Beryl Gardenant, a humble middle aged sword instructor, is summoned by a former student of his who now happened to be the commander of the knights, Allucia Citrus, to become a special instructor for the knights. Remarkably, several of his former students are making names for themselves in the capital, from Surena the black rank adventurer to Ficelle the magic user, and Beryl's teachings instilled in them both awe and modesty.
I really admire how deep a connection Beryl has with his students, and he serves as a great example of the type of teacher one should aspire to learn from. For he teaches not just swordsmanship, but how to build from the ground up, how to develop skills, and when to accept a new challenge is necessary for further growth. Having spent his life in a rural village, he lacked belief in his own skills, yet comes to the aid of others unwaveringly time and time again. His encounters with people in the capital show not just how honest he is but how his new lease at life is something he does not take for granted.
Beryl's modesty may seem excessive at times, but overall it doesn't take away from his aware personality, as he knows his swordsmanship is not to be trifled with, yet keeps to the belief that there are always bigger fish in the sea. I did find the sheer quantity of success stories produced from his dojo to be surprising and perhaps not too grounded, yet at the same time intriguing as to gain more insight into what can happen when the right students meet the right teacher. The characters, whilst not too full of depth outside their roles, all have distinctive personality traits, but where the show really shines is in the lessons and fights of Beryl, how what happens next is not always predictable, and how being strong does not always result in confidence.
The testifying of his students aside, Beryl is a man of his word and with ability to back it up, he seems like the perfect person, right? Well, Beryl continues to train everyday, always ready for new challenges, and feels that he too can learn from his students, not creating boundaries aside from in the romance department. Beryl is very adamant that he has a duty for his students, and when they stray from an acceptable path, he is always willing to be there to guide them back to his side, as he shows later in the series.
The students of this backwater sensei apply the principles of his teachings into their everyday lives, and whilst he may not believe their successes are thanks to him, they certainly do. This story is one of gratitude, and whilst there are dark moments, they do not diminish the light of Beryl's teachings, the valiant fighters produced thanks to said teachings, and the kindness human beings are capable of, to raise one another and for there to not always be ulterior motives to such kindness. Beryl embodies this kindness and even if he wasn't so strong, he would still be loved by those under his tutelage...
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