Chapter 152: Last Class Standing (8)
It seems that Erich’s summoning spell was triggered by the provocations of Rutis and Lather. For me, who was suddenly summoned, it felt like a bolt from the blue—annoying and inconvenient, to say the least. I’m used to being treated like an SSR character wherever I go, yet here I am, being yanked around like I’m just some random recruit.
However, as time passed, I found myself getting increasingly intrigued. After all, if someone could watch this scene without feeling a twinge of excitement, that would be far more astonishing.
“Block it! Use your body if you have to!”
“Don’t dodge! It’s better to die standing than live sitting down!”
I had no idea the academy students were this competitive. Or maybe they had just handpicked the particularly aggressive ones for this four-person match.
Anyways, it turned into quite the fierce brawl. All the classes clashed without holding back, charging in with the kind of resolve that suggested they’d happily trade blows just to make sure their opponent felt it, too.
“The future of the empire looks bright.”
I nodded in satisfaction. The empire’s future does look promising. This academy seems to be filled with what you’d call the golden generation.
When I saw the practical exams, it felt like striking gold. This time, I see plenty of deserving candidates for recommendation letters popping up everywhere.
“The students are very enthusiastic.”
“Thank you for seeing them in such a positive light.”
As I casually remarked, the man next to me promptly responded. He was the homeroom teacher of Class 3, first years—who, by a twist of fate, was now on my team.
I couldn’t help but smirk at his anxious demeanor. He wasn’t just some random fellow I bumped into; he was my younger brother’s homeroom teacher. Seeing him tread carefully around me made me feel a bit like one of those overbearing parents.
But telling him to relax wouldn’t do a thing. That’d be like the division commander asking the unit commander, “Am I really that scary?”
“They’re not coming our way, so let’s just wait.”
“That’s an excellent judgment.”
I felt a bit embarrassed by the automatic flattery. Maybe it’s best to just keep my mouth shut.
*
Something feels off.
Damn it.
The plan was flawless. The academy has 18 classes across 1st, 2nd, and 3rd years, with four participants per class—that’s 72 people in total.
Even after counting out a couple of royal family members and the Executive Manager’s class, we’d still have a whopping 60 participants brawling it out in one arena.
I figured I could overpower them all by launching reckless attacks without caring for my own safety. After all, I had sparred with Prince Rutis before, so I figured I could fall gracefully if needed.
You bastards.
That’s what everyone seemed to think. All 60 of us, myself included, acted like a minor hit was a fatal blow, aiming to go down first no matter what.
I glared at Robert, who was sprawled next to me, gritting my teeth. As our eyes met, he awkwardly groaned and rolled to his side.
You traitor.
I had a chance to tank an attack. One came flying that’d let me tumble down with a grand excuse.
With relief, I relaxed my grip, happy that I could finally take it easy like everyone else.
“Charles, it’s dangerous!”
Then, that jerk jumped in and took the hit for me. If no one was watching, I’d want to boot him out of here!
“Oh, if it isn’t Charles!”
Damn it.
Being the last man standing suddenly brought the very attention I had been trying to avoid at all costs.
“Thanks for remembering.”
“It’s only natural! You were my first duel opponent, after all. I knew you were skilled, but I didn’t expect you to be this good.”
Prince Rutis let out a laugh that would make anyone watching feel freshly invigorated.
Of course, for me, it was more chilling than refreshing.
Of all the things to remember.
I really did my best during the practical exam. I rolled around like my life depended on it. Even if I’d fought with everything I had, I still might have lost, but inflicting any damage on the prince would have meant curtains for me.
I thought I had gone unnoticed, yet here he was, calling my name out loud during the match.
Ordinary acting wouldn’t cut it here. With the expectations and curiosity surrounding me, any flimsy performance could turn into a disaster.
What about the others?
I quickly scanned the area. Unlike Prince Rutis, who had focused on me, Prince Lather was keeping an eye on the Prosecutor’s Executive Manager camp.
Yeah, they must see the Executive Manager as a bigger threat than me. That’s a logical deduction.
But when I accidentally caught the Executive Manager’s eye, my heart nearly stopped.
Damn it.
A chill ran down my spine. The instant our eyes locked, I realized he’d been watching me the entire time.
His gaze seemed to assess me, making me feel like I was sinking into a swamp.
This is exactly why I wanted to fall quickly.
If I stood until the end, I’d attract the Executive Manager’s attention; that much was pretty common sense. But that traitor Robert spoiled my plans.
I steadied my trembling hands. Having caught the Executive Manager’s eye, I had to make a quick escape.
I need to fall fast.
My goal was the same, but now I had to act convincingly so that the Executive Manager wouldn’t find my performance odd.
The challenge level suddenly shot up. That blasted Robert!
“You must want a rematch, don’t you?”
I don’t want one!
I almost shook my head at Prince Rutis’s lightly spoken words. What sort of madman would want a rematch after losing to royalty? I should just be thanking the heavens I got off so lightly.
But Rutis’s eyes were already brimming with expectation, as if he’d feel let down if I didn’t pick a fight.
A prince wanting me to challenge him, another ignoring me, and a monster that could scrutinize my family if provoked.
How maddening.
If I had to clash with one of them, I’d rather it be Prince Rutis. The other two looked like no-win scenarios.
Here goes nothing.
I charged straight at Prince Rutis.
I’d rather stroll into the lesser hell.
*
He was quite impressive. If he hadn’t been a noble of the Empire, he’d surely have made a name as a distinguished knight in Armein.
Charles Olreed.
It was certainly a name worth remembering.
Seeing Charles sprawled on the ground with a calm expression filled me with satisfaction. Even after losing the rematch, he accepted the outcome with remarkable grace.
He was genuinely exceptional. Victory or defeat didn’t matter when facing a worthy opponent, especially since I’d even won. How could I not feel gleeful?
“That was a great match.”
“It’s an honor.”
Those words brought an involuntary smile to my face.
But now was not the time to bask in my triumph.
Is this just the beginning?
Turning my gaze toward Lather and the advisor, who were waiting for the results of my duel with Charles felt like a necessary shift.
They could have intervened if they wanted to, whether by jumping in or casting spells from afar.
Yet the fact they chose to watch indicated their desire for a one-on-one match. It was understandable; were I in their position, I’d probably do the same.
Hmm.
Honestly, my odds against Lather felt like a coin flip. Facing mages always has more variables than expected, and Lather’s skills were far from trivial. I couldn’t guarantee victory, yet I felt confident I wouldn’t be a pushover either.
On the other hand…
I’m confident.
Gazing at my advisor put me at ease. Compared to Lather’s unpredictability, I was far more certain facing the advisor.
Confident that I would lose.
Did I provoke him needlessly?
I chuckled to myself and turned to Erich, who was standing behind the advisor.
Erich’s expression was one of “What are you going to do about it?” Sure, I told him to call anyone, but I hadn’t expected him to call the advisor.
What a fantastic soldier he’d make.
It was a method no one else thought of, but it sure was effective. If Erich decided to follow the soldier’s path, he’d undoubtedly become an outstanding commander.
But really, this was too much. Even the most creative tactics have proverbial limits.
Who in their right mind would bring the killer of Kagan to an academy competition?
Winning seems impossible here.
I fully understood just how monstrous Kagan was. Beating the advisor who took down that monster? It was impossible to envision a future where I could defeat the advisor and emerge victorious in this four-person event.
Naturally, I couldn’t picture Lather winning either. The victory in this four-person battle was undeniably in Louise’s team’s favor.
So it comes to a draw in the end?
Both my team and Lather’s amassed equal points. The winning side of this four-person battle would have crowned the champion of the class competition, but it seemed we’d both gracefully lose, ending in a draw. What a fruitless conclusion.
Nonetheless, just the chance to face the advisor was delightful. Where else would I encounter Kagan’s killer without fearing for my life?
Battling a strong opponent could serve as a stepping stone to higher realms.
“Advisor, may I ask for a match?”
“Of course.”
His light nod brought a smile to my face. Even if I lost today, I would relish the experience.
Yet, something felt off.
“Don’t you have a weapon?”
The advisor was unarmed. Given his sudden entrance, it made sense that he’d lack a weapon, but surely he could borrow a sword from Erich by now?
But instead, the advisor simply scanned me and replied flatly, “I don’t think it will be necessary.”
That stung my pride a bit.
“Oh, I didn’t realize you were a fighter, advisor.”
“You wouldn’t have known. I’m a swordsman, after all.”
Hmm.
I felt my teammates step back even further behind me.
A new target formed in my mind: I had to land at least one solid hit on the advisor.
“I clearly warned you.”
The advisor wouldn’t be blamed if he struck me. After all, I was the one who pointed out that he was unarmed first.
Naturally, he must be confident in his skills to engage me without a weapon. So, should I tread carefully- Wait—?
What the?
Suddenly, something pitch black leaped into my line of sight, and I felt myself yanked up by the collar, flipping my viewpoint entirely.
The ground I had been standing on vanished beneath me, my vision shifting from the advisor to an entirely different angle.
What’s happening—
BOOM!
*
I shook off the wreckage of the arena floor from my shoulder.
At least nothing exploded.
Fortunately, Rutis emerged unscathed—the floor was the only casualty here.
Right, this made sense. No matter how you sliced it, using a weapon would have resulted in injury somewhere. It was best to stick to my trusted bare fists.
And there wasn’t any need for a drawn-out battle either. Dragging it out would only lead to whispers about playing favorites with royalty.
So I kept it short. I seized him by the collar and slammed him down onto the ground.
With no visible cuts or injuries, it seemed perfect. Up until that point, everything went swimmingly.
Is he dead?
He was entirely still, leaving me in the dark about whether he’d fainted or kicked the bucket.
No way. He couldn’t have burst something internally, could he?
Anxious, I poked Rutis’s shoulder, which was sprawled limply on the ground.
Blood spurted from his mouth.
Despite my best efforts to hold back, this was the result.
Shit.
I’m in deep trouble. This won’t just end with a simple report.
…Yet, deep down, a tiny feeling of satisfaction started to flare up.
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