”

There was a pause.

“Mar’s delegation is here. They’re looking for him.”